Chapter Text
Moose, who had been asleep while leaning on a post of the saloon, was jolted awake by a sharp elbow to his side.
Upon opening his sleepy eyes, and adjusting them to the warm sun that had lulled him asleep in the first place, he saw two of his best friends snickering, Mingo and Sam.
“Hard day?” Sam teased, even though they all knew the answer. It was never a hard day, not in Deadrock. Nothing ever happened.
“Oh, you know it.” Moose yawned, Mingo grinned up at him. The trio had always been an odd pair, Moose was tall and skinny, Mingo was short and chubby, and Sam was a horrible amalgamation of a man.
“Me and Sam were just gonna bother Lank in the saloon, you seem to have beat us here.” Mingo explained as he and Sam headed for the door of the saloon. Moose decided to follow, pissing Lank off seemed to be the only source of entertainment around here.
“Alright, lemme join ya.” Moose smiled, following Sam in with Mingo in the lead. The three entered the old, wooden building, inside sat many people, none of which being Lank. Mingo groaned in disappointment.
”Awh, man, I was hoping to ask how proposing to Polly for the 17th time went.” Mingo sighed, “I mean, we all know it went bad, but it’s fun to see him get all red.” Mingo beamed up at Moose, who suddenly felt hotter than usual and wished Lank would install some air conditioning.
Sam shrugged, heading towards a table and slumping in a chair. “He’s probably buggin’ old Everett about buying the post office again.” Mingo nodded and went to sit with Sam, Moose followed. The three sat for quite a while, before the saloon doors swung open. Lank limped in, looking pissed already. Mingo spoke to Lank first.
“Polly reject ya again?” He snickered, Lank stopped suddenly, and slowly turned his head to Mingo.
“Shut it,” He hissed, “Not in the mood.”
Was Lank ever in the mood? Moose couldn’t help but wonder. Mingo grinned, and just shook his head. Sam seemed annoyed.
”Will he ever learn?” Sam spoke in a hushed tone, clearly only meant for Mingo and Moose. “Polly don’t want him!”
“Well, theres not any other woman for him to chase.” Mingo scoffed, and Sam nodded but shrugged, as if he wasn’t sure what to think.
“Well Mingo, i’d say you’re close enough.” Moose loopily grinned, Mingo playfully slugged him in the shoulder, while Sam nearly fell out of his chair.
Nearly. Thats how things always were with Deadrock, and Moose didn’t mind. Everyone around here was lazy and bored, but they were happy. Moose was, at least. The three sat and chatted until Lank kicked them out, grumbling and swearing. As Mingo, Moose, and Sam barged out of the saloon, and away from Lanks wrath, Sam went his separate way. Sam lived across town from Mingo and Moose, which had never been much of an issue considering how small Deadrock was.
This left Moose and Mingo alone. The two were quieter just together, but not in a bad way. Moose didn’t mind, he wasn’t usually much of a talker, and he liked how Mingo seemed to understand that about him. But tonight, Mingo didn’t seem to be done yet. As they walked, crickets chirped and fireflies danced, the night was cool and peaceful.
”Come on, Moose, I wanna show ya somethin.” Mingo whispered, dashing towards a local mans barn. Moose ran and followed.
”Ive seen Jimmy’s barn before, Mingo.” Moose tilted his head, the two slowed as they got close to the barn.
“yeah, but ya ever been on top’a it?” Mingo mischievously glanced back at Moose, and the two rounded behind the barn. Moose saw something new, a large metal ladder that led all the way to the top of Jimmy’s barn. Mingo started up the ladder, and Moose wondered how many times Mingo had invited himself up here.
”Cmon, it’s worth it.” Mingo whispered through his teeth, and Moose started up the ladder behind Mingo. The two climbed together, the ladder wasn’t crazy tall, but wasn’t an easy climb for Moose, who never was very coordinated. Eventually though, the two made it to the top. Mingo plopped himself down on his back, Inviting Moose to lay down with him by patting the metal roof beside him. Moose did.
”Look up, at the stars.” Mingo pointed, Moose followed his finger. The night sky was dark, only lit by a bright moon and the small distant stars.
“Y’know, some folks say they can see shapes up there. I can never see what the hell their talkin’ about.” Moose hummed, Mingo laughed.
“Yeah right, there aint anything up there. Its just nice to look at.” Mingo sneered, Moose silently nodded, and alongside Mingo, watched the sky. Moose couldn’t help but be perfectly content with Deadrock, he was here with his best friend Mingo, and he was happy. What more could he need?
Alongside his friend, Moose felt the same warmth that had made him so sleepy earlier.