No Time To Die- ARTHURMORGAN x O/C

part 27- Peace

              Claudia stirs awake, the dull light filtering through the cracks in the wooden walls of the manor. Her head is heavy, throbbing slightly, and she blinks against the brightness, only then realizing she is not alone. The familiar form lies beside her, his arm stretches across the cot, his face softens in sleep.
Panic surges through her. She struggles to piece together the remnants of what had happened the night before. Did they... do something? The memory of their kiss flashes in her mind, accompanying by the warmth of regret and confusion. A knot of anxiety settles in her stomach as she carefully shifts away from him, trying not to disturb his rest.
As she slips out of the cot, she feels a wave of relief wash over her when she confirms that they do not cross any lines. She hastily dresses, her thoughts racing as she makes her way out of his room. The cool morning air greets her, wrapping around her like a calming embrace, but her mind was still clouding with uncertainty.
Outside, she spots Hosea sitting by the fire, sipping coffee and watching the day unfold. He looks up as she approaches a knowing smile on his face. "Mornin', Claudia. Sleep well?" he asks, casting an expectant glance toward the manor.
Claudia hesitates, her heart pounding a little faster than before. "Uh, good morning, Hosea," she replies cautiously, sitting down across from him. "I'm not sure if I did sleep well, to be honest."
Hosea raises an eyebrow, leaning forward with interest. "What's on your mind?" He pauses, taking a sip of his coffee. "It's about Arthur, isn't it?"
She nods, her stomach twisting. "We— we went to Saint Denis last night. We drank a lot." The mere thought of their drunken escapade brought a rushes heat to her cheeks. "I'm... just confused about everything."
Hosea sets his mug down, his expression shifting to one of understanding. "Confused how? Did something happen between you two? I saw you both leave together, and you looked like you were had a good time when you came back."
Claudia takes a deep breath, attempting to collect her thoughts. "We kissed," she admits, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. "I mean, I remember that part very clearly, but... it was in the heat of the moment. I just can't shake the feeling that there's more to it—or maybe there shouldn't be?"
Hosea leans back, folding his arms, considering her words. "Feelings have a way of getting all mixed up, especially in our line of work," he says thoughtfully. "Arthur's been through a lot, and so have you. But you're both good people, Claudia. There's something genuine there if you felt the need to kiss in the first place."
Claudia sighs, running a hand through her hair. "I know he cares for me. I do, too. But this... all of this feels complicated. We're in a dangerous situation, and I don't want to get hurt. And I don't want to hurt him, either."
"Relationships are complicated, yes," Hosea replies. "But sometimes it's the messiness that brings out the strength in them. If there's a connection, it's worth exploring. Just be careful, make sure you're both clear about what you want."
She watches Hosea, appreciating his perspective. Every bit of advice he offers holds a weight of experience and wisdom that she respects.
"I just don't want to ruin what we have. We've bickered, argued, really over things that seemed so trivial at the time. I don't want to add melted feelings into that chaos."
"Sometimes it's those very arguments that reveal what truly matters," Hosea suggests softly. "You both have seen the darkness in each other—perhaps that's why there's strength in your bond. You fight because you care."
Claudia ponders his words, feeling the tension ease just a little, "After the situation with the Thorns', and with Jesse I never thought I would love anyone again because all of the pain it caused. I just don't want to hurt him."
"Claudia, you are not afraid of new love, you are afraid of old pain" Hosea simply says, he gets up slowly leaving Claudia with her thoughts. Throughout her past relationships, they never ended very well. She doesn't want it to happen again with Arthur, if he thinks of her the same way?

Arthur eyes flutters open to the soft light filtering through the cracks in the old wooden walls. A sense of warmth envelopes him as he stretches, but something feels amiss. As he turns onto his side, he realises Claudia is absent from the cot beside him. The memory of last night washes over him like a wave, the laughter, the drinks, the rain, their first tentative kiss.
"Claudia?" he calls out, half-hoping she will respond from somewhere nearby. When silence echoes back to him, he sighs and swings his feet over the edge of the cot, the wood cold against his skin.
He dresses quickly, pulling on his well-worn jeans and a blue button-up shirt, his mind replaying the events of the previous night. After a long stretch of bickering and tension, they had finally let their guards down, letting laughter and shared vulnerability lead the way to that unexpected kiss. It feels exhilarating and terrifying all at once.
Stepping out into the morning sun, Arthur feels the fresh air fill his lungs, the faint scents of damp earth and distant smoke wafting through the cool breeze.
As he emerges into the yard, he spots Claudia far away, her hair pulled back, hands busy moving hay bales towards the horses. She's  focusing, her brows slightly furrowed, but even in that moment, there was an undeniable air about her—a strength that draws him in.
Arthur approaches her with a smirk. "Hey there, hay baler," he teases, his voice playful.
Claudia looks up, her eyes lighting with a mix of surprise and something deeper, perhaps playful annoyance. "I didn't hear you come out," she replies, brushing her hands on her trousers as she straightens.
"It's a big ol' house. Lots of shadows to slip in and out of," he jokes, trying to keep the tone light. "How're the chores treatin' you?"
"Just peachy," she replies with a hint of sarcasm, rolling her eyes, but her lips curle into a smile. "Can't let the horses starve, can I?"
"Well, you're certainly dedicated," he compliments. "But I'd be lying if I said my mind wasn't a little preoccupied."
Claudia arches an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? What's got your mind wandering out here instead of resting in that cot?"
Arthur takes a step closer, the space between them gradually narrowing. "You know, last night. I had a hell of a lot of fun," he admits, remembering the carefree laughter and the intoxicating thrill of sharing something more.
A thoughtful expression crosses Claudia's face, and she bit her lip, glancing down at her hands for a moment. "It was fun," she agrees, but her voice shifts, becoming more serious. "But, um... what are we, Arthur? I mean, really. Where does this leave us?"
That question hangs in the air, and Arthur feels a weight settle over him. He looks into her eyes, searching for the right words. They had shared so much—banter, conflict, vulnerability, and now something resembling affection—but labeling it feels daunting.
His heart races as he weighs his options, he steps forward, closing the gap between them completely.
"Sometimes words don't do it justice," he murmurs, leaning in closer. Before she had the chance to question him further, Arthur plants a kiss on her lips. It's gentle but infusing with everything he feels—the warmth, the complexity, the uncertainty.
Claudia stiffens at first, surprise evident in her eyes, but she melts into the kiss, her hands finding their way to his shoulders as she leans into him. Arthur feels her breath quicken, an electric surge igniting between them. Time seems to stand still, the world around them fading as they lost themselves in the intimacy of that fleeting moment.
When they pull apart, Claudia's cheeks flush, her eyes wide with a mixture of wonder and understanding. "So... I take that as a 'let's see where this goes' kind of deal?" she asks, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
Arthur chuckles, running a hand through his hair, trying to regain his composure. "Yeah, something like that," he replies, relief washing over him. "Life's complicated enough without slapping labels on it straight away. Let's just enjoy what we have, see where it takes us. We don't need to rush into... whatever this is."
"Agreed," she says gently, her smile brightening as she looks at him. "And I'm okay with taking it slow. Just, you know, I'd rather know where we stand, even if it's a little chaotic."
"Fair point," Arthur acknowledges, his voice turning serious again. "We're bound to have our ups and downs. Hell, we've had plenty already. But I can't pretend that last night didn't mean something special."
Claudia nods, appreciating his honesty. "It did. And even if we stumble along the way, I think we can figure it out." She pauses, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you for being real with me."
As Arthur takes a step back, letting the moment settle between them, he can't shake his sense of hope. There is something undeniably genuine about Claudia, a strength that had drawn him in, and he was eager to see where this newfound connection would lead them.
"I guess we better get back to work then, huh?" he suggests, grinning mischievously as he gestures toward the last of the hay bales. "Can't have the horses thinking we're too busy mooning over each other to feed 'em."
Claudia rolls her eyes playfully and laughs, shaking her head. "Alright, cowboy. Let's get to work. But don't think I'll let you off the hook that easily," she warns , her tone teasing. "We'll need a proper talk about all this at some point."
"We will," he promises, a warmth settling in his chest. "And I'll be ready."