Out of the dark

by blueshark10101

Not my story but nonetheless exellent. Belongs to sky daybreak on AOC

7. Chapter 7

Arthur can barely feel his feet or his hands anymore. His ears hurt in the cold, though nearly not as much as his shoulder. There is something wet slowly but steadily trickling down his arm from the wound as he keeps step with Sadie. There are splatters of blood dried on her face. Her nose and the tips of her ears are red due to the cold, even with her tugging her hat down as far as it goes. They have to get out of the cold before they get frostbite.

"Think we'll catch up?" Arthur asks as they follow the tracks. His breathing is strained and he's honestly really worried about the blood loss too. The dizzy feeling that hangs around the edges of his senses seems to slowly spread, his vision blurs with every other blink and he catches himself swaying every third or fourth step.

Sadie is about to answer, when she suddenly perks up, lightly smacking his uninjured shoulder. "Wait here!"

Arthur stops and looks as she rushes away from the tracks and the woods to one side, with the rising mountain on the other. It doesn't take him long to see what has her going. A horse. Most likely one from the O'Driscolls. The animal looks lost and nervous and it takes Sadie a bit to calm it enough that she can grab the reins and lead it over. A horse. Alright. They really might make it now.

"Come on." Sadie lends him a hand in getting him on the back of the horse and Arthur scoots back so she can sit in the saddle. It's very strange for a moment, to be the one to hold on to someone's sides instead of having someone hold on to his. Sadie even huffs at his slightly hesitant touch and pushes his hands to a better position, making sure he has a secure enough grip, before she urges the horse on.

The train shouldn't travel too fast up here in the mountains, Arthur thinks, but he isn't too sure. He hopes the O'Driscolls keep their horses reasonably fed, this one will have to run for a while. Cold wind bites more harshly at his face now and Arthur really regrets not having a scarf or anything with him. Some laudanum doesn't sound bad either right now, even if it would dull his senses further, at least it would also dull the pain.

His shoulder is jostled enough that soon, he feels a fine sheet of sweat along his back and neck, his breathing has gone even rougher with hurt and his hands on Sadie's hips tighten their grip. She doesn't say anything though, not until Arthur realizes that the world around him starts to get kind of hazy, not even blinking clears his sight anymore. He feels fully dizzy now and like he's swaying. The moving horse is making him feel like the world is tilting on its axis.

"Hold on, Arthur." Sadie tells him over the rushing wind, urging the horse to keep going as fast as it can, hooves thundering along the planks of the tracks. It sounds like there is worry in her voice. "We'll catch up with them soon."

He thinks he answers, but it sounds like a mumble to his ears, words slurring together. This is bad, he's aware of it. At the same time, he feels more and more exhausted, hurt and cold. Then again, he had been in worse shape back in his other life when he escaped from Colm, he can hold on through this.

His eyes fall closed against his will and he struggles to open them again, barely avoiding to knock his head against Sadie's as he sways forward.

"I can see the train!" Sadie shouts what feels like too long and too short minutes later, giving his leg a small slap, only strong enough for him to feel it through his cold-numbed skin. Arthur lifts his head and notices, sluggishly, that he's started to lean against her back, his chin pressed against her shoulder. "Looks like they stopped."

Arthur answers, but his tongue feels heavy and his words ends up muffled by the too large coat she wears.

"Just hold on." Sadie tells him again, voice firm and strong and she urges the horse to go just that little bit faster. The train does stand still and Arthur can see someone standing at the side, waving and calling.

Sadie stops the horse by their wagon, giving the animal a pat. She gets his numb fingers to let go of her, before swinging her leg over the neck of the horse and sliding down. Arthur notices Charles and John appearing, Charles reaching up to help him down. Or rather, at this point, Arthur falls into his arms and John is quickly there to help carry him, grabbing under his knees. The pain of the movement makes him black out for a second.

"They shot his shoulder." Sadie says. "I think it's bad. He lost quite a bit of blood."

"Bring him in." That's Hosea, sounding tense but otherwise calm. "Arthur, how are you doing?"

"Jus' fine Hosea." Arthur answers, though it sounds like he's slurring. Blinking, everything around him stays blurry, even Charles's face directly above him. He grits his teeth as he's brought into the wagon and put on one of the benches. His butt barely fits and one arm dangles down as the top of his head nudges the wall, but at least it kind of works.

"How did you get the train to stop?" Sadie asks, already rummaging through their bought medical supplies to hand Hosea what he needs.

"We went to Bjorn to ask him to wait and Karen punched Wallace in the face when he tried to stop us." Hosea answers and Arthur feels a sluggish grin on his face, coughing out a small huff of a laugh. "We managed to convince them to stop. Bjorn certainly wasn't too happy with Wallace leaving you two behind and agreed to wait for an hour. You arrived just in time, he would have left in the next few minutes."

Karen appears beside him then, worried and frowning. The knuckles on one of her hands look red and slightly busted. "Arthur Morgan, you just had to get into trouble, didn't you?"

He thinks he answers, before Hosea is with him again, getting him to swallow some laudanum. The world around him hazes further. He's only aware of someone pushing aside his clothes to look at his shoulder, when he already slips under, head feeling thick and body heavy and aching.

~*~

Arthur, when he wakes again, feels bleary and his shoulder stings and hurts distantly, in a way that lets him know the medicine is still in effect. He's still lying on a bench with his upper body, legs feeling a bit awkward as they're bent, feet resting on the rumbling ground. A small groan escapes him as he tries to shift a bit, mouth dry as the desert and eyelids heavy. He's half convinced he's going to fall back asleep right then and there.

"Arthur?" It's Hosea, sounding quiet and relieved. The man steps to him, one of his hands falling to his arm, light and careful. "How are you doing?"

"Fine." The fact that his voice sounds like grinding stones isn't exactly helping his case.

"Wait here, I'll get you something to drink." Hosea leaves his side and Arthur tilts his head enough to see the window above, curtains drawn back and the sky outside dark, heavy with clouds. There is a mix of snow and rain against the windows.

"We're past the Pinkerton patrols. It's safe to have the curtains open." Hosea says as he reappears and finds Arthur looking at the window. "Here."

With a grunt and a flare of pain, Arthur gets propped up a bit and takes a sip of the tea Hosea offers. It's cold and tastes like it might have been made an hour or so ago, but he takes it. He's certainly had worse and it's made of herbs, which is going to be helpful.

"Now, how are you really?" Hosea asks and Arthur just exhales, carefully sinking back down on the bench and the folded up jacket someone had put there. It's not exactly the most comfortable, if he's honest. At the same time, he can't exactly lie on the ground between the benches. People would have to jump over him to get past. Hosea hums quietly and Arthur feels him check on the injury, his shirt and vest cut to make easy access possible. He'll have to replace that.

"Well, your wound is healing well at least." Briefly, Arthur feels Hosea rest a hand on his forehead and it makes him exhale, relaxing a bit, his eyes sliding shut for a moment. "Try to rest, Arthur. Charles, would you mind looking after him?"

"No, not at all." Charles sits behind him and leans forward, arms propped against the backrest of Arthur's bench. He gives him a once-over and there is something relieved on his face. "You gave us quite the scare."

"Sorry." Arthur murmurs and hears a rustle, before Hosea gently spreads a coat over him. Arthur is glad for it, he still feels a bit cold and the inside of the wagon isn't all that warm either. Hosea gives his stomach a small pat and then steps away, hopefully to get some rest as well.

"How's everyone?" Arthur asks and Charles glances around briefly.

"As well as can be. Sean and Kieran are sleeping, Karen has taken to guarding with Lenny, but Sadie and John are going to relieve them soon."

There is a sudden, quiet rustle and the pat of small feet, before Jack looks around the benches and his face brightens up at seeing Arthur awake.

"Uncle Arthur." He pads over, fitting himself between Arthur and the next bench, small hands lightly tugging at the edges of the coat by his ribs. "Are you doing better?"

"Sure kid." He murmurs, lifting one sluggish hand to gently pat Jack's head. The kid gives him a relieved smile and they look up at hearing approaching steps. John leans over the benches a moment later, the small frown on his face smoothing away at seeing Arthur awake. He too, looks briefly relieved.

"Finally." He says, leaning one hand against the backrest. "How're you doin'?"

"Fine." Arthur answers and John makes an 'mhm' sound that lets him know he doesn't buy it, but is secretly too relieved to see him awake to call him out on it.

"Where're we?" Arthur asks and John briefly looks thoughtful. From the corner of his eye, Arthur sees Charles settling his chin on his crossed arms.

"Almost off the mountains." John answers. "Pinkertons showed up when you were still out, but they didn't search the train. Apparently, Wallace knew the guy leading the patrol and they believed him when he said no one wanted is on the train." John grins briefly. "Should've seen him, eye all black and blue."

Arthur huffs softly, mouth tipping up into a sluggish smile. His eyes fall closed again and he finds it harder to open them once more, his vision blurrier as he blinks them open.

"C'mon Jack." John says quietly. "Let's let Arthur rest."

"G'night Uncle Arthur." Jack pats his coat and stretches out a hand. John takes it and leads the kid back to sit down beside Abigail.

"Need anything?" Charles asks quietly and Arthur shakes his head. He still feels weak and tired, the pain dulled enough that he's certain he should be able to sleep for a bit again.

"Wake me in a bit?" Arthur requests. He needs some more laudanum later on and some food too, if he doesn't want to get overly nauseous. Or at least have something to drink.

"Course." Charles promises him with a reassuring nod and Arthur closes his eyes. "Sleep well, Arthur."

He mumbles something back, but isn't sure if it's coherent in any way. Arthur falls back asleep to a warm, large hand giving the coat a small, careful tug, making sure it covers his shoulders completely.

~*~

"I never knew that riding the train for so long could be so...boring." Karen's slightly frustrated voice makes Arthur open his eyes. They've been on the train for days now, though Hosea promises them they should arrive in another couple of days. At least Arthur can sleep most of the time away, considering he has to heal up. The same goes for Sean, though Kieran seems to have largely recovered from his concussion and is walking around a bit again, his arm still in a sling.

And while Arthur gets to sleep a lot due to laudanum and his body demanding its rest, he feels sick of the train as well. Of the almost too small bench that he lies on and his butt feeling numb most of the time, of staring at the same damn ceiling the whole time. He misses riding. He misses his cot, damn, at this point, he just simply misses being outside. He misses sitting for longer stretches of time than just the few minutes here and there whenever they change the bandages.

"The horses okay?" Arthur asks, raising his voice just enough that the nearest person can hear him. Abigail leans past the backrest of her bench and gives him a calming look and only a slightly harried smile. It's not easy on her either. Jack is bored too and all of them have never travelled like this, with little to do for days, pretty much just sitting around. At least Hosea delights in getting them to play card games or to practice reading with them. A lot of stories get told as well, which sometimes leaves Arthur with catching half of what is said and then feeling confused about some of the stuff he remembers once he surfaces from his laudanum induced sleep.

"Yeah, don't worry." Abigail calms him and Arthur hears a snuffle and giggle, as Cain and Jack get up to something again. Most likely crawling under the benches, that seems to be a hobby they both enjoy ever since the past hour or so.

Abigail sighs and relaxes a bit when John takes a few steps to check on their son. She gives him a small smile and John returns it, along with a small nod that lets her know Jack and the dog are fine. Most likely collecting some dust and dirt, but happily crawling around tiny spaces.

"We should stop by a station soon." Abigail adds, turning back to Arthur. He hums and relaxes a bit. Getting out to stretch their legs and pick up some things at the stores while the train drops off and picks up new cargo should lift spirits all around. At least for a few hours again. Not that Arthur is going to join them. While his shoulder heals really well, he has strict orders to strain himself as little as possible.

"Is there somethin' you want?" John asks, stepping beside her and Arthur tips his head to look at him. A shave, he could do with a shave - and don't get him started on baths, he'd really love to have one.

"Nah, 'm good." He waves a hand, feeling sore all over. And while a part of him could go back to sleep, another part of him itches to move at least a little. But walking around, especially while the train is moving, only results in someone pushing him to lie back down and he can't sit up for too long either, as much as he'd like it to be different.

"How's everyone?" He asks next and Abigail gives him a fond and yet a bit exasperated look.

"You worry 'bout yourself, alright? We're all here and doing well. Sean is healing and Kieran only has his arm to worry 'bout now." She looks over at something. "Do you need anything? A drink, some food?"

"Later, maybe." Arthur murmurs. He barley has any appetite with how much he sleeps and how much laudanum keeps the pain at bay. Though Hosea should soon give him less of the stuff, if he keeps healing like this.

"Oh, Arthur." Hosea shows up as if he's known that Arthur has thought of him. Abigail leans back again and John wanders on to see if their son has found something else but dust bunnies. "Do you have a moment?"

"Sure." Arthur can't help the small amount of teasing sarcasm in his voice. "Schedule is full, but I can squeeze ya in."

Hosea just gives him a lopsided smile and to his surprise, gently prods him to sit up. He turns a bit more serious as well once Arthur has carefully settled to sit as comfortably as possible. Arthur in return feels himself shift to a more attentive posture.

"I know you're still healing, but I'd like to go over the money and what we're going to need when we arrive." Hosea says, voice lowered a bit and he pulls some paper and a pen out. "It would be for the best to go over it all and plan as much as we can in advance."

"Oh, uh, sure." Arthur honestly doesn't know much about what exactly they need, aside from a few buildings. "We need a barn and stable, for starters. Fences for pastures. More housin'." He rubs one hand slightly over his knee and his voice turns a bit quieter. "If possible, I'd like for everyone to be comfortable, just...they deserve a proper home."

Hosea settles a gentle hand on his uninjured shoulder, the touch understanding and supportive. "I know, my boy, I know. Now, let's go over our finances first and see how much is possible."

Arthur and he count the value of the treasure and add money Arthur has, before they start to calculate the costs and expenses. It helps a lot when Sadie chips in with what she remembers from building her home with Jake, even if she breaks off once or twice and clearly tries to steer away from talking about her dead husband as much as possible. Lenny and Charles have some knowledge about costs too and Kieran, to Arthur's quiet surprise, knows a bit as well.

"My parents taught me a bit of farmin', besides fishin' and horses." He murmurs when he notices Arthur looking at him. Arthur is also glad to see him more confident now, a little less nervous and worried, less prone to ducking away. It's good to see the kid sit straight and to watch him speak up, to carve out his place among them. "I didn't forget much."

It really helps a lot and soon enough, the whole gang seems to chip in on things they think might be needed, even Sean wanders over and pitches in with some ideas of his own or just listens quietly, a frown on his face as he stares on Hosea's writing, unable to read any of it. Maybe, when they arrive and still have some recovering to do, Arthur could try to teach him a bit. At least some words and numbers, to help Sean feel a bit more confident in really giving it a try.

Sadie and Hosea certainly are efficient, going over everything they need and then splitting the treasure and money between them, dividing what each of them are going to purchase and take care of once they reach the west. Arthur is rather surprised when a part of the treasure ends up back with him.

"You're not needin' all of it?" He asks and notices how he started to slouch against the window, shoulder throbbing and exhaustion weighting down his limbs. Hosea gives him a once over and gets up, gesturing for him to lie back down.

"Don't worry." He says, as he helps Arthur a bit to avoid straining his shoulder. "Sadie and I should have what we need and it would be good for you to keep some backup. Just in case something goes wrong. I hope that doesn't happen but you never know." He pats his knee as he steps back. "You saved up more than enough Arthur, don't worry. Rest up, you helped us a lot already. Do you want anything for the pain?"

Arthur waves him off and only becomes aware of already having closed his eyes, when he hears steps moving on again. There are muffled voices as folks around him discuss a few ideas further and a small groan from Sean as he settles back down as well.

And Arthur...Arthur finally, really feels like they made it. They not only actually got away, they're now on the way to their new home. The thought still makes him nervous, in a way, as strange as it may sound. He never thought that the very real future of becoming a rancher could ever be daunting, but somehow, it is.

Well, it still doesn't guarantee everything will be alright, just because he bought that ranch. They might still in trouble anyways, different trouble, or Ross and Milton might end up tracking them down again somehow. He doubts it, but is cautious enough not to rely on the Pinkertons not finding them. They'll have to be careful for a while after arriving.

Arthur nods off, drifting between asleep and awake, a bobbing mixture of him overhearing conversations around and small snippets of something that could have been traces of dreams. Hosea wakes him up fully a while later again, so he can eat and drink something.

"How're you doin'?" Arthur asks before Hosea can, because honestly, he just keeps hearing the question over and over every time someone rouses him. He can understand why Sean starts to grumble or gets a bit short tempered when people check on him. Behind Hosea, he sees Kieran crouching down to pet Cain with one hand, the dog careful not to jostle his broken arm as he wriggles as close as he can for some scratches.

"I'm fine, Arthur." Hosea gives him a knowing look and a small smile. Briefly, a regretful and aching look flits over his face, but it smoothes away again, the light in his eyes remaining. Arthur hopes arriving in their new home is going to do Hosea good. Gives him the chance to settle down, hopefully relax and joke and tell stories around the table, tease them about their antics and laugh as they try to learn farming. "Don't you worry about me, just focus on getting better."

Arthur makes an agreeing sound and once Hosea moves on, closes his eyes. He's almost drifting back to sleep, when he hears rustling and opens his eyes to see Charles covering him again with the coat. The man notices him being awake and gives him a small smile, resting a large, warm hand briefly on his chest. It feels grounding and calming, making Arthur relax with a low, long exhale.

"Rest." Charles says quietly and Arthur notices that it's quieter now in the wagon. Most of them must be settling down to sleep. Arthur closes his eyes again, relaxing further as he falls back into slumber, Charles once more sitting behind him. Something about that knowledge is very calming, soothing really.

~*~

"Finally." Karen groans as they all file out of the train. Sean can walk mostly on his own and she only has to help him avoid bumping into things. His changed depth perception is something he has to adapt to, but if there is anything Arthur knows, the kid will do it. He's too stubborn to give up.

Arthur can also only agree with Karen. There is profound relief coursing through him at finally standing outside, feeling the warmth of the sun and the brush of the wind. To smell the smoke of the train and the scents of the town they reached. He feels sore all over from the damned benches and he still feels sluggish from healing and medicine, but at least his shoulder doesn't hurt as bad and he can be on his feet again. At least they're finally moving and are no longer cooped up.

Charles and Kieran, whose arm should be healed up completely in another couple of days, head to the wagon with the horses, John following them, to let them out. Abigail carries a sleeping Jack and looks as harried and relieved as all of them to finally have arrived.

Hosea and Sadie meanwhile, go to buy two wagons and supplies to get them started and keep them fed, Lenny leaving with them to help with anything they might need. The town they arrived at is about the size of Valentine, if a bit calmer looking and maybe a good three houses bigger. Folks walking by greet them and glance over them curiously. Arthur tips his hat back at them and doesn't know if it's the fact that he's as relieved as the others to finally have arrived, but the very country around themselves feels different. Greener and freer. Fresher.

Arthur knows that the west he remembers didn't stay untouched by civilization, but at this point he honestly doesn't care as much as he used to. He just wants everyone safe and happy. As much as possible, at least. He just wants all of them to have a home to return to, to laugh and tell stories.

The sound of hooves and neighing makes him look over. The horses appear just as relieved to get off the train, jumping down and giving their bodies large shakes. Storm looks up and spotting him, weaves past John, who focuses on keeping the horses together. She walks over, somehow looking as harried and sore as they all feel. She snorts in his face and then sniffs at his injured shoulder, before grumbling at him in greeting. Arthur feels something along his shoulders and in his chest uncoil as he reaches up to scratch her neck.

"Look at that, my girl." He murmurs quietly, one hand resting against her large cheek, as he looks at the town, her head shifting a tiny bit to look over as well. "We really made it."

Everyone moves to get to their horses as well and to make space for others leaving the train. Arthur and the others lead their horses aside to a patch of grass they can graze on a bit. The relief of the horses to be off the train is nearly palpable.

Arthur steps to Charles's side, who is running his hands over Taima, who relaxes and settles under his touch, heaving a large sigh. "Everythin' alright?"

"Oh, yes." Charles looks up to give him a calming look. "She's just a bit tense after all that time on the train. Getting out and moving will do her good." He eyes him a moment, his hands still rubbing firmly and steadily along his horse's neck. "How're you doing?"

"Better." Arthur is nowhere near foolish enough to give his shoulder a roll, it's still healing after all. "I should be alright with riding to the ranch."

Charles's gaze slides to his injured shoulder and then gives him a quiet nod. They stand side by side then, Charles giving Taima's neck a pat and letting her return to grazing. It settles some of Arthur's strange nerves. Most of all though, he's also really relieved they're here now.

"Almost can't believe we made it." He murmurs and Charles agrees with a quiet hum, reaching out to give his back a gentle pat, clearly careful not to jostle his shoulder.

"We're here now." Charles says, just as quietly, giving him a small smile and Arthur finds himself returning it. Charles's touch slips away again and they look over the surrounding horses and people, most of them looking after their horses. Kieran seems to give Branwen a similar, though one armed rub as Charles had given Taima and Sean is leaning a bit against Ennis, who merely snorts at him softly and takes his weight without complaint.

It doesn't take long for Hosea and the others to return. Sadie drives one of the wagons, hers piled with what looks like food and some pots and pans. Hosea's wagon is filled with everything else they need, bedrolls, toiletries from the looks of it, some tents and the like. Arthur once again is reminded of his very out of control beard. He'll get a trim or shave in as soon as possible.

"Alright you lot." Hosea says with a grin. "If you're ready?"

While it makes Arthur grumble a bit, he's thankful for Charles helping him up into the saddle. His wound is good enough by now that he can ride, but pain does flare up when he puts weight on his injured shoulder. Sean lets Lenny give him a hand, while they once again don't have to help Kieran. Branwen sinks to the ground without a second of hesitation, waiting patiently for Kieran to sit, before standing up with care. Really, that kid and his horse. Arthur can see how Branwen followed him through all that snow and down the mountains to find him again.

"Which way, Arthur?" Hosea asks and Arthur rides up to him, while the others fall behind the wagons to ensure they don't block the road. This is familiar for them and it gives Arthur a better feeling too, somehow. This is something he knows, something he can do easily, especially considering all the unknown now lying before him and everyone else.

"We take the road north out of town." He says, gesturing in the direction they're going to take. Tommy thankfully gave him good instructions about how to reach the ranch. "We're goin' to follow it til we reach a split in the road an' take the left one. There should be a sign tellin' us when to get off the road an' head to the ranch, Tommy said there was a path once, but it's most likely overgrown now."

Hosea gives him a nod and at his signal, they start moving. Arthur falls back to ride beside Charles, with Sadie ahead of them. His shoulder twinges stronger at being on horseback, but it's not too bad. Certainly not as bad as the time he escaped from Colm. Or the burn of his lungs during his last ride, to confront Dutch and Micah, with his illness eating him up from inside. Nevermind that last fight on the mountain and watching Dutch turn away from him. A bit of painful needling and aching from a healing bullet wound is paling in comparison.

Hosea keeps the speed moderate, so it's not too strenuous of a ride. A glance back shows that Sean is a little bit paler than before, but mostly, he seems to do well enough. He's speaking with Kieran, while Karen and Mary-Beth are talking about something with Lenny. Hosea's and Sadie's horses trot after them.

Storm certainly is happy to finally move again and while Arthur can sense that she'd love to stretch and run, properly shake off all those days cooped up on the train, she's also holding back. Though by the time they have left the town behind and reach the fork in the road, his mare has relaxed fully and settled into the rhythm.

"Doing well?" Charles asks and Arthur can't help but sigh just a bit. He's heard that question so often now. A glance to the side shows a small, lopsided grin appearing on Charles's face. Arthur can't help but huff and smile a bit himself, slightly shaking his head.

"'m fine. You?"

"Glad to be off the train." Charles says and Arthur wholeheartedly agrees. "What do you think we're going to start with at the ranch?"

Arthur thinks over the plan Hosea made with him and Sadie, with the help from some of the others a few days back. They have two houses already at least, so they have roofs over their heads, nevermind that he's sure they all wouldn't mind sleeping in tents until everything is taken care of. But the place might be big enough, for them all to squeeze in until everything is built. Though he hopes that it won't take too long until they all have real rooms to call their own. Places to do things like keep books that aren't in danger of getting wet during the next strong storm. To collect knickknacks and strew socks and stockings about and whatnot. Just, places of their own.

"It would make sense to build the barn and stable first, I think." He says. "Then some extra housing. Maybe some small houses and a cabin or two, but the order is up to Hosea and Sadie, they know better than I how long that takes." He pauses and glances at Charles, before he decides to just ask what he's been thinking about for the past two days. "Would you mind roomin' with me?"

Especially since Hosea almost merrily let him know that if Arthur doesn't want a room in the main house, he at least deserves a place of his own, after everything he did for them already.

Charles blinks, looking surprised and then smiles. "Not at all."

Arthur feels a part of him relaxing and finds that it's easy to smile back.

They reach the sign pointing them to the ranch soon enough after that and Arthur feels himself straightening a bit. All around him, conversations fall quiet as they start to approach their new home. Their new life, in a way. The main house comes into view first, it's nice, made out of proper stone and despite no one having lived here in a while, looks to be in good shape, the same goes for the small house they see next, also made of stone. That's some nicely sturdy buildings.

They all slow to a stop in front of the main house, looking at it and over the large grassland around, at the forest that begins to stretch a few paces behind the houses, rising along with the slow, gentle rise of the hills. Somehow, seeing it makes it all so very real in this moment. Despite everything, they're here.

Arthur takes a careful breath. They made it. They really made it. They're alive. He feels almost dizzy for a moment and blinks when Charles reaches out to put a hand on his shoulder. His gaze seems to say he understands and Arthur tips his head to hide his face and get himself back under control. He gives Charles a small nod and the warm touch at his shoulder fades, the man dismounting. Arthur following him in a more careful slide.

"Alright then." Hosea's voice rings out and he claps his hands. "Let's unpack. We're home!"

Activity breaks out, Arthur, as well as Sean, get ushered to sit on the porch and rest, being told in no uncertain terms that they're not allowed to help. Grudgingly, they listen. Arthur and Sean share a look and they both see how much they hate this. Hate sitting around, unable to do anything, while everyone else gets to work. They're not that kind of men. Arthur feels the almost restless itch under his skin to get up and grab sacks of food, to help carry boxes of things. Kieran meanwhile manages to stick to the horses and look after them as they graze on all the grass around them, though Arthur doesn't miss the look Hosea throws the kid, clearly gauging if he doesn't overdo it with his healing arm. Mary-Beth too keeps throwing Kieran glances between lifting and carrying things as well.

"This is a load o' horseshit." Sean complains and his tone of voice lets Arthur know that he's upset about all of this but doesn't want to show it. Upset about having lost an eye, needing all that rest and needing help. Arthur gets it, he really does. He also doesn't know what to do, at least while they both still have to heal.

"Hey." Arthur gives his shoulder a small nudge, hoping to at least distract Sean a bit. "Let's go see the inside."

They get to their feet and step into the house, while everyone else is still busy unloading and organizing. Cain though, slips after them, excited to explore, nose already going to the ground to sniff out everything. The inside is empty, there are two rooms right away to the left of the entrance area, along with a third, longer but slimmer room, which turns out to be a bathroom, already equipped with a tub and some other necessities. Sean and Arthur share a surprised glance. That's unexpected.

Walking past the two - empty - bedrooms they reach the living room. And to their surprise, see a built-in kitchen. Well, if everything in here works, at least that is taken care of. At the end of the living room are the rest of the two separate rooms, with a small corridor leading to the backdoor. The bathroom is a surprise, but a very pleasant one. Arthur wonders why Tommy hadn't mentioned it, but disregards the thought in the next moment. He surely won't complain.

"Looks nice." Sean comments, as he looks around. "Who do ya recon will live here?"

"John an' his family, Hosea too, I'm sure. An' one of the others." Or rather, that is how Hosea and he decided it after discussing it. They also have an attic from the looks of it, which they can use either for storing things or making another room out of it.

Sean hums in agreement. "The smaller house?"

"You an' Karen, if you two want to live together." Arthur offers. Or rather, he definitely wants Sean, especially while he's still healing, under a proper roof. "An' whoever you want to room with."

Sean eyes him like he knows exactly why Arthur has decided things like this, but he doesn't protest. Most likely because it's a moot point. Everyone's going to get a proper room for themselves, a real place to stay. And under all the grimness of his injury, his struggles and his frustration, Arthur can see some excitement too. Something lighter as he thinks about the new home.

"Well." Sean dusts his hands off, glancing around and tilting his head a bit more to make up for his lack of vision. "I hope Karen says yes then."

She most likely will. Maybe with a bit of blustering, but the way things have been between her and Sean since he got shot, Arthur feels rather certain she's going to agree. Which doesn't mean they're not going to argue or Sean isn't going to slip up or they're not going to have to figure some things out. But at least, this time around, they have the chance to do all these things. To argue and make up, to make this thing between them work and built something from it.

"I'd thought you wouldn't look so sad now that we're here." Sean looks at him, a small frown visible under his bandages. "You've been lookin' sad more than usual these past weeks. All worried and tense."

Ever since waking up with his second chance. Arthur sighs and is about to wave him off, when he shrugs instead. "Been a tense few weeks."

Sean watches him a moment longer and then clasps his shoulder, giving it a small squeeze. His fingers no longer feel cold. "Come on, let's look at the rest o' the place."

They head out the backdoor and get to look through the small, two room house- which also has a kitchen, a small one, but one nonetheless, along with a small bathroom. Arthur is going to send Timmy a thank you card or something. Sean, considering he's now definitely thinking about moving in here with Karen, takes more time to explore. He's also, unashamedly picking the larger bedroom. Arthur is about to step outside and leave him to rummaging through the small kitchen, when Karen enters, clearly looking for them.

"Karen." Sean waves her closer, a sorely missed grin appearing on his face and Arthur slips outside to give them their privacy. He doesn't get far though, before John intercepts him and gets him to sit down on an already unloaded wagon. Things are neatly stacked and piled to the side, while everyone's already started carrying things into the main house.

"So." Hosea joins him, handing him some bread and crumbly cheese. "I'm going to head back into town with Sadie to cash in the valuables you gave us and see about getting started on building what we need. We're also going to sell one of the wagons again, one should be enough."

Arthur pauses in surprise. They already want to leave? "You sure you don't want to rest up?" Arthur asks and Hosea huffs with a smile, patting his shoulder.

"Don't worry about me, dear boy. Besides, I got more than enough rest on that train. Going out and getting to work will do me good. The sooner we start with everything, the better."

He is right about that. Arthur takes a bite with a tip of his hat.

"We might not get everything done at once, but depending on prices we might be able to hire some helping hands." Hosea says and while Arthur can't help the flare of reluctant suspicion that always follows letting outsiders into camp, he knows Hosea is right. They're going to need help, especially with Sean, Kieran and he down for the count. Besides, this is a new life, it wouldn't be strange at all to hire locals for help.

"We'll see about getting all the tools we need too, to start farming." Hosea muses. "We're keeping two of the shires, they'll help with it."

"A chicken coop would be good too." Mary-Beth pitches in as she stops by the wagon. "We definitely know how to care for them and they're not very expensive. They could provide us both with some food and something to sell."

"True." Hosea nods and Arthur wonders how long it would take to build a proper chicken coop, not one of those small wooden things he got for the camp a long while back. "At least we've arrived at a time where we can still get some decent harvest in. Alright then." Hosea raises his voice so everyone can hear him. "I'll head out, you all take care of everything else."

"Sure." Charles promises with a nod, hauling up a large box, Mary-Beth straightens and Arthur does his best to look like he's intending to get some more rest. Hosea isn't fooled, of course not, and pats Arthur's shoulder again with a small grin and a shake of head, before looking at Charles, who gives him a nod, a silent promise to keep an eye on the injured. Arthur tips his hat to hide the smile that sneaks on his face and shoves some crumbly cheese into his mouth.

Hosea leaves with Sadie as soon as the second wagon is unloaded, rumbling away with it. Kieran, by then, has finished seeing to the horses, the two new ones as well, the heavy, strong shires. They're being accepted by the herd rather well, with only a bit of posturing and attempted biting. Arthur, as he watches Kieran petting one of the shires, Branwen standing just a step behind him and grazing, thinks that he hasn't seen him look so at ease and at home before. Well, not that things have been easy for the kid, even this time around, when Arthur has actually done his best to be nice to him. So seeing him look so relaxed and with a small smile on his face, the last traces of the deep bruises fading, it's good. Seeing Kieran happy is a good thing.

Arthur remains sitting on the wagon a while longer, watching as Lenny and John finish hauling crates inside, Mary-Beth already sorting through the bought things so everyone has a bedroll and helps Abigail carry things inside. Karen seems all too happy about bringing their things into their new place as well. From the looks of it, Mary-Beth is taking the other room in their small house. Jack looks delighted about their new home, running in and around the house with Cain, both of them exploring and occasionally Jack carries a few light things proudly as well.

Sean wanders over to join Arthur a moment later, looking miffed again, most likely about having been told to leave things a lone and rest up.

"I'm never gettin' shot ever again." Sean murmurs, sounding almost sullen, a frown visible on his face. "Just alone because o' this."

Arthur can't help but sigh in agreement. At the same time, he once again feels relief at having Sean here. That he's alive. Frustrated and bored is better than dead. Worrying about his use -though he shouldn't - is better than being dead.

"You'll miss it once I start takin' you to shootin' again." Arthur says and Sean lights up a bit again at that, his shoulders easing.

"You still mean that?" He asks and Arthur eyes him a moment, before giving his shoulder a squeeze.

"Sure. An' this time, you're learnin' the quick-draw right." He says and Sean huffs, but he's smiling again. Arthur settles back, feeling better himself and hands Sean some of the bread and cheese he's been left with.

"So, us bein' farmers is a thing now." Sean sounds a little bit incredulous and amused at that, like he can't really believe it. The things is, Arthur honestly feels the same, but he also thinks they can do it. Can learn what needs to be learned and do what needs to be done. "But, I like it here. A real home, huh? It's what Dutch always was talkin' 'bout."

Arthur can't help but swallow at the mention of Dutch and feels a sharp twinge in his chest. He isn't quite sure why, maybe because of all the memories, maybe because of everyone left in Shady Belle, maybe because Sean is right. This is what Dutch always talked about. Buying land, becoming ranchers. Settling down and living free lives. In the next moment, Sean gives his uninjured arm a light smack with the back of his hand.

"Don't be such a bloody brooder." He says, clearly trying to be more jovial. Arthur can't help but feel lighter at Sean trying to cheer him up in his own way. "Come on, let's see if we can get away with liftin' some things."

They do not, in fact, get away with it lifting so much as a sack of beans. In the end, they shuffle over to Kieran and get to brush down some of the horses at least. Storm clearly is more than happy to catch up on missed scratches and nosing at his uninjured arm. Arthur has missed her too during the train ride, even with Charles always reassuring him that she was okay whenever he went to check on the horses at longer stops. Now, she has her chin in the crook of his elbow, her cheek lightly pressed against his uninjured shoulder.

Looking up, he sees Sean grin as Ennis steals the hat from his head and throws his head up and down a bit, before Sean can wrangle the hat back with a snort. Kieran is now leaning against Branwen, who looks like the calmest horse in the world, leg at rest and eyes half closed. The shires are at ease too, grazing and looking rather large among most of their smaller and slimmer horses.

Charles joins them a little while later and Arthur can see that everyone is finished now, dusk settling over them. Everything is put away and he can see folks moving around in the houses, windows lit by lanterns, smoke curling from the chimney of the main house. Sean perks up at that and heads to the smaller house, most likely to try and at least do something, or talk with Karen and Mary-Beth, both of them most likely already unpacking whatever possessions they took along.

"Things are going to get real busy for a long while." Charles murmurs as he stops beside Arthur. Taima walks over to them almost lazily, exhaling softly at Charles petting her neck and scratching behind her ears. She even tilts her head to give him better access. "Hosea is most likely bringing some hired workers back too, otherwise it's going to take us months to set everything up."

"Yeah, I think so too." And if money would turn out to be a problem, Arthur still has some of his treasure. "How long do you think that's goin' to take?"

Charles hums thoughtfully, scratching under Taima's jaw now and she almost ends up putting her chin on his shoulder. "Depends on the size of the crew and how much work they're going to have."

Arthur tries not to worry again, he's done far too much of that in the past weeks, has spent most of his time worrying, whenever he wasn't checking up on someone or collecting more valuables and money. Still, he can't help but think about everything that still needs to be done, about how they're going to make this work, how to earn their keep from here on. In all honesty, after all these weeks of thinking about everything, it feels like it's impossible to stop worrying now. Charles hand, coming to rest on his uninjured shoulder, breaks him out of his thoughts and he feels some of his beginning tension seep away and disperse under the warm touch. When Storm sniffs at Charles's hand, he even feels a smile tugging at his lips.

Charles's touch drops away a moment or two later and they stand together amongst the horses, their own horses returning to grazing. It's easy, really, to share this comfortable silence. To stand close enough that their shoulders brush with every shift and to feel...not at home yet, but Arthur thinks in a couple of weeks, once everything is built and set up...yeah. This really could feel like home. Home in a way campfire brewed coffee is, the smell of horses and hay and to wake up with canvas stretching over him, the light of the rising sun falling over him with greeting warmth. They have something good here and they will turn it into something great.

They both look up when they notice Hosea returning, who clearly was definitely successful, since there are three large wagons returning now, laden with already cut wood and from the looks of it, shingles. Charles and Arthur exchange a look before they head over, arriving just as Hosea finishes instructing the men who arrived with him where to put everything. John and Lenny are helping too, carrying tools to the side.

"I found something interesting." Hosea says as they arrive, motioning to the wood planks. "Pre-cut houses and barns and whatnot. They're surprisingly affordable and easy to set up, from the looks of it." He gives a satisfied grin. "With the money that saves us, we can afford the help to build it up as quickly as possible."

"Pre-cut?" Arthur feels surprised and then frowns. "That's going to be solid?"

Hosea nods. "I checked, don't worry. Met a farmer on the way to town who allowed us to take a look at his stable. It's real, sturdy wood. Nothing made of stone, obviously, but I think it's going to be just right for us. This here is going to be our barn and chicken coop."

Charles hums, already moving to help unload the wagons. Arthur eyes everything for a moment and can't help but glance back at Hosea.

"No one's buildin' real houses no more." His grumble is good natured though and Hosea just laughs, clapping a hand on his uninjured shoulder. It makes Arthur smile, almost grin himself, a knot in his chest loosening and relaxing.

"Come on, Arthur." Hosea says, still grinning and with a lighter, brighter shine in his eyes. "Head on in and see if food is going to be done soon. Tomorrow the crew is going to arrive and help us set everything up. We can also expect the rest of the houses we need to be delivered over the next days. The stable too."

"I see you was busy." Arthur says, moving to tip his head up a bit and overlook the wagons and all that wood. "The money was no problem? With hiring the crew too?"

Something along Hosea's features gentles. "Of course, don't you worry. Now, go on in and let us take care of this. Get some rest too, I bet you've been up and about the whole time."

~*~

Arthur wakes with a small start, hearing the noise of hammering and people calling to each other with louder yells. Sitting up with a small groan, his shoulder giving a twinge, he reaches up with his other hand to rub over his eyes, before looking around. He's sleeping in the living room of the main house and a glance around shows him Kieran's bedroll is already empty, just like Lenny's and Charles's. Abigail is puttering around in the kitchen and making coffee.

"Oh, you're awake." She greets him with a smile when he gets up. "Did the workers wake you?"

"They're already here?" And it seems to be rather early too. Arthur realizes his question is a moot one in the next moment and walks over to a window to look outside. The workers already started on the chicken coop and, truth be told, it looks like they might actually get it done today too. Arthur sees Hosea talking with what looks like the boss of the group, considering they're bent over building plans and gesture around.

"Good mornin' Uncle Arthur." Jack calls as he comes in through the backdoor with a grin, Cain following with a happy wag of his tail. "Did you see the coop they're building? It's so big!"

His enthusiasm certainly is infectious and Abigail smiles at her son, something soft and relieved on her face. As if she is happy to see Jack happy, relieved to finally be safe. Just alone seeing that is worth everything all over again. Arthur quietly steps back as Jack rushes up to his mother, eyes bright and small hands gesturing as he describes everything going on outside to her. Abigail smiles and gently ruffles his hair, setting aside her mug of coffee to focus on him.

Arthur steps back and heads outside himself to take a bit of a look at everything. He spots Kieran over by the horses, who all remain close by even without any kind of fence. They're used to it and the shires stick with the heard easily enough, even if they haven't been part of their previous lifestyle. A glance over at the coop shows John and Charles lifting wooden planks in place and then picking up nails to hammer them in place. One of the workers is giving John a few pointers, but seems satisfied with how it looks, while Lenny helps another worker haul more planks closer.

"Mornin' Arthur." Sean's voice makes him look over as the kid heads towards him, eye slightly narrowed as he eyes the railing around the front porch, as if daring it to bump against his arm. "These suckers wakin' you too?"

His voice is joking, but Arthur knows that Sean would rather be over there with them than hang back, still having to take things easy. His bandage looks freshly changed and it reminds Arthur that he still has to do the same. Or ask someone to either do it or give him a hand. Maybe he can get someone to bring him some water from the well too, so he can get nice wipe down.

"Slept well?" Arthur asks and this time, Sean's smile gets a happier spark. Arthur can imagine very well why that is and he honestly does not need details. "You had breakfast yet?"

"Oh, nah, just woke up and Karen went to help Mary-Beth with somethin' or another so I went out."

Arthur tilts his head back at the house and Sean follows him inside, arm not bumping against the railing of the porch. He's getting a lot better with adjusting to his new depth perception. At this rate, he's going to be ready for shooting lessons even before he finishes healing. Not that Arthur would do that before he's fully fine again.

Inside, Abigail and Jack have left again and Sean and Arthur find some bread and a bit of dry meat, chewing it as they watch the workers outside. A part of Arthur is a bit worried about how John seems to hit his thump then and again when smacking in nails. He's also rather certain, if he were healthy, he wouldn't fare all that better. After all, Arthur rarely used the hammer before, aside from fixing up a few things to last them until they could replace them and that definitely isn't the same as building something. Especially something that's supposed to last.

After breakfast, Sean wanders off again, most likely to see if he might not be useful somewhere. Arthur, meanwhile, takes the time to update his journal. He hasn't done that as much in the last weeks, too busy and too worried, only writing down a few notes here and there when he found himself unable to sleep. It's rather meager, compared to what he remembers sketching and writing before.

Now though, now he takes the time to write down what happened, from their escape to the fight in the mountains and arriving here. He sketches what he remembers of the train and adds what he remembers of the local town, before concluding everything with a drawing of the ranch. Glancing out the window, he adds a quick sketch of the workers building the chicken coop.

Looking at all the hustling and bustling outside, he's rather certain that the racket is not going to die down anytime soon.

~*~

Things get almost overwhelmingly busy from then on and Arthur, more than once, is relieved that Hosea and Sadie handle the workers and where everything goes. Sadie, most of all, knows how to built a farm and while he can see the grief and pain on her face appearing at times, she's rolling up her sleeves and setting to work with the same dogged, rough determination she had when thinking about gunning down O'Driscolls. Not as rage filled though.

Still, seeing her hurt makes something in Arthur's chest feel tighter. He doesn't know how to help her, if there is anything that can help and he remembers his own grief towards Eliza and Isaac, remembers the crushing pain from back when he lost so many others to the path Dutch took them down on.

In the end, he has no words for her grief, thinks he never will, but he still tries to help in other ways. Hands her coffee from time to time, just sits beside her in silence as they watch the sun rise or sink and lets her stare off into the distance, her face sometimes grim, sometimes just exhausted. Once or twice though, she looks not as rough, not as hurt. A few times, she even looks a little lighter, even hides a small smile when watching the others settle down after a long day of hard work.

"Thanks." She murmurs one late evening, the sun setting, a clear sky above them with a few stars already appearing. The air smells of all the pre-cut wood that's around, mingling with the scent of the woods the wind carries from their back towards them.

Arthur doesn't know what to say, merely hums and tips his head to look at the appearing stars, the last colors of the sunset spreading across the sky. It's a beautiful sight and sitting here with Sadie is such a small thing to do for her, but if it helps, he's glad for it. Sadie gets up a moment later and gives his almost fully healed shoulder a gentle pat.

"Good night, Arthur." She says and her voice sounds a little softer, a little fonder, if he's not mistaken.

"Night, sleep well." He says and hears the squeak and hiss as she lights the lanterns at the porch, before she heads inside to the room Hosea and Abigail offered her. They're all soon going to have rooms of their own too. The pre-cut wood is already partly delivered and the barn is standing. Once the stable is finished, the houses are next.

The sound of chopping wood draws Arthur's attention over to Charles. The man is, even now, getting things done. Arthur finds himself watching him, the brace of his leg as he pulls the axe out of the stump, the stretch of his back and side as he bends down to pick up a new log to split apart. The rise and shift along his back as he lifts the axe.

Arthur is only really aware of his eyes following every motion, when his hands suddenly itch for his pen and journal. To bring this scene down on paper, Charles in the last light of the day, stars spreading over him in what promises to be a brilliant amount. He wants to draw this, he realizes, breath slightly catching in his chest. Wants to try to do this moment justice.

Another though suddenly pops up in his mind, of Charles's hands, disentangling Taima's mane, of his touch on Arthur's shoulder, the slight press of his fingers and how the warmth of his palm always seemed to seep through his clothes nowadays. He thinks of the way Charles would sometimes run his fingertips over things, tracing their shape or testing their texture. The expert way he handles his bow or sharpens knifes. The powerful flow of his body with every chop of the axe.

His thoughts slide to Charles's smiles, the warm expression in his eyes that few get to really see. The way he would tip his head towards someone when they talk, how his more mischievous smile would lift one corner of his mouth a bit more than the other. How seeing that smile was a gift on its own, considering how rare it could be. His hands itch to draw it too. To try and capture that expression, to try and draw the way Charles looks when he laughs.

Aw damn, Arthur finds himself thinking, faintly almost. It's not as if the realization suddenly slams into him. It's something quieter, gentler, befitting of the calm, caring steadiness that Charles has. It feels more like opening his eyes and realizing that this has been here the whole time already, waiting patiently for him to notice it. For these feelings to grow until they're right at home in his chest.

Charles splits another log of wood and Arthur exhales in a rush, reaching up a hand to rub over his mouth. This is...he can't even say it's unexpected. It doesn't even truly surprise him in a way, if he's honest. This is Charles after all.

Charles finishes chopping the wood in this moment, setting down the axe and turning around to him. Arthur can see his smile that appears on his face in the light of the light lanterns, a canopy of stars already stretching above them.

"Hey Arthur." Charles says as he walks up to him, steps quiet on the ground. Arthur sees the way Charles catches onto something and slightly tilts his head. "You doing alright?"

"Yeah, uh, sure." He clears his throat, his previously softly quiet mind snapping back into action. "I was jus' enjoin' the night." His gaze lands over at the already finished but still empty chicken coop, a thought pretty much falling into his head. "I think I'm goin' out tomorrow an' get us some chickens."

Charles nods. "Sounds good. Want me to come along?"

"Sure." Arthur nods. It doesn't matter that he doesn't know what to do about his feelings, that he feels just as awkward and fumbling as he did with Mary, there is no way having Charles around could ever be anything but good. "Let's head out after sunrise?"

"Fine by me." Charles motions at his shoulder. "How is your injury?"

"As good as healed." Arthur reassures him. He gives his shoulder a small roll in demonstration. There is barely a twinge, only a bit of tightness from the rest of it healing, but he's gotten his mobility back, even if he can't tax his shoulder yet. There is a slightly lopsided smile appearing on Charles's face, almost even showing a hint of his teeth and Arthur feels himself trip up a little internally at seeing it. This too, he wants to sketch.

"That's good." Charles moves to sit down beside him and looks over the ranch. The ground is pretty churned up around the buildings, from all the people walking around. The barn really is sturdy, like Hosea promised, the chicken coop looks fine to Arthur too. Pre-cut houses don't seem so bad, all in all.

"We're really makin' somethin' of this place." Arthur murmurs.

"Three more weeks and the houses should stand too, I think. Maybe four." Charles casts a thoughtful glance to the area that is already marked for their future homes. Two more small houses will be built and then they all have their own rooms. "With the hired help it goes rather fast."

Thankfully. They'll all have something to call their own then. Arthur almost can't wait for it. The thought makes him feel lighter, makes him feel like all these previous weeks, everything until now, was worth it. Somehow, against all odds, he managed to actually do something good with this second chance he got. He actually can give something to people this time around, instead of just taking. Charles shifting draws his attention and there is something softer on his face, the line of his shoulders relaxed.

"It's good to see you looking happier." Charles says, voice quiet. "You were worrying a lot before."

Arthur can't quite help the exhale that escapes him, bordering on a sigh. His shoulders sag and he tips his head back to look up at the sky, the countless stars that now stretch above them, bright little dots in the darkness of the night. A warm hand lands on his shoulder and he leans into the touch slightly before he realizes it.

"We're alright now." Charles murmurs and it sounds like reassurance and even a little bit like a promise. The thing is, Arthur starts to believe that too. They're alright and so much might be new now, there might be a lot they still have to learn, but they're here. They can learn all those things. There are no new graves and for the first time in weeks, Arthur feels his fears lighten a bit. The guilt is still here and the regret about everything that happened before, but it feels almost soothed. Gentled a bit into something that doesn't feel quite as crushing, not quite as haunting.

"Yeah." He agrees quietly. "I think you're right 'bout that."

~*~

The two shires are truly gentle giants, both of them easily coming with him and holding perfectly still as he puts the harness on them, their noses almost unbelievably soft. They even seem happy about getting to pull the wagon, they're certainly content to stand and wait until they're ready to go. Arthur takes the time to give both of them some pets and scratches. Storm, who wanders over when he checks the wagon and waits for Charles, sniffs at his bag.

"Oh, ya want treats, is that it?" Arthur asks her, feeling a small grin on his face as he ruffles her mane and she snorts at his chest. Smiling quietly, he digs out a little something for her and she crunches happily, still standing close to him and not looking like she's planning to leave. "You got to stay here girl. I'm headin' out wit'out ya."

"Ready?" Charles's voice draws his attention away from Storm and Arthur looks over at him. Sees the small smile he gives them and something along Arthur's shoulders loosens a little and his chest warms, feeling lighter. It's all too easy to smile back at Charles and feel the way it causes the corners of his eyes to crinkle a bit. Arthur can't really remember the last time he smiled like that and he can't help but tip his hat a bit forward.

He gives Storm's neck a clear pat to send her off. She steps back and slowly returns to the rest of the herd. Arthur follows Charles up to the coach box and while his shoulder twinges a bit, he's rather satisfied when that's all. He'll soon be able to really help out around the ranch again, to start hitting his thumbs instead of nails and just generally lifting things about again. To be useful, instead of just brooding around.

At least he gets to help Jack a bit with his reading and math. Arthur also got Sean to sit down with him and try to learn some numbers and the alphabet, though he suspects his success is partly because Sean got bored out of his skull. Kid is still healing up too, considering his injury was far more severe than Arthur's, but he should be fine again soon too.

Taking the reins, Arthur clicks his tongue and the horses start pulling. The path from the ranch to the road is far easier to see, if only because all the coming and going of the workers muddied it up, trampling down the grass and weeds. Arthur wonders if they should work on this too, make a proper path or something. Maybe put down some stones? Aw hell, he doesn't know, but one of the others might.

"Do you know who sells chickens around here?" Arthur asks when the road comes into view. "Or should we head into town?"

There is a short, thoughtful hum. "No, I think I know where to go. One of the workers mentioned a farmer selling some of his hatched and grown chickens, we can go there first. Let's head left on the road."

Arthur leads the horses down the right side and quiet falls between them, only accompanied by the rumble of the wagon, the steps of the horses and the noises of the harness. Somehow, he is both surprised and not at how easy the silence is, how comfortable it feels. Even with Charles being so close, it doesn't feel distracting or anything of the sort. It just is what it probably always was. Steady, calming and warm in that quiet way Charles has about him. It's comfortable. Being around Charles is comfortable and easy.

It makes Arthur relax and lean back a bit, as he looks around. He hasn't left the ranch since they arrived and it's good to see the surrounding area and the woods they're now heading into. He really has to grab Storm and get a good ride in at some point. Let her stretch her legs and get to know the land. For Arthur to get to know the area as well, to know landmarks and discover what is around them. It's getting really nicely warm too, with summer approaching them.

They pass by a larger lake on the way and Arthur reminds himself to let Hosea and Kieran know about it. Maybe they'd like to go and fish a bit or see if they can find any other places to catch something. The small river on their property should have some fish too, but they most likely wouldn't be very big.

"We should go huntin' soon." Arthur says. "Once everythin' is set up, bring some extra food in."

"I've been heading out a bit between work, bringing back some rabbits." Charles says and Arthur throws him a look from under the brim of his hat. Charles already works so hard and it really shouldn't surprise him to hear that he does even more. Charles, obviously noticing his look, merely huffs softly and pats his shoulder. "Oh no, you don't get to give me that look. Not with how much you worked before we got here." Something in his expression shifts a bit and he quirks a small smile. Charles is looking happier too, Arthur notes. Is more prone to smiling and less to quiet, solemn thinking ever since they arrived. It must be good for him too, to be here and to have less reasons to worry. "But if you want, we can go hunting together again."

"Sounds good." Arthur nods, giving the reins a small switch to keep the horses going at a steady trot. "We haven't done that in a while."

Charles gives him an agreeing hum and, as they approach a fork in the road, tells him to head down the right one. Soon enough, another farm comes into view. The farmer is a bit suspicious at first, until he hears that they're his new neighbors. He greets them then, face brightening up and asks them a couple of questions. Arthur answers, while he tries not to give too much away or appear too rough.

The farmer, Frank, has quite a lot of gossip on the surrounding area, most of it from his wife Sallie. Arthur honestly doesn't know what he's supposed to do with half the information he gets, while Frank lets them catch the agreed number of chickens. The farmer simply leans against the fence, while Charles and Arthur do their best to pick up the chickens. He honestly never knew that chickens could run so fast and he gets smacked in the face with a wing once or twice. All the while, Frank tells them everything he knows.

"But I'm sure you already heard about the gang in the hills." Frank says, just as they finally get the last chicken and put it in one of the larger boxes provided by Frank, careful not to let the other chickens already inside escape. They have fifteen chickens now, young and healthy too, from the looks of it. The farmer already bends down to pick one of the boxes up, when Arthur's mind catches on.

"What gang?" He asks, Charles frowning at his side. "We heard of no gang."

"Well, they haven't been around for long." Frank says, already turning to carry the box away. Arthur and Charles quickly pick the last two to follow him. "Sheriff rode around last week to warn everyone to be careful about heading too far into the hills. I mean, not that I have a reason to go, but we're supposed to let travelers know too. I heard they already robbed some fellas and burned down a small homestead a mile or two north from here."

Arthur feels something cool spread along his shoulders, a heavy frown settling on his brow. Frank has reached the wagon and sets the box down with some care, sliding it back without jostling the chickens and making space for the last two boxes.

"But not to worry. Sheriff said they should move on or he was going to catch them." Frank dusts his hands off and Arthur hands him the agreed money once he set his box down. His mind is already settling into something slightly grim and he barely reacts when Frank gives his shoulder a small, jovial pat.

"Do come by again soon, neighbors. We'd love to hear some stories from your travels. And let us know if you need anything, my wife knows most folks around here, she can always set you up with someone."

"Sure." Arthur's voice is closer to a grumble, but Frank doesn't seem to notice or care. Just waves them off and heads back to his home, a small spring in his steps. Arthur rubs a hand over his mouth. A damn gang. Of course.

"Nothing we can't handle." Charles's quite voice is calming. He gives his shoulder a steadying, gentle squeeze. "Come on Arthur, let's get the chickens back home."

Arthur nods and gets on the wagon again, though this time Charles takes the reins. It leaves Arthur with some more time to think, brooding over the information. How big would the gang in the forest be? While Charles is right, they know how to handle fights, if it's a big gang, they could get into trouble. Though, if they do end up in a shootout, the Sheriff at least shouldn't give them any trouble for it. After all, as far as he knows, folks don't get into trouble for taking out outlaws. A brief, light knock of a knee against his jolts him out of his thoughts and he glances at Charles, who looks back at him.

"If you want, we can head into town when all the buildings stand and talk to the Sheriff. See if we can find anything out."

That doesn't sound like a bad idea. Arthur gives him a nod and settles back a bit. Once the buildings are finished, they can go. Until then, even if a gang is nearby, they wouldn't attack. Too many folks around with all the workers helping out. Exhaling, Arthur focuses back on what to do next. And who knows, maybe they're lucky for once and trouble will pass them by.

~*~

The building of things wraps up in three weeks and Arthur, his shoulder finally fully healed, helps out as well. Sean too, is doing a lot better and while he keeps bandages over his eye, he's taking to helping out where he can, though he's still not allowed to do too much. Though, even with how busy it is, it doesn't mean that Arthur doesn't wrangle the kid down for a bit of letter and number practicing. It helps a lot to have Hosea join them, the man has a lot more experience in teaching sullen kids how to read than Arthur. Lenny too, is patient and encouraging whenever he helps Sean with something.

As much as Sean seems to partly hate it and Arthur doesn't miss the tense hitch of his shoulders when he attempts to learn, he thinks it's going to be good for the kid. He also gets the sneaking suspicion that Sean might be embarrassed about being unable to read and teaching him, while it makes him uncomfortable in the first place, should help that in the long run. Besides, no one can attempt to swindle him about prices in the future. Not that they would succeed, Sean can sniff out bullshit from a mile away, but it would give the kid some more skills and advantages.

Kieran at least seems fully healthy again as well, carrying things and working near tirelessly along with everyone else. The workers Hosea hired are pretty nice too. They certainly don't mind sharing all the local gossip with them, who gets along with whom, which families have some kind of arguments going on and where to get the things they need. They even point Arthur to a homestead where the owner recently deceased and his nephew from the city is now looking to sell furniture and things at a cheaper price, since he wants to return to the city as quickly as possible.

"Old man had no friends or children when he died, as far as I know." George, one of the workers, tells Arthur, as they work on finishing the roof of the last building. "Died all alone in his bed. We wouldn't have known either if his neighbors wouldn't check up on him from time to time. They informed his nephew and the kid is really impatient to get everything wrapped up. Is going to sell the land cheap too, to that Tommy Albrecht I think, the same fella who owned your ranch before."

"Yeah I know 'im." Arthur says as the reaches for the next shingle. "Decent guy."

"I thought so too, the two times I met him." George nods and then tilts his head towards the woods starting behind their homes. "You heard about the gang in the hills too, right? Some folks said they've seen the outlaws ridin' around and they've been to town too once already, apparently. We're kind of hoping the sheriff either gets them or they move on." George must misinterpret the expression on Arthur's face, since he briefly holds up his hands. "Though, you fellas look like you can take care of yourselves. Just, be careful, is what I'm sayin'."

"Sure." Arthur tips his head to hide the downward twist of his mouth and the way a frown settles on his brow. Damn it. Hopefully, that gang really is just going to move on to places with more loot or opportunities. Though, truth be told, he doesn't quite believe it. Most outlaws prefer the countryside, especially because of all the hiding possibilities and setting up camp without being found fast. There are few things out here after all, only small towns and reaching the next city would take at least two hours by train.

They finish with the last of the shingles and then Arthur and George sit back, looking at the finished roof of the last house. George has a proud grin on his face and briefly clasps Arthur's shoulder.

"Well done, friend. Your homes are standing. May I just say, you really made something of this place. The last months, we honestly wasn't sure if anyone would buy it and move out here." He gets up and walks to the edge of the roof. "So, welcome, to our humble corner of the country. If there is anything you folks need, don't hesitate to let us know."

Arthur nods and follows him down from the roof. His shot shoulder doesn't so much as twinge at his rougher landing and aside from an ugly scar, everything seems to have healed very well and without trouble. Arthur has been real lucky in that regard.

George leaves to inform everyone they're done and Arthur hears Hosea talk to the supervisor, who starts to wrap things up and says their goodbyes. Arthur, meanwhile, stands in front of the house and looks over them. Looks at the built barn, at the stable that's already housing horses, the built pastures for other animals. He looks over their homes, all sturdy and done, clean glass windows only showing a few fingerprints. They did it. They all have a place to stay. They really have a home now.

Exhaling, something both light and tight appears in his chest. Almost like a part of him can't quite believe it. Mostly though, Arthur suddenly feels so very humbled, so very surprised that he really managed to turn this second chance into something so good.

"It really looks great." Mary-Beth says with a quiet smile, as she comes to stand beside him. "You really made something out of this, Arthur."

"Didn't do anythin'." He murmurs. "Only had the money. Didn't even help build most a this."

It's true too. Hosea has been the one organizing everything, Sadie teaching and helping them, George and the other workers mostly built things around here and everyone else certainly has done a whole lot more than him. Mary-Beth gives him a slightly exasperated and yet very fond look, before she turns more serious, wetting her lips.

"I..." She breaks off and Arthur turns towards her, attentive and waiting. "I'm glad, I left with you." She swallows and her voice gets quieter. "Even if it felt like I was betraying everyone else."

Arthur understands how she feels. While he doesn't regret leaving, doesn't regret changing things, a part of him still feels like this time around, he was the one who betrayed Dutch first. And maybe, in a way, that isn't entirely wrong. Most of all though, Arthur refuses being sorry or feeling bad for saving folks. For doing what he could to look after everyone. He'll never be sorry for that. Will never be sorry to see them alive and walking, arguing and laughing, instead of seeing their corpses and later finding their graves. Still, it doesn't mean he wishes he couldn't have taken the others along too. Javier and Tilly and Molly and even Bill, to a degree.

He gently settles a hand on her shoulder and Mary-Beth exhales, giving him a small smile, the solemn seriousness fading a bit from her eyes again.

"I'm glad you came with us." He says and it seems to be the right thing, considering her smile becomes as bit more solid and her shoulders relax. As his touch drops away, she gives his lower arm a gentle pat.

"Thank you, Arthur."

They look up at the calls of the workers and Arthur throws them a salute, getting waves in return, as they leave again. They're probably going to see them around town again and Arthur thinks one or two might drop by on their own as well, considering Lenny and Sean befriended some of them. He also suspects that a fella has started to really take an interest in Mary-Beth.

Soon enough, the guys and their wagons are gone and Arthur finds himself standing among his, well, his family, as they all look over the finished ranch, the for now empty pastures, the for now mostly empty buildings. There is a long moment of quiet between them and Arthur thinks that it feels proud. They all should be proud, he thinks. This is their work, their strength and sweat helped build this.

Then Karen claps her hands. "This calls for a celebration! Come on everyone, let's break out the booze!"

Arthur finds himself grinning, Mary-Beth smiling and some whoops from Sean and Lenny joining in. Hosea grins as well, waving them into the main house and calling for John and Charles to get the alcohol down from the attic.

Arthur follows after them, Sadie joining him. He's glad to see her look a little less hurt and grieving, though her smile has a bit of a wry twist. Suddenly, Arthur wonders if she's even happy out here, with them. He'll ask her later, or rather, tomorrow maybe, after the celebration. Sadie looks up and seems to notice something in him, since she gives him a look and a small, lighthearted smack against his arm. There is something brighter in her eyes now, her smile a bit more mischievous. A little more alive and less quiet humor mixed with soul deep hurt.

"Lighten up." She tells him. "You really made it. Come on now, Arthur. Let's not worry about anythin' for a night." She reaches the door before him and holds it open with a smile that makes him huff in amusement. "Shall we?"

In the living room, now empty of bedrolls, John and Karen are distributing drinks, while Lenny and Kieran get the last boxes down from the attic. Soon after, Arthur is clinking bottles and Hosea starts up a song. Karen laughs and joins right in, everyone raising their voices to well worn, well known lyrics. Charles breaks out his harmonica as well a couple of bottles in and plays along with their singing.

Arthur sits among them, happy and accepting new drinks whenever he finds his empty. People begin stumbling over the lyrics then and again, but there is a lot of giggling and laughing the more drinks flow. Arthur ends up laughing about a joke he honestly can't remember anymore. Near giggling, he calls to Lenny, who seems to find the forgotten joke just as hilarious, since Arthur can hear him breaking out into laughter, stumbling over to pat him on the shoulder and then sitting down beside Kieran.

It's fun. It's genuinely fun, Sadie even takes over the harmonica for a bit as Karen and Abigail prod the others into dancing. Arthur starts out taking Mary-Beth's hand, dipping her without bumping in any of the others. He ends up dancing with Charles afterwards, though by then, they're stumbling more than anything else, laughing and hooking elbows to somehow keep the momentum going.

Beside them, John and Abigail are dancing as well, a wide, happy smile on Abigail's face, while Jack jumps around too, Cain turning circles between everyone and licking the boy's face whenever he passes by. At one point, Abigail sweeps Jack up and John laughs, plopping his hat on Jack's head, causing the thing to immediately slip down to the boy's nose, all three of them swaying along to the music, Jack grinning widely, hands gripping the hat to lift it and look up at his parents.

Arthur isn't quite sure what happens afterwards, but between one moment and the next, he's lying on the ground, waving a bottle, his head cushioned on Charles's stomach, who seems just as unwilling to get on his feet again. To the side, he sees Kieran and Mary-Beth dancing and they look a bit more sober, though Mary-Beth's cheeks are flushed and she keeps giggling and Kieran clearly tries hard not to trip over his own feet, or cause both of them to trip with their swaying.

Hosea is laughing and singing with Karen and Sean, who both look entirely worry free. Sadie leans against the wall with a smile, sipping on a bottle and Lenny is doing his best to play the harmonica beside her. Arthur honestly can't really tell if he's doing a good job, drunk as the kid is too, but it doesn't sound too bad. John has Abigail in his lap now and they're both joining the singing at the next song. Jack is sitting beside Hosea, with the dog sprawled across his lap and seems to try to sing along too. Hosea, grinning down at the kid, reaches out to ruffle his hair.

"This 's all good." Arthur slurs out and Charles moves a hand. At first, it kind of ends up in his face, smushing against his nose, before Charles finds his chest and gives it a few pats. His hand remains there and Arthur finds himself grinning, reaching up to pat his hand back. He's certain that Charles laughs, considering his chest rumbles under Arthur's head. A part of him, that feels at least halfway clear, thinks that this is how it's supposed to be. All of them happy and him right where he is.

The warmth of Charles's hand seems to seep through his clothes and into his chest, making him hum quietly, off-beat to the song that's sung, but in this moment, Arthur feels entirely and undeniably happy.

Things are kind of blurry around him and it feels like he might be missing out on things happening, but everyone around him is happy, so Arthur doesn't feel worried.

He's half aware of it when John and Abigail, stumbling but not too drunk, leave to tuck Jack in and don't return. Kieran has fallen asleep somewhere over by the oven. Karen and Sean are stumbling off with Mary-Beth following them and Hosea starts to prod everyone who seems remotely capable of it to their feet to go to sleep in their new homes. Lenny, swaying on his feet, drops a coat over Kieran and then seems to decide that sitting down and falling asleep beside him is a great idea.

"Come on Arthur." Hosea's foot nudges his own, drawing his blurred gaze over to the man. Arthur grins and tries to wave, but ends up spilling the rest of his beer over himself. Hosea, a nice flush on his cheeks, merely laughs and turns to Charles. "Both of you, head to your place and get some rest, alright?"

Charles rumbles something and Arthur ends up making a disagreeing nose as the man sits up and Arthur tries not to let his head slip from his chest and smack to the floor. It pretty much ends with him rolling sideways and his head coming to rest on wood anyways. Charles's hand prods at his shoulder. With a slurred mumble, Arthur struggles to his feet, swaying and gripping Charles, who holds onto him too.

They rise more or less leaned against each other and Arthur is pretty sure, only Hosea grabbing both of them when they stand is what stops them from swaying too much and dropping back down. Arthur pats Hosea's shoulder, who gives them indulgent grins and then sends them off with pats to their backs.

Arthur and Charles stumble out of the house and in the vague direction of theirs. He isn't quite sure when or how, but he thinks he starts talking about something. Arthur frowns when he realizes he talks about dying and breaks off.

Charles makes a questioning noise and Arthur tries to wave him off. "'s nothin'. Shouldn't talk 'bout this."

Charles just hums and they reach their small house. Arthur huffing in a mix of amusement and confusion as they need a moment to fumble the door open, before they stumble inside. It's a two room house, the one that got finished today and they both haven't bothered to bring their things into one of the rooms yet. Instead, their bedrolls are right beside the door and they both simultaneously agree to just go to sleep here. Arthur can't even be bothered to unroll the bedroll, just puts his head on it and grumbles when his hat ends up knocked somewhere.

Looking at Charles who lies beside him, he once again sees their utter lack of furniture. They don't even have a small kitchen or nothing.

"Gotta go buy that." Arthur slurs and there is a small groan from Charles. Arthur hears some rustling as Charles rolls to lie on his side and his hand comes up to pats his chest again.

"Sleep." Charles murmurs, giving his chest another pat. "Don' worry. 's all fine."

And maybe it's because he's drunk, maybe because this night has been one of the best Arthur can remember having in the last weeks, but he closes his eyes and listens. For this one night, he lets the worry about furniture slide to the back, doesn't worry about learning to be a proper rancher, doesn't worry about the gang in the woods. Doesn't think about how he's still worried about Tilly, Miss Grimshaw and Javier. About what might happen to them and if they and the others still back in the east are alright.

For just one night, he lets those thoughts go as Charles murmurs something else, face half buried in his rolled up bedroll, before quiet snores begin to fill the space of their new home, the smell of wood clear and fresh in the air. Arthur closes his eyes and just listens to the slightly muffled snores, mind quieting until he falls asleep again