─── ｡ﾟ☆: four , the meadow :☆ﾟ. ───

CRICKETS WERE SINGING THEIR soft songs as the sunset behind the mountains. Tiny specks of light slowly taking over the clear sky as the light of day started to darken. A few members of the Van der Linde gang had gathered around the campfire, sharing stories of simpler times, happy, sad, years of long memories — remembered but not forgotten.

     The gang was silent as they listened to Karen Jones ramble about a tale of her younger years when she was leading to become an actress and have a life full of fame and glamour — though this story didn't go with a happy ending. "—and I shot the bastard between the eyes. If it weren't for Dutch, I woulda been hung the next day."

     Angelica was leaning against a tree not too far from the fire, a glass bottle in her hand as she listened to her friend's story. Her head dropped, thinking back on the very first time she met Karen. That woman she met was a mess, crying and sulking around because she wasn't going to have the life she planned for — but it was Angelica that showed Karen running with the Van der Linde gang wasn't all that bad. Yes, it had its downfalls. But being a part of the gang also meant you were a part of a family — and Angelica showed her that.

     "Dutch is a good man," Mary-beth whispered softly, that pretty smile she always seemed to wear blossoming on her face.

     Karen nodded her head in agreement, leaning forward to grab her drink off the ground. "Though my story is sad, I had an Angel pull me out."

     Hosea let out a tiny chuckle, his head turning to the shadows toward Angelica. A few of the members turned with him, their eyes clouding with question. He gestured for the younger woman to come over before he spoke.

     "Yes, our dear Angel here has that effect." He said, his silvery eyes following Angelica as she came to take a seat beside him. She glanced around at the faces, her eyes only stopping on Arthur for a second before she directed her gaze to the burning flames.

     "I didn't do anything," She said, lifting her drink up and taking a long drink as Karen let out a scoff.

     "Didn't do anything my ass — woman, you helped me when I was at my worst."

     A mischievous grin slowly curved on Angelica's face, "All I did was show you how much fun it is to run with our group of misfits,"

     "And I'll never forget that night," Karen giggled, her eyes twinkling.

      Mary-beth stared across at Angelica for a moment, a curious gleam falling into her eyes. "Miss Conti, if you don't mind me asking — what would your worst memory be?"

     Everyone's attention shifted to the female outlaw, also curious. Angelica felt her smile drop from her face, her hand around the bottle tightening. It wasn't hard for her to think of one. Because as soon as Mary-beth asked, her mind went to one of the worst memories she's ever had.

     Of course, her parent's death was the first — but her most recent one, she felt like she was still living to this very moment. And she honestly hated thinking of that memory. . . of that day.

     She hated how normal it was, and how quickly it turned to shit. . .

     Angelica hasn't seen Arthur all day, which wasn't anything she worried about, seeing as he was usually busy in the mornings doing only god knows what.

     The young woman was actually in a good mood that morning — after earning a few bucks for a deer she stole from a man. She was in a good mood because she had enough cash to get Arthur a gift for his birthday, which was only days away.

     Angelica smiled down at the leather weaved bracelet in her hands. She knew Arthur wasn't big on wearing jewelry or anything like that. But she knew he'd wear it for her — Arthur would do anything for her.

     By the time Angelica made it back to camp, she was surprised to find a note resting on her cot.

     Arthur.

     We need to talk. Meet me at our meadow. Angelica tried to ignore the warmth she felt as she read over the word 'Our' and tried to focus on why he was so short with his letter. He would usually explain why he wanted to meet, or at least leave a cute little note about how he missed her company. But there wasn't any of that. Despite the sickening feeling in her gut, telling her not to go. Angelica got on her horse and rode toward the meadow.

     A place the two outlaws found years ago, near a small stream where small animals would rest and get a cool drink. It was secluded enough that they never saw anyone else out there. And that was how they liked it.

     It was also a place when Angelica first discovered she had deep feelings for Arthur — seeing how the sun hit his eyes just right, making them look brighter. And how relaxed he looked while sketching in that old journal Angelica bought him years ago. He never looked so happy, and his lifted mood made her feel fuzzy — especially when he showed her his drawings.

     She'd never seen a man so shy and flustered — not like Arthur would get when Angelica found the sketches of herself.

     Clouds had begun to form in the sky and it was cooling off, to the point Angelica had to bring her wool coat. She stuffed her red hands into the sides of her jacket as she neared the meadow, her horse knowing exactly where to go.

     After a few moments, Angelica could see Arthur resting on the ground near the stream. There was that familiar flutter in her stomach at the sight of him, and she couldn't stop the tiny grin that blossomed on her face. Once he locked eyes on Angelica, he stood up. His movements looked stiff and almost as if he were in pain.

     "Hey Slinger!" Angelica giggled, rushing over to him and throwing her arms around his neck. Arthur quickly caught her, his arms wrapping around the dip in her back. For a moment he found himself lost in her embrace, pulling her off her feet and closer to his chest. Their height difference a thing he always loved.

     Once he set her back down, his hands moved past her wool jacket to rest on her hips. Their eyes mixing together as he stared down at her.

     Angelica suddenly let out a gasp, her rosy cheeks lifting as that pretty smile grew on her lips. "Oh, I have something for you!" She barely looked at him as she dug something out of her jacket pocket. Arthur's face softened as he watched her, the adoration he felt growing in the soft shades of his eyes.

     Angelica suddenly grew shy, pulling her hand from her pocket slowly and holding out something for him to take. Arthur arched a brow when he saw a neatly weaved bracelet.

     "What's this?"

     Angelica shifted and lifted a hand to tuck a piece of hair behind her ear, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of red. "A gift — Happy birthday Arthur."

     Arthur felt his heart tighten as he took the bracelet from her. The one hand that was still on her hip dropped as he tried to put the thing on, but to no avail. He made a face, glancing at her with a helpless look. Angelica chuckled at his struggle and reached over to help him, her skin practically setting on fire from the skin-to-skin contact.

     "My birthday isn't—"

     "For another couple of days, I know," Angelica said softly, her hands falling to her sides as she peered up at him. "I just wanted to give you that — If you don't want to keep it, I'll understand."

    "No, no. It's fine." His deep voice murmured. He wasn't the type of man to wear something like this, but the look on Angelica's face made him want to wear it.

     Arthur could have stayed in that moment forever — but he knew he couldn't — There was a sick feeling building up in his chest, knowing this would probably be the last time they would ever share a moment like this. Noticing the way his face suddenly shifted, Angelica's brows pulled together in concern.

     "What's wrong?"

      He wasn't ready to tell her. . . He couldn't just yet.

     Arthur's eyes flickered to her rosy cheek, "Are you cold?"

      "Yes, but i'll be fine," She tried to smile, "Wanna ride down the trail for a bit?"

      Arthur's face suddenly looked pained, and the bright blue colors of his eyes seemed to turn a shade darker. "Nah, I'm not stayin' long,"

      Angelica's fell a little, and she tried to ignore how cold his voice suddenly sounded toward her. "Oh — then why did you ask me here?"

      There was a moment of hesitation, his eyes looking over her face as if he were trying to memorize every detail about it. He took in a deep breath, his lips forming a tight line.

      "I don't want to see you here anymore,"

     Angelica paused and then laughed, shaking her head. "Arthur, quit playing games — why did you really ask me here?"

      "You don't seem to understand woman," Arthur bit back, taking a step back. He felt pain as the did this, and by the look on Angelica's face, he knew she felt it too. "I can't be around you anymore. This place is where I come get peace — I don't have that when you're around." His face looked annoyed, and the expression nearly broke Angelica.

     Why was he being like this?

     "Arthur. . ." Angelica whispered, tear suddenly building in her emerald eyes. "This isn't funny." Her voice broke at the end of the sentence and Arthur wanted to reach out and hold her. He hated this.

      "Does it look like I'm laughin'?" He practically spat, trying his best to keep the stoic facade. "Leave,"

      "But this is my place too, Arthur," Angelica tried to reach out for him, but he took another step back.

     "Leave!"

      Angelica was in too much shock to speak. Arthur had never yelled at her like that before. Not with so much hatred and disgust in his voice. He had never been so crude or harsh, especially toward her. He was always so kind, and always there when she needed it.

     What happened? This wasn't her best friend — this wasn't her Arthur.

     Angelica left after that. Not once glancing back at him. And she never returned to the meadow — the place that once brought her peace and happiness — she would see Arthur around camp, and he would act as if she didn't exist, even when she would join the gang at the campfire.

     And it only got worse after that — it wasn't long before the gang caught on.

     Everyone was confused at the sudden shift in the two outlaws' relationship. People would ask what happened and Angelica would tell them she didn't know. They would make a face, and fall into a silent shock.

     Angelica and Arthur were the closest in the gang, and they almost didn't believe it.

     Then when they started doing robbery heists, Arthur would make side comments about her work. Angelica would give out her ideas, and he'd push them aside and suggest something else — it used to make her upset, causing her to shut her mouth and let the men handle the job.

      The way Arthur was acting even shocked Micah, despite him usually being the one to knock Angelica down for doing a man's job.

     It wasn't long before the Conti woman had enough and started standing up for herself. If there was anything her parents taught her, it was to never let a man or anyone for that matter treat you with little respect. The once kind and caring woman turned into a colder and heartless person when she was around Arthur.

     Dutch and Hosea were the ones to give her advice on what to do. They didn't like the way Arthur was acting, and they even tried talking with the other male — but they came out with nothing in the end — it was obvious how uncomfortable the gang was when the two adults started arguing.

     Angelica didn't think it was possible to hate Arthur — not after loving him so much.

     It was definitely still there. She would see him from a distance, speaking with Hosea or drinking with the other men. His face would look so relaxed and carefree, causing her heart to tighten and skip a beat. Angelica would see him sketching in that journal. His thick brows would be pulled together and he'd have that adorable look on his face when he was really concentrating.

     But then as soon as he saw Angelica, that adorable look would shift and be replaced with a deep scowl. He'd narrow his eyes at her before snapping his journal closed and stomping off, avoiding her like he always did.

     Angelica would forget how she felt in the first place and would only feel hurt and anger.

    But that didn't matter anymore, because before she knew it the law caught up to them. There were more important things to worry about than a past friendship.

     Angelica let out a long sigh, her eyes only flickering to Arthur for a moment. Their eyes locked, and she could have sworn he was thinking about the same thing she was. His face was hard, his blue eyes staring directly into her own. Angelica turned away, pushing away the longing she felt and forced a tight smile on her face.

     "Well, there are too many for me to tell." She chuckled, slowly standing from her seat. The others watched the young woman as she tipped her head, "I'm not nearly drunk enough to start on that, so with that, goodnight."

     "Goodnight, Angel," Hosea called, watching with a small frown as she walked away.

     And even as her shorter form was swallowed by the dark shadows of the night, she could still feel his burning gaze on her back as she walked away.

arthurs note:
okay so I don't really know Karen's background, or how she joined the gang. so if anyone knows, please EDUCATE ME!

anyway, I hope this rewrite was better than my other lmao. I stayed up for hours writing it ksksndjd. Please let me know what you thought of this :)

Stay safe !!

words - 2512
edited - ★ (yes)