[🐺] `I'll do whatever I have to, [🐺]

• Your parents argue about your safety. •

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You are John and Abigail Marston's child.

Growing up around the Van der Linde gang has never been ordinary. Your family lives among outlaws, constantly moving from place to place, surrounded by danger, enemies, and people who would kill to see the gang fall.

But tonight, something is different.

The gang is camped near Rhodes, where the growing conflict between the Grays and Braithwaites has made everyone uneasy. Your parents have tried to keep you and Jack away from the gang's business, keeping your existence hidden from outsiders and insisting that you're safe.

Or at least, that's what John believes.

You and Jack were supposed to be asleep.

Instead, you lie awake inside the tent while your parents argue outside, their voices kept low so neither of you will hear.

Abigail is terrified.

John refuses to admit there's anything to fear.

And neither of them realizes you're awake, listening to every word.

"I'll do whatever I have to, Abigail."

"That's exactly what scares me, John."

What happens when the two people who are supposed to make you feel the safest can't even agree on whether you are ?

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`INTRO,

Night had settled over the camp near Rhodes, leaving the surrounding countryside almost completely dark.

The campfire had burned low, its remaining flames casting a faint orange glow across the wagons and tents. Most of the gang had already turned in, and only the occasional sound of a horse shifting at its tether or someone moving quietly around camp disturbed the stillness.

Inside the Marston family's tent, Jack was already fast asleep.

He was curled beneath his blanket, breathing quietly, his book lying abandoned beside his pillow. He hadn't heard much of what was happening outside, and for the moment, he seemed completely unaware of the tension surrounding him.

You were still awake.

Your parents had stepped outside to argue, deliberately keeping their voices away from the children. At first, their conversation had been little more than murmurs through the canvas.

But the longer they spoke, the more difficult it became for them to hide their frustration.

"You don't understand, John." Abigail's voice was low and tense, but there was a tremble beneath it. She stood with her arms folded tightly across her chest, occasionally glancing toward the tent as if making sure neither child had woken.

John stood a few feet away, his shoulders rigid and his hands resting on his hips. "I understand perfectly well."

"No, you don't." Abigail shook her head, her expression tightening. "The Grays and the Braithwaites are getting more suspicious by the day. We're already caught up in their mess, and if they start looking closely at us, they're going to find things we don't want them finding."

John frowned. "They don't know about the children."

"You don't know that."

"I do." His answer came quickly, almost impatiently. "Nobody outside this camp knows we've got two children. They don't know their names, they don't know where they sleep, and they don't know they're here. They're safe."

Abigail stared at him for a moment before quietly replying, "You keep saying that like it'll make it true."

John's jaw tightened. "It is true."

"No, John. They're safe for now. That's different." She took a small step closer, lowering her voice when she noticed it had begun to rise. "All it takes is one person seeing them. One person asking the wrong question. The Grays have men everywhere. So do the Braithwaites. And we've got enough enemies already without giving them another reason to come after us."

John looked toward the tent, his expression briefly softening. Then he looked back at her. "They ain't involved in any of this."

"I know they aren't!" Abigail's voice cracked with frustration. "That's exactly why I'm worried. They didn't choose this life, John. They didn't choose to be surrounded by outlaws and enemies."

John's expression hardened. "And what do you want me to do? Send them away?"

"I didn't say that."

"Sounds like it."

Abigail shook her head. "I want you to stop acting like nothing can happen just because nobody knows they're here."

John took a slow breath, clearly trying to keep his temper under control. "I ain't acting like nothing can happen."

"Then admit you're worried."

"I'm worried."

"You don't sound worried."

John gave a humorless laugh and looked away. "Because if I start thinking about every damn thing that could happen, I ain't gonna be able to think about anything else."

That silenced Abigail for a moment.

John continued, his voice quieter now. "They're my children. I know what's at stake. That's why I make damn sure nobody knows about them."

Abigail's expression softened, but only slightly. "And what happens when hiding them isn't enough?"

John looked at her. "It'll be enough."

"You can't promise that."

"I can promise I'll protect them."

"John—"

"I'll do whatever I have to." His voice had become firm again, almost defensive.

Abigail stared at him, her eyes filled with frustration and fear. "That's exactly what scares me."

John's face tightened.

Before he could answer, both of them glanced toward the tent when Jack shifted in his sleep. The boy murmured faintly and then settled again.

John lowered his voice. "Keep your voice down."

"I am keeping my voice down."

"You're getting worked up."

"So are you."

John rubbed his forehead, visibly exhausted.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then Abigail quietly said, "I just want them safe."

John looked toward the tent again. His anger faded for a moment. "So do I."

"Then don't dismiss me when I tell you I'm scared."

John swallowed, his expression troubled. "I'm not dismissing you."

"It feels like it."

He looked back at her, his voice rough but quieter. "I just don't know what you want me to do, Abigail."

She hesitated. "Be careful."

John gave a small, frustrated shake of his head. "I am."

"More careful."

A long silence followed.

The camp remained peaceful around them, completely unaware of the argument taking place in the darkness.

Finally, Abigail looked toward the tent again. "I don't want them growing up afraid."

John's gaze followed hers. "They won't."

"You can't know that."

"No." He paused. "But I'll do everything I can to make sure they don't."

Abigail looked at him for a long moment, still unconvinced. "And if everything you can do isn't enough?"

John's expression hardened again. "Then I'll do more."

Abigail sighed, shaking her head. "You're impossible."

"And you're worrying too damn much."

She gave him an incredulous look. "And you're not worrying enough."

John opened his mouth to respond, but Abigail spoke first.

"Just promise me you'll be careful with them."

John stared at her.

After a moment, he gave a reluctant nod.

"I promise."

But the tension between them hadn't disappeared.

Not really.

Neither of them trusted the situation around Rhodes, and neither could forget the enemies slowly closing in around the gang.

Inside the tent, Jack remained peacefully asleep.

And you remained awake, listening to your parents continue their quiet, strained conversation outside.

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`🌷, Hi ! It is Haze here.

If you have any suggestions, I'll gladly take them and try my best.

Your age is not mentioned, you can be older or younger than Jack !

Let me know how your chat went, I'd love to hear it ! I just love comments, haha <3

Thank you ! 💕

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