Chapter 16: My Name is Leviticus Cornwall

You took a deep breath. When Hosea called you to come over and asked you to ride with John to Valentine to pick up some things for him, you thought this morning couldn't get any weirder.

You were in Keane's Saloon, seated across Dutch and Herr Strauss. On another table not far from yours was an older man, pass out drunk. Other than the bartender, your group, and the solitary drunk man, the saloon was empty.

Before Arthur and John rode out of Valentine to 'collect something', John asked you to wait for him here, with the Van der Linde gang leader. He thought it was the safest option rather than have you riding back to camp on your own. John certainly felt like he's just won a prize, and he didn't want to take any chances by letting it out of his sight.

One hour and a half tops, he promised, then the two of you can ride together back to the camp. He thought it might be good to take a detour on the way, so you and he can have some privacy. He knows how the gang can be, and there's Abigail.

Dutch and Herr Strauss were debating on the subject of morality and absolutes, while your eyes were on the shot glass filled with whiskey in front of you. Strauss had poured it for you out of courtesy when you joined them. You weren't paying attention to any of them, though, as your mind was far away. It was just this morning that you finally confessed to John after all. You were slightly regretting that of all the places you had to confess to John. It had to happen in a barn, surrounded by chickens and haystacks, with the smell of manure in the air and the sound of sheep baaing and chickens clucking in the background – hardly the ideal and romantic place for these things. Nope, not exactly as how you'd imagined it in your head.

'John didn't exactly say he liked you back, now did he. But why the hell would he kiss you then and hold your hand like that? You don't kiss people and hold hands with people you don't like. Oh, and Arthur, of course, he had to walk in on you and see the whole thing' Your mind was in shambles, quite the predicament John Marston has thrown you in. You groaned as you took the shot of whiskey that was sitting in front of you for some time now.

A few miles outside of Valentine, Arthur and John were riding towards Emerald Ranch. John had been evasive about the details of this job, much to his annoyance. Even more when he was asked to pick up a rolling block rifle at the gunsmith earlier, to which John hasn't given any clear explanation for yet.

All he knew, as John put it, was that they were going steal some sheep then sell them at the auction yard back at Valentine. 'Easy money, right?' he added.

"I hope you're not forgetting about that boy you have to raise, Marston." Arthur jabbed at him. He hasn't forgotten yet about the scene he just witnessed between the two of you – the kissing and the hand holding. 'What the hell was that all about?' His interest was piqued; after all, he was the first person you've let in on your secret. Arthur wasn't entirely self-aware, but he did tend to nose around other people's business.

"Excuse me?" John furrowed his eyebrows.

"You're always playing some goddamn game." Arthur shook his head, showing his disappointment in John.

"Me? I ain't the one taking John on fishing trips!" John retaliated, getting agitated at where Arthur was going in this conversation.

"No, you ain't! If you say the boy ain't yours, what's the difference? You'll probably only run off again." Arthur raised his voice.

"Why are you so interested in my life? Ain't you got one of your own?"

"Look, John. Don't you have things to sort out with Abigail first, before – before you start working your way to another girl's pants? What's the matter with you, boy?" Arthur lectured him. "Just do one thing or another. Not be two people at once, that's all I'm saying."

John fell silent. He doesn't have the time for this discussion. They were on a job for god's sake. He and Abigail were long over. Sure, he loved her, but that's all in the past, he insisted. With Jack now, that has complicated things between the two of them, and he isn't entirely even sure if the boy is his, to begin with. He knows it was one big mess that he needed to face sooner or later, but he didn't need anyone badgering him about it, especially Arthur.

Right now, he only had one thing in mind, and one thing only – and that was you. He just badly wanted to get this job done so he can go pick you up at the saloon and the two of you could finally talk. He did want to smack himself in the head realising that when [Y/N] just confessed to him, he didn't even say or do anything, except kiss her and tell her 'I didn't know you feel that way about me.' Then Arthur had to show up. God knows there were a million things more he wanted and needed to say to her.

After an hour or so had passed, you have downed about a bottle and half of beer and that one shot of whiskey earlier. You had no intention of getting drunk this time of day, let alone get drunk and wasted in front of Dutch and Strauss, but you needed to pass the time as you waited for John. Plus, Dutch was keeping a close eye on you as you ordered one bottle of beer after another.

As promised, Arthur and John came back, an hour and a half after they left you in Dutch's good hands. Your bored flushed face lit up as soon as you saw John enter the saloon after Arthur. John's eyes searched the room, and he smiled when your eyes met.

"Where have you been?" Dutch demanded as the pair approached your table.

"Working - Marston's thing," Arthur answered. John hasn't taken his eyes off you since they got there.

'Could he make it any more obvious for Dutch and Strauss?' Was what was in your mind. You're head over heels for the guy, but you're not keen on letting everybody know (just yet), especially the Van der Linde gang leader. You looked down at the table, avoiding John's gaze.

"Good! And?"

"We're just waiting to get some pay, on… a few sheep."

"Leopold, my good friend, as long as you are here. Why don't you and John go make sure there ain't no funny business, and you Ms. [Y/L/N] ride with them back to camp." Dutch ordered, dismissing the three of you. He asked Arthur to stay for a round of drink. You stood up and joined John and Herr Strauss.

Dutch couldn't understand or make any of what John was whispering to you as you were exiting the room. Still, he did start to get suspicious when he caught John fidgeting with his hand, seemingly having an internal debate whether to put it behind the small of your back or keep it beside him.

"So, what's going on with those two?" Dutch asked Arthur, his eyes narrowed. He pointed to you and John with the bottle that was in his hand.

"Beats me, Dutch. Beats me." Arthur took a slug of whiskey, feeling relieved to finally get some break after all the running, and shooting, and herding John made him do today.

"We'll just stop by the auction yard. Then we can head home. Pretty sure Hosea's wondering where you are now." John whispered to you. You nodded with a smile. You're just glad they're back safe and sound. In this line of work, it was uncommon to not worry for them when they set out robbing trains, stagecoaches, banks, making a lot of enemies along the way.

The smile on your face quickly faded, as you saw the group of armed men standing in front of you, their guns aimed at the three of you.

A sharply dressed older man with grey receding hair, on horseback, seemed to command them. There was no going about it. You were outnumbered, you were all instantly dead should you make one wrong move. With one gesture from the man, the armed men seized you three, disarming John and Strauss. A look of horror crossed your face and John's when the man who held you started to drag you forcefully away, separating you from your companions.

"Van der Linde!" The elderly man roared. "You don't know me, but you keep robbing me!"

"My name is Leviticus Cornwall. I am not a man to be messed with by the likes of you." He introduced himself.