#hosea is like. 55 btw. honestly a little past average life expectancy in 1899.

[yj-98]

i think its also just. the parallels with hosea + arthur... hosea worrying because he knows he doesnt have that much longer and he "just wants people safe before he goes". vs arthur in the latter third of the game wanting the very same thing. it eats at them both!!! they both love so so much and are stubborn as mules and refuse to let dutch destroy everyone alongside himself, even as they grapple with the fact that they love him too, and it hurts to see him act this way and have him accusing them of doubting him. of betrayal. because love to dutch is betrayal, and blind unquestioning loyalty is his new need.

theres just something to. arthur teasing him as his old man. as his father as his teacher. as the gentle hand that raised him and guides him. and he will lose hosea soon enough, to the life they live, not peacefully, and it Will further careen dutch off the deep end and arthur will feel so isolated. because he hasnt made up with john yet and people keep dying and the rest of the "family" is turning on him for Doubting.