The Ties Of Fate Tie You Down
Disclaimer: If you recognize it then I don't own it.
A/N: For Whumptober 2023 #21 "See the chains around my feet." Restraints
Vigilante had not been back to the old family homestead in too long. Between his thriving music career and double life as a superhero, he just hadn't found time to go home to the ranch. He always made sure to call but it wasn't the same. He had left home with big dreams of becoming a famous musician. His pa had kept the family tradition of being a lawman, and Greg wanted to pave his own way. When his pa was killed in a robbery gone bad he always wondered if things would have gone differently if the small-town Wyoming sheriff had had his son by his side watching his back.
After he had brought his father's murders to justice he couldn't bear the weight of the badge. He had instead crafted himself a new path once again. He became the hero known as Vigilante. He never knew that decision would have him fighting aliens and monsters or that he would be rubbing elbows with gods and time travelers.
Greg often wondered if his pa had been proud of him or would even be proud of the man he had become.
He was pulling a horse trailer behind his truck as he pulled down the long driveway leading to the house he grew up in. He wasn't alone. Next to him in the passenger seat sat a genuine knight of King Arthur's court, Sir Justin. The knight's shockingly bright blond hair contrasts with the cowboy's own dark locks. And in the trailer, he pulled a magnificent white, winged horse, Winged Victory. The two he brought home with him had been frozen in time and awakened in this strange far-off future. Sir Justin's medieval upbringing and Greg's cowboy lifestyle should have made them clash, and they did sometimes. Sir Justin complained often about Clint Eastwood's lack of honor and would sometimes try to deal with the current world around him like the one he once knew while Greg liked to make a spectacle of them sometimes in public and was prone to shoot first and ask questions later, but somehow they had become close friends quickly despite all of their many differences.
"Friend, do you think it is wise for me to enter your home unannounced?" It was a fair question. Greg had never brought anyone home from his hero life. His loved ones of course knew he was Vigilante but he had tried not to put them in danger by involving them too much in his double life. But Justin had no one in the world, he was alone. The out-of-time knight had become one of Greg's people, someone he cared deeply about and wanted to always help and protect, so he had decided it was about time he met the rest of Greg's loved ones.
The truck stopped in front of the house. The pair got out and unloaded Winged Victory. She snapped at the cowboy not appreciating the rough ride to get there. Greg pulled back from her large teeth just in time with a laugh.
"Hey, girl you'll like hanging out with the other ornery mares. Come on Justin," He beckoned them to follow him.
They lead the horse to the paddock full of a lot of other horses, minus the wings. They let her in and stood watching at the gate. The horses nudged and sniffed the new arrival. One particular bed-tempered mare took a bite of her flank. The newcomer quickly frightened her fellows with a show of her wings. She was strange and new but after a while, all the horses went back to grazing including the one with wings. Winged Victory was still different than the rest but she had won the other's respect and with a little more time their acceptance.
"Ain't ever seen a filly quite like that," An old man approached them. His hair and mustache were white but he moved like a man half his age. "Been a while son."
"Justin this is my good friend, Billy Gunn, He runs the place while I'm gone," Greg introduced the two men. Billy had been like a brother to his pa. He was his deputy for many years and helped build up the ranch. After his pa was killed he became like a father to him. He trusted the man with everything and now with his best friend as well.
"I run it while yer here too, you've become plum useless with yer singing and alien battles," The old cowboy grumbled, but couldn't hide the twinkle in his eye. Those eyes studied the pair, especially lingering on his best friend's son, whom he hadn't seen in person for some time.
"You did that for my pa too," Greg smiled pulling the older man into a back-slapping hug. It was real good to see Billy again after so long.
"Don't they feed ya up on that fancy space tower? Yer plumb skin and bones." The old man fussed, "I got some stew on that will stick to yer ribs. You'll be plum-stuffed by the time ya leave. We'll have to roll ya out of here."
"Speaking of Stuff, where is he?" Greg looked around expecting who he was looking for to appear around any corner. The kid usually was the first to greet him whenever he made it home. He was surprised he hadn't spotted his short, wiry frame yet.
"I suspect he's in the barn." Billy's eyes lost their twinkle. All of a sudden he looked all of his many lived years and then some. The kid had been a little distant in their phone calls lately but Greg figured it was just teen angst. Billy hadn't indicated that there was anything wrong back at home, but maybe he just took it all for granted and didn't ask. He didn't have to feel so guilty being away from home for so long if everything was always fine.
"What's he doin' in there?" Greg asked with a sinking feeling in his heart.
"Trainin'."
"What in tarnation he trainin' for?"
"Getting ready to become the Vigilante's sidekick."
"Hell no, he ain't." His worry quickly turned to anger. He was just a kid. He was safe at the ranch. Was he trying to follow Greg's path in life? Was he even setting a good example for the kid? He wanted to march straight over to the barn and shake some sense into the fool kid. Not that it would do any good, the kid was as stubborn a cowboy as any Saunders, even without sharing a drop of blood with one. He was raised as one and that's all that mattered. His father had saved the little Chinese boy from an illegal trafficking ring years ago and had promptly adopted the boy when no relatives could be found. Greg had promised on his father's grave to bring his killers to justice and to protect his little brother. He'd done half already but didn't intend to fail in his duty to complete the rest.
Duty was something he always struggled with, it felt too much like shackles tying him down. He was the first Saunders man not to become a lawman in generations, his father had expected him to follow the family legacy. He had disappointed him when left his family to pursue his dreams and then his father had been killed. When he became Vigilante he had left what was left of his family to go play as a hero. Maybe he never should have left home, either time. Had he been selfish when he should have sacrificed himself? Justin seemed to always know and understand duty though. He admired the knight for that and so much more. If he could be half the man Sir Justin was or his pa used to be maybe he could continue to do his duty and keep his promise.
"Of course he ain't but if you go at him like that he sure as hell will try. You can't restrain a Saunders and not expect them to naw off their own leg trying to escape," Billy shook his head in disgust at always having to deal with pigheaded Saunders men. "Now where are yer manners, boy, I know yer pa taught ya better. Leaving a guest outside in the sun with no offer to come inside or nothin'."
Greg felt his ears flush in embarrassment. He turned to his friend to see amusement alight in his ancient eyes to see the always-confident cowboy squirm like a naughty schoolboy. The trio left the horses and the wayward youngster and headed to the house. Billy finding an attentive audience proceded to spin yarn after yarn about Greg in his youth. Every embarrassing story seemed to be shared as lunch was prepared. Ever the chivalrous knight, Justin helped set the table. The house was old and simple in style and the knight seemed much more at ease inside its walls than he ever was in the technologically advanced Watchtower or the bustling cities they frequented for missions. It was one of the reasons Greg wanted him to come. He thought it would be a nice change of pace for his friend out of time.
They were just sitting up to eat when a dark cloud in the form of a boy stalked into the house. He was drenched in sweat and upset, carrying a duffle bag full of training equipment and martial arts weapons. Greg hadn't seen him for a while but he bulked up some since the last time but he was still rather short for his age.
"Justin, short stuff over there is my little brother, Danny," Greg introduced.
"I ain't little anymore," The declaration was said with such venom it felt like he stabbed a knife into his big brother's heart. The short teenager crossed his arms, looking over at them with a glare. The boy had grown up while he had been gone, maybe he didn't even need Greg anymore. Maybe he never had.
"Come sit down and eat," Billy ordered.
"Ain't hungry."
"Too bad. We got a guest." The battle of wills was over before Greg could get in a word. He watched the interaction with shame as Danny came in sulking and sat poking at his stew. He should be the one to be there for Danny, to help him grow, not Billy. Danny was his brother. He had passed the responsibility over to Billy without a second thought and was upset when Billy performed his role as guardian for his brother.
Danny's teenage boy metabolism soon got the better of him. He was shoveling in the stew as he turned his attention onto Justin. He was soon interacting with the stranger, asking him a million questions, but ignoring his big brother. Billy would add in his two cents and the three conversed throughout dinner. Justin tried to involve Greg but every time he was pulled from his friend to answer a question posed by his little brother. Greg was the one left poking at his half-eaten stew, his appetite long gone, feeling like a stranger in his own home.