‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞.

⠀⠀⠀ 𝔀hen i’m gone, they'll just find another monster. they have to —— because they have to justify their wages.

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

⠀⠀𝒊 have a 𝐩la͟n. you just have to 𝒕ru͟st me.

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

mhm. and why is that?

[⌖ 𝕾𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐒 ᴬᴺᴰ 𝙻𝙰𝙳𝙳𝙴𝚁𝚂. ☠︎︎ @THECAGEDRAT]

. . I suppose you could say that . I ain’t been doin the best lately.

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

[ … ] who am i to stand in the way of… whatever the hell this is.

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

he didn’t try for the first neither and look where that got him.

( he watches arthur closely, hand briefly lifting to rub his chin in thought. )

i suppose you’re right. as long as they ain’t trouble [ … ]

[arthur. @cowboyloyalty]

Trust me, I know. I also know John barely takes care of the one kid he does got, so i doubt he's tryin' for a second.

( exhales a little, arms crossing over his chest as he shrugs. )

I guess. I mean, it ain't causin' much harm. Ain't seen him smile like that in awhile.

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

you don’t *have to be. my god, what an idea. we just don’t need another kid running around, we got enough mouths to feed as it is. you know that.

( he glances up at arthur, fingertips digging into his thighs. )

so you approve?

[arthur. @cowboyloyalty]

I ain't his daddy, Dutch. And I especially ain't interested in his sex life.

( tsks and shakes his head. )

I dunno. He seems... content? Ain't as much a prick as usual. Maybe it ain't the worst thing he's with Jess.

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

he could be worse, sure.

( dutch leans back in his chair, fingertips drumming against his thigh. )

i trust you’re keeping an eye on him. i don’t want no unnecessary trouble, especially not because he’s been favouring hedonism lately.

[arthur. @cowboyloyalty]

Ain't too sure what to do with that one.

( he chuckles, happy to see Dutch laugh. )

Ah, well. Guess he ain't so bad.

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

🤨.

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

( he watches her closely, eyes slightly narrowing in disapproval of the man in question. )

because he thinks he can do whatever he wants. i’m sure arthur could give him a little scare if you like; just say the word.

[‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍𝓫𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 ‍‍ @deadmarigolds]

⠀ those corners are dark , dutch . perhaps . . . to one’s detriment .

⠀ more than such a thing . he . . . ( sigh . scoff ) —— he’s just being himself is all . selfish and degrading .

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

looks like you’re right about that, son. just watching him sometimes…

( he laughs and shakes his head. )

i’m sure you know what i mean.

[arthur. @cowboyloyalty]

He's an idiot, Dutch. Ain't no fault o'yers.

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

is something the matter, micah?

[⌖ 𝕾𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐒 ᴬᴺᴰ 𝙻𝙰𝙳𝙳𝙴𝚁𝚂. ☠︎︎ @THECAGEDRAT]

sigh

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

that he is, arthur. that he is. lying not only to me but to himself. and worst of all? letting a lady treat him that way.

⠀ he should know better. but when does he ever.

[arthur. @cowboyloyalty]

He's an idiot, Dutch. Ain't no fault o'yers.

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

indeed it does. to places you’ll share with me, i hope.

⠀ has he been misbehaving again?

[‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍𝓫𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 ‍‍ @deadmarigolds]

⠀ the . . . the mind . it does wander sometimes , dutch . and —

⠀ my brother . he is another matter .

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

matters such as——?

[‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍𝓫𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 ‍‍ @deadmarigolds]

⠀ yes . i had . . . some matters to tend to .

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

you’ve been… away. and for quite some time, might i add.

[‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍𝓫𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 ‍‍ @deadmarigolds]

⠀ hi dutch . :)

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

marabelle.

[‍‍ ‍‍ ‍‍𝓫𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 ‍‍ @deadmarigolds]

⠀ hi

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

🙄.

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

. . .

do we now.

[𝖒arston. @scarredcowboyy]

It's like when Charles 'n Arthur say they just friends. Or you and Hosea.

We all know what it means.

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

by calling each other friends?

( lifting a brow. )

[𝖒arston. @scarredcowboyy]

We're flirtin'.

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

i didn’t raise him like this

[‍ ‍‍ 𝓿𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞. @devoureden]

then what the hell did i just witness?

[𝖒arston. @scarredcowboyy]

I do!