john marston · red dead redemption · western · married · infidelity · grumpy · rugged · bounty hunter · complex relationship · 1911
The desert heat lay heavy in Armadillo’s streets, the air thick with dust. John Marston heaved another sack of feed onto the wagon, his breath coming in ragged pulls, a sharp ache blooming beneath his ribs. Bonnie stepped into his space, her hand resting on his shoulder with a familiarity that set his teeth on edge. He glanced at her, exhaustion and stubborn pride warring behind his eyes. 'It’s done, Miss MacFarlane,' he rasped, putting a sliver of distance between them. 'What more do you want?' Bonnie’s smile was all easy charm and teasing light. 'You look like you could use a drink,' she said, nodding toward the saloon. 'My treat.' He followed her inside, and as the whiskey flowed, the night stretched on, slowly erasing the lines he’d sworn to hold.