What Are The Best Arthur Morgan X Charles Fanfiction Stories?

Honestly, I just google 'Arthur Morgan Charles Smith ao3' and usually the first few links get me there. Sometimes they tag it as 'Arthur Morgan/Charles Smith' or 'Morris' if the fandom gets creative with ship names. A lot of writers put them in modern AUs, which can be a hit or miss for me personally. I prefer stuff that keeps a bit of that 'Red Dead' atmosphere, even if it's a crossover. Crossovers are trickier. The best luck I've had is searching the characters separately on Archive of Our Own and then using the crossover filter. Found a wild one where they were in 'The Last of Us' universe once. It's more about digging through tags than finding a dedicated spot, really. Tumblr blogs that reblog fanart sometimes have links to stories too, but that's a deeper rabbit hole.

Honestly, most of the really good ones are on AO3, and that's pretty much where I live for my 'Red Dead Redemption 2' fix. The tagging system is unbeatable for finding specific dynamics between those two, especially for filtering out the more dominant Arthur/Dutch or Arthur/Sadie stories if you want to focus on the quieter, more introspective Arthur/Charles vibe. You can search by relationship tags and then sort by kudos or bookmarks—saves a lot of wading through less polished work. That said, I've found some absolute gems on smaller, fandom-specific Tumblr blogs that never cross-post to the bigger archives. The writing can be rougher, but the ideas are often more raw and character-driven, really digging into Charles's perspective in a way some of the more plot-heavy AO3 fics sometimes miss. The downside is the sheer chaos of navigating Tumblr tags; it's a real deep dive.

Honestly, I feel like most of the fic for Arthur/Charles leans super hard into the 'silent understanding' trope. A lot of writers pick up on how little they actually talk in the game but how much they seem to respect each other's competence. You'll see a ton of stories built around shared, mundane camp tasks—grooming the horses, fixing a wagon wheel, taking first watch. The romance is all in the glances and the subtle gestures, which can be lovely when done well, but sometimes I crave a bit more actual conversation between them, you know? It can drift into being a bit samey. That said, the other massive theme is a fix-it for the ending, obviously. So many fics are about Charles finding Arthur sick or wounded after Beaver Hollow and nursing him back to health, or them running away together before the final collapse. It's the ultimate 'what if' for anyone who wanted a better outcome for Arthur. I've even read a few where Charles is the one to find him on that mountainside instead of John, and the tone shifts completely from tragic to bittersweet hope. Those are the ones I bookmark.

A lot of the fics I see really get stuck on the 'stoic loners bonding' thing, which isn't wrong exactly, but it misses the quiet pragmatism of their actual dynamic. They're not two brooding souls finding solace in each other's angst; they're two capable men who communicate through work, not words. The best ones I've read show Charles teaching Arthur survival skills—not just hunting, but the respectful way to do it—and Arthur slowly mirroring that respect for the land and the people on it. It's less about dramatic confessions and more about the unspoken understanding that builds when you rely on someone to watch your back during a hunt or in a fight. The friendship grows in the space between dialogues, in the shared glance after a job goes sideways, in the way Charles is maybe the only one who calls Arthur out without judgment, and Arthur listens because it's Charles. I think the fandom sometimes forgets how funny they can be together too, that dry, understated humor. The friendship feels most real when it's grounded in the daily grind of camp life, not some epic separation from it.

I never got into shipping Arthur with anyone from the gang until I read a few Charles/Arthur fics. It’ s the silence between them that does it, I think. The game shows these long stretches on horseback where they don’ t talk, just exist together in the landscape. Good fanfic takes that quiet understanding and builds a whole emotional language out of it. Charles is so grounded and Arthur is so lost in his own guilt; having someone who doesn’ t demand explanations but just offers steady presence feels like the only kind of redemption that could actually stick for a man like him. A lot of it hinges on the ‘ what if they ran away together ’ trope, but it’ s never just about escape. It’ s about two people who have only known violence and transience trying to learn how to build something permanent and soft. I’ ve seen some stories where they open a little ranch, and the emotional weight isn’ t in the happy ending, but in the daily, painful unlearning of their pasts—Arthur flinching at a raised hand, Charles struggling to trust a peaceful morning. That specificity makes the ache feel real.

I've spent way too much time reading these, ha. A lot of the conflict boils down to Arthur's brutal pragmatism versus Charles's more reserved, principled nature. You'll see arguments over who the gang should rob, how violent they should get, whether they can ever be anything but outlaws. Arthur's self-loathing and fatalism create a huge wall—he genuinely believes he's too broken and blood-soaked to be worthy of anything good, especially someone as solid as Charles. Charles often becomes the one trying to drag Arthur toward hope, which is a sweet dynamic but it's a real fight. Another big one is the betrayal angle, but not the obvious kind. It's usually Arthur feeling betrayed by Charles's loyalty to a cause or person that isn't him. Like, if Charles wants to help the Wapiti tribe or leave the gang before Arthur's ready, it reads as a personal rejection. It's messy and very human. My favorite undercurrent is the simple conflict of timing. They're two guys in a dying world, on the run. There's never enough time, never a safe place. That constant pressure of 'we could have had this, if only...' is just heartbreaking. Makes the quieter moments hit harder.

There’s definitely a treasure trove of Henry x Charles fanfiction out there, and it's such a joy to dig into! One of my go-to spots has to be Archive of Our Own (AO3). The diversity of stories there is incredible, and the filters let you specify exactly what you’re looking for. I’ve stumbled upon some gems that not only capture the essence of the characters but also explore unique storylines that you wouldn't find anywhere else. One gem I read recently had a fantastic blend of angst and humor, which is exactly what I crave! The writing styles vary tremendously, so you can find something that clicks perfectly with your vibe. Not to mention, the comments section is full of fans who are just as passionate as we are! The community there is friendly, and it's great to be able to share thoughts on those little moments that make a story unforgettable. Also, don't sleep on FanFiction.net. While it's not exclusively for Henry x Charles, I found some really creative pieces with unexpected twists on their relationship. It’s like opening up a whole new world every time I read something new! Create an account, and you can even follow your favorite authors to catch new releases straight away. It adds an exciting layer to the whole experience.

The pairing of Henry and Charles in fanfiction often stems from their dynamic in the historical or literary contexts in which they exist. Both characters come from rich backgrounds, usually set within intriguing time periods. Fans are captivated by their personalities, seeing a potential for deep emotional connections that transcend the events surrounding them. For instance, in various interpretations, Henry is portrayed as a passionate and loyal character, while Charles often takes on the role of a more reserved and intellectual counterpoint. Their interactions can give rise to tension-filled stories packed with drama, longing, and moments of levity that fans adore. Within these fanfics, the authors love to explore “what if” scenarios. Picture this: what if Henry was a key figure in Charles’s life during a tumultuous period? Their friendship could blossom into something more profound, filled with emotional revelations and struggles. This angle allows writers to experiment with angst, romance, or even moments of humor as they navigate the ups and downs of their relationship. It’s like turning the page in a compelling novel where the plot thickens with every interaction, keeping readers on their toes. As a fan, what draws me to these stories is how relatable they can be, even in fantastical settings. There’s something heartwarming about seeing two characters, each with flaws and strengths, learn and grow together. Whether they are historical figures or characters from a different universe entirely, the exploration of their bond shines a light on love and friendship in various forms, making the experience unique and fulfilling each time I dive into a new narrative.

Arthur Morgan's loyalty to Dutch is a double-edged sword in fanfiction, often dictating the emotional depth and conflict in his romantic relationships. Many writers explore how his unwavering dedication to Dutch creates tension with potential partners, especially those outside the gang. They paint Arthur as someone torn between his heart and his duty, leading to angsty, bittersweet narratives where love is either sacrificed or becomes a fleeting escape. Some fics delve into the psychological toll, showing how Arthur's guilt over his actions under Dutch's influence strains his ability to trust or open up emotionally. On the flip side, there are stories where his loyalty becomes a point of connection. Pairings with fellow gang members, like Mary-Beth or Sadie, often highlight shared understanding of his burdens. These relationships are framed as refuge, where love grows in the cracks of his fractured loyalty. The best fics don’t shy away from the complexity—they show love as both a balm and a mirror, forcing Arthur to confront the cost of his choices. Rarely do writers give him a simple happy ending; instead, they lean into the tragedy, making his romantic arcs as messy and human as his canon story.

Finding Henry x Charles slow-burn in specific places can be tricky since they're not a headline fandom pairing. I often have better luck searching their base fandom tags, like 'The Crown' or historical RPF, and then filtering within those. Tag wrangling is your friend here—look for 'Henry VIII/Charles Brandon' or 'Brandon/Tudor' variations. I once found a gorgeous 80k epic on AO3 buried under a mountain of 'The Tudors' show tags. The really dedicated authors tend to tag meticulously with 'slow burn' and 'emotional intimacy' rather than just 'romance'. Don't sleep on older, archive-focused sites like FanFiction.Net either; the tagging is less precise, but I've stumbled on some amazing decade-old multi-chapter stories by just browsing the 'Tudors' category and reading summaries. The pacing in those older fics can be glacially slow in the best way, full of political maneuvering and tense glances that modern micro-fics sometimes skip. My saved bookmarks are mostly from deep-dives like that. Honestly, sometimes the best method is to find one author who nails the dynamic and then scour their bookmarks or favorite lists. That's how I discovered a small but incredibly tight-knit circle of writers who practically specialize in this exact niche. Their mutual recs are pure gold.