Playing Dangerous ? ||RDR2 // Arthur Morgan X Reader||

chapter 1; lucky ones

Without any real say so, you sat on the back of a black horse, holding onto your saviour to keep you balanced. You were rather dangerously putting your very last ounce of trust and hope into these strangers, and it seemed a daft thing to do considering all you had been put through so far.

But something very early on told you, that these men would not hurt you.

Something good, would come of this.

~ some weeks later

Bored, and a new member to the Van der Linde gang, you were desperate to make yourself feel somewhat useful to the men who had rescued you from your kidnappers.

You couldn't possibly imagine how you would be now, if Arthur hadn't of stormed into the outbuilding they were keeping you in... you probably would be dead.

And therefore, you really felt the urge to help out around the camp, you owed these men your lives. They were treating you a far sight better than any of the O Driscoll's had done – and you were earnest to prove you didn't take their hospitality and kindness for granted.

On that clear summer morning, you had been listening quietly to Arthur's drawling southern tones as he had been in conversation with Mr Leopold Strauss, about the debt collecting. It was impossible not to eavesdrop, the silky drawl of his tones practically drawing you into like a moth to lamplight. The discussion between the cowboy and the Austrian man seemed a far sight more interesting than the metal basin of dirty cutlery and pots you were currently scrubbing away with.

Of course, you knew there was some kind of agreement going to fall into place considering these kind folk had adopted you into their strange, but close knit family. You were, by no means, expecting to live freely of their efforts - you were quite happy to do errands such as sewing, perhaps preparing dinner. However it seemed night after night, and being the new person, you were condemned to the dishes daily. Sure, it was work and you just got on with it, fearing if you disputed it you'd lose your place in this safe haven.

However at this precise moment, the casual discussion about debt collection going on just behind you seemed a fair sight more interesting than any chore you'd ever imagined. The client in need of a 'visit' was up in a cabin, just the other side of the vast Cumberland Forest. The more you listened, the more you found yourself feeling excited and keen to try and tag along.

Some minutes later, Arthur strolled past you, head down somewhat as he always did when he was busy with something. His stride emanated importance, like a shire horse knowing its duty to drag the plough about the field. He seemed blinkered too, immersed in his own thoughts as he passed by.

"Mr Morgan!" you called after him, hands grasping at the blue material of your skirt as you dashed a little to catch up with him.

The outlaw stopped, head hung still – and even with his back turned you could practically see the sigh that left his body – and you could imagine the way his blue eyes were rolling at the sound of your tepid tones.

"Yes Miss (name)? What can I do for you?" he replied, slowly turning to face you. It was evident to see the handsome outlaw stifling a mildly irritated look. When Arthur had work to be done, he was a man who was very determined to get on with it. You'd seen that in the way he always seemed to charge through his chores around camp like a steam train.

As you studied his tightened jaw, piercing eyes and tightly pressed lips, you figured there was almost always something 'criticising' about the way Arthur looked at you... no, for a matter of fact, everyone. He didn't think anything of the fact he would more than take enough time to let his eyes wander over a person, as if he was sizing them up or working them out.