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for inhairently

[ The take of a lifetime. That's how it had been advertised to Eddie. How could he say no when it had been presented to him, so alluring? Anyone who didn't know him would just assume he had been driven by greed, and that it was karma that dictated he lose everything, everyone.

But nearly every single penny went back to his uncle in Hawkins, with Eddie only reserving enough to sustain him until the next job fell his way.

As it turns out, they were sold some bad intel, and it left the Corroded Coffin gang in a bit of a rut. The heat were after them all, and they were far too easy to identify, so they had to split up. Eddie tried to undersell just how badly off he was as he stumbled back to his mustang and just barely managed to make it onto horseback, letting the poor mare take him wherever it thought best for him to die.

Apparently she did not get the memo that Eddie was ready to give up, because she so unceremoniously deposited him onto the homestead of some poor, rich schmuck.

Deposited, because that ol' girl threw him off like he was nothing more than a fly nipping at her mane. And as Eddie began to lose consciousness, all he could make out was a shadow approaching. How ironic, then, that he would end up here. Surely he would be nursed back to health long enough to send for the sheriff and claim the reward that they're putting on his head. He tries to get the words out, pleading for a quick death, but they die in his throat as his body finally gives way to unconsciousness. ]

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[ Only a fool wakes up expecting an uneventful day on a ranch. If you’re lucky you might get one, but more often than not something’s wrong. A broken fence, cows get out, dog turns up lame, something. It’s very rarely ever an unsavory character getting bucked off his horse at the edge of the property but that’s what one of the hands comes hollering about today, sweating and out of breath like he’d sprinted the whole way to the barn.

And that’s how Steve ends up with his rifle slung over his shoulder as he saddles up his mare, preparing to head out and meet this unexpected visitor. The ranch hand leads the way (on a horse, this time) and by the time they reach this mysterious stranger, it’s pretty clear he’s not about to be posing any kind of threat to no one anytime soon so Steve and the hand load the man up onto Steve’s mare, then Steve sends the hand off to try and catch the man’s horse. He makes the journey back to the homestead with the stranger on his own, without event.

Now, Steve Harrington isn’t exactly known for his medical prowess but when the nearest doctor’s a day’s ride away you tend to pick up some skills here and there. He sends one of the other hands off to the doctor and does what he can to patch this man up in the meantime. With luck, the doc’ll send something back to stave off infection and they’ll be set.

Once the stranger is as settled as he can be, Steve finishes up the rest of his work for the day, checking in from time to time just in case the man wakes up.

Later that evening, Steve pulls a chair up bedside and makes himself comfortable with a book and an oil lamp. The man might not wake for a while yet but if he does, Steve wants to be there. ]

[ When Eddie comes to, he does so with a shout and is quick to the defensive. Of course lying in the bed, he quickly realizes that he is without weapons (smart, Eddie would have done the same), and that in spite of the throbbing pain where he was shot, he isn't currently bleeding.

He half-expected the sheriff to be here to greet him, but instead there's a man he doesn't recognize, and from this angle and the way the daylight creeps in through the window, it almost seems to cause his hair to glow, as if his head were framed by a halo. If he weren't still painfully aware the he is, in fact, still in someone's homestead, not to mention the fact that he neither believes in God nor believes that he would wind up in Heaven after everything he's done, he might even believe this were a verifiable angel.

But no, it's quite clear he is still just a touch delirious from his injury. ]

Shiiiit. [ He tries to move, just to shift himself into a better position, but it causes him to pull at the wound that, while patched up, still seems to pose a threat of opening again at any sudden movement. ] Don't s'pose you have anything for the pain. Hell, I'll take liquor at this point. [ Straight and to the point. Doesn't really seem to make sense when he knows as soon as this man learns who he really is, he's going to be shipped off to jail. ]

[ Steve manages not to startle too much when the stranger comes to. At first, he says nothing. Just calmly sets his book aside as he reaches for a bottle of whiskey and glass he'd set on the bedside table — unfortunately, it's all he's got.

He pours a bit and offers it to the man. ]

Sent one of the boys to fetch some medicine from the doctor but he won't be back for a day or two yet, [ he explains, scratching at the patchy stubble along his jaw. ]

You're lucky we make it a habit to patrol the property lines. Still, though... it's strange you ran into trouble so close to my land. Was it bandits?

[ They aren't unheard of in the area but most have the good sense to stay well enough away from the Harrington homestead so as not to get shot. Steve has his doubts about what this man might've been doing in the area, and how he got shot, but he's going to give him the benefit of the doubt. At least until he has reason to think otherwise. ]

[ The thing about Eddie is, he's damn good at what he does. His deft fingers and keen ears make for expert safecracking, when it comes to robbing trains and banks. He excels at working under pressure. But what he's never been good at is the art of the con. Blending in with the rest of the town? Fat chance.

So when Steve asks if it was bandits, Eddie almost fears he's been caught. But he doesn't look at him like he already knows his secret.

It doesn't mean shit, though, if Eddie can't sell that he's a perfectly good upstanding citizen. ]

Y-yeah, bandits. Heard tell they were fixing to rob the general store. Was in the wrong place at the wrong time, tried to make it to a medic, but, well... [ He gestures to his abdomen, which he is surprised to find that it's been bandaged so carefully, considering the doctor hasn't even made it yet. ]

So...if a doc's not been here yet... [ He raises an eyebrow as he fixes Steve a curious look. ] Then you must have a pretty good household staff to fix me up real good like this.

Have to know how to patch folks up out here, [ Steve shrugs with a tilt of his head, pursing his lips as he continues to watch the stranger as if he's observing a wild animal. One that can't quite be trusted. ] Would be a death sentence not to.

[ Sometimes it still is. Life could be rough out here, away from town, but Steve gets the feeling this man is well aware.

Steve relaxes just so, satisfied with his assessment of him for the moment. He doesn't trust him, no — he's no fool. But he's willing to open up, to offer just a bit more than his hospitality. ]

The name's Harrington, [ he says. It's a tentative olive branch. ] Steven Harrington. Most folks just call me Steve.

( Eddie can feel the distrust. Considering who he is, he can't really blame Steve for studying him with skepticism. Eddie is, after all, a strange man who just happened to show up on Steve's homestead. Eddie wouldn't trust himself either.

But, surprisingly, Steve gives a name. One that doesn't really mean anything to Eddie, but the fact that he's given one at all does bring a smile to Eddie's face.

Until he realizes he's going to have to give a fake name, just in case the name Eddie Munson means something around here. )

Jacobs. Henry Jacobs, I'd say at your service, but I don't reckon there'll be much servicin' 'round here anytime soon. ( He gestures at his current state and lets out a pathetic laugh. )

It's a pleasure, Mister Jacobs. ( "Henry Jacobs" doesn't raise any flags and Steve has no reason to question the name's legitimacy, so he doesn't. The tension continues to ease, and he even allows himself an amused smile at Jacobs' little joke. )

Don't concern yourself too much about that, ( he says, waving one hand as if to shoo the words away. ) I don't mind helpin' those that need helpin'. You worry about healin' up right now, and if a day comes when you think you need to pay me back, well... there's never any shortage of things to be done 'round here, and we certainly don't turn down an extra pair of hands willin' to work.

( Things ran a little smoother back when Nancy was still around, but Steve can't really fault her for following her dreams. Some folks are simply destined for bigger things than a homestead out in the middle of nowhere. )

Speakin' of, I should get back to it soon. You need anything before I do?

( There's a lot to do, especially considering how much time he's already taken out of the day, plus being down the man he'd sent to the doctor... but Steve's also a little hesitant to leave Henry Jacobs in here to his own devices, regardless of what shape he's in. )

( Maybe one day Eddie can give Steve his real name, but not until he can trust that Steve won't hand him right into the sheriff. And Eddie...he's come way too far to have this be his downfall. Yet, as he's stuck now in this stranger's bed, feeling oh so warm (he'll blame his injuries, and the healing process) this doesn't feel much like a potential downfall at all. )

Still. Maybe I can repay you someday. ( Steve doesn't need to know that Eddie's level of repayment would be in the form of dropping off stolen cash or gold from whatever job he can find after he fully heals. )

I'm starved. And feel like I've got cotton in my mouth, a little food and water, nothin' too fancy.

( Sure, he would love some whiskey, but he knows better than to be too greedy right out the gate. )

( Steve is quiet for a moment, then nods. )

I think I can rustle something up.

( Without another word, he leaves the room but it isn’t long before he’s back with a bowl in one hand and a cup in the other. He sets the cup on the bedside table as he takes his seat, then offers the bowl to the man. )

Cornmeal mush from breakfast. Sorry it’s nothin’ special. We’re pretty simple folk out here.

( Steve Harrington hadn’t always been simple folk. His family preferred a life with all the comforts of civilization, and would almost certainly balk at the idea of him offering a guest something like cornmeal mush. Then again, they’d balk at the idea of him dragging in some nefarious, injured stranger from the wilderness too. )

( It's better than nothing, so even if it might not have been Eddie's first choice in the line of potential foods, he happily accepts. He's lived on worse, when all they had was berries foraged from the sparse woods and meats from their various hunting excursions. At least it would help him regain his strength. )

Simple's pretty good. Keeps you layin' low, that's important 'round here.

( He's probably laying it on thick, but Steve doesn't seem an especially suspicious person, at least not so far. Mostly, Eddie just wants Steve to think he can relate to him in a way. Even though Eddie wouldn't know the first thing about being in charge of a household. )

What is it you do 'round here, anyway? The name Harrington don't ring no bell. ( Which might be surprising, but clearly Steve's family weren't prominent enough to catch the eye of his gang. A good thing, if it means that Steve won't immediately recognize him as a result. )

( A flicker of an expression passes over Steve's face, a second or two longer than he'd like before he's able to smooth it back out into something passive. It's the expression of someone who is both surprised and a little offended that his name isn't familiar. )

Oh, uh. Horses. We're a horse ranch, ( he supplies, and it seems as if he's content with that.

For all of thirty seconds, anyway. The expression comes back with a vengeance and he leans forward in his chair, propping his elbows on his knees. ) You really ain't heard of me? Harrington Ranch? ( As if Jacobs here maybe hadn't heard him clearly the first time he'd said his name. ) Finest horses in the state?

( In contrast, Eddie's face carries a degree of amusement in response. He has clearly ruffled this man's feathers. He's delighted that he doesn't even have to lie to continue watching Steve squirm. )

Sorry to disappoint. I'm not from 'round here, y'see. Just passin' through. Or, I was s'posed to, but...

( He gestures to himself, laying helplessly in bed while he tries to recover. A minor setback. He'll be back on his feet in no time, and then he can rendezvous with the rest of his gang and get out safely, all according to plan. )

Might need to borrow one of those horses unless you happened to come across my mare in addition to me. Then I'll be the judge if they're really the finest horses.

( Steve hums a noncommittal note in response. It's the best he can offer by way of accepting the apology. No one ever accused of him of being a particularly humble man, and though he's not nearly as arrogant as his father, he can still be a little touchy when it comes to the matters of his name, his horses, and his land. )

The man who found you rounded her up. Got her calmed down and cleaned up. She'll be well cared for until you're well enough to ride.

( And that should be that.

But it isn't. )

Although if you really are curious, you're more than welcome to take any of mine out for a ride before you go, when the time comes.

( Eddie feels himself relax slightly at the promise that his horse has been recovered. Hopefully, Steve won't be able to recognize the horse as stolen. He tries to avoid horses that have been branded, but sometimes beggars can't be choosers. Besides, it's not like Steve knows to look for a brand. He doesn't seem to suspect a thing.

He lets out a soft laugh at Steve's proposition. )

Well, since you seem so insistent, maybe I'll be takin' you up on that.

( It definitely has nothing to do with wanting to spend a little extra time in this homestead, getting to know his handsome rescuer. )

I do insist, ( Steve confirms with a curt nod, though the small grin that breaks out across his face shortly thereafter ruins the stoicism. ) Then once you're on your way you can be sure to spread the word on the quality and reputation of my stock, considering there might be other folks out there like you livin' under a rock.

( He leans back in his chair, considering something. )

Hell, I might just let you take my own mare for a ride.

Livin' under a rock, ( Eddie repeats with a roll of the eyes. ) My sincerest apologies for not knowin' this operation you've got goin' on here.

( His grin takes on a manic air as he sits up to lean forward, bringing a hand up to cradle his chin with his fingers. )

Wow, you'd let me take your mare? Now what've I done to deserve that honor?

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