Ghosts of the Past [ RDR2 - Arthur Morgan ]

Chapter 36 - One More Night

Word count - 1920

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Chapter 36 - One More Night

"It'll do ya good." The low rumble of Arthur's southern drawl stretched the small air between them, making easy work of lifting Rose from the saddle of Restless. "Hot bath, real food - Not Pearson's shit in a bowl." His crude joke did not land how it might have normally. It did not cause a reluctant chuckle to tumble from his lover's mouth.

Instead her eyes remained firmly glassy. Clearing his throat he pushed on "By the time you're done I should be finished with this trolley job. I'll come back and getcha." Adorning a blue shirt, rolled up to the elbows, a bare arm was offered for Rose to take as he walked the pair of them towards the corner set door of the hotel "Shouldn't be longer than an hour. Two - maybe."

Thin, normally dexterous fingers curled around Arthur's arm, but her grip felt wrong—too light, too unsteady. 12 hours had passed since the last bullet had fired in Shady Belle. Yet the ringing of the gun still throbbed in Rosemary's ears like it had only stopped moments before. "Yeah." The voice was as shaky as her grip "Just a couple hours." A beat passed them as the door was held open for Rose to pass through "Little surprised you're alright leavin' me here."

Without delay he lifted her hand back to his arm again as they walked side by side to the bar "Seein' how you handled yourself yesterday? I ain't worried 'boutcha." Words that seemed like they should be complimentary, only reminded Rosemary of the cold white face of the man clutching his stomach as he bled out at the hands of a healer. "Sides. It's the city. Saint Denis. Worst'll happen is some kid'll pick yer pocket."

Normally sharp green eyes met his hazily, head tilted gently as Rose observed him. Gas lamps glow dimly, flickering against polished wood. The air was thick with cigar smoke alcohol. The faint smell of lavender lye seemed to come from the upper floor.

"Dutch really reckon's the Bronte guy's information's worth listening to?" though shaky moments before, it seemed she was determined to sober up. Despite being in a bar. Appearing weak in front of Arthur was fine. But she didn't want him double guessing his decision to allow her into the gang after all. "I ain't lived in cities before, but if trolley stations are anything like train stations? They don't normally have much cash floating around."

No answer. Instead the man busied himself by flicking a few coins onto the bar and ordering Rosemary her drink of choice - Gin - and a hot bath. Nodding at the keep as he confirmed it would take a few minutes to prepare. His blue gaze met her again "I'll meetcha here when I'm done. Just don't go wandering too far."

"I'll be near." Rose affirmed, taking the glass as it was slid towards her, and sitting down on one of the stools.

Leaving her with a small reassuring squeeze of the shoulder, and a chaste kiss pressed onto the top of her head, Arthur Morgan pulled his red bandana from his pocket and headed out the bar to meet Dutch and Lenny in the south of town. Rose's eyes fell back to the clear liquid in her glass

Blink.

It was thick and dark red. Almost black.

Blink.

Just clear gin filled the glass once more.

A slow sigh hissed from between her lips before she knocked the drink back in one. The saloon it's self made up the bottom floor of the hotel on the corner of a cobbled street in Saint Denis. An eatery that bustled with noise and commotion. Black Jack tables and less than honest woman inviting men to follow them up the stairs.