Chapter Text
Jesse McCree had never been a lucky man, from his youth to the edges of adulthood. The brand he wore on his left arm showed his allegiance to the Deadlock gang so there went his hope of a future. He was one of the finest gunslingers around though, so despite his young age of 17, he went on most local missions with the gang. The next place to hit for all the cash they had, Blackwatch Coffee Stop, run by a gruff latino man that few knew much about. The shop had closed earlier that evening and as the moon rose over the horizon, painting the street with a light white, the small team of Deadlock members moved towards their target.
The gunslinger followed up the rear, the slight jingle of his ridiculous spurs keeping everyone on high alert. As they slowly picked the lock of the back door and each member made their way in from the alley, the smell of espresso and scones hit them all like a brick wall. The smell was just so gentle yet strong, it could almost warm a person from the inside out by being in that kitchen.
The ovens were still cracked open to let the heat out, meaning the baker had recently turned off the machines and should be gone by now. As they made their way to the front room, they saw the worst possible sight causing the Deadlock crew to freeze in place. Jesse’s spurs let out a final jingle as ten police officers turned from the front door, standing up from their squatted position behind chairs and tables to look at them. Quickly guns were drawn but before a single shot could ring out a loud and gruff voice shouted from behind the front counter, only a ten or so feet away from the gunslinger himself.
He looked at them all and growled, his gravely voice ringing out in the silence, “If you want to take a shot in my business, I dare you to try getting one out.” Two shotguns were whipped from seemingly nowhere and held against the heads of the nearest men. The trigger was pulled quicker then anyone could react and two Deadlock members dropped to the floor. He spun around once letting out a few more shots and another duo collapsed into a lifeless pile.
Smacking a few others with the buts of his gun he let them crumple downward as the cops finally had a clean shot of the rest of the men, one after another the Deadlock members were defeated before firing a single shot. The door between the rooms swung shut, the jingling of a scared seventeen year old’s now bloodied cowboy boots and spurs led the owner of Blackwatch Coffee Stop to aim but not fire.
Jesse held his gun up to the Latino man’s head, “Y’all weren’t supposed to be here, it was gonna be a clean sweep. No bloodshed, damn it to hell and back...” The gun shook slightly but the taller man wielding two shotguns gave him a look that Jesse had never had given to him. A look of pity.
The latino man lowered his weapons, “It’s a fucking kid, how old are you, when was the last time you ate a real meal. Eres un niño de piel y huesos...” He said with worry looking at the very thin child before him, both his thighs larger than Jesse would be around. He placed a large calloused hand on Jesse’s shoulder, lowering himself slightly to look him in the eyes. “I am Gabe Reyes, I own this place, though you seem to know that. Who the hell are you and those people?” His eyes were like a cold brew coffee, dark brown with golden tints, inviting but leaving a shiver down your spine.
Finally, the cowboy lowered his weapon and took a sharp breath, tipping his hat slightly, “Jesse McCree, part o’ the Deadlock Gang from 18th street… They wanted to branch control and made the newbies do it…” He seemed shaken like he had never been given mercy or have ever gotten the chance to explain himself.
After what seemed like an eternity of the two staring at each other, a man with blonde hair kicked the door open with his gun drawn, a police uniform was unbuttoned but his stance made it seem like he was on duty. “Gabe! Are you o- What happened out there, what did I tell you about the shotguns!” The officer shook his head and lowered his own gun pointed at Jesse. “I have heard of a cowboy running around in Deadlock, best shot on the west side of town. One Jesse McCree huh.”
Gabe looked the kid over, “He didn’t take a single shot at me, Jack, sure you got a gang criminal here?” The oversized hat, greasy hair, a black button-down that was worn down and far too large for a kid his size. Jesse’s jeans were ripped to shreds and sagging down, even the belt he wore had holes poked in it where he tried to make it fit, but it simply wouldn’t help the skinny kid. The only thing that seemed to fit, was the leather cowboy boots that were covered in his gang member’s blood. Jesse looked sickly and small, he was not going to last much longer in Deadlock.
Jack sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose and nodded his head at Gabe. The beefy latino man spoke softly to him, “Look, I don’t know you and you don’t know me, but I want to offer some help. Stay for the evening have a bite to eat and let the officers talk to you. I am not gonna let them take a kid to jail, if you aren’t a prick then maybe we can put you up with a job here. Niño, you have a life ahead of you if you just make something of yourself.” Gabe stood back up, his height matching Jack’s as he turned to lock eyes with the man. “Surprise Jackie, now let's blow out your candles old man.” He took Jack’s hand and tugged him back into the main cafe as the officers on the scene all took photos and logged what had happened, other on-duty officers coming to help deal with the scene.
Jesse looked at them confused, why are they helping him, a killer, a worthless son of a bitch with nothing to his name. As he slowly walked out into the cafe part of the coffee shop Gabe had pulled out a sheet cake with two candles that had the numbers 3 and 6 next to each other. Jack smiled as he was sung happy birthday and blew out the candles as Gabe kissed his cheek, the officers going back to work. Gabriel smirked at the man that Jesse could now confirm as a lover, “So what did you wish for Jackie?”
This incited Jack to roll his eyes and place his hand on his hips. “I am not a kid Gabí why would I make a wish,” He said quickly only causing Gabe to raise his eyebrow in a questioning manner “FINE… I wished for the best for our new pet project” Jack muttered glancing at Jesse before hugging his partner, his blonde hair almost glittering in the lights. That was the start of a new life for Jesse McCree, once outlaw was now going to learn how to bake and work at Blackwatch Coffee Stop.