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Chapter Text

Lilith’s POV 1 ^st Person

The blizzard was a massive pain in my ass. I winced and glared out into the nothingness that was this god forsaken mountain, we had arrived in Colter and waited for the Van der Linde gang on the path they’d take to get up there. I waited for Belial and finally spotted his silhouette “they won’t want a man approaching but here they come.” He said huffing into his hands and cocking a grin. “Show time!”

Grinning wide I tucked my coat tighter around me and trotted my Clydesdale in their direction as they entered the small town from across the river, meeting the gang with hands raised. “Excuse me!”

Hosea was the first to leap off smacking Bill who had a rifle trained on me. “Fucking moron!” he steps forward, “Excuse me miss is there where you’re camped?”

“None of that sir please, there is plenty of room you all look half frozen, my family and I welcome you. Come, come!” I step forward and envelope Hosea in a warm hug, he stiffened but when he realized that I mean no harm he laughed and pat my arm. “Aren’t you friendly.”

“Come, do you have wounded?”

“We have one dying.” Hosea coughs. 

Davey, shit we weren’t in time, and we couldn’t help Ms. Adler either, the blizzard was so damn bad we hadn’t been able to get through with just our horses— by the time we did it would have been fruitless to go knowing Dutch, Micah and Arthur would be there.

“I am so sorry, let’s get him into the warmth.” I motioned for Belial to help Javier and Charles lift the poor man who was whimpering, my heart broken. His brother…himself…dead…

I felt tears clog my throat, “Bella, bring me the tonics and other things we need to make this man more comfortable. Blankets too from the wagons.”

Once the group was in the cabin that we had fitted to work much better than where it was— we had come up here prior and fixed it to suit living again, three cabins, bedding, crates and storage, fireplaces working in every room, it was almost cozy. After purchasing the small town— no one even wanted it, we simply came up every few weeks to clear it out and make sure things were functional. 

“Who knew.” Hosea muttered as he warmed up.

Pearson and the other men folk were in the refinished cabin to the right with bunks, there were two others, all fitted with pelts and clean bedding. We had tried to think of everything we’d need a month in advance so we knew we had plenty of food and supplies.

Ms. Grimshaw snapped at the girls to help clean things, but I softly calmed her down and asked for their help instead with Davey. We propped him up, made sure he was warmed, poured pain killing tonics down his throat and soothed him as best we could.

A hand encompassed mine as I worked. “Thank you.” It was Mary-Beth. Her sweet oval face set in sorrow.

Next to her Swanson was praying over him receiving his final rights.

“Davey?” I whispered and his eyes fluttered. “Can you hear me?”

“Mmmm.”

I softened my voice to a hum, something taught to us to guide someone to death peacefully. “It’s okay to let go. Your family is here and safe, you don’t need to worry.” If felt tears clog my throat. “We’ll help take care of them now.”

Hosea’s brows lifted as he listened. 

Leaning in I whispered ever so softly, “I wish you all the peace and happiness in your next life Davey Calendar. Sleep now.”

His death rattle shook through him, eyes fluttering shut as a soft smile spread across his mouth.

No one breathed. No one wanted to.

I sighed, “I am sorry for your loss.” 

Belial and Belladonna repeated the sentiment looking misty eyed.

Death was a sacred thing but a loss of life was a loss of life to us.

“Thank you.” Ms. Grimshaw was gripping my shoulder firmly. “Thank you for that.”

“Of course, Mr. Swanson?”

We buried Davey and made a headstone for Jenny. 

And I waited for the person I had come so far to find.

We spoke in Russian to prevent eavesdropping as we worked on the meal “excited?” Bel asked me.

“Nervous, what if he hates me.”

“Psh, then he is an idiot.” Belladonna snorted.

They arrived with Ms. Adler and I walked out to greet them, arms raised, “are you Mister Van der Linde, Mister Morgan and Mister Bell?”

“Depends who the hell are you?” Micah trained a pistol on me and I huffed.

“I mean no harm, we’ve helped where we can gentlemen, but I can’t do much dead.”

Dutch was watching me, glaring over my body and hands with caution.

“Your people are warm and fed. Davey was taken care of to be more comfortable when he passed, we had a service and buried him. The women and child are safe.” I said softly.

Micah snaps, “I say we kill her. Just fucking take what—“

Arthur snarls at him, “are ya fucking crazy Micah? If what she says is true—”

“You can try. Mister Bell.” I felt a smile spread across my face; I already know the predatory look in my eye making all three men stiffen. “Do not take my genteel nature for weakness.”

Arthur huffed annoyed, “easy now let’s not—“

Hosea was almost sprinting outside. “You god damn dumbasses!” He coughs deep.

“Hosea!” I froze and caught his arm as he stood in front of me. “No you can’t be out here your lungs!”

“I’ll be fine miss. Dutch have you lost your senses?” Hosea huffed at his long time friend. “She saved us. They all did.”

“All?”

A cough from the tree line as Micah spun to see Belial holding a bow with an arrow knocked and aimed right at his heart, fire in his gaze. “Get the fuck away from my baby sister.” He hisses low, teeth bared.

“And,” I  jerk behind me with my thumb, a woman coming out from behind a building holding a curved blade and smiling with a wild look in her eyes and flame hair tossed about on the wind. “I wouldn’t try that one. She’s a bit crazy about protecting me.”

“Milady.” Bella chides.

Hosea scoffs, “I apologize to you three for their behavior, we have been running and on the edge for a while. Apparently people have forgotten MANNERS.”

“Belial. Take the woman in from the cold. Ensure she gets broth and heated wine and she’s placed near the fire.”

“Of course, come now….” Belial gently takes Sadie from Arthur’s horse giving him a beaming smile.

“Let’s all head inside before we freeze our insides hm?” I say crossing my arms cocking a brow, “or do you all prefer to be in weather cold enough too freeze the balls off a brass donkey?”

With that Dutch cracks a wry grin, Arthur actually chuckles and Micah stifles a huff.

“Mister Williamson!” I call to the cabin with the door cracking open as the other men heard the commotion, “would you please be a dear and help them with the horses? They’re half frozen. I’ll make sure to save you some more broth.”

And to everyone’s amazement the man trudges without complaining and gets it done. 

“Thank you so much Mister Williamson.” I pat his arm as he walked by to get the horses as he scoffed a grunt of acknowledgement.

With that the men watch as I stomped into the cabin. “You coming?” I called annoyed. “Or do you want to freeze? Supper is ready.”

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Arthur glared at the small woman’s back, casting a glance at the red headed female who had sheathed her blade and cocked a brow at him tilting her head with a genuine smile.

It was still unnerving. “Dutch…what’s the plan?” He hissed as they got off their mounts.

“Well Arthur let’s see what happens, if Hosea and everyone are alright no reason to not take hospitality like this.” Micah is grumbling as he stomps into the cabin with the other men.

Dutch entered the main cabin, everyone huddled round the fire, sad but talkative. And Arthur balks at the sight.

The cabin is light and airy, clean too, a roaring fire in each room and small stoves roaring with kettles and pots.

“Auntie?” Jacks little voice perks up from Abigale’s arms. 

“Yes cub?” The woman asks. He doesn’t know her name, but she’s tossed her hat off, long hip length black hair tumbling down as she reaches and squeezes his cheek. “You warm?” She throws her jacket over him and Abigale and the mother gives a thankful look. “Wolf fur, warm huh?”

“Yes! Thank you.” Jack chirps.

Ms. Grimshaw and the woman are working in a circle on mending items.

Pearson is sitting and trying to finish stirring a pot. 

“A bit more thyme Pearson. Everyone needs the vitamins from it.”

“Vitamins from an herb?”

“Ah course, it has menna benefits.” Belladonna says as she stomps her feet of snow in a heavy Scottish accent. “C’mon now dinnae be shy abou it!” She walks over and laughs helping Pearson with cooking and dicing up items.

“What we aren’t doing stew?” He asks.

“No just stew, need more than that you’re all half starved I take it. Mi’lady?”

“Hmm?” Arthur watches as Lilith is rummaging through a box filled with things. “Thick cuts please, bread should be ready soon.” The woman glances at him, and gives the biggest smile he’s seen on her face, Carmel eyes sparkling. “Mister Morgan are you alright? Can I get your coat for you?”

“N-no It’s fine.”

Dutch had settled himself on an offered seat as Lilith circled him and checked him over, “no injuries, good.” With that she walked over to Arthur. “Mister Morgan.” She tilted his head, and he jolted a bit. “Hold still please.”

“What you some kinda doctor?” He mutters as she glances him right in the eye, making his head turn to look at the flame and then turn back.

“Good. No, but I was taught basic medical care by my father who is a doctor. Head injuries, no bullet holes? My brother is far more knowledgable.” She motions to the tall lean man who is spread out over a chair long legs stretched in front of him as he sharpens a series of blades.

“No.” He answers her question. But for some reason the man is grinning at his sister like he knows something as he glances at Arthur.

“Good.” She nods and walks away.

Strange. They were all strange….but….he glanced around at the cozy cabin, patched up, warm, fed, safe for now.

Dutch and Arthur are handed steaming mugs of a brown liquid and some kind of flat bread like thing. “Dip, and eat.” She says making a motion. “It’s good for you. And.” She handed another set of mugs one to each, “heated wine, drink slowly. Before the broth.”

“Glad we went foraging.” Bella cracked up.

Arthur watched as the women worked over cast iron skillets with Pearson, thick cuts of meat and cured sausages were cooked with mushrooms and other items but the smell he had to admit had everyone nearly starving.

The servings were more than enough to fill everyone’s bellies, and then some, seconds as well as the three odd individuals watched smiling and speaking in a different language, was it German? No…what was it? Russian? Not quite, it didn’t sound the same as he had heard Strauss speak it.

Lilith had Belial bring food to everyone else and Arthur was a bit worried but when she saw his face she smiled, “the other cabins are fixed Mister Morgan, don’t fret, you’re safe.”

He huffed a laugh as he finished his meal, “safe huh.” But when he looked up he saw a shimmer in her gaze, and she nodded. 

“Yes. We will not let anyone hurt you.”

Stranger and stranger still. “Thank you for your ah…kindness.”

“Of course. It is the least I can do. I am only sorry I cannot do more for you.”

Why did he feel she was actually speaking just to him?

He took in her features in the firelight. Raven black hair mingled with a tinge of mahogany and spirals of darker shades of brown. Wide doe eyes and a small but full upper lipped mouth. She was so tiny though compared to the other two in her party, yet they seemed to listen to what she said.

Hosea smiled and nudged her from his seat making her glance at him and laugh. Arthur was relieved it seemed his lungs were doing okay, but he didn’t miss when Lilith asked him if the tonics were working and the steam— what steam?

“That sure did the trick, breathing much better now.”

“Eucalyptus works wonders for that as does thyme and rosemary! I’ll make you it again each day, but you must tell me when your lungs get bad.”

“I will, thank you.”

Arthur watched some more, as everyone idled, unclenched and spoke softly about what had been happening. But when Lilith sidled off to the barns to tend to her horse Arthur followed.

“Mister Morgan.” She said as she brushed out the large white horse.

“Miss….ah…”

“Lilith. Lilith Vallent. You, may call me Lily.”

“Ah…Lily then.” He stood crossing his arms and glaring at her as if trying to figure her out.

“Can I help you Arthur?” She turned and mimicked his stance with a smile.

“What in hell were you all doing up here?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” 

His brow furrowed and he growled as he stalked forward, gripping her arm and tugging her close. She allowed it, “do you think this is something fun to do, to trick people?”

“Why would I trick you?”

“Hell if I know, but look these people have gone through enough.”

“Arthur Morgan, I am not going to hurt you or your family.” Her voice is soft, calm, and an understanding is riddled through it, “though I can’t even imagine what you went through to cause you to be this cautious of kindness…..I…understand.” Her hand is gentle and soft on his arm and he tenses underneath the touch, only relaxing a fraction after a moment. “But I am merely here to help. Should I step out of line I give you full permission to blow my head off.”

That almost makes him laugh.

He realizes his hand was bruising and he lets go with a soft curse, “ah um.”

“Do not fear, I am made of sturdier things than most men.” A chuckle. “It’s alright.” Her gaze shimmered with glee, “besides I rather liked it. Perhaps I can talk you into doing it again some time.”

He flushed bright across his ears and huffed with a scowl and backed off.

Awe poor baby she thought to herself. “Mister Morgan, I was being serious.”

“Hmph.” He was handling his own new steed from Ms. Adler’s place. “Sure.” He drawled in that southern accent.

“Mister Morgan, you don’t know me, let’s stave off the will to read between the lines till we know one another a bit more hm?”

Arthur watches her expressions, her open ease with him as she walks by and nudges him with her hip on a chuckle. “See you inside Mister Morgan, try not to freeze I would hate to have to come out and find you.”

The door closes and he grumbles to himself, feeling guilty for being such an ass when in reality she hadn’t given any inclination to not trust her so far. 

But after everything? Ugh, it all felt so…he glanced at the door….far too good for any of them…except maybe the women.

You didn’t live a bad life and expect good things to happen to you.

Chapter Text

The night falls, but everyone is warm, everyone has a bed, everyone is safe. I smile to myself and find Dutch who is puffing a pipe and some of Bel’s favorite tobacco, he and Belial are chatting with Hosea and Arthur when Dutch thanks him, “you really saved us there.”

“Not I.” Belial shakes his head and I smirk. Arthur is scribbling in a journal, it is something else entirely to see him do so in person, and I stay in the shadows to watch as he listens halfheartedly.

“Oh? Surely you’re the one who—“ Dutch begins laughing.

“You mistake the hierarchy Mister Van der Linde.” Bel smiles and shakes his head.

“The red head?”

“My One. But niet. No.”

Hosea chuckles, “the small one? I believe you said your little sister.”

“Hm.” He nods at the men who look floor struck except Hosea.

“You’re telling me that tiny woman.” Dutch begins.

“Though she be little, she is fierce.”

“Shakespeare.” Hosea mutters.

Arthur’s attention seems to have paused on his writing and his eyes snap up to where I am. For a moment we both regard one another before I step forward into the light.

“Bel?”

“Ah here she is, Sool Iña.” Good evening. Bel is on cloud nine, he has been able to speak with his favorite characters, Hosea especially. “I was just explaining the hierarchy.”

“You mean about how I clobbered you for rank?”

He snorts and shoves at me with his foot making my chair scoot a bit when I sat down.

“You’re really in charge?” Dutch asks.

I sigh, and drop the gentle approach, harden myself and straighten fully in my seat, leaning back and tilting my chin up, allowing my gaze to ease into a hard edge. “Yes Mister Van der Linde. Do you have issue with it?” I allowed a rumble to echo through my chest for a moment.

“Not at all, just surprising.” Dutch smiles glancing me up and down. “Not every day you meet a tiny woman capable of such things.”

“And that’s just the beginning.” Bel muttered and I kicked a foot out smacking his ankle, “ouch!”

“Siblings.” Arthur grunted as he continued to write. 

“So tell me Mister Van der Linde, what brings three men worth a bond in collection of several thousand dollars this far?” I ask sipping some whiskey from a flask.

Dutch tenses as does Arthur and Hosea merely laughs.

“Relax. You are in good company.” Bel snaps.

“Oh?”

“Belial is wanted for at least five thousand.” I explained.

“And you?”

Bel chuckles, “where are you at now?”

“Not much but that’s because I don’t get caught.” I huffed taking another swig. “Last I checked for My name it was three thousand, but last I checked for The Red Wolf it was at ten thousand.”

“The Red Wolf?” Hosea tilts his head.

“A nom de guerre.” Bel explained. “We all have one.”

“We?” Dutch asks glancing at them both.

“Yes. My family is Vallent. I am of a people called Volkier, think of us as a ah….specialized family…we…handle things. Bad people.”

Dutch grips the glass of whiskey in his hand, “and what are we?”

“Good people who survive doing bad things.” I shrug, “like anyone else in the world Mister Van der Linde. You choose who to rob, you don’t destroy everything in your path.”

I knew using the words he had used with Cornwall would resonate and he nods, relaxing substantially. 

“We would like to join you.” I said and all three men pause.

“Why?” Hosea asks tilting his head.

“Do I need a reason? You need more people who are skilled, I have skilled family. And I’ve taken a shine to you. We Wolves do not consider such trivial things. We do as we please.”

“Wolves.” Arthur smirks, “is that what you’re called.”

“It is Mister Morgan.” I softly reply. “Volkier have been around for ages, thousands of years we have passed down our knowledge to our kin, we have survived this far, in the wilds of the world— but the world is changing. And so we must change with it or perish. However, we survive best in numbers.”

Dutch laughed and nodded, leaning over and patting my knee, “indeed. I do believe I like you Miss Vallent.”

“Thank you.”

Belladonna entered the cabin and draped herself over Belial’s shoulder. “I am tired love.”

“Hm.” Bel grinned and excused himself, finding it hard to walk with Bella entwined around his arm.

“Puppies.” I snorted into my drink. “How vulgar,” but no venom was in my voice as Bel gave me the finger behind his back. “Hurry up and make me an Auntie!”

All three men almost coughed into their drinks.

“I CANNA BARELY TAKE CARE A THIS FOOL OF A MAN!” Bella’s laughter could be heard as they shut the door to their quarters.

“Sorry, we’re a bit…ah…open with how we speak of such things.” I grinned a bit sheepish. “Please allow us to show our use to you gentlemen.”

“Hmph.” Arthur was still glaring over his sketchbook but it was different— was he drawing me? I felt a curious urge to lean over and look but he guarded the edge with a hand.

Awe, bummer.

“I hope your quarters are suited to you. Mister Morgan I’ll show you to your designated spot.”

He sighed and got up to follow where I led him to a smaller cabin to the left of the bunker cabin. He walked in and glanced around. “You’ll be sharing space with myself. I hope that’s alright.” He seemed to pause, but without a fight nodded. “It is still colder than hell, it’s better to bunk up where we can.”

“Hah, surely you ain’t wanting to bunk up with me.”

“Do you see any other ornery cowboys here?” I asked crossing my arms. No way in hell are you staying in a drafty cold place cinnamon roll. Get your ass into bed. “Don’t get shy on me we can only burn wood for so long and I don’t feel like freezing to death, I won’t bite you. And I dont trust anyone else near me, and I am in no way sharing space with my brother and his bonded.”

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Arthur could understand that well enough, but as she went into another room and came out with her hair in a thick braid piling wood into the fire to bank it so it wouldn’t go out and at least keep it relatively warm, she turned to him. “You alright?”

She trusted him. Why, she hardly knew him, but she acted as if she’d known him for a long time— and damn it if it wasn’t rubbing off on him too. Through the evening she had quietly chatted with him about horses, guns, poker, anything that actually might peak his interest, California being one of the things he was want to talk about.

He even spoke of Bodicea, watching her eyes cloud with pain. “I’m so sorry. I know that doesn’t fix the pain…”

“No but…s’preciated.” He muttered.

Now here she was bundled in a bed piled high with furs and pelts and all manner of blankets like a bug in a rug.

“Look I can.”

Her warm gaze snapped open. “Don’t make me fling you into this bed Mister Morgan, I am tired.”

“Hmph.” As if she could. But he shrugs, “fine don’t say I didn’t warn ya that you’d be uncomfortable with a mean old bastard like me.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah grouchier than a bear in winter, get in here already.” She yawned big and rolled herself over.

He got himself down to his union suit and crawled in, almost groaning at how warm it was already and settled into the goose mattress— how long had it been since he’d slept in a god damn bed weeks…months?

His eyes slid shut for a moment, and drunk on exhaustion he glanced at her, half her face hidden by blankets her wide eyes blinking at him like a curious animal. 

Why did she look so damn happy.

“Ya warm?” He mumbled.

She nodded. “You?”

“Considering yer like a god damn furnace shore.”

“Hehehe. I know. My family always sidle up to me during winter, my brothers and I tend to run hot like Mama.”

“So that a family trait.” He jolted when her hand found his and he realized she wasn’t joking, she was warm and he found himself dragging her closer. 

She was pouting, “If you wanted to huggle-up just say so.”

“Hm?” He wasn’t sure what that meant.

“You know, huggle-up, like a puppy pile….you ever see wolves pile up on each other during winter?”

“I don’t make it a habit to wander into wolves dens.”

“Psh, sure you don’t.” He realized she was referring to the three of them.

“You all take this wolf thing seriously.”

“Yep.”

“Hm…”Arthur felt himself drifting off, unaware of how tight he was holding her warm hand. “Thank you.” He muttered.

“Of course Arthur…”

Sometime in the night he could hear the ever so soft whisper….

Amongst the leaves and twining branch.

The moonlight sways in winter’s dance.

Within the Company of Wolves, I keep.

That I may lie down in peaceful sleep.

He wasn’t sure what time it was as light filtered through the window frames. But it was burning up despite there still being a damn blizzard outside rattling the cabin.

“Hmph?” Arthur grunted a bit and tried to move but was weighed down as something….no…someone…was tangled with his legs.

He damn near panicked but opening one eye and looking down he flushed bright red.

She was half under him, tucked into his shoulder with a sleepy smile, hair undone as somehow in the middle of the fucking night he had buried a hand into her locks.

Fuck…move damn it… he said to himself.

“Arthur?” She opened one eye. “What’s wrong?”

“Um I’m sorry…” he blushed again.

“For what?” She muttered.

“uh..”

She glanced down at themselves and laughed, “oh please.” An arm wound about his waist and she bundled closer lightning her legs around his limbs. “Sleep it’s too early.”

He sputtered, disentangling himself and falling off the mattress to the floor with a low oof.

“Awe! You okay?” She popped up scratching her scalp, humming to herself, “ugh guess I’ll get up too if you’re so hell bent. Geez, getting up with the sun is a bitch.”

He grunted and stood up rubbing his bruised lower back.

“Arthur?” She called him, and he jolted a bit, “coffee?” She held a mug as he buttoned his shirt over his union suit.

“Thanks.” He took a long drink feeling the heat go straight to his gut.

“Welcome.” She drank her own cup, “I’m sure Belladonna has breakfast going.” She got herself bundled up after she went into the other room in a warm dress and boots, along with her wolf cloak that was dark black fur fluffed out all over making her look bigger than she was. “I’ll go check on it.”

He frowned to himself glancing at the unmade bed. Had he really spent the night bundled up to a total stranger….

A rather cute stranger.

No…no…a stranger nonetheless.

Yes he had. And he wasn’t too sure how he felt about it.

But upon entering the cabin with the bunk beds he could hear the men chattering rather amiably, warmed up with the small stove that kept the room comfortable, “ah it’s Morgan, where the hell did you sleep?” Micah asked. “Saw you heading off with that tiny woman, get lucky?”

“Shut it Micah.”

Javier chuckled, “she speaks Spanish you know. Her mother is from Mexico.”

“Really? I thought they were Russian.” Lenny said.

“Father is Russian.” Bill corrected sipping his coffee.

“Well whatever they are, sure am grateful.” Lenny smiled.  

Arthur always liked Lenny, he was a good boy, did good work and was smart to boot. “We should be, be in a hell of worse set of circumstances without em.”

“I dont trust em.” Micah snapped. And everyone frowned at him.

“Just sad about Davey.” Bill muttered.

“When I go I don’t want no one to be sad just fucking move on.”

“Why when you go Micah there will be a party.” Lenny chuckled and Bill laughed.

But before Micah could land a blow Lilith stood before him.

“Gentlemen.” She chided. “Such behavior.” Arthur tensed, watching her body language as she sighed deeply as if disappointed. “What seems to be the issue.”

“Ain’t gonna be laughed at by the likes of these idiots.” Micah snapped.

Lilith chuckled, “Mister Bell, surely such a trivial thing could do you no harm, yet you’re willing to draw blood for such a thing from family?”

Everyone tried to move when Micah’s palm lashed out, “you Bitch!”

But a small hand gripped his wrist making the big man stop, he jerked but the grip was iron.

“Mister Bell. I don’t take kindly to violence intending to draw blood amongst friends and family.”

Lilith’s gaze was sharp, her lip curled in a sneer and she clenched her hand tighter around Micah’s wrist making the man grunt. “Right now I am grinding your radius and your lunate bones in your hand together…hurts doesn’t it?” 

Arthur watched with a deep frown, Javier was laughing, and Lenny just stepped back a bit Bill kept drinking his coffee seemingly glad she saved him from getting his jaw punched.

She stepped forward, pushing Micah back by bending his wrist at an unnatural angel towards him. Her voice was gentle, scolding. “If I wanted to… I could easily snap it back and dislocate your wrist. I would of course set it…but it would hurt…quite badly. Bear that in mind when you decide to bare those dull fangs of yours at me for such an idiotic reason. You shall not get any leeway from me again. Do I make myself clear?” She didn’t even wait for him to respond, jerking his wrist and forcing his legs to buckle from the pain. ”Be a good boy and DOWN.”

No one moved. 

Everyone was too shocked to move.

Belial was leaning in the doorway with a lopsided grin, “Lioshka?”

“It is fine.” She flung Micah’s arm back with a rumble in her chest and kept her head high, staring down her nose at the blond man, before slowly glancing over everyone. “Gentlemen,” she brushed snow off herself and adjusted her hair which was piled up in a half Gibson girl style, “breakfast is ready, come eat.”

With that the siblings left.

“God damn.” Micah hissed rubbing his wrist glaring at the door, “something is wrong with that fucking bitch.”

Charles was trying not to laugh as was Lenny, “seems fine to me.” Lenny said.

“Don’t worry Micah, you’ll get her next time.” Javier chuckled as he walked out.

Arthur merely glared at the man. “Don’t let me ever catch you acting to hit her again.” He growled.

“What protective of your little she-bitch?” Micah spat.

“Watch it.” Arthur snapped. “She’s helped us be grateful.”

Breakfast was a strange affair, everyone was piled into the cabin, and that meant everyone, the Volkier family stated it was good to eat together. A potato hash, baked greens and melted cheese on toast and a type of strange meat chop dish that was riddled with wild onions and herbs.

Pearson was in heaven. He didn’t even complain and he had apparently been helping.

Lilith had informed everyone over the meal that afternoon meal would be a simple dish like breakfast, when was the last time they even had three meals a day…everyone was brighter, their morale boosted, and Dutch and Hosea were chattering away together.

“So Dutch, tell me. There are O’Driscals nearby?” Lilith asked.

“You know of O’Driscalls?”

“We hate them.” Belial snapped from across the room.

“Oh good.” Dutch said laughing, “we’ll all get along fine then.”

“We can help.” Belladonna smiled wide, “may I?”

“You and I will go, Belial, stay with the group. Ensure no one comes if they do, slit their throats open.”

“Yes little sister.”

Hosea glanced at Arthur they seemed to be thinking the same, how could one so young speak of killing so easily.

“May we join you?” Lilith asked Dutch, “I promise we will make it easier.”

“Why not.”

With that, it was decided, and Lilith went to prepare, stating a dress was not clothing to fight in.

Arthur huffed and leaned in to Dutch, “we sure bout this letting women on a job?”

“Arthur have faith.”

Have faith…that was always the answer….Arthur seemed to be running out of faith as he followed Dutch, “Dutch we ain’t got the luxury of revenge… you’re always sayin that.”

“Best that we hit him before they hit us.”

Chapter Text

Part 01 Chapter 03: Colter

I managed to get myself set up, knowing we’d actually be going after John since he was still missing. Attaching the leather over bust corset riddled with knives as well as the leather leg guards I exhaled, it would be interesting to see what they thought of our way of doing things but they seemed rather accepting thus far.

And as we moved to go out, Abigale grabbed my sleeve. “Miss Vallent?”

“Yes Abigale?”

“John…”

“Oh the gentleman that you said was your sons father?”

“Yes…”

Arthur had walked into the room and was swarming himself by the fire. “Where’s little John gotten off to?”

“Arthur he hasn’t been seen in a couple days, I fear the worst.”

“John is fine, he gets himself out of scrapes all the time.” Arthur huffed.

I cocked a brow, “I’ll go find him.” I pat her arm, “I can track him.”

Arthur groaned, “I’ll go with ya.”

“How kind.” I grinned as I walked by, Hosea nudged me as I sidled by with a smirk and a whispered thank you.

“I’ll come too!” Javier noted. “John would do the same for me and Arthur.”

“Sure, might be good considering the wolves.”

“Wolves?” Javier asked as we mounted up.

I nodded, after ensuring I had everything needed including shotgun with slugs. “Yes, alright you two, flank me, head forward in a V position, and try to keep it unless we head up the mountain, in that case line up.” With that I spurred Luna into a gallop. “Let’s go! Belladonna shadow!”

“Aye Milady!” And with that her horse charged off into the wilderness. 

“Shadow?” Arthur inquired as we moved at a quick pace.

“She’ll scout ahead, and send Aristotle if she finds something.”

“And that is—“  A screech above as a Ferrugius Hawk soared past. “She is skilled in Falconry, her family learned for many years in her home country. His line has been with the Marshalls and each member has their own Falcon. They are the largest of hawks to be used for Falconry. And he is quite protective. She found him in Mexico.”

“Ha!” Javier seemed a bit stunned, “you all keep surprising us.”

“We are a surprising people. Javi.” I managed to find John’s trail and exhaled, “fuck he went up the mountain.”

Arthur rolled his eyes, “just like him to have someone dig his ass out of snow.”

I sighed, “Arthur take the middle, Javier take the front, I’ll watch the back.” And with a chiding look as he glanced over his shoulder. “This is what family does.” I noted as we lined up and began to trek up the mountainside, myself taking the end. “Javier do you see where the trail picks up?”

“Yes, he headed up this way.”

“We’ll have to leave the horses.” Arthur noted and I agreed, we got off and began to make our way further along a cliffside. “John!” Javi shouted. 

“HELP! DOWN HERE!”

With that I took off, making sure to keep my movements swinging forward to help me trudge through the snow faster. “Mister Marston?” I called finding him on the ledge. “Awe poor puppy.”

“Puppy?! Who in the fuck are you?”

“A friend. Hold the fuck still. We don’t need you bleeding and bringing a bear. Wolves are a pain in the ass enough.” I gathered what I needed from my satchel and made him down a few tonics and salved him up with an antiseptic solution of old mans beard and golden thread. “That will have to do for now, I’ll need to draw any infection out at the cabin. Alright, come on.” I gripped under his arm and hauled him up. “Arthur!”

They were there reaching for him, Arthur laughing, “well now Marston, looks like ya got yer head ate by wolves. How much’a yer brains did they get?”

“Shut up Morgan.”

“You gonna have to come up with a better story for those scars.”

“Getting half eaten by wolves ain’t enough?”

“We got company gentlemen!” I shouted, ”Javier, Arthur— get him to the horses!”

“I got you.” Arthur had one shot down in seconds as the others charged down the slope.”

“SHADOW!”  A shrill whistle as a large hawk circled over head and dove into the eyes of one of the wolves screeching.

A black streak of horse and woman charged forward from behind us, her body clad in leather padding as she took the tackle of a she-wolf head on while I dodged and sliced a death blow to a jugular. “Come on ya wee bitch!” Bella roared plunging a blade into it’s throat.

Aristotle soared high, blood splattering from his talons and across his feathers as Bella let out a snarl of glee when the final wolf was downed by a blade thunked into it’s throat.

Arthur shot down the final one, sighing and glancing at the two of us. “Remind me never to make her angry.” He mused as Bella ruffled Aristotle’s feathers and set him loose again, “that is a big bird.”

“He’s a beauty inn’e?” Bella asked fluffing her hair out and wiping blood off her face. “We ready?”

“Yes, John how you holding up?” I asked.

“Feel drunk.”

“Good that means it’s working.”

“Oh joy.” Was the sarcastic reply.

We managed to make it down the mountain, Belladonna staying to get the meat and pelts from the wolves.

“She gonna be alright?” Javier asked.

“Worry about the woodland creatures who piss her off.” I laughed.

“Bella?” Belial asked as we rode in, “ah…hunting.” He chuckled and walked off back towards the kitchen area.

Arthur sighed and leaned over to speak to me, “watch the golden boy not get a scolding despite holding up a job.”

Dutch of course was ecstatic John was back and Arthur rolled his eyes.

“Siblings?” I asked smiling.

“We both was raised by Dutch and Hosea. They taught us to read.”

“Awe, I can see that.” I smiled wide at him, and he returned with a shy smile back. He gets a bit of a playful look, “you know for someone so small you sure as hell take up a lot of space.” He sniffs and cocks a brow.

“You know for someone so big you can curl up on the edge of a bed real easy. Next time just huggle-up and I won’t have to latch on like a damn possum.”

It was the first time he genuinely laughed. “I’ll remember that little wolf.” He was glancing over my gear and had a look of confusion.

“Leather, protects quite well.”

“What ya goin to war?” He poked my arm guards and outer leg guards as well as the leather corset flicking a knife handle.

“Life is war.” I tilted my head.

“Hmph, ain’t that just bout right.”

As I washout to ask what he meant Belladonna zoomed into camp with furs and blood all over her. “I’m back!” She said prancing off her stallion Bairn.

I chuckled, “welcome back sister.”

“Didja see the pelt on that she-wolf?” She crowed tugging it off her horse, “it’s like ya fur milady, I should make a new cloak and we can trade.”

“I would like that thank you Bella.” She grinned and whistled for Aristotle who landed on her thickly gloved forearm. “There’s a good boy.”

Everyone in camp balked.

“Wah ya never seen’a damn bird afore?” She scoffed. “Come on pretty boy.” She was feeding him strips of wolf, “lessee what ya da is up ta.”

I rolled my eyes. “You get used to her.”

“Body can get used to anything…”

“Even hanging.” I finished and we laughed walking over to Hosea and Dutch.

“Got anymore maidens that need saving?” Arthur asked.

“No,” Hosea chuckled. “Thanks you three.”

“Javier tipped his hat and walked off as Arthur joined me in the cabin where Abigale tended to Marston.

“Alright, lemme work.” I shooed most people away, and grinned. “Marston this is gonna hurt like a bitch.”

“Ya aint gotta look like ya gonna enjoy it!”

Arthur chuckled, “I will.”

“Of course you would.” John muttered.

I forced willow bark tea down his throat, irrigated the wound with stinging solutions of horsetail and once it was cleaned I made a salve and packed it with bandages. “Don’t touch it. You’ll have a mark but congratulations you were chosen to bear them by a powerful creature. In our ways it means you are protected.”

“Sure felt like that when they bit me.”

“They could have killed you.” I said softly. “But they did not. They left. Think upon that. I do not play with coincidence or dice to tell me my fate rather that things happen for a reason.”

John pondered and cracked a slight grin. “Guess so.”

“Either way, get rest, I shall have Bel bring food, you need to gather your strength to heal.”

“Thank you.” Abigale clutched my hand tight and I nodded, “let Jack see his Pa.” I leveled a gaze at John, “I am sure he was quite worried for his father.”

John seemed to squirm under my direct gaze and I softened it before leaving.

“What was that?”

“It seemed there was some tension in regards to little Jack.” I said.

“That obvious?” Arthur huffed an annoyed sound.

“Yes, but Marston is young, he can learn.”

Arthur glanced me up and down, “hm.” Was all he said.

I really wished I could get into his head sometimes.

— - - - - - - - - - - -

Arthur grumbled, “some people learn too late.” And he walked away, his chest heavy with memories long past. “Other’s should be so lucky.”

She caught his hand, “Arthur, despite that lessons can be passed down to prevent more pain.” Her voice is soft, and that damned look she gives him— it’s not pity, he couldn’t stand it if it was but this is somehow worse— she has an air of understanding, an acceptance about her with him as if whatever he lays at her feet is perfectly fine.

“Maybe so.”

That hand retreats, she seems to be thinking as she chews her bottom lip looking at her feet for a moment. 

“S-sorry I know I probably—“

“S’fine.” He assured her rubbing the back of his neck. “Just a hang up he and I have had.”

Lilith nodded, “my brother and I had something similar happen.”

“Oh?”

“Yes…but we managed to talk it out.” Arthur lets out a bark of harsh laughter.

“Me and him? Talk? Shoot, ya ain’t known us long but ya gonna see that’s a bit hard for us Van der Linde boys.”

“Oh that’s plain as day Mister Morgan. But as I said, everyone can learn.” A wink as she sauntered off.

“Damn woman.” He grumbles to himself striking a match on his boot to light up a smoke. He couldn’t make heads or tails of her as she checked in with Dutch and asked him several questions, Dutch did seem to be in a better mood, and she was always checking in with him— she said the word was deference. She acknowledged he was leader. But she herself led the two people she had.

Arthur had to admit the way she did things did scream leadership. It was rare to see such things. There wasn’t anything she herself wouldn’t do that she’d ask of others. Mucking a stall, hunting, ensuring people were clothed, mending, healing…Dutch hadn’t done that for a long time but he did get his hands dirty when needed.

It further solidified Arthur’s ideology that if women ran shit it might be a mite better, he glanced at Susan who was chatting with Hosea before she went off to screech at someone for not working hard enough.

Belladonna walked up to him and grinned, offering her hawk, “wanna pet’im, seems ta like ya.”

Arthur was never one to pass up petting an animal. Shit he’d pet a bear if it wouldn’t rip his damn arm off.

“Sure, Aristotle was it?”

“Mmhm. He had many ideas of the stars that man. Mi’lady said it suited because this hawk could damn near fly to them with these wings.” She kissed the hawk who let out a little chirping sound as Arthur placed a warm finger against it’s chest feathers. The big raptor fluffed his feathers and crooned, leaning forward and nudging Arthur’s hand.

“Here, he likes meat.”

“Here boy.” Aristotle took the piece and gulped it down and flapped his wings before Bella let him go. “He just nests somewhere?”

“Oh aye, he has a mate somewhere, but I canna catch her, she is too fierce. But she hunts with him and has never left his side. They keep the same mates their whole life.” She smiled up at the sky and sure enough, a smaller hawk circled with him swooping and gliding. “Quite a sight.”

“Sure is.” Arthur grinned. “You all keep any other animals?”

“Oh aye, you should see the family wolves.”

Arthur paused as he walked by, “beg pardon?” He furrowed his brow.

“Oh aye, Milady found a pack of wolves who’s cubs were abandoned. She took them all in, they are the sweetest, deadly, but they are the comfiest things to snuggle with. Sometimes all four of them are with her.”

“And these are….ah…”

“No here. They in the wilds probably hunting, somewhere up north west in the Grizzlies. They look different, no from here. Timber wolves from the west. Darker coats. Then the wolf dogs…all  except for Talla—they look like they wolf kin. She is almost a strawberry color but she’s half wolf and half some big dog from Alaska.”

“Been round a lot.”

“Oh aye, we been all over.” The wolves are bout five or so now. Talla and her siblings are with her brothers, she breeds them.”

“Breeds wolves.”

“Just for the family.”

“Ah.” This family got weirder and weirder, “they guard? The wolves not the half breed ones.”

“No no, wolves are quite timid despite people thinking they fierce, unless the family is attacked, they no just go about attacking randomly, Talla and her siblings though, they were bred with a type’a dog that will protect their master anywhere, any time. Talla especially, her mate is a full wolf, but she is far fiercer than he.”

Arthur laughed, “you talk like they people.”

“You talk to yer horse like it’s people.”

She had him there. He kicked at the snow. “Never knew an animal to dislike it.”

Belladonna grinned, “you ken for a scary bastard, ye pretty nice.”

“Don’t know nuthin bout that.” Arthur snorted as he walked off.

Dinner was a lighter affair now that John was back, everyone celebrated with some whiskey and a meal of wolf steaks and deer meat. Arthur watched as everyone milled around, chatted, and tried to liven their spirits, the deaths of ones close still loomed— as did the damn frost. 

Some spring this turned out to be.

He glanced at the three strangers who had dropped into their lives as he scribbled.

It is rather strange to be in the company of wolves.

I find that they are a gentle people unless provoked, despite their appearances, the females are far more aggressive then their male counterparts, as Belial seems to have a very playful nature, they all do in fact. Shoving at one another as they walk in the snow to push the other into a drift. Or leaping onto one another’s backs as they run off.

I have only seen wolves play once, when I came across a den by accident when the welding season came. Indulgent and confident in my spot I had used binoculars to watch a game of tag played by the pack. It is of similar air.

Hosea is doing alright, but I know the dark haired woman named Lilith is concerned, he is coughing a lot, and his breathing is labored, he stays indoors mostly under her direction, and she’s been shoving tonics into his mouth whenever he allows it. Seeming hell bent on keeping him alive.

John is alright, a pain in my backside still, but he’s lucky to be alive. … We all are.

Not sure what in hell happened on that boat, but whatever it was it weren’t good. Charles heard that a girl died. Dutch outright shot her…saying it needed to be done….

That ain’t like him…

The red head reminds me of Sean, I wonder where that Irish bastard got off to. Knowing him he’s probably found trouble. Davey…Jenny….Both gone in a matter of weeks….We lost folks before but not like this— so needlessly. They are calling it the Blackwater Massacre.

This family is strange, stranger still is the kindness they show everyone. It is gentle, despite their steel hard spines and unwavering eyes…unnerving eyes.

Eyes that gleam when they look at ya, like a beast’s catching firelight in the dark. She looked at Micah as if he were nothing but an ant to be pitied for facing a mountain.

Wonder what that’s like….ain’t never said I was confident, I can fight with the best of em…

But I have a feeling this woman could give me a run for my money…

Half inclined to piss her off and find out…

Chapter Text

I woke up bundled into a small ball curled into a brick wall.

The brick wall was a cowboy. AAAAWWWWEEEEEE.

And he was breathing heavily on my neck. Aaaaand his hand was kinda in a spot that— whoa….okay.

I was not about to complain. 

At.

All. 

But ah, consent is always key. 

I squirmed a bit and a low grunt behind me sounded a displeased huff before he threw a leg over my thighs. “Woman go to sleep.” He growled.

“Arthur?” I mumbled. But his arm yanked around me tighter and he groaned. “I know I hate getting up early but we gotta fuck up O’Driscalls.”

There was a long pause and deep breathing a gentle snore escaping him. Sounding far louder given his mouth was right behind my ear.

Dawwwwwwwww.

“For fucks sake.” I scooted to my back and then to my side, and tapped his nose. “Arthur. Sleepy Mister Morgan come on.”

His blue-green gaze slowly opened, annoyance leaking off his whole body, and I giggled, pushing my nose against his and rubbing them gently before kissing his nose. “Good morning.”

The sound he made was a half yelp half groan as he vaulted back off the bed and fell out with a dull thump.

“How many times you gonna do that?” I asked leaning on an elbow tilting my head looking down at him flat on his back glaring at the ceiling.

“Prolly till my entire ass is bruised.” He groans sitting up and rubbing his head.

“Awe poor baby.”

He blushed and glared at me before getting up to get dressed muttering about insufferable women.

Coffee was quick as was breakfast, Arthur chuckling when I forked a piece of sausage from him but gave him my half of hash, he liked it better anyway given how he always finished that first.

After a moment he forked another piece of meat and nudged it onto my plate making me chuckle.

Hosea watched and I huffed at him when he sat down near me and elbowed me, “Seems you two get along.”

“Just trying to lighten him up a bit. He’s so serious sometimes he needs to play more.”

“Arthur’s had it hard.” Hosea says softly, then again I take it you know that.

“Hm?”

“How’d you know Davey’s last name?” Hosea asked quietly.

I felt my eyes fly open.

“Seems like you all were waiting for us for a reason…care to tell me how you knew we’d be here? Or where John was? Arthur said ya led them straight to him.”

I fiddled with what was left on my plate. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“You’d be surprised, but I know you’re here to help.” Hosea exhaled deep as he drank his second cup of coffee. “Like a guardian angel.”

“Pfffft not likely.” we both cracked up as he nodded in agreement.

“Belladonna change of plans.” I nodded to her, “will you please stay with the group while Bel and I head out to the O’Driscal area. He apparently has some intel so maybe we’ll find something is what Dutch is hoping for.”

“Ooch sure.” She ruffles Jack’s hair and grins at me, “I’m teachin the wee one how to make arrow heads.”

“Oh perfect, he’ll be a wolf cub in no time.” I joked as I walked by and pat the boy on the back. “You should show your pa once you learn.”

“Okay auntie!”

Once dressed and ready I glanced at myself in the mirror. The leather guards on my legs and forearms were just to prevent me from banging into anything if I had to skid on a surface, but the blades across the gun holster and thigh holsters were another story entirely. I grinned at my reflection piling my hair high in a ponytail and blackening across my eyes with a charcoal paint.

Bow and arrows ready and prepped I laced up my boots and went to get mounted up with the men.

“A woman is coming, Dutch really?”

Belial snarled at Mister Bell with venom, “she can out shoot you any day mongrel.”

“Bel, such language.” I scolded laughing.

Dutch waved his hand as if it were already decided. 

“Belial, you’re with me, Dutch what would you have us do?”

Dutch thought, “stick with us, we’ll scout and see what’s going on.”

We both nodded and did as requested. I rode alongside Arthur, grinning at him as the snow leapt out from beneath thundering hooves.

“You seem a bit too excited little wolf.”

“Oh battle is an exciting thing. Especially against womanizing bastards, that’s my speciality.” I flashed a toothy grin and raised a brow.

We were above the basin, binoculars at the ready and glancing at the makeshift camp. “What a buncha fucking idiots.” I muttered handing the binoculars to Javier who chuckled at me. “Don’t even know how to camp properly in snow.

I trotted my horse up to Dutch and Arthur, “I’ll go with you two.” I said firmly. “Belial will follow up with the others.”

“Sounds fine.” Dutch nodded as we made our way down to the camp sneakily. I stuck close between the two men, just in case I needed to do anything to protect them. Especially Arthur, but he seemed rather agile on his feet regardless of his size.

I was impressed to say the least.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Arthur glanced at Dutch, they were all idling by watching the men, “what do you want to do Arthur.” He glanced at Lilith who looked like a coil about to be let loose. “Lilith?”

“Aim for the ones out over there with your guns. I’ll take the ones up close.”

“There are three of em!” He hissed.

She cocked a brow and drew the curved blade tucked into a sheath at her side. “Trust me gentlemen, I know what to do. On the gunshot…we strike…”

Dutch nodded as she crouched and snuck closer….and closer….he watched a near imperceptible change shiver over her, her lips pulling back and her eyes glittering.

BANG!

Two were dead, red splashing over the small woman like paint from a bucket.

The last one’s head suddenly twisted between her gripping hands at an impossible angle before she was gone and ducking behind a crate for cover as the firefight started.

Arthur began to pick off O’Driscalls one by one. Head shots were easy when the idiots kept popping up like gophers, but a bullet zinged past his ear and he swore, before he could aim a swath of blood splattered across the crates the man hid behind with a screech of pain.

Belial darted past the debris sinking blades into whoever was close enough or stupid enough to charge him.

They were fast.

Just fast enough where they could skid past someone on the snow and slice their guts open.

Arthur had never seen fighting like this.

Guns yes…but this was personal. It was one thing to pull a trigger and drop someone hundreds of feet away, but this was something else entirely as he watched Lilith plunge a dagger into a mans gut and yank upward to his heart a feral snarl escaping her.

“They’re coming through the trees!”

Now they switched to pistols. Bel and Lilith flanking Arthur and taking cover behind the crates. “Ammo?” Bel called and Lilith tossed a small pouch at him. “Express?”

“What the fuck else! Wait those are—“ BOOM!!!

“Jesus!” Arthur shouted as a man literally exploded to bits.

“Explosive. NIIIIICE.” Bel purred. “Who else wants to be made into scraps!”

“Explosive.” Arthur snapped at Lilith who had the decency to look sheepish and chuckle.

“Whoops.”

But a bullet whizzed past Lilith’s shoulder and red was spreading across her white shirt. “Fuck!” She clapped a hand to the wound and growled.

Belial was already moving, sprinting head on with a blade and teeth bared. “Come here you son of a bitch!” Three blades, neck, stomach, groin…the O’Driscoll dropped and Belial was left standing over the dead body heaving, he realized there was a bullet also between the mans eyes and glanced back at Arthur. “Lioshka?”

“I’m okay!” She had torn a cloth and wrapped the wound up, “just a graze.”

“Ya a’right?” Arthur was trying to look at the wound but she swatted him away gently. “Lily, come on now lemme look.”

“It’s just a graze I promise.” She pat his cheek with a red stained hand making him frown. She was covered in so much blood he couldn’t tell what was her own and what was O’Driscall. “The red wolf.” He remembered.

“Yep.”

“You always end up bathed in this stuff?”

“More or less.” She shrugged getting up with a wince as Dutch had everyone get to looking.

Micah sneered at her, “looks like someones wounded.”

Lilith bristled and glared at him, “looks like someone picked people off without getting up close.” She pointed to the three men and then to the one with his guts spilled out and grinned. “Care to test me?”

Micah stomped off.

“Psh.” Lilith rolled her eyes and winced as the shrug she gave moved her shoulder.

“You good?” Dutch asked concerned.

“Meh.” She grinned, “had worse done by bigger and meaner Mister Van der Linde.”

“Bella is gonna be pissed.” Bel sighed.

“She’ll be fine.”

Arthur came out with a map and dynamite. Lilith smiled at Arthur who was still looking at her with concern. He was gonna have to get her to sit down and look at that when they got back.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I winced, fuck that really hurt. I had been distracted for a moment, it happened but thank goodness it didn’t lodge into my shoulder— now that would have been a bitch to heal.

Riding back to camp Bella wasn’t the only one who rushed forward upon seeing red across my shoulder, Hosea was with her too. “Milady!” Getting dragged off my horse was not fun. 

“Bella I’m fine!”

“Ya no fine, ya shot!”

“Winged.”

“Winged, I dinnae care ye bleedin ya daft cunt now come away.” Arthur followed as did Hosea as she hauled me into the small space I shared with Arthur and shoved me into a chair.

I didn’t even bother with pleasantries as I jerked the shirt open where the wound was, “thank ye.” Bella smiled. 

I could feel Arthur tense up as he could see a small carving of flesh canoed into my shoulder where the bullet zinged past. His face darkened, as if he could go back and kill the fucker again.

“Gonna need stitching no wonder it bled so much.” I grumbled resignedly. “Fucker. Arthur shot him between the eyes and Bel knifed him.”

“Better death than I woulda given him.” Belladonna huffed.

“My fierce big sister.” I grinned.

“Bel, hold her.” I rolled my eyes as he locked my arms behind my back firmly. “Ya know it, a’right bite down.” She shoved a strip of leather in my mouth and poured the antiseptic solution over the wound still steaming warm. 

Pain and Volkier don’t mix well. 

Especially if it is sharp blinding pain.

A gouging wound being cleaned is one of those things.

“Easy girl.” Bel gripped harder as I jolted with a snarl swearing into the leather strip that I gripped so hard my jaw popped.

“I ken, I ken milady we got ya. Worst is over.”

Once released Bel was elbowed right in the gut a low oof leaving him as he coughed, it was gonna bruise. “I know, I deserved that. Fuck…” he wheezed.

Hosea chuckled as he began to help stitch me up, “hold still now.”

“No worries.” I was of course as gentle as a puppy for Hosea, Bella and Arthur noted and glanced at one another.

Arthur stayed close as they worked, it was rather odd, he kept scribbling as he waited for them to finish working, eight stitches later I was all patched up after downing a few tonics.

I wondered what he was doing the entire time, he seemed concentrated, brow furrowed, and thoughtful.

“Well son we did good.” Dutch said coming into the cabin and nodding at me, “looks like a train robbery.”

“Ain’t that a little old fashioned.” Arthur mused. “Thought we was trying to stay away from the law.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I was you.” I said softly, "it’s Cornwall, he’s a right mean fucker and I wouldn’t put it past him to send Detectives like Pinkertons. You’re not gonna get more than a grand out of it anyway since the bonds will be hot. If ya need that much I have it, you’re welcome to it. Save yourself the trouble Mister Van der Linde.”

Dutch glanced me up and down, “and you know this how?”

“I have my ways. I know things and I kill. Belial can confirm. You said the train will be here in two days time?”

“Yes.”

“Let him get the information you need.” I nodded to my brother and he smirked clapping Dutch on the arm, “He’s got it. If it turns out I am wrong, we hit it. If I am right, I merely give you the money and we move on.”

“And in return?”

“We come with you off this god forsaken mountain.” I shrugged. “I have more money, as well as resources you are welcome to it Mister Van der Linde.”

“Why are you doing all of this for us?”

Hosea seemed to catch my gaze at Arthur, and he frowned, knowing I hid something. “Because I can. And your family is worth saving.”

“Saving.”

“Yes Dutch. Saving.” I leveled a look at him, “Pinkertons will be coming. We have dealt with them before, we can help protect you. My family and I.”

“And in return.”

“Trust. The same loyalty you’d expect us to give we expect from you.”

“We’ll see what Belial brings.” Dutch nodded, “and make a decision.”

Bella poked me, “I can always go and—“

“You’re not blowing up a train.”

“Awe.” She pouted but went to kiss her love goodbye as he left for his intel collection.

“That one will blow up anything if you let her. Don’t ever let her near explosives. She’s also an arsonist, most of her bounties are due to setting things on fire.”

Arthur and Hosea’s eyebrows are raised.

I absentmindedly picked at lint on my pants, “she blew up a bridge once.”

“THA WAS AN ACCIDENT YA CUNT!”

“IT TOOK FIFTEEN POUNDS OF DYNAMITE MY ASS IT WAS AN ACCIDENT YOU HELL SPAWN!”

“IT WORKED DINNIT????”

I looked at Arthur and Hosea shaking my head and mouthing “no it didn’t.” And I stifled laughter in my palm as Arthur and Hosea chuckled.

“I KNOW YOU SAID IT DIDNT.” She shouted from outside huffing as she stomped off to do whatever chores she had.

Chapter Text

There had been a commotion, an O’Driscoll had been spotted riding past the river— Belladonna brought him back tied up on the back of her Clydesdale. 

She was still bitter about Lilith. “Canne gut him Dutch?” She had growled. 

Arthur looming behind as well, “need me to make him talk?” 

The poor boy was frightened already, the red headed vixen alone had him on edge but the bear of a man made him squeak and almost faint.

“I aint no O’Driscol!!” He pleaded.

The boy’s name was Kieran, and he was put tied to a post in a barn where he at least wouldn’t freeze to death.

“Down girl.” Lilith had kissed Bella’s cheek and the woman had melted nuzzling her friend back with a smooch and a forehead press.

Arthur glanced out the window, he finally had a moment of peace, granted, it was due to all hell breaking loose outside with the snow, but it was better than nothing. He and Lilith were holed up in the small cabin, the others were in the main cabin. It was decided to just stay put and warm unless needing to go out.

Lilith was busy humming over a few cast iron skillets and a dutch oven at the fireplace. “What are ya doin?” He asked as he worked over his journal.

“I take it you are hungry unless you wanna starve—“ she began to try and get the dutch oven but he leapt up.

“Woman yer arm is wounded ya gonna tear the stitches.” He snatched the cloth holder from her and picked the oven up to set it down on the stone edge. “What in hell are ya making anyway.”

“Yeast was finally done.”

“The what?”

“Sourdough starter, you know, sugar, flour, water, makes a starter for bread.”

“Yer family run a bakery now?” He chuckled.

“No.” She swatted his hip which was all she could reach sitting down, “we just learned a lot from travels.”

The meal was simple, sliced sourdough with chipped beef in a roux and fried mountain greens and mushrooms.

They sure had an odd way of saying things was simple. Hell he was used to eating stew once a day, another meal if he was lucky in town. He had noticed everyone had actually been bulking up, the hard work they did and the fuel given becoming more power on their forms. He couldn’t remember being at this kind of health since the earlier days of the gang out west.

“Thanks,” he smirked when she handed him a flask.

“Of course.” She was neat when she ate, “bread turn out okay?”

“Hell honestly I wouldn’t know, tastes just fine.” That light laughter left her and he found himself feeling a bit bitter. Was this what it’d feel like to be in a home of his own?

A small woman waiting for him to come back with supper and a warm laugh.

He swallowed the lump in his throat and coughed. 

“Arthur?”

“Hm.”

“Thank you for what you did today.”

“Ain’t never gotta thank me for having ya back.” He muttered.

“Of course I do!” She looked a bit insulted, “you work so hard, you are deserving of this ones pride and praise.” Her brow furrowed, she was glaring at him as if to say how dare you.

“Ain’t deserving of that Lilith.” He explained.

“Why not?”

He sputtered a bit, with a bark of harsh laughter, “just….well…” he didn’t know what to say…the awkwardness of his own inability to communicate what he was thinking as a jumbled ball of yarn was a bit panic inducing.

“Do you think me stupid?”

He paused glancing up at her swallowing a bite of food, “what? No.”

“Perhaps someone of unsound judgment?” Her head tilted.

“N-no.” He flushed with a sigh.

“Then why on earth would I say something like that if I had no intention of meaning it.” She queried with those unnerving eyes of hers boring into his own. She refused to look away, and he couldn’t look away. As if looking away meant she’d strike. “Through all this time I see how hard you work to protect your family. You plunge head first into danger with no fear. In my clan this is a thing we pride ourselves for. A strong heart.”

She waited for him to soak in the words it seemed. He could feel his ears tint pink and was grateful for the darker room and his hat.

“The correct response is acceptance, and perhaps a thank you, should you feel comfortable.” Lilith gently urged.

“T-thank you.” He mumbled finishing his meal.

“You’re very welcome.” Her voice was softer now, soothing. He wasn’t sure he liked it.

The rest of their meal time was quiet, he was still trying to figure out what in the hell she meant. He wasn’t used to praise…perhaps the occasionally amount from a good job being done, but for the most part he was a work horse for the gang. What needed done got the fuck done come hell or high water.

Hosea knew this, but then again— sometime in the past decade or so Arthur had begun to carry more and more of the load.

And someone noticed not even 3 days being in this gang?

It unnerved him to be seen through so easily.

“I am sorry if I was harsh.” She said almost as if to herself, “I do not like when peoples hard work goes unnoticed and unspoken of.” Her teeth worried that bottom lip again, carmel eyes darting up to look at him as a swath of hair fell out of her combs.

“Just not used to someone doin that is all.” He muttered embarrassed.

“Get used to it.” She grinned. “I plan on sticking to you like a burr Mister Morgan.”

“Why?”

“I like you.”

He blinked rapidly. 

“Yes you did not mishear me.”

“Y-you…what?”

“I like you as a person. That is rare. I want to get to know you better. If you would be alright with that.”

“You always this blunt.”

“Prevents misunderstandings.” She shrugged.

“Why on earth would ya wanna get to know me?” Arthur leaned back in his chair, glancing her over as she mimicked him. He half thought she did that as one would for a horse that they were trying to calm down. A mirroring to try and show like mindedness and camaraderie.

But she was tinier.

She thought for a moment. “Because of the way you look at Hosea and the others when you think no one is watching. How you brush your horse and speak to them gently. The way you scribble in that journal of yours like it’s a great point of your inner most thoughts.” She paused, “and because your eyes mimic a sea scape I once saw.” A wide smile. “And shooting that asshole in the face was just a bonus.” She giggled.

Arthur huffed a bit, scratching his jaw seemingly absent minded but thoughtful all at once. “Well I reckon I’d like to get to know you better too.” He admitted with a shy candor.

If he thought he’d seen her smile before he was wrong— she gave him a full beaming look, eyes sparkling and almost glowing from the inside. For a moment he was dumbstruck. But she got everything cleared, annoyed when he shooed her away and did the dishes making her sit down to nurse her shoulder in a sling.

“We’ll need to go hunting tomorrow.” He glared at her. “I’m fine!” She said pouting.

“Ya aint fine.”

“But—“

“No, I’ll go out and hunt with Charles. You…just sit and rest.”

“But his hand is hurt why can he go!”

“Because he ain’t gonna try and pull a bow or anything, I’ll need to do it. But we’ll be fine.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  -

I was grounded to the camp.

Talk about bullshit. 

Arthur and Charles left and came back with two deer. A good addition to the dwindling supply, we still had plenty but it was always good to have more. Hosea and I stayed indoors and I helped Tilly, Karen and Mary-Beth sew things together, we had a fun time chatting and laughing over the dumbest of stories they told me about swindling folks.

Arthur was hovering around me like a dog though, and I chuckled to myself, he found a way to sit near me and write, or just people watch his family quietly. At one point napping— a rarity, his hat pulled over his face. With a grin I walked over, sat down and flopped over onto him gently with a sigh before knocking out.

I heard laughing, the girls cracking up as I frowned when he tipped his hat up and cocked a brow at me. “Don’t fall asleep like that if you don’t wanna pile up.” I ducked myself under his arm and tucked in and closed my eyes.

A huff. 

Followed by deeper breathing.

I win. I internally squeed to myself.

We woke up leaning on one another, his hat having fallen off into his lap, and his head resting on top of my own as mine was on his shoulder. Blearily I blinked the sleep from my vision and spotted Bella above us, “nice nap?” She teased.

“Shut it.” I yawned out.

Arthur groaned and stretched hard his back cracking from the strain. “A’right what needs doin?”

“We just finished up supper so no worries there Mister Morgan.” Bella said walking away, “ye did a good work today, rest up. Besides is the only time milady has actually stayed the fuck still.”

“Hey!”

“Is true and ya know it.”

Arthur was chuckling into his hand glancing at me as if to say oh really.

“Shut up cowboy.” I elbowed him. I was surprised when he shoved back making me scoot a bit.

Blinking I grinned at him and laughed, scooting my boot and moving his foot.

He frowned, getting his journal out to write a bit, but not long after he nudged my foot sideways with his own a lopsided grin spreading across his face.

“Outlaw.”

“She-Wolf.”

“Adorable.” Bella teased.

Arthur and I both jerked our heads up, “shut up!”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Arthur frowned. He shouldn’t be like this…three fucking days was that all it took to make him putty? Sure it had been a while since he’d had female attention like this but… he glanced at Lilith, her hair pulled to one side as she sketched on a drawing pad with charcoal pencils. “You draw?”

“Mmhm!” She smiled and showed Arthur a bunny within a field of flowers. “It’s a jackrabbit. But I can’t get his ears right.”

He grinned, and leaned over taking the pencil, “curve…like this…” he paused and thumbed through his journal to show her the sketch he had done of a jackrabbit out in Big Valley. “Jus’follow that.”

She furrowed her brow and concentrated, keeping her gaze on the journal as her hand sketched out the shape, much better, she laughed and began to do details, fur, usually Arthur did simple sketches, quick shapes and enough to distinguish what they were, he wasn’t used to detailed work. “To do fur, it needs to be a very sharp point.” She said getting a small knife and sharpening the point carefully. She showed him what she was doing, “just think of a pelt. Not all fur is the same length, so some are longer or shorter.”

He smirked, “not bad.”

“Neither is your own, I find it hard to do loose sketches, I’m not relaxed enough.” But she blushed. “But um…” she shifted the pages, and handed one over. He paused, it was very detailed, in fact he wouldn’t have known how she’d have had the time. On the page, was a very well done drawing of himself. Sketching in his journal, a thoughtful look on his face.

A sheepish look as she fiddled with her pencil.

He huffed a low laugh as he thumbed through his journal and showed her an almost identical one of her sketching on the drawing pad, her black hair wild about her shoulders and hips tied back with a single ribbon, her brow furrowed a bit and a smudge of charcoal on her cheek.

They both paused and glanced at one another before busting up laughing .

“S-sorry.” Lilith apologized holding her sides.

“No, it’s fine.” He wheezed.

They calmed down, but looking up everyone was staring at them oddly, Hosea and Belladonna looking like cats who got canaries for dinner. 

Both of them blushed and went right back to drawing and writing mumbling to themselves.

Chapter Text

Arthur woke up with a weight on his chest.

No….it was a small she wolf. Lying right across him, his arm keeping her lodged right against his side as he lay on his back.

Her hair was like a blanket spread out across his chest and shoulder, and he moved it gently to make sure it wasn’t caught in the buttons of his union suit and sighed flopping his head back.

This was getting ridiculous. 

How was he even going to sleep when they finally left this god forsaken place.

Too used to a small warm figure snuggling into him at night now and only four days of it had him sleeping better than he usually did. Usually he caught sleep whenever he could wherever he could. But…now…he rather looked forward to evening….a rarity.

Maybe the mountain wasn’t so bad.

A blast of snow hit the window panes and rattled them.

Nope.

No.

He hated snow.

But he groaned when her leg slid about his hips, her cheek smooshed against his chest as she slept soundly, fingers tangled into the fabric of his clothing…wait…he gulped and hissed out a groan, her small hand had snaked past the several open buttons at the top and rested above his heartbeat. Small fingers tracing shapes in her sleep when he shifted. 

Just think of anything…anything at all… Arthur exhaled deeply, trying to relax his body, the movement of his chest rising and falling making her frown and snuggle closer, tucking her face into his neck on a soft sigh of his name. 

Shit.

He was trapped by a five foot two tiny demon woman who had no sense of personal space with him. And he wasn’t about to complain because it was making him feel things he hadn’t felt in a long time.

He was of the mind that it’d be better to be trapped by a mountain lion.

“Hmm?” Artur could feel her eyelashes flutter against his neck. “Arthur?”

He bit back a groan don’t call me like that. He peeled one eye open and looked down at her.

She blinked, fuzzy headed and still sleepy before realizing where she was.

For once— he saw her flustered.

A high pitched squeak left her as she hurtled herself back from him and almost fell off the bed before he tightened his arm about her waist and hauled her back to his chest. “Easy! Whoa, calm down.”

Her chest was rapidly rising and falling eyes wide and the dark pupils blew out any light color from them leaving a ring of near tawny brown. “I’m ah….I’m sorry Arthur…” she blushed bright red, her small hand gripping into the front of his clothing, she was looking everywhere but at him. “I um…I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable…I ah…” 

This was the first time she seemed flustered.

And it was because of him….

Rapid calculation ran through Arthur’s brain and a sly grin slid across his face. “You are very clingy when you sleep.” A flattened big hand brushing her hip.

“Erm…” another scatter of blush and a pant. 

“Didn’t think that’s what you meant when you said get to know me.” He rumbled into her ear as he leaned forward, catching her hand and trailing it across the small section that was open on his union suit. “But we can arrange that if ya like.”

It was a tease, she narrowed her gaze at him and a small smile tugged at her lips, leaning in— despite the blush that spread across her cheeks as well as his own. “Why don’t you say that and mean it cowboy…” she purred trailing her slender fingers down…..further down….tracing along his stomach over his clothing making the muscles tighten as his hand came up and gripped the back of her head by her hair, a low hum escaping her.

“Yer playin with fire. I aint a good man to test like this. Only got so much restraint…”

“I like fire.” His hand was skimming up her thigh hooked around his hips leaning in to finally give in and see if that mouth was as soft as he expected. “C’mon outlaw, burn me see if I run from you.”

A low rumble escaped him as he rolled her under him, dragging his teeth along her neck the short whimper leaving him dizzy. “Fuck.” Her nails dug into his bicep and hip as if in silent challenge.

“Arthur! Lilith!” Belial’s voice echoed from the doorway. “You can play later I got news.”

They both froze.

His head dropped to her shoulder on a low sound as her head fell back and she huffed angrily. “I’m gonna kill my brother.”

“I heard that!” Bel laughed as he was walking away.

Arthur could have laughed her expression looked murderous. 

Mouth a thin line and a brow raised. “Better get up and see what the hell is going on.” She whispered.

“Hmm.” Arthur sighed…”what is…” he paused.

“Whatever you want it to be.” She said in a gentle voice, her hand had come up and cupped his face, trailing higher to card through his hair and he dropped his head to her shoulder.

“Too fast.” He groaned.

“Hm?”

“Just…” a gasp as her nails traced his scalp and sent a shock down his back, his hands gripping her to him harder making the breath leave her lungs. “Too fast.”

A giggle, “we tend to do that.” She tilted her head towards the door, “those two? Two weeks.”

She wriggled out from under him, making him stifle a groan as she slid against his hips, sliding against a very obvious malady, he got up and dragged his clothing on smacking his hat on his head and getting his navy jacket pulled on.

“I’m really gonna kill him.” She was squirming, her thighs tighten together, and her cheeks high in color as she fluffed her hair back into a low braid down her back.

He rather liked her dress, it was a skirt but unlike a split riding skirt it was just open underneath where she wore tight black pants and boots under, her thigh knife holsters on either side of her legs under her gun holster. When walking it looked like a regular skirt, but when she propped her foot on a chair to tie the laces of her shoes he swallowed seeing a long tightly clad limb.

She stomped out into the snow towards her brother.

“Heheh.”

“Dead when we train.” She huffed.

“Oooo interrupt sumthin did he?” Bella giggled.

“Shut it.” She glanced at Bel and opened her arms asking what?

“Cornwall has only so much on that train, he is also in a huge market right now tracking down different gangs.”

“But he hasn’t caught on to Van der Linde?”

“Mmhm..I mean Blackwater certainly put him in their sights after that bank robbery.”

“Well no shit. But so long as we keep under the law’s nose……” she huffed. “Think we should hit it?”

“Eh, for a measly thousand dollars?” Bel shook his head, “we’d be better off getting off this mountain and regrouping. But Dutch did lose a lot of money in Blackwater.”

“We have money, that isn’t an issue.”

“$20,000?” Arthur asks incredulous.

All three of the wolves nod and shrug. “We can earn that easy.” Bel said with a grin.

“Jesus.” He’s not sure what they mean by easy, but it took them years to steal that money.

“Contact Veronica. I will talk to Dutch.”

“Oooooh that’ll be fun.”

“Veronica or Dutch?”

The red head shrugged, “both. Good luck.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dutch was sitting with Hosea as Bel and I walked in.

“You don’t think we should.” Hosea said.

“No but with good reason. If Colm does end up hitting that train, he is going to be targeted by Pinkertons as well as Cornwall. Now, obviously I hate both of those bastards. Cornwall can wipe his ass with his money. BUT.” I paused. “Given the information we have the benefit would not outweigh the risk.”

“We’ve had law on us before.”

“Not backed by a wealthy megalomaniac.” Bel said sternly. “He will pay many people to come after you, he will up your bounties to where mostly everyone will be after you all and spread them far and wide. There will be no where to hide.”

Hosea looked grim.

Arthur huffed angrily.

Dutch thought about it. “And you are sure of this.”

Belial leveled a stern look at him. “We have been hunted by people like this. We’ve seen it from those who are not able to stop when they can. They are hunted down no better than animals. Forced to hide away in a part of the world where they can never just go out and be.”

Hosea sighed, “Dutch I didn’t think we should do it anyway.”

But, Dutch shook his head, we’ve faced this kind of thing before Hosea.”

I exhaled, “you really wanna do this?”

“I do.” Dutch stared right back at me. 

“Even if it’s the beginning of the end?” I stated.

Hosea watched me, carefully. If he wasn’t sure before, the man knew now that I had knowledge far deeper than mere hunches up my sleeve.

“I’ll take that chance.”

“Fine but we do it our way. Less likely to get caught. Less likely to tie to you all.” I snapped glaring at him. “No dynamite, we will easily uncouple the train from the car at the back where the money will be held They’ll be held up inside. Let me and Belladonna handle that.”

“And what will we do.”

“Back up.” Bel said with a frown as we both began moving. “Belladonna, get the explosives and the tools to uncouple a train.”

A giddy squeal came from the other side of camp as I set up the horses.

Belial glanced at me, “worth a shot.”

“It was. Fuck Cornwall will still be a problem.”

“He has always been a problem.” Bel muttered.

Arthur came sidling up, “he was hell bent on it.”

“Seems so.”

“Hosea and I don’t agree, but…”

“What can we do.” I sighed. “Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out. But you all cannot be seen. Whatever you do, Dutch must stay hidden. I can’t explain why, just please trust me on this.”

Bill is talking animatedly to Belladonna arguing and I groan, “Mister Williamson what seems to be the trouble.”

“Thought we was blowing the track.” Bill huffed.

“Too risky, we have another way of doing it. You all will follow behind and through the mountain pass.”

“And what are you gonna do?” Micah snapped.

“Train detachment.” I grinned.

Most people would think that jumping on a train would be fun. That in the midsts of the adrenaline the rush all that jazz, it would be great fun.

No…it’s not…

What is less fun, is doing so from horse back.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Arthur watched through binoculars as two women raced near the train at the back end before getting on the connector. 

“What are they doing they should be stopping it!” Micah snapped.

“Shut it!” Javier said keeping just as close of an eye as the red head worked furiously over the connector, Lilith was keeping watch and before anyone knew, Belial was up on the rail train crouched and connecting a string of….wait were those dynamite?

Suddenly the small car was detached. And it rolled to a stop, no one it seemed, seemed to notice the train car was gone as the train whooshed across the bridge. The car coming to a stop on the other side. 

“Well I’ll be damned.” Lenny crowed. “They did it.”

“Looks like your she-bitch is useful.” Micah sneered.

“Can it Bell.” Javier snapped.

Arthur sighed and glanced at Dutch, he had tried to keep the man from having a hand involved but, no luck. He was bent on being stubborn just to spite others.

Meeting Lilith near the car she huffed, “almost ready.” She was grabbing his and Javi’s arm and dragging at a canter. “Run run run run run run run!” Everyone quickly backed up but she kept pushing them.

“Run for what.”

Belladonna was cackling as she and Belial sprinted over to where they all hid behind rocks “Fire in the hole boys!”

KA-BOOM!!!!!!!!!! BOOM BOOM CRASH CLANG BANG!

Metal went everywhere and the top of the damn train car was blown open like a can of sardines.

“Jesus Christ!” Bill hollered.

Bella clapped with glee. “I did it!” As Bel looked oh so proud and kissed her cheek.

“Sure did.” Lenny said laughing, “god girl…talk about fire power.”

“You should see what I can do with nitroglycerin. Less stable, more BOOM.” She flared her hands out like fireworks and wiggled her fingers with a devilish glee.

“Remind me—“ Lenny began.

“Not to piss her off?” Arthur finished and they both nodded.

“A’right boys ya got two choices if the blast didna kill ye. Come on out, or I send in my love and ya die. Or milady comes in and ya die….well…hate to tell ya but ya prolly gonna die…”

Lilith had some kind of strange tube. As did her brother and Belladonna.

“Come on boys, if ya come out we willna kill ya I promise, hand to god and all tha.”

The door opened and three men came out with their arms up.

WHOOSH

Three rushing sounds and the men all dropped. “Good shot!” Lilith laughed as they got up. “Alright they didn’t see us and they won’t remember so let’s go.”

“Wait won’t remember.”

“Paralytic.” Belladonna held a dart of some kind. “Nasty little shit, don’t touch the top or you’ll be napping for a day.”

The bonds in hand Arthur handed them over to Dutch. “Best be worth the damn trouble,” he snapped.

“Faith Arthur, I don’t like you doubting me.”

“Nothing wrong with questioning, I didn’t think this was tyrannical.” Belial muttered a bit loud nearby.

“Questioning is fine, but I haven’t led us astray.”

“We know you do well Dutch.” I smiled and nudged him with my hand. “Thanks for letting us deviate.”

“Compromise Miss Vallent.”

“Course Dutch.” Arthur said rubbing the back of his neck.

“You okay?” I asked as we walked to our horses.

“Mmmm.” Was all I got in reply.

“Frost should break soon.” I poked him and pointed at the icicles melting. 

“Thank God for that.”

That night I watched Arthur hum over his thoughts, thoughtfully staring down at a blank page, pencil gripped in his hand, his free thumb rubbing the scar on his chin. 

“Arthur?” I walked over, took the journal and and pencil and yanked him into my chest so he could hear my heartbeat. “It’s okay to worry.”

He muffled a reply through my blouse. “It’s fine darlin.” But I could feel his fingers inching across my waist before his arms wound about me and he hugged tight.

“I know.” I carded my fingers through his hair, kissing the top of his head gently. “I know, it’s gonna be okay. I got you.”

“If this blows up on us…”

“We’ll be there….” I paused, “I’ll be there. I won’t leave you alone.”

The grip grew tighter, “why in hell are ya doin this for us?” A pause, “for me?” His voice was hot against the fabric of my shirt, pushing through the cotton and heating my skin as he burrowed deeper into a comfort he probably hadn’t gotten from anyone in a long time.

“Because I can Arthur. And because you deserve it and more.”

A bitter laugh. “Not likely darlin.”

“Shut up I say so, so it is.”

“That so?”  His face is now resting in the curve of my neck. I blinked, his rough hands were ruching up my blouse as they went up my back, a hum in his throat. “Yer a bossy little shit ya know that?”

“B-bossy!?”

“Mmhmm.”

“Pah, it’s called leadership skills Mister Morgan.”

“Like to see how bossy you are under me.” He mumbled into my neck. But he groaned, “sorry.”

“N-no reason to apologize…too fast?”

“MMhrfmm.” His response was muffled again as he buried his face into my shoulder his slightly longer beard roughing up my skin. “Can’t say I want to fight it though.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Arthur restrained himself. As usual, and he internally cursed himself, she wasn’t shoving him off, if anything she was responsive. Warm and answering under his attentions, but…he couldn’t…shouldn’t was more like it…but he pressed his lips to her skin on her shoulder where the stitches healed up rather nice, a single line marring her warm olive skin. 

It was getting harder to ignore, the pull she had on him.

He wanted to stave off that emptiness, the lonely existence that had whittled down just a bit, enough to not be so prominent when she and her merry band of yahoos dropped into their life.

There were more yahoos. 

He had to remind himself that she had a family.

She had money.

She had land apparently from what he heard when she spoke to Belladonna.

She was probably a woman of refined wealth and here she was mucking around with an outlaw—ouch!

She had her hands in his hair and had yanked his head back. “Stop thinking badly of yourself or I’ll fuck you till you have no more thoughts in that head of yours except how good you feel.”

It took him a moment to process what she said. 

Blinking stupidly at her. He furrowed his brow in confusion, she didn’t just say that.

“You heard me.” Arthur froze, she was straddling his lap, kissing his nose, “or do you need a demonstration?”

“Look I’m sure ya parents—”

“Don’t care.”

“Ya daddy will—“

“Last time Papa told me no I punched him. He was very proud.” She deadpanned.

His lips found the sliver of skin at the open collar of her blouse and kissed with chapped lips, marveling at how she shivered. “Darlin I got nuthin for ya…” it was a last ditch effort as his hands open and closed on her body, as if trying to figure out where to grip onto her as she settled herself firmly in his lap.

“That’s fine. I don’t want anything you don’t already have.”

“Which is nuthin..” He made a half laugh. “Barely know me darlin….”

“No. You. Just you.” She paused, “we don’t have to go any further than what you’re comfortable with. I know it will take time. I am a patient woman vas ura.”

“What’s that mean.” He had heard that before…but from what…one of her companions had said it.

“It’s a secret.” She whispered smiling. “But there’s no reason we can’t put tensions aside.” He had rocked up into her when she said that as if on instinct, a groan leaving her as she dropped her head to his shoulder. “Let me take care of you.” It was whispered. Her fingers dragging through his hair, down his neck, into the partial unbuttoned shirt and union suit that had him groaning, up his neck, across his scruffed cheekbones to feel the scruff rough up her fingers.

“Jesus…” it was a single gasp of surrender as he almost went limp just from what she was doing.

“My honey-love.” It was crooned, and he blushed as she kissed his face. “I’ve got you now.”

Arthur’s hands dove into her half done up hair, tugging the pins loose to scatter all over the wooden floor, a waterfall of browns and blacks down her spine and hips trailing at his thighs, he couldn’t feel it with the damn jeans and for a second had a thought to toss all reservations out the fucking window. He wanted to feel the slide of silk like strands across his skin.

“Ah ah,” she smiled. “You relax.”

“You’re serious right now.” He gasped.

“Mmhm.” When the fuck did she get his shirt and union suit half open??? Her small hands were quick and she rubbed her hand from his stomach up to his chest dragging a guttural sound from his throat.

“Isn’t it nice to just relax?” She asked, her voice a hum of low thrumming softness in the ever rapidly descending dark as the candle died out along with the coals of the fire.

“Y-yes.”

“I’ll take good care of you.” Her soft mouth against his eyelids, his jaw, his neck, his own lips which tried to press back but were avoided as he almost whimpered in complaint.

“Shhh relax.” But he surprised her, gripping her under her backside, her legs hooked over his arms as he carried her off and landed them both in the bed with a low sound of the covers poofing up when they hit.

She was laughing, a happy sound and smacking at him. “Arthur! Warn me!” Tangled up she squirmed when his mouth kissed a track down her neck.

“Hmmm, nah.” Teeth worried gently across her clavicle as he had tugged her blouse to the side. He had realized this might be the last time in a while they would have some semblance of privacy.

And his brain was ricocheting with ideas.

“A-arthur?” Her voice dropped in a low hum of approval when he palmed her hips, sliding up to work his fingers at the buttons of her blouse.

“Hmmm.”

“What happened to too fast?”

“N-not fast enough.” His voice was rough, “dunno what the fuck we’re doin after this but…”

“Shhh it’s okay. Just…we’ll figure it out…”

“You want this?” His forehead pressed to her’s he searched her gaze, and was startled to find a happy shimmer in them when she nodded.

Swanson always talked about miracles, maybe by one he managed to get lucky and have a night like this where he could just forget.

“You gonna stare all night or kiss me Arthur?”

He rushed down and caught her mouth, delving his tongue deep to taste her and letting out a loud moan when she was just as sweet as he expected.

Lilith’s hands were rushing, jerking buttons from their place and his shirt and union suit were half off, shirt discarded as she worked at his jeans. “Easy darlin I ain’t goin no where.” He whispered soothing. “Not gonna go that far, but…just, I wanna touch you…is that okay?”

Her wide smile and nod were all he needed to work her outer clothing off efficiently till she was just in a rather fetching long chemise. He leaned back on his knees, glancing over her as his hand trekked up her calf to her thigh, watching her eyes half close and a purr leave her mouth.

“Like that?” He whispered.

A nod, and a sigh as he trailed higher over a clothed hip, not touching skin, not trusting himself to touch skin. 

“You ever touch yaself darlin?” He was hovering over her, a hand planted firmly by her head, she turned bright pink and glanced away and nodded. “No need to be shy.” He crooned. “I want to watch ya come,” his fingers trailing patterns over her clothed center, ruching the cotton and making her breathing hitch,“can ya do that for me?”

“But what about yoouuu…ohhhhh…—“ her words were cut off as he palmed his twitching cock that bulged against the zipper of his damn jeans, the sentence ended in a low moan, pupils blowing out to near black. 

Arthur’s head spun, he hadn’t had a woman look at him like that in what felt like ages. Not even Mary had eyed him like this….like she wanted to devour him. Tear him down and build him back up, consume him in white hot passion and burn with him. Her fingers flexed open and closed in the covers, her lip pulled between her teeth. 

But her energy changed, a sly grin on her face. They were nose to nose, soft voices, slightly over whispers enough to feel the emotion ripping them both apart. “Arthur…” she crooned and pulled her legs up, her thighs spreading and he almost lost his mind with how she looked her hands trailing against her pelvis ruching up the fabric but not enough for him to see what he wanted.

“The more you do….the more you get rewarded.” She hummed.

Arthur laughed kissing her nose, “bossy little shit.”

“Guilty.”

He wanted so badly to lean down and kiss her, but if he did that all hell would break loose, so he shoved the desire back and undid his jeans and union suit just enough to have them hang off his hips to allow him to pull himself free. He grinned when her jaw dropped slightly, a glazed look entering her eyes and she reached but he shook his head, “can’t touch darlin, I’ll fucking lose myself.”

A playful pout, then a nod and a smile. It spread into a mischievous look as she hiked the clothing higher up, watching his eyes follow the cloth till the apex of her thighs was revealed. He could easily see her arousal, tempted to lean down and bury his face between her legs to see how she would taste. A low moan escaped him. But he let his hand glide across his length, a teasing tormenting motion with hardly enough friction to soothe the throbbing just enough to make him want to unravel.

“Arthur,” it was a whisper a kiss against his nose as he leaned down to her. “Do you want to see how I please myself?” A nod, a panting gasp as he watched a small hand slide between her thighs as she opened them wider. “Then I want to watch you come undone for me.”

Her fingers slipped inside her heat, a lewd wet noise as she gently pumped a digit inside and her head tilted back, but her eyes stayed on his hand which firmly stroked matching her speed. His hand gripped the covers near her head, arm trembling to keep himself upright, but this was exactly where he wanted to be.

But his gaze snapped with a frustration, the small noises she made, the panting, her hand glancing at his movements as she swirled her digits over the swollen nub at the top of her core. “Oh fuck it.” He moved his hand from his length and pushed her thighs apart, “just this….just gonna touch ya,” she nodded fast, an eager look in her eyes, they rolled back when he brushed his rough fingertips against her slit in a testing motion. 

“Ohhhh ….Arthur…”

That would be the only fucking time he ever wanted to hear that fucking sentence.

He had heard that his entire life. In pity, in anger, in desperation, in disappointment…mostly the final one…but this….that sound lit through him like straight moonshine.

“You like when I touch ya?”

“Yes. More please?” She squirmed her hips pushing forward, and he laughed. 

“Alright, alright.” He gave in, sliding a thick long finger into her heat and groaning deep as she whimpered. “you….you are gonna feel so fucking good wrapped around me.” His face was drawn in pleasure as he pumped his finger in and out of her, gently exploring till she let out a moan, arching and pushing against his hand.

Her fingers reached, brushing against his cock and he clamped his eyes shut and hissed a breath out. Time melted, it just ceased to exist, he wasn’t aware exactly when he had worked his other two fingers into her body, pressing his thumb against her clit in torturous circles, nor when her body had arched sharply and she had all but wept his name into the void where they were occupying the same space.

Arthur growled, using his slicked up hand to glide across his cock, his other coming up to strum against her clit quickly, dragging her through another shockwave as she clawed at the bed. Whimpers, pleading, begging for him, his hips pushing himself past his tightened nectar slicked grip as she watched him, mouth open, puffs of air leaving her mouth as her gaze hungrily ate up his actions.

“Come for me.” 

He had a vague thought that her clothing would really need to be cleaned but then his release slammed through him like a freight train, his vision blurring slightly as his body shot hot ropes of release across her ribcage and hips. As he came back to himself she was dragging at him, pulling him down to her to snuggle but he paused, “hang on.” He groaned. Leaning over and grabbing his tossed shirt he cleaned her up shucking his jeans but keeping his union suit on, half unbuttoned and crawling into bed with her.

“Too fast?” She chuckled.

“Think….think that was a good compromise.” He huffed.

She nodded kissing his cheek.

Chapter Text

I was on Roanoke Ridge. Rain sleeting past my vision.

Everything was ending. Bullets flying, and my voice couldn’t carry over the thunder. No matter how hard I run, I can’t reach him. The corridor to reach the end kept expanding, and panic filled me.

A voice echoed along my ears, warmth spreading along my back. “Shhhh, easy girl.” I stopped moving, closing my eyes, “I gotcha, not goin nowhere I’m here.”

I felt like I was floating. 

Warm, safe….that was a rare feeling….especially in the dark, opening my eyes I blinked seeing the banked low firelight flickering off a big hand encasing my own, my head tucked on an arm, pulled back into the curve of a solid form.

I shut my eyes and blinked rapidly. 

Holy shit that had happened.

I shifted, letting out a soft groan when a large arm gripped my waist and dragged me deeper into his body, a growl leaving him. “Shhhh it’s okay….Nightmare?”

“Hmmm.”

“You talk in your sleep… something about Beaver Hollow?”

I exhaled, “I ah….ya it’s a really creepy place in The Grizzlies….Murphey Brood.”

“Brood?”

“Inbred cannibals.”

A kiss at the back of my ear as he shifts up, trailing down my cheek before I turned my head to feel warm lips on mine. “Let’s not go up there for a bit.”

I nodded softly laughing. “Agreed.”

“Lilith.”

“Hm?” I rolled and faced him, propping myself on my elbow as he looked at the ceiling in the barely touching dawn of the room.

“I don’t know where this is gonna go.” His voice is soft, a bit shaky. “But…I haven’t exactly been lucky when it comes to relationships.”

“Me either.” I snorted, knowing my fucking Fiancé was also transferred here as a forced history of our family, as was the nightmare of a person who had tried to destroy me.

Never would I forget the fucking headache we all got that day.

System transfer my ass.

“What did yours do?”

“You first.”

“It’s a bit….dark…..” Emphasis on dark. I exhaled, had hoped that I would have avoided that year and a half in a new world but it followed us. Most of our history and doings had followed and were warped into a new version of RDR2 history and Lore. “First one, well I got strung along, that wasn’t anything, he joined the Army. Moron had made a lot of promises and none were delivered. Still thinks he can pop up when he gets wind of me as if I’ll forgive his ass after he dropped after 3 years of work in the military.” I rolled my eyes and exhaled making Arthur laugh.

“Hmph sounds about right.”

“The other…..well….”

“Ya aint gotta talk about that if ya can’t.”

“Not yet…” I smiled, “I long since worked it out, but…it’s ah, not a pleasant conversation. I will tell you though I burned all my exes stuff when I found out he left me for the military thinking he didn’t have to tell me. Best Bonfire. Ever.”

Now that made Arthur laugh. “I’ll remember to be forthcoming.”

“Best policy Cowboy.” I paused, “Arthur this is whatever you need or want it to be.”

“Not sure what that means.”

“It means that if you want me to be someone as a friend, a companion, a lover, anything you need….I will be there. Volkier do not abandon who we choose. But you don’t need to worry about returning anything…this is not given on a basis of mutual return Arthur…it is there if you want it.”

He seems to ponder my words. A frown tugging his lips. “Still don’t see what you get outta this.”

“You’re all I want outta this.” A shrug from me half hearted. “Is that so hard to believe?”

“Yes.”

“Well I’ll spend as much time as needed to prove that.” I grinned, leaned forward and smacked a kiss on his cheek. “I know you’ll need time. Just know I’m here. As long as I get to walk beside you I am happy.”

“J-just walking with me huh? Is that what ya’ll call it?”

“Yes. To walk with someone side by side in this life is a gift in and of itself.”

“Yer people sure have a funny way of thinking…..not that I mind it none.” He huffs, and rolls to mimic my posture, grinning when my eyes slide down his open union suit and my hand twitches.“You can touch.” An appreciative look crosses over his face it seems from my waiting for permission.

I scoot closer, flattening my hand over his heart and nuzzling into the warmth of his sternum, smiling when his hair tickled my nose. I can’t help the small groan. “You smell so good. We make soaps with unique smells like an identifying feature.”

“There anything ya can’t do?”

“Yes.” I said incredulous. “I’m not a miracle worker ya know, I am really fucking awful at wood carving.”

His laugh vibrates against my face through his chest. “Oh I see.”

“It’s not a good feeling is it…” he pauses, “when they leave like that.”

“No it most certainly is not. And you’re basically left wondering what the fuck you did wrong.” I exhaled, “wondering if there was anything you could have said or did different. But in reality there I nothing that could have been done. I learned that…there are some people who want to change you and not for your betterment, it is for their own self satisfaction.”

“How old are you again?” Arthur mutters with a furrowed brow but chuckles at my open mouthed expression of offense warring with a smile.

“I’m twenty five you mean man!” I smacked at him.

“Sounds like a right moron.” He mutters rolling and dragging me to him his eyes getting heavy, “don’tcha worry darlin, just sleep. Dunno where this is goin like I said but…we’ll see together hm?”

“I’d like that Arthur.” I smiled as he fell asleep, watching as he breathed peacefully for a while before drifting myself.

“Lilith.” A warm voice.

“Hmph.” I rolled quickly dragging a pillow over my head. “No!”

“Little wolf.” A big warm hand trailed my shoulder, “c’mon now suns up.”

“Fuck the Sun it can go back to bed too!!! I’m sleepy!”

Belial’s voice filtered through, “I made coffee.” 

I popped up, “oh good.” 

Arthur was standing at the edge of the bed fully dressed, laughing as he handed me the mug of caffeine. “That all it takes?”

“That or food.” I mumbled. 

“Breakfast is ready.” Bel grinned. “And the frost is losing it’s hold.”

“Thank fuck.” I growled getting up and stretching. 

“Should be a couple days and we can finally get going. Horseshoe overlook is where we’re headed.”

“Right, that spot near Valentine, will we want to get Talla and the others?”

“Might want to, I can head to St. Denis and get them then meet you all there.”

“Sounds good.” I glanced at Arthur who was merely watching us as I dragged on an over dress. Bel had a smirk on his face and he cocked a brow at Arthur. 

“Sorry bout this morning there.”

Arthur almost coughed on his coffee. “Ahem. Hmph.”

“Bel.” I growled.

“Leaving leaving leaving.” He slid out the door like a sly ferret.

Arthur was bright red across his cheeks and he wouldn’t look at me as he hurriedly got himself finished and went to the main cabin.

So cute. 

Everyone was in high spirits, even Dutch. Hosea was still doing well and after checking his chest and lungs again I was satisfied he didn’t need another steam session. 

“Well, Marston you’re doing well.” I grinned stepping over to the small cot he was on. “You still need to rest, you pulled quite a few muscles and if you over do it you could re-injure yourself. No I don’t want to hear it. You need to rest.” I crossed my arms, “understand?”

“Listen to the girl John,” Dutch said from his chair near Hosea, “she’s taken good care of us so far.”

I finally caught sight of Sadie, she was sitting despondent, I knew she was gonna need time. It would be difficult, but I nodded at her when she looked at me. She nodded back.

The men folk preferred to be in the bunkbed area, cozier especially on a day like today, so I headed over there to check on things. “Everyone fed and warm?” I asked banging on the door. “And for the love of god if you’re not decent I will gut ya’ll.”

Laughter from them “chicita get in here before you freeze.” Javi opened the door and I grinned wide at him. “Idiotas move over.”

“Awe such gentlemen,” I laughed as I took a seat, “how are you all doing?”

“Fine miss.” Lenny grinned from his top bunk. “You?”

“Good, Bill? Micah? Anything you need?”

“Psh,” Micah glared at me and I frowned.

“Is it so hard to believe that I want to make sure you’re good on whatever you have need of?”

“Don’t mind Micah, he’s bitter.” Javier said pulling a long drag off his smoke.

“Could use a new sharpening stone.” Micah mutters.

“I have one!” Lilith perks up, “I have a few, I’ll bring you one that you can have.”

“Ah, thanks.”

Bill tilts his head, “can’t think ah much but if I do, I’ll let you know.”

“Great.” I glance at everyone else, Lenny just needed his shoes fixed up, Javier was inquiring about a blanket, and Charles merely shook his head smiling. “Nothing?” I asked.

“No but I shall let you know.”

“Alright, well dinner will be ready later on, afternoon meal as well, I’ll send someone to bring it.”

But as I left I grinned, “geez aint had three meals in a long while.” Lenny groaned. “Nice to not be hungry.”

Everyone muttered agreement.

I went and inquired with Ms. Grimshaw on what was needed as well, thread, mending cloth, more firewood, so I went ahead and got to chopping wood.

That was how Arthur found me, “Lily what are ya doin?”

“Planting Corn.” I snarked.

“Doin a god awful job of it too.”

“HEY! Not everyone can be built like a bear!”

“Give it here.” He laughed when the axe got stuck in the log and I growled grabbing the splitter.

“I got it!” I placed the splitter in and whacked it a few times.

“So you do, but c’mere. Sit down lemme help.”

“Fine.”

It was actually better watching him, his brow furrowed in concentration, long sweeps of his arms and the stretch of clothing on his chest and arms.

Dont drool dont drool dont drool.

“Ya staring.” He huffed with a smirk.

“What else is there to look at!!” I barked defensive.

“Trees!” He grunted as the axe came down and knocked two halves of a log perfectly aside. “Lots of em.”

“You ARE a fucking tree!” I growled making him pause and laugh.

I committed him to memory, so I could sketch it later, propping my chin on my hand as I leaned over and watched.

Once satisfied there was enough he helped me bring the load into the cabins.

Hosea tugged my sleeve, “looks like we can head out tomorrow!”

“Oh thank god finally down to where we can forage for greens and other stuff and hunt real game.”

“Real game?”

“Wish Gabe was here?” Belladonna calls.

“Psh that’s all we need ain’t it?” I chuckled.

Everyone glanced at me confused, I sighed, “I have eight older brothers, this one.” I kick at Bel’s boot. “Is the eldest from MY mother there are two older, Michael and Dagon.”

“And then?” Hosea asks.

“Then Belial, Lucifer, Asmodeus, Seraphim, Gabriel and then me.”

“She’s the baaaaaaby.” Bel coo’s and pinches my cheek.

“Fuck off!” I smacked his hand.

“Big family, geez.” Karen mumbles as she tosses back a swig of whiskey. “Must be nice.”

“Eh, it gets interesting. Speaking of, are Gabriel and the others going to join us?”

“Eventually, I think Michael and Gabriel will be coming to Horseshoe once everything settles down in Annesburg.”

“Mhm.”

“How do they know about Horseshoe?”

Bella was the one to speak, “we sent Aristotle, we only stay in specific spots, he will drop off a letter at the designated area, usually a tree trunk or some kind of area we’ve marked and trained him to leave it at, depending on the bells used on his feet, he knows where to go.”

“You trained a bird to do that?” Duch asked Bella.

“Yep, he is quite brilliant.” She sounds so proud of Aristotle.

We settled into our meal in companionable chatter.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Eight fucking older brothers. Arthur couldn’t really fathom having that big of a family, watching the two siblings before him squabbling like angry birds and laughing at their taunts made him wonder how she was with other people. With the gang, she was a pillar of calm, exuding a control over herself that rivaled even Dutch, as if she were brought up for a position of leadership.

“So tell me,” Hosea says, “your people have any Stories.”

Bel grins, “lots.”

Jack is running over, “uncle Bel!”

“Yes cubling?” Bel grins wide and scoops Jack into his lap.

“Tell us a story!”

“Well what kind of story do you want?”

“Hmmm… something old!”

“An old story!” Well now, that’s for your auntie.” He nudges her towards Lilith who grins and picks him up.

“An old story, hm, how about the oldest one I know?”

“How old is it?”

“How do stories start now days?” She mumbled, “ah yes. Once Upon a Time long, long ago in the world before cities were spread across the lands, before we traveled and long before the castles took over the hills and humanity was but a small speck on the earth….The Old Gods ruled this world of nothingness.”

Jack was already captured.

“The world was black.” She whispered, “no light, no sound, nothing existed, and in the quiet existed emptiness.”

“There was nothing?”

“Nothing, there was no light to see even if there was.” She paused, “one day, a god that was said to be the brightest of them caught sight of a goddess who gleamed just as bright, he said I shall wed you. She thought him silly, ‘why should I wed you? What have you to offer one such as I?’ The sun god pondered this, and decided to look down upon the Earth and said “do you see this land? I shall shine light upon it and bring forth life for you to rule over.”

Hosea leaned forward interested, as did most in the group.

“That seems like quite a big promise.” Jack said.

“It was, and the goddess merely laughed at him, the other gods as well. But he did not falter, and after many, many years of nurturing the land there were many things, however— night was dark, no one could see, and so he gave fire to light the way. It still did not abate the uneasiness of the creatures on the land. The goddess having watched his toil and work offered to him that she herself would light the night. A cool light that matched the burning heat during the day, and so the people named them Mother Moon and Father Sun.”

Jack thought this through, “but then what happened?”

Lilith laughed and sighed,  “many, many, many years passed, the Moon had her own people, many tribes that worshiped her and asked for guidance. As her followers were hunted to the ends of the world, she wept, wept, and wept, till the lands filled with so much rain that it flooded the earth, carving large canyons, chipping mountainsides, many died in her sorrow. The sun, seeing his love was tormented by the cruelty of human kind, became enraged; he scorched the lands, created famine as punishment. Took water from lands where they were forced to walk many miles to find it.”

Everyone was now on the edge, some looked intrigued, others disbelieving, but curious.

“But the Moon is soft, she saw the suffering of the world and begged him to have mercy.”

“Did he?” Jack asked fidgeting with her hair.

“Yes, but some places have never since healed, and now all that remains is sand and heat. After her sorrow though a great joy came, her children were born, The Four Winds, guiding people where they should go, the Rivers and Mountains of Cold, she cherished them all and gave them as a gift to humanity. The legend says that our people came to be because several wolves fell in love with a mortal.”

“How can a wolf love a human?”

“It is said that the Moon took pity and turned them human. Allowing them to forsake their fur. However, they were never humane— able to act like others. They followed their Bonded through their entire lives, and passed when they did, but the lineage and lessons were passed down.”

Mary-Beth sighed, “how romantic.”

“It is said they share the same bond as the Moon with the Sun. In this life and all others.”

“That sounds nice.” Jack smiled wide, “is that how everything happened.”

“That is but one of the tales, there are many other ways people have told it.” She kissed his cheek.

Bel had happily listened, “is that a story good enough for bed time?”

“Yes!” Jack said scampering off to Abigale who mouthed a thank you. Lilith waved her off.

Hosea was grinning, “Quite a tale,” he tilted his head, “got more of those?”

“Many,” Lilith laughed, “it is said that the reason the moon shines is because she sun shares his light. However, as punishment for the sins of humans, the sun has her fade away from their sight once a phase and leaves the world dark as a reminder that they should always cherish her lest darkness fall again.”

“Quite a reminder.” Karen muttered, “that’s all we need to be dumb and blind.” Everyone cracked up.

Lying staring at the ceiling that evening Arthur glanced at her, “would be kinda nice to be a wolf.” He mused.

“You’re more like one than you think.” She chuckled. “Freedom…That is life in essence Arthur. Free Will to go where you wish.” A pause, “but I would have forsaken my fur and fangs for you.”

“You’d make a pretty wolf.” He teased. “Just don’t bite me if it happens.”

“I’ll try not to. No promises.”

Chapter Text

He was up most of the night pondering his situation. While thoughts of Mary kept gripping him it would fade thinking of words that were starting to outweigh the doubt that had been placed on his personage for so long.

Glancing over, he sighed, they were totally different in any way you could think of.

Mary was demure, soft spoken, judgmental at her worst but gentle at her best, aloof in that gentleness however.

Lilith was…he couldn’t even describe her but from what he had seen, it was just wild. That was all he could use to describe her, unfathomable and unpredictable as the wilderness. The only thing that was predictable was the steadfastness of how she was loyal.

Loyalty.

That was all he knew, it was all that mattered and she spoke the same language.

She had offered loyalty. 

An unwavering loyalty the likes he hadn’t ever expecting someone to offer him.

What was he to do with such an offer?

How could he even believe such an offer from something Wild.

Would she run with the wind and leave him behind?

Arthur clenched his jaw, but a soft hand cupped his face. “You think too hard.” She muttered her eyes half open. “I’ll not stray far from you even if I have to, I refuse to, I will always be within reach. And I will always come when you call.”

He remembered saying something similar to Mary, and he had…despite everyone calling him a fool for doing so.

“There is no shame in loyalty Arthur.” She mumbled sleepily. “Sleep now Vas Ura,” he still didn’t know what that meant. But he realized it was an endearment, and what ever it meant it brought comfort. Sighing, he rolled and dragged her closer burying his nose into the curve of her neck and propping her head on his arm, snaking the other across her hips and keeping her against his bulk and warmth.

She hummed, a soft sound and instantly fell asleep pressing warm kisses into his shoulder.

Arthur exhaled, it felt like he’d know her for years, he didn’t understand it, or even know where he wanted this to go. Even if she was just near him, would that be enough? He didn’t deserve to possess her. Didn’t think something like her could ever be possessed by someone. To shackle such a thing to another, especially one such as himself? He couldn’t ever do it…

“Arthur, honey-love.” She mumbled opening one eye. 

That endearment made his chest clench.

“You think loudly. Sleep….shhhh,” her fingers trailed into his hair, tracing patterns on his scalp and making his eyes slide shut. “That’s it, sleeeeeep, shhhhhh.” She began to hum, a wordless tune, soothing, soft, and quiet. 

Darkness swept him up faster than he thought possible.

In the morning before light even came he woke up feeling a bit lighter, he glanced at the tossed dark hair cascaded over the pillows and leaned in. He wasn’t about to let her out of his sight and made a determination. “You realize ya gonna be close to me.”

“That’s fine.” 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Wagons loaded up, everyone packed, we had decided to have Bel and Belladonna head out before dawn to get things started and guarded, . Aristotle had come back, and he flew overhead as his master went down the mountainside beside my brother driving the wagon we had brought, laughing and squabbling the whole way.

I joined Hosea as we got the gangs wagons finished, Charles and Hosea and Arthur would be with me, I would be on Luna my Clydesdale. “Ready girl?” I whispered grinning. She snorted and stomped her foot. The wagon was hooked up to two of the horses, Charles’s Taima and Arthur’s new steed.

“Ready?” I asked prancing Luna forward.

“When you are darlin.” Arthur clicked his tongue and got them moving. 

“Hup Hup!” The horses charged out of the snow and were able to get it moving. “Good!”

“Used to wagon runs?” Hosea asked as I trotted beside them.

“Yes it is how we travel mostly.  My wagon will be there as will Bel’s and Belladonna’s. Be nice to have my things.”

The ride was pleasant everyone making it to the camp without any problems. “Nice spot.” Hosea said smiling, “and were near that town Valentine I told ya about on the way up here.

Luna happily pranced about when released to go graze and explore.

“Think Bel went to get Talla and the others?” I asked Luna, aside from Talla there was Aspen, Aura, Loki and my big boy Fen or Fenrir. They’d more than likely be stuffed in the back of the wagon driving Bel crazy with whining because ‘mama’ wasn’t there.

Belladonna was guarding the place when we got there. Letting me know that indeed Bel had gone to get my wagon and the hounds of hell.

“You’re really bringing wolves?” Dutch asked.

“Wolf dogs, not full wolf.” I corrected, “they are quite tame, unless you pull a dagger on us. But once established that you are pack it will be fine.”

“And how do we do that?” 

“I’ll show you.” I grinned as we continued to get things set up in camp, with everyone helping it didn’t take long, and I glanced around realizing they had lost a lot in Blackwater. “Hmph.” I glanced at Dutch, “how were things in Blackwater.”

“Well most a bit more off the ground, but we can work our way back up.”

I exhaled, “dutch.” I opened my arms as if to say ta-da. “Ask and you shall fucking receive.”

“Don’t do charity.”

“Think of it as my first contribution as a member.” I suggested.

He cocked a brow, “fine,” he grinned, feeling playful as he glanced me over. “See what improvements can be done, show me your worth Lilith Vallent.”

“Tay!”

Belladonna grinned, “gonna wish ya didna say that.”

I had placed my tent right next to Arthur’s, making the canopies actually hang together, we were able to see one another but still have a barrier if needed that could be lifted up. Once the wagon was there I would put that on the side to the right of my tent as where his was to the left of his to give a wall. And I would have my tapestries to make it more cozy.

We were all ambling along when a wagon rolled up with whimpering sounds coming from the back. “Alright ya pack of idiots!”

“Lilith! Ya babies are here!”

I was at Pearson’s wagon when Bel flung the wagon open from behind his seat in the drivers spot.

Out poured three giant wolf dogs aiming right at me.

“MY BABIES!!!!! OOF!” Whining, yipping, rolling, sharp barks, tails going. “I know I know I missed you all so much yes I did! Where is my Fenny?” I glared up at the three of the animals who all tilted their head and glanced up as Fen regally stepped out the wagon and flicked an ear back as he leapt down, eyeing the surroundings. “Such a prissy boy.” I huffed.

Talla, a red brown light almost to a strawberry when the light hit her color, a mix of Husky and Wolf, Aura and Loki were smaller and siblings from the same litter of Wolf and one of the original lines of German Shepherd, Fenrir being a mix of Wolf and a rather large Russian bear dog, all black with gleaming golden eyes, fluffy ears and a big maw, he sat down and huffed.

It had taken me a year to acquire the dogs, and another year to breed, most now almost five years of age, the breeding program for Volkier companions was well on the way and it also helped conserve wolves in the wild.

Arthur kept his distance, as did everyone else. 

“Fenrir.” I walked over. “Who’s my big baby?”

Dutch seemed flabbergasted, “baby….that….a baby?”

Fenrir’s ear went back as he glanced at the voice that was not mine and I swore the animal glared at me, pausing, before leaping down into a playful posture his tail going mad.

“That’s my boy come here!” I was tackled for the second time Fenrir’s tail going mad as he whined and laid on top of me. “I know! I missed you too baby!” He let out a low growling complaint and mouthed my lower jaw gently.

“Mama is he eating her?” Jack asked.

“Nope this is normal.” I muttered shoving Fenrir off as he tried to lick my teeth. “That’s how wolves say hi.”

Talla glanced at Arthur who had knelt down, “hey there pretty girl.” He didn’t make a move to touch, but Talla sniffed him and recognizing my scent leapt over to him and sat down right against his chest and whined licking his mouth.

“Such a pretty girl ain’t ya?” Arthur’s big hands ruffled her fur and her ears gaining a lolled tongue and huffs of pleasure from the beast.

“Careful Arthur—“ I laughed.

“Why—oh!” All four were circling him, sniffing, rubbing, whining, mouthing his shoulder and letting out groaning growls of welcome. He paused and glanced me over but I had a stupid smile on my face.

“That is a rare sight.” Bel said as Fenrir open mouthed Arthur’s jaw line making rumbling noises and trying to shove his tongue against the mans teeth. “He usually only does that to Lilith. Good sign, means he thinks of you ask pack.”

Bella snorted in Volkieran, “helps he smells like Mama. Talk about claiming.”

“Yaahnoah.” I snapped, it meant idiot in our language and she cackled.

Charles was next, I made sure to walk over and place a hand on his arm and let them see him shake my hand before he knelt down. “Alright let them greet you.”

Belladonna and Bel did the same for everyone, either hugging or patting the person and then allowing them to be sniffed around by the pack. Micah and Lenny would need to wait.

They adored Jack. All of them lying down and whining at him to come pet, “gentle!” I warned as Jack pat Fenrir on the head, but I needn’t have worried. Fenrir crawled forward and put his head on Jack’s shoes wagging his tail and whining.

“Awe he likes me!”

“He does!” I confirmed, now remember if they are in the wagon don’t go near it means they are resting. 

“Okay Auntie.” Jack was led away by Abigale once she made introductions as well.

“Children!” All of them rushed over from saying hello to Hosea and Dutch. “In!”

They all ran right back into the wagon and sat patiently at the opening waiting.

“See?” I asked Dutch, he had loved petting them, a wide smile as they had sat on his feet and looked up with big toothy smiles. “They’ll be walked around the permiter so they can guard at night.

“They can do that?”

“Yes, they mostly alert, but Fenrir, he’s known to actually fight. He is fourth generation from Russia, so he is actually bred to guard. Fenrir also knows what a gun is, so he takes them as dangerous. Never point one at him or myself.”

“Bred with what a bear?” Pearson asked laughing. 

“Close a bear dog, caucasian shepherd to be specific from Russia.” Bel stated, “cost quite a bit to get him.”

“Why?”

“He and Talla are mates, eventually they will be allowed to have cubs.” I said, “I will be quite happy to see what we get.” Talla was flopped over on Fenrir in the wagon, her face looking bored.

Pearson was glancing them over, “ya look at em and they don’t look wolf really, more….big….big and….well big…”

“Fenrir could give a timber a beating. That brown one though is pretty too.” Arthur was grinning, he loved dogs— it reminded me that he had one named Copper. I wondered if any of them would sidle on up to him.

“That’s Aura, she was born in Alaska under the Northern Lights. Loki is her brother he is named after the God of Mischief.”

“Take it that has a story.”

“Of course we are filled with stories.” I teased.

Bel managed to get the wagon backed up to where I wanted it. No one really understood why Arthur and I had placed our spaces so close, the gang wasn’t used to him allowing someone into his space, but no one gave us shit. 

Dutch seemed to find it funny as did Hosea.

“Nice set up.” Arthur nodded as he got his cot and everything set up.

“Likewise.” I had dragged tapestries out and pinned them at the back to allow for more privacy, “want me to extend it?” I asked.

“Sure why not.”

He even ended up helping, a small table, some pitchers, a wash basin, I kept pulling things out of the wagon and he was a bit confused. “I can fit a lot in a wagon.” I laughed like a game of Tetris course he wouldn’t know what that was so I didn’t say it.

Wooden slats were next, making a makeshift flooring, and I made Arthur move a few things and extended it across the entire way before throwing down a series of pelts near the edges of the cots. “Better.”

Bel was busy getting everyone else set up with a similar thing, cots were being made from lumber that he had picked up on the way, Belladonna having brought their wagon and gathered some materials in a town on the way.

No one quite knew what to do, everyone had a bed up off the floor, everyone was situated with blankets, and a bit more space and lanterns, “thank Dutch.” Bel mumbled, we had decided to give Dutch a morale boost to try and help his mood, “just following orders.”

“Ya aint gotta do that.” Arthur murmered to me as we went to fill buckets with water to bring to camp.

“Do what?” I asked looking innocent.

“Was that really Dutch’s idea?”

“He did let me. So technically yes.” I grinned.

“I see.” He took the bucket from me and carried both back despite my complaints. “Too small.”

“I am not! Arthur!” He just laughed the whole way up as I bounced around him like a mad rabbit.

Ms. Grimshaw was rather happy, she was even in a better mood which Tilly thanked me for, I shooed her away and told her to get goin before it ended. Enjoy it while ya could. She giggled and did so.

“So how did you earn money?” Hosea asked as I dragged out my typewriter. “Take it this has to do with it.”

“I’m an author.” I explained, and could practically see Mary-Beth make a beeline for me. “Under the name Amelia Clearwater.”

“YOU’RE AMELIA?!”

Fuck I forgot…she was an avid reader. I winced and set down the type writer at the small table next to the chair. “I sure am!”

“I have read ALL OF YOUR BOOKS!” She squeaks and leaps up and down holding my hand.

“Oh ah, haha thank you!” I know I’m blushing, I’m probably as red as a tomato and she was over the moon. “I’m glad to know you like them.”

“I also write under Avana Black.” I grinned waiting.

Her eyes went wide and she then too squeaked, “oh how nice.” A sly grin. “I read that too.”

I busted up laughing, “I see. Well if I need someone to read before I send it out you will be my first hm?”

“I would be honored!” She rushed off before Ms. Grimshaw could scold her.

“How much does that make you anyway?”

“Eh anywhere from two to five hundred a month in royalties roughly.” I piled paperwork in the table bin. “Highest was a grand.”

“Huh.” Hosea glanced over the pile of books I brought out in a crate and set them down under the table. “So tell me, little Seer.” He quietly spoke as he sat on my cot in the tent.

“Seer?” I snorted, “weird nickname.”

“You know what I mean, we gonna be okay?”

“If I have anything to say yes.” I firmly said glancing at him as I leaned on the table. “Don’t fret Hosea, I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you. See if you can change that rat.”

“That’s on the list Mr. Matthews.” I laughed shaking my head. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Arthur glanced at her lying in her cot having just as hard a time. “Lilith.” He sounded so annoyed and he knew it.

“Yep.” She sounded just as irritated after they had spent the past couple hours tossing and turning.

“So ah. I coming over there or you coming over here.” He grinned glancing at her.

“I got a better idea but for now I’ll come to you.” She giggled and got out of her cot and walked over the space that separated them. He moved as far as he could as she slid in next to him, it was a tight fit but she was half under him and he preferred it that way, and released a giant sigh as he settled in.

“Much better.” She certainly spoke for them both, he kept his hands to himself and it seemed to be to her annoyance, but she snuggled tight against him and knocked out almost instantly.

Arthur almost laughed seeing Aura come in and settle on the empty cot with a wagging tail.

But he let sleep take him, finally wrapping his arms around her and earning a sleepy smile and a hum.

Maybe things would be okay.

He still thought for a while looking down at the strange woman what his feelings were, he sure cared about her….just like he would…no…no more than that if he was honest with himself. But he had sworn off stupid foolish romance.

But….this felt far from foolish.

Or he was fooling himself.

Chapter Text

The next few days flew by, Arthur was busy getting things set up in camp and helping hunt with Charles and Belial and Belladonna. That hawk of hers came in handy bringing back rabbits and flushing prey, also catching several quail as they flew out from the underbrush.

“So you and my sister are sharing a den so to speak.”

Arthur rolled his eyes, “and?”

“Is a good thing I think, I like you better than the moron.”

“The military man?”

“Ah she told you, yes. We did not think he was a good fit.” Bel made a face, Arthur took a moment to look him over, his black hair was always in a thick plait down his back, but his hair was without any of the warmth his sister had, and he had bright almost golden eyes much like Lilith. His features were angled, high cheekbones, and sharp nose with a straight jawline. His skin had more of a pale undertone than the warm tan olive of his sibling though, less so than his wife, with her pale complexion and bright hair.

Wiry, but strong. He was as tall as Charles topping at 6’4, but moved silently on his booted feet. “I teach you.” and so he did. Belial worked with Arthur on tracking, learning how to move silent despite his size. “If Michael can do it so can you.”

“And how big is Michael.”

“Eh, about your size. Taller. He is as big as Papa. Papa is six foot eight.”

“….and your mama?”

“Five foot four.” He laughed, “Mama is fiercer than Papa.”

“Now that I do not doubt.” Arthur whispered as they found their prey, he raised the rifle and bang. It was down. As Bel took the other two in the field, all three deer were easily carried back on the horses.

“Good thing we are not far.” Bel laughed having to load up the animals on each horse as his other one had several smaller mammals. “Lilith will be pleased she can dry meat and store it and make sausages and other things.” He pat the deer, “the fat near the tail is good for tallow, as well as making lotions, and candles.”

“You really do make these things yourselves.”

“We do, self sufficient is the key to our survival Arthur.” Bel pat the big man on the shoulder giving him a good shake in a tease. “You will learn, we will make a Volkier of you yet.”

“Ha! I’m sure that will happen.” Arthur snarked.

“Tell me Arthur, truthfully, how do you feel about Lilith.”

He paused, “I care about her. Wouldn’t mind her company….but honestly I am unsure.”

“Good.”

“Good?!”

“Yes, it is good to know when you need to learn more. If you had said you fell head over heels I would have gut you. She is different. She has….how does one put it, an insight. She never bonded to the idiot. So the fact that she is contemplating it is big.”

“Bonded.”

“It is a long story, she has called you Vas Ura?”

Arthur slowed the horse and glanced at him, raising a brow.

Bel had a giddy look, “it means My One. It is what we call someone we think is worthy of walking beside.”

They walked in contemplative silence, Bel grinning the entire time. Making it back to camp he caught sight of Belladonna and Lilith working over pelts and several pots in a section of the wooded area cleared to make a series of canopies. “What on earth are they up to?”

“Preparing.” Bel shrugged. “Vas Soluna.” He called.

Belladonna looked up and smiled wide, “Vas Lunia.”

Lilith rolled her eyes but once she spotted Arthur he couldn’t miss the light that lit her gaze up. “Vas Ura.” She walked over, “what is it? You look lost in thought?” His chest did a queer thump, the emotion she had when she had called him wasn’t something he was used to. Gentle, soft, and warm.

He jolted when her hand touched his arm. “N-nothin just thinking.”

“Don’t think too hard now haha.” She helped guide his mount to the hitching post and got the smaller game off the saddle as he hoisted the doe off to take to Pearson.

“So what are you up to?” He asked leaning on the pole of the canopy as she settled down to work on the pelts in their frame.

“Well we are having them stretch, it’s a pain in the backside but softer.”

“I see.” He tilted his head and sat down and offered his hand.

“Okay cowboy, take this scraper, and you’re going to work the hide out towards the frame equally, there you go!”

Charles was working on a different frame to the side, “a natural, good job Arthur.” He laughed, as he waited for the hide to dry he was making arrows.

“Hardly, just brawn not much brain.” Arthur laughed.

“I don’t believe that for a second.” Lilith shoved at him.

“Me either.” Charles added.

“Or me!” Hosea barked as he walked by and smacked Arthur on the back of the head, “I didn’t raise an idiot.”

“Ouch! No just one idiot.” 

John jolted up in his tent on his cot, “Shit ouch!! I HEARD THAT MORGAN!”

“GOOD!” Arthur barked back.

Dutch from his tent, “boys!”

They settled down as Lilith tried not to giggle. Belladonna went to help Pearson with supper as Arthur and Lilith got up. The ladies seemed to be tittering away as they walked by and saw a snoring Uncle.

“Should we wake him.” Arthur asked.

Lilith shrugged, then nodded.

Arthur kicked his boot hard.

“Hey! You gonna sleep all day damn it.” Arthur growled low.

Uncle jolted awake and they began arguing, eventually it was decided they would all be going to town. “Fenrir.” Lilith called and he sprinted up into the wagon, a large red leather collar on his neck with a big wooden tag with his name. “Good boy.” He laid down in the wagon and waited.

Belladonna leapt at the chance to go as well “bye my love.” She kissed Bel and leapt into the wagon.

The trip was filled with music, Arthur helping a man get his horse back and finally getting to Valentine. Lilith whistled for Luna to follow, as did Belladonna with Bairn and Aristotle circling overhead.

“Aint you ever worried he’ll be shot.” Karen asked looking up.

“He goes high, high up.” And so he did, almost becoming a speck in the sky. “He’ll settle somewhere quiet nearby.”

“Phew smell those sheep!”

“Maybe it’s uncle.” Mary-Beth giggled.

“Awe ladies that’s not nice!”

Everyone chuckled as they finally made it to Valentine and parked the wagon nearby.

“Alright everyone, be safe.” Arthur said.

I glanced at Fenrir, “guard.” He huffed and panted at me wagging his tail. “Good boy.”

“Ladies?” Belladonna asked, “I’ll go with ye ta make sure no one acts a fool.”

“Good idea, Arthur?” Lilith glanced at him and he nodded, but as they walked he linked her arm in his. “Might as well play married Mister Calahan. Or is that Kilgore?”

“How’d you know that?” He laughed.

“Overheard it.” She mumbled. 

“Kilgore is for mail, so Calahan.” He nudged her with a smirk as he tipped his hat. “Darlin.” He swung the door open for her and she mock gave him a curtsey and waltzed through.

She went right back into the area of the shop where the tailor was. “Girl what are you doin?” Arthur called after a while.

“Honey-love you must learn to be patient. Or was God all outta that when crafting you.”

The shop owner laughed, “got one of those too.” He whispered at Arthur.

Uncle had gotten booze and waited outside.

After having the shop keep put all the things she had purchased in the wagon she came out in a rather fetching outfit. 

“Well now, don’t you look awful pretty and lookin for trouble.” He mused.

“Why thank you.” It was a crisp white high neck blouse, the sleeves rolled up, a red vest over the top, and black trousers, a gun holster over her hips as well as an off hand pistol, black boots coming up to her mid thigh. 

“Why so high up?” He asked quietly.

“Knives.”

“Of course.”

She giggled as she thanked the shop keep and pranced outside.

“Well Miss Vallent you look nice.”

“Thank you Uncle!”

But as we were meandering we saw Tilly being messed with by a Foreman boy. Belladonna stalking forward but I called her off. I was already halfway across the way with Arthur at my side. “We got a problem here?” He snarled.

“Tilly honey, c’mere.” I motioned with my hand.  The Foreman man glared at us, but I leveled a cold look, “get the fuck out of here.”

He left, Tilly was safe and gotten back to the group.

“I saw Karen leaving with some drunk gentleman at the Inn.” Mary-Beth said as we made sure they were good with Belladonna.

“Well that won’t end well.” I muttered, “Arthur let’s go get her.”

“Fine by me.” We marched over and made our way up the stairs after asking. But hearing a commotion I moved and let Arthur kick the door down. “She didn’t pay you to hit her ya god damn animal!”

“That’s my cowboy.” I laughed as the man was knocked the hell out. “BAD!” I kicked at the idiot, “we don’t do that! Karen honey you okay?”

“Fine, what an idiot.”

“I know come on now.” She mentioned the bank job, and I nodded along with Arthur, if I had my way no way were we doing that job. 

But as the game had dictated a man recognized Arthur. “I- I saw you in Blackwater.”

“Excuse me!” I snapped. “Sir you are mistaken this is my husband and we only just got here from out west. Are you taken with fever?” I stalked forward till we were nose to nose.

“W-well um I… he looks—“

“I know, he looks awful familiar but my love has an unfortunate face. Happens all the time.” I snapped my fingers and Fenrir stalked up from the wagon with his teeth bared. “That dog don’t like his master being threatened. And you mistaking my husband for a criminal and causing problems seems awful threatening. You trying to get my husband hanged?” I was now breathing in the mans face.

“Not at all ma’am you’re right I am mistaken, I do apologize for offending you.” He took off like a shot on his horse.

“Asshole.” I snarled after him. Turning around I dusted my pants off as I called off Fenny; “what?” I asked as the group were staring at me.

“Well that worked.” Uncle laughed.

“Thank you, thought I’d have to chase him.” Arthur mumbled still blushing.

“Awe, anytime.” I smiled as the others got into the wagon and Fenrir hopped off to sit near me.

“Seems like the others are at the saloon,” Arthur muttered. “I got some stuff to take care of so I’ll see ya back at camp, don’t be followed.”

“Got it,” Uncle said.

Belladonna nodded at me and we pranced over to get a drink.

“Come on Mister Calahan!” Bella sniggered. “I wanna drink!”

We were wandering in the Saloon as Belladonna was chatting with a couple men about poker.

I walked over just in time to hear the women call Arthur a pussy cat.

“Hold on.” I said sidling up to them. 

I spoke rapidly in Russian, “Kiska koshka?” Pussy cat? I glanced at Arthur, pointing at him, “yemu?!” Him?! “BELLADONNA! PODOYDI SYUDA!” Come here!

The red head rushed over and leaned against the bar, “Chto eto?” What is it?

“ oni skazali, chto on kiska ” They said he is a pussy cat.

“Artur?” She let out a bark of laughter and glanced at the outlaw.

“Da.” I nodded and made a motion at Arthur up and down.

“Kiska koshka?”  She repeated. And we both paused.

Belladonna and I looked at the girls and a short stifled pfft  of laughter left us both.

Belladonna smacked my arm, and I glanced at her she tilted her head, pursing her lips and playing with a lock of her long hair, “kak oni nazyvayut pumu?” What do they call a puma?

With that we busted up in hysterics, she smacked me rapidly to get me to look at her, “Milady, Milady….Kiska koshka…kiska….” She made little claws, “rawr!”

Howling we leaned over as I hit her to get her attention, “i pumu,” we both made tinier paws with no claws, “meow!”

Arthur was watching us with confusion but seemed to have a general idea of what we said as Javier and Charles tried not to crack up.

I exhaled, “oh you two are funny.” I tossed a small amount of coins at them. “That’s for a good job. Thanks for the laugh.”

Bella chuckled with a smirk. 

“That any way to speak to a lady.” The woman snapped.

“Didn’t know we was all talking to a lady.” Arthur said leaning in with a smirk.

They sauntered off.

“Got a way with women Arthur.” Javier groaned.

Bill came flying in, Bella laughing, “Ooch we getta fight?”

“Five bucks says he socks him.” I said.

“No ones gonna take that.” Javier said.

Charles laughed, “he gonna kiss him or hit him.”

BAM!

“Got our answer!” Javier laughed diving towards someone tossing a chair.

Belladonna and I sat and drank whiskey, “doin pretty well.” She nodded towards Arthur, “awe I wish my love was here.”

“You just wanna see him beat someone up.”

“I do….cannae say if I wanna fight him or watch him fight.” A sly grin on her lips.

But I sighed, “big dumb and strong is coming.”

“Who?”

Tommy.

He flung several men aside and then went for Javier, Arthur diving and socking him in the gut, but Tommy smacked Arthur hard and I saw red.

“Oh boy wrong move big lummox.” Bella called. 

As Tommy grabbed Arthur to throw him through the window I landed on him.

“Get your fucking hands off of him.” I tackled Tommy from the side, doing the only thing I could think of and sinking my teeth into his neck hard with a snarl.

The man let Arthur go, saving him from going through the window….but…. I felt my upper arm grabbed, “ah shit—”  I was flung right into the wall like a rag doll. The air left my lungs as I quickly moved to ease up the fall onto the floor. “Shit that hurt.” I groaned low.

“Milady!”

“I’m good!” I called coughing. “Michael’s done worse!”

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

Arthur almost didn’t process what had happened, one moment she was there the next she was on the floor several feet away after a sickening thump of her head cracking the wall. He saw red and picked up a chair, smashing it on the giants head knocking him sideways for a moment.

Javier and Charles were rushing over, “Lilith,” Javier moved to help her but she was already getting up, her teeth bared as she spat blood onto the floor.

“Alright ya big sonofabitch. I’m done playing!! BELLA.”

“Now ya gone done it.” Belladonna was up as well, stomping forward with an evil smile. 

With one swoop Tommy’s legs were out from under him. 

Lilith launched tackling the big man as he went down with a snarling sound, Arthur had to dodge the flailing mass of three bodies. 

Tommy however got up fast, gripping onto both women who snaked out of his grip to land a few hard blows causing him to gasp and bend over. “Fucking shite he is worse than Michael!” Bella snapped.

“I can see that— “ Tommy managed to get a grip on her shoulder as Arthur moved but was flung off hard. 

“oh god damn it the window.” Lilith groaned. She tucked herself right as she was thrown through the glass, flipping to land on all fours and skid backward through the mud.

“C’mere pretty girl.”

“Oh fuuuuuuuck you buddy!” Lilith sneered getting up and shaking herself free of mud and glass. She whistled, “FENRIR!”

Before anyone could move, especially Arthur reaching for his pistol, Fenrir was bolting from the alley way roaring, the giant mass of animal knocking Tommy off his feet as he pinned him to the ground baring his fangs and letting out deep sounds of warning.

“Awe baby!” Lilith laughs and claps. “Good boy! That’s a good boy get him! Get him!”

“GET IT OFF!” Tommy cried flailing as Fenrir snapped at his arms. Charles, Arthur and Bill raised their guns at a person who had a rifle.

“Don’t touch that dog.” Charles warned.

“Maybe I don’t wanna call him off. You just chucked me through a window asshole!!!!” Out of the corner of my eye I saw Mr. Downes try to make his way over to Arthur, “YOU! DONT MOVE MISTER DOWNES.” He stopped. “You’re sick. Stay away from him.”

“It’s just a cough—“ my glare was not something I could control but even Arthur backed away hearing my words that the man was sick. Belladonna frowned as she stayed in front of Arthur blocking the way, aware to keep a distance. Mister Downes scurried away.

“Someone kill this beast.” Tommy cried.

But Lilith’s boot was suddenly on Tommy’s throat her voice was cold, teeth bared mimicking the wolf dog and a low rumble of words, “touch my baby. And I’ll have your guts for violin strings.” Then to the dog. “Yes who’s mommy’s baby.”

Fenrir wagged his tail but went back to snarling at Tommy when the man tried to move.

“You gonna apologize or should I let him munch your face off?” She asked him.

“S-sorry!” The man whimpers.

“Off.” Fenrir leapt off and trotted over to Arthur, sitting at his heel looking up at him for approval.

“Good boy.” Arthur buried his hand into the animals scruff, ruffling the fur there as the beast’s tongue lolled looking harmless as a puppy.

“Good boy.” Charles mimicked as Fenrir panted and let out a puppy bark.

“Get up ya big mountain.” Lilith scoffed, offering her hand. “Come on. Good fight and all that dont be stupid.”

Tommy accepted the hand and even helped brush Lilith off. “Y-you fight good for a woman…I—ah I’m sorry. For losing my temper.”

“Eh what’s windows with a good brawl?” She shrugged elbowing him. “Good toss by the way both of em.” She rolled her shoulder.

“Lemme pay for a doctor to see you.” Tommy offered.

“Nah, it’s fine my brother can look at me.”

“Then a whiskey on me later.”

“Deal!” They clapped hands.

Dutch and Trelawny appeared shortly after as Lilith shook the mud off of her. “Fuck me that hurt.” She mumbled. “Mother fucker can throw.”

Arthur was glaring at her, anger still simmering in his chest. Dutch spoke about Sean and a few other things before Arthur grabbed Lilith’s arm and steered her towards the inn. “March. Now.”

“Okay, okay geez!” She huffed as Fenrir followed close at her heel. Belladonna left with the others after checking on Lilith.

“Ah mister we don’t allow animals.”

“He’s tame, I’ll pay extra don’t like being far from her, I need to help get my wife cleaned up she was that bar fight.”

“Oh wow, uh well it’s not normal but sure, it’s already prepped in the back.”

“Arthur what in hellfire are you doing.” He glared at Fenrir. “Guard.”

Fenrir actually sat making Lilith’s jaw drop.

“In. now.” Arthur barked at her pointing at the door to the bathing room.

“Good shit, fine.” She went in with him right behind her. “Seriously!?”

Chapter Text

He crossed his arms and waited, nursing a cool cloth to his bruised jaw as she stripped and tossed her clothes into a basket behind the screen. “I’m turned round relax.” He snapped.

Arthur waited till he heard water when she got into the tub with a hiss at the heat of the water.

“Arthur why are you— hey!”

He stomped up and sat down in a chair by the edge and began turning her head this way and that, “Jesus Lilith ya coulda had your neck broke!”

“I’m fine! I’ve had worse— don’t look so mad!”

He was furious, what did she mean she had worse?! What kind of hell games was she up to where she was better off being flung through a god damn window.

“Lilith.” He growled.

“Arthurrrrr come on don’t look at me like that.” She sunk into the tub half her face under water but her knees pulled up above , the long hair piled up on her head caked with mud so he set to getting it brought down to wash.

“How else am I s’pose to look atcha? Damn near gave me a heart attack.” He rumbled rolling his sleeves up his forearms.

She poked at some bubbles in the tub looking properly scolded. “Nothing I’m not used to—“

“Don’t matter, don’t need to be taking that on if I’m there ya hearin me? God damn yokel’s lucky; if Fenrir hadn’t gotten there first I’d have killed him.”

“Ya can’t just—“ she quieted when he leveled a stern glare at her while he undid her locks.

“kay…” she settled down wincing when she moved her arm. The beginnings of a giant hand shaped bruise in two spots where she had been roughly catapulted off her victim.

“What in hell were you thinking.” He looked distraught as he rubbed the marks oh so gently.

“Look I saw him hit you and I lost it okay?” She snapped but settled back down with a pout glancing at the blooming bruise across his face and cut lip as he dragged soap through her locks, digging his fingers against her scalp, she winced at a goose egg at the back, but hummed when he resumed across other areas.

Arthur had realized quite suddenly that he was in a bathing room, with a woman he was very attracted to who was  naked in a tub, washing her hair.

“You know I do believe I owe you….what is it 50c?” She teased.

“Shut up.” He growled feeling his lower half revolt and tighten. Her hair was fully cleaned and she ducked her head under to rinse coming back up, he gulped and tried to look anywhere except the damn tub but noticed a particularly bad bruise across her shoulder, he rumbled as his hands skirted across the mark making her jolt. “s-sorry.”

“It’s fine. Just startled me.” She laughed. “You aint gonna help since you’re here?” A sly look on her face.

“Woman.”

“Arthur.”

He moved quickly, one hand gripping her neck, tilting her head back against his shoulder as he knelt behind the tub, his other hand delving into the water and tracing the curve of the top of a breast. “Don’t be asking for things you don’t want.”

“I said I wanted you how more clear can I—ohhhhh.” The sigh was mind numbing as his hand molded her sensitive form gently. 

“You think you’ll get a reward from acting out like that?” He asked in her ear and she squirmed, his hand stopping making her let out a tiny whimper of his name. “No, you’re gonna need to learn a lesson.”

“Ha!” But the haughty tone left her when she glanced behind over her shoulder, “w-what kind of lesson?”

A rough hand slowly moved down, down, soaking part of his sleeves in hot bath water, blunt, long fingers circling the top of her mound teasing before cupping her core.

“Ohhhhh what kind of lesson is this?” She groaned tilting her hips forward to push into his palm.

Arthur decided now would be a good time to learn her body. And she wasn’t having any complaints, “hold still, no touching.” He said.

He brought her to a winding tight peak before backing off. And she huffed. Glaring at him for denying her release.

Arthur just grinned on back.

“Oh you’re evil.” She hissed with a chuckle.

“Told ya I was a bad man.” He whispered in her ear working her back up. “You gonna do as told?”

“Ha! You w-wish…hng!” But he paused and moved away, he was impressed she held out longer than he thought, by the eighth time she was wound tighter than a cheap pocket watch and grinding herself into him for more friction fingers digging into the tub.

“Arthur?”

“No.” He scolded moving away. “I asked you a question.”

“Hmmm.” She writhed, “w-what was the question again?”

“Ya scared me girl.” He gripped the back of her head gently, avoiding the bruise and making her look at him as he roughly pressed a hand to her sex. “You know that?”

“I-im…” her gaze fluttered.

“I’m gonna worry bout ya, you can’t be doin shit like that to me.” He hissed, pausing he worked her back up again, and backed off she nearly sobbed gripping his wrist. “Are ya sorry?” He snapped.

“Yes!” She whispered raggedly gripping onto his forearm to try and bring his fingers back to what they were doing, her other hand twisting into the back of his hair. “Yes, yes I’m sorry, I am, I’m sorry I won’t do it again.”

“Gonna listen to me from now on?” Arthur’s gaze was hooded and blazing, watching her nod and sob out a soft moan.

His fingers danced closer, only teasing. 

“Ohhh, Arthur pleeeaaaase please? Please?”

Arthur determined, he could get used to that sound coming from her. “I like you beggin me darlin.” He slid his index and middle fingers deep inside, coaxing that spot that had her eyes rolling back. “I wanna taste ya, fuck but not here, I’ll need to take my time.” He muttered against her mouth as she licked his jaw and nibbled along the line before kissing his bruised cheek as he worked her body higher.

“Ohhh yes, yes please more, don’t stop please? I’ll behave I promise, just don’t stop.” It was breathless, whispered fervent needy sounds.

His other hand had freed his cock from his tight jeans, languidly stroking a rhythm he fucked her with as she twitched and writhed in the water, hands sliding along the edge of the tub for purchase.

 It wasn’t enough, he wanted to see her.

Arthur frowned, reaching in and hauling her out to lie on the rug, easily working her back up to where she was, looming over her body to watch it twist and writhe, water falling off her in rivulets. “Good girl, c’mon now. Chase the feeling and let go for me.” She was all soft tan limbs, sweeping curves and plush ample breasts, tight dark tips and full hips, soaked hair spread out underneath her as her eyes watched his face. 

“A-Arthur I’m…” her breath caught, eyes dilated and her body jolted, he could feel her clench on him rapidly. “I’m gonna…!”

He leaned in and swallowed her cry when she shattered, working her through the high and keeping the pressure and motion up, smirking into the kiss when she bucked harder as his the heel of his palm rubbed her clit furiously, his fingers pumped hard into her, the wet sounding impact deliciously thumping through her pelvis and making her whimper for more. Fuck he could feel how close she was again. “Ya come so easy for me, I like that,  again, one more, give it to me.”

She didn’t even make sound, couldn’t, her breath catching as she arched hard, twitching around his fingers letting out a desperate squeak of a moan when he sucked a nipple deep into his mouth. Arthur was launched over the edge when her hand stroked him firmly, a few firm pumps and he groaned as his seed splattered across the rug. “Jesus….”

He watched her, Lilith was rosy cheeked, flush with arousal all over, panting and her eyes glazed in pleasure. “hmmm…”

“Come on,” he hissed gently getting his clothing back to rights. He got her up, toweled off and hair dried, after cleaning up as best he could he went and got her clothing freshly cleaned and decided to take a bath himself, she returned the favor, scrubbing him all over and tracing her hands along his skin. He jolted when she circled across his ribs, grinning at the muscles flexing when she flattened her hand and rubbed it against his stomach and down where she felt the nudge of his length bobbing against the top of her hand.

“Quit that.” He snapped half heartedly with a groan as his eyes closed on a sigh.

“I’m sorry.” She pressed a kiss on his cheek as he frowned at her when she leaned down from behind him. “But you seem so eager to please.” His head fell back as her hand traced his length down to the base and back her thumb gliding on the head slowly.

“My turn,” she whispered nibbling his ear. He had no idea that was even a spot that was sensitive but his hips jerked as the sensation jolted down his spine. He wasn’t used to touch, wasn’t used to someone even wanting to touch him, but her soap lathered hands dragged across his limbs, massaging, pressing, exploring. “Does that feel good?” She crooned.

He could only nod his throat working as he swallowed a groan.

“You deserve to be pampered like this you know.”

Arthur rolled his eyes and she bit his ear sharp, “ouch!”

“I said you deserve it.” 

“Alright god woman.” He didn’t understand why she always did that. Seemed hell bent on making him accept what she thought. Hell if he could argue with her either.

“What’s this one from?” She asked tracing a line along his right pectoral, a thin jagged mark that was old and healed but still raised.

He chuffed a laugh, “got dragged by a god damn mustang in my teens. Dutch thought it would be a good lesson to have me ride an unbroken stallion. Hosea cursed himself blue at us both. After he stitched me up that is.”

She laughed, “aaaaand this one?”

“Some bandit got lucky.” Her fingers felt good, so good tracing marks he usually hated to even look at. 

“And here?” Across his ribcage, he let out a moan when her fingers slid down. 

“Kinda hard to think darlin.”

“What?”

“Hmm. I’m sure it is.” but no matter what she did she skirted where he wanted her hand the most, she moved to the side of the tub, hauling a long leg out and scrubbing him up gently. All he could really do was rest his head back and watch as she worked, a long lock of hair falling into her face, he reached out and brushed it back lingering his thumb against her cheekbone. 

He glanced down at the scar she mentioned, “ah, bar fight. Bill and I got into it with someone and I got chucked through a window.”

“And I get scolded!” She huffed feigning insult.

After a moment Arthur looked at her, “think we’re bout even on that 50c?” He whispered.

“Not yet.”

“Woman now I know you’re tryin to kill me.”

“Noooo never.” She soothed working knots out of his calf and foot, he let out a long satisfied groan. “Poor thing you’re all tensed up.”

He gave her a look, one of pure sarcasm, brow furrowed, “Nooo, me? Never.”

She burst out laughing pressing her forehead to the edge of the tub, “you work hard Arthur, but you gotta learn the other half to that equation.”

“Never good at math.”

“Work hard then Play hard.” She leaned over and worked over his other leg just as thoroughly, slowly and gently working the muscles to relax. 

“Woman ya keep this up ya never gettin rid’a me.”

“That’s the idea you know.” 

“Hmph.”

He let out a low growling sound when she trailed her hand lower. Rubbing his pelvis and inner thigh sweeping her hand to gently tease around the base of his twitching length.

“Hmmm, I think you like that a lot.” She guessed. “What do you want?”

He was shaking, limbs tight, legs flexing and relaxing his hands white knuckling the tub.

No words would come out as her hand wrapped around him, unable to even meet her fingers together she let out a hum of approval when she could feel him throb in her palm.

“Please?”

“Do you deserve it?” She crooned.

He clenched his jaw and glared at her, blue eyes burning as a high flush was on his cheeks.

She leaned in, her lips brushing against his mouth gently to not hurt the cut. “Do you honey-love?”

He broke, just like that. On a whooshing exhale, “ohhh yes I deserve it, please?”

“Please what?” She refused to back away, they were speaking hushed to one another as if in confidence. It just made the tension in the damn room dial up to a hundred.

“Touch me. Touch me, please touch me.” The pleading ended on a low sound as she swept her hand up his length and back down, “yes, more, a bit harder, darlin ya aint gonna break me.” When she gripped firmer he hummed a sound of approval. “That’s it, just— just like that.”

“You’re so good for me.”

His head fell back, letting her voice wrap him up as she kissed his jaw and neck while her hand worked him in a slow firm rhythm. 

“Soooo good for me, you know that?”

A whimper, shit he didn’t even know he could make that kinda noise, a low sound in his throat pitching up in a desperate sound.  “I love touching you.” Her free hand traced across his cheek up and carding through his hair making him shiver before she kissed him. “So good.”

Arthur can’t even sense anything outside of the sensations that are bombarding him, her scent, floral and female, warm and like a rush of want, soft little hands caressing him, tender kisses where he least expected them and that throbbing in his cock as she picked up the pace when he twitched his hips forward on a silent plea.

“You realize you’re the only one I’ve done this for?”

His mind is spiraling into the ether. She isn’t immune, her own voice ragged and breathy.

“So beautiful to look at.” She crooned, “makes me want to lick you all over.”

“Fuck.” He gasps as her movements pick up he’s on the edge, so, oh so close, toe curling mind numbing bliss rocketing through him.

“Would you like that?” Her teeth nibble on his ear. “Would you like me letting you shove yourself down my throat—“

He broke with a sharp cry, her hand clapping over his mouth as she worked his length relishing in every twitch and shudder of his orgasm. “That’s it, good, very good easy now.”

Panting, exhausted, he slumped back against the tub unable to even open his eyes.

A giggle. “Enjoy that?”

“Lilith Vallent.”

“Hm?”

He opened one baleful eye, “Yer a virgin.”

She shrugged, “technically no. Figuratively yes.”

“How is that….” He got out of the tub and toweled off swatting her grabby hands away. “quit that woman…. Gonna explain how that works?”

“Funny story….”

He held up a hand after dragging his jeans on, shoving his hair back from his face, “I think this will require whiskey.” She was eyeing his pelvis, the pants hanging off his hips open, she licked her lips. “Woman quit that.” His voice was heated this time, feeling his cock twitch in response.

She pouted. “Yes. And Bella because she tells it funnier and she’s the one who said it.”

Lilith had not been joking, back at camp she waved her hand as they sat in their shared tent, “explain.”

“Explain was?”

“Bella.” She made a face and opened her arms like a shrug as if to say what else.

“OOOOHHHHHHH!!!!!!! The technicality!” She crowed. “Haaaaaa, so as me Ma always said, if ya dinnae come is na done.”

“Oh god.” Lilith clapped her hands to her face hiding and peeking through her fingers at her best friend.

“Lemme explain..”

Arthur looked throughly amused as he leaned against his wagon and smoked a cigarette with a smirk.

“First off who tops their first time.” Bella glanced at Lilith cocking a brow. 

“What’s wrong with topping?!”

“Your first time?! Seriously and not in a sexy way, I mean no like the man drags you on top and it’s all good…this was pure lazy…. I mean good lord, no payoff neither, ya might’nt well have done it yaself with ya hand and actually got off—“

“BELLA!!!” Lilith sounded scandalized and she was bright red.

“What?! I explained! I say ya still a virgin.” But both of them turned to look at Arthur who was shaking, leaning over as he put out his smoke.

“Ya good there cowboy?” Bella asked.

Arthur was laughing….genuinely laughing, head thrown back holding his sides. “Awe, poor baby girl.” He wheezed once he caught his breath.

Bella nodded at him, “see he gets it.” She shook her head glancing at Lilith then back at Arthur, “I know, so ya gotta treat her well or I’ll cut yer cock off.”

That just had Arthur laughing harder.

“BELLADONNA!”

“WHAT?! Is my job to make sure you get good coc—” but she was cut off by Belial. 

“We talking about the technicality?” Bel asked at the canvas entryway.

“BELLADONNA MARSHALL.”

“HE MAH BONDED HE KNOWS ERRATHING!”

Bel nods, “far more than I ever wanted to know. Good luck. Don’t break him. Arthur be careful we bite.”

Arthur calmed down, “that so?” He watched the interaction lounging on his cot really amused. They were jabbering and arguing now.

“BELIAL.” Lilith snapped.

“Wait have you?” Bel grinned glancing back and forth looking quite giddy. “Finally! Ohhh I win if ya have”

“NO!” She blushed bright red groaning into her hands.

“Dang it. What’s taking you?!” 

“Shut up!!!!”

“Moon tea!” Bella snapped.

“I’m drinking it!!!!!”

“Good, no cubs!” She flicked Lilith on the nose like a dog. “Bad! I dinnae want to be an auntie!”

“Just kill me.” She flopped into her cot face down. “I’m gonna go dig a hole and bury myself to die of embarrassment.”

“Ooooo you’ll make good mushroom feed.” Bella said patting her back and leaving.

“So figuratively.” Arthur began getting up and kneeling near her cot.

“Arthuuuurrrrr don’t tease!!!!! YOU ASKED!”

“I did, I did I’m grateful ya let them explain.” He chuckled, “poor baby.” He soothed making her roll over and ruffling her hair out with his fingers, “that poor dumb bastard not take good care of ya?” He whispered.

“Shut. Up. Morgan!” She smacked at him.

“Awe, poor thing.” He was kissing her cheeks now, “we’ll have to fix that hm?” He rumbled.

“Don’t make promises you won’t keep cowboy!”

He growled and hauled her off the cot and tossed her over his shoulder carrying her out to get dinner.

“Hi Dutch, Hi Hos!.” She waved as they passed him and Hosea. “Dinner’s ready.”

“Yes we know dear.” Dutch didn’t even glance up long from his book as Arthur walked her over to sit and eat a meal with everyone, songs, laughing, jokes and nonsense abound.

Hosea and Dutch laughed to themselves, but Lilith noticed how they kept their hands close, their pinkies touching.

Chapter Text

I was sitting with Hosea as he looked over a scoped rifle. “What is that for?”

“Hunting.” Hosea smiled and held out the rifle.

“What you hunting, an Elephant?” Arthur asked laughing taking it and looking through the scope.

“I wish. A bear. A huge one. The biggest one I ever saw, must have been a thousand pounds.”

“Well geez you need me to go?”

“Of course I do.” Hosea nodded.

“I said I’d go.” I smiled. “Fenrir is coming too.” The giant dog’s head perked up and he woofed in agreement tail going mad.

Now I had his full attention. “Oh ho ho, you’re not going without me then that’s for sure.” Arthur said frowning.

“One giant flings me against a wall and I’m an invalid.” I snort.

Hosea smacked me upside the head, “ya scared him and I’ll be the first to have him put you over a knee if you do that again missy.”

“Really Hosea!” I swatted his arm playfully. 

“Really!” He laughs shaking his head at me and looking at Arthur. “Arthur you heard me, keep an eye on her.”

“Ohhh I can do that.”

“Arthur!” I balked, “okay first off my daddy aint even put me over his knee what makes you think you’ll be able to. You know what given your expression I dont wanna know.”

“Me either.” Hosea nodded with a chuff of humor.

Arthur tilted his hat down to hide the pink over his face. “So where we headed then?” He coughed and leaned over us both.

Hosea got up, stretching his back. “Up near the Dakota river. Might take a couple days.”

I bounced up, “sounds good to me!”

“Could do with a break” Arthur winked at me and I elbowed him as I passed to pick up my satchel from the table.

“Me too it’s been a rough couple weeks.” Hosea agreed.

Arthur was nodding as he sighed, “fine let’s get to getting then.”

We walked over to the horses and I saw Hosea look thoughtful. “You still ain’t replaced Bodecia,”

He looked so sad, his face drawn, he scratched his newly trimmed beard down to a neat scruff across his cheeks and jaw. “No, I miss her she was quite a horse.”

“I know.” Hosea nodded at him with understanding. “Been meaning to offload this big shire.”

“Where in hell’d you get him?” Arthur raised his brows at the monster of a steed who eyed him in annoyance unlike my sweet tempered Clydesdale.

“Some big loud mouth bastard tried to rob me, so I ah..well you know how it is…”

“I see.”

“That’s our Hosea.” I hugged him before mounting up.

Hosea pat my arm and glanced at Arthur. “Let’s take him to Valentine, you can unload him and get a new horse. Arthur get your saddle on him will ya and ride him in?”

The shire stomped his big hooves and snorted, all black with the exception of a white stripe down his face.

“I already got a horse. I mean, this one’s okay, but ain’t no Bodecia.”

“Yeah, but it never hurts to have two horses.” Hosea pointed out.

“Guess you’re right.” He did as Hosea asked. “Hey boy, it’s alright, easy.” 

“This is gonna be fun Arthur,” the older man was giddy, Silver Dollar picking up on the energy and prancing a few steps.

Arthur glanced at Hosea,“He won’t throw me?”

I laughed, “don’t worry Arthur just remember, balance.”

Hosea shook his head, “he’s an angel, if I’m near him.”

“Easy big feller.” Arthur calmed the stallion patting his big arched neck as he nickered at Luna. “Ya there we go, just keep lookin at the pretty filly.” He hoisted himself onto the big steed and we all got moving.

Hosea got a great idea. “Let’s go into town, no bar fights you two,” Arthur looked sheepish as I huffed a laugh.

“We’ll be gone a couple days!” Hosea called out. “Got a good range of horse tack at the stables, had a nice one,” he mused, “remember that one?”

Arthur nodded as I listened to them. “What happened to that?”

“Stolen outside deer creek.”

“Ahhhh I remember that, just about…. Turned into a long day.”

“Remember, Mac went crazy, threatened to kill the whole town, Davey was passed out we came back round and he began drinking again.”

“They sound like they were fun.” I noted.

“They were, right hoot, and Jenny had spark, just like you, I think you two woulda gotten along.” Hosea called as we continued along the path.

“Such a shame, Lenny was sweet on her.” Arthur said to me as I pulled Luna alongside him.

“Awe, goodness that’s sad.”

“Woulda never worked.”

“Why is that?” Arthur asked laughing.

“Could never work, Lenny and Jenny….Like Arthur and Martha or Bill and Phil.”

“Kinda feels like our luck died with em.” Arthur’s voice took on a worried tone and I glanced at him with a concerned expression.

“Just need some money to get back on our feet.”

As I pulled up a bit further the Shire nickered and trotted a bit fast, “easy boy.”

“Don’t let that big bastard get the better of ya Arthur.”

“He’s fine, good boy, easy now.”

Once at the stables, I left with Hosea to get bear bait and ambled over to the gun smith to get myself a slugged shotgun and other items I knew we’d need for this big ass bear.

Meeting Arthur back at the stables I grinned as he brushed the raven shire out and gave him a carrot, “ah decided to keep him.” Luna was prancing on her feet.

“Can’t think of a name.”

“How about Krieger, it means warrior.” I suggested.

“Big brute like that seems to be fitting.” Hosea scoffed.

Arthur chuckled, “hey boy, sound like a good name?” He snorted and stomped his hoof.

Valentine was rather sleepy I noted, not many people, houses spread out and sure there was the local watering hole, a church, and some other buildings, but for the most part…it was rather unkept.

Despite that, it was pleasant enough. We rode through town and made our way up the mountainside. Fenrir would run alongside the horses or run ahead and wait for them to catch up, or run behind keeping an eye on things. “He’s a good dog.” Hosea said, “Copper was too but the damn thing only listened to Arthur and was half feral.”

“Feral dog for a feral teen.” Arthur quipped.

“Awe I’m sure he was lovely.” I argued, “best dogs have attitude, ain’t that right boy.” Fenny popped up a ways off the path with a bark.

“Swear to god he understands you.” Hosea said.

“He’s a smart baby.”

Another woof in the distance.

We made camp and managed to get some food in our bellies with rabbits and what I had brought along.

“Darlin?” Arthur sidled up to me in our shared tent.

“Hm?”

“Really regretting this.” He groaned.

I couldn’t help but feel a bit hurt, “huh?”

“Just not on our own.” He bit down on my neck. “God knows I can’t fuckin keep quiet with ya.” Instead he snuggled on up spooning me and rubbing his hands across my stomach and hips. “God you smell good. Haven’t been able to stop fucking thinking about the other day.”

I snickered.

“Oh is that funny?” Arthur’s voice was mock offended.

“That’s okay me either.” I admitted, his hand slipped lower and I swallowed a moan when he slipped it between my thighs. “Arthur I am no better at being quiet.” I whispered.

“Hmmm.” He clapped a hand over my mouth and began to bite my neck sucking a rose into my skin making me squirm, rubbing his length on my ass.

“Arthur.” I whimpered, “easy.” I couldn’t help but giggle when he grumbled into my skin about squirming.

“WOULD YOU EITHER GET IT OVER WITH OR STOP ACTING LIKE TEENS SNEAKING OFF.”

We both blinked and froze, both of us staring at one another bright red and I couldn’t help but start wheezing with laughter. “Thanks Hoss, great mood killer!”

“Yer welcome, go to bed,” he muttered the last part, “god damn kids.”

“Grumpy old coot!” Arthur snapped back nuzzling into my hair, but we settled and knocked out.

In the morning Hosea poked his head in and nudged me with his foot, Arthur still sleeping like a rock, “he always did sleep like the dead.” Hosea grinned at me as I scooted out of Arthur’s arms making sure he stayed asleep despite his frown.

Hosea looked me over and I cocked my head, “what?”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Well there were a few things that happened that made my boy….well…he hardened himself.” Hosea looked sad, “weren’t nothin I could do. And he ain’t one to let anyone in, never has since he was first with us no matter how hard we tried….don’t know how ya did it.”

“I dont think he has much of a choice with me.” I chuckled.

“Good, glad someone does that for him, thought the last one might but….eh that’s a mess.”

“Hm, he’ll tell me when he’s ready.”

“Love that boy like my own son.” Hosea said sniffing a bit, “lost Bessie, Arthur was the only reason I didn’t die drunk in a ditch. Loved on me in his own way despite me being a miserable human.”

“Hosea, that was your other half, I understand…when my uncle lost his mate he ended up leaping into danger just to see her again…it is…” she sighed, “hard….”

“Sure is. But I’ll get there eventually without my own hand pushing me.”

“Good you have to outlive me.”

“Oh sure! That’ll happen.”

“You should be more open with him.” I suggested softly, “vulnerable begets vulnerable, especially from parent to child. If I know anything, Arthur loves you like a father. You’re the only one he’d probably listen to above anyone else.”

“…..yeah, I know.” Hosea smiled.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Arthur lay awake, tears in his eyes, he had never heard Hosea actually say that to him. But to hear it said, he smiled and wiped at his face sniffing for a moment and collecting himself.

“Honey-Love.”

“Awe, cute.”

“Shut it Hosea.” Arthur grumbled after getting up and grabbing coffee to pour into his cup. “Good morning to ya both.”

“I made sausages and there are hard boiled eggs and cheese!” She handed him a plate. 

“Well thank you kindly.” He tossed a sausage to Fenrir who was lounging on a patch of grass. “Good boy.”

The meal was easy going and they managed to make their way into the wilderness where they found traces of the bear having eaten a meal.

“Arthur let’s track him.” Hosea whispered.

I nodded and had my shotgun and long arm rifle set up. “I’m gonna hit some higher ground and keep an eye on you both from above. Keep Fenrir close to you both.”

“He gonna be okay?”

“Arthur he is bred for bear hunting, and yes, grizzly, look at him, he’s huge.”

Fenrir flicked an ear back and barked and stayed near Hosea’s thigh.

Arthur followed the trail vaguely aware of where Lilith was on the upper rocks above them, but close enough in range. He preferred it that way when they were hunting big game like this. 

Fenrir managed to help track the bear till it ended, and Hosea decided that they’d split up. 

But once Arthur heard Hosea calling he sprinted, along with Fenrir to see a massive thousand pound grizzly charging behind him. “Hosea c’mon!” 

Fenrir lunged roaring and planting himself between them making the bear pull up short and let out a terrifying, ground shaking roar.

However the raging feminine scream that pierced both their ears caused Arthur to look up as a figure slammed onto the bears back, lifting arms high and crashing something into it’s throat before pulling out, repeating the action a few times, soaking the world in red.

The figure rolled off and away, doused in blood but as the bear was about to swipe, Fenrir charged in and latched onto his throat shaking violently and snarling.

“Jesus Christ!” Hosea gasped.

Lilith bared her teeth letting out a scream of rage, crouched and waiting, blade in hand.  After a moment she glanced over at them, “you alright Hosea?!” She called.

“Me?! Girl ya just jumped on a grizzly!!” He bellowed angrily.

Arthur finally found his voice, “Are you fucking mad woman!!!”

“Reflex!” The bear had collapsed with a groan as Fenrir shook the final bit of life out of him, blood soaked across the dogs neck, flanks and face.

She collapsed. “Oh geez that scared me. I thought you were bear food.”

Hosea and Arthur rushed over to her as Arthur angrily sat her up and began to check her. “Hold still ya god damn idiot ya coulda been killed!”

“And I thought Arthur had no self preservation! I was wrong!” Hosea snapped as he helped.

“I’m fine it was easier than the moo—…”

“That better be a moo for a cow.” Hosea glared.

“….Moose.” Both men just looked at her like she was insane. “It wasn’t my fault my brother shot it in the ass and it charged!” Arthur was moving her as Fenrir trotted over wagging his tail near the kill looking oh so proud. “Good boy.”

Hosea groaned. “C’mon let’s get this blood off ya before we attract anything else that might wanna eat us. I’ll skin this ugly bastard, you get her down to the river. I’ll set up camp.”

“Git.” Arthur snapped pushing her. “Come on now. Outta chuck you in the river!”

She stomped into the water and ducked under. “Ugh these are ruined.”

Arthur was fuming, stripping her of her blood soaked clothing and grabbing a bar of soap out of his satchel on the river bank before sloshing back over to her. “Shoulda thought bout that before ya rode a gad damn bear!” He growled scrubbing her up.

“I’m not a kid I can clean myself!” 

“Lilith hold still.”

“Ugh, fine. But only because I can’t see my back.”

He complained the entire time, cursing himself blue at her about her idiocy and she took it, knowing he was right. Arthur got a big shirt from his bag and a towel and dried her off before yanking it over her head. “there.” He grumbled wading back onto dry land. 

Lilith moved in after him, feeling a bit bad now. He wasn’t used to her family and this kind of thing wasn’t done maliciously, but out of instinct…

She had known Arthur would scare the bear off but…she sighed…seeing it was something else entirely.

Arthur was busy getting camp ready, she quietly helped, and he let her, the tension between them rough. She looked scolded, wouldn’t look him in the eye and moved quietly as if not to bug him, she also refused to touch.

Hosea watched from a distance, curious as to what would happen.

Finally, after a while, she tugged his sleeve. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think I just acted…I saw it charging and I did the first thing I could think of…I am confident in my skills…I wouldn’t rush in to get killed, not unless I knew your life was really in danger…”

“Don’t even want that.” He growled gripping the tent pole hard as he hammered it into the ground. “Don’t ever want that…it aint ya job to put your life down for mine.”

Her gaze sharpened and she glared, “that is the most honorable death anyone can have in our clan. And if the day comes where I am asked to trade your life for mine I would do so. It is my right and choice to Arthur.”

He glanced at her, her gaze was so hurt, so insulted that he realized this was a miscommunication in culture. “Darlin…I ain’t like that, s’pose to be the other way round.”

Lilith huffed, “in our way it is both. That is why we survive. Better together than apart….I should have trusted you to act and I failed.”

Arthur never understood her verbiage, she spoke in such odd terms but it meant something more for her and she spoke how she thought. He blinked when she bowed her head and placed her hand against her chest.

“I apologize…you would have had it handled….I am at fault for that.”

He exhaled deeply, dropped the hammer and grabbed her into a hug, “ain’t needed, scared me to death….and I wouldn’t say I had it handled…but I appreciate your faith in me. Best thing woulda been to scare it off if I could…there ain’t nothin to forgive. You did what you thought was right and I should trust your skills more but….ya so small I want to keep you safe.”

“You cannot always be there.” She muffled.

He gripped her harder. And Hosea saw a glimmer of agony rip through him. “I should be.” His heart ached for his adopted son, he knew what he spoke of. 

“Arthur…I need to be able to defend myself. The reality is that you will not always be there and I will not always be there— we need to be able to defend separate and together.”

Arthur knew she was right but god he hated it.

“You cannot shoulder all my burdens and trials honey-love. Sometimes I will have to face the gauntlet alone.”

Hosea decided now would be a good time to walk up. “Well you sure can handle yourself, his throat was torn wide open.”

“Hah, well good…”

Arthur finally realized she was trembling, how terrified had she been facing that monster? 

And she still did it seeing Hosea in danger, seeing him in danger’s way. 

Hosea went and began cooking as Arthur finished the tent and dragged her inside, “c’mere darlin, shhh s’okay I ain’t mad anymore…I understand now, I gotcha. I know you was scared huh?”

She shuddered and burrowed into his warmth nodding. Her breath shaking, “I was really scared. I didn’t know what I’d do if that thing got either of you.” Her hands clutched into his jacket but he pulled it off and wrapped her up in it letting her nuzzle into the furred inside and relax. 

“I know, I know. It’s alright now I gotcha. We’re all okay.” Fenrir’s face poked through the tent still caked in red looking concerned at Lilith. “Ah ah you need a bath before gettin in here!”

“Oh don’t say that word—“

Fenrir growled and ran the other way staying at the opposite side of camp.

“He hates bathes.” Lilith giggled as Arthur raised a brow in confusion at the wolf dog who bristled at him.

“Ha! Like John!” Hosea cracked up. “He can’t swim.”

“Fenrir can swim, he just knows the B word means soap.”

Sighing I got up. “Come on help me. Fenny COME to mama.”

He whined and crawled over on his belly.

“Good boy come on. And—“ she hoisted the giant dog up by the chest and half lifted and dragged him into the lake with him making an ungodly howling groaning noise like he was being killed. “Shut up you’re fine!”

Arthur cracked up as he got the soap and they managed to get the giant dog scrubbed up but also had more soap on them in the end when he shook himself hard. 

“Fenny!!”

“At least Copper took baths!!!” Arthur snapped shaking suds off of himself.

“Doesn’t count when you get it with the dog!” Hosea laughed.

They both ducked under the water to clean off and then dry by the fire. Fenrir wouldn’t look at them, licking himself dry and huffing in their direction.

“I know we’re mean aren’t we baby?”

“I still believe that was easier than John.” Arthur growled making them all bust out in laughter. 

Chapter Text

Belladonna and I stared at a horrifyingly inebriated Reverend Swanson trying to play a game of poker.

“Excuse me.” Bella whistled at him. “Hi there ah, ya might wanna come wi us.”

“Oh the new ladies, quite— hic— pretty aren’t they gentlemen.”

“Preacher, come on, Arthur is waiting outside.” Bella said as I sighed. “He isn’a patient if ya ken what I mean.”

“Oh no he is not, that man is not…but I’m…I’m FREE.”

“Oh boy.” Bella said rolling her eyes heaven ward. “Lord he don’t mean that.”

“Yes he does.” I snorted.

Arthur stomped in glaring at the Reverend. “Again?” He asked exasperated.

I followed Swanson out the building and made sure to keep an eye on him. “Preacher come on, don’t be like this.” He was stumbling all over and ended up almost getting into a fight, which I prevented. Making sure he stayed off the tracks was harder as he was HELL bent on dying. “That does it.” I hog tied him and threw him onto Luna. 

“Ah ya got him.” Arthur sighed in relief, “weren’t too much trouble darlin?”

I exhaled and rubbed my temples. “He was trying to go by way of the dodo bird.”

Arthur looked confused.

“Extinct. Deceased. Dead. Specifically by that.” I jerked my thumb back at the oncoming train on the tracks.

“Fuckin dumbass!” Arthur snarled. “Didn’t fight ya did he?”

“I’m fine. Just he smells like a brewery Luna is gonna need a bath— IF YOU THROW UP ON LUNA I WILL BEAT YOU PREACHER.” I roared as he moaned.

Arthur thunked him over the head knocking him out, “what?!” I looked at him with a WTF face.

“Cannae throw up if he out like a corpse.” Bella nodded patting Arthur on the back.

We went about our chores, managing to get everything done but when I went to look for Arthur I couldn’t find him, “Ms. Grimshaw?”

“Oh he’s out there somewhere, got a letter.”

“From?”

“A woman.”

“Ah the um….fiance?”

“mmhm.” Susan sauntered off, “I like you better.”

“Awe, don’t I know it Mama Susan!” I called back. I exhaled and decided it was time to go find him and figure this Mary thing out once and for all.

—— - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

She found him sitting on a log with the paper, head in his hands and looking rather angry.

“Honey-Love?” She called gently.

“Hmph? Oh Lilith, hey Darlin.”

“You look upset, you wanna talk?” She sat down next to him on the tree and scooted close so she could feel the heat off of him, “don’t have to I can just sit with you.”

“…do you ah….I mean, when you said those things…about me…”

“Yes.”

Arthur sighed, glancing her over, “you really think that?” His voice choked up a bit.

“Because you are.” She frowned. “Why are you so intent on not liking yourself?”

“I-I don’t…” but he paused, “haaa, I guess I do that huh. Just never really had much to like darlin.” He frowned.

“I mean, was there ever a time you did like yourself?” She asked tilting her head.

He thought, really hard, a furrow in his brow, “prolly in my early teens.”

“Hm, do you think maybe this all started when you began carrying the brunt of the camp? And dont give me that look Arthur if something happened to you the whole damn wheel would stop turning.”

Arthur exhaled, a bit exasperated, “we really doin this?”

“Yes. We’re unpacking, if you’ll let me I want to walk you through this.”

“Can I at least get drunk.”

“No sober mind and sober thoughts, drinking after.”

He frowned at her. “…after a while, I took on more work, and more, just wanted to be useful. Course after a ah…incident I vanished for several weeks and came back so Dutch was always different after that.”

“Do you think he was a lot harder on you or were you feeling guilty.”

“A lot harder, more disappointed….can’t says I blame him.” He scrubbed the back of his neck in a fit of nerves.

“…I don’t know what incidents have caused you to punish yourself Arthur, but no one deserves to suffer their entire lives. No you’re not free of sin, no you’re not free of the bad you did. But…you don’t do good expecting it to absolve you.” She paused, “you don’t help a man with his horse because you think it’s a ticket to heaven. You don’t give a dollar to a blind man because it will wash away a robbery. And you certainly don’t act kind to your family thinking it changes things.”

Arthur looked at his hands, clenching them together.

“You are aware of the fact that you are lost. That, is far more than most can do or will ever do. Many…they wander without any know how. But this desire to tell yourself you’re not a good person, you tell a person that they aren’t worth anything enough times the words become reality to them. It changes their perception of themselves and it becomes their truth. Especially if it’s by someone you love.”

He froze at that. And he chewed his bottom lip, I knew I hit a nail on the head. “And if they’re right?”

“How would they know? Arthur anyone that truly knows you, and I mean really knows you, sees you with your family, sees you with animals, with children, with friends…with strangers you help….they know you’re not perfect but you’re a good man. And anyone who loves you would never say those things to begin with…”

“Coulda changed.” He suggested.

“Psh, a wolf in sheep’s wool as Papa says.” She paused, “I tried to do that you know.”

“The fiancé?”

“Yes.”

“Yeah….me too.” He pat her knee in solidarity.

“He was a ah, bit high and mighty for himself, and he always tried to use me as a pawn of some kind, as if having me under his thumb made him more of a man.” she rolled her eyes heavenward, “god I was a fucking idiot.”

“Well yer in good company I reckon.” He pulled out a letter, “maybe you can gimme some insight. I ah…I don’t want to go…but part of me wants to know what’s going on.”

“You want closure?”

“I guess, not even sure what in the hell Mary wants with me…but I…” he paused, “Would be lying if I said I didn’t still feel somethin.”

“Of course you do, you loved her enough to marry her at one point, why wouldn’t you?”

He looked at her curious. “Same thing?”

“Only at first. And occasionally I find myself missing the good times, but then I have to remember how he made me feel. Which was like shit about myself. And no one that loves you truly would or should ever do that.”

“Hm, If I’m being honest…I ah…don’t like how she makes me feel bout myself. But I catch myself hoping that it will change or….I mean maybe she has a right to feel that way….”

“Feel like what?”

“Like…well…like…everything I had weren’t good enough apparently.” He sucked a smoke down to the end and blew out a long breath.

Arthur glanced over and saw Lilith’s mouth was a thin line, her eyes blazing with unbridled anger as she took a calming breath. 

She turned, and placed her hands on either side of his face and kissed him, melded her mouth with his till he was breathless and limp against her, his hand cradling the back of her head to prevent her from leaving when she tried to pull back, a sound of protest leaving him.

“Lilith.” He mumbled leaning forward kissing her again, despite the torn feelings he had, the soothing affection she gave was far more intoxicating. Like cool water in a scalding summer day.

“Arthur Morgan. Listen to me when I say this: you are worth more than any amount of money or gold a person could ever give me. If you had nothing but the clothes on your back and that brute of a shire at your side as long as I can walk with you I should be considered the wealthiest of people.”

Arthur was silent. Staring at her as if she had spoken another language. 

His sea colored eyes disbelieving.

She pressed their foreheads together and looked him in the eye, silently pleading that her words would sink through. 

He didn’t realize when she finally spoke, but it was so soft and concerned. 

“Oh my light.” She was wiping a thumb under his eye, she crawled into his lap, straddling his legs on the log and pulled him into her shoulder. “I’ve got you.” Her voice squeaked out as his arms wound around her like vices and gripped her tight, burrowing his head into her neck and exhaling shakily. “That’s it I’ve got you.”

“Darlin I can promise you ya gonna get tired’a this.” He groaned sounding tormented.

“Nope. I’m not. As long as I have you I’m fine.”

“I’m a mean ugly old bastard.”

“You’re a kind, very attractive not even old you’re fucking thirty-six!” She poked his back angrily. “Keep that up and I’ll tie you up and make you say it.”

“Ya can lead a horse to water but can’t make it drink.”

“No but I can damn well drown it and water will get in it somehow.”

Arthur sputtered as he choked on a laugh. He sighed, “don’t deserve you.”

“I say you do.”

“Yeah yeah, and if you say it, it is…. Bossy little shit. Tell a bullet to go back to it’s pistol and I wouldn’t be surprised if the damn thing listened.”

“Lilith.”

“Hm?”

“I think I’ll go and see what she wants.”

“Just remember.”

“Hm?”

“I’ll be waiting for you to come back.” She smacked a kiss on his cheek. He laughed, so she did it again. Before he could complain she was peppering kisses across his entire face and crawling into his lap. “Oh no!” she nuzzled his neck, “a wolf attack!”

“Lilith!” But he was laughing, a light sound as he gripped her still; she kissed his nose since it was the only thing she could reach and then pouted.

“Awe, come on! Play with me!” She wrestled back against his grip a grin across her face.

Arthur grumbled finding that he had to put effort in to hold her off. “How in hell are you this strong?”

“Comes with eight brothers!” They both let out varying sounds of surprise when they fell backward off the log into the grass cracking up as she rolled them

“No ya don’t.” With one swift move he pinned her.

But she had wound herself about him, shivers running down his back from where her fingers carded through his hair, smoothing it back, “Gotcha,” Lilith giggled, he was watching her twist to look at him, sunlight lighting her eyes up to a bottomless jar of honey.

“Such a pretty little wolf, don’t mind being caught I s’pose.” He mimicked her prior attack, pressing quick kisses along her neck, nuzzling behind her ear, nibbling the sensitive outer shell and dragging a gasp out of her. 

“Arthur!” A peal of laughter as his fingers tickled her ribs. “No! That’s not fai- haha!”

“Alls fair in love and war darlin, c’mon we gotta get back.” He hauled them both up and flung her over his shoulder.

“You really need to stop carting me like a sack of flour.”

“You got a job and I gotta go see what’s goin on.” He set her down in camp. “Meet up in Valentine?” He whispered.

Lilith nodded with a big smile, “yes!” With that she and Belladonna were off arguing as they trotted down the lane.

Arthur stood outside the house Mary had stated she was staying at. His hat off, he had managed to at least make himself look presentable. He groaned, wasn’t exactly even sure if he wanted to do this.

“Best get this over with.” He grumbled and stomped up the steps. Knocking on the door a woman came out and held a gun at him. “Is Ms.Linton in?”

The woman glared at him.“Gimme a moment.”

“Thank ya kindly.” Sighing he walked around on the porch, scrubbing the back of his neck and shoving his thumbs into his gun belt. “fuck.”

And she emerged. For a moment he was dumbstruck, it had been so long…and she looked just as pretty as she had when he had that photo taken. “Hello Arthur…” her voice low and hummed with a perfect articulate pronunciation.

“Mary…”

“I heard you and your friends was around, I…” She motioned and shrugged, seeming to fidget with nervousness.

“Okay, where’s what’s his name.” He cocked a brow.

“Died,” she huffed.

He blinked, and nodded in sympathy. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Happened a while ago, pneumonia”

Arthur tilted his head back and adjusted his hat, “Bad business.”

“Sure”

He couldn’t help the ire in his voice, nor the stiffening posture he had as he hunched his shoulders— that was another thing, he was always taught by her to be smaller…with Lilith she always slung her arms around him and told him to pull her up she wanted to be tall too. His lips quirked and he straightened up a bit more. “So ah, you been, you been made a widow and come lookin for me is that it?” He sounded as insulted as he felt, and edge to his voice.

“No, no nothing like that.”

“Ah, ooookay.” He exhaled deep, god he felt like a god damn fool.

“I well, my family…I need your help.”

He gave a look that screamed I beg your fucking pardon. “You mean the family that looked down on me? You want me to help them?”

“It’s Jaime.”

He nodded walking out and leaning on the porch railing. “Ahhhh well, I always liked Jaime. At least compared to the rest.”

“Hes broken daddy’s heart” she came to join him at the front.

Arthur cracked up and glared at her, “Daddy has a heart?” Arthur’s teeth bared as he leaned against the railing and looked at her with a cocked brow. 

“Don’t make me beg you Arthur.”

He felt his teeth grit as he glared at her, his voice low, rough and pain filled. “My money—my life…me? I wasn’t good enough.” He shook his head staring at her.

She floundered her hands white knuckling the railing. “I’m sorry, we need your help real bad jaime has joined the chelonians…”

He scoffed, “Good for him”

But she frowned, “They’re quite mad Arthur you’re the only one he’d listen to”

He waved a hand to stop her from speaking, a harsh bitter filled laugh escaping him as he scrubbed his face and leaned against the porch pillar. “So…Im too rough to marry into ya family… but it’s okay to ask in saving your family?”

A pause, her dark chocolate hair shining in the sunlight. At one point those big brown eyes looking at him like that would have done him in. “Im sorry I understand if you dont wanna help but I think of you…often.”

“A long time ago now.” Arthur growled. His chest ached, he shoulda never come here, but his hand reached into his pocket and he blinked feeling something that hadn’t been there to begin with.

Arthur frowned, and pulled out a braided cable, it was red, the color of blood, twined around a teal color, a small carved wolf on the end, and on the other the tiniest carved bell in the shape of a heart… it jingled in his hand reminding him of that short peal of laughter she gave when he’d lean over and whisper something particularly sarcastic.

He wasn’t even hearing what Mary said and haphazardly answered “I say let jaime live Jaime’s life and not the nightmare his daddy dreamed up for him.” He toyed with the cable looking at the clasps, it was meant to wind around his wrist and connect…he slowly began to tie it about his forearm, the slide of soft leather and the metal grounding him.

“Please Arthur…will you help me…”

Arthur couldn’t even speak, his head was spinning. He was a mix of humiliated, angry and just plain insulted. He exhaled deeply.

“Oh, Arthur….I…

“Don’t you ‘oh, Arthur’ me. And what ya miss is having me—” He began to say feeling the pit in his stomach turn to a raging inferno. 

But Mary was reaching placing a hand on his wrist where the band was and he let out a rough sound, he didn’t want her touching anything to do with Lilith. Arthur jerked his hand back, leaning on the railing as he glared at her. “Mary don’t—“ she had caught sight of the band and looked confused.

“I miss y—“ a hawks screech sounded overhead as a deer came busting through a brush and across the road when an arrow thunked home the animal squealing loud before dying.

“Thank God.” He muttered. But then he was startled, he recognized the voices.

“WOO!” Behind the deer sprinting was a red headed woman tackling him. “GOT’IM.”

“Belladonna?” Arthur shouted.

She popped up as she picked up the doe. “AH look’a that Arthur! Whatcha doin here?”

“Could ask ya the same.”

“Milady I win!” She called. “And look who I found!”

Lilith was cantering up, skidding to a halt as Luna pranced. Fenrir panting at her side with a rabbit in his mouth. “God fucking damn it Bella what are you doing?” She was in black pants, a blood red vest over a white pristine high neck blouse, and wearing Arthur’s scout jacket. He stifled a grin. Little shit stole my coat. “We need to get to the damn post office and you’re fucking off and oh you found dinner…what the fuck is it now?“ She snapped seeing Bella jerking her head towards the house.

Belladonna motioned up to the house. “Ahem. Look who we found!”

“Hm?” She turned and frowned at Mary then saw him, “Arthur!” The happy sound that left her as her gaze brightened. “She saw something and went for it.” Lilith shrugged slouching in the saddle as Fenrir trotted up to sit by Luna and eat his rabbit.

Arthur grumbled rubbing his neck. “Like a damn hunting dog worse than Fen.”

‘Best hunting dog you’ll eva meet!” Bella snapped back.

“Arthur who are they? Working girls?” Mary asked sounding a bit judgmental. He almost said something but his eyes were locked on the black haired woman who was staring at his face.

But Lilith was looking him over, and whatever she saw made her eyes pinprick and her mouth become a fine line before pursing. But then she saw his wrist and her eyes widened. Glancing up at him he felt his cheeks tint slightly and he yanked his hat down coughing.

“Arthur?” Mary snapped to get his attention.

“Ah, my apologies.” Lilith had ridden up and leapt off her mount easily, walking up the steps and removing her gloves once she stood before them both, angling herself partially in front of Arthur. “Lilith….” she inclined her head only a small amount, back straight, chin raised, she was shorter than Mary but for some reason it didn’t seem to matter. 

In that moment Arthur felt like he was at a cross roads. A pivotal moment that comes in your life to make a decision.

On one side a single sided love that sure had at once humored him however dragged him however she saw fit.

On the other…his chest filled with something, a warmth, a light feeling and sensation and a….pride… she was standing firmly, feet spread shoulder width, and her spine as stiff as an iron stake staring Mary down as if she was the absolute source of ire. The tiny little metal heart clinked with the wooden wolf and he relaxed a bit.

Mary could sense the small woman in front of her was dangerous, she fidgeted. “It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Lilith…. However we are discussing a private matter.”

But Lilith began speaking in another tongue as Belladonna came and stood at the bottom step, one foot a step higher than the others as she listened.

“Milady states that there is no private matter when you take the laughter from the eyes of someone she has chosen as a potential bond mate.”

Mary’s brow furrowed, “a what?”

Arthur felt his chest tighten, “Lily.” He murmured. “It’s a’right.”

Lilith glanced over her shoulder, eyes gleaming. “It is not fine.” She spoke softly. “I do not like seeing you hurt.” She glared back at Mary, “she steals laughter from your eyes and wounds you. I will not permit it.” Turning back to Mary Lilith growled low in her throat, a rumble that started from her chest and vibrated in her throat. 

Bella was smirking.

“It isn’t my intent—“ Mary began getting bristly.

Lilith snapped back to her own language, rapidly speaking as Belladonna translated.

“Milady asks if it is truly not, as you have had many chances to come here, and obviously you are not here to claim him as your own, so therefore you are here to ask something of him, because he is loyal and reliable you have decided that you will use him and then walk away again.”

“She can speak English perfectly fine.” Mary snapped taking a step up to Lilith.

“Milady wilnae speak to you in your own tongue, you no earned the privilege of being on equal ground.”

“Ha! And who is she to determine such a thing. A— an outlaw who runs wild across the countryside?”

Before he could say anything, anger sweeping over him—Arthur had never seen a person straighten themselves up to a point where an aura rolled off of them. 

Lilith had tilted her head, clicked her heels together and bared her teeth in a smile giving a mocking half bow. “Belladonna? Educate Miss Gillis.”

“How did you know my name?!” 

Belladonna growled, “surely you know of the Vallent’s given your high status. Gideon Vallent to be specific.”

Did he actually see Mary go pale. “The Vallent’s….wait….um…”

“We are well aware of your Papa’s propensity for gambling and debt collecting.” Lilith finally spoke in English. “….However I was not expecting— nor wanting to meet someone who caused the one I love so much pain. Yet here I am.” She stepped back a bit looking Mary up and down as if she were filthy.

But before Mary could speak Lilith jerked a hand up.

“Do not say it was not intentional, I do not doubt that. I also do not doubt that on some level you loved him whether it was stemmed out of rebellion that made you make a decision to accept a proposal or not is no matter to me. However you are merely a cub.” She muttered something in Russian to Belladonna who laughed with a wicked smile.

“W-what does that mean?” She hissed angrily stepping forward again.

“I said little puppies who need their Papa to tell them who to marry let alone when to wipe their ass should not play with she-bitches.” She caught Mary’s wrist as the woman moved to slap her. “Come play with me when you have fangs. If you were a Volkier I would have challenged you for such insult.”

“A-Arthur.” Mary stepped back a bit trying to look pitiful and scared. “You’ve taken up with people like this now? I mean I thought you didn’t see…working girls.”

“Mother was a working girl.” Lilith sighed, “well be correct a Catholic Whore, more guilt but less so in the department of executing favors more in the fact that she had to work on Sunday.”

Bella was doubled over and it took all of Arthur’s will to not laugh.

“I am done with you.” Lilith sniffed and turned.

“Little wolf, meet me at the Saloon hm?” Arthur said grabbing her arm and tugging her over.

A smile, a beautiful one at that. He couldn’t help but give a lopsided one back albeit strained. She reached and traced her fingers over the band and he couldn’t miss the slight moisture in her eyes as she looked up into his eyes and mouthed ”okay.”

“Arthur you really are a low life just like daddy—“ 

Arthur flinched a bit, not expecting such a venomous attack.

“Oh bad move—” Bella began.

Lilith was clutching Mary’s wrist hard enough to bruise, eyes glittering but she never turned her head. She spoke low, growling, harsh, and cold. Casting a side glance at the woman as if she were no more than a flea.

“Milady states the next insult that is spoken towards her Bonded, shall be assumed as a personal affront. You dinnae wanna know what Volkier do with that.” Bella suggested. “She demands an apology. Now.”

“I won’t apologize to some ignorant bitch!” Mary hissed.

Arthur was the one who stepped forward, jerking Lilith back and behind him and straightening to his full height. “Mary I think it’s best ya keep yer mouth shut. My little wolf only has so much patience. And I am finding as do I…I dont feel like having to clean up a mess.”

Lilith blinked, rapidly as if she hadn’t heard him right and jerked her head up to look at his profile. “Arthur?” It was whispered, a soft sound breathy and her eyes sparkled.

Arthur smiled at her walking and tugging her along, “C’mon darlin, I’ll head out with ya. We’re done here. Find someone else to do your work Mary. That’s all I came here to say. And do not insult my woman again. Or you’ll be finding out what kinda low life I am.” The last sentence was said in a tone he rarely ever used near her. And the effect was instant, she paled. The blue-green colored eyes that usually regarded her with softness hard and cold.

But Lilith was confused and on cloud nine, she swung into Luna’s saddle a bit dazed.

“Arthur?”

“We’ll talk about it.” He mumbled as they rode towards the saloon leaving a very angry and confused Mary on the porch.

“Her brother?” Lilith asked.

Belladonna snorted, “sent Bel to get him. We’re no assholes.” She cackled. “Granted he’ll be hogtied. Bel is’na one for drama.”

“Bella do me a favor.” Arthur asked.

“This’ll be interesting.” Bella snorted a laugh.

“Take Luna will ya I wanna take Lilith on a ride.”

Bella wiggled her eyebrows at Lilith who glared at her and mouthed shut up.

“Perfectly innocent Belladonna.” Arthur slowly drawled out.

“Mmhm sure it is. give her here. C’mon Fenny yer coming with me too.” They watched as Luna was led away and Fen followed obediently tail wagging.

Lilith walked over and let him haul her into the saddle in front of him. “You don’t mind steering do ya?” He asked softly.

“Psh no, why what are you— um.. Arthur. Whatcha doin?”

He was molding her back into him, his big arms wrapping about her waist and shoulders and nuzzling into her neck as they trotted Krieger across the trail.

“Arthur if someone comes up.”

“I’m drunk…. Very drunk…just lemme hold ya.”

“Awe baby you don’t ever have to ask to hold me.”

He let out a soft sound as he sighed and slumped into her shoulder and nuzzled into the curtain of her hair.

But as they passed a group of men they called out, “one! We don’t know you in these parts.”

Arthur’s entire body clenched up. “God damn O’Driscalls.”

“Just stay quiet honey-love.” She whispered and to the men, “sorry boyos me husband isna feeling well ye understand.”

“Oye a’course lassie, right on witcha then.”

“Thank ye kindly,” she beamed a smile and kept going.

“Where in hell you learn to do that.” Arthur whispered.

“Papa is very good at accents and languages. He can speak 5 of them. Not including our own.”

They made it back to camp without issue, taking it slow and walking Krieger there, chatting about the day and how Arthur was feeling after everything that happened with Mary.

“I was madder than hell.” He said as he swung off Krieger and helped Lilith off the saddle.

“Oh?”

“I mean…it’s one thing for her to talk about me but she don’t know you from Eve.” He paused and mumbled, “I know ya had it handled but—“

“Awe! I know you were defending me Vas Ura, and I love you for it. Thank you. I’ll never be cross at you for it.”

“Hmph.” Arthur helped her with some more of the chores to ease up from Grimshaw before they settled down and talked about lighter topics, she told him about her family, talked about her brothers especially her twin— she had forgotten to mention that. And Arthur was rather curious how they got along.

But he was also worried. “They’ll love you.” She whispered.

“Psh.”

“We value strength Arthur.”

He wasn’t even sure he was that strong…not in the way where it mattered, but he set it aside and let her chatter his ear off for the evening, speaking in hushed tones as he told her about Copper and when John joined the gang, all his wild adventures as a kid. He even told her about his Mama. What he could remember. She had listened intently and smiled at the good memories, but he knew she was hurting for him. She didn’t give him pity merely a kiss on the forehead. “You are more like your mother I think.”

“Oh?”

“Mama says that women give their children the ability to nurture, and their cunning.” 

“Am I cunning?” He chuckled.

“In a way yes, you don’t show it, and you let people underestimate you. That is cunning. Very Volkier.”

“Doubt I’d make a good wolf.”

“And if you’ve been one this whole time?” She teased rubbing her nose against his cheek.

“Might not be so bad.” He repeated his thought from a while ago as he looked at the canvas ceiling letting sleep take him as she nodded off. “Not so bad at all from where I’m at.” He pressed a warm kiss to her forehead and felt a foolish grin cross his face as he heard the tiny little bell on his wrist.

Not bad at all….

Chapter Text

Belial had come back and told us Jaime was safe from the Chelonians— the leader of said Chelonians was not, and the others had flung themselves off a cliff.

“Turtles can’t fly.” He chuckled.

“That wasn’t very nice.” I said tilting my head and crossing my arms.

“They didn’t want to speak to me so I had to ah, persuade them.” Bel muttered.

“Mmhm with a bullet.”

“They were going to Chelonia! I just sped the train up a bit.”

Belladonna sighed, “is tha what they’re callin it now?” She was busy cutting up vegetables and other items while I cubed the meat for dinner. 

“Yep. Arthur!!!” Bel called before Strauss could get him to come over, my brother eyed me and I nodded. Pondering how to deal with Strauss as well.

Without outing ourselves as being 119 years from the future…..and that this was a video game world. “Hey I ah got a job we can do.”

“Strauss you need something?”

“Ah yes I needed Herr Morgan.”

“You need debts to be collected.” I said quietly.

“Oh ah yes that is the case Frau Vallent.”

“I’ll get it done.”

“Are you even sure you can.”

“I can be just as persuasive if not more than Arthur..” I let the predatory look creep over my face and smiled.

“Ah, aha I see, fine. Here are the people I need you to go see.”

“Thank you.”

The trips were a massive pain, I spoke to each debtor, maintaining a special distance from Mr. Downes and then told them to never borrow again that I was covering their debt and ended up giving them money, telling them it was a gift and if asked they paid me without issue, they all agreed and when asked who to thank I simply said the Red Wolf. I sighed, Strauss was taking interest from desperate people, people who could never pay it back, certainly not the world Dutch talked about.

Getting back I placed the debts in the box and stalked over to Dutch.

“We need to talk.” Dutch put down his book and glanced me over, “if I seem angry I am.”

We moved into his tent and I shut the covers after calling in Hosea. “This is for both of you as you’re the founding members here and Arthur is on a job.”

“What can we help you with.” Hosea asked looking confused at my ire.

“Strauss is taking loans out on desperate sick people who can never pay the money back.”

“You got the money back though.” Dutch laughed but when I leveled a glare at him he put two and two together, “you paid the money back.”

“Yes. I did, and before you say we are not a charity, you may not be but I chose to be, I did what you taught me to do by learning of your earlier days. I have the money I can help others. It is of no use to me if I am selfish.”

Dutch got a bit of a surprised look in his eyes, “y-you knew about us?”

“I read about your first robbery in Arthur’s tent— and realized it was you three,” I spun the story, and made sure to add truth, “how three robbers stole from a bank and went to orphanages and other areas to help the poor. Yes…I did not realize it was you till I read that, I had heard about it.”

Dutch laughed a bit, “a long time since our younger days huh Hosea.”

“Sure is Dutch.”

“Dutch I am sure Strauss can be of better use in investments and sales…not…this…whatever this is…it goes against everything you spoke of…everything you stand for…”

Dutch sat back and thought on it, he hummed and glanced at Hosea. “What do you think.”

“There is one other thing.” I paused. “When I went to see a Mister Downes, I had suspected it before but…seeing him up close I knew, he has Tuberculosis. He will die soon.”

“That’s sad and all but what does that—“

“Dutch… Strauss gave money to Mr. Downes knowing he was sick and would have sent Arthur to beat him to a pulp to get money from a stone…and he’d have done it too, you and I know that. He would have caught TB and died within months…maybe sooner given the weather if it was hot and wet. It is not something that is curable, you drown on dry land with blood and mucus filling your lungs.”

His eyebrows shot up, “it’s that deadly?”

“Yes. I know how to spot it because Papa is a doctor, he has treated people with such illnesses.” In reality my father was a Internist and a Diagnostician and a Chemist. But that was a bit too ahead for this time. “He would have known how to protect himself but…Dutch…” I glanced Hosea. “Dutch I was lucky he was far gone enough to know. All it takes is for them to cough on you, talk to you within a few feet, anything…and…” I shuddered realizing just how close I myself had been to an illness that was curable in my world but deadly here.

“Oh hon,” Hosea came over and hugged me. I hadn’t realized I was crying.

“Hosea I’ve seen people die from it.” I had seen Arthur die from it, “it’s awful..I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. And if Arthur had gone…”

Dutch nodded, he looked— angry? Yes…he did, he was glowering at the floor, his shoulders tight and his hands shoved in his pockets.

Micah wasn’t here whispering in his ear too much…so maybe it wasn’t too late.

“That…won’t do.” He shook his head. “I’ll handle this Lilith.”

“Dutch thank you.” I flung my arms about his neck and squeezed him. “Thank you. I’ll help in any way I can.”

“Well you’ve done a lot keeping Arthur safe like that. Even if it was luck.” Hosea winked at me and hugged me as well. “Good job little Seer.” He whispered as Dutch stomped out to handle Strauss.

Arthur and Bel were back and watching the fireworks as Dutch reamed a new one into Strauss.

“What happened?” Bel asked.

“I paid off the debts. He was making people who were sick and desperate pay back impossible odds. I let Dutch know but Mr. Downes has TB.”

“He didn’t go near you???” Bel was near me gripping my arm.

“I stayed fifteen feet away. I wore a mask, I didn’t touch anything he did. I simply told him I paid his debt, left money on the post for him and his family and left.”

Bel breathed a sigh of relief and griped me tight in a hug. “I didn’t know you were handling that on your own.”

“Sorry it just sort of happened.”

“What in hell is T.B.” Arthur asked looking concerned.

“It’s an illness that kills quickly, it’s very contagious” Arthur was already cupping my face and looking worried and glancing me over. “ but lucky Lilith knew to stay away.”

“Gotta stop with worrying me girl.” Arthur whispered.

“I was safe I promise.” But looking at him I felt my eyes well up and I sniffed. “But…but…” I did it, my hands cupped his face and I brought him down to press my forehead to his own. 

I at least kept him from dying that horrible death and suffering.

If that was all I could do, it would be good enough for me.

Bel sighed, and pat my head, “oh Lioshka.”

Arthur panicked wiping my face and tilting my head to look at him as his face blurred with large tears. “Darlin whatcha crying for?”

“Arthur…if you had gone instead you’d have died…Strauss would have had you hurt Mr. Downes and he’d have coughed on you…that would have been enough.” Bel said gravely. His voice quiet. “It would have been painful…your lungs would have slowly filled with fluid where even breathing would have been hard…there is no cure, and there is no way to ease the suffering. She has seen people die of this…”

“That’s why you told him to stay away in Valentine…” Arthur realized. “You suspected it.”

Nodding, I inhaled a sob and burrowed into his shirt. “sorry.”

“Darlin ain’t no reason to apologize, shh it’s a’right. Ya did good my girl. You gonna quit saving our asses anytime soon?” That just made me clench my arms around him tighter. “Okay, I gotcha. I’m safe it’s okay now. Come on, let’s settle down. Let Dutch handle this…fucking mess….” Did I miss the look of pride he shot Dutch.

Dutch was still going, angrier than a cat being baptized. “No more! We are BETTER THAN THIS Strauss. Find another way to help, invest, sell things, ask Bel or Lilith I’m sure they can put your brain to good use.” With that Dutch stomped off with Hosea mooning after him from over the pages.

That made me laugh. I was wondering why in hell they hadn’t just gotten together. It was obvious they used to be, then Annabelle and Bessie…so..hm…

Hosea was watching in a chair over his newspaper looking gleeful. I heard him say softly making Dutch jerk to a stop and turn a bit red, “that’s my Dutchy.”

“….Hosea.” The gang leader adjusted his tie and kept walking.

Arthur shook his head and bundled me onto his lap at the fire as Javier played guitar and hummed. “Javier?”

“Hm?”

“Do you know Paloma Negra?”

“I do not.” Javier tilted his head at me.

I made grabby hands for the guitar and began to play but as I kept going Bel skipped over and took over the guitar and played me through the rest of the song with a wide smile, he loved hearing me and Mama sing.

“Ya me canso de llorar y no amanece…ya no sé is maldecirte o por ti rezar….”

Javier cracked up, “I know this one!!!” He sang along. “Y mi cariño, con la aurora, te vuelve a esparar…. Ya agarraste, por tu cuenta las parrandas… paloma negra paloma negra, donde, donde estarás?”

We went on and I felt eons better.

“Girl where did you learn to sing like that?” Karen laughed sitting down and offering me a bottle.

“Should hear Mama.” I chuckled taking a swig of whiskey. “She sings better.”

“Nooooo” Bel snarked, “you both do well.”

“So wolves don’t howl.” Arthur teased kissing my cheek. 

“Shut up!” I snarked back. 

Bel tossed his head back and gave a mock howl an answering one from Bella across the camp she pranced over, “you called?”

John was up finally and sat down with us, “what in hell happened?”

“Dutch gave Strauss a piece of his mind.” Arthur muttered, “done nursing that scar?”

“Arthur! Be nice he needed to rest doctors orders.” I poked his nose.

“Yeah Arthur doctors orders!” John repeated snickering into his beer bottle.

“Wolves did do an improvement, should thank em next time let em get a good chunk out’cha ass.”

“Ya well I didn’t bring one home.” He motioned to where I was snuggled into Arthur’s jacket peeking at John past the collar blinking with innocence.

“Least mine doesn’t bite.”

I gently bit his neck. “Nom-nom!”

“Hey!” He laughed. “You makin a liar outta me girl?” 

John was cackling, “oh she doesn’t? Huh I’ll take the furred ones any day.”

“Ya brought home a god damn puma one day John.” Arthur argued back.

“He what?!” I squeaked.

“It was a baby!” John snapped at me. “It was cute!”

“It was gonna tear a hole in ya once it got bigger. And don’t forget the bear cub.”

“And the wolf cub.” Hosea added.

“And the god damn raccoons!!!” Dutch shouted from his tent reading.

Hosea groaned, “oh god the smell.”

We all fell into laughter. “RACOONS.” I cried, “oh you sweet summer child.” I cried.

“They liked me fine…Dutch not so much.” John mumbled.

“They got into his tent once and stayed up in the supports and under his cot…” Arthur began to shake with mirth. “Oh god the scream.”

“That’s what happens when you open your eyes and see eight yellow orbs staring down at you. Lucky Annabell didn’t kill you dead son.” Dutch sat down at the fire with everyone, which was a rarity and I grinned. Hosea soon joined as well sitting next to Dutch and making sure their boots touched.

I glanced around but didn’t see much of Molly, she was usually hanging around Dutch’s tent.

“So, how did the job go?” I asked Bel.

“Oh it went fine, we got a good haul, about two hundred.”

“Not bad.” I smiled. “Who was it?”

“Some loan shark out in Saint Denis.” Bel grinned with a dark look in his eyes.

“Oh your favorite.” Belladonna crowed, “I wanted ta go!”

“He helped, granted wasn’t as discreet, hard to be that way with a man built like a Grizzly.”

Arthur glared, he still had an issue with his size, “shut it Wolf.”

“Made my job easier didn’t even need to lay a hand on them.” Bel lit a smoke and cracked a grin at Arthur. “Good job.”

“Hm.” I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder as everyone milled about and chatted and sang songs. I rested my head on Arthurs chest feeling the deep baritone hum through him and sighed content.

Dutch even joined in on some of the songs with Hosea, Molly even finally skirting over and sitting next to the girls.

“C’mon darlin.” Arthur growled into my ear.

“Hm? Kay.” I wound my arms around his neck and was carried off. He dragged us into his cot and almost just laid on top of me burying his face into my shoulder. “You okay?”

“Just realizing I almost came close to death…” he whispered. “Not that it ain’t happened often but…I’d have beaten a man to death and ended two lives. Makes ya….” He sighed, “makes you question everything ya ever done….”

“You feeling like a change is needed?”

“Yeah…but not sure where to start.”

“You know that little feeling you get when you wanna help someone?”

“Hm.”

“Follow that a bit more is all.” I smiled. “You’ll do good I know you will. I have faith in you.”

Arthur chuckled, “for once that don’t sound empty.”

“Shut up and kiss me.”

“Yes ma’am.” He rushed up from where he lay, his mouth angling to a deep kiss with a low hum, arms winding around my waist as I tangled my fingers into his hair. “Hmmm, I like that. Like when you touch me.”

“Good I like touching you.” I giggled, “I like when you touch me.” His big hands skirted up and cupped a breast through my clothing tightening the tips and causing a shudder to run through me.

“I love touchin ya darlin.” He huffed, “could do this the rest of my days.” The buttons began to come undone, my fingers fumbling as he watched with greedy eyes, puffs of warm air hitting my neck as he groaned, hands twitching and impatient. He let out a huff of annoyance at the damn clothing and began to help, long rough fingers shoving the offending article away and nuzzling into my skin kissing the top of a breast before sucking a mark where he kissed. “You taste so good,” he had unbuttoned my trousers, shoving a hand into them to swirl an experienced hand across my core with a smirk. “You might take a bit to get there but my god when you come I can feel it.”

I hissed in a breath, “A-Arthur!” I squeaked.

“Awe my girl gets so embarrassed, but ya love it don’t ya?” his voice is growling in my ear as he works over me. “Love how I can make you come for me?”

“Y-yes.” I groaned, “Arthur I want you.”

“Not yet darlin, patience.” His voice was shaken though, “wanna have you good and proper. Not a quick romp in the camp…want to hear you scream for me when I take you.” He grinned nuzzling my neck as my entire body felt like molten lava was slugging through my veins. “Gonna take my sweet time, you’ll be clawing me by the time I give you what you want.” His hips ground his rock hard cock against my hip and I shuddered with a whine, letting my hand move to his jeans to undo them. “You want to touch?”

“Mmhm!”

“Gotta give me what I want then.” He slid his fingers down and pumped them inside, a choked off sound leaving me as he flicked his fingers up pressing on a spot that had my eyes rolling back. “You’re my good girl ain’tcha,” he knew what to say, I writhed, clawing at him, trying to get his shirt off but my brain wasn’t allowing me to even process how to work buttons. “Ah ah, no.” he stopped his hand and I whimpered. “Good girl, focus on this, focus on what I’m doin…chase the feeling for me.” He exhaled, “see I think I figured this out, you usually stop yourself because it’s too much ain’t it. But then you’re not satisfied.”

This son of a bitch….

“So you need someone to push you through that feeling hm?” I was gripping his forearm hard, nails digging into his flesh as he picked up the pace, “wonder how many times I can get you to do this before you melt.”

Oh god he was gonna kill me.

He leaned in, “come for me girl, come all over my hand, show me how bad you want me inside ya.”

“Fuck!” The whimper left as I bowed off the bed, lightning striking my entire body and making me shake as if electrocuted, I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, my lungs stopping to even pull in air for a short moment.

Arthur watched looking quite self satisfied, rocking the heel of his hand against my nub as he pumped his fingers continuously. “Again.” He growled.

I lost count. Quite literally as he seemed to have it in his mind that he wanted an answer as to how many…well I tapped out somewhere around eight a whimpering mess when he’d touch me. “That’s my girl.” 

He finally let me touch him, by that point I was mindless and flipped him with a growl scrambling to get his shirt off of him deciding that if he wanted to tease fine then…so could I. It was gratifying to watch his jaw go slack and his eyes shut when I ground down on him clothing still on. It didn’t take much, he was already so worked up his hand still slick from my body that he bucked hard after the fifth slow rubbing circle of my hips.

Arthur chuckled, opening one eye after relaxing. “Ya makin me feel way younger than I am girl, first time that’s happened.” He groaned.

“Payback.” I muttered as he scooted me off so we could clean ourselves up and get fresh clothing on.

“Worth it.” He laughed cracking a hand across my backside and making me squeak. “Don’t get shy on me now little wolf.”

“I will bite you!”

“That’s fine.” He mused tilting his head and dragging on a pair of jeans. “I’ll just have to bite’cha back.” I was tackled against the cot and I giggled as he gently dragged his teeth over my neck gripping my hair. 

He seemed to be thoughtful most of the evening, occasionally looking at me and pondering as I scribbled sketches on my drawing pad and he worked in his journal. 

I barely heard him as I settled down into sleep.

“Thank you.” He whispered.

Chapter Text

Arthur exhaled as he helped Lilith skin a few deer her brother and his wife he was exhausted but for once it didn’t feel like they were fighting against a losing battle. Slowly but surely the camp was looking better and better, they had upgraded several facilities, gotten everyone up the hell off the ground, and made sturdier tents. 

He felt…accomplished, like maybe the bad from Blackwater had finally left them.

Only…just….about….

“Dutch!” Lenny came tearing into camp.

“Whoa boy what happened?”

“It’s Micah there’s word’a hangin him for murder, things happened and they damn near lynched me.”

“Here’s hoping…” Arthur muttered and Lilith gently smacked him with a chuckle.

“Arthur.” Dutch scolded.

“What? He got hisself into a huge pile’a shit and now he’s having to pay for it— and after ya said to keep our heads down Dutch.”

“He does have a point.” Lilith pointed out.

“Well we can’t just let him die, if it was you I’d go get ya, and so you’re gonna go get him.”

“Oh no no no not alone he ain’t.” Lilith said. “We’re gonna need to break him outta jail you need us.” Bel and Belladonna came up on either side nodding. “We’ve done this before. Strawberry was it? They have him down below.” Lilith muttered in their own language. “Bel get the hacksaw, the dynamite, the shovels and some rope.”

“You got it.” Bel nodded and rushed off to his wagon.

“Oh and Belladonna, you know where to find Skinny.”

“I’ll get the morons guns. No need ta shoot up a whole town.” Bella snorted and got on Bairn to head off.

“Wait we really doin this?”

“Yes. We need to.” Lilith said pulling him aside. “Arthur, we need to do this carefully. Strawberry is teaming with lawmen due to the bounties, and with Micah’s temperament we need to ensure he doesn’t get himself into anymore trouble. 

“True to his fuckin character.” Arthur sighed and slouched a bit rubbing his jaw, “I mean, I don’t want you caught in a fire fight Lilith.”

“Arthur I’mma big girl, I can shoot better than most. But hopefully we won’t need to if we use our heads.”

“Hopefully not to break the damn wall down. Just use Micah or we need Bill.” 

“Arthur, take Lenny to get some drinks please, allow the boy to relax.”

“Go Arthur I’m gonna head on up to Strawberry take a few days and lay out the plan. I promise I won’t do anything till you get there.”

“Hmph,” he crossed his arms, “fine but I swear to God Lilith if ya do I’m putting ya over my knee.”

“Oh such a gentleman.” Lilith walked by and smacked him across the ass making him jolt. “Go on get!”

“God damn it woman quit it!”

The round of poker was going well. He finished a few rounds in though since the whiskey was making him stupid.

He hadn’t really lost anything and he did manage to win a couple rounds. Lenny and him were almost gone as they kept drinking whiskey and beer. “Why ain’t you never been married?” Lenny asked.

Arthur paused, frowning….“Cause….C-cause no one would have me.” He drawled sadly.

“That girl wants ya.” Lenny laughed. “Don’t think I didn’t see what she did earlier.”

“That woman’s gonna drive me to drink.” Arthur muttered into his shot.

“Arthur,” Lenny started but he wasn’t hearing him he was watching this dumb ass talk about his past love.

“S-she…oh she was….haha. she was a WOLF.” Arthur snickered. And glanced over to the man humming as he leaned on the bar forehead pressed to the cool wood.

“Got me one of them.” Arthur muttered to him.

“Oh do you! Well t-they…hic— they are the DEVIL you….you love them….feed em…give em attention…a-and they BITE YA.”

“That so.” Arthur mumbled. “Maybe ya just ain’t a wolf tamer?” He grinned. “She can’t be that much of a wolf. What she even look like have fangs and claws?”

“Psh! Shows what you know ya damn yokel…” the man grabbed his satchel, “I-i have a —hic— a photo!” He had one indeed. And he handed it over, “ain’t she….the…prettiest…thing….but I…well….haha…I’ll get her back.”

Arthur’s drunk brain took a moment to process what he was looking at.

Long dark hair down to her hips piled back in a series of intricate braids, looking over her shoulder as if surprised.

Lenny’s eyes bugged out, “Arthur ain’t that….” He slurred off in confusion and glanced at the man, “oh boy…”

But the man was rambling. “Her family member’s a photographer….s-she didn’t know I pinched this one haha…she hates these things…” the man muttered.

Wild eyed, as if someone had crept up on her and startled her, against a backdrop of woodlands and a waterfall. Like something out of a fairy tale.

Flowers piled into the thick loose braids; behind her head like a half crown, green budded branches twined like a wood nymph, but the dress— Arthur couldn’t place it, Dutch mentioned something like it once….what was it…Greece that’s what it was… hanging across her body like liquid and hugging her ample curves in an intimate way, you couldn’t see much except the line of her waist and a leg with her foot pressed against the grass in a pretty point like a dancer. But her back was bare, down to the slope of her lower spine before hugging in white cloth across her hips.

But his thumb moved over the face…..the oval eyes that were to most a bit too big for her face, the cheekbones that were high and the smaller mouth but the absolutely kissable bottom lip that made him want to pull it between his teeth to hear her make noise….

It was Lilith….

His…Lilith…

He heard the tinkling of a small bell as his wrist moved, and glanced at the band on his wrist; a hot rage began filling his stomach as he glanced up, his brows furrowing.

“Ah shit,” Lenny grumbled into his beer turning.

“So….” He growled. “You ah…have to get her back hm?” Arthur’s hand gripped the beer bottle tight, almost cracking it as he scratched his jaw thoughtful.

He got the man more whiskey.

“Oh yeah, I mean…she-she don’t deserve me…damn wild thing…but oh well, can’t stand none of them higher up girls and if I train her right she’ll do just f-fine.”

“Train her huh.” The glass on his beer cracked and Lenny snatched it up.

“Easy Arthur.” 

But the man wouldn’t shut up. “Oh yeah. You know, she is just the…wildest thing and willful to boot— but I guess those are always the best mounts to break…like a filly haha than a wolf— hic—”

Drinking and Arthur never made for a good mix on his temper.

“That does it.” Arthur snapped standing up and gripping the mans collar

“What does that—“ Arthur began half dragging, half walking him outside. “Where are we hic— goin?” The idiot asked.

“No where partner just goin for a swim.” Arthur laughed. “Gonna have some fun.”

“F-fun there ain’t no lake how we swim—“ 

Arthur laughed, “we can make do boy.” He dunked the idiot in a water trough and held the man down by the back of his head, a low rumbling in Arthur’s chest as he watched the sputtering bubbles. “God damn bastard talk about her that way.” He dragged the mans head up. “That ain’t no way to talk about a lady!”

“W-what do you mean!” The drunk snapped, “ain’t no lady you know.”

Arthur’s teeth bared in a snarl as he shoved the man under again, waiting till he could feel the man start to slacken and haul him back up. “You gonna stay away from her.”

“Mister— you what fall head over heels for a photo!” Coughing laughter of a drunk man, “s-she’ll eat you alive!”

“I might let her.” Arthur huffed, putting the photo into his satchel, “I’mma keep that. But you…” he dropped the sodden man in the trough. “You just keep clear of her. And you aint never seen me.”

“M-mister I don’t even know you!” The man wailed lying half in the water coughing up liquid.

“God damn idiot.” Arthur spat before walking back into the bar, Lenny was no where to be found.

Shenanigans abound happened as Arthur tried to find Lenny…Lennahhh…..Elleneh….Whatever was that boys name again? 

…..

…..

…..

Oh yeah.

LENNY!

- - - - - - - - - - 

Arthur woke up, in a field, hung over to shit.

“God damn it not again.” But as he rummaged through his satchel he found the photo and blinked rapidly. “How in the fuck…”

He thought long and hard and remembered vaguely a dumb ass bastard had it and was her ex…he was pissed he didn’t just kill him.

Why am I thinking like this. 

He groaned and sat down and rubbed his aching head after getting sick and stared at the photo. Arthur was rather happy to have such a thing, though knowing he should probably give it to Lilith and tell her what happened….

He never said he was a man of honor.

His thumb brushed over the surface of the photo and he chuckled, “little wild thing.”

She was waiting he remembered, in Strawberry, and after grabbing a hot bath and putting some clean clothes on he galloped out to see her.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lilith hummed, flicking a bit of lint off her saddle, “where in hell is he Luna? Did he get lost or something?”

But no sooner had she said that then spotting a raven black shire with a rugged cowboy on it’s back. She whistled and his head jerked in her direction. “Hey there cowboy.” She teased trotting up to him.

Why was he looking at her like that? 

His blue eyes were a bit frantic, darting all over her, and she frowned, “what I walk out half naked and not know?” She asked tilting her head.

He coughed, “n-no….I just ah…”

“Must be tired come on, he’ll keep they ain’t gonna hang him in the next 24 hours anyway.” She led him over to the hotel and dragged him upstairs to relax for a bit. “Ya been on a horse all day come on.” She chided. But he was still looking at her funny, running his tongue across his bottom lip for a moment as his eyebrows drew together, watching that small hand on the doorknob. 

“Ar..thur?” He had backed her up to the door, his mass looming over her and his brain reminded him of just how much smaller she was with a jolt of want in his gut. “Umm, whatcha doin?”

He pressed her body into the door with his frame and opened the doorknob pushing them both in, his mouth just a breath away from her own.

Lilith’s eyes were wide and she tilted her head, trying to assess what was going on.

When in hell had he ever been this confident?!

What in the fuck did he drink the other night?

And why was he angry….no…oh no…this was….a thrill lit through her.

What the fuck happened last night?!

“Darlin…” his voice was gravel, heady and heated. “c’mere.”

“Hmmm me thinks that you have some less than polite ideas looking at me like that.” Lilith grabbed his gun belt and yanked his hips flush with her own, already feeling the rigid length of his cock through her skirts. “Hmm very impolite. I like it.”

A frustrated huff as he slammed the door shut with a kick of his muddied boot. “Get on over here girl.” Arthur rumbled, hauling her up in his arms making her breathless. “I missed ya.” His mouth roved over her neck and ear, before kissing her silent.

His brain was a mess, he was jealous…that was it…jealous…angry that someone had thought about her like that who had no business doing so— that someone looked at that photo and thought that he’d have her…maybe it was to prove to himself he could, maybe it was just to make sure he hadn’t dreamed it all up. 

That she wanted him just as badly.

Be a shame to waste a good hotel room.

“You make me want things I shouldn’t.” He whispered into her hair.

“That’s just silly.” She bit his lip and sucked it into her mouth, pain shooting into pleasure down his spine. “Ask and you shall receive Mr. Morgan.”

“I want you.” He said it, and waited, bracing for rejection. That this was all some cruel trick the world decided to play on him, but she was looking back at him with hunger that same look she had in that portrait that he now realized was predatory. She bit her lower lip, her eyes darting over his frame. “Right now.” Arthur whispered.

Lilith’s voice hitched up in surprise and a wide beaming smile spread across her face with sparkling brown eyes. “This new forwardness—“ he paused worried he had overstepped— “I like it, come here honey-love, kiss me.” She tackled him around the neck easily hauling herself up and hitching her legs over his hips. 

Well his doubt just flew out the window, it was replaced by a raging inferno of need.

She scrabbled at his gun belt, dropping it to the floor, quickly undoing half of his shirt and pausing to help him with her blouse and vest flinging it somewhere in the confines of the room as she used her feet to kick her boots off still locked around his hips with a laugh. “D-dont wanna let you go just yet.“ She muffled against his lips. 

“Good thing for once ya wore a damn skirt.” Arthur chuffed a short laugh as his hands dove underneath dragging at her stockings, “hmmm like these, what are they?” Smooth cool fabric covering curved soft limbs.

“I think lace, fuck if I know.” She shrugged and went right back to kissing him, tangling her tongue against his in a slow sensual fight for dominance.

But his hands were going into her hair tugging comb, pins, and loving how it spilled down to her hips in thick waves. Running his hands through the locks just to prove to himself he was given permission to, that she was letting him, and the eye rolling pleasure she gave off was more than enough of a confidence booster.

“Pretty girl.” He whispered, “my pretty girl.”

“Hmm, I like the sound of that.” She leaned back to look at him, her ankles still hooked at his lower back keeping her face to face with him. 

But his gaze traveled down and he groaned seeing the brassier. “What is that?”

“French.”

“The hell is with the damn French and making things….”

“Gaudy? Lewd…horribly lacking in the cloth department…” she grinned and dropped her voice, “see-through?” She suggested but his face was buried into her cleavage and he growled.

“Perfect.” He muttered making her laugh.

“French things are liked I will make note.”

“Woman if I know ya wearing shit like this ya ain’t never getting a moments peace from me. Dutch ain’t gonna even know where to find me.”

“Oh I’m sure he can guess.”

“Got me acting like a damn teenager.” He complained pressing fevered kisses to her mouth.

“Ooooohhhh is that so?” She dropped to the floor despite his sound of protest but was unhooking the eyelets in her skirt when her hands were shoved away so he could do it himself. “Oh, I like that.” Lilith teased.

He was kissing her neck, biting marks into her skin making her moan low as his hands shoved her skirt off and her drawers before undoing the damn infernal French contraption and dropping that as well.

“You’re a bit over dressed Mister Morgan.” She hummed as his hands molded her curves to his solid frame, her nakedness and his fully clothed body seeming far more erotic then if they were both undressed. Rumbling, humming approval leaving him as his fingers gripped her flesh and limbs warm and languid. “Ohhh you know how to make a girl feel good.”

“Nah, just you.” He whispered into her ear. “I mean…” he blushed… “I…haven’t for a—”

“Shhh, it’s okay Arthur, I’m just teasing.” She kissed across his jaw working at his vest. “I like this— it new?”

“Saw it, kinda liked the color.” It was an opulent vest the shop keep said, a Burgundy with stripes over work pants, but she was eyeing his rolled sleeves with her lower lip pinched between her teeth.

“You have any idea what that does?”

“Hm?” He was leaned against the wall now, shoved was more like it and he grinned at her. “What?”

“Ohhh I just love looking at your hands and arms work,” he flushed at the compliment as she brought his hands to cup her face, dwarfing the small curve of her cheek bone in his rough palm. “Hmm, warm.” She purred.

“D-don’t know nuthin bout that.” Her fingers traced up his forearms, tickling the light down of hair up to his bicep and up to his shoulder.

“You Mister Morgan, are built for three things.” She growled gripping his collar and dragging him nose to nose giving him a quick kiss.

“What’s that.” Arthur asked drunkenly,  hands gripped into her skin, rubbing marks into her, fingerprints spanning her waist, the tuck of her stomach and hip, her thigh sporting a big bruising handprint that made him dizzy. 

“Riding, fighting, and fucking. I’ll give you three guesses as to which I am thinking of right now?”

He groaned, “g-given that you’re clawing up my clothes faster than a pissed off cougar, I’m guessing the third.”

“First one works too ya know.” Her eyes glittered.

“Ohhh, Jesus ya gonna kill me.”

“You like it.” She grinned.

“God help me I do,” he was dragging her to the bed, walking her backwards slowly as she threw his vest off and worked at his suspenders whimpering when they caught across a broad shoulder, “I got it, I got it.” He chuckled. “So impatient.” He hooked his thumbs under them and slid them off slowly.

She pouted crossing her arms.“I am naked as a jay bird Arthur Morgan don’t make me get the knife.”

“Fiesty.” He laughed at her, “ouch!”

She had bit him right on the chest above his heart leaving a deep mark that would probably stay for a while. “Show you feisty.”

He pinned her to the bed, keeping one hand on her shoulder “stay…right…there…”

“Hmmm.” She got up on her knees and was face to face with him, working at his shirt kissing across his face, “nah.”

“Gonna need to learn to behave.”

“Less behaving.” She panted running her hands up his chest and smiling when his muscles twitched at the contact, the action earned her a low guttural moan out of the man as her fingers carded through his chest hair. “Oh I like that sound.”

But he had her by the hair, “like when you make noise better.” His fingers were sliding up her inner thigh, “part em, now.”

No resistance as he manhandled her and cupped her heat, her thighs already drenched and she whimpered blushing as he closed his eyes in bliss. “A-arthur quit! That’s embarrassing!”

“So shy, ya naked in front of a man and that finally gets you to blush, knowing how ready ya are for me…. hmmm. No darlin, that’s….fuckin perfect…nothin to be ashamed of when yer with me ya hear?” He slicked his fingers through her heat and hummed in approval. “My good girl.”

Lilith melted at his words, pressing her lips against his chest as she helped him slide off his shirt after he unbuttoned the other half. She nuzzled into his bulk and warmth grinning as he wound his arms about her and kissed her temple. “You are gorgeous.” She muttered and watched him flush and get a lopsided- stupid happy grin.

“Nah, out of the two of us you much prettier darlin.”

“Hmmm, nah, pretty ain’t a word for you,” she rubbed her hands up his stomach his head falling back as her small fingers traced patterns on his rib cage and up to the swell of his chest as his lungs tried to pull air in. “You’re built like one of those mountain lions, coiled all the time ready to go,” she laughed, “need to relax a bit though even puma’s sun bathe on a rock every now and then.”

Arthur never really liked himself…that was apparent in how he spoke about himself, thought about himself and talked about himself, he was so pink his ears were tinted red and he couldn’t look at her. But the way she talked about him, with an appreciative sultry hum in her voice that got more ragged as her fingers traced over his limbs. His chest felt warm, his heart thumping a bit erratic and he awkwardly coughed as he looked up at the ceiling.

“Look at me.” She gripped her hands into his hair and made him make eye contact. “You are beautiful to look at, something carved out of a hard life and hard work….never be ashamed of that.”

“….ya…” he paused, “you don’t think I need to ah…I dunno I mean I may not be as scary as those bounty posters but I’m pretty damn frightening.” He chuckled as she worked at his trouser button.

“See that’s why we’re perfect together.” He blinked watching her expression of happiness as she looked at him. “You look scary but are capable of being oh so sweet and gentle.” She jerked his pants open and slowly moved the zipper down, letting out a soft sigh as she began to work them off, the twitch of his cock evident. “As where I look capable of being oh so sweet and gentle. But I’ll rip your god damn throat out before you even blink and then have a cup of tea covered in blood.”

He gripped the back of her head fingers tangled into her hair. “Maybe I like that about’cha. Fierce little thing.”

“You can be both.” She whispered as she shucked the rest of his clothes off and he toed his boots off with his pants. She glanced him up and down, pausing at his waist and sliding down and letting out an approving moan, making patterns on his hips watching his cock twitch in response. “Hm and we talked about what you do to me, seems I’m not the only one.” Her hand gently brushed him and he let out a sharp gasping exhale.

“Darlin ya do that this ain’t gonna last long. Rather not be another technicality.” He barked a laugh but it ended on a groan, her hand curling around his length and giving a soft stroke.

“Ohhhhh there is no chance of that happening.” She whispered a greedy look in her eye.

“Keep looking at me like that and I’m gonna forget to be gentle.”

“Keep stalling and I’m gonna have to start without you.” She flopped back on the bed with a giggle. Her hand dragged across her heat and his gaze went feral.

“Oh really now?” He was crawling across the bed as she backed up on it, grabbing her retreating ankle and dragging her down with a hard pull, her voice letting out a short yelp of surprise before breaking off into giddy laughter.

He was kissing up her hips, her stomach, nuzzling her rib cage and palming each breast gently making her head tilt back as he sucked a taut peak into his mouth and flicked his tongue across it, a moan vibrating across the sensitive tip. “Fuck, you taste good.” His voice was hoarse. 

“And you feel good…” she whimpered looking at him dragging her fingers into his hair. “Want you, please?”

“Not yet.” His hand trailed to her core slipping a thick finger into her wetness and delving deep to curl gently. “Gotta get you ready girl. Ain’t here to break ya.”

She was looking at his cock, and licked her lips, “hmmm maybe I want to be broken.” A groan, “Maybe I wanna feel you split me in half with that thick—“

He rushed up and captured her mouth with his own, a rumbling sound leaving his chest as he pressed the weight of his cock on her core and rubbed slowly up and down making her release little mewling noises and whimpers. “Careful now girl, I only have so much restraint.” She clawed his lower back and he let out a loud sound of pain and pleasure.

“Less restraint.” She huffed glaring at him. “Now take me.”

But his hand gripped her jaw firmly, “ya gonna be patient.” He hissed, kissing her softly, his hand trailing down and pumping his finger back inside working her up to a melting puddle before adding a second finger, rubbing his index and ring finger against her outer mound as his fingers pushed up inside her body exploring till she gave a higher pitched moan and jolted. “That’s it.”

“H-how in the—“

“Like I said, wilder youth…learned a few things.” 

“A- a few…” she cut off as her body revolted and clamped down on his fingers as he pumped them in and out hard, his fingers impacting against her sensitive skin as he worked that spot inside. “Fuck what are you doing to me.” She gasped clawing at him as her body tightened.

“Chase that feeling darlin, come on now. I got ya.” He pressed the heel of his hand against the swollen nub that had her arching up off the bed. 

She whimpered, “ya but it’s…” she hitched in a breath, “n-never been this…fuck…oh my god.”

He had a smirk, a self satisfied look on his face as he hovered over her, nose to nose as she thrashed underneath him, “good girl, come on, I gotcha. Let go for me, you’re gonna feel so good when you do.” Arthur buried his mouth against her neck biting blooms into her body, licking the sting away as he wound her tighter. He could hear the change in her breathing, feel the quick drenching heat of her body kick up as he groaned praise into her mouth with a heated kiss. 

“Arthur I need…” her voice choked off with a whimper. Fuck she didn’t know what she needed but she was clawing at him, and he smirked.

His hand wound into her hair and yanked her head back so she had to look him in the eye, “c’mon my girl. Give it. You’re such a good sweet little thing, I want to feel you come for me, come on Lilith. Give it up. Now.” His voice dropped in a dangerous eardrum rattling command as her body bowed off the bed, nails scraping the headboard as she shook from head to foot, toe curling bliss etched across her face as her wide gaze locked onto his sea blue eyes.

Her hands dug into his arm with a whimper, “Arthur—hng!” his mouth crashed onto her kiss swollen lips as he wrung out every bit of limb twitching pleasure from her. A laugh escaped him as he gently slowed his hand, bringing her body back down watching her melt into the mattress. “Hmmmm….holy hell….” She was dreamily staring up at nothing, her gaze unfocused and her body flushed.

Arthur chuckled, “ya like that?” He slowly withdrew his hand and she moaned slow when he sucked his fingers clean of her.

“So much better then when I do that.”

He tilted his head, eyebrow raised, “that so?” A warm sense of pride rushed in his entire body for a moment.

“Uh-huh.” A drunk response, “hmmm want you….now…” Lilith was reaching for him, a needy look on her face. She didn’t need to ask for him twice, he crawled up her body, hooking her legs over his hips, groaning as he rocked against her.

“Easy,” he whispered when she flinched as he dragged across her sensitive slit. “Easy now, shhh” she was merely whimpering, mewling for him and arching her hips forward and he was already ready to lose his mind. 

“Fuck this is gonna hurt so good.” She purred.

He huffed a harsh chuckle, “don’t want this to hurt.”

“Ohhh no you mistake me, this is gonna be such a…” she chewed her bottom lip her gaze blowing out as she watched him move, “snug fit.” 

“God damn it.” He swore and pressed himself forward on a growl, “bound and fuckin determined to break my restrain ain’t ya?” He hissed through clenched teeth as he finally pressed into her heat, both of them swearing on a gasp.

She couldn’t think, didn’t want to even breathe, trying to just made her clamp down and her eyes rolled back in a knee jerk reaction at the wash of pleasure that swamped her senses. For two seconds she wondered if she bit off more than she could chew, it was overwhelming but he steadily moved and pressed warm kisses into her cheekbones and her neck praising her. 

“Gotta relax for me darlin.” She breathed out deep, rolling her hips up and moaning as she watched him slide deeper as his face drew tight as he kept a firm leash on his control.

Lilith lost count of how long it took but finally, she breathed out with him as he nestled his pelvis flush against hers, but let out a half strangled moan when she squeezed experimentally. Her body was trying to clutch down, her legs tightening when it was a bit harder than expected making her entire cunt clamp in a sharp pulse. “Ohhh holy shit.”

“M-my…fucking thoughts exactly.” He groaned into the curve of her shoulder. “Jesus…you okay?” 

A nod a half laugh turning into a deep low pitched moan as he pushed forward and back in short movements. “Do that again.”

“We don’t gallop before we walk darlin, how ya fall out of a saddle.” He grit out admonishing but with an indulgent look in his eye, she glanced up and her heart almost stopped. His hands planted on either side of her head, looming over her in every inch of scar riddled mass of powerful limbs. Such a sight should be frightening. But his gaze was warm, tender affection coming off of him in waves, a soft smile across his face as he leaned down and nuzzled her cheek, her hands came up, touching where she could just to watch his eyes flutter shut and low sounds escape his lips as he’d melt. 

She was doing that. He was letting her touch him, letting her love on him. Everything lit up as she gasped and wound her body about him, her legs locking around his hips, arms about his neck as her fingers dragged patterns on his spine and scalp.

“Fuck that feels good.” He rumbled.

“Hmmm. You feel good.” She blinked confused when he leaned back untwining her arms from around his neck and pouting. 

“Shh, relax for me.” A smirk. Devilish as his hair toussled fell across his brow, “what was it you told me I was built for?”

Her breath caught.

He was dragging himself from her, making her whine in complaint. “I do believe it was fighting, riding…and what was the last one….remind me…”

She was about to answer when he snapped his hips forward a yelp leaving her as her head flung back, her nails digging into the headboard behind her.

“Fucking.” He growled. “That it?”

She nodded as he did it again her mouth dropped open as her body clenched, slowly dragging himself from her and slamming back as deep as he could go, keeping her leg slung up on his chest the hair tickling the back of her  calf and thigh as her toes curled.

His face was becoming sharper, a gleam in his eye, she hadn’t seen this expression before, not even during their tender moments, this was posessive, primal, urging on a darker side as he gripped her hips roughly and jerked her onto his length as he pushed forward.

She clawed into his thighs growling at him, “ohhh yes that’s the look I’ve wanted to see….” She could see him pause,  “I’m all yours,” it was whispered but it seemed to settle into his lust addled brain, his body jerking forward and picking up in a short, quick thrusting pace; he huffed as if to shake his head clear. “Don’t you dare,” she snapped, “come on…show me what you hide from me…”

He shut his eyes, groaning as he ground himself against her, “darlin I-I’m trying to be gentle here.” But his body thrust forward hard almost bumping her against the headboard. She could feel him grind against her inner body and she rolled her eyes on a languid groan.

“Ohhh I dont know what happened…” she grinned, “but that feeling you have?” His jaw was tense, eyes narrowed at her, a curl to his lip as his eyes roved over her body,  “you want to mark me up don’t you?” She challenged.

Arthur’s voice shook, “y-yes.” His movements were coming a bit faster, shorter, pressing hard as his hands gripped her tight.

“And you want to make me yours….only yours….” She dragged her hands along her body, up her waist, up her breasts, into her hair fluffing it out behind her and spearing him with a wild look in her eye. “You want to claim me?”

He couldn’t answer, not verbally, his head falling back as he groaned an affirmative bucking hard.

She reached out, pulling his wrist to her mouth; tugging the leather band with her teeth on a low growl, making the small bell jingle. “I am yours. Only yours. Always. You are the only one who can have me. You are the only one who will ever have me. My One.”

She could see the words soak into his mind, a flurry of emotions passing over him, a choked off gasp as he pressed deep before a rumbling noise came from him, “god fucking damn it.” Her lower body was hauled up, a squeak leaving her as he flung her legs over his hips,  her waist gripped in an iron band of muscle as his other hand snaked and gripped her hair tight to force her head back to stay there completely vulnerable. 

A long lick along her throat as he snapped his hips forward, “mine,” his voice pitched low, and he began a punishing pace, his arm keeping her from jolting across the bed as she screamed his name, clawing into his skin, his hip, his back, his scalp as he bit and sucked marks into her shoulder and neck moaning obscene posessive words into her body. “All god damn mine, fuck, you feel so good, so fucking good…” his voice was strained, “not yet…” he bit his inner cheek to edge off the oncoming release just enough to greedily take more.

“Look at me, fuck those eyes’a yours, so beautiful…” he whispered, “that’s it, my good girl, give it. Come on. Come all over me, you feel where I’m at? Good girl, that’s it, come on,” his voice dropped into an almost authoritative, graveled command, teeth bared as he gripped her head back making her look at him, “c’mon darlin, give it to me!”

“A-arthur—“ He watched her eyes dilate, a flush coming over her cheeks, hands wringing into the covers as his name pitched off in a high pitched moan as she bucked against his hold her limbs flooding with electric heat. 

“My good little wolf, such a good girl, my good girl, fuck….I love ya, no one’s ever taking ya from me, my little sweet, fucking insane woman…” his words were strung together one right after the other as he pitched them both over the edge, her teeth digging into his shoulder hard enough to draw blood as she came.

Arthur’s hand slammed into the headboard as he kept her held tight, rocking into her as his body lit through his own release, he damn near blacked out on a gasp, the pain from his shoulder merely lighting a bolt of shock down his spine and dragging a moan from him. 

S-she’ll eat you alive.

I’d let her… he’d let her every time. 

Any time, any day, mold him, claw him, bite him, break him into what she needed, knowing she wouldn’t do anything that wouldn’t make him happy.

He gasped a moan as he felt his hot seed spread through her, spilling down her thighs against his pelvis, they were still moving, mindlessly rocking into the sensations and letting it drown them.

Somewhere in the midsts of the head swimming rush of feeling he knew she had relaxed, her huffing into his flesh and spittle leaving her clenched teeth finally relaxing as she went limp, she was blissed out, licking her lips as if she could taste him still, glancing at him. “Fuck, Arthur I’m sorry.” She whispered reaching for his shoulder. 

“I’m a big man darlin, I can handle it.” He collapsed though, his arms giving out and snuggling into her embrace, they both knocked out in deep sleep. But not before he heard her, “I love you Arthur Morgan, I’m all yours.”

Chapter Text

Part 02 Chapter 15: Horseshoe Overlook

I peeled my eyes open, the sun had already set and I could hear the crickets singing outside, and I was squished.

Under a very big, very knocked out outlaw.

And everything rushed back, oh yay! I had to stop myself from wiggling in giddy glee and instead wound my arms about his head and nestled him closer, his face smushed into my neck, warm breath humming as he snuggled closer, it took a bit but I managed to wiggle my legs around his limbs and flex them to get some feeling back in my feet. 

I must have been exhausted after all of that or hyperventilated myself into fainting. I thought back, ya I could see that. I wiggled a bit remembering the intense lightning fast pleasure that lit through me and winced. 

Fuck I was sore in all the right spots.

I glanced down and blanched— shit— he had a deep bite on the curve of his shoulder where it met his neck. Deep marks of teeth clotted and beginning to heal. I was gonna need to disinfect that.

I groaned softly, I had gotten way too into that. My poor baby. I bit my lip and tried to shove down the guilt that lit through me. 

“Hm?” I glanced down and almost leapt out of my skin, his chin was resting on my sternum, sleepy blue-green eyes looking up at me with a lopsided grin. “Darlin?”

“Hi.” I squeaked but couldn’t help the look of concern. “I-I’m sorry…I hurt you…”

“Hm?” He winced when his shoulder moved and he laughed. “Can’t say I didn’t like it.”

I blinked confused, “cowboy say what now?”

He leaned up, planting a warm kiss on my lips, “ya heard me….not like you got off without any marks.”

“Wait what?” I realized my neck was hurting. He didn’t. I reached and felt a similar mark on my neck right on the side and laughed. Where he had red, almost bleeding lines down his back, across his chest, his hips, blooms of love bites across his torso and shoulders, one particularly dark one under his jawline, and one where the band rested on his wrist. 

He cocked a brow.

I myself had bruises along my limbs, marks up my sternum, across my breasts, my shoulders, clavicle and even a few on my belly.

Fuck we did a number on one another. 

I laughed out loud and fell back on the bed cracking up, “okay we’re even.”

He was laughing as he lay back down nuzzling into my ribcage and breasts. “Hmmm, yup. Think I blacked out…”

“It can happen, breathing gets faster and you can faint.” I mumbled.

He didn’t seem to really hear me as he kept pressing open mouth kisses into wherever he could reach humming low. 

“Wanna do that again?” He whispered in a warm tone, peeking up at me.

“Oh don’t look at me like that.” My voice was barely over a hushed noise as he crawled up my body and started that infernal flame again with warm rough hands rubbing on my limbs as he kissed lower, and lower…humor glittered in his gaze at my expectant and curious expression.

A bang on the door, “milady!!! You can play later! We gotta go!”

“God damn it.” We both groaned into a kiss with disappointment, forgetting that we had to rescue a pissed off cowboy from the jail.

Arthur glared at the door, “a’right! We’re comin Jesus ain’t like they gonna hang him now.”

“Oooo someones grumpy.” Belladonna snorted as she stomped away from the door.

I looked at the ceiling as Arthur tossed my clothes to me looking around the room for his own. I admired the view rolling onto my stomach at the end of the bed and kicking my legs up crossing my ankles. 

“Can I help you miss?” He drawled glancing over at me as he jerked his jeans on and I pouted.

“Hmmm just enjoying the view is all.”

“Ain’t much to—

“I will leave Micah in that jail cell and fuck a better attitude into you cowboy.”

“Hmmm maybe we can—“

“Will ye two hurrah up.” Bella called.

“WE’RE GOING!” Arthur bellowed with a growl at the end of his voice.

“Ooooo he even growls like one of us.”

“Belladonna,” I snapped.

“Yes milady.”

“Remember when I asked you if wolves can fly.”

“I said I dinnae think they can and you said one day ya might test me luck.”

“I did say that.”

“Ya canna throw me off a balcony now yer brother would be sorely missing me for one of many reasons.” She crowed.

“I never said you’d die.”

“Just break mi fookin legs.” The scotswoman muttered as they finally left the room to go and rescue Micah Bell from certain death.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“What the fuck took ya Morgan!” Micah snapped.

“Shut up Micah.”

But Micah eyed Arthur’s open shirt and scoffed at the bite mark still raging red and bruising dark on the juncture of his neck, “getting torn up by a wolf? Thought that was Marstons thing.”

Arthur’s blue eyes narrowed in annoyance. “Micah, ya done got yourself into a bit’a trouble.”

“Come on you guys gotta get me outta here.” Micah pleaded.

Lilith leaned against the bars and glanced him up and down. “Micah Bell.” She said softly, “I’mma get you outta there on one condition.”

“And what the fuck is that.”

“You’re my new big brother!” She laughed and booped his nose. “So start having a better fucking attitude!”

“Psh you can’t get me outta here. Besides I gotta get—“ Belladonna held his pistols and his eyebrows shot up.

“I made sure she went and got em. We gotta leave QUIET. Okay?”

“Fine but how in hell are we—“ Arthur began.

Belladonna had already had found the weak spot of the jail cell wall and were working at it with a pick while I worked at the bars with a very strong hacksaw.

“Wow they don’t make jails verra strong. What are thah keepin in here…”

“Regular folks.” Arthur mumbled keeping a lookout as darkness shrouded us. “How’s it goin darlin?”

“Good, Mikey, grab this other end and help.”

“Quit calling me that lil shit.”

“Haha I get it from Lilith, nice, Mikey.” She snorted a laugh and for once the blond cowboy huffed a chuckle. 

It didn’t take long to get the mortar holding the brick undone enough once the bar was off for Micah to be able to squeeze through. But not before he broke the neck of the inmate with him.

“God damn.” Lilith muttered.

“O’Driscall.” Micah raised a brow as if to see if she complained.

“Oh well fuck him.” Bella said handing his guns over. “A’right, horses are that way, but c’mon we gotta take the back way shhh.”

Arthur and Micah followed us slowly, allowing for us to make our way over the bridge and up to where we had stowed the horses including Baylock. “Lets go!” Arthur hissed.

They managed to get themselves out without any issue. But Micah almost didn’t go back.

“Micah, Dutch will want to see you— come on he sent us all the way out here to get you.” Lilith said tugging the mans sleeve.

Micah was narrowing his eyes at the woman. She was being….nice….and he didn’t know if he liked it. “Huh…well…S’pose we can get a peace offering later.”

“We sure can and I will even help!” Lilith laughed as they all began cantering home.

Arthur rolled his eyes and glared at Micah when he caught the man staring at Lilith confused.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It was a rather lovely day, Arthur and Javier went to rob a homestead, while I took two big mean cowboy bears to shop for supplies.

“Come on guys.” I laughed as I trotted Luna to hitch in front of the General store, “Javi and Arthur are gonna make their way back here once done with the job soon.”

“I know, I know.” Micah sighed and glanced at Bill annoyed.

Micah had been trying. 

Oddly enough. 

It appeared that my deal with him on saving his hide worked.

“Lil shit, come on and hurry up.”

I hated that nickname.

But he said it fit given I tend to cause mayhem where I go whether I liked it or not. I couldn’t argue him on that. And it meant in some way he was trying.

I made it a point to check on Micah and Bill to see that they were alright, and they— like an animal finally getting attention and positive feedback swarmed like ducks for bread.

Arthur at first did not like it, but when I expressed that it was better to treat people with kindness to gain more loyalty, he seemed to understand. Micah was generally in a better mood— and Bill, he seemed to be less moody and angry all the time.

“Kindness is never a bad thing Arthur.” I had told him.

The dogs also seemed to be softening them up too, Loki taking to Micah despite him trying to swat him away, the dog would just look at him longingly from a distance and whine at him with his tail wagging.

“Fuckin mutt.” Micah snapped as he walked by trying to kick a leg out, but Loki gently grabbed his boot and tugged growling playfully. 

With the newfound friendship of Loki, I watched as Micah actually began to warm up to even Jack and John. “He ah…” he handed Jack a ball. “Likes when you toss that. But careful, he gets nippy.”

John’s eyes almost bugged out his head.

Micah and Bill were off to gather whatever was needed from the General Store as I sat and waited out front after going to the barbershop to get my hair cut.

“Lilith?”

I paused, who in the fuck….Saul…

A man of well off means, suit and tie, black hair shoved back from his face…and unlike the sea colored gaze I had grown to love so much, these eyes were cold. A pale blue mixed with rage and entitlement.

“It IS you.” He snapped stomping up and hovering over me.

“Fuck no.” I growled. “Go away.”

“We need to talk.” He said crossing his arms, “I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“Then surely you know that I want nothing to do with you.” My heart was cranked up, I blinked back tears, at one point I had loved this man more than anything and now he just made me feel sick to my stomach.

“You were never this rude.”

“Saul, kindly fuck off.” I snapped glaring at him, “I don’t want you back, I’ve moved on.”

“Lilith I am trying to talk to you, I know I left I know I was…well a bit overwhelmed but that’s no reason to be a child.”

“A CHILD?”

“You know maybe someone should just put you back in a box to teach you some manners.” Saul snapped. I inhaled sharply, feeling my senses start to fade as Saul kept talking, “not like after that anyone would want you anyway other than me after hearing about it…but I’m a nice man— not like anyone else would want you—“

“Hey, friend.” Micah hissed behind me. “are you bothering my little sister?” His hands were resting on his pistols. “Cuz if ya are, I can change that right quick, right Bill?”

“Sure can.” Bill came to my left, placing a hand on my shoulder, “come on Lily. Javier and Arthur should be coming through soon.”

I nodded, exhaling and stepping backward from the man I had once deemed fit enough to share my darkest secrets with, deemed fit enough to marry….all I had gotten was heartache and betrayal.

My eyes burned, my throat closing and I felt the world spin as we walked. “Mikey?” I felt my voice crack and a large tear slid down my face.

“Shit, okay easy— don’t faint on us damn it.” Micah snapped, “Bill get her other side, come on girl.”

“I-I’m sorry.” I blubbered, feeling tears choke me as I looked up, their faces warped with large tears pooling in my eyes. “I-I can’t breathe,” I sobbed clawing at my chest.

Micah knelt in front of me as did Bill, both of them patting me either on the arm or the knee. Bill spoke softly, “I ah…I understand it…thunderstorms and me don’t do well.” He admitted. “Focus on something for me kay? Here hey look at Micah’s pistol, ain’t it nice? He keeps it real shiny huh?”

Micah pulled out one of his favorite pistols and showed it to me. The engraving was rather beautiful. “It was my Mama’s.” He mumbled.

I blinked rapidly, “what?”

“She ah, she and my Daddy were a regular pair they was. She was tougher….shot better anyway….all I got of her are these.”

“…..so when Skinny took em.” I muttered.

“Fucking asshole.” He shrugged, and pat my knee again, “c’mon now breathe if Arthur sees ya like this he’s gonna kill me and Bill.”

“If I see her like what?” A low rumbling snarl echoed from a massive shadow behind Micah.

“Morgan, good you’re here you can help with—“ he waved a hand toward me, “whatever this is.”

“What happened?” He demanded kneeling down and putting his hands on either side of my head making me look at him.

“Some fucker came round to call, real prissy piece of work he ah—“ but I looked up at Micah with big eyes. Silently pleading, “was rude apparently an ex?”

Arthur’s hands tightened on me. “Really now, this bastard still in the area?”

Bill shook his head, “nah Arthur we scared him off.”

“Good. C’mere baby girl.” I leaned into him and sobbed. 

My throat raw and my mind racing. 

The box.

The god damn box.

The little light at the bottom where I couldn’t see anything but my toes.

Naked, afraid, alone, hearing nothing but my fellow captive’s gasps of pain.

“Lilith?” I was shaken gently, “hey c’mon darlin look at me come on back. Oh honey,” his face was drawn in concern, “what happened?”

I shook my head rapidly, I couldn’t, I still couldn’t… I had done it once and would never do it again.

I was a monster.

A monster in a box that rattled to get loose and find the imbecile who hurt me just now. 

Rip him to pieces, tear him limb from limb, dance beneath his blood—

“Hey come on,” Arthur scooped me up bridal style and we were moving, all I could do was bury into his warmth and inhale the calming scent of leather and gunpowder, a hint of earthy musk making me want to crawl into him and live there away from the memories. “Shh come on, Micah, take Luna please. Let’s get on back.”

Somewhere along the way I went catatonic unable to move or respond and locked in my own body. Despite Arthur shaking me I couldn’t respond, no words would go past that ball of anxiety in my throat.

“Bel!” Arthur leapt from Krieger still holding me tight.

I could hear my brothers voice above my head as I was handed off. “How long she been like this?”

“A— about halfway back from Valentine what in hell is wrong with her?”

“Catatonic.” Bella said as I was laid in bed and propped up. “C’mon milady come on back. She’s in a stupor what the fuck happened?” She as patting my face gently.

Micah came in and exhaled, “she didn’t want me to say anything…some idiot was there, man named Saul.” 

I could sense Belladonna freeze. Her motions becoming robotic. “Did he say annathing to make her like this?”

“Yes,” Micah nodded, “I can’t say what…she didn’t—“

“No I know what it was. A’right milady is gonna be okay.” I felt hot tears leak past my open eyes as she moved blankets and piled them on till I felt like I was being crushed. Crawling in under them she plastered me to her and rocked. “S’okay, I’m here, we’re gonna be okay. We always are ain’t we?” Her voice went tight, her own vocals wobbling with tears, “I know, I know issa’right.” 

Bel was moving Arthur and the others away, the shadow of his movements on the canvas, “I need to speak with you three.”

“Is okay, I gotcha now.” Bella mumbled, and a whisper in my ear, “we no there no more. Ya ken that? Dinnae fear, is a long, long way away from that bastard.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“What is going on?” Arthur snapped.

“She has Catatonic Depression.” Bel exhaled glancing at the tent.

“What?” All three men snapped.

Bel had to remember they did not have psychology.

“It’s a condition caused by trauma. My mother studies how the mind affects health.”

“What?” They all said.

Bel groaned, “trauma, mental—mind trauma…” he thought, “bad shit happening it damages the mind…if they remember their mind shuts everything off to protect itself.”

“What like turning idiot?” Bill asks.

“No…more like… She’s probably not even really present right now, she’s just floating…”

Micah frowned, “Belial….what’s the box.” Bel glared at him, “Morgan needs to know if this is serious.”

For once Arthur agreed with Micah and crossed his arms glaring at her brother. “Bel?”

“…god damn it.” Bel exhaled and scrubbed his face. “She was psychologically and physically tortured. With another person…for a long time….psychologically means they tried to break her mind and spirit.”

“How long.” Micah pressed.

“A year and a half.”

All three men froze.

“They kept them….in a box…a coffin sized box.” Bel’s knuckles were white, gripping his nails into his hand till blood ran down. “She and Belladonna.”

“Your wife?!” Bill hissed quietly.

“That was how she came into our family…Lilith escaped with her… she was twenty-two years old when this happened…Belladonna about my age at the time…”

“Jesus Christ it’s only been three years?!” Bill huffed, the bear of a man leaned back on his heel and glanced at Arthur, “Morgan?”

Arthur had his eyes shut, trying to process what was going on. “What do I do?”

Bel glanced at him as if confused. Looking the outlaw up and down as if appraising if he was safe to let near his sister.

“What do I do.”

“…wait it out…” Bel huffed, “normally we’d get smelling salts but if we force her to come back before her body and mind calm down, she’ll just hurt herself trying to get away. She’s not here right now….she’s there.”

“In the box.” Bill muttered. “Fuck, I know how that is…” he whispered, “like being stuck back in time.”

“Exactly.” Bel nodded. “My mother calls it Post Traumatic Stress. It’s ah….studied in Europe but not here….” He muttered rubbing the back of his head.

“And Belladonna?” Micah asked looking back at the tent watching the red headed woman rock her friend crooning songs into her hair.

“She is…better, but she speaks of it with me. Lilith tried that…once…”

“Fucking son of a bitch.” Micah spat. “Lemme guess, with the fucking moron.” Micah glared at the tent, he glanced at Morgan, well at least this big dumb outlaw wouldn’t be a dick about it. Even he wouldn’t be a dick about it…one look at that expression and it had him remembering how his Mama looked at his Daddy on a bad bender.

“Hm.” Bel nodded and exhaled, shutting his eyes.

Arthur was already moving forward. “Bella,” he got the woman’s attention, heart broken seeing that Lilith was merely empty. Her eyes vacantly staring at the wall of the wagon focusing on anything and nothing.

“Arthur?”

“M-may… I?” He motioned and Bella frowned, but looking at Bel and getting a nod she looked surprised and moved, handing her over. “I’ll bring some food for ye.” Bella said softly. 

Arthur was already under the stifling amount of blankets, “what’s with all the blankets Bel?” He called gently.

“Weight makes her feel safe.”

Arthur frowned, quickly calculating that the safer she felt the more likely she was to snap out of it, with one quick move she was half tucked under him, squeezed into his bulk and nestled into his shoulder, as he flung a leg over her thighs. “Just sleep darlin I got ya. Ya ain’t gotta talk bout it, a’right? Ain’t gotta tell me nuthin if ya don’t wanna. But I’m right here. I ain’t goin nowhere.”

Dragging the blankets over them so it blocked out the world he waited. Unaware of how much time passed, he heard a hiccup, like a bubble popping where a torrent of trembling went through her entire body. She pressed herself into his shoulder, muffling the sound of a near soft keening sound of agonizing pain.

“That’s it, let it out.” Arthur felt like his heart was going to break. He’d only ever heard this kind of pain a few times in his life…

Once from his father when his Mama died. 

Once  from Dutch…when Annabelle died in that god awful fire…

And when Bessie died…as Hosea leaned over her grave. 

He had only made a similar sound— in the emptiness of a field with two grave markers near a tiny cabin out west, holding a small horse figurine that was rested against one of the crosses.

This was a sound from individuals who seemed to have their soul ripped right out their chests and shoved back in half bent and broken. He gripped her tighter, as if somehow the pressure from him hugging her would keep her together. “I gotcha.” He simply repeated what he had desperately wanted at the time for someone to do. 

Just be there.

No expectations.

It took a long time, for her to quiet down, it didn’t matter, it was quiet, so quiet, almost as if she were used to keeping herself as still and as silent as possible in her grief, he had to keep her from digging her teeth into her own palm of her hand almost bleeding. Instead allowing her to bite into his jacket which he hadn’t even bothered to take off, hearing the click of her jaw tighten as hot tears streaked down her face.

But slowly….ever so slowly she quieted, her body’s tense hold and shaking relaxing a fraction where she eased in his arms where he felt he could soothe a hand up her back. 

Micah had come in asked how she was, as did Dutch, concern etched over his face, she would clam up the moment anyone else would come within footstep falls of the tent door. 

Except for Hosea and Belladonna.

Hosea merely looked concerned, tutting over her and managing to get a calming tonic down her throat with coaxing and helping her move her body to open her mouth. “Atta girl, gonna feel better in no time.”

It did seem to help, he said it was chamomile, valerian root and other herbs to help calm like lavender and lemon.

Arthur spooned hot tea down her throat and bone broth that Belial made. She robotically accepted, eyes empty and vacant.

She was quiet…for a long while.

But suddenly in the quiet darkness….she spoke…

“….you get to know yourself…and you hate yourself in a box.” She whispered. “You are everything…and you are nothing….”

He listened, a chill going up his back at her empty words.

“You are a maker of all, and a destroyer of everything…you hate the salt of your skin, and the metal of your blood…but it’s all you have to taste…and it’s all you have to know…” he could feel her tense. “But when you are nothing….nothing hurts….when you are no one…they can’t see you…”

He wasn’t sure how to process such thoughts. 

Didn’t even know what that could feel like.

How did it feel to be stripped down to the bare bones of yourself as a person…not even as a person as a thing…your humanity not meaning anything to the person who tormented you. 

She seemed to watch his thoughtfulness.

“It’s okay…” did she even see him? Her empty eyes looking at the ceiling of the tent far away beyond the fabric. “It’s okay if you go…I’ll be fine.”

It was so soft he almost didn’t hear it.

At first he was filled with hot anger. 

But on the heel of it came a crashing, brutally keen understanding that it was what was expected.

It was the status quo.

“I’m fine just right here darlin.” He said firmly pressing warm kisses to her face. “Ain’t scaring me off that easy.”

She let him hold her, let him croon songs into her ears, some silly, some he had never forgotten, songs his mother had sung, things Hosea would tell him when he was younger, stories about dragons, and kings and round tables, told her about Bodecia, and how he wrangled her from being a wild horse to his best friend. Funny stories about John and him.

She blinked at some point, her eyes becoming focused. “Arthur?”

“Lily, welcome back darlin.” He whispered as relief swam through him.

Lilith looked fragile, like a blown out egg. Glancing around exhausted and wary. “I-I’m hungry…” 

Before he could do anything about it, Bella was already there, she had cheese, salted venison sliced, crackers and a giant canteen and a bottle of whiskey. “C’mon eat up.”

He hadn’t seen someone bolt down food so fast in a long time. It was like she was starved, it actually did remind him of when John first arrived, as if someone would snatch it away.

“Easy, easy it ain’t goin nowhere, there is plenty. We no gonna take it.” Bella soothed her, patting her head, “s’aright.”

She slowed down after almost choking and swallowed a big gulp of water.

Arthur leaned over, hovering over her body and pressing himself into her back. She hummed, leaning into him and sighing, finally slowing down as if having him near meant she was protected. He couldn’t help but smile into her shoulder, pleased at least she felt safe enough to come out of it.

She mowed through an entire plate, a deer steak, a fire baked potato and a pile of mushrooms and greens cooked in butter and bacon fat.

Satisfied and exhausted, she curled right into Arthur’s lap, winding her arms about his neck and passed out with a hum.

He froze, glancing at Belladonna who’s face was just a mix of awe struck tenderness. “Thank ye.” She whispered to him. “Thank ye, Arthur Morgan…”

“Didn’t do nuthin.” He grumbled.

“You did everythin…everythin right that is.” the woman’s voice was tight with tears. “Bless you, you hava heart’a gold.”