“Please Arthur. We planned for you to come,” Davey insisted.
“For the hundredth time Davey; I ain’t goin’. It’s bad business and people in town will recognize me from my last job with Javier,” Arthur replied firmly.
“Yer gonna say no to all these ladies, Arthur?” Sean asked.
Mary-Beth walked beside Arthur and put a hand on his shoulder. Her other hand gesturing at the wagon as she talked.
“C’mon Arthur, don’t be like that. You wouldn’t want us ladies to get hurt.”
Karen nodded seeming to get on Mary-Beth line of thinking.
“Yeah. You’ve seen town crawlin’ with more law all the damn time. Bad and rude men, who know what they’d do to us ladies.”
Arthur grumbled some profanities which Tilly jokingly gasped too. But he gave in and whistled for his horse, Chestnut, to come over.
Mary-Beth clapped her hands in excitement and quickly got into the wagon. Karen and Tilly were already in the back. Davey and Sean got into the front.
“So why are we bothering with the food store? Won’t it just have food and a couple bucks?” Arthur asked as he rode beside the wagon.
“Weren’t you listening?,” Sean asked. “There been rumors about an illegal exchange happening in the basement of that building. And you know the illegal things are the best.”
“We’re doin’ this all for a rumor!?” Arthur demanded.
Arthur shook his head. This was a real bad idea. And knowing Sean and Davey they had something dumb planned.
“Don’t worry so much. I already investigated and it seems solid. Besides Karen already talked the store owner and got him swindled. Just send her in and I’m sure she’ll break him down,” Davey reasoned.
“Real easy thing too. The man couldn’t withstand a bat of an eyelash,” Karen boasted.
“She ain’t wrong. Saw him go wide eye when Karen flirted with him,” Mary-Beth attested.
“‘N’ what ‘bout Tilly and Mary-Beth?” Arthur questioned.
“They’ll keep an eye out for any law or something suspicious,” Davey replied.
“That’s damn right. Any one tries to get on in we’ll keep ‘em busy,” Tilly said enthusiastically.
“Well I’m glad you all are so excited for this robbery,” Arthur drawled sarcastically. “But this whole plan seems like pig shit. We just hoping that we ride into town. All go into the food store without anyone givin’ us a dirty look. Have Tilly and Mary-Beth keep watch and hope no one comes to the store to buy somethin’. While Sean, Davey, and I go down into some basement and hope there be money sittin’ on a silver platter.”
Davey and Sean glanced at each other. They could certainly tell how skeptical Arthur was feeling of this but they needed to keep him hooked. Though they knew Arthur was right, it did seem far too simple.
“Lighten up. We need to do some simple robbery sometimes,” Tilly said. “We can’t always go around robbing stage coaches and banks.”
“Besides,” Karen added, “We’ll just be robbin’ rich folk who think they all high and mighty.”
Arthur adjusted the hat on his head as the wind tried blowing it away. Karen got him, he did like robbin’ rich folk. Though that seemed to always run them into problems. Then again if they had to do illegal business under a food store maybe they weren’t all the dangerous to mess with.
“I wish we’d run this by Hosea first. I mean do you five even know who runs this? Or what the business even is?” Arthur pointed out.
“Arthur, just relax,” Sean insisted. Something having to do miracle medicine. All worthless just makes lots of money.”
“Alright, alright,” Arthur grumbled.
He supposed they were right. They wasn’t much to worry ‘bout. Beside this town was small the biggest threat was a rat infestation.
Along the way the three woman sang. Sean tried to join but Davey whacked him on the head and he quieted down. When they neared town everyone started to quiet down. No point on bringing unwanted attention.
Davey who had been driving the wagon, since Sean could not be trusted, stopped the wagon at the back of the food store. Karen, Mary-Beth, and Tilly all got out of the wagon and went to the front. Presumably to charm the store owner and keep a look out.
“So what’s our plan?” Arthur asked.
“Karen’s doin’ her magic and she’ll steal the key. Then us three go down to that basement and do a good ole’ fashion robbery,” Davey answered.
“Cause nothin’ could ever go wrong with that,” Arthur drawled. “What about guards? Any gunfire and the entire town will be alerted.”
“Don’t worry, we won’t shoot. And they won’t shoot neither since they are running somethin’ illegal. They don’t wanna be caught,” Sean spoke up.
Davey and Arthur stared at him in surprise. Sean raised an eyebrow at them confused like.
Arthur set a hand on Sean’s shoulder and said, “Can’t believe I’m saying this—really. But that may have been smart. For the first time I think i heard somethin’ useful out of the mouth.”
Davey snickered, “I agree. I mean that was smart of you. You sure you really are Sean?”
Davey gave a playful poke to Sean’s stomach. Sean exclaimed something but he was laughing so much it sounded like gibberish. This made Arthur laugh and ruffle Sean’s already messy hair.
“Hey, no fair! People love this hair,” Sean whined.
Noticing two men giving them dirty looks Arthur stopped. They should get a move on anyways.
“Alright we should finish this up. In and out fast,” Arthur grunted.
Davey who had been tickling Sean stopped. He quickly smoothed down Sean’s clothes and hair and nodded.
“Yeah we should get this done,” Davey agreed.
Sean just nodded and followed Arthur and Davey to the front. Tilly and Mary-Beth smiled at Arthur and let the three in.
The food store was simple; a spot for fruit, vegetables, and candy. Shelves with canned goods. In the corner was a desk where the store owner was. Karen was there as well and it looked like she had doing the job.
“Can we take this somewhere else?” Karen asked suggestively.
The man, not noticing the three men, nodded and started to lead her into the back room. Arthur grimaced, this felt to easy. He put his finger to his mouth signaling for them to stay quiet. He crouched down pulling up his bandana to hide his face and start towards the back. Davey and Sean did the same.
The back room had some shelves, a table, and nightstands. The most important thing there was the open hatch that led to the basement. Hand resting on his knife Arthur made his way slowly down the stairs. They creak a little but Karen was saying something to the man so he didn’t hear.
A few more steps down Arthur realized that the room was entirely dark and that there was a door off to the side with light coming from it where they must be.
Quietly Arthur made it all the way down. Superstitious this was a trap but he also figured that the store owner wasn’t that smart.
The moment both of his feet were off the stairs light from lamps and candles illuminated the room. Arthur could see several people both in his eye line and in his peripheral vision but everything happened so fast he couldn’t make any defining characteristics of any of them.
Someone to Arthur’s right was closest so that’s who he went after first. Moving his body closer and swiftly pulling out his knife into a way to stab the person in the stomach.
There were multiple yells from the other people, shouting different things that blended together. The person near him stumbled back and landed on his butt narrowly avoiding Arthur’s knife.
Someone put a calm hand on Arthur’s should from behind and grabbed the hand holding the knife.
“Whoa Arthur! It’s alright.”
“Charles!?” Arthur asked looking back.
He glanced back at the person he nearly stabbed and realized it was Javier. Arthur looked around the room. Everyone from camp was staring at him. Dutch was holding cake with a now uncertain face. Hosea had put his head in his hand and was shaking his head. John had been beside Javier paled in slight terror probably wondering if he was next. Jack hide behind Abigail, Abigail herself seemed surprised. Pearson was at a table full of food he had probably made, he looked startled. Mac, Bill, Susan, Molly, Lenny, and Jenny were at recently light lamps, appearing concerned, alarmed, or confused. At the stairs was Tilly, Sean, Davey, and Mary-Beth looking shocked or amused.
They were all wearing coned shaped hats. Also wearing shirts that had different letters on them. This was not normal at all.
“Wha-what is going on here?!” Arthur demanded.
Before anyone could reply Karen came busting through the door with a newly acquired cone hat.
“Woo! Happy birthday Ar— why’s Javier on the ground?”
“Birthday? It’s not my…” Arthur trailed off because, well, it was.
John started helping Javier to his feet. Javier was still in mild shock. He was more surprised Arthur had attacked him than anything else. Realizing Charles still had a hold on him Arthur looked back at him.
“How’d you all know it was my birthday?” Arthur asked, it was meant for anybody to answer but everyone just stared at Charles for the answer.
“We talked ‘bout it a while back. Thought a party might do you good,” Charles answered calmly.
Arthur grimaced trying to think of when. But they did so many hunting or general food trips that Arthur didn’t remember when. Charles let go of Arthur which made Arthur realize he had been enjoying the contact.
“If ya say so. But a surprise party weren’t necessary,” Arthur replied.
“Actually the surprise part was what Sean and I cooked up,” Davey said, putting his forearm on Sean’s shoulder and leaned against him.
“Just so you know I was not onboard. I thought we should surprise attack you,” John spoke up.
“Javier will you smack him for me?” Abigail asked.
“My pleasure,” Javier replied and quickly whacked John on the head.
“Ow! Javier!” John whined.
Dutch cleared his throat loudly and announced, “Let’s celebrate Arthur’s birthday now. He’s done so much for this gang.”
Hosea nodded in agreement, “you make Dutch and I very proud.”
Arthur raised his eyes in surprise. Sure they occasionally said they were proud of him or thought highly of him but it’d always been a one to one conversation. But Hosea and Dutch had gone and announced to the entire gang. Worried that others would be unhappy with the praise he was receiving Arthur looked around at the people but they were either smiling or nodding.
His eyes landed on Charles last. He couldn’t believe Charles had done all of this. Really, it just left him stunned. But he tried to act normal.
“I can see you smilin’” Lenny teased.
“Aww, Arthur you’re so adorable,” Tilly joshed.
Just like that everyone was talking and laughing. People such as John, Javier, and Bill were going to the table and grabbing food. Others like Sean, Davey, and Karen stayed standing up chatting with people near. Dutch set the cake down on a different smaller table than the one with food and chairs around it.
“So that whole thing about going to rob this place was part of the plan?” Arthur asked Charles.
“Yeah. It was Karen’s idea,” Charles answered.
“And about this place? How’d you guys manage to stage it here?” Arthur questioned.
Charles shrugged, “I’m not suppose to say.”
Arthur elbowed Charles playfully, “playin’ that game are we?”
Charles chuckled slightly, “Dutch and Hosea rented the place out. The basement anyways. Hosea managed to get a low price since we wouldn’t be disturbing any of his business.”
“That’s a waste of money,” Arthur commented.
This time it was Charles who elbowed Arthur, “And that’s exactly why we weren’t suppose to tell you.”
Arthur took another look at the gang milling about. He saw Dutch and Hosea talking, Dutch’s hand on Hosea’s shoulder. John and Javier sat next to each other, though it wad John doing most of the talking. Lenny was trying to be romantic with Jenny but Jenny ended up kissing him so he quieted down. Molly and Karen had sat down next to each other they tried to eat but ended up playing. Sean and Davey were at the base of the staircase laughing about something.
Before he could see what the others were up to Charles put his hand on the side of Arthur’s face turning so he’d look at him. Arthur blinked in surprise. What in the world was going on. He tried to find words but found he was too flustered.
“Do you like it?” Charles asked.
Arthur swallowed he did like what he saw but he wasn’t sure if that’s what he was talking about.
“Er, yes. I like it a lot. Umm, thanks. I don’t think I could have ever thought of something like this,” Arthur thanked, slightly embarrassed.
“Let’s all sit down and eat!” Dutch called.
Seems like everything Arthur was being cut short one way or another. Charles let go of Arthur and went to sit at the table. Arthur tried to sit beside Charles but Pearson sat there so Arthur settled for sitting next to Hosea. Which he didn’t mind all that much. Only took a few moments for everybody else to sit down.
Everybody filled their plates with food, it was like a whole feast. This was much better than any robbery Arthur could’ve done. He had Charles to owe for that but he’d just have to thank him later.
“So the surprise only resulted in an almost stabbing. Which in my book isn’t so bad,” Hosea joked to Arthur.
“Has there been a surprise party that’s ended worse?” Arthur asked.
Hosea nodded without hesitation, “Oh yes. I met some people before traveling with Dutch. We threw one of them a surprise party and he shot his brother in the leg.”
Hosea started to wheeze with laughter. Arthur just shook his head.
“How? Did he just whip out his gun and shoot?” Arthur asked.
“Yep. One hell of a surprise. But I’ll explain in detail some other time. This is about you! You enjoyin’ this all? I was worried this would be too chaotic for you to enjoy,” Hosea said.
“It actually isn’t so bad. I’m still a little shocked about this all. But thanks Hosea,” Arthur replied.
“Really should thank Charles. He cares about you, you know that?” Hosea replied.
Arthur swallowed down his food before replying, “I suppose so. Why do you think?”
“Oh, Arthur,” Hosea sighed.
Hosea didn’t answer his question just started to eat. Arthur waited for a reply but when none came he found himself staring at Charles. Charles was talking to Mary-Beth.
Mary-Beth pointed towards Arthur, or at least he thought she did. Then said something while smiling all love stricken. Charles moved hair out of his face and shook his head had Mary-Beth. She gently pushed his shoulder like she was trying to convince him of something.
Then Charles looked at Arthur. They locked eyes and then Arthur quickly looked away.
“So Hosea…” he paused not sure what to say, “Did Pearson make all this food?”
Hosea thought for a moment, “Not sure who else would’ve.”
Arthur stared at his food. He wanted to look at Charles again but what if he was staring. He felt like he was being stared at. This was stupid. Especially on his birthday. Why did he have to be so ridiculous?
Not able to stop himself Arthur looked at Charles who was looking at him. This time Arthur didn’t look away.
Arthur raised a slight eyebrow like “what is it?”
Charles nodded his head to the staircase. Seemingly wanting to leave.
Arthur gestured with his hand “now?”
“Who wants cake!?” Dutch asked loudly.
Dutch had already precut the cake onto plates and started handing them out to everyone. Arthur started to get up but John reached past Javier and pushed him back into his seat.
“Just relax Arthur. Enjoy this while it lasts,” John told him.
Arthur sighed deeply but sat back down. He looked at Charles with a shrug. There wasn’t much either of them could do.
But then Arthur saw his chance. People were chatting loudly and getting up to grab a piece of food they wanted or another slice of cake. So Arthur slipped out of his seat and to the stairs. Charles was right behind him.
Arthur and Charles went outside in the street. Arthur opened his mouth to ask what they were doing but Charles put his hand over his mouth and led him out of the small town. Their horses followed since Arthur didn’t like hitching his horse and neither did Charles.
Charles led Arthur into the forest past big boulders and then stopped in front of a little pond. The soft sunset light hit the pond so it shined.
“What’re we doin’?” Arthur asked, tearing his eyes away from the pond and to Charles.
“This is the time the pond looks best. So I wanted to show you,” Charles answered.
“It’s pretty,” Arthur commented.
“Thought you might like it.”
Arthur smiled, “I do like. Can’t believe you keep doin’ this all for me. A party, pretty views, all Birthday’s ‘pose to be like this?”
Charles smiled back at Arthur, “I’m not really sure. I read this little thing about how some rich person had a fancy birthday. I’m confident I can top it.”
“Oh yeah? And what did this rich feller have for a birthday?” Arthur replied jokingly.
“Oh some big meal, lots of people, gifts, things like that. Speaking of which we do need to get back soon, everyone had got gifts for you,” Charles said.
“Jeez. Since when was I the rich person in the newspaper?” Arthur asked.
“Well there’s one more thing I can do to top it,” Charles said.
Arthur raised an eyebrow in surprise, “You ain’t gotta compete with folk like that. I ain’t real interested in bigs fancy jewel’s or big ole’ mansions.”
Charles stepped closer to Arthur till they were breathing the same air. Charles leaned in and so did Arthur. Just like that they kissed.
i’ll try to make some drawings abt this. If there are typos mb. Uh tell me what else i should write abt i’m cool with that. Or draw.
origamiaround
gamechangershow
vaporwave
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
