𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤

A Chance Meeting - A.R

Parings → Arvin Russell x Reader

Warnings → none

Summary →You and Arvin take a walk on the road.

✧･ﾟ: *✧≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫✧･ﾟ: *✧

It was a quiet evening in Knockemstiff, the kind of evening where the sun bled across the sky, and the cool breeze whispered through the trees. You were leaning against the porch railing, a worn paperback in hand, but your eyes weren't focused on the words. Instead, they kept darting toward the road, a familiar twinge of nervousness settling in your chest.

You'd heard rumors about Arvin Russell-the boy with a troubled past. The one who fought for the ones he loved but carried more burdens than anyone should. He was quiet, kept to himself, but something about him had always intrigued you. Maybe it was the way he moved through the world, like a shadow on the edges of everything. Or maybe it was that he'd caught you looking once, his intense gaze locking with yours for just a moment too long.

Tonight, you didn't expect to see him, but as luck would have it, Arvin was walking up the dirt road, hands shoved deep in his pockets. He wasn't one to visit, but he nodded as he passed, eyes flickering toward you. You caught his glance, and something in you stirred-an unexpected courage.

"Hey, Arvin." Your voice wavered slightly, but you stepped off the porch.

He stopped, turned slightly, and gave you that same cautious look he gave most people. "Evenin'."

The silence stretched between you two, and you could tell he wasn't sure whether to stay or keep walking. Before he could decide, you spoke again.

"You heading somewhere?"

He shrugged, looking off into the distance. "Just wanderin', I guess. Nothin' much else to do around here."

You smiled softly. "Mind some company?"

Arvin's brows raised slightly, clearly not used to the idea of someone wanting to walk with him. He shifted on his feet, glancing down the road, then back at you. "Sure... if you want."

You fell into step beside him, and for a while, neither of you spoke. The quiet between you wasn't awkward, though-more like a comfortable stillness. It wasn't until you reached the creek that he broke the silence.

"People talk a lot in town." His voice was low, and you could feel the weight of the words. "About me, my family. Guess that don't bother you?"

You paused, then looked up at him. His eyes were on the water, his jaw tight. You shook your head. "No. People always talk, but they don't always know what they're talking about."

He gave a small, humorless chuckle. "Guess you're right 'bout that."

Arvin's gaze met yours, softer now, less guarded. You didn't push for more; you knew enough about his past to understand that he wasn't the kind of guy who opened up easily. But you also knew he didn't have to. Just being there, walking beside him, was enough.

"You ever get tired of it here?" you asked after a while, your fingers brushing against the rough bark of a tree as you walked past.

He thought for a moment. "Sometimes. But it's all I know."

The wind stirred, sending ripples across the surface of the creek, and you could feel the weight of his words. This place, with all its darkness and secrets, had shaped him, but it hadn't defined him.

"You're more than this town," you said softly, almost to yourself.

Arvin looked at you, and for a moment, something unspoken passed between you. His rough exterior cracked just a little, and the vulnerability underneath flickered to the surface.

"I don't know 'bout that," he murmured, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips now.

You stopped walking, turning to face him fully. "I do."

For the first time since you'd met him, Arvin looked at you with something other than caution. There was curiosity in his eyes now, maybe even a spark of hope. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

You reached out, your hand brushing his arm. "Let's just see where the road goes."

And for once, Arvin didn't look back.

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