♢♡Craig♡♢

The carriage ride is longer then usual, or at least it feels that way. My leg won't stop bouncing and it feels like my skin is crawling. The rain is loud and thunder starts screaming above out heads, spooking the horses. "Lord, Jonathan was right" Brian mumbles, gripping the seat. "Yes he was. I'm going to sneak Tyler into the house tonight" I frown, picking at a thread in the seat. "Stop letting Jonathan get to your head, Craig" Brian pesters.

"What part of him? The boy has quite the mouth" I sigh, feeling the desire to curl up. More thunder. One of the horse's whinny. "I know, I know. It will all be alright soon, Craig. You'll see Tyler in ten minutes, I swear. I bet you he'll be waiting on the property line" Brian smiles, trying to lighten the mood. "He best not get himself shot" I gulp, dreading the thoughts plaguing me. "Craig, I'm near positive Tyler is smarter then that, no? It will all be fine" Brian sighs, patting my hand.

The carriage rolls to a stop and I sigh, looking out the window to all of the rain. "I'll go inside the house and distract your father, okay? You go see Tyler" Brian whispers, hugging me. "That boy cares about you almost as much as you care about him" He chuckles, patting my back. "I know" I giggle, pulling away from the hug and rubbing my eye. Why do I feel so nervous all of a sudden? I bet it's Jonathan's fault.

I leap out of the carriage and jog towards the cotton fields, the mud sucking my feet into the puddles. I nearly slip a few times before I rationalize and slow down, walking between the rows of cotton. All the slaves have gone inside to avoid the rain, a new rule I suppose. Good. No one should have to work in the rain. I look up and through the heavy mist I see Tyler's giant frame just like the first time I saw him, minus the smoke. I feel a sob of relief building up in my chest.

I walk a little faster, a few happy tears trailing down my face, mixing with the rain. I see him twirling something in his hands, a rose maybe? It's white, so a white rose. He's standing in between the rows of cotton, over the property line. Idiot. I start running anyways, wanting to get close to him and out of this horrible rain as soon as possible. It pounds against my back and I feel myself start to shiver.

That' when I notice something is wrong.

Tyler is shaking, and his face is blotchy and red. He sniffles hard once, and holds out a piece of cotton plant. "I couldn' afford a rose" He apologizes, barking out a sad laugh. "Tyler... what's the matter?" I ask, slowly walking up to him and grabbing his hands. Tyler drops the cotton and yanks me against his chest, squeezing me tight. I think he's crying in relief, or at least I hope so. I hug him back, taking a deep breath and trying to hold back tears of my own.

"It's okay Tyler... it's okay... I missed you, I worried so much, I'm so glad you're home" I mumble, gripping the soaked fabric of his shirt. Tyler let's out another sob, shaking his head. He pushes me back and tries to smile, brushing the hair away from my forehead and heaving out another sob. I grab his wrists and frown, stepping closer. "Tyler... what the hell happened...?" I ask warily, kissing him softly. It's difficult, considering he's still crying.

"I-I'm bein' drafted, Cr-Craig. I got n-no choice in t-t' matter c-cause I got no money, I-I'm goin' t' war a-an' I may not c-come back" Tyler starts sobbing all over again, clutching me to his chest. "When...?" I ask quietly, squeezing back as tight as I can. "N-next week... they're sayin' if I don't go I'll be h-hung for cowardest, and you can't get me outta th-that one" Tyler sniffles and wipes his eyes, but the rain replaces the tears quickly.

"I-I'm so sorry, Craig. I, I didn't wan' t' h-hurt you" He nearly whines, kissing my forehead. His hands start shaking. "I'm so sorry" He says again. I bite my lip and hug Tyler tightly, sniffling too. "You're not allowed to die, Tyler Wilde. You gotta come back to me" I hiss, gripping the back of Tyler's shirt. "Now c'mon, you're spending the night with me" I mumble, gripping Tyler's hand.

He starts crying all over again, mumbling my praise and whimpering and apologizing no matter how many times I tell him to shut it. But I drag him in between the cotton rows, holding back my own tears, because I'm going to make this week count. And then when Tyler comes back, whether it's in a month or a year, I'll do it again and we'll live together and start a family. I tell Tyler just that.

"When I come back, Craig Thompson, I want you to meet me here" Tyler whispers, standing right at the opening of the cotton fields. The towers of white fluff rise above us and Tyler looks like he wants to hide in it. He rubs his thumb over my bottom lip and laughs a little. "I'm lucky to have you" He says, kissing me hard. "I'll meet you right here, Tyler Wilde" I promise, feeling hot tears run down my rain-soaked face. "In between the cotton"