Red West II.

Chapter twenty eight - Ways of desire

Jin was not a very patient man. Somehow, he understood why Kame got so upset, but that didn't mean he was willing to bear with his non-speaking attitude for long.

The Black Riders finished their dinner and shared a bottle of whiskey in more or less positive atmosphere, as the second drink they toasted with was on their fallen friends in Leadville. They remembered Oswald's sister Olivia as well, when Ryo informed Leo and Jane about the telegram from the old man. Not to mention that they didn't know yet if Nick managed to recover from that ugly stabbing – they could be even one more member less now...

Esler insisted on keeping double patrols, no matter how much all of them needed some sleep. It would be too risky to be careless, when they didn't know what Harvey would do once he would be found tied to that beautiful tree. He might really scamper off from Colorado, but on the other hand, he might organize a search for them. And that could happen the day after tomorrow as well as this very evening already.

Jin was in no mood for early sleeping, so he voluntarily enrolled for the first watch and left the campsite to take a piss, not caring about who would be assigned with him.

When he returned, Leo with Jane were curled up not far from the fireplace, whispering something to each other in a tight hug, while the blonde Rider had already fallen asleep, buried under his blanket. Only Ryo and smoking Esler remained sitting at the fire yet, passing to each other what was left from the whiskey. Jin sat down next to the younger man and accepted the bottle as well.

"Can you really manage the watch with that wound of yours?" Ryo asked him. "I can take it instead, if you want."

"No, I'm fine. It's just a scratch," Jin assured him, taking a long gulp. That gunshot wound was not a big deal, but it still hurt as hell and he welcomed the calming effects of alcohol.

"All right, you take it with Kamenashi then," Esler announced, and lit another cigarette.

What a surprise, Jin thought gloomily. One would think he'd like to avoid me more.

"Where is he, anyway?" he asked aloud. He was wondering about the whereabouts of the younger one since the moment he noticed Kame wasn't present at the fire, but he had enough self-control not raise that question right away.

"He went to gather more wood for the night, down to the brook," Ryo replied, taking the bottle back from Jin with a calculative smirk, before he could protest. "You can go to help him, we won't fall asleep so quickly. I need to taste this curious liquid properly..."

Jin huffed and opened his mouth to object something, but then he reconsidered.

Esler leant forward and jerked the bottle out of Ryo's hand: "We will taste it, my dear friend. Don't think you'll drink the rest of this yourself."

Ryo seemed a little disappointed, but wisely did not protest.

"Enjoy your selfish drink then," Jin wished them tauntingly and got up again.

*

Cullen watched the older Akanishi leaving, until his figure disappeared between the trees. Then he turned back toward the fire and noticed a strange smile on the younger Rider's face.

"What?" he asked sharply. He didn't like the mischievous way in which Ryo was observing him.

"It's just good to see that they've finally gained your trust," the other one shrugged.

Cullen snorted: "I didn't say I trust them..."

"You didn't have to," Ryo smirked. "And it was about time, anyway."