what could have been. an arthur morgan fic

two.

Reed woke up early the next morning from a surprisingly peaceful sleep but she was wondering when the nightmares would start given she saw she went through some traumatising events. She sat up and glanced around her tent, not really knowing what to do since she wasn't comfortable enough to just wander around this new camp she was in. She sat on the edge of her cot as she looked down at her hands, getting lost inside her own head.

"Reed?"

She looked up quickly at the entrance of her tent as she heard Arthur speak. "Come- come in," She said as she grabbed a blanket, pulling it across her lap. He gently walked inside, shutting the flaps of the tents behind him. "How're you feelin'?" He asked as he sat down on the chest across from her. Reed messed with the blanket in her hands, silently thinking to herself. She then shrugged as she looked back up at Arthur. "I'm alright, just don't really know what to do with myself here... I ain't sure if your people will be very acceptin' of me bein' here," She said softly, glancing down again. He nodded in understanding as he watched her with a sympathetic look. He really hoped that she would be able to get comfortable at the camp and he was sure she would be able to, he needed to introduce her to the women because he was sure they'd be able to help her settle in comfortably. "They will be acceptin', they might be a bit wary at first 'cause you know.. You're new and all but they're all good people," He reassured.

Reed nodded as she continued to mess with the blanket in her hands. "I appreciate that.. I- I appreciate everythin' you're doin' for me, it- it really means a lot," She said, sniffling a little. She looked back up at Arthur and she smiled a little. He smiled back and he nodded slightly. "Of course, I was wonderin' if today I could show you around camp, what jobs there are to do and if we have time I can show you the way to the local town?" He asked.

"That'd be nice thank you.."

"I can also teach you some stuff to do, anythin' you would like."

She paused before she asked, "Could you teach me stuff like how to defend myself a-and go fishin' and huntin'... I wanna know how to survive Arthur."

"I can help you with that, sure."

Reed smiled and this time it was a warmer, more genuine one. "Thank you Arthur," She said softly. He nodded politely in a way of 'you're welcome'. They sat in silence for a few moments before he patted his own thighs before he stood up. "I'll uh- I'll let you get dressed, come find me when you're ready alright?" He said as he started to walk towards the tent flaps. She nodded and she thanked him again before he left, leaving her alone once more. After a moment Reed stood up rubbing her face with her hands. She picked up the clothes she was given by Susan and she ran her hand across the fabric and she smiled a little at how soft they felt. She had been given a plain white shirt button up shirt, a soft baby pink button vest and long navy blue plaid skirt. Reed had also been given a pair of black boots and she felt so grateful for this gang. She got changed into these clothes and she then tied some of hair up so she had a half up half down hairstyle. She glanced down and she noticed some makeup had been placed next to her clothes and she smiled. Reed picked it up and she gently applied some rouge to her cheeks and around the corner of her eyes she smudged some charcoal. She looked at the mirror in her tent and she smiled. At least she was able to still look pretty despite the nasty cut on her face that was starting to heal.

She straightened up and she brushed her hands along her skirt, smoothing it out slightly before she stepped outside her tent. When she stepped outside she immediately bumped into someone, causing them to drop their book. "I-I'm so sorry!" Reed exclaimed as she took a step back. She then saw that the person she bumped into was a young woman who was very pretty. The woman picked up her book as she said, "It's no worry! Don't worry about it! And besides, my book is okay, which is the most important thing." They both chuckled softly, smiling warmly at each other.