Thank you @wealreadywentdownontheship for commissioning their OC and swapfell pap in a WILD WEST scenario.... how did you know I was desperately hyperfixating on the wild west...... magic
---
Though there was the faintest streak of light blue on the eastern horizon, it was still gloomy in the camp. A few stubborn stars remained at the top of the sky- they refused to be chased out of their spots until the very traces of night were gone.
Illa was always amazed at how quiet the camp could be, so early in the morning. Through the whole day and even late into the evening, it felt like there was no end to the tasks that needed to be done- no end to the talking, drinking, gambling and fighting. A natural consequence of being surrounded by outlaws, she supposed.
... Yet now, in the darkness just before the sun broke over the hills... everybody was asleep. It was so quiet, as if not a single soul resided in that cluster of hastily pitched tents and flimsy wooden card-playing tables.
She trudged through the silence, to a little ways out from camp, and a dead tree sitting a few feet from where the ground started to slope down toward the valley in the east- a canteen in one hand and a shawl across her shoulders. Flint had set up a small blanket across the dusty ground.
She guided herself over to him via the dim light emanating from his lit cigarette.
... He looked up, at the sound of her approaching. His eyelight, a deep royal purple, cut through the gloomy twilight like a needle.
“hey darlin’.” He said, as she sat. He didn’t waste any time in tucking his arm around her. His voice was low and raspy, a combination of the very early morning, and the numerous cigarettes he’d probably already smoked before she arrived. “glad you could make it.”
She wanted to make a comment about it being ‘too early’, but she knew he’d make fun of her for complaining about the sunrise being early. She leant against his shoulder. His presence was welcome.
“Have you been out here long?” She asked. She wanted to complain about the smell of his cigarettes... but ultimately, the desire to not make a fuss won over.
“nope.”
“Aren’t you cold?”
“not at all.”
Illa was cold. But... well, she didn’t mind. Considering how horrendously hot the midday could get, this far west, she did her best to savour the frosty nights.
A line of orange had now appeared, across the eastern horizon. The sunrise- the reason she got up so damn early. Though she was near-sighted, it didn’t really matter. The colours of the sunrise didn’t require perfect vision to enjoy.
“... didn’t know you enjoyed coffee.” He said.
Illa glanced down at the canteen cradled in her lap. How did he know it was coffee? He was too perceptive for his own good.
“I... don’t actually enjoy it.” She admitted. “I don’t like the smell.”
Flint gave her a funny look. “... why drink it, then?”
“It’s the only way I’ll be able to stay awake later.”
“yer a strange one, darlin'. could i have some?”
“Don’t poison it.” She said, only half jokingly, passing it to him.
Time seemed to slip by strangely, at sunrise, she was aware of very little but the feeling of Flint's sleeve against her cheek and the way the light spread. Soft blues spread up, slowly creeping up and over their heads, finally snuffing out those final stubborn stars- the layer of orange on the horizon picked up a glow like one might see in the hot coals of a campfire.
So peaceful.
“... you don’t have to get up, later.” Flint said. She wasn’t sure why this particular topic had caught his attention so much. “could sleep in. i know i will.”
“I’m useless enough around camp without sleeping late.” She mumbled.
... He gave her another look. At least he seemed to find her funny today. “yer not useless.”
She took the coffee back, withholding the many sarcastic quips that rose to mind. As much as she liked Flint, and as much as she enjoyed their unofficial ‘relationship’... she really didn’t trust a single word that came out of his mouth.
Nobody with half a brain would.
“i’m serious.”
“All I do is pick up the crappy lil’ odd jobs that nobody else wants to do.” The valley was visible now, shadows beginning to stretch long across the land. “I’m hardly essential.”
His voice was soft. “but if you didn’t pick up those jobs, nobody would. y’know little things pile up.”
“... Alright, what’s with all the buttering me up?” It was her turn to give him a look. “You want something?”
Flint’s grin lifted. Despite being much more suited to night, he still looked handsome, in the early glow. “dang, am i really that untrustworthy? can’t even try to make you feel better without there being some ulterior motive?”
She rolled her eyes, settling back against his shoulder.
If one didn’t know Flint, it was easy to get swept up in his charm. It was easy to look at the twinkle in his eyelight, the smile on his face, and think there was a special place in his heart for you.
... But Illa knew him better than that. She’d seen the way his softness could disappear on command. She’d seen him deliberately sowing chaos, pitting people against one another for his own enjoyment. She’d seen him smile at someone like they were his closest friend in the world... then pour poison in their glass as soon as they turned.
He acted like he liked her. But he also often acted like he was too good for her... which left her very much doubtful of the former. She doubted he had much affection for anyone- why he played around with her, she had no idea. Perhaps she had something he wanted. Someone to toy with, someone nearby to flirt with. Perhaps there was some surface level attraction, or perhaps he just enjoyed the way she couldn’t help but get jealous when he gave attention to other women.
Illa couldn’t help but like him. And she couldn’t help being a people pleaser, doing what she could to keep him around. But... she was very much prepared for when he’d lose interest, and drop her like everyone else did.
She didn’t fool herself into thinking he liked her too.
“what’s a guy gotta do to convince you you’re useful?”
“Hush already.” She said, done with that particular subject. “I’m watching the sunrise.”
... Illa didn’t see the flicker across his face. He quickly covered it up.
“i love when yer mean to me.”
“Is that so?” The sky was almost entirely orange now, bathing them both in a golden glow.
“proves you like me more than everyone else.” He flicked away some cigarette ash. “yer usually such a polite doormat.”
“... Charming.”
... The top of the sun finally broke the horizon. Illa immediately felt its warmth. Her favourite part of the sunrise was over, now, and she knew she now needed to start making peace with the day’s oncoming heat.
“I should get goin’.” She said, reluctantly pulling herself away from him, and to her feet. She took off her shawl, rolling it up into an easy-to-manage ball. “I got the feelin’ it’s gonna be pretty damn hot today.”
Flint gazed up at her. “... one day, darlin’, i’ll manage to getcha to stay with me for the whole sunrise.”
...
... In her head, Illa laughed in his face. “You really think I’m that gullible? You really think you can say a few romantic words to me, and fool me like all the rest of your collection of broken hearts? Give it up. I know better. Just because I wish you cared about me as much as I care about you, doesn’t mean I’m going to swoon right into your open jaws.”
... But in reality, she just smiled. Because that kind of thing was exactly what she wanted to hear.
“Sure. Maybe.”
119 notes
·
View notes