Archive of Our Own ^beta

Arthur, Sean, Bill and Micah walked down the road of Rhodes, talking about the Grays and the Braithwaites as they did. As they tried to make a quick buck, playing both families, they ended up being the ones getting played… Arthur looked around him, an indescribable feeling of dread filling his senses, like something bad was going to happen.

“ Hey, wait “ Arthur stopped the men walking in front of him “ This don’t feel right “ Arthur muttered. Sean turned around, gun resting on his shoulder with his usual relaxed mannerisms “ Now it don’t feel right? “ the Irishman asked “ I could’a told you that-”

Then came darkness.

Sean woke up on his cot, startled. He looked around, confused…this wasn’t Clemen’s point, it wasn’t even half as humid and hot as that place. He looked around for a bit more, blinking more than enough times to wake him up, before getting up and stretching, a killer headache rattling the poor man.
He stumbled out blindly, walking out and around the tent with pure muscle memory, rubbing his eyes as he did. “ Fuckin’ ‘ell… “ He mumbled, looking around as he finally landed behind the tent…his eyes widened at the view.

It can’t be. It couldn’t.

But it was. A few camps ago, the one before Blackwater, the one that went up in flames…how? The last thing he remembered was-- “ Sean? “ A familiar voice called for him, just as confused and startled as he was.

Sean whipped his head around, meeting the mans eyes. “ …Mac? “ He asked as his eyes widened “ oh my lord! “ He chuckled, walking up to the man and hitting his shoulder playfully “ ah, you really scared me! “ He nodded, looking at the older man with a smile “ really thought you died! ‘course not, you’re tough as nails brother! “ …his smile wasn’t reciprocated, though. Instead, Mac grimaced. “ what are you doing here? “ Mac asked plainly, looking Sean up and down like he was seeing a ghost “ what? “ Sean asked, a bit confused now. Mac was the ghost, in any case… “ you shouldn’t--…you shouldn’t be here “ Mac mumbled, looking Sean up and down again, as if that'd change the fact he was there now.

Well, that was confusing…and not a proper way to greet him. They both stood in silence for a few seconds, taking in each other's image with odd looks…but every time Sean tried to think, it hurt his head worse. He was trying, he really was, but he found it made him upset…can’t be upset when you see your friend again after you thought they died, standing in…in a camp that doesn’t exist anymore and…and wait where’s Arthur and Bill and--

“ god… “ Mac broke the silence and Sean’s train of thought, groaning and pinching the bridge of his nose “ c’mon, let’s go “ He motioned for the other man to follow, turning around and starting to walk “ where we going? “ Sean asked, trying to keep up the smile as he did “ Jenny will be better at explaining “ Mac answered simply, shrugging as they walked further and toward an old run-down cabin “ Jenny’s here? “ Sean asked “ She was the first one, was alone…not for long, though “ He explained, tone turning a bit more sour by the end.

Right, of course, Jenny was…wait…no. no. no.

“ So, what’s going on ‘ere? Thought this place burnt “ Sean said with a pretty awkward chuckle as he stared at the dirt below their feet, scratching the back of his neck nervously. He couldn’t look around, couldn't think…It made goosebumps rise on his skin. “ what…? It did “ Mac scoffed, as if it was obvious “ What? “ Sean asked, a lot quieter, his steps stuttering slightly “ it burnt down “ Mac stated, impatient as always.

“ but…but then how—” Sean started, his head hurting so much he thought a bullet went right through his skull, but he was cut off by Mac “ leave the questions for Jenny, will you? “ Mac said, looking at Sean with a frown over his shoulder. “ keep them in your head for now “

Mac was trying to keep his cool, in his own way, Sean could tell…but he could also tell Mac was very rattled with the fact that he was there. He forced himself to tear his eyes from the dirt, looking at Mac again.

Mac frowned further as their eyes met, turning away. There was silence for a bit, the only noise heard was the dirt crunching under their boots, and Sean’s heartbeat going so fast he thought it’d blow up his rib cage and run away.

“ I thought you made it out “ Mac said quietly, as if reading Sean’s thoughts. Sean turned his head back to the dirt, countless thoughts running through his head.

“ I did, I got out, got captured… “ Sean hummed, thinking hard. “ Arthur saved me “ He added “ We should catch up, I’ll tell you fellas all about what we got on while you were gone “ Sean said, looking back up with a smile.

Mac stood silent for a few more seconds, opening the door to the run-down cabin they used to eat their meals in. All together, like a little family. God, this was nostalgic. “ sure “ he said “ trouble, I hope “ he added with a weak and lopsided grin. Sean’s eyes landed on Jenny and Davey, who were so into their game of dominos they didn’t even notice Mac and himself.

His head hurt like a bullet went straight through his skull…and it had.