[[ mixed muses-verse // ben-tiwa ]]

[almosthonorable]

whitetextiswhite

[ "we could go someplace where you're not wanted" ]


He caved.

(Caved like a dynamited rock tunnel.)

His only stipulation had been that Tiwa had to wait for him to move his door to Mexico.

Which is why he's smirking as he strides into the bar and finds Little Miss Magic curled on one of the couches.

"Found us the perfect place," he says, tipping his head toward the Front Door.

Ascensión awaits.

Comments

[piwakawaka]

"You're worse than Mum and I told you I was fine. So is Gabriel outside?"

She's waiting for him to move them outside but she'll move quickly.

[almosthonorable]

"But I'd put good money on your mama bein' even scarier'n I am."

He wraps an arm around Tiwa's shoulders and leads them outside the cantina, where Gabriel's waiting patiently in the shade.

[piwakawaka]

"That's cause she's Mum. Hey, Gabe."

She's very good and doesn't even wince once when she climbs on, because she won't let him see that there might be some hurting.

[almosthonorable]

"Yeah, well," Ben says with a soft grunt as he hauls himself into the saddle, careful not to jostle Tiwa, "I'd hate to see what she'd do to me, knowin' I've got you hurt twice now."

[piwakawaka]

"You never got me hurt, things just get dangerous sometimes is all. She knows that and you helped me get out of the worst danger that I ever got into."

[almosthonorable]

He's quiet a minute, letting Gabriel take them closer and closer to the edge of town, until the desert stretches before them once more.

"You tell her about that whole mess?"

[piwakawaka]

Tiwa rubs at her arm,

"Course, no way she couldn't know about it."

[almosthonorable]

He nods, more to himself than anything.

"She knows everything that happened?"

[piwakawaka]

Since they're riding, its a bit slower but she leans back against him and kisses the bottom of his beard,

"Maybe not all of it, but she's my Mum."

[almosthonorable]

He glances down with a half-shake of his head.

"I think you spend too much time tryin' to be too strong for your own good, little 'un."

[piwakawaka]

"Just I'm already small enough as it is, I don't want everyone worrying too much more. I know you worry far more than you need to."

[almosthonorable]

"It ain't about size, it's about -- "

He frowns a little.

"How you feelin'? You still bleedin'?"

[piwakawaka]

She leans down to check under her shirt,

"Not too bad."

[almosthonorable]

"Bad enough, though."

His mouth tightens.

"Gimme another few minutes and we'll stop for a spell."

[piwakawaka]

"Okay, Ben, I'll be fine."

She hates seeing him look like that but a hug will have to wait until they've stopped.

[almosthonorable]

"I know you will, Little Miss Magic."

But I don't like taking chances.

True to his word, a few minutes later -- once they're sufficiently clear of Ascensión and any would-be heroes with more bravado than brains -- he slows Gabriel to a stop by a cluster of tall rocks and scrub.

"C'mon, let's see what's what," he says once he slides from the saddle, offering Tiwa both hands.

[piwakawaka]

"And we're doing the same with you."

His hands do help a bit since she's trying not to show that it does hurt a bit. Though she does take the chance to hug him tightly,

"We're both in one piece and I got to dance and they'll have quite a story to tell back there."

[almosthonorable]

"I -- "

The syllable leaves his lungs in a huff thanks to the hug.

"Am fine."

(And it's true; the scratch on his side is already clotting.)

"C'mon, lemme get a look at the damage."

[piwakawaka]

"Better be."

She lifts up her shirt and its really not too deep just deep enough to bleed.

[almosthonorable]

His expression doesn't change, but his eyes harden when he sees the blood.

"All right."

He yanks a handkerchief from a saddlebag.

"Ain't too bad, after all -- just keep this on there good 'n tight till the bleedin' stops."

[piwakawaka]

"One sec, might have something better."

With a hmm she starts digging in her invisible pockets and soon turns up with a tie around bandage, just labeled from Starfleet, it was useful,

"This might fit better."

[almosthonorable]

"Looks like it might."

He tilts his head at the bandage.

"Where'd you come up with that?"

[piwakawaka]

"Somewhere in Bar, I think, they had extras."

[almosthonorable]

"Lucky thing."

His eyes move to Tiwa's face.

"You hurtin' right now?"

[piwakawaka]

"Never hurts to have more bandages and its only a bit sore."

Its a not a full lie just a partial one since of course it hurts but she can stand it.