vinylmango

The fire danced in the hearth, retreating under the weight of the icy breeze that had followed on his heels before it returned to its height with a crackle. “There’s dry clothes over on the bed for you.” You gestured over to the neatly folded pile laid out for him as he smiled at you, dark eyes shining before he padded over to the bed, unfolding the clothes before he began to take off the ones he had been wearing, the wet articles falling to the floor with a quiet thud. 

You stoked the fire, placing in another log as your eyes drifted towards the bed, eyes trailing up his legs and across his bare form as he pulled fresh undergarments on. The fire crackled, startling you with a gasp before you poked it once more and looked back over to where he was changing. 

You reached for the broom, brushing away some of the ash by the fireplace as he pulled over the fresh warm shirt, watching as the muscles of his back flexed and rippled with his movements. He turned back around to see you already looking. Your eyes widened and quickly darted away just as you bumped the kitchen table. “Ow.” You hissed quietly, your fingers pressing on the area that you were sure would bruise now. 

Remmick laughed softly as he picked his wet clothes up and approached you. “You alright?” You nodded, heat rising to your face as you turned your head, refusing to make eye contact. “Seems you were distracted.” You hit his leg with the broom in your hands as he laughed loudly before you too began laughing. He chased you around the kitchen table before he quickly changed directions and caught you in his arms. “S’alright. I get distracted by you…all the time.” You raised an eyebrow as his smile widened. “Happened last week when I nearly spilled the hot water on myself and got it all over the table.”

“You said that there was a crack in that cup.” You laughed again, as he kissed you again. You couldn’t help but smile into it, his lips no longer icy against your own. 

“Now,” He sighed happily, glancing at the fire before refocusing to look at you. “What’d you want for dinner?”

“We should invite Mrs. O’Neill over. Ever since Mr. O’Neill died, she’s not been out much.” You reasoned as he nodded with a frown. Mrs. O’Neill really had become a shell of herself, no longer going into town as frequently, no longer singing or playing any instruments, no longer telling stories to all the young children who’d gathered around while their parents collected food for dinner. “Do you want me to stop by and ask her while you go to the market?” You suggested as you reached for your boots, unlacing them as you sat in one of the kitchen chairs and laced them back up around your thick wool socks. Remmick did the same as he helped you into your own coat and secured the scarf around your neck before he put his own jacket and scarf on. 

“Be back soon.” You reached up and kissed him before opening the door and stepping outside, pulling your coat tighter as you headed in opposite directions, Remmick heading down the hill and towards town while you headed up towards the rolling hills and Mrs. O’Neill’s. 

You reached out, knocking softly against the wood as a strong gust of wind blew in from the sea causing you to pull your coat tighter. The door opened a moment later as a weary looking Mrs. O’Neill stood before you, quickly moving back from the door to let you in and out of the cold. “(Y/n)! Child, what are you doing out here? You’ll catch your death in weather like this. Did you come from far?” She said quickly, pulling you in towards the fire and sitting you in a chair. She grabbed a hat from by the door as you giggled when she placed it on your head, the flaps falling over each of your ears. “You warm up first, then you can take it off.” She instructed in a scolding manner, her light eyes narrowing at you as if to dare you to challenge her. “What are you doing out in weather like this? Don’t tell me you and Remmick were both out in the hills.”

“No.” She sighed in relief, sitting beside you as she turned to face you. “We’ve only gone out to check the cows earlier, but we’ve been inside mostly.” She nodded. “Remmick’s gone to the market for dinner. I came to invite you over.”

She smiled softly at your invitation. “You children are always so good to me.” She pulled you into her as you hugged her back. “I’ll come.” She nodded as you smiled widely at her. 

“Would you like to come now? Or I’m sure Remmick or I can come get you when it’s closer to being done.” You suggested when she looked over to the old cat lounging on the back of the old sofa. 

“I’ve got to attend to Finn first and I don’t want to hold you. I’ll head over on my own shortly.” You nodded, going over to pet the old cat who rolled over allowing you to pet its belly before you left. “Here take this with you for your walk back.” She slid a stone that was sitting near the fire into a cloth before handing it to you, the warmth radiating from it and into your palms. 

“I’ll be sure to return it to you later tonight.” You said as you stepped outside and walked quickly back down the hill towards the old stone house on the hill. 

You unlatched the door, opening it just enough to rush inside before you closed it right behind you. Walking over and sliding the stone from the cloth, you placed it just by the fire as Mrs. O’Neill had before going back towards the door to hang your outerwear. 

“I put the water on.” Remmick nodded towards the large pot that he had sat over the fire as you nodded with a smile. He stood at the table expertly peeling the potato skins away with a small knife. 

“Hello Paddy.” You smiled seeing the little boy sitting on the other side of the table, watching Remmick work. He smiled widely, his front two teeth missing after having fallen out two days prior. You laughed softly when his little arms circled you in a warm hug. 

Patrick had come by and stayed for dinner a number of times, so often in fact that the spare bedroom in your home had sort of become his. “Paddy?” His eyes shifted to you again. “Would you like to help me gather the bowls and utensils and place them out?” He nodded immediately, getting up from his chair and heading towards the shelf where you kept the dishes.

You spent the time before Mrs. O’Neill was supposed to come, finishing the folding you had started and abandoned earlier, only having a few more things to fold. “Remmick?” You looked up when you heard Paddy’s voice. 

“Hm?” Remmick looked at him too. 

“Can I try?” He asked as Remmick nodded and stepped over so that Paddy could stand beside him. 

“Here, hold it like this, alright?” Paddy held the knife, Remmick holding it with him as Remmick guided him on chopping the carrots, a large smile never leaving Paddy’s face as Remmick’s shone with pride as the little boy picked up the instruction quickly. “Well done.”

“I think these are the best carrots I’ve seen. A chroí, look at this.” Remmick called to you, setting the knife to the side as Paddy all but beamed up at Remmick and then over at you as you walked over. 

“Wow, definitely better than any carrots I’ve cut.” You nodded with a growing smile as Remmick poured them in the pot. 

A knock at the door sounded just as dinner was finishing. You were closest to the door so you opened it, finding a warmly bundled Mrs. O’Neill on the other side. “Come in, come in.” You said ushering her quickly in and closing the door behind her. You took her outerwear, helping her sit down at the table as she set a glass bottle down, the light amber colored liquid sloshing inside as a mischievous glint danced in her eyes. The firelight cast a warm glow around the house. 

“Is that poitín?” Remmick chuckled as he handed out the full  bowls to everyone, taking a seat beside you. Mrs. O’Neill nodded immediately. 

“Colm started it before…” She trailed off, smiling wistfully at the bottle. “Figured we could see if it turned out any good.” You grabbed three glasses from the shelf as she opened the bottle and poured some in each. 

Remmick muttered a string of words you didn’t catch under his breath before coughing. “It’s definitely Colm’s.” Mrs. O’Neill laughed as she too drank some and coughed joining you and Remmick. The alcohol filled your chest with warmth and tasted faintly of molasses and barley. 

“Paddy, why don’t you show (Y/n) what I taught you.” Remmick suggests after Mrs. O’Neill convinced him to play a few songs, his face slightly flushed in the firelight from the alcohol. He strummed and sang while you danced around the room with Paddy, laughing and giggling as you twirled each other around before you both danced around with Mrs. O’Neill, causing her to laugh and smile too. 

Paddy yawned, rubbing his tired brown eyes, as the song came to an end, your eyes meeting Remmick’s with a smile as you kneeled in front of the child. “I think it’s time for bed, don’t you?” Paddy nodded, yawning again as he took your hand and you took him to the room that had basically become his, helping him to change before tucking him into the bed, pulling the quilt up as the wind whipped outside. 

“Goodnight (Y/n).” Paddy said as you blew out the candle and closed the door. 

Mrs. O’Neill had begun to grow tired too, beginning to put her outerwear on as she prepared to leave. “No, Remmick you stay here with (Y/N). I’ll be just fine getting home on my own. It’s just up the hill.” She protested as he began to reach for his boots.

“Mrs. O’Neill you don’t have to leave, you could stay the night and we’ll walk you home tomorrow when it’s not dark or as windy.” You suggested as she shook her head no again.

“I won’t.” She shook her head again. “I won’t put the two of you out of your bed.” You and Remmick smiled. 

“We were fine last time Mrs. O’Neill.” You reassured her, trying to take her coat from her hands. 

“Really, we were.” Remmick agreed as Mrs. O’Neill huffed, crossing her arms before finally giving in and allowing you to take her coat and scarf back.

You helped Mrs. O’Neill into the bed as she quickly fell asleep, leaving you and Remmick awake. You quietly cleaned up together, giggling and speaking with hushed tones as you pulled the extra blankets from the trunk by the bed, stacking them out over the large rug before grabbing two extra pillows from the same chest and setting them down. 

“A chroí?” Remmick whispered beside you, breaking the comfortable silence as his eyes shifted from the orange flames toward your dark eyes.

“Hm?” You shifted, turning to face him. He smelled of grass and cedar as he lay beside you. His hand shifted beneath the covers reaching over towards the pants he had folded and sat on the nearby chair.

“I want permanent vows with you.” He said, holding a gold band in his hand, a shy smile on his face. “Do you-” You didn’t let him finish, pressing your lips to his as he practically melted into the kiss, his hand setting the ring aside as one of his hands settled on your hip while the other held your face. “Does that mean you will?” He questioned after you had pulled apart. 

“Yes, of course.” You laughed, settling against his chest as he slipped the ring onto your finger. It was a solid gold band and it fit perfectly onto your hand. 

“It was my mother’s.” He explained, breaking the comfortable silence as you laid your head on his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin and the steady pounding of his heart against your cheek. 

“It’s beautiful.” You kissed him again, though shorter this time, settling into his chest again. “I love you.”

“I love you.” Remmick smiled, voice still lowly as he held you close, the both of you falling asleep moments later, the alcohol finally catching up to you both.

The first rays of sun shone into the room, glinting into your eyes as you yawned and lifted your head from his chest. He mumbled something incoherently but didn’t open his eyes. “Hm?” You asked him again as he finally cracked his eyes open. 

“Don’t get up yet. Stay here with me.” You settled back against him as he hummed and held you close. 

“I should get up. I have to go check the cows. See if any of the cows have started calving yet.” He shook his head, sitting up and stretching. 

“I can do it. I promised Paddy yesterday that I’d take him with me. That way you can walk Mrs. O’Neill back.” You nodded as you started to get up for the day too. Paddy came into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes as he yawned. 

“I’m ready to see Cara.” Paddy said as he pulled on his boots referring to his favorite dark brown cow. 

“Be back soon.” Remmick kissed you before walking out the door with the little boy, lantern and shotgun in hand. 

“Early start to the morning.” Mrs. O’Neill sat at the table as you put the kettle in the fire and grabbed two cups. “Calving season?” You nodded. 

“Plus there’s been a few animal attacks recently. Remmick just wanted to go check on them.” Mrs. O’Neill nodded, watching you pour the hot water in each cup to make tea before handing her a cup. 

“Thank you, Darling.” You sat in the seat beside her. “You’re a good woman (Y/N).” 

“Mrs. O’Neill, that’s very kind.” Heat rose to your face as you looked down, caught off guard by her words. She shook her head with a smile. 

“It’s the truth.” She replied. “The way he looks at you…” She trailed off. “I’ve known him since he was born, used to look after him when his father died and mother left. I never seen him look at anyone like that before. He’s never smiled so much.” You smiled softly. 

“He makes me happy.”

“He’s lucky to have you. Something like that only comes around once. Be sure to hold onto it tight.” She smiled wistfully as if remembering something. “Reminds me of Colm.” You squeezed her hand as she cleared her throat, quickly wiping her eyes. “Well, I’ll head back now. Finn needs to be fed.” She finished the tea, leaving the mug by the sink before going to grab her things. You grabbed your coat and scarf, deciding to walk her back to her home.

The wind rolled in off the water, whipping the grass and trees around as you made your way up the hill and towards Mrs. O’Neill’s home. The sun sat high in the sky and puffy white clouds swiftly blew by, being urged on by the wind. It wasn’t until sunset when you made it back home, closing the heavy door behind you. You hadn’t planned to stay long, but Finn had gotten comfortable and fallen asleep on your lap, and you couldn’t possibly move him then.

“Remmick? Sorry I took so long.” You called as you begin to unbutton your coat. “Finn had fallen asleep on m- Oh.” Your sentence stopping when you noticed his boots weren’t by the door and his coat was still gone from by the door. You started a fire, throwing a few logs into the hearth and poking it as the fire began to eat away at the dry wood. 

The sun was gone from the sky when you began to grow worried, setting the clothes you had started trying to patch to the side, no longer able to busy yourself. You grabbed a lantern, going over to the fire and lighting it before opening the door, the wind whipped causing the flame to dance as you peered out into the quickly settling darkness, stars shining brightly above. 

You glanced back into the house at the hearth, walking back inside as you made up your mind and grabbed your coat. “I’m sure everything’s fine.” You told yourself quietly as you held the lantern in front of you, trying your best to not trip over the uneven ground. 

You trekked through the dark night, the moon sat high in the sky glowing down at you and casting a silvery glow on everything. You looked towards the cliff, lantern held out in front of you as the flame danced behind the glass. The waves were black and lapped wildly at the beach and cliffside below in a rhythmic swoosh. Mrs. O’Neill’s came into view not much later, her chimney sending small clouds of smoke up into the starry night. “Mrs. O’Neill!” You knocked on the door, glancing around and into the shadows that stretched in the tall grass nearby. “Mrs. O’Neill!” You knocked a bit louder, lowering your hand when you heard the lock turn. 

“(Y/N)? What are you doing out at this time of night?” Her eyebrows furrowed as she stepped to the side motioning for you to come in. 

“Oh that’s alright. I just came to ask if you’d seen Remmick come by?” You crossed your arms, holding the top part of your coat closed, biting your bottom lip in anticipation of her answer. 

“No, no I haven’t.” She shook her head. “He hasn’t come home yet?” She peered out into the darkness, looking left and right before trying her best to squint out into the tall grass and forest nearby. “That’s not like him.” Her lips pulled into a frown as she tried her best to think of a scenario that would’ve caused him to not come home to you. 

“What about Paddy? You haven’t seen him, have you?” She shook her head again.

“No. Let me grab my coat. I’ll head into town. Maybe they’re there.” She pulled the nearest coat on, lacing up her shoes as she grabbed her own lantern, going over to the fire and lighting it before she walked back over towards you. 

“I’m sorry to be a bother.” You laughed uneasily, pushing your hair away from your face as you tried your best to hold your lantern steady. “I’m sure everything’s fine.”

“Nonsense.” She waved you off, offering a smile and squeezing your arm. “We’ll find them. Then we can yell at them all we want.” She joked with a soft laugh. “I’ll meet you at your home in an hour’s time.” You nodded, the both of you splitting up as you watched her disappear down the road heading into town. You continued on past her house and towards the fields and forest. The pasture was just past the woods at the edge of Mrs. O’Neill’s home.

“Remmick?” You called out, sniffling as the wind picked up again. “Paddy!” You called out, stopping to see if you could hear anything, hoping for just a small sign of where they could be. You wandered through the treeline and into the sea of tall grass, calling for them again, but to no avail.

“Rem-” His name died in your mouth as your boot caught on something, launching you through the air and into the dirt and grass, the lantern flying out of your hand and landing a few feet away from you with a crack. “Oh no.” The fire flickered before dying as another gust of wind extinguished it, leaving you in the darkness. “Shit.” You stood up where you had fallen, looking down to see your knees were scraped and a cut ran down the front of your shin, just above your boot. 

“Paddy! Remmick! Can you hear me?” You called, stopping as the grass blew around you, the soft blades blowing against your legs and waist, the contact making your injuries sting. You held the dead lantern in your hand, the metal rattling against the frame as you continued on, walking towards the shadow of the barn, the moonlight now your lantern.

You pushed the heavy door open, walking inside and setting the lantern down, grabbing an unbroken one that was hanging near the door. You walked to the other side, looking between the cows gathered there but finding nothing helpful. “You wouldn’t know where the boys are would you?” You joked softly, your voice shaking as you attempted to calm yourself. The black cow stared back at you, nuzzling your hand with its large head before you stepped back after petting her. You held the lantern out as your other hand secured your coat tighter around you as you made the long trek back towards home where you had planned to meet Mrs. O’Neill. 

Some time later you made it back home, finding Mrs. O’Neill was a few steps away from your door. “Any luck?” Your eyes searched her face, trying to predict her answer before she gave it, but she was unreadable. 

You opened the door, letting her in and closing it behind her after hanging the lit lantern outside, telling yourself that maybe Remmick and Paddy would need it. “(Y/N).” Mrs. O’Neill’s voice was soft like velvet, her weathered hands rubbing your arms gently before she brought you into a hug, her hand pushing some of your curls out of your face as she sighed. “I didn’t see them.” 

Your face grew hot as your vision blurred and a few equally hot tears rolled down your cheeks before falling to the floor. “Are you sure?” You let out a shaky breath as she nodded, sitting you down in a chair and putting a few new logs into the fire as she grabbed bandages and alcohol to clean your wounds. 

“Don’t worry. I’m sure they’re just staying close to the cows. They’ll be back in the morning.” She told you as you nodded slowly, trying your best to stop yourself from spiralling on thoughts that would only make you more upset. “You remember last year when Róisín Murphy’s husband disappeared for a whole week and it turns out he had just been stuck a few towns over because his boat wrecked while fishing? I’m sure it’s just that.” You told yourself that she was right, maybe Remmick and Paddy had just ventured too far and would be back tomorrow. 

“I’m going to go to bed, I think.” Your voice was a whisper as you quietly shuffled over, kicking your boots off as you laid on top of the blanket. Mrs. O’Neill pulled the blankets back and settled them over you as she mentioned something about coming to check on you the next morning before you heard the door close and you rolled on your side, your arms wrapping around the pillow that smelled like Remmick, pulling it into your chest. 

It had been a long time since you had gone to sleep without Remmick beside you and you hadn’t realized how hard it would be. The bed felt wrong, the weight not distributing right without the warmth of his body beside yours and his arm pulling you into him. The pillow wasn’t enough after having gotten used to laying your head on his chest, his heartbeat lulling you to sleep with its rhythmic thumping. 

You weren’t sure how you had fallen asleep or how long you had been asleep for when the warmth of the sunlight streamed in through the window. You yawned, reaching out only to find the bed empty and cold beside you. It hadn’t been a dream. 

You sat up, eyes settling on the boots by the door, or the lack of boots by the door. Yours sat alone, nothing in the place of where he would routinely set his. Remmick’s fiddle sat beside his chair near the hearth and the clothes you had started patching up sat by your chair.

A knock at the door had you running towards it, hoping it was Remmick and that he had just forgotten or lost his key. You opened the door only to find that it wasn’t Remmick or Paddy, instead it was Mrs. O’Neill returning like she had told you she would. She watched you deflate in front of her and the way you stepped back to let her in, trying your best to not look disappointed that it was her instead of Remmick.

“You know,” You paused looking up from your hands after you had sat beside her at the table. “We hadn’t gotten the chance to take permanent vows.”

“You will, (Y/N).” She nodded once, holding your hand. “You will.” She repeated, squeezing your hand as you glanced up at her to see her small smile and the certainty in her eyes.

“But what if-” You didn’t finish your sentence when she shook her head, not wanting to hear any of it.

“You will.” She repeated once more. “Now, there’s lots to do before they get back.” She stood up, her eyes looking around the home before settling on the pile of clothes that still needed mending. “Let’s mend these clothes. I’m sure they’d want fresh clothes to change into once they get back.” You nodded weakly, standing and grabbing your sewing materials before following her over towards the pile.

The task went quickly with two sets of hands and she stayed with you all day, keeping you busy with random household tasks, but that didn’t stop you from pausing by the window every so often gazing out to see if maybe they would be walking up to the house at any moment. 

When the sun began to set, you opened the door, stepping outside and taking the lantern down, heading back inside to light it before hanging it by the door again. “Just in case.” You said to her as she nodded, putting her overcoat on as she got ready to head home for the night. 

“I’ll be back tomorrow.” She told you, hugging you tightly before opening the door and walking out towards home with one last wave. 

The days bled together quickly, turning from days to weeks to months without a single word of their whereabouts and it was like everyone was afraid to talk to you, not wanting to upset you further. They watched you, pity swirling in their eyes as you walked through the market, talking in hushed tones about Remmick when they thought you weren’t listening or couldn’t hear them, but you did. 

Paddy’s family had left town three months after it had happened, his father saying that Paddy’s mother was inconsolable, that they had to move so she would stop crying through the night. You hadn’t seen them since, didn’t even know what town they had moved to. 

Mrs. O’Neill was the only one who still spoke his name. The only one who didn’t treat him like a ghost or you like a piece of glass.

You stirred the pot that sat in the fire, grabbing dishes off the shelf, pausing when you had set out two instead of one. You shakily set the bowl back on the shelf and took yours to the small pot, pouring your soup into it before sitting down at the table, stirring it around with your spoon as your mind wandered.

You blinked when you heard three knocks on the door, opening it slowly to see a man around your age. His eyes were wide and his chest was heaving as if he had just run to your door. “Ma’am, there’s something out there! It’s been chasing me since the edge of town, please can I hide here?” He asked as you stepped to the side with a nod, peering outside and looking around to see if you could see anything. 

“Come in.” You told him simply as he quickly entered around you and you pulled the door closed and locked it. He sat down at the table, trying to catch his breath as he looked around at everything. “Who are you running from? What did it look like? A wild animal?”

“I-I’m not sure. I didn’t get a good look at it.” He glanced down at his hands before looking into the fire. “I was just cutting some wood and then I heard this growl behind me and I ran as far as I could until I got here.” 

“You ran here from the other side of town?” You gasped. “Let me get you water, you must be thirsty?” You reached for a cup, filling it with water before setting it in front of the man. 

“Thank you. You’re very kind, Ma’am.” He offered you a smile as he drank the water as if he hadn’t had water in days. He set the empty cup down after wiping his mouth. He stood, walking over to the windows and peering out before moving to the next one and doing the same thing.

“Do you see it out there?” You asked, standing near the hearth still as he seemed to jump slightly before turning towards you with confusion.

“Hm?” His head tilted to the side before his eyes widened just enough to show he remembered. “Oh, um, no. I was just…looking.” He trailed off as his eyes shifted to you, raking you over as his gaze narrowed. You shifted uncomfortably under the weight of his gaze.

“I think you should go now.” You said softly, keeping your distance as you watched the man’s eyes glint in the firelight. “My husband…he’ll be back soon.” You lied easily as he continued to stare at you unmoving.

“It could still be out there.” His voice was quieter, less convincing this time. You shook your head no, your hand wrapping around the handle of the knife that sat on the table. 

“You’d better go now.” You repeated, the knife now comfortably in your hand, pointing it towards the man as he stepped back and you stepped forward making him step backward again towards the door.

“Thank you for the water, Ma’am.” He said, eyes flashing a strange color before he stepped out of your home and you closed and locked your door immediately after. Your chest rose and fell quickly as you realized how dangerous that really had been.

You settled on the bed, a small candle by the bed as you read a book. It was one that Remmick had originally had that you had yet to read. As you went to turn to the next page a quick knock sounded on the other side of the door. “Go away!” You shouted out, stepping back from the door only for the knock to sound again, this time a bit firmer. You huffed, grabbing the knife from the table and unlocking the door, allowing it to swing open.

The knife clattered from your hand onto the floor, your mouth opening and closing as your eyes widened. “Remmick?” You whispered his name like if you said it too loudly he would disintegrate right in front of you.

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“You have to go?” He asked as your mouth opened and closed, glancing behind you as you gripped the doorknob tighter. You finally shook your head no as a slow smile spread across his face. 

“Why’d you wanna talk to me so badly?” You shifted again at the door as he stood for a moment as if he were thinking. 

“You got a nice voice.” He shrugged. “Ain’t nobody else out here.” He listed off. “Your neighbors said you’re a kind woman.”

“My neighbors?” You questioned. “Which neighbors?” Your closest neighbors were about a half mile up the road. You didn’t see them much, but they were nice nonetheless. They always gave you extra crops they had when the seasons changed and you babysat for them a couple times when one of them had to go out of town and the other couldn’t take off to watch their young children. 

“Uh.” He paused, looking down with furrowed eyebrows. His head tilted to the side when he looked at you again. “That family up that way…The Johnsons?” You nodded slowly, eyes narrowing. 

“Why you speakin’ to my neighbors about me?” You opened the door, grabbing a rolling pin from the kitchen table and holding it up just enough for him to get the message. “You know me or something?”

“No…” He trailed off, voice quieter than before. “But I’d like to.”

“What’s your name?” You lowered the rolling pin, but still kept it in your hand. 

“Remmick. What’s yours?”

“(Y/n).” You still eyed him cautiously as you set the rolling pin down again. “You best be going now, Remmick. It’s getting late.”

“I’ll come back tomorrow, then.” He didn’t ask a question and you didn’t protest, simply closing the door when he had stepped off the porch and began to walk back to the road. 

He did come back the next day, just as the sun had set over the horizon and you had lit your lamps. “You came back.”

“You never said I couldn’t.” He shrugged, this time sitting on your porch steps. “When you gonna let me come in properly to talk to you?”

“When I know why a strange man showed up at 10 o’clock last night trying to talk to me about music.” You answered dryly as he cracked a smile, a chuckle coming from somewhere in his chest. 

“I ain’t a stranger no more. You know my name.” He pointed out as you nodded. 

“Remmick.” You dragged his name out as his eyes shifted to you from where he had been looking at his well worn brown boots. You couldn’t really decipher much from his gaze other than a little amusement from what you had said. “That just means you’re not a nameless stranger. My grandma’d be having a heart attack right now.” You added the last sentence under your breath. He didn’t laugh but he let out a breath in a huff that made it seem like he almost laughed. 

“Why? Because you live alone?” You shook your head no. 

“My grandma always told me growing up that nothing good ever comes to your door at night. Nothing good really ever happens at night.” You shrugged as you saw his freeze. His shoulders relaxed a second later as he smiled softly, not showing his teeth. 

“Grandmas are all the same that way, huh?” You nodded with a laugh. “Superstitious.”

“Where you from Remmick?” You questioned after a period of silence. “Like really from?” You added when he looked at you with a raised eyebrow.

“Here.” He laughed as you rolled your eyes. “I been here for a long time.” His voice grew quiet and looked out into the woods, his eyes getting this hazy far away look to them before he cleared his throat with a shake of his head as if breaking a trance. 

“You got a family?” You asked next as he shook his head. 

“Just me. Just me for a while now.” He looked down at his hands. “My parents been gone a long time now. They weren’t long for this world.”

“That sounds real lonely.” You told him quietly. He looked over at you before his eyes flashed towards the door, just for a split second before going back to you. “And you don’t have any brothers or sisters or cousins or…” You stopped speaking when he shook his head no. 

“You live out here by yourself, ain’t you lonely?” He stretched, his back cracking as he hummed in satisfaction before settling back against the wall. 

“No, I’ve got my chickens and cow and they keep me plenty busy.” You glanced over at the barn and chicken coop on the edge of the property by the creek bed. “Plus I see the Johnsons from time to time. When people need me they know where I am.”

“I find it hard to think you live out here alone.” He looked into your eyes when he said that as your eyebrows furrowed and your head tilted to the side. 

“Why’s that so hard to believe?” You crossed your arms over your chest which caused him to look down at your chest before he looked away. “You don’t think women are capable of doin’ things by themselves? It’s the 30s now, things are changing.”

“No it ain’t that.” He waved off. “I’m just surprised that you ain’t got a husband out here with you.”

“Why’s that, Remmick?”

“You gonna make me say it?” He gave you a lopsided smile again. His eyes glinted in the moonlight and heat rose in your body and across your face as you dropped eye contact. “You keep a nice house, you got animals and land, and you’re real nice to be around. Any man woulda jumped at that chance.” He shrugged as if he was simply just making objective observations.

“I gave somebody a chance once.” Your voice grew soft and hoarse as if you were attempting to talk around a lump in your throat. “I learned my lesson. He was a liar and a cheat.” You shook your head, curls moving with the motion before settling back around your face. “I left and came here. Everything I did here, I did for myself and by myself.”

“He ever try to come back around?” Remmick’s voice grew low and cold, a strange glint in his eye you hadn’t ever seen before but in a split second it was gone when he shifted his gaze away from you and back out to the road. 

“He tries just about every damn month.” You laughed bitterly, grabbing his attention when he heard you shift from your spot. “That’s what I got this for.” You held up the shotgun you kept by the door with an innocent smile causing Remmick to smile and chuckle. 

“You’re somethin’ alright.” He said to himself, the smile still on his face. He stands up after a moment more, stretching again before his hands find his pockets. “I best be goin’ now. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He didn’t ask again, but you still nodded anyway. This time closing the door with a small smile on your face. 

The next night you couldn’t help but sit at near the door watching the sunset behind the trees and over the horizon. “Rem-”. Your voice caught in your throat when it wasn’t the nice yet mysterious man you’d been talking to for the past few nights. “Tom, get the hell outta here!” You yelled as your ex-husband pushed through the screen door. One of his calloused hands ensnared your wrist, gripping it tightly as he pulled you towards him. 

“Gimme the money you owe me!” He bellowed as he held you tightly. That didn’t stop you from kicking and thrashing, trying anything to get out of his grasp and to the gun that sat neatly perched against the table.

“Get the hell off me! I don't owe you shit!” You dug your nails into his arms, but it only made him hold you tighter in his grasp as he slammed the front door closed and threw you to the floor. Your head hit the floor and you didn’t really remember anything after that. 

Sunlight poured through the windows and into your eyes as you cracked them open, groaning as you lifted your head and staggered to your feet. A dull ache sat at the base of your skull as you looked around the room. “What the hell?” The entire house looked like a tornado had ran through it, curtains torn from the windows, chairs knocked over and one of them was broken. Your kitchen was in a state of disarray you had never seen before. Pots and pans lay scattered, food thrown about, jars half empty and broken with glass shattered on the counters and floors. Your bedding was pulled back and off the bed, bedside tables with the left half open or completely removed. You stumbled to the jar you kept in the back of your pantry, you had painted it so it wasn’t see through anymore. Unscrewing it quickly, hot tears welled up in your eyes when you saw it was completely empty. All that money you had been saving away, had worked for, put in extra shifts for, sold herbs and crops for, was gone, probably burning a hole in Tom’s pocket. 

The knock at the door caught you off guard that evening. You set down the broom, leaning it against the table as you reached for your gun, cocking it as you opened the door and pointed the barrel out. “Woah (Y/n). I do somethin’ wrong?” Remmick joked, before his smile dropped and he took in your appearance and the state of your home. 

“Oh.” You set the gun down with a shaky breath, before you looked back at Remmick and then at the state of your living room. “I lost track of time.” 

“What’s happened?” He questioned, voice tight and eyebrows knitted together. His hands were at his side, balled into fists before he flexed them and then balled them up again. 

“Nothin’.” You froze. “Nothin’.” You repeated again, firmer this time, as if you believed it now. “I just…” You couldn’t come up with anything so you just let the words die on your tongue as Remmick shook his head, dark eyes swirling with anger and something you couldn’t quite place. 

“You hurting?” His voice was softer, standing right in front of you now, the only thing separating you was the screen door, or what was left of it. 

“It’s just some bruises.” You waved off. 

“It was him wasn’t it?” His jaw tightened as he said the words.

“Yes, but it doesn’t matter.” He shook his head at your dismissal. “Why do you care? Tom’s my cross to bear, not yours, Remmick.”

“Because you’re a good person (Y/n). Too good.” His southern drawl seemed to thicken as his knuckles turned white. “He had no right to come through here like that.” He stepped back from the door. 

“Where you going?” You called after him as he stopped mid-stride, turning his head just enough to look over his shoulder. 

“I forgot to hang my laundry. I’ll be back soon.” He called, running off down the trail without waiting for an answer from you. 

By the time he returned the holes in the screen door had been patched up with tape and when you opened the door again your place looked relatively back to normal. He walked back up onto the porch, hands in his pockets, though they were different pants this time, a cocky smile pulling at his lips. “You look nice.” You complimented his shirt which was also a different color, one that complimented his eyes and contrasted his hair in just the perfect way.

“Thank you, Darlin’.” Heat rushed to your face at the nickname. You decided not to ask any questions when you saw him picking at his nails or that his lips looked stained, like he had drank dark wine on the way back to your house. 

“You ever wonder what else is out there?” Your back was against the wall just by the threshold as he sat mirroring you on the porch. The screen door now left open along with the other more solid door.

“What’d you mean?”

“Just…” You paused as if trying to find the right words. “That the world’s so big and yet I’ve never left the Delta. Feels like if you went somewhere else you could be just about anything you’d want to be.” You sighed, eyes tilted towards the stars. 

“There’s alotta stuff out there.” He agreed. 

“You traveled?” You sat up then as he smiled at the shine in your eyes. 

“Yeah I’ve seen things.” He agreed. “I didn’t like all of it though.”

“What’s your favorite place?”

“Besides right here next to you?” You rolled your eyes with a laugh. He paused for a second and you watched as a slow smile grew on his face as he crossed his arms. “Ireland.”

“Tell me about it?” You asked, your head leaning back against the wall as he nodded before taking a breath. 

“It’s real pretty.” He sounded wistful now, eyes closing with a smile on his face. “There’s these rolling green hills right by the coast. They go on for miles and miles. It’s just nothin’ but farmland out there. It’s perfect in the summer. The grass is tall and soft and you could just lay on those hills for hours and listen to the waves lapping at the rock. I used to do that all the time.” He chuckled to himself, voice soft as velvet. “My parents used to get worried because I’d disappear for hours, but I’d just be there in the grass or with the cows.”

“It sounds beautiful.”

“I never told anybody about that.” He opened his eyes as you grinned at him. 

“Was that home?” Your voice was just above a whisper as he nodded. “You miss it?”

“Every day.” Your hand reached out for his, lightly settling over it as you felt him go rigid. His dark eyes focused in on your hand before finding your eyes. You smiled at him as you felt his cool touch on your fingertips. He turned his hand up as you settled your hand back in his, interlacing your fingers. 

“You’re cold.” You whispered.

“I run cold.” He said before you noticed the dark blue veins that peaked from under his shirt sleeve. They looked strange against his pale skin, but you didn’t say anything. 

“Why haven’t you tried to come inside?” You asked, your voice still soft. “Any other man woulda barged in here by now, but not you.” He didn’t say anything, just sat there as the crickets chirped into the night. You looked down at his hand again. “You hear about Tom? Some woman in the general store was sayin’ that her husband found him face down in the mud with all the pigs around him.” You turned only slightly, feeling him freeze for a moment before he relaxed. 

“Hm.” He hummed, eyebrows raising and mouth opening just slightly. “No, that’s a shame.” Remmick hadn’t even tried to sound surprised or disgusted. If anything, some happiness seeped into his eyes before he returned to his neutral expression. “A real shame.” He added with a nod after a moment. 

“I know you did it, Remmick.” He froze again, his eyes searching your expression before looking away and then back at you again as he swallowed, like a guilty child that had just been found out.

“Wha-”

“Don’t lie to me.” Your whisper had the excuse dying on his lips as he closed his mouth and simply looked back at you. “You got this look in your eye…like a coyote or something…then you disappeared and Tom turns up with the pigs.”

“I didn’t do anything that motherfucker didn’t deserve.” He reasoned, voice steady and unapologetic. The crickets chirping filled the growing silence between you. 

“How many?” Your voice was barely a whisper as you looked down at your lap, hands on either side of you feeling the woodgrain below you, no longer ghosting over his icy skin. 

“(Y/n)...” 

“How many, Remmick?” You repeated a little louder this time. “How many times you done something like that?”

“(Y/n)...” You watched his mouth open and close before he frowned while looking down. It was as if something had broken behind those black eyes that you had grown fond of. He reached his hand towards yours, but you pulled it away and turned to look at him more, just over the threshold and just out of reach no matter how much he wanted to touch and hold you. “Please.” He whispered.

“I know what you are.” You told him as he seemed to flinch at that, cowering away as if searching for a shadow to creep into. “Why you can’t come in unless invited, why you only come around at night. Why you’re so pale and cold to the touch…” You trailed off. “My grandma told me about ‘em. About vampires.” You stood now as you looked at where he was still sitting, refusing to meet your eyes. “I think you should go home, Remmick.” You said softly before stepping back and closing the door. 

You sighed as you went over to your bed and laid down. The man that you had grown fond of, that made your heart beat a little faster and cheeks heat up, was no man at all, at least he hadn’t been for a long time. 

The next day you didn’t light the lantern or open the door, instead turning the radio on and deciding to stay inside and work on the quilt you had started ages ago but never finished. You were in the middle of stitching part of the border up when you heard a commotion in the distance, something that sounded like horses and yelling. 

Letting the needle and fabric fall to the floor you stumbled quickly towards the door, throwing it open when you saw him fall into the dirt just as the sun was setting. The screen door slammed against the wall as you raced down the steps, the old wood creaking from your quick movements. “Remmick?” Your eyes widened as you saw the angry burns, still smoking faintly, that littered his arms and chest, his shirt ripped and bloody, his hair pointing in different directions. “Remmick? Hey, can you hear me?” Your words flew out of your mouth as you looked towards the woods where the shouting was coming from in the distance and then back towards your porch. You held his face in your hands, moving his hair from his face as you tried to assess the worst of his wounds. You helped him stand, a groan escaping his lips at the exertion. 

“(Y/n).” Your name slipped from his lips as he groaned again, his leg buckling as he fell against you. 

“It’s alright, Remmick.” You reassured him as you tried to get him back inside before whatever or whoever was chasing him finally caught up. “We gotta get you inside, but you gotta help me alright? I can’t do this by myself.” He nodded weakly as you helped him stand up again, leaning heavily into you, as you finally got him closer to the house. “You ain’t afraid I’ll hurt you?” He said, trying to crack a joke with a hint of a smile on his face, voice barely above a whisper and hoarse as if he’d not drank water in days. You shook your head immediately with a frown on your lips.

“No.” Your voice was firm and unwavering. “I trust you.” You told him and you saw something in his eyes when he glanced at you as you said that. “Now, come on.” You positioned his arm around your shoulders as you grabbed his belt loops and helped him up the porch and to the threshold. “You’re gonna be just fine, alright? You’re gonna come on in and we’re gonna fix you up.” You told him, though you were also trying more to convince yourself. “You’ll be right as rain, okay?” He didn’t answer you but you set him on the couch, quickly slamming and locking both doors behind you. 

You quickly grabbed your bandages and supplies, setting them down in front of the couch as your eyes scanned over him. His breathing was even more abnormal than you had noticed before and his wounds weren’t healing like you had heard about. “Why aren’t you healing fast like you’re supposed to?” You asked as you poured some alcohol onto a bandage and held it one of the bad wounds. He groaned loudly, hissing when it made contact with his skin. “I’m sorry.” You said softly, giving him your hand to hold. “Some of these are real bad.” You continued the process of soaking gauze in alcohol and cleaning his wounds, letting him squeeze your hand when you’d do it. He never squeezed hard enough to hurt you though, even though you knew he was in excruciating pain, he still managed to hold himself back.

The banging on your door pulled you away from the couch, letting his hand go weakly as you grabbed the shotgun, loading it and cocking it as you swung the door open. “Get goin’.” You said, pointing the shotgun at the group of men gathered around.

“Ma’am, you seen a white man around these parts? He killed our friend.”

“You comin’ to my door asking about Tom?” You chuckled humorlessly. “Take that shit somewhere else. I haven’t seen no white man around here.”

“Will you let us just look around? Something about him ain’t right.” The man at the your door said. You assumed he was closer to your ex-husband than the rest of them. “What he did to Tom wasn’t right and it wasn’t natural.”

“Now you motherfuckers need to get the hell off my porch.” You waved the gun at them again. “I don’t care what happened to Tom, that man was evil walkin’. Now get goin’ before I start shootin’.” You fired the gun, it kicking back as it blasted a hole through the screen door, causing the men to flee while muttering curses at you. 

You closed and locked the door again before rushing back over to Remmick. He looked more alert as he adjusted himself and sat up properly on the couch, an amused grin on his face as you huffed and set the gun down by the kitchen table.

“You look a little better.” You smiled, going towards the bottle of alcohol and grabbing more gauze. “I need to finish, alright? I don’t know if vampires can get infections, nobody’s told me that, but I don’t want to find out. Not when it’s you.” His eyes shone as he looked at you, his irises dark as night but looking at you as if you had put the stars in the sky. 

“Shit!” He hissed loudly as you held the gauze to his side. 

“Sorry.” You whispered as he shook his head, eyes closed and head falling back against the back of the couch. When the sting died down, he lifted his head and opened his eyes watching you lift the edge of the gauze to see if he had started healing there before holding it back against his pale flesh. “Wow.” You whispered as his eyes met yours. 

The once dark irises now shone an astonishing deep ruby, glittering as if the sun was shining in them as he watched you. “Your eyes.” You whispered. He turned his gaze away from you quickly, squeezing his eyes shut as his breathing changed, becoming deeper as if he was trying to concentrate on something. “Am I hurting you again?” Your eyes looked back at his wounds before looking back at his face. He shook his head no quickly. 

He was biting his bottom lip now as he turned his head to the side and away from you. His nostrils flared almost as if he was inhaling something before he cleared his throat. “Remmick, are you alright?” You asked, growing even more concerned. You abandoned the gauze, standing in front of him between his outstretched legs, holding his face in your hands. “Remmick look at me.” You whispered as he shook his head no. 

“Don’t wanna scare you.” He sounded pained as if he was actively struggling. 

“You won’t.” Your thumbs ran against his cheeks and he slowly turned his head to look at you, his eyes opening slowly. “I promise.” You added as you looked into his ruby colored eyes. 

“I’m a monster.” He whispers as you shake your head quickly. “I don’t want you to see me like this.” You saw a small glimpse of the razor sharp fangs as he spoke.

“I want to see you.” Your thumb ran against his bottom lip. “All of you. Don’t hide from me.” His lips parted as he looked at you again, really looked at you, causing your chest to warm before the feeling spread to your whole body. No one had ever looked at you like that. 

He took your hand, intertwining your fingers with his. His touches were soft and gentle, like whispers against your skin. He didn’t say a word as he pulled you closer to him, sitting you down on his lap as his other hand went to your cheek, his thumb running against your lips before he moved closer to you. “Can I-” His voice was a whisper as you nodded and your eyes closed just as his lips touched yours. They were soft and cold against your own as your hands went to his shoulders and then his hair. He placed his forehead against yours, breathing out when you both pulled away for air. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a while now.” You smiled at the dazed look in his eyes and the small smile on his lips. 

“Goodbye.” Remmick said to the remaining cow who had stayed the whole time, watching him. His voice was soft and deep, the first time he had spoken since waking up. “I’ve got to be going to town now. I’ve got to get some food.” He explained as the cow blinked at him. “I’m sure you’ve already eaten though, haven’t you?” Remmick gathered his tools, before giving her head one last pat and heading back over the hill towards his small stone home, the cow wandering back to her friends when he left. Setting his tools down just outside of the entrance, Remmick grabbed a light coat, throwing it on as he walked the dirt road into town, a small smile growing on his face when he heard the sound of music playing as he got closer towards the center of town. 

People danced and sang in the city center, little markets stalls and shops set up all around as people ventured into town to get what they needed for the day. “Hello Remmick, Darling.” An older woman’s voice caught his attention. Remmick glanced over, seeing Mrs. Sullivan’s wave back at him from where she sat selling wool. 

“How’s it Mrs. Sullivan?” Remmick addressed her, stopping in front of her shop, sticking his hands in his pants pockets. 

“Everything’s well now.” She told him. “John’s back in good health.” John, her husband, had been ill as of late, running fevers off and on. 

“I’m happy to hear that.” Remmick smiled at her, squeezing the hand she had laid on his arm gently before bidding her goodbye and continuing on to find the ingredients he was looking for.

He stopped at the vegetable cart, stuck as he tried to decide between two vegetables, both of which he hadn’t planted in his own garden that sat on his property only a little ways from his home. He was weighing out his options, holding one in each hand, when he froze hearing a gentle humming as the sound of a string instrument was strummed softly in the background. That’s when his breath caught and he almost dropped the vegetables in his hands. 

He had never heard anything like that before. It wasn’t like any folk song he had heard people singing or any of the ones he knew. He had never seen someone like you before either, someone so beautiful, so different. It was as if you had conspired with the sun as it came from behind the clouds, shining down on you in that moment. Its warm rays kissed your skin in just a way that made the dark brown of your eyes warm to a rich chocolate. 

You caught his gaze then, your full lips pulling into a whisper of a smile before you looked back down at the instrument in your hands. “Have we met?” You stopped playing, setting the instrument to the side as you stood from your seat, stepping towards him. 

“Uh…no.” He hesitated, his eyes still busy drinking in your appearance when he spoke. You glanced up at him through your eyelashes, eyebrows furrowed just slightly but smile still there. 

“You’re looking at me like you know me.” Your voice was soft like the long grass that covered the hills in the summertime. 

“I’d like to.” He spoke, his eyes darting away from you and his cheeks dusting pink and then red. His dark eyebrows furrowed as he slid a hand over his face. Your smile widened when he cleared his throat, his eyes cutting to you only to notice you standing closer than before. “I mean…I’d like to, that is know more about you…or know you if you’d like that…too.” He tripped over his words, hands wringing at his sides as a light laugh bubbled from your lips and he felt himself grow hotter.

“(Y/n).” You introduced yourself, holding a hand out to him in greeting. He took your hand in his, shaking it as a slow smile began to appear on his face. Maybe all hope wasn’t lost yet? 

“Remmick.” He told you. Your hand was soft in his grasp. Not soft in a way that he could tell you had never used them to work, just soft in a way that they were well taken care of and warm. Your hand lingered in his, though neither of you released the others. “You’re not from here.” He said though it wasn’t a question. You nodded once, eyebrow raising as you finally let go of his hand, letting yours drop to your sides. 

“What’d you mean by that?” You questioned. He could practically see the walls being constructed in your mind, eyes no longer as bright as they had been a minute ago. It looked as though you had been in this very situation before and it hadn’t gone well for you.

Remmick shook his head. “Just…I come here almost every day and I never saw you until now.” He tried to explain slowly. “I might’ve talked to you sooner if you had.” 

Your mouth opened just slightly as if there were words waiting on your lips to be said before you decided against it and closed them again. You nodded at his explanation slowly. “I’m sorry.” Your voice was the softest he had heard it, only just above a hushed whisper as you looked down at your boots, hands pulling at the hem of your shirt. “Not many people have been…” You trailed off, but he understood what you had left unsaid. “Have you lived here long?” You changed the subject, your mood rising as you put a smile back on your face. 

“Grew up back that way. Still live there.” He pointed in the direction he had come from. “Just me though now.” He added, not really sure why he needed you to know that no one else lived with him. 

“I live that way by the cliffs.” You pointed in the same direction as he nodded, knowing the area you were referring to. “Used to be an old fisherman’s place, but I’m not too good at fishing.” He cracked a smile at your words, his hands now comfortably in his pockets as he listened to you intently. 

Remmick sucked in a breath, trying to work up the courage to do something before releasing it and looking back at you. “Would you…” He paused trying to think of the words that were threatening to die on his tongue the more he held eye contact with you and the heat of your gaze consumed him from the inside out.

“Would you stop by sometime?” He asked as you paused, waiting to see if he had more to say. “I was planning to cook but I always have a lot for just one person even after taking some to my neighbors.” He trailed off, his eyes glancing around him before he looked back at you trying to gauge your reaction. 

You stood in front of him, impossible to read what you were thinking, as your dark eyes narrowed for a moment before you tilted your head to the side. “Should I bring anything?” Your question broke the mounting silence between you as he breathed out and a flash of relief crossed his face. 

“No, no that’s all right.” He shook his head as you nodded with a smile. You were going to disregard what he had said as your mind began to think through what you should bring. “I should get going…I’ll see you tonight.” He bid you goodbye with a wave of his hand before you watched him walk off towards other shops in search of ingredients. 

• • •

Your mind raced through different scenarios as you did your best to calm yourself down. Clutching the basket to your chest, you looked down at the ground, glaring at the rock that had tripped you and threatened to ruin your evening as his home came into view and the sun began to set behind you. 

It was a charming stone home that sat picturesquely on a hill, rolling green hills and farmland surrounding it. Faint smoke rose from the chimney, dissipating into the now darkening sky. You breathed out, standing in front of his door, smoothing the dark blue dress you had made hoping to make a good impression on the kind man from the market who had tripped over his words when he spoke to you.

You knocked, three short taps on the heavy wood as you waited only a moment before the door opened to reveal a slightly more relaxed version of the man you had seen earlier. 

His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows showing off the strong muscles of his forearms. The top two buttons were left unbuttoned and a cloth was thrown over his shoulder. “(Y/n), come in.” He smiled at you as you walked past him and he closed the door behind you. He took your coat, hanging it by the door as you took your boots off and followed him towards the kitchen. 

“Oh I brought this.” You held the basket up, placing it on the table as he raised an eyebrow, a slightly surprised look in his blue eyes. “It’s not much…just bread…I didn’t know what to bring, so…” You trailed off, taking the cloth from over it to reveal a large freshly baked loaf, steam rising from it letting him know just how fresh it was. 

“You didn’t have to bring anything.” He said softly as you shook your head. 

“That’s not the way it works in my culture, Remmick.” You explained to him, your voice light. “You never arrive to a home empty handed.” You pushed the bread forward as he smiled at you and you couldn’t help but smile back. "It's bad luck and bad manners."

“This is really nice.” You told him after he had handed you a bowl and sat across from you at the wooden table. You had cut a few slices from the bread as you both took one and began eating. 

“Hm?” He looked up at you from his bowl. 

“This is really nice.” You repeated. “And your food is good.” You added, smiling again when you saw the faint rosiness appear on his cheeks in the fire light. 

“Thanks.” He said simply. “You know I’ve never really cooked for anyone before…well other than Mrs. O'Neill.” It was your turn for heat to rise to your cheeks as you dropped his eye contact. 

“So I’m special then?” You teased as he nodded with a crooked smirk. “Why?”

“You just are.” He replied bashfully after a pause, chuckling at your teasing. “Tell me about what you did before coming here?” He asked as you nodded, finishing chewing before opening your mouth to begin. 

“There’s not much to say really, Remmick.” You thought for a moment as he tried to stay present in the moment and fight the overwhelmingly warm feeling that flowed through him at the way you said his name. “My mother, she died when I was young, she had a fever for a few days and then just didn’t wake up. My father was devastated. I was his only child and so he took me with him when he decided we would leave home. We never stayed in one place long, it’s like a blur. Then he took to drinking and it caught up with him eventually in the end. I was an adult by then. When he was dying he asked me to go see the cliffs. It was something he wanted to do and never got to see…so here I am.” You breathed out. “Quite a sad story.” You laughed awkwardly, feeling like you had changed the mood of dinner.

“That’s alright.” He said, picking up on your feelings as his hand had automatically reached for yours, his thumb smoothing over your knuckles as you froze at the touch before relaxing again and letting out a breath. 

“Tell me yours?” You asked, trying not to get lost in the little touches and the warmth of his strong hand. He nodded, his posture straightening as you watched him think about what he wanted to say. 

“Mine’s quite similar.” He offered you that lopsided grin again. “My mother and father raised me here. My father died first, it was an accident. He’d fallen off of the roof of the neighbor’s house when he was helping to repair it. He was gone in an instant, before anyone could say anything to him really. My mom stayed for some time before she remarried some farmer from a few towns over. He didn’t want another man’s son so I stayed here.” He shrugged, but you could see the pain simmering just beneath the surface as he spoke about it. You squeezed his hand gently, looking him in the eyes. 

“I’m sorry.” He shook his head at your words, brushing it off. 

“Don’t be.” His voice was lower now. “She’s happy there with him and I’m just fine here.” He told you. “It’s quiet.” He hummed as you nodded. 

He took your bowl when you were done, washing them and you dried them before you both sat in a chair by his fireplace. You glanced around at the decorations. They were simple and although you were still learning him, they felt like they fit him. 

A herding dog stretched out asleep in front of the bed on a small worn rug. A similar rug covering the floor in front of the fireplace where you sat. Remmick’s bed was simple and covered by a large quilt that looked like it had been made with love and passed down, the squares beginning to fade from their once vibrant reds and blues. “Do you read here?” You asked him as your hands rubbed against the soft fabric of the chair you sat in. 

“Sometimes.” He nodded, glancing to the small table under the window by the fireplace, a small stack of books sitting there. “Do you enjoy reading?”

“Yes, but I still have yet to find a favorite book or author.” He smiled at that as your eyes locked on the instrument that sat in the corner. It looked similar to one you had seen played in the marketplace. “Will you play?” You asked as he hesitated momentarily before nodding, standing to retrieve the instrument before sitting back down in the chair he had occupied. 

He started to strum the strings with his thumb, clearing his throat before starting to sing. His voice and the notes were played hesitantly at first, as if he hadn’t played in front of someone in a long time and was afraid to play a note wrong or get judged for his singing abilities. He looked up seeing you listening along, your head and body swaying back and forth slightly in the chair along to the notes. Your eyes were closed and a grin pulled at your lips. 

He took the time to look over your features as he grew more confident in his playing and singing and you smiled wider.

He had never seen someone as beautiful. He stopped singing then, the song over as you opened your eyes again, clapping as you laughed at his embarrassment. You could tell that he had never been used to being the center of attention, preferring the quiet anonymity that the outskirts of society granted him. Maybe that was why he chose to stay in the stone house that was a ways from the town, but not that far from your home. “You have a gift, Remmick.” 

“No.” He shook his head quickly, only believing you were trying to inflate his ego because you hopefully liked him in the same way he was starting to fall for you. “There’s far better music in town.”

You shook your head, your hand reaching out and settling on his forearm as he stilled at your touch. “People play in town but nobody sounds like that.” You reaffirmed. “My grandmother knew things…things beyond this life. She lived a long way away from here, back home on the island.” You stated, sitting in front of him, your hand still touching his arm. He leaned into your touch as you continued. “She said that music like that is powerful. It’s a gift that only some can possess.”

“I’m just a farmer, (Y/n).” His voice was soft, the last of his protests quieting as you gave him a look. “I doubt someone like me would get a gift like that. You’d have to be lucky and I don’t think anyone in my family has ever been lucky.” He laughed humorlessly as he set the instrument down. 

“Well, maybe you are.” A genuine smile grew on your lips again as you gravitated towards him. He leaned towards you as he too smiled, his fingers hesitantly touching your hand before you took his hand fully in yours, interlacing the fingers. 

When you finished that part of the carpet you were pulled to the side for an interview for Vogue by a red haired woman with shining green eyes and a gentle smile. “Hi (Y/n), I’m Lily. I’m here with Vogue and I’d like to ask you a few questions about your fashion and the role that you are nominated for.”

“Hi Lily, nice to meet you.” Your full lips pulled into a smile. “I love your dress.” Lily blushed at your compliment as she looked down at the emerald green dress she was wearing before smiling bashfully back at you.

“Thank you. You look stunning tonight.” Lily complimented back as your smile widened. “Can you tell us about what went into this look tonight? Maybe about the inspirations?”

You nodded, excited to talk about it, shifting your stance so the camera that panned down on your outfit could get the best view. “So tonight I’m wearing Mugler by Casey Cadwallader.” You ran your hands over the fabric. “I can’t take any credit for this look tonight, it’s all due to my lovely stylist Daryn Walker.” You say with a smile. “We went with all black tonight because it plays well into the dark tones of the movie that I’m nominated for tonight, Whispers in the Shadows. I also love the draped collar here because of the structure it gives and the way it influences the silhouette of the rest of the dress.”

“I love that.” Lily nods in agreement. “Can you talk about your jewelry for tonight too?” 

“So I wanted to keep it really simple. I’m wearing vintage Bvlgari earrings and a matching ring from Joseph Saidian and Sons.” You held your hand up to the earrings and held your hand out towards her to show the ring as you spoke about them. “And then my favorite rings were designed by my lovely husband.” You beamed this time, flashing your wedding rings while the bright lights glinted off of the sparkling diamond.

The ring was simple and classic, a large oval cut diamond with pear-shaped emerald side stones set in yellow gold. The wedding band was a classic yellow gold band that sat below it. “That’s beautiful, wow.” Lily said, her voice growing soft as she looked at it. “Lucky man.” She joked as you laughed.

“Thank you, I’m a lucky girl.” You giggled softly.

“Is he here with you tonight? I’m sure that makes it all the more special getting nominated for your leading role in Whispers in the Shadows  and also presenting an award too.”

“He is.” You dragged the words out, excitement weaving through them as you shook your shoulders jokingly, pulling a laugh from Lily and her crew. “And…I’m so excited to be able to have this opportunity of being nominated in a category with so many amazing and inspiring actresses and I’m so so honored to even be considered in their caliber. I’m also really looking forward to announcing an award this year. This will be my first time doing so.” 

“Congratulations (Y/n)! On your nomination, your marriage, and presenting an award tonight!” Lily said happily after getting the signal from behind the camera to wrap it up. 

“Thank you so much Lily. It was great talking to you.” You said, hugging Lily briefly before being steered further down the carpet for another interview. As you moved along, your eyes caught his as a larger smile grew on his face. 

You waved to him subtly, stopping to watch him pose for pictures before bringing your hand up to your lips and blowing a kiss towards him when he looked over at you again. You watched the boyish smirk and faint blush appear on his face as he chuckled at you, looking down briefly, before he moved along to an interview of his own and you posed for more pictures. 

— — —

“Hi Jack, great to meet you. I’m Arianne here with Entertainment Tonight.” She introduced herself to him as he held the microphone she gave him in his right hand, putting his free hand in his pocket, a natural stance he often took. 

“Nice to meet you Arianne.” He replied, his accent thick as he glanced at the camera over her shoulder and then back at her face. 

“Congratulations on your nomination tonight for your part in Sinners.” She said as he smiled and nodded. “How does it feel to be nominated tonight for a role that you were so passionate about?”

“God, I’m absolutely buzzing.” He laughed, his accent thick and his smile wide. “It doesn’t even feel real. I’m so thankful to have even been considered for the role and truly grateful to have such a great director like Ryan Coogler who gave me so much freedom in experimenting with Remmick and his backstory.” Arianne nodded. 

“I’m sure it’s super freeing as an actor to have such a visionary director.” She replied as he nodded along to what she said. 

“Oh, one hundred percent.” 

“Tonight’s a big night. Were you able to bring any friends or family here with you to celebrate?” She asked as he glanced down before smiling to himself. 

“Yup. I’m super thankful to have such a supportive bunch of friends and family. They’re truly great and the ones that weren’t able to be here are watching tonight, so I’m glad I get to share this moment with them.” A childlike grin appeared on his face as he looked down the carpet. He paused, taking a step back as his eyes locked on your figure as you were posing for pictures with a more serious look on your face before you smiled for the cameras again.

He couldn’t help but stare at you. You were practically glowing under the bright lights, your rich skin shining as if gold flowed through your veins. Your dark eyes sparkled in the flashing lights and your dress fit you so well it looked like it had been sewn onto you, hugging your curves just perfectly. Your hands were in front of you on your thighs to show off your jewelry.

His eyes shone with pride as he saw you smile, straightening your wedding rings before placing your hands back in front of you, happily showing them off. “Sorry…got distracted for a second.” His laugh was infectious as he ran his left hand through his hair, a light flush spreading across his cheeks at getting caught staring. He smiled, biting his lip in slight embarrassment before refocusing on the interview as Arianne laughed while also looking at you. Jack had always told you that you could've been a supermodel if you had wanted to be.

“No you’re alright. (Y/n) looks stunning tonight as always.” Arianne remarked as Jack nodded absentmindedly. 

“Yeah truly.” He agreed, his voice soft. He cleared his throat, blinking and turning to reface the interviewer. “Sorry, you were saying?” He asked, trying to remember what they had been talking about before. 

“How does it feel to be able to share this category with some of the biggest movies this year?” She rephrased as Jack looked down at his shoes, processing the question before nodding and going to answer.

“It’s unimaginable and I’m still in shock and so grateful. It’s so inspiring being in a category with the same actors I looked to for inspiration in the beginning of my career.”  He answered as they wrapped the interview, Jack shaking Arianne’s hand as the filming light went off. 

“You’ve got some new jewelry there, huh?” Arianne teased, gesturing to the golden wedding band that sat on his left ring finger. He looked down at his hand before a look of recognition crossed his face. He had gotten so used to wearing it that he truly didn’t even notice it at times. He had been wearing it during Sinners too, Ryan working it into an unexplained part of Remmick’s backstory so that Jack was able to keep it on like he’d wanted. 

“Oh.” Jack said at first. “My favorite piece right here.” He said, holding up his hand with a laugh. “Been a little while now too. Almost two years.”

“Congratulations Jack. Enjoy the rest of your night.” Arianne smiled as Jack smiled back and walked back off to finish the carpet. 

Once inside the venue Jack let out a breath, finding you easily as you looked up from your phone, smile growing when you saw his blue eyes settled on you as he walked over. “Hi Love.” You breathed out, as you took his hand in yours, intertwining your fingers under the table after taking your seats near the front. You and Jack had luckily been able to sit together as both of your movies' tables had been put next to each other in the front right near the camera. “How’d your interview go?” You asked him, your voice low as you looked around as people took their seats around you. Jack drank some of the water in front of him before answering. 

“Was good. Would’ve been better with you.” A soft smile pulled at your lips as you rolled your eyes at his flirty answer. Your eyes widened momentarily as a giggle escaped you when he pulled your chair closer to his. 

“Mine too.” You told him, leaning into him as you kept their voices low as the room started to quiet down in anticipation of the host beginning their monologue to introduce the show. “I got to talk about your stunning choices in jewelry.” You both glanced down at your engagement ring and wedding band, Jack pressing a kiss to your cheek as you did the same to him afterward. 

“When do you present?” Jack asked you just before the host walked out and the applause started. 

“Not for a bit. I was just told before you walked over.” You explained, leaning into him so he could hear you, as he nodded. You squeezed his thigh under the table, both watching the show until someone dressed in all black tapped your shoulder letting you know that it was time for you to come backstage to prepare for your award presentation. 

“Be back soon, Love.” His lips were soft against yours before you straightened back up, Jack squeezing your hand and nodding. He sat up straighter in his chair, excited to see the woman he loved grace the stage to present the upcoming award. His phone was burning a hole in his pocket as he gripped it ready to record your presentation from your seats, excitedly taking on the role of the proud husband.

“Please welcome (Y/F/N) (Y/L/N)  and Robert De Niro to the stage.” The announcer’s voice called out. You had said something softly to Robert as you walked out together to the microphone that was waiting, causing the older man to smile and nod at you before laughing along with you. 

“It’s an honor to be standing up here with you Mr. De Niro.” You leaned into the microphone, going off script, your eyes shining with passion and awe. “Sorry everyone, I just had to say that.” The audience chuckled at your unscripted moment. You caught Jack’s eyes in the audience, fighting back a large smile when you noticed the phone in his hands, actively recording your presentation. He took a hand away, giving you a thumbs up before blowing a kiss to you and then refocusing on holding the camera, his bottom lip between his teeth in concentration.

“Well it’s an honor to be here with you (Y/n). I mean talk about talent.” Robert said, clapping, causing the whole audience to clap as you put your hand to your chest and Robert nodded. The small gesture an attempt express all of your gratitude for that unscripted moment with an actor you had been watching since you were little. “Tonight we have the privilege of announcing Best Actor in a Supporting Role.” He read the words on the teleprompter.

“This category is stacked full of talent where they breathed life into their characters, translating the wide range of human emotions through their characters to audiences worldwide.” You read your part next. 

“From playing humanly flawed heroes to altruistic antagonists, these actors have managed to create truly three dimensional roles.” Robert said. “The nominees are…” 

The voiceover played as the montage of clips from each nominee played followed by a camera that focused on them in the audience. Jack had set his phone down on the table in front of him just in time to not be caught by the camera that was now directly focused on him as a nominee. He laughed softly as his eyes caught his mom's and your mom's who also laughed at him almost getting caught by the camera.

Robert handed you the envelope, wanting you to be the one to open and announce it, as you both said, “And the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role goes to…”

You paused, opening it as a large smile grew on your face and you glanced at Robert for a split second before leaning into the microphone and saying, “Jack O’Connell, Sinners.” Your eyes shining with pride in the bright lights that shone down on you. You watched Jack’s blue eyes widen in shock as he stood up, hugging his mom, your mom, and his friends and castmates at the table before making the short trip up to the stage.

“Thank you.” He shook Robert’s hand, a wide smile on his face before he pulled you into a hug. You took the opportunity to press a fleeting kiss to his lips, before stepping to the side with Robert to watch him accept the Oscar. “Oh wow.” He breathed out into the microphone. 

“Thank you so much.” He said quickly. “Thank you to the Academy for the nomination, it truly means the world. Thank you to Ryan Coogler for entrusting me with the role of Remmick and giving me the creative freedom and agency to build him into what audiences were able to see on screen. Thank you to the amazing cast and crew of Sinners who made Sinners what it was, not only helping me to make my performance better, but also making the whole experience so memorable." He paused. You didn't have to be facing him to know that he was trying to not get or sound too emotional as the stage lights shone down on him and the audience gave him their undivided attention. "Thank you to my mom and dad for supporting this crazy dream of acting I had when I was little, getting me into acting programs and everything back home, despite there not being many around. My dad’s passed on now, but my mom is here tonight." You looked down from the stage, seeing his mom wipe her eyes as your mom's arms were wrapped around her, rubbing her arm. "Thank you to my amazing mother-in-law for supporting me unconditionally and most importantly for creating my wife. She is also here tonight. I love you both.” He took a breath and the audience chuckled and your mom smiled widely waving to him with her free hand, her eyes, the same eyes you had, shining with pride. He took another breath before turning so he was looking at you now instead of out at the audience. “Thank you to my amazingly talented and awe-inspiring wife (Y/n). I love you more than words can describe, Darling. Thank you for supporting me in everything I do...I know it isn’t always easy. You inspire me to grow and be a little better every day. You are my better half. Thank you everyone, enjoy your night. Cheers.” He said, holding up the award slightly with a large smile as he stepped back from the microphone with a nod and the crowd applauded loudly. He walked over to where you and Robert stood, taking your hand in his free one, intertwining your fingers as you all walked backstage.

“Congratulations again Jack. Amazing performance.” Robert praised as he and Jack hugged. Robert looked at him as if he were a proud father. He was happy to see that the next generation of actors were so talented and spirited.

“Thank you so much Sir, that means a lot coming from you.” Jack replied before Robert, squeezed his shoulder approvingly and disappeared to go find his seat again. Jack was asked to take pictures holding his award while backstage. You and Jack returned to your seats shortly after, getting congratulations along the way before getting to the table where everyone was waiting to hug and congratulate their close friend on his huge award. 

“I’m so so proud of you, Love.” You said to your husband, one of her hands holding his face as you pressed your lips to his softly after sitting back down at the table. You pulled back, your thumb swiping over his lips to make sure none of your lipstick had been left behind.

“I’m proud of you too.” He grinned at you, holding up his phone that he had left on the table. “I got your part on camera.” He beamed proudly as you laughed.

You still struggled to fathom how he was able to focus on what you thought was so small compared to the huge accomplishment he had just had. He pressed his lips to yours again before you settled into his warm embrace. His arm went around you as you leaned into his chest as you both watched the next category. 

You knew your category was coming up and you became fidgety as adrenaline began coursing through you. “Hey, you got this one.” Jack said, his voice soft as it pulled you out of your spiral of nerves. His fingers absentmindedly began tracing random patterns into your side as you sat up straighter as you heard your category being introduced.

“And the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role goes to…” There was a pause as you held your breath, not even realizing you were doing so. You squeezed Jack’s hand lightly in anticipation.

“(Y/F/N) (Y/L/N), Whispers in the Shadows.” Your eyes widened as you stood shakily, your mouth open slightly in shock. You let out a breathy laugh as you swallowed and Jack hugged you tightly before you hugged your mom and his, both women looking at you and Jack proudly. Your friends from the Sinners cast and your own cast hugged you quickly next as you made it to the stage. 

“Wow, I-Thank you.” You breathed out as you leaned into the microphone, still utterly shocked. “I don’t think this will fully sink in for another few hours or days.” You joked as the audience laughed. “Thank you so much to our marvelous director Spike Lee, it was a dream to work with you and learn from you and be trusted with a beautifully flawed character like Ada. Thank you to our amazing cast and crew, I truly would not have been able to do any of this without you. You all are so incredibly talented.” You breathed out trying your best to remember what you had rehearsed jokingly as you never even thought it would go to you . “Thank you to the Academy, of course, for this wonderful recognition and the nomination.” You looked down at the ground trying to remember everything. “Thank you to my amazing friends and family, Mommy…Mom, I love you both so much.” You looked at yours and Jack's moms, both women looking up to the stage for the second time that night with such pride, eyes shining with unshed happy tears. “Jack…My love.” Your smile widened as some of the audience awwed at your words and the soft look in your eyes that was only reserved for him. “There will never be enough words I can think of to truly express how much I love you. Thank you for supporting me in every way I needed, for inspiring me, for loving me immensely and unconditionally and for allowing me to be me. I’m so thankful to do this crazy life with you. This one's for you, Love.” You blew him a kiss as he pretended to catch it, pride shining on his face as you exited the stage and headed backstage for some shots with your first Oscar. 

Jack was the first person you went to when you got back to the table, laughing as he hugged you tightly in his strong arms. “God, you’re amazing, you know that?” He asked, pressing his soft warm lips to yours in a kiss that made you wish it had lasted longer. “Congratulations, Baby.” He kissed you again before letting you go to hug everyone else. You returned to his side after making the rounds, sitting down and reclining back into his side. Your mind drifted still processing what had just happened as you saw Jack's faraway look.

“I’m proud of us.” Your voice was soft again as you leaned into him and he glanced over at you with a smile, his hand rubbing your arm up and down.

“Me too.” Jack said, thinking about how his whole career had truly led to this moment right now. This night. All of the sacrifices he had made, his parents had made, you had made so that you both could do what you loved. So that you both could succeed. All of it was worth it for this moment. “So, what’s next?” He joked as he smiled at the mischievous glint in your dark brown eyes.

“Let’s take a vacation.” You suggested with a half shrug, Jack nodding immediately. You had both been going nonstop for over a year. It was definitely time for a well-deserved and well-earned vacation.