Ghosts of the Past [ RDR2 - Arthur Morgan ]

Chapter 32 - Tracks in the Mud

Word count - 1862
Bit of a shorter chapter for anyone reading week on week who doesn't like smut (sorry). Just so everyone gets their weekly dose of Rose and Arthur

The morning sun cast in soft rays through the moth-eaten voiles that lay softly over the veranda doors. There was an easy air in the small corner bedroom of Shady Bell. Despite the gang's less than happy circumstances that plagued the minds of many through nearly every day - Rosemary Levenson and Arthur Morgan, for once, did not appear burdened under that weight.

Birds singing and water lapping broke the quiet hum of the room, along with the sound of Arthur roughly pulling on his jeans with a slow methodical motion. It had been a long time since he had not been in a rush to dress. Especially when he cast his eyes over his shoulders to Rose, still waking up slowly and covered only by the thin bed sheets. "Morning, beautiful. You always talk in your sleep?" He asked kindly, a little grin tugging the very corner of his lips.

Rose hummed in response, rubbing sleep from her eyes as she pushed herself to sit up against the wall, dragging the sheets with her to keep herself covered. "I do not sleep talk." She murmured, "That's a lie."

Amused and chuckling, Arthur got to his feet, finishing dressing with whatever clothes were nearest as he walked over to the small table that homed his hand drawn map. "How's your legs?" He paused, noticing a letter laid on top. He must have missed it the night before. After all, his mind was far more focused on other things. Other - far more entertaining things.

But the hand writing, he knew immediately. A little un-neat. A little rushed in the time it'd taken to write. Mary. His mind had focused so much on this letter, he'd completely missed Rose's reply.

"Arthur?"

His eyes snapped up from the letter to look back at Rose, who was now re-tying the strings of her dress with a curious look "Oh... uh... Sorry. I missed that." He rumbled "What'd you say?"

"Said my legs have seen better days..." Her voice wasn't really paying attention to her repetition, instead she was looking at Arthur curiously "Everything alright?" She asked, stepping closer now.

Arthur's hand slid the letter off the table "Everything's fine." He replied. There was a long moment where he considered telling her everything. But saying nothing at all seemed far easier. Don't mention her. Don't tell Rose about Mary. A devil on his shoulder that whispered how perfect everything was just the way it was. How saying Mary's name to Rose would shift things between them. She might look at him differently. Feel different. And besides - right after finally sharing a bed with her? Was now really the time to discuss past loves?

No. He'd keep it quiet.

"I just gotta get heading into Saint Denis soon. You'll be alright here?" He asked.

She nodded with a slightly trepidatious smile "Yeah. I'll be alright. Enjoy the city."

With that, Arthur folded the letter into his sachel, took a gentle grip of her chin to lift her face to his, and pressed a soft kiss to her lips "Don't wait up."

And he was gone.

The door creaked shut, leaving Rose alone in the quiet. She let out a slow breath, eyes flickering toward the now-empty table.

That letter had spooked him.

She wasn't an idiot, she knew that much. And maybe if she dug, she could figure it out. But something in her gut told her that scratching at it wouldn't do her any good. That if she pressed too hard, she'd only find herself with more questions than answers.

And she didn't want to ruin this either.

So, instead, she straightened her dress, ran her fingers through her hair, and stepped out into the hallway.