Chapter Text
Jack Twist’s eyes were glued to the road. Driving was the only thing that dared to occupy his mind in that moment, save for one Ennis Del Mar. This was not uncharacteristic for Jack; it seemed Ennis was always there, even if it was just at the back of his mind. His friend had set up camp there, and Jack didn’t even try to expel him. This day, Ennis was at the forefront of his thoughts. Made sense, Jack supposed, since he was headed to, what he hoped was still, Ennis’s place. He fully expected to be turned away, but Ennis was his last option except for his folks. His divorce with Lureen had just come through, and he wanted to get the hell out of Childress.
The sign for Riverton flashed in the side of his vision, striking a near-involuntary perk in Jack’s demeanor. Despite what may happen once he arrived, he was still pretty goddamn excited to see Ennis. Even if it was just for a short time. Ennis Del Mar, the light at the end of his hellish tunnel of a life. He took a drag off a cigarette he’d neglected for so long, he was surprised it still carried a light. Through the smoky haze of his pickup, he eyed a house coming up on his right. A familiar teal truck sat outside. “Thank the Lord,” he breathed out a sigh of jubilee-tinted relief.
He hadn’t a damn clue what time it could’ve been by the time he’d pulled into Ennis’s driveway. He knew it was late. Or early. Fuckin’ dark either way. Ennis’s rickety old house mirrored that sentiment. Not a damn light in sight. Jack, bringing his cigarette to his lips one final time before stamping it out, swallowed his fears and got out of his truck. The door felt like it was a thousand miles away and his slow stepping didn’t do much to convince him it wasn’t. He, after what seemed like hours, got to the door and knocked. Nothing . Jack groaned and knocked a few more times, adding in a pleading “Ennis”. He stood there for a couple minutes, then took his hat in his hands and turned away. He could go up to Lightning Flat, he supposed, or he could hole up in his truck until daybreak. At least he knew Ennis was home. While he pondered his options, he heard a groggy voice from behind him.
“Jack? The hell are you doing here?” Jack spun on his heel, hat still in his hands, to face the figure in the now open door. A faint light illuminated Ennis, leaving Jack with his heart in his throat.
“M’ sorry for coming without no warning,” Jack slowly approached the door, his voice cracking betrayed his nerves. His eyes welled up with tears. This was a massive fucking mistake.
“It’s alright, friend,” Ennis gave him a sleepy half-smile, the type that normally made Jack’s heart melt. Jack, instead, stood awkwardly a few feet from Ennis, staring at his feet like a child fearing repercussions. “C’mon cowboy, you’ll freeze your ass off out there if you keep standin’ there like a statue” Ennis beckoned him inside. Jack nodded and followed. He’d never been inside Ennis’s house since he and Alma divorced, and it looked like Ennis hadn’t really been inside it all that much himself. It was sparse, only containing necessities like a rusted fridge and stove, a worn down table covered in empty beer bottles and cigarette stubs, and a hole-ridden couch with a small TV in front of it. A small lamp lit the room up enough for Jack to see Ennis still giving him that signature half-smile, clad in just an undershirt and pajama pants.
“Thanks, Ennis…” Jack trailed off, before the tears started. Ennis was at his side in seconds, his hand on his shoulder.
“What’s wrong, Jack?” Ennis’s eyebrows furrowed.
“Don’t know…me n’ Lureen’s divorce came through and I went straight here. I just wanted to get the hell outta Childress…” Jack began to cry harder. He really had no idea why, considering he and Lureen’s divorce was essentially just making years of emotional separation official. “Can I stay here?” He wiped snot off with his shirt sleeve.
“Jack,” Ennis started, but Jack cut him off. He knew where Ennis was going.
“Just for a bit, En. ‘Til I get back on my feet and figure out what the hell I’m gonna do.” Ennis paused for a second, processing, before responding. “Okay, just for a bit.” Jack, relieved, stopped crying and breathed comfortably. It felt like the first time he’d done that in a while.
“Thanks, friend.” Jack wrapped his arms around Ennis, just to hold for a few seconds. Ennis pressed a brief kiss into Jack’s hair before Jack let go. “S’pose I should let you get back to bed.” He laughed a little.
“Yeah,” Ennis mirrored his laugh. “You tired?” Jack looked tired, eyebags and red eyes evident of his lack of sleep. He’d been awake for damn near 2 days, surviving on cigarettes and booze. He just nodded in response. “Well, I only got the one bed, but I’m sure we can both fit.” Ennis gestured towards his room.
“Can’t be worse than that damn tent.” Jack let out a dry laugh before following Ennis to his bedroom. His bedroom was modest, much like the rest of his little shack, but Jack didn’t care a goddamn bit. It felt more comforting than near any other bedroom he’d ever been in. He inhaled, and the warm scent of whiskey, smoke, and hay filled his nostrils. His face lit up into a grin. It smelled like Ennis. Of course, that made sense, but Jack was just overjoyed by the presence of the smell regardless since he’d spent so many sleepless nights trying to recall the scent but never getting it quite right.
“I’m off to the ranch in a few hours,” Ennis remarked, settling into his bed “Probably be gone when you get up.”
“I’m sorry for barging in on ya like this,” Jack apologized again, “I mean, Jesus, I don’t even know what sorta hour it is now.” He discarded his hat on the floor, with his pants, belt, and shirt to follow.
“Bout 2:30,” Ennis checked a wristwatch on his nightstand, “don’t worry, Jack. Just get some rest.” The air was cold on Jack’s bare skin, giving him gooseflesh within seconds. He was quick to join Ennis in bed, feeling his whole body warm up once pressed against Ennis. A strong arm wrapped around him, resting on his stomach. Ennis’s touch helped put Jack at ease, more at ease than he had been in a long, long time. “Night, Jack.”
“G’night, Ennis,” Jack’s eyes fluttered shut as he drifted off into a peaceful sleep. The best sleep he’d gotten in years.