@quiet-loyalty Continued from (x)
Somehow despite everything Arthur hadn’t been expecting the shove. He’d never fought with Charles before, not physically, but he was struck by how much power the man held as he hit the floor easy as anything. Laid out in the dirt looking up at Charles he knew he had no right to feel hurt, pain morphing more into anger until it ached in his chest threatening to overflow. Despite it, he knew it was directed less so at Charles, more so at himself.
“Charles. Charles!” Arthur called as he heaved himself up, but he was already on his way. He cursed himself something awful seeing Taima’s flank disappear into the trees, dusting himself off with unnecessary force.
He didn’t follow, not for some time. It was much too fresh. He’d like to think it was because he wanted to give Charles time to calm down, but in all honesty he simply didn’t want to face him.
Hunting briefly past the time, as did a swill or two of drink, but it didn’t calm him any as he’d hoped. Eventually not going and not knowing felt worse than going at all and he set off to join him at the reservation. When he got there Charles was talking to a few of the tribesmen, none of whom he recognised, but the conversation seemed serious. Arthur waited in the distant wings, meeting eyes briefly while they talked. He didn’t approach for now, feeling like a damn idiot worrying his hat in his hands until he roughly packed it back onto his horse to force his hands free.