The night sky blanketed the camp in a deep shade of blue, the flickering firelight casting dancing shadows among the trees. Arthur Morgan leaned back against a sturdy log, his hat tipped low over his brow. He watched the flames crackle and pop, lost in thought, when a familiar voice broke the silence.
“Hey, Arthur.”
He turned to see John Marston approaching, a half-eaten sandwich in hand. The younger man plopped down beside him, dusting off his hands. Arthur nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
“Evenin’, John. Thought you’d be at the poker table with the others.”
“Couldn’t take the heat,” John replied, leaning back and stretching his legs out. “Besides, I figured I’d rather spend time with you.”
Arthur raised an eyebrow, teasing. “You don’t get tired of me, do you?”
John chuckled, shaking his head. “Not yet. You keep things interesting.”
As the two men settled into a comfortable silence, the sounds of the camp faded into the background. Arthur stole a glance at John, illuminated by the firelight. He was always struck by how the man wore his past like a badge—faded scars of battle and life lived on the edge. It made Arthur feel protective, a fierce urge to keep John safe, even if they were on the same tumultuous path.
“You think we’ll ever find peace?” John asked suddenly, his voice low, almost swallowed by the night. “After all this running… all the chaos?”
Arthur sighed, staring into the fire. “I don’t know, John. Sometimes it feels like we’re chasin’ ghosts, but maybe it’s about findin’ moments like this. Just us, under the stars.”
John shifted closer, their shoulders brushing. “You’re right. I reckon those moments are what make it worth it.”
Arthur glanced sideways at John, his heart thumping louder than the crackle of the fire. “You got a way with words, Marston.”
John smirked, looking out at the stars twinkling above. “Guess it comes with the territory. But it’s easy when I’m with you.”
The confession hung in the air between them, charged with unspoken emotions. Arthur’s pulse quickened. He had never allowed himself to dwell on feelings that ran deeper than friendship, but with John, it felt impossible to ignore.
“Maybe we should do this more often,” Arthur said, his voice softer than usual.
“Yeah,” John replied, a hint of something in his tone. “I’d like that.”
They sat in silence again, the bond between them growing stronger in the quiet of the night. The fire crackled, the stars watched over them, and in that moment, everything felt right.
“John?” Arthur broke the silence again, turning serious.
“Yeah?”
“Whatever happens out there, just know I got your back. Always.”
John met his gaze, the warmth of the fire reflecting in his eyes. “I know, Arthur. And I’ll do the same for you.”
As the night wore on, they shared stories of the past and dreams for the future, the boundaries of their friendship blurring under the vast, starry sky. In that moment, they found a flicker of hope amid the darkness—a promise of loyalty, understanding, and maybe something more.
