Sign of the Times (Arthur Morgan x Reader)

Chapter Thirty Three

We had all decided to regroup back at the small encampment just outside of the fortress to catch our breaths as MIcah proceeded to speak with the ship's captain. I busy myself with attending to what minor injuries the boys have and trying to be optimistic about our chances of getting off this island in one piece. As I'm wrapping the injuries on Dutch's right arm, I try to ignore the way he's staring at me. Can't say I blame him. Between rejecting his unwanted advances and smacking him across the face, I was certain he wasn't my biggest fan at the moment.

"(Y/N)." He says pointedly, his voice deep and gruff. I hesitate for a moment before lifting my eyes to meet his. To my surprise, the only thing I see in his gaze is exhaustion.

"I know things between the two of us have been... complicated... as of late. I want to tell you how sorry I am if I've made you feel uncomfortable at all. I hope you know it was never my intention to cause-"

I tighten a strip of fabric around his arm purposely tight and he grunts in pain, cutting his own sentence short. His jaw stiffens and his eyes betray a hint of annoyance and perhaps frustration before he sighs and continues.

"...Tension... between us." He finishes, the words spoken through clenched teeth as if he were attempting to subdue his own thoughts and words.

"Dutch... let's be clear about something... if there's tension between us... you put it there." I say this with a slight rasp in my voice. I stand, grunting slightly from the ache in my joints.

"But that's neither here nor there... right?" I raise an eyebrow at Dutch, a silent message for him to shut the hell up. I approach Javier to check his leg.

"How are you holdin' up there, Javi?" I ask, kneeling down to check his bandages.

"Thought I was dead for sure until I saw you, sweetheart... glad you ended up on the island with us." Javier says lightheartedly.

I can't help the small smile on my face.

"No one's dyin' on my watch." I say, retying the bandage for his leg.

"The swelling's come down a lot... but you should still try to keep weight off of it as much as you can." I say, and Javier nods.

"Will do... think I'll do some fishing once we get off of this isla abandonada por dios..."

I shake my head and laugh softly. I stand and dust off my skirt before glancing up to see Arthur resting with his shoulder against a nearby tree. He's watching me intently with that mischievous gleam in his eyes. I smile and sidle up next to him.

"Hey there stranger." I say jokingly and he replies with a low chuckle that seems to rumble deep in his chest.

"Come to give me my check up, Doc?" He asked, having to lean down slightly to speak low enough for only me to hear.

"You seem fine." I shrug, feigning indifference.

"Though... if you insist..." The corner of my lips twitch up in a slight smile.

"I wouldn't mind giving you a thorough examination once we're back home..." I say, walking behind him and purposely dragging a finger across his shoulder blades, causing a chill to run up his spine.

"Boys, we got a real problem." Micah's voice breaks through the peaceful atmosphere, and I feel myself compulsively frown at the sound of it... it's almost as if it's become second nature at this point when he's around. He's walking towards us through the early morning fog that's descended upon the island. He has something slung over his shoulder as he walks with that haggard gait of his.

"Nice Mr. Fussar don't want us going nowhere. He knows just who we are... if he can keep us here for a few more days, well..."

"He can send for someone from America to pick us up..." I speak up, my tone gruff.