shallow breaths now wheeze. coughs unable to squeeze through tightened windpipe, whilst shadows creep āround his vision. pain is not what drives his fear,Ā it is the after. the descend into darkness alone. strength waning despite how alert he is to cling desperately to comfort. fingers crawl through dirt till they find familiar terrain. he draws in a labored breath ā pleaseā¦ ā eyes scared to close without the hunterās vow ā just tell meā¦ itās gonna beā¦ okay. ā a faint tremble in the tone of his voice, a tear runs free from the corner of his eye. his digits embracing charles within the last moment they are able to.Ā |Ā @ohrthur
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā ā-Ā ā Everything will be ok Arthur. You will not be alone. I promise. ā
Ā Ā Ā He knew he couldnāt stop it. That the inevitable REALITY was before him and could no longer be denied- but that didnāt mean Charles couldnāt do everything physically possible to make Arthur comfortable, content, at peace.Ā
Ā Ā Ā He nestled the man so his dirtied blond hair rested tenderly in his lap, the hunter doing his best to remain some semblance of COMPOSURE as the grip of his intertwined fingers remained STRONG. It was honestly the only strong thing about him at the current moment, a shuddering breath dragged down his lungs as the painful CLENCH at the back of his throat refused to cease.Ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā ā-Ā ā You have nothing to be afraid ofā¦ it will be okā¦ it will be okā¦ ā
Ā Ā Ā A crack to his normally level and resolute voice broke through, words trailing off. Hearing the last of his wheeze rattle in his chest, the life all but faded from him, it was then- only then- Charles finally allowed himself to BREAK. Like a tidal wave, he suddenly felt the wetness roll down his cheeks, lips trembling as he leaned down, raising Arthur to cradle himā¦Ā protectively, against him. To hopefullyĀ let him pass into the next world with the warmth and comfort he could only pray he may provide.
Ā Ā Ā His original hope was to allow Arthur to pass without having the GUILT of knowing just how much his death would affect him- affect everyone, but it appeared he wasnāt strong enough. Charles wasnāt strong enough. With a shuddering gasp he choked against the wet cheek of the gunslingerās head. Nose and lips nuzzling affectionately against his skin for the last time. His fingers reassuringly, soothingly rubbed into his arm, a VAIN attempt at this point- but done all the same in a desperate hope to allow Arthur the semblance of PEACE he deserved.Ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā ā-Ā ā ā¦ I will always be with you. I will always be with you,Ā š¢ššøš¢šŗš“ š£š¦ šøšŖšµš© šŗš°š¶ā¦ ā
Ā Ā Ā It was something Charles may look back on, when the time came, but oddly enough, it was almost as if life itself was mourning the loss of Arthur Morgan. The heavy clouds above opened up, the dark heavens pelting the earth in a soft, cascading waterfall. He couldnāt move, wouldnāt dare move, petrified almost to feel how STIFF Arthur may have become in his arms, but he couldnāt help it. The anguish, the despair, it engulfed him, became too great, he ultimately was forced to have a full sob WRACK his shoulders, head suddenly picked up to be thrown back-
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā ā- A SCREAM TEARING FROM HIS LIPS, FOREVER ECHOING INTO THE SKY ABOVE
