Arthur Morgan x Reader

Thirty-Five

Lost in thoughts, you sat at the fire for warmth, while your gaze was fixed onto the dark marks that circled around your wrists.

The flesh was rubbed down so bad that it was lighter than the usual colour, more fleshy and almost a bit bloody.

It burned whenever you touched it, but it wasn't like a real wound.

You weren't sure if these marks would ever disappear with time, but if they wouldn't, you'd always have something to remember Arthur by.

Dawn already peaked through the mountains and treetops as the last flame of the campfire died and a cold breeze danced through the damp grass.

The smell of burned wood was in the air.

Flakes of ashes got carried away by the wind.

Your eyes followed the small flakes, up into the sky and through the green of the trees.

Soon, you'd be able to fly away just like them. You'd be free of this terrible town and all the hateful people.

Ginny would be able to start a new life.

Everything was in place.

Now, all you needed was for Dutch to do his part of the arrangement. Then the financial aspect was covered as well.

But that left you with one major problem.

Karl's father.

As long as that man was alive, he'd follow that poor bog through hell and back if it meant having the high ground.

He was a maniac in the flesh and would do everything to make life more difficult.

The only way to set Karl free was to kill the man who kept him hostage.

Even though you knew that murder was the last resort, it was the only option. There was no other way.

And yet.

You still struggled with the decision.

Arthur now had taught you how to kill a man. But knowing how to and actually doing it were two different things.

You feared that it wasn't as easy as you wished it to be.

"Did I overdo it?", a rough voice asked.

Torn from your thoughts, you looked up.

With sleep shimmering in his eyes and messy hair, Arthur looked at you from the spot that the two of you had shared for the night.

He was still naked, his bottom half covered by a blanket.

His torso was as hairy as ever. Now that it was light outside, the reddish curls also mingled with some brown and grey.

A soft smile was on his bearded face, mixed with a look of apology.

"I'm fine.", you said and turned to look at him. "Did you sleep well?"

Arthur rubbed his eyes.

"Sleepin's hard when you're always on the run.", he chuckled and tried to fix some of the mess on his head. "But last night I slept like a baby. Can't remember when I did that last."

You smiled softly.

"Maybe you need to settle. Helps with the sleeping."

Rolling his eyes, he shook his head and fished for a cigarette in the saddle bag.

"Maybe...", he took a deep breath, blew a cloud of smoke into the air and glanced at you from the corner of his eyes. "I'm curious. If I settle, will it be with you? Or next to you?"

For a moment, you eyed him.

That brown hair of his was kissed by the rising sun.

Even though he was pale, he now looked more awake, healthier than before.

Maybe even more alive.

There was a shimmer inside his eyes as if he had found a new spark to live for.

Maybe this was the only time you've seen him genuinely and unworried happy.

"What's the difference?", you asked and got up to grab some coffee.

His eyes followed you. A low hum made his bare chest vibrate.

"Either way, we'll leave together.", he took a deep breath of the cigarette. "But will we stay together? Or will you toss me aside once I've served my purpose."

You froze mid movement.

With bated breath, you stared into the glowing coals of the remains of the campfire.

"You really think I'd use you like that?", you asked and poured the two of you a cup of coffee.

He took the cup.

But neither of you let go.

Instead, both of you held it on one end, staring into the deep, dark liquid.

"No.", he said. "But I think I'm not lucky enough to make it to anythin' else but what I have right now."

A deep sigh made your chest tremble.

You let go of the cup.

"Arthur.", you locked eyes with him. "I know life is shitty. I really do. But I can't do more but make offers. If you want to leave with me, feel free to do so. I won't send you away. But if you don't want to, don't."

A dark shadow crossed his face.

"What's gotten into you?", he asked and took a sip.

You stared at him.

There was a small scar on his chin.

You wondered where it came from.

"I'm tired, Arthur. I tried. All my life, I tried. And I want to try it with you. But I can't keep running after something that will never run my way. I'm making you the offer to come with me, to leave. But if I take a step towards you and you keep making one step away, we won't be able to reach anything."

A deep breath made his chest pull together.

With a dark shimmer in his gaze, he lowered his head and grabbed the black hat to cover his eyes.

"I don't want to disappoint you, sweetheart.", he mumbled and took a sip.

"Then don't. But I don't want you to make me hopes either. I like you, Arthur Morgan. I'd like to settle with you by my side."

He gently shook his head.

"Oh, trust me, you wouldn't like that. It's no good."

Only listening to him was enough to make you pull a face.

It hurt to hear him say the same things over and over again. Even after what had happened the night before.

"Please take me back home.", you said in a soft yet painful voice. "I need to prepare to leave."

He hummed.

"Yeah... Leavin' is hard, isn't it?"