e_delmar | (no subject)

(no subject)

It's nice on Shadow, quiet. Work's good, even if he ain't sleeping much.

But not sleeping's better'n what happens when he sleeps.

He don't need anything more'n what he's got there, but sometimes when he stares at the ceiling - or the night sky - he can't help but think about a thing or two left behind that maybe he don't want got rid of.

So it could be that it's late one night (on Shadow, anyway, who ever knows how times match up) Ennis sneaks into the bar, headed back towards his (their) room.

He's quick, and he's quiet, but could be you could catch him.

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He grunts something in reply, and likely it's "and good to see you, too" or something like that, but sometimes it's hard to tell with him, 'specially now, with his voice lower and more gravelly, and his face more lined.

"Something is wrong, though, isn't it?" she asks, and without waiting for an answer continues, "Is it anything I can help with?"

He won't deny what she says, there ain't no use in it, really.

"Ain't nothin' nobody can fix. Thankya, though."

"I didn't say 'fix,'" she says, "I said 'help with.'"

There's not much that can't be helped with. If a person wants help.

But not everyone does.

"Can I get something to drink, at the least?"

"Coffee, s'pose."

He shifts uneasily from one foot to the other before taking a seat. Coffee'll help keep him from sleeping, anyways.

And is that a situation to be sought or avoided?

"Of course."

Coffee it is. Black and on the strong side of things.

Amy has tea.

"Is it something you'd like to talk about?"

Shrug.

Shrug.

Stare at the mug.

"You don't have to, if you don't want to. I just thought I'd offer.

"Is there anything you would like to talk about?"

Shrug again.

"Been working out on Shadow."

Because that'll explain it.

For a given definition of "explain."

The one where "explain" equals "doesn't explain."

"With Captain Reynolds' mother? Caspian visited once, and liked it. Are you enjoying it?"

"Peaceful."

Which is to say yes.

"That's good then, and I'm glad for you."

Hello, irony.

Ennis gives her a lopsided smile. It's not a happy one.

Well, Ennis, when you don't tell a person what's wrong, you have to expect some irony. It's like rain on your wedding day, or something.

Amy reads enough in the smile to see that she's said something wrong.

"I . . . I'm . . ." she trails off, shaking her head slightly.

He raises and eyebrow and looks up at her questioningly.

"I'm sorry . . . I don't . . . I didn't . . . I'm sorry."

Now he's definitely confused.

Well, so is she.

Amy takes a deep breath.

"I'm sorry if anything I said was upsetting, or . . . I didn't mean . . . I am glad you're enjoying the ranch."

"You didn't say nothin'."

As far as reassurances go, it ain't all that grand.

"Oh. Well, then. Nevermind."

He nods, lightly, and winces.

Amy casts about for something to say.

"What are you doing, for Mrs. Reynolds?"

"Working with the horses. Odd jobs 'n such."

"Have you had a favorite, so far?"

Thing to do or horse. She's not picky.

Ennis shrugs. So long's the other hands leave him be, he don't mind much of anything. Takes his mind off stuff.

"Like bein' out in the fields."

duh.