Heyes had considerable self-control when he needed it and had also perfected several ways to disguise his true feelings. He was very proud of just how good he was at hiding behind an innocent smile or even just showing enough bland disinterest that no one suspected a thing. That in combination with the Kid's skill with a gun had saved them from seemingly certain disaster more than once. But despite all his expertise and experience, maintaining his composure was still close to impossible as he observed his friend up close for the first time in far too long.
By the look Kid shot him, he was sure every single emotion he was feeling was showing clearly on his face as he took in with horrified sympathy the Kid's poor physical state. He was thinner than Heyes could ever remember and even the clothes he'd bought, based on what he'd observed of his partner the last time he'd managed to see him, hung loose on his frame. As they'd embraced, Heyes had been unable to ignore the too prominent ribs and fingers that suddenly felt too sensitive for comfort had brushed reluctantly over several raised ridges as he'd murmured reassurance to soothe them both. The Kid's newly splinted wrist was probably swollen, bruised and very sore, given how he carefully he was nursing it.
It was also likely from the way he was holding himself, that the clothes were probably hiding numerous other injuries too. His eyes when he managed to look up were dull and slightly bloodshot. Heyes had no idea of how to speak without his voice cracking and was relieved when the Kid broke the emotional silence.
"Can we get outta here, Heyes, please?" The Kid's voice was too soft and held an unfamiliar hint of uncertainty that sounded to Heyes as if he somehow doubted that he had the right to ask for anything, which hurt just as much as the physical changes he could see.
Eagerly grasping the opening to do something other than stare Heyes nodded. "Thought you'd never ask, Kid. Hotel is about two miles east. I got us a carriage so we don't need to walk it. This way!" He waved vaguely behind him and in an effort to give himself time to control if not his feelings, at least what he was showing on his face, turned to walk away with some speed.
He was so caught up in trying to restore himself to some calm, that it wasn't until he was nearly at the bottom of the hill that he realised the Kid was a ways back from him.
He looked over his shoulder in some concern and frowned at the sight of his friend trailing behind, while studying his feet, as if unsure of where to put them. Heyes, you're an idiot he scolded himself as he was reminded that this was the first time his friend hadn't had to shuffle in months. He slowed, then came to a stop to let his partner catch up and cleared his throat to draw his attention away from the ground.
The Kid looked up and with a small smile walked to stand by him. Heyes noted that he was a little out of breath, but was relieved that the weak smile actually reached his eyes.
Heyes was careful to walk slowly enough without making it too obvious to allow the Kid to keep up with him. But he was left discomforted by the fact his friend dropped back to walk a little behind again as they'd started off walking the short distance left to the carriage. He'd made no attempt to take his usual position beside him on his right side.
When they entered their hotel room, Heyes hid a smile when he got the exact reaction he'd hoped for from the Kid as he took in the size of the bed, the thick carpet and the upscale but comfortable looking decoration. "I decided seeing as it's only for a couple of nights, the luxury was worth the cost." For him, the stunned pleased expression on the Kid's face had made it even more worth the expense, but he'd keep that to himself.
Heyes also wasn't about to admit that whatever they planned it'd make no difference as to where they'd stay."How are you affording any of this?" The Kid asked quietly as he glanced round the room in appreciation.
Heyes frowned at the singular and said firmly. "We're affording this, 'cos I persuaded the Governor we deserved a not insubstantial finders fee."
"Where we going in two days, Heyes?"
"I was thinking we could take the train to San Francisco to visit Soapy." Heyes waited for the Kid to offer an opinion or even to ask a question, but instead he merely nodded and came to a stop in the middle of the room as if unsure of what to do next.
Heyes watched him for a couple of moments then asked. "You hungry? There's a good place to eat just a short walk from here. Pretty cheap, but you're gonna love their pie."
He'd chosen this hotel for multiple reasons. The prison was hidden from view, the rooms were luxurious but comfortable and they were near just about everything important, but as the building was tucked away in a small side street, privacy was good and noise wouldn't be a problem.
Heyes was a bit unnerved when the Kid with a longing look at the bed, once again simply nodded his agreement. His partner had never been that talkative and when the mood took him could be surprisingly easy going, but this almost silent acquiescence was new."Or do you just want to sleep?" When he still got no response, he raised his voice a little in some frustration, "Kid? Kid? You listening to me?"
The Kid's involuntary flinch at the increase in volume made him regret it almost immediately and he finished in a tone he often used on spooked horses, hoping to convey apology. "I tell you what, Kid. I'll get cleaned up and you can sleep some, then we'll go eat in a couple of hours." He was relieved to see his friend's shoulders relax and his posture un-hunch.
The Kid after a beat turned to look at him with a sigh "I'm sorry Heyes, I ain't meaning to make it hard, but I've just got used to not getting a say. But sleepin' sounds real good to me right now."
Heyes waved his hand towards the bed and smiled. "I'll wake you in a little while."
Heyes watched while looking like he was busy gathering what he needed to clean himself up, as the Kid lay on the top of the quilt fully clothed, carefully avoiding jostling his arm. He curled up on his left side and closed his eyes, then opened them again and shuffled as if in an attempt to get comfortable. He looked up at Heyes suddenly aware of his questioning gaze and muttered with no small hint of embarrassment. "Ain't used to not feeling the wood." But after a few moments he obviously found a position he was happy with and was soon asleep.
Heyes lathered his face in shaving soap as he considered whether a trip to San Francisco so soon was necessarily the best thing for the Kid. Soapy would certainly look after them well, but the trip west was a long one. He wasn't sure he'd get an honest answer from the Kid about whether he really wanted to go at the moment and figured he needed a subtle way to find out before they set off.
He finished shaving and quietly washed and changed, careful not to disturb his sleeping partner. He drew out a pack of cards from his saddlebags and was soon caught up in several games of five pat hands, followed by a complicated poker inspired solitaire that he'd made up years ago, to pass the time in winter when they were snowed in at Devil's Hole.
He wasn't sure how long it was before muffled sounds of distress broke into his concentration and drew his attention to the bed.
The Kid still asleep was shifting restlessly, obviously caught in a bad dream. Heyes listening carefully caught the odd word, his own name, a muttered no and even some words of apology. He was about to walk over to the bed and gently wake his partner, when the Kid sat up with a start, his gaze flicking round the room a little wildly. But as his eyes fell on Heyes he relaxed back on the bed with a relieved sigh and rubbed his eyes with a slight smile on his face as he said half wonderingly. "It's real then. I ain't just dreamt it again."