take me back in time

from hundred to zero

The moment we sat foot into Valentine a heavy thunderstorm came rolling down the mountains. Big puddles dotting the muddy road again, rain coming down like a waterfall, lightning flashing over the pitch-black horizon, thunder rolling loudly in the distance.
It was horrifying and beautiful at the same time.
Arthur decided to stable the horses as long as we were staying in town, so they didn't have to stay in the outside and I was glad about it, didn't want Nugget to stay in the open in that storm.
We ran the short distance between the stable and the saloon, shaking the heavy waterdrops off after arriving.
The saloon was already pretty full, people drinking, playing poker and doing other strange things.
Arthur, always the gentleman, held the saloon door open for me and I stepped around him, nodding in thanks.
"Well, here we go again.", I mumbled to myself and Arthur chuckled.
"Yeah, no funny business today, 'lright?", he replied with a smirk, leaning down a bit so I could understand him properly.
"You telling me?"
"Yeah, get'it.", he waved one hand dismissively.
The man sitting on the piano to the left gave everything he had currently, fingers playing a funny melody fast and hard, some fellers shouting next to him in a weird sing-song, toppling over one another, drinks high in the air.
"Jesus, they had more than enough.", I said a bit louder, eliciting another laugh from the big man standing behind me.
"Sure.", he drawled back, making it sound like 'shuar' with his thick southern accent, then he motioned for me to sit down at the only free table near the barber and I hurried over, slumping down at the wooden chair with a sigh.
It was loud, stuffy and I felt more than uncomfortable after our last encounter here but at least it was warm and it dried my clothes slowly but surely.
My eyes roamed around the room, scanning for possible treats but I just found the normal picture of an early night unfold in front of me; drinking, whoring, playing, fighting.
Automatically, my gaze landed on Arthur's backside, leaning at the bar to order our food and drinks, his feet crossed behind his ankles, forearms resting on the counter. He still wore the baby-blue shirt, black leather-suspenders holding his dark-brown jeans in position, gun-belt hung low on his hips.
Lord have mercy, he was by far the best-looking men in this establishment right now, probably ever and out of the corner of my eyes, I saw some of the working girls eyeing him up and down as well.
A strange feeling spread in my gut, making my blood boil and raised my temper in a dangerous way. Jealousy? No, never.
Yeah, keep telling that to yourself girl.
It was dumb, I had no right to feel that way, Arthur was neither my property nor my lover, so enough of that.
Sulking and worrying my bottom lip, I crossed my arms over my chest and kept an eye on Arthur, watching as he turned around with his hands full of food and our drinks, nearly bumping into one of the working girls, which had made her way over to him quickly.
Great.
Arthur mumbled something to her, likely some kind of apology but the blonde woman only smiled widely, all teeth and wide lips, pressing herself closer to his body, one hand on his arm, she leaned forward and whispered something into his ear.
Even from the distance I could see the dark blush creeping up his cheeks and, in that moment, I was ready to strangle someone for the first time in my life.
Someone with long blonde locks, a figure to die for, with a quasi-non-existence neckline of her deep-red dress that hugged her body in all the right places and a beautiful face.
Even if I hated to admit that, she was stunning, really. Probably the most earning whore here and that thought plastered a huge grin on my face.
The large cowboy made his way over to our table with hurry after that short encounter, placing the food down in front of me and then himself after he sat down with a grunt.
"You already making new friends?", I asked him mockingly and he huffed, rolling his eyes additionally.
"Yeah, damn girl thought I was interested in a child.", he grumbled low, obviously annoyed.
"She probably thought you might be a nice snack.", I stated in a blunt tone and Arthur nearly chocked on a piece of meat, eyes darting upwards to meet mine.
"That again?", he drawled back and I chuckled, digging into the food myself.
"Always."
"A-ah, great."
It was delicious, steak and potatoes like I had with John the last time here but I didn't mind at all and my stomach rumbled in response, satisfied with being filled up again after a long day of nothing.
As I raised my beer to drown something of it, I saw how the blonde girl was still lingering not far away at the staircase, chatting away with the other girls, all eyes on Arthur nearly the whole time.
Arthur sat with his back to them, not noticing their consuming gazes on his broad shoulders but I did and it made me uneasy, filling my head with dark thoughts again. Like; could I snatch the scissors from the barber to cut those damn locks off? Would I be quick enough? Can I...?
"Ya did good today."
His deep voice startled me out of my trance and I cast my eyes to his again.
"What?"
"That whole thin' today was good, probably better than I could've done'it."
I shrugged. "Didn't know it would work that smoothly, but thank you."
"No need. I need'ta thank ya instead.", he objected, stuffing the last bite of his food in his mouth, chewing it down in record time.
I shoved my remaining meal in his direction and he raised one eyebrow in question.
"I'm full. Eat up, cowboy."
"Ya sure?"
I nodded and he made quick work of the last pieces, jaw working visibly with his movements and I gulped.
How could someone eat that much and still look like this? It was incredible and unfair at the same time.
After he was sated, he leaned back on the chair, fingers fumbling with the beer bottle in his large hands.
"Can you promise me something?", I spoke up after some time.
Arthur looked up, searching my eyes with a wary expression.
"Depends."
I leaned a bit forward, let my forearms rest on the table.
"Promise me you won't go near that Downes feller as long he's still alive."
His eyebrows shot up in confusion.
"Why?", he drawled.
"You know how Tuberculosis is transmitted?", I asked and he denied with a shake of his head.
"Droplet infection.", I explained to him.
"What's that?", his voice was deep and husky, sending unwanted sensations down my spine.
"Disease gems are transmitted over salvia, blood and other body fluids but mostly over salvia. You can catch TB by simply standing next to a sufferer, he coughs in your direction and boom; you may be infected. You don't know it, until it's too late. TB can be in your body for years without showing symptoms but when it triggers... well, it sure as shit ain't nice."
Arthur mulled hard over my words, hands spinning the bottle in tight circles, jaw clenching every now and then.
"So...", he began after a long moment. "That's why ya asked me what I would've done?"
I frowned, not immediately knowing what he implied but then it clicked and I nodded.
"Right."
He was quiet again, wheels turning in his head to process the information I gave him.
"How high 's the chance to catch TB while beatin' someone?"
I gulped.
"Very high."
He nodded in understanding, shaking his head afterwards.
"Ya saved my life then, I guess."
These beautiful blue-green eyes came up again and I lost myself for a short moment in them, drinking in his handsome sight.
"Maybe, maybe not.", I breathed back, unable to control my beating heart and uneven breath.
"Huh."
We sat in silence, not awkward but still a bit tensed, so I got up and grabbed the empty plates and bottles.
"You want another one?", I asked him and he nodded.
"Sure, could use a whiskey too."
I smiled a tiny bit and stood up.
"Okay, be right back."
"Sophie."
I stopped in my tracks, looking over my shoulder at him.
"Mhm?"
Arthur squirmed visibly, searching for the right words, brows furrowed in concentration.
"A-ah... 'bout last night... I- I, u-uh. I just wanna...", he stuttered and I raised my hand holding the beer bottles quickly.
"Wait a minute, I'm nowhere near drunk enough for that kind of conversation.", I shot back and blushed hard, so I turned quickly to head for the bar, ordering another round of booze.
The bar was dotted with men, so I went to the right side of it, standing between two drunken fellers which were already wasted to the bone, swaying dangerously from side to side, half asleep while standing.
They smelled awful and I needed to sneeze loudly, catching the attention of the bartender who came strolling towards me with a dirty towel in his hands.
"Bless you, miss. What can I get fer ya?", he asked in a friendly tone and I smiled.
"Thank you. Two beer and two whiskey, please."
He nodded and worked behind the bar, all the while I leaned on the counter, totally lost in thoughts, shuffling peanuts absently in my mouth.
Arthur was right, today was a good one, although we should have let Micah to rot in this damn prison. He was a rat; a filthy stinky rat and I need a good plan to convict him in front of everyone, they need to see what he wanted to do to them.
Just, how...?
Right now, they would lynch me for blaming someone of their own, even though Micah wasn't part of the gang that long but neither was I, so keeping a low profile was my major priority.
I still couldn't believe that Dutch doubted Arthur in the end and trusts Micah instead.
How blind can someone be? After twenty years of friendship and loyalty?
Regardless, that plan needed time and a lot of thinking, maybe a few others involved, too.
And the kiss, well. That conversation will be interesting.
The bartender ripped my out of my thoughts and I took the plate he offered me with the booze, thanking him with a smile and walking back to our table.
My steps faltered as I laid eyes on Arthur again, the blonde woman was sitting sideways in his lap, arms looped around his neck, lips whispering into his ear.
"Ah, you gotta be shitting me.", I mumbled to myself, continuing my way towards the table.
Arthur heard my footsteps coming and looked up, a pleading-look in his eyes, his lips forming 'help me' silently.
His arms were frozen at his sides, hands clenched into fists, eyes burning into mine.
I smiled mischievously in his direction, opening the first three buttons of my collar, I formed 'play along' with my lips and he nodded once with raised eyebrows, confusion and concern written on his face.
With force I put the plate down on the wooden surface, prompting the glasses to clink loudly against each other, resting my hands on my hips, near my new gun-belt, I stared the woman in Arthur's lap down.
She gasped in surprise, turning her head and gawking in my direction, blonde locks falling in her face in a very beautiful way, damn.
"What is wrong with you, miste- eh, miss?", she griped in a high voice, her brown eyes trailing up and down my body.
Mister? Really?!
"Could ask you the same question, missy.", I barked back, shifting my weight on one foot.
The blonde woman raised one hand to her breast above her heart in feigned shock, offended by my harsh words.
"Excuse me?"
Some of the surrounding men and women watched the drama unfold with interest, nudging each other to pay close attention and even the poker players paused their round, eyes following the scene. Nothing better than a good old bitchfight, right?
Inhaling deeply, I pointed with my forefinger at her, weaving it around her form quickly.
"You're currently sitting on private property, girl.", I said sternly, staring her down again. "Better move your ass, otherwise I will do it for you."
Arthur stifled a laughter with his hand, eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and utter bewilderment.
The woman gasped again, hand over her mouth.
"How dare you talk with me like that.", she spat out after retreating her hand and I simply crossed my arms over my chest, the edge of my breasts poking out under the fabric on purpose.
"You know what they do with trespassers where I'm from?"
She shook her head, her expression slipping from arrogant to slightly fearful and she finally withdraw her arms from Arthur's neck but was still sitting in his lap, so I continued my little speech.
"We shoot them. Simple as fuck.", I nearly whispered and the woman squealed.
Arthur's low rumble of laughter was intoxicating and I smiled with him.
Unfortunately, the blonde woman did too and a new wave of anger rushed through me, so I raised one eyebrow at her, cocking my head to the left.
"Well?"
She was still laughing, too high and all fake until she stopped and patted Arthur's left hand with a playful smirk, ignoring that he visibly flinched under her touch, letting his hand fall back at his side again quickly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, miss. But I don't see no ring at his hand and neither on yours.", she said in a light tone, pretending not notice Arthur's displeasure and I fumed inwardly.
Damn, she wouldn't give up that easy. Was probably used to get everything she wanted, especially men, instantly with just fluttering her eyelashes but not today.
No, not on my watch.
Time for plan B.
The piano was still playing in the background but most of the chatter and laughter had subsided, just some low mumbles were heard here and there, folks standing around us and watching.
I felt a like lion in a zoo.
"Don't need no ring to claim what's mine, girl.", I said low, dangerously low and Arthur squinted rapidly, mouth hanging open in surprise.
"Really?", she shot back, tone amused and challenging.
I smiled a wicked smile in her direction; challenge accepted.
"Really."
"And how you gonna do that?", her voice piped up again and I stepped around the table, motioning for her to finally stand up. She relented after a short moment, eyes narrowed in frustration and maybe anger, she crossed her arms over her chest and stood next to the chair Arthur was still sitting on like a child waiting to be scolded.
"Watch and learn, sweetheart.", I mocked in a hushed tone as I stepped past her.
Lifting my left leg, I straddled Arthur's lap quickly, eliciting a surprised groan out the big outlaw as he reached instantly for my waist, huge hands grabbing the fabric of my shirt and I let mine settle on his shoulders.
My feet barley touched the ground, his strong thighs flexing and twitching under my weight.
Our eyes locked for a brief moment, his were glazed and observant at the same time and he nodded faintly, waiting for me to do whatever I had in mind and before he could protest, I reached for his hat, plopping it on my own head, shooting a playful smirk in Blondies direction. She scoffed and rolled her eyes in return.
Arthur's lips twitched in amusement, eyes dropping down to my mouth and back up, hands grabbing the red fabric of my shirt a bit harder.
His body was warm, radiating heat right into mine, smelling wonderful and clouding my senses beyond want and lust.
I wanted everything.
Biting my bottom lip in anticipation, I let my hands wander from his broad shoulders to his hair, grabbing at the shorter one near his neck and pulling slightly back and he followed without question, lips slightly parted until I finally leaned all the way down, kissing him tenderly.
His lips were warm and soft, all I dreamed of the last night was suddenly so close and I moaned quietly against his mouth, Arthur responding by squeezing his hands into my skin harder and kissing me back gently and oh, so soft.
Whups and hollers erupted around us, some men barking nasty comments, others encouraging us to keep it going, while the working girls just huffed loudly in rejection, especially the one standing next to us.
Arthur smiled against my lips, nipping softly at my bottom one until I opened up for him and he deepened the kiss immediately, tilting his head slightly to the side.
He tasted and smelled wonderful, whiskey, peppermint, just like him and I moaned again, grinding down on his lap. His right hand followed my movement, sliding to my thigh, fingers grasping at my soft flesh through the dark jeans to press me further down and groaning into my mouth at the sensation it gave him. He was hard, like full grown-hard and now it was my turn to grin against his lips, delighted that I could arouse him that far in the middle of the fucking saloon.
His tongue flickered gently against mine and my head began spinning, tumbling until I totally forgot that we were not alone.
Hands gripping desperately in his soft hair, pulling him closer and he complied instantly, encircling my back in his strong arms, bringing our bodies flush against each other, moaning under his breath while doing so.
The kiss became hot, like really hot, all tongue and hard breathing, nipping and biting, hearts nearly bumping out of our chests until this annoying high voice piped up again to our right.
"Alright, I get it. He's yours."
With a smirk, I withdrew just a few inches from Arthur's lips and he gave a small strangled sound at that while I turned my head and to look at Blondie again. His breath was hot on my cheek, strong hands dancing over my thighs and a warm shudder ran down my spine in response to his touch.
"You better remember that, missy. Go and tell your little bunny-friends over there too.", I nearly whispered and just to prove my point, I grabbed the black bandana dangling around Arthur's neck and pulled him in, lips crashing together once more, instantly continuing their dance around and with each other again.
Blondie's loud huff and her departing footsteps made me chuckle against Arthur's lips and I broke the kiss slowly, not really wanting it to end. He chased after me with a little grunt, trying to catch my lips once more and the small gesture melted my heart in a dangerous way.
I leaned slightly back, hands resting on his shoulders and his still lingered on my hip making me feel tingly in all the right places.
Arthur opened his eyes and looked up at me, locking eyes with mine. I couldn't quite place the expression showing in his stunning blue-green ones but then a lopsided-grin appeared on his still shiny and a bit swollen lips and I exhaled audibly.
"Jesus, woman. Ya could give'em a run for their money if ya wanted to.", he rasped out, cheeks all hot and red and I chuckled again.
"That was the plan."
Leaning back to grab the whiskey from the table, Arthur instantly reached upwards to steady my body on his lap to prevent me from falling backwards and I grinned at him.
"Thank you.", I said while handing him one of the glasses, he reached for it with his left hand, the other sliding to my hip, stroking softly in tiny circles.
I made eye contact with him after sitting up again, raising the whiskey to chink our glasses and he complied, drowning the whole glass in one go and I did too, coughing slightly at the burning feeling down my throat.
"So, ya can't talk 'bout it because ya not drunk enough, but doin' it ain't a problem?", he said in a hushed tone and I smirked down at him, licking my lips and letting my fingers play with the suspenders laying over his shoulders.
"Talking about it ain't that much fun."
His low laughter vibrated through our bodies and I squirmed a bit in his lap, prompting him to grab at my hip harder, a warning to keep still.
"Don't. Otherwise we'll never be able to leave that chair, woman.", he nearly whispered in my direction and I giggled, still feeling his rock-hard erection between my legs.
"Fine by me."
"For God's sake...", he breathed out, head shaking slowly from left to right in amusement.
"Did I go too far?", I asked back, suddenly concerned about that whole situation but Arthur quickly denied it.
"No. Jus' afraid we'll get arrested for making out in the middle of the damn saloon.", he breathed, eyes roaming around the people which have finally returned to their originally activities.
"Well, wouldn't be the first time, right?"
"In that case; it would."
My look of pure disbelief made him laugh and my eyebrows shot up in question.
"What?"
"Never?"
He shook his head and mumbled: "Never. Normally not the type for that kin'of fun."
For whatever reason, the word 'normally' made my heart flutter with excitement and a burning feeling settled down deep in my belly.
"Then it better be worth it.", I teasingly mocked him and he snickered under his breath, eyes getting a shade darker, narrowing a tiny bit.
"God, ya're really somethin' else.", he murmured, as I leaned forward again, lips nearly touching.
"In a good or bad way?", I whispered against his lips and he smirked in response, hands sliding up my sides.
"We'll see 'bout that."
With that, his left hand came up to cradle my cheek and he pulled me in, kissing me with need and pure hunger. His hips jerked a tiny bit forward, pressing his length at the right spot and I gasped at the friction, my body needlingly responding without a second thought.
"Why, that was quite the show you two pulled there."
We both froze instantly, parting and looking up to meet brown eyes that watched us with amusement and confusion at the same time.
I stood up quickly, trying hard to get myself together again, while Arthur coughed and squirmed on the chair, both of us blushing something fierce.
"W-what the hell 're ya doin' here?"
Charles chuckled darkly, his eyes drifting between us back and forth, hands on his hips, he smirked in Arthur's direction.
"Dutch is looking for you. Said somethin' about a job for you and Miss Kendall."
I was speechless, ashamed and afraid at once, shuddering slightly and shuffling nervously from left to right.
"Ah, shit.", Arthur rumbled low, eyes coming up briefly to meet mine.
Charles was clearly confused, hands risen at his sides, he spoke up again: "When did this happen?"
Arthur groaned and pinched the back of his nose with two fingers, then ruffled through his short hair until he realized his hat wasn't there and I snatched it quickly from mine, handing it back to his original owner.
He nodded in thanks.
"How much did ya see?"
The other outlaw snorted. "Enough. I mean, not like the whole town saw it."
Arthur barked out a sound between a laugh and a snort, shaking his head slightly.
"Yeah, I know."
Brown eyes met mine and I crooked a shy smile.
"Just needed to save him from our dear friend Blondie over there.", I said bluntly, pointing at the woman in question, which still stared daggers in our direction.
Charles nodded in understanding. "I've heard that. Quite the performance you pulled there, very authentic."
"Thanks, I guess."
The darker man smiled, then focused back on Arthur.
"We should get a move on, Dutch ain't too pleased about your absence in camp.", he said with concern and Arthur sighed.
"Sure.", then he glanced up at his friend.
"Nobody.", he simply stated and Charles tilted his head to the side.
"What you're talking about? Ain't seen nothin'."
"Good."
As we left the saloon, I winked at Blondie with a lopsided grin and her pale skin became a shade darker; oh, sweet sweet victory.