Sundown's been sleeping while Mad Dog is awake. Odd. It's usually the opposite. The bounty hunter has been looking at him for a while, now. Lying on his side, his head kept up by the bended arm, simply… admiring him. As if he was the beautiful view of the Grand Canyon, at that perfect time of day, with the sun low enough to project such suggestive shadows through its tunnels, and high enough to observe the wounderful colours of the walls.
He is beautiful, indeed. So serene.
God… How much his addiction takes away from him. He only now realizes that he must be awake first because he hasn't been drinking in a while. He feels more calm, more in control of himself since he doesn't. He falls asleep at sunset. Wakes up just before sunrise. That broken head of his clear, all the thoughts tidily organized. Two whole months of sobriety. What a miracle.
He slowly lifts a hand, such a calm and steady gesture, so controlled and precise. It lowers on Sundown's cheek with the patience of a leaf lulled by the breeze, such a gentle touch he can barely feel the other's skin under his fingertips. But that is enough. He doesn't want to wake him up. Just a gentle stroke, fingers following those beautiful, beautiful features, made harsh by the time, by the events, by life - but always, always perfect to his eyes. He leans forward, slowly, silently. He gives him the lightest of kisses, lips barely touching on, lingering just for a few seconds, just for that moment of peace and serenity. Such a different kiss from the ones they are used to give each other, needy and hungry kisses to taste each other, afraid to starve, as they never know when they will see each other again. Perhaps in a few hours. Perhaps never again.
Moving away takes him a great effort. He lingers there, to look at his perfect features as sobriety finally allows him, before his broken head will win again over him. He silently stands up, still looking at him, a ghost of a sincere smile on his features. Just for this moment, just for this once, he is the one winning, though. Be damned his stupid head.
It's rare for him to feel relaxed enough to fall asleep on Dog's side.
Maybe he needed some normality, for a change. Remember how things used to be, allow himself to get lost in nostalgic thoughts.
Maybe it was just one day too many left on the run finally catching up to him, forcing him to lie down and take a nap before it could shut down completely.
Either way, as he rests under the natural shade of the incoming dawn, his hat half-dropped on his eyes, Sundown knows he'll come to regret this moment.
He sleeps, but as always his sleep is as light as it could be - enough for the smallest movement, the lightest touch, to wake him up.
His eyes twitch, open slowly while remaining hidden beneath his hat, just in time to feel the bounty hunter's lips on his.
It's... different.
Soft.
Gentle.
It makes his heart ache enough to bring him to close his eyes once more, staying completely still, prentending that he remained fast asleep the entire time as Mad Dog finally stands, because he shouldn't allow himself to be happy.
He's not. Supposed to be happy.
Not because of someone from his past, who still desperately tried to drag him back, failing miserably every single time.
He won't succeed now.
Not because he felt his heart beat a little too fast, for a second.
Sundown refuses to let him win.
