The Hands We're Dealt
Pairing: Cherokee bill x black fem reader
Summary: Bill wanders into your town just to see you
Warnings: angst and use of the n word
A/N: finally watched The Harder They Fall and I still can't resist a man played by my future husband
It hadn't been your week recently. After all the years, the law was finally catching up to you and your gang. After all you sacrificed to build this town where your people could prosper, the man was finally coming to collect.
It started with the law responding just a bit too quick after your hits. That morning, a general of the U.S. army stepped into your town and gave the gang until next week to disperse before his men dealt with you themselves.
You sat with your brothers and sister that had been with you from the start. You would never surrender to the white man, but there was still only so much longer you could run. If there was one thing you hated, it was running, but even if you killed the whole fleet of troops the army sent, you'd never be safe in your town again. Your name would be all over the west.
Tina got your attention, the first to provide a solution instead of just talking about finding one.
"Law's not bad just two counties south from. We could set up there."
You waved your hand dismissively, reaching for the glass of whiskey on your desk.
"The further we run the further they'll spread. Do we keep runnin' til we're in the goddamn ocean?"
The room fell silent as defeat finally sunk into the air. At this rate, the only thing that could help you was a night in the saloon.
Suddenly, the call of a bird echoed into the night, and the corners of your mouth twitched. Everyone looked around curiously.
"That damn bird again."
"Where does it come from?"
They'd only hear it about once a week, but no one ever managed to see it. However, you knew exactly where to find that bird.
You stood from your chair, breaking the murmurs of confusion. "Y'all turn in; I'll deliberate overnight. Keep your senses sharp and your spirits high. I'll die before I let this town burn."
Everyone gave you a nod as they walked out. No matter how stern and sure you were, they all knew what was coming for them. In the empty room, you let out a heavy sigh before downing the rest of your drink.
Bill had waited a while at the back of your office building. Just as he was about to call again, you finally met him, walking slow as the distance closed between you.
"Cherokee Bill," you all but whispered. "In my town?"
A small smirk rested on his face as he leaned against the building. "I must've lost my way, ma'am."
You stared into each other's eyes for a moment before leaning into each other. Bill's hand rested on your hip as he kissed deep into you, hungry for you. You knew that kiss, and you knew the look in his eyes when you pulled away.
"How's Trudy?" You asked.
Bill shrugged. "Still Trudy."
"And Buck?"
"Do you really care?" Bill gave a dry chuckle
"No," you shook your head. "But I need somethin' to talk about, and I can't count on you for that."
Bill smiled as he crossed his arms. "I'm fine, by the way."
You mimicked him as an act of defiance. "I know you are; you better be."
"How are you?" Bill asked sincerely.
There were so many ways you could answer him, but what was Bill going to do about it? Even though you weren't fine, after those fifteen minutes he'd go back to his town and you'd go back in yours to fight your own battles.
"I'm fine," you said. "Need a favor though."
"Anything."
You stiffened a bit in front of Bill. Meeting like that was supposed to be a chance to unwind for the both of you, but you couldn't afford to not think of your work.
You looked up, staring Bill in the eye. "Next time Buck gets a score, make sure it ain't my fuckin' money."
Bill looked down and nodded slowly. A week ago, Buck's gang robbed a train whose company was in business with you, and Buck knew it. You hated how Buck pushed every other gang around like they weren't his people with his goals. He may have been big enough to get away with it, but you weren't going to let your buttons get pushed again.
Bill started to reach into his coat, "That's right," he pulled out two stacks of cash and held it out to you. "Here, it's my cut."
Just managing to hold back your scowl you lashed out at Bill. "I don't need your money, Bill."
"You just said it was yours." He went back at you in that exasperated tone that irritated you.
"And now it ain't," you couldn't yell and get caught with Bill in your town, but the intention came across crystal clear. "The last thing I need from you, Bill, is your pity."
Bill squeezed his eyes shut and faced up at the sky as a frustrated sigh left his lips.
"Take the money, Y/N," he stretched his hand further, his jaw visibly clenched. "You think I agreed with Rufus takin' that money from you. I'm just tryna make somethin' right."
Your face was stone as you huffed at Bill before snatching the money out of his hands, not waiting until later to count through it.
"What's the matter with you," he asked sincerely, scanning over you as if he'd find the answer in your features. "We're not in trouble, are we? I'd rather you step into Redwood and shoot me than let me ride all the way out here to chew my ear off."
As you put the money inside your own coat pocket, you dropped your shoulders. You were still livid, but you stopped directing it at Bill.
"Seventy grand, Bill. That's how much y'all took from me," you waved his finger at him. "I can't run my town off two grand and bank heists. I'm runnin' out of white folk to rob this far west."
Bill nodded in understanding as he brought a hand to your arm. "I know, baby, and I'm sorry."
His hand traveled the length of your arm, and your gaze finally softened. Seeing your curls in the moonlight, Bill brought his other hand to cup your cheek as he leaned in to kiss you once again.
You loved Bill more than anything. In a perfect world it would just be you two as outlaws together. But your hands were already dealt, and you had to see them through the end of the game.
With his hand snaked around your waist, Bill pulled you flush against his body; your hat fell to the ground as you put your arms around his neck. Softly, he pushed you against the wall as his hands and lips started to travel. As he started to push your coat off, he felt your hands on his chest.
"Bill," you called him, staring into those big brown eyes that you knew held your reflection inside. "The army's after me."
A worried crease put itself between Bill's brows. "The army."
"Yup," you said softly before picking your hat off the ground. "General gave us a week before he came back to shoot us niggas down himself. We're thinkin' of runnin'"
"To where?" Bill asked knowing the same thing you did.
"I don't know where, but..."
Bill called your name, and you knew by the look on his face exactly what he was about to say. Usually, he was only dumb enough to say it half drunk off his liquor or love for you.
"Don't you look at me like that, Bill."
As if he knew how stupid what he was thinking was he hesitated before speaking. "I want you to be safe; you and your folks."
You got angry again, stepping closer towards Bill. "And we'll find a way, but I am not moving to Redwood."
Bill just shook his head. "If I talk anymore, you'll shoot me."
"Then hold your tongue."
But he couldn't. Bill couldn't leave your town without trying everything in his power to keep you safe. He knew this ended with you dead, and so did you. For the past few years, a good part of his world lied with you, and he didn't know what he'd do if he lost it.
He said it anyway, talking fast so you didn't have long to act on your reactions. "We've got more men, more resources, and half the state's law work for us. You'd be safe in Redwood."
Bill was right; you were stuck between smacking him across the face or putting a bullet in his leg, but you stayed still with your hands balled in fists.
"Who the hell do you think you're talkin' to?"
"The woman I love—"
"Shut your mouth." The distance closed between you and Bill again, but this time the air around you turned threatening.
"I'll put a bullet in my own head before I work for Rufus Buck, stealin' from and killin' my own kin."
"Buck is building a promised land." Bill remained calm.
You spoke through clenched teeth. "He is building a dictatorship."
Bill looked away and put some distance between you two, "I don't wanna lose you, Y/N." Was all he said with a tired voice.
"But you don't ever think about what I'd lose," your words bit. "You want me to tell my gang that we'll follow the orders of the man who wronged us, and we were forced to wrong back? You ain't thick in the head, Bill."
Bill had nothing to say for himself. He thought it best just to let you talk yourself out.
"You said you didn't agree with Buck stealing from me, yet once we're done here, you'll go running back right to him."
"If I leave Rufus, I'll be on the run for the rest of my life."
"You think I can't protect you?" You cocked your head to the side.
"And what about the army," Bill started to lose his temper. "I want you in my life, Y/N. Since that shoot out in Odessa, all I've wanted is to see you next to me in the morning and take a ride out with you at night. I know how selfish I am to ask you this, but I don't care."
Your lips were in a tight line as a shuddering breath escaped you and tears pricked your eyes.
"You think I don't want the same? Sometimes all I can wonder is how easier things would be if you were here, but these are the hands we've been dealt. You make all this talk about choices, but don't ever make one yourself," you turned from Bill, starting back to your house. "Go on outta here before I shoot you dead."
As Bill watched you walk away, your dress flowing in the wind, he felt part of his spirit die. He didn't have to wait for you to get killed, he lost you all on his own. As he unhitched his horse from a tree nearby, all Bill could do was pray that you'd make a way out of this mess like you always seemed to before.
