Hang Em' High [RDR2 X FEM!Reader]

Bill Williamson

This chapter is dedicated to @thefinnishbitch thank you so much for all your support and have a wonderful and memorable birthday you absolute legend! <3

TW // scratching / scratches on skin / fighting

The air seemed to freeze onto the hairs of your skin. The panic in Lenney's voice stabbed you deep as panic grew from your racing heart. Arthur squeezed your upper arm before grabbing your hand and rushing in Lenney's direction. Your footsteps left rushed taps behind you. You arrived at the bottom of the steps to see Bills hands clawed around a mans neck. He was fuelled on nothing but malice. His nails tugged at the mans skin and left red ladder marks behind. Arthur didn't hesitate to grab Bill under his arms, Bills eyes were locked onto the mans face. He wanted him dead.
"Bill! Leave him! Bill! What are you doin'?" Arthur yelled into his ear as he wrestled to prive the men apart. Dutch ran in to help and yanked Bills hands free before pushing the other man away.
"Go!" Dutch's eyes burned into Bills "Now."

The carriage ride home was mostly silent, until Dutch spoke. "Did Brontë see what happened?" Bill was silent for a few moments before looking up
"No...He was upstairs."
"You could of completely ruined the entire plan back there, Bill, you know that, right?" Lectured Dutch
"Really? I had no idea!"
"Don't be sarcastic with me when you just put all of us a great risk, Williamson." Silence rose again for awhile. "Why did you attack him?"
"He was being.... disrespectful."
"We've all been disrespectful and looked down on today, Bill. We're all filthy cowboys who do nothin' but murder and steal," Dutch shook his head in disbelief
"I can handle the cowboy stuff and he wasn't really being disrespectful to me, but a group of people,"Bill looked at Arthur and then to Dutch with pleading eyes, inviting them to learn an untold story.
"Right, well. Come and get me next time," answered Dutch, suddenly much calmer now.
"I can fight my own battles," replied Bill
"I know you can..." Dutch looked out the window and then to him "but you don't need to. We're a family."
Your eyes so heavy they felt like they had gold bars resting above them, you cuddled into Arthur's arm and watched the lights that illuminated the town at night pass by.

Arthur basically dragged you up the stairs, your feet ached from wearing heels all day. You much preferred the comforting support of a leather boot. You let out a satisfied sigh as you viewed your bed. The excitement to enter the soft blankets kissed your skin. You caught yourself staring at Arthur as he yanked off his tie and began unbuttoning his shirt
"Help me with the back would you?" You mumbled through tired breaths. He smiled and you twirled around, grabbing your hair with one hand before the green dress pooled around your feet. You stepped out of your shoes and dived into the bed. The blankets swallowed you and you giggled with pleasure. A few second later Arthur slipped in next to you. You both hugged the blankets and sighed in sync. You smiled at each other
"goodnight Arthur,"
"goodnight, y/n" he kissed your forehead. Your breath slowed until your unconscious took control and swept you away to the sweet land of dreams.

You woke up to the sugary scent of coffee beside you. Not wanting to come to terms with the fact is was already day, you grunted.
"I made you one too, it's alright," Arthur handed you a cup
"what? No man, it's too bright," you replied
"if I could change that for you I would,"
"figure out a way, would you?"
"I'll get right on that," he laughed. You sat up right in the bed and grabbed the duvet up to your collarbone. You cradled your coffee like a new born baby whilst thinking of the events the previous night held.
"What happened with Bill last night?" You pondered as silence filled the room
"There was a lot of very stupid men there last night, ones with the biggest of heads yet the smallest of minds."
"Pff yeah tell me about it,"
"but it's different for Bill, he's got more things about him than most people know," added Arthur.

You stepped outside into the ocean of green. The sun rays glistened in the morning dew which glazed each strand of grass. It was a chilly morning, but you had Arthur's cream wooly coat wrapped around you. You breathed deeply and observed the world around you. The rabbits running innocently through the tall grass, the birds singing in the trees,  that certain smell that lingers before rain fall. A calming shiver settled on your skin. It was in these moments where reality slowed. Your heartbeat calmed and the gunfire in your mind came to a ceasefire. You were grounded with the wind flowing through your hair and cold kissing your ears. You were neither overly happy, or sad. But content. Content with the lifestyle that had chosen you, content with the darkened clouds, content with the mud that never seemed to leave your body. You were on the right path. You smiled as you thought about the memories you held with everyone here. Playing cards with Hosea, Gasping for breathe from laughter because of something Sean had done or said, gossiping with Tilly whilst cleaning, moments of equal respect you held with Dutch and every single millisecond you were blessed with of being in Arthur's presence.
"Are you alright miss y/l/n?" You turned around to see Dutch standing there, smoke leaving his body as he breathed
"Yeah, I'm alright thank you. Just having a moment," you replied
"the best kind of moments, them," he added " I need to go into Saint Denis today, do you fancy riding along with me?"
"Sure," you smiled and headed to your horse.