Jacki | she/her | 23 | this is a fanfic side blog, main is @holdingup-fallingsky | Sammyâs lane with a soft spot for Daniel | 18+ blog | I've basically become a Sanny blog atp
The place you'll find all my fics! (18+ fics will be marked with an * MINORS DO NOT INTERACT)
Danny:
Sad Valentine
Being alone on Valentineâs Day was far from a foreign concept to you. It was just, well... you thought that this year was different because you met someone - or so you thought
*Am I Not the One Youâre Dreaming Of, My Angel?*
Daniel asks you to meet him in the city
My Rosie
Daniel spends the day with Rosie
Cirice WIP (ch. 1 | ch. 2)
You wanna deal with The Devil? You gotta live with it when he sets you on fire
*Cinnamon* - blurb
One night, Danny accidentally takes it too far
Dance - blurb
While doing the dishes, Danny asks you to dance
*Saints of Los Angeles*
You never thought that meeting a Saint would cause you to sin
Josh:
I Hear the River Say Your Name Complete (ch. 1 | ch. 2 | ch. 3 | ch. 4 | ch. 5 | ch. 6 | ch. 7)
Even before you were dating, you and Josh had been friends for years. You didn't see anything changing between you anytime soon. Then one day, you wake up and Greta Van Fleet doesn't exist and Josh isn't your boyfriend.
*It'd be Safest If You Ran*
A serial killer was loose in your town, but fear wasn't your reaction
Sweetheart - blurb
Josh calls you the wrong term of endearment and comforts you through the fallout
Sammy:
*Imagine Being Loved By Me*
As a goddess, it can be hard to find partners. No one deserves your attention⌠no one worships you like you deserve. That is, until you meet someone finally worthy of you.
Too Pretty For War Complete (ch. 1 | ch.2 | ch. 3 | ch. 4 | ch. 5 | *ch. 6* | ch. 7 | ch. 8 | ch. 9)
The only way for Prince Sam to end a war is by marrying the enemy
Everything Leaves You Hungry
Sam gets a taste of the life
*Baby* - blurb
Sammy wants your attention, so he pushes your limits
Jake:
All the Subliminal Things
Jake always was a sucker for all the little things about you
Doing So Much Just to Watch Someone Bleed - blurb
Jake likes it when you get a little rough
*Excuse Me, Mr. Cadillac?*
You play a game of pool with Mr. Cadillac while discussing some business
*I'm Using You, You're Using Me*
Jake interrupted your night of relaxation for some fun
Sammy/Danny:
Scaredy Cat
Danny wants to go to a haunted house with his friends. Unfortunately for Sam, he scares easily.
Spare Me Over Another Year {A sequel to The Sound of Thunder}
After years of hiding from their pasts and changing their ways, Sam and Danny are forced to come face-to-face with it.
*Good Men Die Too*
When Danny takes his car in for an oil change, he had no idea his mechanic would change his life.
Most of All {An Enchanted sequel}
History repeats itself. This time, while the whole world is watching.
The Sound of Thunder
When Sam was hired to catch Danny, he got more than he bargained for.
Go To Sea No More
You can take the sailor off the ocean, but you canât take the sailor out of the man. (From ofthecaravel's Brandy au)
Into the Endless Night (Masterlist)
When Sam disappears without a trace for a few days, things change drastically
The Devil Knows My Name
Sam and Danny travel the world together hunting ghosts. And Danny has a secret
Feet First, Don't Fall
Before a set, Danny and Sam blow off some steam
*To the Hunter From the Prey* {An Everything Leaves You Hungry sequel}
Sam takes Danny under his wing
*Kneel Down Ye Sinners*
Daniel has a bad round of golf... and Sam is bored
Enchanted
Sometimes it takes some meddling to see what is right in front of you
Even Sinners Drink the Wine {A Too Pretty For War prologue} (Pt. 1 | Pt. 2 | Pt. 3)
Years before he became the king of Athens, Prince Samuel risked his life in order to save his best friend's
Dial Drunk (Sam gets busted for drunken disorderly and calls Danny)
Why'd You Go? (After Danny bails Sam out, they talk about their past)
Been Here All Along
Dani wished Sammi could see that she belongs with her (fem!sanny)
*To Be Alone*
When Sam gets drunk, he's incapable of having bad ideas
Annalise - blurb (Sam and Danny take their daughter to Disney)
Origin - blurb (When Danny finds out he's a dad, Sam helps out)
*About to Lose My Worried Mind*
The boys spend time backstage in Toronto
Honey, You're Familiar (Sam catches Daniel in a lie)
Hooked On His Flesh (Warning signs become increasingly harder to ignore)
I'll Just Wipe Off My Neck Complete (ch. 1 | ch. 2 | ch. 3 | ch. 4)
Nothing can come between brothers. Except when your older brother steals the person he knows you have feelings for
We Live Such Fragile Lives
Sometimes singing Dirty Little Secret by The All-American Rejects can lead to earth-shattering events
Sweet Dreams and Flying Machines
Sam always thought he'd see Danny one more time
Jake/Danny:
I'll Just Wipe Off My Neck Complete (ch. 1 | ch. 2 | ch. 3 | ch. 4)
Nothing can come between brothers. Except when your older brother steals the person he knows you have feelings for
A/N: Happy Halloween! I got the idea for this after I realized Sam is super jumpy, lol. The horror elements are what you typically would find in a haunted attraction, same with the gore. For example, one of the actors "dies". I tried to make it feel like a haunted house while keeping it toned down. This is tagged sanny but they don't expressly get together. Anyway, without further ado, please enjoy!
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Sam loved Halloween. It was the time of year where the summer heat was starting to relax its claws and make way for the winter frost. He also loved how spooky the general air around the month was. It made sense why people believed that the veil between the realm of the dead and the living was so thin around this time. That wasnât even touching on the costume parties and going into Halloween stores to browse through cheaply made and overpriced merchandise.Â
Of course, there were parts of Halloween that he didnât love.Â
âHey, we should go to a haunted house this year!â Danny chirped excitedly from the couch, scrolling his phone as the three of them waited for Jake to finish cooking dinner.Â
Instantly, Sam stiffened. That was the last thing heâd wanted to be suggested. Sam didnât even have to look. He could feel the twinsâ eyes on him as they both turned to give him matching mischievous looks.Â
âThat sounds like a great idea, Daniel!â Joshâs praise was saccharine and left a bad taste in Samâs mouth. It didnât help that he could see the devilish glint in Joshâs smile as he moved forward in his seat from a lounging position.Â
âYeah, that sounds super fun!â Jake called from the kitchen, peering through the open door that led to the living room where the other three were residing. âDoesnât it, Sammy?âÂ
Sam wanted to throw a shoe at his brothers. They knew exactly what they were doing - setting a trap. Sam was⌠well⌠He was jumpy. Like, super jumpy. It was so bad - and something that his siblings took full advantage of. It didnât take much to scare him. One time his older siblings all made a bet with one another to see who could scare Sam by putting in the least amount of effort.Â
Ronnie won simply by sitting on Samâs bed and waiting for him to enter. In Samâs defense, Ronnie never went into his room so he wasnât expecting her to be there.Â
He wasnât necessarily ashamed of this fact about him. He just wasnât proud of it, either. And Danny knew this about Sam. It had come up multiple times over the decades that theyâd known one another. Yet, for some reason, Danny seemed completely oblivious to Samâs internal plight.Â
Sammy looked back and forth between the wicked grins of the twins and the cheerfully hopeful smile of Danny. He felt his heart begin to hammer inside of his ribs as his body kicked into fight-or-flight. On the one hand, he could chicken out. It would save him a lot of future embarrassment, as well as remove unnecessary anxiety. But heâd have to deal with his brothers dogging on him for the rest of time for being a âpussyâ - or whatever they'd call him. And, not to mention, it would disappoint Danny. As Sam looked at the excited glimmer in Dannyâs eyes, he found it harder and harder to find a reason to say no.Â
âYeah, ok,â Sam relented with a sigh, slumping in his seat. He placed a hand on his thrumming heart in an attempt to get the organ to calm down. It was in vain.Â
âCool! I just found this one on InstagramâŚâ As Daniel eagerly explained the haunted attraction that they were going to, Sam found his eyes drifting towards his older brothers.Â
Jake, stirring a pan of whatever, was making exaggerated kissy faces over at Sam. Josh, also out of Dannyâs line of sight, pointed right at Sam and mimed a cracking whip. Wahpish! he mouthed. They both knew that - despite Samâs internal scramble to come up with a reason otherwise - he was physically incapable of saying no to Daniel.Â
While Danny was distracted with the ticket website, Sam flipped Jake and Josh off while mouthing I hope you both violently stub your toes. He quickly had to play it cool when Daniel leaned over closer to Sam to show off pictures of the attraction.Â
âLook! It used to be an old prison from, like, the 1830s.â Danny was leaning almost entirely on Sam as he displayed his phone to the bassist. It featured a decrepit looking hallway made from what was probably once tan concrete. Age had weathered it to a lichen coated, dirty brown color. And like most abandoned places, graffiti in a kaleidoscope of colors tagged the walls. Rusted cell bars lined the hallway, some of the doors swung open or hanging off one of their hinges. The ceiling was peeling what Sam hoped was paint. But, considering the time period it was constructed, it was probably asbestos-related.Â
âSpooky,â Sam croaked out, already regretting agreeing to this little venture. If thatâs what the place looked like without any of the Halloween panache added, he knew he was about to be in for the most humiliating night of his life. He could already see himself jumping out of his skin at every little thing. Hell, just looking at those pictures set him on edge.Â
âItâs allegedly haunted, too,â Danny added, swiping through more photos to show off evidence of said potential ghosts. Sam suppressed a groan looking at a blurry picture of a shadowy figure leaning out from one of the cells. He wouldnât call himself a believer of ghosts, but he wouldnât lump himself into the âskepticâ category, either. In the instance of people on the internet capturing 100%-real-proof-of-ghosts-trust-me-bro content, heâs very much a skeptic. But old ass buildings with a long past thatâs drenched in blood and steeped in suffering? Yeah, heâs a little more likely to believe a ghost might lurk in a place like that.Â
âLetâs go this weekend! Youâre free then, right Sam?â Josh slyly asked. He wore a smile like a cat who got the canary. He knew Sam could be free. The two of them had plans that Josh just cancelled, it seemed.Â
âGuess I am,â Sam mumbled, crossing his arms over his chest like a petulant child. He sighed as he tuned out everyone making the plans. Heâd show up when told to.Â
+++
Sam was elected the designated driver of the group. They werenât planning on getting fucked up or anything, Sam was just the best driver of the group. He was also the one with a car big enough to fit all of them. He was far from upset with this responsibility. It meant that he got to decide when they left.Â
âI canât believe you lied to us,â Josh petulantly moped, sulking as he watched the buildings of Nashville slowly morph into fields as they drove through the city.Â
âIf I hadnât, weâd have been late and missed our slot,â Danny argued, twisting in his seat to face the twins in the back. Heâd gotten shotgun simply for being the first one to show up. And because he had the longest pair of legs.Â
Josh rolled his eyes, rolling the window down before he took a rip of his vape and blowing the smoke out of the car. The wind whipping around them was so loud it drowned out the song playing over the speakers. Sam flinched at the abrupt sound, playing it off with a roll of his shoulders - acting like heâd gotten a sharp pain in his body rather than getting scared by an opening window.Â
âChange the song. This one sucks,â Jake demanded, his eyes hidden behind a dark pair of sunglasses. It was night out.Â
âOk.â Sam reached over and cranked the sound dial up to an almost ear-splitting volume. He heard the other two groan, seeing Daniel covering his ears with his hands. Josh complained about rupturing his eardrum again.Â
âOh my GOD. Youâre such a child,â Jake yelled, reaching around the driverâs seat to smack Sam on the arm hard enough to be heard over the thundering music.Â
At the physical contact, Sam slammed on the brakes for a second. All three unprepared passengers were jolted forwards in their seats. Danny and Josh were saved from crashing into anything by their seatbelts. Jake on the other hand - notorious for never wearing one when in the back seat - went flying into Samâs seat.Â
âWhat the fuck was that??â Jake howled, fixing his askew sunglasses.Â
Sam finally turned the volume back down to an acceptable level.Â
âWhat the fuck was that??â Sam mocked in a nasally voice. He found Jakeâs gaze in the rear-view mirror. âHouse rules, Jakey. Driver picks the music, passengers shut their cake-holes.âÂ
âAre you seriously quoting Supernatural right now?â Danny looked at Sam with what Sam could only guess was disappointment and resignation.Â
âI cannot help that I have impeccable taste, Daniel.â Sam flipped his hair in a cocky manner, grinning with devilish pride when the other three groaned.Â
If they were going to get amusement out of Sam losing his mind inside the haunted house, then he was going to have fun tormenting them first.Â
The rest of the drive was pretty normal. The bickering still occurred, but it was considerably mild. Mild in the sense that Jake was no longer in danger of getting his nose broken. They all usually got over stuff like that pretty quickly.Â
Sam was feeling good. He always loved being with those three. No matter what, theyâd end up laughing and having a grand time. In fact, Sam was having such a good time that he failed to remember exactly where they were headed. That is, until he made the final turn - coming face-to-face with a gothic castle that Dracula would live in, not a historic prison.Â
âWell, they certainly spared no expense,â Sam pointed out, swallowing down his growing dread. The place was lit up with flood lights - splashing red and purple all over the old stone. Strobe lights flickered in windows where mannequins were posted - some wielding weapons of various sizes. Fog machines hissed out eerie smoke that poured out of the entrance. Actors painted up in garish makeup and dressed in soiled prison stripes paced the grounds out front, occasionally scaring the folks waiting in line.Â
âOh, look at that. Very John Carpenter-esq,â Josh complimented, craning his neck to take in the sight of the state prison in all its spooky glory.Â
âAre you kidding? Theyâre clearly taking inspiration from Re-Animator.â Jake finally shed his sunglasses before stepping out of the car. Perhaps all the teasing he endured over him eating shit inside the attraction - or how heâd be the first to die in a horror film because of his fashion choice - got to him.Â
âYouâre both wrong,â Sam chimed in, hitting the lock button on his keyfob and watching the lights flash, âitâs a clear nod to Shawshank.âÂ
The other three burst into laughter simultaneously. Sam also cracked a smile that he hoped concealed his mounting nerves. He gave a small, theatric bow when Jake playfully shoved his shoulder. The group made their way to the end of the line, bantering about different film motifs used in horror that could translate into a haunted attraction. Sam had been so engrossed in the conversation that he failed to notice one of the scare actors approaching them.Â
âFRESH MEAT OVER HERE!!!â the actor bellowed, his thick country accent giving his voice a twang that mightâve been comical under different circumstances. However, the only comical thing that happened was Sam shrieking in terror as he jumped about ten feet in the air.Â
Sammyâs face went red hot as everyone around him - including the actor - began laughing at his expense.Â
âOh, they gonna eat you alive in there, pretty boy,â the actor ominously forecasted, lunging at Sam just to watch him stumble backwards into Danny. He manically cackled as he turned on his heel to stalk up and down the line of people once more. Sam watched him go with a weary gaze, a hand clutching his racing heart.Â
âOh my god,â Daniel exclaimed under his breath - Sam only able to hear it from their proximity - âhow could I forget?âÂ
âWhat?â Sam groaned, shamefully detaching himself from Dannyâs arms that had wrapped around him to prevent Samâs fall.Â
âYou jump super easily,â Danny breathed, looking Sam right in the eyes. There was an intensity in his hazel gaze that made Sam feel like a bug under a microscope. âIâm so sorry.âÂ
Sam had no choice but to look right back. Heâd known Danny for a long time. The only people that he knew for longer were his immediate family. Thatâs how he knew Danny was genuinely apologetic. It was hard to fake that timidness Danny got when he felt truly in the wrong.Â
âToo late to back out now!â Jake wrapped an arm around Samâs shoulders like he was physically keeping Sam from running. Sam took pride in the fact that Jake had to get on his tip-toes in order to reach his shoulders.Â
âDonât worry, Daniel,â Sam elbowed Jake in the ribs to shed his arm, earning a surprised grunt from his older brother, âI know you wouldnât force me into anything like this knowingly.âÂ
âI wonât hold it against you if you want to just wait in the car-â
âAnd get dogged on by these two clowns for the rest of my life?â Sam gestured at his older brothers. Jake was glaring daggers at him while rubbing the spot Sam had jabbed with his elbow. Josh was crafting a melody where he was calling Sam the biggest chicken in the state. It was only a matter of time before Jake would chime in and contribute. âI think Iâll pass.âÂ
A frown darkened Dannyâs face at Sammyâs argument. He began chewing on his lip while his brow creased in concern. It wouldâve been adorable if Sam didnât know about the self-flagellation going on in Dannyâs head.Â
âCut that out, guys,â Danny barked at the twins, effectively cutting off their taunting. The pair wore matching critical gazes, noticing just how quickly Dannyâs demeanor had changed from elated to distressed. And the twins were smart. It only took one glance Samâs way for them to glean the source of the drummerâs anxiety.Â
âCall off your guard dog, Sam,â Josh breezily demanded. He quickly checked over his shoulder as the line moved, keeping up with the group ahead of them as they shuffled forward.Â
âIâm not his dog.â
âHeâs not my dog, you freak.âÂ
Sam and Danny spoke both statements at the same time. Sam punctuated his with an eye roll and Danny crossed his arms over his chest.Â
The twins wore those same devilish grins as they ate up the younger twoâs denials. They didnât even try to hide their amusement, much to Samâs annoyance.Â
âUhuh,â Josh placated.Â
âSure,â came Jakeâs plastic agreement, âguess weâll find out for sure in there, wonât we?âÂ
Sam gazed warily back up at the looming prison. He felt his throat work as he heard the sounds of screeching patrons just behind the weathered rock. He wasnât even going to try and say otherwise. Sam was freaked and they all knew it.Â
âI hope one of the guards beats your asses in there,â Sam teased, only half meaning it. It earned him a quick burst of laughter from Daniel.Â
âTheyâd need some pretty long billy clubs to reach their short asses.â Dannyâs frown was replaced by a hearty smile, warming something inside Samâs chest that lifted a bit of his worry.Â
âThey gotta catch us first!â Jake sprang into a defensive posture as he began to bob and weave away from imagined blows. The rest of the group fell into a chorus of laughter before playing along and either joining the team of dodgers or pretending to hit their targets.Â
It wasnât long until they reached the entrance to the attraction. Danny handled their tickets while a bored teenager in a cheap wig scanned his phone. She was dressed like a receptionist from the 50s - one that had just taken a tumble down a steep hill based on the smears of dirt all over her costume.Â
âThrough the doors and to the left,â she directed, not even bothering to hide her pull off a vape, âand remember: you can check out any time youâd like, but you can never leave.âÂ
The four men said their thanks as they followed her directions. They all silently exchanged glances as they entered the smoke-filled corridor.Â
âWasnât that from âHotel Californiaâ?â Danny asked, looking over his shoulder for acknowledgement from his friends.Â
âLast line of the song, as I recall,â Josh answered, glancing all around their surroundings to take in the spooky decor.Â
âThat just doesnât make any sense.â Jake shook his head as he looked at the ground, stepping over wires covered by an anti-tripping mat.Â
âIt would fit better if this were hotel-themed and not prison-themed,â Sam agreed, frantically scanning the darkness for any threats that might pop out at him. âCanât really check out of a prison.â
âWe should write them a strongly worded email!â Jake theatrically placed his hands on his hips as he emulated an entitled customer. A bright grin broke out on his face as he got the whole group to laugh.Â
âWELCOME, INMATES!!âÂ
Sam yelped in surprise as he jumped backwards out of instinct. He heard Danny grunt as he caught Sam from falling flat on his back, his arms enveloping Samâs chest and holding steady. To his relief, Sam wasnât the only group member to get spooked. He saw the twins jolt in reaction to the thunderous yelling of the scare actor. He was dressed in an old fashioned police uniform that Sam recognized in pictures from the 70s. Except, this uniform was far from pristine. It looked as though he had just walked out of a fire with holes burned into his clothing and burn makeup charring his skin. He was wielding his billy club as he twirled it in his hand, smacking it against the bars that separated him from them.Â
âOh, a real pretty batch of new blood, ainât ya?â the actor darkly guffawed, lunging at their group. âWell, donât just stand there! The wardenâs waiting!!âÂ
The burned officer gestured emphatically to his left, even going so far as to hit the sign next to his barred admin desk. âPrisoner Processingâ was printed in a brutalist, bold font with an arrow pointing in the direction the actor had pointed. Without needing to be told twice, Sam nervously gave the actor a thumbs up as he quickly walked towards the next part of the attraction.Â
âYâall wonât last long in there, pretty boys!!â the burnt officer called after them. It was punctuated by his gravelly cackle that chased after them down the echoey hallway.Â
âVery welcoming staff thus far,â Josh commented, yelling over the screams of distant agony being pumped in over the speakers.Â
âYou should write them a yelp review,â Danny responded, flinching as a fog machine hissed to life right next to them.Â
The four of them pushed through a bunch of raggedy cloth to reach the next section of the haunt; Jake was spear-heading the group while Danny took up the rear with Josh and Sam in the middle. Each one of them squinted as they were greeted with white walls, pale linoleum, and harsh, flickering LEDs. It was a huge dichotomy against the dark, fog-filled hallway they just emerged from. Chairs were set up to face a podium where the lone occupant stood, back to the group.Â
Sam walked into the room with trepidation. He looked back and forth between the actor and his group in confusion. He was expecting the actor to have addressed them already as it was close to ten seconds since they entered. And it wasnât like they were being quiet, either.Â
âGuys, are they real?â Sam asked, trying to hide the quiver of fear in his voice.Â
âWhy donât you go find out!â Jake grabbed Sam by the shoulders and shoved him towards the podium.Â
Sam, shooting Jake an unimpressed look, stepped towards the front of the room. He could feel his palms start to sweat with each anxious step. They had to be a mannequin, right? Or the actor wouldâve turned around by now.Â
âSIT, MAGGOTS!!âÂ
âAHHH!!â Sam screamed, launching approximately ten feet into the air after the actor finally made their move. It took Danny grabbing him by the arm and pulling him into a chair for Sam to register theyâd been given an order.Â
âYâall mustâve done something pretty terrible to end up in this joint. But whatever you did is nothing to what Iâll do to you if you donât follow my rules!â The actor was dressed in a clean suit and her hair pulled back into a smart bun. The only thing that set her apart from any typical business woman was the massive amount of blood that spilled down the front of her. It gushed from a gaping bullet wound in the center of her forehead.Â
She rounded her podium in order to get uncomfortably close, pointing a manicured finger in their faces. She screamed like a drill sergeant as she barked out the rules they were meant to obey. She manically paced back and forth in front of their chairs, occasionally smacking the podium for emphasis and making Sam jump every time.Â
â...And lastly! Anything I say is law! Under this roof, you serve only one master: Warden Maxwell! Do I make myself clear??â She leaned over into Dannyâs personal space, causing him to have to lean back.Â
âYes, warden,â they all chimed, each of them with varying levels of fear.Â
âI said, âdo I make myself clearâ??â She smacked the podium loudly, causing Sam to yelp. His hand flew out to grab Dannyâs on instinct, needing something to ground him. He wasnât sure his heart could beat any faster without exploding. Danny gave his hand a gentle squeeze. It was all the reassurance Sam needed.Â
The actor seemed to catch onto the fact that Sam was the jumpiest member of the group and zeroed in on him. Her heels clicked against the tile as she approached the youngest member.Â
âAnd whatâs your name, son?â Her voice was unnervingly quiet after hearing her yell for the past minute or so. Sam nervously swallowed, glancing over at Danny before he answered.Â
âS-Sam.âÂ
âOh, Sammy,â she elongated his name in a taunting manner, a demented grin pulling at her lips, âyou ainât gonna last a day in there, pretty boy.âÂ
Sam shivered as he slinked down in his seat. With one final hit to the podium, the warden actor yelled at them to leave the room. She pointed at the exit where two masked guards emerged. They were both large enough to be linebackers.Â
Sam was once again pulled by Danny as he led the way out of the wardenâs room. He apprehensively looked at one of the guards, quickly noting that he could see black makeup smeared all over their eyes and lips underneath the riot helmet. Right when they were closest to the actors, the one Sam was looking at shouted âBOOâ, causing him to yelp and pull himself closer to his best friend for protection. The twins and the fake guards laughed at Samâs reaction, his face getting warm from embarrassment.Â
âI donât think Iâm gonna survive this,â Sam lamented, gripping the back of Danielâs shirt and squinting into the darkness. The only thing illuminating their path were dim, flickering incandescents, red ambient lighting, and the shaky flashlight beams from the guards. It was a stark contrast to the retina-burning brightness of the LEDs in the wardenâs room.Â
âYouâre going to be ok, Sam. Youâre doing great so far,â Danny reassured, turning his head to flash him a sweet smile. It wouldâve been a lot more effective if someone hadnât chosen that moment to lunge out of the darkness and grab for them inside one of the rusted cells. Sam had managed to suppress his yelp of fear that time, but he still scrambled away from the actorâs clawing hand.Â
âCome here, pretty boy,â a man in an on-the-nose tattered black and white striped outfit crooned, a manic smile on his lips, âI wonât hurt you. Weâll have lots of fun.âÂ
Danny positioned himself between the actor and Sam, quickly pulling Sam by the arm behind his back. Sam didnât even have time to respond - let alone process - the actorâs demented flirting before one of the pretend guards loudly clanged his flashlight against the cell bars. He barked out a sharp âKNOCK IT OFFâ before the prisoner slinked back into the shadows.Â
âKeep it moving!!â the other guard ordered, flicking the beam of his flashlight down the hall. The group did as they were told, marching down the old prison halls that were probably riddled with black mold.Â
âYeah, âpretty boyâ, keep walking!â Josh jokingly ordered, poking Sam in the ribs as he smiled at his baby brother. He knew it was meant to annoy him, but Sam felt his anxiety calm a bit at Joshâs joke.Â
âAm I wearing a name tag, or something?â Sam played along, his hands shaking as he smoothed the front of his shirt down, âI feel like I should be concerned everyone is calling me that.âÂ
âYou do look like a girl. Especially when you shave your beard,â Jake chimed in.Â
Sam sent Jake a piercing stare. âDude, you literally look like the guy-version of our sister.âÂ
âWhatever you say, pretty boy,â Jake smiled as he clapped Sam on the back.Â
Sam looked over at Danny for support, the man in question shrugging his shoulders. âI think itâs a fitting nickname.âÂ
âReally?â Sam hadnât meant to sound so charmed.Â
âGod, get a fucking ROOM.â Josh threw his head back in agony. Jake joined in and made over the top vomiting sounds.Â
Just when Sam was about to throw a snappy insult at his brothers, the pretend prison guards snapped at them to get into their cells. There were two empty and opened cells at the end of the hall - the guards dividing them into pairs. To his dismay, Sam was separated from Daniel and placed with Josh. It wasnât that he didnât like his brother, he just felt safer when Danny was at his side. And now there was a thick stone wall partitioning them.Â
Right as the actor was about to shut the cell door on them, Sam saw another person dressed in a ratty prison uniform charging at the guard with a knife. Before he could even get a word out to warn the guard, the prisoner brutally stabbed the guard in the neck. Sam screeched before slapping a hand over his own mouth, eyes wide as dinner plates. Blood sprayed everywhere as the actor roared in pain, the guard slumping to the ground. Sam clutched at Josh as he kept his eyes on the bloody prisoner. He knew that it was all for show, but he wasnât willing to risk aggravating any guy wielding a knife.Â
He didnât have to worry, though. As soon as their guard fell down, the prisoner actor was launching himself towards the other guard that was attempting to lock up Danny and Jake. He heard the other guard yell âRIOT ATTEMPT - MAN DOWN! I REPEAT, RIOT ATTEMPT - MAN DOWN!!â before he also howled in agony. Soon after, an alarm bell began its shrill ringing and red lights started flashing.Â
âWhat the fuck!?â Sam wailed in confusion, flinching and clamping his hands over his ears. He looked over at Josh to see he was also covering his ears.Â
Suddenly, the door to their cell was wrenched open. Sam squealed like a hog as he fell to his knees, startled by the action. It was Danny. Sam took a breath of relief as his best friend kneeled down before him - hands on his cheeks and looking Sam over.Â
âSam, are you alright?â Daniel inquired, his eyebrows knitting together as his eyes frantically scanned the bassist. Sam melted into his touch, the warmth of it spreading through his body and slowing his pounding heart just a little.Â
âYeah, Iâm alright,â Sam breathed, closing his eyes as he tried to focus on Danny and not the overstimulating environment of the haunted attraction.Â
âOh, Iâm good, too! Thanks for asking!â Josh sarcastically announced. He raised a placating hand at Danny as if to wave off the non-existent concern. âDonât worry about me!â
âYou know heâs got tunnel vision when it comes to Sam,â Jake asserted, helping his twin to his feet, âthe only thing he said to me before we were locked in was âI hope Samâs okâ.âÂ
âOK!â Danny chirped as he shot to his feet, trying to end that train of thought. âLetâs get out of here.â
Without having to ask, Danny helped Sam to his feet. They all stepped out of the cramped cell, spotting the prisoner actor drenched in the blood of his âvictimsâ. He stood over the bodies of the guards, silently beckoning the group to follow his lead.Â
âShould we follow him?â Sam stood next to Danny, refusing to let go of his hand.Â
âI donât think we have a choice,â Daniel answered, giving Sam a look of remorse at the whimper that escaped his mouth. With another quick squeeze to Samâs hand, Danny took a steeling breath and walked towards their murderous guide.Â
The prisoner broke out into a delighted smile as he watched their group follow his direction. His stride was long as he quickly walked deeper into the prison. The alarm bell got impossibly louder as they ventured down the hall. Sam could hear a chorus of agonized screams that sounded like they were coming from other parts of the building. Gunfire was popping off in sporadic bursts as more people shrieked, adding to the realism of a prison experiencing a riot. Their silent guide kept leading them down winding tunnels. Sam was too afraid to ask where they were going.Â
Finally, the bloody guide opened up a door and gave them all a grin that made Samâs skin crawl. He was really regretting agreeing to this whole thing. His heart was racing so fast it was causing his whole body to shake with adrenaline. And it wasnât the fun kind he would get performing a show for his fans. This was the kind of anxiety heâd get when facing down his biggest fears. All of the loud sounds designed to make him jump, the actors screaming at him, watching them âdieâ, and the constant bell ringing loud enough to make his ears bleed - Sam was reaching his limit. He was overwhelmed and terrified. All he wanted was to go home and cuddle with his dogs⌠Or Danny⌠Or bothâŚÂ
Danny bravely followed their guide. Sam quickly checked over his shoulder to make sure his brothers were still following. It was in that brief moment that Sam almost missed their guide attacking someone else. He jumped through the air and attempted to plunge his knife into yet another prison guard. However, he was cut short as someone fired their gun, causing the actor to drop unceremoniously to the ground. The four of them were soon blinded by flashlights as a team of guards trained their guns onto them.Â
âSHOW US YOUR HANDS!! SHOW US YOUR HANDS, NOW!!â they snarled repeatedly.Â
Sam wasnât proud of it. Hearing the loud (fake) gunshots echoing through the small, cinderblock room was what finally did him in. He curled into Danielâs side as he grimaced against all of the cacophonous clamor, clamping his hands over his ears once again. He may have even muttered âmake it stop!!â, but it was all a blur.Â
He wasnât entirely sure what happened next. All he remembered was Daniel frantically grabbing onto Samâs arm and pulling him out of the room. He thinks they may have been chased by someone because Danny started to break out into a sprint, nearly pulling Samâs arm out of its socket.Â
Finally, they finished the haunt and stumbled out of the exit. However, Sam wasnât able to feel the relief he so wished for. His heart was still stuttering frantically behind his ribs and his body wouldnât quit its quivering. He tried his best to hide it, taking large, measured breaths to even out his heart rate. But he mustâve done a pretty shit job at it.Â
âWoah. Sam, are you ok?â Jake placed a gentle hand on his brotherâs shoulder, face knitting in concern as he leaned in closer to inspect Sam.Â
âWhat??â Sam exhaled, trying desperately to get his lungs to properly fill with air. As he looked at Jake, he realized his brotherâs face was contorted by tears welling in his eyes. He felt a looming sense of dread sink its claws deep enough into him to pierce his racing heart. His mind was caught in a maelstrom of looping thoughts, drowning him in doom. It was too much. All of it. He just wanted to go home. He just wanted to be safe.
Jake righted himself, his thumb absently smoothing Samâs shoulder as he looked between the other two group members. Sam knew they were having a silent conversation - about him, no less. However, he was not in the right state of mind to pick up on nuance.Â
âJosh and I are going to wait in the car. You get some air, ok?â Jake waited for Sam to nod in acknowledgement before taking Samâs keys from him. The two oldest members of the group quickly made for the parking lot, frequently checking over their shoulders at their younger brother.Â
âWhatâs wrong, Sammy?â Came Dannyâs gentle voice. Like a lighthouse in a terrible storm, his gentle tenor offered Sam a security he so desperately needed.Â
Sam collapsed into Danielâs embrace. His strong arms quickly wrapped around Sam and held him tightly against his chest. Sam lost the fight against his tears, feeling them fall freely down his cheeks as they hugged. Dannyâs large, warm hands made soothing circles along Samâs back as he offered calming words. It was exactly what Sam needed. Heâd never been so thankful for Daniel in his whole life.Â
âIâm sorry⌠Iâm so sorryâŚâ Danielâs voice cracked as he spoke, pulling Sam impossibly closer to his chest.Â
âI agreed to go,â Sam rebuked, calming down enough that his crying had ceased.Â
âI never shouldâve suggested-â
âDaniel, stop. You wanted to do something fun, thatâs all. You donât have to apologize,â Sam firmly corrected. He locked eyes with his best friend, making sure he understood how serious Sam was about this. Heâd said it before: he wasnât going to allow Danny to beat himself up over this.Â
Sam watched those hazel eyes search his own. After a beat, Danny resigned himself to Samâs stubborn will. With a thankful smile, Danny did something that took Sam completely by surprise. With a simple bow of his head, Daniel gingerly placed his lips on the crown of Samâs head. They only resided there for a few seconds - Samâs eyes involuntarily fluttering closed as his skin buzzed with energy. His cheeks began to burn as a flush tinted them pink. It wasnât every day that Danny kissed him.Â
âYouâre too good to me,â Danny whispered after he pulled his lips from Samâs hair. Sam felt a smile pull at the corners of his lips.Â
âI know,â Sam jokingly preened, punctuating his words with a flirty giggle. Danny snorted, a lopsided grin brightening his face.Â
âCâmon, your highness. Josh and Jake are waiting.âÂ
Sam bit back the groan that wanted to escape his lips as Danny broke away from their embrace. He made sure that their hands stayed intertwined as he let Danny lead him to the car. Sam knew that as soon as he got in, heâd be bombarded with questions about his mental state. And once he reassured them he was fine, a barrage of teasing.Â
That was fine. He could hold his own against their crusade knowing that he completed the haunted house. Anything was worth it to see Daniel happy.Â
Summary: After years of hiding from their pasts and changing their ways, Sam and Danny are forced to come face-to-face with it.
Tags: former outlaws Sam and Danny, middle-aged characters, established relationship, angst, life or death situations
Trigger Warnings: mentions of torture, mentions of former enslavement/period accurate racism, blood/gore, stalking behaviors
Words: 13.5 k words
A/N: I'm back! I promised a part two and here I am delivering (almost a year later rip). A few things about the trigger warnings: there is a black character in this fic that is a former slave. I tried to handle the situation as delicately as possible while also acknowledging the very real history of this country and its people. If you feel that I have improperly represented this, I mean no offence, and please correct me. There is also a scene towards the end where I describe in detail a character's wounds. Other than that, I swear this fic has a lot of light-hearted moments. I was heavily inspired by the epilogue in RDR2 as well as the traditional Appalachian folk song O Death - which is where the title comes from. Happy reading!
+++
The sun had been scorching that day. But, as it set lower in the sky and turned a burning shade of orange, the sweltering heat of the day had been sedated to a far more tolerable warmth.Â
Sam let out a warm sigh as he nuzzled deeper into Danielâs embrace. The both of them were watching the sunset and lounging on the porch of their shared home. After years of being low-life degenerates, these two outlaws settled down. Sam had resigned to the call of old age easy enough, but Daniel needed a bit of convincing.
It had taken them months to find a place remote enough that the law wouldnât find them. They had taken so many precautions: going by different names, being polite as possible, laying low and lying about their pasts. As far as anyone had known, they were Sam Clemens and Daniel Mason: two veterans and retired lawmen looking to take life easy and live simply. Which, to be fair, they were only half lying about. Every great lie had a kernel of truth in it.Â
âAinât this crazy?â Sam had asked, his tone coming off lazy as the evening sun had seeped into his bones and warmed them right up.Â
âAinât what crazy?â Danny questioned in turn. His voice rumbled in his chest as he spoke, adding another layer of comfort for Sam.Â
âThis,â Sam gestured to their ranch, their cattle grazing contently and getting in one last snack before going to rest, âgoinâ honest. Beinâ ranchers.âÂ
Danny chuckled warmly, heating Sam up better than any midday summer sun ever could. He automatically sank deeper into the other man at the noise, wanting to feel it in his bones.Â
âFor me? Yes. I feel like Iâm losinâ my mind shovelinâ shit some days-â
Sam giggled at the mental picture. It was⌠well, there was certainly a learning curve to be had. Trading in their guns for work gloves was hard on both men. They both had to grow their calluses, but that was after the blisters had painfully bubbled on their skin after each work day.
âBut for you? Darlinâ, I think this was your callinâ.â Danielâs hold around Samâs waist got tighter as he pulled Sam in impossibly closer. He felt Dannyâs nose press into his temple before his lips graced his skin with a kiss.Â
âOh, so thatâs how you tell me I was bad at beinâ a bounty hunter and an outlaw,â Sam teased, his tone airy and full of sarcasm.Â
Daniel groaned in his ear, playfully annoyed. âYep. You betcha. Cause havinâ the highest number of arrests in Arizonaâs history is just a minor achievement, right? Oh, and nearly doublinâ our gangâs scores and getting us out of the most scrapes with the law⌠well, you were just dead weight to us.âÂ
âHmmm, I did do all those things, didnât I?â Sam hummed, pride glowing in his chest like a roaring fire.Â
âYou just wanted to hear me compliment you,â Danny pointed out, his words like honey warmed on a campfire.Â
âItâs why I keep you around.âÂ
âOh, so itâs not âcause I do all the work you donât wanna do?âÂ
âWell, that too.âÂ
âOr to keep the loneliness away at night?âÂ
âHmmm that is a mighty nice perk.âÂ
Sam had shifted his body so that it was now facing Dannyâs. His forehead rested against Daniel's, both of them going cross-eyed to look at one another.Â
âSeems youâre pretty useful, there, Mr. Wagner.â Samâs words were laced with laughter as he brought his hands up to cup Dannyâs cheeks.Â
âEverythinâ I do is for you, Mrs. Wagner,â Danny purred before closing the distance between them. Both of their lips were chapped due to the dry nature of their home state, but it could not have been a more tender kiss.Â
That was a joke between the two of them. Just like Big Nose Kate was Doc Hollidayâs âwifeâ, Sam was Danielâs. It started out as the rest of the Diamondbacks teasing the two of them. Someone had called Sam âMrs. Wagnerâ - shit, itâd been years ago, Sam couldnât remember who started it - and the name stuck. While it annoyed him a little at first, Sam had fallen in love with it when he heard it come from Danielâs voice. It had just felt right. Â
âWhat I was tryinâ to say before I was rudely distracted-âÂ
âI can be a lot more rude than that, Cowboy,â Sam purred, his voice drenched in tobacco smoke and sultry tones.Â
Sam felt rather than saw the way Danny bit his lip to stave off a moan that attempted to slip out. Danielâs hands clenched around Samâs waist seemingly of their own volition. âAnd people assume Iâm the nasty one.âÂ
Sam only giggled in response. He leaned in again to steal a kiss of his own, his entire body flooding with excitement. No matter how old they got or how many times theyâd done it, it would always feel like that first time.Â
âLet me speak, you fiend,â Danny attempted again, talking against Samâs lips. He refused to be any further away.Â
âNo,â Sam denied, his tone firm but still playful. He snuck in another kiss, Daniel willingly going along with the plan.Â
âYou seem happier with this life,â Danny rushed out during a pause between kisses. His left hand had traveled away from Sammyâs waist and instead came to gently caress his partnerâs jaw.Â
And that was when Sam pulled away enough to properly look at Daniel. He was still sitting in the manâs lap, one knee on either side of him. He felt his brow furrow as the words settled in.Â
âI wasnât unhappy runninâ with you and the gang,â Sam reassured. He tucked one of Dannyâs curls behind his ear, the man leaning into Samâs touch as he did so.Â
âI know,â Danny quickly agreed, âbut that life⌠it ainât one for growinâ old in. Nor one for relaxinâ. And I know you ainât had much of a choice in beinâ a bounty hunter, neither.âÂ
Sam just sat back and listened as his partner talked about his past. It was true, what he said. Despite being good at both lifestyles, he never felt⌠aw, shit, whatâs the word? âContentâ came pretty close, but âsatisfiedâ seemed closer.Â
âYou deserve happiness, Sammy. You deserve to grow old enough to go full grey. And I can see, clear as day, this life was the one you was made for.â Daniel punctuated his statement with a kiss to Samâs forehead. It made Samâs lips break out into a large grin.Â
âYou deserve it just as much as me, Daniel,â Sam argued, resting his forehead on Dannyâs once more. He brought his arms up to wrap around the manâs neck, always needing to touch him.Â
âI hardly think âdeserveâ is the right word, darlinâ.âÂ
Sam rolled his eyes. It was a tired argument theyâd beaten to death over the years. Daniel would bring up how many folks he robbed and all the blood on his hands from his lifestyle. In turn, Sam would mention he had the same cross to bear.Â
âWell, youâre stuck with me, now. And that means gettin' old and wrinkly by my side,â Sam demanded, a finality in his tone that left no room for argument.Â
The sun was starting to slip under the horizon now, the world bathing them in reddish-pink hues as the sky turned darker.Â
âAs much as I would love nothinâ more, I fear fate has a different plan for me,â Danny rebutted. There was a melancholy laced with his words that felt resigned. Sam didnât like it at all.Â
âAnd what on godâs green earth is that supposed to mean?â Sammyâs voice had gone frustrated. He hated when Daniel got like this- like he had no say in his life.Â
âDarlinâ, men like me donât get to grow old. Men like me who made their livinâ off of stealinâ and killinâ... we only got two ways of meetinâ our maker - with nooses âround our necks or gettinâ shot like dogs.â There was a darkness in Dannyâs eyes as he spoke that sent a chill down Samâs spine. He said it with such conviction that Sam almost wanted to believe him.Â
âOther men like you didnât have me by their side. Fate or not, Iâll be damned before I let anythinâ but father time put you in your grave, you understand me??â Samuel had had enough of Dannyâs gallows talk. He had grabbed either side of Dannyâs head and made him look him in the eyes.Â
They looked on at one another, both stubborn as mules. They believed wholeheartedly that their own argument was correct and that the other was being ridiculous. That they didnât know what they were talking about. It was a duel at high noon and the clock read 11:59.Â
And just like with any real duel, Danny was the first to draw.Â
âWell, if anyone has the power to challenge destiny, itâs you, Pretty Boy,â Danny admitted, his face softening into a fond grin. Sam could still see remnants of that darkness shading his eyes, but that was there most days, anyway.Â
âDamn straight, Cowpoke.â Sam rewarded Dannyâs words with a sugary kiss, his thumbs gently caressing both of the manâs cheeks.Â
It wasnât until later on that night that Sam would be hit with the realization that Danny had never agreed with Sam. The ex-outlaw had merely placated him and stroked his ego.Â
He stared up at the dark ceiling of the house he and Danny had built together, the only sounds being those of the insects buzzing outside and the odd coyote yipping. Daniel had thrown an arm over Samâs chest, never truly able to sleep without some part of him touching Sam. The ex-bounty hunter/ex-outlaw brought his loverâs hand up to his lips, pressing a feather light kiss to his knuckles. Even in the very limited light in the room, Sam was able to study his profile. It was just as breathtaking as it had been the first time Sam had ever laid eyes on him.Â
As Danny slept peacefully, Sam felt a seed of worry take root in his chest. He thought back to what Daniel had argued that evening - outlaws donât grow old. Even though he wanted to deny that with every fiber of his being, he knew Danny was right. Sam, more than anyone in the whole state, knew that outlaws donât get to retire. He had been the direct cause for that shortened lifespan for many a gun-slinging criminal. Like a dam breaking, his whole body was flooded with an anxious protectiveness.Â
Danny was right. Men like him donât get to just move on. Because it was men like Sam who hunted them down and made them pay for their pasts. It was men like Sam who condemned them to the gallows. Hell, he was the type to pull the lever and snap their necks as their loved ones looked on. He was the type of man to track down those who had put their shameful past behind them - who had wanted a peaceful life - only to force them to face a judge and then, inevitably, a noose. It never ended.Â
Just because Sam was now the kind of man who, not only sympathized, but fell in love with the very type of man he used to condemn does not mean they were safe from that cycle. There was a sizable bounty on both of their heads. Folk donât forget something like that.
All of that ran through Samâs mind as Daniel continued to dream on at his side. And as the ex-outlawâs eyes fluttered as he slept, Sam swore he felt his heart shatter. The very thought of one day lying in bed without Danny by his side made his heart feel as though it was bleeding out. It became overwhelming and tears prickled his eyes as he placed another kiss to Dannyâs hand clutched tightly in his own.Â
But it wasnât enough. So, he flipped himself onto his side, pressed his back into Dannyâs chest, and tucked Dannyâs arm around himself tightly. He clenched his eyes shut and forced himself to focus on his loverâs body heat as it seeped into his own skin.Â
âEverythinâ alright, darlinâ?â Dannyâs voice was gravelly and rough, more of a roll of thunder than a humanâs voice. Sam felt it rumble against his back and graze against his ear with Dannyâs breath. He still wasnât close enough; Sam needed to be under his ribs in order to be close enough.Â
âYeah, everythinâ is fine. Go back to sleep, honey,â Sam lied. As they laid like that, with Samâs back to Daniel, he was thankful that his lover couldnât see the tears slipping down his face. He even flashed a weak smile, though Danny couldnât see that, either.Â
Daniel obliged the order, placing a kiss against Samâs neck and tucking him in closer against himself before falling back asleep. It didnât take long. Sam counted about three breaths before Danny was dreaming once more.Â
Sam wouldnât let them take him. He wouldnât let anyone take Daniel away before his time. He wasnât lying when he said they were gonna grow old together.Â
But, even as Danielâs warmth and breathing coaxed him into finally falling asleep, Sam knew that only time would tell who was right.Â
+++
He came on a saturday riding atop a flaxen horse. He was alone, nothing to accompany him except the late morning sun at his back. Sam noticed him as he tended to the chicken coop at the east end of their property.Â
Always weary and aware they were living off of borrowed luck, Sam slowly set down the feed bucket before checking that his pearl-handled pistol was strapped to his side. Sam was actually glad that he was going to be the one to confront this man first. Sam had the benefit of knowing he looked a whole lot different than his wanted posters did. Danny wasnât so lucky.Â
âHowdy, friend. How can I-âÂ
Sam paused as the figure approached him further.Â
âIsaiah? Is that you?â Sam felt the tension in his shoulders relax as the familiar face registered in his mind. Not just familiar, but friendly.Â
âMorninâ Sam,â Isaiah warmly greeted with a tip of his hat. An excited smile broke out on the other manâs face.Â
âDaniel!! Get over here, quick!!â Sam called from over his shoulder. He heard the heavy thud of boots as Isaiah dismounted his horse.Â
Despite the years, Isaiah hadnât changed much at all. But time had weathered him, just as it had with Sam and Danny. Permanent lines creased the dark skin around his eyes from decades of squinting in the sun. Under his hat were small tufts of grey hair as well as small streaks in his beard. As he smiled at Sam, he saw one of his teeth missing on his left side. Probably knocked out in a fight. As they got closer and embraced, Sammy saw the unnatural crook in his nose and the scarring around it. All of this told Sam what he had known for years - Isaiah lived a tough life, but that son of a bitch was tougher.Â
âGreat to see you,â Sam admitted with a pat to Isaiahâs back as they hugged.Â
âSammy?? Whatâs wrong??â Sam heard from behind him after the rush of sprinting footsteps.Â
The two men pulled away from one another to address the newcomer to the reunion.Â
âIsaiah?â Daniel lowered the gun in his hand, letting it fall to his side. Same as his counterpart, Daniel broke out into a large grin as he recognized their old companion.Â
âHowdy, boss,â the other man greeted with a nod of his head.Â
With an incredulous laugh, Danny holstered his gun before pulling his old friend into a tight hug. Sam watched on with a fond smile, his chest warm and airy.Â
âWe thought you were dead!â Danny exclaimed after pulling away, hand resting on Isaiahâs shoulder.Â
âTakes a whole lot more than that to put me down,â the other man jested, a casual smirk pulling at the right side of his face. Isaiah was referencing how the Diamondbacks fell apart. It was a scar all of them bore, how it felt like their family had been ripped apart. But, that was a story for another time.Â
âYou got that right. Câmon inside, we were just about to have lunch.â Sam had taken the reins of Isaiahâs horse before gently leading the creature to a hitching post by the house. He and Daniel were caught up chatting, filling one another in on years that had been missed. Sam happily listened in, not feeling excluded in the slightest. Daniel and Isaiah had always been the closest in the gang.Â
Their catching up had lasted a few hours, enjoyed over a meal that Sam prepared as the other two chatted. Typically, Danny was the one making the food, but Sam insisted this time. From what Sam gathered overhearing from the kitchen, Isaiah had taken after Sam and became a bounty hunter.Â
He had been captured by Pinkertons a few months after the Diamondbacks disbanded and given a choice. âIt was either that, or end up in a cell for the rest of my life,â he explained.Â
âAnd howâs that goinâ for ya?â Sam couldnât help but ask. He couldnât say he missed being a bounty hunter, but it was still a major part of his life. Hell, if it werenât for that job, he wouldnât be where he was now.Â
Isaiah chuckled out a laugh around his food. He put a hand to his lips before swallowing as a gesture of manners. And wasnât that just an insane thing in and of itself: an outlaw observing table manners.Â
âWell, for one, I learned that you were a sick bastard for beinâ in this business for so long,â their old friend teased, gesturing at Sam with his silverware.Â
Caught off guard at the jab, Sam had to quickly clamp his lips shut as his laughter threatened to spit water all over the table. With an impressive amount of willpower, Sam managed to swallow his drink. âTell me somethinâ I donât know!âÂ
âAnd two,â Isaiah carried on as if Sam hadnât talked, âyou are a hard act to follow.â His knife was still poised in Samâs direction with Isaiah staring down the end of it like sights on a rifle.Â
Just as Sammy went to comment on the praise, his partner interrupted with a groan. âWhy you tellinâ him this? His headâs already big enough to block out the sun.âÂ
âI ainât gonna lie to him,â the current bounty hunter rebutted, a shrug of his shoulders added for emphasis.Â
âOh, hush, Daniel. Youâre just mad âcause he ainât talkinâ âbout how great of a leader you were,â Sam retaliated, falling back on the bickering the two of them always seemed to partake in nowadays.Â
âPerhaps I donât want you gloatinâ for the next few weeks,â Danny grumbled, his eyes focused on the cut of pork on his plate.Â
âLast I checked, you were the one doinâ all the gloatinâ for me.âÂ
Daniel was poised to respond when he was interrupted by Isaiahâs warm chuckle. A toothy smile had spread over his lips as his eyes darted between his two friends.Â
âAnd what is so funny?â Sam hadnât meant for it to come out so sassy.Â
âI never met many old married couples, but you two-â he broke out into another fit of laughter, âdamn, you two sure give all the others a run for their money.âÂ
Isaiah laughed on as the other two ex-outlaws felt embarrassment heat up their cheeks. It had been years since they entertained anyone. So hearing that from an outsider made them question just how they acted.Â
âYou hear that, Sammy?â Danny began, amusement pulling at the corner of his lips and twinkling in his eye.Â
âSure did,â Sam answered, always knowing where Dannyâs head was. That was what made them such a good team back in their Diamondback years. Isaiah once described it as Sam and Daniel being mind readers, but only for each other.Â
âWeâre married.âÂ
âAnd old,â Sam added, wiping his mouth with a napkin before getting up to clear his plate. They both wore playful looks as they gazed at one another.Â
âAnd just as lovesick as ever,â Isaiah commented, setting his silverware on his empty plate.Â
Sam nudged his shoulder lightly before grabbing the current bounty hunterâs dirty dish. He would have to circle back for Dannyâs. Or grow a third arm.Â
As Sam walked to the kitchen, he heard Daniel continue their conversation. âSo, I donât think I caught the reason youâre here. Not that I ainât happy to see you, of course.âÂ
ââCourse,â Isaiah cleared his throat in what Sam can only describe as nervousness, âitâs⌠well⌠Shit, itâs Lyle Blackwell.âÂ
Sam didnât feel his hands loosen their grip. But he heard the plates shatter into a million pieces at his feet. And he heard the silverware clatter against the wood flooring. Maybe thatâs what made his ears ring. Or maybe it was hearing that godforsaken name again.Â
Sammy wasnât even sure how he got back to the dining room so fast. It was as if he blinked and he was transported from the kitchen.Â
âYou told me he was dead!â Sam shrieked, his voice rattling the windows and other glassware decorating the room. His heart felt like a startled rabbit sprinting away from a fox.Â
âHe is! I shot him myself!â Daniel looked about as frightened as Sam felt. His skin was pale as a sheet as that sun kissed golden color drained from him. His hazel eyes were as wide as the dinner plates Sam had shattered in his shock.Â
âWe all thought he was dead. Shit, I wouldnâtâve believed it if I hadnât seen the fucker myself.â Isaiahâs voice was level and calm. He had the benefit of already processing this information.Â
âSo, what, he just survived a shot to the heart??â Daniel questioned. He had gotten out of his chair and was pacing behind it. His right hand had gone to his mouth where he chewed on his nails, his left rested on the pistol strapped to his belt.Â
âI donât know what happened. All I know is that itâs my job to catch the son of a bitch.â Isaiah finally let some of his emotions through with his last sentence. He was vengeful, and rightfully so.Â
âThen what are you doinâ here?â Sam hadnât meant for it to be so blunt. But he was being confronted by his own, personal devil. So maybe he should be cut some slack.Â
At the question, Isaiah floundered. He opened his mouth to speak only to promptly close it once more. He couldnât look Sam in the eye, despite the man refusing to let his gaze stray from his house guest. He even stole a glance towards Danny as if to ask him for assistance, but Danny was too busy staring blankly at the floor.Â
âI canât bring him in alone,â the bounty hunter finally answered. He still couldnât look at Sam, his head hung as his eyes focused on his own wringing hands.Â
âThen hire some guns!â Once again, Sam hadnât meant to be so abrasive. He just⌠he had an idea of where this was going, and he did not like it.Â
âAll due respect, Sam, but I need someone I can really trust on this.âÂ
And there it was. Samâs fear was coming true.Â
âNo,â Kiszka spoke with a laugh. A humorless laugh, but a laugh nonetheless. He shook his head and plastered a smile on his lips. He had to do something with them or else theyâd go off on their own and say something Sam would really regret later.Â
âWhere is he?â All eyes swung to Daniel. He managed to compose himself in the interim, a mask of cold rage making his features stony. Sam knew that set in his jaw. He knew that look of determination burning in his hazel eyes.Â
âNo,â Sam said again. This time it was spoken as a whisper, the puff of air soaked with desperation. He felt his shoulders sag and his hands drop from his hips.Â
âHe ainât far. Couple of folks said they spotted him âround Scorpionâs Rest. Just about a day or soâs ride north,â Isaiah informed, his eyes firmly on Danny now. With the support of his former leader - whom he clearly still highly respected - his once meek body language had vanished.Â
âNo.âÂ
âYeah, I know it. If we leave âfore sunset, weâd get there by tomorrow afternoon,â Danny forecasted, slipping back into his old role like years hadnât passed.Â
âNO!âÂ
Now all eyes were on Sam, but he didnât feel victorious. All he felt was cold, sickly dread as it festered in the pit of his stomach. He bounced his eyes back and forth between Daniel and Isaiah, his vision blurring as unshed tears obscured it.Â
âYou are not goinâ after that madman. You canât.â Samâs voice was level as he firmly laid out his order. Despite the waver in it, his voice was still firm.Â
Danny rounded the table before answering, his eyes never leaving Samâs. âSammy, I have to do this. I made you a promise-âÂ
âYou promised to stay here with me. To start a new life! This-â Sam had to take a pause and look away. Dannyâs eyes were so determined, so imploring. âThis-this⌠foolâs errand is only gonna end in bloodshed!âÂ
âDarlinâ I made a promise to keep you safe. That takes priority over everythinâ else,â Danny argued, gently grabbing Samâs hand to clutch between his own. He never raised his voice.Â
Sam, looking between their touch and Dannyâs eyes, ripped his hand away. The tears had begun to fall down his cheeks, hot and angry. âThat ainât what this is about, Daniel, and you know it. So spare me the speech about how important I am to ya, cause you sure are keen to throw my happiness away at the first chance to relive your glory days!âÂ
All the air had sucked out of the room. It was more still than an undertakerâs parlor. No one dared to speak for a moment, the only sound was that of Samâs erratic breathing at the hands of his crying.Â
âHe hurt you, Sam. That ainât somethinâ I take lightly.â Dannyâs tone was gravely serious. And the way he leveled Sam with his gaze, it left no room for any interpretation.Â
âAnd I am begginâ you. This ainât worth your life.â Sam took a step closer to his lover as he implored Daniel to reconsider. His heart was beating so goddamn fast he thought it was about to pop - his hands shaking worse than if it were freezing.Â
As the two stared at one another, Sam knew Danny wasnât listening. This was his worst nightmare coming true - Daniel was going to die, and he was going to die violently. They barely made it out of their first scrape with Lyle Blackwell alive; Sam couldnât raise his arms too quickly without pain shooting through his entire body. Hell, he still couldnât get too close to any open flame, no matter the circumstances. So the very thought of Danny confronting that monster again - knowing that he only got out of it the first time because of sheer, dumb luck - made Sam more scared than heâd ever been. He had to try everything and leave no victims, cause he knew how it would end: with a noose around Dannyâs neck or getting shot like a dog.Â
âIsaiah, get your horse ready.â And that was it. Sam had lost.Â
He felt his knees quiver under him as his head felt woozy. He wasnât ready. He didnât want to lose Daniel. But nothing he had said was enough to stop him.Â
âNo no no no-â Sam cried, feeling every part the grieving widow as his tears only increased. He suddenly understood what his mama mustâve felt before all three of her sons went off to join the union.Â
Daniel caught Sam in his arms before the latter collapsed to the floor. Sam clung to any part of Danny he could reach, which happened to be his shirt. He didnât care that he was acting hysterical. To him, the world was ending. So he wept into his - by all intents and purposes - husbandâs embrace.Â
âIâm sorry, darlinâ. I have to do this,â Danny soothed, his left hand petting Samâs hair as he tucked Samâs head under his chin.Â
No you donât, is what Sam had wanted to say, but he knew it would only fall upon deaf ears. Danny had made up his mind and any hope Sam had of changing it had been snuffed out.Â
When Danny guided Sammy to sit down in one of the dining chairs, Sam hardly registered that Isaiah had left. In fact, he had been so focused on his feeling of impending doom and, by consequence, his lack of overall feeling, that he missed Danny leaving the room, as well.Â
Sam looked over at the window, the sun lower in the sky from when he last checked. Slowly, a new sensation took over. Panic had wormed its way into his mind as he understood what his solitude meant. He sprang out of his chair so fast, the thing tipped over and clattered to the floor. But he didnât care. Instead, he wiped his tears (most of them dried) and marched to his bedroom. He kept a saddle bag full of items stashed in a trunk underneath their bed for times like these - when he needed to make a quick escape. Sam had always known that, eventually, something would catch up to them; be it the law or their many enemies he and Daniel accumulated over the years. They were living off of borrowed luck and Sam had always prepared for when that would finally run out.Â
Only sparing himself a few seconds to breathe and steady his thundering heart, Sam tore through his house and burst through the door. Just as he had hoped, Daniel and Isaiah were still there. Both men turned their heads at the sound of the heavy oak door slamming into the wall, both reaching for their revolvers strapped to their hips. When it was clear that no threat was posed, Sam could see them both relax.Â
âSammy?â Was all Daniel asked. His eyebrows knit together, concern lacing his words.Â
Sam, steadfast, squared his shoulders and raised his chin. âIâm cominâ with.âÂ
Before he could hear his husbandâs protests, Sam marched towards the barn where his mare was stabled. She replaced Sundown a few years ago, the dear passing away of old age. Harvest Moon was the same breed as Sundown - a Missouri Fox Trotter - though the two mares had completely different personalities. Where Harvest Moon was calm and very affectionate, Sundown was brash and had a mean streak for anyone that wasnât Sam. He missed that horse. She was perfect for what he needed for that phase of his life. But, as he got older and found himself picking up a hay fork more than a Winchester rifle, he leaned towards the softer personality traits. They buried her on their property right next to Redwood. Danny was devastated when he, too, passed.Â
He saddled his horse, throwing his saddle bag onto her rump as the last step. With a pat to her neck, he led the Paint horse towards where the other two former outlaws waited.Â
âSamâŚâ Danny tried again. He was mounted up on Bergamot (another Shire just like Redwood), his reins in hand but making no move to whip them into action.Â
âDonât.â Sam simply replied in turn. He shot Danny a look that left no room for argument. âYou need all the help you can get. Iâm as qualified as any John out there. If not more so.âÂ
âHeâs gotta point, Deadeye,â Isaiah relented. Even though he attempted to keep a straight face, Sam could see the way he braced for Dannyâs reaction. Even back when the Diamondbacks were whole, Danny was always reluctant to take Sam on any mission he deemed âtoo dangerousâ, much to Sammyâs distaste.Â
Daniel, looking back and forth between his old friend and his lover, warred out the decision in his head. Sam could tell thatâs what was going on simply from how the man bit his lip and scowled. After about thirty seconds of drawn out silence - save for the irate buzzing of the insects protesting the scorching heat of the day - Danny came to a decision.Â
âAlright.â It looked as if the word had pained him to speak. Hell, he couldnât even look Samuel in the eye as he said it.Â
âWhile I appreciate your blessinâ, Daniel,â Sam hoisted himself up and onto Harvest Moonâs saddle, âI was goinâ with ya on this, no matter what you said.âÂ
âSam-âÂ
Before he could hear more of Dannyâs indignant reply, Sam kicked Harvest Moon into action with a nudge of his heels and a whip of her reins. He took off towards Scorpionâs Rest, hearing the other two follow suit shortly after. As the three old friends rode towards one of the meanest sons of bitches - in a long line of nasty bastards - any of them have faced, Sam couldnât shake the bad feeling sinking its talons deep into his bones.Â
+++
It had finally cooled down. With the sun dipping below the horizon about two hours earlier, with it went the blistering heat of the summer sun. While it was still on the warmer side, it felt closer to a comfortable 60 degrees compared to the hellish high of about 100 that afternoon. The wind had also perked up a little, allowing a gentle breath to help dry their sweat-slicked skin. It was an extremely pleasant night as the stars draped over the sky and twinkled their hellos to the earth below. The full moon rose at the eastern edge of the horizon, casting its pallid glow over everything it could reach. Even the bugs had gone quiet, for the most part. The crickets chirped their timeless tune as their horses made the occasional sound.Â
So, naturally, it was the perfect night to discuss murder.Â
âDo you need the bastard alive?â Sam inquired, knowing the sometimes impossible requirements from the sheriffs that came along with bounties.Â
Isaiah made a noise that sounded halfway between a grunt and a laugh. He was laying on his side watching the campfire to Samâs left, his mug of water curled in the arm not propping him up by the elbow.Â
âIâve been told to attempt catching him alive,â he answered, never taking his eyes off the flames, âbut, I wonât catch no flack if itâs his corpse Iâm deliverinâ.âÂ
Sam hummed in understanding. Thatâs how it usually went with high-profile bounties like Lyle Blackwell. The authorities wanted these criminals alive in order to try âem and hang âem publically to make an example of the slimy bastards. But, as was the case with this particular group of degenerates, they usually werenât too keen on getting themselves their very own rope necklace. Hell, there was a time not too long ago that all three men at that very campfire fell into that category.Â
Sam smiled to himself as he sipped out of his own mug of water. Oh, how the times have changed.Â
âWhich county signed off on his bounty, anyhow?â Sam wondered, tilting his head to the side as he looked over at Isaiah.Â
âWasnât no county.âÂ
âWhat, youâre riskinâ our necks for some vigilante justice?âÂ
âTry Uncle Sam.âÂ
Sam felt Danny stiffen in his lap, his shoulders tensing at the mention of their oldest boogieman. Seems he wasnât asleep like Sam thought. Thatâs usually what happened when he put his head in the former bounty hunterâs lap. Sam looked down at his husband to see his eyes shut with a scowl on his face.Â
âWell⌠more like Cousin Arizona,â Isaiah elaborated, draining his mug with a sigh and setting it down on the bed roll he was laying on.Â
âThe governor put a hit out on Blackwell?â Sam wasnât sure why he was surprised. It wasnât uncommon for a bounty to come down from that high up, but it was certainly rare.Â
âMmhmm. Guess he pissed off ânough higher-ups to make him a priority.â The current bounty hunter reached into the pocket of his pants to retrieve a bandana, using the once vibrant blue material to wipe some of the sweat off his face. A spark of nostalgia flickered in Samâs chest seeing the old thing. He recognized it as the same one Isaiah had back in the Diamondbacks.Â
âPissinâ off Uncle Sam was about the only thing we had in common with that vile bastard,â Daniel finally piped up. He still kept his eyes closed as he spoke. It wasnât until Sam began petting the crown of Dannyâs head that the man slowly opened them, the dark hazel irises catching every spark of light around and making them look like their own personal galaxies.Â
âWell, in that line of work, it ainât a hard thing to do,â Sam sagely commented, his gaze never leaving Dannyâs. His voice had been significantly softer than when he was chatting with Isaiah.Â
A moment passed where no one spoke. The air was still as if nature was holding her breath while Sam and Danny continued to gaze at each other. Sam never ceased stroking Danielâs salt-and-peppered curls - Daniel reaching up to tuck Samâs hair behind his ear.Â
âWell,â Isaiah croaked as he stood up, stretching his arms over his head and catching the attention of his other party members, âgot a long day ahead of us. See you fellers in the morninâ.âÂ
Daniel and Sam bid him goodnight, watching him take his bedroll into his own tent. The man shut the flaps of canvas at the entrance, allowing the couple to have at least some semblance of privacy.Â
âHow are we gonna do this?â Sam worried his lip between his teeth. It had been eating him the whole ride from home.Â
âWhat you mean?â Danny sat up from his husbandâs lap, resting his arms on his knees as he kept his eyes on Sam.Â
âWeâre so outta practice, Daniel.â He kept his voice at a whisper, not wanting to bring this up in front of Isaiah for a reason. He knew they were a liability. The last time Sam had shot anything was when he caught a fox going after his chickens one night. And the last time heâd shot a person? Shit, that was decades ago. Sam wasnât even sure he had it in him to kill a man anymore.Â
Dannyâs brow furrowed. He knew what Sam was thinking. He always had, somehow. âItâll be like ridinâ a horse, darnlinâ.âÂ
âBut what if this ainât a horse I wanna saddle up?â It wasnât a perfect metaphor, but Sam stuck with it. He looked away from Danielâs eyes, unwilling to see the disappointment he was certain would follow his admission. He studied his hands as they rubbed together, instead. When had those liver spots gotten there?Â
And just like Sammy predicted, Danny released a sigh that sounded dissatisfied to his weathered ears. His left ear still rang - thanks to Daniel - and it had only gotten worse as he aged. It was almost completely gone. Save for a few particularly loud sounds, like thunder and gunfire.Â
âSamâŚâÂ
âI know, I know. Why even come along if Iâm worried about⌠that,â Sam argued for Danny, removing his hat and running his fingers through his grey-streaked locks.Â
He didnât answer right away. Rather, he watched the slowly dying fire caress the air with its blue-tinted flames. He was uneasy sitting that close to an open flame like that. But, he had Daniel with him. That always made him feel safe. Even if the burn marks Blackwell had scored on his back started to feel tight and uncomfortable.Â
âIâŚâ Sam started, his mouth forming the next words he wished to speak, but his voice unwilling to comply. But Danny waited, forever patient with his lover.Â
âI donât want you dead, Daniel,â Sam finally whispered, his tone just above the snapping of the fire. His heart pounded under his ribs as if the organ itself was afraid of Dannyâs fate.Â
Danny stayed silent. But he didnât have to speak. The tight press of his lips into a thin line said more than any sentence could.Â
âYou said so yourself that youâre gonna go out by a rope or a noose, right? That thatâs how âmen like youâ die.â Sam finally looked at Danny again. He wasnât shocked to see him staring right back.Â
Danny nodded. One slow dip of his chin. The fire behind him cast an eerie glow to his face, hollowing it out and making it look half rotted away to the skull beneath.Â
âThis man weâre huntinâ... heâll be your hangman. You donât know him like I did.â Sam sounded grave to his own ears. He just hoped it was enough to get his point across.Â
When Sam looked back at Daniel, he didnât see his husband. For the first time in decades, he saw Deadeye staring back at him. Sure, he caught whispers of Dannyâs old self, but never had the outlaw been so present. It was bittersweet, underneath everything else. Deadeye was someone Sam associated with freedom and liberation; he associated Deadeye with the wind in his hair and reckless smiles. But this Deadeye before him now? This was the man the government painted him as - a money-hungry killer with a thirst for blood. This was the man who killed people in cold blood for a few bucks.Â
âWhat are you tryinâ to say, Sam?â Like an old glove, Daniel had used the same tone he used when threatening folks. And just like all them years ago, Sam wasnât afraid.Â
âIâm savinâ your life, you arrogant bastard! Thatâs what Iâm sayinâ!â Sammy had poked Danny in the chest, never one to back down from Dannyâs show of machismo.Â
As quick as a flash of lightning, Daniel took hold of the hand Sam poked him with. There was a fire still burning in his eyes, but it wasnât the same one. This one burned with passion and adoration.Â
âAinât that why Iâm here? Protectinâ you?â The soft smile on his lips made Samâs heart flutter in his chest.Â
âYou ainât exactly known for keepinâ a level head when revenge is involved,â Sam argued, lacing their fingers together when Danny refused to give him his hand back.Â
âOh, and you are?â Danny laughed as he spoke.Â
Sam rolled his eyes, a smile of his own ruining the annoyed tone he was going for. âMy point still stands, cowboy.âÂ
âAs does mine, Mrs. Wagner.â And there it was. There was that dangerous charm Sammy had fallen in love with.Â
Sam shook his head, his smile still on his lips. âAlright, Cassanova, letâs get to sleep. We got a big day ahead of us.âÂ
Danny paused for a moment, something twinkling in his eyes that Sam knew meant nothing but mischief.Â
âYou sure you wanna sleep so soon? Still plenty of time âfore the sunrise,â Danny inquired, his motives far from subtle as he used their interlocked hands to pull Sam closer to him.Â
âMay I remind you we ainât alone,â Sam quickly hissed, his eyes glancing over at Isaiahâs tent. Though, he didnât resist when Danny pulled their chests flush together.Â
âAinât nothing heâs never heard before. From us, no less,â Daniel countered, using his free hand to dismiss their company with a wave. He was talking just above a whisper, his voice smooth like honey and smoke like the tobacco he enjoyed over the years.Â
âWay to make a girl feel special.â Sam shivered as Danny slid his other hand under the hem of his shirt. His calloused hands gently scraped against Samâs ribs, the sensation causing goosebumps to rise on his skin.Â
Danny brought their faces together as close as possible, their lips mere inches apart, and kept them there. It was a temptation Sam was familiar with, one his husband used quite frequently.Â
âAinât no one on this earth that knows how to make you feel more special than me, darlinâ,â Danny purred, his breath warm against Samâs lips like a spring breeze.Â
Sam couldnât argue with that. So, just like he knew he would, Sam let Danny carry him to their tent and make him feel as special as a god. When all was said and done, Sam curled up into his husbandâs chest as he drifted away, the gentle rise and fall of his chest being Samâs favorite lullaby.Â
But even as sleep took him away, Sam couldnât shake that dread that had been mounting in his chest for days. And it was all about to come to a head⌠Sam could feel it.Â
+++
âWeâre almost there,â Sam nervously pointed out, his fingers unable to rest as they fiddled with the reins in his hands. He could see the telltale marks of an encampment just ahead of them.Â
The spot was perfect for a band of low-lives to hide out. The land came together at a summit, a huge rock overhang looming over the surrounding area with a flat peak. It was a perfect spot to see everything for miles. It also had a small stream trickling down the back of it with fresh water. It was the perfect defendable spot: only one way to reach the top from the hefty incline that ran up the back. You technically could scale the other side of the summit, but the 90 degree angle of the treacherous rock wall made that fairly impossible. Oh, and thatâs not even mentioning the hundreds - if not thousands - of scorpions that called that ridge home.Â
âWhatâs our move?â Sam asked, turning his head to look over at Daniel. The man in question had his neck craned to take in the height of Scorpionâs Rest. He was far from shocked to see the squint to Dannyâs eye that he got when calculating a plan. It was like seeing an old friend - one that you ended on bad terms with.Â
âHow close can we get without beinâ seen?â Daniel responded, his voice raspy and strained as he kept his eyes on the summit.Â
âWeâve only got about half a mile or so, Iâd guess,â Sam answered. He wiped his eyes, sweat dripping down into them from the sizzling afternoon sun. He could see the heat wafting off the sand as it distorted the view in front of him.Â
With that information, Danny looked over at Isaiah. The two former outlaws shared a moment that made Samâs hackles raise. He knew that look.Â
âSam, I need you to promise me something,â Danny started, his eyes now back onto his lover. Sam really did not like where this was going.Â
âDaniel, donât you DARE-âÂ
âPromise youâll forgive me.âÂ
âWhat-âÂ
Before Sam could even finish his one word sentence, he found himself being yanked out of his saddle and pulled to the ground. The rope from Isaiahâs lasso cut into the exposed flesh of his arms and scraped it off, blood trickling from his fresh wound. He cried out in confusion and pain as he landed hard onto his back, the wind knocking out of him and preventing any further outcry from the former bounty hunter. That meant he couldnât even say his husbandâs name as he watched the man tear off on his horse towards the devil incarnate.Â
In the confusion of the moment, Sam managed to turn his betrayed gaze onto his old friend. Isaiah wore a resigned look, a pinch to his lips as he held his lasso tightly and refused to let go. Isaiah dismounted, yanking Sam closer to himself as he enacted what was clearly a preconceived plan.Â
âSorry, Sam. Deadeyeâs orders.â And he truly sounded sorry. That was the most annoying part of it all. Sam had wanted to be righteously angry at the man, to be able to hate his actions with no guilt. But, Sam knew that he was just following his husbandâs command.Â
He should have seen this coming. Sam should have known Danny was going to enact some plan in an attempt to keep him âsafeâ. The panic at not only being unable to breathe right, but at knowing Danny was riding full gallop towards death, made his entire body feel fuzzy. Black encroached upon his vision as he watched the love of his life fade off into the horizon while he got hogtied by one of his oldest friends.Â
If he could speak, the curses he would hurl would make the devil clutch his pearls.Â
âHeâll be back,â Isaiah strained, trying his best to tie Sam up as he fought against the whole process, âhe needed to scope the place out and knew you wouldn't let him do it alone.âÂ
No, Sam thought to himself, he ainât cominâ back.Â
The fright that had sank its claws into his bones was so familiar, they were on a first name basis. Sam had gone out alone to scope out Lyle Blackwell all those years ago. That was how he got captured in the first place.Â
That was how Sam had found himself on a rack above a fire and feeling his skin being cooked off his bones.Â
He still had the scarring on his back. His skin had never recovered properly and never would. It was an ugly reminder of his most terrifying experience to date - only made bearable by the gentle tracing of Dannyâs fingers against the marred skin that looked like hundreds of tiny cobwebs along the length of his whole spine.Â
As Sam recovered his breath, the only thing he could think about was if heâd find Danielâs body in one piece.Â
+++
It had been hours.Â
The sun had set long ago and there still was no sign of Danny.Â
Isaiah had untied Sam before sundown, knowing that he wouldnât run if it meant risking Dannyâs life. Thing was, Sam knew Danny was still alive. Lyle Blackwell didnât kill people fast, if he could help it. No. He took pleasure in watching your spirit die a hell of a lot more than watching the light leave your eyes. Heâd remembered the cries of agony from some of the most hardened men heâd come across - begging for mercy and, when none came, wailing for their motherâs comfort.Â
Sam still heard them when he drifted off to sleep.Â
How he had gotten lucky enough to live⌠It haunted his every breath.Â
âHeâs gonna be fine,â Isaiah repeated for the thousandth time. Sam didnât want to vocalize what he knew was the truth.Â
Isaiah had been around when Danny pulled Sam out of the fire, quite literally. He was one of the three men on that mission. So, of course, he understood a little about what Sam had gone through after cutting the ropes that held Sam on that rack. But only Daniel knew the full extent of it.Â
âWe have to get him.â It wasnât a request.Â
Isaiah looked up at him from his seat on the ground. He was attempting to get a fire going, needing something to do with his hands. Sam hadnât stood still since his breath returned. He couldnât. It felt like his entire body was as jittery as a horse seeing a snake. Until that snake was either killed or slithered away, he could not rest.Â
âThat ainât the plan, Sam,â the current bounty hunter firmly reminded. He went back to trying to strike the match to light his fire, cursing under his breath as the head snapped off.Â
âI donât give a goddamn nickel about the goddamn plan, Isaiah!!â Sam bellowed, his feet ceasing their pacing as he pivoted to stare down at his companion. Sand kicked up underneath his boots and went flying as if to add emphasis to Samâs words.Â
Isaiah sighed, his shoulders dropping and his head falling forward as if in prayer. Sam knew him well enough to know that he was trying to collect himself before facing one of Samâs outbursts head-on. He closed up his matchbox, the thing rustling as he put it back into his pocket.Â
âWe gotta assume that Deadeye is stickinâ to his plan. If we donât and we rush in there too early, we risk the entire thing.â He spoke it slowly and plainly, his syllables drawing out and his Rs almost being enunciated rather than fading into that Mississippi drawl he never could entirely shake. It made Sam feel like a school kid getting scolded by the teacher.Â
âAll due respect, Mr. Dubois, but you ainât seen what I have. Chances are, Daniel is gettinâ his skin stripped clean off his bones like you dress a carcass for cookinâ,â Sam firmly stated. It made his heart jump with fear at the image he painted himself, of his beloved husband being skinned alive. But Isaiah needed to know the truth. How many times had he seen a poor bastard screaming his head off as Blackwell stripped his skin from bone during Samâs long imprisonment there?Â
Isaiah got to his feet, abandoning his kindling pile as he looked Sam in the eye. Sam was sure he had a wild and desperate glint in them, but he was beyond caring about how he looked.Â
âIf you ainât cominâ, thatâs your choice. But I ainât gonna stand around and-and hope that my Daniel made it outta there unscathed.â Sam cursed his voice for cracking. He hadnât wanted to cry, but found himself doing just that as he spoke. But, what could he do? One of his biggest fears was coming true and the only person who could help was refusing to.Â
Isaiah still hadnât spoken. He was just staring at Sammy with his lips pressed into a thin line. It was during that moment that Sam saw how old he looked. He saw how much his old friend had aged a few days ago. But, looking into those eyes like coal, Sam saw a weariness in them beyond Isaiahâs years. Sam hadnât met many old-timers in his line of work, but the ones he had carried this tiredness with them that only came with years in an unforgiving environment. Isaiah never talked much about his past, but all the Diamondbacks knew he grew up enslaved.Â
Upon remembering that, Sam felt guilt and regret seep into his veins. Heâd made an ass of himself and they both knew it - Isaiah before Sam.Â
âIâm sorry, Isaiah. I-I know youâve seen the worst side of humanity - more than I have. I didnât mean to imply you ainât seenâŚâ Sam floundered for a way to describe the horrors of being treated like property rather than a human, â... bad things.âÂ
With a sigh, Isaiah clapped him on the shoulder. Sam stopped looking at his fidgeting hands and into his old friendâs eyes. That insulted edge to his anger-pinched expression had vanished. Instead, he found one of understanding. âItâs alright, Sammy. I know youâre worried about Danny.âÂ
âDonât give me the right to lash out at you like that,â Sam murmured under his breath.Â
âNo, it donât. But, I figure Iâd act like an ass if I were in your shoes.âÂ
Sam took it in stride. He was right, Sam was being an ass. Now was certainly not the time to lose his head when he needed it firmly attached to his shoulders.Â
âDanny has been gone for longer than he plannedâŚâ Isaiah trailed off, his hand falling from Samâs shoulder, âsaddle up, cowpoke. We got ourselves a damsel to rescue.âÂ
With a relieved smile, Sam went to fetch Harvest Moon from where he hitched her. The two former outlaws tore off across that stretch of sand towards Scorpion's Rest like streaks of lightning. They had the advantage of the cover of night, but the moon was still mostly full. That meant they couldnât get the jump on Lyle Blackwell. However, if they could stash their horses on the flat side of the outcropping, they could sneak over to the footpath a lot quieter.Â
And thatâs exactly what they did. It didnât give them much of an advantage, but it was something.Â
As they were tethering their horses, Sam made sure to grab every gun he owned and all of the ammunition he could carry. If he was going to die that night, he wouldnât go down without a fight. As he secured his weapons to his person, Sam craned his neck up at the ridge. From his vantage at the base, he couldnât see the top. That meant Blackwell couldnât see them, either.Â
âIsaiah,â Sam quietly hissed, his name just barely louder than the clicking of the insects, âthink you could climb this?âÂ
The man in question took in the towering outcropping. He was silent for a moment as he considered Samâs question. It was a crazy idea that would probably get them killed. But, if they pulled it off, then the two of them would have the element of surprise.Â
At least, in theory they would.
âI must be crazy,â Isaiah muttered under his breath before starting his ascent up Scorpionâs Rest. Sam followed his lead, ever grateful that he had his old friend with him.Â
It was no easy feat to scale the ridge. The weight of their weapons and ammo added at least an additional 20 lbs to themselves. At times there were no viable footholds or fingerholds. The two of them nearly slipped and plummeted to their deaths more times than theyâd like to remember. And that's not even mentioning the number of scorpion nests they encountered. More than once, Sam was thanking all those long days of manual labor on his farm that built up not only his grip strength, but his endurance as well.Â
It was a testament to their bond that - even after years and years apart - Sam and Isaiah were still able to effectively communicate without uttering a word. With just a simple nod, Sam understood that once they reached the top, they would survey the area before taking any action. Usually, the former Diamondbacks had no issue running in guns blazing. But Danielâs life was at stake. They needed to be as cautious as possible.Â
It was a good plan. But, neither of them knew that it was destined to fail.Â
As soon as the duo reached the top of Scorpionâs Rest, they were accosted by two of Lyleâs men. Within seconds, Sam had felt rough hands pulling and twisting him every-which-way until a heavy vertigo latched onto him. His feet stumbled beneath him as he attempted to keep himself steady. It wasnât until he felt someone gripping the back of his shirt - staring down at the extremely distant ground below - and yanking him back that he realized how close he had come to tumbling off the side of the cliff.Â
Grabbing his head with his hands in a vain attempt to keep his vision steady, he realized why heâd been manhandled. All of his weapons had been picked clean off of him by the vultures of Blackwellâs posse. He hadnât felt so exposed in a very long time.Â
âPretty Boy⌠So kind of ya to finally show.âÂ
And there it was. The purring voice Sam heard in his nightmares for years.
Despite all of his planning - all of his prepping for this very moment - Sam failed to steel himself against facing his personal devil once more. Though, no amount of forewarning would be enough, Sam figured.Â
Forcing himself to move, Sam mechanically lowered his hands and turned on his heel. He wasnât sure what was worse - having to look that twisted bastard in the eye, or keeping his back to a known predator.Â
Itâs almost impossible to describe the feeling of being in the presence of Lyle Blackwell. How do you go about describing an encounter with a living embodiment of hell? On the surface, heâs only a man. Non-descript, save for his height. He was taller than most men by a few inches, something he used to his advantage. He was wiry, almost bony. But it was a deception. The man was impressively strong. And his face⌠Sam would almost describe him as handsome if he didnât know what was lurking beneath. It was a ruse to draw in his victims and bring their guard down. The only thing that wasnât deceptive about him were his eyes. They were a piercing blue that were colder than a mountainâs peak. He was only standing there⌠gun still holstered. He reminded Sam of a feral big cat - threatening without even needing to hiss.Â
âBlackwell,â Sam managed to speak. It came out ragged and hoarse, as though heâd been screaming his head off for hours. Sam didnât care. He was just happy that it wasnât shaking.Â
âWe were gettinâ awful worried, you know,â Lyle drawled, an understated, pleased smile painted across his face.Â
ââWeâ?â Sam parroted dumbly. His limbs felt numb. Cold. But that unique numbness where if you moved them, theyâd be filled with pins and needles.
âYeah.â Blackwell coughed out a laugh and held open his arm as a signal to his goons. Within a second, Danny was pushed into Lyleâs outstretched limb that coiled around his neck like a snake. âWe.âÂ
If Sam hadnât wanted to be sick before, his constitution was being stretched to its limit at the sight of his husband. His hands bound together behind his back, Danny had also been poached of all his weapons. His left eye had been swollen shut by a huge, black bruise. His beautiful nose sat crooked at an unnatural angle - blood crusted underneath and dripped down to his chin. Blood matted some of his curls to the side of his head and stained his shirt. It was one that Sam had gifted him this past birthday. It was stained by gore and tattered with tears crafted by the blade of a knife. He winced in pain as Blackwell put pressure on his throat, no doubt hiding bruises painting his skin.Â
Sam was rendered speechless. Heâd always known that their past would catch up to them. Hell, heâd known it was bound to happen on this trip. But, spending years on a farm where their only real threats had been foxes and coyotes hunting their livestock caused him to be so ill-prepared for real danger.Â
âBoss!â Isaiah yelled off to Samâs left. He looked over at his momentarily forgotten companion to see him trapped in a headlock, a pistol digging into his temple. Samâs heart leapt in fear over his old friendâs safety. And that was when Sam had realized how truly vulnerable he was.Â
Luckâs run out, Pretty Boy
With a jerk of his head, Lyle signaled to his goon trapping Isaiah. For his trouble of calling out to Danny, Isaiah was pistol whipped on the back of the head. He cried out in pain as Sam felt his fear plant him in place.Â
âYouâre a hard man to pin down, Sam. I about followed you all âround this godforsaken country just to see you again,â Blackwell continued, ignoring Isaiahâs outburst. âLast anyone heard âbout you or the Diamondbacks these past years was what happened in Phoenix.â Each former Diamondback member stiffened at the mention of the city, something Blackwell surely caught. He tsked his tongue in faux sympathy. âNasty business. But who coulda guessed one of your own had been rattinâ to the Pinkertons, huh?âÂ
Sam felt something that wasnât fear for the first time since encountering Blackwell. Anger was bubbling in his veins at the careless mention of the worst day of his life.Â
âBut then⌠nothinâ. Those of you who ainât been captured or killed just⌠vanished,â Lyle gestured with his free hand for dramatic effect. âSo, imagine my surprise when I get word that âDeadeyeâ Wagnerâs right hand man started workinâ as a bounty hunter. For the government, no less!âÂ
Blackwell bellowed out a nasty laugh reminiscent of a fork scraping against a plate. Despite the heat still in the air, a shiver crawled down Samâs spine at the noise. He couldnât believe the story Blackwell was weaving. All of it - every detail - it all brought Sam to the same conclusion.Â
âYou⌠You planned all of thisâŚâ he breathlessly deduced. It hit him like a punch to the stomach. Lyle had been following Sam for years. âYou knew weâd be here.âÂ
Another humorless laugh tumbled from Lyleâs lips. âWhile Iâd love to take the credit, that ainât exactly true. Plan was to get Mr. Dubois to give you two up - by any means necessary. And what a pleasant surprise it was to see he brought you two along!â
A strangled noise squeaked from Dannyâs throat as he struggled against Blackwellâs hold. The evil bastard retaliated by tightening his hold around Dannyâs throat.Â
âWhy?â Sam croaked, âwhat do you want with us?âÂ
âIt was never about him,â Lyle spat, jerking his grip on Dannyâs throat and causing him to whimper, âitâs always been you.âÂ
The former outlaw felt as though his legs would buckle beneath him. He fought against his instincts to collapse to the ground under the weight of Blackwellâs words. He wasnât sure what it was that kept him standing.Â
âWe had a good thing, Sammy,â Blackwell reminisced, not even waiting for Sam to respond, âa real good thing. âTil he came along.âÂ
The violence that Sam had come to associate with Lyle finally reared its ugly head when he pulled back and drove his knuckles into Dannyâs ribs. Daniel yelped like a kicked dog as he curled into the pain. It was quickly replaced by a sharp gasp when Lyle tightened his hold on his captiveâs throat and yanked him upright. Blood began to trickle down from the spot Blackwell had hit, but Sam hardly noticed. It was the tears welling in that beautiful hazel eye that made Sam lurch forward against his better judgement - a shaking hand stretched before him to reach for his husband.Â
âAh!â Blackwell drew his gun from its holster in the blink of an eye before pointing it at Dannyâs head. âI suggest you think âbout your next move, Pretty Boy.âÂ
Sam flicked his eyes back and forth between Blackwell and Daniel. He tried his best to read Dannyâs face for their plan. It seemed the only thing Danny was telling Sam was to cut his losses and run. And Sam would rather die than follow that horseshit.Â
Slowly raising his hands in surrender, Sammy took a careful step backwards, his eyes never straying from his adversary.Â
âThatâs it,â Lyle smugly praised, âyou always listened so well.âÂ
âYou should be dead,â Sam shot back, trying his best to keep the disdain from his words. He failed.Â
âSure. Seems âDeadeyeâ ainât got the aim he thinks he does,â Lyle taunted, his fingers once more finding Dannyâs bleeding ribs and boring into his wound. His scream was soul-piercing. Even in the plaid light of the full moon, Sam could tell Daniel was starting to get pale.Â
âLet him go!â Sam cried, unable to bear the sight of Dannyâs suffering any longer.Â
At his outburst, Lyle removed his fingers from Danielâs gushing wound. Blackwellâs eyes flicked back towards Sam, anticipatory.Â
âItâs me you want, right? Well, you got me, now. So let him go,â Sam rushed out. He still had his hands held up in surrender, his eyes nervously falling between Daniel and Lyle.Â
Sam felt dread coil in his stomach when a dark smile pulled at Blackwellâs lips. Those chilling eyes flickered with an amusement that Sam had seen with his last encounter with the man.Â
âSure thing, sugar.âÂ
That look harkened back to tortured screams, pooling blood, and white-hot agony.Â
Blackwell used his grip on Danny to push him towards the other side of the ridge. With a kick to the spine, Danny went stumbling forward.Â
That was when Sam saw Lyle reach for his gun.Â
Sam felt as though time had decided to slow down. It had to be only a second or two between when his gun left its holster and when Blackwell aimed it at Dannyâs back. But to Sam, years could have taken place between those two events. He felt like a bug trapped in molasses as all of his limbs failed to move quickly enough to react.Â
He hadnât even had time to call out Danielâs name.Â
Just as Daniel turned to steal a glance at Sam over his shoulder, Blackwell pulled to trigger.Â
With a sickening thud, Danny collapsed facedown into the dirt.Â
We only got two ways of meetinâ our maker - with nooses âround our necks or gettinâ shot like dogs.
Had he been in a clearer state of mind, Sam wouldâve thrown himself into the dirt right next to his husband. But to him, it wasnât real. That wasnât Daniel laying motionless on the ground. There wasnât blood starting to pool around his body.Â
âNow there ainât nothinâ to come between us anymore, Sammy,â Lyle triumphantly stated, holstering his pistol with a twisted grin on his face.Â
Sam felt a cold bile rise up in his throat. He was so numb. God himself could have opened up the sky and personally told him the secrets of the universe. Sam would only watch on blankly.Â
âI ainât even sure what you saw in him, anyhow.âÂ
For whatever reason, that was the thing that snapped Sam out of his stupor. With a blink of his eyes, Sam came back to himself. There wasnât time to grieve. That would come later. He realized he only had one opportunity, and heâd be damned to let it pass.Â
âYouâre right,â Sam piped up, running his hand through his hair as he straightened his posture, âI ainât sure what I saw in him, neither.âÂ
âYou never shoulda run with him,â Lyle condemned, his words oozing with self-satisfaction.Â
âI know. Heâs just such a silver-tongued devil,â Sam agreed, his eyes staying locked with Blackwellâs.Â
âSam! What are you-?!â With a wave of Lyleâs hand, Isaiah had been stifled. Lyle hadnât even glanced his way while giving the order. He had been so transfixed on Samâs change in demeanor that nothing else mattered to him.Â
âYou hurt me real bad when you left, Sam.â Blackwellâs voice went deeper, almost a rumble in his chest as he spoke. Sam really had to strain his good ear in order to make out his words.Â
Sam had begun the trip towards Lyle. He needed to be close to him in order for his plan to work. There was a practiced sway in his hips with each step, something Lyle had drunk up with eyes quickly darkening with lust.Â
âI know, baby,â Sammy cooed, now close enough to slither his arms around Lyleâs neck - the other man quickly followed as his hands snaked around Samâs waist to hold him close. âBut I know just how to make it up to you.âÂ
Without another thought, Sam surged forward and pressed his lips into Blackwellâs. His heart was beating wildly in his chest as he let Lyle take the reins. He chose a fast, hungry pace that led to roaming hands and animalistic sounds. Sam took the chance to start slithering his hands down Blackwellâs chest and towards his belt.Â
What finally stopped them cold was the sound of a revolver hammer being cocked into firing position.Â
The confusion and betrayal in Blackwellâs eyes as cold steel pressed into the underside of his chin was enough to dispel Samâs nausea and replace it with manic satisfaction. He could have pulled the trigger before Lyle even knew what hit him - something they both knew - but there was no fun in that at all.Â
âSend the devil my regards. Youâve kept him waitinâ long enough,â Sam hissed, digging the barrel of the gun further into the malleable flesh of his enemy.Â
The shot was so loud, it rendered Samâs viable ear completely useless. Blood, bone, and tissue sprayed all over his face as it rained down onto him like gory confetti. However, his victory could not be relished. Instead, Sam immediately turned his focus onto the lackey holding Isaiah captive. He was too stunned by seeing his bossâs head explode that he never saw Samâs bullet coming. With his friend freed, it was only a matter of seconds before the last two adversaries were dealt with.Â
When the dust settled, Sam and Isaiah were the only two men left standing. He barely even took a breath before tossing away Blackwellâs gun and bolting towards Daniel. His knees finally buckled as he knelt down beside his beloved. With a shaking hand, Sam gently began to pet Danielâs curls. Soon, that would be the only part of his husband heâd have left, aside from his memories. They never got their portraits taken. They were afraid of having their likeness permanently captured, considering their pasts. A lock of those beautiful curls tucked away inside a locket would be the only piece of Daniel heâd get to save.Â
Tears flooded his eyes as reality hit him.Â
Daniel was gone.Â
Heâd known all along that both of them were on borrowed time. Sam just foolishly believed he could defeat fate. He was nothing but a hanged man fighting to stay on his toes. His strength had finally waned and the rope won out - just as it always did.Â
Sam felt a gentle hand on his shoulder that caught his attention. It had been Isaiah. His hearing still hadnât recovered. From his hand gestures, Sam gathered that Isaiah was suggesting they roll Daniel on his back. Why, Sam wasnât sure. He didnât have it in him to question the man.Â
When he was face up, Sam screamed. Clear as day, Dannyâs face was moving and his eyes were blinking.Â
Howdy, Darlinâ, Daniel greeted - Sam reading the familiar words of affection easily off those lips he loved so much.
Unthinking, Sam lurched forward and smashed their lips together as relief crashed into him. He felt one of Dannyâs arms reach up and cup the back of his head. Sam continued to cry, unable to stop the flow of tears as insurmountable happiness flooded his veins.Â
He pulled away only when he remembered that Danny had been injured. And he wasnât sure how badly. With a sudden urgency, Sam turned to Isaiah and gave him what he hoped were cohesive instructions on where Sam kept bandages and other medical supplies in his saddlebag.Â
By the time their old friend returned, Sam had managed to address the worst of the bleeding with whatever he could find in Blackwellâs camp. The son of a bitch had missed. When the gun had gone off, Daniel just fell down and played dead. However, that hadnât meant that Danny was out of the woods. Heâd lost a lot of blood.Â
Daniel would need a doctor. There was only so much Sam could do with his rusty first-aid skills. But, he would live. The time would come for Samâs scolding of Danielâs reckless behavior and Danielâs indignant bickering in his defense. But for now, all any of them could do was thank their luck.Â
Sam and Danny would have to uproot their lives once more, but that was nothing but a small price to pay for Danielâs continued breathing.Â
âHeâs gonna live,â Sam breathed, relief making his body feel lighter than air. He leaned his back against the wall of the doctorâs office, leg propped up against the weathered wood paneling. He had stepped out onto the front steps to get some air. While heâd wanted to stay by Danielâs side, it was made abundantly clear that Sam was in the way of his treatment. So, he joined Isaiah outside. The smell of blood was practically stifling, anyhow.Â
âHeâs too stubborn to die,â Isaiah murmured from under his hat. He was leaning back in the lone chair on the porch, his hat knocked forward to cover his face as his head rested on the back of the chair.Â
Sam snorted out a laugh. âGod knows heâs tryinâ his best to.âÂ
Sam tipped his head back, his calloused hand scrubbing down his face. The stars twinkled above him, some still burning as the sun was getting ready to peek over the mountains.Â
âYou oughtta go easy on him. He thought he was protectinâ you.â Isaiah still hadnât moved from his lounging. âPlus, I think gettinâ beaten to shit is punishment enough.âÂ
Kiszka stayed silent. He knew that already. And he wished he could just be thankful. But heâd gotten too close to losing Daniel because of that manâs own reckless decisions. With time, heâd forgive Danny. For now, he couldnât - and didnât want to - shake the undercurrent of rage in his soul.Â
âWhatâre you gonna do?â Sam asked, diverting the topic to something less anger-inducing inside Samâs heart.Â
âNothinâ,â he curtly responded, âmayorâs asleep. Canât send a telegram to the Governor âtil heâs awake.âÂ
âSorry for blowinâ Blackwellâs head clean off.â Sam wasnât sorry for killing the sick bastard. He was only sorry for making it hard to identify him. If the body couldnât be IDed as Blackwell, Isaiah wouldnât be paid. Sam had more than one instance where he was refused a bounty because the body couldnât be identified.Â
Isaiah laughed. Though it sounded like a grunt more than anything. âImportant thing is he ainât breathinâ no more.âÂ
Sam couldnât agree more.Â
Isaiah groaned as he leaned forward in his chair. âShit. Iâm gettinâ too old.âÂ
Sam smiled in both amusement and sympathy.Â
âWell, lord knows Daniel and I need help on the ranch,â Sam sighed, his arms crossing over his chest. It was an offer. But not one that could potentially hurt his friendâs pride.Â
Isaiah had a smile of his own growing from under the brim of his hat. He understood what Sam had just suggested.Â
âI donât know. You nâ Deadeye nearly killed me enough times last time I worked with ya,â Dubois teased.Â
Sammy shoved Isaiah playfully on the shoulder, laughing through his nose. The two enjoyed their companionship, letting the moment hang in the air while the sky gradually got lighter.Â
A beat passed. Neither spoke. The birds had begun to sing their archaic songs, speaking in the stead of the two former outlaws.Â
âIt is âbout time I retire, ainât it?â Isaiah sighed, rubbing the soreness out of the back of his neck. He grimaced for a moment, his teeth baring and his eyes pinching shut.Â
âWeâre lucky weâve gotten the chance to,â Sam darkly commented, remembering all of their friends whoâd beaten them to the grave.Â
Another beat of silence fell between them. This one heavy with loss.Â
âOur time⌠itâs over. With this new century, itâs clear there ainât room in it for the likes of us,â Sam continued, glaring at the railroad tracks slithering out before him across the dirt street.Â
Sam wasnât talking about their identities as outlaws. He was remarking on the other things that defined them as societal outcasts. Despite being one of the most intelligent and caring people Sam has ever known, people would only see Isaiah as his dark colored skin. And while Sam and Daniel had a lot more leniency with their pale complexions, they very well could be exiled if people found out their sleeping arrangement.Â
âThere never was.â Isaiah spoke the words in a bitter tone, watching his hands rather than looking over at Sam.Â
âAt least we had a touch of freedom in this desert. Even if it was short lived.âÂ
Both outlaws sighed. There was so much more to say, but no way of putting it into words.Â
âMaybe I could lend a hand. Least⌠At least âtil Dannyâs healthy againâŚâÂ
Sam placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. It was an act of gratitude in the place of words that would fail him.Â
This - a blood-stained, haphazardly stitched up, and tested bond - was their ending. Daniel, Isaiah, Sam⌠they donât get the perfect ending. They donât get the tear-soaked kiss in the rain or riding off into the sunset. But Sam thought it was better. He didnât want a traditional family. Heâd take his traumatized, blood-soaked, grizzled outlaws with hearts of gold over anything society told him he should have any day.Â
And, hell, they might still all meet a violent end - seemed only fitting for the way they lived their lives. But, for now, they had a period of grace. And they would continue to live out the rest of their lives the way they chose to.Â
It truly was the happiest ending any of them could ever ask for.Â
A/N: this has been in my drafts for so long... but it's finally here! This was 100% self-indulgent and unapologetically so. I listened to Crush by Ethel Cain one too many times and realized Sam is trailer park hot in a white-trash Jesus sorta way... so yeah! Please enjoy this mess of a fantasy! I also need to preface this with the fact that I know next to nothing about cars. So there's probably a lot wrong with the car shit in this... sorry to all mechanics.
+++
Daniel was rich. There was no denying it. He knew such easy conveniences as taking a weekend trip to Italy on a private jet and asking for a pony for his birthday and actually getting one. Her name is Sunflower, if you were wondering. He takes her riding every Monday.Â
He came from generational wealth that went so far back in the history books there were college buildings in ivy league schools with his relatives' names engraved into them. He was a jr., for godâs sake. He was just thankful he didnât have a number attached to his name like his polo buddy Remy did. When their friend group (all pushed together because their parents belonged to the same country club, that group of adults becoming friends because their parents belonged to the same club and so on) learned his full name was Remster, the poor bastard was subjected to laughing fits for years each time his full name was uttered. Remster James the Fourth; Daniel still couldnât contain a smile when he heard it.Â
But, even someone as rich as Daniel - who knew what a tax bracket was before he could ride a bike - was human. He wouldnât call himself normal; he knew normal kids from normal families didnât get their favorite musicians to play their own private concerts on their birthdays. But he tied his own shoes and washed his hands before cooking, so he at least had some normal experiences. He tried his best not to fall into the category of âstereotypical snobby rich bratâ and knew doing things for himself was one of the ways of avoiding that.Â
That was how he ended up at his townâs one and only mechanic shop. Everyone knew they up-charged the shit out of you, but the next closest shop was about an hourâs drive away. Plus they did good work and would fix up your problem pretty quick, so it balanced out. And because the town was smaller too, everyone knew everyone and all the staff was pretty friendly.Â
Well. Usually that was the case.Â
When Daniel pulled up to Jackâs Auto Repair in his purring powder blue Corvette for an oil change, he wasnât expecting to leave questioning his entire way of life and the choices that led him to that point.Â
âHello?â Daniel called out, exiting his parked car and stepping out onto the stained, polished concrete. It was empty in the garage. Well, empty of people. The place itself was littered with tools and various machines that Daniel didnât even know where to start on naming what they did. The combined smell of all the different oils and greases and other car liquids made Dannyâs nose burn, an undercurrent of cigarette smoke lingering underneath all the others. There were overhead lights hanging from the ceiling as well as those retractable lights you can hang on the hood of a car. There was a radio shoved into the far corner on top of a tool cart sputtering out classic rock.Â
âYou here for the oil change?â A disembodied voice asked from within the office of the shop, the blinds of the office window drawn but the shutters open to allow the sallow lights leak out of their slats. Daniel watched the door in anticipation of the man who spoke to walk into the work area, counting to five before he strolled out.Â
The man before him leaned against the jamb of the chipped green cubicle was tall, about the same height as Daniel if not an inch or two shorter. He had a scraggly goatee that seemed to naturally grow in that pattern rather than him choosing that type of beard. A few strands of his long hair found themselves stuck in his mustache, dark brown and surprisingly shiny. Hanging from his plump, pink lips was a lit cigarette that caused smoke to curl up towards the ceiling. The side not supporting the tobacco was pulled up in a friendly smirk that reached his eyes, eyes that seemed to glimmer with mischief. Daniel had seen him in his different trips to this shop over the years, but heâd never talked to him before. He was always on the phone with someone, helping jack up cars, or slinging friendly insults at his coworkers with a huge grin on his face.Â
That explains the cigarette smell
âYeah,â Danny croaked out, his tone catching him by surprise. He quickly cleared his throat and diverted his eyes away from the lithe mechanic in front of him, suddenly finding the sunbleached ad for tires far more interesting. When did it get hot in here?
âYeah, Iâm looking for Lonnie? Heâs the one who usually does it,â Daniel attempted again, his tone successfully level as he looked the mechanic in the eyes.Â
He pulled his cigarette from his lips, slowly exhaling his drag, the blueish smoke streaming out of his lips in a way that mesmerized Danny. Heâd known plenty of people who smoked, even having a few drunk cigarettes himself as a reckless teenager, but the way this man did it was far more captivating than the others.Â
âLonnieâs out. Wonât be back for another hour. Looks like youâre stuck with me unless you wanna wait,â the mechanic, Sam, if the stained patch in red cursive embroidering attached to his shirt was to be believed, answered. Daniel couldnât place his tone, the thing sounding light and amiable, but there was something underneath it.Â
âAh. Ok. Well, might as well,â Daniel so eloquently decided. He internally winced at his own floundering.Â
With a chuckle that was in a deeper register than his talking voice, Sam pushed off of where he was leaning. He set off to do as tasked, leaving Daniel standing awkwardly in his spot.
âDonât you worry, sweetheart, Iâm gonna take good care of ya,â Sam promised with a smile that felt more devious than friendly. Danny felt his body jolt in response, hearing the double entendre as Sam chuckled again.Â
He watched Sam pop the hood of his sports car, using the long, spindly tool to check the oil in the car that Daniel never understood how to operate. The mechanic pulled his cigarette from his mouth and held the tool, now coated in a brown, viscous liquid that was the color of chocolate syrup, to his nose. Danny winced as he watched Sam sniff the stuff, muttering something that sounded like â0W-40â under his breath before buzzing off to a room Danny couldnât see into.Â
âThis is gonna take a while, hon. Might as well make yourself comfortable,â Sam suggested after returning, his hand free of the oil bottle gesturing towards the seat that Danny hadnât noticed until now.Â
With cheeks that felt sunburnt, Daniel resigned himself to the beaten up plastic chair shoved against the painted white cinderblock wall next to the office. It looked like it had been stolen from the local elementary school. Feeling entirely out of place, he watched the man lay down on one of those rolling creepers with a grunt and a sigh, holding a dirty oil pan, a flashlight, and a rag. He still had a cigarette dangling from his lips.Â
As the seconds ticked by and felt like minutes, Daniel had suddenly wished he had asked one of his friends or family members to come with him so he didnât have to sit and wait. The only company he had was the mechanic, whose lower half was currently sticking out from under his Corvette. Daniel felt like all of his clothes didnât fit over his body, despite knowing they were tailored to his exact measurements, and feeling as if he couldnât breathe well. The smoke from Samâs cigarette was not helping in the slightest. And as he worked, his uniform shirt rode up on him, exposing the tan skin of his stomach and his happy trail as well as a tattoo along his v-line that read âeat meâ leading towards his oh god-
âShouldnât you, I donât know, not be smoking around all these flammable substances?â Danny finally snapped, the lack of anything to do driving him crazy. His eyes were looking everywhere but at his car or the man underneath it. His knee was bouncing up and down at a staccato pace that was extremely out of character for him. He was very much a reserved guy; everyone always said so.Â
Sam laughed, the thing somehow echo-y and muffled from his spot under the car.
âWhile you were off getting lacrosse lessons and sailing your yacht, I was repairing engines and taking apart and reassembling transmissions before I lost my first tooth. I know what Iâm doing.â
âYeah, and I bet all those fumes youâve huffed over your life made you lose all your brain cells,â Danny hissed under his breath, his arms crossing over his chest as his pride got wounded. He leaned back in the seat, his shoulder blades pressing into the cool wall behind him.Â
âYeah, yeah,â Sam grunted, a gushing sound following as he finally got the oil cap off, âyou go to your Ivy league school and over pay for a piece of paper,â he strained as he rolled out from under the car and sat up while the oil poured out of Dannyâs Corvette, âand then go and work for daddyâs company for the rest of your life living the same life he had with the two kids and a dog and all your fancy toys that wonât fill the emptiness you feel for not being able to chase your own dreams.â
For a moment, Daniel didnât know how to react. He felt as if heâd just been slapped in the face. It was as if his blood drained from his face in one second, and then boiled up in his cheeks as the shock wore off the next and the offense took its place. Heâd never been talked to in such a way before in his life and he was resisting the urge to let his mouth hang agape.Â
Image is everything.Â
âYou donât know anything about me,â Daniel hissed out dangerously, reminiscent of a snake rattling its tail in the desert sand. He had leaned forward in his chair now, arms uncrossing and digging his fingers into his thighs as his anger spiked.Â
That reaction out of Danny earned him a lopsided smile from Sam, that same darkly amused glint sparkling in his eyes. Daniel didnât care for the way it made his stomach flutter, blaming it on the anger out of ignorance for the true reason.Â
Sam finally stood to his full height, his eyes never leaving Dannyâs. From his vantage point in the chair, he had to crane his neck in order to keep eye contact with Sam. âI know that the only thing youâve done towards rebelling against the path thatâs been chosen for you is grow out those pretty curls of yours. Your mother no doubt always makes a passive aggressive comment about getting them chopped off each time she sees them, doesnât she?â
Danny, not one to take things lying down, lifted his chin in the haughty way his father always had, and took in Samâs appearance. Grease stained his cheek, his frizzy hair was in a loose bun that was barely being held together, his royal blue shirt was covered in various stains in varying hues of brown, black slacks also no doubt riddled with stains and a rip in the left knee, and ratty trainers that heâs probably owned since he was in highschool and refuses to throw out because âthey still workâ.
A crooked grin of his own pulled at Dannyâs lips. It was a cruel one that didnât fit on his face, never really using this kind of smile before. Beneath his ire, Danny was slightly concerned over how easy Sam was able to goad him. However, his pride was something worth defending.Â
âAnd what about you, grease monkey? You probably havenât known stability once in your life and have a record for petty crimes longer than a cvs receipt. I have the chance to do something with my life, but youâll be stuck here fixing cars for the rest of your life like the one trick pony you are.â There was something broiling inside Dannyâs chest that heâd never felt in his entire life before as he faced down the mechanic. Something that burned and churned his insides. He wasnât sure if he was a fan of it or not.Â
Sam chuckled, Danielâs searing words turning into water as they rolled off his back like a duck. He leaned in towards Danny, Sam looming over the rich man as he planted his hands on the cinderblock wall Danny sat in front of. âAnd, somehow, my life is still less sad than yours. You have the choice to go down a different path, yet you go down the one carved by your father and his father before him and so on. So, tell me, Mr. Silverspoon Jr., why are you so afraid to walk that overgrown road?â
Once again, a man he had just met was able to peer into Danny in a way that no one ever had before. It was as if he was made of cellophane in Samâs presence. And the worst part about it was that he couldn't even defend himself; Sam was right. He had managed to nail every single one of Dannyâs faults like he was playing darts and getting bullseye with every throw. He was going into the family business. He was going to find a nice girl with a pedigree to marry. He was going to have two kids and a dog and a summer house and a boat that he would drink on with the friends he made only through his parents. The same life his parents and grandparents had, Daniel would also have. It was his destiny that was written out for him upon his first breath. As it is written, so it shall be.Â
The whole time Daniel had that crisis raging inside his mind, Sam just watched him. He watched the rich man shatter before his eyes with only a few well placed words. Daniel had no choice but to watch Sam watch him. It wasnât a bad sight to gaze upon as his meticulously crafted world crumbled around his ears. Sam had beautiful amber brown eyes that had the tiniest hint of spring green hugging his pupil; and that wasnât even mentioning the sleepy yet sultry shape of them or his stupidly long lashes that made him look like a fashion icon from the 60s. Each time he blinked, it was like a resting butterfly flapping its wings; graceful and languidly.Â
âWeâve got a few hours until your oil is completely drained from your car. Howâs about we get out of here so I can show you what real rebellion feels like?â Samâs tone was as smoky as the cowboy killers he smoked, but also smooth in the way a good bourbon was meant to burn just enough to feel it.Â
âGod, yes,â Daniel found himself agreeing before even thinking. He was startled by the quickness of his response, blinking in surprise at his own acceptance. This earned him a laugh from Sam. A genuine laugh. It was choppy and loud, reminding Danny of the oceans he spent his summers on. It was the prettiest thing Daniel ever heard. He couldnât help but smile along with Sam.Â
Using the rag in his hands, Sam wiped off the grime from his fingers before extending a blackened hand to Daniel. There was still black soot clinging to the grooves and folds of Samâs hands, his fingernails and nail beds probably permanently cursed to remain rimmed with car gunk. But, in contrast, his smile was filled with brilliantly white teeth that almost sparkled in the fluorescents of the shop. It was so damn charming, completely incongruous with that rude and abrasive son of a bitch who was insulting him mere minutes ago.Â
Feeling like a maiden in a romance novel, Daniel placed his soft hand into Samâs calloused and rough one. Except, this particular knightâs shining armor was a grease stained mechanic shirt and ratty Carhartt jeans. As the mechanic led him out of the garage and towards the parking lot behind the shop, Daniel couldn't help but feel his heart leap inside his chest at this prospect. Sam was clearly nothing but trouble and caused mischief everywhere he went, but that was the best part.Â
They stopped in front of a myrtle green F-150 from the 90s, Sam dropping his hand as he dug into his pocket. Daniel took the machine in, thinking of all the cars from the 90s heâd seen in mint condition. This poor thing seemed to be held together with nothing more than hope. Patches of rust had eaten holes into various sections of the wheel wells and along the bottom of the doors. The windshield had a large crack running along the length of it, a few chips spattering on it as well. The headlights had long since yellowed and frosted over, no doubt making visibility very hard on the backroads. Dents riddled the body of the truck, Daniel running his fingers over a long scratch that ran along the length of the driverâs side door.Â
âCourtesy of my ex,â Sam off-handedly remarked, his eyes watching Dannyâs fingers touch what he now recognized as a scratch caused by his truck being keyed. Daniel watched Sam jimmy with the lock of the driverâs door, pleading with it under his breath and becoming increasingly more frustrated as it stayed stubbornly locked. With a huff of breath that confirmed to Danny that this was not a new issue with this truck, Sam dug into his pocket once more before retrieving a switchblade. It was that stereotypical stiletto style that you saw in the Outsiders, but instead of an onyx handle, it had a rich reddish brown color that told Danny it was made from cedar wood.Â
In a move that Daniel could not have predicted, he watched as Sam gently slipped the blade in the crack of his driverâs door window and proceeded to use his other hand to slam the heel of his palm against the butt of the knife. The handle of the knife now pressed to the glass, Sam stuck his fingers into the crack of the window and forced the thing down so that the opening was wide enough to slip his arm in. Finally, after reaching down and using the inside handle, Sam was able to open the door.Â
âThere we go!â Sam triumphantly boasted, looking over at Danny and shooting him a wide grin. The skipped beat of Dannyâs heart would have been concerning if the man hadnât resigned himself to the fact that anything could happen.Â
With a big show, Sam strode over to the passenger door after unlocking his car with the inside button and held it open, sweeping his arms in a grand gesture. âRight this way, sir.âÂ
Biting his lip to keep a smile at bay, Daniel slid onto the cloth upholstery that made him cringe as he touched it. He always hated cloth interiors on cars and was quite happy when it became unpopular to use that material that felt like velvet. The entire front seat was open, no center console to separate the driver and the passenger, and was an awful light gray that acted as a canvas for all the stains it accumulated over the years; each one no doubt having a story. The whole cabin smelled of stale cigarettes, old beer, and artificial strawberry; a red pine tree happily dangling from the rearview mirror. But despite all of that, Daniel couldnât find it within himself to complain. He knew more than a handful of his close friends and relatives who would berate this vehicle for its dilapidated state or downright refuse to enter⌠just that thought sent a thrill down Dannyâs spine.Â
With that same wide grin he gave Daniel earlier, Sam closed the door with a slam that was hard enough to make the whole truck shake. Danny watched him through the windshield as he rounded back to the driverâs seat, but didnât get in right away. Instead, Danny observed the man as he slid onto his back into the footwell of the car as if he were trying to join the pedals. And just when Danny was going to ask the man what he was doing, Sam popped open a panel under the steering wheel and exposed all the wires. He removed black electrical tape off of the two brown wires, muttering under his breath again as he pressed the two exposed ends of the wires together. The car attempted to start, the ignition coughing a few times with each touch of the wires.Â
âYou know how to hotwire a car?â Daniel asked, the awe just barely kept out of his voice.Â
Sam laughed that boisterous chortle once more, his head thumping against the floor of the cabin. He was upside down to Danny, his smile no less contagious.Â
âRemember two years ago? Someone took that pretty powder blue Corvette of yours for a joy ride and they never figured out who it was?âÂ
âYeahâŚâ Daniel slowly answered, not sure of where Sam was going with that.Â
âShe shifted a little rough between fifth and sixth gear. Itâs a simple fix. I could probably do it after your oil change for a couple hundred bucks extra,â Sam continued on, his eyes falling back onto the exposed wires of his truck.Â
Daniel didnât even try to stop his mouth from falling open this time around.Â
âThat was you?!âÂ
Despite not looking directly at Danny anymore, he could see the proud smile pulling at the mechanicâs lips.Â
âYouâll never be able to prove it.â The smile was certainly undeniable in his voice.Â
All Danny could do was laugh incredulously, his back impacting the cushioned seat of the car as he fell onto it. This was crazy. Insane, even. Danny was sitting inside the beat up truck of a man who just admitted to a crime that directly involved him. And the worst part was that Daniel was loving every second of it.Â
He sat there for a moment or two as he just drank everything in. To the crumpled up gum wrappers littering the floor, to the hula girl suctioned to the dashboard, and the rosary dangling alongside the strawberry air freshener on the rearview mirror. His eyes drifted back down to Sam, the loser, white trash mechanic who had swept Daniel off his feet like a princess. His eyes felt drawn to Sam the way magnets pulled one another in. Danny had never had the urge to just look at someone for so long before.
âIf you fix cars for a living, why donât you just fix your car? Itâs gotta be better than this whole song and dance you do every time you want to drive,â Danny found himself asking.Â
âI could,â Sam strained to answer, his neck craned in a very uncomfortable position as he kept pressing the wires together, âbut that would be too expensive and time consuming.âÂ
âThen buy a new car,â Danny flippantly suggested. When his last car had an issue with the wiring that wouldnât go away, Danielâs parents just bought him this vintage Corvette that he drives now. Apparently the same Corvette Sam stole from the parking lot of his favorite restaurant and left on the side of the road off the highway completely unharmed. Well, except for the hotwiring, but that was an easy fix. Hell, maybe Sam had even been the one to fix it when he took it in.Â
âIâm saving up for one,â Sam simply answered, his tongue poking out of his teeth as he focused on his task of starting the car.Â
Finally, the truck stuttered to life as the engine roared under the hood, Sam hooting in victory. Getting up from his uncomfortable position, Sam stretched his arms over his head before slipping behind the wheel. With another slam! of the door hard enough to rattle Dannyâs teeth, he grinned over at the rich man, laughing with excitement.Â
âPlus, itâs more fun this way,â Sam added, his grin bordering on manic at the words. And that was when Danny realized just what kind of man he was dealing with. One that liked to play with fire and didnât give two shits when it burned him. In fact, he thought that was the best part.Â
The driver reached over across Daniel, his arm grazing his knee as he popped open the glove box of the truck. Inside were napkins from fast food joints, two or three empty packs of Marlboro Reds, and loose cds with no cases. Sam fumbled around for the one pack of reds that wasnât empty, grabbing a scratched up brass zippo lighter. Daniel felt warmth spread across his body starting at where Sam had accidentally grazed his inner thigh right below his knee. He was also close enough that Danny could smell the rose scent of Samâs hair that permeated through the tobacco.Â
He was gone all too quickly as he retreated back to a proper sitting position, slipping a gold and white cylinder out of the silver foil of the pack. Before he lit the cigarette, he offered one to Danny, which he took. He could hear his mother yelling at him in the back of his mind, but it was quickly silenced with the approving smirk Sam shot him.Â
âCâmere,â Sam ordered, the cigarette hanging from his mouth muffling and slightly hindering his words. His eyes were focused on the lighter in his hand, flicking the flint roll with his thumb. Just like everything elseâs of Samâs that Danny was getting acquainted with, it didnât work on the first try. However, unlike the truck they were both perched in, the lighter did its job on the second try. Sam leaned in towards the open flame, sticking the end of his cigarette right in. His amber eyes flicked up to look at Danny when he didnât mimic Samâs act. He finally got the hint, leaning in towards the flame and lighting his cigarette at the same time as Sam. They were so close that Danny could feel his curls grazing Samâs forehead. He was studying the lighter so close, Danny was able to see the lassoing cowboy engraved into the side of the brass.Â
When they locked eyes once more, Danny felt that same tension in the air that charged the shop when they first started slinging insults at one another. This time around, Daniel knew this tension wouldnât result in a fight. This was the kind of tension that would end with someone laying on their back and the other on top of them.Â
Sam was the first to pull back, flipping the cap of the lighter closed after both cigarettes caught fire, quickly turning to ember as the flame was snuffed. Daniel was captivated by the line of Samâs throat as he tilted his head back and inhaled his drag, blowing the smoke out at the roof of the truck. Daniel, knowing he had to take a drag or risk the ember fading, followed suit, his eyes still watching the mechanic. He forced down his urge to cough as the smoke scorched his throat, the nicotine entering his blood and feeling that pick-me-up near instantly. He hadnât realized how much he liked that feeling until now.Â
âHang on tight, pretty boy,â Sam warned suddenly, clicking on his seatbelt and throwing the truck into gear, âIâm ready to be your biggest regret.âÂ
+++
Sam seemed to have no clear destination in mind as they sped all over town. He was a terrible driver; going at least twenty over the speed limit the entire time, taking corners too sharp and causing Daniel to have to grab ahold of the handle, driving with one or sometimes no hands on the wheel, doing donuts in abandoned parking lots. It was stupid. It was reckless. It was so, very dangerous.Â
It was the most fun Daniel had ever had.Â
He laughed alongside Sam as he hooked corners too fast, gravity pressing Danny into the door of the car. He rolled the windows down and stuck his head out, whooping and hollering the whole way as they sped down otherwise quiet backroads. He knew his curls were snarled into a jumbled mess, but for once he did not care. He even let Sam dare him to try and high-five a mailbox, the driver getting as close to the curb as possible and grabbing hold of Dannyâs belt with the hand not holding the wheel, Daniel hanging out the car window in order to get a better reach. He won that dare, in case you wondered. Earned him a free drink at any bar of Danielâs choosing.Â
âAlright, princess!â Sam called out, his voice competing with the blaring music of the radio and the wind whipping around Dannyâs head. With a firm tug, Sam had yanked Daniel back into the cab of the truck and back into his seat. Danny collapsed into it, his limbs sprawling any which way gravity chose as he laughed with reckless abandon. It seemed that since Sam gunned it out of the shopâs parking lot, that ear-to-ear grin had not faded from Dannyâs face in the slightest.
âThat was amazing! Iâve never felt so⌠so free!â Daniel giggled, his heart fluttering in his chest as his adrenaline spiked in his blood. The high that cigarette had given him only elevated his experience, his brain feeling lighter than it ever had in his life. Danny felt like he could run a marathon twice over and still want to keep running.Â
âUh oh. I think Iâve turned you into an adrenaline junky.â Samâs grin was just as wide, if not wider, than Dannyâs. And something about that glint in his eyes made Danny question just how many straight-lace, prim and proper, goody two-shoes folks Sam had given this experience too. Part of Danny didnât care, the part of him that was just so stoked to be doing something actually fun for once. But the other part of Danny, the part that was drinking up all the attention that this pretty mechanic had been showering him in since they first exchanged words, was growling in jealousy. Suddenly, Daniel felt as if the clouds were back in the air, his feet landing on solid ground with that sobering thought.Â
âI bet Iâm not the first youâve done that to,â Daniel, stupidly, shouted back in response. As soon as the words left his lips he wished heâd bit his tongue. They were the words of a jealous schoolgirl with a crush, not an heir with a pedigree and a net worth.Â
Daniel didnât know what he was expecting Samâs response to be. Maybe an awkward laugh or a shrug of his shoulders as he changed the subject by suggesting another reckless activity that would surely make Danielâs parents disappointed with him. What he certainly was not expecting was Sam to reach over with his right hand, fist that hand into his Egyptian cotton Ralph Lauren polo shirt, and yank on said expensive shirt until he pulled Danny towards him and into his lips. Oh, all still while his foot was on the gas as they raced down the two lane country road.Â
Samâs lips were soft. And that mightâve been the most surprising part, other than the act of the kiss itself. He was expecting them to be chapped, rough and calloused just like the rest of Sam. Instead, Daniel was pleasantly surprised to know that they were, in fact, soft as rabbit pelt. They put the finest silks Daniel had ever worn to shame. In fact, they were soft and plump like a womanâs; unlike those other ladies Danny had kissed, Daniel actually enjoyed this one. Those ladies werenât bad in any sense of the word, it just felt⌠flat⌠when he had kissed them. But with Sam? Daniel almost felt the need to pull away in shock just from the electricity he felt at their contact. Daniel was reminded of the pop rocks he used to eat as a kid. At first try, they were so stunning and bizarre and unlike anything youâd ever experienced before. But, once you jumped that initial hurdle of confusion, it left you with a sugary treat and an amusing thrill you wanted to replicate. And by god did Danny want to replicate this.Â
It was over way sooner than Daniel had wanted, Sam pulling away after a few seconds to be somewhat responsible and watch the road. And so what if Danny let out an involuntary whine at the loss of contact? Like it was his fault? It really did not help at all that the trees had decided to part and allow the late evening sun to cast a golden hue around Sam; if he were a religious man, Daniel would have considered Sam a saint as he gazed upon the man with godâs light haloing around him. And to rub salt into Dannyâs wound, Sam glanced over at the rich man and granted him one of his carefree, incandescent grins. And Danny knew he was ruined forever.Â
âI should be insulted you think I do anything twice,â Sam teased, his implication not lost on Daniel. He was the only one. It was in a burst of reckless fervor that Sam began flirting with Daniel, and in that same bout of foolhardiness, whisked him away to show Daniel a good time heâd never experienced before. He wanted to take this rich, sheltered man away from his proper lifestyle for a brief moment of fun just for the hell of it. And when said sheltered man questioned his motives, he made it abundantly clear what they truly were.Â
Daniel truly could do nothing more than blush and giggle in disbelief. Was this really what was waiting for him outside of the bubble that was his social circle? Was there really something more out there than just boring cocktail parties and boat trips and the same five conversation topics?Â
âWell, Iâm certainly hoping youâre willing to do that twice,â Daniel commented as a sudden swell of bravery burned in his chest. It felt⌠good⌠asking for something he wanted. Something he knew he wasnât supposed to want, that is. But, if wanting Sam was wrong - Sam who was reckless and rough around the edges and smelled like cigarettes and motor oil and roses and looked like white trash Jesus - then, god, did he never want to be right ever again. And maybe he should be a little concerned for how fast he had fallen for his mechanic, but, frankly, he was enjoying the way his stomach dropped as this roller coaster took a nosedive.Â
Sam looked over at Daniel with this pleasantly surprised look on his face. And, for once, Danny wasnât the only one blushing. Sam looked so pretty with that pink tinting his cheeks, making them a rose gold with his tan. One corner of his mouth was pulled up - he favored the left corner - and a breathy laugh escaped his lips.Â
âOh, honey, believe me,â Sam started before slamming on the breaks and taking a left turn so sharp, it threw Daniel into Samâs side, âsome things are definitely worth doing more than twice.âÂ
Daniel, wondering where they were going that made Sam suddenly shift course like that, just beamed. He had no idea where this little adventure was going to wind up and it made his heart leap in his chest. It was so exciting not knowing where you were going and it was even more exciting to be unable to see the end destination. And that, that freedom and weightlessness, was what made Sam so intoxicating and addictive.Â
They hurdled down a dirt road, dust kicking up in a huge cloud behind them like a wedding dress train. There were more trees than houses now, rows and rows of them with the occasional space for a driveway filling Dannyâs eyes. Heâd always loved the trees and forests, requesting to go camping for vacations with his family; he was always shot down in favor of crystal blue waters and white sand beaches.Â
âYou know where you are?â Sam asked, finally cranking the radio down enough so that you didnât have to shout in order to talk.Â
âI know weâre in the same state,â Daniel responded, really not knowing anything more specific than that. They had stopped passing roads Daniel had known about twenty minutes ago. Anyway, his comment earned a giggle from Sam, one that was contagious enough to infect Danny.Â
âSexy and funny! Have you ever been told youâre too perfect, pretty boy?â Sam nudged him on the shoulder, the contact making Dannyâs skin glow with warmth where the mechanic touched him. That dazzling smile was back on Samâs lips, though it never really left. As far as Danny was concerned, every one of Samâs smiles was dazzling.Â
âCanât say I have,â Daniel honestly responded, a shrug of his shoulders accenting the answer. The following silence was so out of the ordinary that it made Danny shiver. Well, relative silence. The whole truck was rattling as they continued down that dusty thoroughfare, the suspension on the car doing a poor job of making it a smooth ride. But despite only knowing Sam for a few hours, Daniel had gotten acclimated to his constant noise. He was always chatting away, singing along to a song, or cracking jokes (that Danny would always laugh at no matter how stupid). So his sudden lack of noise was unsettling. It got Daniel to look over at his driver, seeing the man staring at him with a slack jaw.Â
âWhat?â he sheepishly questioned, fighting the urge to curl in on himself. Once again, Sam had thrown him a curveball with his behavior.
âFuck,â came the incredulous response under Samâs breath. And before Danny could even begin questioning that, Sam stepped on the gas, racing towards the end of the road. That was where the trees cleared out and made way to a picturesque lake with small glittering waves and a thin strip of sand wrapping around the whole thing. With a screeching halt, Sam shifted the beat up pickup into park, stomping down on the emergency brake so hard he grit his teeth.Â
âSam-?âÂ
Before Danny could even finish saying the last syllable of the mechanicâs name, he threw off his seatbelt and all but launched himself onto Danny, muttering under his breath âyou hang around the wrong peopleâ. The rough calluses of Samâs hands scraping the soft skin of Danielâs cheeks was the only warning the rich man got before Sam was once again kissing him. Unlike the previous chaste one, this kiss was drawn out and feverish. It tasted like cigarettes and mint; just knowing that made Danny feel like he was floating. But then Sam nipped lightly at Danielâs bottom lip and suddenly he felt as if he might never come back to earth. It was playful and far from painful, like the way a puppy might nibble on you.Â
With a smooth motion that caused Danny to involuntarily shiver, Sam slithered his hand from its spot supporting his weight to Dannyâs hip, unbuckling his seatbelt. With the safety feature (read: hindrance) out of the way, Sam was able to guide Daniel to lay on his back on the seat. Instead of continuing their kissing, they just looked at one another. Daniel was reminded of an hour ago in the shop when Sam loomed over him as they hurled insults at one another; that sly look once again glinting in Samâs amber eyes. The sun had started to set, the golden light that mimicked godâs light now casting Sam in a soft pink hue that suited him even further.Â
âIf this is too much, we can stop. Just say the word,â Sam offered, his tone as soft as the lips that uttered them. For the first time ever, Daniel had seen that mischievous air that clouded around Sam fade into something else: genuine concern. And that was when and how Danny knew that throwing his lot in with Sam like this was not a mistake, despite what the mechanic himself said earlier. That was all Danny needed to understand that something wasnât reckless and stupid if you knew there was no risk involved.Â
âDonât you dare.â This time, Daniel was the one fisting Samâs shirt and pulling him into a bruising kiss. And this time, Sam was the one letting a whine slip past his lips. Danny eagerly swallowed it with his own lips, letting go of Samâs shirt in order to tangle his fingers into his hair. He was right. The manâs hair was softer than silk as it slipped through his gentle grasp. But it didnât even come close to the feeling of his tongue against his own, the velvet touch of it driving Daniel insane.Â
Hands roamed freely across one another, skin grazing skin with searing touches and gentle caresses. Samâs fingers scratched along the length of Dannyâs now exposed chest, his navy polo riding up on him some time in the haze of their fervor. They pulled away briefly, Danny discarding his shirt onto the floor of the truck as if it were a rag and not worth Samâs monthly car insurance payment. But when it was off, Sam paused. He seemed to be frozen in place, save for his eyes. They roamed all over Danielâs fit physique with a slack jaw.Â
âWhat?â Daniel asked after the staring went on for a considerable time. He was starting to feel self-conscious. His arms had a mind of their own as Danny crossed them over his bare chest.Â
That seemed to snap Sam out of his trance, his mouth closing with a click! of his teeth. He swallowed thickly, a pink tint that wasnât there a minute ago dusting his cheeks. Almost as if on their own accord, Samâs hands started to trace out the outline of the muscles of Dannyâs abdomen, his fingers so feather-light they tickled.Â
âGod, you are so fucking gorgeous,â Sam breathed out, a sense of awe only reserved for the seven wonders of the world dripping off his words. And here Daniel was being compared to those natural beauties as if they couldnât hold a candle to him.Â
Before Danny could even open his mouth to let out a nervous giggle, Samâs lips were on his in a feverish manner. They were hungry as they swallowed Dannyâs surprised gasp. And then they started to move down to his jaw, Samâs teeth nipping along the line. And then to the side of his neck where Sam gets emboldened by the pathetic noise Danny let slip at the contact. It only got more pathetic as he felt Sam roll the sensitive skin between his teeth in a slow and tortuous manner.Â
âSam.â Daniel had breathed his name out like a prayer, his hand fluttering up to tangle into the locks of his silky hair and hold him against his neck. He never knew that it was meant to be this good. Heâd heard his buddies talk about how amazing sex was, comparing it to the various euphoric drugs they had taken at parties. But they didnât prepare him for this.Â
âYouâre so hot, baby,â Sam muttered in his ear between descending kisses. The whisper of praise cast a shiver over Dannyâs body, making his eyelids flutter like a startled butterfly. It was so distracting and illustrious that Daniel failed to notice how far down his body Sam managed to reach with his wandering lips. The sound of his belt being unbuckled is what pulled Danny out of his stupor. At least partially.Â
âWh⌠What are you doing?â Daniel breathed, propping himself up on his elbows to catch a better look at his companion. He took in the sight of Samâs grungy fingers against his designer belt and felt his pants get tighter in the groin. Danny knew that if any of his friends and family members saw heâd let Samâs grimy, oil-stained hands anywhere near that expensive Italian leather, theyâd faint on sight. It thrilled Danny to no end.Â
âDo you need me to stop? Weâll stop. I went too far, Iâm sorry,â Sam rushed out in an uncharacteristic beat of anxiety. Through the haze of lust, Daniel understood that he was getting a peek of Samâs true self. He wasnât the suave, cocky adrenaline junky persona that he put on.Â
âHas anyone ever told you that youâre perfect?â Danielâs words were more reverent than any prayer to god heâd ever sent.Â
Sam faltered under Dannyâs words and his devout gaze. His face turned pinker than the sunset eclipsing the sky just outside of his truck.Â
âWell⌠IâŚâ Sam floundered, clearly very caught off guard by the sudden complement.Â
âWell, they ought to,â Danny pressed on, despite his heart pounding under his ribs. He might not have the art of flirting perfected, but he knew a genuine compliment hardly went wrong.Â
Samâs confusion warmed up into a smile on his lips, Dannyâs heart fluttering in his chest as it reached those beautiful amber eyes.Â
âYou⌠are so incredible.â The mechanicâs eyes glittered in the golden light of the setting sun, the skin around them creasing as his smile grew even bigger.Â
A grin of his own grew on Dannyâs lips.Â
But then, like a strike of a match, it morphed into a mask of pleasure. Dannyâs eyebrows knit together as his mouth fell open to make way for a loud gasp. It was better than Danny had ever imagined. He knew Samâs lips were soft, but to feel them wrapped around his girth was something else altogether.Â
âOh my god!â Daniel exclaimed, letting his head fall backwards and screwing his eyes shut. He let himself get lost in just the feeling of Samâs warm, slick mouth. On their own accord, Dannyâs hands stretched out to grab any part of the mechanic that they could reach - eventually finding their purchase in the hastily coiffed ponytail Sam had put his hair in during work.Â
Silky locks became tangled in Danielâs soft hands, tightening around his scalp when Sam gently bobbed his head. The rich man felt as if he could snap, an alarming tension building itself within him since his mechanic had kissed him.Â
And then, with simply no warning, Sam lowered his head down on Daniel and swallowed him whole. Daniel cried out at the feeling. His back arched up off the weathered truck seat as his hips jolted up, pulling a spit-slick gag from Samâs full throat. The vibration of his noise was just an added shock to Danielâs over-sensitive system. He was finally able to understand what all his golf buddies meant when they talked about receiving head - why they were so desperate to always chase more of it.Â
In the haze of his lust, Daniel realized that he may have hurt Sam. With what brain function he had left, Danny cupped Samâs chin and lifted him off. With an obscene pop of his lips that made Danny twitch, Sam opened his eyes and looked through his lashes at his wealthy partner. And what a sight he was. Samâs lips were glistening with spit as a tiny thread of it still connected them to Dannyâs cock. Sam lightly panted, his chest working hard to recover the oxygen he lost while swallowing Danny.Â
âSam, are you-âÂ
âDo that again.âÂ
Danny was startled, to say the least. Samâs voice was wanton, the lasciviousness burning in his eyes even more so. They stared at one another for a moment - Samâs chest heaving and Dannyâs sluggish mind working. And then it finally clicked.Â
âYou want me to use you.âÂ
Danny was rewarded with a pleased, wolfish grin that spread across Samâs full lips. He nodded in confirmation.Â
âUse me like one of your little rich girls,â Sam demanded, his hand snaking its way to wrap his fingers around Dannyâs length. His lips closely followed, enveloping Danny in a slick warmth that he was becoming swiftly acquainted with.Â
The moan that escaped Danielâs lips cut off the words that he wanted to say. Right on the tip of his tongue was the truth - heâd never had anyone in this way before, man or woman. Heâd had plenty of opportunities - god knows how many girls had thrown themselves at him because of his money - but, heâd never done it. It just never felt right. Until he was confronted by a gangly mechanic with a sharp tongue that turned out to be rather velvety in the right context. Sam was plowing new territory on Dannyâs life with reckless abandon, taking no prisoners as he went.Â
With each swirl of tongue, twist of fingers, and vibrations from Samâs moans, Daniel was inching closer and closer to his breaking point. The mechanic was working at a pace that was fast enough to be stimulating and close enough to perfection, but slow enough to be excruciating and not enough.
âSammy-â he cut himself off with a choked moan that elbowed its way out of his lips, âSam, slow down.â He pulled Sam off of him once again, using a hand to carefully brush the hair out of his face that had stuck to his sweat-slick skin.Â
âGrab my hair. Set your own pace,â Sam ordered between breaths. Either he didnât hear or was ignoring Danielâs request.
Without thinking, Danny did as told. He took a firm hold of the mangled mass of brunette hair and brought Samâs mouth down. At first, he set a cautious pace, wary of hurting his partner if he pulled too hard or held him down for too long, leaving Sam unable to breathe. Yet, it seemed Sam became impatient with this babying. He reached up with his own hand and placed it atop Danielâs, digging his nails into the rich manâs flesh as he manipulated his own head to move faster through Dannyâs hand.Â
It was quickly becoming too much: Samâs insatiable appetite, the sound of him gagging around Dannyâs cock, the sensation of his warm and wet throat. Looking for anything to prolong this experience, Daniel glanced around the truck to find a distraction that could stay his impending release. However, when his eyes landed on Samâs hips, he realized that the mechanic was grinding his hips into the upholstery.Â
It was too much.Â
Daniel was bucking up into Samâs throat, babbling out his name while he gripped the manâs head with both hands. With one final thrust, Danny forced Samâs head down so he was taking the full length of Danielâs 8 inches. A pathetic whimper slipped between Dannyâs clenched teeth as he burst into the mechanicâs throat. Sam received the rich manâs load with a choked and startled moan, his throat squeezing around Daniel to milk out the last of his cum as he swallowed.Â
Had Danny been more aware, he wouldâve noticed Samâs hips stuttering and grinding down against his leg. As Danny relinquished his painful grip in Samâs hair and began to absently stroke his sore scalp, the mechanic released a load of his own, staining his boxers. In the back of his mind, Sam absently realized that he hadnât cum untouched since he was a teenager.Â
Sam slowly pulled off of Daniel, blindly reaching for the latch on his glove box. He fumbled around the mess of the compartment until his fingers snatched up a pile of fast food napkins, handing half of the stack to Danny. The rich man took them with a breathy âthank youâ, cleaning himself of Samâs saliva. Out of the corner of his eye he watched Sam wipe his mouth, the napkin coming away with a white patch. The sophisticated portion of his mind that was slowly coming back to life remarked at how unsightly that was. The still active animalistic section of his mind was purring into Danielâs ear how hot it was that some of Dannyâs cum was still dripping from the corner of Samâs mouth - marking Sam as his own.Â
With his chest heaving, Sam used his arm to flip his waves of chestnut locks out of his face and onto his back, revealing a face flush and glinting in sweat. His lips, Danny noted, were as pink as his cheeks from the abuse they just endured from Daniel. He was a little remorseful, cringing internally at how uncomfortable that must feel. But, then again, Sam had asked Daniel to thrust into him harder and harder.Â
Taking a moment to allow the oxygen to fill his lungs again, Sam sat back and closed his eyes. His head was tipped backwards, showing off the long, enticing cords of his neck. Danny had no qualms with laying back and drinking in the sight. It gave him the opportunity to catch his breath as well. Though, it was clear which of the two had done more of the work.Â
After a minute or so had passed, Sam lazily peeled his eyes open. When he took in the visage of his flushed and sated partner, an earnest smile spread across his face.Â
âHi,â Sam flirted, his tone reminding Danny of bubblegum. His voice, however, had a hint of gravel to it. Danny wouldâve been astounded if Sam had come away from the abuse to his mouth unscathed.Â
âHi,â Daniel responded, his words equally as honeyed. He didnât dare try to fight the grin that beamed off his face. His entire chest felt like it was filled with sunshine and he wanted his exterior to match.Â
Sam emitted a giggle so bubbly, it made soda jealous. It was a pleasant surprise to hear such a sweet sound coming from his grungy mechanic. And just like everything else that had happened that evening, Danny couldnât help but follow Samâs lead. It was so cozy in the cabin of that beat up pickup, Daniel had never wanted to leave.Â
However, all things good must come to an end.Â
âShit!! Is that really the time??â Sam cursed, catching a glimpse of the time on Danielâs Rolex. He grabbed Dannyâs arm to get a better look, his face pinching into one of panic. And thatâs when he remembered that Sam was still on the clock.Â
Throwing Dannyâs arm back to the man, Sam scrambled to throw his work shirt back on and make himself as presentable as possible. He ripped down the sun visor and flipped open the mirror to try and fix the mess Daniel had made of his hair, mumbling out a âsomeone was enjoying themselves, huhâ from under his breath. The sly smile Sam sent his way made Dannyâs cheeks burn all over again.Â
âLike itâs my fault you have little-to-no gag reflex,â Danny playfully shot back, reaching for his polo laying in a heap on the floor of the truck. That earned Danny a laugh from Sam, the sound boisterous and completely unrestrained just like the rest of him. And, just like with everything else about Sam, Daniel was inexplicably drawn to it.Â
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If it were even possible, Sam drove even more recklessly on the way back to the auto shop. But Daniel didnât complain even once. He was too high off the exhilaration of what heâd just done and how incredible it felt to be with Sam. Not just how hard he had made Danny cum⌠for the first time in his life⌠But even just being near that loose canon made Daniel feel more alive than he ever had in his life.Â
Car horns and squealing tires acted as the soundtrack to their trip back. Sam was white-knuckling the wheel the entire way, his eyes wide and crazed as he swerved in between cars. He swapped between chain-smoking cigarettes and chewing on the skin of his thumb, taking breaks between both in order to scream at other motorists.Â
When they arrived, Sam stared at the gaping maw of the shop garage door. Sam watched as his boss putzed around and closed up, his grease-stained fingers tapping on the steering wheel to a tune only he could hear.Â
âHeâs gonna fire me,â Sam predicted under his breath after killing the engine. Danny had hardly a second before the mechanic slammed his body into the door of his truck and threw it open. He stumbled out onto the cracked cement of the parking lot and plastered on a charming smile that never met his nervous eyes.Â
âLonnie! Howâs the best boss in the world?â His arms were thrown open as he walked forward, his heavy boots clicking against the polished cement of the shop floor.Â
âSam. Care to tell me where the hell youâve been? Better yet, mind explaining why Wagnerâs car is still here without new oil??â Lonnieâs voice got progressively more sharp and clipped the more he talked. His eyes were burning with anger and his face was turning pink, his grip on the shop keys tightening into a fist as his knuckles bleached of color.Â
Samâs arms dropped as his shoulders hunched in. Despite the fact that Sam was a good six inches taller than his boss, Lonnie had made the man before him crumple into a cowering figure. It felt wrong. Sam didnât seem like the type of guy to take things lying down. He should be screaming and cussing Lonnie out.Â
âAh. Well⌠You seeâŚâ Sam floundered, his cheeks burning in embarrassment as he attempted to come up with a good enough excuse. He brought a hand up to rub the back of his neck, his free hand fidgeting with the brass cowboy lighter and flicking the lid open and closed.Â
âLonnie! Good to see you!â Daniel finally announced his presence, sauntering into the garage like he owned the damn place. It was something heâd seen his father and mother do many times before, often before they managed to weasel their way into getting exactly what they wanted.Â
âDanny,â Lonnie blurted out with a note of surprise in both his tone and face as he took Dannyâs outstretched hand to shake, âwhat a pleasure, sir.âÂ
âItâs Daniel,â Sam corrected under his breath. That earned him a sharp look from Lonnie that barely contained his frustration. Sam hung his head, rubbing his left arm with his right hand.Â
âIâm sure,â Daniel answered, concealing his own anger towards Lonnie with a practiced smile. He ripped his hand out of the manâs hand as though heâd catch something if they touched for too long. âI wanted to apologize for stealing Sam away for so long.âÂ
âY-You?â Lonnieâs gaze flicked over towards his insubordinate employee.Â
âItâs rather selfish of me, but I needed your best mechanic. I just hadnât realized how long weâd been away for.â Danny accented his admittance with a tinkling laugh, as though the transgression of taking Samâs time could be excused as a laughable offence.Â
âIs that where he was? Well, that is why we keep him around, if for nothing else.â The jab disguised as banter made Dannyâs blood boil. He wasnât sure what changed. Heâd always liked Lonnie in the past.Â
âOh, you didnât know? Another one of my cars wasnât starting so I couldn't take it here. Thatâs strange, I know for a fact Sam left you a note. I saw him write it himself.â Danny feigned a concerned look as he tilted his head to the side. âOh, well. I guess not everyone is fit to be in charge.âÂ
Danny couldnât keep the amused smile from his lips as he watched Lonnieâs face lose all its color. They all knew that Daniel had enough influence to ruin Lonnieâs business and reputation with a snap of his fingers.Â
âWell! Great to see one of my workers take the initiative! Was everything fixed?â Lonnie looked rather clown-like as he smiled through his pale face. It was clear he was still rattled by Dannyâs implication of his incompetence, falling over himself to make sure Danny was satisfied.Â
âOh, Sam was very helpful. So considerate, too, to drop everything for me,â Daniel gushed, sending his first genuine smile of the interaction Samâs way.Â
Danny had to admit, it was super cute to watch the mechanicâs head duck away. He swore he caught a tinge of pink on Samâs cheeks before they were covered by the chestnut curtain of his hair.Â
âUnfortunately, the problem was not fixed. It seems Iâll have to be stealing Sam away for the foreseeable future,â Danny admitted, laying the fake remorse on thick, âonly if itâs not too much trouble, of course.âÂ
âNot at all! You wouldnât mind that, would you Sam?â Lonnie quickly responded, desperation dripping off his voice and swirling in his wide eyes. He turned towards the mechanic in question, making a âgo along with itâ gesture with his hand.Â
Sam didnât see. As Daniel looked over towards the man, he was taken aback. If he didnât know any better, Daniel wouldâve said that Sam was gazing at him like Daniel just admitted to being the one who fashioned the stars in the sky each night.
âIâd be happy too,â Sam breathed, his tone as reverent as it was being breathed into his ear in the cab of his truck not an hour earlier. Danny felt a shiver go down his spine, refusing to break his eye contact with Sam.Â
âWonderful!â Danny exclaimed, clapping his hands together and smiling. Danny, not even bothering to throw a glance Lonnieâs way, walked over to his mechanic and placed a hand on Samâs shoulder. With the proximity, Daniel could see the small, star-struck smile pulling at the corners of his open mouth. Dannyâs voice dropped not only in octave, but in volume as he breathed in a velvety tone: âIâll be in touch very soon.â
Had they not had an audience, Daniel would have given in to the impulse of leaning in and planting a kiss on Samâs soft lips. As it were, he settled for letting his hand linger on Samâs shoulder for longer than what was probably considered "friendly".Â
âWhy donât you head on home, Sam? We had a busy day today and it looks like weâre gonna have an even busier day tomorrow,â Daniel purred, his eyes drinking in the wiry man before him like a man dying of thirst. His smile grew at one corner of his mouth as he remembered that he had yet to see exactly what Sam was packing. If he got his way, he was going to find out and very soon. And he usually got his way.Â
âYes, sir,â Sam agreed, giving Daniel a two-fingered salute. His tone was definitely more eager than what youâd expect from a man allegedly just given more work. If Lonnie knew what was good for him, he wouldnât notice.Â
âIn the meantime,â Danny started, his eyes transfixed on Samâs form as he sauntered back to the truck Danny had just been sucked off in, âwhy donât you finish up that oil change? It is what I came here for, after all.âÂ
Daniel left Lonnie fumbling around the shop as he scrambled to fulfill the rich manâs request. He made his way over to the dilapidated F-150, posting himself against the driverâs side. He leaned into the window, arms crossed as he supported his weight on the open window well.Â
âHereâs my card.â Danny extended his arm towards Sam where a white business card was tucked between his pointer and middle fingers.Â
Sam looked at it briefly before taking it from the otherâs hand, a sly smile exposing his teeth. âAinât you fancy.âÂ
âYou can call me on my work number, but Iâd prefer you call me on my personal number. Thatâs on the back,â Danny explained, a flirty smile of his own pulling at his lips.Â
Sam studied the card, turning it over in his fingers. The pure white of the cardstock paper was extremely out of place in Samâs stained and cruddy truck. And when Sam set the card on the dashboard, Danny noticed a black fingerprint smudged on the corner where Sam grabbed it.Â
âAnd here I thought Iâd have to ask you to let down your hair so I can climb your ivory tower, princess,â Sam jested, his smile turning playful as he tucked a cigarette behind his ear.Â
Danny laughed, the thing tumbling from his lips of its own accord. âActually, itâs polished marble.âÂ
They both laughed, the growling of Samâs truck drowning out their voices to anyone around that wasnât the two of them. Despite being in a very public space with an audience, they felt completely alone. The world just seemed to naturally fall away when they were together.Â
âHey,â Sam blurted, his tone much more sincere, âI just⌠I wanted to say thanks⌠yâknow, for saving my ass back there.âÂ
Danny shifted on his feet, his eyes dropping from Samâs. It was too much to bear to see the sincerity in those amber brown eyes. He liked Sam. That was obvious. But he wasnât ready to look into how deep that attraction had run in just a short afternoon.Â
âIâll tell you what,â Danny started, leaning in closer to Sam and dropping his voice to that same velvety tone, âyou swing by tomorrow, and Iâll make sure you repay me back in kind.âÂ
Sam followed Danielâs lead, closing the distance between them even further. However, it was never completely done away with.Â
âYouâve got yourself a deal, princess.âÂ
With that, Sam threw a cautious glance towards Lonnie. Seeing that he had his head buried in the engine bay of Danielâs car, he gently grabbed Dannyâs face between his calloused and stained hands and pulled them together. The kiss was brief, maybe only lasting for five seconds, but it was enough to make Danny feel light headed and fill his stomach with butterflies.Â
âGoodnight, Daniel.âÂ
âGoodnight, Sam.âÂ
Exchanging a smile and staring for what was definitely too long, Danny reluctantly pulled himself out of Samâs truck cabin and stepped out of his way. Danny watched his taillights disappear down the road, trying not to look too deeply into the melancholic feeling attempting to settle into his chest. Instead, Danny looked up at the sky to see the moon rising in the east.Â
Something had shifted in Danny that night. Regardless of whether or not Sam would call on him tomorrow, there was no denying what theyâd done that afternoon. And after Danny got behind the wheel of his car, all he could think about was how soft Samâs lips had been against his skin.Â
He wanted to feel them again. He wanted to slip his ringers through his chestnut waves. He wanted to feel the flex of Samâs hand as it wrapped around his dick and made his skin feel electric.Â
Daniel always got what he wanted. This⌠having Sam do unspeakable things to him⌠was no exception.Â
Summary: History repeats itself. This time, while the whole world is watching.
Tags: established relationship, fluff, love spell au, some sexually suggestive content
Words: 7.7 k
Author's Note: Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Have a Valentine's fic!! For real, sorry this took longer than expected, ADHD is a bitch. About the sexually suggested content, it's nothing extreme, just some comments and a scene where they make out - so a PG-13 rating if anything. Thank you for being so patient and please enjoy this light-hearted fun! Dedicated to @ofthecaravel (who made the cover, btw!). Title taken from I Need You Most Of All by Stephen Sanchez.
+++
Love potions are real. Danny learned that the hard way last year. Though, he canât exactly say heâs mad about it. Theyâre the reason he and Sam are together, after all. But, after the whole âincidentâ of last year, Danny is not very eager to encounter another one in his lifetime. Heâs had his fill, thank you.Â
However, as fate would have it, he would not be so lucky.Â
âWe shouldâve soundchecked Youâre the One⌠itâs been so long since weâve had it on the setlist,â Sam lamented, checking his stage outfit in the mirror of the dressing room. As usual, he was the last one to get dressed. Danny could hear a walkie outside the door signaling the two minute warning.Â
âYouâll be fine, Sammy,â Danny soothed, slithering his arms around Samâs waist and resting his head on his shoulder, âRight now you should be more worried about not missing the curtain drop.âÂ
Sam, placing his hands on Danielâs arms, hummed in contentment. He leaned back into Dannyâs embrace, a smile spreading on his lips. âSomething still looks offâŚâÂ
âYou look wonderful, baby,â the drummer complimented, whispering directly into Samâs ear and sneaking a quick kiss against his jaw.Â
âYou always say that.âÂ
âCause itâs always true.â
âWhere the fuck is rhythm section??âÂ
Both men snapped their heads to the door. Danny felt Samâs hands tighten around his arms.Â
âThatâs our cue, Sam.â Danny, reluctantly, retracted his arms from around the bassist. Sam was quick to let Danny know just what he thought of that with a groan.Â
âThey donât need us,â Sam whined, his eyes big and pleading.Â
âIâm afraid they do,â Danny took Samâs hand and took him to the door, âbesides, after the show Iâm all yours.âÂ
âPromise?â Sam batted his lashes as he asked. Really, it was an attempted murder with his stage makeup on; all glitter and mascara.Â
Danny stole one quick kiss on Samâs lips simply because he couldnât help himself. âI promise.âÂ
âONE MINUTE!!â
Sam and Danny giggled as they raced over to the stage. They were met with the annoyed yet tired faces of the twins as they took their places behind the curtain.Â
âSo nice of you to finally join us,â Jake commented, his words dripping with sarcasm as he put his in-ears in. Danny could see Sammy shake his head and roll his eyes. It was very clear he wanted to snark at Jake right back, but they didnât have the time. The instrumental intro was reaching the end.Â
The curtain dropped and along with it came the crescendo of cheers and screams. Dannyâs heart was pounding in his chest just like it did before every show. However, he had now learned how to use it to his advantage. He was the first one to take his place, jumping down to his kit and preparing to perform.Â
âWelcome to the show, folks,â Josh quickly greeted. It was the cue Danny was waiting for. With a snappy roll of his snare, the concert had begun.Â
Just like with every other show, all four of them put on the best show that they could. They played their hearts out and drank in the audienceâs reaction in turn. It felt like a renewable energy source, the applause. Because no matter what he felt like before he went on stage, hearing thousands of people cheer you on like a god was enough to lift anybodyâs spirits.Â
In between songs, Josh was bolting around the stage as he was apt to do. The frontman interacted with the crowd as he had a - mostly - one sided conversation with them. While this happened, Danny checked in with his drum tech. One of his cymbals felt too loose.Â
âHey, Daniel!âÂ
Danny was pulled out of his technical conversation, his curls whipping around his head as he snapped his attention over to Josh, The man was illuminated by a spotlight as he stood at the very edge of the stage, which Danny was sure Joshâs bodyguard was just a little stressed about.Â
âWhat?â If it werenât for the in-ears, Danny would have been easily drowned out by the roar of the crowd.Â
âThereâs a very lovely gentleman down here that wants to do a shot with you. Says he just got his PhD and wants to celebrate!â Joshâs smile was huge. Thatâs the thing about him: he genuinely loved everyone he ever met. It was a very admirable trait, to say the least.Â
With a shrug of his shoulders, Danny got up from behind his kit. It worked out better this way seeing as now the tech had more room to fix his cymbal. As he walked, one of the spotlights swung over to him and nearly blinded him. It was so bright, in fact, that he almost ran directly into Sam without even seeing him.Â
âExcuse me!â Sam playfully teased, lifting up the neck of his bass so that Danny had more clearance to pass. There was such a swell of affection in his chest that Daniel genuinely had to stop himself from leaning over and planting a big, wet kiss onto Samâs cheek. However, he wasnât able to suppress his urge to touch him. It was only a passing touch when Dannyâs hand shot out on its own accord and caressed the bassistâs hand supporting his instrument.Â
Danny could hear Sammy giggle in the in-ears after the drummer had continued towards where Josh was standing. If people noticed that Dannyâs smile had grown after the interaction, they were bound to write it off as âbestieâ behavior. And that was completely fine by both of them. No one needed to know about their relationship outside of those really close to them.Â
After finally approaching, Daniel wrapped an arm around Joshâs shoulders. He leaned in a bit towards the mic in his hand before saying: âSo, where is this promise of liquor?â He couldnât help but laugh a bit as people screamed after he spoke.Â
The frontman pointed down at a very excited fan who was holding a blue poster and two shooters. When he realized that Danny was looking at him, he waved along with everyone around him. Daniel also took note of all the phone cameras that were pointed in his direction. While he knew it was just a part of his job, it still was never a comfortable feeling; one slip up and everyone would see.Â
With a friendly pat on Joshâs shoulder, Danny let go of him and climbed down to the barricade area. If it werenât for the in-ears acting as earplugs, Danny was sure heâd have lost his hearing with how loud everyone around had screeched. But, he ignored them in favor of giving his attention to the man in question. He looked like he was about to pass out by the looks of things. Once again, something about this job he had to get used to and not let it go to his head.Â
A quick pleasantry was exchanged on both ends; Dannyâs with a smile and the fanâs with a hand fluttering to his chest in disbelief. The fan, whoâs name he found out to be Clarence, offered over the shooter. And if Danny hadnât been so distracted by someone trying to reach out to grab him, he might have noticed that the little bottle had already been opened. Because, as he opened it, the seal was already broken.Â
âCheers!â he shouted to Clarence, tapping his shooter against the other personâs. To the sound of cheering, Danny tipped his head back and gulped down the alcohol. It must have been one heâs never tried before; he could not recall a single time heâs had a shot thatâs tasted like bubblegum.Â
Suppressing a gag at the intensely sweet taste, Danny smiled and gave a quick hug to the fan. He wasnât quite sure why he had looked so disappointed when Daniel pulled away. Perhaps because his time with Danny had ended? Oh, well. No time to dwell on it.Â
As Danny made for the stage to get the show back on the road, he felt the same sensation when you stood up too fast. Suddenly, his vision started to go black and fuzzy while his head felt like it had been stuffed with cotton. He felt his feet stumble underneath him before he was able to brace his hand against the wall of the stage. He heard a few people gasp around him before his hearing cut out and started to ring. For a brief, terrifying minute, he thought he was going to pass out.Â
What the fuck was in that shot??
Thankfully, the warm and firm hand that landed on his shoulder pulled him out of⌠whatever the fuck that was. His near blackout, he guessed.Â
âDanny? Whatâs going on, buddy?â Richard questioned. Even though Josh was his main priority, Danny was glad to know Richard was looking out for him, too.Â
âI-I donât know,â Daniel responded. He rubbed at his head with his right hand, his left still propped against the stage.Â
âDo you need medical attention?â Richard used his grasp on Dannyâs shoulder to turn him to face one another. When the drummer had opened his eyes to look back at him, he was relieved to see that the black had faded from his sight.Â
Danny pressed the heel of his hands into his eyes. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to breathe through the frankly scary experience. He knew that he shouldâve called it. That he shouldâve told Richard that he wasnât feeling good; he shouldâve told the truth.Â
Instead, Daniel pulled himself together and put on a charming, yet reassuring smile.Â
âNah, Iâm alright.â The lie slipped easily off his tongue. It was a comfortable one, a fib heâd employed a lot in his life. Thatâs why he wasnât worried when Richard looked at him critically.Â
âAre you sure?âÂ
Danny nodded, that smile still on his lips. Despite the fact that he was still feeling dizzy, he wasnât about to cancel a show over a weird feeling. Thousands and thousands of people paid to see them tonight, he wasnât about to disappoint them.Â
Daniel saw the resignation on Richardâs face before he sighed out an âalrightâ. However, the bodyguard insisted on helping Danny back on stage. He didnât want to admit it, but he probably needed the assistance. He just needed some water and heâd be fine.Â
While Dannyâs little dizzy spell went on, Josh took it upon himself to provide a distraction for the drummer. Naturally, Jake and Sam followed along. Something about playing truth or dare with one another. Danny knew heâd see it posted online the next day so he wasnât all that upset about missing out.Â
He was also going to see a lot of things posted the next day as well; about him specifically. But there was no possible way for him to know that as he took his seat back behind the kit. Finally off his feet and chugging some water, he was already starting to feel better. What an odd fluke.Â
âAre you doing alright, Daniel?â Samâs voice filtered through his in-ears, the sound akin to an angelic choir to Danny. There was a heavy concern laced with his question.Â
As the drummer looked over towards the keyboards where his other half sat, Daniel felt as if heâd been hit with a colossal tidal wave of feelings. He was used to getting overwhelmed by the batch of intense emotions when being with his lover, but this instance took the cake. It felt as if every cell in his body was filled to capacity with love for Sam.Â
âI love you, baby,â Danny admitted. He couldnât remember what Sam asked. It really didnât matter. It was super important that Danny tell Sam that.Â
In the colorful stage lights, Danny watched Sam flinch in reaction. Clearly it was not what Sam was expecting him to say. His expression soon softened, though. âI love you too, honey. I just need to know that youâre ok.âÂ
âWhy wouldnât I be? I have the most perfect boyfriend in the whole world!âÂ
âDo you two fucking mind? Or do I need to smack some professionalism into you?â Jake interrupted, mild irritation coloring his words.Â
âOh my god, Jake hates gay people,â Sam shot back immediately. Danny couldnât help but giggle at the joke. He was so funny and Danny loved that about him.Â
Danny, if he wasnât looking at Sam, wouldâve noticed Jake rolling his eyes. But he didnât. He did notice the way Samâs hair spilled off his shoulders as his head tipped back when he laughed. And the way it shined in the stage lights. And the way his eyes glittered as they locked onto Danny. His heart fluttered in his chest just like it always did for the past decade when Sam looked his way.Â
Then Jake began strumming the chords to Meeting the Master, and that was when Danny remembered they were at a concert and that he had a job to do. He forced his eyes away from Sam to look at the audience; a melancholic and cold feeling settling into his chest as he did so. It was just⌠Well, there was really only one thing that Danny wanted to do and that was be with Sam. Which, to be fair, was how Danny felt all the time. But, right now in particular, Danny was just very keen on having Sam within armâs reach of him.Â
The only thing that kept Daniel from dropping everything just to go hold his boyfriend was his professionalism. And the fact that, after Meeting the Master and his drum solo, there was a brief window of time where they all travelled to B Stage where Danny could sneak in some affection. Which he certainly did.Â
âDaniel!â Sam giggled as said gentleman had snuck up behind the bass player and swept him up in his arms. The sound set something alight inside of Danny, his entire body glowing at the sweet symphony of Samâs laugh. It only grew as he twirled Sammy around and his giggling turned into cackling.Â
âHello, my darling. I missed you,â Danny cooed into his boyfriendâs ear, his face nuzzled into the crook of his neck after he set the man back on his feet.Â
Sam leaned into the drummer as he rested his head onto Dannyâs and wrapped his arms around the other manâs arms on his waist. âYou just saw me.âÂ
âYeah, but I couldnât touch you, then,â Danny whispered, his answer accented with a few fluttering kisses all over every part of Samâs skin he could reach. Which, to Samâs delight, was mainly his neck.Â
âJesus, do I need to get a bucket of ice water to douse you two with?â Dannyâs drum tech asked after plucking Dannyâs forgotten drumsticks from his hand.Â
âPlease, Iâm begging you,â Jake implored as his tech helped him put on his acoustic.Â
Dannyâs tech had glanced over at Jake, but ultimately ignored him. âWhat has gotten into you?âÂ
âYou guys need to hurry. Josh is out there alone,â Joshâs tech had interrupted. He made his point more urgent with a frantic waving motion of his hand, gesturing towards the entrance to the B Stage. If Daniel had been paying any attention to anything that wasnât how warm Sam was or how good he smelled, he mightâve been able to hear Josh attempt a stand-up routine to stall for them.Â
âBut-âÂ
âLetâs hustle, Danny!â His tech thrust his mandolin at him, a determined look on his face that left no room for argument. Even through the fog of SammySammySammy running rampant in his mind, Danny knew he wasnât about to win this particular argument.Â
With a bone deep sigh, Daniel relented. But, it wasnât before he quickly bent his knees, used his hold on Samâs waist, and hoisted his boyfriend over his shoulder.Â
âDaniel! What are you-âÂ
âYou can force me to do my job, but Iâm gonna do it on my terms,â Daniel quipped before using his free hand to grab the neck of his mandolin.Â
âPut me down, you menace!â Sam demanded - a token protest if Danny had ever heard one. If the way he was giggling in Dannyâs ear was any indication, Sam was having the time of his life.Â
But Danny didnât heed Sammyâs half-hearted protests. Instead, he marched back out to the screams of thousands of adoring fans. As he walked past the closest group of them, Danny took in the confused looks on their faces as they witnessed Danny carry Sam out as if he weighed nothing. While he couldnât see it, Danny just knew Sam was waving enthusiastically at everyone as he passed.Â
When he reached Samâs keyboard, Danny gently set his beloved down. He thought he heard Josh make a comment about it - âDanny really is the one who carries this band!â - but he really didnât care. Instead, he cupped Samâs face in the hand not holding his instrument and placed a kiss on Sam's forehead. He wanted to kiss him on the lips, but something told him Sammy wouldnât be all that thrilled about that.Â
âDavid was right, something has gotten into you,â Sam pointed out, his tone saturated in affection to match the huge grin on his face. They were standing closer than was strictly âfriendlyâ, Sam even resting his hands on Dannyâs chest as his fingers fiddled with the material of Dannyâs chainmail shirt.Â
âWell, I was hoping I could get me into you-â
âDaniel Robert!â Sam gasped with a performative alarm. He could see right through the pianistâs rouse - the perks of knowing someone for the majority of your life. Sam had playfully swatted Dannyâs chest as he laughed, shoving this boyfriend away from his personal space and towards his seat. âGo away, you scoundrel, and do your job!âÂ
Always heeding any command Sam sent his way, Danny did as he was told and finally took his proper spot on the stage. Josh had caught his eye as he put the mandolin strap on his shoulder, the singer wearing a face that was a cross between supportive and confused. Josh - and Jake as well - had always been in Sam and Dannyâs corner when they started dating. When they had experienced some backlash from their label over their relationship (because dating within your own band historically always ended well), the twins were the first people to tell their label reps to shove it. They told both Sam and Danny that they were happy for them and they didnât care about what they did, just as long as it didn't interfere with work. And judging by the identical look Jake and Josh were now throwing Danny, he was toeing the line.Â
As he settled into his seat, Danny shook his head like a dog shaking water off its body. Through the haze of his amplified affection, Danny realized he was acting over the top. It wasnât like he didnât want to do all these things to Sam or feel all these things for him, it was more like he just didnât want to stop himself from acting on these instincts. He also realized that as long as he didnât look at Sam, his urges werenât as strong. So, despite the way it made his heart feel heavy and his soul feel cold, Daniel did his best to keep his eyes off of Sam as they went through their B Stage set. It went pretty well, the audience enjoying the change of pace and singing along with them as they cast the band in a glow of cellphone lights swaying with the music. It was magical hearing and seeing so many people enjoy what he had put his soul into.Â
It was pretty smooth sailing until they started to play Youâre the One. That was when Danny made the mistake of turning to look at Sam as he sang the chorus along with Josh. It just felt right to. But as soon as he had, Danny was once again slammed with a cataclysmic wave of unfettered affection as he took in the visage of his beloved boyfriend. The stage lighting had made Sammy look ethereal, glowing in the warm light. His lips were pouting in the way they usually did when Sam was concentrating on his playing, his hair swaying along with his body as he put his soul into his performance, and his hands danced gracefully across the keys. A more beautiful sight, Danny had never beheld.Â
He was successfully able to complete the song. However, as soon as it was over, Danny was glued to Samâs side within an instant. That had been their last song for that portion of the set, so they were about to run back to the main stage, anyway. It was just, now Danny was able to take Sam by his hand and help him out of his seat like a gentleman asking a maiden to dance a waltz. A voice in the back of his mind told him to kiss Sam silly when he watched the pianistâs eyes glitter with the warm glowing lights, Sam even shooting him a tender smile. Using all of the strength he had, he forced himself to wait until they were in the back rooms and away from prying eyes.Â
But, as soon as they were away from the publicâs view, that was when he used his grip on Samâs hand and tugged him around a corner. Daniel pressed him into a wall and kissed him like he hadnât seen Sam in years. It was bordering on desperate as Danielâs hands roamed all over any part of Sammy he could reach, whines of pleasure slipping past their lips before being swallowed by the otherâs tongue. Sam, in an interesting twist, was actually the one to attempt to take it one step further as his hands deftly unhooked the clasps on Danielâs shirt he had aided in putting on him numerous times. The chainmail hit the ground with a loud, heavy, and unceremonious thud. The pair of them carried on as if nothing had happened, Samâs hands now tracing over the newly exposed flesh of Dannyâs chest. The heady scrape of Samâs thick calluses against Dannyâs overly-warm skin was enough to send a shiver down his spine and a guttural noise tumbling from his lips. It was all the invitation Danny needed to grab Sam by his thighs and lift him up, his legs wrapping around Dannyâs hips while their lips never parted.Â
âGod, if only we didnât have a show to finish,â Sam whined after breaking for some air. Danny used the opportunity to trail kisses down from Samâs jaw to his jugular notch.Â
âWho said we need to finish the show?â Danny purred against Samâs throat, unwilling to let his lips stray from his skin.Â
Sam laughed at his boyfriendâs persistence, his fingers tangling into Dannyâs curls as he inadvertently pressed him closer against his throat. Danny obliged immediately, nipping at the delicate skin and rolling it between his teeth as he sucked.Â
âWasnât it you who said they need us?â Sam sassed, always unafraid to use Dannyâs words against him. Danny groaned. He knew Sam was right. No matter how badly he wanted to steal Sam away into the closest room with a lock, he knew he had to do his job.Â
âGod is so cruel to dangle you in front of me knowing I canât have you when I desperately need you.âÂ
âWho knew blue-balling you was gonna turn you into such a poet,â Sam cooed mockingly, the affection in his tone anything but mocking.Â
âKeep it up, Sammy boy, see where that gets you,â Danny warned, his tone warm as he stole just a few more kisses against Samâs neck before setting him back onto his feet. They were both affected by the stolen moment, if the deep, matching flush on both of their cheeks was anything to go by. Sam even staggered slightly as he caught his breath, having to rest a hand onto Dannyâs shoulder for support.Â
âWe-we, uhâŚâ Sam floundered before clearing his throat, âwe better⌠goâŚâÂ
Danny, reluctantly, nodded in agreement. Before they scurried back towards the main stage at a full sprint in order to catch up with the twins, Danny picked up his discarded top off the floor.Â
âDo we even want to know what you two disappeared to do?â Jake asked, not even turning around as he spoke.Â
âI donât think they have to say it. Nice hickey, Sam,â Josh teased, his bright smile dripping with the kind of mockery only a sibling can conjure.Â
At the remark, Samâs hand flew up to the spot on his neck that Danny had been gnawing on earlier. If his face hadnât been red before, it now certainly rivaled the bright crimson of his stage outfit. He had shed his jacket before they even went to the B Stage, only his silk scarf and black beaded chest piece keeping his modesty. Not that Danny was complaining. If he had it his way, Sam wouldnât be in anything and neither would Danny.Â
âJealous, Josh? I can give you a matching one if youâd like,â Danny joked, his charming, wolfish smile breaking out across his lips.Â
âLike Iâm gonna turn that down-âÂ
âI think the fuck NOT!â Sam squawked, a possessive hand grabbing Danielâs arm before tugging the drummer against his side and glaring at Josh. Danny and Josh broke out into laughter, Jake even failing to hide his snickering at his baby brotherâs expense.Â
âYou know youâre the only one Iâd ever give a hickey to, baby,â Daniel reassured, placing a gentle kiss onto Samâs temple. Just the simple brush of his lips made his heart flutter in his chest as he was filled with giddiness.Â
âI swear to god I will throw up on you both,â Jake threatened with an exasperated groan.Â
âGo ahead! Iâll just make sure to take a nap in your bed before I shower.â Sam stuck his tongue out at his brother. Or, rather the back of his head. He probably wouldâve flipped him off if both of his hands werenât preoccupied with touching Danny.Â
âCan I kill them?âÂ
Josh sighed before sparing a glance between the two lovers, turning back to address his twin. âNot until the concert is over.âÂ
âThree more songs and an encore,â Daniel supplied, his own anticipation for the end of the show bubbling over. He wanted nothing more than to scoop Sam up and shower him in as much affection as he could.Â
âDear lord, I wonât be able to endure them that long.âÂ
+++
It was time for the encore. That meant it was Samâs cue to slip back on stage and rile the crowd up for the final act before the end. He had to pry Dannyâs hands off of him in order to fulfil that duty, much to the drummerâs dismay. He watched from the wings as his boyfriend glowed under the lights, his smile outshining the LEDs as he basked in the attention. Daniel watched on, thanking his lucky stars that he was fortunate enough to call that divine creature his lover.Â
It had become a pattern that Danny would be the second one back out on the stage after Sam, followed by Jake and then Josh. In this leg of the tour, Danny had been doing this fun little thing where occasionally heâd surprise Sam while he sat at his piano. It hadnât been anything damning, just a quick little interaction that had made not only the two of them smile, but the rest of the crowd as well. That show had been no different.Â
Well, that wasnât true. It had been different.Â
When Daniel snuck up the stairs behind Sammy (far enough into his piano playing that he knew Sam would be too engrossed in his music rather than paying attention to the increased roar of the crowd at his entrance), he put a finger to his lips while facing the crowd. Heâd only meant to go up there, cover Samâs eyes with his hands, and then maybe give him a quick hug before scurrying over to his kit. But then Sam turned around and caught Danny sneaking up on him. And then he flashed Danny this dazzling smile that made his already strong affection for the man swell like a river during a downpour. And suddenly Danny wasnât in control of his actions. Well, thatâs not to say he was being forced - he just didnât have any willpower left.Â
So, thatâs when he surged forward and planted a passionate kiss on Samâs lips. With thousands upon thousands of people watching. And about half of those were people recording on their phones. But none of that even crossed Dannyâs mind. He was far too distracted by the way Samâs lips moved so seamlessly against his own with practiced grace. He was too distracted by the warmth of his breath as Sam hummed into his mouth, by the way he seemed to melt into the kiss like chocolate in the summer sun. He was too distracted by that callused hand finding purchase on Dannyâs cheek as he pulled Danny in closer.Â
If it hadnât been for the pack of guitar picks thrown against the back of his head, Daniel isnât sure how far he wouldâve gone with Sam. He had been so absorbed into Sammyâs⌠everything that heâd completely forgotten about the audience. Rubbing the back of his head, Daniel turned towards his attacker to see Jake looking at him as if heâd lost his mind. And maybe he had. There was a tiny part of him that was screaming at himself. What the hell are you doing, Wagner??
And for that brief moment, like a deer in the headlights, he swung his gaze from Sam, to the shocked faces of the crowd and the twins, and back to Sam. He knew, in that moment, that he had made a huge mistake. However, it was only brief, that moment of clarity. As soon as it popped into his mind, it was gone with just another look at Sam. All he cared about was Sam. He was all Danny wanted and all he needed. So when he looked into those beautiful eyes like amber stones, how could he not wrap his arms around him and smile as Samâs warmth seeped into his bones. He felt Samâs hands come to hold his arm wrapped around Samâs front, leaning into the touch and his smile mushing their cheeks together.Â
âWell. You guys know that, now,â Josh tiredly admitted, because there was no coming back from that. There was simply no platonic reasoning for their behavior.Â
It took Jake grabbing the drummer by the shoulder and yanking him back to his kit for Danny to finally finish up the show⌠which he spent the whole time staring at Sammy or trying to catch his attention. After they finished with Farewell For Now, everyone was happy to be finally taking their bows. That little voice in the back of Dannyâs head was sure heâd get his ass handed to him by the twins and their crew for his antics. But, as he peppered kisses all over any part of Samâs face he could reach and his ears filled with Samâs giggles, he found that he really did not care.Â
âHey, quick question,â Jake started as they walked down the halls to their dressing rooms, âWHAT THE HELL WAS THAT??â
âYeah, werenât you guys trying to keep your relationship a secret?â Josh added, yanking his in-ears out as he kept pace with the rest of the group.Â
âWhy would I want to keep this a secret? I want the whole world to know Sammyâs the only one for me,â Danny cooed, nuzzling his nose against Samâs cheek. He used the arm heâd slung around Samâs waist to pull his boyfriend in closer against him.Â
To his right he heard the twins groan in exasperation and make exaggerated barfing noises. It wouldâve been really funny if Danny had been in any other state of mind. But that was where the questioning ended. Looking back at it, Danny chalks it up to everyone knowing that there was no reasoning with him that night. So they left him and Sam alone.Â
And when the two lovebirds finally got to a room with a lock, well. Daniel made good on his promise that he was all Samâs after the show.Â
+++
When Danny woke up the next morning, he felt as though his skull was being split in half with a dull meat cleaver. Every time he was exposed to any sort of light, it was as if his eyeballs were about to explode and his brain was trying to burst out of his skull. It was a nightmare. Even Samâs voice, usually a comfort in its own right, was like nails on a chalkboard.Â
âGood morning, baby.â Samâs voice was chipper like a bird seeing the sun rising.Â
âMorning,â Danny grumbled, unraveling one of his arms around Sam to rub at his pounding forehead.Â
âYou look like hell.âÂ
âAnd youâve always had a knack for subtlety.âÂ
Sam huffed. âI mean, are you feeling ok? You look⌠hungover. We didnât even drink last night.âÂ
Danny kept his eyes clamped shut for any kind of relief he could get. âExcept for that shot I took with that fan, Clarence.âÂ
âYeah, but thatâs not enough to get you drunk. Even though you sure acted like it last night,â Sam teased, pressing a tender kiss to the tip of Dannyâs nose.Â
âWas I now?â Danny teased right back, his tone taking on a flirtatious edge as he pulled Sam in closer to him. From the feeling of the sheets, Danny guessed they were curled up together on their tour bus bunk.Â
âYeah, I donât think a sober Daniel would announce to the world very publicly that weâre dating.âÂ
Danny froze. He felt his body go rigid as a board as the realization hit him.Â
âI did what?â Thing is, Danny remembered. He was just hoping it had been in his dreams and not, yâknow, reality.Â
Sam regarded him for a minute, a very adorable knit in his brow as he did. âDaniel, you made out with me on stage.âÂ
Danny swallowed thickly, nervously. He had done that, hadnât he? Right before the encore.Â
âYou were all over me pretty much all night. It was like a switch flipped, or something.â Sam had a little smile pulling at his lips as he recounted the night prior. If Dannyâs heart wasnât racing already, it wouldâve kick-started at the sight.Â
Like a switch flipped⌠I acted drunk last night⌠the only drink I had was that shotâŚ
âSam⌠What did it feel like when you were on that love potion last year?â It was ridiculous, it just couldnât be the potion again⌠butâŚ
âThe love potion?â Sam tilted his head to the side, reminding Danny of Rose when she was confused, âI donât know, just⌠kinda felt like the only thing I cared about was you and that I needed to show you how much I loved you through any way I could.âÂ
And then it all clicked for Danny.Â
âSam, youâre not gonna believe thisâŚâÂ
Before the bassist could even get a word in, a phone chimed with the Instagram notification. Reaching out blindly, Danny grabbed it and checked the notification. He was glad he did.Â
StarshineGreta: Hey Danny, I donât know if you figured it out yet, but just wanted to give you a heads up that I think one of my clients I sold a love potion to was the same one who you took a shot with at last nightâs show.Â
Right after her first text came another - the second one a link to a post by one clarencehill1111. With a heavy feeling in his stomach, Danny clicked on the post.Â
âWhat is it?â Sam asked, nervously glancing from Dannyâs phone to his face. Danny, wrapping his arm tighter around his lover, decided to read the post out loud.Â
âDecided to shoot my shot last night with my favorite drummer boy. Guess the potion worked, but not how I hoped. Everything Danny did to Sam was under the influence of a love potion, guys, it wasnât real!!â Dannyâs mouth went dry as he kept reading, his entire body going cold as the meaning of those words sunk in. The caption was under a video of himself and that fan- Clarence taking the shot together. Â
âIâm gonna break his kneecaps.âÂ
âSam-âÂ
âNo, Daniel, heâs insane!! Not only did he slip you a real love potion in the hopes that youâd fall for him, he called our relationship fake!â Samâs voice raised about three octaves, the volume alone making Dannyâs headache intensify.Â
âBaby, thereâs nothing we can do about what he did. All we can do is ban him from any future shows and make sure we show his face to security,â Danny reasoned. He was upset just like Sam - hell, he felt violated. But, considering the only harm done was the truth coming to light⌠Well, it was bound to happen eventually. Danny just hadnât wanted it to be so soon.Â
Taking a deep breath, Sam cozied up against Daniel even further. âI still hate him.âÂ
âAnd you have every right to,â Danny murmured against Samâs hair, placing a kiss to the top of his boyfriendâs hair.Â
He went back to the unsettling post still pulled up on his phone when his eyes caught a comment from a familiar user. It seemed Greta had come to their aid, commenting about how she was the witch who sold Clarence the potion and explained how they worked. It brought a smile to his face, the whole thing giving him deja vu. But even back then, he hadnât believed her. So, making a quick decision, Danny commented under her comment and basically said âsheâs telling the truthâ.Â
danielrwagner: Thanks for the heads up, Greta. Weâll handle it from here.Â
StarshineGreta: Of course. Sorry this happened to you guys
StarshineGreta: again
danielrwagner: It was bound to come out eventually
danielrwagner: But hey at least your sales are about to skyrocket
StarshineGreta: Silver lining, I guess. Iâll be more careful next time, I promiseÂ
danielrwagner: ThanksÂ
danielrwagner: Hey, how come when Sam took your potion he blacked out right after but I didnât?
StarshineGreta: My guess? Clarence gave you the recommended amount. Youâre not supposed to pass out afterwards. Also, no offense, but youâve got more body mass than Sam, so that probably helped, tooÂ
danielrwagner: Alright, thank you. Take care of yourself
As Daniel locked his phone, his mind now fully focused on the consequences of his actions. Heâd kissed Sam in front of the world. Everyone knew about their relationship now.Â
âWeâre gonna have a lot of questions to answer, arenât we?â Danny rested his head against Samâs as he snuggled deeper into his embrace.Â
âWe donât owe them shit.âÂ
Danny couldnât help the giggle that tumbled out of his lips. All of the dread that had piled up inside his chest was momentarily pushed aside in order to make room for his feelings for Sam. And, if last night was any indication, there was never really any room for anything else, anyway.Â
âGod, I love you.âÂ
Sam released an airy giggle of his own. âI love you, too.âÂ
Whatever came their way, they would be able to handle it.Â
Well, almost everything.Â
âUp and at âem, lovebirds!! Youâve slept most of the day away!â Joshâs thunderous voice cut through the twoâs comforting calm. It made Dannyâs headache crash into him with force, his temples pounding with every syllable.Â
âWhatâs it to you?!â Sam called back, making his lover hiss at the proximity to Sammyâs yelling. His apology came as a kiss to his collarbones - Daniel was very inclined to accept it.Â
âHowâs about you come out here and look, dumbass!â Jake responded, his volume on par with his twinâs. Danny loved the Kiszkas. He really did. He just⌠didnât particularly⌠enjoy having them around when he has a headache.
Sam, grumbling mutinous words under his breath about committing fratricide, untangled himself from Dannyâs arms and kicked off their covers. Danny didnât even try to object. He knew that if they had tried to ignore the twins, they would pull Sam and Daniel out of their beds. Instead, he just gave himself a few seconds to mentally fortify for whatever those two had in store.Â
Stumbling towards the front of the tour bus where they heard the twinsâ voices come from, Sam and Danny stretched and yawned as they tried to shake off their sleepiness. The bus was comfy, well furnished and homey. It certainly didnât replace home, but it was far from a bad spot to have to spend a lot of hours in. The large windows allowed for a lot of natural light to stream inside, something everyone enjoyed. And taking a glance out of the one to Dannyâs right only confirmed what Josh had said: they had slept in until evening.Â
âWhat.â Sam spat the word out like was able to inflict physical damage. With the way he crossed his arms over his chest, popped his hip, and frowned, it was very clear he was about to throw a hissy fit.Â
âOh my god, you look like a leper,â Josh blurted out, biting his lip to hide a smile that managed to slip into his words. Strangely, his arms were held behind his back.Â
Everyone in the room then regarded Sammy in all his shirtless glory. His hair was messy in part due to just having woken up, but mostly because of Dannyâs hands. The rest of his skin - namely his neck - were covered in dark purple blotches. The comment only served to make Samâs frown deepen and his cheeks turn pink. Which, Danny had to admit, was endlessly cute.Â
âDanny, too,â Jake added, a small smile of his own pulling at his lips.Â
Danny, now being the subject of scrutiny, felt the need to cover himself. He copied Sam and crossed his arms over his own bare chest. Though, it really did nothing. He had a lot of similar dark bruises all over his skin.Â
âI canât believe you defiled our poor, innocent, baby brother,â Josh dramatically scorned. He began mock-crying, going so far as to add in a few sniffles.Â
âHe was so pure, until you soiled him, Daniel. You should be ashamed.â Jake, with a tone similar to Joshâs, put his hands on his hips and shook his head. He even started âtskingâ them.Â
âThank you for defending my honor, Pippin and Merry, but if thereâs a point, get to it.â Sam had started to rub his temples with his fingers, seemingly getting a headache of his own.Â
Without saying a word, the twins exchanged glances with one another. Finally, Josh pulled his hands out from behind his back to reveal what he was holding: a cake. It was the size of those birthday cakes you see at the supermarket. It was decorated like one, too. The frosting was an assortment of colors, like someone melted down a rainbow and poured it on top. Except for the letters written in swirling calligraphy on top, which read-Â
â'Ur gay, Congrats'??â Sam read out loud.Â
âNow the whole world knows you guys are sexual deviants. The internet is losing their minds, just so you know.â Jake gestured with his hands as he talked, dropping the whole âclutching-my-pearlsâ act.Â
âCanât even look at my phone without seeing that video of you two sucking face,â Josh shuddered, setting down the cake on the coffee table in front of him.Â
Rhythm section had turned a vibrant shade of red akin to a stop light.Â
âI-It wasnât my fault,â Danny attempted, his eyes casting down to gaze at the carpet as he rubbed the back of his neck.Â
âLove potion again. We know,â Josh finished for Danny.Â
âYou two arenât exactly quiet,â Jake implied, crossing his arms over his chest. The smug smirk on his lips only made Danielâs embarrassment worse.Â
âCan you die of shame?â Sam groaned, his face in his hands as he flopped down onto the built-in sofa. Danny took the seat next to him, still refusing to meet anyoneâs eyes.Â
âYou werenât exactly trying to stop Danny, Samuel,â Josh prodded, checking his nails and looking wholly unbothered. But Danny could see the amusement in his eyes.Â
Samâs response came in the form of a middle finger poised in the general direction of his big brothers. The twins began howling in laughter at the other twoâs expense.Â
âItâs too easy,â Jake cried, wiping a tear from his eye as his laughter subsided.Â
âWeâve already gotten, like, a billion calls from various publishing outlets. I think you two should comment sooner rather than later before this gets too out of hand,â Josh advised, taking the spot to Dannyâs right. Jake squeezed in on Samâs left, the twins effectively sandwiching the boyfriends.Â
âYeah, yeah. We will. But for now, what flavor is this?â Sam pointed at the cake in front of him, his eyes lighting up at the promise of sugar. He didnât indulge often, but Daniel knew how bad Samâs sweet tooth could get.Â
âMarble, of course. Who do you think I am?â Josh made a face before throwing his hands up, seemingly offended at the possibility of him getting any other flavor.Â
The cake was cut up, distributing pieces out to everyone on the bus. The four bandmates all sat back down on the couch, ready to dive into their confections.Â
âTo Jake,â Daniel toasted, raising his plate in the air.Â
âWhy me?âÂ
âCause now everyone knows youâre the token straight of the band,â Sam explained, a teasing smile on his lips. Danny pointed at Sam, an approval confirming thatâs what Danny meant by the toast.Â
âTo Jake!â Josh laughed, hoisting his cake up.Â
jake kiszka was so brave when starting his band cause he could've recruited just about anybody but he was like no.....im going to pick everyone i have ever gotten into a fistfight with and my brothers geeky friend from church. the grammy shall be ours
Hey guys! Still working on the fic it's just taking longer than expected. In the meantime, here's a little sneak peek.
Love potions are real. Danny learned that the hard way last year. Though, he canât exactly say heâs mad about it. Theyâre the reason he and Sam are together, after all. But, after the whole âincidentâ of last year, Danny is not very eager to encounter another one in his lifetime. Heâs had his fill, thank you.Â
However, as fate would have it, he would not be so lucky.
Hello my lovelies! And Happy Valentine's Day! A la Bernie Sanders, I am once again asking for your opinion! Quite a few of you wanted another part to The Sound of Thunder (which is in the works!) however, I also have a wip for a part two of Enchanted. So...
which would you want to see published first?
The Sound of Thunder pt. 2
Enchanted pt. 2
Jacki button
Voting ended onFeb 15, 2025
(these both will be published down the line as well so don't fret over that either)
Hello my lovelies! And Happy Valentine's Day! A la Bernie Sanders, I am once again asking for your opinion! Quite a few of you wanted another part to The Sound of Thunder (which is in the works!) however, I also have a wip for a part two of Enchanted. So...
which would you want to see published first?
The Sound of Thunder pt. 2
Enchanted pt. 2
Jacki button
Voting ended onFeb 15, 2025
(these both will be published down the line as well so don't fret over that either)
Summary: When Sam was hired to catch Danny, he got more than he bargained for.
Tags: bounty hunter!Sam, outlaw!Danny, 1870s Arizona, getting together, slow burn, fluff, a touch of angst
Words: 14.9 k
A/N: Yeah when I said slow burn I meant it. I have no chill when it comes to cowboys. Couple of quick things: there's a character named Micah in this fic that is not based off of Josh's partner, but a character from rdr2 who I fucking hate. Secondly, I tried to be as period accurate as I could be (fun fact: did you know one of the most iconic Old West figures, Buffalo Bill, had long, curly hair?). Also, I referenced a certain singer multiple times in here; if you know who that is you win a gold star from me! Lastly, this fic's title is taken from Caught My Breath by Palace. Dedicated to @runwayblues. Enjoy!! <3
+++
âIâve never been real good at startinâ stories,â the outlaw admitted, the left corner of his lip pulling upwards in a wry way.Â
âWell, it sure is a good thing Iâm looking for the truth rather than a story, ainât it?â The other manâs boots made a heavy sound as they tapped down against the dusty wooden floor. A small metallic jingle resounded with each step as well, the spurs on his boots jostling as he circled the man tied to the chair in the center of the room.Â
That got a scoff of a laugh from the outlaw. His dark eyes followed the bounty hunter that circled him like a vulture; that comparison itself almost made him laugh again. The outlaw always thought bounty hunters were like those carrion birds: earning their keep from other peopleâs kills.Â
âWould you even believe me if I told it to ya?â the outlaw shot back, refusing to crane his neck as the bounty hunter walked behind him.Â
The bounty hunter sighed deeply, an annoyed sound that came from his bones. It amused the outlaw to no end.Â
âJust tell me what you were doinâ in Clearwater. Make it easy for the both of us,â the bounty hunter attempted to bargain, his patience wearing thin. He even pulled out his six-shot from its holster, twirling the weapon around on his finger just like his big brother taught him all those years ago. It wasnât meant to be an intimidation method, at least not entirely. It had been a habit of his ever since that pearl-handled revolver had been passed down to him.Â
âWhy? Pissinâ you off has been the highlight of my week.â A borderline cruel laugh tumbled from the outlawâs lips. His eyes glittered in the flame of the kerosene lamp that flickered on the desk in front of him - behind the bounty hunter - as he gazed into the quasi-lawmanâs eyes.Â
âYâknow,â the bounty hunter started, bending at his waist to be level with the current thorn in his side, refusing to be intimidated by his unwavering glare and only returning it ten-fold, âfor a fella in real deep shit, you sure are pushing your goddamn luck.âÂ
The outlaw wet his lips before smiling. It wasnât a friendly one, neither. It evoked images of snakes coiled up before striking, hammers on revolvers being cocked, and knives pressing into throats.Â
âAinât that worrying you, pretty boy?âÂ
âWhat, that you donât respect me? I already know youâre a fool.âÂ
That seemed to be just the right answer. That amusement finally reached the outlawâs eyes, sending an involuntary shiver down the bounty hunterâs spine.Â
âYou sure Iâm the fool?âÂ
As if on cue, a thunderous BOOM! ripped through the relative quiet of the immature night. The wall behind the bounty hunter of the single-room cabin the two were holed up in was blown clean open. The shockwave sent him to the ground, splinters showering down on him as the desk protected him from the major debris. The ringing in his ears muffled the sounds of men shouting, his head pounding from where it made contact with the floor. He wouldâve been consumed by the darkness encroaching on his vision if it hadnât been for the sensation of a boot toe turning him onto his back and the sharp sting of a large hand cracking him across the cheek.Â
âThat was fun, Kiszka! Letâs do it again sometime!â the outlaw hollered, his silhouette towering over him. He was cast in a silvery color, the light of the moon highlighting half of his face. His toothy smile seemed genuine, his amusement almost childlike as it scrunched up his prominent nose.Â
âDeadeye, letâs go! The whole place is gonna go up like a torch!â a disembodied voice shouted from where the wall had been blown up. The outlawâs attention was snapped to the voice, leaving the bounty hunter to feel a strange cold wash over him at the loss.
âBe right out!â he called back, his attention once again fixating back onto the bounty hunter. He pulled his pistol from where it was tucked into the bounty hunterâs belt, the man having confiscated it when he apprehended Deadeye. âCatch me if you can, pretty boy.âÂ
With a wink and a simultaneous click of his tongue, the outlaw dashed from the bounty hunterâs view and off to join his band of miscreants. Numerous hoofbeats followed shortly after, decrescendoing into the night. He could hear his own horse whinnying with fear as the cabinâs fire grew larger by the second.Â
With what little strength he had, Sam Kiszka pulled himself out of the debris and splinters. Gathering what little he could with such short notice, he hurried off to where his trusty steed was tethered. His entire body ached as he mounted up, his teeth gritted against the pain. His face burned as he whipped his horseâs reins and the fire blazing at his back could not be blamed.Â
That had been their first time meeting. Sam had been hired by the sheriff in the town of Clearwater to track down and capture the infamous âDeadeyeâ Wagner and his posse. There wasnât anything concrete, but the sheriff was pretty damn sure the outlaw that had been terrorizing their state for nearly a year was to blame for the batch of cattle hustling and home robberies that had taken place while they were in town.Â
âYouâre our best hope,â the sheriff had spoken right after Sam was given Deadeyeâs wanted poster. It wasnât meant as a slight, Sam knew that. But, he read between the lines of that statement.Â
Youâre our best hope since we canât hire your brothers.Â
Josh and Jake had been the best trackers and bounty hunters the west had ever seen. They were always in demand, often getting job offers multiple times in a single day and having letters written to them asking for their help. There was not a single bounty they couldnât bring to justice.Â
Until Reno.Â
Jake had caught that bullet in the throat and Josh couldnât shake it. He quit the life right after he shot the bastard who killed Jake between the eyes. He lives up in the mountains somewhere now; Sam will write to him when he has the time. But, as it is, Sam was left to take on the family business. He didnât know any other way of living, or else he mightâve been a ranch hand or something.Â
The Kiszka name didnât hold the same weight as it used to. And everyone knew that. Sure. Sam was good at his job, but his name no longer struck fear into the hearts of criminals like it had before Jake died. He wasnât as good as the twins were and he could sense that gap in skill each time he took on a job. He could see the patronizing look in their eyes as they longed to be hiring his brothers in his stead. He could hear the âyouâre not as good as themâ in their words. He felt their forced respect with each interaction.Â
But he kept doing his job. And he kept doing it well. He may not have had his brothersâ level of talent, but he was still far better than any other bounty hunter in the state.Â
And that was why he was specifically reached out to in order to find Deadeye. It had taken him longer than it would have finding other bounties, but Deadeye was no ordinary bounty. When that whole incident went down with the Diamondback Gang blowing up a house and Sam losing some of his hearing in his left ear, he had been tracking them for two weeks before he was finally able to be in the same town. It was another few days before Sam could catch the elusive Deadeye on his own.Â
Since then, it had been his personal mission to take down Deadeye himself. He didnât focus solely on catching the bastard - he needed money for food - but he always kept his eye out for any possible lead. Most of them had been completely useless, oftentimes coming to him when it was far too late and the Diamondbacks had already moved on. But, just as a broken clock is right twice a day, Sam will receive useful information from time to time.Â
And that was how Sam had found himself being the one tied to the chair this time around.Â
âYâknow, I was expectinâ you to show up again. But this certainly wasnât how I pictured it,â Deadeye drawled, leaning against the far wall and cast in shadow. Sam watched as the pocket knife he was tossing in his hand would catch the light of the kerosene lamp hanging from the ceiling.Â
âIâm almost afraid to ask what this daydream entailed,â Sam shot back, wriggling against the rough rope as it cut into his wrists. He knew they were going to be raw when he got out of them, he just hoped they didnât end up bloody by the end.Â
Deadeye chuckled at the statement, the sound reminiscent of thunder roiling. He pushed off from the wall, his boots heavily hitting the ground to fill the void of voices. It was just the two of them in that cellar; Deadeye had sent the rest of the Diamondbacks up to the house they had commandeered. Deadeye was sure to inform Sam that the house had belonged to a vile bastard who preyed on women. And, while it was still wrong to hang the man by dragging him behind his horse, Sam canât say he was particularly upset with the outlaw for his actions.Â
âWeâll just say that there was a lot less rope involved⌠and a lot more whiskey.âÂ
âHell, if youâre offerinâ Iâd sure as shit love a nip.â Sam never let his eyes stray from his captorâs face, but he also made sure to pay attention to the manâs hand that sat on his gun belt. While he was tossing the knife with his right hand, everyone knew that Deadeyeâs left hand was the one you should fear. He was the only left-handed draw in the state and the only one worth their salt in the whole country.Â
That earned Sam a laugh. A genuine one. It was saturated in smoke and rattled in his chest - no doubt a side effect of having been shot there a handful of years ago. But, nonetheless, it burned good as it hit his ears just like a good hard liquor slides down your throat.Â
âI knew I liked you,â the outlaw declared, finally slipping his hunting knife back into its spot next to the gun hanging from his hip. Immediately, it was replaced by a flask the man had pulled out from the inside breast pocket of his vest.Â
He uncapped it and took a pull of his own, walking slowly to the spot right in front of Sam. The bounty hunter watched as the manâs adamâs apple bobbed as he swallowed, the chords in his neck flexing as he tipped his head back.Â
âYou sure itâs a good idea to get drunk? Considerinâ youâre in the clutches of the man youâve been huntinâ for months?â Deadeye asked after pulling the flask away from his lips.Â
âThe way I see it: if Iâm gonna die, might as well get to enjoy something on the way out,â Sam professed, nodding his head towards the silver, engraved drink vessel.Â
Wagner obliged, carefully pressing the opening of the flask to Samâs lips. The bounty hunter tipped his head back, taking a long pull of the liquor. It burned as it slid down his gullet, but it didnât stop him from taking another gulp. He maintained the eye contact he held with the outlaw, something burning in him that couldnât be blamed on the whiskey.Â
âYou think Iâm gonna kill you?â Deadeye questioned, capping the flask before slipping it back into his vest pocket. There was a very faint quiver in his voice that was easily missed if you werenât paying attention. It was hushed with a clearing of the outlawâs throat.Â
âThat, or youâre tryna see just how much someone is willinâ to pay to set me free.â Sam wet his lips to catch the bead of whiskey that had pilled on his bottom lip. He watched as something strange happened to the outlawâs eyes in the flickering lamplight.Â
âThat so?âÂ
âIâll just go ahead and save you the trouble, friend. Ainât no one out there willinâ to spend a single cent on me,â Sam sardonically groused. He felt his temper worsen at his own words.Â
Deadeye just watched his captive for a while. There seemed to be something brewing underneath that curly head of hair he had, and Sam had the distinct feeling he wasnât gonna like the outcome. Now that the man knew Sam was practically worthless, he knew he was living off of borrowed time. There was a possibility - however slim - of him making it out of there alive, but he needed a distraction.Â
âThat ainât what I heard,â Deadeye finally responded.Â
âWhat you mean?â Sam had the distinct feeling Deadeye was toying with him, like he was luring Sam into a room only to pull the rug out from under him and get him to tumble unceremoniously to the ground. He didnât like it at all.Â
Deadeye shrugged, his arms crossing over his chest after sitting down in the only other chair in the place. Even in the limited light of the kerosene flame, Sam could see the way his shirt strained against the outlawâs shoulders.Â
âThe way I hear it, youâre the number one bounty hunter in the state. Costs a pretty penny to hire you.â Wagner had leaned back in the chair, his posture perfectly relaxed.Â
Kiszka couldnât help the scoff that tumbled from his lips. Bringing up his rate⌠how ridiculous. âPeople donât pay a ransom for their tools.âÂ
âThey would if they were smart. In this instance.âÂ
Sam gazed quizzically at his captor, as if he were a puzzle and the pieces were all scrambled.Â
âYouâre the only bastard whoâs been able to track me down twice,â Deadeye finally elaborated after Sam kept giving him a funny look.Â
While he talked, Sam slowly slid his leg back so that he could reach into his boot.Â
âTypically the âbastardsâ who hunt you down donât live too long after they find you,â Sam bit, the venom in his voice not intentional.Â
The outlaw laughed once more, this one having almost a nostalgic twang to it.Â
âThat just makes you one of a kind, pretty boy.âÂ
The nickname gave the bounty hunter pause. Heâd called Sam that before during their first meeting. It should have irritated him. It really should have.Â
âWhy ainât you killed me?â is what Sam asked. What he really meant was what makes me different?Â
âI already told you,â Wagner started, his voice sounding like honey as he leaned forward in the chair to look deeper into Samâs eyes, âI like you.â
âWhy?âÂ
Deadeye chuckled, a short little scoff of a laugh, and leaned back in his chair once more. ââCause. Youâre fun.âÂ
It was Samâs turn to scoff.Â
âAll we done is tie each other up. And your boys blowinâ me half to hell,â Sam quipped, the ringing in his left ear somehow getting louder at the memory.Â
âYeah, but you seem to be forgettinâ exactly how you got me in that chair. I ainât never been bush-whacked by a fella who lassoed me first,â Deadeye admitted, amusement dripping from his tone and from the toothy grin he wore.Â
The rope around Samâs wrists loosened. He slowly and carefully closed the small pocket knife before slipping it back into his boot.Â
âYou say that like you often get kidnapped,â Sam dryly pointed out, carefully unwinding the rope from his wrists and coiling it up in his hands. He was diligently keeping his wrists together, miming that they were still tied up.Â
âYou said it yourself. Iâve been hunted down quite a lot in my time.â Sam had wished that Wagner had taken off his hat so that he might see the outlawâs eyes. Something told him from the way that he kept his voice carefully level, Deadeye was masking how he truly felt about that. Something that his eyes wouldnât be able to hide. Was he mad? Scared? Amused? Sam was dying to know. For what reason it made his curiosity burn, Kiszka couldnât tell you.Â
There was a beat where Deadeye waited for the bounty hunter to speak. Like a breath being held, there was a palpable pause as they both waited for conversation. And Sam did answer.Â
But it wasnât with words.Â
Sam took the opportunity to lunge at his opponent and tackle him to the ground. Both of their chairs fell to the ground with a thunderous CRASH! and Deadeyeâs even splintered into hundreds of pieces as it took the weight of both fully grown men. The bounty hunter used the rope he cut off his wrists to press into Wagnerâs throat; not enough pressure to choke the man to death, but enough that the outlaw knew Sam could do that if he needed to. He straddled the man under him, his knees on either side of Deadeyeâs hips.Â
For some strange reason, and before Sam could even voice his demands, the outlaw started to laugh. It wasnât a pure laugh like a childâs, but one that was full of a twisted kind of delight. The bastard had a cocky smile on his lips, the left corner of his mouth pulling up in a crooked, toothy grin. It made a shiver go down Samâs spine, one that he had to suppress from wracking his entire body.Â
âWell, partner, you have my full attention, now,â Deadeye breathed, both of his hands facing upwards in a show of his surrender to Sam. It was a strange thing.Â
Sam pulled Deadeyeâs revolver out of the manâs holster and pointed it right at his head. âYou let me walk right on outta here and no one has to die, alright?âÂ
They both knew that Deadeye was the stronger man of them both. If he wanted, he could turn the tides of this situation in the blink of an eye. Yet, for some reason, he was letting Sam be in control.Â
No doubt in reaction to the commotion Sam had caused when he attacked their boss, a few of the Diamondbacks burst through the door of the cellar the two men were in. Kiszka instantly turned the gun to them out of instinct, noting how they each had a rifle or revolver of their own.Â
âYou sneaky BASTARD! He got the boss!â One of them yelled, causing Sam to point the gun right back at Deadeyeâs head.Â
âMake one wrong move and Iâll paint this floor with his brains, you hear?!â Kiszka shouted back, his free hand fisting Wagnerâs shirt collar and pressing him harder into the floor.Â
âOhhhhhh, we all know you ainât got the stomach for that, pretty boy,â the same man hissed, bringing his rifle up to his eye and pulling on the lever to rack in a shot.Â
Sam bristled at the usage of the nickname.Â
âYou wanna take that chance?â Sam slowly threatened, never breaking eye contact with that particular Diamondback.Â
âLucky Iâm-â
âEnough!âÂ
Deadeyeâs voice cut through the air. It was a commanding presence, one that even made Sam obey. Though, given the way that Deadeye was looking at his crew, Sam was not the one he directed that order to.Â
There wasnât another word uttered out of Wagnerâs mouth. Yet, somehow, he made his crew lower their weapons. Reluctantly, of course, if the way they all still gripped their guns tightly and kept their fingers on the trigger was any indication. Each one wore a scowl that could curdle milk.Â
Finally, Deadeyeâs attention fell back onto Sam. Despite being the one with the gun pressed into his temple, Sam couldnât shake the feeling that Wagner was in control.Â
âLet âem go, boys,â the outlaw smoothly ordered, his eyes never leaving Samâs. From this proximity, Sam saw that they were a light brown with hints of green in them. They reminded Sam of a mossy tree you might see in a cold forest after a heavy rain.Â
âWhat!?â the Diamondback that Sam was arguing with earlier hissed, clearly unhappy with that decision.Â
âIsaiah, get Micah outta here! Before I slit his throat!â Deadeye waved his hand animatedly at the men above his head. It was the first time Sam had witnessed the outlawâs infamous rage. Heâd heard about it from the survivors of his gangâs attacks and read about it, too. But it was much more powerful experiencing it first-hand. And Sam had the feeling heâd only seen a glimpse of it.Â
Just like heâd asked, one of the Diamondbacks - Isaiah - grabbed the confrontational member - Micah - and dragged him out of the room. From the looks of it, no one was upset at this change.Â
âYouâre good, Sam,â Deadeye praised, that dark amusement back in his tone as he slowly rose to his elbows, âreal good.âÂ
Sam slowly pulled the gun off of the outlawâs temple, but kept the barrel pointed at him. You couldnât be too careful when facing down a predator.Â
âYour skills, wellâŚâ Wagner slid out from under Sam, getting to his feet with Sam quick to follow, âYou certainly live up to the stories, if not more so.âÂ
âI donât rightly get you, friend,â the bounty hunter huffed, his frustration at Deadeyeâs confusing treatment of him finally showing outwardly. At least a little.Â
Wagner chuckled. ââCourse you wouldnât. Not yet, at least.â He said the last part under his breath.Â
Even though Sam was still pointing his own gun at him, Deadeye seemed to be as relaxed as a lizard sunbathing on a rock. His hands were still up in surrender, yet it seemed more of a formality than an act of self-preservation.Â
The outlaw jerked his head towards the door where his men were watching everything go down, their guns still lowered but trigger fingers in position waiting to pounce. âGo on out. They wonât give you no trouble, I promise.âÂ
Sam cast his eyes towards the stairs quickly, placing them back onto Deadeye. While still facing his opponent, Sam made side-steps towards the exit. He still kept the gun trained on the outlaw as insurance that his posse wouldnât shoot him in the back.Â
Just as he made it up the stairs and to the threshold, Deadeye called out to him. âOh, and Sam? Think about what I said.âÂ
The bounty hunter felt that confused frustration shoot through his bloodstream again. Involuntarily, his hand clenched around the handle of the revolver. âAbout what, exactly? You said a lotta things.âÂ
âYouâre an intelligent man, pretty boy. Youâll figure it out,â Wagner answered, his tone bordering on a whisper as his voice smoothly flowed from his lips. His smirk was dripping with that twisted amusement, giving Sam the feeling of a predator toying with his food.Â
Before Deadeye could change his mind about setting Sam free, the man booked it for his horse. Sam whipped his mareâs reins and had her take off into a full gallop, wanting to put as much distance between him and that confusing criminal as possible.Â
It wasnât until after heâd finally stopped to rest for the night that the bounty hunter realized heâd still possessed Deadeyeâs revolver.Â
+++
The next time they met was a complete accident.Â
No, really.Â
Sam hadnât taken to pursuing the Diamondbacks for months. He wanted to leave them be for the time being. And it wasnât because of the confounding way that Deadeye made Sam feel. It wasnât that at all so donât even try to accuse Sam of that.Â
Itâs just that- well- Sam was busy. He did have a life outside of Deadeye and his band of miscreants. And that life included tracking down other criminals so that he could feed himself and his horse, Sundown.Â
In fact, it was while he was chasing one of those other law breakers that he found himself in Deadeye Wagnerâs company once more. They were following the same lead, it seemed.Â
âYou lookinâ for Cotton Jenny, too?â the general store owner questioned, not even bothering to look up from the ledger he was scribbling in to address Sam. Kiszka was surprised, to say the least.Â
âYes, sir. Howâd you know?â Sam answered, adjusting the bandana around his neck as a nervous habit.Â
âSon, Iâve been âround long enough to know a bounty hunter when I see one,â the shop owner answered irately, his big, grey eyebrows furrowing as he continued to write in his ledger.Â
Kiszka had to suppress a scoff. âOnly people who recognize bounty hunters are other bounty hunters⌠and crooks.âÂ
The proprietor ceased writing, finally looking up from his book. His wrinkled face told the story of a hard-fought man - a tired one. One that gave credence to the saying âbeware of a man who grew old in an environment where people die youngâ.Â
âWe all got our pasts, boy,â he darkly growled like a greying attack dog.Â
âSure,â Sam drawled, his spurs jingling as he took a step towards the old man, âand some of us canât outrun âem.âÂ
The shopkeep laughed; one single, dry cough of absurdity. âYou say that like you got ghosts followinâ you.âÂ
âJust like you said, we all got our pasts, mister,â Sam spoke placatingly, taking another step towards the old man, shrugging his shoulders as he rested his hands on his gun belt, âand right now, the only past Iâm interested in is Cotton Jennyâs. And if you help me, Iâll make it worth your while.âÂ
The shopkeeper and the bounty hunter stared at one another for a moment, each one deciding how they felt about the other and preparing for if that opinion was bad. But, like a frozen river breaks like a bone in a spring thaw, Sam watched as a smile slowly crept up under that bushy, white mustache.Â
âI like you, kid.â Samâs mind echoed those same words in Deadeyeâs voice. It had been months, yet he could still hear his voice like he was next to his ear.Â
Sam felt his shoulders relax, realizing he wasnât in imminent danger any longer. He never let his hand stray from his gun belt, though. He knew better.Â
âIâm bettinâ youâre wantinâ to know where sheâs holed up,â the shopkeeper inferred, closing his ledger as a signal to Sam that he had the manâs attention.Â
âYes, sir. Any information youâve got on her would be helpful.â Sam nodded his head, having to adjust his hat as it slid down on his forehead a touch.Â
âLast anyone heard, she was seen hidinâ with her gang âround Cherokee Bend. If you follow the river south a ways, youâll see a bend in the bank. Keep goinâ a bit off the beaten path, thereâs an old cabin there.âÂ
Sam repeated the directions in his head twice. He didnât want to get a single detail wrong. With a nod of his head, Sam reached into his satchel and pulled out a bill fold.Â
âThank you,â he politely hummed, setting the five dollars in singles on the counter. The metal clip made a dull thud against the worn wood of the counter, the light green stark against the elm board.Â
Just as Sam lifted up the handle of the shop door and pulled it open, the store clerk called after him.Â
âJennyâs got a real big price on her head, son. That tends to draw in other folk who might not be so honest,â he warned, his tobacco soaked throat making his voice gruff and scratchy. It spoke of experience, his warning.
Sam simply hummed a small laugh, glancing over his shoulder at the man. âI know, sir.â He spoke from experience, too.Â
And with that, Sam tipped his hat to the store owner and walked out into the burning sun of the evening. His stomach grumbled in anger, reminding the man that he hadnât eaten since the morning. And while he still had canned food in his saddle bags, Heâd rather get shot in the stomach than have to force down that metallic tasting sludge again. Goddamnit, heâd pay the odd sum of dollars to get a fresh cooked meal.Â
So that pointed his boots in the direction of the saloon.Â
Usually, he tended to stay away from whiskey bars and gin joints as much as he could. That was where most of his enemies would reside drinking themselves stupid. And, truly, there was nothing more dangerous to his health than a man with a gun and a mind full of liquor. Especially since his family had put away the most criminals this side of the Mississippi. That created a lot of enemies.Â
With that in mind, Sam strode into the saloon and cautiously scanned the room. No one immediately stood out to him, which was always a good sign. It was early enough in the day that the patrons werenât very drunk yet, but it was clear that many of the men were not on their first drink of the day.Â
Kiszka kept his hand close to his gun as he walked, but never made the mistake of touching it. That was a sure-fire way to start a fight. He was able to reach the bar without incident, ordering himself a cut of pork loin, greens, and potatoes. And a beer. What? He never said he didnât drink.Â
While Sam waited for his meal to arrive, he tried his best to keep his head down. His head had been pounding from the moment he opened his eyes, and the only relief he got was when he closed them. Though his sight was removed, his sense of hearing sharpened. He could hear the rumble of conversation, the clink of glasses, the thud of boots, and the door opening. But he kept his eyes shut.
That was his first mistake.Â
âWell, Iâll be damned,â a familiar drawl voiced to Samâs left, a sense of cold dread washing over the bounty hunter as he recognized the speaker, âPretty Boy Kiszka, as I live and breathe!âÂ
âWagner,â Sam blandly greeted, not even bothering to even look his way, much less open his eyes.
âAwwww, donât be like that! Ainât you happy to see an old friend?â Deadeye threw his arm around Samâs shoulders, jostling the man and nearly making him lose his balance.Â
âWe ainât friends,â Sam growled, throwing the unwanted touch off of him. He shot the criminal a scowl pointed enough to kill a man. He shouldâve known that wouldnât deter the likes of Deadeye.Â
âSure we are,â Deadeye drawled, cozying up right next to Kiszka. The bounty hunter just rolled his eyes, but didnât comment. At that point, he figured it would be less of a fuss to just let Deadeye do his thing then try to shove him away.Â
âWhat brings you to the humble little town of Acacia?â Wagner trudged on, willfully ignoring all of Samâs cues to leave him alone.Â
âAinât no business of yours,â Sam hissed, the bartender finally placing his meal and drink down in front of him. He immediately took a swig of his beer, needing something to get through this interaction.Â
For a brief moment, Deadeye didnât say or do anything. He watched Sam as the man ate his dinner with intensely intrigued eyes. Almost as if he was studying his every move; like that would give him the answers he sought.Â
âYouâre goinâ after Cotton Jenny.â It was a fact. Thatâs how he said it. As certain as death coming his way one day, Sam was going after Cotton Jenny.Â
Sam made his next mistake here. He froze. His fork was halfway to his mouth when his entire body went rigid. That was all the confirmation needed.Â
The outlaw wore a satisfied grin on his face and leaned his elbows on the bar, his back pressing into the wooden counter.Â
âThatâs a risky business to take on all by your lonesome, cowboy,â Danny continued, his voice dripping with something saccharin. If Sam hadnât known any better, he wouldâve guessed the man was flirting.
âWho said I was alone?âÂ
The smile on Deadeyeâs face at Samâs comment made him realize heâd played right into the outlawâs hands. He wanted to pound his head into the wall for his stupidity.Â
âI know you, Kiszka. You ainât ran with no one since your brothers.âÂ
So what if he was right? Sam didnât like the idea of this outlaw pretending to be friendly with him.Â
âIf you got a point, Wagner, I suggest you make it and quick.â Samâs jaw was clenched together as he spoke.Â
âLet us ride with ya.â It was as plain as that. At least, thatâs what Deadeyeâs tone suggested. But Sam knew there was a catch. He wanted something out of this deal.Â
âAnd I suppose that means you and your posse get a cut of the reward, too?â Kiszka scoffed, finally taking a bite of pork. It was a little dry, but, damn if it werenât better than the shit heâd been eating out of cans for weeks.Â
âThe moneyâs all yours, Pretty Boy.âÂ
Now it was Samâs turn to study the outlaw. There was a knit in his brow as his eyes scanned Deadeye for any hint of deception. It was too good to be true.Â
âBullshit,â Sam called, taking another drink of his beer and shaking his head.Â
âWe donât need it. Me and the boys just- well⌠Youâll be readinâ âbout it in the papers soon enough.â Deadeye leaned in towards Sam as he spoke, mere inches away from one another. Sam ignored the way his husky tone made him want to shiver. Â
âI should arrest you for that,â Sam argued, his voice also dipping towards the sultry side. He wasnât aware of his tone or else he wouldnât have employed it. Which makes it all the more incriminating.Â
âBut you wonât,â Wagner confidently purred, his eyes darting down to the bounty hunterâs lips as he leaned even closer.Â
Many eyes in the saloon were fixated on the pair, now. Not that either of them noticed. They were all waiting for one of the men to throw a punch at the other. To spit in the otherâs face. To grab them by the lapels and throw them to the ground. That was how tense the air was between the two figures.Â
âSo, we doinâ this or not?â Deadeye asked after the two continued to stare at one another for too long.Â
Sam sighed and looked down at his plate. He bought himself some time to think as he took another bite of his dinner. While he hated to admit it, Deadeye was right. Going on this job by himself was dangerous. Then again, he went on every job by himself no matter the danger. But Cotton Jennyâs price was high for a reason.Â
Can you trust him?
That was the big question, wasnât it? Could he trust Wagner with his life? He had spared Sam twice, now. But those times were different. There would be gunfights, bloodshed, and possibly death. How did he know Wagner wouldnât tuck tail and run?Â
Taking one more drink of beer, Sam made his third mistake of the night.
âFine. But weâre doinâ this my way, got it?â Kiszka growled. He slammed the bottle onto the bar, turning to look the outlaw in the eyes.Â
âOf course, boss. Your word is my command,â Wagner agreed, making a show of splaying his hands out and lowering his head to submit to Sam. It made the bounty hunterâs hackles rise.Â
âMeet me at the millinerâs in an hour. Gives you enough time to gather your crew,â Sam mumbled, shaking his head at the display. He felt his lip curl back in disgust at Deadeye and his âsubmissionâ the longer he thought about it.Â
âYou need a new hat, mâlady?â Deadeye joked, poking fun at the location Sam chose.Â
âGet outta here and let me finish my goddamn meal!â Kiszka barked, nudging the outlaw away from him and towards the door. He grudgingly followed the order, Deadeyeâs boots jangling with each heavy step.Â
âHey,â the bounty hunter called out before Deadeye could reach for the door handle, âdonât make me regret this.âÂ
Wagnerâs lips pulled up at one corner. He tipped his hat in acknowledgement before disappearing out the door.Â
This is one of the stupidest ideas youâve ever had, Kiszka.Â
+++
Two hours or so after they had met up at the south end of town, they made their way back with Cotton Jenny hogtied on the back of Samâs horse, Sundown. It had gone surprisingly well for them; not a single death on their side and only one injury. Good olâ Micah had gone and gotten himself grazed by a bullet in the side. Lotta blood, but nothing too serious as long as he saw a doctor. With the way he was belly aching about it, though, youâd assume he was taking his final breaths.Â
âSon of a BITCH!!â He cried for the fourth time as they followed the river back towards Acacia.Â
âOh, can it, would ya??â Isaiah cried, finally fed up with his acquaintanceâs bluster.Â
âWhy we lettinâ Pretty Boy get the money, huh? We did all the hard work!â Micah griped, nudging his horse closer to Deadeyeâs.Â
âCause I said so.â Deadeye left no room for argument. Yet, the annoying bastard was able to find that tiny margin for error.Â
âYou wanna ânother bullet in ya, Micah? Cause we both know I ainât one to miss,â Deadeye hissed at his subordinate. He even went so far as to draw his pistol from its holster and point it between Micahâs eyes.Â
âThatâs enough!â Sam yelled, cutting through the argument. âIsaiah, Virgil, take Micah with ya to the doctorâs. Deadeye, you ride with me to the city lock up. Ainât nobody shootinâ no one, is that clear?âÂ
All the other men begrudgingly sighed, doing as ordered. Isaiah and Virgil, the fourth man to join from Deadeyeâs crew, escorted Micah to the doctorâs office, having to veer off of the path Deadeye and Sam were taking to get to the North end of town faster. That left Deadeye and Sam by themselves. With Cotton Jenny of course.Â
She had started making these panicked noises a little bit into the trip, catching the outlawâs attention.Â
âWhatâs up with her?âÂ
Sam glanced at the woman tied up on his horse. He noticed how she kept trying to get the gag off that Deadeye had stuffed into her mouth.Â
âShe canât breathe,â Sam answered, reaching around with a hand free from his reins and pulling the cloth out of her mouth. It was hard enough breathing on the back of a horse when the damn thing was bucking into your ribs, Sam should know.Â
As soon as he pulled it out, Jenny started gasping for breath. It was only a matter of time before she started yelling.Â
âDeadeye, you rotten son of a bitch!! I oughta skin you and bleed you dry!!âÂ
Sam couldnât help the laugh that burst from his lips. That certainly wasnât what he was expecting.Â
âUsually Iâm the one gettinâ cursed out,â Sam admitted, an amused smile on his face as he watched Wagner change color.Â
âYou yellow, no good, RAT! Youâre a lyinâ snake with no goddamn guts!!â Jenny continued, ignoring Sam completely.Â
âThatâs enough, Jen,â Deadeye hissed, the warning very clear in his words.Â
âYou sold me out to the law! Not only that, you helped bring me in all âcause some pretty boy batted his lashes at ya!!âÂ
âWhatâs she talkinâ âbout?â Sam inquired, searching the other manâs face. There was anger burning in his eyes, no doubt, but underneath that was something that looked like embarrassment on the outlawâs face.Â
âDunno,â Wagner attempted. Sam was starting to realize just how bad of a liar Deadeye was.Â
âBullshit! We had a deal-â
âAnd deals can go sour, canât they? Youâd know that better than anyone, Jennifer,â Wagner spat at the woman, a sneer curling his lips.Â
Sam was only left more puzzled than before.Â
âCâmon. Weâre wastinâ time,â Deadeye quickly said before urging his horse to speed up. It wasnât long before Wagner was far up ahead of Sam and Cotton Jenny.Â
Feeling thoroughly lost, Sam had Sundown pick up speed as well. He couldnât push her as hard as Deadeyeâs gelding, given the extra weight on her back.Â
âYou ruined everything,â the woman spat after a minute or two in silence.Â
âYeah, yeah. Heard it all before. I suggest you save your breath for the judge,â Sam tiredly responded. His headache still hadnât let up and he just wanted some goddamn quiet.Â
âEverythinâ was fine âtween us âtil you came âround.âÂ
That struck Kiszka like a bolt of lightning.Â
âYou meanâŚâÂ
There was a bitter silence from Cotton Jenny. It was all the confirmation Sam needed.Â
âDeadeye goes through women like cigars. Heâll use âem âtil he gets bored and finds himself a new one,â Jenny sourly spat. There was a loneliness underneath her vitriol.Â
The bounty hunterâs head felt like it was spinning like a top.Â
âMy advice? Donât get too comfortable. Heâll get bored with ya sooner or later.âÂ
âWhy are you tellinâ me this?â Sam asked, feeling extremely disoriented despite knowing exactly where he was.Â
Cotton Jenny laughed at Sam. It wasnât a pretty sound.Â
âItâs a good thing youâre pretty, bounty hunter. âCause clearly that head of yours ainât made for thikinâ.âÂ
Even though the rest of the ride went by in silence, Samâs head was louder than cannon fire. His mind kept racing through everything Cotton Jenny had said, repeating it over and over again on a loop. And just as usual, Sam felt confounded when it came to Deadeye and his motivations.Â
When they finally reached the sheriff's office, Sam was relieved to finally be rid of Cotton Jenny and her confusing words. Deadeye was waiting by the building already, horse hitched and leaning against a pillar with a smoke between his lips. Sam hitched Sundown right next to Deadeyeâs gelding, using his knife to cut the rope around Jennyâs ankles before pulling her off the horse.Â
âNo sudden moves and you get to keep your head intact, got it?â Sam threatened, his off-hand pistol pressed into her pretty black hair at the back of her head.Â
âI see why you like this one so much,â Cotton Jenny commented to Deadeye, a sourness to her tone.Â
No one said a word as Wagner opened the door to the sheriffâs, watching Sam as he walked past. Sam wasted no time marching the woman into an open cell and slamming the door behind her. He was given half of the reward right then, being told to come back next week for the rest of it when payroll came.Â
âYou did real good back there,â Wagner warmly complimented, blowing smoke from his lips, âlike you fit right in with us.âÂ
âDonât.â was all Sam said. He rubbed at his temple with his free hand, his headache only worsening since Wagner approached him at the saloon. The constant ringing in his left ear, usually only a minor inconvenience, was now excruciating to his poor head. He wanted nothing more than to sit in a dark, silent room for days.Â
The outlaw held up his hands in surrender. He took a solitary step back, a display to placate Sam and nothing more. There was no real danger Kiszka posed - to Wagner, anyway - and they both knew that.Â
It was during this mock display that he noticed the gun Sam was holding.Â
âNice pistol ya got there, pretty boy,â Deadeye drawled, his voice reminiscent of dripping honey.Â
Sam, slightly confused about the rapid change of topic, looked down at the revolver still in his hand. It was a custom one; one only a man with money to burn could pay for. Gold inlays on the blackened steel glowed in the moonlight shining down on them. Right below the hammer was an etched eye, the crying thing Xed out in gold.Â
Sam knew instantly what Deadeye was doing. It was his gun, after all. The one Sam had stolen from him the last time they were face to face. He decided to play dumb. He looked between the outlaw and the gun like he thought Wagner was acting strange.Â
âWhat about it?âÂ
Deadeye caught his eye. The knowing smirk sent a chill down Samâs spine.Â
âJust looks real familiar, is all.â Wagner shrugged his shoulders, a lazy gesture that almost felt too casual. Like he practiced it.Â
That was when Sam ârealizedâ. When he forced his face to light up in recognition and shot his eyebrows up. âOh,â he mumbled.Â
The gun wasnât balanced well enough for him to spin it around his finger gracefully, but he did so anyway. He allowed the weapon to dance in his hand before holding it by the cylinder and barrel, extending the handle towards the outlaw.Â
A silent moment passed between them. A moment where, even in the rapidly cooling desert night where bugs and beasts were aplenty, you could hear someoneâs heartbeat. And Sam did; only it was his own. He forced his hand to steady as he kept it held out, watching Deadeye watch him. The outlaw kept his hands rested on his gun belt, all fluid lines and casual nature that was most certainly practiced.Â
It had to be a trick of the light. There was no way Wagnerâs eyes were able to glitter in the manner that they did as he huffed out a warm, amused laugh.Â
âKeep it. You took it from me, fair and square.â Wagner left the steps of the sheriffâs office. It seemed he remembered there was also a price on his head.Â
Sam felt his headache crash into him like a gunshot, making him wince and have to brace himself against the pillar to his left. By the time he opened his eyes again, Deadeye was mounted up and pointing his horse down the road.Â
âIt looks better with you, anyway.â His compliment was accented by a smile bright enough to blind a man.Â
âWhere are you headinâ?â Sam called out. He had to ignore the compliment. It had too many implications that Sam was not equipped with understanding in his hindered state.Â
âThat would ruin the fun if I told ya, wouldnât it?â Once again, his voice sounded like dripping honey.Â
Kiszka let out a frustrated growl. âFor once would ya just answer my goddamn questions??âÂ
Deadeye laughed. It was hearty and forceful, enough to make his head tip back like a wolf howling at the moon.Â
âSee ya around, cowboy,â Deadeye drawled, permeated by a wink that made something flutter in Samâs chest. Then, he whipped his geldingâs reins and tore off into the night.Â
Sam watched him go. He wasnât quite sure why. He knew he wasnât going to go after the outlaw. But once his form completely vanished from view, Sam huffed a sigh and shoved his gifted revolver into its holster.Â
+++
It was cold, now. Even though he was still technically in the desert, Sam watched his breath ghost out in front of him as he pulled his wool-lined coat tighter around his shoulders. Guess that was to be expected in the mountains in February. Thankfully, the heavy snow had let up. No longer did he have to wonder if anyone would be able to find his and Sundownâs bodies under 6 feet of snow.Â
The snow that was falling right now was the kind that was more atmospheric. They were small flakes that lazily, yet gracefully, floated onto the ground. Barely enough to dust the top of his hat or Sundownâs mane. Still pretty all the same. Even though he spent his days in the scorching sand, Sam had always loved the snow. It reminded him of home; of simpler times when his brothers were still around.Â
Speaking of: thatâs where he was off to. To see his brother, not back east. It had been one of the very rare instances where Sam wasnât working. Thatâs not to say that people werenât trying to hire his services. He was sure there was going to be a pile of letters addressed to him when his vacation was over.Â
No, Sam was taking a break for a while. His last job, well⌠Letâs just say it was way too close to Jakeâs last job. And that was when he realized he hadnât seen Josh in⌠shit, two years. So, he wrote his big brother a letter and packed for a long journey.Â
He was almost there. It was at the point where Sam was close enough that he could make it to Joshâs cabin by daylight. But Sundown was getting tired. He knew she was. So, instead of going right at the fork in the road, Sam went left. Josh had mentioned there was a town with an inn nearby if he needed it. And if the signage was to be believed, he had just reached it.Â
It wasnât a big town. Then again, lumber towns really werenât. Unlike Tombstone, lumber didnât offer the promise of âget rich, quick!!â like the silver industry had. So there was no rush to live in the town of Cedarville. But, it had a general store, blacksmith, an inn, and a stable. So, all things considered, a nice little town.Â
Kiszka stabled Sundown for the night, paying the extra few cents needed to get her an extra blanket in this chilly weather. He gave her a few pats on the nose and the explicit instructions to get some rest before he made his way to the inn next door. It was warm; something he first noticed when pushing through the door. Even though the snow had stopped, the wind decided to pick up, cutting through any layer of protection Sam might have had.Â
When he stumbled inside, he took his hat off and left it on the rack. He shook his long hair out, feeling the strands smack against his cheeks after they were released from their prison inside his hat. It felt as if the cold would never leak out of his bones, but damn if he wasnât gonna try. He kept his jacket on, walking over to the bartender slinging whiskey and gin to jovial, ruddy-faced patrons.Â
âWhat can I do ya for, partner?â the barkeep inquired, offering a kind smile that reached his eyes.Â
âGot any rooms left?â Sam cut right to the chase, a chill racking his bones despite the burning parlor stove at his right.Â
The manâs smile dimmed at the question. Samâs heart sank.Â
âHate to tell ya this, friend, but a man came in here yesterday and booked all the rooms available. Sorry, friend.â And Sam truly believed him. That he was sorry.Â
With a huff, the bounty hunter hung his head. It was just his luck, wasnât it?Â
âYou know anywhere else I can rest for the night?â Sam had questioned, trying his best to keep his bone-tired weariness out of his words. He was certain he failed.Â
âYou can try Mrs. Cohenâs down the way⌠sheâs a widow with a boarder. Maybe sheâs got somethinâ for ya. But I wouldnât hold your breath,â the middle-aged man sighed. He produced a cloth from one of the pockets in his apron to wipe up a wet spot from a patronâs spilled libation.Â
Sam nodded his head in thanks, a deep sigh slipping out of his lungs. He knew he had to go back out in that weather. He had just started to get a little bit warmer, too.Â
Before he could even get his hat off the hat rack, however, he had been stopped by one of the patrons.Â
âHey, I know you,â he slurred, a dopey grin on his lips. .
âIâm sure ya do, partner,â Sam groused, being polite as he could feel with his mood souring at the prospect of freezing his balls off again. He flashed the man a tight smile before turning towards the door, hat in his hand.Â
Sam froze. He could feel his muscles turn to stone as the words reached his ears.Â
âNah. That ainât it. Kiss-ya!âÂ
There was only one person who called him by that name.Â
âKiszka,â Sam corrected, his fingernails digging into his palms. My damn bad luck.Â
âKiszka! Thatâs the one! Pretty Boy Kiszka! No fuckinâ way - Deadeye was just talkinâ about you!â The drunk patronâs voice was thundering. It was loud enough that Sam protectively covered his right ear - a habit he picked up after mostly losing function of his left one.Â
âWas he now?â Sam gritted out. Of all the damn places in the state of Arizona, he happened to walk into the very same one as Deadeye fucking Wagner.Â
âShit, he couldnât keep your name outta his damn mouth! It was all âpretty boyâ this and âpretty boyâ that! Sounded like my damn teenage daughter about the boy sheâs courtinâ, Iâll tell you what.âÂ
Sam couldnât stop himself from spinning on his heel. He wasnât sure what about the man just admitted to him was so flummoxing, but it felt as if his heart was trying to take flight like a startled bird.Â
âIâm gonna go get that sorry sonofabitch. Heâll be so happy youâre here!âÂ
Before Sam could even register what the drunkard had said, the man had stumbled over to a table full of rowdy men. He stopped at the man with his back directly to Sam. And, really, Sam shouldâve realized Deadeye was here earlier. Because as soon as he saw that head of chocolate curls, he knew. He knew exactly who was in front of him.Â
Rising out of his chair and turning on his heel with a practiced grace was none other than Deadeye Wagner. The second he locked eyes with Kiszka, a charming smirk grew across his face. One that made Sam feel weak in the knees and forced him to lock his jaw so as not to say anything stupid. It made his chest flutter in anger and his face burn with it.Â
âWe gotta stop meetinâ like this, pretty boy,â Deadeye drawled. And suddenly, Sam didnât feel all that cold anymore.Â
Kiszka forced himself to breathe. He knew if he didnât take a momentâs pause, heâd make a fool out of himself. So he focused on the way his lungs expanded to take in the scent of burning coal from the parlor stove and the tobacco smoke floating in the air.Â
âAlways a pleasure, Wagner.â Samâs pleasantry was very forced, something he was certain the outlaw would catch. He just couldnât find the energy to be more convincing. His luck had run out and he was weary from his long journey.Â
âI thought we were past all this sourness-â Deadeye cut himself off. His lips had formed a word, but he clamped them shut to prevent them from speaking it. He was thrown off by his own actions, if his nervous titter of a laugh was any indication.Â
Kiszka elected to ignore the⌠whatever that was⌠for the time being.Â
âItâs been a long journey. I ainât in the mood for yourâŚâ Sam vaguely gestured at Deadeye. He hoped the message came across. He wasnât exactly sure there was a nice way of saying âthe way we interact confuses me to no end and it exhausts meâ.Â
Wagner clicked his tongue in a way that suggested sympathy but felt condescending. âYou poor thing,â he cooed, wrapping his arm around Samâs shoulders.Â
Sam blames his surprise at the touch for how long it took him to throw Deadeyeâs arm off. Despite the roughness he used, Deadeye didnât seem upset by the action. Instead, he just laughed.Â
âDo not patronize me,â Sam hissed, his temper worsening just from being in proximity of his⌠shit, what was Deadeye to him? An enemy? But you donât typically team up with an enemy. His rival? Theyâd have to be in the same line of work to be rivals.Â
Well, whatever he was, Sam knew that Wagner confounded and confused him more than any other person he had ever known. Any time he even thought about the man - which, Sam had to begrudgingly admit, was very frequent as of late - he felt a confusing swirl of emotions deep in his gut. It was confusing to the poor bounty hunter and it only made him angry.Â
âSure thing, sugar,â Deadeye smoothly responded, slithering his arm back onto Samâs shoulders. âWhat brings you âround these parts?âÂ
Sam forced himself to count to five. And then ten. He was trying to get under Sammyâs skin and he wasnât going to allow the man to win.Â
âWhatâs it to you?â Sam spat back. It wasnât as calm as he had hoped, but it wasnât as venomous as it could be.Â
âJust tryinâ to see how long youâre fixinâ to stay, is all. No need to act like a rattlesnake, pretty boy.â It was right in his ear, the words Deadeye spoke. Kiszka could feel the warmth of his breath caressing the skin of his ear and cheek as he leaned towards the bounty hunter to talk.Â
Samâs fingernails dug into his palms to stave off the shiver that wanted to wrack his body.Â
âSeems I gotta find another place to sleep. Some bastard came along and rented out the rest of the available rooms here,â Sam grumbled, his sour mood still ever present. It only worsened when he talked about the major inconvenience.Â
âThat was me.âÂ
âWhat?â Sam barked.Â
âThe bastard who rented out the rooms? That was me.âÂ
Sam had no choice but to laugh at the absurdity. âOf course it was!âÂ
Deadeye watched with rapt fascination as Sam felt like he was coming apart at the seams. He was so damn tired. He just wanted to sleep. He wanted it so bad he felt as though he could cry as manic laughter flooded out of his mouth.Â
âThatâs just-â Sam interrupted himself with another round of involuntary giggles, âThatâs just fantastic, ainât it?âÂ
âYouâre welcome to stay with me.â It was casual. Like a shrug of his shoulders. Like talking about the weather.Â
âPardon?â But it didnât feel casual. In fact, Sam swore he could feel the earth shift under his feet at the offer.Â
âItâs just⌠well, you ainât really got much of a choice. And the bed should be big ânough to fit the both of us. âCourse, you could sleep on the floor - or I couldâŚâ Wagner rambled. A trait Sam had never really seen Deadeye employ. He could also feel the manâs fingers fidget on his shoulder; watched as he failed to meet Samâs eyes.
To say that Sam was baffled was one thing. Yet, underneath all of his shock, he was touched.Â
âThatâs real sweet of you,â Sam finally offered. While it had been amusing to watch the outlaw flounder for a spell, it had started to feel like watching a mortally wounded animal. At some point, you gotta put the poor beast out of its misery.Â
Wagner sighed in relief. Sam felt the way the tendons and muscles in his arm melted into a relaxed state.Â
âYou donât know how sweet I can be, pretty boy.âÂ
âIâm sure,â Sam patronized, even going so far as to pat Deadeyeâs arm around the bounty hunterâs shoulders.Â
And with that simple act of kindness, Sam felt his agitation and mania melt away.Â
âLet me take you up there,â the outlaw offered, his arm tightening around Sam so that his side was pressed flush with Wagnerâs. Sam did not protest or make any movement to wiggle out of the touch. He knew many people were watching the pair of them. He was too tired to care.Â
The room itself was very cozy, but very on par with all the other inns and hotels Sam had spent his nights in. A potbelly stove with a pile of coal adjacent to it was stationary in the corner keeping the cold at bay. There was a vanity across from the bed equipped with a wash basin and white porcelain pitcher with sapphire blue flowers painted on it. The walls, floors, and furniture were all made from dark wood, making the room feel smaller than it probably was. Kerosene lamps illuminated the room a little, but it was still dark due to the lack of sunlight pouring through the window. A trunk sat at the foot of the bed. Sam didnât need to look to know Deadeyeâs limited possessions were stored there. He could already imagine what they were: his various guns and ammo as well as his minimal clothes. Sam had the same items to his name.Â
âMake yourself comfortable,â Deadeye prompted, removing his arm from its perch around Samâs shoulders. He stayed stationary in the doorway as Sam wandered further inside.Â
It wasnât like he was attempting to keep his attention on Wagner, but he found himself acutely aware of the way he watched Sam explore the room. His hands were fidgeting with something - a bullet from his gun belt, Sam realized - and his shoulders were hunched in. It was a strange stance on the outlaw. Sam had really only ever seen him cocky and exuding confidence. It was⌠nice. Made Deadeye seem a bit more human to Sam.Â
âOh,â Sam finally spoke. It was an accidental exclamation more than anything.Â
âWhat?â Wagner immediately inquired. Sam didnât miss the way he jumped up into action, pushing off where he leaned against the doorframe and standing tall.Â
âOh, itâs justâŚâ Kiszka gestured at the bed before them. It was a full-size mattress, just barely big enough to fit someone as large as Deadeye. Sam wasnât large, per se, but the two of them would be hard up for any personal space in that thing. Not that Sam wasnât used to having to share a bed with someone. It was commonplace in most of the hotels and taverns Sam stayed in. But, in those instances, the beds were large enough that some personal space would be allowed.Â
Deadeye seemed to pick up what Sam was implying. âIâll sleep on the floor.âÂ
âItâs your room-âÂ
âI got to sleep in it last night. Seems only fair that you get it for the night,â Wagner insisted, waving his hand in a dismissive manner, âIn fact, lemme go down and ask the owner for some extra accommodations.âÂ
And before Sam could even protest, the other man was out the door and closing it behind him. The only sound was that of the whistling wind outside the window and the hissing of the lamp at his right. The bounty hunter let out a heavy sigh, scrubbing a hand down his face. He was too bone-tired to even try to think about why Wagnerâs gesture made his chest feel warm. Instead, he busied himself with stirpping off all of the layers he was wrapped in. They did their job against keeping the cold mostly away from him. Now that he was in the warmth of a heated room, they were beginning to make him sweat.Â
Just as heâd gotten to taking off the last of his shirts, that was when Deadeye walked into the room.Â
âShit!!â Wagner exclaimed, covering his eyes at the same time that Sam scrambled to cover his bare chest with his discarded shirt.Â
âThe hell, man??âÂ
âSorry! Sorry. I-I shouldâve knockedâŚâ Deadeye rushed out, his hand still covering his eyes. He stayed there like that.Â
In fact, they both stayed there like that for a moment.Â
âIâll⌠Iâll wait outside-âÂ
âOh, for godâs sake. Just get in here and shut the goddamn door!â Sam shook his head.Â
The outlaw did as he was told. He kept his eyes covered, much to Samâs amusement. He watched Wagner fumble his way around the room with his hand still clamped over his eyes. Sam even took note of the pink hue on the outlawâs cheeks; what little of them he could see.Â
âYou act like you ainât never seen a man shirtless before,â Kiszka taunted, the corner of his mouth pulling upwards as he found delight in Deadeyeâs theatrics.Â
With that little jab, Wagner slowly removed his hand off his eyes. It was still pretty dim in the room, but Sam didnât miss the way his dark eyes snuck a glance at his shirtless form before quickly looking at the extra bedding in his arms.Â
âI didnât wanna make you uncomfortableâŚâÂ
That warm feeling in his chest flowered under his ribs again. The same one Sam felt when Deadeye had offered him the room.Â
âYouâre awful considerate. For a low-life degenerate, that is,â Kiszka tacked on at the end along with an anxious laugh. He didnât wanna seem too genuine. The prospect of that - a moment of genuine connection - made fear thrum in his veins.Â
âThatâs meâŚâ Deadeye agreed. But his tone didnât match the playful - yet slightly nervous - one from Sam. If he had to put a name to it, Sam wouldâve thought Deadeye was glum.Â
âI grew up with brothers. Nothinâ you need to worry about. Iâm far from squeamish when it comes to beinâ scrutinized by the male gaze.â Sam, for some reason, felt like he should salvage the situation. In an act of nervousness, he began spinning his pearl-handled revolver around his finger again.Â
All Wagner did in response was hum. He kept his eyes trained on the bedding he was laying down on the floor. The fluffing of his bedroll was the only thing filling the void of voices.Â
With a sigh, Sam resigned himself to the situation. He continued stripping down to his long johns, placing his holster on top of the bedside table. You never knew when you were gonna need it within reach. He rinsed his face and hands in the wash basin once he was done undressing. And with that all said and done, Sam slipped under the covers and sequestered himself to his exhaustion.Â
He wasnât sure how long heâd been asleep for. What he did know, however, was that he woke up to the sound of chattering teeth. Even in the silent room, Sam was surprised he was woken up by that; it was a very faint sound. Guess that came with the territory of having such a dangerous job.Â
âWagner?â Sam blearily called out, rubbing at his bad ear. When it was that quiet, the high-pitched ringing in it became nearly unbearable.Â
The clattering stopped.Â
âSorry, Sam.â It made the bounty hunter think of a scolded hound. Sam blamed that - his love for animals and dogs - for the ache in his chest at the outlawâs tone. He also used it as an excuse for his next action.Â
With a small grunt, Sam flipped over onto his side so that he was facing Wagnerâs direction. The covers were loud, relatively, as he peeled them back in an inviting gesture. The room was nearly pitch black if it hadnât been for the sliver of moonlight peaking between the curtains. Despite that, Sam could perfectly see the confused knit in the outlawâs eyes.Â
A beat passed. Neither man moved. Well, at least from their respective spots. Deadeye had sat up to see what Sam had done. But he stayed still; like a deer spotting a predator.Â
âYou wantinâ a written invite?â Sam groused, his voice gravely from sleep.Â
âAre you sure-â
âJust get in, Deadeye.â Even to his own ears, Kiszka sounded bitchy. Guess his brothers were right. He was a force to be reckoned with when he was tired.Â
With a palpable hesitation, the outlaw abandoned his bedroll and cautiously slipped into the spot next to Sam. The mattress dipped under his weight, the wood frame only groaning slightly at the added heft. Sam was right. There was no room for any space between them. But he wasnât going to let the man freeze to death for his own comfort. It would just have to be a little awkward for the next few hours.Â
Once Deadeye was settled - meaning he stopped shifting around enough, Sammy could feel how tense the poor bastard was - Sam closed his eyes again. With the added heat from Wagnerâs own body, it was incredibly cozy. It was so comfortable, in fact, Sam had trouble keeping his eyes open. And not one to fight sleep when it came on this easily, Sam submitted to it.Â
Until he was snapped awake.Â
âDaniel.âÂ
âWhat?â Sam quickly whispered, matching the volume the outlaw had used.Â
âMy real name. Itâs Daniel.âÂ
In the limited light, Sam could see the anxiousness swimming within Wagnerâs eyes. Even in his altered state - so dead tired he was sure he was hallucinating - Sam understood the gravity of the offered information. He was being incredibly vulnerable with Sam. Hell, it was hard not to notice the nervous way his eyes glanced all around Samâs face to gauge his reaction when their faces were that damn close.Â
âDanielâŚâ Sam tested the name on his tongue. He found that he liked it an awful lot more than Deadeye. When Sam thought of Deadeye, it only conjured up images of annoyed sheriffs and infuriated ranch owners. But Daniel⌠Well, Daniel was the guy with a sweet smile on his lips and an offer of help on his tongue when Sam needed it.Â
âY-Yeah,â the other man stuttered, a shiver shaking his body. Guess he was still cold from his time on the floor.Â
â...I like it. Handsome name for a handsome fella,â Sam muttered, his tone incredibly soft as to not disrupt the quiet in the room. Besides, with only a few inches between the two, there was no need for anything louder.Â
Like a flower blooming out of the winter snow, Dead- Danielâs anxiety melted into a giddy smile. âOh, Iâm handsome, am I?âÂ
Kiszka felt a giddy smile of his own spread on his lips. He gently smacked Danielâs arm with the back of his hand. And as Wagner feigned a grunt of pain, the pair broke out into a fit of playful giggles.Â
âKeep pushinâ your luck and Iâll make ya sleep on the floor again,â Sam jested, that smile fixed upon his lips as he and Daniel continued to stare at one another.Â
âToo late,â Daniel sighed, finally releasing the tension in his body as he melted into the mattress, âcatâs outta the bag.âÂ
âIâll deny it âtil the day I die.â Sam, god help him, found that he really liked the way Danielâs dark eyes glittered in the moonlight.Â
âHmmm⌠Iâll getcha to bend one day. Just you watch.âÂ
âIs that a challenge, Daniel?âÂ
There it was again. That chill shook Danielâs body again as his eyes fluttered closed.Â
âEverything is a challenge with you, Samuel.âÂ
+++
Sam hadnât told Josh about that night he spent with Daniel. In fact, he didnât tell anyone. He wasnât entirely sure why. It just⌠it felt too personal.Â
Every day that had passed between that night and the next time he saw Daniel, he felt an ache in his chest. He wasnât quite sure what to name it, but each time he thought about that night - or, rather, Daniel in general - he felt a dull pain lurch in his chest. The only thing he could compare it to is the similar feeling he gets when he thinks about Jake⌠but not quite. There was more pain when he thought about his brother.Â
But, as usual, the next time the bounty hunter and the outlaw met, it caught Sam completely by surprise. In fact, Sam was very surprised that Daniel was even able to find him.Â
As it so happened, Sam himself was in the very last place heâd ever think to find himself: in jail. It was very strange being the one on the other side of the bars. He was very hazy on the reasoning behind why he was locked up. Something about an assault on some poor woman. He didnât know. He was drunk when he was arrested.Â
Sam scoffed to himself. The one night he let loose a little and look where it got him. He scrubbed his hands down his face as he sat down on the very threadbare cot. He had just wanted to have a few drinks in honor of his dead brotherâs birthday.Â
âSo, you care to explain why, exactly, Iâm beinâ made to rot in here?â Sam tried again. It had been about three days since he was thrown in the cell and he still hadnât been given a straight answer.Â
âJesus, Kiszka, I already told you! You were seen harassinâ the mayorâs daughter by a very reliable source!â The deputy yelled, his frustration evident in the way he bared his teeth at Sam.Â
âThis is bullshit. Iâd never put my hands on a lady!â The bounty hunter was pacing the very limited space in his cell. He felt like he was losing his mind being trapped like that.Â
âIâm sure that defense will hold up in court,â the deputy snarked. And with that, he went back to reading his newspaper.Â
With a growl of frustration, Sam slammed his palm against the bars. He instantly regretted it as pain shot through his hand and up his arm. With a curse under his breath, Sammy cradled his injured hand against his chest and sat back down on the uncomfortable cot.Â
That was where he stayed for the next few hours. He laid on his back, staring at the ceiling. Thankfully, he was allowed to keep his pocket watch on him. Thatâs how he knew four hours had passed since he last spoke and when someone entered the building.Â
âEveninâ partner,â the smooth voice drawled, heavy boot-steps resounding off the wood floor.Â
I know that voice
Samâs eyes snapped open as he shot up-right off his cot. His eyes were able to confirm exactly what his gut instinct had told him. Standing in the jailhouse with his hat in his hand, the evening sun bathing him in golden light, was none other than Daniel âDeadeyeâ Wagner himself. Kiszka didnât even care about the implications as a huge wave of relief crashed into him.Â
Daniel, seemingly aware that he had Samâs full attention, sent him a sly wink along with the mouthed words of âplay alongâ. Sam hadnât even needed the hint. He understood from the second he heard Danielâs voice.Â
âState your business, friend,â the deputy demanded, barely even bothering to look up from his newspaper.Â
âMy name is Deputy Bobby McGee and I represent the sheriff up in Clearwater. Iâm searchinâ for a man by the name of Kiszka⌠heard tell you might know where I can find him?â The lie was so smooth that Sam himself almost believed it.Â
âAre ya, now?â The Deputy finally set down his newspaper, taking his feet off the desk and planting them on the ground.Â
âTook ya long enough, Bobby!â Sam cried, getting to his feet off the cot.Â
Sam saw the tiny smile on Wagnerâs lips before he rolled his eyes. âApologies, your highness. Couldnât drop everythinâ, yâknow.â He grumbled.Â
âAnd what, exactly, do you need him for?â The deputy interrupted. His beady eyes never strayed from Danielâs face.Â
âWell, he was hired by Sheriff DuPointe to help catch a very dangerous outlaw by the name of Deadeye Wagner. Perhaps youâve heard of him. The man is very desperate, you see. Heâs even willinâ to pay the bounty owed,â Wagner continued, walking further into the jail and closer to the desk the deputy sat behind.Â
Even though the deputy - whoâs name Sam cannot remember - held the authority bestowed by the state, it was clear who held the real power between him and Daniel. It was quite amusing watching the annoying little prick have to crane his neck as Daniel stood in front of him. Even if the other man had been standing, the outlaw wouldâve towered over him.Â
âUnfortunately, thereâs no bail to be posted. The mayor is mighty furious and heâs makinâ damn sure the bastard swings for what he did to Miss Lavender.â The smug lift to the corner of his mouth made Samâs annoyance spike. The deputy was talking about his life being in the hands of some felonious witness, and here the bastard was, smiling.Â
Wagner seemed to catch onto the arrogant air the little rat had taken on. Well, that is if the way his knuckles bleached as he clenched his fists was any authority, that is. And the way the muscle in his jaw flexed, too. But, in the blink of an eye, that irritation was gone.Â
âAinât that a shame. Iâm gonna have a few words with the man,â Daniel stated, no room to be told no. He didnât even wait for the deputy to answer, simply pushed on past him and towards Samâs cage.Â
Sam was thrilled to see Daniel in person after so many weeks. Their last little interaction had taken place in the snow-capped mountains in the heart of winter. Now, almost to the Mexico border, Spring was in the air.Â
âHow you gettinâ on?â Wagner inquired, his tone even but his eyes very tuned into Sam. He seemed to search Sam for any and all signs of distress, knowing they had to act covertly.Â
âBeen better⌠clearly⌠Just sittinâ here rottinâ all day,â Sam grumbled. What he didnât add was how much better this day was now that he had shown up. Despite them having spent longer stretches of time apart, those few weeks seemed to stretch on.Â
Wagnerâs eyebrows knitted in sympathy. His hand came up to lean against the bars, hesitating at where Samâs hand was coiled around the iron. âYou know I gotta ask.âÂ
Sam sighed deeply, resting his head against the bars as he braced.Â
âDid you do it?â The outlawâs eyes were intense. Dark as a maw of a cavern. They made Sam shiver.Â
âI swear on my brotherâs grave. I did not touch that woman.â Despite wanting to divert his gaze, Sam held it steady. He needed Daniel to know he was telling the truth. He needed him to know.Â
After holding the stare for a little longer, the outlaw nodded his head. One curt jut of his chin. Wagner slid his arm from its leaning position, his hand grazing the back of Kiszkaâs knuckles. It was brief and far from the only touch they shared. It had felt⌠heightened. More intense than those other times.Â
It wasnât until Daniel took a step back and turned away that Sam even realized how close they had leaned in towards one another.Â
âYâknow Kiszka, you and the good deputy look pretty similarâŚâ Wagner started.Â
A bolt of indignation spiked through Sammy before it sizzled hotly in his veins. âI beg your pardon?âÂ
âFrom far away, that is,â Daniel was quick to correct, âYâall both got the same lean physique, the same long head shape⌠hell, even the same hair color.âÂ
Sam watched the lawmanâs spine stiffen at Danielâs claim. That was all it took for the bounty hunter to catch on. He couldnât help the knowing smile as it tugged on his lips.Â
âNow that you mention it,â Sam added on, tilting his head as he took in the deputyâs features, âwe could be related⌠distantly, that is.âÂ
âYou choose your next words carefully, now,â the lawman sharply ordered. He stood to his full height but stayed by the desk. It did not escape Samâs notice that he rested his hand on the handle of his revolver.Â
Daniel must have noticed as well. In a mirror of their second meeting, the outlaw raised his hands up with his palms showing. And just like when it was Sam pointing the gun at him, Wagner was only doing so as a formality rather than for self-preservation.Â
His back was turned to Sam now. Kiszkaâs view was completely obscured as the outlaw stood right in front of him. That was how he was able to hear rather than see the patronizing, lopsided grin on Danielâs face.Â
âNow, ainât no reason to act that way, friend. Just makinâ a simple observation, is all,â Daniel smoothly drawled, all casual fluidity and honeyed tones. You would not assume the man was in fear of being shot based on his body language alone.Â
âI donât like what yâall are implyinâ.â Sam watched carefully as the deputyâs hand gripped his pistol harder. He involuntarily swallowed as his adrenaline spiked. If he had his own pistol on him, there would be no contest. As it was, his trusty pair of revolvers were sitting on the desk right next to the deputy.Â
âAnd what would that be?â Wagner obstructed Samâs view once again after checking over his shoulder. Sam grit his teeth, irritated about how this was turning out. He was useless trapped in that cage.
The deputy paused. If Sam could see, he wouldâve watched the lawmanâs eyes nervously dart back and forth between Danielâs eyes and the spot behind him where Sam was standing. âThat I assaulted the mayorâs daughter.âÂ
Kiszka had to bite his tongue. Wagner was good. Really good. With just some simple word play, he was able to get this deputy to own up to his crime.Â
âNow why would an innocent man be worried about such an accusation?â Wagnerâs hands slowly dropped down. He still showed the deputy his open palms, but they were closer to his stomach rather than at shoulder-height.Â
A tense atmosphere suffocated the one room sheriffâs office. The oppressive, southern spring sun that beat down on the building made the air unbearably hot. Sam could feel the sweat prickling on his hands and forehead. No one moved.Â
âNo oneâll believe you,â the deputy nervously spat, shifting his weight from foot to foot, âitâs my word âgainst yours.â
âYou sure âbout that, partner?â the outlaw drawled, his hands now hanging down by the handles of his pistols.Â
âHeâs gonna swing and youâre gonna watch him die,â the lawmanâs voice grew more manic with each word, âand thereâs nothinâ youâll be able to do.âÂ
In the blink of an eye, Deadeye had drawn his pistols.Â
âDaniel, no!â Sam cried, his hand reaching through the bars to grab the unstable outlaw. It must have worked. Daniel didnât gun the deputy down. âHe ainât worth it.âÂ
âSam,â Wagner breathed, his eyes never leaving his adversary, âyou know I canât let this happen to you.âÂ
âThereâs gotta be another way,â Sam desperately pleaded, reaching out his other hand to gently lower Danielâs revolver in his left hand, âI canât let you kill him.âÂ
Wagner hesitated. His eyes swept from the deputy to where Samâs hand rested against his left hand. With a curse under his breath, the outlaw holstered his guns. âYouâre too good. He donât deserve your mercy.âÂ
Sam didnât argue. He simply let out a breath of gratitude.Â
âYeah, Daniel. I ainât worth it,â the deputy taunted. There was a smug smile on his yellowed teeth. Sam wanted to punch them in himself.Â
Wagnerâs back straightened as his muscles tensed. In only a few short steps, Daniel had removed himself from Kiszkaâs arms and was inches away from the foolish lawman. It was quite amusing seeing the pathetic man crumple under the sheer tenacity of Danielâs fiery intimidation. And that was when he growled something under his breath. It was so low that Sam could only hear the tone and none of the words.Â
It mustâve been one hell of a threat. Cause when the outlaw was finished, the deputy had turned as pale as a sheet. With wide, frightened eyes, the coward glanced between Daniel and Sam. It was no secret what Wagner thought about that, his anger shifting towards dark amusement.Â
With an eager smile sent Samâs way after he tipped his hat to him, Daniel made for the exit. âYâall have a good night, now.âÂ
+++
Sam was awoken that night by the sound of someone whistling. With a confused grumble, Sam checked his pocket watch. 1:15 AM.Â
âSam!â came a hissed whisper.Â
âWhat?â Sam whispered back. He quickly checked that the night guard was still sleeping.Â
âCome to the window.âÂ
Sam, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, got to his knees on the cot to peer out of the small window of his cell. Standing in the pale moonlight with his face covered was none other than Daniel. He pulled his bandana down from his face just for a second to flash Sam a sweet smile.Â
âOh, what are you doinâ?â Sam quietly whined. He knew this wasnât going to end well.Â
âGettinâ you free, of course!â There was genuine excitement coming from his voice.Â
âAre you crazy?!âÂ
âMaybe just a little,â Wagner conceded. âLook, you ainât makinâ it outta this alive. That deputy is gonna testify and the mayor will push the judge towards a hanginâ. Way I see it, this is your only chance at livinâ another day.âÂ
Despite Samâs lifelong service to lady justice, he knew Daniel was right. There had been one too many instances where innocent people were made to pay for the crimes of others. He was no stranger to this. He had just hoped it wouldnât come to this.Â
âI donât have my guns,â Sam relented with a sigh.Â
The bounty hunter could see the smile in Wagnerâs eyes as he held up Samâs gun belt in his hand.Â
âHowâd you-âÂ
âI ainât the best in the business for no reason, sweetheart.âÂ
Kiszka didnât even try to suppress the shiver that elicited as it wracked his body. Nor did he try to hide the thrilled smile that pulled at his lips.Â
âRight. How we gonna do this?â This was it. With one simple sentence, Sam had resigned himself over to being an outlaw. If the legal system was gonna screw him over to protect a crooked man, he might as well screw it over first with the help of an (almost) honest man.Â
Daniel had told him to take cover as he hooked the window bars to a steam donkey. With a few metallic groans and a big puff of smoke, the cell wall came down with a thunderous crash. Wasting no time, Sam climbed through the opening and strapped on his gun belt after taking it from Wagner.Â
âWe donât got much time. We gotta make a run for our horses,â Daniel plainly explained, his head on a swivel on the lookout for any possible threats.Â
âWait!â Sam - acting on impulse alone - grabbed the outlawâs face, pulled down his bandana, and kissed Daniel on the lips. It only lasted for a second or two, but it made Samâs entire being feel alive. It was as if he was a bolt of lightning: energized and charged with static and alive.Â
A beat went by where Sam watched his counterpart carefully. Heâd known heâd just taken a huge risk. However, he had no time to even get nervous before a huge smile broke out on Wagnerâs lips. His eyes glistened in the darkness, a familiar emotion glittering in them that Sam had seen times before around him.Â
âOh, hell yeah!â Daniel had grabbed Sam by the shirt, pulling him in for another kiss. This was far more heated than the last.Â
âKiszka!!â A disembodied voice bellowed. It was what pulled them back to reality.Â
âRight,â Daniel stated, breathless, âweâll pick that up laterâŚâ He trailed off as his gaze landed back onto his partnerâs lips.Â
âHorses,â Sam blurted. It was more of an attempt to stop himself from being distracted again more than it was for Wagner.Â
âRight!âÂ
The outlaw took the former bounty hunterâs hand, drawing his pistol with his left. Sam did the same, twirling his familyâs revolver on his right index finger before holding it steady.Â
With an enthusiastic smile and a nod of his head, Daniel lept into action. Thankfully, the horses werenât stashed too far away from the jail. Sam only had to fire a few shots, all covering fire. As far as he knew, no one died.Â
Finally mounted up, the two outlaws tore off into the desert. Once they were well out of dodge, Sam whooped and hollered. With the breeze in his hair and the stars guiding his way, he felt alive.Â
Daniel laughed to his right, letting out a cry of excitement of his own. Sam felt his heart swell.Â
âYâknow, you canât go back,â Daniel stated after the two had set up camp well away from the city.Â
âAinât that what youâve been wantinâ since the start? For me to join your outlaw crew?â Samâs eyes flicked from the fire to the man lounging next to it.Â
âWell, of course. But⌠is this what you wanted?â Daniel met Samâs eyes. They were cautious as he asked. Vulnerable.Â
Sam thought for a second before he answered. He never looked away from Daniel. Daniel never looked away from him.Â
âYeah,â Sam finally admitted. He saw the relief flood Wagnerâs hazel eyes. Samâs chest ached once more. âYeah, it is.âÂ
Hey everyone! I'm gonna finish up editing and get the cowboy fic out to you by the end of the week! In the meantime, enjoy a little snippet under the cut >:)
âYâknow,â the bounty hunter started, bending at his waist to be level with the current thorn in his side, refusing to be intimidated by his unwavering glare and only returning it ten-fold, âfor a fella in real deep shit, you sure are pushing your goddamn luck.âÂ
The outlaw wet his lips before smiling. It wasnât a friendly one, neither. It evoked images of snakes coiled up before striking, hammers on revolvers being cocked, and knives pressing into throats.Â
âAinât that worrying you, pretty boy?âÂ
âWhat, that you donât respect me? I already know youâre a fool.âÂ
That seemed to be just the right answer. That amusement finally reached the outlawâs eyes, sending an involuntary shiver down the bounty hunterâs spine.Â
âYou sure Iâm the fool?âÂ
As if on cue, a thunderous BOOM! ripped through the relative quiet of the immature night. The wall behind the bounty hunter of the single-room cabin the two were holed up in was blown clean open. The shockwave sent him to the ground, splinters showering down on him as the desk protected him from the major debris. The ringing in his ears muffled the sounds of men shouting, his head pounding from where it made contact with the floor. He wouldâve been consumed by the darkness encroaching on his vision if it hadnât been for the sensation of a boot toe turning him onto his back and the sharp sting of a large hand cracking him across the cheek.Â
âThat was fun, Kiszka! Letâs do it again sometime!â the outlaw hollered, his silhouette towering over him. He was cast in a silvery color, the light of the moon highlighting half of his face. His toothy smile seemed genuine, his amusement almost childlike as it scrunched up his prominent nose.Â
âDeadeye, letâs go! The whole place is gonna go up like a torch!â a disembodied voice shouted from where the wall had been blown up. The outlawâs attention was snapped to the voice, leaving the bounty hunter to feel a strange cold wash over him at the loss.
âBe right out!â he called back, his attention once again fixating back onto the bounty hunter. He pulled his pistol from where it was tucked into the bounty hunterâs belt, the man having confiscated it when he apprehended Deadeye. âCatch me if you can, pretty boy.âÂ
With a wink and a simultaneous click of his tongue, the outlaw dashed from the bounty hunterâs view and off to join his band of miscreants. Numerous hoofbeats followed shortly after, decrescendoing into the night. He could hear his own horse whinnying with fear as the cabinâs fire grew larger by the second.Â
With what little strength he had, Sam Kiszka pulled himself out of the debris and splinters. Gathering what little he could with such short notice, he hurried off to where his trusty steed was tethered. His entire body ached as he mounted up, his teeth gritted against the pain. His face burned as he whipped his horseâs reins and the fire blazing at his back could not be blamed.Â
Hey i know how strongly you feel about gvftea, and im pretty sure youâve said you have had them blocked for a while, but just to let you know thereâs a new account on here @gvfcookie who is spreading so much hate if not more than that gvftea account cause its just hating on fans but anyways i feel like your account gets quite a bit of exposure and stuff so might be good to get it out there for everyone to block them too. They disguised themselves as normal at the start by reblogging peoples posts and stuff so that they got followers etc but now are just posting full on hate like itâs awful.Not your responsibility to do anything ofc just letting you know cause for some reason i feel like you need to know idk why i obv just trust you lol
God those people need to get a life. I'd never heard of them but from the looks of it it's basically the scrawlings of a middle school bathroom stall. Idk about y'all but I'm about a month away from 26, and I have no time or interest in that. If you do, you can go ahead and unfollow me too.