Chapter Text
The sharp autumn winds blew through the prairie grass. In the distance, the cattle were grazing. A young man, barely eighteen, sat on the edge of the forest, staring wistfully into the landscape.
The dull sound of hooves approaching made him momentarily consider the newcomer before turning his attention back on the prairie. The other man slid off his horse. He was a few years older, a bit broader and with a faint outline of beard gracing his chin. Without a comment, he lowered himself next to the younger man into the dirt.
For a while, they just looked out at the landscape, saying nothing.
“Do you ever feel like you’re trapped on this goddamn ranch? Like all these expectations are keeping you rooted in place?” The younger man looked over, his dirty blond curls peeking out from under his hat.
The other one sighed. “All the time, Denny. All the time.” He turned his head. “Perhaps running away was cowardly, perhaps I should’ve just talked with Dad, trying to sort out our differences. But God, this ranch, it…weighed me down. Like I couldn’t really breathe anymore.”
His younger brother dragged his hand down his face.
“Does being with Monica help? With Tate?”
“Sometimes more, sometimes less. There are still times when I wished I could curl up in my childhood bedroom and forget all these terrible things that happened but, in the end, I don’t think I could’ve handled Dad’s pressure any longer.” He fixed his brother with a heavy look.
“But Curles, if you really want to leave – do it. I know, deep down you love this place. We all do, in some way. But sometimes, you gotta leave something to realize how much it means to you.”
A faint smile grazed the younger man’s lips, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
“I’m just scared, I guess. Of what’s out there and of what I’d be missing if I’m not here.”
“Reasonable. But no matter what you decide to do – you’ll always have a place on this ranch. And most importantly, you’ll always have a place with me. I want you to know that.”
The older man got up and took his horse’s reigns. He placed one last comforting hand on the younger’s shoulder before he mounted the palomino.
“Don’t worry Denny. It’ll all work out.”
He tipped his dirty black hat as a farewell before he turned his horse and rode away over the grass. The young man’s eyes followed him until he disappeared behind the horizon.