Arthur x Dutch

Love is All We Got

He had never in his life so badly wanted a cigarette to wash out the foul metallic taste playing about his tongue.

He had washed up on the shore like a damned beached whale and the sun fiercely beat down upon his already tattered skin. His clothes were ripped and soaked through, his hair matted and his lips dry.

Arthur mustered all the strength he had left, digging his hands in the hot sand to pick himself up. He staggered to his feet and although his vision was blurred and practically useless, he concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other, slowly to try and get somewhere; if there was anywhere to get to at all.

He struggled his way along the shore until he reached a hillside forest. He climbed and climbed with all his might, hoping to find someone, something.

The sun was relentless and cruel. He felt he was on fire as he hobbled along the island. It made him nauseous.

Then there, through his terrible vision, on the hillside, under a crack in the dirt wall, he saw a real fire.

"Dutch"

Arthur continued to cry out until he fell to his knees. As he fell, he heard the sweet voice of Dutch and scurry of feet to help him up. He couldn't tell who else was helping him, all he could focus on was Dutch.

After the storm, he thought they were both dead for sure. To find them both alive, no matter how unsightly, filled him with great joy despite the dire circumstances.

•

After the local police came and the rebellion took place. They boys set up camp on the island of Guarma with their new foreign friends.

Arthur sorely requested rest after the massive day they had and tucked himself away on a filthy roll-up bed; not the time for complaining.

In the early morning, when the light was still asleep and the stars still hung in a black sky, Arthur was awoken.

He grumbled as he was physically shaken. He rubbed his eyes and locked them into Dutch's.

"Dutch?" He barely managed to whisper.

Dutch sat on the edge of the roll up, head in his hands. Arthur thought he saw tears on the man's sunburnt face.

"Love is all we got" Dutch muttered into his hands.

"I know. You've said that before"

"I love you"

Arthur shuffled uncomfortably, where was this coming from?

"I love you too, Dutch" He eventually spat out.

Dutch turned to him, looking him dead in the eye with all the soul in his muscular body.

"I'm in love with you"

"Dutch..."

"I mean it"

"Do you know what happens to cowboys who mess around with each-other?! Death, Dutch, death"

"We're in goddamn Guarma, who's going to come after us?!" Dutch exclaimed and Arthur immediately shushed him.

"Doesn't matter. We are not safe to be who we is"

"So it's not just me then?" Dutch smirked.

Arthur froze. He didn't realise what he had said. He opened his mouth to explain but Dutch rested a finger over his plump lips and shushed him right back.

Dutch slid closer until there was only a breath between them.

"I'm not expecting anything" Dutch whispered, "We almost died today. The shipwreck, it was awful. I was a mangled mess and when I found all the other boys but you... it killed me, Arthur. My heart was in my throat until you found us"

Arthur grabbed Dutch's wrist and moved his hand from his mouth. He held his hand in his, rubbing his skin softly with a thumb.

"I was worried about you too"

Dutch was smiling. Arthur was darting his eyes around the camp to ensure everyone was asleep.

"You've always been more to me than a friend, Arthur. You know that"

"Yeah, I know"

They both sat in silence for a moment. Dutch looked at their entwined hands, then Arthur's eyes and then Arthur's lips.

Arthur noticed and sat up straight. He wanted the kiss but he still seemed so unsure about the whole ordeal.

Dutch rested his other hand on the back of Arthur's grisly neck and pulled him closer. They both closed their eyes. Arthur gulped before their lips gently touched. His heart beat rapidly and his palms became sweaty. Their lips moved together so easily, no hassle, like it was meant to be.

Arthur grabbed Dutch's hips and pulled him onto his lap. He couldn't get enough of this.

"What happened to being careful?"

Arthur ignored Dutch's sarcastic comment and just kissed him harder.