No Time To Die- ARTHURMORGAN x O/C

part 31- Family

              The sun was starts to rise on the horizon as Claudia rides back into camp, tempers still simmering within her from the tense encounter with the bounty hunters. She has taken every precaution to evade being followed, and after a night spent in the security of the woods and her ill-gotten gains tucked safely in her pockets, she hopes her return would go unnoticed.
As she dismounts and ties Nyrah to the post, her stomach churns with conflicting emotions. The sense of adventure she had felt in Saint Denis has dulled by the thought of Dutch's inevitable anger. She had acted impulsively, and she knows that he has little patience for those who wander off without letting anyone know.
Claudia steps cautiously into the clearing, bags hanging over her shoulder, the sun bursting through the branches overhead as she enters the heart of the camp. The familiar scents of campfire smoke and hard work fills the air, but Claudia's joy is overshadows by foreboding. She catches sight of Dutch, his back turned to her as he paces near the fire, deep in conversation with Arthur and Hosea. He senses her presence, Dutch turns, his expression darkening at the sight of her.
"There you are!" he barks, and the men fall silent at the edge of the campfire, all attention suddenly on her. "What the hell were you thinking, Claudia?"
His tone is sharp, lacing with frustration, and it sends an involuntary shiver down her spine. She opens her mouth to respond but hesitates, collecting her thoughts before speaking. "I needed some air, Dutch. The camp was—"
"Dull? You think you can just waltz off whenever you feel like it? You're part of this family, and that means sticking together." He runs a hand through his hair, a gesture of exasperation evident in his frustration. "You can't just leave without telling anyone, you could've gotten yourself killed!"
Claudia's temper flares, igniting a defiance she couldn't contain. "Don't act like I didn't know what I was doing! I had it under control!" She steps forward, her hands on her hips. " I walked into a saloon, had some fun, and came back. There was some bounty hunters, but i sorted it, instead of leading them back here. Isn't that what our lives are about? Living?"
"That's not the point! What if those bounty hunters found you?" Dutch's voice rises, cutting through her justifications like a knife. "What then?"
"Well they didn't!" she shoots back, her heart racing. "Or Maybe I wanted to do something different for a change instead of sitting around like a prisoner. Ever since Jesse, it's like all of you think that I'm fragile!"
Dutch's expression hardens, and for a moment, Claudia thinks he might lash out. The silence that envelopes them feels thick and heavy, but in the depths of her anger, she sees Arthur step forward, a concerning look in his eyes.
"Claudia, it ain't worth it," he says softly, trying to ease the tension. "Just calm down before this gets out of hand."
But Claudia's emotions boils over. She feels caged. "You all keep talking about this gang being a family, but it feels more like a leash to me! You're all too caught up in your plans to see that. I just wanted a taste of freedom!"
Dutch takes a deep breath, composing himself. "Then if you want freedom, how about we talk about what you're giving up in the process?" He pauses, his voice dropping to a softer but still firm tone. "You risked our entire operation just for what? A night of fun?"
"Isn't that what you're doing?" she spits, frustrations piling on her shoulders. "You always take risks. Like tomorrow when we go and rob the bank in Saint Denis, we are suppose to be laying low after Rhodes and Valentine. You're the one who puts this family in danger."
"Just—" Dutch starts, but something in her tone makes him pause. She draws on her anger, ready to fight back but feels something shift inside her. If something were to change, it needs to start with her.
Claudia pulls the pocket watch from her pocket, the gold surface glinting in the morning light. "Fine. If you want to know how I've been living—" she throws the watch onto the ground between them, the clatter echoing in the silence. "I took this from a man in the saloon. And here's money too." She reaches into another pocket to reveal crumpled stacks of bills, throwing them onto the ground in front of Dutch.
There is nothing but silence. The weight shifts, and Claudia watches as Dutch's expression falters. Where there had been anger, now there is something else—perhaps respect mixing with surprise. He kneels down and picks up the watch, turning it in his hands, examining it.
"Thanks..." he says quietly, his usual bravado replacing by genuine gratitude. "You could've gotten yourself killed for a couple of drinks. But this—this might help us. You surprise me, Claudia."
As if on cue, Hosea steps forward, breaking the tension that hangs in the air. "Alright, all this drama ain't gonna catch breakfast," he says lightly. "Claudia, you look like you could use a distraction. Why don't you join me for a bit of fishing? Calm your nerves."
Claudia feels the breath hitch in her throat, but the invitation sounds like a sweet escape from Dutch's frustrating gaze. She nods, slowly exhaling the feelings of resentment that has built up. "Sure, Hosea. A bit of fishing sounds nice."
The two make their way towards the lakes near Rhodes, the peaceful sound of flowing water surrounding them. The sun glimmers off the surface, and as they settle along the bank, Claudia finds solace in the rhythm of her surroundings. Hosea hands her a fishing pole, visibly relaxing against the backdrop of nature.
"You know," he begins, casting his line out into the gentle current. "You've had it rough. Not just with Dutch, but you've been carrying a lot on your shoulders for someone so young."
"Maybe," Claudia replies, staring intently at her bait bobbing in the water. "But it's hard to feel young in a camp full of men who think they know what's best for me."
Hosea pauses, glancing sideways at her. "Life ain't easy for any of us. But not everyone's trying to put a leash on you, Claudia. Some of us just care."
"I know that," she mutters, casting her line into the water with a little more force than intending. "But sometimes it feels too much. The plans, the expectations... It's a lot."
"Then don't fight it all," he says, his tone measuring and kind. "Just be yourself. You'll find your path, whether it's with us or not."
She feels a warmth bloom inside. "You really think so?"
"I do. And it's okay to want more."
As they sit in comfortable silence, Claudia lets the serenity of nature wash over her. The water is soothing, interspersing with birds singing and the rustle of leaves.
"By the way," Hosea muses suddenly, "about your sleeping habits? Have they gotten any better? You looked a little worn out back at camp."
Claudia chuckles lightly, her stomach twisting into knots at the confession. "Honestly? Only when I've been drinking," she admits, her voice quiet. "I think it helps to dull the chaos in my mind."
Hosea mulls over her words, making a small gesture with his hand. "Claudia, I think you need to find peace in the little things. You can't rely on whiskey to get you through the night."
"I get it, I do. But when the world feels like it's caving in, it's hard to rest. I'm always worried about something—a fight, the next job, or if something terrible will happen. I can't shake it off."
He sighs deeply, the tension in the air palpable. "We all worry about the dangers we face. You just have to learn to let go, to be at ease when it's quiet. This life is full of uncertainty, but you can make a home within it."
Taking a moment to internalize Hosea's words, Claudia nods, the weight of them settling in. "I will try."
Just then, her line moves, the sensation jolting her from introspection. "I think I've got one!" she exclaims, excitement bubbling in her chest. She fights against the pull, reeling in with determination.
"Easy now!" Hosea encourages, forgetting his own line as he turns his attention to her. "Just let it tire itself out."
Claudia continues to reel, focusing on the challenge. With one final tug, she pulls the fish from the water, its scales shimmering in the sunlight. The thrill of the catch blooms within her as she yanks it up, adrenaline hitting her hard. "I did it!"
"Now that's a respectable size!" Hosea grins, clapping her on the back. "Let's get that cleaned up to show Pearson!"
They spend the next few moments securing the fish, reveling in the simple pleasure of the task. The thrill of the catch lightens Claudia's heart, washing away some of the lingering tension from her earlier encounter in the camp.
Eventually, they make their way back to camp.
"Well, what do we have here?" Pearson exclaims, wiping his hands on his apron as Claudia and Hosea enter camp. "Some fish! I'll whip up something special tonight."
"Saved you the trouble of having to hunt down dinner, didn't we?" Hosea replies, feeling pleased with the day's success.
As Pearson accepts the fish, the camaraderie around the campfire begins to thrum to life; conversations flaring up, laughter echoing, and stories spinning amidst the crackling flames. Claudia, feels lighter, letting herself settle into the rhythm of the evening.
Not long after, the group gathers around for dinner. Claudia finds a spot next to Arthur, who glances her way, a sly smile creeping across his lips.
"You look like you've had quite the adventure the last two days," he remarks, nudging her shoulder playfully.
"Let's just say I had a taste of freedom," Claudia replies, a soft smile spreading on her face as she recalls her escapades. "And some interesting company, too."
"Oh? Anyone I should know about?" Arthur raises an eyebrow, stealing a piece of bread from the table.
"A drunkard, a thief's prize, and a pocket watch," she says with a teasing grin.
He laughs, shaking his head. "Looks like you've got a flair for chaos, don't you?"
"Just a taste," she admits, savoring the warmth of the moment and the kindreds spirits surrounding her.
Claudia feels something shift within her—a loosening of chains that has been holding tight for too long. The shadows of doubt and worry fade into the background as laughter and stories intermingle beneath the starlit sky.
In the heart of her family, with a new perspective and a sense of adventure reignited, Claudia begins to embrace the idea that she could carve her own way, with or without the past weighing her down. Tonight she hopes for a good nights rest, not wanting to stay up all night. She needs to be on her sharpest for tomorrow's score. What could go wrong?