WHO York, Wash & Carolina WHAT Having dinner WHEN Thursday evening WHERE Their camp outside of town WARNINGS Cuteness STATUS Closed | Completed gdoc
None of them had really started out intending to become a traveling entertainment group. Wash and York were old war buddies that had taken their wound and were traveling west to leave all that behind when they’d met Carolina. Carolina was making a bare living on showing off her shooting skills and living a dangerous life of a lone woman on the road and she’d learned that these two men were more interested in her as a person than as an object to be controlled so she’d suggested they join together.
It had started them on the road of being entertainers. York could be charming in a suave way that brought people in and Wash often had something of a sheepishly amused air that women found safe to admire. They’d coached Carolina how to keep her mouth shut, smile and let her shooting do the talking. It hadn’t taken that long to start making a good living.
Then of course they’d met Madison. They’d met her when she scammed them and tried to take off with their hard earned money. When she was caught the offer was she could give the money back and join them in traveling to scam the crowds or they would turn her in to the authorities. Scamming on a large scale was too good of a deal to pass up.
Carolina had fallen for York first. She hadn’t meant to. There had been all sorts of promises she’d made to herself not to fall for either of them but he’d sort of snuck in there until one day she’d realized how into her feelings he’d managed to get.
She’d worried that it would cause bad feelings but Wash looked on York like his brother so they’d all just gone on getting along until one day when she was sitting with Wash keeping him company while they were driving the wagons to the next town and he’d given her that bright grin of his and she’d realized she’d fallen for him too. And oh dear heavens that could have ended up a mess but somehow it hadn’t.
And now they were stuck in a town called Madison Valley because some girls had been murdered and people from other parts were too easy to look at as suspects. They’d been hassled a bit about it and there was a chance if they took off someone might decide to arrest them on general principle.
“All right, not much more we can do tonight. Might as well pack it in and have some supper.” Carolina was wearing the suede riding skirt she wore when around towns and performing. When they were on the road she wore pants just like a man but they didn’t go over well around civilization.
***
York liked his life these days. Travelling, being on the road with his best friend and a woman he was in love with, was the sort of simple life that he'd craved after getting out of the service. Sure, things got a little complicated here and there, but it was mostly alright and they survived by sticking together. Even if that meant sticking together while staying on the outskirts of town because some murders happened right around the time they'd shown up. He just went with it, and did his best to keep everyone even keeled while they were trapped, so to speak.
He'd finished the last bit of his chores and brushed off his hands before he stepped away from his side of the wagon. "Thinking we should stay in and turn those rabbits we caught into some stew," York suggested. It was better than going into town to see about some food when half the town was so suspicious of them.
"Wash? You up for a night in?" He was content to share Carolina with the other man because he trusted Wash with his life. Why not with the person he loved? Especially when Carolina was a complex sort of woman. York appreciated the help.
***
“I’m thinking that is probably the best idea.” Wash didn’t like the idea of putting themselves out there to be harassed or have more suspicion layered on them. None of them would have killed those women but he could see where it was easier to suspect someone that wasn’t part of the community. No one wanted to think that someone they knew could be capable of something like this.
He’d never expected to end up in the way they all had but it had eased something that the war had broken in him. And he planned to defend what all of them had no matter what it took so it was better to keep them as far out of trouble as they could.
***
Carolina didn’t want to go into town anyway. She was given some leeway with how she acted in towns because of her show persona but she still had to be careful and act more like a lady and people didn’t like it when she openly wore the guns of her job. Needless to say she’d rather stay out here in their camp as well.
“Nothing wrong with staying out here. A little food, a little quiet time with no show.” It would remind her of the open road which was her favorite time with all of them.
***
With Wash's agreement, he knew Carolina's was going to follow so he moved toward their food stores to get the rabbits and a few vegetables they'd managed to scrounge up. It wasn't much but it'd be a hearty enough stew and they'd have some time together, just the three of them. Madison would no doubt be around once the food was cooked and the dishes were done but York never minded. She brought in enough money to make up for the lack of any real social graces.
"Here's hoping we get out of here sooner rather than later. It'll be nice to be on the road for a while," he said as he got started on the cooking. York enjoyed it, and he was glad he'd ended up in the life he had. He'd killed so many people in the war, but this life was a lot more simple. His skills were put to much better use in their traveling troupe.
***
Carolina wasn’t that fond of Madison so she tended to leave her alone and let the boys deal with her. Shooting a real moneymaker just seemed like a bad idea so she kept herself out of the way of her mouth as much as she could.
“I miss being on the road. I know we have to do this so we have money but sometimes I miss when it was just the three of us.” Now they had five since they’d picked up a stowaway a while back.
She nudged Wash with her elbow to get him to follow her while York was cooking.
***
Wash missed it being just the three of them as well but at the same time they did much better as a group and he was getting used to looking out for the additions the same way they would look out for all the members of your squad in battle and out of battle.
He followed Carolina and they got the plates and things for supper. Wash also managed to get a kiss or two out of her while they were doing it but they were good and got everything out and ready for the three of them to eat.
“I’ll just be happy if they catch the person soon so they can stop looking at us like we’ve done something.”
***
York knew the traveling days, and any chance for the three of them to find some time together really, were what kept Carolina going through the stops and the performances. With Madison and Del around, he tried to find opportunities where he could. It didn't take long to get the rabbits cooked, since they'd skinned and salted them right after they'd caught them. He brought the meat over to his two friends and stole a kiss of his own from Carolina before he sat down.
"We'll find more time to for just the three of us," he promised. It wouldn't be a long amount of time, but maybe they could send the girls ahead of them by half a day, or maybe even a full day so they'd get to the next town and their travels would be a bit staggered. It'd give Carolina the break she needed and they wouldn't be too far behind. Knowing Madison, she'd go slowly enough that they'd catch up before long anyway.
York nudged Wash's foot with his own under their makeshift table and he gave both of them a grin. "Eat up. Maybe we'll get lucky and we'll be able to stock up on some supplies before we leave. We did pretty well before the murders started."
***
It was terrible to be both a perfectionist and a misanthrope at the same time. Carolina loved showing off her hard won shooting skills but she hated spending time with a bunch of strangers. It was really the only way to make money though so she dealt with it.
Sending the girls ahead would buy them a little time, and they wouldn’t be so far ahead they could get into too much trouble without the three of them. Just the idea of getting some time together perked up Carolina a little. “Well maybe we could practice some of those new shots we were talking about in the meantime.”
***
Wash had nudged York back with a chuckle until Carolina brought up the new shots. “Carolina, that always involves you shooting at me somehow, can’t you shoot at York for a change?” It wasn’t fair that York did better at barkering the crowd. It meant that Wash was usually the one holding props and being put on the stage for Carolina to shoot at to impress the crowd.
To make it worse when he protested she just laughed and pushed at his shoulder like he’d really amused her. “How is it I became the professional damsel in distress for the shooting gallery?” He wasn’t really upset and it showed in the amusement in his eyes as he pushed her back before appealing to York.”You’re on my side right?”
***
York really wished he could say that he was surprised when Carolina suggested they work on new shots, but he wasn't and he hid a smile by taking a sip of his water. Wash's response was a familiar one and it really was too amusing. Both men trusted her with their lives, but York generally got to be the one working the crowd and he was plenty alright with that.
"It's cause you look so pretty getting shot at," he reply dryly, though there was that answering amusement in his eyes as he looked at his best friend. "We can trade if you want, but you might have to work on those smooth talking skills of yours," York teased. "Your only other option is to be a better shot and that's never gonna happen. Might as well just accept it now." Carolina was one of a kind and he honestly wouldn't have been surprised to learn she'd come out of the womb holding a gun. She was a natural with it and that had just been honed over years and years of practice and dedication.
***
There was no way that Wash would ever take over working the crowd, he got flustered too easily and you had to be able to roll with the punches and go with whatever came up verbally like York was able to. But instead of pointing that out Carolina just ruffled his dark blonde hair fondly.
“Besides, when we put York up there for me to shoot at people think I missed at some point.” Just because they were both used to the scars on York’s face from the war and still thought he was a handsome fellow didn’t mean everyone else was. Wash had plenty of his own scars from the war but they were all pretty well hidden by his clothing so he and his boyish grin made a good subject to be on the stage with her.
***
And to be honest it wasn’t something Wash had ever thought about. He had been there when York had been injured, they’d both spent time in the army hospital that was one step above laying in the mud taking your chances on living, and come out of it with their scars so he didn’t even see them anymore.
“Stop making good points will you?” He let out an amused sigh and batted Carolina’s hand away from his head so she’d stop messing with his hair. Sadly York was right and he’d never best Carolina with a gun. The woman was not only a natural, she was obsessed when it came to practicing and perfecting her skills and while he was dedicated he wasn’t so dedicated he’d shoot for three hours straight just to be able to take the pip out of a playing card. Once he’d gotten good at killing his target he’d pretty much stopped at that level.
***
York chuckled at that. "You're not wrong. Pretty sure they think that regardless, but at least this way when someone tries to get smart, I can set them straight." He had fun, coming up with either mundane or ridiculous ways that he lost his eye. Sure, he missed being able to see out of both of his eyes, but he had long since proved that he was still worthwhile to keep around. Not that it mattered to them, but sometimes people were jerks. York never got into fights over it, just diffused the situation. Wash would probably deck anyone who hit a little too close to home, and that was hoping Carolina didn't show off on top of it.
"Come on, no way we'd be where we are if she didn't make good points," York reminded his brother in arms. She'd been the one to bring the two of them together in ways they certainly never would have dreamed of or got to on their own. "I'd be more worried about what's going to happen when she stops making good points. That's when we'll be in real trouble." He grinned, teasing her just as much as he was teasing Wash, even if his words were more than true. He was happiest with the two of them, and having Madison and Del along for the ride was almost like a real family. It was the closest they'd get to one, anyway.
***
“Get used to it, I will always make good points.” She leaned over to poke York in the arm but followed it up with a gentle rub of her hand over where she’d poked. “Because I am always right. Remember that gentlemen.” It was a good night despite all the tension around town and it showed in the way she was reciprocating the teasing. She was with the two people she loved and trusted the most in the world and they had the whole open road as a home, what else could she want?
***
“Okay now she’s getting out of hand.” Wash chuckled and tugged lightly on a lock of Carolina’s loose hair. It was true she was right way more than she should be and it could be very annoying to have to deal with her smug ‘I told you so’ speeches but always right was a bit of a stretch.
“Because I remember a certain bridge she swore that the wagon would fit through and how long it took to get us unstuck in the rain.” He was just asking for it now.
***
York leaned into Carolina's touch, completely unbothered by the poke. Part of why they worked so well was because they all had a similar sense of humor. Even when they did have the odd argument, it was usually a sarcastic comment or a wisecrack that brought them back to their senses. He could admit that he didn't want them any other way, through all the ups and downs.
"I'm sure you'll remind us plenty," he replied dryly, and he quickly took a bite of his dinner when Wash brought up the bridge again. "Better be careful or you'll be sleeping outside the tent at this rate," York cautioned his best friend. Not that there was any real chance of it because they all knew how to skirt around the more intense arguments.
***
“You are seriously going to bring up the bridge?” Carolina swore that Wash had some sort of death wish sometimes. This was one of those examples where he had a lot less sense than sass. And yet it was something that was oddly endearing about him sometimes. He would stick his foot in his mouth but usually it came from the fact he cared about them so much.
And sometimes he was just rubbing in that whole damn bridge thing because he could.
Which meant she punched him in the shoulder before she shook her head at him. “Just for that it’s your turn to do the dishes tonight.”
***
Wash had cringed away but ended up laughing after the hit and the threat. “All right, fair enough. I’ll wash up if it’ll make you forgive me.” And the fact that made Carolina laugh again told him he was already forgiven...this time anyway. Who knew if he’d get off that easy next time he decided to bring it up.
“I’ll wash up and join you two at the fire. There’s a little time before we need to sleep and there should be a good moon tonight.” And what better way to spend it than curled up with the two people he loved by a fire to watch it?
***
While York definitely didn't need the help snagging some alone time with Carolina, he appreciated it all the same. "I think someone needs to know she's loved," he agreed, giving her a wink. He took the last bit of rabbit off his plate, wiped his hands, and then stood. In half a step he was closer to Carolina and held his hand out to her.
"May I escort the lady over to the comfy log by the fire? I think there's a gentleman's lap with her name on it waiting for her." Wash was better at the smooth talking thing, but he was learning. A little. His charm was more quiet most of the time. Tonight, he wanted to change it up a little bit, maybe get her to laugh or smile, at least forget about the murders they were suspected of for a little while.
***
Carolina had rolled her eyes a little for the comment about needing to know she was loved but she put her hand into his willingly enough and let him help her to her feet. Wash was good at the smooth talking, until he wasn’t and when he wasn’t it was a spectacularly amusing mess that embarrassed the hell out of him. “You may escort me over to the fire. If I find you escorting some lady I might have to hit you.”
She was repressing a smirk as she said it.
***
Wash watched the two of them head off to the fire with a smile. It was good to see them both relaxed like that. York really didn’t need help getting time with Carolina but Wash liked to watch them together and gave them time when he could. It was like watching them be more themselves, more unguarded, and he liked to see it so he’d spend a little extra time cleaning up than he had to but he’d still join them.
***
York chuckled and replied, "My mistake," as he helped Carolina to her feet. Still, he tossed a wink over his shoulder at Wash and then led his lover over by the fire. True to his word, he took a seat on the ground, his back against the log they usually sat on, and tugged her down onto his lap. His arms went around her waist and he rested his chin against her shoulder.
"Comfy?" he asked her softly, not because he didn't want Wash to overhear but because he was right next to her ear.
***
Carolina knew that Wash would join them when he was done so in the meantime she was just going to relax and enjoy the moment with York. She did her best to make sure both of them got their moments that was just for them as well as the time they spent together with all three of them.
Sitting in York’s lap she leaned the side of her head against his and rested her hand on his arm where it was curled around her waist.
“Yes.” She liked the feel of his voice right by her ear and the way she could feel his chest move against her back when he talked. “I could stay like this a long time.”
***
"Wouldn't get any complaints from me," he replied just as softly. He could easily spend all night like this at the very least, but he hoped they'd get to sit like this many times over the course of the next couple of decades. York had always known he'd grow old with Wash, but it was nice that it wouldn't be just the two of them. How they'd gotten lucky enough to find her was beyond him, that was for sure.
They sat just like that for a while and he pressed the occasional kiss against her shoulder, a reminder that he loved her without saying the words or asking her to say it back. Sometimes, they all got a little sticky when it came to putting a name on what they had together. York was alright with that because they showed him in other ways how they felt about him.
He wasn't sure how long he and Carolina sat together before Wash came over to them, but once he was seated next to him, York tilted his head to rest on the other man's shoulder. "Took you long enough," he teased softly.
***
Carolina shifted enough her legs were across Wash’s lap when he sat down with them. She was feeling relaxed and loved by both of them. As much as she liked action and being on the move it was these quiet times she liked the most.
She smiled but didn’t say anything when Wash put his arm behind York’s shoulders so they could both lean against him if they wanted. He never liked to see how strong he could be but he was.
***
“Well maybe if someone didn’t use every single pot to cook a simple meal.” Wash’s voice was teasing as he leaned his cheek against York’s hair for a moment when he leaned against his shoulder. After Carolina put her legs across his lap he rubbed her thigh with his hand.
“I’m here now so we can commence with the relaxing.” The fire was warm and so were York and Carolina so there wouldn’t be any chill no matter how late they stayed up.
He liked that all of them could show each other how they felt without having to say it. Wash wasn’t great at speaking his mind, when emotions got involved he tended to get all tangled up when he tried to articulate it. And Carolina got downright tetchy when she had to say something she wasn’t ready for.