(Soulmate AU)

Forgive me for showing such violence

The words on your wrist that you long since memorized felt odd that morning. Still, you tried to ignore it. With Abraham working so hard on rebuilding his and Mary's farm after the fire, you had taken to looking after Thomas and helping Mary when she needed you. That's what you were doing now. Heading to Abraham's land with a basket of food for the man. Without you and Mary, he would probably starve. You were absolutely not expecting what happened that afternoon.

Your brows furrowed in confusion when you approached and saw a man you'd never met before punch Caleb Brewster right in the nose. Caleb, unsurprisingly, began to chuckle. Your mouth dropped open just as Abraham saw you. "Y/N!" he called with a smile, "What are you doing here?" You held up the basket, but before you could speak, you found yourself being picked up and spun in the arms of your childhood best friend.

"Y/N/N!" You squealed then told him to put you down. He did with a grin and kissed your cheek. "Missed ya, girlie!" You snorted out a laugh. It was only then that you saw the eyes of the stranger on you. You smiled at him. He watched you for a moment from underneath his wide-brimmed hat. The words on your wrist burned a bit, but you chose to ignore it. "Oh, Y/N. This is Mr. Robert Townsend. Townsend, this is Miss Y/F/N." You curtsied slightly, your eyes never leaving his.

"Forgive me for showing such violence." You froze, the words on your arm feeling like they were literally on fire. "I-There is nothing to forgive, Mr. Townsend." His hand went to his own wrist as his eyes widened. "What's happenin'?" Caleb asked, but you hardly heard Abraham's response. Your gaze couldn't seem to tear away from Robert's.

"It's you," you whispered, unable to believe it. The burning in your wrist was nearly unbearable. This part was where a lot of people grew uncomfortable. The burning wouldn't stop until your soulmate touched the words on your wrist. Touching someone you'd just met was awkward, soulmate or not. Still, you weren't sure how much longer you could handle to sensation.

Robert took a small step toward you. "Caleb, we should give them a bit of privacy," you heard Abraham whisper. "This isn't something we Quakers do," Robert said softly, "But, may I?" He indicated to your wrist. You bit your lip. "If you'd like. I wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable." He smiled. "Thank you. Your concern is touching."

He took your arm gingerly and pushed up the sleeve of your dress to reveal the now burning mark. He frowned upon seeing the words. "You must have thought so poorly of me all this time," he whispered. You gave him a gentle smile as his eyes met yours again. "Not at all. I figured you would have a good reason for violence and seeing as it was Caleb, I'm certain of it now."

"HEY!" Caleb snapped, but he was still smiling when you and Robert looked at him. You rolled your eyes. Robert brought his attention back to your wrist for a moment before looking at you. You nodded to his unanswered question and he placed his fingers on your wrist. If you weren't soulmates, this action would have been frowned upon. You couldn't bring yourself to care though as the burning sensation in your wrist finally subsided.

You grinned at Robert before he let you gently touched his mark. "Thank you," he whispered. It seemed nearly impossible to look away from him now. At least until Abraham spoke up. "I don't like this." You whipped your head over to him and glared.

"I beg your pardon?" Abraham placed his hands on his hips and sighed. "Look, you know what we do, what we're going to continue to do. It isn't safe. There's no way to guarantee your safety or that any one of us will be getting out of this alive." Robert opened his mouth, but you beat him to it. You were not about to let Abraham get away with his hypocrisy.

"Is that why you made the choice to be unfaithful to your wife and soulmate? Because there is no guarantee?" Abraham began to argue, but Caleb held him back and you continued on, "Whatever happens or doesn't between Mr. Townsend and myself is no business of yours, especially since your reasoning reeks of hypocrisy."

Abraham tried to argue again, but Caleb once again shut him up. You glared at him before turning your attention back to Robert. He was smiling at you. "So, you're a part of Abraham and Caleb's madness, then?" you asked and he nodded hesitantly. You frowned slightly. Abraham was right. There was no guarantee that Robert would still be around when the war was over. Still, he was your soulmate and that had to mean something, didn't it?

You slowly reached out your hand, offering it to him if he wished to take it. Caleb had decided to pull Abraham away. Your best friend knew how long you'd been waiting to meet your soulmate and he was NOT about to let Abraham ruin it for you. Robert glanced between your face and you hand for a moment before reaching over to take it his.

"You will be careful, won't you?" you whispered. Robert gave a you a soft smile. "You are worried for my safety already?" You let out a little laugh. "You are a kind soul, Mr. Townsend. Even just meeting you I can see that. I want the chance to get to know you, if you'll let me."

You weren't usually so forward, but his eyes kept you mesmerized and you couldn't seem to stop yourself from saying every thought that popped into your head. The slight pink tint to his cheeks made it worth it, though. "I would like that. Very much," he whispered. You gave his hand a squeeze and replied, "Then please, be careful." He smiled. "For my soulmate, of course I shall." You continued to stare into his eyes as the rest of the world melted away.