Til Death do we part [Arthur Morgan X Reader]

Caged like an Animal

Javier stills in his squirming to look at you, his chest rising and falling dramatically,

"Yes, yes they will come for us," Javier agrees between pants. The heavy thuds of footsteps draw closer until rifles are aimed directly at the two of you.

The soldiers shout amongst themselves in spanish, seeming to decide what to do with you and Javier before the butt ends meet the sides of your heads.

You got no idea how long you've been out, but the injury you've sustained has been packed at the very least to keep you from bleeding out. Head pounding you finally open your eyes—the world seeming much brighter than you had remembered it,

"You're awake!" A familiar voice calls out quietly, "finally, sleeping beauty," he teases, his voice kept hush, "they're planning on moving us soon, but I don't know where,"

"Mm. Great," you groan out, "here's hoping its a pleasant ride." You push yourself up as footsteps echo down the hallway, a soft clattering of utensils on a tray. The slot on your door opens, peering in at you,

"No funny business, hands on the back wall."

You've got no other reason to not oblige. Your hands raise, resting against the cold and damp wall as a tray of food is placed in the middle of the room.

"Your food. That's all you're getting today." Your hands stick to the wall until the door is closed, which you then crawl over to the tray and taste it.

It'll have to do. You scarf it down with what was provided before turning to the wall separating you and Javier—theres a small gap in which you can see each other but not big enough to squeeze through.

Javier scarfs his food down just as fast as you did.

"How's your leg?" You ask, crawling over to the gap as you wipe your face free of any food.

"I will live—but it still hurts," Javier nods, "you?"

"Better than when we initially washed to shore," you reply half heartedly, "nothing I won't come back from." You slouch in beside the crack, hearing him shift over to it.

"I notice, Hermano," Javier starts, "your eyes tell everything—does he know?"

"Know what?" You ask, face scrunching in confusion even though you know what he's asking,

He scoffs out a laugh, "do not play stupid, (Y/N), I can see how you look at Arthur, how your eye twitches when you see someone get too touchy with him— when he mentions that girl—what was her name?"

"Mary,"

"Yes, Mary, you think you are good at hiding your emotions, but I don't think I've been able to read  someone in love easier," you can practically hear the smirk in his voice, this conversation quickly becoming mortifying for you, "So I'll ask again, Does he know?"

"I..." you never outright told him. But surely you'd been brazen enough with him that he's figured it out himself. Javier picks up on your hesitancy,

"Have you directly told him?" He rephrases, you look at him through the crack, quiet for a few moments as you take in the friendly smile on his face,

"No."

"You should. I have a strong belief it would turn out well for you both."

Your eyes narrow in skepticism, memories playing through your head as you try to convince yourself it was still worth it, he can tell your hesitancy and immediately follows it up,

"No rush, of course, we have plenty of time before you see him again."

You're quiet for a few beats more, "I don't think It'll ever feel like enough time, but thanks, means more than you think." Javier laughs, quickly letting it die down,

"Whenever you do it, I know you will wish you'd done it sooner— especially considering how you two already act like a couple."

"We do not!" You quickly interject, face burning with color. Javier laughs again, longer this time,

"Maybe that is why its taken so long! Most of camp can tell you are sweet on each other, food for thought eh?"

"Whatever," you scoff, in denial for the moment that Arthur had been smitten with you from the start.

A few days pass, the same routine. Hands on the wall, food on a tray once a day, then chatting with Javier about the gang.

Its on the fourth day when Javier is dragged out of his cell, shouting for you to not worry as you move towards your door, banging on it to not be separated from your companion. A shaky breath later, you take a step back, looking around your cell with a much more desperate glance.

Though when the door unlocks and opens, gun drawn to push you down onto your knees—you're not sure what you're more scared of.

Whatever they had planned,

Or confessing to Arthur.

Steel cuffs bind your hands behind your back instead of the familiar rope you're used to. The guard pulls you to your feet and forces you forward. Despite how trapped you are—the undeniable hope that Arthur would come keeps you moving.

Another guard joins the one leading you, starting up a conversation that you can't understand—but recognize it funny enough to make the both of them laugh.

You just keep your eyes on the ground as they jerk you in directions you need. A similar steel collar— reserved usually for large dogs— is placed around your neck, a single thick chain protruding from it.

Way to emphasize how they view you, huh.

Even worse is when they shove you inside a cage—another one just a few feet away and hooked the chain to it.

Had it not felt so humiliating, you might've actually enjoyed this. Instead the cold steel presses against your neck, digging in with its sharp edges. There's just enough slack for you to kneel, which helps save your legs the ache of having to support you standing. The weather didn't seem to help either, gray clouds blocking the sun out overhead and starting its downpour .

Just great, you were stuck out here in the elements. May god have mercy on your soul.