Red Dead Redemption II [ one shots ]

The Promise - A.M

Keeping to the shadows, I crept up along the stone wall that bordered my parents' property. Nearby, footsteps rang out as one lonely watchman strolled by, whistling. 

I tensed against the worn stone, hiding behind a convenient bush, waiting for the policeman to disappear down the lane. I held my breath as he moved past us, releasing it in a huff as my partner in crime tickled my waist, chucking under his breath.

"Shh!" I hissed out, breathlessly, fighting giggles as I batted his hands away. "Arthur, they'll hear us!" 

Arthur smiled, his blue eyes flashing in the dark as he pressed me into the wall, trailing his lips along the curve of my neck. I sighed, my fingers running through his hair. 

"I really have to go," I whispered, after a few minutes of just holding one another. "You better come back to me in one piece, Arthur Morgan." I said sternly, referring to his plans to pull of a robbery in Annesburg with the gang. 

"Yes ma'am, nothing could keep me away." Arthur responded, his fingers stroking the skin of my cheek.

I reluctantly pulled back from his arms, leaning up to press a chaste kiss to his cheek, and then his lips. Arthur groaned, holding me close to him as he kissed back. After giving into another few minutes of quiet bliss, I struggled back again, and the movement jarred the slight gold chain that was hanging around my neck. Arthur looked down, cupping the ring that hung from the necklace in his palm, his eyes going soft as he held it. 

He'd given me that ring almost four weeks ago, when he'd asked me to run away with him and become his wife. Arthur had asked all cutely hesitant and awkward, and I'd been ecstatic in my reply, throwing my arms around him as I shrieked yes. With that joy loomed a shadow though, as our lives were too different for us to go bruiting the news about town. I wore his ring around my neck because our relationship was a secret- as the daughter of a wealthy businessman turned politician, it wouldn't do for me to be seen dating an outlaw. Especially not in Saint Denis.

But we'd been together a while, having met a year ago, and we always conducted our affair with the utmost secrecy.  Always meeting in different towns or out in the country under the covert dark of the night, we grew close and eventually fell in love. Through that time i'd met his gang, and even rode with them, helping them find jobs robbing the associates of my father. In truth it was so exciting, I loved his gang, as it felt more like a family to me than my own did- despite the illegal activities. 

Still, Arthur and I had a few more weeks until we could actually run off and get married. Dutch was planning on moving everyone back west, to a nice bit of land where they could settle and create a real life. Arthur had told me there was a sweet spot nearby, where there would be plenty of room for us to build our own house and have a family. I closed my hand around his, still gently holding the proof of our promise in his calloused palm, filled with yearning at the thought.

"I can't wait for the day when we don't have to sneak around," I whispered, squeezing his hand. "I hate leaving you every night, my bed gets so lonely." 

Arthur smiled, leaning forward to press his lips to my forehead in an effort to soothe me. I clutched the back of his coat, I always hated saying goodbye, especially when I knew it'd be a while before I saw him again. 

"Well, it won't be long now darlin', and I'll see you in a few days." Arthur pulled back, making a basket with his hands so he could boost me up over the wall. I sighed, used to the routine. 

I moved up, grasping the lip of the wall as I felt a familiar hand grip my butt to give me another boost, though he gave it an unnecessary caress in the process. Laughing at his wandering hands, I managed to pull myself up until I sat on top of the wall. Gazing down at Arthur, his figure scarcely a shadow in the dark, I felt a little melancholy ache in my chest, hoping to god that he'd be careful on his mission and that I'd see him soon.