Arthur woke up to the bright light of the sun shining into Trelawny's caravan. Josiah's satin red sheets were tangled around both of their bodies. Trelawny's head lay on Arthur's bare chest with his arms spread across his stomach.
Arthur tilted his head down to get a better look at Josiah. He noticed how relaxed and peaceful he was while sleeping and how his lean body fit perfectly against his own. He also noticed how perfect he looked even with his hair messed up from the night before. Arthur's eyes were then drawn to the beauty marks that littered Josiah's body, he was especially admiring the one right under his eye that was shaped like a heart.
Arthur didn't even realize that he had begun lightly tracing the beauty mark until he felt Josiah start to stir.
"Well, good morning," Josiah said, squinting his eyes from the sun and taking in Arthur's appearance, "might I say, you look absolutely beautiful this morning."
Arthur's cheeks flared red, he wasn't accustomed to being complimented. He shook his head softly, "Naw, this ugly old mug has seen better days."
Trelawny sat up gently, shifting his body to the side and resting up on his elbow. He chose that moment to just simply stare into Arthur's blue eyes, which were vivid in the sun, he knew he was making Arthur uncomfortable by the way he wiggled under his stare.
Josiah reached his hand out and started playing with the hair on Arthur's chest, a small smile tugging at his face, "Dear boy, if you are old than I must be ancient, and by last night's measure, I believe it proves we are very...agile and spry for our ages, wouldn't you say?" Josiah had moved closer to Arthur were his breath could be felt on his neck and his voice became a deep whisper.
Trelawny's hand slowly traced lower and lower, his fingertips gently caressing the inside of Arthur's thigh, causing Arthur to let out a deep sigh.
"Now, I don't think an old man would be capable of such a reaction, would you?" Trelawny said smiling, then grabbed Arthur's hand and led it between Trelawny's legs. "I also don't think such an 'ugly old mug' would cause such a reaction from me either." He stated smugly, releasing Arthur's hand.
"You're an ass." Arthur stated, face flushed.
Josiah then climbed on top of Arthur, cover slipping off of them both. "Yes, I am… but you love it."
Josiah then turned serious as he leaned down to Arthur, his mouth hot on his neck as he kissed and nipped.
"You're beautiful, darling, one day I will make you see this."
Arthur brought Trelawny's face to his and kissed him intensely. It was rough and passionate, all teeth and tongues clashing together. Arthur sat up with his arms wrapped around Trelawny so he could kiss him harder, wanting to put all of his emotions towards Trelawny's words into that kiss.
Josiah was the first to break away, giving them both time to breath.
"As much as I would like to continue this… I can't, there is a busy day ahead of me, my dear. Much scams and haggling to be done." His voice was deep and raspy.
Arthur flopped down on the pillow with a sigh, "You're a damn tease." a smile worked its way on his face as he tried to look annoyed.
"I love to have you hot and flustered my dear boy, I try at any given moment." He stated getting out of bed and heading to the kitchen area of his caravan to start coffee.
Arthur couldn't help but look Trelawny up and down as he walked away, he loved his ass. It was perfectly round and toned and Arthur wanted to draw it.
Trelawny sat two cups of coffee on the counter and headed to his clothes chest to get dressed. Suggesting to Arthur that he get dressed too so they could share a cup of coffee on the porch together before they had to leave.
Arthur and Trelawny settled peacefully on Trelawny's small porch steps. His neighbors were out and working, they were all poor folk who didn't have the time to notice that Arthur had spent the night with Trelawny.
"So, I was thinking, you should meet Mirabelle. Before you freak out, I think it would be good for both of you to meet each other and know for sure there is no cause for concern." Trelawny said slowly, knowing this to be a touchy topic.
Arthur immediately felt his hands start to sweat and those damned butterflies gather in the bottom of his stomach making him uncomfortable.
"I know we don't know exactly what this is,but, I think it's the right move. It'll be nice for Mirabelle not to be worried about who I'm out with and I think it'll help you to worry less about her telling anyone or freaking out, okay dear boy? At least think about it?" Josiah asked, looking to Arthur for a response.
Arthur sat with his coffee cup in hand and his head hanging down, "Sure, i'll think about it. But I ain't making no promises." He said, shaking his head, trying to cover up the fact that he was freaking out.
He stood up from the steps, still feeling nervous, he just had a bad feeling that if she knew what he looked like there could be no denying it… if she told, everyone would know.
He was outside but felt like he was trapped inside a tiny box that only grew smaller. He couldn't stop thinking about all the bad scenarios that were flashing through his head of the disappointment in Dutch and Hosea's face. He just needed to ride…
Arthur gave a rushed good-bye to Trelawny who was now standing with a worried look on his face which only agitated Arthur. How could he not have these doubts and fears? Arthur then couldn't help but think of himself as weak, making his situation worse.
He needed to get away before he said something he would regret.
Arthur hitched his horse to the wooden post that stood on the outskirts of camp. The sun was ruthless as it shone down on the occupants of the camp.
Arthur wasn't sure how to feel about meeting Trelawny's wife, just thinking about it worked him up again. He still couldn't believe that he was married AND had children, and on top of that they KNEW about Trelawny's attractions. How could Trelawny not be fearful of what his wife might do? What if she told someone? Arthur couldn't handle the thought, it was too much. Maybe he should stop this whole ordeal, Lord what was he getting himself into.
Arthur was brought out of his thinking from the commotion that was suddenly happening in camp. Sadie and Pearson were screaming at each other and no one was stepping in, so Arthur headed that way before someone ended up dead.
"What is wrong with you two?" Arthur yelled over top of Pearson and Sadie's yelling.
Sadie turned her rage on Arthur, " I ain't chopping vegetables for a damn living!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, madam… was there insufficient feathers in your pillow?" Arthur said sarcastically waving his hands.
Sadie sighed and pushed her way past Pearson, taking a couple breaths to calm herself down, " Look, I ain't lazy, Mr. Morgan. I'll work but not this… my husband and I, we shared the work… all of it. I was out in the fields, I can hunt, carry a knife, and use a gun. But I tell you, you keep me here…" Her anger started to rise up again as she looked to Pearson, " I'll skin this fat old coot and serve him for dinner!"
Pearson started at her from over Arthur's shoulder, " You watch your damn mouth you crazy goddamn fishwife!"
Too far. Sadie grunted and shot off right towards Pearson. Lucky for Pearson's sake Arthur was between them and able to pull Sadie back.
"Enough! Both of you! Come with me now." Arthur said looking to Sadie who was breathing heavy, " You wanna head out there?" Arthur made a show of pointing towards the forest. "Run with the men? So be it… but we do more than just hunting. We're hunted. And them things hunting us, well they got guns of their own." He voice was serious and low.
"I ain't afraid of dying." Sadie stated, looking Arthur dead in the eyes.
Arthur asked Pearson for a grocery list and took his mail.
"So, I get promoted from cooking to shopping." Sadie said plainly as she climbed onto the stagecoach.
"Shut your damn mouth, you're getting what you wanted. To go out." Arthur said, steering the horses towards Rhodes.
Sadie jabbed Arthur's side, "Hey, let me see that letter?" she asked.
"You going to read the mans mail?"
"Oh lord, killing and robbing s'okay but letter-reading is where y'all draw the line."
"Fine, here." Arthur handed her Pearson's letter from his satchel.
Sadie cleared her voice and spoke an impression of Pearson's voice, " Dear aunt Cathy,"
Arthur couldn't help but chuckle at this, "You are something else.."
" I haven't heard from you and prayed to the gods above that your health has not deteriorated… blah blah blah! Oh listen to this.. I have yet to marry, but I can assure you it's not for a lack of suitors."
Arthur lost it at this point, laughing out loud. Through Sadie's giggling she asked, " He ever actually talk to a women he ain't paid for?"
"Look we're all hiding behind something." Arthur stated still laughing.
Sadie went into the store to get what was on the list, after Arthur had to inform her this was not a robbery. Arthur posted the letter for Pearson. On his way back to the stagecoach, he couldn't help but think of Trelawny. He had been filled with a sense of dread all day since he had the thought to end whatever they had, but he wasn't sure what to do.
Arthur and Sadie headed home, he made the mistake of letting her drive which ended with them killing a bunch of bandits. At least he knew she could handle herself.
"I won't be giving you no mail to post any time soon, that's for sure." Arthur stated as they neared camp and had begun laughing about Pearson's letter again.
Sadie chuckled, " I just want to peak in that journal of yours. The mind boggles."
Arthur and Sadie sat down and shared a drink by the fire that night. He had really misjudged her.
Arthur was listening as she told stories about her husband, "Enough about me though, tell me Arthur, what special lady has your attention?"
Arthur nearly spit his drink out from the unexpected question, " What you mean?" He said still recovering.
She bumped his shoulder with hers, "I seen you at night, heading off in a dandy mood, coming back in the morning looking real pleased." Sadie was smiling wide knowing she was right but sensing he didn't want to be pressed.
"I ain't gonna question you, just thought I'd ask. Anyways, thank you Arthur, it meant a lot today… you're a good friend."
And with that it was just Arthur sitting by the fire, worrying that people were noticing him leaving almost every night, this is why it needed to end. But, Arthur couldn't end whatever it was Trelawny and him had going, because if he was being honest with himself he had never been happier. I mean hell, all Josiah had to do was look at Arthur and he was content. Maybe it was time he start putting trust into Trelawny and dear god… take what they have further.