[ the truck goes over small bumps on the backroads of the tillman ranch. they're far out, a good ways from the main compound. gator whistles, happy, looking over at billy and giving him a wink. he's in a good mood for once, no scowl on his lips, no meanness in his eyes. he's driving along, windows down, the pre-summer breeze too good to ignore in the warmth.
he's surprising billy with something - a picnic out near the edge of the ranch. gator used to go out there when he was upset with roy, just to think, deep in the rich woods that contain the borders. it's beautiful compared to the rest of the massive amount of land, with lush trees and a meadow. when he pulls up to the edge of the forest, he kills the engine. he turns to billy, then brushes some of his blond curls behind his ear. ]
Baby, there's somethin' in the back for us. You wanna pick a spot while I get it, huh?
I FORGOT ABOUT THIS AND JUST FOUND IT IN MY BOOKMARKS I'M SORRY
[ it'll never be like home, not really, but billy finds it easier to breathe out here now that the long winter is over. spring's making way for summer, short as it may be, and billy plans to enjoy it as best he can while it lasts. he spends his days outside, headphones blaring while he runs laps around the ranch so he doesn't have to hear the snide remarks of the deputies stationed there for border patrol.
he's a captive; he knows it well. but it's easier to pretend he isn't when there isn't snow up to his knees.
today, at least, billy doesn't feel like he's trapped. gator's home, and more importantly, he's cheerful, with none of the usual malice or sadistic glee billy's used to. it's captivating, and billy finds himself watching gator far more than he watches the changing scenery. for better or for worse, he adores him, feels like something's reaching into his chest, grabbing his heart and squeezing when gator winks at him.
this is further out than billy's ever ventured to go on his own. it's peaceful, and he smiles back at gator as he tucks his hair back, reaching out to interlace their fingers for a moment. ]
A spot for what?
[ he squeezes gator's hand before withdrawing, opening the door and hopping down out of the truck. taking a few steps out, he turns to look all around him, at tall old trees and freshly blooming wildflowers both, and breathes in deep. ]
[ it isn't a home, far from it. the tillman ranch is a prison, designed beautifully and comfortably for anyone within its walls. at least, that's what they like to think. for billy, gator can't imagine it, won't. in gator's mind, billy should be thankful they live in domestic bliss, their every need tended to by roy's wives as they lay up and fuck. nothing is more perfect than that.
however, when billy squeezes gator's hand - that comes close. so, so close.
gator lowers the tailgate of the truck, pulling a basket and a cooler out with both arms. he shifts their weight, following billy out between the trees. he smiles at him, one eye closed against the sunshine, then laughs. it's a sweet sound, airy, a giggle that turns his cheeks pink. he isn't a bad dog. ]
Surprises, huh? Go on, you ain't seen what's in these. Pick a place, babygirl. Anywhere you fuckin' want.
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@ πΊπ΄πΆπππ°π½π³πΊπΈπ½πΆ.
he's surprising billy with something - a picnic out near the edge of the ranch. gator used to go out there when he was upset with roy, just to think, deep in the rich woods that contain the borders. it's beautiful compared to the rest of the massive amount of land, with lush trees and a meadow. when he pulls up to the edge of the forest, he kills the engine. he turns to billy, then brushes some of his blond curls behind his ear. ]
Baby, there's somethin' in the back for us. You wanna pick a spot while I get it, huh?
I FORGOT ABOUT THIS AND JUST FOUND IT IN MY BOOKMARKS I'M SORRY
he's a captive; he knows it well. but it's easier to pretend he isn't when there isn't snow up to his knees.
today, at least, billy doesn't feel like he's trapped. gator's home, and more importantly, he's cheerful, with none of the usual malice or sadistic glee billy's used to. it's captivating, and billy finds himself watching gator far more than he watches the changing scenery. for better or for worse, he adores him, feels like something's reaching into his chest, grabbing his heart and squeezing when gator winks at him.
this is further out than billy's ever ventured to go on his own. it's peaceful, and he smiles back at gator as he tucks his hair back, reaching out to interlace their fingers for a moment. ]
A spot for what?
[ he squeezes gator's hand before withdrawing, opening the door and hopping down out of the truck. taking a few steps out, he turns to look all around him, at tall old trees and freshly blooming wildflowers both, and breathes in deep. ]
You're just full of surprises today, huh?
no subject
however, when billy squeezes gator's hand - that comes close. so, so close.
gator lowers the tailgate of the truck, pulling a basket and a cooler out with both arms. he shifts their weight, following billy out between the trees. he smiles at him, one eye closed against the sunshine, then laughs. it's a sweet sound, airy, a giggle that turns his cheeks pink. he isn't a bad dog. ]
Surprises, huh? Go on, you ain't seen what's in these. Pick a place, babygirl. Anywhere you fuckin' want.