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strangesthirdeye · 9 days ago

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CHAPTER 6: Smoke, Guns, and Guesses

The Cipher between us

─── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

It's been 2 weeks since you've been in this gang. The majority of the gang members started to warm up to you especially the girls, Abigail, Jack and Dhani. But you can see that Miss Grimshaw has also started to warm up to you due to you always hearing her talk. The girls always wanted you to tell them about your life in London especially Mary-Beth. She always asked about the cases you've solved plus she keeps asking about Sherlock a lot. You observed she started to get interested in Sherlock even though she never saw his face and only knew about Sherlock due to you telling her about Sherlock including what instrument he can plays, what experiment he always does (though that made Mary-Beth a little bit of a disguise but she didn't show it to which you noticed) and others. Tilly and Karen keep on asking if men in London are really gentlemen like people say to which you just said not all men are gentlemen. Most people you know are whether they have a high ego and show off their wealth. Some of them also have two faces where outside gentlemen but inside not. This however makes the girls change their view (slightly).

Abigail started to trust you after you took care of Jack during Sean's return party. Since then, she would sometimes help you in terms of taking over chores or teaching you something new in which you exchanged with her to teach Jack to read and well, Jack kept on asking you to teach him deduction to which you taught him but only slowly and easily understood for a child like him. Dhani, well she didn't take to strangers easily that's what you deduce due to how cautious she is to you. You don't blame her cautious behavior as she has been in this gang for a long time alongside her brother too (Abigail once said to you). She is the opposite of Arthur actually. So when you had to share Dhani's tent because the girls' side was full, Dhani didn't protest. Nights in the tent turned into quiet talks, sharing stories not with ease, but with an honesty rare in you both world. She didn't laugh often, but you managed to earn a few. After a few nights of getting to know each other, she started to let her guard down around you.

Others like Hosea, Charles, Javier, Sean, Bill and some other gentlemen seemed to look at you just like another girl in the gang. They respect your boundaries but still be careful around you after they know what you capable of. Who wants people you barely know talking about you as if you know them from them knowing themselves?. No one. So they rather shut up and keep their distance but still talked or help you.

While Arthur, well, lately he seemed to distance himself from you with reason you for the first time don't know. Arthur knows how to keep to himself to the point you yourself can't even read him. Lately, he only talked to you a few times before excusing himself to leave. You don't care about that but deep down it hurts because Arthur seemed to distance himself from you and this makes you frustrated because you don't know why. But there's a time Arthur stopped accompanying you to... whatever you do which you don't mind as his company is what gives you is safe.

Safe is a strong word you rarely use to describe someone you start to trust but still, these past few weeks you've known Arthur, he doesn't show himself as a violent person towards women or others. He shows his violent side to people who deserve it. Not to people who don't deserve it. He sometimes teases and jokes around you sometimes helps you in chores assigned by Grimshaw but then when you fired back teasing and jokes that you made to him he started to fall silent and try to change the topic. Maybe that's why he started to distance himself from you. Maybe the teasing and jokes you made have gone too far.

You brushed Luna's body with a brush with gentle care. Luna let out a very soft nickered as you brush her body. She clearly enjoyed being pampered with care and love. Mr Burbank really are spoiling her to the brim. Luna is not a very easy horse and not a very hard horse to train. She is a very patient and loyal horse and loves carrots. Mr Burbank also said she is stubborn too but not as much as stubborn as his old horse, Roger. Which is a very old mustang breed. He also said Luna would not trust or be loyal to anyone which sometimes Luna would try to bite or jerk someone she felt threatened which is always. But then again, if she didn't bite or jerk you to make you afraid of her, she probably saw something in you that made her trust you. That's why Mr Burbank gave her to you because to him, Luna trusts you.. You didn't bother to observe why he gave her to you as you knew that he probably wanted to save her from being bitten or jerked someone into fear by his ranch workers. You smiled as Luna nudged her nuzzle onto your arm.

"Why, you lovely lady love being spoiled with love, don't you?" you muttered softly at her.

Luna gave you a soft nicker as a sign of agreement with what you said. You smiled at her and kept on brushing her body. The camp is bustling with chores, singing and conversation (it comes from Dutch's camp). All the while the camp is peaceful. The men are resting after their 'mission' which is successful. You didn't judge them from looting or any other bad things they did while you were in camp. Because you know they did all this to survive in the world where they were hated and looked down upon. Still, you don't want to be seen as untrustworthy by them.

You stood a short distance away, a grooming brush in one hand, gently brushing down your mare. Your sleeves were rolled up, and your focus was on the rhythmic movement of the brush. You had seen Kieran Duffy. Once a former O'Driscoll member who was made a prisoner here is now released and now a member here arrives, of course. Hard not to. But you didn't approach. Not until now. Most folks ignored him—except for the woman by the horses.

He seemed nervous and flinched in the presence of the gang member. He is clearly looked down upon for them as he is O'Driscoll. You soon find out that O'Driscoll is Van Der Linde's enemy gang after Dhani explained why the majority in this gang hates them. It something to do with the leader of O'Driscoll and Dutch Van Der Linde.

"You brush her too soft.." he stuttered.

You paused and looked at him. "She prefers it soft. Startles if you're too rough." You replied.

Kieran blinked, then nodded slowly. "Right. I-I wouldn't know, really. Just... sayin'."

You nodded and continued. "you're Kieran Duffy aren't you?"

His eyes widened. He automatically glances everywhere before settling his focus on you. He's nervous. "how did you know my name?"

You shrugged. "People talk. You flinch too much to be a threat," you added bluntly. "Still, you did ride with the O'Driscolls. Like the men always said."

"I didn't wanna!" Kieran snapped quickly, defensively. "I-I didn't have a choice, alright? I only been with them for a few months. I was never engaged in their affairs. I-I only tended their horses"

You finally turned to face him. Your expression wasn't accusing—just observant. Calm down. "I know. I believe you"

Kieran was stunned. "you believe me?"

"Of course. I think you did what you had to do to survive. That's not the same as loyalty. You flinch every time someone walks past. You sleep with one eye open. And you can't look anyone in the eye for more than a second. That's not someone who believes in the people they rode with. That's someone who was trying not to die."

Kieran's throat bobbed. No one had said it out loud like that before.

"I didn't want to be one of them," he muttered. "But I was alone. I was hungry. Colm gave me food, told me if I wanted to live, I had to ride with 'em."

You nodded slowly. "That's what predators do. Offer kindness with a hook buried in it."

Silence was stretched for a few seconds. Kieran nervously looked around him before settling his eyes again on you. He is fidgeting with his fingers.

"You think Dutch'll kill me?" hey

You tilted your head to the side a little - eyes narrowed, thoughtfully. "If you lie? Yes. If you help and prove yourself? Maybe not. I don't really know Dutch very much but I can see he probably will do anything to people who break loyalty or threaten the safety of gang members here"

"Do you trust me?" Kieran asked softly.

"I trust fear," You said evenly. "And I see a lot of it in you. That fear is what's going to make you choose the right side this time."

"You know, this is the first time anyone has said that to me... Someone who believes me and trusts me. I don't plan on threatening anyone's safety or breaking the loyalty of this gang. I did a lot of things to be accepted into this gang. But... Seems like they only see me as O'Driscoll. Even though I saved Arthur, they seem to see me as O'Driscoll... Only Arthur and his sister see me as another gang member."

You softened your look. "Perhaps, they are careful with you. Sooner or later, they will accept you. Trust me" you smiled genuinely at him. Brush was put back where the other horse equipment were.

"i hope so" Kieran muttered.

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The evening settled over Horseshoe Overlook with a chilled breeze rustling the trees, the fire in the center of camp crackling and low. Dutch stood with a glass of whiskey in hand, pacing slowly with that familiar glint in his eyes - the kind that made everyone uneasy.

Arthur stood near the tent opening, arms crossed. Hosea sat at the small table, the old man already nursing a drink, watching Dutch with careful eyes. Dhani leaned against a support post, jaw set, arms crossed much like her brother, though her stare was sharper - colder.

"You're out of your goddamn mind if you think I'm gonna agree to this," Arthur muttered, cutting through the silence.

"No, Dutch," Dhani interjected firmly, her voice laced with disbelief. "You want to involve Y/n Holmes - a detective - in robberies? In outlaws' work? Have you lost your damn mind?"

"She's not just a detective anymore," Dutch said, spinning to face them. "She's one of us now. She's hiding from men trying to kill her, running from a life she can't go back to. And what she brings to the table? That mind of hers - it's the sharpest I've ever seen. She sees things we don't. She notices details, routines, cracks in people's armor. She can spot a setup before it happens."

Hosea raised an eyebrow. "That may be, Dutch... but that doesn't mean she should be part of it."

"We're not talking about shooting or holding people at gunpoint," Dutch explained, his voice carrying that persuasive, passionate tone. "I'm saying - use her before the job. Let her do her thing. Let her study the patterns, the security, the movement of people. With her help, we don't need to rush in blind."

Arthur shook his head. "And what happens when she gets caught? She's not like the rest of us, Dutch. She gets caught - there's no denying what she's part of. The law will make an example of her."

"She's not even a fighter," Dhani added, her tone icy. "She said to me that she doesn't like violence nor did she refuse to hold a gun even her life is always on edge. And now you want her out there helping us rob banks? a wagons? a trains?"

Dutch's eyes turned harder. "She wants to stay, doesn't she? She wants answers about her brother. She wants protection. And we're giving her all that. But this isn't a charity camp. Everybody earns their place."

"She is earning it," Hosea argued. "She's helped us already. That thing with the fence in Emerald Ranch? She noticed he was holding back on us. She's done enough." Hosea recalling the last event where he asked you to follow him to Emerald Ranch just to get some air.

Though, you don't think that's what he meant, but you're grateful that Hosea is starting to trust and warming up to you.

Dutch sharpened his eyes. "But not enough to be part of the family," Dutch snapped, waving his hands around before his index finger settled on Hosea. "Not yet. Not until she shows she's willing to be part of us. We ain't using her - we're offering her something she ain't got anywhere else. She's smart. Smarter than all of us in some ways. And we'd be fools not to use that brilliance."

Arthur's jaw tightened. “Dutch…”

"Arthur," Dutch cut him off, stepping forward. "You trust me, don't you?"

Arthur hesitated, then looked away. "I don't know anymore."

Dhani narrowed her eyes at Dutch. "You push her into this, and you might lose her for good."

"She's already in it," Dutch said, resolute. "She just hasn't accepted it yet. Tomorrow, I'll talk to her. She'll understand."

He downed the rest of his whiskey and placed the glass on the table with a soft clink, then added with finality, "She either earns her place here - or she leaves."

The silence in the tent grew heavier.

Hosea sighed, looking older than usual. "Let's just hope you're not making a mistake we can't walk back from."

Outside, the camp carried on like usual - but inside the tent, something had shifted. And they all felt it. But all that changed when the sound of a horse's fast hooves was heard at the end of the camp making everyone even Dutch, Hosea, Arthur and Dhani stepped out of Dutch's tent. You, who was teaching Jack to read stood protectively in front of Jack.

Lenny, one of the youngest gang members stopped his horse quickly. The horse seemed exhausted with the way it stomped its feet on the ground beneath it and breathed heavily after a long sprint. Lenny got off his horse. His face was pale and anxious. His hands were shaking.

"Dutch… Arthur… Dhani...They got Micah." Lenny spoke in distress.

"What's going on?" Dutch narrowed his eyes.

"They got Micah. He, he's been arrested for murder. He was in Strawberry and-" Lenny breathed in distress.

"It's okay, son. Breathe…" Dutch assured him.

"They nearly lynched me. They… they got Micah in the sheriff's in Strawberry… and there's talk of hanging him." Lenny sputtered.

"Here's hoping." Arthur muttered quietly. Dhani snickered at this.

Dutch hearing this looked at the two. "you two"

"What? That fool brought this on himself. You know my feelings about him, Dutch." Arthur responded.

"Honestly, all he did in this gang was assault us like he owns us, Dutch" Dhani rolled her eyes.

"You think I can't see past his bluster to the heart inside? He is a fine man." Dutch said, defensive.

Dhani scoffed. "fine my ass" she muttered quietly.

"I'm not saving that fool." Arthur said, refusing.

"me neither" Dhani said, clearly she doesn't want saving that asshole. Micah always makes a disgusting comment about her appearance.

Dutch looked hopefully at the two. "I can't go. My face will be all over West Elizabeth. I am asking. He would do it for you." he said, persuading.

Arthur scoffed. "I don't think he would, but..." he paused before sighing in defeat. "Fine, okay."

Dhani looked at him with disbelief. Dutch looked at Arthur gratefully.

"Arthur" he said as a way to thank him for his cooperation.

Dhani pursed her lips as she looked at Hosea. Hosea looked at Dhani with concern. Clearly things will turn worse when saving that asshole. Arthur stepped forward towards Lenny who was still in distress after what happened at Strawberry.

"You okay, Lenny?" he asked - eyebrow raised.

"Yeah, of course I'm okay." Lenny sighed - his heart still hasn't calmed down.

"You don't seem okay." Dhani speaks, concerned with this young man.

Dutch shook his head. "You take that kid into town. Valentine, not Strawberry… get him drunk…" he suggested as he walked back to his tent but before looking at Arthur with a warning." and Arthur… no crazy business." he pointed his index finger at Arthur with a warning.

"I've given that up." Arthur responded - innocently.

Dhani scoffed making Arthur look at her in question. Dutch sighed.

"And you get Micah out of that jail." he said for the last time before walking back to his tent. Hosea shook his head at this and looked at Lenny, Arthur and Hosea for the last time.

"still think that bad things will happen" Hosea said thoughtfully.

Arthur waved his hand. "don't worry about it, old man. Knowing Micah, he must be the mastermind of everything" he looked at Lenny. "Come on, son."

Lenny straightened himself. His still on edge after what happened but not as much as before. He is sweating like crazy now. Dhani looked at her brother.

"You stay out of trouble" she warned.

"Well, you know me. I rarely cause problems" Arthur dismissed.

"Rarely is not a sentence that suits you" Dhani replied - rolled her eyes.

Arthur grumbled. "shut up" he looked at Dhani for the last time. "Do you want to join me at Strawberry later?"

Dhani shrugged her shoulders. "maybe"

"what do you mean maybe?" Arthur replied, annoyed.

"Oh, you know I don't really like breathing the same air with that asshole" Dhani rolled her eyes.

"Like I like breathing the same air as him. That fool knows what he did to get himself into this." Arthur snapped.

Dhani sighed. "I see about that. If I'm free. Can't really make a promise, you know"

Arthur sighed. "yeah, all right." he looked at Lenny. "come on, son. Let's get you calm down"

Lenny nodded and tailed Arthur from behind.

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The sun was beginning to dip behind the trees, casting long shadows across the camp. Most of the gang were busy—Bill chopping firewood badly, Javier tuning his guitar, and Dutch off in his tent scheming whatever came next. You sat alone near the edge of camp, your journal resting in your lap, your expression distant as you stared off towards the horizon. The pages were open, but your pen hadn't moved in a while. These past few days, after Sean's return party - actually after what you and Arthur discussed, you decided to hold a journal, where all sort of things like clues and knowledge that you can write in this journal. In case you miss something. Thanks to Arthur who suggested you to hold a journal as away to bottle up the clues without having to hold the clues in your mind all the times. Arthur also gave you a black leather journal and a pen. That's the least he can do to you.

The pages were open, but your pen hadn't moved in a while.

Footsteps crunched softly in the grass behind her, and a familiar voice cut through the quiet.

"Are you planning on staring down the sun or writing about it?"

You turned, a faint smile tugging at your lips. "Depends. I might write about you interrupting me instead."

Dhani chuckled, stepping closer and settling down beside you on the log. "Fair enough. Wasn't trying to interrupt. Just... figured you might want some company."

You closed the journal gently. "You read me well."

For a few moments, they sat in a companionable silence, the sounds of the camp behind them and birdsong drifting on the breeze. Dhani's eyes remained fixed on the horizon, but her voice softened.

"How you holdin' up? With all this?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

You looked down at your black leather journal - hand twirling the pen, then over at Dhani. "You mean... with the whole nearly dying in a fire, moving into a gang of outlaws, and still not knowing who's after me part?"

Dhani chuckled under her breath. "Well, when you put it that way..."

You gave a small, tired smile. "I'm… surviving. I suppose that counts for something."

"It does," Dhani said. "It really does."

You shifted, tucking your legs up slightly. "I keep thinking about my brother. About what he might've been looking into. Although, his death doesn't make sense on why someone suddenly came after me if it was related to what I did. I feel like I'm chasing shadows in a place where shadows get you killed."

Dhani was quiet for a moment, then said softly, "You don't gotta figure it all out overnight. We all got pasts and ghosts. Some louder than others. Doesn't mean you gotta carry it alone."

You looked at her, searching her face. "That's always how it is with you?"

"What do you mean?"

"You don't say much, but when you do... it sticks."

Dhani smirked and gave a shrug. "You learn to say what matters when you ride with Arthur for years. He ain't big on small talk either. Pain in my ass too"

You let out a light laugh at that. You then were silent for a while.

"Can I ask you something?" You asked, your voice quiet.

"Course," Dhani said, glancing sideways.

"It's about Arthur."

That made Dhani sit up a little straighter, her brow furrowing in quiet curiosity.

"After Sean's return party," You said slowly, "he's been... different. Distant. He doesn't talk to me the same way. Won't look me in the eye for too long. He's still kind, still Arthur, but something's off. I just—I don't understand what changed."

"what did you say to him?" Dhani narrowed her eyes.

"we were discussing about this involved with my brother. Surprisingly, he said something that triggered me. Something to do with why someone who is after me burned my flat just to get rid of the evidence I have which is kinda brilliant and I said he was a genius. Really, I said just that, that's all. And then after that, things went quiet for a while. Maybe... because I praised him.. I got a feeling he's not used to compliments much." you looked down at your lap.

A beat of silence passed.

"I took his hand without thinking," You added. "I was just so relieved someone helped me see what I missed. And I think I embarrassed him. Or maybe made him uncomfortable."

Dhani watched you quietly, then gave a knowing smile. "Oh, Y/n. You didn't embarrass him. You rattled him."

“Rattled?” You frowned.

"He's not used to being praised like that. Especially not by someone like you - someone smart, brave, and honest. You saw something in him that he's spent his whole life not believing about himself."

Y/n's gaze softened.

"Arthur's a complicated man, I say this because I've known him my whole life." Dhani continued. "He's kind, loyal to a fault, and way too hard on himself. The moment you saw worth in him - true worth - he didn't know what to do with it. Compliments from Dutch? He shrugs them off. From Hosea? Expected. But from you?"

Dhani smiled faintly.

"You meant it. And that scared him."

You let that sink in for a moment. "So... he's avoiding me because he doesn't know how to handle being valued?"

"In a way," Dhani nodded. "But not forever. He's probably thinking it over in that brooding skull of his. Just give him a little time. And when you're ready - don't be afraid to remind him that it's okay to be seen."

You exhaled, your expression clearing like the water beneath you. "Thank you, Dhani. I'm glad you're here."

Dhani leaned back with a grin. "ngkk, I may not be as clever as you, but I've got eyes and ears. I know how he is and all. You just gotta let him know that he is appreciated by many even though he seems like he doesn't care but he really does."

"I don't know he's like that. He always seemed like a respected person here" you responded.

Dhani nodded. "he is. He's Dutch's right hand after all. Me? just a person who supported him from behind."

You glanced at her, thoughtfully. "how long have you and Arthur been in this gang?"

Dhani blew her lips. "about 20 years"

You widened your eyes. "that.. that's a long time"

"it is. Dutch and Hosea found us when we were 14 years old. Dutch and Hosea also taught us to shoot, read, fishing, hunting and all so we kind of grateful for what they gave us like shelter, clothes and food. He didn't want something big in return.. He just wanted loyalty. That's all" Dhani explained with eyes staring into space.

"Things like loyalty are things that not everyone is willing to do. Not only is it a long time, but 20 years of loyalty is a rare thing in this world," you muttered quietly.

Dhani sighed. "yeah, well, 20 years can change a person... Like Dutch, for these past few weeks"

You looked at Dhani with curiosity. "i thought he was like that?"

"have you ever used your ability? read him like a book thingy?"

"i did. But all I come out of is a person who is carries himself with confidence - some would say arrogance. He speaks with a smooth, persuasive voice, often lacing his words with poetic language and idealism. He’s the kind of man who can talk people into doing the impossible, inspiring fierce loyalty from those who follow him." you spoke.

"but?" Dhani raised her eyebrows in question.

"but beneath his charm lies a man unraveling. I can see that his once-clear vision of freedom becomes clouded by paranoia, delusion, and ego. He is so determined to do the impossible. Always rushing and never stopping" you ended, eyes looking down. "sorry... if I said it wrong, consider him someone you respect, Dhani"

Dhani shook her head. "that's fine. But what you say is right. Compare to him and Hosea, I think I sided with Hosea about Dutch more than ever since Blackwater. Me, Arthur and Hosea have leads but he and that Micah whispering shit in his ears... things just went downhill. I know he cares about this gang but if he keeps on doing the impossible, people will lose hope" Dhani shook her head. "I think Arthur thinks this too but he never shows it or doubting Dutch."

"because he sees Dutch as the person he needs to respect?"

"I also respect Dutch but there's a certain things I don't agree with Dutch. Arthur, well he listens to Dutch and sometimes Hosea too." Dhani sighed. "I sided with Hosea because his way of thinking is clear. He always has a word to say. He's like a voice of reason to all of us. Without him, Dutch is at a loss"

Dhani looked at you. "Now, if you want to confront Arthur about what you said, you better save it for tomorrow. Arthur and Lenny are on Valentine's..Probably drunk and all"

"Should we check on them?" You said, concerned.

"nahh, they don't need adult supervision when it comes to things like this. They might end up in jail or somewhere depending on how much alcohol is in them" Dhani waved her hand but when she saw your look, she sighed. "i'll check on him tomorrow"

"I'm not saying anything" you replied.

"no, but i see things even you geniuses don't always see" Dhani blurted.

"I-.." you fell silent. "alright.."

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The clang of the cell door echoed through the sheriff’s office as Arthur sat on the bench inside, rubbing the back of his sore neck. Lenny slouched next to him, still half-asleep, his hat askew. The morning sun filtering through the bars only made their hangovers worse.

"Remind me never to drink with you again," Lenny groaned.

"You say that every time," Arthur muttered with a smirk.

The front door creaked open. Making both men look towards the door, including the sheriff who was sitting in front of them.

"Well, well, well," came a familiar voice—laced with amusement and mockery. "If it isn’t the Valentine jailbirds themselves."

Arthur looked up, instantly frowning. "Dhani."

She stood just inside the doorway with arms folded and one brow raised. Her long coat flared behind her slightly, and she had that look—one Arthur had seen since childhood whenever she caught him doing something dumb.

"I leave the two of you alone for one night and this happens?" Dhani continued, walking closer to the bars. "What’d you do - dance naked on the saloon counter?"

"Would’ve been less embarrassing," Arthur grunted.

Lenny held up a hand weakly. "I’m innocent."

"Sure you are," she said, clearly not buying it. "Sheriff said they found both of you hollerin’ about being gods of the West."

Arthur closed his eyes and groaned, while Dhani burst into laughter.

"And here I thought you were the smart twin," she teased.

"I am,” Arthur said dryly. "That says more about you than it does me."

"Oh, don’t worry. I’ll let you keep pretending that."

Arthur gave her a sidelong glare. Lenny tried to stifle his chuckle.

Dhani finally stepped closer to the bars, tone softening just slightly. "Your lady sent me."

Arthur blinked. “my lady?"

Dhani shrugged. "Y/n, well she didn't actually send me to check on you but I saw the look on her face"

Arthur grunted. "she's not my lady"

Dhani scoffed as she walked towards the sherrif. "sure, whatever you say." she looked at the sherrif. "How much for this both idiot?"

The sheriff spluttered. "uh, 20 dollars"

Dhani took out 20 dollars and handed it to the sherrif. The sheriff took the money from Dhani's hand and stood up to take out the jail key before the doors of the two prisons were opened. Arthur wakes up slowly, his head hurts like head and so was Lenny. They both came out.

"thanks" They both said in unison to Dhani.

Dhani scoffed. "next time, you pay yourself" she said before she walked out of the police station.

Both Arthur and Lenny tailing her from behind - just out of the police station, Lenny pushes Arthur aside and vomits on the ground. Arthur and Dhani grimaced at this in disgust.

"oh, god.." Arthur looked away in disgust having not been able to see it.

Lenny breathed heavily. A trace of vomit is still on his chin. Dhani looked away in disgust. If she keeps looking at Lenny, she too might throw up. Lenny leaned heavily on the pillar of the police station.

"You good, Lenny?" Dhani asked without looking at Lenny.

"yeah, I'm okay" He closed his eyes. "so.. that was a quiet drink?" he said to Arthur.

Arthur looked at him. His fingers pinched the bridge of his nose. "first one was pretty quiet"

Lenny chuckled as he bowed a little to spit out the remaining alcohol in him. "yeah, the first one was pretty quiet"

Arthur grumbled. "at least it took your mind off goddamn Micah" he countered.

"well, that's certainly true" he muttered as he walked towards his horse. "i gotta get outta here"

Arthur and Dhani looked at Lenny climbing his horse.

"i'm just gonna.." Arthur looked left and right making Dhani frowned in corncerned at him. "have a little sit down and.. feel sorry for myself" he ended by leaning his back against the pole of the police station.

Dhani rolled her eyes at her brother.

Lenny nodded before he rode off on his horse leaving Arthur and Dhani in front of the police station. Dhani took a seat in front of Arthur. She looked at her brother with sympathy.

"you okay?" she asked.

Arthur breathed heavily. "yeah, just a headache. I'll recover from it fast" he muttered as he closed his eyes and massaged his forehead.

Dhani takes out her mental canteen from her satchel and hands it to Arthur.

"mhmm, take this and drink it." she urged him.

Arthur took it from Dhani's hand and drank water. After that, he stopped drinking and wiped his mouth. He handed back her canteen.

"thanks" he muttered.

Dhani hummed as she put her canteen back into the satchel. The atmosphere became silent. Only wagons, horses and working civilians could be heard and yet the twins seemed to enjoy the silent for a while.

Dhani looked around her before glancing at Arthur. "She was worried," Dhani breaks the silence - making Arthur open his eyes and look at her confused. " Kept pacing, muttering things to herself about your common sense - more like your lack of it - and something about Valentine being a magnet for disaster." Dhani paused and chuckled. "So, I figured I'd check in. Prove you two hadn't fallen into a ditch or got eaten by wolves or, I don't know, joined a traveling circus."

Arthur shifted in place, clearly uncomfortable under that knowledge. "She didn't have to worry..."

"Try tellin' her that," Dhani said, her voice softening just slightly. "She was fidgetin' all evening yesterday. Barely touched her food. Even started organizing her notes just to keep her hands busy."

Arthur looked away, jaw tense.

"And," Dhani added slyly, "she said - and I quote - 'if that man ends up in jail over something idiotic, I swear I'll break him out just to kick his arse myself.' "

"Sounds like her," Arthur muttered.

Dhani smiled knowingly. Then after a pause, her tone shifted.

"She talked to me for a while last night, you know, before bed" she said more gently. "Opened up some. Told me about what it's been like... losing her brother, all the pressure of finding the truth, not knowing who to trust."

Arthur looked at her.

"She doesn't talk much about her feelings, does she?" Dhani asked, leaning back from the bars. "But she trusts you. A lot."

Arthur didn't answer, but his silence said more than words ever could.

"She told me how you helped her put things together," Dhani continued. "How your observation made her realize someone burned her flat not just to hurt her - but to destroy what she knew. She said that was the moment everything clicked."

Arthur gave a small nod, eyes fixed on the floor now.

"She's not just grateful," Dhani added with a teasing grin. "She called you a genius."

Arthur scoffed. "She's exaggeratin'."

"Maybe. But she meant it." Dhani tilted her head. "And she was worried, Arthur. Not just about your well-being. About why you suddenly started avoiding her."

Arthur looked up, startled.

"Yeah, she noticed," Dhani said, folding her arms again. "She asked me if she did something wrong. Wondered if complimenting you embarrassed you or somethin'."

Arthur hesitated. "I… It's not that."

"Then tell her. Or at least stop bein' weird about it," Dhani said, tone sharp but not unkind. "She's out here tryin' to survive in a world that wants her gone, and the one person she trusts most in this gang's actin' cold all of a sudden. I don't know what game you're playing at but just make her get rid of this feeling. It's frustrated"

A heavy silence fell between them. Dhani stared at Arthur with determination while Arthur avoided looking at her.

"is it because of Mary?" she suddenly asked.

Arthur looked at her directly - his mouth is tightly closed. Dhani hummed indicating that it was indeed about Mary. She doesn't like Mary very much, not like she shows her doesn't like Mary openly for the sake of Arthur's but she sees the way Arthur treats her with love to the point they are both engaged and end up they broke up and Mary leaves Arthur just because her daddy doesn't approve of them and then Mary marries a man with the same standard as her just for her daddy. She makes Arthur look like dirt on her shirt where it is easy to remove when washing. Leave Arthur just to ease her daddy's heart. Dhani scoffed bitterly. She was the one who helped Arthur in such a situation.

"you know..." Dhani sighed. "Y/n is not Mary. I mean she did have the same aura like Mary but she's not her. She is her own person. Now I don't do what she always does, telling someone secrets like reading a book but what I see in her is that she genuinely trusts you but then you starting to distance yourself from her, avoided her and all... I don't know" she shook her head.

"I never really like Mary, much. Not that I ever made a show of it - for your sake. But I saw what she did to you, Arthur. Loved you when it was easy. Left you the moment it wasn't. I was the one who helped pick you up after that, remember? And now I see you doin' the same thing with Y/n." she added, dryly.

Arthur looked away. His headache instantly disappeared. "She ain't Mary." he muttered quietly.

"Exactly. She came here after losing her brother. She stayed even when everything about this life goes against her nature. You think that's easy?" Dhani looked at Arthur sharply.

Arthur grumbled. "I ain't tryin' to hurt her -"

"Then stop treatin' her like she's gonna leave you the first time you mess up. She trusts you, Arthur. And you - you were startin' to trust her too. But then you pulled away. Started avoiding' her like she was poison."

Arthur tried to fire back. "I didn't mean to—"

Dhani softened her look. "I know. But it's hurtin' her. You should talk to her. Before she starts thinkin' she is just dirt on someone's sleeve too." she said with a firm and yet soft tone to her brother.

'You were starting to trust her too.'

The verse played in his mind. He knew it was true. Knew it in the way he always noticed when you weren't around. In the way your silence at dinner felt heavier than anyone else's. In the way you smiled - really smiled - when you called him a genius, and the way he panicked and shut you out right after.

Because you reminded him too much of something he could never have. Someone he didn't deserve.

But you weren't Mary. And he wasn't the same man anymore either.

─── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

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