Chapter Text
This was all so bizarre, hell the past few months had been bizarre! But moving down south, becoming a deputy, tricking two horrible families for some damn gold. Arthur just hoped this wouldn't get worse. That they got get the gold (if there was any at all) and run west or hell, leave the damn country if they had to. But on top of that, he had found himself feeling like a lovesick boy. He didn't know how to explain it without sounding like he was reading from one of Mary-Beth's books... But he'd get butterflies, his chest would feel tight and he'd catch himself staring. All over their stable boy, Kieran. The jumpy feller he'd been threatening since he fucking got here. He'd catch himself staring at the lankier man a lot, watching him sit at the scout fire with a cigarette. Watching how the shadows of the trees danced over his features. God forbid if Kieran caught him staring, he'd gladly go over to the lake and jump in. Save the embarrassment.
But thankfully he hadn't, not yet anyway. Did Arthur know why he liked the O'Driscoll boy? now that he could explain. He'd seen how nice he was with the horses, hear him talk to them in a very endearing way ' C'mon Count, don't be stubborn I'm nearly finished... You'll get your Sugarcubes after, I swear.' ' Taima you're such a sweet girl, I think you deserve another apple.'. He'd also catch him talking with the girls, and even other gang members. Making a tiny bit of small talk, even saw him talking to Sean once or twice. How on earth he dealt with that boy he'd never know, specially after Sean headbutted him and bust his nose. Left him with a nasty bruise for a week. Yet he still worked hard and kept his head down, he commended him for that he really did.
A few days ago Kieran had sheepishly asked him to go get him some burdock root. So he could whip up somethin' for the horses. So Arthur had picked some for him, more like a whole bunch. Wrapping it up in some scrap fabric and tying it, he wanted it to look nice. He'd never done this for any of the other gang members... so he hoped this wouldn't come off as weird, he was trying okay. He even slipped in a little drawing of Branwen he had done, as little thank you for all the hard work he'd done. Show he didn't fully despise him, that's the last thing Arthur wanted Kieran to think. Sure Arthur teased him a lot and was... kinda mean. But he didn't hate the boy.
Arthur pushed himself up from his cot, changing into some cleaner clothes and putting on his hat and badge. Since he'd be heading out after Pearson finally put their lunch out, he had to put on that damn lawman facade. Everyone in camp thought it was ridiculous, saying Arthur looked weird acting like a lawman. He was just gonna have to deal with it for now... till they got out of this stupid situation. For now, he just had to focus, on not fucking up talking to Kieran. No fumbling with words just give the boy the damn Burdock root.
He reached into his satchel, pulling out the little fabric bag. It looked cute honestly, having some pale blue flower pattern on it and lace trim. Looked more like a present if anything, that being another reason he had hid it. In case anyone saw, he knew he'd get teased and asked if he was seeing some lady - Mary specifically after he helped her once, a month ago. The blond took a deep breath, walking out from under the canopy that covered his tent from the blistering Lemoyne sun. Scanning the campgrounds for Kieran till he spotted him on the outskirts of camp by the horses, brushing Branwen and petting his nose. He could do this, he could go talk to him. It would be fine. Arthur let out a sigh through his nose, making his way through camp. Saying 'Mornin' to a few of the gang members as he passed them. He caught Mary-Beth's eye as he walked past and nodded at her " Mornin' Mary-Beth."
She smiled up at him, sipping her coffee as she stood by the fire warming herself up. " Mornin' Arthur, You sleep okay? Heard you coming back late." Mary-Beth lifted the tin cup to her mouth and took a small sip, the older man just nodding and shrugging his shoulders as he came to a stop.
" Yeah, as well as I can. I was just out hunting to stop Pearson complaining about me not bringing in food. As if it makes any difference to his cookin'." Arthur snorted out a small laugh and Mary-Beth joined him, nodding.
" You can say that again!" she sighed as she finished her coffee, looking down at the fire " I should probably start working, get some work done so I can finally finish this book I'm reading. It's getting so tense I wanna finish it off in one sitting." Brushing off her skirt, she started to walk to Pearson's wagon. Glancing over her shoulder to look at Arthur and giving him a sweet smile " Have a good day, deputy." Mary-Beth giggled and Arthur smiled back at her.
" Don't call me that, lemme know how good the ending is okay?." He started to walk again towards Kieran and Mary-Beth waved him off, calling out to him.
" Will do!"
Kieran didn't even notice Arthur walking up behind him and leaning up against the tree. He was still in his own little world, Arthur found it kinda cute... He cleared his throat and Kieran almost jumped out of his skin, poor feller. Spinning on his heels to look at Arthur, fumbling with the brush in his hands. Letting out a sigh of relief and lowering his head, placing a hand on his chest.
" J-esus Mister, you scared me something rotten... Can... Can I uh, help you? I ain't in trouble am I?" He lifted his head to look at Arthur who scoffed and smiled, stepping towards him and lifting the brim of his hat just a little.
" Trouble? Why the hell would you be in trouble... You ain't seen any of Colm's boys have ya?" The smile he had quickly faded, but seeing the fear flash in Kieran's eyes and hearing him start to stammer, he giggled. Lightly punching his arm " Relax, I'm just messing with you... No uh. I," holding the package out he lowered his head a little " I wanted to give you this..." He waited for the boy to take it with bated breath, the younger's eyes going wide in surprise. Hesitantly Kieran reached up and took it, fingertips brushing against Arthur's own. Sending a small shiver down Arthur's spine, even in this weather.
" Really? I- Thank you..." Kieran's smile was warm, and genuine for once. A rare and amazing sight, not like Arthur would say that aloud. Duffy slowly opened up the parcel, holding the twine in one hand as he pulled the fabric open. Smile growing wide " Oh! Y-you got so much Burdock root for me, this will make a good few batches. I-" He paused, seeing a piece of paper at the bottom. Reaching up and slowly pulling it out from underneath the pile of Burdock roots.
Arthur could feel his face start to burn and he rubbed the back of his neck. Waiting for some sort of reaction from Kieran to confirm he wasn't an idiot for doing this, his heart unclenching when Kieran finally spoke again. " Did... Did you draw this? I never knew you could draw, Arthur." He spoke softly, and he was smiling. Thank god.
Arthur shrugged and held up his hands " I uh, dabble... Do animals mostly... Sorry, it doesn't do your boy justice..."
At that Kieran frantically shook his head, looking at the piece of paper with a smile " N-no! it's really good... It's lovely Arthur, I'll be keeping that safe." He smiled to himself and carefully rolled it up, placing it in his breast pocket so it wouldn't fall out. His eyes lifting up to meet Arthur's, tilting his head just a little. Christ alive, if Arthur hadn't held his composure that look Kieran gave would've killed him. It was already sending butterflies swarming around his stomach as it is.
It was a few moments before Kieran spoke again, nervously rubbing his arm " Arthur, why did you give me that? If you don't mind me asking... just. never thought of you to be the type to give me a present." His words trailed off as he looked down at his feet, shifting just a little. The blond took a deep breath and sighed, looking the O'Driscoll boy up and down, thinking of a good way to word it before shrugging. Trying to play it off as casual.
" A thank you, for all the hard work you're doing... Keep it up" He brought up his hand and gave Kieran a soft pat on the shoulder and a little rub. The seemingly smaller man smiled and nodded, stepping back and putting the Burdock root in his pocket.
" That means a lot, specially f-from you mister... I should get back to tending to the horses, 'fore Miss Grimshaw tells me to do work... Thank you, again." He gave Arthur a sweet smile and waved, walking back over to the horses.
Arthur watched him walk off, holding up his hand " Good idea, take care, O'Driscoll." He started to walk back towards camp, unable to help himself from smiling just a little. That went better than expected!
Once he was back on campgrounds, he froze as he heard a very familiar snicker from by the campfire. Turning his head to see the gap-toothed smile belonging to Sean, sighing as he rested his hands on his gun belt. " What you laughing for MacGuire..."
He spoke low, Sean looking up at him and scoffing " What's the matter Englishman? second ago I saw you smiling like you got your leg over with a girl in town. That where you were at last night?" That prompted Arthur to storm over, hitting the front of his hat so it came over his eyes.
" Watch that mouth of yours boy, I was hunting... Got it?"
Sean just laughed, lifting his hat and looking up at him " Jeeeesus, calm down I was only jokin'... christ!" He got up and folded his arms "It's just odd to see such a gruff bastard like yourself smilin' for a change, is all." He shrugged and walked off, Arthur letting out a sigh and rubbing his face as he walked over to his bed. God Sean really was like an annoying little brother, he loved to wind him up. At least he didn't catch on that Arthur was smiling because of Kieran, that would've been bad. It would spread around camp like wildfire. Dutch's boy, a queer.
God the thought of people he cared about ridiculing him made him feel sick. But he could deal with that thought another time. As soon as the food was ready, Arthur had grabbed a bowl. Scoffing it down before he headed out for the day, riding out of camp on his horse.
Kieran watched him ride out and once he was out of sight, looked around. Sitting himself down under a tree and pulling out the drawing Arthur made, running his hand over it and smiling. He wanted to stare at that drawing forever, he did that for him... of all people.
God knows what was going through that mans head, but it was definitely a sweet gesture. The nicest thing anyone had done for him in... a very very long time to be honest. Soft hoof noises slowly coming up to him, Branwen leaned down and sniffled the paper. Making the man laugh, reaching up and patting his nose " Arthur drew you boy, you like it?" he held it up by his face " I think it captures your likeness really well..." He giggled and then let out a sigh as he then held it against his chest. Pressing his back up against the tree and leaning his head back. Sending his hat askew, looking out over the small clearing he took a deep breath " Oh, Arthur..." he said to himself, looking at the drawing one more time before carefully rolling it back up and putting it back in his pocket. Pushing himself up off of the lush grass before he went to go get something to eat.