Like The Wind (Arthur Morgan x Outlaw Reader) Red Dead Redemption 2

five

Arthur had insisted on coming along to this robbery, but Dutch knew better that he was in no shape to pull it off smoothly. Even if he was the Arthur Morgan.

"Son, wait out until next week for that to completely heal. Otherwise, Miss Grimshaw will have both our heads if we were to be so careless." Dutch removed his black hat, nervously scratching the top of his head. He may have been the gang leader, but Susan Grimshaw was the one to make the rules for her camp. 

"Besides, the kid's got both Lenny and John to go along with." Dutch added while placing his hat back onto his head.

You overheard the two gentlemen's conversation from outside of the gang leader's tent, causing you to stifle a snicker. You'd lost count at how many times they've called you 'kid' or 'young feller.' If only they knew that you were actually 29 and not 19.... Or that you were a woman.

The scenario of how you would reveal your true identity to the gang played several times in your head. Now that you've gotten the trust of almost everyone (except for that rat Micah) and Dutch's, you were fearful that they would outcast you. What would Arthur think of you that you were lying to them this whole time? You wanted them to understand that you were only trying to protect yourself from being caught by the law or worse... The O'Driscolls.

It had only been almost a week since you've been welcomed into the camp, and it feels like they've become your family longer than that. Breaking their trust would be the last thing you wanted to do.

Eventually, you would have to break the big news about your biggest burden. Especially now that you were developing some sort of feelings for Arthur. You didn't want it to seem that another man was crushing on another man. Even if it was clear that the outlaw didn't reciprocate your developing feelings, you had this burning desire of wanting to let him know how you truly felt for him.

"Y' ready for this robbery?" You whipped your head back from that deep husky calling from behind your direction, interrupting you from your deep thoughts, but it certainly wasn't an unwelcome interruption either. A handsome face appeared from inside Dutch's tent. 

"'Course I am, Arthur." You stuck your chin up, your tone oozing with the utmost confidence like a child accomplishing something. 

The gang's right hand man towered over you and placed his large calloused hand over your shoulder. "Don't be too good that it'll give 'em a reason to replace me with you." He sniggered, his tone laced with amusement. 

"If you weren't injured then I'd probably be stuck here either taking care of the others' horses or going out hunting with Charles." You returned, stealing a glance at his ever so dreamy blue eyes covered by the brim of his hat.

"Don't get me wrong, Charles is excellent company. But I think going out on bigger jobs is much more exciting instead of hunting for the camp's next meal."

"Y' ain't scared that y' might get I dunno... Killed?" Arthur's voice had now been layered with a touch of concern. His expression showed it as well, in which he quickly masked as if it never existed in the first place. 

"I'm a big girl, Arthur. I ain't gonna let a strange couple scare me." Your (eye color) eyes widened, only realizing now that your words came out faster than your brain could register them.

"I coulda sworn y' just called yourself a girl, partner." The outlaw cocked a brow from confusion, but still managed to stifle out a chuckle.

"I-I meant, your horse Scarlet's a big girl!" You attempted to counter back, which sounded almost unconvincing. Thankfully, Arthur had taken the bait. 

"C'mon now, Stranger!" John's raspy voice bellowed from your other direction. "Stop lookin' at each other like you're a bunch of lovers and let's get this pig money!" 

The both of your heads were downcast towards the ground from John's sudden statement. You for one, had harboured feelings for Arthur. While he -- what you were assuming he was thinking, had seen you as a little brother, since no one in camp has figured out you were a woman disguised as a man. 

You spotted Arthur rubbing the back of his neck from your peripheral. "Anyway... I won't disturb ya' anymore." He cleared his throat and walked away opposite from you before you could say anything else.

***

Riding out with the two other outlaws had created a breeze from the hot summer afternoon. The three of you had headed towards Emerald Ranch where that couple's pig farm was located nearby. 

It had made you extremely joyful that you could be a part of doing bigger jobs with with the other members. One thing's for sure about disguising yourself as a man was that you weren't stuck in camp either sewing, washing clothes, or chopping vegetables (much to Sadie's distaste). It would have driven you to insanity doing the more mundane tasks or what was expected of a woman to do. This disguise was somewhat a blessing, since it had given you more freedom.

The ground had appeared more lush and green as the three of you approached closer towards the sign that read 'Emerald Ranch.' You all half halted your horses, giving them the opportunity to graze at the lushes green grass. Old Boy and Maggie surrounded your boy, Ace, seeming that your mares had gotten along with each other well. 

John reached into his satchel, fetching out a black pair of binoculars. The greasy-haired outlaw slowly spun himself onto a semi-circle, finally stopping to scan at a certain house he's set his eyes on. 

"I think that's the house we're looking for." His raspy tones nearly faded into a whisper. He mounted off of Old Boy, crouching onto the grass to get a better look. 

Lenny stretched out his hand for the binoculars as he looked at the house for himself. "Yeah, looks like this is our pig farm. I see a buncha' pigs, and I'm guessin' our weird couple's inside."

"What's our plan?" You asked while mounting off of Ace. 

"I reckon we act like lost travellers." John suggested, returning his binoculars back into his satchel. "They take us in like their visitors, and we ask 'em a bunch of questions."

"I can think of questions to ask." Lenny chimed, excited as ever to get the cash from this pig farm. "John and I will distract them with our questions, while you think of a way to get that cash without being noticed."

You mumbled a few curse words to yourself, of course you just had  to be the one to take the money. You trusted their plan, but it made you nervous just the slightest if you were to be sneaking around some potential murderers' place. 

"Well if they do notice me, at least we all know how to use a gun." You pointed at your cattleman's revolver safely tucked into its holster. 

"Let's hope it won't reach into that point." Lenny advised, with you and John agreeing as you glanced at one another. 

It was settled then. There was really no time to practice your lines for your little act, other than knowing that you needed to be convincing enough to get that cash.

It's just like the old days, ma.

More action and excitement in chapter 6 after this filler chapter! Thank you so much for your patience!