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“So… how’s your leg?” Bill asked, a little awkwardly. It was the first time he and Javier got to talk alone since they got back to the U.S. Bill was relieved, and he felt as if he could breathe. Ever since that bank robbery, Javier seemed off, and he hated to admit it but he was worried. He’d seen Javier limping every time he saw him, and he wasn’t getting better. It made Bill’s heart ache that he couldn’t get Javier when he first got shot.
“It’s… it’s fine.” Javier replied, it was a damn lie, but Bill didn’t care. He wouldn’t press Javier for the truth either. They looked in bushes, behind trees, and tried to find any Pinkertons they could. Eventually Javier had to take a break, Bill couldn’t blame him. They both sat down on a rock, Bill kept his eyes trained on Javier. “You can continue without me… I’m okay..” Javier looked away, slightly embarrassed.
“No, I… I want to talk.” Bill stated. He could see Javier’s relief and irritation. Bill grimaced at his reaction, he didn’t want to leave Javier alone though. He looked out at the swampy scenery and sighed before he spoke. “I promise it isn’t anything bad, it’s just- d-do you think Dutch is… off? L-like- he’s actin a little weird?” Bill asked, trying not to look at Javier. He didn’t want to see how Javier would think about it.
“Are you doubting Dutch?” Javier asked. Bill couldn’t tell if it was more comedic or serious, and he didn’t want to find out. Javier could tell Bill looked opposed to that statement, so he gave his actual answer. “Well… a-a little… but… it’s cause he loves us so much and he’s worried.” Javier reasoned. Bill nodded and looked at his Mexican friend. Javier stared into Bill’s eyes, he couldn’t help but stare back.
“I.. I heard that he killed a woman. From Arthur, before he saved you. And- our code is that we don’t kill nobody that don’t deserve it. I’m- it’s worrying me.” Bill admitted, Javier’s eyebrows furrowed as he stared at him. The ex-soldier needed to look away. “I just… I don’t want this gang to go to shit cause it’s the only thing I’ve got. It’s… it’s important to me. I hope it’s important to you.” He stated. He felt Javier bump his shoulder against his.
“Of course it’s important to me.” Javier stated. Bill nodded, he knew it was. Javier was the most loyal out of the lot of them, of course it was important to him. He felt awful about everything. About not being there for Javier, not being good enough for the gang, not being good enough for Dutch. He and Javier sat in silence, maybe Javier was enjoying his company, maybe not.
Bill decided it wasn’t worth it to ask. It would be awkward, and that’s the last thing Bill wanted. Javier reached for Bill’s hand, it was too late for Bill to pull away when he realized. Javier squeezed his hand tightly as Bill tensed up. Bill couldn’t focus on anything at that moment. It had been awhile since Javier had shown him affection. Javier sighed softly, he looked down at their intertwined hands.
“I thought I was going to die… and then Dutch saved me, again. I… I can’t not be loyal. He cares.. at least a little bit. I believe in him. I believe he’s going to get us out of this mess. I know he is. And- and if he doesn’t we run. We run away as far as our horses will take us.” Javier spoke. Bill nodded, though it wasn’t good enough for Javier. “Promise.” He simply stated. Bill was taken aback by his urgency.
“I promise.” Bill looked at Javier, slightly easing his shoulders as he did. Javier looked as though he would cry. Bill hadn’t seen the younger man cry before, he was always stoic, and when he wasn’t he was confident. Bill had always admired him for that, emotions being weak were ingrained into his mind. He always beat himself up for showing his emotions. When he saw how sad Javier seemed, it was like that went away.
Javier pulled Bill into a tight hug, he hugged him back tighter. “Thank you…” He mumbled into Bill’s shoulder. Bill felt tears on his shoulder, he rubbed Javier’s back to try and calm him. “Man, I never thought I’d be this emotional over Bill fucking Williamson.” Javier joked, Bill chuckled with him. Javier looked up at Bill, “I missed you, a hell of a lot.” He chuckled. Bill couldn’t help but smile at him.
“I did too.” Bill replied. He buried his face in Javier’s hair, he still smelt like ocean water. They stayed in the embrace for a few good minutes. Javier was first to pull away, Bill patted his back one more time before he did. The question on whether or not Javier’s leg was okay was still lingering in his head. He watched Javier attempt to get up without straining his leg. He slightly cursed under his breath. “You sure that leg is okay? It don’t seem okay.” Bill stated, more factual if anything.
“Aye… I don’t know anymore, friend. I don’t think it’ll get better any time soon.” He huffed. He got up and grabbed his gun, then continued, “We might not even live that long.” He started to walk ahead. Bill scrambled up to catch up with him. Bill knew that, but he hoped they would survive. They walked for a few more minutes, they saw mostly nothing. Javier looked behind a bush they saw rustle. He saw a Pinkerton, shaking, wounded. Bill took a good look at him, he kinda felt bad, then again, he was trying to kill them. Javier shot him, then muttered under his breath, “Goddamn Pinkerton.”
“You ready to head back?” Bill asked after. “Rest that leg of yours?”
“Yeah, I’m tired of walking.” Javier sighed. They walked back together, both wishing that things could’ve stayed more simple.