random stories

Cowboys and Aliens - Percy Dolarhyde x Reader

Intended for a male reader, but can be taken as female or gender neutral

Percy Dolarhyde/Reader

Your horse huffed, tiredly, as she walked nearer towards the town. You were downright beat, worn, and exhausted. Your legs were numb and your back was burned from the sun. Its heated waves of light had turned your skin into a blistering red that ached at the touch. Your shirt had been lost somewhere along the way, pants ripped, and missing a sole on the bottom of one of your boots.

Yours hands could hardly grip the reigns any longer and you started to slide of the saddle, collapsing into a heap on the sand. Your shoulder popped underneath your weight and you groggily rolled onto your back, blearily watching as your horse continued on without you.

You had lost your hat during the fall and you reached for it, hoping it would shield your eyes from the bright sky. The world around you started to grow dark and the last thing you heard was a rushed pair of footsteps matched with a hurried voice that beckoned for someone to help them get you inside.

-

You startled awake at the sound of a door opening, rising to see a thin man in bartender attire holding a tray with food and drink on it.

"Thank goodness you're up," he sighed, setting the tray on the bedside table next to you, "What the hell happened?"

You shrugged, "It's all a blur, really." He offered you the drink and you accepted, greedily swallowing what tasted like brandy. It left a burn in your throat but it was far better than being dehydrated. What you would do for a glass of water.

"Did someone rob you?"

"Probably... all I remember is that when I came to, everythin' I had owned was gone." The searing pain on your back reminded you of the wound, "Do you have anythin' for sunburn?"

"Sunburn? Not much other than some cooled water," he answered, offering you the plate of food. It was eggs and a bit of bread that looked a little stale, but as hungry as you were, you couldn't find it in you to complain.

"That'd be nice," you agreed, "and some rest will do me good."

"I agree. There's a river nearby here that keeps cool all day," he began, gathering up the empty plate and cup, "I could get my wife to show you."

"I would appreciate it," you smiled, "Thank you for your help."

-

After soothing the burn in your back and washing up, you felt a little better about the situation. Still, it bothered you that your memories seemed to have vanished from that day. You could remember up to it and after it, but during had no luck of being discovered.

You had been set on getting to California, with talk of 'hitting it big' with gold, but maybe you could find some work here, or at least housing.

As you dressed yourself with the clothes that the bartender had been happy to lend you, the sound of a horse drew nearer. The steady hoof-fall catching your attention before you saw the beautiful black horse.

Although, if it were up to you, its rider was even more beautiful. His hair hung low around his shoulders in a light auburn color that shined in the setting sunlight and his eyes were hidden under the rim of his hat. His nose was round and his lips curved into a Cupid's bow. He was lean in build and had hands that looked like they had never seen hardship, and he was dressed in fine clothing that could have cost more than you amounted to.

He turned to you, slowing his horse down, "Do I know you?"

"'Fraid not," you chuckled, "I'm new."

He got down from his horse, a smile gracing his lips, "I thought so."

"I'm looking here for work before moving onto California," you said, finding him rather easy to talk to. Now that he was up close, you studied his features even more. His jaw was soft and his clothes were even nicer than they had looked before. You could see the silk lining and hand embroidered designs.

"Really?" He said, intrigued, "My name is Percy. Percy Dollarhide."

You shook his outstretched hand, introducing yourself.

"My father and I run a cattle business. Perhaps you'd be interested in working for us?"

You smiled at the offer, "Thank you, but I'm no good with farm animals. I was hopin' to get some work at the bar."

"Serving drinks more your style then?"

"You could say that. I at least have some experience," you said.

He had managed to talk you into at least trying to work with cattle, and you could hardly say no to his endearing charm. You learned that the town had been home to a very violent, and very recent, alien invasion, and that Percy had been taken captive.

He explained that, while it was unfortunate, it changed him as a person for the better, and he was a little bit less of a self righteous jerk than he had been.

Percy walked with you back to the bar, going in for a drink with the promise of seeing you again soon, and as he walked off, he added, "Hopefully on my Pa's property."

-

You had decided to ask Doc, the bartender, for some work. His wife, Maria, seemed to enjoy having someone to talk with during the small breaks in customers. She especially appreciated the small act of standing up for her when a passerby attempted to touch her in an inappropriate way.