Labored breaths, chest heaving. Charles was surprised his luck lasted him this long. But now, body finally caving in, he slipped from the strong grip Arthur had around his waist, crumpling to his knees with a pained, near-shout of despair. He had no doubt Arthur was soaked in his blood by now, feeling it continuously pooling between his fingers clenched around the wound at his side. “A- Arthur ... 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻'𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗶𝘁. I’ve, had this coming for a long time. 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙜𝙤."
heat washed down his side , the warmth of blood spilled against him . stained threads were the least of his concerns when the slip of charles nearly dragged him down too . arthur wouldn’t have let go , had the sanguine fluid that soaked his hands been result for losin’ his grip .quick to his knee , his elbow props ‘pon bended cap whilst his wet palms clasp the hunter’s mien .
‘ like hell i can’t , ye’ hear me . ‘ he delivers a baritone counter , determined to prove this isn’t over for him . charles was too good a man to deserve this kind of end . wounds this bad have been a thing they handled in the past . arthur may be no doctor , but he can’t imagine ( with even the severity of his wound ) charles could not recover from a scrape like this . ‘ ye’ ain’t had anythin’ comin’ … ‘ if charles couldn’t find the strength to get back up to his feet , arthur would find it to carry him .‘ i ain’t lettin’ ye’ go ! ‘ a low voice finally cracks , the idea of leaving charles behind is an unfathomable thought . gently patting the hunter’s cheek , arthur tries to keep him alert . his stern gaze burns with purpose , whilst charles rich umber hues glare straight back . ‘ i … i ain’t . i need you . ‘ a low raspy breath exhales an emotional response . lids press shut , flittering weakly whilst arthur avoids thinking the worst . a forehead dips in , gentle nudge pressing to support charles . noses brush prior to the reveal of viridian hues , and arthur attempts one more time for the hunter to not give up .hand pressing to wound , it stirs another short cry of pain . he wants not to hurt his companion , soft shushing falling from his lips whilst he grunts in struggle to assist charles to his feet again . but they are pulled even lower , charles collapsing to his back . charles recites arthur’s name in a quiet whisper but it is met with the outlaw’s response in panic . ‘ no … no , no , no … ‘a sting burns in his eyes , viridian hues now coated in a glossy haze . his palm still fighting the flow of red seeping through the cracks . ‘ juss’ tell me what to do ! ‘ he cries out , busying himself to tear away fabric to use as a tourniquet . ‘ tell me what to do , charles … ‘ his plea is meek ; followed with a gesture , wiping the perspiration from the hunter’s brow . rich chocolate strands are brushed aside , doing anything he can to provide charles an ounce of comfort .the weight in his chest becomes so unreal , heart shattering within his ribcage . ‘ i can’t … i can’t lose you . ‘