「 ✦ ENIGMA ✦ 」ARTHUR MORGAN X READER

003.

a couple nights came and went. you didn't do much of sleeping no more, but the last couple nights it proved itself to be less of a chore than usual. it seemed like an invisible weight had been taken off your shoulders, something softer bubbling inside your chest. the night was spent, and now the morning light shone through the flaps of your tent; the sun beams danced around as the wind blew the fabric.

you weren't exactly used to having so many people around, especially mostly men. there was susan grimshaw but she preferred to stay to herself and her chores, for the most part. it wasn't all bad, part of you may have even been warming up to the company. arthur, in particular, had piqued your interest. he was all grit and gravel, but part of you was curious as to if that's all he was. you wanted to see what made him tick — how he really was under all the gruff.

pearson's stew pot was bubbling again and the smell of coffee carried through camp. uncle was already bitching about his chores, you heard john bickering with arthur over something or the other, and dutch paced through camp like a man on a mission. you were falling into the routine of camp, another cog in the machine that made their little haphazard group function.

you stepped out of the tent, yawning and rubbing your eyes. grabbing a cup of coffee, you plopped onto a crate, tired gaze fixed on the tree-line. dutch happened to pace to a clearing a couple feet away from you, gathering the attention of arthur.

"arthur, my boy," dutch called, cigar already smoldering between his fingers. "i need eyes in town — nothing grand, just grab some supplies and have a look at the post office. me and hosea will be discussing what we should do about that bank tomorrow. take her with you."

arthur shot him a look — half question, half protest — but dutch's smile smoothed over any of his arguments. dutch's eyes flicked to you as you approached. "best way to learn is doing. nothing like fresh air to sharpen a young mind."

you nodded courtly, a small smile on your face. "you got it."

the ride into town was quiet — the kind of quiet that hung heavy, only lessened by the jangle of tack and the thump of hooves. arthur's mare cut a steady pace, and you tried not to fidget behind him. your hands betrayed you, curling behind his saddle and tapping the rim. you wondered if you were more like a burden for him, always tagging along. it seemed as though he was used to it, albeit a bit begrudgingly. he didn't speak until rooftops came in the distance.

"keep your head down," he muttered, eyebrows furrowed as the sun beat down his face. "folk talk. don't give them a reason to."

you almost answered — almost — but the words were lost the moment your boots hit the dry ground, dust adding to the already dirt stained leather.

the town bustled around you: shopkeepers tidying up their items, women sweeping the porches, kids played in the alleys, and rickety wagons clamored past. the usual bustle of mornings in town. arthur tied his horse's reins with practiced ease and gestured for you to follow.

"general store first. after we can check the post." he said flatly, voice thick with rasp from the morning.

"you're the boss." you teased with a smile, not saying much but it was enough to help ease the quiet tension between the two of you.

you trailed behind him, pretending not to notice the way heads turned as you two passed. inside, the store smelt of leather and grain. arthur walked to the front desk, inquiring to the shopkeeper about some items dutch wanted him to grab. you listened as he busied himself ordering tobacco, flour, cartridges, whiskey, and other items the camp deemed essential. you wandered around the store, trying not to look out of place.

a raspy voice snagged you. "well, i'll be damned. thought i recognized that face."

you spun on your heels, meeting the owner of the voice. an older, stockier man with a couple scars crossing his face. his smile was thin and cruel, and he spoke again, "ain't you the little thief who tried emptying my pockets a couple months back?"