„Why didn’t you run out and open your goddamn mouth if you want water so bad? There was enough for everyone just a few minutes ago“, he made clear the very moment he looked back at the brunette while he took one hand off the reins to reach with his gloved fingers beneath the black coat to get his flask. With his other hand he pulled on the reins, making the black mare walk over to the brown one of his brother while he stretched out his arm. „That’s all I have. ‘twas no time making preperations thanks to someone screwing up for I have lost count of the number of times he has doneso already.“ With a glare he penalized the younger one knowing that he was aware of Ray talking about him. He pressed the flask into his brother’s hand before he made his horse walk around again to face their routeHis brother’s asking had alerted the blonde, did they really ran off of the town without anything that would lead them through the weather’s and enviroment’s hard times that would come and stay for one would say too long at a time. They had to find a place worth trusting where they could buy supplies and water with food for the animals, if not find a river so they could at least get them something to drink and to fill their stock.
It wasn’t that warm and the ground still soaked with water, so at least it seemed. After all Ray had guessed that the dry and hard soil would suck the water in within minutes, making it disappear and look like there had been no storm at all, not in ages. No storm which had lasted longer than half an hour. There wasn’t much left in the flask and Ray doubted that it would help, especially not him nor William. But it was at least something and as long as it would keep the younger brother from complaining about something that had been his very own mistake, he wouldn’t mind.They made progress, but only slowly. With horses still that scared and no watter around it would be a waste to shoo them further to herd them into their breakdown. If William’s god would live now would be the perfect time to show he’d do so, the oldest thought, not even thinking of dedicating the sky a glimpse to show at least some respect. Or awe, however one would call it. Something Ray hadn’t been teached to know. Not towards specific people, rather the significance of the whole. Like the meaning of family. Never had been a friend of authority, the blonde. Not other’s, that was. Hence no friend of god himself. Maybe he had been when he was younger and their mother told them to, or tried to every end of the week when it was about to visit town and its church on a day he rather had used for something else. Like having fun with his brothers or what not. Attend to divine service? How boring it had been for him to sit straight for hours listening to an old man talking about an even older man watching them doing everything they did. If it had been one thing besides being boring, it had been creepy. Ray never understood what was so fascinating about all this and probably never wanted to. Not even to keep a conversation with his baby brother going to show some interest in him and his life.
“Cause I ain’t such an idiot like you are.”, he scoffed as he catched the flask with ease, weighting it with his hands to see how heavy it was. The heavier, the better. If it was the water inside that was heavy. Just to make sure he shook it next to his ear, hearing the soothing sound of water hitting against the surface of the flask. “At least something.”, he muttered under his breath but instead of taking a swig he just put it into a pouch of the own horse, probably to save it from the oldest of the 3 as he was probably responsible for the amount that was still inside of it. Thomas watched the other two in boredom as their pace was to slow so he could focus on other things. “Come on.”, he mumbled as if he was talking to his horse now, slightly spurring it with the hope that it would pick up the pace, even if just a little.
Behind the clouds that had carried the rain inside of them just a few moments ago was the sun, as if it was hiding behind them. But the more time passed, the more the clouds faded or were dragged away by the everlasting wind that swept over the plains. So of course he dragged his hat a little lower when the sun rays got more intense again so he’d atleast see something of this boring environment. There was nothing special. A few trees. Dust. No water, no houses, and of course no city. They’d have to ride far longer than that to meet any kind of civilization out here. If one could call Mexico civilized. The people around there were nothing near that, still living under poor conditions and in slavery. Whores probably dragged more diseases around than most people could count and the rich ones spread them by taking one after another. Just the thought of carrying one of these diseases made him shiver slightly, so he mentally noted that he wouldn’t dare touching a woman down in Mexico. At least no woman that wasn’t a virgin. Those pure, little ladies were a different tale. “You still haven’t told me how long it will take to get to Mexico. And I still wonder where you got that little tale about a treasure.” He was sure that they wouldn’t be the only ones knowing about the gold that was hidden somewhere in Mexico and he doubted that they could be peacefully looking for it beneath the mexican sun. No, they’d probably have to get rid of anyone that was also looking for it just to make sure that they would have the treasure for themselves and that no one would even have the chance of shooting them into their backs. The danger also meant that someone would have to stay around William all the time as he would never dare to touch a gun and shooting someone was out of the question with all his blabbering about his faith and that god would keep him safe.
The younger McCall shifted on his saddle to get more comfortable, stretching himself a little as his back started to ache from his former posture. Riding had never been his favourite hobby, especially not when he was in the hot sun and had the company of both of his brothers. They’d just slow him down as William wasn’t the best when it came to staying on a horse and Ray would just go on and talk, and talk, and talk even more even if he was told to shut up. Though, somehow he had gotten used to it, blending out all the words that left the older ones mouth and just focus on the important parts. Stories of the past that he had already told them more than twice weren’t even acknowledged even anymore let alone questioned.
Do I have any reason to lie to you? I don’t think so
I am more than just happy with you.
How pleasant, my sweet. Then we shall keep you happy, no?
Hey—
…That didn’t go as planned..
Then it’s settled. You’re my little princess.
My little purple dress wearing princess?
He could and would, which he didn’t show nor say at first was there no reason for him to be too nice towards the younger McCall. Didn’t even seem too touched by his former action. It really needed more than that to take Ray off his feet, especially with his brother’s bad legs. Which he didn’t comment about. Instead he made sure to reach behind himself and place his arms beneath the young one so he wouldn’t slide off is back for some reason. Not that he would fall off there, too, and get even more hurt than he already was. Of course he took care not to touch the wounded legs, which would probably only end up in his brother hissing like a cat or clawing in his shoulders furiously as one, to make him pay back even tho the incident wouldn’t be on purpose.The young boy started walking away from the riverside soon, knowing that what was to come would be everything but pretty, for the both of them. He had to, however, bring the brother home so one could take care of his scratches and wounds. Yelling was nessecary, he knew. It would come like it always came and Ray was aware that it would change nothing in the end, too. Might be that the little one agreed on reasons and demands of the parents. Next day he’d be on top of that damned tree again, or trying to be, at least. Important to him was that his brother could lay down and rest, maybe even eat something to feel better soon, because right now he probably didn’t feel too right. And Ray wanted him to. He really did. Of course he’d be angered at, too. For not taking care too much and even helping in this childish crime, like the brunette had noticed before by asking him a question he had yet to answer.
He heaved his little brother more onto his back the sooner he started to carry him up the fields, which terrain lead higher the further he got with him. They still were on their parents property and had to get off to the road at the side which was leading along the fields straight up to their family home. Would be too wearing to climb over the fence with the brother on his back. Not that Thomas was heavy, the blonde was just not the climbing type, so he rather walked till they’d reach the fence’s opening. „I helped you ‘cause you’re my brother. And ‘cause I hoped to… somehow prevent you from fallin’ off that damn thing again“, which did not quite work out as planned, obviously. Could tell the young one that he also wanted to spend some time with him, which he didn’t, being fully convinced that Thomas wouldn’t say such intimate things himself just to seem all grown up and independent. It wasn’t only the urge to keep the brunette from trouble and protect him from himself most of the time. Ray actually enjoyed the company and even had his fun carrying the other one around like that. Close to him, not saying anything stupid or something that would make the older look stupid.A smile came upon his lips by the thought of it, that his brother was assuming to annoy him with this behavior when he really enjoyed it to the fullest. Something he wouldn’t admit as well out of fear his brother would jump off again just to insist at walking the whole long way back home all by himself. An action that would make his legs even worse. He was not going to like that and his brother for sure neither. „You won’t complain about it, would you. You brought me here after all, ‘s was your idea. Not mine.“ of course it had been his, Ray himself would never ever force his younger brother to climb something that high where he could eventually fall down into his own death. Christ, everything but that.“But… bein’ all honest to you now, Thomas. It’ll be better if you try some days not to climb that thing. Not only for them legs of yours, but also for Ma’s sanity. Don’t want her to look older than she is, do ya.“
The younger one closed his eyes almost fully, his head resting peacefully on the shoulder of the older one whilst his arms were wrapped around his neck to not be too much of a burden. Thomas would clearly never admit it, but he was glad to have a brother like he was. Not many other kids could claim to have someone who is looking after them whose not the own mother or father. It made the boy smile a little bit, of course without his brother being aware of it. And even if he would have noticed it, he probably couldn’t tell why he was smiling. Would probably say that he wouldn’t take the situation serious enough and that he could die in all these attempts. “…It ain’t your fault, Ray. I should have taken more care. Like.. not hanging upside down as a result.”, he mumbled against the blonde, a little bit of shame audible in his voice. Not much, but it was there.
Thomas tried to get a little bit more comfortable on the back of his brother by leaning his own head against the one of his brother, switching the way his head way lying every few steps cause of all the movement until he finally found the best way to ‘lie down’ on the older ones back. “You know. You don’t have to come home with me. I could tell Ma I was alone and that it’s just my fault… You could either go home before me or after me..”, he began in an unsure voice, something he usually never had. It was true this time that he didn’t want the older one to get into trouble just because of his mistakes. Ray didn’t deserve to be punished for something that wasn’t even his fault. It was his own carelessness that let him slip off the tree again, not Ray. But until they were in sight of the big house they lived in he’d let the older one carry him. It was so comfortable, so.. warm on his back it made him tired. More worn out than he already was through the pain he still felt. It wasn’t the end of the world of course, yet it was still unneeded. “I don’t want you to get into trouble cause of me.. And.. and I’ll promise you that I won’t try it again that soon. Okay..?”, he whispered in a calm yet stubborn voice. He wouldn’t let his brother get his way. Not today. Discretion was rare when it came to the second oldest McCall but even wonders happened. The moment he he saw the roof of the house he started moving on the older ones back to get off. “Come on, Ray. Let go off me..”, the younger one started to demand like it was his nature. He’d get what he wanted. Not what the older one thought would be the best for him. It was his own choice after all. He could also tell his mother that Ray found him lying in front of that tree. But that would just be the cause of her getting a few more wrinkles and him being grounded.
(Source: thomasmccall)
maybe we two have just a lot in common.
I am realistic. Spares me from my hopes being crushed
