Sweetest Sin (Dutch Van Der Linde Fanfic)

♤ 22. ♤

Thanks for reading

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Tifa's POV

Things have been so troublesome lately I hardly have had time to write...so much has happened...

But I'll write what I can...provided if we aren't running from Pinkertons

-*

September 1, 1899

We've been at Beavers hollow in Roanoke ridge close to intoxicating polluted mining town of annesburg for a week now, it was not the safest place to hold up...since the murderous inbred murfree killers were abundant here. I was told to not go past further than the river by Dutch, besides the missions we would go on, he wouldn't allow me to leave the camp, for my safety.

Just at the right time. It was sunset, Dutch and I went out for a ride alone to a place a bit far away from where the camp was where the most abundant of flowers were and I was pleasantly surprised at the sight

(AN: I'm not making this place up there is area where a huge field of flowers are, at sunset is when I first found it. Anyways this place is just a bit a ways from Annesburg, it's somewhere above grizzlies west and where a dinosaur bone is..)

Dutch helped Tifa off her horse and he stepped over to a boulder to lean his hand against quietly

"Wow, this place is beautiful, Dutch" Tifa complimented in awe, as the many small flowers blew in the gentle breeze. Their colors were all so vibrant and pretty especially with the sunset shining it's last rays on them all.

"I wanted to spend time away, just you and I and finding this place seemed like perfect timing, I'd say" he said solemnly, not looking her way, Tifa was bent down in the flowers on the grass, listening to him and a small smile graced her lips along with her cheeks becoming warm

"That's sweet of you...Dutch" she said softly as her fingers brushed against the soft petals

When it was quiet for a good minute, Tifa looked at Dutch seeing him now with his arms over the other as he silently watched the mountains nearby, she reached up to touch his ring on her necklace as she stood up. She could see that he was deep in thought about everything, what his next move was...but he always seemed to be miles away nowadays and not even this time away from the camp would ease him of his pressures

'Even without you saying a word...I can see your mask slipping more and more...' Tifa thought to herself

"I know things have continued to be tough right now, Tifa..." he started, as he moved his arms to his sides turned to face her and walked closer then placed his hands on her shoulders "But...Stand by me...like you did in Saint Denis...Guarma...in the past..." Tifa slightly shook her head to his words and touched his hand

"I will...Dutch, you don't have to repeat yourself..." she said, looking into his eyes which seemed ever more vulnerable and insecure "I will always be at your side, supporting you in any way I can"

Hearing that, Dutch then rubbed her cheek gently and nodded to her "thank you...I-I know I can trust you at least, I'm just making sure..I don't know who I can trust in the gang anymore, but hearing you say this assures me a lot, Tifa"

Touching his wrist, Tifa smiled slightly at him, she had to keep him calm for the moment and if all it took was simple true words of reassurance then she'd gladly do it for him "it's going to be alright, I promise" she said

Dutch looked on at her fondly as the petals from the flowers blew up around them "I love you, Tifa..." he muttered as his lips kissed hers briefly but gently