HIS | Arthur Morgan X Reader

The Outlaw

A/N: We get the briefest of glimpses into Arthur and the reader's beginnings.

Warnings: mentions of potential miscarriage and some angst.

It wasn't easy for Arthur to pinpoint the exact emotion he was feeling as the trio approached the trail to Willard's Rest. Excitement, to see you again, to hold and feel you in his arms, heavy with the swell of his unborn child? Fear, of what may await him there, betrayal and concern for your safety? Regret, for leaving you, for failing to protect you. Thoughts and emotions tormented his head, and he pinches his nose in frustration, feeling the tell-tale beginnings of a headache.

"This the way?" Sadie's voice drags him from his inner turmoil, and he grunts a positive response, following her onto the trail.

Not far now he realized.

Charles's eyes never left Arthur the entire journey, since their conversation last night Charle's had begun to worry about what they may find at the cabin, and how his friend would handle whatever may greet them. He couldn't admit it to Arthur, not with his current state, but Charles was worried too, you were his friend, but he knew if they lost you, he'd lose his friend to his grief too.

"Is it that obvious?" you groan, sliding a hand down your face in embarrassment as Charles chuckles at your rising blush.

"If it makes you feel any better, I don't think he's noticed." He smirks at your eye-roll know full well you saw straight through his lie. "Okay okay." he concedes holding his hands up in defense. "He may have noticed, but you should talk to him about it, he may look like a brute, but I promise you he won't bite..." he watches your face carefully, fighting the smile threatening to engulf his face. "...unless you want him to!"

You punch him roughly in the arm before groaning loudly and burying your face in your hands. Ever since joining the camp you'd always had Arthur in the corner of your eye, but he was with Mary, so you had resided to just enjoying the view, albeit with a little jealousy whenever you had seen the pair together. Your mind was envious at the way his hand would lie protectively against her waist when she came to visit.

But that was then, now Arthur was single, a painful breakup with Mary turning him into a workhorse as he distracted himself, taking every job, no matter how gruelling, and you hadn't failed to notice the effect it had on his body. The work sculpting his already fit body to one that held the power of an ox; and as he slung the last of the hay bales to the horses you couldn't help but stare, and apparently, you'd failed to employ your usual subtlety; Charles had caught you staring.

Photo credit: Instagram rdr2_outlaw

Charles knew Arthur had feelings for you, even when he was with Mary, but the gentleman he was, he would never act on them, instead, he swallowed them down, only confiding in Charles about them after a few too many whiskies by the fire.