What do you think would have happened if Arthur stayed with Wolf as “Joseph” and didn’t go away??
hmmm. good question anon.
quick drabble time, as a treat??
"Wolf, thought I made it clear that I wasn't takin' on pets."
"Joseph ain't no pet, papa. He's a person."
Huffing from where William looks upon you and Joseph from his chair on the porch, he looks far from being convinced, "What's the difference? He needs food, clothing, a place to stay. I don't wanna have him around but my daughter insists because look how cute he is."
Pouting, you mutter, "I never said that..."
"You were thinkin' it. Why else would you bring a strange young man to our cabin and ask me to let him stay?"
Trying to gain the high ground in the conversation, you don't miss how Joseph shifts awkwardly at your side, "Joseph ain't got nowhere to go. You know as well as I do that Blackwater doesn't have housin' for people in need. The rich don't believe people in need exist. He'd have nowhere to go, and he'd be livin' on the streets. If we just offered him a place to stay while he works and earns money..."
William still looks doubtful, and his eyes glance to Joseph.
Taking a step forward, Joseph speaks up for the first time since he offered a meager hello to your father as you made your first approach to the cabin.
"Mr. Broce," the young man at your side is unusually awkward and lacking his usual charisma, "I could help out here. Do repairs on the house. I'd offer money to you for lettin' me stay here."
Your father raises a brow at the offer, "That so?"
"Y-Yes. I know a few things... I worked on a ranch for a few months. I've done a lot of... labor-based work. I can shoot a gun just fine too."
Putting on pressure, your father leans forward, "What kind of guns?"
"Oh. Well... Lots, actually. Shotguns, pistols, carbines, repeaters... I can be handy with a knife, too."
William's eyes narrow, "You ever hunted before?"
"Depends on what I was after..."
"That's questionably vague..."
"Hey, it's true, Wolf," your father clicks his tongue, standing up out of his seat to come forth, "I just wanna know more about this boy you're tryna bring into the fold here..."
Joseph looks so nervous as your father closes in, and if you weren't worried for him, you would probably laugh at how close to comedic this all was. But, your father is stubborn and headfast. You knew he'd sooner out a bullet in Joseph than trust him.
"If you goin' after a rabbit, what gun would you use?"
Blanking, Joseph pales and shifts on his feet, his deep drawl uneasy, "Uh... A shotgun?"
You wince at the reply, and your father snorts through his nose.
"Okay, you're definitely not fetchin' food unless it's from a butcher stall," William then scratches at his chin, "If someone were comin' up the road to attack my daughter, what would you do?"
"Papa, what kind of question is that?" you ask, scandized.
"One I want answered," William's gaze does not shift from Joseph then, " Come on, boy. Tell me."
Swallowing a little, Joseph raises his hand to point as he answers, "I'd camp at the window there. Best vantage point of the property without bein' in the open. The woods are thick with brush at the front, so they'd likely come in through the trail. Best shot is from there."
"What gun would you use?"
"A repeater or carbine would be best for the range. Rifle would overdo it, pistol wouldn't pack enough punch, and a shotgun would be like pourin' whiskey on a fire."
Nodding once, William stares at Joseph.
A moment of tension passes, and you hold your breath, as you await what your father has to say.
Smiling, your father claps Joseph on the shoulder and hums.
"Alright. I guess I could take you on the condition that you can watch after my daughter if I have to head out on business," but then, a sharp, sinister edge overtakes your father's tone, "But if you try anythin'... Not even the vultures would find your corpse."
Joseph's eyes are wide as your father goes back to his chipper self.
"Well, that's settled... Anyone hungry? I was thinkin' soup for dinner..."
