Venom (Arthur Morgan x Fem Reader)

To the Place it Began

It had been a couple of days since the house robbery with Sean. Arthur still wasn't speaking too much to you and everybody could feel the tension between the two of you. It bothered you that he wasn't being straight with you, but that was just the way he is.

You paced around the camp, watching everyone enjoy their time. You kicked up dirt as you walked by Arthur's tent. He was sitting outside, flipping his knife in his hands. He immediately looked up at you as you walked in front of him.

"You up for a drink Morgan?" You asked as you looked down at him. He frowned when you said his last name, but he stood up to look at you. "You paying?" He put his hunting knife away and began walking with you towards the horses.

"I guess I owe you." You smirked as you patted Arlo. Arthur made sure you got on your horse safely, before getting on his. This time you were the one to lead the way. "I was thinking Valentine." You said as you remembered when you first met Arthur. The location wasn't intentional, it was just the closest town to camp.

Arthur kept up with you, riding right beside you. You kept your eyes on the trail, trying not to look over at Arthur too much. "Why get a drink with me?" Arthur asked as you passed the sign for Valentine. "I do owe ya, plus I was bored." You began to slow down as you approached the small, worn down town.

"You ain't owe me nothing Y/N L/N." Arthur shook his head as you neared the saloon. You quickly jumped off your horse, using the reins to hitch Arlo to the posts in the front of the saloon. "Sure I do." You patted Arthur, grabbing his shoulder to lead him into the saloon.

The bar was pretty empty, only one guy sitting at the counter, and a few people playing poker. You and Arthur sat next to each other, your shoulders nearly touching. "2 whiskeys sir." You dug into your pocket and pulled out some coins, throwing them onto the counter. "Sure thing." The bartender scooped up the coins and began pouring the two drinks.

"I reckon we've gotta get to know each other while we're here." You looked to Arthur as you were handed your drink. "So that is what this is?" Arthur took a sip of his whiskey and set the glass down on the counter. "Mhm." You hummed as you pressed your lips to your glass.

"There ain't nothin' too interesting about me. I grew up in this gang. Been in it for 20 years now. Parents died when I was younger, that sorta thing." Arthur just shrugged his shoulders as he leaned on his hands to look over at you. "So we're both orphans." You frowned as you swirled your glass around. "Now tell me about you." He set down his glass to put his full attention on you.

"Well, my parents were bounty hunters. They were murdered and torn apart for me to find. Ever since then I've been on the run, doing anything for money." You stared at the back of the bar as you recalled the scene you've played in your head a thousand times before. "Must've been a sight for a kid to see." Arthur sighed and finished off his drink.

He motioned to the bartender to give you both another, this time throwing his own coins on the counter. "You ever been married, Arthur? Your age was revealed to me a little bit ago. Surprised you ain't got a wife." You looked down at his bare ring finger and back up at him.

"I did have a wife once, and a son. They were both robbed and killed. After that I fancied this woman, but that ain't work out cause I couldn't change." Arthur bit his lips as he told you. You immediately regretted asking the question. "What do you mean, couldn't change?" You rested your chin on your hands as you watched Arthur think for a minute.

"This whole outlaw business. I was and still am a wanted man. I couldn't stop for her." Arthur took one last sip of his drink and placed the glass on the counter. "What about you, you're young, what, 20?" Arthur pushed his shaggy hair out of his face. "Uh 21 actually. And no. I've never had anyone. Been too busy moving from place to place."

Arthur nodded and placed his hand on your shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze. "Don't worry too much." He smirked and slid his hand from your shoulder. You sat there for a moment, looking at Arthur as you both looked in each other's eyes. "I guess." You purse your lips and set your empty glass down onto the counter.

"That other woman. You still love her?" You asked and Arthur shook his head. "I'm done with that. It's been a long time." He stood up from the bar, grabbing a hold of your arm as you stood up as well.

Arthur kept a hold of your arm for a while as you left the saloon with him. You looked down at his hand, and Arthur quickly pulled it away. You decided to let that go, not daring to push any further.

"Why you been avoiding me?" You asked as you stepped down the stairs of the saloon. "Huh?" Arthur looked at you with a stern face. "Don't act dumb Arthur Morgan. Ever since I went out with Sean, you haven't even been looking at me." You stopped in front of your horses and placed your hands on your hips.

"I ain't do nothing like that." Arthur grabbed onto the reins of his horse, but you remained still. "Be straight with me, or I'll be standing here all night." Arthur chuckled as he turned back to look at you. "Fine, just cause you look god damn stupid in that little pose of yours." Arthur crossed his arms as he stood beside his horse.

"It bugged me, seeing how comfortable you are with Sean. That's all. Now don't go asking me anymore questions. I've been drinking." He smirked as he jumped up onto his horse. You rolled your eyes and got onto your horse.

"Arthur, don't let nothing like that bother you. It was a job. Just a job." You looked to Arthur, feeling calm as you made eye contact with him. It only lasted a few seconds before Arthur looked away. You could see him slightly smiling through him biting his lips.

"We better get back before the others start getting worried." You said as you unhitched Arlo and lined up your horse with Arthur's. "Thanks for the outing Miss L/N." Arthur led the way out of Valentine, making sure to stay right beside you the whole way back to camp.