The Morgan Clan || A Red Dead Story

Chapter 3; Breakfast with a Friend

Arthur got up before the sun's light broke the inky darkness of the sky. Being as quiet as possible he put his boots and hat on, then crept down the hotel stairs and onto the street where the horses stood hitched. He walked over to them and patted them both.

"Mornin' you two." The horses whinnied at him and he chuckled. Ghost nudged his jacket pocket, then his face. "Alright, alright." Arthur pulled out two carrots and stuck his palms out to both horses. Ghost wolfed it down, but Shadow's Cast took her time. A flick of Ghost's tail to her friend's side caused Shadow's Cast to quickly finish her meal. Arthur smiled and patted the two horses again before getting out his brush from Ghost's saddle.

Brushing both his and Albert's horse took until morning finally broke the sky. When he finished with a satisfied huff, both horses responding in kind, he made his way back into the hotel and up the stairs to his and Albert's room. He opened the door to see his partner putting on fresh clothes.

"Arthur!" Albert swung around, face briefly turning pink before going back to it's normal shade. He smiled at his cowboy and gestured him to close the door as he finished buttoning up his shirt.

"Mornin'," Arthur said. He walked over to his photographer and pecked him on the cheek. Albert did the same. "Took a bath I see." Arthur caught the scent of lavender as he pulled away.

"I did. When I woke up this morning and you weren't here I decided to take the time to clean myself up before we go see my friend." Albert pulled his vest on and began buttoning it.

"I see." Arthur leaned his head against Albert's, watching him via the mirror as his partner finished dressing. When Albert looked up, a fond smile played on his lips.

"I wish I could take a photograph of this," he said wistfully.

"Yeah?" Arthur chuckled, wrapping his arms around the other man's waist and pulling him closer. Albert laid his hands over Arthur's.

"Sadly it would take away the magic of it all, seeing a camera in the picture."

"Maybe I could draw it for you," Arthur said, more as just a thought than an assurance.

"Oh, could you?" His partner turned in his arms and reached up to move back his hair before placing a kiss on his forehead. "That would be wonderful. Maybe I could put it up at my next gallery," he chuckled.

"Hmm. I doubt they would allow that."

"I doubt so too, but it's worth a try." Albert pried Arthur's hands away from him so he could walk to the dresser and put his hat on. Then he took his cowboy by the hand and led him downstairs.

"We goin' to meet your friend," Arthur asked.

"Yes, we are! He should be at the local restaurant," Albert gave a laugh, "Restaurant! Can you believe it? We've only been away from here for only two years, and they've already added so much more to this little town." The two stepped out onto the street and paused. "I mean look at it! There's so much more to it than there was." Arthur huffed out a laugh.

"What? I know I've told you that I prefer the great expanses of nature to city life, but seeing people grow and prosper is in its own way very satisfying," Albert said before he linked elbows with Arthur and began walking them to the small restaurant at the end of the street.

Once the two got there Arthur unlinked their arms and opened the door for his partner to walk through, then followed behind, eyes scanning the room. There weren't many people here, but that was to be expected in the early morning. Two men sat at a table in the corner chatting idly, while a woman and a man sat at another table and ate. Neither of them spoke. There was another man at the bar, head turned away from the two. He wore a light blue vest and white shirt. His pants and hat matched his vest. The boots on his feet were the same type that Albert wore.

"Jacob!" At Albert's call, the man turned, a smile on his sunburnt face in an instant. He ran over to Albert and hugged him before pulling away, his eyes alight with excitement.

"Albert," he said, "I'm so glad you could meet me here! After so long, it's good to see you." He patted the photographer on the shoulder.

"Yes, it's glad to be here! You look well!" Albert beamed at his mustached friend.

"Oh yes, the weather up here agrees with me quite nicely!" As he said the last few words, his eyes landed on Arthur and widened considerably. "Who is this," he asked, a smirk on his face and his eyes glinting with something almost predatory-like. Arthur took a wary step back.

"This is my dear friend, Mister Arthur Morgan." Albert guided the man, Jacob, over to Arthur.

"Oh? A dear friend, you say? That's wonderful, Albert!" Jacob held out a hand for Arthur to shake, the glint in his eyes completely vanished. Arthur hesitantly shook his hand.

"Yes, Mister Morgan here is quite the man. He's been a partner to me in my photography the last few years." Albert beamed at Arthur, the love in his eyes evident. Arthur couldn't help but smile in return.

"Oh, so this is the man that I saw pictured in your very first gallery. He's changed quite a bit hasn't he? A bit softer around the edges. A little less rugged." Jacob walked around Arthur, poking him in the back and shoulders, "no doubt he's incredibly strong, being the giant of a man he appears to be."

"As a matter of fact, he's stronger," Albert boasted. "He's fought off more than a few predators for me." Jacob's eyes widened.

"Has he now? Well that must've been a sight to see." He poked Arthur in the stomach.

"It would have if he hadn't been fighting for his life." Both men chuckled, leaving Arthur very confused.

"Shall we sit down by the window?" Jacob motioned over to a table bathed in sunshine.

"Of course!" Albert nodded vigorously and grabbed Arthur by the wrist, pulling him over to the table. Once all three men sat down, another man came over and greeted them.

"What would you three like this morning?"

"I'd like some eggs and bacon, if you please," Jacob said. The man nodded and turned to Albert.

"I'd like the same." The man nodded again and turned to Arthur. Arthur swallowed, unsure of what to do. Nobody had ever come to a table and asked what he wanted to eat before.

"Uh... Same for me, I guess," he finally responded. The man nodded and walked away, leaving the three men to their conversation. 

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Hope you guys like Jacob so far! I rather enjoy him :)

Gif created by eerronblack on tumblr!