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The sound of cheerful christmas music hit me before I'd even reached the train tracks. I had never been overly fond of the holiday season, never really had anyone to celebrate with until now… and I found myself almost giddy in anticipation.
My satchel bobbed against my hip as I crossed the tracks toward camp, the few gifts I’d gotten for my newfound family rattling with each trotting step. A small smile tugged at my lips as I thought about giving them out. They were just little things I'd heard they needed: some ink for Arthur’s pen, a new shirt for Jack, some fine coffee for Abigail… Gun Oil for Micah.
I wasn’t sure how he’d react to the little vial of oil I’d wrapped with a ribbon. We’d been casually flirting since he showed up back at camp and I, admittedly, a bit naively thought a gift might further things. But that dream was quickly squashed when I arrived at camp.
Micah was drunk. Completely plastered. And yelling at Reverend Swanson, only the occasional curse slipping un-slurred through his otherwise nonsensical tirade as he berated the man.
By the time I reached the campfire others were intervening. Arthur was yelling at Micah to cut it out, Miss Grimshaw was trying to lead the Reverend away. Sean was laughing his ass off saying, “Now this feels like Christmas!”
I huffed a sigh at the spectacle and grabbed a jug of water, walking over to Micah and promptly throwing it in his face like a misbehaving dog.
“Would you shut up! For once!”
He stumbled back, sputtering and grumbling before lunging for the jug in my hand.
“The hell you think you’re doing!?” He growled inches from my face, throwing the jug to the dirt.
“Putting an end to this, you ass. Come on.” I grabbed a fist full of his shirt and started pulling him with me toward my tent with Sean whistling after us.
“I ain’t need babyin’...” He grumbled, but didn’t put up much of a fight. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing at how pouty he sounded.
The moment I pulled open my tent flap, he was collapsing onto my bedroll… and taking me with him. I gasped, not expecting to be yanked to the ground, groaning when I collided with his chest. The bastard just smirked.
“That wasa perty noise, doll.” He slurred, wrapping me up in his arms and burying his face in the crook of my neck with a deep sigh. I couldn’t help but blush, my whole body seemingly on fire as he wrapped himself around me, his warmth overwhelming.
“Christ Micah I feel like I’m cuddling a hot coal.” I complained, trying to pull away from him. "Ugh- And you're all wet!" He just hummed against my neck, rubbing his facial hair up and down the sensitive skin there and holding me tighter.
“Yousmell good…” His words were a faint mumble against my skin, his lips brushing just below my ear. His hands wandering over my back, large calloused fingers teasing at the hem of my jeans.
I drew in a shuddering breath. If he didn’t let me go soon I was in real trouble of letting him continue to explore me like this…
“This isn’t what I brought you in here for…” I said, trying to muster even an ounce of conviction into my words, but they just came out breathless.
His hummed reply vibrated against my neck. God that had no right to feel so good… I found myself melting into his embrace as his hands found their way to my ass, grabbing handfuls of it.
“Mm… What’s this?” His fingers delved into my back pocket, pulling out the Gun Oil I'd meant to give him.
“A present… for you…” Our voices were barely above whispers now.The atmosphere in the tent was so thick that even the smallest noise seemed capable of shattering the fragile intimacy of the moment.
I could feel Micah’s smile against my neck and a shiver ran down my spine. He brought the gun oil up to his face, pulling back from me enough to actually inspect it. His smile widened a fraction when he saw it.
“You shouldn’t ‘ave…” A small huff of a laugh escaped his lips and I couldn't help but smile back as I watched him toy with the ribbon i’d wrapped it with.
“Thought you could use the ribbon to tie your hair back… two presents in one.”
He laughed harder at that. “I ain’t putting no frilly ribbon in my hair…” He chided, but the smile was still there.
Sighing, he slipped the gun oil into his pocket and pulled me back even tighter against him as he rolled onto his side, his body curling around me. I blushed hotter at the new position, being spooned by the grumpy cowboy that had been the subject of many a daydream of mine was not helping matters.
“Micah- You gotta let go-” I tried pulling his arms off of me to no avail, the man was gripping me like a vice. I thought of Miss Grimshaw coming to wake me in the mornings like she often did, and finding us like this… “Seriously Bell-”
He groaned into my hair. “Stop fightin’, damnit.” His arms locked over my stomach, refusing to give. “Just lay with me awhile…”
I sighed, giving in embarrassingly fast to his resistance. “Just awhile…” I grumbled. I could feel his answering smile spread against the back of my neck and the corners of my own lips quirked up… At least I wouldn't need a blanket tonight.
In the morning I woke to Grimshaws firm voice chastising me for sleeping in so late. “Just ‘cause we celebrated last night doesn't mean there's no work to be done today!”
I groaned, turning over on my bedroll and shooting awake when I found it empty. Images of the previous night flooded back and I blushed at the mere memory of Micah's warm arms around me… his breath on my neck… But he wasn’t here.
For the most part, I was relieved. There would be no awkward stumbling out of my tent with him, no needing to explain anything to Grimshaw or endure Sean’s relentless teasing. But something else nagged at me, this chill of emptiness I felt upon waking without his warmth. I sighed and got up to start my day.
I’d done several chores that morning by the time I saw Micah. He was sat at a table at the edge of camp like usual. Though, I did a double take when I realized he wasn’t polishing his guns but- My heart stuttered when I noticed it. The small ribbon he was rubbing idly between his fingers as he gazed out at the forest.
Blush burned at my cheeks and I cursed myself for being so flustered by something so… so… sweet. I made a mental note to get him things wrapped in ribbon more often… and went on with my chores.