harbouring a fugitive

[ DAKOTA “KODA” REID, THEY/THEM, NON-BINARY, BRIGETTE LUNDY-PAINE ] is a TWENTY-FOUR year old BARTENDER AT THE WINDY SHOT from HAZZARD, WV. They are CHARISMATIC and ENTHUSIASTIC but also RECKLESS and ISOLATED.

@ohkcda​ 

Parish wasn’t even certain that events like these should have their own tiny, simulated little jails, but apparently that was among the many lessons she’d learn tonight. Thankfully, her apparent crime wasn’t a violation of her past criminal record, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t annoyed to be trapped inside this stupid ass room. That explained why she was up almost the moment that the door outside opened, calling out before she could see who was outside - and who just might be her savior tonight. “Objectively, this is worse than mall jail, and that’s saying something. When the fuck do I get out of here?” 

-

When Koda's eyes landed on Parish, they couldn’t help the laugh that tumbled from their lips. Mostly it was funny because it wasn’t them. And it was reminiscent of some sort of zoo enclosure. “ When? ” They repeated, raising their brows. “ I don’t think I got the answers to that one, Parish, I didn’t lock ya up. ” They assessed with a shit eating grin, though a beat later stepping forward to try the door. To no avail though, obviously it was locked or else Parish would have escaped already. “ What’s the charge? Unapproved fireworks or somethin’? Not enough patriotism? ” 

@ohkcda​

There wasn’t a helpless bone in their body, if you let them tell the story. Perhaps that was why she was standing there with all the confidence in the world, at least when it came to the look on her face. A smile, even a tilt of head that could have been seen as confidence, but the truth was, she’d been trying to win the same damned stuffed animal for going on twenty minutes. At this point, she was going to go broke over her own spite. Catching sight of them out of the corner of her eye, she turned, barely caring who heard the way she yelled their name. “Koda!” A laugh at the octave she managed, before nodding her head. “Come here, be my hero.” 

-

Fuck the fourth of July. Despite their ever relaxed energy, easy laughs, and contagious smiles Koda had half a mind to leave this stupid event. But unfortunately everyone was here. Friends and otherwise. If they went anywhere else they’d be stuck alone with nothing to keep them entertained but their own thoughts. Here, they had Bea calling out to them. Their brows raised as they turned, following the voice until eyes landed on them and relaxed smile tugging up their features. “ What’cha need? ” They asked as they approached, taking a quick sip from the beer they'd been working on. But a second later as they pulled up into space beside her they figured it out. They looked to her, grin spreading on their lips. “ You know I did track in high school, right? Not softball. ” 

…

“oh definitely,” alec agreed with a nod of his head. “everyone’s going to see that as you asserting your dominance and that they shouldn’t fuck with you.” he personally saw it as brave as fuck. it was easy to go after someone, a lot harder to be the first. but it really said something about koda and how much they wanted this. he felt good about putting his faith in them to win it all over some of their other friends. “what other shit do you guys have to do for this thing ‘sides just jumping off a cliff?” 

“a-fuckin’-men,” he said with a laugh. for how churchy the town was, alec was pleasantly surprised when he found his people here. between meeting riggs his first day to getting close to micheal and koda and meeting the other burn outs, he felt better about picking a place like this to live. sure, he did miss his friends from back home but as time went on with them all traveling around, everyone wanted to go back to chicago and alec knew he could never go back there and risk seeing his dad again. at their next question, alec took a long drink of his beer, deciding how much he should say about the real reason he picked this place. “it was cheap as fuck,” he said off the bat. “no offence, i mean. we were passing through charleston and i saw and ad in the paper for this cheap ass house that just so happened to be how much i had saved and i couldn’t get it out of my mind.” none of that was a lie, but the real reason was that no one here knew who he was. he could start over without anyone knowing where he came from, who he was born as, or what he had been through. it was a fresh start. “i dunno, i guess it just seemed charming from the outside and it wanted some place where i could start a life of my own. and it worked out ‘cause i’m still here,” he tacked on with a wide grin. 

-

“ Fuckin’ right they shouldn’t fuck with me, ” Koda grinned widely, sitting up again and flexing their arms for a second before they laughed and let go. It was a joke, it was all a joke. But they did sort of hope that was how they were being perceived. They had no intention of flying under the radar, not that they knew how to if they wanted to. Leaning forward to dig out another drink for themself, they glanced back for a second before they looked down, focusing on opening the can. “ Tryna get some dirt outta me, Chance? ” They queried as the tab gave way and they liftened can to their lips. Small smile tugging at the corner of their mouth as they looked back to him. “ I dunno nothin’ for certain, ” They prefaced, though they had been asking at the bar when they could casually slip it into conversation, “ But from what I’ve heard they stick to shit that could freak anyone out. You know, like heights. ” They said, nodding to the top of Devil’s Tooth to make their point. 

They snorted a laugh when Alec listed the price of living in Lockhorn as the top of his list. “ None taken, ain’t wrong if it’s true. ” They grinned, lifting a hand in faux surrender. Though smile relaxed as he spoke, it undoubtedly remained as Alec explained what lead him to calling Lockhorn home. It was cheesy as hell but it really did warm their heart in a way. That someone from the outside could love their little town. Though three years deep, he wasn’t much of an outsider anymore. “ Well, blame the booze or the sunshine but I’m glad you stuck around. ” They said, tone jestful despite the fact that they meant it. They just didn’t like saying shit like that. “ And who knows, couple more years, maybe you’ll be a proper country bumpkin like the rest of us. ” They teased, grinning once again. 

-

“That so?” she wasn’t sure if she really wanted to know the details of Koda’s sentiment. The idea of knowing what people thought of her was scary to Brigid, it always had been but it was particularly worrisome these days.

She matched the other’s chuckle with light laughter of her own, admittedly glad that Dakota have given enough of a shit that night to convince her not to take to the streets of Hazzard after dark with less than twenty-percent clear vision and a head full of bad ideas. “Umm,” she hummed, squinting a little as she tried to recall exactly what the following morning had looked light for her. “Not too bad,” she concurred, borrowing Koda’s words for the moment before another laugh came out, “Not too good either but not too bad,” she’d had worse mornings, with or without alcohol in her blood, that was for damn sure. “Don’t think I ate ‘til about six o’clock that night,” she offered, under the impression that that said plenty about her state of health that day. “I ain’t gonna make a habit out of it, just so you know,” she was only half seriously assuring Koda of the fact, well aware that the other probably didn’t care whether Brigid became another local drunkard or never touched another drop of the stuff for as long as she lived.

-

“ Mmhmm, ” Koda hummed in response, confirming they’d been a little surprised by Brig’s stubbornness the other night. “ In my defence, we don’t know a whole lot about one another now do we? ” They said, tone friendly as ever. They thought they knew a little more than some others, but for the most part Brigid Campanella, who she was and what she stood for, remained a mystery. And Koda assumed they were a little the same to her. But they liked what they were learning. 

Relaxed smile rested easily on their features as she spoke, chuckling a little when she admitted it took until 6pm to be able to eat anything. As far as hangovers went, Koda was fairly sure that fell into the pretty bad category. But who were they to question it. “ Well that’s alright, not too bad. ” They repeated the words again with a sort of tone that said they had been there too. They think about asking whether or not she’d had fun at least, but they didn’t think that’s what that was about. Thankfully, Brigid had something else to say before they could awkwardly ask their question anyway. They shrugged. “ Wouldn’t catch no judgement from me either way, ” They offered genuinely. Even drunk off her tits, she had been far more palatable than most the other drunks Koda dealt with on a regular basis. And they still helped them every time. No judgement for trying to find the meaning of life at the bottom of a bottle. “ Everyone’s gotta let loose every now and again, right? One way or another. ” And if anyone in Lockhorn deserved to, Koda thought it would have to be her. Welcome to the world, Brigid. Shame it took the murder-suicide of your father and brother to get here.

.

Koda smiled. It wasn’t one of their real ones, loose and elastic. It was something a little more rigid and perfunctory. “You’re good,” he repeated back, his voice flat with doubt. Bullshit, he wanted to say. But instead he cocked a brow to communicate it for him. I do stupid shit for free, might as well do some stupid shit for a couple hundred or whatever the hell the prize is. It was funny, hearing something so close to his own earlier thoughts parroted back at him so soon. It reminded Taru again of how though their differences seemed stark, it sometimes felt like he and Koda were built from similar stuff. He just had half a decade of more lived experience in his pocket over them—and a lot more trouble than smoking weed with his buddies. Though it seemed like Koda was poised to earn some new stripes, whether they were good or bad. Taru pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek, then sniffed as he turned away. His palms itched. He suddenly couldn’t stand to not be in motion.

He rounded the stump, kicking up brush as he went. He saw mushrooms. His dad knew how to identify all that kind of shit. The times he was around growing up, he’d bring Taru out with his siblings and point them out. Hina liked the practical ones you could eat; Minoru liked the ones with colors and patterns. It was the poisonous ones Taru remembered. The ones by his boot were all white, young, and round like eggs. Destroying angels. “Whole lot you could do with that money, huh?” I don’t need to hear about your glory days, old man. Taru snorted a laugh. “Cheap fuckin’ shot.” At their agreement, he grinned sharply and momentarily dropped his bat to the wayside. “Beer bottles, for sure,” he agreed and pivoted to gather more from the bags. When he came back, he started to line them on the surface of one of the stumps. Hands busy, he tried to play off both his genuine curiosity and mangled envy as something more casual. “Know anyone else who plans on checkin’ out if Panic’s legit?”

-

You’re good. They look to him, their brows furrowed slightly with a sort of challenging stubbornness. They knew it was a question without a question. He didn’t believe them. Or something of the sort. Bastard. “ Yeah. I’m good. ” They repeated, a little firmer than their usual loose way of speaking. “ Why wouldn’t I be good? ” They asked, challenging with their arms extending at their sides for a second. If Taru thought they were full of it ( and they were ) then he could say as much. Go on, they egged on. Point something out. They looked away again, kicking a piece of glass away from the two of them. They didn’t even know why they challenged it. Maybe just to do it. That was why they did a lot of things. Maybe to try and prove to themself they were still being convincing.

“ Yup, ” They said, popping the ‘p’ of the word as they tossed bat aside lazily. They didn’t even know if they money would be enough to help them, if it was real. “ I might buy me a tv or somethin’ ” They said as they crouched down again, digging through a bag to collect some bottles again. Sure, they might. They probably wouldn’t, but they might. They grinned when called out for their joke, looking over their shoulder at him for a moment before returning to their mission. Pulling out beer bottles they found and setting them at their side, not thinking of how many they would need to make a decent tower. “ No one specific, ” They said, “ No one’s really bold enough to talk about it, ” Not to them, anyway. They wondered for a second if there were conversations happening without them. Alliances forming before they even knew it was real or not. “ But I reckon my friends will. Nothin’ to lose, y’know. Worst case we waste a night hangin’ out– not that different from any other weekend. ” 

… 

alec wasn’t being serious. the kid didn’t have a serious bone in his body. so when koda interjected that they didn’t mean it like that, he just waved a hand with a dumb smile like it was nothing. “yeah but where’s the fun in that? you gotta show them that you’re in it to win it and not gonna back down.” he thought about some of the people he saw jump the other night, most of them were his friends so it felt a little wrong to be saying all this. but he felt is kinship to koda. even if they didn’t know the things that alec had gone through, he knew they would understand. at least more than any of these other cis, straight, country folk. “haven’t smoked all my brains away just yet,” he said with a laugh, taking a sip of his beer. 

glancing over at them as they finally answered the question. he couldn’t help but wonder if this was an honest answer, not that he cared one way or the other, he was just curious how everyone would spend it. 30k was a lot of money and as someone who has spent that much before ending up here, he wondered how everyone else would. “that would be one hell of a party. i expect an invite to the party,” he said, nudging them with his elbow. traveling sounded cool too, he wondering how many other people would use it to get away from this place. a place he now called home. would he be saying goodbye to one of his friends by the end of the summer? he didn’t want to think about that. “yeah, a bit,” he said, looking out at the water. “not the west coast, but around this area. ohio, kentucky, even stopped by myrtle beach for a couple weeks. it was fun, but i just wanted a place to call home, ya know?” 

-

“ Oh I am, I know. ” Koda was quick to assure, nodding their head. They were in it to win it. They weren’t backing down. They were fucking force to be reckoned with. But they weren’t competing against Alec. “ And I reckon the others know that too. I didn’t go first for nothin’. ” They grinned, revealing that maybe they were plotting and scheming a little more than they’d revealed to anyone just yet. “ It says somethin’, anyone who’s real competition’s gonna recognise that. ” They said confidently. Whether or not that competition would be intimidated by that was questionable, but they thought at least they’d be seen as someone who was in it.

They chuckled as they were nudged, looking back over at him “ Wouldn’t be much of a party without you anyway, ” They replied with smirk planted on their features. And they supposed they did mean it. As short as their connection was in comparison to others Koda had, it still meant something. They didn’t even think they’d go to a party nowadays if Alec said he wasn’t going for one reason or the other. Weirdly, they were sort of glad to hear he’d gone some other places before settling on Lockhorn. They didn’t quite know what they were relieved by but they were relieved. “ Yeah, I get that, ” They said. Lockhorn was their home. They couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, not permanently. They thought they’d always feel the call of the mountains. Their family. They wanted to stay here, they wanted to be here. “ What about Lockhorn County screamed home to ya? ” They asked, genuinely curious. They grew up here, this place was a part of them. They had to imagine they’d feel the same about anywhere else if they grew up there instead, but Alec didn’t. Why. 

-

“Friend. I like that. I don’t know what Phillipa means… hopefully something as nice as ‘friend’. All I know is that my dad named me after this racecar driver he liked. Phil Hill.” Pippa made a face at the name. She imagined Phil Hill’s parents didn’t like him all that much to make his name rhyme like that. Pippa let out a small laugh at the reveal that Dakota was probably thisclose to being a Ginny, smiling at the bartender from the other side of the truck. “I could see you as a ‘Ginny’. Yeah, people could call you ‘Gin’. You’ll probably get loads of people at the bar making puns named that. Could be very irritating but could also earn a lot of tips.” She chuckled.

At the compliment, Pippa made a face, feeling sheepish. “Yeah? Well, thanks. Dakota’s a very pretty name too, by the way. And I’m not just saying that.” She meant it. She’d never met a Dakota before. She liked that the name was a bit long and had 3 syllables like hers, and she liked the way all of the syllables sounded together. Her eyes widened when Koda mentioned the groceries, so taken by the conversation that she completely blanked on the fact that the bartender couldn’t very well drive with all of that in her hands. “Oh gosh – yeah. Sorry. Yes. I will take those. Hold on–” She pulled open the door on her side and helped herself in. Once seated, she set what groceries she was holding down on her lap and held her arms out for Koda to pass on what of the haul she was carrying.  “Gosh, I’m probably going to have to make you dinner after all of this. First you offer me a ride home and then I forget you can’t drive with groceries in your hands? If my momma were still alive, she’d’ve banished me to a corner to think about what I’ve done, forgetting my manners.”

-

They couldn’t help the way their smile spread and another soft chuckle tumbled from their lips at the reveal that Pippa was named for Phil Hill. They couldn’t remember if they actually knew who that was, maybe knowing the name from talk at the bar but not a whole lot about him specifically. “ Well, was ol’ Phil at least pretty good at racing? ‘Cause that could be a little bit of a brag– but if he sucked, ” They finished their statement with a suck of their teeth, looking back over at her with grin spreading on their features. If their tone wasn’t obvious enough, they hoped their grin made it clear they were only teasing. Not like anyone would be able to guess that was how Phillipa got her name. Koda never would have. They considered it for a moment, generally not on the Ginny train due to the feminine nature of the name– until Pippa said Gin. “ Now hold on, I kinda like that, ” They said, easily considering the idea without the chance of being annoyed by jokes. “ Gin. ” They repeated, “ Is it too late to take back all the things I said about the name Virginia? I think I’m comin’ around to it. ”

Dakota’s a very pretty name too, by the way. And I’m not just saying that. Koda’s head dipped for a second, attempting to hide the bashful smile that tugged at their features for a moment before they looked back to her. “ That’s kind of you to say. ” They said, their tone toeing the line between jestful and genuine. As Pippa seemed to become flustered by their requested they chuckled softly again. But what she said next– whether she meant it or not– did catch Koda off guard a little bit. Because, yes, obviously they would love for Pippa to make them dinner. It immediately sent their brain on a spiral of little images that were so far removed from the life they lived. But, it was sort of just a figure of speech, wasn’t it. She probably didn’t mean it. Even if she did remember them, she probably didn’t mean it. They smiled gently as they handed off items in their hands, “ You don’t have to do nothin’ like that– I swear I don’t mind. Cross my heart. ” They assured, lifting a hand to draw small cross over their heart with their finger. That gentle teasing reaming to their tone. But they did feel the need to say something else. About her mother. If they remembered drunken ramblings, they remembered her mother being unwell. “ I’m sorry to hear about your momma though, ” They said, looking at her for a second longer, sympathetic– before they looked away again. This time down as they turned key in ignition and truck came to life around them. 

date: june 1997 location: the windy shot availability: closed || @ohkcda​

The day had been a long one working in the sun and Willow was exhausted. It was time to recharge and the first stop was The Windy Shot. Not only to get a drink and maybe some food, but also to say hi to friends and regulars. She pulled into the parking lot and parked her truck near the back so no one would mess with the equipment in the back. Willow made her way inside and took a seat at the bar immediately opening one of the menus to see if she wanted to get food there or not. Even if nothing looked good it was more than likely she would because going home and cooking did not seem like a good time after the day she’d had. 

“Koda, Koda, Koda- darling, where have you been all my life?” Willow drawled out when she noticed they were the one behind the bar that night. She set the menu down on the bar top and rested her head against her hand. It was always a good time when Koda was around. Hell, even the break-up after the brief stint dating wasn’t a bad time. Hence why they were still friends with each other today. They vibed, just not in that way. “Please get me the coldest of your least grossest beer and convince me what is the most edible thing on this menu that is also vegetarian.” Not the easiest thing to be in small town West Virginia, but Willow was full of determination.

-

Koda’s head perked up as they rounded corner to the bar, wiping hands on the dish towel that hung from pocket of their jeans. A combination of their name and familiar voice drawing their attention quickly. “ Willow, ain’t you a breath of fresh air. ” They greeted in return, smile coming easily to their features as they took up place in front of her. Hands on the counter, leaning their weight on them slightly. “ Coldest, least gross beer – and convince you on somethin’ edible and vegetarian. ” They repeated, pushing up and turning back to the fridges behind them, entertained by the way she phrased it. Beer was easy. It was Koda’s job. They went for their pick. Corona. Least gross in their opinion, and none of the regulars liked it much so it was always cold. Opening it with a flick of the speed bottle opener as they turned back around. Before they served it to her, they made sure to reach for a pre cut lime slice from the bar. Squeezing it in the top before they set it down in front of Willow. “ Food, though– Vegetarian and edible, ” They trailed off, lifting their hand to their chin. Over exaggerating the amount of thought they were putting into it. After a moment, smile spread, like they had thought of the most genius thing. “ I can offer The Windy Shot’s– and arguably Lockhorn’s best fries. ” They grinned, knowing full well that they were as good as any shitty little bar and diner’s fries would be. And certainly not the most creative option as far as vegetarianism. “ Can make ‘em cheesy fries if you do cheese still. ” The offer was genuine though it was offered with ever amused smile. 

He leans back, exhaling through his nose to hide any pain from his features. It doesn’t matter much now though does it? He’s been caught. Why don’t you take a load off, man? He wanted to wave them off again, ease any worry creasing their brow, but he didn’t have it in him tonight. Isn’t that why he came here to begin with? To be coddled someplace he knew he could feel safe? To find warmth and company in the presence of someone he loved and trusted? He was running on nothing but air and pride, at some point that wasn’t going to be enough. So instead of arguing he simply nods, tries at a smile as he takes a seat on the edge of their bed. “Okay, but just as a fair warnin’, my feet stink.” He wished he was joking but after the day he had he sweat quite a bit. He doesn’t bother unlacing his shoes, just sort of kicks them off before making himself at home on Koda’s bed. He laughs as they make a face at him, for once not caring how much it hurts. It was the right kind of pain this time. He made a mental note of washing Koda’s linen for them sometime that week while they were at work. It wasn’t their fault he hasn’t showered.

He pats the space beside him, his face, although clearly exhausted seemed a bit brighter than before. “Worried about me, Reid? Sweet of you.” He figured if he kept his voice light they wouldn’t worry as much. He hated putting Koda in a position where they couldn’t help him (and where he wouldn’t allow them to help). “It’s fine. I’m a big boy, I use the toilet all by myself and everything. I can walk through the dark just fine. As for Snake, she’s pretty much toast for now.”

He glances at his friend, almost shy as he speaks again, “That guy that works at your dad’s garage, Taru, he saw me and stopped to help.” Finch still didn’t know what to make of it.

-

Koda’s worry erased quickly. From their features, at least. Replaced by wrinkle of their nose as Finch warned them his feet would stink. Disgusted groan accompanied with grin that turned to laugh when he laughed. They didn’t care about something so trivial. No way. What mattered was his smile. That laugh. They felt certain it wasn’t fake. They felt they knew him well enough to know the difference. When invited to join him, they accepted without thought. Soft smile resting on their features as they sat beside him. If they ignored both their circumstances, things that lead both of them to this trailer, it could be nice. Like a sleepover. Koda liked that thought. They shifted back, duvet shifted slightly under them until their back was against trailer wall. 

“ Who’s gonna stink out my trailer with their nasty ass feet if you’re gone? ” They posed in return as they relaxed, legs extended across their bed. That was easier for the both of them, wasn’t it? To be funny, to make it a joke. But they couldn’t quite commit. He might not be afraid of the dark roads, or might say that he wasn’t, but Koda was. They avoided walking alone in the dark, full stop. But where they couldn’t, they walked with keys between their fingers. Made sure to pay attention to their surroundings. But they were them. Finch wasn’t. Gender dysphoria aside they could admit that allowed him more grace in the dark. “ I know, ” They said, “ but like, I could’a come got you if you needed. Problems with Snake or anything. I don’t mind or nothin’, you know. I like driving. ” They said, offering excuse for them to do it before Finch could say they didn’t need to. If they could waste gas money on their dad– and they wasted a fucking lot on their dad, they could certainly use a little on Finch.

As much as Taru would hate to hear it, it didn’t surprise Koda all that much that he’d stopped and helped when he saw someone in car trouble. But the way he looks at them when he says it, that’s the curious thing. “ Yeah and I bet he offered a smartass comment with his help too, free of charge, ” They chuckled lightly, “ But if he couldn’t get you started, Snake must really be up shit creek. What’d he say? ” Koda hadn’t really earned the right to offer out family and friends discounts at Roy Reid’s garage, that had gone to Taru instead of them, but they could surely do something to help Finch.

Givin’ Freddy Kruger a run for his money with a mug like that. Finch huffs a short laugh at that, picking up his peanut shell before tossing it Koda’s chest. “Shut up. You’re one to talk, gremlin.” He reaches for another peanut, methodically parting the shell, peeling the skin and then popping it into his mouth. He matches Koda’s smile with one of his own, he knew how to play this part well. This was the only part about being human that he knew how to do properly, and if he was honest, he really could only ever do this with Koda. As much as he loved Banks, they weren’t as close as they used to be and more often than not they found each other at the opposite ends of life. Certain days he hates himself for letting their friendship fall to the wayside, other days he blames Banks for disappearing on him, some days he misses him so much it gets hard to breathe. Finch had a bad habit of grieving people that were still alive, but maybe that’s just what ghosts do. He pushes the thought away as he watches his friend emphasize their point with a single finger, their smile warm and easy. Focus. “Fine, fine. I suppose it is your house.”

He chews on a peanut as they go on, Yeah, you know me. Always workin’. Finch only nods in response, he knows a thing or two about working to avoid dealing with, well, everything else. Sometimes it’s just easier to go through the motions than question the purpose of them. He waves Koda off as they begin to apologize for not being around. “You don’t have to apologize to me. You know that, Reid.” He hasn’t seen Roy at the Hot Stop in awhile (he usually buys a bag of chips) but he has seen him around town, swearing up a storm. He didn’t have to guess what Koda was referring to, as far as drunk fathers went, Finch understood completely. It’s also why he doesn’t bother pushing the subject, the same way he can count on Koda to not bring up David. Some things weren’t worth the conversation anymore, talking about them didn’t change their circumstance.

“Hmm, yeah. I was hoping for an extra shift today but Greg sent me home early. Said something about getting some sleep.” Finch shakes his head, a general annoyed look replaces his easy smile. “And as if today hadn’t been long enough Snake broke down on me. It wasn’t the usual hissy fit either. She wouldn’t start up no matter how bad I pleaded.” He pushes himself off of the counter, a movement he later regrets as his muscles resist him, his face twisting into a grimace. He glances at Koda and prays they were too preoccupied with his story to have noticed.

-

The insult thrown back at them immediately earned a grin and chuckle out of their lips, batting away peanut a second too late. Instead having to settle for simply dusting their shirt, leaning over to pick it up before they forgot about it and stood on it in the middle of the night. “ Quite the pair, ain’t we? Freddy and a Gremlin. ” They mused, standing straight again and discarding peanut in small trash can. “ No wonder we’re single. ” They followed up in jest, cracking another grin as they looked over at him again. Faced again with the state of him, and how they were doing that thing they did. Cracking jokes, trying to do anything to get a laugh or a smile. Prove you’re okay. They did it with everyone, a habit they couldn’t break. Even when they knew how easy it was to fake a smile. 

There’s a sort of gratefulness they can’t express in Finch’s understanding. A sort of gratefulness, a sort of guilt, a sort of sorrow. That feeling that he understood without them saying anything. He didn’t need details. He understood. And wasn’t that horrible? “ I know, but still, ” They said, scratching lightly at their arm with their attempt to not let their apology be dismissed. Their friendship was important to them, they didn’t want to allow any chance for Finch to think it wasn’t. 

Something about getting some sleep. Once again Koda kept a comment to themself. Nodding their head instead. But then as they heard about his car their brows furrowed with concern. “ No shit, you know what happened to her? ” They asked, a tiny beat passing and more concern contorting their features as they witnessed the way he winced as pushed himself off their counter. “ Why don’t you take a load off, man, ” They said, gesturing towards their bed that served as much of a couch as it did a bed. The most comfortable thing they had to offer– plus they assumed Finch would stay the night. “ If Snake’s shit it then how’d you get out here? Don’t tell me you fuckin’ walked. ” Not that it was a necessarily far walk. Hazzard was small, but it was dark, the roads were silent. You never really knew who or what was out there in the dark.

-

A rosy pink color tinted Brigid’s cheeks as Koda recalled the long lost details of the night after the solstice, “I remember some,” not much, albeit. She chuckled softly at her own pigheadedness, it sounded about right for her, “I get that from my Daddy,” she confessed, “Stubborn as the will o’ kings, that’s what my Mama said about him,” she mused fondly. Her words came easily to her and as she often did, she forgot that almost everybody she ever spoke of was either dead or gone in some other way. 

She tucked her hands into her pockets then, “Sounds crazy but I probably coulda done it- I ain’t boasting or nothing, I ain’t some kinda track star but I’m good like that, I can just keep goin’ and goin’,” she explained and it was true. The fact that she was standing there was proof positive of her ability to continue, to push forward despite the odds. If she wanted to get somewhere, she probably could by sheer will alone. She just didn’t have nowhere to be most of the time.

-

It had never occurred to Koda before but they supposed they knew more than they were supposed to about Old Sheriff Campanella. More than that public figure he was in Lockhorn. They knew the way Michael would scoff when he was brought up. They knew the way Michael acted after a fight. They knew the way he stood at the end of the street looking down at the house when he saw the Sheriff’s car was there. “ Oh yeah? ” They replied, their tone as easy as the soft smile on their features. “ It surprised me a little, I won’t lie, ” They admitted with a light chuckle. The same way her jump of Devil’s Tooth had surprised them a little, but they couldn’t say that here.

They chuckled lightly again, shaking their head a little as they glanced down for a moment before back up to her. “ Listen, I don’t doubt ya. If it was up to will power and nothin’ else, I don’t think anythin’ could’a stopped you. ” And they mean that as a compliment, even if in reality it had meant talking about power walking to convince Brig she’d look stupid trying. “ Unfortunately there was a little more than that workin’ against ya. Gravity, mainly. ” They grinned with the tease. Despite their teasing, despite bringing up what might be an embarrassing moment for Brig, they were glad they’d persisted with it that night. Saved the worry of wondering how she got home, if she was okay. “ How were you the next mornin’? Not too bad, I hope. ”

-

“Really? Gosh, okay… thank you,” Pippa said, truly appreciating Koda’s generosity as she followed her to her truck. She’d have to find a way to her repay Koda for this kindness. Maybe pass by the Windy Shot again some time soon and leave a hefty tip if she was working. “Dakota,” she echoed the name, shaking her head at herself for not piecing it together from the nickname that was revealed to her. “Koda, Dakota, that makes a lot of sense. Can’t believe I couldn’t figure that one out.” She started to chuckle but then it quickly grew into a laugh when Koda said she was lucky she didn’t get stuck with ‘Virginia’. “Yeah, that’s a bit on the nose. Just slightly, just a teensy bit,” she said, obviously joking. “You know, back when I used to go to Huntin’ High, my senior year Chem partner was a guy named ‘West’ and he had a little sister named ‘Ginny’. Didn’t think anything of it for the longest time. It wasn’t until graduation that I found out that ‘Ginny’ was actually short for Virginia.” A quick pause to let that big reveal sink in. “Their parents literally named them West and Virginia. My mind? Was blown.” She laughed a little again. “Talk about loving where you’re from.”

“Phillipa,” Pippa answered, flashing a smile at Koda. “Yeah, it’s a bit of a mouthful so Pippa happened. Back when I was a teenager, I used to hate it. Made me feel like I was still a kid that no one took seriously. But then you get older, you get busy and realize you don’t really have the time for all of those syllables, so… I really like Pippa now.” She laughed softly at her admission.

-

The grin remained on Koda’s features, effortlessly charmed by Pippa’s nature. The way she smiled, the way she spoke, the way she laughed a little at herself. “ Don’t beat yourself up over it, I don’t think many people look at someone and go, oh, that’s a Dakota. Nickname or otherwise. ” They allowed with a smile, meaning that, again, Dakota wasn’t a necessarily common name. Or, they’d never met or even heard of anyone else called Dakota. “ Someone told me once it means friend. I dunno if I reckon that’s true but it’s sort of neat. ” They chuckled lightly as they reached their truck. Freeing hand once again, this time to retrieve keys attached to their belt loop by carabiner. Unlocking the truck while balancing groceries against their chest, another chuckle escaping at the reveal of West and Virginia. “ Oh man, see? That’s what I’m sayin’– I got off lucky with Dakota. I was probably this close to bein’ a Ginny too. ” They held up their thumb and forefinger once they had opened the truck door, looking across the enclosed space at Pippa on the other side with amusement. 

Philippa. Jeez. It was a nice name, a really nice name. The sort of name that made Koda think she wasn’t meant to be here. Not in Lockhorn. She was supposed to be somewhere nice, somewhere befitting of such a name. “ It’s a pretty name– not that Pippa isn’t. Pippa’s pretty too. ” They didn’t know why they needed Pippa to know that the name she’d chosen to introduce herself with was pretty to, but they did. “ But I like it. Philippa. ” The repeated the name, soft smile pulling up the corners of their lips. Allowing a beat, they found themself wondering if it was so wrong that they were enjoying this second meeting? Was it so wrong for them to enjoy meeting her all over again when she had no idea? “ You ‘right if I hand these to you? Not sure you want me drivin’ one handed. ” They joked, interrupting their own thoughts with a grin returning to their features.  

-

She was running out of excuses so when Koda gave her an alternative, Brigid was inarguably grateful for it, “Sure, I’ll wait just right here,” she confirmed, as if it had been Koda’s specific request and not just a mere suggestion. “I don’t wanna be gettin’ in nobody’s way, anyhow,” she insisted - it was sort of the way that Brigid Campanella lived her life, just trying to stay out of the way and not bother anybody she didn’t have to. “Take your time, I ain’t got nowhere to be,” she assured the other, though she realised just a moment too late how tragic that was. She’s just finished work and the best place she had to be was the decaying lot behind a shitty old bar? Surely not something to go ‘round bragging about.

-

 Though Koda was willing to take her at her word, trying not to take up space seemed to be all she ever did, they couldn’t help but think a sarcastic little shocking to themself. They let a small smile tug up their lips. “ Back in a sec then, ” They assured, before they moved away. Back towards the door they had appeared from originally.

They weren’t long. As long as it took to walk to dish sink, wash their hands, give some lame excuse about going for a smoke, and walk back to the door. Wiping their hands dry on the dish towel tucked into the pocket of their jeans, letting it fall as they walked back towards the dumpster and towards Brigid. Easy, friendly smile returning to their features. They’d half expected her to leave. But they were glad she didn’t. “ You know, I’m a little surprised you remember me givin’ you a lift, ” They said, a slight teasing to their tone. “ You were pretty out of it. You said you were gonna walk all the way home while you were barely sittin’ straight, much less walkin’. ”

-

“Well, I wanted to. Do unto others n’all that,” she hadn’t been going to church recently but she hadn’t forgotten the lessons she had learned there either. Maybe it was nothing to Koda but it was something to Brigid and maybe a bag full of Cracker Barrel leftovers weren’t anything neither but it was suppose to mean something - it was the thought that counted, right? At the invitation, Brig found herself slightly caught off guard. Had she thought this far ahead? Hell no. In her mind, she was just half a step above throwing the damn food at Koda’s feet and making good her escape, she hadn’t expected anything more to transpire. “Well I-” had plans? Nope. Had somewhere better to be? Nope. “I don’t wanna getcha in any trouble, my boss hates it when I’m talking to people on the job,” more specifically when Riggs came into take up space and use up oxygen and get her into as much trouble as humanly possible in the process. “I mean, I guess that’s a whole part of your job but I ain’t gonna spent money or nothing,”

-

I wanted to. That was an odd sentiment. Not many people wanted to do kind things for Koda Reid. A small handful did, but they weren’t the sort that would want to admit it. “ Well, thanks. I appreciate it. ” They said, genuinely. Maybe there were more similarities between Brig and her brother than they had seen before. They felt themself feeling a little bad for thinking that, for being unable to accept a nice thing Brig was doing without attaching it to Michael. “ Nah, my boss won’t care. ” They assured, though more accurately they didn’t think their boss would catch them. “ And it’d be quick– that door just goes to the kitchen, not the bar. ” They said, but they weren’t stupid. They hadn’t offered an out so easily when she’d been too drunk to stand, but they offered one now. “ Or, you could wait here a second– a second longer, rather, if you got the time. I dunno how long you been out here already, I’ll just wash my hands real quick and come back, ” They said, jutting their thumb towards the door in a quick motion. 

@ohkcda​

“Didn’t mean t’scare ya,” Brig prefaced as she caught Koda behind the Windy Shot, appearing in the empty lot between a dumpster and what used to be the claw of a heavy duty digger before it rusted out and nearly killed some folk. “I realised I ain’t never said thanky for, you know, the other night,” it sounded even more suspicious when she didn’t explain what it was, she realised a moment too late, “For giving me a ride, I mean,” she recalled, sounding as if she was worried that somebody else was listening to them. “I bought you some dinner- I realise that’s stupid now cos you work at the Shot n’all but I figure if you get tired of the same old meals all the time, maybe something different might do you some good,” she offered a plastic bag filled with just two take out boxes, “I don’t know whatcha eat so it’s just mac n cheese ‘n some fried chicken. I ain’t usually allowed to take desserts but there’s some peach cobbler too,”  she decided not to mention that it was getting thrown out when she’d requested to take it home with her. “You aint gotta eat it or nothin’, I just wanted to say somethin’ ‘bout the other night,”

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