RDR2 AU

[dog_eat_dog]

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[dog_eat_dog]

She copies the gesture, smiling.

“My friends are gonna laugh when they hear I holed up with a gang for days.”

[stand_unshaken]

"Hey, you tell 'em there ain't nothing funny about us - except for Swanson."

Who's dead drunk already.

[dog_eat_dog]

Tess snorts.

"He sure is," she replies. "S' more that I always manage to find my way out of trouble and into the thick of something else."

[stand_unshaken]

"That just sounds like life to me."

[dog_eat_dog]

"Lot of people out there not living it to the fullest, then."

[stand_unshaken]

"You're damn right. But at least they live longer. One or the other."

He gives her a little smile, finally takes his hat off. Damn if Tess wouldn't fit in here - but he won't ask her. She has her people, and her dream.

[dog_eat_dog]

"I mean, maybe they do," she replies. "But I figure people used to trouble make for better survivors. A lot of people like that, they don't know what to do the second they end up in hot water."

[stand_unshaken]

He runs a hand over his mouth and nods.

"Either way, ain't like we got that choice no more. You're a survivor or you die, right?"

[dog_eat_dog]

“That’s how it feels,” she agrees. “Never felt like much of a choice in the first place, though.”

[stand_unshaken]

"Unless you're fond of dyin', no." He gives her a little smile again, and finishes his food.

"But you got somethin' nice in your future. A nice ranch, somewhere."

[dog_eat_dog]

She chuckles.

"Yeah? You'll keep us off Sean's mark list, right?"

[stand_unshaken]

"Can't make promises we won't come by and shake things up a little," he says, leaning back with a grin at her.

[dog_eat_dog]

“Just as well, I owe your people a couple dinners anyway. Spring yourselves on me any time.”

[stand_unshaken]

"You know I might take you up on that," he warns her, warmly.

[dog_eat_dog]

She grins, reaching over to elbow him playfully.

“Like I’d offer if I wasn’t interested in having you over.”

[stand_unshaken]

"You already know I got terrible table manners and still invited me," he says, nodding like he's impressed. "You're some kinda woman, Tess."

[dog_eat_dog]

“I’m a woman who runs around with trousers and a gun, the way I see it, we’re just ill-mannered in different ways,” she teases.

[stand_unshaken]

He grins at her one more time before looking away, patting her arm.

"Smart, too. Alright - I'm gonna go have a fucking drink and tell the others my story. Don't call me out if I embellish a little."

[dog_eat_dog]

"Hey, you gotta look like the biggest man in the gang," she replies, grinning too. "I get it."

[stand_unshaken]

"I shot a real damn lion today, I deserve a little credit," he tells her, slapping his own knees before getting up - ignoring the way his back pops.

[dog_eat_dog]

Tess pops up to her feet.

"And you didn't even have to go to Africa to do it," she replies.

[stand_unshaken]

"Think they got mangoes there? Don't tell Dutch if they do," he says, cryptically.

They have another good evening, and the night is quiet. Right after dawn, Arthur comes over to wake her up with a soft word and the smell of the day's first cigarette. Time to take her to her friends.

[dog_eat_dog]

Tess is up quick, being a chronically light sleeper, but she has to stifle a yawn anyway. She helps herself to a coffee before they head to his horse, even if she’s sure being on horseback in the morning air will do the same trick. Best be alert on the road.

“Thanks again for all this, by the way.”

[stand_unshaken]

"You're alright," he says, taking her bag from her so he can tie it to his horse. "I wasn't gonna leave you out there. I can't do much, but this is a thing I could do."

[dog_eat_dog]

“Well, it’s appreciated just the same,” she replies. “Some men might’ve just dropped me off in town and left it at that.”