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“Hm.”
“Hm?”
“Snake eyes.”
Gambit seems transfixed by two small white dice on the sandy dirt. Zodiac peers from above, leaning against a rusted oil barrel. While the sun beats down on their neck, it seems their misfortunes have only begun.
“Hm. Well, roll ‘em again.” Zodiac’s paw caresses his iron.
“You know that’s not how it works.” Gambit leans back, leaving the dice on the ground.
“If you ain’t tryin, then you’re just makin’ yourself nervous.” He gazes off into the distance.
“The dice don’t lie.”
“Bullets neither.”
“Hm.”
The persistent heat fills the silence, leaving them both waiting for a break in the tension. With nothing but hazy sand on the horizon, Zodiac adjusts his hat.
Gambit picks up his dice, carefully holstering them within his fur coat. Zodiac breathes carefully, ears twitching with every pass of the wind. Neither of them want to stare at the other.
The silence is prickly, until Zodiac finally speaks.
“… fine. What’s the word?”
“Darling.”
“What?” Zodiac finally turns to him, his single red eye transfixed.
“Darling, will do.” Gambit gazes off towards a Joshua tree, unflinching.
“Is that some kind of joke?” Asked, knowingly.
“You won’t mistake this for any other word, will you?” Spoken, smugly.
“… yeah, yeah, fine.” Zodiac deflates, leaning back against the barrel with his wandering eyes. “I won’t do it again.”
“Then it’s settled. Darling.”
“… just a word.” He shakes his head.
“As it always has been.” Gambit nods.
They remain in silence. The long peace of the morning is temporary, of course. This silence is merely a treat to savor, before the afternoon sun slinks back towards the Earth.
The two cats remain waiting, patient in the thick heat. There is little for them to do now aside from wait. It won’t be long.
The afternoon sun is coming upon them now. Hazy oranges blanket the sky, inviting shadows to play. The sand remains radiant despite the cool breeze slowly emerging from the north. Far in the distance, an inky black figure grows closer. Then, another figure emerges, then another, and another. Unfamiliar figures approach, spanning various locations around the two black cats. From behind cactuses, beneath bones, and perhaps from the sand itself, come forth Bounty Hunters.
On four paws and with scowls on their faces, they approach, stopping feet away from the two waiting cats. Zodiac doesn’t count the number of Bounty Hunters, he merely stares at their antsy forms, sizing up their desperation. Gambit looks around, examining the odds. When the desert is still once more, Zodiac steps forward.
A cool breeze passes by, faintly caressing their furs. In its passing, two papers come drifting, lying at the feet of the two black cats. On the papers are renditions of Zodiac, then of Gambit. Each head is worth a barrel of fresh water, that is, so long as the head is brought severed. With another breeze, the papers drift away, back into the endless desert, collecting with all the others.
Zodiac breathes carefully, ears tense at the sound of a mere twitch.
Gambit reaches inside his fur coat, slowly bringing out his lucky red dice.
The Bounty Hunters remain near motionless, all surrounding the two black cats.
As a nervous paw reaches for its gun, Zodiac’s red eye snaps wide as he quickly unholsters his iron and shoots, knocking the hat off the nervous Bounty Hunter. In the panic that follows, Gambit rolls the dice. Before he can see the results, shots ring out in a clamor, forcing the two black cats to bolt for cover. With a crazed smile, Zodiac hides behind the rusted oil barrel, instinctively shooting the blurry movement in front of him. Gambit hides behind a cactus, without seeing the roll of his dice, his fur takes a pink color and an X sign is revealed on his forehead. He hums before turning to the nearest Bounty Hunter and slamming his paw on the sand, sending forth an earthquake.
Zodiac continues to fire, pulling the hammer until it clicks. Hiding, he reloads quickly, keeping his head down. As he returns fire from over the barrel, his hazy eye vaguely sees more figures than before. They fall quickly in spite of their numbers, loose bullets barely grazing Zodiac.
Gambit slams his paw several more times, smothering the battlefield with sand. In the murky moment, he hurries to grab his dice. Before his paw can snatch it, a focused bullet knocks it away. He looks nervously at the dice, waiting for its tell. Then, it stops. His fur turns white as a swirl emerges from his forehead. Gambit blinks, and in that moment, he loses sight of his dice.
As Zodiac waits behind cover, a bullet whizzes past his eyes, nearly hitting him. Looking behind him sees several new Bounty Hunters surrounding him. Quickly aiming, Zodiac shoots, not before a stray bullet hits his fur, damaging him.
Hurriedly reloading, he bites his lip, growing uneasy with the hazy figures seeming to grow on the horizon.
“DARLING!”
Zodiac’s ears perk up, his attention sucked away. He leans over his cover and looks, seeing Gambit standing unsure on the battlefield. As they lock eyes, a fluttering feeling appears in his gut as his unease turns into fear.
“Darling!” Gambit pleads as a bullet hits him.
Zodiac leaps over cover and bolts towards Gambit, temporarily running on four paws to get there faster. The moment he can cover him, Zodiac pulls out his gun and opens both of his eyes wide. Focusing on every movement around him, Zodiac allows his excitement to boil over. Like a whirlwind of sand, he fires endlessly at every moving target, his iron like pelting rain.
As the sand settles, he stands tall, keeping Gambit behind his paw. There is no movement around him, merely tattered hats and full guns.
Gazing his bright red eye towards the horizon, he watches the hazy figures. They seem to stand still, flakey in the hazy heat. Then, their figures diminish, until the sand consumes them once more.
Finally, the two black cats return to silence. The Bounty Hunters are gone for tonight. The sand settles, the metal cools, and the gizzards smell their meals.
“Ah… darling…” Gambit murmurs, his fur still starkly white.
Zodiac peers at him sharply. With a click of his tongue, he gazes across the battlefield. Seeing the red dice, he walks over to grab it. In hand, he stuffs it back inside Gambit’s fur coat, where it belongs. It takes a moment, but as Gambit’s eyes seem to focus, his fur returns to that familiar black and white color, a single question mark remaining on his forehead.
Looking at the scene around them, Gambit has one thing to say.
“Hm.”
Turning to Zodiac, he nods.
“I told you, snake eyes.”
He rolls his eyes, holstering his iron.
“It’s a damn miracle you’ve even survived this long.” Zodiac rubs his arm, feeling pain where the bullet hit him; it takes a lot to kill them. “You owe me for that.”
“Hm. Drinks?” Gambit wanders towards one of the bodies, looking for any valuables.
“Not sure we can drink with you covered in bullet holes.” Zodiac stomps on one of the bodies, scraping grime off his paws.
“Then, next time.” Zodiac gazes at Gambit as he quietly grunts, leaning down to grab an item from one of the bodies; he’s usually very quieter. “… the desert is small, after all.”
As Gambit steadies himself, he begins to walk off into the endless unknown. But Zodiac steps towards him, speaking.
“They’ll be looking for us.”
When Gambit stops, Zodiac takes a moment to contemplate his next words.
“I saw more on the horizon. It’s serious, this time.” He remembers a place not far from here, often frequented by lonesome kittens trying to keep safe during the ugly nights. “Come with me. You’re no good on keeping that promise if you’re dead.”
There’s a brief silence, the cool winds swaying Zodiac’s coat as nervous tingles inch up his spine. But Gambit hums, turning to look at his ally in arms. Reaching into his coat, he pulls out two small white dice, then throws them for a roll.
Two and a four.
“Hm. Lead the way, then.”
Zodiac feels relieved, sighing in response. Remembering his surroundings, he looks for a familiar cactus. Then, he begins walking.
The night is busy with life.
Buzzing of insects, calls of birds, the cool breeze carrying sand into the dark, The Desert never truly rests. Nights are merely a time for the people of the day to rest. The folk of the night, they ebb in and out of existence, the moonlight a reminder of their return.
Zodiac knows he is not right with the night life. His bullets will pierce the long quiet, unusual movements common during this time. The cold always invites doubt in this unusual world.
Gambit does not seem unfamiliar with this place. Yet Zodiac has known him longer than many, he thrives on chance. There is uniformity in the dark, the tell of a dice is too uncertain in such blackness.
So, they return to hiding. In the distance is a gas station, abandoned and refitted by years of neglect. There was a time when humanfolk tried to live here. All that remains is their trash. It’s good they no longer frequent the area, life in the litterbox can never compare to these hot sands.
Zodiac leads the way towards the gas station, one paw positioned carefully near the hip. Gambit on the other hand, seems completely at ease, even with his haggard disposition. As the gas station grows closer, the moon light is consumed, leaving them with only their sharp eyes.
Stepping through the broken door, Zodiac clicks his tongue into the still room. There’s an uneasy stillness. Then, movement, kittens bolting elsewhere in the wake of their entrance. By the time the room is still again, it feels empty. Wandering inside, Zodiac looks for a place to rest.
“Hm.” Gambit hums, making Zodiac look at him. “There.”
Pointing, there is a portable freezer. Legend once told of freezer boxes, all across the desert, where the inside was colder than the night. Now they remain as skeletons, occasionally left filled with sand in places they do not belong, their insides only good for hiding.
“It’ll do.” Zodiac nods.
Approaching the freezer, the entrance is on the top, with no damage to the exterior. Leaping up, Zodiac carefully opens it with a paw on his iron. Fully opened, a kitten bolts out, running out of the gas station. It’s now theirs for the night. So, Zodiac helps Gambit up, and they both jump inside, covering the top.
The inside is pitch black. The walls are not tight, there is more than enough room for an additional cat. Words can be smothered in this hiding spot. It’s perfect for sleeping. The heat will wake them up in the morning.
Gambit sighs, leaning against a wall. Zodiac paws against the ground, identifying where his side of the freezer is. They are both silent, for a time.
“... care for a game of dice?” Gambit gently invites, his voice sounding careful in this close proximity.
“... heh, you serious?” Zodiac takes off his hat with one paw. “I’m supposed to trust you?”
“There is no trust in dice. Only, the cast. You will know your roll, even now.”
“I’m not playin’ with coin.” He insists, knowingly.
“I would expect nothing less.” He remarks, familiar. “Let us play with questions. Surely you are not low in supply?”
“... I suppose not.”
“Very well. I will cast the first dice.”
The sound of small dice clinks around in the freezer.
“Hm. It would appear… I have bad luck today.”
“Pass the dice on over.”
Gambit paws for the dice, then in hand, leans over to press them against Zodiac’s leg.
Keeping it close, Zodiac rolls.
“... well? What is it?” Zodiac asks.
“You are asking me?” Gambit seems surprised.
“I don’t read dice.”
“Hm. Well…” They are silent for a moment. “I believe you rolled higher. Well played. What would you like to ask?”
Zodiac takes a moment, grabbing the dice in the pause.
“Darlin’... Queer word for a tell, ain’t it?” He folds his paws.
“What is so queer about it?” Gambit sounds ambivalent.
“You ain’t used a word like that before.”
“Neither have you used the word, queer, before.”
“I know words.”
“Same do I.” He pauses. As Gambit replies, his voice is smug. “Darling seemed fitting. You would not hear that word in a gunfight, would you?”
“... it’s fitting?” Zodiac’s voice leans into the question.
“... well, now you are asking a new question. Shall we roll the dice?”
“Hmph. I suppose so.” He frowns.
Zodiac drops the small dice from his hand, making no effort to roll it.
“Hm… may I?”
Handing the dice over, Gambit rolls.
“Ah… bones.” A sigh, then, a response. “Well, I see it as fitting.”
Silence. Zodiac is tense, waiting for an answer. When there isn’t one, his voice turns harsh.
“That it?”
“I am afraid so. Now, here–”
“Hey, hey, don’t you go rolling that dice.”
Gambit pauses as Zodiac pushes forward with his words.
“You might think you’re cute, playin’ this little game. But I saw you out there. You think it’s funny, tryin’ to call me darling’? Like I’m gonna sit here and let you play with me?” He huffs, words laced with spite. “You’re damn lucky you’re still alive. Fact is, it ain’t even luck. It’s pity, why you’re sittin’ here, playing with that dice. Now you either fess up or I ain’t playing.”
Silence once more smothers the freezer.
Gambit moves, his motion just noticeable enough in the total dark.
Then, the clatter of dice.
“It is your turn.”
Silence once more.
“... stupid game.”
Zodiac picks up the dice and throws them roughly, clattering loudly across the freezer.
“Now, here’s a–”
“Ah, not so fast.”
Gambit interrupts him, waiting a moment before continuing.
“I rolled sixes. It’s my turn.”
Zodiac huffs, leaning back against the wall. When Gambit is ready, he hums. His voice is calm.
“So, Zodiac. Did you like it?”
“Pardon me?”
“When I called you darling. Did you like it?”
“Oh, you’re really tryin’ to piss me off, huh?” He spits out his words.
“It is merely a question.” His words are slow, careful. “You do not have to answer truthfully.”
“Bullshit.”
“Please, it is just one question.”
“Fine.”
It takes several seconds before Zodiac answers. The freezer is quiet for an awkward amount of time. Finally ready, he deflates.
“... yeah, I did.”
“... truly?” Gambit inquires.
“Sure. Felt… nice. I guess.”
“Hm.”
“Hm.”
The freezer returns to silence. Zodiac has one hand on his hat, already fixing to cover his eyes and pretend like this entire game never happened. Yet when Gambit breaks the silence, his eyes go wide.
“I have never fancied the other sex, I hope you know.”
“... what?”
“There have been times I have tried. Courting can be a pleasant experience if the other is willing. Yet, never did they fascinate me.” Gambit plays with his red dice in his paws, the noise filling the empty spaces. “I assumed it was the dice. Why would I take simplicity, constant assurance, over the roll of the die. Seemed plausible for a time.”
He hums, continuing after a moment.
“Yet, I never felt assurance with that answer. I waited for a long time. When it clicked, I felt almost foolish to not see it earlier.” The words shared between the two black cats is kept protected in this freezer, none else can hear them. “There are two kinds of cats who play dice. Those who roll, and those who receive. Everyone thinks they are rolling the dice, but in reality, the dice are not influenced by them. Only those with true willpower roll the dice. That is often why I fancy the desert. Cats here, they roll the dice.”
Before Zodiac can make any comments, Gambit continues, his words fixed with a smile.
“And, you, Zodiac… Often, I feel I am rolling the dice just talking to you.” There is a pause to let the words sink in. “My apologies for offending you. I meant you no ill will. It is easy to be swept up in the excitement. I hope you can forgive me.”
There is silence for a time.
“... you uh, you don’t fancy ladies?”
“I cannot say I do.”
“Then, who do you fancy?”
More awkward silence. When Gambit replies, he sounds almost annoyed.
“Dice, Zodiac. I fancy dice.”
“... seriously?”
“NO!” Gambit shouts, scaring Zodiac as he buries his head in his paws. “Zodiac, I fancy YOU! Gods, why am I so bespoken, it is a curse! No, Zodiac, I do not copulate with dice. Have you not picked up on my advances?” Gambit has completely dropped his collected composure. “I fancy you! For an insurmountable amount of time! I am pulling teeth trying to be subtle…!”
“... you, uh… Um, yeah, but you, uh…” Zodiac stumbles over his words.
“Oh, gods, are you straight?” Gambit asks with a horrified tone.
“No! Uh, no, no it’s just uh…”
…
“I don’t know. I thought, we wasn’t allowed to be together, because we’re boys and all…”
“Why would you think that?” Gambit sounds perplexed.
“Because, you know…! It’s not allowed, or, something.” Zodiac nervously paws at his cloak.
“Zodiac, we are outlaws. Who cares what other cats think about our sexuality?”
“Sorry. I just had a bad experience, once. He, uhhh, didn’t feel the same way. I thought that’s how all cats were.” His voice gets quieter as he admits his feelings to Gambit. “I thought you were, uh… making fun of me.”
“No, gods no Zodiac. There is nothing wrong with being gay. I am sorry for making you feel that way. I was trying to make advances, I assumed you were just playing hard to get. I didn’t know you were so repressed.”
“It’s uh… it’s fine, I guess.”
They sit in silence, stewing on truths spoken and unspoken.
“So, you really want to date me…?” Zodiac hesitantly asks.
“Playing dice alone is not the way it is intended to be enjoyed.” He pauses, then clarifies. “Err… yes, Zodiac. I would like to be with you.”
“Oh… okay.”
“Is that fine with you?”
“Yeah, yeah!” He nods, still nervous. “I’d like that. We can be partners.”
“Good! That is good. I am glad we can agree on that.”
Any moment where they are not talking is a moment where they must sit in awkward silence.
“You were hittin’ on me the entire time…?”
“Well, I would not say our entire time together has been a one sided courtship. But believe me, It has been a long road.” He almost laughs at that last remark.
“Huh… so, that time when you drank that water, then offered me a sip…?”
“Yes, that was flirting.”
“Okay, but what about, when you put on my hat and called me cute…?”
“Very much flirting.”
“And, when you owed me coin, ‘n said you’d pay it off in kisses…?”
“Frankly, I am amazed you managed to ignore that.”
“Hell… am I stupid?” He scratches his head.
“You were scared, that much I can gather.”
“Hm…” Zodiac sighs.
“Hm.” Gambit nods.
There is still a long night ahead of them. The cold has begun to permeate through the freezer, gently sinking into their fur. Over the course of the night, it will get colder. Zodiac has always had very little fur. He has found ways through the cold.
Except…
“Gambit?”
“Yes?”
“Can we do somethin’ I’ve always wanted to do?” He fidgets with his coat once more, trying not to murmur or whisper.
“Do tell.”
“Your coat. It’s, uh, it’s warm. Could we… stay warm, together, for the night?” He repeats some of his words awkwardly, but the sentence comes through.
“You would like to cuddle together?” Gambit repeats it, just to hear it out loud.
“Christ, you ain’t gotta say it so loud…!” Zodiac has felt embarrassment very few times in his life; this is one of them.
“Hmhm…” He quietly chuckles to himself. “Apologies. Come here, we can cuddle for the night.”
Zodiac slowly shuffles his way over to Gambit. Once their bodies touch, it’s easy for Zodiac to get nestled in his grasp. Gambit, despite his short arms, is able to embrace Zodiac in his grasp. Gambit’s fur coat is even more cozy than Zodiac imagined. He feels rattlesnakes shaking around in his gut.
“Is that your tail…?”
“NO…” Zodiac feels his face warm up.
“I thought I felt something odd!” Gambit’s voice is filled with glee. “You are adorable like this.”
“Shut up…!” He insists.
In spite of his embarrassment, Zodiac’s tail continues to wrap around Gambit.
“Shall we rest like this?” Gambit quietly asks.
“Mmhmm.” Zodiac nods, sighing peacefully.
“Very well. Rest well, my Darling.”
Gambit licks Zodiac’s fur.
With that, Zodiac buries himself into his partner's coat, embracing the warm fuzzy feelings inside of him.
The morning sun beats down heavily on the sands.
Weary travellers continue their roam, etches of their path dotting the endless desert.
As the heat sticks to fur, life continues.
Zodiac and Gambit leave the gas station, more collected than before. Zodiac tips his head to his new partner, and Gambit nods. Their paths diverge, quickly separating in the sand. It may be days until they meet again. In spite of that, there is no concern between them.
The iron will always sting hot.
The dice will always roll sixes.
And for two black cats, that long lonesome road will always reunite them when they need it.