Giving up and moving on.
Rating: G
Summary: A ficlet inspired by discussion on a FB group. Not exactly a happy ending but not a sad one either I hope. I have an idea for a longer story on this, but my mind isn't co-operating with me.
Heyes looked frantically over his shoulder, relieved to see Curry practically on his tail. They'd been recognised again and had to leave yet another ratty old town, without anything to eat or even a chance to catch their breath. After several hours of riding, long enough and hard enough that they were sure they'd lost the posse, they found what was hopefully a quiet place to rest and had set up camp. Their horses were happily munching away and there was a creek close by, it'd do them for a couple of days.
After yet another meal of beans and jerky (Heyes was starting to dream about steak and potatoes), Curry had cleaned his gun and was now leaning against a tree soaking up the shade, his hat over his eyes. Heyes knew he wasn't sleeping, merely for once trying to avoid an argument. The silence between them had stretched to uncomfortable levels and Heyes knew he was going to have to do something he hated, apologise. Heyes rubbed his hand through his hair and cleared his throat.
"I'm sorry, Kid, I should have listened to ya when you said you had a bad feeling. "
Curry moved his hat off his face and stared at his partner in silence for a few moments, before shrugging, "Ain't surprised you didn't Heyes, lately all I do is complain." He said nothing else, simply closed his eyes and this time Heyes knew he was asleep.
Heyes studied his partner as he rarely did and was struck by how tired and worn he looked. His hair was more unkempt than he'd ever seen and covered in dust. His clothes were also so covered in dust, Heyes couldn't rightly define their colour, his face was was beginning set in hard lines which were becoming obvious even now when he was sleeping.. Heyes realised sadly that he couldn't remember the last time he'd heard his friend laugh without a hard edge to it, or even smile without a shadow through it. He rarely trusted anyone anymore, was angry more days than he wasn't. Kid Curry had always been hot-headed, but this Heyes acknowledged wasn't the same. The damned deal had succeeded in twisting Curry in ways that losing their families and the years of outlawing never had.
Heyes felt a lump in his throat and unsuccessfully tried to swallow it away. He suddenly doubted whether their elusive dream was really worth it. Heyes had shied away from thinking too much about Lom handing them dangerous jobs, using the promise of amnesty, or sometimes the threat of its removal as both carrot and stick, but now he let himself feel the resentment. They had become pawns in a wider game and he'd had enough. Someone had once said to him that he knew how to lose. Well the time had come to walk away and cut their losses, to save losing something far more important.
He became aware that his partner was awake and watching him. He met his gaze steadily and felt something stir inside and he grinned.
"I think it's time, Kid, I really do. We don't have to go back to outlawing. We got a decent stake and I can likely triple it with a couple of good games. I heard of a big game played out near Santa Fe. After, we can head South or North and hide out in style. Whatcha say partner?"
Curry's eyes gleamed and the smile that Heyes had missed spread wide across Curry's face. He stuck out his hand and Heyes's grin broadened as they shook.
His partner's voice held both warmth and relief as their eyes met. "Now that my friend, is a good deal."