Work Text:
September 23, 1906
Kyle,
I hope this letter finds you well. I’m only just now receiving news of your promotion to the position of Sheriff. Congratulations! It seems only weeks ago we were stationed together, patrolling the streets of Saint Denis. I am glad your talents have been recognized in Blackwater, though I must admit it saddens me that I am not there to see it as such.
Richard gives his congratulations as well, though begrudgingly. I can tell he is happy for you too, though he may not want to admit as much. We all miss you here, though it seems Blackwater has been a good fit for you thus far.
More to share in time. I wanted to contact you quickly following your new title.
Best,
Matt Dark-Rhodes
—
September 28, 1906
Rhodes,
It’s good to hear from you. Thanks for the congratulations. It’s wild country out here, but we’re taming it, slowly but surely. They’d be lost without me at the helm, I guarantee it. I miss the city at times, but out here, I can be better recognized for the work that I do. That’s not to mention I no longer have to wear the ridiculous uniform you continue to be subjected to.
I hear Buggs up north has left for Lemoyne. Your doing? Hall in Valentine passed the news down to me. I remember hearing of another spat of killings back east, like those years ago that he’d investigated. Wasn’t the woman locked up?
Tell Richard he doesn’t have to pretend to be happy for me. Your husband sees little sense in the way of keeping the law. I understand he disagrees with my methods and practice, and he’s wrong.
I miss–
Pred pauses, lifting his pen. I miss Saint Denis? I miss you?
I miss our working together, Rhodes, though Blackwater is better for having me.
That’s better. Impersonal.
I wanted to be the first to inform you that I am engaged to be married. While working together, I became acquainted with one Deputy Brittany Angel. Terrible woman. Tells me all the ways I’m doing my job wrong. In some ways, she reminds me of you.
Oh. Oh no. Pred reads the words, then reads them again, then decides it’s not worth changing.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
- Sheriff Kyle Pred
—
Postage to Lemoyne is expensive, now. Pred doesn’t think twice about it before sending his response.
—
October 3, 1906
Kyle,
I wish you could have seen the look upon my face when I read your previous communication. I was shocked to hear of your engagement. I pity the poor woman you seem to have fooled into marrying you. I wish her all the best as she realizes what trouble she’s stirred up for herself.
(I’m only joking. I’m glad for you. Though I do worry about Deputy Angel’s state of mind.)
You are correct that Richard and I sent for Ziggy Buggs. It was indeed following a repeat appearance by Ms. Adaire that we decided on our own to contact him, due to his expertise in dealing with the woman. He is here in Lemoyne now, and has been invaluable in our continued investigation into the recent murders in the city.
I suspect, however, that he’s become sweet on Flop. The poor bastard doesn’t seem to realize it, either. I wonder sometimes how Richard and I managed to raise the boy how he is, though we love him anyway.
I miss our work together as well, Kyle, though I understand your decision to leave for the western states. I know the rigidity of the Saint Denis Police Department was never fitting for you. And I know under Chief Baas your ambition and competency would have continued on unrecognized. As selfish as it it, I miss you here, even if you were never appreciated fully.
Pred’s breath catches in his throat at that. He misses him. He misses him.
I know you’re a stubborn kind of man, but I must ask that you remember my name is now Dark-Rhodes. You and Richard may not get along, but he’s a part of my life now, as you are.
Best,
Matt Dark-Rhodes
Pred has remembered the name, he just doesn’t want to acknowledge it. It sounds ridiculous, anyway.
—
They don’t talk about the name again.
—
January 28, 1907
Rhodes,
Deputy Angel and I have picked a date for our wedding. I know the trip’s a long one, but I’d–
Not I, he thinks, it’s We, you stupid bastard. Pred scratches that out, then decides to start over.
Rhodes,
Deputy Angel and I have picked a date for our wedding. I know the trip’s a long one, but we’d been hoping you could come out to Blackwater to join us. I haven’t seen you in a long while. We’re thinking of early April.
- Sheriff Kyle Pred
P.S. Hall tells me your son is engaged. Congratulations.
Pred doesn’t really care, but he knows Rhodes does, and that’s what matters.
—
Their letters grow short and to-the-point. Pred hates it, knowing he’s no longer a priority.
He and Angel invite everyone they know to the wedding.
—
February 7, 1907
Kyle,
I’m sorry, but with the ongoing investigation here, I can’t make time to come out to Blackwater. I wish I could be there for you.
I’ll come as soon as we’re done.
Best,
Matt Dark-Rhodes
—
He marries Brittany Angel in the spring. Their wedding is an outrageous affair, ostentatious and extravagant, and filled with friends from around the country, but Pred feels like it’s incomplete without Rhodes there with him.
(He tries not to think about Rhodes standing across from him at the altar, either.)
—
He loves Angel, he does, if anything Kyle Pred feels can be called “love”. And what they have is volatile and passionate and at times terrifying, but he loves her.
He loves her and the feeling is all too familiar.
—
April 14, 1907
Kyle,
Richard currently ill, as is Flop. Cannot say much more. Thank you for the photographs from the wedding. I understand they must have been expensive.
Hope you are well.
Best,
Matt Dark-Rhodes
—
Pred doesn’t hope Richard Dark dies, but his sympathies are few and far between.
—
April 23, 1907
Rhodes,
Regarding your previous correspondence, I hope Richard is well.
It’s easy to lie on paper.
All is good here. I don’t miss the spring in the swamps.
I hope to see you soon.
- Sheriff Kyle Pred