2022 Tropes & Fandoms event - Trope: Enemies to Lovers

Based on the music video:
"Roundtable Rival" - Lindsey Stirling
YouTube: v=jvipPYFebWc

Eyes on the Prize

Durango Black smiled as he and his boys easily broke out of the podunk town's little jail, where they left the sheriff locked safely into his own cell so they could make a clean getaway. As they reclaimed their instruments and gear and slipped away into the dead of night on foot, however, he sighed at the loss of their wagon and horses. He did not know what had happened to the sound equipment in the wagon, but the sheriff had informed them that the women had claimed all three animals for their own. In fact, they had ridden out of town on them soon after their second musical altercation had resulted in the men's arrests.

Even though he was not happy about the loss of the horses, Durango's smile widened further as he thought of those women – especially The Violinist who had bested him at his own game. Lynn…he heard she was called…Lynn Starling.

He thought it was the perfect name for the obviously talented woman. In fact, he had the feeling that she could make music as sweet as anything her namesake could muster up...and he found himself desperately wanting to hear it...and to help her create it, as well! In fact, the thought of having a duet with the woman made him feel things that he was sure he had never felt before.

After all, the first time that he had been defeated by her, he had been amazed by her skill on her instrument…and her beauty…as well as her sheer pluck in the face of possible danger. That little slip of a female…and her back up dancers…had been the only ones in that entire dusty little town to challenge him and his crew. That had impressed the hell out of him.

Nevertheless, he had an notion in mind for his future that only the money in the bank would achieve. Therefore, he had to push any other ideas…ones that she might have unknowingly put into his head and heart at their first not-quite-meeting…out of his mind for the time being while he focused on that objective.

He had to admit, though, that he had purposely amped up the challenge for his second attempt with the hope of impressing her, too. The looks she had given him throughout the entire encounter seemed to suggest that he had succeeded…at least in that regard…even though his ultimate goal of clearing out the bank had failed.

Well…his previous ultimate goal, anyway. After all, since the bank heist was obviously not going to work out, he let his mind finally focus on the prize he had decided that he really wanted, instead. Therefore, he and the boys took off in the direction that the sheriff had indicated that the women folk had gone.

Durango was so focused on his new mission that he did not see the sheriff's amused grin as he sat down on his pallet and waited for the escapees to leave so that he could finally let himself out of his cell with his extra set of keys. Then he would go about his business with nobody the wiser as to what had just occurred.

...

Durango was a fair tracker and he followed the small group's trail easily enough…even in the dark…especially since the moon was high and bright. As he made his way along the same path she had obviously taken, he found that he grew more and more excited about the idea of finally meeting the woman...for real...and hopefully even be on the same side this time around.

After all, he knew what it looked like...him following her like this...but he had no plans for revenge. Plus, he could never hurt a woman…not matter what. His mama had taught him better than that. Even during their last stand-off, he had made sure that his sound equipment was set at a level that would simply buy him some time so she could not build up the power to blast him with her musical notes...and not completely incapacitate her as it could have done.

In fact, despite his less-than-perfect reputation, he was not a violent man in general. He usually let his music do the talking and handle his disagreements for him. It was probably why he had turned out to be such a poor excuse of an actual criminal during the attempted bank robbery. Even though his name...and his hat...were Black, he just was not enough of a villain to succeed at that kind of life.

Durango found that he did not even care about that anymore, though. He just wanted to see Lynn again, and make the proposition that had been rolling around in his skull ever since the bank heist went bust…even if that had been the direct effect of her meddling. Nevertheless, if she was willing to go along with his plan anyway, he would be a happy man. If she was unwilling, though, then he would leave well enough alone – after he had taken his horse back, of course. After all, he loved that darn creature.- especially since he had raised and trained it himself.

Something about the way he remembered the woman looking at him, though, gave him hope that from there on out his horse would be carrying two…and, consequently, Durango kept his eyes on the prize that...who...was located somewhere ahead of him…as well as on the clearly marked trail before him.

...

The men found the make-shift camp just a few miles outside of town with very little effort. In fact, the glow of the fire led them right to the spot where the women had pitched a simple tent. Three very familiar horses were also hobbled nearby on a grassy knoll that was perfect for grazing. Durango was pleased to see that his Trixie was being well-taken care of…and even happier when his horse picked up her head at his approach and neighed a welcome.

Why didn't they go any further, though? After all, they had a hefty head start. Durango could not help but to wonder at the sight of the cozy little camp. And why did they leave the fire goin' as bright as a full moon on a clear night? They had to know they could've been seen. Durango frowned at the danger that such an oversight could have put the women in, at least until he realized that the surrounding hills blocked the view of the fire from all paths…except those coming from the town they had just left.

Maybe they just didn't realize that they'd be followed from there, he reasoned.

Nevertheless, he received his answer as soon as he had stepped within the circle of light that the fire had cast. That's when he found that the women had not been as careless as he thought. In fact, they had been quite clever indeed – especially since they had the foresight to set a guard.

...

"Well…look what the coyotes finally dragged in," an almost musical…and clearly amused…voice sounded from the shadows.

Durango had never actually heard the woman speak, but he immediately knew that the voice belonged to the one he sought. He could not stop the grin that rose to his face when he found that he was right when she also stepped in the light…her powerful violin at the ready…just in case.

"What took y'all so long?" she added with a knowing smirk.

Durango's grin dropped in surprise then at the idea that the women folk had actually been expecting them. It was a fact that was proven even further when the other two exited the tent carrying some bowls and a bottle of amber liquid that lit up in the firelight. His boys immediately perked up at the sight of attractive girls and followed them without question when they beckoned them towards the comfort and warmth of the fire.

"Ya'll hungry?" Lynn asked him. "We saved some stew for you."

She pointed to the pot that he had not noticed before, but which sat near enough to the fire to be kept warm. The other lads were already helping themselves to the contents with enthusiasm while they talked freely with the girls that they had only met briefly on the street during their two musical battles. They all seemed happy enough with each other's company now, however – especially as they passed the bottle around among themselves and discussed dance moves.

"Ma'am?" Durango asked in confusion at the entire situation as he turned back to look at her again.

When in doubt, he had fallen back on his mama's lessons in manners...and it was all he could think of to say at the moment. After all, nothing about this experience was what he had expected. In truth, he had figured that once he found his violinist, he would have to calm her down first so she would hear him out before she immediately blasted him out of range with her powerful notes. However, now that they were actually together, she was the one who was obviously trying to do the calming, instead.

What exactly in Sam's Hill is goin' on here? he wondered. How did they know we were comin'?

He did not even realize that he had spoken those words aloud until she smiled again…and the beautiful sight warmed Durango in a way that he knew being near the fire never could.

"Well…" Despite her obvious amusement, the woman took pity on him and explained. "The girls and I were tired of slingin' drinks and we were already thinkin' about hittin' the road with our act, instead," she told him and smiled again before she continued. "Then you and yours came along. I liked your sound and…and despite your dubious judgement in tryin' to rob a bank…I'm bettin' that our music and moves might be quite compatible-like. Therefore, how do you…and your crew…feel about doin' some honest work for a change and joinin' us in our musical endeavors?"

Durango's jaw almost hit the ground when he realized that the proposition was almost identical to the one that he had planned to offer her. His amazement increased even further at the thought that she actually wanted to be with him, too…at least musically-speaking. He did not know about the rest, though … at least not yet.

"How did'ya know we'd escape?" he managed to choke out the words despite his extreme surprise.

"Oh, the sheriff and I go way back," she explained. "He agreed with me that since you didn't actually succeed in robbin' the bank…and nobody got hurt…that maybe you didn't really need to be locked up...and that you might even a redeemable character, after all!"

Durango realized then for the first time that the lawman had been awfully cooperative...even helpful...for someone who had not even been threatened. He also knew then that even though she was the one who had originally had it taken away, he still owed his current freedom to the woman in front of him.

"Why?" was all he could ask.

However, the violinist understood what else was behind that simple question. Before she answered, though, she paused to look him up and down in the same way that she had done on the dusty road in the middle of the town. Despite his confusion, it was a look that set Durango's blood on fire.

"I liked the look of you…as well as your sound…" she shrugged. "Plus, the girls and I got pinched, prodded, and propositioned enough in our last establishment to know when a fella was interested. You didn't do any of that, though. Thank goodness, too, because I really would have blasted you then! It was all in your eyes, however...and I found that I really liked the way you looked at me...like I was someone special and interestin'...and not just a piece of meat to pour your drink and warm your bed."

Durango saw red for a moment at the thought of those men treating Lynn that way...even though it was clear she could take care of herself. He also gulped heavily and felt his mouth go dry as he realized that she was saying that she was interested in a lot more than just his music, after all. Consequently, he felt incapable of speech and could only shake his head mutely when she asked. "Was I wrong?"

"Good!" she exclaimed with another one of those devastating smiles that was even more powerful than her music. "Come on over to the fire then. Eat, drink, and then you and boys can have the bedrolls out here while the girls and I take the tent…and that will continue to be our sleeping arrangements, by the way...until we all get to know each other better, of course." The look she sent him then was firm...but full of hope and promise...and he felt his heart almost stop in anticipation of such a time when she felt that she finally knew him well enough.

"One more question," she remarked. At that point, Durango could deny her nothing and just gazed at her intently until she had asked it. "Why exactly were you tryin' to rob a bank in such a little podunk town anyway? You had to know that even if you were successful, you wouldn't get away with much."

The man was amused that she thought of the place they had just left the same way he did, and even though he laughed a little at the coincidence, he found that he also had to wince sheepishly at the question, too. After all, what had seemed to be a good idea at the time was now...in hindsight...obviously quite a dumb one, instead.

"Well," he replied when he finally found his voice. "The boys and I figured a little bank would be easier for the takin'. We were goin' to try our hand at ranchin' and we needed the money to buy a spread."

Lynn nodded thoughtfully at his plan. "Raisin' horses and cattle…and perhaps some kiddies, too…that does sound good for later. Why don't we try to earn the money the right way, first, though? All six of us workin' together…instead of against each other…should be able to put on quite a show that's sure to bring in the big bucks. We'll have that ranch before we know it…if we all keep our eyes on the prize."

Durango could only nod again in amazement about how everything he wanted suddenly seemed to be within reach when Lynn stepped even closer to him. "I just need to know one more thing to seal the deal," she remarked as she unexpectedly pulled him hard against her and tilted her head up in the obvious position for a kiss.

It was a request that Durango found he was eager to fulfill. Therefore, to the accompaniment of the hoots, hollers, and goodnatured laughter of the others by the fire, he finally shed the uncharacteristic tongue-tied awkwardness that had somehow developed in her close presence and regained a bit of his natural cockiness, instead. He pulled her even closer before his lips covered hers and marveled about how good it felt to have her in his arms. As a result, they shared such a passionate moment that it made Durango suddenly wish he had not already agreed to the separate bedding arrangements. Nevertheless, he was so enthralled by the smile on Lynn's face and the look in her eyes when they finally pulled apart to catch their breath, that he knew that he could wait until she was ready.

"Yep! You'll do just fine," was all she said, though, as she laughed and took his hand. She then led him towards not only the fire… but also their future…where he was sure they were going to make beautiful music together.