Summary: Scheming Javier invites you for a swim in front of John (uh-oh).
A week or so had passed since you accidentally shot Javier's leg and that conversation you had with John. One morning, a little later than usual, you sluggishly made your way to pour yourself a cup of coffee. You recalled Javier's words when you told him about what's been driving you insane of late.
"[Y/N]," he looked you straight in the eye, sounding so serious when he spoke. "I love him like my own hermano, okay? But look at what he did to Abigail - what came out of that? Jack, poor kid, without a dad. You know I'm just out looking for you, right? I just don't want you getting hurt."
You kept telling yourself that you and John were never going anywhere anyway, as much as it pained you to make yourself realise that. It was a stupid crush and the world moved on, including John – especially John. Hell, you might just pack up and split and he would barely even notice something's amiss. God knows you tried your best to move on, but just seeing his face around the camp and being constantly reminded of that kiss you shared with him that one night, damn you, if you could just simply forget a thing like that; and damn you, if you could simply forget John Marston like that.
"You're pathetic, John Marston. PATHETIC!" – and here we go again, you thought. You rolled your eyes as you heard John and Abigail go at it again.
For weeks, you've heard nothing come out of Abigail's mouth except her shouting "You're pathetic, John," and "You're fucking useless, John Marston." It was infuriating.
You did your best to stay away from both, but it's just so hard to shut them off when you could hear them all the way from the other side of the camp. You rubbed your temple as you held your cup of coffee with your other hand. Abigail's shouting and cursing is definitely not putting you in any better mood this morning.
You made your way to the campfire where Javier was sitting by his lean-to. You were still groggy that you didn't realise John was also heading in the same direction. Your eyes met for a second, and you both paused in your steps.
For you at this point, it was already a little too late to turn your heels and head for the opposite direction, it's just going to make it more obvious for everyone, so no, you didn't walk out. Why would you walk out? This was your home as much as it was his. You can sit, stand, and enjoy your coffee anywhere you please. You let out a forced smile and sat on the log.
"Good morning you two." Javier was the first one to greet.
"Hey." You greeted him back. There was a moment of silence, and when John had enough of it, he finally said, "That woman… words fail me."
Oh, that's just wonderful, now you have to hear him go rant about Abigail further.
"Words fail all of us when it comes to women." Javier answered coolly. You remained silent throughout their conversation, minding your own world and your cup of coffee.
"What are women like in Mexico?" John asked.
'Really? You were this close to pouring your heart and soul to this man just a few days ago, and here he wants to talk about women?'
"About the same, some good, some bad, some you think are good turn out to be bad"
"You miss Mexico? Think you'll ever go back?"
"I'll killed a man there – a powerful man, over a woman, a guy in the army, till he lost his position, I can't go back, maybe one day" you gave Javier a puzzled look.
"Hmm, I didn't know that." You jumped in their conversation.
"Maybe one of these days, I'll tell you all about it." Javier smiled at you.
You didn't notice it but for a split second, John rolled his eyes at what seemed to him a rather flirtatious invitation from Javier to you. Unbeknownst to John, Javier was quick enough to catch him in the act.
"It looks like it's going to be warm today," Javier, who now seemed to be brewing something, stretched out his arms and yawned as he looked at the clouds.
"You wanna go for a swim?" He didn't address anyone of you in particular, but he did have that devilish grin on his face. He knew pretty well John can't swim. John furrowed his eyebrows at Javier, confused as to what game Javier was supposed to be playing at with him.
"I'm heading out. I gotta take care of something." John said quickly.
'Probably getting things for Abigail again', you thought bitterly.
"How about you, Señorita? What's your excuse?" Javier turned to you, smiling eagerly. "We can ask Sean and Karen."
"Ugh, sure. It'd be fun," You shrugged. You badly needed to get out of this place anyway, away from Abigail's shouting and cursing, and away from John, especially, "but are you sure your leg's okay?"
"Good as new! You sure you ain't coming, John?" Javier turned to John once more, whose face was growing red. John rose to his feet, shaking his head.
As he left, he whispered to Javier, "you are an ass, Javier."