Chapter Text
The bounty went up at dawn.
By noon, Kurt Wagner’s name was on every pair of cracked lips in town, if not further away already as well. It was spoken over whiskey shots and poker tables, and muttered by every man desperate for some easy gold. A dead-or-alive notice always drew the worst kind of hunters, the ones that didn't care about the alive part, even if it got them more money. It just wasn't worth the trouble.
Logan knew this, he was just like them.
He had spotted the poster as soon as he entered the saloon, and he let out a grunt as he snagged it off the wall. "Damn it." the paper crinkled in his grip as he looked at the drawing, recognizing the features of the outlaw before even reading the name written alongside it. A man like Kurt, with his striking looks, would be easy to recognize, even if he were to be hiding under the brim of his hat. Even if it weren't for him being blue .
He crushed the paper in his first as he walked over to the bar, ordering himself a drink. He really needed it today. When he got his order, he leaned against the bar, tipping his head lower as he just listened to people around him, picking up their conversations.
"You hear about that Crawler fella?" Someone at a nearby table spoke up. A dark-haired man. Lanky, missing the muscle. If he were a bounty hunter, like most people that visited this specific saloon, he must have one hell of a shit. "Five hundred alive, a full thousand alive. Mighty generous."
If the bounty is doubled when he's alive, perhaps there's a chance they'll let the fuzzball live.
Logan rolled his shoulders, forcing himself to just stay there and listen, and to not interrupt. He'd get himself in trouble if he did that. He always did. Not that he couldn't take these men in a fight. He easily could.
"Yeah, but has anyone ever seen 'im up close?" the second man at the table spoke up. More muscle, dirty blond hair. Perhaps he was the brawn of the duo. "Word is, he don't cast a shadow.”
"That's just cowshit." the first man frowned.
Logan nearly smirked at the comment, and he knew deep down that Kurt would laugh if he were there.
"If he's real, he won't be for long, either way." the muscled man spoke up, grinning, as if he was enjoying that peace of information. That dirty rat.
Logan threw back his whiskey, letting the burn settle in his gut. He stood there for a moment, considering his next move. He was still holding onto the paper with the bounty on it. If it were anyone else, he would've taken the job. Collected the money without a lot of effort. But Kurt was his friend , sort of. They had worked enough jobs together to know that Kurt would never betray Logan's ass, especially since he had saved his life half a dozen times by now. Logan had no choice but to be a gentleman and have Kurt's back now as well.
He dropped the paper to the floor as he pushed himself away from the bar, making his way out of the saloon again.
The afternoon sun was brutal, beating down on the dirt road as if it wanted to burn the whole damn town to the ground. Logan stepped off the saloon’s porch, clenching his jaw in frustration, so tightly that it ached.
He was a man on a mission now, and that mission was finding Kurt before the wrong men did.
When he started walking, he didn't stop. His eyes were scanning every alley, every rooftop, every little place a man like Kurt might be hiding out. Logan had known him long enough to figure out his habits when things got bad. If he had caught wind of this bounty– which he most likely would have, as he usually heard about such things way before Logan did– he would have fled town, or at least had found a place to hide. Most likely somewhere high, which was why Logan was looking at the rooftops. Kurt liked places like that, where he was able to hide, where it was quiet, and where he could watch chaos go down from a safe distance.
And then he passed the church. He knew that the famous Nightcrawler, the demon among men, was a religious man to his very core. Had life been different for him, had he been born differently, he would've been a priest. Perhaps he was looking for shelter in the only place that ever felt closely like a home to him. He would be insane if he did that.
He came to a halt, then made his way up the wooden steps. The old church doors creaked open after a light push, and he went inside.
The place looked empty, and the air was filled with the scent of candle wax. Light streamed through the stained glass, casting fractured colours all over the dusty pews. Logan sighed softly as he walked further into the place.
And then he picked up another scent. Earthy and wild, like the fresh scent of rain on dirt, mixed with the faint trace of leather and something uniquely Kurt — a kind of warmth that clung to him at all times, reminding him of a sunbathing cat. He looked up at the rafters, and there he was, sitting up there as if he was a damn bird.
Logan shook his head and mumbled a "Figures." when he noticed him. Either Kurt was too predictable, or he really knew him a bit too well. Either was concerning to Logan.
Kurt's hat was pulled low, hiding his face, though there was no use in hiding when they were alone. He was just being dramatic, as usual. His leg was lazily dangling over the beam, trying to seem casual. "You've got that look, Logan." His voice was light, teasing. "Have you been worrying about me? I feel flattered, really."
Logan grunted, not in the mood for whatever games his fellow bounty hunter might be trying to play. "You hear?" he spoke, deciding to ignore the previous comment.
Kurt sighed, sitting up straight and adjusting his grip on the beam he was seated on, before dropping down, smooth as ever. "I heard." he said, dusting off his coat. "I suppose I should be flattered by that too. A bounty of a thousand? Mein Gott , I must be quite the menace.”
"It ain't funny, Elf." Logan frowned, crossing his arms over his chest.
Kurt just smiled at him, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He was afraid, he just didn't want to show it. But hiding emotions from Logan was near impossible, as he could quite literally smell the fear on him.
Logan stepped closer, looking up at him as he spoke in a hushed voice. "They put dead or alive on you. That means every cutthroat between here and the border’s gonna come sniffing for blood. And most of ‘em ain’t the ‘bring ‘im in breathing’ type." He sounded more gentle than rough, which was the part that truly made Kurt fear in life.
"Good thing I'm hard to kill." Kurt said softly, trying to ignore the ache in his chest.
"Damn it, Blue." Logan shook his head. "Why are you still here? You could've left town already.."
"I wanted to say goodbye.." he said softly, pushing Logan's hat in his face– not to be annoying, but she he didn't have to look at him. And maybe a little to be annoying.
"Ain't got time for goodbyes." Logan muttered, adjusting his hat back into the right position. His voice was rougher than he intended it to be, as if he was annoyed with Kurt for even considering that this meant they'd have to part ways.
Hearing those words seemed to please Kurt, as his lips quirked into a little smile. "You're right, tough.. I should be running." He let out a tired sigh, avoiding Logan's gaze, looking at the stained glass window instead, inspecting the colours that projected into the room due to the sun hitting it just right. "But where would I go, Logan..? No matter where I run, that damned bounty will follow me around."
Logan clenched his jaw. He hated it when Kurt was right, and he hated it even more in situations like these, when Kurt couldn't get all smug about it like he would in a more lighthearted situation. Oh, how Logan missed that smugness now.
Kurt couldn't run, as the dead-or-alive notice wouldn't just disappear the moment he left town.
No matter how far he'd get, those bloodthirsty scumbags would track him down eventually, catch him at a weak moment. He couldn't let that happen.
"It's not running." Logan finally said, his eyes focused on how the rainbow reflections decorated Kurt's face in the most beautiful way. "You ride with me."
Kurt looked at Logan now, tilting his head slightly. "What would a man like you gain from that?"
I like your company more than I could ever say. The words went through his mind for a moment, but he couldn't say them out loud. So, instead he just huffed, tensing up his shoulders slightly. "I owe you that much, furball."
Kurt gave him a long look, as if he saw right through his facade. Logan was used to this look by now, after all these years of knowing each other. The smirk that followed said enough.
"We gotta move. Now." Logan said, turning around as he made his way towards the door. Kurt didn't argue with him, he just followed him.
Something in the air changed, and Logan froze. Not even a split second later they heard the creak of wood outside. Someone was on the porch.
Logan looked over at Kurt, and they locked eyes. Neither of them said a word, but both of them readied themselves for what was about to come.
Then– BANG!
The doors flew open, and a shadowed figure stood in the door, gun drawn.
As it happened, Logan had already grabbed ahold of his revolver, loaded and ready to shoot.
Kurt tensed, reaching for his knife. He wasn't a gun guy, his aim wasn't the best from a distance, but up close? He was one of the most deadly men you could face, if you managed to get him that far. Most of the time he would just resort to injuring the other person. Injuring them very, very badly.
The figure in the doorway was broad, nearly filling up the doorframe like that. The bright sun behind him cast a shadow on his face, but Logan didn't need to see his face to recognise him.
The scent of old blood, sweat, and something more feral followed the man around, filling up Logan's nostrils, causing him to frown deeply.
Victor Creed.
The history between him and Logan was something the Wolverine would never discuss. People just knew they used to ride together, and then one day they stopped, and Logan had replaced him with someone else– that someone being Kurt.
"Well, ain't this a sight." Sabretooth drawled, stepping forwards with a wicked grin resting on his lips, baring his sharp, yellowed teeth. "Didn't think I'd find you in a church, Logan. Ain't no priest alive could save your soul. Not after everything you've done."
Logan didn't lower his gun, and for a moment he debated just pulling the trigger. Kurt would curse him for that. "The hell do you want, Creed?"
"Ain't it obvious?" His eyes flicked over to Kurt for a moment. "Came to collect."
"Over my dead body." Logan spat out the words with a bit too much confidence.
"When did you turn into the hero type?" Creed asked, his eyes still on Kurt.
"Turn around and walk outta here, Creed. Final warning."
Sabretooth chuckled, low, like he was enjoying himself. "Oh, Logan." he shook his head. "You really think I'd pass up on a bounty like this one? Five hundred gold's a nice sum, but truth be told, I'd do this one for free. Can't say no to a good hunt." He wasn't planning on taking Kurt alive.
His grin widened, sharp as a blade. "Especially when it pisses you off."
Logan had barely time to react when the significantly larger man stormed forwards– fast.
Kurt ducked away the instant Sabretooth lunged at him, his reflexes so fast he was nearly a blur of motion. Creed's claw slashed through the empty air, then splintered the wooden pew that was near where Kurt had stood just a second ago.
Logan fired his gun, the sound of the shot crackling and echoing through the church, but Sabretooth got out of the way, then closed the distance too damn quick.
And then Logan was on his back, the air being knocked out of his lungs on impact when Sabretooth slammed him to the ground. "C'mon, Logan." he taunted, pressing his forearm into his throat. "Don't tell me yer getting soft."
Logan snarled, his muscles tensing–
And then a fast motion yanked the larger man backwards.
Kurt moved like a damn ghost, hooking an arm around Creed's throat and using his momentum to send the bigger man staggering. Sabretooth reached for him again, claw slashing through the air, but Kurt ducked again– fast, fluid, and untouchable.
Logan was back on his feet the moment his body had been freed from the weight. He grabbed ahold of his gun, but Kurt was already moving again. He gave a hard kick to the back of Sabretooth's knee, making him fall to the floor in the mist ungraceful way possible. A kick to the face send him into a nearly unconscious state.
"Sorry to cut this reunion short." Kurt said to him, his voice sounding near cheerful. "But we really must be going."
Logan pointed his gun at Creed, but Kurt grabbed ahold of his wrist, gently, sending an involuntary shiver down his spine. "Please, don't. Not in a church." He pleaded quietly.
Logan hung his head in defeat, then tucked his gun back into its holster. He wanted to kill the bastard, but he knew Kurt wouldn't forgive him for bloodying up a church in such a way.
He then grabbed Kurt's arm, hauling him out the door before Sabretooth could recover from the hit he got to the face.
The sun was still scolding hot, burning– perhaps a little preview of where Logan would be going after this lifetime ended.
Logan's horse was nearby, Kurt's wasn't. "No Porthos?" Logan frowned, looking over at his blue friend.
"Left him a town over, for safety." Kurt said, watching as Logan untied his horse, which he had lovingly named Whiskey, but only when Kurt had insisted on giving his companion a name.
"Should get him." He said, climbing onto his horse, then gestured at Kurt to join him.
Kurt didn't complain. He hopped on, sitting behind Logan, wrapping his arms around his friend.
Logan felt a warmth growing in his chest, but he decided to ignore it. He was just happy to see that the one person he thought he might consider calling a friend was alive. Happy that he had gotten to him before Creed had. Logan hadn't done much in the fight, it was mostly Kurt's own victory, but Logan had simply been a good distraction.
"You'll have to tell me how you know him, one day." Kurt said quietly, burying his face in the back of Logan's shoulder, simply to stay hidden from any stares he might get, not wanting to get recognized.
"Yeah, yeah." Logan grumbled.
Before either of them could say anything else, a roar echoed from inside the church. Sabretooth wasn't done with them.
Logan tightened his grip on the reins. With a kick, the horse took off. The town disappeared behind them as they rode for their lives.