Hang Em' High [RDR2 X FEM!Reader]

The Rabbits

I would like to apologise for not posting in awhile, lots of things have come up and happened. Nothing to worry about though! Good things only don't worry. Please bare with me, I love you and thank you so much for reading!

A few hours later and you were sat on the balcony, watching the animals wake up as the morning colours leaked through the sky. A soft breezed caused your loose strands of hair to dance in the wind. A family of rabbits ran through the trees in the distance, the mother and father would stop and turn around every few minutes to insure their children were not far behind. Their warm fuzzy hair barely moved in the wind. They squeaked and sniffed at the ground around them, innocent of any harm.
"Bit weird waking up in an empty bed," you heard Arthur laugh from behind you. You turned your head to look at him, he was putting his hat on his morning hair. The sun created a golden haze that blessed his angelic face.
"I was sleeping next to a lion apparently," you spoke while rubbing your thumb, Arthur laughed and apologised
"Don't be sorry," you smiled and looked back at the rabbits. One of the babies were cuddling up the mother.
"I'm going out to find this Angelo Braunte, Dutch was wanting to know if you could come with us to track down Bronte, he seems pretty certain on you coming." Arthur spoke while fastening his gun belt
"I'll be there," you looked over and smiled before returning to the family of rabbits who were now running off into the trees.

You walked down the steps towards Dutch and Arthur with a spring in your step. You greeted them with a smile
"Alright y/n, figured we'd head into Saint Denis and ask about in some Salloons. See if anyone's heard of this Angelo Bronte." Explained Arthur
"Okay, sounds good to me," you answered as Arthur jumped on his horse "you alright?" You muttered under your breath to Dutch
"Fine." He muttered back and you both mounted your horses. The patter of horse hooves journeyed out of camp.

The sun was high above you by the time you arrived in Saint Denis, not a cloud in the sky and the odd cool breeze refreshed your tangled minds.
"Alright y/n you go to the town centre, Arthur you go to the park and I'll search the back streets. See if you can scavenge any information about an Angelo Bronte." Ordered Dutch and you nodded "stay safe y/n"  instructed Arthur
"No, really? I was planning on shooting up the bank with nothing but pistol," you replied sarcastically
"We'll save that for later," laughed Arthur before you went your separate ways. Your horse trotted slowly through the busy roads of Saint Denis. Passerby's chatted amongst themselves and business men called out for your attention, but you simply smiled and pretended you couldn't hear them. It didn't take too long before you reached the town centre, it was loud and crowded causing your horse to become nervous "there, there girl, you're ok" you reassured her gently. You hitched her and set about asking for Angelo Bronte. You scanned the world around you until your eyes fell on a man in a black suit and tie, you thought he looked very "Angelo Bronte-ish" so you started for him
"Hello, sir! May I ask you a quick question?" You jogged next to him
"I don't have time," he stated without looking at you
"Do you know an Angelo Bronte?"
He gave you a quick look and walked away faster, muttering something under his breath. "I'll take that as a 'no' then" you muttered, looking for someone else. You tried a woman in a fancy dress and two more men in suits, but everyone gave you funny looks. "Christ people in this city are rude." You huffed, walking back to your horse. You mounted her again and decided to head to the Salloon to see if Arthur has had any more luck. On your way, you tried memorising every turn and alley way you saw, as this would be an easy town to get lost in. Especially for you. You spied Dutch walking confidently towards the Salloon, you sped up to catch up with him
"Any luck"
"No. But I tell you what, everyone here is so rude,"
He laughed "Oh well that's the city miss y/l/n. You have to make them talk to you,"
"Is that Arthur?" You questioned nodding straight ahead
"Looks like it,"
You hitched up your horse and snuck up behind Arthur. You put your hands over his eyes causing him to jump and Dutch pointed his gun at Arthurs head
"I don't want no trouble," admitted Arthur and you laughed, taking your hands away "Oh real funny,"
"We thought so!" Laughed Dutch.
"Any luck?" Asked Arthur
"Nope. All on you" you smiled and patted his back, pushing him through the doors.

You and Dutch suck refuge on a bench as your legs were killing from all the riding you'd been doing. The sun was seeping down on you both, You flapped your hands rapidly, trying to conjure any cool air you could. Dutch looked at you with confusion but he soon broke and did it too. You received strange looks from the public, but that was nothing new.
"How are you really feeling, Dutch?" You questioned thinking of the mornings incident. He was silent
"I'm, alright." He answered not so confidently "I just want Jack. As soon as I have Jack I'll be fine,"
You gripped his shoulder "we'll get him Dutch,"
"I know"
"I bet we won't even have to go another night without him," you smiled and his forehead relaxed.
"I feel pressured, y/n. All the time, it's constant." He rubbed his head in his hands
"I know Dutch, nobody expects you to be perfect, as long as you're trying,"
"No it's not though is it? Because I was trying and then Blackwater happened. I was trying and then there was a massive shoot out in Valentine. I was trying and then Sean died. I was trying and then Jack got stolen right from our camp. Our safe place. They snuck in and took him right from under our noses. And it infuriates me." He vented, you could tell he needed to get it out of his system
"Dutch, nobody. Not a single soul. Blames you for any of that."
"That's not true,"
"Yes Dutch, yes it is."
"I blame myself," he confessed and your heart sank. It occurred to you how much pressure he must be under. He is the chess player and his pawns are the people closest to him. One wrong move and someone's dead. One wrong move and his life falls apart. Your brain flashed back to the day after Sean's passing.

"You don't understand Dutch!"
"I don't understand?"

The way his eyes darkened. He was hurt. You hadn't a clue what was going on inside his head, but if you had....

"I don't know why I'm telling you this," he took a deep breathe
"You need to get it out of your system," you replied with your hand gripping his arm
"I'll be fine y/n, seriously,"
You were the newest member of the gang and yet you still knew Dutch was a giant. A cocky, confident, strong giant who never let a soul see him in a vulnerable state. And yet here you were. Why? Why would he allow you to witness him in such a mess?

He's desperate

Spoke the voice in your head

He's cracking.

"Dutch, I'm here. Really, I am." You assured him. You looked at him and realised he had pulled himself together, only Dutch could pull himself together in such a quick amount of time.
"What do you think is taking Arthur so long?" He questioned
"Five dollars says he's gotten into an argument,"
"Five dollars? Up your stakes and then we'll talk" he laughed
"Ten dollars says he's gotten into an argument,"
"Twenty dollars," he grinned
"Done," you smiled.

As if by magic, Arthur came walking into view, you both waved to grab his attention. He was red and sweaty
"Jesus what's happened to you?" You questioned looking him up and down
"I got robbed!" He yelled
"By who!?" You asked loudly
"By some kids!"
You caught your breathe and snapped your mouth closed. You looked at Dutch and as if you'd planned it, you burst into laughter together. Dutch was a good man, a great man even. Not only was he a leader, but he proved to be a friend. And as you both sat there laughing hysterically at Arthurs expense, a glitter of hope dangled between you. Things were going to be okay. What more could go wrong? The past was behind you and the future lay ahead. And the future. Was bright.