RDR2 AU

[dog_eat_dog]

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[dog_eat_dog]

She sits down with him, resting her own dish on her knee.

“No kidding. I hate even making a couple days’ ride on my own, if I didn’t have friends to get back to, I’d lose my mind.”

[stand_unshaken]

"Precious thing, that. People you can come home to."

He eats a bite. Mulls that over.

[dog_eat_dog]

“People you like going home to, too.”

[stand_unshaken]

"Absolutely right. Here's to that, huh?"

He holds up a spoon in toast, then takes a bite.

[dog_eat_dog]

She copies the gesture, smiling.

“My friends are gonna laugh when they hear I holed up with a gang for days.”

[stand_unshaken]

"Hey, you tell 'em there ain't nothing funny about us - except for Swanson."

Who's dead drunk already.

[dog_eat_dog]

Tess snorts.

"He sure is," she replies. "S' more that I always manage to find my way out of trouble and into the thick of something else."

[stand_unshaken]

"That just sounds like life to me."

[dog_eat_dog]

"Lot of people out there not living it to the fullest, then."

[stand_unshaken]

"You're damn right. But at least they live longer. One or the other."

He gives her a little smile, finally takes his hat off. Damn if Tess wouldn't fit in here - but he won't ask her. She has her people, and her dream.

[dog_eat_dog]

"I mean, maybe they do," she replies. "But I figure people used to trouble make for better survivors. A lot of people like that, they don't know what to do the second they end up in hot water."

[stand_unshaken]

He runs a hand over his mouth and nods.

"Either way, ain't like we got that choice no more. You're a survivor or you die, right?"

[dog_eat_dog]

“That’s how it feels,” she agrees. “Never felt like much of a choice in the first place, though.”

[stand_unshaken]

"Unless you're fond of dyin', no." He gives her a little smile again, and finishes his food.

"But you got somethin' nice in your future. A nice ranch, somewhere."

[dog_eat_dog]

She chuckles.

"Yeah? You'll keep us off Sean's mark list, right?"

[stand_unshaken]

"Can't make promises we won't come by and shake things up a little," he says, leaning back with a grin at her.

[dog_eat_dog]

“Just as well, I owe your people a couple dinners anyway. Spring yourselves on me any time.”

[stand_unshaken]

"You know I might take you up on that," he warns her, warmly.

[dog_eat_dog]

She grins, reaching over to elbow him playfully.

“Like I’d offer if I wasn’t interested in having you over.”

[stand_unshaken]

"You already know I got terrible table manners and still invited me," he says, nodding like he's impressed. "You're some kinda woman, Tess."

[dog_eat_dog]

“I’m a woman who runs around with trousers and a gun, the way I see it, we’re just ill-mannered in different ways,” she teases.

[stand_unshaken]

He grins at her one more time before looking away, patting her arm.

"Smart, too. Alright - I'm gonna go have a fucking drink and tell the others my story. Don't call me out if I embellish a little."

[dog_eat_dog]

"Hey, you gotta look like the biggest man in the gang," she replies, grinning too. "I get it."

[stand_unshaken]

"I shot a real damn lion today, I deserve a little credit," he tells her, slapping his own knees before getting up - ignoring the way his back pops.

[dog_eat_dog]

Tess pops up to her feet.

"And you didn't even have to go to Africa to do it," she replies.