The Dusty Shamrock ~ OC RDR2 fanfiction

Chapter 14

I was roused by the smell of fresh coffee being made. I got myself dressed and ready before exiting the makeshift tent. Vix was sat by the campfire warming a pot of coffee on it.

I was dreading the moment when Charles would emerge from his tent, the events of last night had me confused beyond reason. I truly had a connection with Charles, he was a picture of perfect serenity and he understood things that I didn't even understand about myself. That didn't mean I didn't have a connection with Arthur too, but it was a different type of connection. He was a strong protector, much like my father. He was someone that was just like me, perhaps that was what made it different from the connection I had with Charles. Charles was the opposite of me, serene, patient and understanding. Whereas, I'm hot-headed, I take no nonsense, and I couldn't give two shits about what someone's been through if they've crossed me. I wasn't worthy of belonging to either of them. Even if I did decide I wanted to belong to one of them, I wouldn't have a choice but to go with Arthur. Charles and I becoming an item was prohibited, interracial courting and marriage was illegal.

Just as my thoughts had finished, as if on queue, Charles and Javier joined Victoria and I next to the campfire.
"Coffee's almost done" Victoria rattled the tin mugs together and then placed them back on the ground.
"Thank god, so are you gonna tell us who this 'associate' of yours is?" Javier asked. I looked to Vix, she nodded giving me the go ahead to inform the boys of who our associate was.
"When we were in a gang together, we were very good friends with a famous gunslinger - Black Belle"
"And we're going to find her?"
"Yeah, isn't she marked as 'do not approach'?" Javier and Charles bombarded us with questions about our close friend.
"It'll be fine, she knows who we are" Vix assured.

We finished our coffee, packed up and set off for the blue water marshes. I led the ride, this time Vix hung back to talk to Javier alone, leaving Charles and I up front.
"Listen, 'bout las' night-" I started, only to be cut off by Charles.
"No, it's fine. We both know it can't go anywhere, and we know Arthur's feelings towards you, whether you return those feelings or not." I sighed, knowing that he only spoke the truth.
"I know" I thought for a moment, trying to form my next few words as best I could "I really do like you, Charles..." I trailed off, he looked at me.
"Bronagh, I like you too. We know it can't go any further, we both know." His words spoke sense into my clouded head, had the laws been different I would've changed my romantic priorities, but alas, the laws will not change.
"Maybe, with the huntin' trips, we could get some time alone" I knew it was wrong to suggest such a thing, but he was a form of splendour that I'd never experienced before. I could wholly trust him and know that he wouldn't judge me. He nodded and we picked up the pace, spurring the horses into a steady canter.

We were on the last stretch to the blue water marsh, just crossing over a bridge which I knew very well. A small, brown, wooden shack raised above the boggy marshes on wooden struts came into sight.
"That's it, hitch your horses here" I called to the others. We hitched up outside the shack and dismounted our steeds. "Charles and Javier, stay at the base of the stairs, Vix an' I'll go up" My fellow female gunslinger and I began to ascend the stairs, keeping a hand on our pistols just in case.I knocked on the rickety door, just as I did so, an eye peered through an open crack in the door.
"Miss, it's Bronagh and Victoria!" A voice called.
"Well, open it up then, Nellie" I heard Black Belle reply. The door creaked open to reveal a face I hadn't seen in years. A young woman with curly brown hair, a black skirt and blue blouse accompanied by a black neckerchief appeared in the doorway, she fixed a wide brim, black hat atop her head.
"Well, if it ain't the Shamrock and Rose!" She called. Belle stood next to he in the doorway and sent a crooked smile towards Vix and I.
"And if it ain't ole Black Belle and Nellie Kurbine!" Vix stared in shock at the girl whom we'd thought to be dead.
"Who are they?" Asked Belle, gesturing to the two men behind us.
"They're with us, this is Javier and this is Charles" Vix introduced our companions. Nellie and Belle ushered into the shack, upon the sideboard I spotted two items that I hadn't in seen in almost as many years as Nellie Vix. A black leather duster coat and a fully upgraded dark oak Lancaster repeater. I knew the repeater had to be my old one because of the distinct engravings on the stock. I remember the day my father presented me with the gun, the first day I robbed a train. He'd had a bear beautifully carved on the stock of the gun and a collection of flowers engraved on the saffron coloured metal.
"I saved those from the fire at your camp, go on, take 'em" Belle gestured to my long lost items. I took up the coat and slid it on, I then took the gun into my hands.
"So what brings you two here?" Nellie asked.
"We're looking to get redemption. O'Driscolls killed Bronagh's father, was wondering if you were up for raiding one of their camps?" Vix explained.
"Of course we are!" Nellie exclaimed, Belle nodding in agreement.
"Saddle up girls, we've go' some arse to kick!" I sauntered out of the shack, Victoria following behind me, then Belle and Nellie. Charles and Javier were waiting for us down by the horses, they looked to be chatting.

Belle and Nellie joined us as we set off towards the O'Driscoll camp. It would take us another day or so to get there, which meant another night in the wilderness. We rode fast, a quick paced canter for most of the ride. There wasn't much talking, we rode in specific order. I led the ride, Charles slightly behind, followed by Vix and Javier and then Nellie and Belle taking up the rear. The sound of our hoof beats could surely be heard for miles, much like the fury thundering through my body.

We slowed up as the sun began to set, we hitched near a band of trees to provide as cover to our temporary campsite for the night. We set up some makeshift tents near to our campfire. We set up three tents, Nellie and Belle in one, Vix had begged to be in a tent with Javier, which left me to share a tent with Charles.

Everyone else had settled into their tents for the night, whilst Charles and I were sat outside, next to the fire. I had my head slightly resting against Charles' shoulder.
"Y'know" he started "you fascinate me"
"And why's tha'?"
"You seem so calm and collected and innocent but then you have this in-depth past which tells me the exact opposite" He stared at the fire, the dancing flame before him making his eyes twinkle. I yawned, we'd had a long day of travel and I had to admit that I was tired from it. Charles helped me up from my sitting position then leading the way into our tent. I slinked into the tent, turning around and waiting for Charles to follow me in.
"You comin' in?" He stopped and thought for a moment before scurrying in after me. The interior was small, but cosy. I slipped off my leather duster and threw it to the foot of my bedroll before placing my hat on top of it. I laid down on the bedroll and rolled over to face Charles who had done the same. His long hair was tousled slightly, some strands settling on his face. I reached a hand over and moved the strands from his face.
"That's what fascinates me." He simply stated, confusing me. "You seem so ruthless and tough, yet so gentle and caring" he mumbled. I shuffled closer to him, partially looking for warmth in more ways than one. Not just physical warmth, a mental fuzzy warm feeling that being close to him provided. He got the hint, placing an arm around my waist and closing the gap between us with a kiss...

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What do you think will happen between Bronagh and Charles? What will become of their relationship? What about Arthur? Will he find out?