Summary: It was you who went out to go fetch Reverend Swanson (not Arthur) at Flatneck Station under the orders of Ms. Grimshaw, but John was worried so he followed you. Based on the game's Chapter 2 mission of the same title.
"It's just Reverend Swanson. I doubt he's going to make a mess any more than you did back in Valentine, dear [Y/N]." Ms. Grimshaw said as she dismissed you to carry out his orders.
People were starting to get worried when the preacher didn't come home for two nights in a row now, hoping it ain't one of his benders again. She did explain that most of the others were out and about and just flat out busy – Arthur was going to get Micah out of jail in Strawberry, the others were either scouting where Sean was held up or out to make some money, and Uncle – well Uncle said he had lumbago, but he was nice enough to saddle up one of the horses for you. It was a black Morgan with a calm enough disposition that someone might have 'borrowed' from somewhere and never returned.
You mounted the horse and rode out to Flatneck Station, which was in the south-western part of New Hanover, according to Uncle's directions. When you found the station, it was quiet and looked deserted. There were no other buildings and structures nearby. Ms. Grimshaw did say you were just going to drop by and get the Reverend – in and out, she reassured. What can go wrong, right?
You surveyed the surroundings and tried the door at the back where you could hear men's voices inside. One voice, you were sure of, was the clergyman's.
You walked further inside and saw him seated at a table along with two other men, pair of cards on hand and a stack of chips in the middle of the table. Reverend didn't look too good and he was quite intoxicated.
He stood from his seat and welcomed you eagerly. "Ms. [Y/N]!" his breath reeking of alcohol.
"Reverend, people back home are worried about. I came to get you." You said to him struggling to maintain your balance as his heavy hands clumsily landed on your shoulders.
"I took Mr. Morgan's advice! I am free!" He preached, slurring as he spoke each word.
"What are you talking about, Reverend? We ought to go home now." You pleaded with him. You just want to get him out there. The piercing stares of the other men were making you extremely uncomfortable by the minute.
"I am free, [Y/N], free from Morpheus' embrace!" he repeated himself.
"Who's your lady friend, Reverend?" The sleazy old man seated across the table asked. Before the drunk preacher could respond, he collapsed to the floor and started crawling on fours.
You were going escort him to his horse, but the other man, the more ill-tempered looking one, held your arm so tight it hurt.
"Look the game ain't done here, Missy. Sit down and finish the game for him." He demanded aggressively. He threw you to where Reverend Swanson's sat earlier.
"Okay." You said weakly, regretting now the moment you stepped outside that camp. You silently thanked Mr. Pearson for teaching you a thing or two about poker.
After a few rounds, you were scooping all the chips off the table, still surprised at how the game turned out in your favor, but contented with a smile on your face, much to the irritation of the two men who sat opposite you.
"You bitch. You fucking cheated!" the ill-tempered man spat out. Distracted by the man's sudden accusation, you didn't notice the other man creeping behind you, forcefully grabbing you from behind, locking your frame in his burly arms. You let out frantic screams for help, struggling to break free, as he held you in place.
"We don't take nicely to cheats and liars in these parts, bitch. So, we gon' just take our money back from your dirty little paws!"
"Please, let me go." You cried, as the man in front of you fished in pockets and satchel, taking this opportunity to graze his palms over your breast. It made you cringe and sick to your stomach.
As you struggled against the two men, you heard the door bust open behind you.
"Get your goddamn hands off her!" John's voice echoed through the room. You couldn't see him, but he must have had a gun in his hand, as the men immediately released you and slowly backed away from you. The sleazy man attempted to reason with John and explained that you cheated, and they were only taking what was rightfully theirs.
"Leave now or I'll shoot your heads off." His raspy voice roared threateningly, and the two men scrambled for the exit.
"Are you alright? I heard Grimshaw sent you out to look for Swanson - I… I got worried." he walked to you, his eyes scanning your body to see if you were hurt anywhere. "I swear, I'll kill them, if -" he murmured under his breath.
"I am. Thank you, John." You straightened yourself up, extremely relieved to see him. "But we have to find Swanson."
You headed out the station. A few minutes scouring the area, you recognised the reverend's figure up on the train tracks. The pair of you ran as fast as you could towards the inebriated preacher. His foot was stuck in the train tracks. What the hell was he thinking? Your face grew pale in horror as you heard the sound of an approaching train. John and you frantically worked to free the reverend's foot, as the dreadful chugging of the train drew closer and louder. Right at the very moment when the train was a few meters away, the reverend's foot broke free, and you and John threw yourselves out of the way, pushing the reverend off the tracks and to safety.
It was dark when you and John got back to the camp. Reverend Swanson had passed out drunk. Ms. Grimshaw thanked the both of you for bringing him back and promised to keep an eye on him.
John carried the clergyman and laid him on his bedroll before he caught up again with you, tracing where you disappeared off to. He found you on a spot not far from the camp but was conveniently hidden. He saw you resting under a tree. You've used this spot many times when you just wanted to be left alone, either with your book or in your thoughts.
"How is he?" You asked as John took his seat next to you.
"Still passed out drunk, but he's alright. You sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine, John. Really, thank you. I'm glad you showed up when you did." You gave him a soft kiss on his cheek as a way of saying thank you. Suddenly realising that you made a mistake, as that kiss just landed very near (and quite dangerously) the corner of his lips. You pulled back, his eyes locked with yours and looking just as surprised.
"I think I should go now." You gulped praying that didn't just happen. He caught your arm, right before you could leave him, pulling your body back to him, and your face closer to his. His lips collided with yours, a little too passionately, as if he'd been waiting to do this since the night he first laid eyes on you. You faltered, you've been dreaming of this moment for many nights, you weren't sure if this was real. However, there was no moment of hesitation from John. It's as if time froze and you forgot how to breath as you melted under his touch. He deepened his kiss, and you parted your lips to let his eager tongue inside. Your bodies pressed against each other, and his fingers dug into your hair. Heat rose from your stomach and a weak moan escaped you, which did nothing but make him want you more. You shuddered at the sound that came from his throat – a raspy, half growl, half moan.
Breaking from the trance you were just in, you moved away from him, but he never let go of you.
As much as you just wanted to stay there with him and forget about everything else. He nodded as if he understood you; his eyes lost in yours. The both of you have been gone for some time now.
"I think I should really go." Were the words in your mind but you couldn't speak. You walked away and left John in his spot. Your heart was still beating fast and your knees weak. It felt like you were going to implode at some point on your way back to your tent. You tried your best to regain your composure before the campfire illuminated your face and before anyone else could see you.
As you crawled to your cot for the night, your mind flooded with the sensations John Marston had made you feel a few moments ago. It was maddening. Scary. Thrilling.