Home Sweet Home - A Red Dead Redemption II story

A Simple Favour

Still plagued with guilt, Ruth paced back and forth at Arthur's tent. She hadn't seen much of him since she snapped at him; He couldn't have been avoiding her. Mary-Beth clearly said that he was hardly at camp, so she simply deduced that he was away on some 'extravagant' travels.

"What're you doing?" Bill questioned as he walked by.

Ruth stopped pacing and looked at Bill.

"You been walkin' back n' forth there for nearly an hour!" He added as he stopped in his tracks.

"I'm waiting for Mr. Morgan. Have you seen him?" She asked, folding her hands in front of her.

"I have not, but 'yer wasting time waiting for him."

"What'dya suppose I do then, huh?" She replied, placing her hands on her hips impatiently.

"Women's work? 'Round camp?" He replied, stating the obvious as he walked off.

Ruth just watched him go, soon looking at Arthur's cot with a sigh as she walked off.

'Suppose he's right.' She thought, soon finding something to occupy her time productively until the time was right to speak with Arthur.

Ruth noticed that Susan had placed a letter on Arthur's bed table, so she wandered over and inconspicuously read who it was from, to no avail obviously; Ruth hardly knew anyone.

She sighed and carried on with her day, finishing up her available chores.

Arthur still never returned to camp.

Eventually, as dusk drew near Ruth decided to take a seat with Kieran by the fire. Her nose and cheeks were painted pink from the sun. Kieran gave her a happy glance, glad to seek solace in her presence.

They sat together in the dirt, backs resting against a large log, shoulders nearly touching.

Javier was playing his guitar softly on the other end of the fire.

Between the soft melody being played and the warmth of the fire Ruth failed to stifle a yawn, Kieran took notice.

"You need me to help you to bed, Miss?" He offered.

Ruth chuckled lightly. "No, I'm fine."

"Alright, let me know though.. if ya need any help."

"I will." Her voice going softer.

They watched the flames dance and climb, the warmth soon consuming Ruth.

Her head slumped down onto his shoulder slowly, sleep overcoming her.

Kieran blushed lightly, stabilizing himself so he didn't wake her.

Javier watched them from across the fire, smiling to himself gingerly, still strumming on the guitar.

"Amantes.." He said to himself quietly.

Kieran felt his heart thumping in his chest and he knew if Ruth was awake, she would hear it.

Kieran leaned his head on top of Ruth's and closed his eyes, his heart soon calming, slumber soon setting in.

They had slept like that for some time, no concern to keep them awake.

Eventually, the fire was dying down, Bill had sauntered over to toss some wood into the fire.

Some embers had broken off of a hot piece of coal, which fell directly onto Ruth's exposed ankle.