The wild, wild West (Arthur Morgan x f!reader)

CHAPTER 10 - Simple Townlife

The internet has been broken for the last two days so couldn't look up the stuff I needed to write. So this chapter is pretty boring, but please bare with me. I need some time for the more interesting scenes.

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We headed into the general store. I wasn't really asked to come with the men, but I just trailed after Arthur like a lost puppy. It felt like I was doing this a lot these days. The men were bickering and I listened without really paying attention.

„You are a sad man, Arthur Morgan.", Uncle grinned. „But I know you love me."

„Desperately.", Arthur sighed. „You're my favorite parasite."

He thought for a moment, then he corrected: „No, ringworms are my favorite parasite. You are my second favorite parasite."

„Very funny.", the older man grunted and stopped at the door of the store.

Arthur stopped too. „I lied. Ringworms, rats with the plague, then you."

I found his comments surprisingly amusing, while Uncle mumbled grumpily: „Shut up, this is the place. Now come on."

The little shop was pretty dark and it took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. Then I could see the high shelves, the counter and the man behind it, who greeted us kindly.

„What do you need?", Arthur asked his companion.

„A drop of whiskey for a start. Somethin' to pass the time while we're waitin' on the women."

„Always thinkin' ahead, ain't ya?", Arthur mumbled while he rummaged through the contents of one of the shelves, his brows furrowed.

„You're lookin' a bit tired there, Arthur. Why don't you pick some coffee while we're here.", Uncle suggested and picked up a bottle of whiskey.

„Sure, sure." Arthur

„Y' need somethin' too?", he asked me when he passed by me to place the coffee on the counter.

„Ammunition.", I replied, glancing around the store to find the desired object.

„I'll give you some when you're in need.", he objected and picked a few coins out of his pockets to place them on the counter.

I stared at him, anger boiling up in my chest again. But I kept my voice as calm as I could. „What do you think I'll do? Shoot you in your sleep?"

He turned to face me, his broad frame towering me. „I'm not trustin' a damn O'Driscoll, no matter if you pledged your loyalty or some shit."

My face twisted into a snarl, but I bit my tongue and lowered my head. Arthur picked his coffee up and slipped it inside his bag, then he left the shop. He didn't bother to drag me along, knowing that I would follow anyways.

Uncle was already sitting on the bench in front of the store, whiskey bottle in hand. I joined him and Arthur sat down next to me.

The old man raised the bottle „Here's to your good health, my Lady."

I took it from his outstretched hand and handed it over to Arthur. It earned me a few irritated glances from the men, but no one commented. The younger outlaw took a few sips and returned it.

Uncle leaned back and gulped down some more of the liquor. I tensed up a little.

„It's a funny world.", the old man voiced his thoughts. „This time in my career I pictured myself being married to a heiress."

Arthurs lips twisted into a grin, revealing a chipped front tooth, a little detail I hadn't noticed before. „Ya might as well take (Y/n) instead. She's a fiiiiiine heiress." He smirked and I trew him a dirty look.

Then I glanced over at Uncle and examined his face, reddened by the alcohol and mumbled: „Hell, I'd rather take you."

„Yeah, Arthur has always been a heartbreaker.", Uncle grinned. „Women throw themselves at him all the time."

„And how much is he paying them?", I asked, my eyes trailing off to the surprisingly busy road.

Arthur shifted his weight forwards and placed his arms on his knees. His face was hidden by the wide brim of his dark hat. „Why? You need some extra money?"

I huffed and eyed him for a moment. „You couldn't afford it anyways."

That shut him up.

There was some commotion over at a building that seemed to be a hotel, and when I looked up, I saw Tilly, who seemed to be in some kind of trouble. Arthur was running over, ready to throw hands. I stood up, unsure if I should follow him. But he just scared the guy off and disappeared in the hotel, yelling something about how he was going to find Karen.

Tilly walked over, the fear was still visible on her face. She arrived by my and Uncles side and let out a shaky breath. „Jesus, that was scary."

I furrowed my brows. „What happened?"

„Me and Karen tried to pick up some guys and rob 'em. But he didn't like that.", the young woman explained. „Wanted to beat me, that bastard."

„Well, lucky that Arthur's here to save the day, then.", I commented and leaned against the wall with crossed arms.

„Yeah, for sure. I wouldn't want to meet a feller like this guy without him.", Tilly mumbled, seemingly picturing an encounter like this. My hand found the bruise on my cheek again.

The door of the hotel opened, revealing Arthur and Karen. They came over to us. I examined the woman. She looked a little shook, although she had the usual, cocky smile on her face.

„You're ok?", Marry-Beth, who had joined us without me noticing, asked and Karen nodded.

„Sure, he only punched me. Arthur punched him a lot harder."

„Alright then...", Arthur started, but Mary-Beth interrupted: „Hey, who's that guy over there lookin' at us?"

There was a guy starring at us, like she said. He was sitting on a chestnut horse and facing us, an irritated look on his face.

„Hey weren't you at Blackwater?", he finally called out, scanning Arthurs face.

„Blackwater? No, Sir, ain't from there.", the outlaw objected and lowered his head to hide his face.

„Well, I definitely saw you with a bunch of fellers." The stranger shifted uncomfortably in the saddle.

„Impossible." Arthur took a step towards the guy. The air was suddenly filled with tension that seemed to grow with every spoken word. „Listen, buddy. Come here for a minute."

„I saw you!", the man yelled again, and then he spurred his horse that made a tight turn and took of in full gallop.

Arthur turned around to look at uncle. „I don't like this."

„Me neither.", the older man agreed, glancing at the disappearing figure of horse and rider.

Arthur gestured towards Tilly, Mary-Beth, Karen and me. „Go get the girls home." He stepped over to a horse that was tied to a hitching post and mounted it. „I'm gonna have a word with our friend."

And then he took of as well, ignoring the yells and cursing from the inhabitants that he narrowly missed. He disappeared around a corner.

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-1179 words