Until Death - Red Dead Redemption II

Act XXIII: Come Back Arthur

"...John?" Jack woke up, seeing Arthur opening the door to the cabin, a man standing in the door.
"Could I, come in?" John asked, Arthur nodding without hesitation. Jack stood up, walking over to the two as they all sat at the dusty table.
"Arthur I'm sorry." Marston said, his hands folded solemnly on the table.
"What?" Arthur asked,
"I shouldn't have let you leave like that. Things is bad."

John looked worse than Arthur's ever seen him, even worse than when they found him half dead in Colter. Like he'd been completely drained of himself.

"How?" Arthur asked, beginning to worry.
"We didn't all want you to leave. We miss you, Hosea and Ms. Adler specially."
"Is this some ploy to get me back to camp?" Jack was paying attention with caution, ready to kill Marston if he tried anything funny.
"No. I just wanted to you that's all. The gang split up. Hosea, Ms. Tilly, Abigail, Mrs. Grimshaw, Karen, Lenny, Sean, Mary-Beth, Kerian and I we all left." Arthur was a bit surprised to hear about Kerian, didn't know the guy liked him that much to leave Dutch.
"I'm sorry Marston." Arthur expressed,
"I just wanted to see if you was okay."
"I'm fine."
"Sorry to you too Yorke." Marston said, Jack genuinely surprised as he asked,
"Huh?"
"Yer a kind man, hadn't seen Arthur so happy in years. Wish things could've been different."

The absolute last thing ever expected of such a gunman is s sincere apology from the pit of his soul. And it was kind, nice to hear if s but off-putting.

"It's alright. I was an outsider I get it."
"I wish that was all. Dutch and Micah, they're mad. Real mad, they was talkin' bout killing you both. Be cautious. They won't hesitate."
"What?!" Arthur yelled, how could they what? What? He... what the hell?
"Me and the others found a new camp. Yer welcome to come and stay, it'd make everyone happy to see you both again."
"I.." Morgan stuttered,
"Please Arthur. We're worried sick."
"I won't just leave Jack."
"Both of you. Come and stay with us. We wanna make it right."
"Whatchu think?" Arthur asked, looking to Jack who fiddled with his hair. It sounded nice to be around other people again. Arthur was missing them, wasn't hard to see, and if it makes Arthur happy he'll go without issue, but he's sure as shit skeptical.
"Marston, if you're spinning some yarn here I'll gut you like a pig." Jack replied, brandishing his knife as if the threat wasn't threatening enough as is.
"...alright. So will you come back with me?"
"I'm not living some secret bullshit with you's. If I'm staying there I'm not being any more subtle than the others and their partners. I'f I kiss Jack I ain't wanna hear a word from anyone. I'm not ashamed."

It's the first time Arthur's ever even said such a commanding statement, essentially rambling his thoughts just as they hit him.
"You won't hear a word. But we even have some discretion, if you're gonna go at it be polite 'bout it."
"Of course, what you think I am some animal?"
"Just c'mon."

Arthur was happy, Jack too. In the short time he knew the folks at the camp they were nice. Almost reminded him of his tribe... tribe? Jack was confused what tribe he was remembering, had he even been part of a tribe? He doesn't think so... but his father was a Wapiti native. Maybe he was.

After gathering was little possessions they had Arthur and Jack joined John on horseback, luckily he'd brought another stallion with him. Arthur didn't ask where it came from, chances are it was from down in Strawberry. Sure sucks for the fella it was taken from.

"Marston you actually got them to come back!" Hosea called out, the three outlaws riding into camp made up of an old decrepit house. Certainly better shelter than any of the other places they've found themselves.

Arthur and Jack took an upstairs bedroom, or what was left of it. Both windows blown out leading onto the roof. Glass on the floor and all it was still somewhat nice. Arthur was beaming throughout the whole process of moving in, nearly smiling his lips off.