Huntin, fishin, lovin everyday. /John X Arthur\

1

THIS TAKES PLACE WHEN THEY WERE 12 AND 14.

He sighed. It was a dull day. He kicked at the hard earth.

"ARTHUR!!!"

He shot up and ran outside of his encampment.

"Yes, uh- Dutch?"

"Take your brother hunting. He needs to learn."

"Why can't you or Hosea take him?"

"Were busy, son. I'm sorry."

"Whatever."

He walked away, to John's tent. He squatted and saw the youngling. He was out.

"Marston. Up." Arthur demands.

"Mm.. whattt..?" He struggled.

"We're going hunting. Get dressed." He yet again demanded.

"Mmm... whyyy...?" He questioned.

"Just get up, alright?" He tried to say as softly as possible.

"Ugghhhhh.. okay. Give me one minute.." the ravenette groaned.

Arthur had to wait what felt like 30 years. Finally, the little boy walked over to the blond.

"Thank god, now c'mon. We can take Axle." Arthur said. (That's my horse's name)

"Oh, alright." The little one said, following the taller.

Eventually they both mounted the Rose-Grey Arabian and headed towards a place they'd scouted out a few weeks before. Arthur, being weak for his age and not needing to do this, tried to make the horse go hella fast, which led to it being drained of stamina by the time they were 3/4 of the way there. So, it was a trot the rest of the way. Arthur dismounted his horse and helped the boy down. He withdrew both of his shotguns. He handed one to John. Arthur led John to a log, and they hunkered down behind it.

"Marston, you see those does?" The blond asked.

"Yeah." The shorter replied.

"Aim your gun at it, like me." He showed John. And which the smaller followed.

"Now put your finger on the trigger." He ruled him. And he did.

"Now, pull the trigger." And POW! The doe fell onto the ground. Luckily, John hit it right in the rib cage. They both ran over to it.

"Y'know how to skina' deer, Marston?" He asked. And the kid shook his head.

"Aight, I'll show ye. So you take your knife, put it like this, cut it, then just peel the skin back until you meet the place you cut it first. Then, you take the meat." He explained.

"Is it good meat?" John asked.

"Yup, it's what uncle Pearson uses in his stew." Arthur declared. And so, John nodded. They stowed the deer on the back of the horse, but then realized there was no room left.

"Dammit." Arthur said. He tried to think this through. He keep thinking but he still couldn't come up with anything.

Even though embarrassed, Arthur said, "Just- I- I reckon you'll just have to sit on my lap." John nodded, and with the help of the larger, sat on his lap, well almost. And so, they rode back to camp, which took about an hour, hour n' a half. John had already fallen asleep. Arthur wrapped his arm around him and held him up for the rest of the ride. They finally got back and Arthur took John off the horse, and being lazy, just took him back to Arthur's tent. He laid him onto the small cot and left. He took the deer off his horse and dropped it off at Pearson's wagon. He went back to his tent, sat in his chair, and fell asleep. It was night when he woke. He heard the noise of people cheering and the sound of a fire crackling. He looked over to where he left John, and he was gone. He got out of the chair and popped his back and knuckles. He walked to the fire and sat down on a log.

"My boy, you've awaken!" Hosea exclaimed.

"Yeah.." he said tiredly.

"Did you and John have a good time?" The elder asked.

"Yeah, he hit a good shot, as well. And I thought him how to skin." He replied.

"Well, I'm glad you both are bonding," he congratulated him. Arthur gave a weak smile and relaxed.

"Where even is that turd?" Arthur questioned him.

"Him and your father went to run some errands in the city." He answered.

"Ah, makes sense." Arthur said, smelling the horrible smell of alcohol.
'Damn.' He thought.

"Uhm, Hosea?" The kid started a question.

"Yes, boy?" The adult responded.

"What are you and dad? Relationship wise?" The shorter asked.