RDR2 AU

[dog_eat_dog]

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[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.”

[stand_unshaken]

"Well, with a few days delay, I still am," he points out, with a little smile. He wants her to drop it, because he doesn't like feeling like he's doing good and lingering on it too long. It makes it harder to go back to the bad.

"C'mon, get on up here."

[dog_eat_dog]

"Fair enough."

She mounts behind him, settling into the saddle easy. She knows how it is with tough guys hating any sort of gratitude that doesn't come in the form of earned cash or goods. They all have their reasons. She'd be lying if she claimed to not have her own, either, not when she's happy to play up her own gratitude.

"Where are you off to next, after this?"

[stand_unshaken]

"After this? Dutch is always goin' on about somewhere nice and warm."

He doesn't pretend that he believes in this plan all that firmly.

[dog_eat_dog]

“Well, that’s very nice for Dutch, but I was wondering about you,” she teases. “How many places has he taken you?”

[stand_unshaken]

"Ah, I stopped countin' a long time ago. But you know me. He goes, I'm likely to follow."

Even with the gut feeling he's had lately, which he's not telling her about.

[dog_eat_dog]

“Loyal guy,” she replies, eyeing the back of his head. It’s good to have a guy like that around. “He’s ambitious. Strikes me as one of those men you’d want to follow just to see what he’ll do next.”

[stand_unshaken]

"Smartest man I know," he agrees, indirectly. "And he's been loyal to me just as I've been loyal to him. And what the hell do I know about the world, huh?"

[dog_eat_dog]

“Enough to survive in it,” she replies. “That’s the kind of loyalty you can’t buy.”

[stand_unshaken]

"And he ain't bought it. He took me in when I needed help. Just like Hosea did."

[dog_eat_dog]

"Good to know there's some honour amongst thieves."

[stand_unshaken]

"I'd say the honor came first, but that ain't the case," he comments, still smiling a little.

The rest of the ride is fine, he can even take them a little faster when the roads even out and there's no one else there. He pulls up in town soon enough, and after climbing off the horse he holds out a hand for her.

[dog_eat_dog]

“Thank you kindly.” She takes his hand to slide down to her feet. “I should be able to meet up with my friends from here.”

[stand_unshaken]

"Stay outta trouble, you hear me?"

He looks like he'd like to give her something like an embrace, then thinks better of it and just pats her shoulder.

"Be well."

[dog_eat_dog]

That gets a real wry smile, but she nods.

“I think I should be the one saying that to you,” she teases, and she gives his upper arm a brief squeeze. “But thanks. You too, huh? Avoid any more lions. You gotta be in one piece to come for dinner.”

[stand_unshaken]

"I can't make you any promises, but I am willing to try on your account."

He smiles back, and tries not to linger. So he just gets back onto his horse, gives her one more salute, and then turns around.

She'll be alright. He definitely doesn't expect to see her in a bar a few weeks later.

[dog_eat_dog]

When Tess watches Arthur disappear down the road and out of town, she’s fairly certain there will be no dinner date. Within the week she’ll be headed South to the border, right back to work on a one-week job that should set her and her friends up nicely for the next few months.

It doesn’t go that way.

Instead she ends up in another town a day’s ride away, following a lead that might prove to be even more lucrative. It’s going well; her new client is happy, and so she is as well.

She’s out celebrating at the bar that night, her guys with her. They’re a rugged and unfriendly looking bunch, too well armed for ranchers, and Tess is in the middle of them when she catches a glimpse of a familiar face around Robert’s shoulder.

Arthur.