Charles Smith x Reader

One

The forest lay quietly ahead. Green leaves rustled in the gentle wind while the light of the sun made it look as if they were glowing.

In the not too distant distance, the sound of a river could be heard, fast and roaring but not furious. It smelled of fresh grass and icy clear water from the mountains.

Satisfied with the situation, you let your eyes wander over the trunks of the trees. In some places the bark had been scraped away, exposing the soft interior of the tree. Syrup gummed up the wounds in the wood.

Carefully, so as not to startle the bees, you reached out to scoop up some of the syrup. It instantly glued your fingertips together with its brownish golden lustre.

The smell of something sweet kissed your (S/C) skin.

"Resin.", you mumbled to yourself, wiping your fingers on a dirty rag you wore tucked under your belt. "This tree is healthy. It wouldn't be wise to cut it down."

"Hm.", next to you a woman nodded on her horse.

She was quite small for being older than you, but her brown eyes sparkled with a wisdom that you always admired. She raised her eyes to look into the branches.

"Bird's nest.", she pointed upwards. "Tree is home."

Her English was broken, a little shaky when it rolled off her tongue but that didn't change the fact that she had a really pleasant voice. The kind one wanted to listen to at any time of day.

Your eyes followed her finger.

"Indeed.", a smile appeared on your lips when you saw the little nest in which a sparrow was perched. "Let's leave it then."

"Yes. Wise decision.", she made her horse walk. "Come. I show you."

You hurriedly climbed back into the saddle and ordered your horse to follow hers.

"Aponi.", you let your horse run alongside hers so that you could face each other eye to eye. "I want to thank you."

Her eyes looked at you out of the corner of her eye. A mild smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. She had gleaming white teeth. A sharp contrast to her tanned skin.

A tattoo stretched from her lower lip to her chin and across her neck. She wore her black hair in two braids decorated with feathers and natural fibres.

Aponi belonged to the tribe of indigenous people who owned this land. They were one of the few who still lived in freedom and were left in peace by the settlers.

At least for the most part.

When you bought your ranch at the foot of the mountain, you didn't realise that this was her tribe's land. There was now a simple peace agreement between the two of you.

You were allowed to live in the house and, if you respectfully asked for a favour, to fetch something from the forest. Whenever this was the case, the tribe would provide you with someone to make sure that you respected the forest and only took as much as you really needed.

On this day, you were looking for wood for a fence.

Aponi was one of the members of the tribe who had no problem accompanying you. She wasn't eager to talk, but you believed that there was an amicable and friendly relationship between you.

"What would you like to ask?", she stroked the brown fabric of her dress.

It was a simple garment, with a few red and blue beads for decoration. But whenever she turned round in her light-footed stride, the ends swung around her body like the long fur of a deer.

Everything about her seemed so light. Sometimes, when she picked you up at the edge of the forest, you didn't even notice her until she was standing right next to you.

"The forest.", you mumbled and looked around. "It feels... different?"

All at once, her gaze darkened.

"Yes.", she glanced over her shoulder. "It's healthy. Now. But something is coming. It's creeping."

"What does your tribe say?"

Her eyes returned to you.

"My tribe not your concern."

"Right.", you smiled. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude."

"No. Not you. Others, yes. You are respectful.", she showed a thin smirk. "Mostly."

With the pressure of her thighs, she made her horse run faster. You followed her, although not quite as fast. She was a good rider, even better than you, even though you had a saddle you could sit firmly in. There was only a blanket on her horse's back to protect it.

The chirping of the birds echoed in your ears. The air smelled so fresh it felt like your lungs were filled with fresh mint. The grass tickled your nose and a mild breeze caressed your hair.

Trees passed by, bushes full of berries. A hare hopped past as your horses appeared among the greenery.

"Here.", Aponi led her horse to the edge of the stream to let it drink. "Trees on the bank. Good wood. There will be no shortage."

"And the tree won't cause much damage if it falls.", you agreed and looked around. "I'll walk along there and see if there's a good tree."

Small pebbles crunched under your soles.

"I'll come with you.", she jumped off her horse.

Water splashed up and soaked her moccasins. Untouched, she looked down at her feet and took them off. For a moment she let the cold water flow around her ankles.

"You should too.", she pointed to your black leather boots. "Feel it."

You shrugged and slipped off your boots and socks, which you put in your saddlebag. The damp grass nestled into the soles of your feet.

A shuddering breath escaped you.

"It's really beautiful.", you murmured. "Hopefully it will stay this way..."

Confused by your own thoughts, you frowned. Even though nothing had changed to the eye, you could still feel how something was different. But you weren't sure if it was a good or bad change.

It was just a feeling, like goose bumps crawling up your spine.

With a nod of her head, Aponi called you to her.

"Come. We'll find you a tree."