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The gang had decided to go celebrate the holiday in Strawberry. Arthur Morgan lets everyone around him know that he hates the idea of it, and he also wants everyone to know that he doesn't care.
Not one little bit.
Which is why somehow he finds himself standing outside of the general store in town with a pumpkin tucked beneath one of his arms, and the other firmly set on the small of your back, with your unable to stop the smile on your face from growing larger and larger.
"You said that you wouldn't be partaking in this holiday, Arthur."
He gives you a sideways glance over his shoulder. "And I ain't." You look at the pumpkin under his arm, and then he follows your sharp gaze. "This?" He question, "Yes."
"This means nothin'." You nod, "Of course, my bad." You grin, "It was just sittin' there." Arthur tells you, With raised brows you look at him, "Oh, so you stole it?" Arthur shakes his head. "No I borrowed it."
You watch as Arthur mouth twitches, as if he's trying his hardest not to smile and it just doesn't work out for him. In fact Halloween had been your entire idea.
Strawberry was decorated up by the time the gang had arrived. Autmnum leaves having scattered along the streets, and little lanterns that hung just outside each shop. Someone had terribly carved faces into pumpkins that were sitting on the boardwalk.
It was rather charming in it’s own way. Dutch had made the choice that the gang was going to have a night of it. There would be all sorts of food, drinks, games, and music. And according to Dutch “A respectable amount of merriment.”
Arthur had all but responded with muttering, and then under his breath. “respectable merriment is a fuckin’ oxymoron.” You had laughed, and Arthur despite himself had come along anyways. They weren’t outlaws in Strawberry at least not yet.
The entire gang had scattered like rats on a sinking ship across the town of Strawberry. John and Sean had been seen arguing over who had carved the ugloiest of pumpkins. Javier was somewhere having ‘acquired’ a guitar. Karen and Mary-beth were walking down the streets browsing the little stalls that had been set up.
Sadie was attempting to convince Charles to wear some black hat that looked utterly ridiculous. It was decorated with a pair of paper cat ears. Charles was profusely refusing, pushing the hat back into Sadies’ chest. Hosea the old man was sitting on.a bench nursing a drink, just watching the entire gang. he had a look on his face that said something like ‘I’ve accepted these fools to be my family.’
Finally there was Arthur, right beside you. Always right beside you. His hand had barely left your back since the lot of you had arrived in town. Sometimes it was resting on your hip, and other times it was his open palm settling in the space between your shoulders blades as you walked together.
At one point, Sean had nearly backed into you while holding an armful of pumpkins. Arthur was quick to pull you up agasint his chest and out of harms way. “Watch where you’re goin’ Sean.” Arthur said sharply, “Sorry, Arthur.” Sean muttered before scattering off like a scared little kitten.
You had caught Arthur grumbling something else under his breath. “You okay?” You asked looking up at him. “I’m fine.” You raised a brow in “You look worried.” Arthur sighs, “I wasn’t worried.” He tells you, but there’s a part of you that jus doesn’t believe him. “You pulled Arthur, halfway across the street.”
“That’s cause Sean’s an idiot.” Arthur all but grumbles. You smiles warmly, and again Arthur sighs this time heavily. “Don’t go startin’ with me.” “I didn’t say anything.” You say with wide eyes, “But you were about to.” You lean in closer somehow, “Thank you.” You mutter sweetly.
Arthur just looks down at you, his face relaxed, “I don’t need thankin’ for doing that.” He said, brushing a thumb of his over your side gently. “You’re my girl.” He admitted even if his words are quiet.
They’re almost lost with all the noise happening in the town, but you hear them regardless. On Arthur face is the faintest show of pink that crosses his cheeks like he hadn’t meant to say the words in such a straightforward kind of way.
You smile anyways, and Arthur clears his throat the moment disappearing into the setting sun. “Come on.” You say, “Where are you draggin’ me off to?” Arthur asked a little thrown off, “Pumpkins.” You answer with just one word. “You’ve already got one.” Arthur says, handing you the pumpkin he had been carrying around. “This one is yours.” He tells.
You feels yourself staring into. Looking at the lopsidedness of it, the two uneven eyes, the crooked mouth, and the little additional things added. You look back at Arthur. “Did you make this?” You question the man, “No.” “You totally did.” You mutter, “I didn’t.” He says.
“Arthur.” You say his name so plainly. He sighs in defeat. “Fine.” You feel the smile grow on your face. “You carved me a pumpkin!” You say so sweetly, “Don’t go makin’ a big thing outta it.” He begs, but you are already ten steps ahead of him.
“YOU CARVED ME A PUMPKIN ALL OF MY OWN!” You’re yelling at the top of your lungs. “WOMAN!” Arthur shouts, throwing his arms around your waist to drag you out of the attention of literally everyone around you. Automatically your clamp your arms around his waist, and he’s stiff for a moment before he relaxes in your hold.
“There she is.” He murmurs softly. You rest your cheek agasint his chest, feeling his heart beat through his shirt. “You’re sweet.” You say quietly. “Don’t go tellin’ everyone now.” He tells you, “I might.” He groans, “I’ll deny it.” He teases. “What are you gonna do when I show them the pumpkin?” You ask.
“I’ll just deny it more.” You laughed, and Arthur kisses the top of your head. Stuck in your own bubble, neither one of you notice Hosea watching from the bench. “It’s terrible, ain’t it?” Dutch says sitting down beside him. Hosea nods, and takes a drink. “Awful.”
“That mans completely gone on her.” Hosea says, and Dutch just hums in agreement. Arthur looks over, “What are you two old fucks lookin’ at?” Arthur growled. Hosea replied quietly, and quickly with the type of innocence that had ‘we were talking about you just seconds ago’ written all over it. “Nothing, Arthur.”
Dutch grinned like the idiot he is, and Arthur narrowed his eyes. “It better stay that way.” You tugged at his sleeve, “Come one, cowboy. I wanna see what everyone else is up to.” Arthur followed without hesitation, because of course he always followed you.
There’s a contest for carving pumpkins that is considerably more competitive then either of you had thought it was going to be. John’s pumpkins looks like it had gotten attacked by a mountain lion, Sean’s looks somehow worse. “I call that some artistic expression.” Sean insisted, “How can you even call that shit a pumpkin anymore?” John asks. “I call yours a fuckin’ embarrassment.” Sean throws back, “You made yours with a blind fold on.” John mumbles, “AND?” Seans says rather loudly. John rolls his eyes at his friend, “See only provin’ the point.”
You laugh to yourself, Arthur’s hand settles comfortably on your back once again. John looks at him. “You know the women can walk all on her own, right?” Arthur frowns, “She can.” John looks down, “Then why are you holding onto her like that then?” Johns words make Arthur look down, at where his hand is resting agasint your waist.
It makes him pause, “huh?’ You raise a brow at Arthur. “Problem?” You ask, “Nope.” Arthur answers quickly without much thought. Arthur doesn’t move his hand, and John practically snorts. “God you’re whipped.” Arthurs glares at John. “You wanna say that again.”
“You, Arthur Morgan are whipped.” John says without any hesitation. Arthur steps towards John, but you catch his arm. “Arthur.” It’s only his name that you’ve said, but it’s enough to have your guard dog of a cowboy backing down. John laughs as if the action only proves his point. “See?” He says pointing towards your hold on Arthurs arm.
“Marston!” Arthur growls. “What you gonna do? Hit me on halloween?” There’s a moment of silence where it seems like Arthur is picking what to say next. “I just fuckin’ might.” You tugged again on Arthur to come back towards you. “Come help me with my pumpkins.” You say clear.
Arthur looks down at you, then towards John, then back to you again. “Yeah.” He grunts out, John shake his head, and rolls his eyes. “This un unbelievable.” Arthur at this point is just ignoring him.
You sit together on the edge of the boardwalk, with your pumpkin in between the two of you. Arthur pulls his knife out of his pocket. “Whatcha want?” He asks, his southern drawl coming out now that you two are more isolated. You look up into the sky for a few seconds pretending to think. “A… happy face.” You say with a warm smile on your face. “That’s boring, darlin’.”
You look back up, and pretend to think some more again. “A… scary face then cowboy.” You tell Arthur. “That’s better.” He says with a half smile. You end up watching him while he carefully carves the pumpkin. “You are very good at this.” You tell him, “I’ve been carving things longer then you’ve been alive.”
“That’s sooo romantic, Arthur.” You say rolling your eyes, “It wasn’t meant to be.” He tells you , “Well you’re just ruining it now.” You tease. He smiles now, fully. You lean into his shoulder, and for a while Arthur keeps carving. It’s serval minutes of him just carving, the sounds of the knife scraping through the pumpkins flesh and the sounds of Javiers distant guitar in the background.
Arthur makes the mistake of glancing down at you, “You cold?” He asks, “A little.” You reply with a slight chatter in your voice. Without a single thought, Arthur sets your pumpkin down and shrugs off his fall coat. “Arthur…” But you’re words are cut into, “Just put it on.” He tells you with that look that tells you he won’t let this go til he wins.
“You’ll be cold though.” You try, “I ain’t cold.” He tells you, pushing the coat into you. “You are.” you argue. “I’m fine.” Arthur rolls his eyes, “You always say that.” “Because I am.” The banter never ending. You smile, and slip your arms into the warmth of his coat.
Its far too large on, the sleeves swallowing your hand, Arthur stares at you openly. “What?” You ask with a cock of your head. “Nothin’.” “Well what are you starin’ at then?” “You.” Arthur replies quickly. He reaches out and rugs one of the sleeves over your hand. “There.” You smile warmly. Arthurs expression melts once again. “Better?” He asks, you nod. Then he’s
After that he’s slipping his arm around your shoulder, and you lean even further into him. This time it’s Mary-Beth who see’s what happening from across the street. Karen nudges her. “They are so adorable!” Mary-Beth shakes her head, “Don’t let Arthur hear you talkin’ like that, Karen.” Karen puts her hands up in defense and surrender. “Oh, no I value my life, thank you.” Karen says but keeps her eyes on her on the two of you.
The evening continues on with a little costume contest. Sean dressed up as a vampire at someone point, and John had just outright refused to dress up as anything at all. Dutch had worn a solid black old coat, while also declaring himself ‘Gentlemen of the night’
Sadie had found an old black hat and insistent that it made her look absolutely terrifying. “It does.” Charles said to her, she grins the alcohol making her cheeks redder then normal. “Thank you.” “You’re welcome.”
You, yourself hadn’t dressed up either. Well neither had Arthur- at least not officially anyways. You were still wearing your dress, with Arthurs coat over your shoulders. Arthur glances down at you. “You ain’t dressed up.” He points out, “Neither are you, cowboy.” Arthur smiles, “Yeah I am… I’m a cowboy.” You roll your eyes, “You’re always a cowboy, Arthur.”
“Exactly!” You laugh, and of course Arthur smiles. After a pause, he’s leaning down. “You look pretty.” He whispers in your ear. Your laughter fades, “Arthur.” You say just barely over your breath, “What?” He asks as if he’s confused, “You think little ole’ me is pretty?” You say quietly.
He looks at you like he’s genuinely confused, because the answer is ‘of course he does’ so he tells you the truth. “Course I do, darlin’.” You look at Arthur for a few moments like there’s a thought on the tip of your tongue. “You don’t go sayin’ it very often.” Arthur nods, “I don’t need to.” He tells you.
“Why?” You can’t but ask, the words coming out before you can stop them. “Because you oughta know already.” His words make your mouth go shut, and your heart warm in your chest. You reach up out of instinct and touch his cheek. “I like hearing it.” You tell him.
Arthur looks at you like he’s studying you for a moment, before just bending down to press another kiss to your forehead. “Well you’re beautiful.” He tells you, and you curl your fingegrs into his shirt. “Thank you.” you mutter with reddening cheeks. “Anytime, darlin’.” He says with a wink.
There is music that is picking up in the background as Javier starts to play, and soon he’s got a group of people dancing in the street. You glance at Arthur, and he looks down at you. “You dance?” You ask even though you know he doesn’t, “No.” He says quickly, “You do, now.” You tell him as you take his arm and drag him into the street. “No.” He mutters coming to a halt. “You’ve danced with me in the camp before.”
“That wasn’t dancing, darlin’.” You shake your head, “It was absolutely dancing.” You argue. “That was me tryin’ not to step on your feet.” Arthur tells you, and you smile. “Dance with me, please Arthur.” Arthur shake his head, not yet giving into.
“Please.” You beg him giving him your best pleading look. Arthur lasts three whole seconds, “Fine.” You grin like the cheshire cat. “Just one.” Arthur says sharply. “One.” You nod agreement, he takes your hand and settles the other one around your waist. “There.”
“You’re dancing.” Arthur rolls his eyes, “Don’t remind me.” He moves awkwardly at first, but soon the two of you found a rhythm. “You’re happy, darlin’.” He murmurs. “I am.” Arthur hums, “Good.”
His thumb brushing agasint your waist. “I like seein’ you happy, darlin’.” You rest your head against his chest, “I like seeing you happy too, Arthur.” Your words make him go quiet, and then softly. “Don’t tell anyone.” He asks of you making you laugh. When the song ends, Arthur doesn’t let go.
Another song starts, “You… you only said one dance.”
“I’ve changed my mind.”
“Why?” You ask, Arthur leans in and presses his forehead into yours. Later, when the streets have gone quiety and the gang in heading back to their spot on horseback, Arthurs hand remains on your back. “You know.” You tease, “For somoen who doesn’t care about halloween, you sure look like you had fun.”
He hums, “It was alright.” “You carved me a pumpkins”
Arthurs nods, “The pumpkins were alright.” You rolls your eyes, “And you danced with me.” “That wasn’t as terrible as I tought it was going to be.” He admits. “You even gave me your coat, and your hands didn’t leave me once tonight.” Arthur looks down at you, “First off you were cold.” He tells you, “But yeah.” “Why?” You ask the older man.
He stops in the middle of the road, “Lots of people were around.” “So?” You ask with pinched brows, obviously confused. “I like knowin’ that you’re there.” You smile warmly, and he looks away. “I guess I like keepin’ you close.” You step towards him, and right into his arms.
“Good cause I like being close to you too.”
Arthur holds you close him, his chin resting on top of your head, “Happy halloween, darlin’.” “Happy halloween, Arthur.” He pulls back, “I got something for you.” He digs into his pant pocket, pulling out a small wooden heart, a little crooked but still perfectly and carefully carved. Your intials are etched on the backside.
You stare at the heart, “You made this?” Arthur hums, “So you do care about halloween.” You tease, Arthur smiles, “No.” He admits, but thumb coming up to brush your cheek, “I just care about you.”
You reach up on the tips of your toes, and kiss him underneath the heat of the lanterns light. From down the street, Sean yells back to the both of you. “FUCKIN’ FINALLY!” Arthur pulls away, “I swear to fuckin’ christ, darlin’ I’m gonna kill him.” You laugh and shake your head at him. “No you won’t, Arthur.” Arthur takes a glance at Sean and then back towards you. “…Maybe not tonight, maybe tomorrow.” You slip your hand into his much larger and rougher one.
Arthur squeezes, and as the two of you walk down the street and back to the camp. Arthurs hand comes back to it original spot. The base of your spine warm for the rest of the walk back. exactly where it belongs.