#fulfilled requests

"And I told you it's too dangerous, goddammit!" Arthur shouts and his fist hits the doorframe just next to your head, making you flinch.

Seconds tick by while you stare at Arthur and he stares at the broken wood under his fingers. When he looks at you, you take a step back without even thinking.

It's a normal reflex to protect oneself, but Arthur deflates, a horrified expression on his face. "Jesus Christ, I'm so sorry."

He seems to shrink in size, the fight leaving him, and he takes a step back as well. You move closer to the door, though.

"It's okay."

"No, it's not," Arthur says, watching his hand. "It's bad enough when I lose my temper out there, but here… with you…"

Arthur trails off, and you take another step forward. "You're not a bad person, Arthur."

"You flinched. I scared you." You can hear the guilt in Arthur's voice. "Over something so stupid."

"So, you admit it's stupid?" you ask with a deliberate smile, taking a step closer to him.

Arthur rolls his eyes. "I'm serious."

"So am I," you say, leaving the cabin and walking up to Arthur. He takes a step back, but you follow and grab him by his shirt, making him stay. "I'm not afraid of you, just because you lost your head for a second."

"But I shouldn't," he says, barely looking at you.

"You wouldn't, if we didn't get into these stupid fights."

Arthur takes a deep breath, his eyes still not meeting yours. "I know. Of course you know what to do. It's none of my business."

You know Arthur means well, but he sounds weird, sad almost. Although he likes to take care of everybody in the gang, you've never seen him this upset.

"Why do you only give me such a hard time?" you ask.

Arthur takes your hands away from his shirt and shakes his head as if to deny it, but when he moves, you grab him by the wrist and for the first time, he actually looks at you.

"I don't-"

"Arthur!"

"I don't know," he growls, but you hold on to him and Arthur glares at you. "I can't risk losing you."

You huff. "I'm not even really good at anything. The gang doesn't need me."

Arthur snaps his arm away from you, his whole body turning back to anger. "I need you. You ever care to think about that? It's stupid, and selfish, and I'm an idiot for it, but-"

You don't even care to hear more. Instead, you grab Arthur again and plant a hard kiss on his lips.

Everything goes quiet then. All you hear is your own heartbeat and a long breath coming out of Arthur as if he's been holding it for years.

"Better?" you say, and when Arthur nods, you make him look at you. "I can do that whenever you need it, alright?"

Arthur takes another shaky breath and nods again. "I feel like I'm getting angry again."

"Don't overdo it," you laugh, hitting him in the chest.

"No, really. I'm mad," Arthur says, despite the smile that's dancing around his lips.

You kiss Arthur again, much more careful now and he melts against you. Running your fingers through his hair, you rest your head on his shoulder, and your eyes fall on the spot where Arthur's fist landed. 

"I'll be careful, I promise," you say and Arthur squeezes you as if he never wants to let go.