That F**cking Yankee

The Gift That Settles It all (Fluff)

You awoke a few hours later into the evening, with a yawn and a stretch you sat up in your cot looking out the tent door. You could've sworn you buttoned it shut but it was open and gently blowing in the warm air. Putting your feet over the edge of the bed you slipped one boot on at a time, each accompanied by a tired groggy grunt. Standing up you threw on a light jacket that was hanging on a create, gun belt clipped around your petite waist, satchel, and finally your hat atop of your head. 

Walking out you checked the time on your pocket watch and it was surprisingly late; half-past eleven. Camp life was dying down while you were just waking up, Arthur was still awake and sitting in his cot writing away at his journal. Abigail, Jack, and John were already asleep, tent shut and lights out. A few girls around the fire having last conversations, Micah stood up against a tree watching everyone like he always did, and Dutch.. Where was Dutch. 

Looking around you couldn't seem to place where he was, not in his chair, not in bed, not at the dock, not at the lakeside. Continuing your walk you made your way to your horse which was laying down in the small grass patch, with a glance you realized Dutch's horse wasn't there either. 

Must've gone out again, you thought as you picked up your saddle that was by the fence post. Your horse got up with a huff and began walking over towards you, with a smile you patted its snout as you trailed to the side. Placing the towel first you slung over the saddle itself, tightening the straps you tested it making sure it wouldn't fall during mid-ride. Patting your horse again you reached into your satchel where you pulled out a few oat-cakes.

"Here you are, 'Y/H'" You said lightly as 'H/s' took it from your hand.

Checking you had everything you adjusted your hat put your boot in your stirrup and hoisted yourself over. Pulling the reins gently you and your horse galloped off into the night out of camp. Riding for a while you enjoyed the nighttime breeze across your face and through your hair, owls cooing, rabbits running across the road along with the odd skunk or raccoon. 

Pulling off to the side you climbed from your horse and guided it down to the lake for a drink. Exploring the water and dirt you climbed back on your horse and headed back towards the camp as it was nearing midnight. People would probably worry if you didn't come back soon, or you thought so. 

Trotting back into camp, the hard dried dirt made a hollow sound underneath your horse's hooves causing it to echo throughout the trees. 

"Who's there?" Said a voice along with a crack of a gun.

"Just me, Bill" You said with a chuckle. "No need to get all trigger happy"

"What you doin' out so late?" He asked in a fatherly tone.

"Just exploring" You replied as you continued on to where the fence post was. 

Hitching up you removed the saddle and small blanket from your horse and let it roam off into the grass patch with the other horses. Placing the saddle on the floor you walked off towards your cot where you stopped to see Dutch standing at the dock by himself with a cigar. 

Now was your chance to give him the pipe you bought, while no one else was around to watch you embarrass yourself or laugh at you. Just as you began walking you felt your blood thicken, throat clench up and your butterflies grow. With a gulp, you flushed the feelings back and pushed forward. Walking onto the dock your presence was immediately noticed as Dutch dropped his head and one hand in a sigh.

"Not now, Micah!" He said in a cracky angered voice.

"Oh, sorry Dutch.. I'll come back later" You said as you recognized the frustration in his voice.