「 ✦ ENIGMA ✦ 」ARTHUR MORGAN X READER

002.

the fresh air encompassed you, the slight breeze blowing your hair out of your face. it felt like sweet relief. the small smile that crept up on your face wasn't intentional, but the way you looked anywhere but at him was. the shops around were busy, people shuffling through their day to day life with ease. unaware they were walking amongst some of the most sinful of individuals. it felt nice, to be shifting back into a world of rules after everything that has changed in the past couple of days.

it's his turn to ask questions now. "awfully friendly, huh?" he queries, his voice low and almost amused.

you raise an eyebrow. stifling a laugh, you clear your throat. "not like i liked the feller. just doing what dutch asked." you rocked on your heels. "why?"

his mouth pursed into a line; his eyes were sharp under the brim of his hat, they held something unreadable and were full of old things. "be careful who you smile at. some folk talk more'n notes from it."

he started for the hitching post where his beautiful mare waited, probably huffing at each passerby she didn't approve of. you watched as a man cleared the walkway for him without thinking, and you briskly walked to meet his stride. you smiled awkwardly.

you walked down the dirt road, shops on either side of you. the silence consumed you whole, and you became painfully aware of how hard it was to make conversations with arthur. your eyes were flicking around, leeching onto each and every man in sight. you were hungry for distance. you did so as to not be noticed. hopefully. being a newly found killer like you were, now walking amongst some of the most experienced of the sort, the paranoia made sense. guess the creeping fear of being caught probably came with the job.

the smallest of amused smiles tugs at his lips. almost like he likes watching you squirm. "what you looking for?"

you snap out of your trance. you wave him off, blurting out: "what? nothing. i ain't looking for nothin'." shaking your head, you pretend not to notice how he slowed his pace so you could keep up.

you tried your best at casual, feeling a bit small under his side ways glance. it was hard to not feel inferior in their little world of crime, considering you were more of a paranoid petty thief rather than a six foot something trained outlaw. a low amused sound falls from his lips, it was his turn to shake his head. the only difference was the smirk that was shadowed by his hat.

"if you say so." maybe his idea of a joke, cruel and teasing. you were just grateful it wasn't silence.

he left it at that, as if he hadn't just rattled your bones. his horse let out a neigh, actually showing signs of emotion when arthur approached. he dug through his satchel, finding a carrot. he fed it to her with a pleased expression, his free hand finding her mane with a light, practiced touch.

"you keep snacks in there for people too or just for the horse?" you tease, letting out a small amused laugh. your hand is fixed on your hip, an eyebrow quirked.

arthur didn't meet your eyes, just smirked faintly as his mare's ears pinned back in pleasure. "don't reckon folks deserve treats like she does," he muttered, voice almost lost under the sound of wheels turning and shuffle of hooves passing.

you rolled your eyes, but the corner of your mouth betrayed you: twitching upwards. "suppose that's fair. i'd take a carrot too, if you're ever feeling generous."

finally, his eyes cut to yours under the brim of his black leather hat. they're sharp as daggers, unwavering and pinning you in place. "better be careful what you ask for, miss. some things come with strings attached."