Hang Em' High [RDR2 X FEM!Reader]

But Something Touched Me Deep Inside, The Day The Music Died

Arthur screaming "Let me love you!" His voice filled with emotion and desperation played on repeat in your head. The way he flexed his arms in despair, wanting nothing more than for you to let your walls down and let him in. Now he was gone, probably dead in a ditch and you can't even leave camp to look for him. He'd be alone, cold and scared and you couldn't do anything about it. The man who comforted you during all the nightmares that the past held with a demonic grip, he got you through it. Now he was dead, or suffering pain you could only imagine. But you were at no safe haven, you were suffering with his screams haunting your mind and the guilt dragging you farther and farther down. Sean tried comforting you, he never left your side. He cracked jokes here and there to try and lighten the mood, but he soon realised it wouldn't work. So he just sat there next to you. He couldn't help the situation, but at least you wouldn't be alone. And that in itself was classed as helping in your books. The sun was rising from its slumber, faintly illuminating the ground around you. A feeble breeze brushed through your hair, when you heard it. Horse hooves. Coming closer. And closer. You shot up, Sean standing with you. They got closer. And closer. And closer. Dry leaves crunched on the floor as a horror was revealed. Arthur lay lifelessly on the back of his blood stained stallion. He made no movement. He made no noise....

"Y/n..." he croaked "Dutch.."
you bolted over to him and his weight fell into your arms. Dutch dropped his book in a hurry over to help. He helped you hold Arthurs limp weight. His blood smudged across your skin leaving you looking like you've just slaughtered a thousand pigs. You gently layed Arthur on the ground. He gulped and stared only into your eyes. His chest raised and sank quickly as his lungs inflated with panic. "Y/n" he spoke barely audible
"It's alright Arthur! I'm here!" You spoke with a brave face, smiling at him, making sure he knew he would be okay. Miss Grimshaw ran over in a hurry, but Arthur had already fallen into a deep unconsciousness, although his battered hand was still gripping yours tighter than ever. It just goes to show during dark times even the strongest of men need comfort.

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

For four hours you did nothing but sit by Arthur. Your hand never left the grip of his. You tended to his bandages and poured water down his lifeless throat making sure he remained hydrated. Every noise he made and every twitch his body conducted made you jump six feet in the air. You were so worried. Miss Grimshaw came over to you, she spoke much softer now. Which only made you worry more, it's Miss Grimshaw why is she acting so sweet?
"I'm just going to check his wound, love." She spoke
"Ok." You mumbled while standing up, never letting go of Arthurs hand. Miss Grimshaw cautiously removed his bandages and scanned his torso. She sighed, which made your heart drop and even more tears form pools in your eyes. She looked at you
"Oh I wouldn't get yourself so upset." She added, her voice back to her usual "he should be waking up soon." You leaped for joy at this news, still not letting your grip of his hand go.

You tiredly rested your head on top of Arthurs stomach, just below his bandages. Your head going up and down while he breathed. You just sat here smiling at him. He was going to be okay. Maybe you weren't cursed? Maybe you would get this fairytale happy ever after that every child dreams of.

*cough*

You sat up straight as if someone had just pricked you with a needle and Arthur was squirming. He slowly open he's eyes and you gasped with excitement. His pale cheeks were regaining colour. He blinked a few times and his eyes turned to you
"Good morning-"
"I love you." You couldn't hold it in any longer
"What?" He said, his face shining with happiness, a smile forming on his face
"I love you, Arthur. I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you. And I will say it until the day that my heart gives its final beat. I don't want to hold it in anymore, I want to scream it!"
He looked at you with eyes that sparkled.
"I couldn't have woken up to anything better." He replied, chuffed with himself. "I love you y/n, you know I do. I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you and I will say it until my heart gives its final beat. Which I can assure you, will not be for a long long time."

The grey clouds that hung over you all your life were fading away and the sun was shining brighter than ever before. You couldn't ignore the truth any longer. You and Arthur were supposed to be, it was fate. Your walls had crumbled down, the charade was over and the music that drowned out your feelings had died away. Now your nightmares were replaced with sweet dreams and the best firework display the word had ever seen.