Chapter Text
Going home for Christmas had not exactly been in the cards at first for Jesse Mccree.
But when his mom asked him, almost begged him, it had been too hard to say no.
They barely saw each other, and he owed her some time with him.
So she'd won out over needing to drown out his own mind with work.
He’d gotten two weeks off, ordered his plane tickets and called his mom to let her hear the good news.
She'd been ecstatic to say the least.
And when the day for his departure rolled around that was the only thing that got him through work and onto the plane.
When he lands it’s already gotten dark, and he’s happy to have had the foresight to rent a car beforehand so he can get on the road to his moms house as quickly as possible.
He hadn't had the opportunity to shower before departing, and the dust and dirt from back home still clung to his skin and hair.
He'd at least had the courtesy of changing his clothes before boarding the plane, but he still feels gross, and longs for nothing but a shower and then a soft bed.
When Jesse finally rolls into the small town his mother has set up house in, he is exhausted.
He’d considered having a quick doze in the car a few miles back, but this isn't the south. Up here it’s already been snowing for weeks it seems, and he knows he’d wake up freezing.
And he is not a fan of being cold.
He arrives at his mothers house as late as he'd expected.
Every house on the street is dark, black windows starring at him as he drives past.
From the dark windows of his moms house he guesses she hasn't waited up for him.
And he actually prefers it this way.
He loves his mom, but he’s been on his own for so long and he doesn't handle her fussing all that well anymore.
He parks the car and grabs his things, shuddering as the cold air sneaks under every layer of clothing.
He really does not enjoy the cold.
He hurries to the door, pausing for a moment before deciding to not knock or ring the bell.
He’s been there enough time to be allowed inside without either of those.
So he walks in, closes the door behind him, and just stands there for a second, taking in the scent and the familiarity.
Even though he's never actually lived in this house, it still feels like home to him.
Dropping his bag on the floor, he decides that maybe he should at least announce himself.
As much as the house feels like home, he also feels a little bit like he is trespassing.
»Mom, I'm here!« He calls, waiting for a moment in case she decides to appear.
She doesn't.
He takes off his coat and his boots, and places his hat neatly on the hook his mom had had him put up years ago, so he'd stop leaving the hat on any available surface throughout the house.
Bag in hand he takes the stairs up as quietly as he can, finding that one of the steps has started creaking since he was there last.
When he finally slips into the guest room he drops his bag on the bench by the end of the bed with a groan.
His whole body is exhausted, and he somewhat regrets working a shift before leaving this morning.
But exhaustion is a blessing and a curse, and at least he knows he will have no trouble falling asleep tonight.
Unlike most nights.
But he needs to do one last thing before he can collapse onto the bed that looks exceptionally inviting.
He needs to shower.
He quickly discards his clothes on a pile in the floor, which his mom will probably have a fit over in the morning, but he doesn't care right now.
He wraps a towel around his waist, and tiptoes back into the hallway.
He walks to the bathroom, but as he grabs the handle and presses down, nothing happens.
It's locked.
His heart leaps into his throat, and panic rises in his chest.
His hand flies off of the handle as if it had burned him.
It takes him a second, but then he shakes his head at himself.
Why is he being like this?
It's his moms house, and it's probably just his mom in the bathroom.
There's no need to worry-
But then the door opens, and it's not is mother.
It's a man.
He’s tall, broad and dark.
And Jesse knows him.
He knows him well.
»Gabe..« Jesse barely breathes.
»Shit« is the only response he gets, before the man shoves past him, leaving Jesse alone, mouth agape and staring.