Keiron protests as John and Arthur tie him to the tree by the chicken coup.

"I ain't an O'Driscoll, I came here to help!"

"You sure smell like an O'Driscoll." John scrunches up his nose as he finishes securing the ropes.

Dutch, Hosea, Bill, and Micah already have their heads together. Trying to figure out what to do with their latest arrival.

"You okay?" Arthur wraps an arm around you and speaks low so only you can hear.

You nod, curling further into Arthur's side, enjoying his warmth.

"Do you trust him?"

"I don't know." You sigh. "He was with the O'Driscolls, but I think he's just a scared kid. Look at him, they clearly did a number on him before he came here."

Arthur considers Keiron's bloodied appearance. "Well, I don't trust him."

"You don't trust anyone." You giggle shoving him playfully.

He scoops you into his arms, bridal style, spinning you around. "I have never been more offended. I trusted you and look at the shit that's got me into. I'm a fool in love."

You giggle at his playfulness, swatting at his chest. "Put me down you brute, I'm getting dizzy!"

"Ahem." Abigail smiles at you both. "Sorry to interrupt, I was hoping to speak to Y/N."

Placing you on solid ground he kisses your temple. "Sure thing, I gotta go see what we're gonna do with him anyway." He tips his hat at you both and joins John at the table with the others.

"So, when are you gonna tell him?" She crosses her arms giving you one of her signature scolding looks, that you'd seen John receive many of time. But never had they been aimed at you.

"What're talking about?"

"Don't you dare try and play dumb with me." She smirks.

"Abigail, I really have no idea what you're talking about."

She rolls her eyes exasperated that you seemed intent keeping up the charade.

"Oh please, peeing at some ungodly hour this morning. Your sudden aversion to coffee. I mean, I know Pearson's coffee is crap but it's never bothered you before. I was the same way too, y'know?"

"Abigail! What are you talking about!?" You were getting really pissed off with the conversation.

"Oh shit, you really don't know..."

"Jesus Christ... know what?"

"Y/N, I think you're pregnant."

She was insane. That was the only explanation. You couldn't get pregnant; lord knows Arthur had finished in you enough times, but it just never happened. So, you'd both assumed it wasn't an issue.

"I am not pregnant; I can't get pregnant."

"Then I think we should get you to the docs to be sure. Have you bled?"

Your eyes widen at her bluntness. "Abigail, I think I've been under enough stress lately that bleeding has not exactly been a regular occurrence."

"But Y/N..."

You cut her off, "But nothing. I've been stressed, I'm tired and I probably just have a bug. We have enough to deal with right now."

"Just take it easy until you know for sure, that's all I'm saying.

Rolling your eyes and happy to escape the conversation you walk over to the men deciding Keiron's fate.

"He's a god damn O'Driscoll, let's just kill him!"

"Bill, we have to give him some credit, he tried to warn us."

"And it could be a trap, Hosea. A trap that we're walking right into!"

You approach the table where they stand, Arthur slides an arm around your waist, his touch always giving you confidence in moments like this.

"I-I have something I'd like to say."

The table falls silent as all eyes fall on you.

"Keiron isn't like the others, he was scared of them. He never hurt me when I was there, he was just as much a prisoner as I was. I think we should believe him."

"Y/N, it's too risky, w- "

"We needed to know where Colm is Arthur and now, we do. Keiron can lead us to him and we can strike first."

"You know Arthur it's not such a bad idea. We ambush them where they sleep and finally end this. What do you think?" Hosea rubs his brow. The weariness of so many years of running and planning showing on his face.

Arthur looks down at you, keeping you safe and getting you out of this life is his top priority.

"Fine. But we're doing it my way." His grip tightening protectively around your waist.

Over the next few hours, Arthur and the men formulated a plan based on the information Keiron had given them. He'd told them that Colm was hiding out in an old cabin further North and if they struck tomorrow, he wouldn't see it coming. With the exception of Hosea, Uncle, Pearson, and the Reverend, all the men were riding out tomorrow at first light.

As you step into your tent you see Arthur pulling his guns from the chest. Your eyes scan the arsenal of guns laid out around him, it looks like he's preparing for war, and suddenly the realization of how dangerous this is hits you.

Your hand subconsciously strokes your belly but you snatch it away as you catch yourself.

"Arthur..."

He turns, his shoulders dropping and a smile instantly on his face when he sees you.

"Hey sweetheart, I was so proud of you today. You were so strong." His arms circle your waist, drawing you close to him as his forehead pressed to yours.

"I'm scared for you Arthur, what if you don't come back?"

He tips your chin up with his finger, staring deep into your eyes. "I will always come back to you

Y/N."

"But what if..."

"I know ya ain't about to question my skills with a gun, or my promise to come back to you. Are you?" he smirks teasingly, his thumb stroking your cheek soothingly.

You sigh into his touch. "No, but, I-..."

"And I know ya ain't about to spend the night before I leave sad and worried." He drops his head and presses his lips to yours, just barely. "Are ya?" he whispers this time his lips ghosting over yours.

Closing the gap, your hands slide up to tangle in his hair, pulling him into a deep kiss. His tongue seeks entrance to your mouth, as he draws you in closer. He explores your mouth, slowly tasting you, drinking you in. Arthurs's kisses could always make you dizzy, but this was something else. Something more. It felt like all the love he had was pouring into you.

You drawback, breathless, and stare at his face. Lips kiss swollen, chest rising and falling heavily. His eyes are wild with lust, searching yours, their usual green color darkened and wanting. He was beautiful.

"I love you Y/N."

He doesn't give you the chance to respond, his hand pulling your head back in for another kiss. This one is more fevered and rougher, both of you eagerly stripping the other of their clothes.

He bends low, hands gripping your thighs he prompts you to jump, and you instantly wrap your legs around his hips. Arthur's lips don't leave your neck as his strong arms carry you to the bed.

Gently, he lays you on your back, his large form crawling up your body like a predator stalking its prey. Wet open mouth kisses cover your skin as he makes his way up your body.

"Arthur please, don't tease." You beg.

He looks up at you from under his lashes, smirking at your neediness.

"Patience sweetheart, I'm enjoying myself." He dips his hand low, expertly seeking your clit and drawing slow torturous circles. You try to scold him, but the words are lost in a moan as his finger dips into you.

"So wet." He notes as he adds another, feeling you clench around his digits. "So good for me." He dips his head low, claiming your mouth again.

He's teasing you, drawing you close to the edge, slowly and torturously. Each time you're about to peak he slows, keeping you on the brink. Its pure bliss and torture.

Unable to take the edging any more you flip him over straddling his thighs with his hard length pressed between you and his stomach.

Photo credit: instagram sadiexarthur

"My turn." You smirk, before slowly grinding yourself along his length, your wetness coating him. His breath hitches as you find your rhythm, his hands flying to your hips helping you find your release.

You tip over the edge, pleasure washing over you. Your nails dig into his chest causing him to wince, but in all honestly, Arthur loved the sting. He loved watching you lose yourself; it was his favorite view. Moving slowly as you become limp above him, he turns you over, wrapping your legs around his hips. You feel him nuzzle your neck, bringing you back to reality. Arthur always liked to make sure you were fully back with him when he sank into you.

"Welcome back." He smiles as you blink the haze from your eyes. You feel him position himself at your entrance, sliding through your folds as he coats himself in your wetness. "I am so lucky you're mine." He whispers as he slides into you, both of you moaning at the feeling of him filling you so perfectly. "So lucky." He sighs before dropping his head and building a steady rhythm, his hips snapping to meet yours as you being to claw at his back.

You marvel at his body as hard powerful muscles flex under your hands and he grinds into you, drawing a symphony of moans from your mouth each time he hits that sweet spot inside.

His thrusts soon become sloppy as he slips a hand between you both, finding your clit and drawing you to the edge again. Urging you to finish with him.

You quickly oblige, screaming his name as your back arches off the bed and your walls pulse around him triggering his release. His head drops to your shoulder, "Fuck sweetheart." He gasps in your ear as you milk his length, drawing every drop of pleasure from his body.

Arthur drops onto you, utterly exhausted, gasping, and sweat coating his body. You delight in the weight of him, feeling the hard ridges of his body seated against your soft curves. All too soon he rolls off you, drawing your back to his chest and wrapping his arms around you.

"Will you wake me when you leave tomorrow?"

His hand begins lightly tracing your thigh soothingly. "Why?"

"I want to see you off."

He buries his face in your hair, inhaling your scent deeply. "Of course."

Arthur's hand comes to rest on your stomach, his palm, large and warm against your skin. Your breath hitches as Abigail's words swirl in your brain. You'd dismissed her so quickly thinking the idea absurd, but as you lay in Arthur's arms, his hand protectively pressed to your stomach you think that there may just be some truth to her words.