the Concern Was SLOW To Melt Away - As Shown With The Taut Brow & Clenched Jaw That Remained

Arthur Morgan — American Fathers I RED DEAD REDEMPTION II

@espercr asked: "It's been a long time. Too long." (DS9!Hope + it's actually Thomas impersonating Will but she doesn't know yet... like we discussed...)

for just a moment - a heartbeat - his brows furrowed at her words. thomas riker had expected one or two incidents where he may be put on the spot, and insisted his quick-thinking and poker face would GUIDE him until he could reach the defiant. an anecdote about will riker's travels is the most he expected.

but not her.

to cover up his surprise, thomas straightens his shoulders and puts on a smile. and he knew which kind of smile to offer hope baxter - he'd seen it himself. ❛❛ it has, ❜❜ he agreed, his tone light to emulate a SOMBER tone. the fact that she was here on the station, and not still on the enterprise, made it a safe bet to act at least a little sadly nostalgic.

❛❛ i hope you've been well. i've read some of the reports before coming here. ❜❜

obediently - but not without an exaggerated groan - stan makes way toward the egg aisle. with mabel perched on the very front of the cart like a captain on the stern of her own ship , they caught a few glances from other shoppers. stan knew they were looking at mabel - aweing over an ADORABLE little girl much too excited about grocery shopping. round eyes turn to amused smiles when their gazes moved to stan himself , pushing the cart with hunched shoulders and knit brows.

ah, let one of 'em take mabel home if they want. saves stan from having to eat her mabelcakes . . .

especially when he caught a look at the egg prices. this kid was gonna bankrupt him.

" can't we just get that egg substitute shi- erm, crap ? " stan asked, steering the cart in its direction. " don't want the BURDEN of eating some little baby chicken on your conscience, do ya ? "

𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚌 𝚞𝚗𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚍 𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚜 ( accepting ! )

@quastari said : ❝ the chocolate milk is strikingly overpriced & at the same time very easy to steal ; another of god's little tests .❞ - stanley pines

❝ & i'm pretending i didn't hear that ! ❞ mabel singsongs , depositing a gallon of the aforementioned beverage into their shopping cart with a loud thump . ❝ next on the list is . . . ❞ she squints at the slightly crumbled piece of notebook paper in her hand , where in between various holographic & glittery stickers there are some grocery items listed in glitter gel pen ink . ❝ woof , speaking of overpriced - eggs . ❞ returning to her perch at the front of the cart , she points ahead , waiting expectantly for her grunkle to propel her onward . ❝ now MUSH ! ❞

Lev St. Valentine

the silence has always put arthur just a little on edge. it holds TROUBLE more than peace, in his experience. a man with a knife hiding behind a corner. a cougar gliding through the shadows. the rare times where dutch is speechless or hosea has got no more tricks up his sleeves.

being alone with a bride-to-be.

arthur unbuckles his gun belt, offering a short grunt to hope's reply as he sets old leather & cool iron down on the table. he plans on spending much of the next few hours cleaning his weapons while hope sleeps. maybe seeking some rest of his own in the rickety wooden chair until she wakes & continue their journey in the morning.

she speaks up again. his grip tightens on his revolver when it's pulled from its holster.

❝ upset me ? ❞ arthur repeats incredulously. a snort edges his tone. AMUSED that this girl thinks she has such sway over his feelings. arthur just gives a short shake of his head. ❝ ma'am, i promise, you'll know when i am upset. ❞

though, he stops himself from teasing her further. he's seen where she comes from. how her father speaks to her. mary had much the same reactions to his scowling face.

❝ ... you've done nothing worth upsetting, miss. ❞

with her attempt to lighten the growing apprehension in the room falling 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐓 , she shrinks further into herself . at another time she wouldn't have hesitated to counter his jab with one of her own - but she's grown far too exhausted from the day's events to come up with any cleverly indignant responses worth throwing his way. besides , there is 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 she could possibly say that could change how he must see her: spoiled , privileged , ingenuous , sheltered , frivolous . . . & the worst part is - he's right .

by all logic it shouldn't bother her so much , what arthur thinks . her father paid him to get her from point a to b safely. that should be the extent of their relationship, 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 . he gets his payment & she takes on the newest role expected of her - beautiful blushing bride-to-be . her family's future will be secured , everything has been carefully arranged for her . it should unfold neatly , 𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒚 .

so why does she still feel so uneasy ?

why does his patronizing only make her want to try harder ?

letting out her own sigh, the tiniest air of 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓 slipping through her best attempts to mask it , ❝ okay . if y'say we're safer here , i trust you . ❞ silence follows , it would be awkward if the tension weren't thick enough to chew . hope tries to let things 𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓 , to stop poking the bear - but the question turns over & over in her mind until she can't take it any more .

❝ did i . . . do something to upset you ? ❞

jack daniels tag drop.

What’s the worst decision you made while you were drunk?

Don’t mean to brag but I️ don’t even need alcohol to make really bad decisions.

General Sentences, Vol. 24

(Assorted original sentences. Adjust phrasing where needed)

"See? That wasn't so difficult!"

"Go to your room!"

"What will you be wearing tonight?"

"It's been a long time. Too long."

"Did someone put you up to this?"

"How am I going to do this without you?"

"Is your job always like this?"

"I hope I made you proud."

"I told you we'd meet again."

"You've been hiding from me, haven't you?"

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Don't even think about telling me to calm down!"

"I have said I'm sorry!"

"Do you have a family?"

"Do I have to join in?"

"That must have cost a fortune!"

"Can I sleep in your bed tonight?"

"You can't run forever."

"If I wanted your opinion, I would have asked for it."

"When I want your advice, I'll ask for it!"

"Which side of the bed would you prefer?"

"Please don't touch that!"

"Why do you have to control everything?"

"You can't stay away from me, can you?"

"Why don't you come back to my place for a cup of tea?"

"Wouldn't you like to play with the other children?"

"Innocent men don't resist arrest."

"We have nothing to say to each other!"

"I'm right, of course. I always am."

"This time you've really disappointed me."

"Are you sick or something?"

"Would you like some breakfast?"

"Put that away before you break something!"

"I hope you like spicy food!"

"I don't know what I would do without you."

"That cat's out of the bag now."

"Do you just make these things up?"

"You're a very suspicious person."

"I'm feeling a little attacked right now."

"I suppose you have good reason for making me look like a liar?"

"I want tonight to be one of those moments that will stay with you for a long time."