When Hearts collide (An Arthur Morgan Rdr2 fanfiction)

Chapter 14: Back to Horseshoe

There was a difference, between having sex and making love. What I had shared with Eliza, all those years ago, had been sex, only. Sure, Isaac had come out of that situation. And I had loved my son. But, back then, I'd been young, dumb, and broker than broke. I'd had nothing to offer him. No home, no outlook of a bright future. Hell, the kid had no idea, what kind of life I had even led. The life I still led. I wasn't ready, for the responsibilities of adulthood. But, now, I had a better understanding, of it.

With Peyton, it hadn't been just sex and a good time. Not at all. I'd made love, passionate, passionate, love to her. I knew what I was walking into. I knew what I wanted. What we both wanted. To be together, have a family and grow old together. Peyton was right. I wasn't that scared, dumb as shit teenager, anymore. I was a grown man, and a wise one, at that, despite I was only thirty-five years young. Sure, I was still broker than broke. But, I had plans to change that, later on. Perhaps, I'd even take Peyton up on her idea, of raising horses, for a living. Maybe teach some youngsters, how to ride. Who knew? All I knew, was that I would gladly do anything, to have a perfect future, with her.

Turning onto my side, I gaze at Peyton, the dim light of the fire, providing enough light for me to admire her. She was resting, now. Her hair, cascaded along her shoulders. Her bangs, sticking to her forehead. Gently, I brush them back, tucking them behind her ear. She shifts, and suddenly, her gorgeous eyes were gazing into mine.
"Sorry, Sweetheart. I didn't mean to wake you," I say, apologetic.
"It's okay, hon. I don't mind," she says, snuggling closer to me.
"It's jus', you're so beautiful," I say.
"So are you," she says, resting one of her delicate hands, on my chest.
"I didn't hurt you earlier, did I?" I ask, covering her hand with my own.
"Not at all," she says.
"Good. The last thing I want to do, is hurt you, Baby," I say.

We both must've fallen asleep, after that. Because, when I next awoke, the sun had risen.
"Mornin', already?" I mutter, as I push myself to a sitting position. I yawn, stretching my muscles.
"Well, hey there, handsome. Hungry?" Peyton says, peeking her head inside the tent.
"Peyton, how long have you been up?" I ask.
"Long enough to find a nest of duck eggs, gather them up, cook them, and make coffee," she says.
"That long?" I ask.
"Yep. Now, get dressed and wash up. Breakfast is ready," she says.
"Okay. Be out in a minute," I say, as I go about finding my clothes.

Unable to find my shirt, even though I was sure it had been tossed in the corner with my jeans and boots, I grab my jeans and slide them on, my boots following. Grabbing my hat, I place it on my head, before heading outside. Making my way down to the riverbank, I splash some water on my face and neck, before I do my hands and arms. Once I've finished, I shake the remaining water from my hands, before heading back up to enjoy breakfast with Peyton.

As I draw near, I finally notice, what Peyton had on. I let out a laugh, and she looks over at me, puzzled.
"What's so funny?" She asks.
"The fact, that you're wearin' my shirt. I was wonderin' why I couldn't find it, earlier," I say.
"What can I say? I was too lazy, to go about finding my own clothes this morning," she says, smirking.
"Well, you certainly pull it off," I say, taking a seat near the fire.
"Why, thank you, my good man," she says, handing me one of the plates she'd piled up with food.
"Naw, thank you. This looks good. Smells good, too," I say.

She pours me a cup of coffee, before grabbing her own alongside her plate of food, and taking a seat next to me. I take a bite, and groan.
"Oh my God," I say.
"Good?" She asks.
"Amazin'. Better than Pearson's cookin'," I say.
"Really?" She asks, lighting up at the comment.
"Really. I had no idea, you could cook so well," I say, taking another appreciative bite.
"One of my many talents," she says.
"I can tell. God, this is good," I say.
"Well, I'm glad you like it. But, don't go telling everyone at camp. Pearson might not take too kindly, to another cook in his "kitchen"," Peyton states.
"Yeah, no. Ain't nobody tastin' my girl's cookin' but me," I say.
"Good. Cause, I ain't cookin' for no one else, but you," she says.

It was like that, for the rest our time away. Each morning, she'd cook breakfast, for the two of us. We'd eat and then we would find ways to spend the rest of the day. We made love a few more times, before our final day, finally approached. Neither of us, were ready to go back to camp. Neither of us, were ready to lose the peace and tranquility, that came from our time shared here, at our nook. But, if we didn't head back soon, Dutch would throw a fit. And that, was the last thing either of us needed.
As I was tearing down our tent, Peyton sat on a rock, by the river. She had her knees pulled up, against her chest. Her chin, resting on them. It hurt my heart, to see her that way.

Once I got the tent and both bedrolls packed up, the fire put out, I make my way down to the bank, approaching her. Standing at her side now, I rest my hand on her shoulder, caressing it gently. She looks up at me, sadness in her eyes.
"It's not fair," she says, before gazing out to the river, once more.
"That we have to go back?" I ask.
She nods, slowly.
"Peyton, we have to go back. We have things we gotta take care of," I say.
"Yeah, I know. It's just...this entire week, being out here alone, just the two of us, has been amazing," she says.
"It has, for sure," I say.
"It's been amazing, eye opening, and fun. And, I don't want it to end. Not yet," she says.
"I know how you feel. I don't want it to end either. But, it's time to head back," I say.
"I know. I just...I'm not ready," she says.

I seat myself beside her, drawing her in close.
"Peyton, don't you even think, for one second, that what we shared here, will end once we head back to camp. It won't. Face it, we're stuck with each other. Nothin', will change that," I say.
"But, the others, they-," she begins, but I stop her.
"Who cares, what they think, what they say or do? I know, that we'll both be bombarded with requests and jobs, again. But, I will still make all the time in the world, for you. You're my life, Peyton," I say.
"Oh, Arthur. You're my life, too," she says.
"Ain't nobody gonna tell us different," I say, pressing my lips to her forehead.

Having been comforted, she rises to her feet.
"Will we be able to come back, sometime?" She asks.
"Absolutely. If it makes you happy, then we will," I say.
"Okay. Well, we best get a move on. Don't want King Mighty, to worry anymore than he most likely has, already," she says, as we head back to our horses.
"Dutch is well known, for that. Hell, he even sends scouts out, from time to time, searchin' for those of us, who've been gone too long," I say.
"Think he sent anyone out, looking for us?" She asks, as we mount up.
"Oh, no doubt," I say.
"Yay. Now we gotta deal with that, once we get back," she says.
"Lets hope not," I say, as we both hit the trail, sticking closely to one another.

However, our luck wasn't the greatest, as we rode into camp. No sooner had we hitched our horses, than Dutch came storming over to us. Peyton hadn't been wrong about him having a shiner, from their spat. It was yellowing, which meant it was healing, now. But, I could only imagine how much darker it had been, the day after the incident.
"Where the hell, have you two been?" He snarls, as Peyton and I dismount.
"We was out, following a couple leads," I say.
"For a full week? I ain't that stupid, son," Dutch says, his gaze dagger like.
"What do you want from me, Dutch?" I ask.
"The truth. Where were you two?" He asks.
"We were, as he said, following a couple of leads. None of which, were very promising," Peyton says.
"Don't lie to me," Dutch says.
"Us, lie to the all mighty Dutch? Never," Peyton says, slightly edgy.

Before things got out of hand, I silently gesture, for Peyton to head to our tent. She catches on immediately, and turns to do so.
"Where's she goin? I don't believe I dismissed her," Dutch says.
"No, you didn't. But, it's for the best. Remember what happened, last time y'all argued?" I ask, pointing to his left eye.
"Oh, I haven't forgotten. Not in the slightest," he says.
"Well, it's in the past, now. She knows better, now," I say.
"She'd better. Next time, she'll be thrown out of here," he says.

I clench my teeth in irritation. But, remain calm.
"Don't worry. There won't be a next time," I say.
"Did you fuck her?" Dutch asks.
"Excuse me?" I ask.
"You heard me. I asked if you fucked her," Dutch states.
"We was out on leads, Dutch," I say, becoming defensive.
"Sure, you were. You two took off, after that little spat we all had, and were gone for an entire week. Alone. And don't you tell me, you two split up. After all, you two revealed that you're together. So, guaranteed, you left so you could fuck it out," Dutch says.
"So what if they did. Leave em' alone, Dutch," Hosea says, coming to stand beside me.

He glances at me and signals for me to walk away.
"You gonna be able to handle him, on your own?" I whisper.
Hosea nods, in answer.
Without another word, I turn on my heel, and head to my tent. Maybe Peyton was right. Maybe we should've stayed at our spot, a few more days, before returning to Horseshoe. Maybe then, things may have panned out differently, than they just had.