I borrowed @commander-cullywully's questions <3 PAIRING: arthur morgan x bonnie ray (f!oc) WARNING/TAGS: soft smut, rdr 2 spoilers, angst, major death character
1 - Who is the most affectionate? Arthur. He's gruff about it, but once the walls are down, he's all lingering touches, forehead kisses in the quiet moments, and pulling her into his lap whenever they're alone. Bonnie's very affectionate too, but hers is playful and teasing —nipping at his ear, tracing his scars— while his is steady, grounding, like he's afraid she'll vanish if he doesn't hold on.
2 - Big spoon/Little spoon? Arthur big spoon, always. He's a mountain of a man, and he loves curling around her protectively, one arm banded across her waist, chin tucked over her shoulder. Bonnie's little spoon fits perfectly against him, but she flips it occasionally just to straddle him and nuzzle into his chest, making him grumble happily about "cheatin'."
3 - Most common argument? Arthur trying to shield her from danger ("You stay back, darlin', this one's mine") vs. Bonnie's fierce independence ("I'm not some fragile doll, Arthur Morgan, let me fight!"). It always ends heated, with him pinning her against a tree or tent pole, growling, "Fine, but if you get hurt, I'm tyin' you to the damn horse."
4 - Favorite non-sexual activity? Riding out together at dawn, just the two of them, no gang, no jobs. They'd find a quiet overlook, dismount, sketch or share a coffee while watching the sun rise, her head on his shoulder, his arm around her. Simple, peaceful moments where the world's ugliness feels far away.
5 - Who is most likely to carry the other? Arthur, hands down. He scoops her up effortlessly after a long ride, or bridal-style when she's hurt or exhausted (like post-rescue). Bonnie's tried once, laughing as she "piggybacks" him for two steps before he flips her into his arms, teasing, "Nice try, pretty girl."
6 - What is their favorite feature of their partner’s? Arthur loves her eyes, those sharp green ones that flash with fire when she's teasing him or challenging the world, but soften just for him. Bonnie's obsessed with his hands: big, scarred, callused killers that turn impossibly gentle on her skin, tracing her curves like she's a wonder.
7 - What’s the first thing that changes when they realize they have feelings for the other? Arthur starts noticing the little things —her laugh cutting through camp noise, how she patches his wounds without flinching— and he stops pulling away from her touches. Bonnie realizes when she catches herself scanning for him first in a fight, her heart twisting if he's out of sight; she starts seeking him out at night, "accidentally" sharing his bedroll.
8 - Nicknames? & if so, how did they originate? Arthur calls her "darlin'/sunshine" (pure instinct, slipped out during their first real flirt after a job), "pretty girl" (after he caught her braiding her hair by firelight, muttering she looked too damn good), and "little fox" (borrowed from Hosea, but dirtier when he growls it in bed). Bonnie calls him "cowboy/pretty boy" (teasing his drawl), "big man" (first time she straddled him, marveling at his size), and "my man" (whispered possessively after their first night together).
9 - Who worries the most? Arthur, by a mile. He's haunted by losing her (post-kidnapping amps it to eleven), always checking her horse's tack, scanning horizons for threats, waking at night to make sure she's breathing. Bonnie worries too, but channels it into sharpening knives and practicing shots, practical armor.
10 - Who remembers what the other one always orders at a restaurant? Arthur. He notices everything about her: coffee with extra of sugar; venison steak medium-rare with cornbread; a shot of whiskey after. Bonnie tries, but Arthur's "whatever's hot and quick" stumps her... until she learns it's always steak and potatoes if available, because "fuel for the road, darlin'."
11 - Who tops? Switch, but Arthur most often. He loves pinning her down, that big frame dominating as he growls filthy praises into her neck. Bonnie tops when she's feeling feisty: straddling him in those chaps, riding him slow and teasing until he begs, flipping their power dynamic with a wicked grin.
12 - Who initiates kisses? Bonnie. She's bold, stealing them mid-conversation, nipping his lower lip to rile him up, or pulling him into shadowed corners for heated makeouts. Arthur responds like a dam breaking —deep, consuming— but she sparks it, loving how he unravels.
13 - Who reaches for the other’s hand first? Arthur. His callused fingers seek hers instinctively during tense rides or camp downtime, thumb stroking her knuckles like an anchor. Bonnie laces hers through his after, squeezing back with that reassuring fire.
14 - Who kisses the hardest? Arthur. His are bruising, desperate claims: hands cupping her face, beard scraping her skin, pouring every unspoken fear and want into it. Bonnie's are fierce too, but his hit like a storm.
15 - Who wakes up first? Arthur. Cowboy habits die hard. He's up at dawn, watching her sleep curled against him, tracing her spine until she stirs. Blames it on "checkin' you're still breathin', darlin'."
16 - Who wants to stay in bed just a little longer? Bonnie. She burrows deeper into his chest, murmuring "Five more minutes, cowboy," nuzzling his neck until he's grumbling but secretly melting, delaying chores for stolen touches.
17 - Who says I love you first? Arthur, raw and unplanned after a brutal job where she took a bullet graze for him. Hoarse whisper against her hair while patching her up: "Goddamn it, Bonnie... I love you. Don't you dare scare me like that again." She says it back mid-kiss, tears mixing with blood.
18 - Who leaves little notes in the other’s one lunch? (Bonus: what does it usually say?) Bonnie. She tucks them into his saddlebag with trail rations—scrawled on scraps: "Don't get dead, big man. Your fox misses you already," or "Thinking of your hands on me tonight. Hurry back. -B" Arthur finds them mid-ride, smirking like an idiot, pocketing them like treasures.
19 - Who tells their family/friends about their relationship first? Neither —they're private as outlaws can be— but Hosea figures it out first and teases Arthur mercilessly ("Bout time you caught that fox, son"). Bonnie accidentally spills to Mary-Beth during girl-talk, who squeals and demands "All the details!"
20 - What do their family/friends think of their relationship? The gang approves hard. Hosea sees it as Arthur's salvation ("She's good for him, lights that fire without burnin' him down"). Sadie loves Bonnie's fire matching Arthur's grit ("About damn time he found someone who won't take his shit"). Grimshaw grumbles but softens ("Keeps him from mopin'"). Everyone knows they make each other better: fiercer, steadier, more alive.
21 - Who is more likely to start dancing with the other? Bonnie. Around the campfire after whiskey flows, she'll grab his hand, pull him up with a grin: "C'mon, cowboy, show me those fancy steps", swaying close, her hips teasing his until he's chuckling, hands firm on her waist, forgetting the gang's stares.
22 - Who cooks more/who is better at cooking? Bonnie cooks more (quick campfire stews with wild herbs she forages), but Arthur's surprisingly better; learns from Pearson, makes hearty venison roasts that melt in your mouth. She teases him about it: "Who knew the big bad gunslinger had a homemaker's touch?"
23 - Who comes up with cheesy pick up lines? Arthur, awkwardly earnest. First time: "You must be tired, darlin', 'cause you've been runnin' through my mind all day." She laughs so hard she snorts, but kisses him senseless, "Cheesiest line in the West, cowboy. Do it again."
24 - Who whispers inappropriate things in the other’s ear during inappropriate times? Bonnie. During gang meetings, she'll lean into his side, lips brushing his ear: "Bet I could make you come in your pants right now if I slipped my hand lower." He grips the table, face stone, growling later, "You're gonna pay for that, pretty girl."
25 - Who needs more assurance? They both need it, deeply. Arthur's plagued by self-doubts —feeling like a worthless outlaw— and craves her affirmations: "You're my home, Arthur. Not despite the scars, because of them." Bonnie, scarred from her abusive ex, battles self-harm urges (gradually easing with his steady love); she needs his touch as proof she's worthy, not broken. They trade quiet "You're mine"s like lifelines, mending each other nightly.
26 - What would be their theme song?
I have far too many.
"Work Song" — Hozier. “No grave can hold my body down, I’ll crawl home to her.” This is them in a nutshell. Arthur, who would fight the world just to come back to her.
“I Get to Love You” — Ruelle. This is pure Bonnie.
“Sweet Creature” — Harry Styles. Arthur's POV.
"Ocean Eyes" — Billie Eilish. Bonnie's POV.
"Not Pretty Enough" — Kasey Chambers. Pre-relationship insecurities. Bonnie fearing he's friend-zoning her, Arthur terrified to open his battered heart).
"The Night We Met" — Lord Huron. Arthur dying, or either Bonnie has died in the robbery in Saint Denis or she is dying from the TB she caught from him and they both have little time left.
“You Are the Best Thing” — Ray LaMontagne. Bonnie bringing warmth and life back into him.
27 - Who would sing to their child back to sleep? Bonnie. She already hums and sings camp songs to Jack, her voice a soft, lilting comfort. She'd cradle their baby, crooning folk tunes or made-up lullabies about brave foxes and steady cowboys, Arthur watching from the shadows, utterly smitten (and touched).
28 - What do they do when they’re away from each other? Arthur sketches her obsessively: her eyes mid-laugh, chaps framing her hips. Bonnie draws him too: his strong hands on reins, that rare smile. When they reunite, they compare sketches by firelight, laughing at similarities, tracing each other's lines with fingers and lips.
29 - One headcanon about this OTP that breaks your heart If Bonnie survives the Saint Denis robbery, she catches TB from their intimate nights. Realizing their time's short, they ride to their special cliff overlook. Bonnie eases Arthur down, his head in her lap. She sings him one last song, voice fading with her breath. He dies at sunrise, exhausted but at peace, gazing at the woman he loves. Bonnie curls onto his chest and slips away from sheer exhaustion. Charles finds them, burying the lovers together under wolf-flowers.
✎ related post
30 - One headcanon about this OTP that mends it In a redeemed timeline Arthur never contracted TB; they build a valley ranch. First a daughter (fierce-eyed like her ma, strong like her pa), then more kids follow. Hosea lives to 80s, he grows a beard just so the kids' can play with it. Dutch becomes "Uncle Dutch," goofing around to prove he's "still got it," chasing toddlers while Bonnie and Arthur watch from the porch, hands entwined, finally free.
━━━━━「 NAVI 」
main m.list ✧ arthur m.list ✧ dutch m.list ✧ hosea m.list ✧ bonnie m.list
