Chapter Text
July, 1878
Dodge was settling down for the night. Wyatt knew that even though he had just returned from a two-week journey, his boss, Charlie Bassett, would still expect him to report for duty in the morning. So, Mattie Blaylock, his steady girl, understandably wanted to know why he wasn't going to sleep early.
"If I stay here with you, sleep won't be what I'm getting" he had told her with a mischievous smile. But he knew that wasn't why. It was bad enough lying to her, but lying so he didn't have to tell her he'd rather go see Doc Holliday at this hour than stay with her and fall asleep early... that seemed especially low somehow. He felt guilty.
Why didn't I just tell her Doc asked me to stop by? What call would she have to object?
But it was too late now. Wyatt kicked a pebble with frustration, and it bounced off the wooden sidewalk ahead of him. He stepped up onto the sidewalk and continued on his way to the boarding house where Doc and Kate stayed.
It was well dark by now, but many windows were still lit up. The saloons would close a bit early tonight, since it was Saturday night. The idea was to have fewer people in rough shape on the sabbath.
Come to think of it, why did Doc want me to stop by? What if he and Kate aren't done... reuniting yet?
He shook off that thought. Surely Doc wouldn't have invited him if he wasn't going to be ready to have company.
He entered the building, found his way to the stairs, and went on down the hall to Doc's door. He glanced down at his person before knocking, just to be sure he hadn't forgotten to button his waistcoat or something.
After a moment's muffled conversation from within, Kate opened the door.
Kate was a dark-haired beauty, nicknamed "Big Nose Kate" Wyatt couldn't remember why—because that feature of hers certainly seemed not to deserve the monicker. Her dark red dress appeared a little disheveled, but she was no less attractive for it.
"Mister Earp, come in," she said, stepping back.
Accepting her invitation, Wyatt saw Doc in the process of sitting up on his bed in a state of semi-undress. His shirt was unbuttoned, with no undershirt or collar. His waistcoat lay on the floor. His hair was a disgrace. An empty whiskey bottle sat on the bedside table. Wyatt had never seen him look so slovenly, even on their journey to Denver.
"Evening, Wyatt."
"Evening," Wyatt echoed uncertainly. Maybe he had arrived too early after all.
"Wyatt, you dog," Doc drawled. "I can tell exactly what you're thinkin', and I want you to know right now..." He raised a finger for emphasis. "...You're most likely exactly right." He laughed at his own cleverness before Wyatt had a chance to.
Damn, he's drunk. Wyatt cracked a smile, not sure what to say. "Uh..."
"Oh, Kate! Kate, you owe Wyatt a kiss."
Kate, who had been casually standing at the window now turned fully toward them so sharply that it took a moment for her skirts to catch up with her. "Oh, I do?"
Wyatt started to say that wasn't necessary, but Doc loudly cut him off.
"Hell, yes, you do. He saved your husband's life. Least you can do is kiss him. You owe him."
He's repeating himself. So drunk.
Kate did not look alarmed, or even uncomfortable at Doc's unsightly state. If anything, she seemed amused. "I see. In that case..." She stepped toward Wyatt with a coy smile.
Wyatt glanced from her to Doc, wondering if his friend was really all right with this. He had thought Doc might very well be joking when he had suggested this outside Kit Carson. Apparently not. Or maybe it was just the whiskey talking.
"Go on, Wyatt. Kiss her good. Well." He laughed again at correcting his own grammar.
Kate was beside him now, putting a hand on his shoulder and smiling up at him.
"Well, uh... if you're sure you don't mind." Wyatt wasn't sure if he was talking to Doc or Kate at this point. Both of them, he supposed.
"Not at all," Kate said, putting her other arm around him.
He brought his lips to hers, but felt so flustered at the situation that it was more awkward than enjoyable.
When they broke apart, Kate shook her head. "Tsk-tsk-tsk. It's a real shame."
"What's wrong?"
Kate turned her head toward Doc. "I would have expected more from him. A little passion. More..."
"Artful?" Doc suggested. "You know, darlin', in some circles it's considered a virtue to be artless." Another laugh. Doc was clearly in an excellent mood, whiskey notwithstanding. "Don't worry, though. He's a quick learner, aren't you, boy?"
This was too awkward for words. Wyatt was almost sorry he had come. He should leave Doc to his wife when he was in such a state.
"You are the authority," Kate said, looking at Doc with a sparkle in her eye. "Perhaps you could teach him."
For a moment, Doc stared at her, uncharacteristically at a loss for words. Then his smile returned. "I might at that. Would you like that, darlin'?"
"I would be grateful."
"Wyatt, come here."
Wyatt searched for a hint on Kate's face that this was a joke. He glanced at Doc, who was waving him over. Back at Kate's innocent smile. "Uh..."
"Come on, we ain't got all day. What are you waitin' on? The Rapture?" This time, Doc erupted into coughing instead of laughter.
Kate produced another whiskey bottle from someplace, mixed it with water in a glass, and handed it to Doc, who took the tonic with a look of gratitude.
"Where were we?" Doc asked.
Kate clasped her hands and shifted her hips just so. "Kissing."
"Ah, yes. Wyatt, why are you still away yonder? Didn't I tell you to come here?"
This was ridiculous. "I should probably get back to Mattie."
"Not afraid, are ya?" Doc tilted his head to the side. He was walking a fine line between serious and teasing.
Wyatt's first instinct was to walk away. It was stupid to take up a dare. But come to think of it, he was afraid. Afraid it was a trap somehow.
You could have kissed me on the road to Denver. Or on the way back. Why now? He glanced at Kate again. Is it her? You had to have her permission? Or is the whiskey wringing the truth out of you when nothing else would? Or is this all just nonsense you won't even remember later?
If any of those things was true, it was worth the risk. This was a ludicrous situation that would certainly never come again. Like kissing Lewis goodbye. Wyatt's heart fluttered so fast he thought he might actually faint if he didn't get control of himself. He took a deep breath and a step toward Doc.
Doc's mouth twitched slightly at the corner, as if it had begun to grin and he schooled it back to sobriety.
When Wyatt drew near enough, Doc's hand darted out to take hold of his sleeve. His glassy eyes met Wyatt's and then focused somewhat lower.
Shit, I'm going to hell.
Doc was indeed very drunk, but he was more lucid than anyone would have given him credit for. He felt a bit warm and "fuzzy" as people said, but he knew a hawk from a handsaw. His wit and reflexes remained sharp. He was almost as deadly drunk as sober, though his temper didn't flare as hot when he was intoxicated, turning into passive aggression more often than not.
"You are the authority," Kate said, looking at Doc with a sparkle in her eye. "Perhaps you could teach him."
For a moment, Doc stared at her, several conflicting thoughts flitting through his mind. Splendid idea. Kate, how could you suggest such a thing? I've been wanting to try him anyway. I would never let a man kiss me. It's wrong. It's harmless. Either nothing will come of it, or something might, with Kate's blessing. His smile returned. "I might at that. Would you like that, darlin'?"
"I would be grateful."
There it was. "Wyatt, come here."
Wyatt looked from Kate to Doc, who beckoned to him, then back at Kate. "Uh..."
"Come on, we ain't got all day. What are you waitin' on? The Rapture?" Doc erupted into coughing instead of laughter. He struggled to breathe until Kate handed him his "medicine" and he regained control of himself.
"Where were we?"
Kate clasped her hands and shifted her hips like the fine thing she was. "Kissing."
So helpful. "Ah, yes. Wyatt, why are you still away yonder? Didn't I tell you to come here?"
After a short silence, Wyatt said, "I should probably get back to Mattie."
No. Not yet. Don't you understand that you won't get this chance again? Doc decided to try a taunt. "Not afraid, are ya?" He tilted his head to the side to take the edge off.
Wyatt glanced at Kate again. He seemed to hesitate, then to take a deep breath and a step toward Doc.
Doc's mouth twitched rebelliously, but he schooled it back to a pretense of sobriety.
When Wyatt drew near enough, Doc's hand darted out to take hold of his sleeve. His glassy eyes met Wyatt's and then focused on his mouth. Tell me what you want. He tilted his chin up as Wyatt leaned down.
They had both cleaned up a little from the dust of the road, but their activities with their women had left them both in a somewhat lacking state. It would disgust Doc if it were anyone else. He would never let anyone else this close. Funny how so many things were different with Wyatt. Like that mustache... It would be too much on anyone else.
Their lips met for a lingering moment. Wyatt was subtly aggressive. Doc knew how uncertain he was, but not allowing himself to put on a weak show.
Feeling someone else's mustache in this proximity was strange, to be sure. But it was not a severe obstacle, Doc found.
When they broke apart, Doc blinked slowly, then looked at Kate. "I see what you mean."
Wyatt straightened abruptly. "I've a mind to hit you."
"Now, don't take offense, Wyatt. It's not ineptitude that daunts you, but ignorance. It is an ignorance of which Kate had to rid me in our early days of courting, isn't that right, darling?"
Kate smiled adoringly.
"As your friend, I am going to bestow a secret upon you that will make your kisses the most desirable this side of the Rio Grande."
Wyatt raised an eyebrow.
"You doubt me, sir. I'll come directly to the point. Every person on this earth has a way they prefer to be kissed, even if they don't know it yet. You must learn what way that is in the first moment, then give it to them like butter upon bacon. That's all there is to it."
Wyatt had his pride. He wouldn't want to be too conciliatory. But he was clever too, and Doc had no doubt that he would come around.
Sure enough, after taking a little time to ponder, Wyatt approached him again. This time, Wyatt placed a hand at the side of Doc's jaw. His kiss was more searching now, and when Doc showed him what he wanted, Wyatt gave it to him. Like bacon, if not butter.
"Much improvement," Doc said, giving Wyatt a delighted smile. He looked at Kate. "See what you think, doll."
Kate wasted little time in scurrying over and putting her arms around Wyatt, almost childlike in her eagerness to observe the progress. She did not look disappointed afterward. "I knew you'd be a good teacher," she remarked.
"Well, don't spread the word about. I don't intend to take on more pupils."
Wyatt cleared his throat. "Well... this has been... enlightening. Thanks for the information."
"Use it in good health."
"You're going?" Kate asked.
"I'm afraid I must." Wyatt seemed to be regathering his confidence, now that he was excusing himself. He took Kate's hand when she offered it and gave her a respectful nod. Then he looked at Doc. "I guess I'll see you around town, Doc."
"Don't stay away too long," Doc replied.
Under other circumstances, he might add that Wyatt should bring his girl along next time. Somehow, he knew that Mattie and Wyatt would not be coming into his home as a couple. They might keep each other company in social settings, but sitting down to a private dinner or even tea? No.
This was exactly the feeling Doc had about the married men who hired Kate. Perhaps the wives knew their husbands were unfaithful, and perhaps they didn't. But they didn't invite each other over or go calling on one another. There was a mutual unspoken shame that was not to be tested in such a setting.
I am the man, Doc thought, smirking at Wyatt's back as his friend went to the door. Why is it that Shakespeare understood everything under the sun?