Summary: You tag along Javier, Bill, and Charles when they head to the local saloon for some drinks and women. Based on the Americans at Rest mission in Chapter 2.
Notes: New chapter up! Yay! I had fun writing this one, though it went longer than the previous chapters. Thought I'd give the reader a break from the brooding John Marston and give her and Javier some quality time. ~~
Weeks passed since the gang moved out the mountains and settled into some pretty enough country called the Heartlands, you shared Arthur's sentiments when he remarked that everyone were thinking more clearly and feeling a lot happier now since that whole Blackwater mess.
You could see the sparkle in the crew's eyes, when they heard Uncle and Hosea said something about a nearby town called Valentine. Almost all of them couldn't just wait to head out, explore, and interact with civilization again (or at least some semblance of it). Herr Strauss said he'll try and see if he can find some means to make money in town. You were pretty sure he meant lending money to some poor folk at exorbitant interest rates and Reverend Swanson had this habit of disappearing every after lunch. You did catch him once or twice trying to steal from the camp's donation box.
One afternoon, Ms. Grimshaw asked you to gather some firewood for the camp. Upon returning, you were looking for Karen, Tilly, and Mary-Beth since you girls did plan on heading to town together.
When you couldn't find them anywhere, you saw Bill and tried asking him.
"Bill! Have you seen the girls?"
"You just missed them! They got in a wagon with Uncle and Arthur, s'pose they headed to Valentine." He answered. A look of disappointment on your face.
"Aww, your girlfriends abandoned you, Señorita?" you heard Javier approaching you from behind. He certainly took pleasure in teasing you at every chance he can get. He put his arm around your shoulders and squeezed and pulled you uncomfortably closer to him.
"Well… I didn't want to go anyway…" You bitterly answered him, sounding rather a bit childish, as you swatted his arm away, immediately putting some distance between you and him.
"Hah! Ain't you cranky. Well, today's your lucky day, because I will take you with me to Valentine! Well me, Charles, and Bill, will take you. How about it?"
"Really?" You eyed hin suspiciously, trying very hard not to give him the pleasure of showing your excitement over generous his invitation.
"Yes! Now let's go, before I change my mind." He said, still teasing you at this point.
"I'll just go get my things… Oh but I don't have a horse." You didn't want to ride behind Javier, although, at the back of your head, you really didn't mind at all.
He stroked his chin thinking for a minute, then he saw John pass by.
"Hey, John, can this little lady here borrow your horse?" He shouted at John. He might've thought John's not heading out anytime soon.
Your eyes met John's as he looked to see who was borrowing Old Boy for the afternoon. "Uh okay. Just bring him alive, okay?" He pleaded, clearly, he wasn't that confident in your horse-back riding skills.
"I will. Thank you, John!" You shot him a smile right before he turned away. Good to see he's back on his feet at least, you thought.
You mounted Old Boy and rode towards Valentine with Javier, Bill, and Charles. The ride was definitely uncomfortable with your ankle length skirt and John's Hungarian half-bred horse is not exactly lady-sized, but you did enjoy the scenic view and the fresh air for once.
You slowed down and followed the three men in front of you. They were heading towards an establishment called Smithfield Saloon – then you realised, "Oh, they were taking you to a saloon. You can already hear the rowdy voices of the drunk men inside and ragtime was playing on the piano.
You hitched up your horses right up front. You followed behind but you hesitated in your footsteps. You softly grabbed Javier's arm before he could get through the bat swing doors.
"Hey, Javi. Can I borrow some money?"
"Hmm. What for?" he asked, eyeing you suspiciously.
"I just want to buy something." You explained.
"Alright, but you have to pay me back okay – with interest!" he laughed as he handed you couple of bills from his pocket. He left you to your own as he disappeared into the saloon.
A few minutes later, as you entered the saloon, looking out of place. The men didn't seem to pay attention too much, thanks to your new get-up, which you just picked up from the general goods store next door. Your eyes scanned the crowd to look for your companions. You found Javier and Charles who now happened to be at the bar and cannoodling a pair prostitutes.
"Hello!" You greeted them. Javier spat some of the liquid that was in his mouth seeing you in pants and suspenders for the first time. Charles looked at you from head to toe in slight disbelief.
"Had I known you were getting rid of your skirt for these pants, I shouldn't have lent you that money, [Y/N]! You got yourself a boy's hat, too! Ayayay!" He flicked your hat and shook his head. Charles handed you a bottle of beer. You paid them no mind because you liked it - the freedom that came with wearing a pair of pants, plus you really didn't want to ride horseback on your way back to camp on your skirt.
After a bottle or two of beers, you started to feel that familiar feel-good buzz again. This time you made sure to moderate your alcohol consumption. You really don't want a repeat of the last time you went drinking with Javier. You didn't mind the company too; you were having fun just listening to Javier and Charles trying so desperate to woo these women into getting into their pants when they should just really be paying them for that.
Arthur came in and joined you three, he made a side comment on your new clothes, but you were having too much fun to notice. Javier introduced him to their new lady friends but unfortunately, Arthur Morgan was no sweet talker, and the women left your group, appalled at Arthur's rude remarks.
A drunk Bill walked in the bar shortly after Arthur. He bumped into another patron. This angered the patron so much, he shouted at Bill "Watch it!" and that wasn't good, because you don't shout at a drunk Bill Williamson nor you want to make Bill mad when he's drunk, no sir you don't. Bill's face reddened looking as if he was about to burst.
The men braced as they knew, as if on their instinct, that a full-on barfight, courtesy of Mr. Williamson, was about to erupt. You ducked and covered your head, evading the fists and kicks that were flinging in the air, as you retreated in the corner.
The patrons wrestled each other, either landing punches or getting punched, as the sound of bottles breaking, women screaming, and men cursing each other filled the saloon. You swore you just saw someone's gold tooth flew in the air. The bartender stayed behind the bar counter, ducking as bottles were thrown in his direction. He looked helpless as he pleaded for the enraged patrons to stop.
You stayed in your corner as chaos ensued before your eyes. You screamed when you saw Javier being thrown by this enormous man, landing on the table in front of you. The big man was called Tommy and the others claimed he was the strongest local at the saloon. Tommy picked up Javier again and rammed him on another table. At this point, you didn't know what came to you when you rushed behind Tommy and jumped him like a flying squirrel. Your petite frame looking ridiculous now more than ever as you clung on Tommy's back. The large man let go of Javier and flailed around trying to get you off his back. You grabbed a whiskey bottle nearby and smashed it on Tommy's head, but that didn't work. The large man was obviously too strong for you – let alone for Javier. He forcefully backed to the counter. You landed on the bar counter and your head hit its hard surface, then it went pitch black.