#T; bringin' the lightnin'

[honorhearted]

“You’re both arseholes,” Abraham spat, though the curl of a smile belied his true feelings.

Benjamin huffed. "Why are you dragging me into this? To imply I'm like Caleb on my last day is awful cruel, even for you."

Abraham hummed. “If pints and cards aren’t your speed anymore, ‘soldier’, then maybe we ought to go cause some trouble, for old time’s sake?” 

"What?" Wrinkling his nose, Benjamin laughed. "Are you saying we should run around flashing our bare arses? Because as I recall, that is when we got into the most trouble..."

Caleb snorted. "And who could blame 'em, uh? One look at Abe's lily-white arse, and Farmer Dodson's wife conked right out."

Allowing the insult to roll off his shoulders, Abraham rose from his seat and guzzled his ale, slamming the finished drink down with a triumphant clank. “Some of our classic hijinks might give me a chance to earn some of my dignity back.

Benjamin laughed. "How? Did you miss the part where we used to flash the locals?"

"Of course, we were waiting on a surprise for you to show, but we might have t–” 

The thudding of bounding feet clamored across the floorboards, and Benjamin gave a jerk of surprise once an arm slung around his neck in a playful squeeze. Although his first instinct was to strike back, once he heard that warm, ever-yearned for laugh, his heart leapt in his throat and he exclaimed, "Sam? Sam? You arsehole!"

While he attempted to escape, Samuel naturally only held on tighter, ruffling his hair as he asked, “What’s this sorry excuse for a sendoff, eh lads? Guess I haven’t missed much.” 

Finally managing to wriggle free, Benjamin scoffed and straightened his hair. "And what would you consider a proper send-off then?" he challenged. "You're more devout than a-"

"Careful now, Tallboy," Caleb warned, winking. "I think this one's got God on his side a bit more than you. No use in bringin' a lightnin' strike into the room."

With a grin, Benjamin warmly socked Samuel on the shoulder, then pulled him down for a proper embrace, his heart full as he admonished, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming home? If I wasn't so glad to see you, I'd give you a swift kick to the arse! You haven't written for at least two months!" Withdrawing again, he gave his brother a gentle slap to his cheek, warmly cupping his face. "How've you been, Sammy? Or are you only here to ensure I embarrass myself in front of God, man, and every woman within a 30-mile radius?"

@honorhearted {x}

"I believe it was your idea to bet money, and it was your idea to take me here in the first place."

“Aye, and it was a damned terrible idea. As if I wasn’t skint enough already,” he brooded, really still enjoying himself more than not. After all, it was Benjamin’s last night in town for who knew how long. 

Abe himself had been hoping to join his best friend in the line of duty soon, but the matter of his father’s failing health was a more immediate issue he needed to deal with.

While his sister, Mary, had no qualms about caring for her rapidly ailing father, her husband, Amos, was highly opposed to it. If no one in town would agree to look after the recently retired Magistrate in Abe’s absence, he feared he’d miss his chance to be a part of the impending Revolution. 

"We could stop," he agreed. "Heaven forbid Judge Woodhull cut off your 'wenching funds.'"

"What wenchin'?” Caleb obnoxiously chimed in, “His right arm's about as buff as yours, Tallboy...if y'get my meanin'."

“You’re both arseholes,” Abe spat, still smiling despite himself. 

"Are you dealing or not?” Benjamin asked, “Or should we play quoits or nine-pins instead?"

“Either way, I lose!” 

"I dunno," Caleb drawled. "Those require dexterity. Abe's only dexterous at--"

“Boxing the Jesuit. Yeah, yeah…" Abe answered in tandem with Benjamin, shaking his head dejectedly. 

“Is this truly how we're to spend my last night in town?"

“If pints and cards aren’t your speed anymore, ‘soldier’, then maybe we ought to go cause some trouble, for old time’s sake?” 

Abe stood from his seat, finished off his ale, and slammed the mug down with a satisfying clang. 

“Some of our classic hijinks might give me a chance to earn some of my dignity back. Of course, we were waiting on a surprise for you to show, but we might have t–” 

As if on cue, Samuel rushed up from behind Benjamin, wrestling him into a headlock and ruffling up his hair with a snarky laugh, “What’s this sorry excuse for a sendoff, eh lads? Guess I haven’t missed much.” 

Samuel had taken time off his medical residency in New York to come to see his brother off to enlistment. What he hadn’t mentioned, however, was that he intended to come with him and do the same.

It was all in good time though. Benjamin didn’t need to worry about that on his last night in their hometown.

[untameablesands]

@eldingaesir ❤ ‘d for a starter! 

         “If you’re thinking of killing the beast in the distance for its treasure... I highly recommend not attempting at all.” Although this man was rather highly armoured and held himself in a way that made Sundira believe he was rather capable in combat... Hinox’s were simply something that should be left alone. It was highly possible that this stranger’s attention had been focused on something else in the horizon, but just in case he felt he should give the man proper warning.