Ghosts of the Past [RDR2]

Chapter 8 - Brothers Indeed

"Well, Miss Levenson," Arthur's voice came in a low hum as he knelt down by the lock on the door "What d'you think? This a good enough place for the night?" He had brought them to the neighbouring farm of Mr and Mrs Levenson's. The barn that stood at the furthest point of the land, far from the owner's line of sight. In here was nothing but a stationed carriage and some old bails of hay lumped in the corner. The door was bolted shut, but Arthur was nothing if not crafty. He had picked the lock and it fell to the ground before returning to offer Rosemary a hand down off Boadicea's saddle.

As always she took a soft hold of his hand, and he supported her weight as she came to the ground, taking her by the waist to bring them in closer together again. "The Beegles aren't gonna be too happy if they find me here with chu." She insisted teasingly, referring to the owners of the land they were currently inhabiting.

Arthur laughed dismissively, leading her into the barn without care "You don't gotta worry about the Beagles - They ain't gone find us here." His words were reassuring, then glancing at her from the side of his eyes, he smirked a little "They had a big pile of firewood outside their house - I set fire to it. Their attention is all taken up." He said dismissively, a small grin on his lips at Rosemary's affronted face.

"You did not!" She said aghast, but even her look of shock was betrayed by that happy sparkle in her eyes and curled edge of her lips. She saw Arthur for who he was, and wanted him all the same. It showed her true colours, the ever impending desire for adventure. To see the world from outside the lens of a simple farmer's daughter. "You're one evil man, Mr Morgan."

Stopping them in their short stroll into the barn, Arthur caught her arm and spun her to face him, pressing their bodies together, pinning her to him by his arm around her waist. "And you love it, Miss Rosemary. I can tell." His face lowered dangerously close to hers, the heat from her blush pulsing into the small amount of air between them. It felt so right to be here with her in this way. Alone and together the way he always needed them to be. "No point in pretending otherwise."

"I s'pose not." Her breath shook slightly as she spoke in hushed tones, looking into his eyes, filled with emotion he was trying his best to understand "I guess that wood was meant to be burned anyway - right?" She reasoned, cheekily.

"I just did 'em a favour really. Took the work out of it for 'em." Arthur pulled away without a single kiss - walking further into the barn as he surveyed the area looking for somewhere nice to lay down. His mind - although he wouldn't admit it to Rose - was on one very particular activity. They had been seeing each other for weeks by now, and every time they met he wanted more and more of her.

Rosemary's laugh echoed off the aged wood "You've got a funny way of looking at things." following the man into the empty barn. "Every thing okay, Arthur?"

He had just spotted a particularly flat piece of ground, and was considering this a possibility to make a move. Yet when he turned back to see those emerald greens staring at him, all dishonest thoughts flew from his mind "I- Yes. Better than okay, Rose. I'm..."

She was giving him a searching look at this point, eyes glancing to what Arthur had been looking at, then back to him. She seemed to be sure of what he was thinking. A long silent moment passed over them "I've been thinking about that, you know?" She asked suddenly, catching Arthur off guard "I ain't... Well I've been stuck up at that farm all my life now. Ain't much in the way of men out here."

Her cheeks flushed bright red at this sentiment, making Arthur feel quite dreadful. Had he really not expected this? And had he really wanted her first time to be on a dirty barn floor? "It ain't nothing, Rose." He pushed the thoughts farm from his mind "I was just-"