#lettin this concept stew... just lettin it stew...

[sad-sweet-cowboah]

Prompt #93 with game reader and Arthur. Reader gets jealous because one of the girls are really flirting with Arthur even though they know you have had a crush on him forever or reader is secretly dating Arthur but no one knows and one of the girls tries flirts with him in front of the whole camp??? 👀

Interesting! I did change the concept a bit though, since the camp girls don’t really flirt with Arthur? At least not from the interactions I’ve seen. Correct me if I’m wrong, and enjoy!

Number 93:

It started with a soft touch.

Grazing fingers lightly across arms, shoulders, lower back while passing by. Stealing glances across camp. A smile that held for a beat longer than normal.

It was the subtle things that hinted you toward Arthur’s interest. You weren’t sure at first, misinterpreting his actions as just being friendly. He would invite you on outings more often than not, your suspicion growing when you found it was only you and him.

You had interest first, a slight infatuation akin to a schoolgirl crush. Many nights were spent wishing the empty space next to your bedroll would be filled with a warm body.

But he was Arthur Morgan, third in command and held much authority over everyone else. Loved and respected by your fellow gang members, it was easy to see why falling for him was such an easy task. However it felt as if you were on opposite sides of a spectrum, and you as one of the newest arrivals were nearly invisible.

You couldn’t even recreate the surprise that took hold of you when he first admitted he was sweet on you.

He stumbled over his words, shifting uncomfortably in place and kicking at the pebbles by his feet. His cheeks painted a red tint as he shied away from your expectant gaze.

“I….I like you, Y/N. More n’ I’d like to admit.”

And with his pessimism, he was as equally shocked to learn you felt the same way.

You could relive that kiss every moment for the rest of your life. The way his lips felt soft against yours, his strong arms wrapping you in an embrace against his solid frame. It were as if time had come to a halt around you.

You wanted to sing your excitement to the world. However, Arthur had other ideas. He was apprehensive about how the others in camp would react, afraid you’d face endless teasing and he receiving criticism from Dutch. You were convinced that it was his low self-esteem driving his mind into paranoia, but you respected his wishes and kept your mouth shut. Your relationship had been reverted to those long-held gazes and quick touches, holding yourselves until you could meet one another outside of camp under the cover of night to unleash your passions.

Admittedly, having to carry it out in such a manner only enhanced the experience. You were each other’s secrets, keeping silent underneath the watchful eyes of others.

Today was a day like any other; camp bustling about in the mid morning as everyone had gotten ready for the rest of the day. You stifled a large yawn as you sipped your coffee, blinking your heavy eyes as you observed the surroundings. You and Arthur were out much too late last night and quietly rode back into camp as the faintest of dawn’s rays began to appear in the sky.

It seemed as if only mere moments had passed with your eyes closed until the racket of the other girls roused you from your sleep.

And so here you sat, attempting to drag the fatigue from your body as the black, bitter liquid slid down your throat. You placed the cup down briefly, your eyes straying over to Arthur’s open tent. From here you could see him sitting on his cot, slipping his boots on to get ready for the day. You held back a sigh as you imagined what it would be like to sleep next to him, wake up and prepare in a domestic setting.

He stood up and retrieved his gambler hat from the side table, placing it on his head before moving out into the ever-brightening sunshine. He caught your eye and shot a quick smile, making his way toward you.

Your heart fluttered whenever he set his sights upon you; the way his eyes lit in the sunlight like a beacon just for you. But then he quickly averted his gaze, stepping off to the side slightly to veer toward the steaming coffee pot. Your hand fell naturally to your side, and he brushed his fingers lightly along the curve of your arm. It was a quick and subtle gesture, enough for a tingling to erupt down the length of your arm.

Only the simplest of affections to tide you over until the sun went down and the camp would quiet once again. You finished the last of your coffee and got up to start your chores for the day, knowing Ms. Grimshaw would give you an earful if you sat around for too long.

—

A few hours had passed, and your sore, waterlogged hands needed a break from the seemingly endless amounts of laundry being done. After passing the last garment to Tilly for drying, you leaned back on your stool, stretching your aching back after being hunched over the washboard. You flexed your stiff fingers before standing up, having to ignore your growling stomach for the past hour. Now you could eat, the smell of Pearson’s stew a welcome scent despite how bland it was.

Taking a bowl full and shoving the spoon into your mouth, you began to wander over to the table. As you were moving to sit down, Arthur’s figure appeared out of the corner of your eye. You naturally looked over, curiously watching as he soon disappeared behind one of the wagons. Just seconds later, Mary-Beth had come into your vision, following Arthur’s path.

A prick of concern spiked in your heart. What was that about?

You shook your head. Nothing to worry about, it was common for the other women to approach Arthur. You focused on your stew, swallowing spoonfuls tentatively. Though every few moments you kept glancing back toward the wagon, wondering why they hadn’t reappeared yet.

Your own worrying thoughts began to invade your mind. What exactly were they doing back there? You knew you shouldn’t intrude in case it was a private matter, yet a slight bubble of envy festered in your stomach.

You stood up, willing yourself to move toward the wagon as nonchalantly as possible, despite clenching your hands into fists over and over. With your growing approach you could hear their voices on the other side. Mary-Beth’s laughter along with Arthur’s low chuckle.

You paused, quickly glancing around to make sure no one was watching you, and you scanned the wagon pretending to look for something. You strained to listen to their conversation, though couldn’t hear more than just their voices. Mary-Beth sounded…excited…for something, and you could hear Arthur’s name spoken clearly from her lips.

Your heart lurched, your ears thumping loudly as you grit your teeth. Was Arthur two-timing you with Mary-Beth? Was he trying to, or was she trying? Did she even know about you and him at this point?

You stomped back to the table, though the uncomfortable curling in your stomach had diminished your appetite. You threw your plate away rather aggressively, the loud clatter catching the attention of others nearby. You paid no mind to them as you made your way into the surrounding woods.

It’d taken you nearly an hour to cool down, the thoughts racing inside your head like a swarm of bees. Mary-Beth was either trying to move onto your territory, or Arthur was cheating on you.

But then a little voice broke through the buzzing, as clear as day. Mary-Beth wasn’t like that, no. She was one of the sweetest ladies in camp, and you knew this. She was your friend. But did she have feelings for Arthur?

And Arthur…you knew Arthur. Loyal as they come, a complete gentleman in contrast to the gruff character that he often portrayed. Seeing another woman behind your back would be the last thing he’d do.

Or so you hoped.

You’d never been this jealous or possessive of something before.

Releasing a heavy sigh, you flopped onto a tree, pinching your forehead between your fingers in attempts to quell the beginning of a headache. “This isn’t who I am.” you groaned to yourself.

The sound of twigs snapping caught your attention, and you turned to see Arthur himself walking toward you. “Who?” he asked curiously.

Your brief excitement to see him had been squandered by your previous thoughts. You shouldn’t assume anything until you’ve heard Arthur’s side. How would even approach it without sounding accusatory?

“What’re you doing out here?” you countered, the acidity in your voice more concentrated than you realized.

Arthur paused, his face twitching from your tone. “Charles said you stormed outta camp lookin’ pretty angry. Jus’ wanted to make sure you’re alright.” he explained softly.

You hesitated, searching his face. he held nothing but concern, reflecting in his eyes. “I heard you talking with Mary-Beth.”

His pose stiffened immediately. “Ya did?”

Your eyes narrowed in suspicion. His demeanor had changed at an instant. You could sense the nervousness from him, the way he avoided your eyes just then. It was true after all. “Yeah, didn’t think you’d be a cheater.” you hissed.

His blue eyes widened. “Cheater? No, Y/N! I ain’t sweet on Mary-Beth, I swear!” he exclaimed, stepping toward you. You mirrored his movement, stepping back to stay out of his reach.

“Sure sounded like it, you two disappearing behind the wagon all sneaky and laughing together like you were great pals, or even more.” you spit out each word like it was fire.

“Y/N-” he started, once again attempting to get closer. His arms swiped at the empty air as you backed up once again. “Lemme explain-”

“What, that I’m not good enough?” you growled, stamping your foot against the forest floor. “Save it, I’m leaving.” before he could say anything, you swung around and began to walk away.

You heard him hiss out a swear. He closed the gap between you within a second as his large hand closed around yours. Your futile attempt to yank yourself free was quickly diminished when he pulled you to him. Trying to wriggle free, you gasped, “Let me go, Arthur!”

“You ain’t lettin’ me explain,” Arthur murmured, holding you tight against him. “There’s nothin’ goin’ on between me n’ Mary-Beth.”

“But I heard you-”

“You heard us laughin’,” he interjected. “But you don’t know ‘bout what.”

“Taking me for a fool, I bet.” you muttered angrily, still trying to pull out from his grip.

Arthur’s chest heaved with a heavy sigh. “No, Y/N. We was laughin’ cause…eh, I was showin’ her a poem I wrote.”

A poem? You knew he loved to write in that journal of his, yet you never knew he had an interest in poetry. “So you wrote one just for her?” you shot.

“No,” he huffed. “It’s…it’s for you.”

You froze, your anger beginning to melt away to confusion. You peered up at him. “What?”

He sighed, loosening his arms. “Didn’t think it weren’t good ‘nough, so I asked Mary-Beth for help.”

You turned around to stare at him. As the last coils of anger and confusion disappeared, a mix of emotions began to arise. Relief to know you were wrong accompanied with elation, and of course, a strong twinge of embarrassment.

You were thankful you were far enough from camp to not be overheard.

“I’m such a fool.” you groaned, dropping your head into your hand.

You heard him chuckle, his fingertips grazing softly against your cheek. He prompted you to look at him, eyeing the smile of amusement on his face. “Ya shouldn’t eavesdrop, sweetheart. Gonna have a hard time explain’ your outburst to everyone.”

“I know that now,” you sighed. “I’m sorry.”

His smile turned soft, leaning down to place a tender kiss against your lips. You responded eagerly, wrapping your arms around his neck. Surrounded by the sounds of nature, you felt oddly blissful after such an inflammatory issue.

When you finally parted, you smiled at him and asked, “So, where’s that poem?”

He bashfully turned his gaze away. “Still a work in progress, darlin’.”

—

Prompt requests officially closed for now!