#this isn’t just about me. I don’t want lennie or rob to feel like they have to do something they don’t want

[ttuesday]

How would the VDL gang comfort/cuddle you if you had a bad day?

also have this fluffy foal 🐴

yay I love fluffy foal!!!! Since we all have bad days, I decided to do a little more than usual for this one so yeah this’ll probably be longer than usual :)

Arthur

-> The second Arthur sees you, he knows something went wrong but he waits until you’re away from the others to talk to you. In a low voice, Arthur asks if you want to go somewhere private before guiding you to his tent or to the outskirts of camp.

-> He doesn’t mind if you don’t tell him what’s bothering you or what made today so terrible. Without saying a word, Arthur wraps his arms around you and pulls you into a tight hug. 

-> He slowly starts to stroke your hair and tell you that no matter what the problem is, you’ll figure it out.

-> Arthur reminds you of how strong you are and asks if you want to go do something with him tomorrow, whether that be robbing a stagecoach or drinking in a saloon or just going for a ride along the Heartlands. Whatever you want to do, Arthur will go along with it.

Dutch

-> Dutch asks to speak to you in his tent, pretending he needs your opinion on some upcoming robbery but when he closes his tent off to the others, he lets out a sigh and gives you a sympathetic smile.

->  “Want to talk about it?” he asks, sitting next to you on his bed. He understands if you stay quiet, not too sure of how to explain your bad day.

-> Dutch opens his mouth to say a quote from Evelyn Miller he thinks you might find interesting but he hesitates. He knows quotes won’t help right now and so instead he shuffles closer to you, putting his arm around your waist.

-> He’ll let you cuddle into him and he won’t move an inch until you’re feeling a little bit better, even if that takes all night. 

Charles

-> Charles doesn’t really know what to do or say. But he believes that some times you don’t need words.

-> Whether you want to sit by the campfire or away from the centre of camp, Charles stays by your side. He knows you probably have some thinking to do so he stays quiet, a comfortable silence falling over ye.

-> Of course if you want to talk or rant, Charles will listen intently, taking in every word you say and every expression you make. And if there’s anything he can do to help, he instantly suggests it to you.

Bill

-> Bill isn't great with words. Everyone knows that. So don't expect him to give you this great motivational speech that will give you high hopes and make you feel like you a superhero.

-> Chances are Bill will just start rambling about something random like how he’s thinking of buying a new saddle for Brown Jack or how he found a piece of chocolate in his beard the other day.

-> His ramblings are a good distraction and Bill has no problem if you want to lean against him as he continues to talk. He’s very warm and cozy so it makes sense if you fall asleep on him. 

Javier

-> Javier will try his absolute best to make you feel better. He spends the evening comforting you as best he can and if you still feel bad, he’ll suggest the two of you go on a job.

-> He knows of a homestead you can both rob, it’s easy pickings and he hopes it will help you focus on something and lift your spirits.

-> Who knows, maybe ye can spend the night there to have a break from everything. Javier will spend the night spooning you and whispering his favourite things about you into your ear... though he might ask to be the baby spoon at some point during the night.

Micah 

-> Micah suggests that you have a drink with him in the hopes that’ll make your day a bit better. As you sit down at one of the tables at camp, Micah brings over a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. 

-> He can be very blunt so don’t expect a lot of great comfort or immaculate advice but he will listen to everything you say. Even if he acts like he isn’t listening, believe me, he is. 

-> Towards the end of the night when he’s feeling a little more confident than usual (thank u alcohol) he’ll offer you a comfortable seat on his lap. Really he just wants to cuddle in the hopes it’ll lift both of ye’re moods.

John

-> John can be kinda hopeless in situations like this. He’s very awkward but if you need a hug or someone to talk to or a cuddle, then he’s happy to help.

-> If you start to cry, there’s a possibility John will die of awkwardness because he doesn’t know what to do or how to react. His brain may go into shutdown mode.

-> but he will stay there with you for as long you want him there. And he’ll try his best to make you smile again, whether it be with a cuddle, kiss or his dry sense of humour.

Sean

-> Sean's angry. Not at you, he could never truly be mad at you, but Sean presumes your bad day is someone's fault. Before you can explain why you've had a bad day, Sean's loading his revolver and whistling Ennis over so he can go shoot whoever has upset you.

-> If you want him to go kill someone then off he'll go on his mission but if you need him by your side, he can do that too. Because this is Sean, he basically clings to you as he fusses over you.

-> This man will spend the entire night giving you kisses, cuddles, maybe something more *wink wink*. He’ll give you the best advice he can think of and whatever else you need in the moment.

Lenny

-> Lenny hates it when you've had a bad day. He never wants to see you upset or sad, it breaks his heart to see you like that.

-> He gives you a long hug, slightly swaying from side to side. He's also really eager to help you in anyway he can. Want to go on a job to take your mind off it? Let's go. Need someone to tell you you’re an amazing person? He's confident he'll do a great job at that.

-> Be warned though, Lenny can be an emotional fella. So if you start crying, he might start crying too just because you're crying.

Uncle

-> Everyone knows Uncle likes to joke around. When things get tough, he likes to make a joke and laugh about it.

-> So when he heard you had a bad day, he tried to lighten the mood with some jokes. He makes jokes about himself, your shitty day, anyone who passes by and Dutch's speeches.

-> If the jokes aren't working then Uncle tries to say something genuine but he can't help himself and gives it a comedic spin at the end. But he hopes you know he really meant the genuine part.

Trelawny

-> When Trelawny hears you're having a bad day, he doesn't think it's anything to worry about. He thinks he can cheer you up with some magic.

-> He puts on a small show for you, making birds magically appear and finding a bouquet of flowers behind your ear. But Trelawny knows that isn't enough.

-> He sits down next to you and asks if you want to talk. Trelawny is one of the best listeners in camp, he'll listen and try his best to comfort you in whatever way you want. He'll even ask if you want to pet one of his birds.

Hosea

-> No matter what your problem is or whether you want to talk about it or not, Hosea sits down with you. His first concern is to try and make you feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible.

-> He will bring you whatever you want, go wherever you feel most comfortable. Anything you need, he will try his best to provide. 

-> If you need to have a good cry, Hosea hands you his handkerchief and tells you to let it all out. There’s no point in hiding your emotions now and he assures you that tomorrow will be a better day.

Tilly

-> Tilly’s great because she’ll let you vent about your bad day but she also knows when to stop you. She wants the best for you and won’t let you rant all day about pointless things.

-> If you start to spiral, she stops you and tells you to let it go. You’ve complained about your shitty day but it’s important not to dwell on it.

-> Before ending the conversation, Tilly gives you a firm but understanding hug and lets you know that she’s here for you if you have another bad day.

Sadie

-> Sadie can put up with a lot of life’s shit. But seeing you upset and feeling miserable? It makes her feel frustrated and pissed off.

-> She’s had some terrible days so she knows the best thing to do is get a blanket, a hot drink and bring you somewhere quiet. Sadie wraps the blanket around you and sits with you.

-> She brushes your hair with her fingers and she softly asks you how you are. It’s strange to hear Sadie talk so softly but in a way it shows you how much she cares and wants to help 

[dalekofchaos]

It wasn’t all Micah’s fault, Dutch is as much to blame.

A lot of people seem to think that Micah being the rat is what led to the fall of the Van der Linde gang. While it’s true that Micah is partly to blame. But Micah would not have an opportunity if it were not for Dutch’s vanity and pride.

Dutch is the classic delusional leader seen in many stories, novels. His fantasies become more real with each day, battle and somehow they think fortune is right around the corner. Like a gambler chasing the eternal big pot. No amount of money would ever be enough. It wasn't about money. It's was about the chase, the illusion of victory that never comes.

In Chapter 6 is when this all becomes more apparent. A switch went off in Dutch's mind, in Ch6. This wasn't the way HIS story was supposed to happen. Not to HIM. He's freaking Don Quixote, madman fighting knights in his mind and being a hero. It's fucking beautiful character writing and story arc for him.

Dutch has a discarded speech draft in horseshoe overlook that shows he’s always been a self-obsessed politician in context of the gang. He crosses out every line of humility and replaces it with narcissistic martyrdom, and avoids ever giving his audience a moment to question him or the path they’re on. He wants control over people so he can use them to realize his ambitions, and every book he reads in camp has a similar motif that explains why he thinks that way.

There are conversations between Lenny and Dutch, too. Lenny is not a fan of Evelyn Miller and tells Dutch why. Dutch is blind to the criticism. This speaks volumes about the two characters. This conversation made me realize that Dutch is used to peddling his philosophy to people who are not as well read as him; the moment he has to defend his ideas to someone more intelligent he gets defensive and angry. Because he isn't searching for a debate; he's searching for affirmation.

Everyone loves to paint Dutch and Hosea as the perfect partners and even ship them in a gay way. But Dutch doesn’t respect Hosea? Also Hosea was a happily married man. They're supposed to be partners, but he certainly doesn't treat him like one. He doesn't listen to him, he yells at him when he's doubting, coughing or in pain, and he makes him sleep on the cold, hard, dirty ground. He even openly ignores him in Colter, in front of the other men, and rides off when he tries to stop him from robbing Cornwall's train. I'm not saying they don't have a rich history or good moments, but it's a toxic relationship at best. Not exactly something worth praising. If you don't believe me, you can find unique dialogues as the game progresses, verifying he’s lost all faith in Dutch. To the point that he even starts telling other members to leave. Abigail, John, Arthur, Lenny, Tilly, Sadie -- he tells all of them to leave. During a dominoes game we played together he even said, "Maybe it's just me, but Dutch seems to be getting more and more unhinged." And as early as chapter one he told Arthur, "Try to stop Dutch getting all of you killed, because I'm about beginning to think he's finally lost his mind." There are also other conversations where Hosea’s disappointment with Dutch is far more blatant. He basically tells Arthur he’s been disillusioned for a while and wishes the gang would change, but when Arthur asks what they’d do instead of thieving, Hosea says, “I don’t know. I never knew. Guess I could never figure that out, neither.” By this point he’s just so dejected and defeatist because he knows Dutch won’t listen to him. He also goes on a whole tirade about how they’ve become “nothing but a bunch of killers”, which breaks his heart, and during a random campfire encounter he bares his soul and flat out tells the gang he no longer believes in Dutch’s “we’re above the law” philosophy. I feel like Dutch is glad Hosea was killed because the biggest doubter and thorn in his side was taken care of.

I mean this is what Hosea feels about the majority of Dutch’s plans

The moment John put his family as a priority, Dutch saw this as a threat and has been paranoid about John ever since. 

He tried to play the Grays, Braithewaites and Bronte  the same way he’s used Arthur, Hosea, John, Bill, Javier, and even his women like Molly, Susan and Annabelle. To Dutch, people are just set pieces in his life. He cares for them and wants them to love him, but it’s only because he’s a narcissist that needs their support to make himself stronger.

He never snapped or went crazy or turned. The Dutch that drowned Bronte is the same Dutch that had always been there. He was frustrated that he did not have the upper hand on somebody, that someone had played him the same way he plays others, and it’s probably the same reason he shot a girl in cold blood on the ferry and the same reason he shot the girl in the bank in rdr1. In that scene in rdr1, he said something like “you’re the master now John” before Dutch did what he did.

When Dutch isn’t in control, he rages against the world around him. Because as far as he’s concerned, he’s the smartest and most virtuous man around and anyone who opposes him is wrong. And anytime he loses or isn’t completely in control, somebody’s out to get him and play him like a fool. That’s why he turns on Arthur and John, and why Micah manipulates him so easily

Blackwater, going up against Cornwall, playing the inbred families and Bronte is what sealed the gang's fate.

Blackwater. If Dutch had just ignored the ferry job and let Hosea and Arthur handle their Blackwater real estate/tax scam, then they would have made it big with no one dying

If Dutch had just ignored the O'Driscolls and their train heist plans, then Cornwall would have went after Colm O'Driscoll while Dutch and the gang could have either went to Horseshoe without incident or gotten lost out West. Don’t forget it was Hosea who was against robbing that train back in chapter 1 that belonged to Leviticus Cornwall. It was after that robbery when he started sponsoring Pinkertons to find Dutch. If they stayed away from that train, they could’ve shaken off the Pinkertons easily. Hosea was right from the very start. Even before that he was saying that Blackwater robbery was a bad idea.

If Dutch or Hosea put their foot down and requested Herr Straus to stop loansharking desperate people or risk being banished from the gang, then maybe Arthur would still be alive

If they requested the aid of Trelwany to see if the rumor of Confederate gold is legit or not, then they could've realized playing one or the other family was a complete waste of time and not worth the effort.

The moment they got Jack from Bronte, they should have just left Lemoyne and never looked back.

The moment Arthur began helping the Wapiti tribe, he should have never went back to Dutch. Arthur, Charles, Sadie and John should have helped them and never looked back. John would’ve gotten Abigail and Jack out alive, while from some convincing from Arthur, Uncle and Susan would have helped Mary-Beth, Tilly and Pearson leave the gang. 

Even if everything turned out the way it did but Hosea, Lenny and Sean were alive, the gang would be split. Hosea, Susan, Lenny and Sean would have sided with Arthur. There would have been a chance that Hosea and Arthur could have talked sense into Dutch, but Dutch would not want to see that he fucked up royally and costed EVERYTHING, he would stand by the choices he made, even if it meant fighting his own brother and sons.

But no, Dutch needs to feel like this big and important leader. He needs one last take. It wasn't about money, it was wanting to prove that he won and just wanting to be the big man, like Evelyn Miller or all the outlaws that are romanticized. Micah saw him for what he was and was playing him like a fiddle and milking him for all he's worth. It was so easy for Micah to play Dutch and so easy for Arthur Hosea, Sean, Lenny, Susan, Davey, Mac and Jenny to die for the sake of Dutch proving that he is a winner and that he is right. It was never about getting lost out west or even the money or even Tahiti, it was about Dutch wanting to prove he is right and all the doubters are wrong.

Dutch Van der Linde’s pride and ego is what destroyed the gang. Even if Milton did not kill Hosea, there was no stopping Dutch’s path of self-destruction.

[queenxxxsupreme]

I 've recently found your writing and I'm so glad I did!! You're incredible, and I absolutely love the way you write Arthur in an established relationship. There's so much fic about the excitement and will-they-wont-they of a new relationship, but it's so sweet to see a dynamic with Arthur and someone who just knows him so well. New love is fun and world shifting, but there's nothing like the old comfort of a love that it backed by time <3 Idk if you still take requests but consider this one!

A/N: I wasn’t too sure if this was what you meant or not, but I did an established relationship with Arthur. This is just fluffy morning softness with him. If this isn’t what you meant and I completely got it wrong, please let me know! I’ll definitely get to work on a new one! It won’t hurt my feelings at all if I did interpret it the wrong way and you would like another one! (I love writing for Arthur he makes me happy)

***

The sun was just beginning to shine through the thick treetops that surrounded Horseshoe Overlook. Birds chirped in the trees and a few squirrels scurried around just to your left in the bushes.

You sat at a table with a cup of coffee and one of your favorite books in hand. It was early in the morning, far too early for most of the camp to be up but a few of the older members such as Mrs. Grimshaw and Herr Strauss were awake. 

Over the years, you’d grown accustomed to waking up bright and early with Arthur Morgan. You liked to see him off on his busy days when Dutch or Hosea had him running half away across the state for a job. And on the days where he wasn’t needed immediately, you enjoyed sitting with him for breakfast or coffee. 

“Good morning, Y/N.” Hosea greeted you as he passed by your table to get to the pot of coffee.

“Morning, Hosea.” You gave him a smile.

He migrated back to his tent, choosing to sit at the table nearest to the tent while he looked over a map. You silently wondered if whatever it was he was planning would involve Arthur. 

The sudden feeling of something big behind you almost made you jump. But the hands on your shoulders let you know exactly who it was. He rubbed circles into your shoulders with his thumbs, leaning down to kiss the top of your head.

“Mmhm. Your hair smells good.” Arthur hummed. 

You tilted your head back to look at him, a smile coming to your lips.

“Good morning, handsome.”

“Good mornin’, pumpkin.” He dipped his head down to kiss between your brows. “How’s the coffee today?” 

Arthur began to reach for your cup of coffee sitting on the table. 

“You won’t like that.” You tried to warn him, but he was already taking a drink of the hot beverage.

He cringed, placing the cup back on the table and bringing the back of his hand to his mouth. 

“Now you know very well that you wouldn’t like that, Arthur.” You looked up at him. “I put sugar in mine.”

“Yeah, yeah. I don’t like sugar.” He muttered, pulling a chair around the table so he could sit closer to you. “I was hopin’ after all these years you’d come to your senses.”

“And drink that bitter shit you drink? No thank you.” You giggled. “You want me to get you a cup?”

“I’ll get one here in a second.” Arthur shook his head, looking around camp. “Who’s awake?”

“Strauss and Susan are up and chatting over by the cliff.” You nodded towards the north end of camp. “Hosea’s over there at the table and earlier I saw Dutch come out of his tent for a minute but I think he must’ve gone back to sleep. It’s been pretty still all morning.”

Arthur nodded. 

“You didn’t sleep much last night.” He spoke quietly, leaning forward on his elbows. This put him closer to you. 

“Tossed and turned a lot.” You closed your book and picked up your coffee. 

“I know. I could feel the bed move every time you threw yourself around.” He chuckled a little. “What kept you up?”

You shook your head, not wanting to bother him with your worries.

He reached over to take your coffee from you, gently prying it out of your hands.

“Come on, pumpkin. What was it?”

“You know how I get.” You shrugged your shoulders. “When Dutch mentions his ideas and plans at night, I don’t sleep. Don’t think neither of us really do but I…. I just…. Since Blackwater, I haven’t been able to sleep.”

Arthur’s brows were furrowed together softly as he looked at you. 

“I’m worried about us, Arthur.” You admitted. 

He stayed silent, lips pressed together in a line. 

“I got a bad feelin’ in my stomach. Blackwater was bad, Arthur.”

He nodded a little and reached over to take one of your hands away from your coffee. He brushed his thumb over your knuckles, eyes focusing on a scar that ran across the back of your hand. 

“Blackwater went sour, but sometimes that happens, pumpkin. Sometimes jobs don’t go how we planned. You remember that job we did back in Montana in ‘82?”

A small smile crept on to your lips. 

“That was ages ago.”

“Sure feels like it.” Arthur chuckled. “We found a rancher to steal from.”

“If I remember correctly, I found a rancher to steal it from. You messed it up.” You poked his chest, your tone teasing. 

“I know. I know.” Arthur muttered, adjusting his hat. “Just ‘cause you had to flirt with the old bastard didn’t mean I was gonna sit by and let him about you like you were some saloon girl.”

You spent a week flirting your way into the pocket of a rich rancher in Montana while Arthur played an up and coming rancher from out of town. On the night that you were supposed to rob the mark, Arthur went out for drinks with the rancher and you while you accompanied the rancher as his date. Soon, the rancher and his friends were drunk and their gentlemanly charm had vanished. The second they started practically harassing you, Arthur dropped the act and start throwing his fists. 

“You walked out of there with a broken nose” You reached over to cup his face, brushing your thumb along the bridge of his nose. 

“And somehow, you managed to get that scar on the back of your hand and another on your arm.” Arthur sighed. “Didn’t mean for it to happen like that, but sometimes jobs go sideways and we can’t always see it until it happens.”

“But Arthur, that was back when it was just us and Hosea and Dutch. Now we have three times that many people to worry about and look after.” You furrowed your brows together. “Dutch has got to see it ain’t all about the money. Sure some of us may not have much more time left on the clock, but we got some young people too. Jack, Tilly, Mary-Beth, Lenny, Karen, Sean, and now Kieran too…. We need to think about how what we do will affect them in the long run.”

Arthur chuckled softly, looking down for a moment.

“What are you laughin’ at, Arthur Morgan?” 

“You, pumpkin. I think it’s adorable when you play mother hen.” He kissed your forehead. “Pumpkin, they’re young but they are grown ass people. They can make their own decisions.”

“Just like you did when you were their age?” You raised your brows. “Look where it’s gotten you, Mr. Morgan. Sitting in a bum camp living like someone who ain’t got nothin’ to live for.”

“And look who’s sittin’ right beside me in this bum camp.” He tapped the outsides of your thighs. You laughed softly, knowing you walked straight into that one.

“I’m sittin’ here ‘cause I followed some fool with blue eyes and a heart of gold all the way from out west” You muttered. “Ended up findin’ the love of my life too.”

Arthur gazed at you for a few moments, his chest warming up with your words. 

“Anyways, I wouldn’t change any of the choices that I made when I was their age.” He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his nose and crossing his arms. 

“Oh yeah?” You stood up to get him a cup of coffee. “Why not?”

“‘Cause I found the biggest pain in my ass in the whole damn country when I was their age.” His eyes followed you. 

You handed him the cup of coffee, warning him that it was still pretty warm. Before you could move back to your seat, his hand took yours, keeping you by his chair. 

“My pumpkin….” His eyes focused on that scar on the back of your hand again. “She’s been with me through thick and thin, and even when I haven’t been so kind to her.”

“We all make mistakes, Arthur.” You reminded him. You knew he was talking about the few times you two had broken up and he started a relationship with Mary Linton. “Only thing that matters is you came back to me.”

You took his hat off of his head so you could kiss his forehead. 

“Love you, pumpkin.” He spoke quietly, letting your hand go so you could return to your seat.

“Love you more, Arthur.” You gave him a smile, replacing his hat on his head. 

You sat down and picked up your cup of coffee to take a sip. 

Arthur’s eyes flickered over to Dutch’s tent. Molly was pinning the lapels back, meaning that the two were waking up. 

“We’re gonna be just fine, pumpkin.” Arthur told you, nodding his head a little. 

“I know. We always are. Just doesn’t come easy sometimes.”

Taglist:  @doggone-cowgirl @winterwolf @lauramb7 @caraqas @bluscryn @krenee1drful @zodiacaldust @nonodino @gabstaroc @cal-lifornication @thefirelordm @sargeantsea @sokkasdarling @thecollection @mayday1284 

If your name is in italics, it wouldn’t let me tag you :(

[reddeadreference]

Blog Progress Update (Travel Blog Style 😎#12)

100% forgot that we get to rob a stagecoach with Sean and Mary-Beth.

Ya know… we get to do a robbery of some sort with every girl but Abigail (which makes sense) and Molly (makes even more sense).

Got the story bank robbery with Karen(and Lenny and Bill), Tilly (and Bill), then now Mary-Beth (and Sean). All in chapter 3.

Arthur asks what Sean's doing when he sees him looking at a map

"Nothing, nothing at all!"

Mary-Beth brings over a fucking rifle "I brought the- *sees Arthur* oh"

I laughed so hard I needed my damn inhaler xD

-

"You know what you're doing, right?" 

The look Mary-Beth just gave Sean for asking that… I love her.

(Gif made by me but feel free to use if you want)

I think I did this mission only one time cause I only slightly remember it.

Welp… time to get kidnapped.

"Blessed are the peacemakers"  Rrrroll cred- wait…

Hosea from across camp: "it's a trap" LISTEN TO HOSEA. ALWAYS LISTEN TO HOSEA.

Well that wasn’t fun...

oh no............

*Sees the "B" on the mini map*

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

*UNHAPPY ARM FLAPS* I DON'T WANNA T-T

I haven't even left the camp and I'm crying 😭(I feel like I'm in a damn rocking chair I'm rocking so much. It's not helping…)

Maybe it was just my game but.. on the ride to Rhodes… there is NO music.. Game did not try to hide this isn't gonna be a fun time

Micah: "Where is that son of a bitch?"

Sean: "Be late to his own funeral, that one."

… now, I KNOW you ain't talkin about Arthur!... Though to be fair they can see me sitting on my horse 10 ft away just staring at them for the past 5 minutes...  I don't wanna….

"Hey hold up" OKAY *PAUSES* Arthur said wait T-T 

I DON'T WANNA

Okay… I may have failed cause I threw a fire bottle… and it may have hit Micah….

That's on me.

Well that was not a fun time... Oh but is it so satisfying burning down that fucking manor… But on the other hand I'm definitely gonna need to use online for Braithwaite Manor photos xD ik you can go in without any npcs getting mad on online. Just gotta hope no real people mess with me either on the way there or inside.

Ah Shady Belle…

I love how Kieran helps Molly out of the carriage TAKE FUCKING NOTES DUTCH

Dang it I forgot I have to immediately go into Saint Denis. 

Well, Chapter 3 is complete so now I can complete and post all of the chapter 3 stuff. Expect that to be posted today at some point. (I’m just listening to Pearson sing Goodbye Fare Thee Well” on repeat… it’s so nice to work to.)

[lovemustruleusall]

Movie Recommendations

since quarantine started, I think I've watched more movies in the past three weeks than I have in the past 6 months. here are some of my favorites

The Lobster (2015)

dir: Yorgos Lanthimos

available on: Netflix

fascinating concept, executed well, beautifully shot and a gripping ending that i still sometimes think about. one of those movies i looked up what happened at the end because i wanted someone elses opinon. (aka, it’s up to interpretation).

Her (2013)

dir: Spike Jonze

available on: Netflix

one of my favorites I saw during quarantine. thoroughly engaging throughout regardless of it’s longer runtime. beautifully shot, edited and great performances by everyone involved.

Booksmart (2019)

dir: Olivia Wilde

available on: Hulu

this movie shocked me with how much I ended up enjoying it. i was nervous at first, especially about the likeability of the characters, but they got me at the end. If you are looking for an upbeat, feel good, and funny movie, this is it. 

Boy (2010)

dir: Taika Waititi

available on: amazon prime

my favorite movie ever made. Taika Waititi is a genius. he’s a master at mixing emotion with humor without it feeling like he’s trying too hard. beautifully shot and written, very underrated movie.

What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

dir: Taika Waititi/Jermaine Clement 

please watch this if you want to laugh. one of the funniest movies i’ve ever seen. i think we can all agree that peytr is the best character.

Submarine (2011)

dir:  Richard Ayoade

rewatching this movie during quarantine makes me remember why it was my favorite movie for so many years. it may be a coming of age story, but it's somehow so much more than others i’ve seen. plus, alex turner does the soundtrack. great film. love u Richard.

The Way Way Back (2013)

dir: Jim Rash/Nat Faxon

rewatched for the first time since 2013. Sam Rockwell’s character is easily the best even though he may be overly obnoxious at times. unfortunately, the main character is less likable than the supporting characters, but it is quite a lovable film. stars toni collette, allison janney, and steve carell too.

Nightcrawler (2014) 

dir: Dan Gilroy

available on: amazon prime

watched this days ago and still can’t decide on my feelings about it. gripping and deeply unsettling. Jake Gyllenhaal delivers (as usual).

Moonlight (2016)

dir: Barry Jenkins

available on: netflix

this movie is beautiful. from the way the story is told, shot, and acted, it's great. deserves all of the hype it received upon coming out. longer runtime, so be prepared.

Bo Burnham: Make Happy (2016)

dir: Bo Burnham, Christopher Storer

available on: netflix

this is a comedy special. since watching it when released, I haven’t stopped thinking about it. one of the smartest, most thought-provoking pieces of music I have ever listened to (just the last song, it has me fucked up to this day). 

Chronicle of a Summer (1961)

dir: Jean Rouch/Edgar Morin

watched for a class and was stunned by how much I was enamored with and intrigued by it. follows ethnographers asking the question, “are you happy?”. the whole movie is in French!

Skeleton Twins (2014)

dir: Craig Johnson

available on: Hulu

wanted to watch since i heard about it. shocked by Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig’s performances and the emotional storyline of the film overall. may seem like a backhanded compliment, but I was shocked by how good this film was.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

dir: Taika Waititi

available on: hulu

if there’s any movie you should watch during this quarantine it’s any of Taika Waititi’s films. he delivers every time with a comedic, heartfelt, and unique story.

The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)

dir: Rob Burnett

available on: Netflix

i was pleasantly surprised by this movie. really great performance by Craig Roberts. i too would like to go on a week long roadtrip with Paul Rudd. i think i’ll pass on the part where he wipes my ass, though.

The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2020)

dir: Joe Talbot

available on: amazon prime

this movie isn’t really plot heavy, but it’s still beautifully done and facinating. found myself not really caring about parts of the plot when watching, i just enjoyed it. 

Frank (2014)

dir: Lenny Abrahamson

available on: YouTube (for free as of May 2020)

a weird movie, and i can’t say for sure if i am ashamed to have liked the last song they wrote on the spot. i think the character design of the helmet is enough of a reason to watch.

Trainspotting (1996)

dir: Danny Boyle

young ewan mcgregor was enough of a reason to get me to watch this movie. a look at drug use in young adult/adult culture in scotland during the 90′s. and it will always go down as the movie i remember that noel gallagher/oasis said no to the soundtrack to because he thought it was about literally train-spotting. another irvine welsh novel made into a movie (first was filth)

T2L Trainspotting (2017)

director: Danny Boyle

i didn’t realize there was a sequel when I watched the first and I wasn’t really expecting anything much from this. i don’t know if it’s just my love for ewan mcgregor, but I really liked this movie. the soundtrack is just as good as the first, too.

Paris is Burning (1990)

dir: Jennie Livingston

available on: netflix

one of my favorite pieces of film of all time, probably my favorite documentary out there. i think it’s probably one of the only things i’ve ever considered as ‘essential viewing’

Inside (2021)

dir: Bo Burnham

available on: netflix

one of my favorite things to come out of quarantine. I have missed bo and his content so much it was amazing to see him come back in such a raw and touching way. I've had the soundtrack on repeat for the past two weeks now, highly recommend.

Filth (2013)

dir: Jon S. Baird

honestly, one of the strangest movies I've ever seen, but I still enjoyed it. it’s quite crass, so be prepared for some rather vulgar and explicit content. plus, has james mcavoy, which is always a plus.

Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999 (2021)

dir: James Acaster

available on: Vimeo (for purchase)

another comedy special! besides “Make Happy” this is one of my favorite comedy specials I have ever seen. James is fucking fantastic and the two hour runtime somehow seems too short. 

Promising Young Woman (2021)

dir: Emerald Fennell

this one has had people conflicted. I enjoyed the movie (especially with the shock that bo burnham was in it, also, a great casting choice) and honestly.... quite enjoyed the ending. highly recommend, I was engaged throughout!

[cowboisadness]

Hang ‘Em High {Arthur Morgan x OC} Chapter 16

Pairing: Arthur Morgan x FemOC

Summery: Belle Hawthorne is high society looking to escape her mean husband. A robbery by the Van Der Linde gang could be her chance. Can she escape his cluches and possibly discover what love should feel like?

Warnings: Swearing

.....

Chapter 16

My whole body was electrified from his touch, heating me up from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Grasping each other like our lives depended on it.

It had been a long time since I felt like this, only, this flame burnt brighter and the butterflies beat harder.

One hand in my hair and the other at my waist, pulling my body flush with his own. Mine still settled on his cheek and the other gripping his shoulder, keeping him down here, grounded with me. 

His tongue brushed over my lip, prompting me to invite him further. Tasting a hint of moonshine as his tongue danced with mine.

I hummed an involuntary moan, not realising until I heard it. His grip softened then and before I knew it he was pulling away, his hands retreating and taking a few steps back.

“I - I’m sorry, I - shouldn’t - I” He stammered, looking everywhere but at me. 

I took a step closer, slowly, like I was calming a spooked horse that wanted desperately to flee.

"Arthur, don't - " 

He mimics my movement, stepping back "No. It's not right. It's not what you want." Then he turns to walk away, I’m still rooted to the spot.

"Don't just assume to know what I want," I call out to his back prompting him to stop and finally look back at me.

"I aint a good man."

“Then you don’t know enough about me,”

My shoulders slumped in what would appear as defeat, but I was shocked that everything he has done to help me in these few months, he doesn’t see as good, noble actions. A kindness not many would be met with.

"I know bad men, you aren’t one of them" 

I recoiled at that. I am certain the man I have slowly gotten to know, to call a friend, someone that I care about isn’t the one he is saying he is. Either that or he is a great liar and better than he makes out. But why?

“It’s getting dark.” With that, he turns on his feet and begins walking towards camp again. I followed a few paced back, my eyes on the ground the whole way trying to understand what just happened.

Once at camp we parted without a word or even a glance, my hands clammy and my mind reeling from confusion and to be honest - hurt.

…..

Instead of dwelling or loathing in self-pity, I made my way to Dutch, who was sat reading by his tent, with a proposal he may be interested in.

The Braithwaites owned prized horses and Hosea mentioned John and a few others planning to relieve them of a few of those said horses.

I explained to Dutch how I knew about other Braithwaite horses, some even more special, being held in stables near a local creek. Secretly hidden away and only to be viewed by notable buyers. Mentioning I had been there once before. He thanked me and planned to have a few men go over and scope out the area.

Many had congregated around the fire as the evening set in but I had no intentions of joining them tonight. Fixing my gaze over at Arthurs tent, the canvas drawn closed and the dull gleam from the lantern seeping out from under it. Should I go and speak with him? Try and clear everything up?

No - No point. My emotions were still reeling as made evident by my still pounding heart and clammy palms. Instead, I made my way to my tent to turn in for the night.

It was then, being in the confines of my own private space that the events from tonight finally dawned on me. I shot and probably killed multiple people tonight. It weighed heavy on me in a way dissimilar to killing that O’Driscoll a week ago. It was all in self-defence but the conversation and that damned kiss in the woods, not moments after killing, and aiming to kill. Like it wasn’t a big deal.

Franks a killer, Arthurs a killer. I’m a killer.

To have no second thought on what I was willing to do with a gun in my hand and then fling myself into the arms of a friend like I was living in some lunatic action-romance novel. What a complete fucking mess of a woman. Of a person.

This couldn’t be who I really was.

I slumped onto my bedroll, my reflection finally taking hold as the tears began to pour and my chest tightened. This is the life I have chosen to live.

I tried to keep the sounds of my sobs to a minimum and waited for the restless night to eventually pass into daybreak.

The next morning I woke before anyone else, no point in trying to get any more sleep. My eyes scanned the camp and made my way to make a fresh batch of coffee. The weight still heavy and the back of my eyes burning.

But I didn't waste any time to let my mind wander again, deciding to get one with whatever chores I could to keep myself busy.

A couple of hours later John approached me as I was trying to stomach the tasteless oatmeal that was breakfast. He and Javier checked out the stables I mentioned during the night, said it was legitimate, a few guards and workers but nothing they couldn’t handle. They planned on robbing that place after the manor, which was happening today. I hope they get something worthwhile out of those horses. The Breaithwates are known to be nasty folk and deserve to be fucked over.

I wasn’t expecting this given that I had no part in helping to steal them. He noticed my hesitation, pushing the notes into my soaked hand. “You told us, you get some.” 

I was sat with Karen and Abigail as they worked on mending the never-ending pile of damaged clothing. I was elbow deep in a wash bucket, suds overflowing as I relentlessly tried to beat the dirt out of the fabric. It could get so hot here it wouldn’t be long until the clothing I was currently wearing would need to join the others in the bucket.

John, Javier and Arthur had just returned from stealing the horses, the three of them stood at Dutchs tent before John made his way over to us.

Expecting him to start a conversation (or argument) with Abigail I was surprised when he stopped in front of me. A clip of notes in his hand.

“Here's your cut. Those were some fine horses.” He said as he handed the money to me.

It wasn’t until I heard the unfamiliar laugh that my attention was drawn back to him. Stood with Lenny beside the fire, fully engrossed in whatever the other was saying. I never heard him laugh like that, completely carefree at that moment. A deep feeling making me wish I could be sharing that happiness with him, and even being the cause. My shoulders slumped as a shuddering sigh escaped me. I didn’t realise I had stopped what I was doing, arms motionless within the water and eyes fixed on him until Karen’s hand was waving in front of my face, pulling my attention to her and Abigail. Both of them watching me intently. 

Shoving the fold into the breast of my blouse like the lady I am I looked up to John with a grateful smile “Thank you, John.”

He shrugged with a smile and wandered off.

Soon after Arthur passed by, murmuring a “Good afternoon, Ladies” without even looking my way. The other two returning the pleasantry but I kept quiet, my focus now back on the task in front of me. Pushing back the slight pang of hurt with a deep breath.

“You alright there, Bella? Got a bit distracted?” Karen inquired, the pair with a knowing look on their faces.

“No, I’m fine. Just...I’m sick of sweating, you know?” I turned back to the shirt in my hands, ringing it out and hoping they would continue what they were doing. Real smooth Bella.

“Yeah, and we were born yesterday. Come on, you know you can gossip with us. Us girls keep our lips sealed.”

I looked at her as she knelt closer to me, her features blurry. 

I shook my head, the loud thoughts now running through my mind. The shirt in my hands being twisted to an inch of its life.

Abigail’s hand rested on mine, halting the torture I was inflicting on the fabric.

“Sweetheart, what’s happened?” her voice was soft and quiet, easing me in a way only a mother knows how. 

“I done something stupid,” I whispered, just enough for them both to hear, Karen glancing in the direction of the fire. Abigail curled her other arm around to gently stroke my arm. 

“Talk to him. You’d be dumb not to see that you two have gotten close since you being here.”

“The men here are surely the most dim-witted I’ve ever met, and I’ve robbed fools from right under their nose many times,” Karen exclaimed with a smile on her face making me huff out a quiet laugh.

So it was that obvious huh? They didn't even need to ask who I was talking about.

@kashasenpai​

If you want to be included in the taglist just shoot me a message :)

[outlawsworld]

Trusting Strangers - Chapter 3

Arthur Morgan x Female reader

Summary: The reader gets to know Arthur better and she finally goes out on her first job.

Warnings: Just fluff 🤠

Notes: This was my favourite chapter so far. It's not as fast pace as the previous two but I just think it's cute! If you like it please let me know and reblog 🤠❤️

Chapter 1

--

The morning light peered through the flap on your tent. You could hear the rain falling and the wind blowing harshly. Grabbing your coat from your chest you made your way to the horses. You took some hay and put them in small piles on the ground so the horses have a bit more to eat. The weather was bitter and cold so once you were done you headed back towards your tent for shelter. You were already drenched and shivering slightly as you stepped into your tent. The rest of camp was beginning to stir and you could see that Arthur, John and Bill must have gotten back to camp in the middle of the night as Arthur was finally resting in his cot. He placed his hat over his face and his arm was hanging from the cot limply. This must have been the first time you had seen him sleeping.

You sat at the entrance to your tent with the flap tied back when Pearson came over to pour you a cup of coffee. The heat was radiating from the cup as you held it with both hands close to your chin to try and warm yourself. With the weather as bad as it was Mrs Grimshaw assured you that you didn't have any chores to do today. You were dreading your chores in this weather so you breathed a sigh of relief at this.

''That only means you'll have twice as much to do tomorrow Miss (Y/N)'' she scoffed at you before making her way round camp. She must have seen the smile on your face and had to remind you that you don't get days off without consequences. You respected Mrs Grimshaw because although she was harsh and bossy, she did a good job at keeping the camp running smoothly. At least she made sure everyone was doing there bit.

You enjoyed sitting in your tent watching the world go by. There was something relaxing about watching the rain fall and seeing the camp quiet for once. Most of the gang remained in their tents seeking shelter from the wet and cold weather. You watched as Micha and Lenny went out but they seemed to be the only ones to leave camp this morning.

Tilly and Karen came to your tent and brought some dominos to play.

''Fancy a game?'' Karen asked as she sat next to you on the floor.

''I don't see why not'' All three of you played a couple of games. You won two games and Tilly won one.

''I never liked this game anyway'' Karen spit at you and tilly as she started to pack the dominos away.

''Someone is a sore loser'' Tilly laughed at Karens remarks. You couldn't help but join in with the teasing and you all sat there giggling.

''Well....I'm going to do some stitching. Poor Kieran had about 5 rips in his shirt after being tied to that tree for so long'' Karen sighed as she stood up to take her leave.

''Kieran? The O'Driscoll boy?'' You questioned. A couple of days ago you finally asked John who the O'Driscolls were. You had been accused of being one when you first arrived so you wanted to know who these people were. Turns out it's another gang. Dutch fell out with the leader, Colm O'Driscoll, many years ago because they both killed someone the other cared about. Nasty business. So Dutch and Colm have had a hatred for each other ever since.

''Yeah, turns out he never really liked the O'Driscolls and our boys managed to take one of their camps out last night with his help'' Tilly answered as she also stood up to leave. ''You comin' (Y/N)?''

You shook your head in response with a smile ''I think I'm finally starting to dry off'' you pointed out your wet clothes that clung to your skin still.

With that Tilly gave you a smile and followed Karen back to their tent. You leaned back against the foot of your cot looking out across camp. Your eyes landing on Arthur who had just woken up. He stretched his arms and grabbed his journal and scribbled something down before sitting on the edge of his bed. You couldn't help but stare at him, he was very easy on the eyes but he also had something about him that always intrigued you. Maybe it was the way that he could flip his mood from tough outlaw to caring man in the blink of an eye. Or maybe it's the mystery behind this man that caught your attention. You noticed Arthur never talks much about anything. Not his past, or what he's feeling. He just seems to nod and get on with it. You have now had a couple of conversations with him and he knew everything about you but you were none the wiser about him.

''Mornin''' Arthur's voice woke you from your daydream. He was standing at the front of your tent soaked through from just walking from his tent to yours.

''Mornin', come in'' You gestured for him to sit next to you and get cover from the rain. He took a seat next to you and lit a cigarette before taking a drag. ''Shit ain't it'' you looked out to the rain that seemed to be getting heavier.

Arthur couldn't help but laugh at the foul language you used. ''You know a lady like yourself shouldn't use that sorta language''.

''Well maybe you've never met a 'lady' like me before Mr Morgan'' you teased him. He smiled under the brim of his hat.

''You're right, I don't think I have'' he looked at you with those blue eyes and a grin plastered across his face. His smile was infectious because before you knew it you were smiling right back at him with blushed cheeks.

"How was last night?" You questioned.

"What with the O'Driscoll kid?" He muttered. "Well, we took a couple of the men out but Colm wasn't there. Bagged a bit of cash though so it wasn't completely useless" he looked at Kieran as he made his way to the horses.

''I talked to Hosea last night'' you met his eyes and you saw them soften. ''I told him everything. He took it well, told me I fit in more than I care to realise''.

''I hope you don't mind that I mentioned to him we spoke, swear I didn't say anymore then that'' Arthur took another drag from his cigarette and the smoke got lost in the rain as he exhaled. You shook your head with a smile in response. ''But he ain't wrong. You definitely fit in with these bunch of idiots''. You quickly punched his arm after his comment which only made him laugh more. You couldn't believe he was already teasing you about things. You barley knew him but you knew just how to give it back as good as you got.

''Well... you're the biggest idiot of them all Mr Morgan'' you fired back as you both laughed.

''Have you not met John yet? He got half his brain eaten by wolves and you are calling me the biggest idiot'' Arthur was quick to defend himself.

''I have met him actually and I happen to think he's a very interesting man. Least he has plenty of stories to tell'' you teased. Arthur shot you a look of slight hurt at this which was your intention. It seemed that the thought of you finding John more interesting then Arthur struck a nerve with him.

''Oh I have plenty of stories, just haven't had a chance to tell you 'em yet'' he scoffed.

''Well it's a good job this weather isn't getting any better'' you looked out to the rain again before turning back to Arthur. ''We got time'' you gave him a cheeky wink which he didn't expect. Using the same line he used on you the other day made him chuckle and throw his hands up in surrender.

''Alright, alright you got me'' he shook his head ''What do ya wanna know''.

You wanted to know everything about him. He was not one to sit and talk for too long so you didn't want to miss your opterunity. You had spoken to everyone in camp and had an idea of who they are and where they came from but you were clueless when it came to Arthur.

''Let's start with how you ended up with Dutch and Hosea'' you watched him as he told you how his dad was no good to him and how his mum had died when he was young. He kept it brief as you imagined he would. Arthur didn't seem like the type to go into details about his past as he seemed to almost be afraid of reliving it all.

''You've been with 'em for twenty years?'' you couldn't believe it. You had assumed Arthur had been with the gang for a while given their relationship. He was more than loyal to Dutch but you didn't realise just how long he had spent on the run.

''hmm'' He replied in a hushed tone. ''They taught me everything I know. How to read and write. How to shoot a gun''

''How to rob a bank'' you smirked at him.

''Yeah, all that too'' Arthur turned his attention to the weather outside which was beginning to clear up. For the first time you really looked at Arthur. The way the stubble graced his weathered face except for the one spot on his chin where a scar was. The rough calluses on his hands showing all the heavy labour he had done. He had a genuine smile upon his face as he was speaking to you about his first bank robbery. He didn't smile much. Well, not a lot from what you had seen. He always held a serious face around camp unless his was antagonising someone. But that wasn't a genuine smile, this one, the smile he had now was. Yes, he was a big, broad, intimidating man but in this moment he was just a normal guy talking about his past. You were thankful for the rain as it allowed you this time to actually get to know Arthur. Before now you never knew what to think of him. He was just a well oiled machine that Dutch used to do his dirty work but this conversation with him changed your mind. He was human, he did have emotions, he just chose to not show them. Even when he was talking to you, you could see him cursing himself as he let his guard down slightly. Hiding his smile under the brim of his hat, to not show you what he was really feeling. Although it didn't stop him from talking about his first attempt at robbing.

''Sorry if I'm boring ya'' he paused as he realised he was talking a lot.

''Not at all, I'm enjoying it'' you smiled at him reassuringly. ''Who would 'av thought, Arthur Morgan the boy who didn't know how to use dynamite properly'' you teased him after he told you about his botched job on the bank robbery.

''Never made that mistake again'' he laughed at your comment. It was around mid afternoon when the rain had finally stopped and you couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed. You were really enjoying getting to know Arthur and you didn't know when would be your next opportunity.

''Well now the weather has cleared we can go see about that house'' Arthur stood up to leave your tent. ''You still up for it?''

You had forgotten all about the job Arthur had asked you to do with him. With that you jumped to your feet and grabbed your coat that was still wet.

''Lead the way sir'' you gave him a nod and followed him over to the horses. Charles was stood at the hitching post tending to the horses.

''How you doin' Charles?'' Arthur asked as he started to saddle up.

''Good thank you Arthur'' Charles turned to you and helped you saddle up Dallas. ''Where are you both headed?''

''I overheard a rich fella talking about going away for a couple of nights with the Mrs. Leaving an empty house. Just gonna check it out'' Arthur replied. ''Might have a bit of money lying around. (Y/N) is comin' with me. Always good to have an extra pair of hands''

''Need me to come along?'' Charles offered as you and Arthur mounted up.

''Nah, I'm sure we can handle it but thanks anyway'' Arthur kicked his horse into a steady trot.

''Alright'' Charles shouted after Arthur. He turned his attention to you ''be careful out there'' he gave you a smile and patted Dallas' neck.

''Always am'' you smiled at him before trotting to catch up to Arthur. You could feel how powerful Dallas was. He was raring to go and you were getting bounced out of the saddle with his big strides. You gave him a pat and tried to steady him before Arthur turned to you again.

''Want to see what that horse can do?'' Arthur cocked his eyebrow and a cheeky smile appeared on his lips. You knew it was a stupid idea with the ground being so wet and slippy but you couln't help it.

''Is losing to me once not good enough for you Arthur?'' you teased. His face turned dark with competition. ''To the tree line over there'' you pointed to the distant woods and without a second word you both kicked your horses into a full gallop. The thunder from the horse's hooves was roaring through the heartlands as you raced to the woods. You were neck and neck, both pushing your horses as fast as they could possibly go. Dallas was gaining speed by the second and you could tell he had a lot more to give if you just pushed him on that bit more. Spurring him on slightly, you felt his stride open up until you started to pass Arthur and Siego. You let your reins loose giving Dallas control of his head and before you knew it you were in the lead and gaining distance once again.

The tree line came up quickly and you struggled to pull Dallas into a steady trot. He had a lot more gallop in him and he was a lot stronger then most of the horses you had ridden before. You gave him a good pat as Arthur came up beside you and you were finally able to pull him up.

''Keep up next time would ya'' you gave him a cheeky grin. He scoffed at you as he gave his horse a good pat. You both had bright red faces and were struggling to catch your breath.

''I shoulda kept that horse for myself'' he gestured at Dallas. ''Got a lot of run in 'im don't he''

''Sure does, still don't think that was as fast as he could go either'' you kept at a steady walk now to cool off.

''Alright, no need to rub it in'' Arthur laughed with you. You followed behind Arthur for the rest of the ride to a big farm house just outside Strawberry. There were no other houses nearby so it would be an easy job to do without being spotted. You left the horses just outside of the grounds and crouched behind a bush.

''Doesn't look like anyone is home but keep an eye out'' Arthur handed you one of his pistols. ''Here, you may need it if things go south''. He told you the plan where he would knock on the front door to see if anyone is home while you go round the back and into the house. You nodded at him in reply and started to make your way round the house.

You reached the back and peered through the window and saw the house looked empty. Arthur had knocked with no response so you were ready to go. Lock picking was a skill you picked up when you were on the run, many people had locked chests full of valuables so it was a good skill to have which was quiet enough to not draw attention. You picked the lock on the back door and made your way inside. By this point Arthur had made his way round the back and caught up to you.

''You check to see what you can find down 'er, I'll check upstairs'' he patted you on the shoulder and quietly made his way up the creaky stairs with his pistol at the ready. You started in the kitchen taking bits of food and liquor before going into the dining room. There were a few jewels but nothing of too much value. You could hear Arthur fumbling about when you saw the weird dust pattern near the fireplace. Arthur came stomping down the stairs ''Well.....there ain't much here. What a damn waste of time'' you could sense the frustration in his tone.

You made your way over to the fireplace to investigate. It looked like someone had fumbled about here not too long ago. You reached into the chimney and felt around until your hand landed on some papers. Pulling them out you saw a couple of bonds and at least $400 stacked together. You held them out to Arthur.

''They must have known we were comin' or they wouldn't have hidden all this'' you smiled up at Arthur. Your hand was still feeling around in the chimney to see if you had missed anything. Arthur quickly glanced through it all clearly seeing there was a lot of money that could be made from it by the look he gave you.

You stood up and headed towards the kitchen when you heard a horse and cart pull up to the front door.

''Shit!'' Arthur muttered as he looked out the window to see the couple had cut their trip short. Keeping your head down you both quietly snuck into the kitchen and out the back door. You headed round the side of the house waiting for the couple to go inside before making your escape. The couple were arguing about some of their belongings being stolen whilst on the road to their destination. You couldn't help but think it was ironic that they had been robbed twice in one day.

They made their way into the house and you made your way down the drive back to where you left the horses. Arthur followed close behind, you both looking behind you to make sure you hadn't been seen. As you got to the horses you heard a woman shriek and yell ''It's gone''. You didn't stop to watch the show, so you mounted your horses and pushed them into a gallop as far down the road as you could without raising suspicion. 

You couldn't hold it back anymore as you began to laugh. Arthur gave you a look before joining in with your fit of giggles.

''Could you imagine the look on 'er face when she noticed'' you were crying with laughter at this point.

''Well least she'll learn not to openly talk about her empty house again'' Arthur laughed back at you. ''Nice job Miss (Y/N)'' he threw your half of the money to you.

''That was fun'' the smile on your face said it all.

''That it was'' Arthur admitted. He sounded almost defeated, like he didn't want to admit that he had enjoyed your company today. You both smiled at each other before laughing again.

It was starting to get dark as you were riding back to camp. You ended up telling Arthur about the first time you tried to rob someone. It had gone horribly wrong because you never had any experience doing things like that. You got caught and had to gallop away from the law but still managed to steal the man's pocket watch and $5. Arthur smiled at you and shook his head in amusement as you rode down the track and into camp.

''I enjoyed riding with you today'' Arthur said softly as he hitched his horse up.

''Me too'' you caught his eyes as you spoke. You looked at each other for a moment longer not quite knowing what to say. Arthur was clearly not one for giving complements and you could see his face racing to find the right words to say.

''I think you should tell Dutch about what you found'' Arthur broke the silence and gestured over to Dutch's tent. ''After all it was you who found all this'' he passed you back the bonds. You couldn't help but feel grateful, even though it was Arthur's job he was willing to give you the credit. On the same note you weren't the type to take credit for something that wasn't fully yours to take.

''You comin' with me? It was your job, I can't take all the credit' you glanced at Arthur as you headed over to Dutch's tent. When you both reached the tent, Dutch was sitting on his cot reading a book. He looked up and closed his book as he saw you approaching.

''Well hello there Miss'' he gave you a shy smile. ''Arthur'' he nodded in Arthurs direction. ''How can I help you''.

''Arthur had a tip on a house so we went to check it out, we may have found something'' you held out the bonds and money to Dutch to inspect. Dutched flicked through the papers you had handed him and a huge grin appeared on his face. He was very clearly happy with what you had just passed him just as Arthur was.

''Did you run into any trouble?'' he looked at Arthur now.

''Not really, we got out just before they got home'' Arthur answered. ''(Y/N) found the bonds hidden in the chimney. Apart from that, there wasn't much to take'' he nodded in your direction as to direct Dutch's attention to you.

''Well Miss (Y/N) you've done good. You've done very good'' he stood up and patted you on the shoulder. ''We will have to get you out on more jobs if this is the sort of thing you bring in'' he paused looking at you and then Arthur. ''You two make quiet the team''.

''Thanks Dutch'' you nodded at him before taking your leave. Arthur turned to follow you out of the tent.

''Arthur, I need to speak to you'' Dutch stopped him in his tracks. You gave them both a smile and left them both to talk.

None of the girls were sitting at the fire tonight but you saw John and Sean and decided to join them.

''There she is'' John called after you as he saw you. You took your seat on the log next to him and he passed you a warm bowl of Pearson's stew. The stew warmed you up right to the core and you had to take a second helping. ''How was the job?'' John nudged your arm impatiently waiting for an update.

After you finished your second bowl of stew you told them about the job and what you had managed to steal. They both looked at you approvingly. As you finished your story Arthur left Dutch's tent and joined you round the fire. He grabbed himself a bowl of stew and lowered himself onto the log opposite you and John.

''Arthur'' Sean cheered. ''Is (Y/N) gonna be comin' on jobs with us now, eh?''

You shot Sean a look before shyly looking at Arthur. He took a mouthful of stew before looking up at Sean.

''I'd rather have her there then you'' Arthur smirked. ''Least she can hit a target'' he glanced at you and gave you a blushed smile before turning his attention back to his stew. Sean was visibly offended by Arthurs comment but you couldn't help but feel flattered. You were not sure if he meant what he said because you knew he liked to tease Sean. However, you felt like some part of him meant it.

''You can shoot?'' John interrupted Sean from saying anything back to Arthur. He looked at you with an impressed smirk.

''Yeah I guess'' you looked at your feet and blushed.

''You are one impressive woman (Y/N)'' John nudged you again. The heat ran to your cheeks as you blushed. You knew full well they were all teasing you but it felt nice to be included. Arthur muttered something under his breath but you couldn't quite make out his words and before you had a chance to ask he stood up and said goodnight before going to his tent. You sat with Sean and John for a little longer before you also took your leave.

As you were on your way to your tent you saw that Arthur was still awake and scribbling in his journal again. You wondered what he had in his journal, maybe it was a diary or was it just his own ledger that he kept. When you reached your tent you closed the flap behind you before getting undressed into your night wear. It was nice to finally get out of the wet clothes you had been in all day and the dry fabric warmed you almost instantly. You laid on your bed before your thoughts wandered again.

Only this morning you were questioning Arthur and now you had spent the day with him, that had all changed. Today was the most alive you had felt in years and that was all thanks to him. You had proven to Arthur what you were capable of and he had vouched for you to the other men and to Dutch. Maybe now you wouldn't be stuck in camp as often with Mrs Grimshaw doing chores. Maybe now you could go on some real jobs.

--

Chapter 4

[the-awkward-outlaw]

Hello ! Can u write an imagine where Arthur s/o kills Micah and she is banned from the gang. Would Arthur follow her ? Thank u :)

Man, I have been in the biggest writing funk for the first time in like nine months but I finally got this one done! Here you go, Anon! Sorry about the wait. 

(Author’s note: Arthur doesn’t have TB) (BTW, Arthur is husband material and no one can change my mind)

It’s already been a long, exhausting day and it’s not even midday yet. You hate it here, always will without a doubt. Beaver Hollow is just a complete shit show and the gang has seriously deteriorated. 

You miss how things used to be. You can remember how everyone was: Mary-Beth and Tilly giggling over romance novels, Sean bragging about how tough and smart he was, Uncle’s jokes, Hosea’s stories about his past and how he always added a note of wisdom. Oh Hosea. He was just another casualty of Dutch’s plight against modern America. 

Everything’s changed since Hosea died and the boys returned from their tropical trip. Javier doesn’t sing or play the guitar anymore, no one laughs, people fight constantly. It’s a burden and a pain to be in the camp nowadays, and you hate it. The person who’s changed the most though is Dutch. He’s not the caring, almost paternal figure who was just struggling slightly to help everyone get back on their feet like he was right after the Blackwater mess. Now he seems to be on a suicide mission and intent on taking everyone in the gang with him. 

The worst thing about the whole situation is Micah. He’s always known how to butter Dutch up but when Hosea was around, he kept himself in check. Now that Hosea’s gone, he’s been in Dutch’s ear the whole time and you haven’t liked it. You’re not the only one; Arthur and John have been suspicious about the whole thing. 

Arthur’s faith in Dutch has been severely shaken. He questions Dutch much more than he ever used to. Dutch doesn’t like it, and he keeps on lying, saying he’s going to get everyone out. All he’s done is killed Cornwall, blown up a bridge, brought Pinkertons closer to camp than ever and used the war between the army and the Wapiti into his favor, even getting the chief’s son locked up during a feud. 

Arthur walks over to your tent after donating a deer to Pearson, who’s drunk again. He’s been coming to you to talk a lot more lately, though you’re not sure why. You’ve had a crush on Arthur for ages but never acted on it. You two have been friends for what seems like forever and you refuse to destroy that over some silly feelings you have. You’ve wondered if Arthur has a crush on you too. It’s just the way he acts sometimes, things he says. The way he wanted you to come with him to tell Mary he didn’t want to be her errand boy anymore. The way you catch him staring at you sometimes. How he always wants you to go off hunting with him but won’t invite anyone else. 

Just as he’s about to say something to you, Dutch calls him over. Arthur gives you a yearning look and then turns around to go see him. A few moments later, someone catches your attention, pulling you away from your work, with their voice. It isn’t Arthur, though or even John or Mary-Beth. It’s Micah. 

“Ah glad to see you’re putting an effort into keeping this place running. We can use all the help we can get,” he simpers. 

“The fuck do you want, Micah?” you snarl. 

Micah’s always been a pebble in everyone’s shoes but now with Hosea out of the way and Dutch going crazy, he’s been acting like he’s in charge of things. He keeps badgering people to do their chores (which most of them have been) and that everyone needs to pull their weight. This doesn’t bother you, what does bother you is the hypocrisy of it all. He never does a damn thing. The last job he helped with was murdering Cornwall but you felt he did it out of a personal interest and less of a needs-to-be done basis. 

“Always gotta be so bitter,” he says, smiling. “You know, if you were a little nicer, people might actually like you. Too bad nothing can be done to make you pretty though. Unfortunately you’ll just have to stick to nice but ugly.” 

You throw down the sewing you’d just been doing and stand up, marching over to him. He wisely takes several steps backwards as you whip out your pistol. 

“Give me one more goddamn reason, you cockroach,” you hiss. “I won’t hesitate to kill you.” 

He whips out his own gun and points it at you. “You don’t have the guts, little girl.” 

“Wanna bet? You ain’t the first person I killed, though I’m not sure I can really define you as a person.” 

By this time, your argument has attracted the attention of many of the others. They form a circle and watch, but no one dares interrupt. You get the feeling that most of them want you to kill him. The majority of them have had problems with him too. 

“Woe!” Dutch says, walking over with his hands in the air. “There is no need to have guns drawn in camp. Both of you fools, put them away.” 

He stands next to Micah and glares from him to you. Arthur stands a few feet behind him and shakes his head at you, clearly trying to stop you from doing something reckless.

“She started it, Dutch,” Micah says, his gun still drawn. 

“Bullshit! You’re the one going around insulting everyone. Trust me, if I don’t shoot you now, someone else will. Like Lenny said back in Colter, when you fall there’ll be a party.” 

“Watch your mouth,” he growls. “Keep flapping your gums and you’ll end up just like Lenny and Hosea. Better yet, maybe you’ll get your head shot off like good ol’ Sea-”

Before he can finish, he’s silenced by your bullet slamming into his neck. He sputters and drops his gun, grabbing at his gushing neck. People start yelling and Javier and Bill grab you, making you drop your gun. 

“Let go of me!” you scream as Micah falls to his knees. Dutch glares at you, clearly shocked. As Micah slumps down onto his stomach, he stomps towards you. Javier and Bill hold your arms tight and you can’t fight them off. 

“You know the rules, Y/N,” Dutch says quietly. “There’s absolutely no reason to shoot anyone in camp unless they’re traitors.”

“How do you know Micah wasn’t a traitor, Dutch?” you snarl. “Ever since Guarma, those damn Pinkertons have been nipping at your heels more than ever.” 

Dutch lowers his brow. “I’m going to give you five minutes to get away from here. Never come back, Y/N. I never want to see you around here again.” 

Javier and Bill let you go, but you look around, silently pleading with the others to help you. No one does and your eyes finally fall onto Arthur. His mouth is partially open but his eyes say he wishes you hadn’t done it. He says nothing though, and you feel your stomach drop. Of course he’d choose Dutch over you. He’s known him for twenty years and Dutch saved his life. You’ve only known him a few years and maybe helped him get out of a few scrapes. You’ve got nothing on Dutch when it comes to Arthur. You don’t blame him either. No matter what kind of mess Dutch has gotten everyone into, Arthur’s been doing his best to keep things together. All you’ve done is create a bigger mess for him to clean up. 

You know it’s time for you to leave. There’s no doubt in your mind that Dutch is just crazy enough to kill you, and the clock is ticking. You push your way between Tilly and Karen and go to your tent, packing everything up quickly. You feel everyone’s eyes on your back until Grimshaw barks at everyone to get to work and for Charles and John to get Micah’s body taken out of camp. You throw everything onto your horse and then run off down the path, feeling your heart break. You’ll never see any of them again, not even Arthur. Your best friend and the man you love will never be part of your life again. 

********************************

It’s been three weeks since you were forced to leave camp. You’ve gone back west, back to where you’ve always belonged. You’ve found a small cabin not too far from Aurora Basin in Tall Trees. When you first arrived, the cabin had clearly been abandoned for a long time. You cleaned it up and made it habitable. You’ve decided to hang up the hat on being an outlaw. The Pinkertons won’t be coming out this way looking for the Blackwater robbers, not when they know exactly where Dutch is, so you’re safe out here. Besides, you weren’t even involved in that mess, so no one will associate you with that. 

It’s been lonely but peaceful out here. No more having to rob people, no more feeling like you’re chasing your own tail in Dutch’s crazy schemes. No more having to worry about anyone else besides yourself. You’ve missed them though, all of them. You miss joking with Tilly and Karen, discussing books with Mary-Beth, listening to Javier’s stories about Mexico. Even Pearson’s cooking since you’re not much of one yourself. 

More than all of that though, you miss Arthur. You miss the sound of his voice, the conversations you had during long hunting trips. He was the only person you could tell anything to. There were many nights you spent under the stars with him and even a few curled against him to keep out the cold. You miss the way he smelled, the way he’d hesitatingly touch you. You two were a perfect hunting team, you were able to track and kill prey without hardly saying a word. You try to settle with the idea that you’ll just have to reminisce in the memories of him but to forget a future with him in it. Not that you had much hope for that before. Arthur may have told Mary to take care of herself from now on, but you always knew he;d never go for you. 

You’ve been fishing in the lake for some time and gotten hardly any luck. You sigh and decide to call it a day, collapse your pole and pick up your almost empty bucket. You head up the road, feeling lonely and missing the company of your family. When you round the bend leading to your cabin, you look up and see a familiar face. 

“Arthur?” you say quietly, not sure if he’s really there or not. 

He rubs his jaw and looks at you, clearly searching for the right words. You stop and look for him, your stomach clenching. Has Dutch sent him? Dutch said you only had five minutes to get out of camp, but not that he wouldn’t hunt you down. The only reason you can think that Arthur’s here is because Dutch told him to find and kill you. You hover your hand over your gun, hoping you won’t have to use it. 

“Arthur, please let me explain,” you say. “You know Micah was just making things worse. Let’s just put this all behind us, okay? Just tell Dutch you killed me, at least do me that favor.” 

“Dutch didn’t send me, Y/N,” he says softly, his hands on his gunbelt. He takes a step towards you but stops when you back up, clearly worried. He raises his hands. “I ain’t here to hurt ya, darlin’.” 

Darlin’? He’s never called you that before. He’s always addressed you by your name. If you didn’t know Arthur, you’d think he might be lying and pretending to be harmless, but you know him too well. He doesn’t lie. 

You blink heavily, feeling your eyes water. “Why else would you be here, Arthur?” 

He sighs and takes another step towards you, his hands still up. “Y/N, I ain’t followin’ Dutch no more. You said it weeks ago, he’s gone crazy. He didn’t get better when you left either. Micah might not have been around to stir him up, but he’s just gone worse. He was real angry when Charles and I went and broke Eagle Flies out of jail, tryin’ to clean up his mess.” 

Arthur goes on to say how the army tried to kill Chief Rains Fall for the oil on his land and how the gang went to help try and save Eagle Flies as he went to get revenge for his people. By the end, Arthur got trapped beneath a soldier and nearly killed. Dutch had been the only one there and could have easily saved him, but chose not to. When Arthur confronted him about it, a huge fight broke out between them and Arthur decided he’d had enough. He snuck John, Abigail and Jack out that night and then decided to find you. 

“I knew you’d come out west, Y/N. You’re too much like me, this is where you’ve always wanted to belong.” 

“But why would you want to come after me, Arthur? I understand why you left, but why come after me?” 

He lowers his hand and walks up to you until he’s only a couple feet away. “Because I care about ya, Y/N.” His gruff voice is soft, sending shivers down your arms. “Because you’ve always tried to help me. If you’d been there, I know you woulda saved my life, not leave me to die like Dutch did. I did everything I could for him, even almost died for him multiple times. I gave him everything I had and got nothin’ to show for it. I’m done, darlin’. I want to be with you.” 

Your entire body is shaking as he talks. He closes the distance between you and wraps his arms around you. What little strength you had holding you together crumbles and you sink into his chest, tears leaking out of your eyes. 

“I’m sorry I weren’t there for ya when you killed Micah,” he says, rubbing your back. “To be honest, I was happy when you killed Micah. He’s been a giant thorn in my side since he showed up and I’ve wanted to shoot him myself since Sean died. I was just shocked that you’d done it so quickly. I shoulda gone with you when Dutch forced you out.” 

You shake your head into his shirt. “No, it’s good you didn’t. If you’d left with me, Dutch would have hunted both of us down. He knows how essential you are to everything, he wouldn’t like it if you left with me.” 

He sighs and leans his cheek against your head. “Well, I’m here now, darlin’. If you’ll have me, I’d like to stay with ya as long as I possibly can. You’re my best friend and…” He pauses so long you look up at him to find his cheeks red. “I gotta be honest, Y/N, I’ve been sweet on ya for years.” 

It’s your turn to blush and you smile. “Really? Why didn’t you tell me?” 

“We had things so good, Y/N. We been friends so long, worked so well together, I didn’t wanna ruin that. Besides, I know you wouldn’t have feelings for me. I’m just an old, dirty outlaw. I ain’t worth no one’s time.” 

You grimace at him. “Arthur, I hate how poorly you view yourself. You wanna know what I think about you?” 

“I suppose, though I doubt it’ll be anythin’ good.” 

You sigh and stretch up, placing your lips against his. They’re soft, though slightly chapped. He tenses up when you touch him but after a second he responds. His lips move with yours and you trace his with your tongue. After a moment, you pull away. He’s cheeks are darker but he’s smiling. 

“That’s what I think of you, Arthur. I’d love it even more if you decided to stay with me. I’ve been sweet on you for the longest time, it’s been so hard for me to keep it out of our relationship. I just didn’t wanna ruin our friendship.” 

He smiles in and leans in to kiss you again. You feel the first surge of excitement and happiness since you got kicked out of the gang. You can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you now.

[meowdymista]

In For A Penny - Arthur x Female Reader

Notes: Adult content for an adult game.

Words: 5220

Arthur Morgan x Female Reader

Now on AO3!

Riding in to camp at Clemens Point, it quickly becomes clear a celebration is underway. The upbeat music and loud chatter advise a steady flow of alcohol, long before Bill staggers up to the hitching posts with a whiskey bottle in each hand.

“Mr Morgan! Have a drink with us!”

Arthur chuckles, rolling his eyes as Bill shoves the emptier of the two into his hand. “Thanks, Bill. What’re we celebrating?”

“I don’t really remember,” he slurs, continuing on past to his horse and raiding its saddle bag. “Sean saw some working girl in Rhodes…?”

Dismounting, he scans the camp and spots you by the fireside with Tilly and Karen. “A working girl, you say?” he asks, but Bill has found the opened bottles of fine brandy he robbed off some travellers earlier and is swaying his way over to the medical tent. 

He removes his hunted gains from his horse’s flanks and takes a large swig of the honey coloured spirit, not averting his gaze.

“Hey, Arthur!”

“Hey, Lenny, how you doin’?” He slams the carcass onto Pearson’s table and drains the bottle, joining the young man leaning against the tree trunk.

“I’m good. Hey, you heard about Sean?”

“Something about him and a working girl?” He looks over to you again, surprised by the camp’s reaction to you. Usually when an outside woman is brought in, the camp splits down the middle, with the women and Strauss on one side, and the more confident, virile men closest to the poor soul brought in for the evening’s entertainment. Somehow you have found your way into the former, with the exception of Javier who is singing on the dirt by your feet.

“Yeah, a girl he met in Valentine! He-”

“Art’er Morgan!”

“Mr Macguire.”

“Pour yerself a drink!” Sean pushes a tin cup into Arthur’s chest, raising his own into the air and sloshing it down on the group. “We’re celebratin’!”

“Tha’s clear enough to see,” he growls, smirking “But the details are still a little hazy.”

“Oh, it’s a good story, Mr Morgan! It’s a good’un. See, back in Valentine after you boys picked me up from them bounty hunters, I borrowed a few dollars of Bill to get meself cleaned up see-”

“Not that the smell changed much,” winks Lenny, earning himself a laugh. He pats Arthur on the shoulder and moves off to join the fire.

“Bastard,” scoffs Sean, scowling. “Anyways, where was I? Oh yeah, I found myself talkin’ to a lovely lady with a beautiful face and, you know-” He gestures at his chest with his hands spread, laughing. 

Ignoring him, Arthur sniffs the cup. “What’ve you put in this? Stinks of moonshine!”

“Nah, it’s whisky! Maybe gin… Maybe bit of everything, but you’re interruptin’ me there! Again! Do you want to know what we’re celebratin’ or not?”

“Fine.” He takes a swig and almost spits it out. Definitely moonshine.

“Well see, of course I needed to support the local economy of that muddy town, so I take her up to bed and we have a grand ol’ time! Honestly, it’s up there as one of the bests!” (“One of the few in total,” comments Charles on his way past.) “Anyways, after we say our goodbyes and I throw her the I’m too young to be settlin’ routine, I ride back to Horseshoe. Tha’s the end o’ tha’, bla dee bla, and then we come crashing into this place.

"All’s well, Mr Morgan. It’s been a coupl’ o’ months and I figure, hey, we’ve had some good scores, I reckon I’ve earned meself a wee pat on the back since none th’ rest o’ you fellers are doin’ it for me. I decided to get me revolver all done up nice at the gunsmit’ in Rhodes when I see her fanning herself outside the parlour house.

“You could have knocked me down wit’ a feather, Arthur! She’s leaning up against a pillar, with her belly out here!” He gestures again, his hand two feet from his untucked shirt. “I thought I’d had it, Morgan! Saw my life flash before me eyes! Sean Macguire, washed up at twenty t’ree!”

“So, we’re celebratin’ you becoming a daddy?”

“Oh no, Mr Morgan! No, we’re celebratin’ that I’m not going to be a pappy, and Ol’ Scar Face gets to keep his title as shitty dad of t’year!”

“I can hear you, you son of a bitch!” cries John from the poker table. Sean waves a hand in his direction dismissively.

“What makes you so sure?” asks Arthur.

“Because she was knocked up before she met me!” He grins widely, trying to instill the same excitement in his audience. Instead Arthur shakes his head, taking another swig, before cursing at the cups remembered contents and tipping it into the grass. “I’m just going down in history as a motherfucker! Not a pappy! How great is that?”

“For the kid? Oh, I’m sure he’s thrilled to pieces!” he says coldly.

“Ouch! Would you rather have another Jack in camp?”

“I would rather you stop risking becoming a father if you ain’t ready to be one!”

“Is that what you told Marston?”

“It’s what every boy is told when he becomes a man!” Arthur grabs a beer from a nearby crate, trying and failing to hide his frustration. “I guess no one ever thought you grown up enough to say.”

The redhead staggers, clutching his shirt. “Ooft, Mr Morgan, you're pulling me heart out me chest! I thought you’d be happy for me!”

“Mm, more like happy for the kid in question.” He looks back over to you, watching you laugh. Immediately he feels himself relax. “So who’s she? You bring her in to celebrate, or somethin’?”

“Who? Y/N?” Sean tops up Arthur’s cup, but he doesn’t notice. At that same moment, you look up and meet his gaze. He holds it hungrily, but Karen interrupts, offering you another drink, forcing you to look away. “Nah, she joined us couple nights back. Musta been the first night you was off huntin’ if you’ve not met her yet.”

“Y/N? That her real name?”

“As far as I know, but you know me, I don’t ask much.” Sean laughs and walks away, leaving Arthur to drain his beer in one.

“Everythin’ alright?”

He starts, pulling his eyes off you to find Abigail getting herself a bowl of stew. Unable to remember his last meal, he follows suit.

“Yeah, just gettin’ lost in my head I guess.”

“I’m sure he doesn’t mean it. Sean, I mean.” She gives him a sad smile. “Think he’s just scared of what could have been and relieved it isn’t.”

“Well, like I said, if he ain’t ready to be a daddy-”

“No one’s ever ready to be a parent. Hell, I was scared shitless when I found out I was expecting Jack, and then John…” “John’s scared of his own reflection.” This earns him a laugh as he tears them each a chunk of bread to go with their meal.

“You can’t tell me you weren’t scared when you found out about Eliza?”

“Oh, Miss Roberts, you don’t know the half of it.” They chuckle quietly, the warm evening air suddenly sombre. “Terrified is more like it, but I guess that went away soon enough.” His eyes drag back to you and how your smile lights up by the fire. “Say, who brought in Y/N?”

Abigail follows his gaze to where you’re sat and shrugs. “I don’t know exactly. Probably one of the fellas since we ladies don’t go out much.”

He takes another drink from the cup in his hand, but it no longer strips his tongue of tastebuds. “Hey, you not sitting down to eat that?”

“Not tonight,” she smiles, walking away. “Jack’s already in bed. G’night, Arthur, don’t make too big a fool of yourself, y’hear?”

He doesn’t. There’s something about you that draws him in, something about the whole situation that isn’t quite right, but he can’t focus when his jeans are tightening over his hips. He shakes his head, trying to clear it, but when Karen leaves her seat beside you, his untouched stew hits the ground and his spurs clink towards the fire.

********

“And who might you be?”

You look up from the flames, surprised. The man towers over you, his face unreadable and his thumbs tucked into his gun belt. Before you can answer, he has lowered himself next to you, nodding at the guitar playing mexican by your feet.

“Javier.”

“Arthur.”

“Didn’t take you long to serenade the newcomer, huh?”

You blush as Javier chuckles. “Usted me conoce bien.”

“Am I supposed to know what that means?” The stranger laughs loudly, drunkenly, his knee knocking yours.

“We’ve been running together long enough, haven’t we?”

“Ah, s’true, you got me there.” He shakes his head, chuckling as he shoves a cigarette between his lips. You watch his strong hands fumble with the small yellow box. His broad thumb pushes the insert too far, losing the majority of the sticks to the turf between his boots, but he doesn’t seem to notice. You grow more and more awkward as you’re forced to watch him drop or snap matches by the handful. He curses and drinks from the tin cup he brought over with him.

You notice Javier watching as well, his fingers continuing to dance over the strings. He mutters something in Spanish, and the smirk spreads enough to flash his teeth. You can only guess it is a friendly insult of some kind, but Arthur seems to come to another conclusion. He nudges you, and nods at the Mexican.

“Have you met the tough Mexican freedom fighter? The one that ran away when things got nasty?”

You hesitate, not sure how to respond. Luckily Javier shakes his head, his tightening jaw the only thing betraying his irk. “Let’s not play this game again, Arthur. It gets messy too fast.”

He grumbles, distracted when he finally gets a match to spark. He tries to hold it to the tobacco, but it burns out before his hands steady. He grunts in defeat, tucking the crumpled cigarette back into his breast pocket and turns to take you in. Somewhat satisfied, he leans forward, his hot breath moving the hair you have tucked behind your ear.

“So how much do you go for?” Your eyes widen with surprise. You try to speak, but no words form. For some reason, this tickles him. “Well? Cat got your tongue?”

“Leave her alone, Arthur.”

“Aw, Miss Tilly, I’m only playing.”

“Is he bothering you?” she asks gently. You can’t answer, your head is reeling with the way he spoke to you so bluntly, like you’re a whore looking for work. She sighs and gets to her feet, pulling you along with her. “C’mon. Let’s get another drink, and leave these assholes alone.”

“What’d I do?” he asks innocently.

“What didn’t you do?” mutters Javier.

“Wha’s tha’ supposed to mean?”

Tilly walks you away to a quieter corner, apologising, but you laugh it off. After all, you can think now. His proximity had put your head in a spin, but away from the heat and the physical contact you could think clearly again. You assure her no offence has been taken; he’s drunk, and something about his breath made you believe his drinks were much stronger than yours.

You clink a couple of fresh beers in cheers, and when Karen swoops round again, you let her pour you another shot of whisky directly into your mouth.

“Take it easy, huh?” Mary Beth says, touching Karen’s arm, but the blonde is already travelling again, this time towards the Irish man in the green bowler hat.

“Remind me again why I put up with you?” she slurs.

“Because you love me, darlin’!”

She laughs loudly, prodding him in the chest. “If I loved you, would I do this?” A crack reverberates across the lake, leaving the red head with a flaming red cheek.

“What was tha’ for?”

Mary Beth sighs in defeat, shaking her head at you. “She’s not normally like that, I promise. That boy is an exception.”

“Funny! I was just saying the same thing about Arthur!” You try to stop her, but she’s quickly confessed your strange encounter. Trying to hide your embarrassment, you find yourself infinitely grateful Tilly hasn’t heard everything he said. You like this group and don’t want anybody thinking less of you because of some drunken remark.

“Odd, he usually keeps to himself when there’s a new lady in camp,” muses Mary Beth.

“Abigail travelled with us a full month before he spoke to her.”

You set aside your empty bottle, feeling a little light headed. The two women muse, silently conversing in front of you until they’re interrupted with a shout.

“Where’s all this moonshine come from?” coughs Arthur, throwing aside a bottle he had found in the grass. “Is Sean trying to get everyone black out drunk?”

“Ah, not this time. That moonshine’s mine,” chuckles Hosea, walking over to pick up the bottle and return it to his tent. “I kept a couple back after we took it up to the Braithwaites. It comes in handy when making fire bottles and the like.”

“Well hide it somewhere more discrete, would ya?” Arthur splutters some more, following him. “I reckon Sean has already broken into your stash.”

“That would make sense,” sighs Hosea. You notice what had been five large bottles under the medical wagon has somehow dwindled to two. You also note that they are the same size and shape of the stuff Uncle had been drinking that morning, but you say nothing.

Following the women away from the campfire towards your beds, you see Mrs Adler close one of Mary Beth’s books she was reading by the lantern.

“It’s no good over here, ladies,” she grunts with disgust. “The boys are loud wherever you go.”

“Guess we had better wait it out by the water,” sighs Tilly.

“Hey, Y/N! What do you think of this?” Karen barrels her way to your side and, before you can greet her, she has tilted the contents of a tin cup into your mouth. The smell of alcohol alone is enough to bring tears to your eyes, and the other girls complain as you cough up a lung.

“Is that moonshine? And… tobacco?” you manage to gasp. 

“I can’t tell no more,” she slurs, squinting at the bottle. She turns around and pours you a cup from a different bottle. “What ‘bout this one?”

Mary Beth grabs her arm. “Karen! What’s gotten into you?”

“Leggo of me!”

Whilst they argue, you take the cup from her outstretched hand and drink it down in one. “Wow!” You shake your head, looking into the cup as though expecting it to contain flames. “This one... raspberry?”

“Who knows?” She yanks her arm free and begins to stagger off. “I found two men making Moonshine outside of Rhodes. Think they’re experimentin’, or at least that’s what Arthur said.” She hiccups and laughs at you as the world begins to spin.

“Y/N, are you ok?”

“Sure,” you say, trying to blink your way back to single vision. Taking a deep breath, you squeeze your eyes closed and reopen them. Mary Beth and Tilly are looking at you with concern. Mrs Adler’s face is unreadable. You can feel your cheeks burning, but also feel the confidence blossoming in your chest. “Yes. I’m fine.”

“Have you had moonshine before?” asks Tilly with concern. “It’s strong stuff.”

“A couple of times,” you admit, smiling despite yourself. None of the women look best impressed, but Karen rescues you, wrapping her arm over your shoulders after an about turn and drags you back to the party.

“Have all of you met my friend, Y/N?” she slurs.

“You’ve been with us two days now, is that right?” asks Charles gently. You nod, cheeks still scorching hot. You spot the brooding figure stood at the back of the group and somehow your cheeks grow hotter still. The distance allows you to see him in his entirety - his legs thickening at the thigh from the horse riding, the faded blue shirt tucked in at his narrow hips and stretching up to the thick broad shoulders. The crackle of the fire reflects in his eyes, and suddenly it’s not just your cheeks that are uncomfortably warm.

You don’t resist as Karen pushes another bottle into your hand.

“Who was it that found you?” asks Lenny.

“I wasn’t found as much as-”

You’re interrupted by a snort. “LENNAAAAY!” cries out Arthur suddenly.

Lenny groans. “Oh, not that again!”

He laughs that loud laugh to the group, staggering over to clamp a hand on the young man’s shoulders. “Here, we go out for one drink and I swear the next day the bartender tells me I asked every single person in the saloon if they were Lenny.” He doubles over. “But most of ‘em were white! And half of ‘em were women!”

“It hurt to find out what you think of me, Arthur,” teases Lenny.

Charles is watching the blonde man as he staggers, trying to calm himself down. “How much has he had to drink?” he asks no one in particular.

“Oi! Karen!”

“Uh oh,” giggles Karen, elbowing you.

“Where’s me moonshine gone?”

“Your moonshine?” Hosea intercepts Sean before he can reach you. “I think you’ll find that moonshine was camp supplies!”

“Yeah, Sean! Camp supplies.” She lifts your hand holding the bottle. “Thought you liked sharing?”

“Miss Jones.” Hosea turns around, voice stern. “Is that my moonshine?”

“No, sir,” she answers sweetly. “S’camp’s moonshine.”

He rolls his eyes as she takes another big swig, sloshes some into your cup and throws the rest onto the fire which immediately burns up. You can’t help but laugh at the degree of disapproval radiating from him. Taking the opportunity of your mouth agape, she tips the cup into your mouth and makes you swallow.

“First rule of drinkin’ is to never drink alone,” she states proudly.

“I feel like you’re supposed to ask first,” you gasp.

“Nah, that’s how you end up stuck in camp. If you want something, you have to go get it!”

“Mr Matthews!” squawks Miss Grimshaw from her bed. “God help you if you do not get that girl to bed!” “Shut up you old hag!” Karen retorts, stumbling as Hosea leads her away.

“Apologies, Miss Grimshaw. I’m on it!”

Blinking you realise you are the only one standing this side of the fire. The men are quiet, watching the flames eat at the logs, each of them in their own head. You can feel something watching you, and when you look up, you spot the same cowboy staring at you. As you lock eyes, he blinks and shakes his head as though coming to his senses. 

With a big sigh, he ambles towards the shoreline, dropping his beer on the ground as he passes. The world is swirling, but without his eyes on you, you suddenly feel invisible. Taking a deep breath, you follow him as best you can. You aren’t graceful and you certainly aren’t quiet, but the sound of deep sleep comes from the tents you have to pass, undisturbed even when you almost fall on top of them.

When he reaches the water he stops and leans his head back, looking up to the night sky. “You fool, Arthur Morgan,” he mumbles. “Why’d you have to be such an idiot? No wonder the women hate yer.”

You clear your throat and he flinches so hard, he almost falls over. You apologise, rushing forward to catch him. He grasps your outstretched arms and somehow manages to right himself. It takes a moment to realise you’re still holding on to one another.

“I’m sorry about before,” you begin, dropping your arms.

He mirrors you, shaking his head. “Nah, s’my fault. I ain’t ever been the best drunk.”

“I’m- I don’t mean that. I’m just…” You force yourself to take a deep breath.

“Listen, it was my mistake. There’s a lot going on, we gotta lotta plates spinnin’ and then I saw you, and...” He trails off, looking out at the water, sighing sadly. “I’m sorry for jumpin’ on yer like tha’.”

You follow his gaze out across the shore, listening to the waves lap gently over themselves. Dark smudges of geese fly through the moonlight and into the wisps of clouds that are starting to crawl in across the inky sky. Somewhere a laughing gull cries out, repeating itself like a grandfather clock on the hour.

“We’ve had… a lot to drink.” You close your eyes, but the world spins. He must see you wobble, because a hand touches your back before your eyes open again. You look up to thank him and find his eyes tracing your lips. You realise you’re biting your lip.

With a deep breath you straighten yourself up out of his arms. He doesn’t stop you, if anything it snaps him out of his trance.

“We’ve had a lot to drink and I don’t want to give you the wrong idea.”

“O’course, Miss. I understand.”

You turn your head to look up at him, to learn more about the stranger, but instead you find yourself staring at the muscles in his arms and the soft halo surrounding them. You swallow, and try to drag your gaze upwards, but you’ve already seen the bulge in his trousers, and you don’t make it to his face before noticing the skin radiating from the top of his shirt. His chest, his shoulders, his entire torso looks strong. You wonder if it feels the way it looks…

“You were saying, Miss?”

You feel the words vibrate through your fingers and rumble right down your arm. It takes a moment for the sound to wake you, and when it does you realise your mouth is open and your hand has found its way into the V of his shirt.

He’s already looking down at you. You feel the pulse of desire between your hips and the warmth spread as his grey gaze transfixes you. “Y/N?”

Grabbing his upper arm in one hand and his neck in the other, you pull yourself up to kiss him square on the mouth. With no need for encouragement, he returns the pressure, pulling you flush against his body.

Your body purrs as his trousers tense against your skirts, and a groan escapes your chest as his teeth brush your neck. Your head falls back, your lungs already panting, your nails dig into his shirt. When something brushes the back of your head, you open your eyes to see that you’ve moved a little away out of sight of those still at the fireside. He has you pressed up against the wall of eroded dirt, kissing you deeply, squeezing your breasts and you accept his worship.

His hair is thick between your fingers and you hook your leg around him to pull him closer. The move takes him by surprise, but he recovers quickly, providing you the weight you yearned for. He returns the motion, one hand breaking free from between you and rustling up your skirts in search of your ass.

You lower your leg and shove him hard in the chest. He falls back, confused until your undergarments land beside his head. You try to dispose of his trousers the same way, but the suspenders won’t allow you access. Realising your intentions, he pulls them off of his shoulders, cradling your head in both hands as he continues to nibble your lip, your hands fumbling over his union suit.

Coming up for air frustrates you until you see his exposed chest. You trace your fingers over his skin as his grip moves to your hips, pulling you down onto that bulge.

“Get this thing off me now or so help me,” you moan. Eager to obey, he pulls the waistband of your skirt, making it crack as the buttons pop off. With help, you manage to lift the skirt over your head, your blouse already unbuttoned half way.

He pulls his arms free from the cotton as you tug his trousers from his legs, his feet wrestling clumsily as he tries to kick off his boots. You try to scoop the loose change back into his pockets, but he’s pulled you back on top of him, kissing you again, his hands exploring your exposed skin and tugging at the strings of your corset. You try to help him, but the thick member rubbing against the inside of your thigh wipes any pre-existing intentions

Your entire body stiffens as he slips inside you with a long guttural groan. Suddenly the urgency has dissipated and is replaced with a low throbbing tremor deep into your core. Instinct forces your hips to grind deeper onto him, forcing air out of your lungs to make room.

You can feel yourself building, feel his fingers digging into the bare flesh of your hips, your pelvises trying to make contact with each other. You lift your arms behind your head, stretching your upper body as though somehow you can make more room for him inside you and cram more of him in. He pushes your body up and brings you slamming back down before you can object, and you feel it again, the throbbing of your core as he slowly bounces you over his shaft, groaning.

Before the bubble can burst, he throws you off. You open your mouth to argue, but he’s scrambling to his knees, reaching for your hips and pulling you back into him. You don’t really understand until you’re on all fours and he pushes himself back inside. He begins to build up speed, and you can feel his balls slapping against your clit. You don’t know what to do with yourself, he’s hitting all your sweet spots, your hands reaching for anything to hold onto, but instead returning fistfulls of dirt, sand and seaweed.

Your eyes roll as the bubble of pleasure which has grown ever larger inside you bursts. You can feel your muscles squeezing, then pulsing and squeezing again as though milking him. You can hear him choking at the sensation and as the edge of your orgasm softens, you push back hard and pull away, lengthening each stroke.

Arthur cries out into the night as he empties himself of weeks of pressure. You can feel it pouring into you, feel him twitching against your walls, and you lean back greedily. Eventually there is nothing other than your shared panting. No snoring, no birds, barely any tide.

You land on your front, exhausted. A muffled thud confirms Arthur has also hit the ground. You can barely summon the energy to lift your eyelids - the orgasm far exceeds anything you have achieved on your own or past partners.

Eventually you roll onto your back. The purple of the night is retreating in favour of violet and soft pinks. Following the colours, you see the first trickles of the sun bleeding over the shrine of the camp. You let it wash over you, feel it cleansing your spirit.

Wondering if Arthur is still breathing, you lift your head. He is also watching the serene sunrise, tranquility smoothing the lines of his face.

The bark of a dog snaps you back to reality. People are stirring in camp and you are as good as naked on the beach. As though summoned by the horror, a chuckle ripples over the water.

“Have yourselves a good evening?” asks a man rowing past. You grab your skirts and whatever else is at hand and flee.

************

“What were you thinking?”

Arthur groans, pulling the blanket over his face, but it gets yanked straight back to his waist. “Not now. Please, Hosea.”

“Not now? Put your trousers back on, boy, before there’s a mutiny!”

He tries to reach to see if there’s evidence for the battering, but he vomits spectacularly over the edge of the bed.

“What the devil took over you last night? You! Of all people!”  Arthur is barely able to breath between retches, the remnants of the moonshine, spirits and bile, splashing against the crates. “You take the one girl here without a history and- what’re you doing over here? Go find your mother!”

“Calm down, she’ll get paid,” he groans, wiping his mouth as a loud giggle knocks another nail into his brain..

“Why has Uncle Arthur got his bottom out?”

“Ooft, mark the day, young Jack! Eyewitness accounts report that the sun does not, in fact, shine out of Arthur Morgan’s arse cheeks! Who’d’ve thunk!”

“Mr Macguire, make yourself useful and take the boy with you! And tell the women to stay the other side of camp too!”

“Aw, but they’re already gigglin’ about it.”

“No one will be gigglin’ when I’m finished! Now git!”

“Alrigh’, alrigh’, keep your pants on!” Sean’s cackle splits Arthur’s head open. He tries to move the blanket, awareness creeping in amongst the hangover as the infamous chortle sounds.

“Not you too, Dutch. Go see to the women.”

“My boy, you have royally outdone yourself this time.” His laughter booms off the trees. “Come along, Miss O’Shea, nothing to see here.”

“I think a lot of t’girls will disagree with you there, Dutch.”

“Especially Y/N if the stories are true!”

“Ain’t no stories to be tellin’! Everybody heard them!”

“Shee-yit.” Arthur groans, his memory hissing at the scratch marks on his back..

“Trousers on. Now. Before more people come ogling.” The chest by his feet creaks open, and clothes begin to rain on him. “And for the love of God, sort out the mess you made on the shore! Last thing we need is Pinkerton’s following the trail of bloomers to camp!”

He sits up with a grunt, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand, eyes squinting at the bright light of the tent. Hosea kicks a lone worn boot away from the puddle, cursing.

“A little privacy?”

“Don’t make me laugh! You might not be a teenager, but I’ll throw you out by your ear!”

“What’s your problem?”

“My problem?” The old man gestures to the heavens. “Where to start? Disrupting the camp with your racket! Littering belongings for others to find! Playing buckaroo with the girl who’s here for her protection!”

“Her protection?” He scoffs, his hands shaking too much to button his shirt, but his stomach sinks.

“She didn’t tell you?”

He winces. “We didn’t do much talking,” he admits.

“Dutch found her robbing the trailers just above Rhodes. He was going to give her a ride home - to that run down place, Lonnie’s Shack - but Sean had scoped it that morning. Said some bandits rocked up and took out the father living there before setting up camp. So Dutch brought her here instead.”

“Bet you’re going to say she’s not even a whore at this rate,” he groans, trying to push himself off the bed, but the sight of his adopted father’s scowl knocks him back. “You’ve gotta be kiddin’ me.”

“Get up and clean up, mister!” Hosea kicks the chest and stalks away. “Before I give Bill his gelding tongs back!”

[fedeipox]

The Way of Time (Rdr2 Fanfic) - Chapter 2 (2/3)

I generally post in the morning just to realize half the planet is still asleep. How wonderful!!

And no, I’m not being sarcastic, I honestly find it fascinating. 

Part 1 here: https://fedeipox.tumblr.com/post/636417099433164800/the-way-of-time-rdr2-fanfic-chapter-2-13

Chapter 2 (2/3) - Rats and caravan

Words: 2,3k

When she walked inside the room she found Mr. Smith, the man with the ridiculous mustache and Lenny at work, but there was also someone who was doing nothing.

The man with the blond walrus mustache and the white hat was seated on the table dandling his feet down and polishing a long silver knife with a grayish rug.

The first thing Emily thought to do when she saw him was point it out: why everybody was working but him? Was he special? 

Her mother taught her that everybody is supposed to do his part and for this reason she was used to clean and tide her room weekly and wash her own clothes, apart from working and bringing money in the house every month. She never helped her in the kitchen though. She was a terrible cook. 

So, let the others work while he was doing nothing wasn’t right. But then, with a quick glance at the long sharped blade he had in his hands, she thought that maybe it wasn’t the greatest moment to tell him to move his ass. 

“Okay, on my three, Charles” said the man with the ridiculous mustache and when Emily looked at him she saw him and the dark Native bended over a big trunk. 

“One, two, three.”

The two of them lifted the thing, which looked particularly heavy, and brought it outside, all under the high and mighty gaze of the man seated on the table.

“Come, Emily, help me with this” Tilly called her.

She was grabbing another trunk from its handle and waiting for someone to lift the other side of it. Emily reached her and did as she was asked, but she couldn’t bear the weight of that thing for long, and after a couple of steps, she had to put it down.

“Don’t worry, you can do it, we are not in a hurry” said Tilly to reassure her.

Emily knew her limits, she knew she wasn’t strong, she had never been. Her muscles were weak and her bones broke easily, she had learned that when she was a kid.

“Well, actually we are in a hurry, ladies. The law can still catch up with us. You should speed up a little” said the man on the table. 

Emily let the handle of the trunk go and lifted to look at him. He had blue insolent eyes and the curve of his lips had something wicked and mocking. He surely didn’t look like a gentleman. 

“So why don’t you help us?” she replied feeling upset by the man’s behavior. 

“I am a man, house chores do not concern me.”

Emily scoffed. She couldn’t believe it. She had just found the worst specimen of the human kind. 

“Asshole” she just whispered before reaching the handle of that heavy thing again.

“Hey, watch your mouth, girl.” 

Looking at him again, Emily noticed he wasn’t as angry as his voice made him seem, he was just playing the big man. Ridiculous. 

“And you watch your manners. Making a woman work hard as you do nothing isn’t very gentlemanly” she rebuked him.

“You talk about manners? We barely know each other and you already insulted me” said the man jumping down the table and taking a step towards her.

Emily withdrew glancing at the knife he still had in his hands, before fixing her eyes on his. He wasn’t angry, or if he was he was hiding that anger behind one of the most evil, perverted smiles she had ever seen. She was scared by that man, she couldn’t lie to herself, but at the same time he upset her so much she wanted to reply something. If hate had a face, it was the face of…

“Leave her alone, Micah” Lenny stepped in, coming from the other room and getting by her side.

Micah raised his hands in the air making them understand he had no bad intentions and with the same sneer that hadn’t left his face for a second, he walked out. 

“Gosh, is he always like that?” Emily asked.

“Yeah, you better get used to him” answered Tilly.

Get used? She had no intention to get used to anybody, she wanted to leave those people as soon as possible. It wasn’t her plan to live with a bunch of criminals, even if that was 1899 and she had no plan at all. For now. 

With Tilly they moved the trunk outside and left it to the men who lifted it without problems to load it with the others.

Emily looked at the long line of wagons and the people going in and out from the cabins carrying every kind of object. They were like nomads: they moved their house to go wherever they wanted to and whenever it pleased them to do so. What kind of life was that? With no roots, no stability, no rest. Not a comfortable bed to sleep at night, not a possibility to have a family, have a steady job. 

Emily snorted to herself. Now she was talking silly: they were outlaws, that was their job.

“Okay, we’ve done our part” said Mary-Beth going away.

“Where are you going?” asked Emily.

“Probably reading” she answered without bothering to look at her.

Emily exchanged a look with Tilly.

“If you still want to help go to Miss Grimshaw” she said before heading to the opposite direction of Mary-Beth.

Did she want to help? Had she any other choice? Between sit still and freeze and working she preferred working. At least the movement could warm her more than Mary-Beth’s coat was doing.

She started walking and at every wagon she passed she couldn’t help but staring at the couple of horses tied to each of them. Why, why horses? Among all the kind of animals that existed in the world, why horses?

“Good Morning, Miss.”

Emily turned around and watched the man as he walked towards her. 

“Good Morning… Hosea, right?”

“Yes, how you doing this morning?” 

“Better, thank you. I was… helping” she said pointing a finger on the wagons around her.

“Good, the sooner we get outta here the better. I’m not a snow lover.”

Emily giggled, more as a formality than a real amusement, but at the same time Hosea’s words made her think of something: he seemed to be one of the men in charge in that place, so who better than him. 

“Where are we heading?” she asked.

Hosea looked at her right in the eye before answering.

“There’s a town. Its name’s Valentine. I think we’ll find what we’re looking for down there.”

Valentine, she knew that place, but she had never been there. It was a commercial city. Fine business and trading companies, but nothing more. No art, no history, no tourism.

“And, what are you looking for?” she asked intrigued.

“Opportunities” he exclaimed going away with a smile.

Emily frowned, but soon understood what he was talking about and what he meant by “opportunities”. 

She kept walking until she reached the main cabin from which two people were stumbling out dragging the man who the night before was laying on the cot. One was Charles Smith, the other was Abigail. She wondered what had happened to him, but asked nothing, and went inside right after they came out. 

“Oh good, you’re here. Help the reverend with those boxes. We’re almost done” said Miss Grimshaw as soon as she laid eyes on her.

She had no idea who the reverend was and she also found odd that a gang of criminals had a man of church with them. But thinking about it, that shouldn’t have surprised her, not after Jack. 

She saw the man with the reddish mustache lifting some boxes and presumed that he had to be the reverend, so she drew closer and took a couple of the smaller ones, the only ones she could carry without tear away her arms from her body. 

Since they seemed to move a lot, couldn’t they travel a little lighter? Emily asked herself while she followed the man outside, and when she loaded the boxes on the back of the wagon and turned around, she spotted the man with the blue coat that had made her get down the train the night before, approaching with his horse. She looked at him as he made his horse slow down and dismounted it to walk towards Dutch and Hosea. 

“So, we getting out of this hellhole?” he asked. 

“We’re gonna try, weather seems stable” answered Dutch.

“And we just robbed a Leviticus Cornwall train” Hosea added.

The information stroke Emily as a cold shower. The train she was in. That’s what they were doing the night before, they were robbing it. And Cornwall was no mafia boss, but Leviticus Cornwall the magnate and entrepreneur who died in… 1899! And his business, that big business he had created from nothing with his own hands, was split among his faithful partners after his death. 

That was it, the confirmation that she was truly in 1899. She had learned about Cornwall at school, read his name in history books, where they said he was murdered in Annesburg by an opposer of his campaign for improving the miners working conditions. He was a good man, a man who had power and used that power to help others. Who knew if she could meet him and maybe… maybe warn him of his future, maybe…maybe save his life herself! She would have changed history! 

“Bring Hosea. I know you two like to talk about the good old days and what’s gone wrong with old Dutch.”

The tall man with the blue coat walked right in front of her and gave her a look before he kept going. She felt a shiver run down her spine: was it the cold or that man’s eyes? He had something different from the rest of them, but she couldn’t tell what.

“Miss, it’s time to go” said a voice from her back and turning around she saw Santa Clause looking at her with a courteous smile on his face.

“To which wagon?” she asked.

“Anyone. There’s still space in the second-to-last, you want to join me?”

She looked at his sweet smile under his beard and those dark cheerful eyes and thought he was really the perfect kind of man that could play the role of Santa Clause in the stores during Christmas Holidays. He just needed a red suit and hat and a laughing kid on his knees telling him what he wished to get from him that year. This picture gave Emily the feeling that she could trust him.

“Sure” she said with a kind smile. 

Together they walked past three wagons which were already starting to move and reached the one with the big man and Charles Smith at the driving place, while in the back she recognized Jack and the woman with the freckled face she had yelled at the night before. Santa Clause hopped in leaving his legs dangling from the back and Emily followed his example. 

As she adjusted herself better on the place she had chosen, she looked up at the last wagon right ahead of her. The man with the blue coat and Hosea were seated at the driver place and, looking for a moment at them, she gulped in embarrassment. 

She had to travel with the eyes of those two on her, and she didn’t know why, but the idea was troubling. Not much for Hosea, but for the other man, who had such a strange effect on her.

She heard the deep voice of Charles Smith behind her yelling and the wagon started moving with a jolt. 

...

Arthur gave a strong whip of the reins and made the horses move, following the caravan and leaving that cold mountain for good. He also hoped to leave the bad luck behind, together with Blackwater, the runaway, the fear and the losses, but he knew he wouldn’t have. If Arthur had a flaw, one among the others, was that he couldn’t let the past go, even if he tried with all himself. 

“Why it took you so much to come back?” asked Hosea. 

“I had to take care of some loose ends. Be sure this Mr. Cornwall can’t track us down.”

“I tell you, it wasn’t a good move. He is a powerful man, the kind that doesn’t let things go easily.”

Arthur grunted. He knew Hosea was the reasonable part of the group and that he worried about them all, but he trusted Dutch with his life and the one of everybody else there.

As the wagons kept going he exchanged a look with the girl he had found on Cornwall’s train and wondered if they had found out anything about her.

“What about our new arrival?” he asked to Hosea.

Hosea stared at her for some time, thinking about the mystery that girl was.

“Miss Emily Richardson. She’s definitely an interesting type” he said.

“Where do she come from?”

“Saint Denis. If she speaks the truth. And then…”

Arthur looked at Hosea. There was something odd if he used that suspense.

“She says she comes from 2020.”

Arthur laughed in a snort and shook his head. Bullshit. 

“She wasn’t lying” said Hosea plainly.

“Well then, she has a wild imagination.”

“And she looks perfectly sane.”

“Oh come on, Hosea” Arthur complained.

He couldn’t believe he was having that conversation. He knew Hosea was good with people, but maybe that girl was so convinced with her own follies that he couldn’t understand she was crazy, or maybe she was a very good liar, better that Hosea. 

No, that couldn’t be, he knew no better liar than Hosea. 

[janamelie]

LGBT+ Characters

What This Isn’t

A claim of “proof” of the sexuality and / or gender identity of any of these characters.  We don’t need that or anything else to “justify” shipping.

What This Is

A reference post to collate instances in canon which could indicate LGBT+ characters.  In the case of regulars, I won’t include every instance as it would simply take too long.

Rimmer

As I was saying… :p

Honestly, Rimmer is so obviously LGBT+ to me that I don’t know where to start.  How about his reaction to Ace in “Dimension Jump”?

RIMMER: "Commander Rimmer!" I ask you.  "Ace!" Barf city.  I bet you anything he wears women's underwear.  They're all the same, this type, you know, Hurly-burly, rough-n-tumble macho marines in public, and behind closed doors he'll be parading up and down in taffeta ballgowns, drinking mint juleps, whipping the houseboy.

KRYTEN: Sir, he's you!  It's just that your lives diverged at a certain point in time.

RIMMER: Yes, I went into the gents and he went the other way.

KRYTEN: I assume, sir, you are making fatuous references to his sexuality.  If I may point out, if --

Or how about Low Rimmer?  Surely Rob and Doug could have got their point across a little less graphically?

Or if you prefer something less rapey, this passage from “IWCD”.  Unlike the show, Rob and Doug had more time and leeway to explore the characters and this is what they chose to include for Rimmer:

“Rimmer began to regret his outburst. He didn’t like to see his other self upset, and he even contemplated briefly going up to him and giving him a manly embrace. But in a brief moment of homosexual panic, he thought his double might get the wrong idea. Not that he would, of course, because he was him and he knew for a fact he wasn’t that way sexually tilted; so obviously his double wasn’t and obviously his double would know that he wasn’t either, and it was simply a manly embrace meant in a sort of mano a mano kind of way…Perhaps he was tired…Two or three days in bed and he’d be his old self again…Who cared if his copy saw it as a sign of weakness? He’d suggest it anyway.” Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers, Grant/Naylor, pg 233.

And this from the end of the “Better Than Life” novel, when Holly - whose IQ has been restored - comes up with a way to bring Lister back from the dead (no, not as a hologram):

“Rimmer stood in the hatchway and his face yielded to a grin, which in turn gave way to laughter.  Not his normal hollow braying empty laughter, this was an altogether different noise.  This was a noise his vocal cords had never been called on to make before.

It was the laughter of joy.”

Better Than Life, Grant/Naylor, pg 218.

I know some fans read Rimmer as asexual and you can certainly make an argument for that, most obviously in “Marooned” where he describes his younger self as not “particularly highly sexed”.  Of course, that wouldn’t preclude him also being homoromantic or biromantic.

Lister

No-one’s denying Lister’s obvious attraction to and affection for women, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t be bisexual or pansexual.  In fact, his “I’m not gay!” protestations in “Duct Soup” is a fairly common way for people attracted to more than one gender to describe themselves if they don’t feel comfortable using labels.  Given that he was talking to Chloe!Kochanski to whom he’s attracted, it makes sense that he’d prevaricate like this.

And then of course, in the very next episode “Blue”, he dreams about kissing Rimmer.  It’s not only the fact of this, it’s the subsequent scene drawing a direct comparison between him missing Rimmer and Kochanski missing her Dave - her boyfriend.  And despite the ending of this episode, when Lister actually meets Rimmer again, he’s delighted.  Until he realises it’s not HIS Rimmer and even so, he gets used to nano-Rimmer and they eventually become quite chummy.

Not forgetting the chemistry between him and Ace, of course.

Kryten

I know he's a mechanoid, but no-one has any problem reading his relationship with Mechanoid - and later Blob - Camille as romantic and Camille literally says herself that both she and her husband Hector are actually androgynous, which makes Kryten - at the very least - panromantic.

And that’s before we get to his very obvious love for Lister which he states himself in “Back In The Red”.

Holly

Holly was actually conceived as a female character and became male due to Norman Lovett’s original casting.  Sources: “Stasis Leaked” by Smegazine writer Jane Killick and “The Unofficial Red Dwarf Programme Guide” by Smegazine writers Chris Howarth and Steve Lyons.

With Hattie’s replacement casting and later Norman’s return, Rob and Doug may not have intended to create a trans or genderfluid character, but that’s what they ended up doing.

Holly is also bisexual - male Holly was attracted to Hilly and female Holly to Ace.

George McIntyre

It was actually Rob and Doug’s audio commentary on the pilot version of “The End” on “The Bodysnatcher Collection” which alerted me to this possibility.  I know it’s a stretch but I’m including it precisely because I’m indifferent to George as a character and it makes no difference to me whether someone believes this one or not.

During George’s speech at his “Welcome back” party, he says “I don’t want you to think of me as someone who’s dead, more as someone who’s no longer a threat to your marriages - I think Joe knows what I’m talking about!”

We see a man and a woman laughing and the woman playfully pokes the man in the arm.  He stops laughing and looks a bit sheepish.

Rob and Doug comment confusedly to the effect of “Shouldn’t it be the other way round?  This is one of the things we had no control over at this stage.”

Come on, Rob and Doug.  Not only does this scene appear intact in the final televised version of “The End”, you also included extra background on George in “Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers”, showing the events leading up to his death.  Unlike the hologram he replaces, Frank Saunders, there is no mention of George having a wife or indeed any partner, so as far I’m concerned, we shippers can read whatever we choose into this scene.  We would regardless, but the way canon leaves it is particularly open-ended.

Deb Lister and Arlene Rimmer (“Parallel Universe”)

See previous entries.  If their male counterparts are LGBT+ then so are they, plus I always got that vibe from the performances anyway.

Camille

Yes, everyone uses female pronouns for her as that’s how she presents to the crew, but she says herself: “We’re androgynous, but I suppose you could call [Hector] my husband.”

Noel Coward Waxdroid (“Meltdown”)

Mr Coward was gay in real life and his fictional incarnation here greets Rimmer with “Delighted to meet you, dear boy!”  I rest my case.

Nirvanah Crane

And arguably the entire crew of the Holoship according to her speech: “It's a ship regulation that we all have sexual congress at least twice a day.  It's a health rule … Here it is considered the height of bad manners to refuse an offer of sexual coupling … We are holograms.  There is no risk of disease or pregnancy.  That is why in our society we only believe in sex -- constant, guilt-free sex.”

Does that sound as though they’re fussy about the genders of their partners?  It certainly doesn’t to me.  So:

Captain Hercule Platini

Commander Randy Navarro

Commander Natalina Pushkin

Commander Binks

Sam Murray

From the Series V DVD booklet:

“Briefly revived in “Holoship”, it came as a surprise that Sam was male.  In the original pilot script - and Series 1′s deleted funeral scene - deceased crew member “Sam Murray” is said to be dating “Rick Thesen”.  Possibly Red Dwarf’s first gay couple?”

Cop (“Back To Reality”)

I’m sure it wasn’t written as such and maybe he didn’t intend to, but the way Lenny Von Dohlen plays his character’s reaction to the Voter Colonel just pings my gaydar.

Frank Todhunter (“The End”)

I know the conversation in “Duct Soup” (which also includes a reference to a gay crew member nicknamed “Bent Bob” *cringe*) where Kochanski tells Lister that the Todhunter in her dimension was gay is played off as something she made up to take Lister’s mind off his claustrophobia, but she never actually says as much.  There’s nothing to say that at least part of what she was saying wasn’t true.

Ackerman (Series VIII)

In the Series VIII DVD documentary, actor Graham McTavish says he was playing Ackerman as someone who enjoys sex with women “or at a pinch, men dressed as women”.  So onto this list he goes.

Big Meat (“Only The Good”)

I don’t blame you if you’ve blocked this one out as I find the scene almost unwatchable, but he’s the big prisoner who takes to the idea of being Cat’s “bitch” unexpectedly quickly.

Katerina Bartikovsky (“Back To Earth”)

Credit to @clueingforbeggs for noticing that in “Pete Part 1” Ackerman claims to have been “having jiggy-jiggy with the Science Officer’s wife” and connecting that with Katerina being a Science Officer.  There’s nothing to say that the Joy Squid didn’t conjure up the image of an actual crew member.

But maybe the ship has more than one Science Officer?  Well, the way it’s said makes it sound as though there is only one but in “Holoship” Kryten gives Rimmer a mind patch from two officers, one of whom is Science Officer Buchan.  There is no mention of Buchan’s gender so who’s to say they aren’t also female?

Begg Chief (“Entangled”)

“We prefer the ship of green.  And the sexy light man with the lady legs so long and luscious!”

Chancellor Wednesday (“The Beginning”)

Actor Alex Hardy says in Series X DVD doc “We’re Smegged” that he was playing the relationship between his character and Dominator Zlurth with a homoerotic undercurrent and you can see it subtly in his performance.

Dolphy (“Cured”)

All I’ll say about this one is that if Messalina had behaved towards Lister as Dolphy does in this episode, nobody would have doubted that she was into him.

Ziggy (“Timewave”)

Proof that LGBT+ characters in this show work a lot better when Doug isn’t intentionally writing them as such.  Sorry.

Feel free to add any examples I may have missed.

@lord-valery-mimes  @aziraphale-lesbian   @notalwaysweak  @feline-ranger  @downonthepharm-red-dwarf  @hologrammette  @rosecathy  @cazflibs​

[zarcake-writes]

Between Them

Hello everyone! This part is a bit fluffy and sweet. It’s mainly talking, with some mention of ns/fw content. 

Part 2

Warnings: fluff, cuddling, mention of sexual content, poly relationship

Horseshoe Overlook is quiet and sleepy. Most of the men are out running scams, robbing people, or looking for good targets for future robberies. Some of the girls went into town earlier, Pearson was kind enough to take them. Those that remain are trying to keep busy or are relaxing. Javier and Bill are on guard duty, I saw them walk by about an hour ago. Uncle’s snores echo throughout the camp, and Dutch is either asleep, reading or coming up with a plan. It’s surprising that his stupid gramophone isn’t playing.

I sit near the edge of the camp, looking out at the river in the distance. The warm sun and the sound of the bird’s flying overhead are calming, yet I struggle to focus on fixing the ripped shirt in my hands. My mind wonders to Charles and Arthur.

It’s been a couple months since the three of us spent those few days in the cabin. Before the cabin incident, the three of us weren’t openly affectionate. I would share quick kisses with Charles when he was on guard duty. I would write little notes to Arthur and slip them into his satchel or hid them beneath his pillow. Arthur and Charles would leave small trinkets or little letters for me in my tent. No one in camp knew about our relationship, and no one needed to know.

However, after arriving back from the cabin, both Arthur and Charles has been open and obvious with their affections. It started with Charles sitting near me and offering me his hand to help me up. Arthur would then give me little gifts in front of everyone. Both men would compliment me and offer to help me with anything. And one night, both men gave me a soft kiss on my lips in the middle of the camp. They weren’t trying to be secretive, so someone was bound to see us and start talking.

It was the next morning, while we were drinking coffee together, that the three of us were basically cornered and questioned. Arthur wasn’t having any of the questions and told everyone to mind their one business. After that, most people in camp calmed down.

The girls are the most supportive for us. Karen has asked me several times what the sex is like, but I keep my lips shut. Mary-Beth and Tilly thinks it’s romantic having two men respect each other and love me at the same time. Sadie thinks it’s hilarious and keeps asking me how I do it. Abigail asks how it works. She even confessed that she wished she had two people who love her that way. Molly feels the same way. Miss Grimshaw thinks it’s odd, but she makes no comment.

The men though are more varied with their opinions. Micah and Bill were the first to make rude comments. The comments started with them asking if I was available for them too, then they started speaking ill of Charles. Arthur and Charles shut them both up pretty quick. Sean wonders out loud if he’ll find two women who would want to be with him. Javier has nothing to say. He just nods and smiles when he sees the three of us. Lenny and Hosea react in a similar way. Uncle and John often ask how good I am in bed to have two men; Arthur shuts them both up each time they ask. Dutch gives us weird, unreadable looks when he thinks I’m not looking. I’m not sure why or what those looks mean.

I glance down at the white shirt in my hand. It’s one of Arthurs. There’s a slit in the arm and the material is forever stained with blood. He ruined the shirt a week ago in a bar fight. Someone made a comment about Charles and Arthur lost his temper. I wasn’t there, but Charles told me about it afterward while Arthur took his anger out on several pieces of wood.

Both of them have been gone for about four days on a hunting trip. They wanted to take me with them, but I was needed here at camp. Hosea needed help with a scam he was planning, so I offered my services to the man. But the planning went by quicker than we both expected, so I’ve been trying to keep busy around camp.

Despite how much I wanted to go with Arthur and Charles, I’m glad both men are spending time together. They’ve always been friendly, even before the three of us got together. But since the cabin, both men seem closer. When they sit around the campfire in the evenings, their knees are always touching. When we are somewhere private, and away from prying eyes, Arthur brushes Charles’ hair from his face. Charles has even helped Arthur trim and shave his beard a few times. One night, I even caught both men wrapped together in Arthur’s cot. It was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

I wonder if Charles and Arthur are closer because of the cabin. Maybe the three of us being close and in such an intimate situation sparked something. Or maybe it’s because of how Charles touched Arthur. That memory sends a chill down my spine and my lower stomach tingles. I wonder if they would be comfortable touching each other while I sit on the side and watch. Would they do more?

The sound of voices and horses entering the camp shake me from the beginning of my fantasy. Looking behind me, I see Arthur and Charles are back. Their mounts are carrying plenty of food and furs for the camp.

I leave my sewing on the table next to Arthur’s cot and approach both men. They look exhausted and are covered in dirt. After they leave the food and other supplies near Pearson’s wagon, they turn around. When they see me, both men light up and look happier.

Charles approaches me first. He grabs my hands and lifts them to his lips. The kisses he leaves on my knuckles are soft and warm. Charles smiles at my giggle and said, “I’ve missed you. We both have.”

“I’ve missed the both of you as well,” I said.

Arthur steps forward next. He looks nervous but gives me a quick peck on my cheek. “Good to see you.”

“Good to see you too, Arthur. You two are filthy. Want to head into town and get a bath? I’ll bathe you two,” I tease.

“Before we do that, we need to talk to you,” Arthur said. He shares a look with Charles, who suddenly looks nervous.

I nod and let them lead me to Arthur’s sleeping space. Arthur drops the side of his tent flaps so that we have some privacy. Arthur motions for me to sit. Charles sits next to me first, then Arthur takes a seat on my other side.

Both men are silent for a moment. The nervous tension in the air makes my heart pound and my skin crawl.

“So, what do you both need to talk to me about?”

Arthur lets out a heavy breath before he speaks. “We don’t want to keep anything from you. So, we thought we should tell you. While Charles and I were out, we shared the tent. And we were talking about that night in the cabin and we… we um…”

“Arthur?” I asked.

“We did stuff,” Arthur coughs out. His face flushes and he’s giving me a nervous look. I glance at Charles who also looks nervous and slightly embarrassed.

“Oh. Well, do you two regret it?”

“I don’t. I… I enjoyed Arthur’s touch,” Charles said. His voice is low and soft.

“I don’t regret it either,” Arthur said.

“Well, that’s good. Is that all you wanted to tell me?” I asked.

“Yes,” Charles said.

Arthur still looks nervous and scared. “You’re not mad, or disgusted?”

“No, of course not. Did you think I would be?” I asked.

“We were worried, yes,” Charles said. Arthur nods and looks away.

I take both their hands and look between them as I speak. “I love you, the both of you. And I’m so happy you both enjoy spending time together. I didn’t think you two would be that intimate, but I’m happy for you two.”

“I never thought of men in such a way,” Charles confessed. “But after that night in the cabin, I’ve been thinking of Arthur.”

“I’ve been with a man before Charles. I was young and it didn’t end well. Bunch of people scared us and we stopped seeing each other. But it’s nice being with Charles, and it’s nice being with you, sweetheart,” Arthur said.

“We want you to know, that we both love you greatly. I enjoy being with Arthur and you,” Charles said.

I smile and kiss both men on their cheeks. “I’m glad. And I enjoy being with you two as well.”

Arthur rests his head against my shoulder and I play with the ends of his hair. I lay my head against Charles’s shoulder and his head rests against mine. Charles hold my right hand in both of his hands. Arthur’s hand rests against my thigh; his thumb moves in a slow circle over my pants legs.  

Despite how soothing the moment is, both men stink of sweat and dust. And as much as I love them, I love when they’re clean.

“Alright, you two smell. Why don’t we go into town, get a bath, and spend the night there?” I said.

Arthur laughs and sits up. “Sounds good to me. What do you say, Charles?”

“I say let’s go. Will you bathe us?” Charles question is addressed to me.

“Well, who else will?”

“The bath girls?” Arthur teases.

“You would rather have a stranger bathe you, instead of me?” I scoffed.

Arthur laughs and shakes his head. “No, I wouldn’t. I want you to bathe me and touch me.”

“That’s what I thought. Come on, let’s go. The last three nights have been lonely and I’ve missed my strong men.”

Later that night, the three of us are laying in a hotel bed together. I’m on my back in the middle of the bed, Charles and Arthur are on either side of me. Charles' head rests against my stomach, while Arthur’s head rests against my chest. My hands rest on their heads, and my fingers play with their hair.

Both men are clean and warm. The soap we used earlier lingers on our skin and in the air. It’s not the sweetest of smells, but it smells better than sweat and dirt. Arthur’s short hair dried quickly and is now fluffy. Charles’s hair is still damp, but he let me braid it before bed. My hair is damp as well, Charles was kind enough to brush it out and braid it for me. Arthur watched and expressed an interest in learning how to braid our hair.  

Both men are asleep, exhaustion hit them hard after the bath. Their breathing is slow and heavy, occasionally their fingers or face twitch as they sleep. The warmth from their bodies and the steady sound of their soft snores begin to lull me to sleep. I can feel my eyes grow heavy, and I don’t fight. Between Charles and Arthur, I’m safe, warm, and loved.

[gauntie-o-dimm]

Hosea Matthews X Reader | Before, After What Happened In Saint Denis | Chapter 9-16

Originally posted this on AO3. This post is a continuation of the story, so you should read part 1, first. These are NOT spoiler free, but part 1 is. Read at your own risk, you gonna be sad.

Part 1 

Word count: 2300+ Warnings: Swearing, spoilers, death, pregnancy, angst

Chapter 9 - Preparations

'What have you and Dutch been discussing so often lately?' you said with genuine interest as you took a bite from the stew Pearson had made. Hosea looked up from his dish, raising an eyebrow before putting his spoon in his plate. 'The bank of Saint Denis turns out to be loaded with money, so we are planning out a big heist.' he explained after wiping his mouth with a piece of cloth.

Concern made your stomach churn. 'A heist? Again?' 'Dutch said we need the money, and trust me darling, we really do.' he reached out over the table, putting his hand on yours for a moment. 'But Saint Denis is huge... And there will be so many Pinkertons there!' 'We'll be fine, really. As long as we have each other, being on the run from the law isn't all that bad.' he said with a wry smile. 'All that is left are some preparations and a distraction to be planned.'

'Can I come too?' The question had slipped from you before you even realized it. As protective as he was, Hosea shook his head. 'No, darling, I don't want to risk losing you.'

You sighed, looking at him with a thoughtful gaze. For a moment, your hand went to your stomach.

'Listen, Hosea, there is something that I need to tell y--'

'Hosea!' Dutch's voice hollered through the camp, beckoning for him to come over. Hosea sighed. 'I am sorry, (Y/n), please hold that thought and I will be back in a moment.'

You exhaled deeply as you watched him leave towards his friend, knowing that the moment he spoke about would most likely become an hour or two. In silence, you finished your stew.

~

Chapter 10 - Don’t Do Anything Stupid

Hosea’s hand rested on your cheek so sweetly that yours went up to hold it right where it was.

‘Will you be careful then?’ He looked painfully handsome in his suit. ‘Of course.’ he reassured, ‘I will come back to you, my love.’

‘Hosea.’ Dutch said with a stern voice, ushering him to hurry up. You embraced the older man in front of you, inhaling his scent deeply. ‘Just... Don’t do anything stupid.’

‘Robbing a bank is kind of stupid, (Y/n)...’ Hosea said with a small chuckle, leaning in to kiss you. ‘I love you...’ he whispered, ‘I love you, too...’ Softly, you pressed your lips a bit tighter against his. You didn't want him to taste your worry.

He pulled back, giving you a small smile before turning to the wagon, climbing on the driver’s seat, next to Abigail. ‘Be careful!’ you exclaimed as the caravan of outlaws started to move. Hosea made meaningful eye-contact with you for a moment. You kept looking as they disappeared into the distance until you couldn’t see them anymore.

‘(Y/n).’ Susan Grimshaw reassured, ‘Don’t you worry.’ You nodded, looking at the ground.

‘Hey, are you OK?’

‘I... I am pregnant.’

‘With Hosea’s?’

‘With who else? I haven’t had my period in nearly three months, my breasts hurt and I can’t keep in any breakfast I eat. Plus, I’ve been gaining some weight at my stomach...’

Susan hummed, nodding a little. ‘I already thought so... It is slightly noticeable, you know. If you’re a woman, that is. Men don’t see such things... Have you told him yet?’

‘What?’

‘Have you told Hosea that you’re probably expecting?’

‘No... I tried, but something came in between. I’ll tell him once they return.’ Susan smiled at this. ‘Good. Then we’ll have a huge party! After running to another camp, probably...’

You hummed in agreement. ‘But until then, all we have to do is wait.’

~

Chapter 11 - The Crash Of The World

The returning group was awfully thin. In the depth of night, two figures appeared at the horizon. Horse hooves trembled through the ground. You stood, wiping the creases from your skirt. Judging by the two postures, Hosea was not among them... Maybe something came in between, or those two had forgotten to bring something...?

All of camp gathered at the horse stations as the exhausted Abigail and Charles dismounted, out of breath and most certainly not followed by anyone - Abigails answer to Susan’s panicking question.

‘Arthur, Javier, Micah, Dutch and Bill are on a ship to God knows where, it was their only option to escape. As for—‘ Charles halted in the middle of his sentence.

Abigail and Charles shared a glance and the woman sharply nodded towards you. Worry filled your veins as said man put a calm hand upon your shoulder and lead you away from the group. ‘I am sorry, (Y/n)... We were surrounded by Pinkertons, and they had grabbed him as a hostage. Before we could do something, Milton just... I am so sorry, (Y/n), but Hosea didn’t make it, he... ... ...’

Charles’ voice sounded like a blurred mumble now as you felt your heart break into a million pieces. A cry of agony escaped your lips, startling the group that was standing somewhere away, also just taking in the horrible news of the fallen ones—

—You fell to your knees in the dirt, but you didn’t care—The only thing you knew how to do was how to cry, and so you held your face in your hands as an endless stream of tears and misery shattered your soul.

There was no comfort in the gang’s words, nor in their arms that were thrown around you so friendly - You could hear nothing of their words and couldn’t regain consciousness after chugging two— three cups of water — no, your entire world was taken right then and there.

This had to be a nightmare, you assured yourself after finally falling asleep against Susan’s shoulder, and when you woke up, you would see him right away, with the newest paper in one hand and some fresh coffee in the other — yes, you were sure!

The rest of camp packed up in chaos, putting you in the back of a wagon alongside some tents and bedrolls.

~

Chapter 12 - A Proposition

‘He didn’t even know that he was going to be a father.’ The sudden remark that you whispered to Sadie hit you so hard that it took your breath away. ‘Holy fuck...’

The blonde girl put a hand on your shoulder. ‘Please just don’t say such things.’ ‘That day they left... That was the final time we saw each other!’

Sadie noticed you were about to break down again. ‘Hush now. Say, what do you think if we sneak into the morgue and get him and Lenny out? Give them a proper burial, would that comfort you?’

You had no idea of the state Hosea could be in, but you didn’t care. All you wanted was to see him once more. You nodded eagerly, ‘If you’d do that, I’d be eternally grateful!’

~

Chapter 13 - Last Rites

He did in fact look dead, you pondered as you hold his limp body in your lap, and his skin was icy cold - not only from being in the icy morgue for a few days. You didn’t dare to kiss him, afraid of the taste, the smell, the feel...

‘(Y/n).’ Charles softly spoke, ‘It’s time.’ You weakly nodded, wiping your nose on your sleeve as you carefully laid Hosea’s head from your legs onto the ground again, standing up and dusting down your clothes. With much care, Charles lifted him up, laying him in the grave next to Lenny’s.

Abigail put an arm around you as sobs started to leave you, making you unable to hear the last rites Swanson read to them. Perhaps this was something that could help you cope, you wondered, but maybe it was not. Whatever way, it was fucking miserable.

~

Chapter 14 - Betrayal

It had been weeks before they returned, Arthur finding Lakay at first. The rest soon followed - And then, a Pinkerton attack filled with blood and bodies pumped full of lead.

The gang had to move once more, the stress taking a toll on your body. As your stomach started to grow, so did your longing toward Hosea - you missed him dearly and still clung onto his clothes to inhale his smell.

But it was fading, much to your dismay.

Ruckus at the camp caused you to let go of the light blue striped shirt, putting it down carefully before moving towards the commotion.

Molly’s red hair was messily braided as she stumbled around, slurring her words thickly. It turned out that Uncle had found her drunk at Saint Denis. The fight was already full blown, with Molly throwing insults at Dutch's head, about how she is not his to own. He had it coming, you mused to yourself, before she muttered something that made the hairs of your neck stand on end.

'I told them!'

'I'm sorry? Dutch grumbled, and Molly soon responded: 'Yeah, I told 'em and I will tell 'em again! Now I've got Gods ear!' 'You told who what?' a demand came from Dutch's chapped lips. 'Mr. Milton and Mr. Ross... About the bank robbery! And I wanted them to kill you!' 'You did what?!' Dutch drew his revolver, pointing it at her.

'I loved you, you goddamn bastard! Go on, shoot me!'

Arthur put his hand on his shoulder: 'She's crazy, she ain't worth it.' 'You know the rules!' the leader of the gang grunted.

'You aren't so big now, are we your majesty?!' Molly said with a mocking bow.

The feeling of betrayal became too much for you to keep quiet.

‘You!’ You suddenly spat, causing all attention to go to you. You approached her directly, holding one hand under your swollen stomach, the other pointing at her in a confronting way.

‘Because of your stupid fucking egoism, I will have to raise this child without a father! Because you were too self-centered, all of us have to live with the grief that this left behind - My child will never know the great man Hosea was! This gang will never feel the same again without the men we've lost, all because of you! The only damned bastard here is you!’

Molly was silent, looking at you with a confused gaze as you started sobbing loudly. All Susan needed was one glance at your broken form before she took the shot. With a thud, Molly O’Shea fell to the ground, blood as red as her curls.

~

Chapter 15 - Mourning Never Ends

A heavy cry left your lips as you pushed as hard as you could. The sharp smell of blood and sweat was thick in the dark room. ‘Come on, (Y/n), just a little longer. I think I can see the head...’

You clenched onto the sheets, wishing all the more that his hand was there to hold and squeeze as pain overwhelmed you—

— ‘There it is!’ The pain reduced and you felt the baby slip out of you — ‘It’s a boy!’ Tilly cheered in delight. He immediately started wailing. She pushed him into your arms right after cutting the umbilical cord. He was still slick and grimy, but you held him to you nevertheless. The blanket you had around your naked upper body slipped from you and you laid him against your bare chest, shushing him to calm him down. ‘I know, my boy. That is what I want to do too so often when I see what a shit-hole the world has become...’ you whispered, only loud enough for him to hear. ‘There was happiness in here. But it has all faded away as the innocent folk died, like your father, Arthur, Molly O’Shea, Miss Susan... Yet you make the world a little better... Maybe you can be my new happiness...’

Tilly smiled at the motherly scene as she took a bucket of water from above the fire. It wasn’t boiling - just warm enough to be pleasant for a newborn. As the child had calmed, Tilly took him from you, gently rinsing his skin in the bucket for he didn’t need much more space.

‘Have you decided on a name yet?’ she asked as she handed him back to you, taking a clean rag, dampening it and dabbing it against your sweaty forehead. A tired smile came over your features.

‘Melvin. Melvin Hosea Matthews.’

‘What a wonderful name that is.’ Tilly whispered. You wryly grinned at the thought of your passed significant other and all the great memories you had of him. Time heals all wounds, they say, but you doubted it far from being true. However, if this was a final gift from Hosea to you - a child with his features, a new purpose - it was everything you could’ve wished for.

~

Chapter 16 - Epilogue

Melvin looked more like Hosea every day. You squinted against the light of the lowering sun, enjoying the glass of red wine in your hand, watching ever closely over your seven-year-old who was darting around the field of flowers.

‘Careful with her, Mel!’ you warned him as he took the hand of Tilly's little daughter, wanting to drag her along to play. A sigh left your lips at the sight of both of them laughing - how proud Hosea would’ve been.

‘You know,’ Mary-Beth began, looking up from her writing, ‘I am sure that somewhere in the universe, if you hope hard enough along with having a little faith, that he watches upon you and Melvin very closely and protects you from evil.’

You rolled your eyes before sipping some of the drink you held. ‘This world is damned.’ you spoke, ‘And every day it will get damned more, because Hosea is getting further and further away.’

‘I disagree.’ Tilly Pierre said softly, nodding towards Melvin. ‘Within him, he lives on.’ You kept silent.

‘Every day Melvin will be more like his father. You will tell him plenty stories of him, about who he was, about what he fought for. And as time passes, you will find your Hosea within him. Melvin is part of both you and Hosea, which makes him worth living for.’ Mary-Beth mused.

And for once, you found comfort in Mary-Beth’s words.

[hoeseamatthews]

5 with Lenny please. :3

5. Throwing their arms around the other person’s neck, hugging them close before kissing them passionately on the lips.

Pairing: Lenny Summers x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 811

A while has passed since Arthur and Lenny set out to rob that stagecoach you’d overheard them talking about earlier. It’s been hours, actually, and there’s still no sign of either of them yet. They said they’d be gone for a while, but for this long? It doesn’t seem right to you.

You don’t like to assume the worst, but at this point, you can’t help it. What if something’s gone wrong? What if one of them is hurt? Or...worse?

Though you don’t like to, you shelve the thought and continue to carry out your camp chores as a distraction. It’s evident that your mind is elsewhere, but nobody seems to want to pry, nor do they want to ask. To some, it’s obvious what’s troubling you, but they don’t want to be held responsible for opening any floodgates by questioning you on it.

“...You okay there, miss? You’re awful quiet.”

You don’t even hear Pearson at first. You’re too lost in your own little world, and it isn’t until he gently nudges you and waves a hand in front of your face that you even register his presence. Humming, you continue to absentmindedly prepare vegetables to add them to the stew, and you turn your head to look at Pearson.

“I...sorry, sorry. ‘m fine. My mind was elsewhere, that’s all.”

You sigh, casting your gaze downwards, and much like the majority of camp, he chooses not to push or pry any further than that. Pearson simply nods, and he proceeds to carve at the carcass laid out on the surface before him. You grimace at the bloody mess before you turn your attention back to the vegetables you’re in the midst of dicing up.

Minutes pass, though they certainly feel like hours now. You don’t even suspect anything is up until you see various people flocking to the path that leads into camp, and then you hear the fuss before you even see it. You avert your eyes from your chore, and you’re quick enough to drop both vegetable and blade when you catch sight of him dismounting and landing with both boots firmly on the ground.

Lenny.

You abandon your work, making a beeline for Lenny, and before he can even react, you’re throwing yourself at him and snaking your arms around his neck. He’s surprised, of course, but he holds you close, nuzzling his face into your hair, and neither of you seem to want to let the other go anytime soon.

“Oh, Lenny! You came back! It’s been hours!”

“And still in one piece.” he attempts to humour you, but it falls flat, “It...uh...it went sour out there. That feller gave me a bad lead. Stage wasn’t unprotected. We got outta there, but we was lucky. Real lucky. If Arthur wasn’t there, then…”

He trails off, and you dread thinking about just how narrowly his life avoided a tragic end today. You let out a shaky sigh, and you feel the tears begin to well up in your eyes.

“...I been worried sick, Lenny.”

Your voice is muffled, and he nods, sighing to himself. He’s not surprised. Part of him already knows how worried you must have been, and he swears to himself that he’ll make it up to you one way or another.

“I’m sorry, sw-”

Lenny begins to apologise, but your lips capturing his in a fervent kiss is what silences him. It takes him a hot minute to reciprocate the kiss, but when he does, you melt into his arms, refusing to release him from your hold until further notice.

Reluctantly, you break the kiss to grant yourselves the time to catch your breath. Foreheads lightly bumping together, warm breaths come in the guise of soft pants to fan both your faces, and Lenny plants one more chaste peck on your lips for good measure.

“Don’t apologise.” you lock eyes with him, and your voice is but a whisper, “Just don’t take leads from any old feller like that ever again. It coulda gone a lot worse than it did.”

Lenny nods, sighing to himself, and he holds your gaze. He knows you’re right, and he knows you’ll find out that he had every intention of going without Arthur or anybody at all to begin with, had he not talked some sense into him about the entire robbery prior to leaving.

You’re certain that Arthur had Lenny’s back all the way out there today. You don’t doubt it for a second, and you make a mental note to thank him for it later when you get the chance to. But for now, you have no plans to leave Lenny’s side at this moment in time.

“No more flimsy leads.” he tells you, and he absolutely means it, and he leans in to kiss you once more, “I promise you that.”

[cowboisadness]

Hang ‘Em High {Arthur Morgan x FemOC} Chapter 9

Pairing: Arthur Morgan x FemOC Summery: Belle Hawthorne is high society looking to escape her mean husband. A robbery by the Van Der Linde gang could be her chance. Can she escape his cluches and possibly discover what love should feel like?

Warnings: None

.....

The strong, bitter smell of coffee filled my nose and woke me. My back aches and eyes sting when trying to open them. The faint morning glow stabbing the back of my eyes. A noise from beside me wakes me further. That's when I realised I was laying against something apart from the log at my back. Opening my eyes I'm met with the smouldering fire ahead and Arthur laying right beside me, my head against his shoulder and his head propped up against mine. Arthur stirs and Pearson comes into view, adding a few more sticks to the fire and checking the coffee pot. Groaning from the intense headache and pain in my neck as I sit up, waking Arthur fully as I do so.

“Morning folks. Coffee is ready, no doubt y'all need it.” Pearson grins at us as he pours the coffee into two tin cups.

I look to Arthur, hungover evident in his features as he scowls and lets out a groan. We look at each other, smiling shyly and slightly embarrassed at the whole situation. Pearsons hands us the steaming cups and we murmur our thanks, not even prepared to move ourselves from the floor. We sipped our coffee in silence for a few minutes. Wishing for the intense headache to subside soon and hoping the unease in my stomach won't be the alcohol trying to make an appearance.

“I wanna die” I murmur into my cup

“Me too.” Arthur murmurs back

“I’ve never been that drunk. Does it always hurt like this?”

“More or less” He takes another sip of his coffee

I groan, wondering if this feeling is going to last all day. If so, today is going to be fun, to say the least. I’d love nothing more than to curl up on some bear hides and sleep till dusk.

We sit in silence for a while, as the others slowly wake, some looking just as much of a sorry state as we do. After our second cup Dutch calls for Arthur from his tent and he leaves with a groan to see what he wants. I stayed seated on the floor, not daring to get up as every movement inflicted some variant of ache and the threat of my stomach emptying its contents.

“You look worse than I feel” That Irish tone appeared from nearby at the fire. Sean pouring himself a cup.

“I’m trying not to vomit.” I grinned weakly as I looked up to him. He nodded in understanding, sitting on a crate nearby.

“So, tell me more about how your Knight in shining armour saved you.”

I couldn't help but giggle, my hand shooting to my stomach to ease the sudden and threatening twinge.

“My husband is one mean bastard…”

“You're married?”

“Unfortunately. Arthur, Dutch and Hosea were in the process of robbing him. I got caught up in it. Got out of the gunfight that ensued and asked, well, begged him to take me somewhere else. Passed out due to a few broken ribs and woke up here.”

“Damn what a shit show. You got somewhere you'll be moving onto, or will you be staying with this bunch of degenerates?”

I look around the camp, everyone now up and preparing for the day. Little Jack playing with a bunch of flowers, tongue out in concentration. Abigail watching over him as she collected clothing to be washed. Hosea and Lenny sat at the table playing what looks to be a very competitive game of dominoes. Pearson preparing today's breakfast at the food wagon. Sadie sat on a rock at the edge of the overlook, taking in the views and seemingly lost in thought as the morning sun beams down onto her. Mary-Beth and Tilly stitching garments in their hands, sharing a few laughs between them. Javier sat on his bedroll sharpening and cleaning one of his knives, all his attention on the task in hand. Strauss with his book in hand, that thing seems to be in his grasp as often as a bottle is in Uncles. Arthur stood at Dutches tent, talking about whatever jobs that need doing or what their next move should be to gain more money no doubt. Dutch is rambling on as Arthur listens, hands resting upon his gun belt, nodding along to whatever Dutch is saying to him every so often.

“I think I’ll stay.” I say unsure if I was answering Sean’s question or telling myself.

------

After a few hours of chores and making myself busy around camp, the hangover slowly began to ease. The distraction and the emptying of my stomach by one of the trees in the outskirts definitely helped. It was at that moment I vowed never to drink that excessively again. Lesson learned.

I sat with Jack, watching him play with his two wooden horse toys. He was bored and Abigail had become restless with his constant need for attention and questions so I was doing my best to entertain him to give her a few moments of peace and to complete whatever tasks Miss Grimshaw had asked her to do.

Watching Jack as he played out the story he imagined for his little horses Arthur came over to us. A slight smile on his face as he watched the boy play contently.

“Whatchu up to?”

“Playing”

“Anything fun?”

“I guess”

“You wanna come fishing with me?”

“Fishing?”

“Sure. It’s about time that you started to earn your keep.”

“Okay.”

“Good. Go get your pole then. You do have a fishing pole don't you?”

“I sure do! Uncle Hosea made me one.” Jack stood, little horses and their story now forgotten about in the dirt.

“Well go get it then. Let’s catch us some fish.”

“Yeah!” He almost shouted, running off into the direction of his tent.

We both watched as he went with a little skip in his step. Excited about having something new and different to do.

“You, er, wanna come with?” Arthur said, going through his satchel to pull out his cigarettes. Lifting one to his mouth and then lighting a match with the bottom of his boot.

“Sure. I don't have a pole though. But I could catch a few rabbits or something while there.”

He nodded then made his way over to his horse, giving him a brush down while he waited for me and Jack.

Thankfully we didn't need to go far from camp as the Dakota river was only a minute ride away. Jack sat in front of Arthur and I kept up beside them listening to their conversation. Asking if Jack was feeling better from recently being ill and Jack mentioning a storybook he left back at the camp in Blackwater.

We all dismounted at the riverside, the two boys making their way to the water to ready their poles as I readied my bow. Telling them I won't be far before making my way towards the gathering of trees nearby but far enough away from the dirt roads that noise shouldn't be an issue. It didn't take long to find a few Black-Tailed Rabbits hanging around the area, as well as a few squirrels running through the bushes and up the trees.

I knelt in an area void of sticks or piles of dead leaves, skimming my eyes over land ahead of me, waiting for that unsuspected rabbit to place itself in my line on sight.

Four rabbits later I returned to the boys at the river. Jack now sat nearby, flowers in his hands and a pile at his feet. A child that age doesn't seem to have the attention span for something like Fishing, something that takes a little patience. We should have known he would have gotten bored of it quickly.

“Catch many?”

“Uncle Arthur has!”

I smiled at Jack and walked over to Arthur who was currently battling a fish as we speak.

“Can I borrow your knife to skin these? I still don't have one.” I said as I held up my catch.

“Sure. It's on my belt.” He pulled on the rod, seeming to get frustrated that this stubborn fish wouldn't give up.

I sat a little aways from Jack, glancing over to see him delicately chain each little red flower together. His tongue sticking out from intense concentration.

For a few moments, it was quiet and peaceful as I skinned and salvaged the usable meat. Arthur muttering praises then whispered curses to the fish he finally reeled onto dry land. Holding them up to get a good look before throwing the back into the river.

“Hey, look at this.” Jack proclaims, holding up the completed chain of red flowers as far as his little arms to reach.

“At what?” Arthur says, kneeling in front of Jack to see his creation.

“This necklace I made.”

“Necklace?”

“For Momma. I made one for you too Miss Bella.” He grabbed another chain of red flowers from his side, handing it over to me.”

Putting down the knife and rubbing my bloodied hands on my pants I then reached out to take it. A smile beaming on my face and heart swelling twice its size at this adorable and thoughtful gift. “Thank you, Jack. It’s beautiful.” I place the necklace over my head for it to lay around my neck as delicately as possible. Worried that I might pull it apart accidentally. Thankfully I don't. A necklace like this is more valuable than any gold or jewels and should be treated as such.

In these few moments, we are seemingly so distracted by what is going on that none of us noticed two men appear nearby on horses until one of them speaks.

“What a fine young man…” One man says as he strides towards us, dressed in fine clothing. Bowler upon his head and a badge on his lapel. “And in such complex circumstances. Arthur, isn't it? Arthur Morgan?”

The other man dismounts his horse and cocks his rifle. Not saying a word but striding towards us too. Weapon rested on his shoulder. A badge adorning his lapel also.

The three of us stand to the attention of these unwanted strangers. Arthur ushering Jack to stand behind him. “Who are you?” Arthur says, an air of confusion and wariness in his voice

“Yes, Arthur Morgan. Van der Linde’s most trusted associate. You've read the files, typical case, orphaned street kid seduced by that maniac's silver tongue and matures into a degenerate murderer.” He turns to his friend beside him, both nodding in agreement.

“Agent Milton. Agent Ross. Pinkerton Detective Agency seconded to the United States Government.” They finally introduce themselves, taking slow but sure steps closer towards us. My heart starts racing, cursing myself for leaving my gun back at camp. I look down to the knife still on the floor beside me along with the rabbit remains. I’m sure Arthur could deal with them himself if it came to it but with Jack here it was too much of a risk. There is no way I could bend down to pick it up now with both their beady eyes on us, watching our every move. If I went for it when and if shooting started that would leave Jack more in the open and more at risk. Instead, I keep it in my sights and hope it doesn't come to that.

“Nice to finally meet. We know a lot about you.”

“Do ya?”

“You’re a wanted man, Mr Morgan. Five thousand dollars for your head alone.”

“Five thousand dollars? For me? Can I turn myself in?”

“We want Van der Linde.”

“Old Dutch? I haven't seen him for months.”

“That so? Because I heard a guy fitting his description robbed a train belonging to Leviticus Cornwall up near Granite Pass.”

“Oh, ain’t that a little old fashioned nowadays?” He huffs a laugh.

“Apparently not. Listen, this is my offer, Mr Morgan. Bring in Van der Linde and you have my word, you won’t swing.”

“Oh, I ain’t gonna swing anyways Agent, um…”

“Milton.”

“You see, I haven’t done anything wrong aside from not play the games to your rules.”

“Spare me the philosophy lesson, I've already heard it. From Mac Callander.”

“Mac Callander?”

“He was pretty shot up by the time I got to him so really it was more of a mercy killing. Slow. But merciful.”

Arthur fling the pole he was still holding to the ground, losing his composure but still trying to keep some sort of calm when given this information. His fists balling at his sides but keeping one close to the holster at his side. Jack jumps and gasps at the sudden outburst so I grab his shoulder with one hand to gently guide him to stand behind me.

“You enjoy being a rich man's toy do ya!?” There is a low growl to his voice, fury slowly pooling out with every word.

“I enjoy society, flaws and all. You people venerate savagery and you will die savagely! All of you.” The Agent gets up closer to Arthur, pointing his finger in his face to try and be imposing towards the man that is twice his size and could possibly snap him like a twig.

“ Oh, we're all gonna die, Agent”

“Some of us sooner than others. Good day, Mr Morgan.” With that, he turns and walks away. It wasn't till now that I realised the other Agent had his rifle up and aimed at Arthur and by the looks of it, Arthur might not have noticed either as he kept his eyes on the one now with his back turned. The other man starts to back away keeping his eyes on us but slowly lowering his weapon to the ground.

“Enjoy your fishing kid. While you still can.” It's all he says before turning as well. Both of them mounting their horses and riding off. Neither I or Arthur took our eyes off the two men until they were clearly out of sight.

“Who were they?” A little voice pulls us back, Jack now moving from behind us.

“No one to worry about, no one at all. Come on, let’s pack up your things and get home.” Arthur places his hands on Jack to steer him away. All of us collecting our belongings and mounting up as quickly as possible.

My heart began to slow as we mounted and made our way back but I had questions and it seemed Jack had a few too. He has a bounty on his head? And five thousand dollars no less? It can't be true. How would he get a bounty of that sum? I was told by Mary-Bath that they all lived near Blackwater before having to leave quickly but she never said why. I never had a reason to ask. I always knew travellers and outlaws moved from place to place quite frequently and some were known to be right bastards that needed to be hanged for the horrific crimes they committed but...this gang ain't like those, they don't hurt and kill for the simple fun of it. Maybe I should ask him at some point. My logic being if I am to stay and live amongst them I should know what to say or how to act if the Pinkertons come around again. I should know what I’m truly getting myself into.

We made it back to camp quickly, Arthur looking around us momentarily to make sure we had not been followed. He let down Jack before dismounting and making his way over to Dutch with urgency.

Whatever questions I have, they could wait for now.

[sleepyarthur]

Arthur and Mary-Beth is the OTP.

THIS WILL BE LONG. But if you’re willing to be convinced, then I invite you to read it. I also recommend watching the cutscenes and dialogue (look for them around youtube if you can) I refer here for more clarity if you’re feeling a bit confused on some parts because I can’t write well enough to save a life sometimes. :( So, first and foremost, we know Arthur’s very secretive. He’s this man who’s sensitive by nature but hides it through his gruff, masculine exterior in an attempt to still remain intimidating and superior to the other gang members, especially as Dutch’s right-hand man. There’s evidently only 3 or 4 potential people he folds to when it comes to his “romantic” side as these people put it, namely, Mary-Beth, Tilly, Hosea, and potentially Karen (although there isn’t much hint towards it). Hosea’s understandable as he loved him like a father. The girls, on the other hand, he treats as close friends, especially with the friendly banter they have from time to time. Lenny is also a possibility but he only opens up to him like twice, once when he’s drunk (”No one would have me”) and the other when Tilly and Hosea was around pushing him to answer about the way he wanted to be buried.  His interactions with Mary-Beth is a little different from the other girls. She’s the only one who he is fine with talking about his deeply personal journal, even though he just wanted to laugh with her about  his writing in particular. Also, isn’t it strange that Mary-Beth shared a mutual interest in the same hobby? Anyhow, whenever Mary-Beth asks, you bet Arthur delivers with hardly any hesitation. When Mary-Beth asks about Mary at the beginning of Tilly’s rescue mission, Arthur actively talks about very intricate details of his complicated relationship. First, how he’s been thinking how “it all ended”, mentioning the back and forth stubbornness between the two (”She didn’t love me enough, I guess, or I wouldn’t change”)  and how much he admits he’s a fool for her (”Well, she put a lot of good years in an outlaw”). Another point of his openness to share with Mary-Beth could be seen through a domino game with her. When she asks him about the flower on his tent,  he mentions his mother almost immediately. I was thinking that he would’ve probably said something along the lines of “Just a flower I picked up,” or the same line he says afterward that it’s a “good luck charm”. Instead, he begins with “Oh, it’s something my ma always liked.” Strangely, throughout the game, you almost never really see Arthur open up about his parents before except through this one small interaction between them and the very riveting conversation he has with Sister Calderon. And finally, Mary-Beth is one of the few who he opens up to about his sickness. Some members he tells of his sickness but does not reveal it’s something he could die from, aside from Charles. Most of the members just find it out on their own, judging from Arthur’s behavior and how sick he looked. Even for someone like Sadie, he doesn’t falter and admit it, and she finds out anyway through his implications when he asked her to help John’s family. Mary-Beth has a conversation in the Chapter 6 camp where he openly admits his situation, and only to Mary-Beth alone, not for the other girls like the other conversations. Afterward, he states something that even he wouldn’t even tell Sister Calderon, or Charles during their heartfelt conversation onward to Fort Wallace. He tells her that he “started to see things differently,” and that “the whole world seems different somehow.” It’s strange how such a simple conversation can reveal so many thoughts of Arthur outside of his journal, with none other than Mary-Beth. Next up, some more minor points but still support the theory nonetheless:  Another unique interaction he has compared to the other members of the camp is his constant asking of her if she’s okay with the decision of joining the gang. He always asks her if she was happy sticking with them “reprobates” or if she’s okay about joining "this band of maniacs”. For a man who loved his gang like a family, he’s constantly trying to steer her away from their outlaw life, asking her about it possibly hoping that one day she’ll say no and make a life for herself. It also shows his protective nature towards Mary-Beth. Remember Karen joining the bank robbery in Valentine? He didn’t seem to mind that Karen’s going to involve herself in a high stakes bank robbery planned by the clumsy Bill himself where all of them could get killed. Yet, when Sean, the other goof of the camp, readies a plan of his own to rob a stagecoach with Mary-Beth and Arthur finds out she’s joining, he‘s up in arms about it and forces Sean to invite him, and never really admits he’s worried. It’s also important to note that during Bill’s coach robbery, he doesn’t mind inviting Tilly over to join them when Bill said he needed one of the girls to come along with them, so his demeanor towards Mary-Beth’s safety is unique in itself compared to the other girls in camp Arthur also puts Mary-Beth in high regard, even though she only knows how to steal. He brags to Sean about how she had stolen more than the both of them combined, and how he thought she was just a poor innocent girl being chased by three men until he finds out she stole so much jewelry from them. You’ll also notice Arthur scolding Sean angrily whenever he asks something from her, like “she ain’t blind,” when Sean asks her if she sees the part of the road where she’ll be putting her act on, or when he tries to confirm if she knows what she’ll be doing,  A final important point, if you still aren’t convinced so far: We know that there are two times Arthur gets into these sessions where he’s thinking about the past with voices echoing in the background. It happens twice, one right after his tuberculosis diagnosis, and the second is when he’s on his last ride back to camp. In both iterations, the last voices and words he remembers are FROM Mary-Beth. Specifically, the last quote he hears after the diagnosis is “Well, she was a fool then, Arthur”. This does NOT make any sense at first, if you think about it, but context is important. Mary-Beth says this right after Arthur talks about the end of his relationship with Mary. As I mentioned previously, when Mary-Beth asked what happened with their break up, Arthur told her that he thinks that she didn’t love him enough, or that he wouldn’t change. Mary-Beth sides with him, which leads to her calling Mary a fool for not loving him enough. Arthur afterwards defends her, talking about how he’s the real fool. Perhaps, he thought he truly was, because now it was already too late for him to enjoy a life with Mary.

Meanwhile, the last quote he hears during his last ride back to camp was “Maybe it’s a sign, Arthur... try... try to do the good thing.” This dialogue comes from a conversation with Mary-Beth at camp, when he admits to her that he’s dying. Strangely, this conversation is easily missed, yet regardless if you get into the conversation or not, this will still appear. If I recall correctly, this conversation only pops up right after the TB diagnosis (which is why it’s easy to miss) and not anymore after, which implies that her words must have impacted him so much that he followed through with it for the rest of the chapter. Maybe Rockstar planned for this conversation between them to be a part of the mission somehow, but never got around to it, considering how important it was. It could allude to the idea that maybe she really is the love interest of Arthur that they scrapped before the game’s release, but that’s another theory for another time. Sure, maybe it’s just a coincidence, but there are so many other people he could remember quotes and heartfelt words from, like Sister Calderon and Hosea. Yet to have Mary-Beth’s words be the last things he thinks about in both of the times he was at his most vulnerable shows not only his value of her, but also the fact that he may have truly shaped his eventual deeds through her advice.  So that’s all for this long ass essay. Maybe I’ve convinced you, maybe not, but all in all I think their relationship is so uniquely presented that it should never be overlooked. I welcome any criticism, retorts or anything that could debunk it, and I’ll be ready to answer.  I think deep down they really loved each other, but neither could admit their feelings with one another. Also they’re both adults so don’t be so bothered with the age gap... I know I’m not, for Arthur I mean. :x Also, I totally don’t put myself in Mary-Beth’s shoes from time to time. *coughs* Oh no i have tb.