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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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.

"That somehow doesn't suprise me."

Amy stirs her tea unnecessarily and sips it.

All right, Ennis, your turn to think of something to say.

Given the choice of thinking of something to say, and not saying anything at all?

Ennis sips his coffee and clears his throat.

Amy is not bothered by silences, when they're comfortable ones.

Which this one isn't, quite.

Fortunately, there's still tea.

Well, or coffee, in Ennis' case, and he studies it carefully.

"Probably should get back. Only came for a few things."

"Oh, well, I . . . I don't want to keep you. And there are people I should probably try to find. I . . . they're . . . well. I left in bit of rush and I should check in with people. Yes."

"Yeah."

Which explains why Ennis is moving oh-so-fast.

Amy looks at him for a long moment.

"Mr. Ennis, I rather clearly don't know what we're not talking about here, but, you really should talk to someone about it. Even if it's just one of the horses and you have the whole conversation in your head, though that wouldn't be what I would recommend as a first choice."

He clears his throat a few times and his knuckles go white around the coffee mug. When he speaks, his voice is low and dark and gravelly, and he doesn't meet her eyes.

"Ain't much to say, s'all."

"The fact that you're not much of a talker doesn't necessarily mean there isn't much to say. And besides, it doesn't take much to say the most important things, anyway. A word or two."

She sets the empty teacup down on the table.

"I'm not trying to . . . you don't have to talk to me, or anyone else. But if you ever want to, I'll listen. All you need do is ask.

"But whatever you do, take care of yourself, all right?"

Ennis nods. Looks like he might say something, then, but he closes his mouth again, and nods once more.

Amy sits, fingers still resting lightly on the teacup, and waits, for just a moment longer.

Just in case.

And Ennis looks at his cup just a moment even long, and sighs. He stands up to leave and nods a grateful smile at Amy on his way back to the rooms.

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