H E R ~ A R T H U R M O R G A N

twenty-eight; doing favors

"the most beautiful part is
i wasn't even looking when
i found you."
~autumn

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Gwen

It's been a few days since Jacob and Mary came back into town for a little bit. Jacob said he just needed to make sure that I would be okay, and I appreciate that more than anything. Mary's doctor said she's about 8 to 9 months along, Jacob wanted her to stay back in New York but Mary was stubborn and told Jacob she was going with him.

Arthur's coughing seemed to be getting worse as the days dragged on. He said he's been going up to the Wapiti Indian Reservation with Charles to help out the Indians, they were in a really bad spot right now with the U.S Army.

"Hey darlin' I'm about to head out with Charles."Arthur greeted as he stepped inside the tent just as I was finishing getting ready for the day. "Okay honey, do you want me to come with you?"I questioned as I turned my head to look at him over my shoulder, he shook his head assuring me that he would be just fine. He was hiding something. I pursed my lips in thought as I scanned my eyes over his face, he had this look in his eyes. But I couldn't tell what it was...he reassured me once again that he would be fine.

He started coughing and turned around to cover his mouth. I quickly rushed to his side grabbing onto his arm and rubbing his back. "Arthur...are you sick?"I questioned softly as I tried getting him to meet my eyes, my heart broke when he looked everywhere but me. His face was getting pale and I could tell by the way underneath his eyes looked that he was not okay. "You're sick...talk to me please."I begged grabbing onto his other arm to make him look at me.

Arthur shrugged my hands off and stepped past me"I'm fine Gwen."he snapped in irritation as he finally turned to look at me. My arms dropped to my sides and I stared at him in shock, he's angry at me? "Darlin'—"Arthur opened his mouth to apologize but I held my hand up stopping him. "I'll see you later Arthur Morgan."I snapped back in anger as I shoved past him to leave the tent, why won't he just talk to me?! I angrily stormed over to where the horses were hitched up muttering curse words under my breath.

"Gwen—"John rushed over when he noticed I was getting ready to leave. "Don't."I snapped as I hoisted myself up ignoring the calls from Arthur as he left our tent and started walking up but by the time he made it I was already gone. Jacob would help me.

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Arthur cursed himself angrily as he turned to punch a nearby tree. "Hey brother that won't solve nothing"John said as he tossed a cloth in his direction so he could wrap it around his now busted up hand. "Whatever...I gotta deal with something for Charles."he muttered as he shoved past the man he thought of like a brother. He understood why Gwen was upset with him, he just couldn't tell her what was wrong. He wasn't sure what she'd do if she found out.

Arthur headed up to the Wapiti Indian Reservation to help Charles and the Indian chief, Rains Falls. They were having a meeting with Colonel Favours from the U.S Army, and Charles asked Arthur to tag along just in case. Rains Falls thanked Arthur for grabbing the medicine they needed for Captain Monroe, he explained how he had men waiting for them at the meeting spot.

Arthur couldn't help but let thoughts of Gwen flood his mind. She was really angry at him and he didn't blame her. He was angry at himself too for letting it get to this point. They finally made it and hopped off their horses to hitch them up before walking over to where Colonel Favours and Captain Monroe sat waiting.

"Listen we're all Americans here and...we want an outcome and quite frankly I'm confused." Colonel Favours began just as Arthur began one of his coughing fits, "Jackson, take him away!"Colonel Favours ordered just as someone walked him over to a tent so Arthur could sit down and bring him a glass of water.

Just as Arthur finished coughing he heard a familiar voice. "No—Favours wants Monroe hanged for treason because he knows he had something to do with the vaccines being stolen."Christopher Washington's voice floated into the tent Arthur was sat in. "And I want the Van der Linde gang." He spat with disgust as he continued to talk to talk amongst himself and one of the soldiers . Soon Jackson came back but without the water and walked him back to where the meeting was being held.

They were talking about the treaty when Arthur rejoined them, Colonel Favours started getting irritated ranting on about arresting Monroe for treason and how he had something to do with the vaccines being stolen. "Washington!"Colonel Favours loud voice boomed as Arthur, Charles, Rains Falls and Monroe began backing away. Arthur took one of the soldiers hostage as they backed away and shoved him down to the ground when he made it to his horse.

They all mounted their horses and rode off trying to escape the gunfire, Christopher Washington was right on their tail as he urged himself to get closer. He pointed his gun towards Arthur and shot BOOM the bullet shot out and missed Arthur by a few inches causing Christopher to curse outloud.

Finally after what seemed like forever, they lost sight of the men chasing and shooting after them. They made it to the train station and Arthur began one of his coughing fits again as he urged Monroe to get on the train and leave. "Here."Arthur muttered as he shoved money into Captain Monroe's hands. "Meet you back at camp."Charles said as he patted Arthur's back before walking away.

"Mr. Morgan are you okay?"Sister Calderon questioned in a worried tone as she approached the man. They walked and sat down on a bench where Arthur explained how he was sick with TB.

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Gwen couldn't believe what she had heard. She overheard Arthur telling the Sister that he had tuberculosis. She knew it was wrong to follow him...she was just so upset and needed to know if he really was okay. He wasn't, he was really really sick. Her heart broke when she heard the man she loved admit to being afraid and not wanting to lose the women he was deeply in love with; swallowing down the lump in her throat, she turned on her heel and ran back off to where Jacob and Mary sat waiting. "We have to go."Gwen spoke emotionless as she re-mounted her horse and took off trotting down the dirt road. Now she really needed to tell Arthur that she knew.

Authors Note:

Shitty I know sorryyyyyy ;(

Criticism is accepted thank you lovelies! 🥰