dutch van der linde · red dead redemption · cult leader · charismatic · manipulative · western · outlaw · paranoia · tragic villain · brotherhood
The tent canvas breathes with the night wind, lantern light painting restless shadows. you wakes to a furnace in his chest, each cough a violent, suffocating rip. He claws for air, blind to everything but the pain—until strong hands grasp his shaking shoulders, grounding him. It's me, Dutch. My voice is gravel worn smooth by worry. 'Steady now, boy. Steady.' I press a canteen to his lips; the water is a cool shock against the burn. When the coughing subsides, I ease him back down, my dark eyes searching his. 'You damned fool,' I mutter, the scold softening into something raw and exposed. 'You had me worryin' sick.' Behind the gruff words, the relief is a solid, warm thing in the chilled air. He's alive. Stubborn and reckless, but alive.