Chapter Text
"Hurry up!" Virgil hissed, sounding very panicky. They paced back and forth, fiddling with their leather gloves and their bandanna in what seemed to be a practiced rhythm. "What's taking so long?!"
"If you helped me maybe this process could be coming along much quicker," Remus shot back, gritting his teeth as he tried his best to haul the crates and barrels into the wagon.
Virgil stopped his pacing and sent a sheepish look at their partner and went to carry the rest of the goods, hefting them over their shoulder with ease.
Remus snorted, rolling his eyes. It was rather comical how cowardly and skirmish the tall, imposing individual was; if Remus was half that strong, he wouldn't hide from anyone - or anything.
He placed his hands on his hips and looked up at the half-empty warehouse, sighing with satisfaction. No doubt that come morning, the owners of this fine place will realize the missing contents, but Virgil and him would be out long before they even step foot in these grounds.
"C'mon!" Virgil whispered and covered their mouth with their bandanna, leaping into the wagon amongst the barrels and crates.
Remus jogged over and sat at the front, readying the horses. With one snap of the reins, they were off, headed out of town.
As they followed a trail that stretched for miles and miles, Remus wondered briefly why Jan would send a team so far out just to get some cheap, watered down booze. Was there a particular reason they had to travel so far? Surely there must be; Janus never did anything without reason.
As they continued forward, Remus fought to stay awake, dozing as the steady pace of the horses lulled him. He slapped his cheek a couple of times, trying to listen to the inane thoughts in his head instead. Usually he didn't indulge in them too much, but he couldn't fall asleep at the reins - Virgil would never forgive him.
When dawn neared, Remus was fully exhausted, but he tried to ignore it, seeing a small little stop up ahead. A modest town with few permanent residents; they could stop there.
He found a small lot that he parked the wagon into, handing the horses over to a caretaker to get them fed and watered; he had to pay them a lot of coin, but he supposed it was alright, knowing the horses were in good hands.
Virgil got out the back when the coast was clear and the two headed into the nearest inn, desperate for sleep and food - and maybe some booze.
The inn was bustling with people and Remus was forced awake by the loud chattering. There were a few tables and booths around the room as they walked in, people occupying most of them. Food wafted into his direction and he salivated, positively starving now that he got a smidgen of what food he could get. But before he could move to indulge, Virgil stopped him with a firm hand on his wrist.
"Look," they said, and tilted their head towards a bulletin board next to the inn's doors.
On it read 'WANTED: REMUS KING and VIRGIL TEMPEST' in large bold letters. And while the posters were rather intimidating, the figures on there weren't too accurate nor seeable (they were rather smudged). Not to mention there was no reward for their capture, which meant no one would really give a damn about them. Remus sighed a little and raised an eyebrow at his partner, looking unamused.
"Relax, no one will know or care V," he whispered, nudging them a bit. "And I'll just sign us in as some other name."
With that, he walked up to the front desk, leaning casually on it. "Two rooms please, under the names Barnaby and Victor."
Remus could practically feel the burning glare of Virgil's stormy eyes.
"Alright, that'll be 10 gold per room," the innkeeper said, sounding bored.
Remus grumbled as he handed her the money, then quickly received two keys. He grabbed them and tugged on Virgil's wrist, bringing them up the stairs into the rooms.
"Why the long face? Did you want to be in the same room?" he asked teasingly.
Virgil still fixed him with that glare, though it was much less vicious with that reddening face. "We're going to get caught idiot!"
"Shhh, no we won't," he said assuredly, and led them to their rooms.
------
The next thing Remus knew, it was morning. He tossed and turned in his cot until he was sitting up, and then, he stretched, screeching in an unholy manner until he felt satisfied. He looked over as clothes, glad to see no one came into his room to steal something (something that happened on occasion) and he started getting ready for the day. There was a quick double check after he had changed, fixing on his clothes with efficiency before grabbing his key to walk out.
Only to slam into Virgil, who was already waiting for him outside his door it seemed.
“We have to get going-“
“Uhp! Nope, don’t start,” Remus said quickly, stopping them from saying anything. “Listen, you need to relax Virgil. We don’t need to leave right away.”
“We were supposed to get the shipment in by the end of the week Remus,” Virgil seethed. “And who kept getting lost and losing time? You ! Guess how many days left we have Remus? Two. Days. ” They jabbed their finger into Remus’ chest for extra measure in their enunciation.
Remus winced but carefully pried Virgil’s fingers away. “Exactly! We have two days , we can get there! I know where I’m going this time,” he reassured, but his partner didn’t seem convinced. “We can stay for another few hours, maybe play our hand in a few games-“
“No! Absolutely not. We are not going to bet Remus!” they shot down immediately, looking around the hallway anxiously, as if their slightly altered volume drew attention.
“V, c’mon, have I ever lost a game?” Remus inquired.
“Yes,” they said dryly, staring at him deadpanned. “You have.”
“Ah but but but! Only ever against Jan! And you know he’s quick with his hand - don’t take that out of context.”
Virgil pinched their brow and pressed their mouth into a thin line. They were slowly beginning to become convinced, Remus could tell.
“You know Jan would appreciate the extra cash,” he threw in for good measure. He watched as the gears turned in his associate’s head and finally, they turned to Remus with a resolute stare. “Fine. But if you lose I won’t hesitate to throw you into the dust.”
“So little faith,” Remus said with mock hurt. He brushed his lapels off and headed down stairs.
He was only mildly surprised to see the establishment so busy still, but that was fine with him. He pulled his bandanna back up and strolled over to a table of gentlemen, all hunched over with cards in their hands.
Virgil leaned against a wooden beam, watching him closely as Remus walked over, tilting his head at the group. “Got room for one more?” he drawled.
“Got something to add to the loot?” one of the men asked, tilting his head towards the large pile of coin.
Remus pulled out a bag of the savings he had for their journey and placed it into the pile. Pointedly ignoring the seething glare of his friend, he settled between the group, grabbing some cards for himself.
He had a game to win.
------
Three rounds in, Remus was winning. Virgil could fret all they want but Remus knew his skills. “It seems you gentlemen are at a loss,” he said, cackling. “Want to add more perhaps? Try your hand again?”
But before he could get an answer, the doors to the inn slammed open, a cloaked figure walking in.
They headed over to the front desk where the innkeeper stood and they talked with her a good while before she turned and pointed at Remus.
A bounty hunter.
Virgil seemed to realize about the same time and quickly tugged their bandanna over their mouth, Remus doing the same. He gave the gentlemen at the table a wry glance and took as much keepsake as he could. “Fun game we had fellas! Maybe we can bet again sometime later!” he called out, then booked it out of the inn, with Virgil following suit.
The two hurried over to the stables, not bothering to look behind them. There was a scramble over to the horses as they picked out their own two steeds, quickly strapping their horses to the wagon with as much haste as possible. Dismissing the loud protests of the stablehands, Remus snapped the reins and they bolted out of the small town.
“Goddammit Remus,” Virgil said, breathing heavily as they made it to the trail leading into the mountains. They hit Remus against the shoulder, then continued the barrage of hits.
“Ow! Ouch! Okay I get it! Stop! At least we got the cash, alright?!”
Virgil fixed their gloves, one hand on their pistol. “I swear if they have a horse-“
The sound of galloping filled their ears and they exchanged panicked looks.
“Remus!! I’m going to kill you- ”
“Not if they kill me first!” he responded panickedly, trying to urge the horses to hurry their pace.
But the bounty hunter neared closer and closer with each stride and Remus knew that inevitably, they would be caught. The sound of hooves filled his ears, and he tried to focus on the steeds in front of him,
Then, he heard a shot. Oh yeah, Virgil had a pistol.
But then there was a louder, more prominent shot, and the whole wagon wobbled, threatening to tip over. The sound of wood splintering filled his ears.
The horses nearly reared back at the noise but Remus pulled tight to keep them steady, his heart pounding in his chest.
“They’ve got a gun!!” Virgil shrieked, ducking as another shot was fired.
“Yeah no shit!!” Remus said, trying his best to urge the horses forward.
There was one more shot, and then everything became blurred.
The wagon flew forward, effectively launching Remus along with it. It bounced a bit against the coarse ground before splintering onto its side. The horses fled, whinnying their poorly secured harnesses braking as the wagon collapsed.
Remus landed hard onto the ground, his jaw almost breaking at the harsh impact. He stood up as quickly as his dizzying vision let him.
Virgil was already up, looking a bit battered, but none too worse for wear.
But that didn’t matter, the bounty hunter was nearing quickly.
Many things went through Remus’ head in this one moment; 1. Were they to run, they would surely be caught 2. Were they to stay and fight, they would surely be caught - or killed 3. Were one of them to run and divert the hunter’s attention, one could get away...
With a quick shove. Remus pushed Virgil into the remains of the broken wagon, effectively hiding them away. He mentally apologized for the rough treatment, and then he ran as fast as he could towards the brush of the plains.
He pushed himself as hard as he could, feeling his lungs blazing and his legs straining. The only thing that stopped him from slowing was the steadying, nearing sound of hoofbeats behind him.
Just a bit more, a little bit more in the brush and he'll be fine! Just a little bit more-
There was a shot, then a searing pain in Remus’ right side.
He collapsed into the dust, wincing and groaning. He tried to scramble up, clawing his way onto his knees despite the horrible ache in his side.
He frantically tried to stand as the sound of the horse got nearer, but coupled with his wound and the now monstrous headache, he collapsed again.
The attacker got off their horse, walking over to Remus with a slow and menacing pace. The latter tried pushing himself up again with his arms, but the offending hunter pushed him back down with their boot, causing him to cry out as another bolt of pain coursed through his body.
He gazed up at the figure, trying his best to glare, but all he could see was the sun's harsh glow, and then...nothing.
------
Remus woke up with a throbbing headache, all his senses muddled. He groaned and shifted, moving his arms only to realize they were tightly bound behind him...to a tree.
Great. Wonderful.
He tried tugging himself right, to strain the tether, but that only reminded him of his wound and he bit back a strangled scream, ceasing his movements and slumping.
"I would stay still if I were you," came a low voice. Remus' eyes cleared, settling on an intimidating figure. They weren't too tall - not as tall as Remus at least - and they held themselves in a stern way, a disciplined way. The most noticeable thing, however, was the bandage over their eyes.
A brown cloth encircled the top part of their face, clean and well kept. If Remus squinted, he would be able to see the small beginnings of scars peek out from behind the fabric, but focusing too hard would land him with a nauseous stomach and a worse headache.
"Stop staring," they snapped, to which Remus quickly looked away, startled. Surely they couldn't see...could they?
Remus watched with interest as they grabbed a canteen, walking back over to the other. They knelt down and tilted the criminal's head up, forcefully holding his chin. Then steadily tipped the canteen and the water flowed slowly.
Parched and tired, Remus lapped up as much as he could before the can was taken away.
"Now don't move," ordered the hunter. Remus watched as they went over to their steed, petting her flank before grabbing a roll of bandages out from the side satchel. They walked back over and Remus - because he could - promptly stuck out one leg in front of the hunter's path.
To his astonishment, they stepped over it, and Remus was met with a scowl and sharp blow to the head; he sorely regretted this little trip up (heh) as it added to the horrible headache.
"Stop testing me, I don't have to bandage you up," they said with a glower that almost matched the one Virgil used to make half the time.
Oh, Virgil. Remus hoped they were okay.
"Then don't," Remus rasped, deciding to shut his mouth after that response as it elicited another tang of pain.
He heard the other scoff and he felt his shirt forcefully pulled upward, causing him to squirm and wince.
"Already?" he breathed, yelping as the smell of alcohol hit his nose and burned his skin. "W-We just met."
They ignored him. Remus saw a long tweezer emerge in their palm, and moved it closer to his wound.
He tried to inch away but a strong hand pinned him in place, and slowly, the hunter began to take that bullet out of him.
And hell did that hurt.
Remus refused to scream out and bit his lip so hard it bled.
After an excruciating few minutes - which felt like lifetimes - the hunter fished out the bullet, throwing it onto the ground. More alcohol was poured to clean his wound and Remus nearly screamed once more, his whole body shaking and sweating.
"You- fucker," he gritted out.
The hunter paid him no mind, going to bandage him up with calm, practiced movements.
Remus stared, unblinkingly at his surroundings, sighing to himself and dreading the days to come.
What would happen to him? Was this bounty hunter going to take him to the sheriff? Or worse...what if they took him to some gang? What would they do to him for information? He gulped, trying not to think about it too hard.
The steady hand by his waist stopped and Remus realized that the hunter had finished cleaning up the wound and they moved away, back to the horse to return their supplies.
There was some tranquil silence that extended over the two, but after a while, Remus couldn't help but blurting "What happened to your eyes?"
A mistake, he quickly came to realize.
They seemed to glare without a piercing stare, and they turned back, focusing on making camp in their small little area.
Remus fidgeted, begrudgingly feeling better thanks to the fixed wound. It was getting dark, which meant Remus had probably passed out for a good portion of the day - not too bad.
He figured he should at least try to escape, but with the dulled ache in his side, the ever continuous pounding of his head, and the sudden onslaught of fatigue, he found he didn't want to move, much less get up.
He tilted his head back against the tree, closing his eyes; this bounty hunter would get one easy day with him - only one, then, he'd make it hell for them.
But for now, a nap was in session.
…Until it wasn't.
Remus was rudely woken up by a harsh nudge (if woken up was even the word - he barely started sleeping) and he looked up blearily, gazing up at the cold person.
"You know, I was trying to get some res-"
"You need to eat," they said, handing Remus an apple. He looked at the newly created fire pit, which was currently cooking some beans; that sounded a lot more appetizing.
But if he learned anything from Jan, it was to be thankful for what he had (nah it was to lie and cheat your way out of anything and everything you could if it benefited you) and so he took the apple, holding onto it with his teeth.
Remus gave his captor an unamused stare (was this person really going to go through such lengths to humiliate him? Not even allowing him to eat with his hands?), to which the other was alerted to and they worked one hand out of the restraints.
"Don't even think about breaking out of those," they warned. They pulled out a sharp dagger from their belt and placed it just below Remus' pulse.
The warning was rather sufficient without the knife in Remus' opinion.
With his one hand freed he took a bite of the apple, trying to eat slow enough to not seem a threat, but fast enough to not give the impression of mocking this hunter.
When he finished as much as he could, they slowly lowered the dagger, sheathing it back in their belt. They roughly grabbed Remus' wrist and tied it back behind him.
That was that, it seemed, as Remus watched the bounty hunter resume their seat by the pit. They lifted the pot of boiling beans off the fire and set it beside them on the ground, being careful with the heat. Remus wondered - not for the first time today - how they were so attentive despite their loss of vision.
Caught up in his thoughts, he almost didn't notice the noise coming from his stomach or how he salivated at the sight of cooked beans.
Almost.
"Oh? You're still hungry?" they asked, though Remus could hear the smirk in that statement.
He turned away in defiance. "I am not ," he said, as though trying to convince himself.
Remus watched as they gave a shrug and started eating the beans with slow, savoring movements; what a bastard. His restraint could only hold for so long before it snapped - and lo and behold it did.
"May I have some? Please?" he begged, trying to imagine beans.
"Oh? So the criminal does have manners," they remarked, snootily.
Remus scowled, but that off hand statement didn't deter him.
"I want some," he stated plainly.
"I can tell," they responded dryly, continuing to eat at their slow pace. "Maybe if you beg like a good little mutt I'll let you have some."
Remus scrunched his nose. "Never!" he spat.
Half an hour later, he begged.