[Closed] @eidxiety🐎🌹

[winterbolt]

Angelina is a black horse with white markings on her face in this sorry I can't picture her as being any other color-

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[lupusxylem]

[Genuinely? Wolfwood has to think about it for a moment. He holds up the jacket and thinks back to when they were in the jewler's shop, and Ain was looking at all of the things on offer. He...did not see him take anything, no. He saw him try them on, but the fact he actually left with all of them had been a complete mystery to him, somehow. And while Wolfwood has no problems with stealing from that guy, who ended up being an asshole about trying to pressure him into buying shit...

It hits him the moment Ain asks about the necklace.]

You put 'em in my pockets when I "lost" my wallet, didn't you?

[eidxiety]

Good boy! Another six months with me, and you'll have me all figured out!

[Not like that'll happen. Haha... ha, Wolfwood you need to leave before he feelings for you.]

And the necklace?

[The necklace that he's trying to put on currently because it makes him feel pretty and he likes peridot, okay.]

[lupusxylem]

[...

How does it make you feel, Ain, if Wolfwood comes around to help you put it on? Those big strong hands of his reach behind your neck to get the clasp placed, oddly careful despite that.]

...I'll be honest, I didn't see you take that one at all. I got no idea.

[Also, he's a little bit hung up on Ain saying "another six months with me", because they both know that's not happening. Their arrangement isn't permanent, or at least...it's nowhere near long term, like that.]

[eidxiety]

[You two are so stupid about this, just suck face already (the audience said, knowing they would not do that until Wolfwood was sufficiently drunk and Ain was sufficiently over himself and this self-control thing).

He doesn't mind, though. He appreciates the help... he just resists leaving a lipstick stain on Wolfwood's cheek about it.]

As we were walking out. I swiped it from a display stand and pawned it off into your pocket. It was pretty easy.

[Ain could frame someone like this. ...he might do that some time.]

Let's head to the saloon! I promise I won't offload pretty things onto you for the rest of today.

[lupusxylem]

You say that, and I bet you could still do it and I wouldn’t know.

[He huffs, rolling his eyes as he dons the new jacket and tugs the lapels to straighten them, putting his things into the pockets. It’s truly no wonder Ain is such a widely wanted criminal, with the things he’s able to get away with. It also explains how he was able to so easily rob the boss blind…

Oh well. For now, it’s time to continue to delude himself into thinking he’s doing work here by bringing Ain with him to the saloon, dolled up as if he’s a whore he grabbed off the street.

They get looks basically the moment they arrive. They aren’t yet questioned because Ain isn’t on his own, but in Wolfwood’s company as he stalks to the bar like a territorial cat, glaring at anyone who looks at them too long. He knows part of this means that Ain will have to actually do some performing…]

[eidxiety]

[If nothing else, this saloon is... a lot bigger. It's much larger than what was at that other town, which means there are already lots of girls romping around in corsets and skirts and the sort, and Ain thinks to himself damn, I should get a corset, and then immediately flits over to the back of the saloon where a bunch of women are congregating.

Now, to the men here, Wolfwood probably looks like a pimp. He just walked in with a (very tall) girl and is sitting for a drink, and said girl has been turned loose to go put on a show and probably make some money. Ain does not need Wolfwood's help to find a place to play music for a while, he simply needs to politely ask the girls that are already here if they've got anyone who can perform or if they'd be willing to take him. One of them comments that he's "so tall, what do they got in the water where you're from?" and Ain says he's a corn-fed bitch, to quote that person earlier, and they laugh and plop him onto a stage.

There are items on this stage that make him think they might do some raunchier shows here when night hits, so uh, noted that he needs to bail at that point.

For now, while the other girls flit around to keep the men entertained, Ain will simply sing. Something he's naturally good at, something that keeps people from asking questions about what's under that short skirt... especially when the drunks get rowdier as time goes on and he is yet again back to stepping on people's faces to get them to stop trying to climb on stage.

Good luck Wolfwood! Enjoy lunch!]

[lupusxylem]

[There's a sense of deja vu going on, here. They've come a bit full circle, with Wolfwood sitting at a saloon staking it out while Ain is up on stage singing and putting his boot into the faces of men. Of course, there's a key difference this time, that difference being that Wolfwood has had a chance to actually get to know Ain. He's spent time with him, traveled with him...fucked him.

And despite needing to turn him in, he hasn't actually done that yet. He's had countless opportunities, with Ain at his most vulnerable and easy to pick off...but he hasn't. That's something he thinks about as he orders a glass of whiskey, crouched over the edge of the bar while he drinks and watches Ain sing.

He feels like he's really gotten to know him beyond just a surface level. Maybe there's a lot still he doesn't know, and maybe Ain is actually just playing him for the sucker he is, but in that case that means they'd be playing each other mutually, doesn't it? They're playing each other all while Wolfwood watches Ain sing, the lights catching off the necklace he stole, lighting up his face and making his freckles pop.

...

Wolfwood orders another whiskey within the first thirty minutes, having already knocked back the first. He should? Be eating??? He has not ordered any food yet, uh-

He'll just get chili, can't wait to be distracted being gay and forget to eat it-]

[eidxiety]

[Ain sort of wishes he was playing Wolfwood for a fool at this point. Psychologically, that would be easier on him. He doesn't normally let his mind wander while he sings, not more than a few passing thoughts anyway, but he's on complete autopilot after a while. It's lucky that he's done these songs so many times he can probably sing them in his sleep, because otherwise he'd be making an ass of himself up here.

That distant look in his eyes hopefully isn't too noticeable. Because... yeah, no, he's not manipulating Wolfwood at all. He is, in fact, really wanting to keep him. Wanting him close, not really wanting to steal his money as much as he should. Ain insists still that he's nothing worthy of love and that he doesn't want it, and something in his gut says "No, you want it, you're just refusing because money is more important to you" and then something in the back of his brain goes "be less shallow bro" and then something else in his heart goes "he doesn't care if you steal or he'd have pitched a fit by now, keep him" and Ain really, really wants to ignore it all and shut it down.

Let him continue to resist the possibility of ever being wanted. His family didn't want him, why should anyone else?

Sigh.

At some point the vacant look clears from his eyes, and Ain avoids singing love songs. He'll sing the raunchiest bar songs and travel music and anything else, but Lord, he is avoiding anything romantic. He can't handle it right now.

(And, as the afternoon gets a little more "evening", these guys are getting rowdy as Hell, which means he's having to kick just a Little harder to get people to chill out.)]

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood is listening the entire time. Be it a love song or something else, his eyes are glued to the androgynous man up on stage as he eats (but mostly drinks). The goal is for Ain to finish his set and to come eat some of what Wolfwood is eating, which will happen at some point ideally…but as he watches and gets lost in it himself, he starts to rapidly lose the plot. His voice is so beautiful and alluring, it’s no wonder drunkards are trying to climb up on stage with him.

…

He’s three glasses of whiskey in when he decides to get up from the bar, uneasy on his feet as he wanders his way into the crowd. A lot of the tables at the front of the stage are taken already, but people saw him as he came in. They saw Wolfwood with Ain, and have assumed him to not just be a pimp, but some kind of high profile person you would regret pissing off. Even with his coat shielding it, you can still see the shape of the pistol on his hip.

Which means, as he wanders towards the front, the men already at one of the tables part like the red sea as soon as they realize he’s coming to their table, immediately moving and freeing it up for Wolfwood to plop down. He really looks the part at this point too, because somebody noticed him smoking and offered him a cigar at some point. He hasn’t had one in ages since they’re too expensive to be worth it, but he thinks he’ll enjoy this one now while he watches the show, eyes glittering behind the rims of his shades as he looks up at Ain from front-and-center. He’s close enough now that he can see the lights reflecting off his lipstick.]

[eidxiety]

[Boy... where did you get a cigar what did he miss when he was spaced out thinking about his not-feelings for you...

Ain breathes out a soft sigh through his nostrils, especially as some of the rowdier men see this guy and probably drunkenly think "oh no nuh-uh not today" and scram. It means Ain is no longer shoving his boot into someone's face, which is great. He can focus on the singing, even if some of the men have started to be weird and call him mommy??? Like excuse you he's not that and he's not daddy either he's just Ain. Get it together.

Whatever, the people have their kinks and all women are queens, if they want to get stepped on by a real woman that's their prerogative and Ain is proud of them.

Anyway!

The music continues. Ain makes eye contact with Wolfwood sitting so close a few times, but otherwise doesn't do much. Not until it's well past lunchtime and headed into early dinner, but that's what it takes to get free food around here. It's been several hours and he'll need a break as any human person would, but despite the rampant misogyny, it would be cruel and unjust for the saloon to not feed all the women bringing in money — so just as the afternoon light begins to turn into that evening glow and Ain finishes many hours of screaming his lungs out, one of the girls steps on stage and tells him to "go take a break, love, you got a set of lungs on ya, ain'tcha tired, your daddy's sittin' down right there with a seat at the table".

Ain looks at Wolfwood and thinks to himself that Wolfwood is kind of daddy and kind of like a drowned raccoon right now due to all the whiskey, but he'll take the break and order himself cured meat and potatoes and wine, please, because wine is a woman's drink and Ain refuses to drink whiskey. Too burny, no fun.

Meanwhile, the stage is occupied by the other girls, some of which play instruments and some of which sing. Ain has a feeling this is a precursor to whatever the hell they do here at night. Probably some sort of strip show that he doesn't really want to stay for; there's likely a brothel somewhere nearby that they're promoting. Good for them get that bag.]

[lupusxylem]

[Don’t worry about it! What matters is he has it, and he’s looking Very Daddy down there even if he completely does not realize how much like a pimp he seems right now. Like, all he needs is a woman on each arm and he’d be set. Notes for the future noir psl where Wolfwood is the don and not just a lackey-

Anyway, Wolfwood is deep in his cups at this point. He can hold his liquor with the best of them, but whiskey in this day and age is not for the faint of heart. It’s like drinking alcohol straight (because it pretty much is) and he’s had three. He’s less tipsy and more full-on drunk, but not so drunk that he’s going to climb up on the stage like the other men. His drunkenness does not manifest as the rowdy kind, as it turns out.

Also, how he has not caught fire smoking while drinking so much alcohol, the world may never know.

He’s watching in silence as Ain performs, his legs spread wide beneath the table as he nurses his third whiskey. His eyes track Ain’s path from the stage down to the table where he takes a seat in the booth at Wolfwood’s side, ordering his meal and wine. It isn’t until the staff steps away that Wolfwood leans over, pulling his cigar from his teeth and holding it in one hand as he reaches over with his other to turn Ain’s face towards his own.

He kisses him, right then and there, slow and a little sloppy. He tastes strongly of alcohol and ash, and when he pulls away it’s only just far enough to speak, their lips still brushing.]

Y’did a good job, baby.

[It comes out more like “Y’didsh a good jobsh baybee” but I am not typing that you can use your imagination this is how it will continue for the next while-]

[eidxiety]

[The way Ain starts fucking giggling... oh God, he shouldn't let this charm him, Wolfwood is clearly drunk and out of it and he would never do this if he were sober, but God. God, he giggles and twirls his braid and that only seems to sell the "pimp and his whore" vibe they've unintentionally started.

Why is he "baby" now? Wolfwood only ever seems to get really affectionate like this when he's drunk. Not like they weren't sober-cuddling on the bench by the oasis earlier, but...

...maybe it's all in Ain's head, maybe Wolfwood is fine and is accepting himself and likes Ain and everything will be fine. Because boy, he's kissing back, chasing after Wolfwood's lips when they part for a brief moment.]

I like to think I'm good at my job.

[A calm response despite the fact Ain is anything but calm right now.]

[lupusxylem]

Uh huh. An’ good jobs deserve rewards, don’t they?

[He mutters that against Ain’s lips, his voice lilting in a…fond? Sort of way as he tilts his head and kisses him again, no doubt getting some of that lipstick stain on his own lips. After he’s had his fill, he’ll loop his arm around Ain proper, putting the cigar back into his mouth as he settles back into the booth to watch the other girls performing.

Whatever has gotten into him…he seems entirely unbothered by it. Honestly, Ain’s reaction just made him worse.]

[eidxiety]

[Oh, yeah, he's gonna have slightly red-tinted lips for a bit, it's fine. Ain momentarily lays his head against Wolfwood's shoulder like they did hours earlier, clinging... being grateful he's not a Masculine Gay because otherwise he couldn't possibly squeeze this.]

I get a reward of kisses? Wow~. I'm really lucky.

[...food is not yet here, Ain is planting a kiss on Wolfwood's neck, fuck self-control right now. Those girls are gonna be topless in like an hour and a half so Ain's allowed to also be a whore.]

[lupusxylem]

Mmmhm.

[He nods, leaning his head against Ain’s the moment Ain has put his head on his shoulder. It really is like they’re a couple in this moment, and not just putting up appearances for the sake of it. Wolfwood surely hasn’t turned into that good of an actor that quickly…especially not when Ain kisses his neck and Wolfwood sighs heavily in response to it, pulling him in closer as his fingers thread into the hair at the nape of his neck.

He takes his cig from his mouth for a moment, offering it between them.]

I know y’said y’don’t smoke, but have a taste. S’good.

[eidxiety]

I'm trying not to screw up my lungs, you know... I can't sing without them.

[But he takes a small puff anyway, and then blows the smoke out into Wolfwood's face. Playfully, of course, he's not being passive-aggressive for once in his life.]

How many drinks have you had?

[Ain's meal comes out, and he immediately goes for it. He's hungrier than he thought he'd be. Please just give him your shittiest, saltiest food he's dying thanks.]

[lupusxylem]

Mmm... [Wolfwood chuckles lowly under his breath, tipping his hand a bit that's still holding his half-empty whiskey glass.] Jus' three.

[You know. Just three.]

Figured I'd treat myself before we get back on the road, yaknow? Got anoth'r stretch of desert t'get through before the next town.

[Then...the mountains after. But that whole dilemma is buried under all that whiskey he drank as he knocks back another swig of it, then uses his fingers to steal a potato off Ain's plate.]

[eidxiety]

[Yeah, JUST THREE...

Just Looks at Wolfwood as he robs Ain's plate and sighs because whatever, it's free, the liquor is what they pay for here.]

You do realise we're staying tonight so that the horses have a break? [And them, let's not forget.] We'll be in town tomorrow, too...

[Munch munch... sips his wine.]

[lupusxylem]

Yeah yeah I know...I'm jus' sayin'. I ain't gonna drink this much whiskey before we leave!

[Might as well do it when he has a night he can sleep it off, he figures. Like, theoretically he still could do that, but he isn't going to make Ain drive the wagon again for 8 hours unskippable by himself, that just wouldn't be all that fair.

Anyway, no more food robbing for him for now. It's back to smoking and idly enjoying the entertainment, though his attention is mostly being captured by the pretty thing cradled in one arm, right now.]

[eidxiety]

[The pretty thing is currently stuffing his face full of over-salted mashed potatoes and wine right now, do you still think he's pretty? Because man he is simply a fucking hoover vacuum. He was the first one actually, they named vacuums after him. Anyway—]

Get your fill, baby, I'm not going anywhere. I'll make sure you get back to the inn safe.

[And, you know, not falling all over himself and dying or something like that.

...

A few minutes pass and Ain has fucking black-holed all of his food into his stomach and has resumed kissing Wolfwood's neck. This is not the wine speaking, he just wants to do this because god dammit boy pretty and he wants attention.]

[lupusxylem]

[Get his fill, huh...?

That probably was unwise for Ain to encourage, because Wolfwood is immediately going to lean halfway over the table and flag somebody over to bring him another whiskey. His fourth. And, well...they have not stopped him yet because he hasn't become belligerent, and they want him to spend more money, sooooooo-]

Ahaha...I knew I could count on ya.

[He tucks Ain closer to his side, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.]

[eidxiety]

[If Wolfwood passes out drunk, Ain will be so sad because it means he doesn't get to at least make out with this fine slab of 100% Cowboy Beef, but that's fine. He'll Definitely steal his wallet then and Totally leave and...

...

Ururghhgghghghghhh he can't do this he wants to keep this cowboy THIS SUCKS!!!

He slams back his wine and puts the glass on the table and then crawls into Wolfwood's lap. He is sitting Here now. That skirt is Riding Up but no one in here really cares, as long as they don't fuck on the table (which they can't, because the second it's revealed Ain is male they're Going to get shot at). So whatever. Whatever!]

You have to pay attention to me, too. And not the girls on stage.

[Ain....... are you jealous...................]

[lupusxylem]

Mmm...yeah?

[Ain is in his lap now, and somehow Wolfwood manages to not spill his whiskey everywhere. He avoids this by...just downing most of the rest in one go, okay, and putting the glass back down on the table. He's drunk enough right now that he doesn't mind Ain crawling up in his lap in public like this at all, moving to lay his hands on his hips now that he's sitting on his knees.

He bounces one of them briefly, playfully, before he leans in and kisses Ain again, letting a few of those kisses trail off his mouth and over his cheek.]

C'mon baby...I only got eyes for you.

[eidxiety]

[The reason Ain doesn't drink is because he gets Pouty when drunk. Like, he will share things and then cry and be real emotional and go to bed about it. He's not even drunk, really, but there's enough liquor in his system and enough general fatigue with how things are run in these parts (like, he could've just gone to the market for lunch instead) that he's purposely acting out. That... and emotions, they're running high, he wishes they'd shut the fuck up and leave him alone but they won't!

So. He is in Wolfwood's lap. His fat ass is going to collide with the table if he's not careful, but he's mostly just sitting there like >:( pouts pouts pay attention to meee instead.]

Only because I'm blocking your view.

[Ain is like a cat. He will block your view and get mad when you don't pay attention to him, but only when he's initiating it. Otherwise he really is like "get away from me I don't want you blah blah blah".]

[lupusxylem]

Nah.

[Smooch smooch smooch. He is smooching your face. How can you pout when he's smooching you this much?]

You're so fuckin' cute. [Kiss kiss. His hands dip a little lower, suddenly hiking Ain up so he's sitting a little higher in his lap, very much acting like a purse dog for Wolfwood to show off to the rest of the (very jealous) cowboys in the saloon watching them right now.] If I wanted onna' them ladies, I woulda' gone for 'em by now.

I jus' want you.