Work Text:
You can tell that this isn't Arthur Morgan's first rodeo. When it comes to doing some shooting, the man is a born prodigy. He might just be the best damn sharpshooter in the county, hell, even the whole state.
He oozes confidence in his every move as he expertly sets the riffle against his rough shoulder, preparing his aim. He's proud enough to show his conviction in the skill but not cocky enough to flaunt it.
The night's summer soft breeze dances with his hair, but it's not strong enough to rattle him. He's utterly devoted to fulfilling your request, getting ready to put his talent to good use for once.
When he's ready, all his ducks in a row, he slowly exhales and the shots come faster than you can blink.
Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang.
A slight pause.
Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang.
He gives a light chuckle as he lowers the rifle. The scene before him can only be described as a massacre.
There are no survivors. All the yellow mechanical ducks at the shooting gallery are down. A victory tune plays over the speakers and some yellow and red lights flash to its beat. A sign up front lights up: "WINNER".
He turns around to give you a smirk and you go in for a short kiss on the lips. "That's my hero!"
He eagerly kisses you back in thanks for your praise. Shooting isn't the only thing he's good at.
"So, which one do you want?" You both look at the selection of prizes the gallery has displayed all around, most of them plushies. Tigers, bears, puppies, dolls. A very strange-looking giraffe. Some attempted bunnies. A horse painted as a zebra.
"That one!" You point to the big brown teddy bear sitting on the highest shelf to the left.
"Ok, gimme that one then." Arthur gestures to the bored teenage attendant who hands it over to him. "Here you go, darlin'."
When you grab it you're surprised by how big it is, needing both arms to hold it steady, much like you need with Arthur.
"You know bears are attracted to honey?"
"Is that so?"
"Must be why he likes you." Arthur's corniness always makes you smile.
"He kinda looks like you."
"Oh, you think he's ugly? Want me to get ya another one?"
You never care for his self-deprecating humor. "Oh, don't be silly!" You hug the bear tightly. "I love him! Thank you!"
"Anything for you, sweetheart."
He starts to lean in for another kiss and you get ready to receive it. But you're interrupted by the glimpse of something moving below you.
A little girl is now tugging at Arthur's sleeve. "Hey, mister. You think you can get me one too?"
He instinctively crouches down to match her height. "Sure I can. What's your name?"
"Emily." She sways in her pink dress and smiles broadly with anticipation.
"That's a pretty name! Ok, Emily. Let me see what I can do." You audibly denote your delight as he meets your eyes. "I'll be right back."
Back at the front of the gallery, he pays the attendant for another round and assumes the shooting position again. It's over before it's even begun. The ducks are down and the lights twinkle again. "WINNER". You and Emily give a big cheer at the outcome.
Arthur gestures to the attendant for another brown teddy bear, a smaller one that Emily can carry. He kneels again and hands it to her with a beaming smile. "Here you go, Emily."
"Thank you so much! I love him!" She surprises Arthur with a sweet hug, which he gladly accepts. Her little arms barely reach around Arthur's shoulders. She breaks it up to make another request. "Can I get a kiss too?"
You immediately see his cheeks turn a rosy color before he looks up at you. "Oh, I don't know, Emily. I gotta ask my friend here first."
"Don't be ridiculous!" you snicker.
Arthur plants a gentle kiss on Emily's cheek, which makes her laugh wholeheartedly. She lets out a "Thanks, mister!" before she runs off to show her mother her new teddy bear.
"That was adorable!"
Arthur rises from his knees to meet your gaze. "Kinda interrupted us kissing. But I'll let it slide."
"Well, I won't!" You grab both of Arthur's shoulders with your hands and squish the teddy bear between you as you reach for his lips. You linger on the kiss for a moment before the large size of the plushy forces you apart and you have to hold it again.
"You should've picked the zebra," he complains.
"I don't pick them ugly," you retort.
"Neither do I."
He leans in for another kiss before he's interrupted once again.
"Hey, you think you can help me out here?"
His patience has run out. "You're outta your damn mind, Marston!"
You watch as John stands a few feet from you, the rifle of the shooting gallery in his hands. You see he only shot a few of the ducks, not enough to win a prize.
Arthur suddenly grabs your hand and leads you away from the gallery, but you look back in time to see Abigail raise her arms in disappointment. "Is there anything you can do right?"
John inspects the rifle closely. "Arthur must have broken this thing!"
It's not long before you leave the fair with the sweetest bear wrapped around your arm. And a plushy teddy bear to boot.