It was in front of us - Micah Bell

Wilted by Love

The next morning, the camp felt...eerie. No one was really talking to each other. Everyone was too busy mourning the loss of Sean, and the kidnapping of little Jack.
And, no. You still weren't talking to Kieran.

You'd spend the night in Micah's tent,
though he left in the middle of the night. Dutch had asked him to take over camp watch from Lenny so he could rest for a bit.

Once you'd pulled yourself from the warmth of the bedroll, you wandered out of the tent for some air. Walking out, you saw Dutch, John, Hosea and Arthur gathered around a table talking. You bypassed them, not wanting to interrupt and busied yourself elsewhere.

Micah, was just returning from guard duty when he stopped to light a cigarette behind one of the wagons. Struggling to light the cigarette in the wind, Micah dipped down to stand closer behind the wagon to light it.

"You sure you're alright Kieran?" Micah heard Mary-Beth on the other side of the wagon.

"Yeah, of course. I-I-it'll be fine, miss." Kieran sheepishly responded. Micah shaking his head unbeknownst to them.

"I still can't be believe she was hitting you like that Kieran." Micah heard Tilly chip in now. He decided to remain behind the wagon, listening. Fully prepared to jump to your defence should it call for it. Ain't nobody talkin' shit about you whilst he's around. Especially not your own flesh and blood.

"I hurt her too, Miss Tilly. Neither of us was in the right." Kieran admitted truthfully. Regret underlying in his tone. Everyone witnessing the heartache. Problem was, neither one of you wanted to apologise first. Stubbornness ran in the family it seemed.

"Still. Never thought she had a nasty streak in her. Maybe she's more suited to Micah than I thought." Tilly continued, causing Karen to snigger yet, Mary-Beth shot the other girls a sharp glance as she placed a hand on Kierans knee for further comfort.

Micah had thrown his cigarette to the ground now. Heavily pushing the ball of his boot into it. Squishing it into the ground as the flames died down.
How dare she.
Micah was fully ready to march round there and say...something. He weren't sure exactly what but, he wanted to. Yet, he hadn't even taken half a step before Kieran piped up again.

"N-no I-I ain't havin' that." Kieran began. Causing all the girls to look at him in surprise and Micah to stay put behind the wagon.

"My sister ain't perfect. But she's still my sister and I-I don't like hearing that, m-miss Tilly. I'm sorry but, it ain't nice." Kieran continued, Micah settling against the wagon again to listen.

"(Y/N)...she ain't no fool. And she ain't a monster neither. And...Mr Bell? Well...he might not be too bad neither who knows..." Kieran trailed off, his adrenaline wearing thin.

"Just who's side are you on here, Kieran?" Karen asked now, crossing a leg over the other. Her face pulled into a sour and confused expression.

"(Y/N)'s" Kieran said without stutter and with pride. Micah admitted to himself, he admired the guts on the kid.

"I'm always on (Y/N)'s side. No matter what happens. She...she's my sister and...and she's dear to me. She's fine...we'll be fine...excuse me, ladies." Kieran excused himself quickly, Mary-Beths hand falling from his knee as he left.

Kieran had simply walked around the side of the wagon to head to the shore for some open air, when he stopped and gasped to see Micah stood there.

The two didn't say nothin'. Just stood and shared a look of understanding. With a hum, Micah nodded at Kieran mutually.
His mouth thinning, Kieran sighed as he walked past the man and towards the shore as planned.
Micah witnessed the upset from both sides now and, he wasn't sure how much more of the camp talk he could take before he threatened to hurt someone.