"STOP! STOP!" The guard yelled, his eyes wide with panic as he caught sight of the armed men stealing the Braithwaites' prized horses.
"STOP! We're being robbed!" He yelled once more, alerting the others in the surrounding area and things pretty much escalated quickly from there. Deafening gunshots erupted throughout the fields. Men who were idling about a few moments ago jolted into action, scrambling for their weapons and onto their horses.
Javier, John, and Arthur, on horseback, sped through the vast estate, looking for a getaway from the assault they had brought upon themselves when they decided to take up Tavish Gray's offer earlier that day. Tavish Gray had told them about the Braithwaite's prized purebreds, three of which are now tethered to Javier's horse, and that they could reap a tidy sum if they manage to steal and sell them to a couple of rustlers down in Clemens Cove.
With John riding point and Arthur covering up the back, they managed to take down a couple.
"Look out ahead. They're coming out of the fields." Javier provided vision. Pop! Pop! John easily took the men down, coming towards them from the tobacco fields.
On their way out, the three realised the main entrance to the estate was now blocked (of course). They had to find another way out. They made a sharp turn, going through a gap in the fence and then into the trees. They were finally out of the Braithwaite estate. However, a few more men gave chase. Arthur was able to fend them off, and no more came after those. They made their way to Clemens Cove, eager to get their hands on some money after all that trouble.
"A measly 650! Fucking Gray!" John cursed. Exasperated at the fact that they've done this too many times and, too many times, they've been fucked over.
"Hey, you can't win them all, right?" Javier taunted, relishing in John's frustration.
"Do you have something you want to say to me?" John snapped back.
Arthur rolled his eyes. 'Not this again.'
"Alright, you two -" he attempted to intervene.
"Yes. As a matter of fact, I do." Javier's smug expression annoyed John even more, tipping him dangerously over the edge.
"What's your deal here, John?
"You worked your way up to Abigail's pants some years ago. You get her knocked up, then you run away. Now, what the hell do you think you're doing with [Y/N]?"
"You gonna get this new girl pregnant and… and do it all over again?" Javier's voice raised in frustration. He had witnessed the hurt and turmoil John caused Abigail years ago, and he didn't want [Y/N] to end up the same way – never.
"You don't know anything about me!" John shouted. His scarred face was red with anger. He lunged at Javier, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt. Javier sends a swift punch to John's gut, causing him to double over in pain. They traded blows, landing hits on the other's face and body.
Javier landed a solid punch to John's jaw, sending him stumbling back. John retaliated with a kick to Javier's knee, causing him to buckle, but Javier quickly recovered, slamming his fist into John's face. Blood trickled from John's nose as he stumbled backwards, trying to regain his balance.
Arthur rushed in, trying to pull the two apart. The two continued to pummel each other, ignoring Arthur's orders for them to stop. "ENOUGH", he roared, forcefully pushing the two away from each other.
They separated, panting and staring at each other. Their anger subsided as they started to feel the exhaustion and pain creeping up their bruised bodies – and egos.
"You're nothing but a coward, Marston!" Javier spat, wiping the blood from his lip.
"Why don't you just move on, Javier? Ain't nothing for you here no more." John dismissed him.
"Good lord, Mr Morgan. You startled me!" It was around dusk when Arthur approached you in your tent. You were deep in your thoughts as you paged through the book Mary-Beth recently lent you up until your visitor's intrusion.
"Sorry about that, Ma'am, but you got, uh… two patients out here to see you."
You peeked your head out of your tent, and Arthur nodded his head towards the round table where Javier and John were seated, nursing their injuries.
"I thought you were just going to see about some horses. What happened?" You asked Arthur, anxious and baffled. They look like they've been through hell and back in the state they were in.
"Just between you and me, I think it was about some girl," Arthur whispered to you.
"Oh." Your face and the back of your neck felt hot, embarrassed, and disappointed. 'What the hell were these two thinking?!'
"You better sort this out."
You nodded obediently. Arthur gave you a soft pat on the back before leaving you to it.
"Okay. I'll see Javier first." You announced after carefully assessing each of them. John certainly did a number on him. Javier was a pain, but he didn't deserve this. Neither of them did, especially at anyone's expense – especially at your expense.
"Can you walk?" you asked him softly. He nodded and followed you to your tent.
You spent a few moments in silence with Javier as you proceeded to tend to his wounds, avoiding his eyes as much as possible. He winced occasionally but didn't say anything at all. You admitted to yourself you missed Javier. Before all of this, he was one of the closest and dearest friends you had among all of them. He was always so loyal and warm, and you know you are at home when his guitar and singing fill the air around the camp.
"I'm sorry for this mess, [Y/N]." Javier finally broke the silence between the two of you. He understood you. He was hurting, but he knew you were hurting as much to see him like this.
"You are with John now, and that is something that I need to come to terms with." He admitted. His expression was tender and genuine. You tried to fight back the tears that were starting to well up in your eyes. You looked away from him momentarily.
"Good, 'because I've missed you, y'know!" You give him a soft punch on the arm, his face slightly contorted with discomfort at your playful gesture.
"Oh my god, I am so sorry!"
He chuckled, immensely relieved and glad that the two of you were finally on speaking terms again.