Chapter Text
You both held each other like this for what seemed like hours, whispering to each other to reassure that you were both actually there. That you were alive.. You’d shifted from the knelt position, Arthur was sat against the wall as you were sat in his lap, your head under his chin as you refused to leave his side. You’d been speaking quietly about your time away… You told him what happened on that day. What happened the entire time you were away. He was relieved to know you definitely weren’t buried in some mass grave somewhere.
“I’m sorry I didn’t come home sooner… With my injuries I wouldn’t have got back here in one piece”
Whimpering an apology you pressed your head under his chin, seeking reassurance that you were forgiven.
“Darlin’…. You’re here now thats all I care about”
With a squeeze he let you know that you didn’t have to worry. That you being there in his lap at this moment was all he could ever ask for. He felt pain leave his chest, replaced with the sweet ache of love and affection. Your love and affection he had missed for so long.
Both of your attentions were caught as someone cleared their voice. Stood by the entrance was Dutch and Hosea. Smiles plastered on their faces at the sight of the pair of you.
“Y/N, dear… It’s so good to see you. So good you’re alive”
Hosea said with a chirp in his voice. It warmed your heart to hear his voice
“Hosea… Its good to see you old man. I missed you both so much”
You held back tears again.. going into camp was really going to be very emotional.
“I think its time you two come back into camp… Everyones sat around the fire.”
Dutch spoke softly. Night had fallen and you hadn’t even noticed. Curled up in your lovers lap you didn’t even care there was a world around you.
“You’re right, Dutch”
Arthur spoke softly, kissing the top of your head gently before shuffling like he wanted to get up. He had spent hours with you, it was time the others see you too. He had the rest of his life to have moments like this with you.
Carefully you shuffled off of his lap, sitting on the ground for a moment as Arthur stood and dusted himself down. He extended his hand and you simply laughed.
“I’ll have to show you the full extent of my injuries later, Arthur… but I’m gonna need more than just your hand to get up”
You huffed out.
“Right.. uh”
Arthur quickly went beside you and wrapped an arm around your side, pulling you to your feet as carefully as he could but the way he held you pressed directly on your wound. With a pained gasp he quickly let go, feeling guilty and pulling you into a hug to apologise.
“Shhh, its okay… Just help me walk”
You smiled and wrapped your arm around his torso, his just under your armpit as you hobbled alongside of him towards the camp. Dutch and Hosea in-front to hide people from seeing you right away.
You felt a little nervous as you looked around the new camp. It was definitely bigger and better than any other. It felt strange for there to be a building standing in the centre. A beautiful old plantation house.
Seeing the gang around the campfire made your stomach twist in both fear and excitement.
You didn’t know how they’d react to seeing you. Maybe they’d be angry they grieved for nothing… Maybe they’d ignore you like you were never gone.
Arthur placing several kisses into your hair distracted you from your bad thoughts. His affection comforting your mind as you stood just behind the gang. Approaching the gang Dutch And Hisea blocked the sight of you and Arthur from the group. Carefully you let go of his side, shuffling on the spot to get your footing back. Arthurs arm slipped down around your waist to keep you close, his hand sitting there carefully as not to aggravate you injuries further. He was definitely curious to see the extent of your wounds that kept you from him for so long.
“Everyone…”
Dutch spoke loudly, clearing his throat as everyones attention went to him. With all eyes on Dutch he promptly stepped aside, illuminating you and Arthur in the fires light.Gasps filled the air as everyone spotted you stood there. You simply smiled as tears filled your eyes. Your family were all here and everyone was well.
“Y/N!”
John called out, jogging around the camp with Abigail who seemed just as excited to see you.
“Hi John… Hi Abigail..”
You sniffles, opening your arms and stepping forward as Abigail came in for a hug. Squeezing her hard from joy as she was safe after the move. John had come to your side, patting your shoulder. John was always like a little brother to you, causing Arthur to get jealous on many occasions when you’d wrestled with him.
Quietly you let the tears fall down your cheeks, stepping out of Abigails grasp you grabbed John into a hug. Everyone else had gathered around at this point and cooing and even some tears shed.
“You’re all here… I’m so happy you’re all okay…”
Grasping Mary Beths hand you looked around the bunch of misfits you called family. With an arm around your back Arthur lead you towards the fire so you could sit and speak about your situation.
“You got shot twice and survived? No way…”
Javier spoke unconvinced of your story. He knew you’d been gone for some time, but in their line of work it could have been anything.
“I’m not showing you my scars, Javier. I’d have to get damn naked to show them”
You used your hands to demonstrate the length of the scar. From the centre of your torso to the middle of your thigh sat a large scar from your year away. The only person who you were going to show was Arthur. He can vouch for your injury later on.
You felt Arthur pull you a little closer as Javier pushed his questions. You were his and it would be a cold day in Lemonyne when someone else got to see you in any compromising position.
As the night drew on you felt your eyes getting heavier. The heat from the fire mixed with the warmth and affection Arthur was showing you had mixed with the exhaustion from your long journey.
The soft sound of Arthurs breathing as he pressed his head against yours added to the soothing feeling of love you’d missed for so long.
Yawning softly as you nuzzled into Arthurs shoulder, causing him to chuckle softly.
“I think its time we get you to bed… It’s been an emotional day..”
Blinking yourself awake you nodded. It was only you and sat at the fire now. Everyone else had gone to sleep after the festivities and stories. You definitely needed a good nights rest.
Releasing your grasp around his stomach you shuffled in the dirt as you tried to push yourself off of the ground, only to fall flat on your ass as your wounds betrayed you again.
You really hope this will get easier with time.
Watching Arthur hop up with ease you felt a little jealous that he could do it so easy. His hands going under your arms to lift you up like a child.
“Thank you…”
You huffed out before kissing his cheek, leaning into his side as you headed towards the large manor house.
“Wow you got a roof over your head, stepping it up huh?”
You giggled and looked around the inside of the derelict house. Although the location wasn’t exactly Tahiti, the house and grounds would make an amazing place to call home. Of course it was only a dream…
Looking at the stairs you audibly groaned. You could do it.. it would just take you until morning.
With a chuckle Arthur adjusted his gun belt, scooping you up bridal style whilst positioning his hands to make sure not to press your wounds as he headed up the stairs.
“Mister Morgan!”
You spoke with a giggle, kissing his cheek as he trudged up the steps. He didn’t put you down at the top, spinning around and entering a door backwards.
With long strides he crossed the room quickly, putting you down on the bed that sat in the corner. Looking around the room you hummed.. It wasn’t as run down as the rest of the house, cozy if not for the missing window.
Your eyes rolled across the room until they met Arthur. Stood in the middle of the room as he removed his weapons, bandolier and gun-belt. A year away you almost forgot about how handsome the outlaw was. His stature, his entire demeanour radiated confidence and yet the man you knew doubted himself at every moment.
“Whatchu’ staring at, girlie?”
With a tilted head Arthur watched you stare. A smile on his lips as he unbuckled his belt.
“Just You…”
You stretched and winked. You were about to stretch out on the bed when you noticed his gaze. Eyes falling directly on your right side.
You knew exactly what he was looking at… You were kind of nervous for him to see the messy scar. Part of your mind let you think he’d be disgusted with your body.
“If you want to see it you just need to ask…”
He immediatelt tensed up.
“I- not if you don’t want to… Its just…”
Rubbing the back of his neck he perched against the ammo crates that were entrusted in his care.
“After Javier made comments I just… I wanted to see it for myself.. NOT THAT I DON’T BELIEVE YOU! That ain’t it… I jus”
“Arthur…”
You shook your head. His mind was always easily manipulated by others, but luckily so easily soothed. Slowly pushing off of the old bed you sharply breathed in at the pain. Laughing to yourself as this was already starting to get old.
Slowly you began to unbutton your white shirt, eyes not leaving his the entire time. You couldn’t help but smirk as his entire body language changed at your action… His shoulders relaxed and his chest heaved. It had been a year after all. He was probably as pent up as you.
Removing the shirt you revealed your loose black corset to him. You didn’t tie it up all the way due to your injuries, but it still pushed everything up in the right way.
Kicking your boots off you wiggled slowly out of your pants, listening to his breathing pick up with each movement. You definitely felt proud in the way you got him so worked up, but sadly he wasn’t going to be getting the happy ending he wanted from this display.
Once you were stood in only your corset you turned so your right side was facing him. Showing him the scarring that ran down your thigh.
“Oh Darlin…”
There was pain in his tone as he slowly moved towards you with his hand out, he slowly touched at your exposed wound, running fingers gently down the red raw scar.
A shiver went through your body at the sensation, your sensitive skin causing you to tense.
As his focus was on your lower scar you untied the laces of your corset, breathing out as the pressure was relieved. Holding the material across your front to cover yourself. Your scar was revealed fully to him now… You felt exposed.
Getting on his knees beside you Arthur focused on your wounds. They dark mark from where the bullets entered to the line that followed down from one to the other. His fingers danced along the marks where you’d been sewn back up. Someone had taken you in and cared for you and he needed to thank them personally one day.
Standing slowly he used his hand to turn your face.
“I saw you get shot. I… I couldn’t find you. I asked the local law and they said there was a mass grave where civilians who were killed and unclaimed were burned…”
Hearing his breath catch in his throat you leaned into his touch.
“I’m here…”
Turning to face him you stepped towards him your arms reaching around his neck as he rested his face against your shoulder.
A moment of blissful silence passed before you pulled away. Feeling his hand stay on your waist as you moved.
“I think its time we sleep…”
Dropping the fabric you stepped back, strolling over to the chest Arthur kept his clothes in. Pulling out one of his larger shirts you wrapped it around yourself, buttoning it up half way.
Arthur hadn’t moved from facing the bed, but his head was craining over his shoulder to watch your every move. His head followed you brushed against him to sit on the bed.
Rolling yourself to face the crumbling wall you looked over your shoulder, beckoning the outlaw to come to bed.
It felt childish that you were kind of excited to cuddle in bed with him… A whole year of sleeping alone had started to make you feel needy.
The bed dipped and arms gently wrapped around your chest. A gentle kiss to your neck caused you to sigh happily. Leaning back into the outlaws now bare chest.
“Goodnight, Arthur…”
You purred and settled down as he pulled a blanket over you both. Your skin felt hyper-sensitive to his touch as he pressed against you.
“Goodnight, Y/N…. i love you darlin’”
He spoke softly into your hair. As you fell asleep you knew he stayedawake, his breathing steady.
He wanted to know you were there, terrified he’ll wake up with his arms empty once again. Eventually his mind let him rest, his eyes closing as he listened to the sound of your breathing.
Better than any Lullaby.