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

CHAPTER 14 - Archery lessons and horses

The hot afternoon sun burned down on the camp and everyone tried to hide from it in their tents. For once, Arthur - my guard dog, as I called him jokingly - was nowhere to be seen, but I was sure that he would appear the moment I sat a foot outside the camp. Until he showed up, I enjoyed my time alone, carving little swirls in a piece of wood.

It reminded me of my time back with the O'Driscolls, when everyone trusted me and I was allowed to roam free. I missed that, and suddenly I wished that I could actually gain everyones trust, live a normal life again. I imagined what life would be without having Arthur constantly watching me, without the distrustful glances that lingered on me every time I passed by someone.

I looked up when a shadow blocked me from the sun. It took me a moment to recognize who it was, then I greeted him: „Charles."

He grinned down at me. „Hey. I'm headin' out to hunt, I thought you might want to tag along."

My first impulse was to fear Arthurs reaction, then I scolded myself for it. Charles company would be a nice change. He was one of the few gang members that didn't treat me like an intruder. He offered me a hand to help me up, but I shook my head, thanked him and stood up by myself.

We left without horses, Charles said we wouldn't need them. We took the path down to the canyon and stayed in the shadow of the trees as long as we could.

„How much experience with a bow do you have?", Charles asked and sped up a little to walk besides me.

„Little to none.", I confessed. „I prefer to stick with guns."

He chuckled. „Ready to learn a little?"

„Sure. Where are we headin'?" My gaze that was fixed on the landscape.

„I was thinking down to the river. There are usually some deer around to drink.", he explained.

„Makes sense."

We walked in silence for a while, then he motioned me to stop and get down. Silently, he drew the bow and swiftly placed an arrow on the string. There was a single, huge deer, slowly stepping through the high grass.

A slight breeze brushed over my face, not strong enough to blow my hat off or something, but it carried our scent away from the prey. I observed how Charles angled his hand to his face, thumb grazing his cheek slightly as he squinted his eyes and aimed.

A slight movement of his fingers released the arrow, cutting through the air swiftly. It hit the deer right underneath the eye. It stood still for a moment, seemingly unaffected, then it's front legs gave in and it tumbled to the ground, legs kicking the air with the last tingle that ran through its nerves as the life left its body.

Only now the tension left Charles body and he moved again. We shared a glance and I allowed a little grin on my lips. „Good shot."

He grinned and walked over to the carcass, I followed and watched how he removed his arrow. Then he pressed the bow into my hands. „Your turn."

„Alright." I straightened up.

„Now, show me how you would shoot. Just don't release the string. Don't want it to break.", he ordered and I took a deep breath. Then I pulled the string back and raised the weapon up. „ Well, like this.", I chuckled, unsure of my technique.

„Lower the bow again."

I did as he said and stood expectedly, fingers still clenched around the wood. He pressed a finger to my shoulder to correct my position, careful not not touch me more than needed. Then he tapped his foot against my left boot and urged it back until both my feet stood parallel and slightly parted.