A thick thumb tenderly ran over the stirrups just as it had done a dozen times already, Arthur’s eyes slowly scanning the much-appreciated gift you had given him. His stirrups, his old ones anyway, had been well-used, and you had very graciously bought him new ones unprompted.

Arthur lifted his head, watching as you did chores on the other side of camp. With a scratch of his jaw, he silently thought to himself, wondering just how he should repay you.

You didn’t ask for any payment, of course, he just thought it would be appropriate. But what would you even like? Something practical? Something pretty? That was the mystery he was currently trying to solve as he continued his accidental staring with that unintentionally firm gaze.