Happy

The present

"You little brat! How dare you steal from me!" A man yelled, yanking a young boy up by the arm as the boy yelped in pain.

His face was scrunched up in pain and terror. A crowd began to form as the man threw the kid to the ground.

The boy was dirty with torn clothing and worn out shoes.

Grabbing a knife from behind his stall, the man wielded it dangerously.

"I'll teach you to steal from me, boy!" He yelled as grabbed the boys hand.

Slamming it down on the counter, he rose his knife into the air, the blade glinting in the sun light. Just as he swung down, a hand grabbed his wrist.

A woman, with long brown hair and doe brown eyes, smiled innocently up at the man. Something about her caused a fearful shake to rattle the man's bones as he let go of the young lad, his eyes never leaving the woman before him.

The boy quickly ran behind the woman for protection, hands gripping her skirt in terror.

"Thank you for finding my brother. He ran away last night and I couldn't find him." The woman thanked as she let go of the man's wrist.

"This is your brother?" The man questioned as his expression turned furious once again. "He stole from my stall."

"Oh? Well, here." The woman smiled grabbing some coins and handing them over to pay for the food the boy had stolen. "No harm done, right? As long as it's paid for?"

"I suppose." The man huffed stuffing the money into his pocket. His scowl never leaving his face. "Keep better control over that kid. Next time, he won't be so lucky."

"Will do, sir." The woman nodded. Turning to the boy, she revealed him to the man. "Now what do we say?"

"Sorry, Mister." The boy muttered as he hid behind the woman again. The man only grunting in response as he waved the two off.

"Come on, let's go home." The woman smiled gently at the child, taking his hand and leading him away into the streets.

After escaping the crowd, the woman turned with the kid down an alley.

Crouching down, she grabbed some bread from her basket. Holding it close to her chest as she began to speak.

"What did I tell you about stealing?"

"Not to, Miss Rose." The boy looked down ashamed.

"Exactly. I can't always be there to save you, if you get into trouble. If you're hungry, come to the house and ask for food like everyone else, ok?" 'Miss Rose' sighed softly.

"Yes, ma'am." The boy said, now looking her in the eyes.

"Good boy. Now go find your friends and stay out of trouble." She smiled once again, handing the bread over and letting the boy run off. "Silly little cherub." She muttered before walking back out into the street and starting her journey home.

°°°°°°°°°°°

As 'Miss Rose' came up to her house, she heard the familiar clanging of metal, and spotted smoke rising from the chimney in the work house.

Placing her basket down on a tree stump just outside the work house, she carefully wandered inside.

Inside, the room was lit up by a fire at the back of the room. Joey was making weapons, being the towns best black Smith, he had a long list of custom orders to fill out.

Bringing a hammer down on the metal before him, his sweat gleamed in the fire light. His hair slicked back and body covered in dirt and soot. Torso free from a shirt, revealing his strong, toned figure. His muscles flexed with every swing. Rose couldn't help, but stop and admire the scene.

He looked tired. He had been up all morning filling out orders and making weapons. Hardly stopping for even food as he carried on with out complaint.

"Joey." The man turned to the sound of his name, catching himself mid swing as his eyes landed on the woman's figure.

"Hey, Prim." He smiled. Taking a break from his weapon making for a second.
"I just got back from town. I saved George from getting his hands chopped off again." Primrose explained.

"Ah. I see." Joey only shook his head at the boys foolishness.

The first time they met George was when he got caught stealing. They couldn't just stand and watch as the poor child got punished. It was wrong.

"I brought back some chicken. We'll eat good tonight." Primrose smiled.
"Good. I won't be out here much longer. I will finish this order and come inside to clean up and help." Joey said, wiping sweat from his forehead.

"Ok. I will go set up for now." Prim nodded, giving a small wave as she left the room.

°°°°°°°°°°

Joey came in a little later. His heavy footsteps echoing down the hall of their cottage as he entered the wash room.

He came out after a few minutes with a fresh face and fresh set of clothes. He took a moment to lean on the kitchen door frame and admire Prim from afar.

The brunette stood chopping vegetables while humming quietly. Her hair pulled up into a bun as she missed his presence in the room.

Joey and Prim-Rose, while not married, were a couple. They'd been together for years. It was on the eve of Prim's 17th birthday, the young man had given his heart, and received hers in return. It had been 7 years since then. Joey now aged 24 and Prim 23, they were peacefully content.

While life hadn't been too kind; they always had each other. For a long time they lived on the streets, relying their wits and slight of hand to survive in a world where nobody wanted them. Though neither of them liked to admit it, they had gotten quite  good at thieving, and were sure even after a couple of years off the streets, they would be one of the best in the town- but that was something they wished to leave in the past. Especially, Prim-Rose.

Smiling softly, Joey moved forward. Slipping behind his lover, he wrapped his arms around her waist as he nuzzled her neck. Sighing contently.

Prim only giggled as she stopped chopping. Placing down the knife and laying a tender hand on Joey's head.

"How long were you working for?" Prim asked. Stroking the mans hair carefully.

"Since 3 this morning." Joey replied, his voice sounding exhausted as Prim turned in his arms.

"My darling, it's 4 in the afternoon. How you're still standing, is beyond my comprehension." Prim whispered, leaving a small kiss on her lovers lips. Joey only humming in response as he kissed her back.

"That's the price of being the best black smith in town."

"Hmm. Well, it wouldn't hurt anyone for you to take a break, once in a while. I'm worried you'll drop dead from exhaustion by the time you're 30." Prim gave a worried look as she ran her fingers lovingly through Joey's ginger locks. His blue eyes looking up at her with a mix of admiration and tiredness.

"I would never leave you." Joey said seriously, before breaking into a smile. His hand sneaking down his lovers waist to her hip. "Especially since we still need to get married and start a family of our own."

"Watch your hands, Mr Kingsley." Prim chuckled as she grabbed his hands and placed them firmly on her waist again.

Bringing a hand to the ginger stubble that grew on Joeys chin, Prim heaved a heavy sigh.

"Forget helping me prepare dinner. Go rest. You need it." She smiled as she rubbed the skin under the mans eyes, where dark bags resided. Her voice though soft, left no room for refusal.

"But what kind of man would I be, to leave you all the work, my love?" Joey argued gently. His own hand now tracing the brunettes face.

"What kind of man would you be, if you collapsed from exhaustion and fell ill?" Primrose sassed.
"Leaving me alone for the rest of my life?"

"Fair point, my love." Joey sighed. Kissing his lover once more. The heat from his lips lingered on Prim's as he pulled away.

Giving her one last kiss on the cheek, he pulled away and travelled down the hall to their shared bedroom. Closing the door behind him with a soft thud, Primrose sighed. Shaking her head as she continued to prepare dinner.