Our Handshake (Arthur Morgan X Reader)

II: The Boy

Blackwater
1877

Introductions are my least favorite thing about meeting new people. I have to say my name, which is weird for me. Just saying it out loud is...odd I guess. The other part I don't like is when people get it wrong. UGH! you're going to make me say it again and louder. Jesus could I roll my eyes any harder today?! I mean my name is Y/N not (some other name that people say). Lucky for me Arthur is "close to my age" so maybe I won't have to repeat it. Here goes nothing, "Hi I'm Y/N as my father mentioned." I say as Im trying to hold in the cringe I'm feeling. "My dad said you were close to my age, I'm thirteen, hold old are you?" This is weird,  there aren't really any people around my age for me to talk to around here... "I'm Arthur, I'm fourteen." He says. He doesn't talk much does he?

As I was about to say this my father interrupted me. "Y/N why don't you go show him around, make him feel welcome. While Ms. Grimshaw sets up a tent for 'em" "Sure. Come on Arthur." I say as I start walking.

~Time Skip~

I had shown Arthur around camp and we ended up on the little hill. "So what do you think?" I said looking at him. "It's different, I'll give ya that." He said while looking at the distance. I noticed he's distant. Understandably so. He's a young boy who I assume has lost almost everything. I feel pity for him but I don't think that's what he wants. He doesn't want some little girl throwing him a pity party. I know I can't tell him I know how he feels because, well, I don't. I have my momma and pop looking out for me, Ms.Grimshaw who takes care of me when my parents are out, and Hosea who has given me some wise words and advice when I needed it. I've learned a lot from them. I've had them around me my entire life. "Listen Arthur, I know this probably isn't what you want to hear, especially from some kid you just met, who knows little to nothing about you but... It's gonna be okay. You're gonna be okay. I don't want to ask you why you're alone. I definitely know you don't want to talk about it just yet. But when you are ready, I'll be here waiting. We are all here for you to talk to. I, being the closest to your age, will be, here to listen to you and not judge or laugh at whatever you have to get off your chest. I know that my dad will do anything he can to help so will my momma. They've already helped you by bringing you here." I said waiting for a response, a movement of any kind, even for him to turn and look at me, before I continued. "Ms.Grimshaw she'll help look out for you when they aren't here. As annoying and as pushy as she is she does care." I said laughing a little. He doesn't understand what I mean completely but he will. I turned my head to look up at the sky. "Hosea, he is like my uncle, he's given me some advice on things like being patient, waiting for the time to come. My point is we will all be here for you, waiting." I saw out of the corner of my eye, Arthur turned his head to finally look at me so I turned my head back to him. "I'll be here, I promise." I don't normally make promises because when I do it's to Ms.Grimshaw or to my parents about staying put or listening, but when it's something big like this, I keep it. I put my hand out for him to shake. He hesitated but he took it. I squeezed his hand, it felt like he squeezed back a little tighter. Maybe he's beginning to trust me and believe what I'm telling him. I let go of his hand. "Now, come on there's one more thing I need to show you."

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Thank you for reading I hope you enjoyed. I'm writing the next chapter as you are reading this one so...gotta go before I lose my train of thought.

Thank you
Shannon🦇