Bards Crossings • Arthur Morgan x Reader

𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐕

A knock on the door startled you the following morning, wrapping the soft night dress closer to your skin; you bolted for the door, hoping it would be Arthur.

"Hey darlin', thought y' could use the coffee." Abigail peered through the door, her beaming smile could cheer anyone up.

"N' I got some cigarettes?" Sadie waved the navy box of premium cigarettes.

Smirking at your friends, you stepped out the way as they clambered into your room. Sadie slouched herself under the window, clumping her Carbine repeater lazily to the floor. Abigail gently positioned herself at the end of Arthur's cot bed, handing you the piping cup of coffee.

"Rough night, huh?" Abigail started. Your head thumped, your cheeks rosed slightly with embarrassment.

"Did y' hear?" You winced, preparing yourself for shame.

Abigail looked to Sadie, who tilted her head back at you, "meh—I heard Arthur come down the stairs a little after four this morning." Sadie croaked.

"We're right next door, darlin'. Only person who didn't wake up was Jack, and Dutch—thankfully." Abigail chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood.

Tears welled in your eyes, fours hours of sleep on a whiskey hangover and an argument with Arthur left you emotionally wrecked. Your quivering lip prompted a cuddle from Abigail, Sadie lit a cigarette with a match striking from the bottom of her boot.

A few wiped tears and a cigarette later, you got to explaining the commotion. Jaws dropped and glances exchanged, it was clear the women were understanding where you were coming from, much to your relief.

"I mean, I get why he said he wanted it to be proper n' all—but I didn't mean anything by it, I'd die for this gang, I'll stay with you wayward lot till the bitter end." Earning a few smirks from the girls, your lips dropped again.

You picked the skin around your nails, "I don't think he meant that he didn't want to—I think, h-he, well.." You stammered, trying to find the best words through a brain as boggy as the Lagras swamps.

"I think he wanted it to be more, special n'—nice, y'know? Like in some fancy hotel room like in the books." Yourself, Sadie and Abigail giggled like teenage girls.

"Seriously though—what a time to mention.. well.. that." Sadie scoffed, "I know? Right?" Glad you had someone reaffirming your thinking.

"John would jump at that chance to lay with me again, there'd be no hesitation." You squealed at Abigail's candidiases.

Hums and sighs of trailing laughter dissipated into silence, "who knew Arthur Morgan was so sensitive, huh?" Sadie chipped in once more.

"Y' tellin' me? It's like figuring out a treasure map with that man, constantly off in the wrong direction, digging' y'rself deeper into holes y' wish y' never dug—ugh." You sighed, stumping the cigarette but into the cracked floorboard.

"Fancy comparin' me to that Mary Gillis—she wasn't idiot enough to run off with him." More laughter erupted from Sadie and Abigail.

Standing from the bed, you sank the remainder of the coffee to the back of your throat.

"Thank you so much for this, ladies—really, I-I.. I didn't have sisters growin' up, and, you're the closest to that I ever came." Pulling Sadie and Abigail in for a cuddle.

Sadie palmed your back, "I wish—I could argue with my Jakey, just one last time." A sad smiled pursed her lips, "he'll be back, he's crazy about y'."

Closing the door on the women, you filled a small wash tub with cold water attempting to rid your body of its exhaustion. Wet hair clung to your shoulders, the water now a murky brown from the three days worth of muck you rinsed yourself of. Thick knots weaved your (h/c) hair, getting a comb through it proved difficult.