You're it!

Cowboy!AlfredxReader

„Alfie, come on, catch me if you can! " You yelled, erupting in cheerful, yet challenging, laughter.

How you loved these afternoons when you could forget about taking care of the animals, behaving properly and being what your parents expected you to be. It wasn't always easy to be a young girl in times like this; when girls are expected to serve the males, and doing the house work. Especially since your family wasn't exactly rich and thus you had to do work that probably wasn't suitable for a girl at all – but the other option was to marry while you were still a child, barely eight. That just wouldn't do; even your parents could see that.

So, like usual, you had been done with the work on your family's field quite early, waiting for your best friend – only friend – to show up. While there weren't many children your age around the town, you didn't really mind; you had Alfred, after all. And the attention he demanded would have been enough for twelve children, so you were equally busy as you'd have been with a bunch of friends. Over the years of knowing him, it had become a ritual to meet after finishing your chores. Alfred, though, always took a bit longer because he had to walk all the way from his family's range to the little town you lived in. Not that it took long. It was only a walk about maybe ten minutes and since Alfred was a fast runner, he usually made it in five minutes, tops.

Upon spotting the young boy with his golden hair, you just yelled the same as every day, telling him to catch you while already running off as fast as you could.

Of course, knowing the routine, the energetic American had already started sprinting too, chasing after you with a happy laugh, "I will [_Name_], I always do!"

"You're it!" And truly; after dashing and racing a bit more, he had tackled you and held you down on the soft grass beneath you. Both of you giggled and laughed, until Alfred (being the smart-arse he loved to be whenever he won a game) exclaimed, "Y'know, [_Name_], you're never gonna win this when you keep being lame like that!"

You faked a pout, acting sulky though you really weren't at all – he always won tag. The fact that you always won hide and seek made up for that, in your opinion. "Aren't you supposed to be nice to ladies? Momma told me that guys are supposed to be gentleman!"

"[_Name_]," The boy whined, rolling his eyes playfully, "You sound just like dadda!"

"Maybe that means I am right…?" You grinned toothily while getting up and pushing the boy softly off of you.

"We're eight, [_Name_]," He said, childishly crossing his arms over his chest, "You're barely a lady yet. Nor will you ever be."

You tried to send him a pointed glare, but found yourself laughing loudly soon. Well, he did have a point there – except for hair and dress, nothing differed you from all these other farm and worker boys around town.

Alfred suddenly grinned sheepishly, probably feeling a bit bad about his other remark (though he did have a point…) and, with a merry glint in his eyes, he stood and bowed, "Well, ma'am, would you perhaps join me for a delightful game of hide-and-coop?"

You giggled, barely containing your laughter – not just did it seem strange to hear that as a tomboyish eight-year-old, but also did it appear awfully out of place when Alfred said it; who was not just too young to act like that, but also seemed to clash with this display character wise.

"I'd like that a lot, kind sir. Shall I start?" You said, letting him help you up before you bobbed a curtsey.

"But yes, ma'am, please do start."

You both stared at each other before the both of you giggled.

You grinned at the blue-eyed boy – pardon, teen – with a little grin.

So, you hit puberty a while ago and now you are already fourteen. Obviously, Alfred was just that exact age now, too. And yet…

"Wow," You chuckled, eyes glinting mischievously, "Must suck to be that small."

Now, let's explain; since Alfred had to be trained in order to become a cowboy so he could undertake the duties of his father once he won't be able to do the work himself. For that, his father sent him to a distant relative. Which is why you hadn't seen Alfred for four years and you only wrote letters. He told you many times how he hated that he just couldn't seem to hit puberty and grow a few centimetres. But you had no clue it was that bad.

You weren't exactly the tallest fourteen-year-old, but it was fairly funny that Alfred F. Jones managed to be smaller than you. His eyes barely reached your nose and that amused you beyond words. Especially since he actually looked like a guy who hit puberty perfectly: adult face, no baby fat left and even some muscles from his hard work. But his height made you laugh. So, so much. It's about time for him to grow some.

"Just don't," He grumbled, for once looking rather pissed, "One day, I'll be at least one head taller than you are!"

You just crooked a smile, "Sure, sure."

Avoiding the subject now, you decided to play some board games in order to kill some time. Outside rain poured as if the apocalypse arrived.

Since this was only like a holiday for Alfred and he'd only be around for two weeks before resuming with his apprenticeship.

With a little grin, he had remarked that, so to speak, you were his 'vacation dalliance'. You had just rolled your eyes and playfully slapped his arm, reminding him that he was home here too, and that he should just hurry so he could come back to live here again, soon.

You breathed heavily, trying to catch your breath and calm you pounding heart.

Okay, so, maybe it was childish that a sixteen-year-old played tag. Then again, this was something you just felt the urge to do. Call it melancholy, but it reminded you of when things were easier. When your parents didn't try to engage you to some guy you never saw before. It helped against the stress to play with Alfred, who once again had a smaller vacation. This time, about three weeks. And you were determined to forget your problems at least for the time Alfred was over.

The American now was barely two centimetres smaller than you were – not that it would stop you from teasing him about it. He did look – you had to admit that much – cute. And yes, you knew you had a tiny crush on him. How could it be any different? After all, he reminded you of everything in your life that had ever been easy and fun and joyful.

You could suddenly hear somebody's footfalls and you startled, your thoughts cut off. With your cheeks slightly dusted in pink, you turned to see Alfred approaching fast. Eyes widening a fraction, you resumed running again, though you knew it was pointless.

Alfred always won this.

And that was, when you were tackled to the ground and held in place by two strong arms.

"[_Name_], you're it!" The American said, grinning happily.

You grinned right back at him, gladly accepting his help as he extended his hand. Once up, he locked eyes with you.

"So…" You looked at him quizzically as he trailed off; he suddenly smirked somewhat evilly, "You still are too lame to stand a chance against me."

"Alfie!" You said, pouting and hitting his arm, "Is that your way of treating a lady?"

"A lady? Where?" He asked, looking around for one before resuming, "I cannot find one."

Hitting his arm again, you just grinned in reply, "Why, Mister Jones, you just can't behave, can you?"

"Well, I can if I just wanna." He argued, though obviously in a playful way.

"As if." You argued with a silent challenge in your eyes.

He grinned. In an evilly (sexily) way that made you shiver. Just what was that guy up to?

Suddenly, he kneeled, took your hand firmly in his and kissed – like a real gentleman, just softly your knuckles, only for one second making contact.

Your skin tingled and you could only nod as he asked you to play hide and seek with him in a parlance that did not suit him; and yet, strangely did.

It was time for Alfred to leave again, though he promised and swore to you that these two years ahead of them were the last two before he was all done and could take over his father's jobs at the range. You told him to better do that.

"Well, [_Name_], just to make sure you remember. Next time, I will be taller than you."

You grinned a cheeky grin, "I look forward to see that, cowboy."

A cute blush dusted his face upon that nickname and you couldn't help it.

You leant forward and kissed his cheek ever so softly and short, leaving him stunned and stuttering.

"Be careful."

You knew since then, that you definitely liked Alfred more than a friend.

And you were also sure that it was more than a crush, too. You were head over heels.

That's the problem.

It was the time of the 'Wild, wild west' and yes, there were stereotypical sheriffs, stereotypical cowboys and stereotypical crooks. The thing was just, there were also still forced marriage, and that was your parent's idea. Granted, you were surprised they even waited for you to turn seventeen, but you couldn't accept it. Not just did it speak against everything that was you, but also were you too deeply in love to stay, marry that man and then watch how your best friend one day marries and is lucky while you eternally hate yourself, your husband, your whole family.

Instead, you flew. You ran. You skived off.

Did you really have a choice?

To you, it didn't seem that way, period.

And that's why you ended up with the mentioned 'stereotypical' crooks. Not that it was that bad – they could use a young female for a lot of plans they had. (And definitely nothing that would include them touching you. Somewhere along the line, these three were more the brothers you never had.)

Currently, there was that rumour of a rich young lady staying in hotel in your hometown. While you didn't really anticipate the idea of going back there, you only had to watch Gilbert's back while he went to get the lady. Also, you'd be with the other two participants of your quartet, Antonio and Francis.

The wealthy lady turned out to be quite nice, actually, but only towards you as you talked to her. Problems with her husband. She looked too young to be married, you thought, but reminded yourself of what would have been your fate.

You couldn't help but think that Gilbert did try to hit on her a lot – love at first sight? Or did they know each other from somewhere?

You shrugged it off because it wasn't your business and you wouldn't change that. No need to get nosy or attached – she'd be away again as soon as her husband paid for her.

Well, that was what you hoped for. However, something completely different happened.

Funnily, you had more money now than with your family – sure, you weren't rich, but it paid off to play for the bad side. Thus, your dress was rather new and comfortable, yet looking good. In the dress, you actually felt like a female – and god knew that didn't happen often to you.

You had been chatting with Elizaveta (whose husband was soon to come and get her, most likely) but she now drifted off to sleep, leaving you to your thoughts.

The evening was rather chilly, you noted, but not really cold yet. The bonfire blazed silently, only occasionally you could hear the faint 'crack' that was characteristic for a campfire.

"So that's why I haven't found you…" You heard a whisper that sounded caught between sadness and disappointment. You lifted your eyes in shock.

Oh.

Oh…

Oh no!

"Alfred F. Jones," You said, whispering too, not knowing on which terms you were; friends, acquaintances, strangers? "Just, what can I do for you?"

"Maybe tell me what you are doing here."

You stared at him.

He was still as dashing as you remembered.

Tall ('h-he actually is bigger than I am…?') but with defined muscles. Messy, fair hair. Blue eyes – so, so blue. Cerulean blue; that was darkened with an emotion you couldn't quite put a finger on.

"I-I…." You stopped, thinking – why were you stuttering? These three men were your family and you had been with them for three years! Why should you be ashamed of that? "What does it look like? I am making my life what I want it to be!"

"You want to be a filthy c—"

"Watch. Your. Mouth!" You yelled, shocking the American, "They treat me better than my parents ever did. So, I didn't want to marry that guy my parents tried to sell me to. So what?!"

That shut him – hadn't he known the whole story?

Well, now he did.

"I…Oh," Alfred said, looking at you apologetically, "Well, [_Name_], it's just…I missed you."

A careful smile tugged at the corners of your mouth, "It's okay. Was that why you came here? To bring me home?"

He nodded in affirmation.

"The thing is…I just don't want to," you said, almost as if to say sorry, "But I actually like my life the way it is now."

There was a silence between you and you didn't know whether this was an awkward silence or a comfortable one. It was one that was somewhere in between.

Then, Alfred broke it as he extended his hand. You stared at It confused before taking it and let him help you up like you always used to.

However, he did not let go of your hand; he intertwined his fingers with yours. As you looked up, you noticed that he indeed was taller than you were and you had to grin at that. Realising it, too, he grinned right back. Nevertheless he grew serious again, though he did have a tender smile on his face.

"I've been wrong, you know…" He mumbled, his forehead resting against yours.

You felt your heart pound in your chest, almost awfully fast. As your face grew hot, Alfred simply carried on.

"You did grow to be a lady," Your whole face was bright red; however you were glad that Alfred also was slightly flushed, "And such a beautiful one…"

"A-Alfie…" You mumbled, only millimetres were your lips away from his.

Closing the gap, your lips connected; and what you tasted was purely Alfred.

The kiss was gentle, careful, whispering all the 'I love you's that you've been dying to hear from him. For your taste, it also was too short, but on the other hand, you could always repeat this, right?

"Please, [_Name_], let me love you. Come home." He pleaded, begged.

"I'd love to, but…It's just that I don't know where my home is." You said, sadly, trying to make him understand.

"[_Name_], if you gave me a chance… Then I could be you're home…"

And right as the words left his lips you realised something. He didn't need that chance because he's always been your home already. Every good memory, every smile, every laughter – it was always a memory with Alfred.

You stared at him and he probably saw the answer in your eyes, because he hugged you as close as possible, whispering 'Thank you' all over again and again and again.

Your friends will understand, you told yourself; and you knew they would, because you loved them and they loved you. Platonically, obviously.

Stroking his hair softly, you hummed happily, "Sometimes I wonder how I deserve you."

Alfred just chuckled, "That's quite obvious, darling."

"Huh?" You were confused and definitely interested in his answer, "Tell me, then."

"Because," he said, lowering his lips down to yours and stopping mere millimetres away from yours, "You're it, [_Name_]."

Your lips met.