michigan cherry // billy the kid (2022)

three

Billy was settled for the moment in Dodge City, his horse still tired and his back ached from days of riding before. He'd been here for a few days, intentionally just passing through like usual, looking for some work where he could find it. If he could find it.

Until he had heard about a singer who'd been playing up at this saloon, an unusual woman who reminded him undoubtedly of someone else. A performance that shouldn't be missed- or so he'd heard from rumours in town.

He stepped inside, and his eyes settled on you standing there on the stage. He had hopes, he had confidence, even, when he heard the singing from outside, but he wasn't met at all with what he expected as he crossed the threshold into the dusty saloon.

"Called to the devil and the devil said "Quit,
Can't be bothered, better handle your shit.

Keep about your wits, man, keep about your wits.

Know yourself, and who you came in with"."

It was you alright, but hardly recognizable you. You, without that lively look in your beautiful eyes and without the band of kids he vaguely remembers you had called 'The Covey'.

Your eyes skim over the crowd as you sing, a force of habit you couldn't afford to break, but you're hardly focused on what you're seeing. Your eyes are almost glazed over, until they land on Billy.

You have to do a double take, giving him another nod- just like the first time you had seen him, and the weakest of smiles twitch at your lips as you strum away on your guitar.

Your music sounded much more sad this time. Maybe it was because you were alone and without the band, it just sounded more dull- maybe it's because the tones itself had changed since he last saw you. The song sounded almost angry.

Billy was watching you intently, his eyes taking in every movement with almost critical focus as he pushed his way through the saloon, muttering apologies to folks he bumped into along the way.

It felt different today, he knew something was wrong. This wasn't the sassy, playful young woman he had talked to a month ago, this was... heartbreak incarnate.

He leaned against the bar when he reached it, eyes hardly leaving you for a second as you continued to play and he orders his whiskey.

When you wrap up, you smile a little at the applause that rings out. "Thank y'all for listenin' tonight. My name's Y/N, and this is..." You trail off, catching yourself before you introduce the band that wasn't there, quickly clearing your throat and shaking your head clear.

"Sorry. Had a bit too much whiskey to clear my pipes before I played." You laugh nervously before continuing. "Anyway, I hope y'all have a good night, but not so good you don't make it home safe." You finish your usual outro, giving a small bow before stepping back out of the light to put the old, beat-up guitar away.

Billy listened, a small smirk on his face at the little mistake he knew only he caught- until you mention the whiskey. A light went off in his head, and his eyebrows furrowed.

Whiskey. She never touched the damn stuff.

Something is wrong.

But that much he already knew.

He watched as you put your guitar away, downing his drink quickly and tossing a coin on the bar for it before approaching you once you stepped down from the stage.

You didn't see him coming, with your sights set firmly on the door to the saloon. You didn't feel the need to entertain the company of male patrons this evening, even if it meant a free drink. You just wanted to get out into the fresh air and away as soon as you could.