Howdy there. JD here, embarking on my biggest fanfiction escapade yet.
This is going to be a series of thirty chronological one-shots, all canon with the movie. I think of them as deleted scenes, events that could have happened but were never shown or mentioned.
Anyway, each chapter is named after/based on a song from the album James Taylor: Live. My mom used to play it all the time in the car when I was little, and I happened to stumble upon it again on iTunes a couple of weeks ago. The laidback, kinda country-western, kinda acoustic, very emotional feel instantly reminded me of Brokeback Mountain. And so this story was born.
Some chapters are inspired by the actual song, others simply on the title. It's a lovely collection of recordings, and I'd reccomend it to anyone.
ANYWAYS, enough of my babble! Continue reading unbothered.
"What the hell do you think you're doin', Twist?" Ennis inquired, throwing his right leg over his horse. He watched in amusement as Jack tried to tug his boot out of the leather stirrup, where it was firmly stuck.
"I'm goin' with you," Jack reported simply, each word punctuated by a grunt of effort. He finally dislodged his boot and smiled over at Ennis from under his dusty black cowboy hat.
Ennis rolled his eyes, trying to stay characteristically stoic while Jack was looking at him like that. Those damn doe eyes did him in every time, especially on cloudless days like this when they glimmered translucently and precisely matched the sky. Goddamn, Del Mar, he thought. Get it together. Turnin' into one of those damn romantic types. "Aguire ain't gonna like that," he grumbled. "You should stay with the sheep. Dumbass things might invite a fuckin' coyote over for dinner and a slumber party."
"Don't really give a shit about the sheep, friend. Just bears."
Ennis avoided his eyes, tapping idly on the pummel. "I don't need a fuckin' escort. That was a one-time thing." He instantly wished he could reel those words back into his mouth, knowing without doubt what was coming next.
"A one-time thing, huh? Isn't that what you said about that night in the tent?" Jack's head dipped low on his neck, and he fiddled with his intricate belt buckle. "You don't never know what can happen."
Ennis had to give him that one. He leaned back in his saddle and gnawed on his lip for a moment. "Fine." He paused for a beat. "But on the odd chance that we come 'cross a bear, don't you go shootin' at it. I'd very much like to live 'till August." He stole a teasing look at Jack.
Jack nudged his horse with his heels and trotted forward, playfully punching Ennis's shoulder on the way by. "The sight on the damn rifle was crooked, I swear," he yelled over his shoulder.
Ennis clicked his tongue and quickly overtook Jack's horse. He shook his head slowly and hid his smile. "Jack fuckin' Twist."
The two men reached the bottom of the mountain a couple hours afterward, with not a single bear encounter to boot. The most eventful part of the journey was when Jack dropped his harmonica into a muddy stream, and to Ennis's despair, insisted on retreiving it.
"Thought I'd finally seen the last of the damn thing," Ennis laughed as he spotted the packmule. He tugged gently on the reins, signaling for his horse to slow down. "Drivin' me nuts."
Jack shook the last few droplets of water out of the harmonica before slipping it into his jeans' pocket. It had undoubtedly slipped even further out of tune, but Jack didn't mind. Liked it better that way, as a matter of fact. "No such luck, Del Mar."
Ennis gave his horse a firm pat on her flank and dismounted gracefully. He walked over to the mustachioed supply man, absent-mindedly tucking his shirttails into the back of his jeans. "Afternoon," he mumbled.
With a half-smile plaguing his stubbly face, Jack hopped off his horse and came up beside Ennis. "Howdy, there." He removed his hat with his left hand and held out his right. "Jack Twist."
Apparently not used to pleasantries, the supply man raised an eyebrow and grinned widely. "I'm Chuck," he stated simply, giving Jack's arm a vigorous pump. The man had a thick accent, but Jack couldn't put his finger on it.
"Mighty nice to meet 'ya, Chuck. Now, whaddaya got for us today?" He gestured toward the bulging food packs, then glanced briefly over at Ennis. He was realizing only now that Ennis morphed into that same wordless, stony cowboy he'd first met whenever other people were around. Not that he particularly minded, only noticed. The childish shimmer had vacated Ennis's soft brown eyes.
"Soup, sir. On the request of Mr. Ennis." He smiled nervously. "No more beans."
Jack laughed and clapped Ennis on the shoulder. Nothing suspicious, merely a brotherly gesture. "No more beans," he agreed whole-heartedly.
Allowing himself a small smile, Ennis yanked a weathered scrap of paper from his breast pocket and handed it to Chuck in silent exchange for the rope in his hands. Ennis led the packmule over to his horse, secured the lead to the back of his saddle, then turned on his heel. "Thanks, Chuck." The name tasted strange on his tongue; after all, he'd only called one person by name for the past month and a half. "C'mon, Twist," he beckoned.
Jack nodded. "See 'ya next month," he told Chuck with a brief, friendly wave.
"Goo'bye, Mr. Jack."
Tugging his hat back onto his head, Jack strode over to his horse and mounted carefully. If his boot got caught in the goddamn stirrup again, his head might just explode. "I wanna stop by and check on the sheep," he declared. "Don't much like leavin' 'em for twenty-four hours straight." Actually, he thought, I like it much better than spendin' every goddamn second with 'em. But that was amply understood by both men.
Ennis clicked his tongue, and his horse advanced with the packmule in tow. "Whatever, cowboy. I'd follow you anywhere." The words leapt out of his mouth before he got the chance to think on them, which was something that rarely happened.
Jack let the promise hang in the air for a moment, avoiding Ennis's expectant gaze. "'Cept for Lightning Flatts, maybe." His response was barely audible, but Ennis heard Jack loud and clear.
They spent the rest of the journey in silence.
By all means, please review! I'm never going to make it through thirty chapters without y'all giving me feedback.
And if I got any horseback-riding details wrong, please feel free to correct me. Hell, feel free to say whatever you want to. I love constructive critisism like a fish loves the water.
~JD
