#javier esculla

The campfire crackled, ashes popping and drifting to the dirt below. The little bundle in your arms giggling as the guitar strings lured her slowly to sleep.

The moon's blanket draped over Javier’s smile, the soft pink that dusted his cheeks from something more than the night's chill. Although he'd never admit that.

The campfire’s light glittered against your eyes. Eyes that held only pure innocent adoration as you looked down at your child.

Javier had always wanted a family, and he felt sick to his stomach when he fantasized having a makeshift one with you. Taking the space your husband had left and slotting perfect although you and your child.

The day you had walked in besides Arthur and Dutch. Hair a frizzy mess of curls as you looked like an injured puppy anytime anyone would look at you too long. Your body curling around your sweet tiny child every night.

It was like something had clicked in his head, the final pieces of the puzzle coming together to form the perfect picture.

Javier was in deep, and it only dug deeper when you finally warmed up to everyone.

Giggling with the other ladies as you helped with chores as your growing child napped.

Helping Abigail with Jack whenever you were given the chance. To Javier, it was like a glimpse into the future when you kneeled in front of Jack to dust off his muddy clothes.

Even to him, complimenting his playing anytime he'd pull his guitar out. Helping him with a remedy only you know when he had drunk too much at the camp party the night before.

Gentle fingers running across his forehead as he laid on your lap. Gazing up at you while you hummed a song he'd later try to play. To impress you, always to impress you.

His rowdy campfire songs quickly drifted to soft lullabies whenever he saw you on the other side of camp trying to get the baby to sleep.

Or when an argument broke out in camp, how'd you gently grasp Jack's hand as you took the two children for a walk around the area that is the current surrounds of the camp.

And when they become more frequent, he begins joining you.

“Y/N!”

Javier called as he raced to join you, and arm on your shoulder as you turned to face him with a smile.

“Javi.”

Your soft sweet words make his ears ring and stomach flip, no matter what they were.

“Can I hold her?”

He's gestured towards the child in your arms. Who had grown out of their bundle and were now a mess of fussing legs and arms.

“Are you sure? She's not in the best mood.”

“Of course.”

Javier immediately reassures you as you pass your daughter to him.

It was almost like the baby knew the soft beat of Javier's heart was only for her and her mother. Calming down and snuggling into his arms.

Jack's little steps matched your own as you all walked along the river side, the voices from the camp now becoming quiet.

“You fish Javier?”

You hum, breaking the silence. Settling on a rock as Jack runs to play with some sticks and flowers.

“Love fishing, one of the things I'm good at.”

“You're good at alot, you know.”

That makes his heart soar to the moon and around the stars. The baby settled in his lap patting at the ground in the same tune as his rapid heart, dirt pitching between her fingers as she tried to bring it to her mouth. She was an observant little thing, in her own ways, of course.

“No no, Niña pequeña-”

Javier gasped, softly prying her fists apart and away from her mouth before turning to thank you.

Bringing your knees to your chest, resting your head on your knees as you admire the view before you. That being Javier and your daughter.

“Have you ever had kids?”

You pipe curiously, earning a simple shake of the head from Javier.

“I always wanted, but it hasn't happened yet.”

He expressed, delicately brushing the thin hair on top of your daughter’s head with his fingers.

“You’d be a good father, you're wonderful with her.”

A soft pink dusted his cheeks, before it turned into a full blown flustered mess.

“You really think?”

“Mhm,”

You hum simply, like it was the most obvious thing.

“I can tell she loves you.”

You continued, your fingers now joining Javier's. But instead of brushing your daughter's hair, you stroked the pads of your fingers against Javier's knuckles.

Javier wanted to explode. His nerves ignited from every end. Heart pleading against his ribcage to be set free.

“I love her,”

He said in a single tight breath.

“And you.”

He had also daydreamed of all the romantic ways he would confess.

On a day trip to town. Through a song. Setting out a picnic for just you two.

Yet, this moment, with her in his lap playing and you at his side easing his worries away, had to be the most perfect way.

You scoot closer to him, head gently laying on his shoulder. Free arm around his waist as the other continues to run across his knuckles.

Although no words were said, it was like your three heart beats were connected. All the shared feelings oozing out and creating a pool Javier would forever bask in.

“Look what I made for mommy!”

Jack boasted as he ran over to the small acquainted family. Proudly showing off the flower chain he made for Abigail.

“She'll love it Jack”

You smiled at the boy, snuggling more into Javier's side as Jack promised to make you one too.

“Do you fish?”

Javier asked, continuing the conversation from earlier as you both looked off into the river.

“Never learned how.”

“I'll have to teach you some time, I know a few good spots around here.”

Javier promised, hand linking with yours. A fish jumps out the waters before bubbling back down to his home.

Your baby girl claps her hand, as if cheering on the simple show.

“You like that Hija?”

* You had started slow with a bottle of beer and a snack. Javier raised his eyebrow at you as he drank his whiskey. “You know, you’ve been tense lately. I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable if you don’t want to drink more, but you deserve something nicer than just a piss cheap beer. Now if I could, I would get you some tequila, but that’s not an option sadly.” You smiled at him.    “Alright, one drink couldn’t hurt.” Famous last words.

* Javier was telling a story about a robbery gone wrong and how he had to hide in a potato sack so the law didn’t catch him. You were laughing so hard, tears were in your eyes. He yawned and stretched, “Alright darling, one more drink and then I think it’s off to bed”, he said with a wink. You nodded and he went to get your drinks.

* That’s when you heard a slurred voice say, “ I didn’t know we allowed **** in this bar. The fuck you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with your rat people in whatever shithole you crawled out of?”. Javier scowled, but when he caught your eye, he took a deep breath, saying “I’ve got every right to be here as you do, buddy.”

“I ain’t your fucking buddy, you fucking ****”, the drunkard growled and with that, the first punch was thrown. Javier was faster though and blocked the blow. At that point, several bar patrons had started to gather around. Some were watching, some were running. Those watching were cheering the drunk bastard on.

* Javier threw in several jabs and gave a kick to the man’s shins. The man fell with an infuriated roar. He then grabbed Javier’s ankle and started to choke him. Some of the other patrons watching looked interested in joining.  

* You couldn’t have that. The drunk was bigger than both you and Javier, but he was pretty overweight. You took one bottle in your left hand and took a second bottle in your right. You caught Javier’s eye as you crept behind the drunk and smashed the bottle on his head. Glass shattered everywhere. He loosened his grip on Javier, but not as much as you’d like so you smashed the second bottle. The man let go of Javier’s neck and fell backwards. You slammed a few coins on the bar, grabbed Javier by the hand and ran into the night.

* The air was hot and humid as the two of you drunkenly ran from the saloon and into the hotel down the street. Javier shoved a small wad of cash to the innkeeper and dragged you upstairs and into the room. He slammed the door and locked it.

* You started to laugh. You had a shitty feeling the night wasn’t going to end as peaceful as you would have liked. You finally caught your breath as you looked at Javier. The room was so silent, you could hear a pin drop.

* Javier wandered over to you putting his hands around your waist before gently pressing his lips against yours. You moaned eagerly as you threw his hat onto the bed, stroking his hair. You deepened the kiss as you felt him caress your cheek. He manoeuvred you to the bed.

*“You’re so goddamn beautiful, you know that? So incredibly sexy, ‘specially how didn’t think twice about defending me. Thank you, YN”  he whispered. He peppered kisses down your neck between each sentence. You grabbed his cheek and gently bit his lip before prying your tongue into his mouth. He eagerly accepted it as your hands started to roam his body. You paused a moment for air before saying, “You’re welcome. Anything for you, Javi,” and pressed another gentle kiss on his lips. He grinned fondly before saying,

““Damn, I’m a lucky man,” and kissed you back.