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lonelypond · 9 months

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Cowboys are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other

NicoMaki, Love Live, 3.2K, 1/?

Summary: Recent Bandit Yazawa Nico is healing. Doctor Nishikino Maki has to smuggle her back into town, with the help of her adopted daughters, Ruby and Dia.

Cowboys are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other

Doctor Nishikino Maki stepped into Koizumi Hanayo’s kitchen, face freshly scrubbed with cold water, hair damp and pulled up in a ponytail. She’d let herself sleep for a couple of hours post dawn, but she really needed to ride into Otonokizaka Falls. She needed to make up more of her strengthening medicines. Nico would need them. Maki had left most of her stock with her previous surgery patient. And when Maki arrived at Otonokizaka Falls, she could head off Sheriff Umi Sonoda.

Rin, the tiny marshall, followed Maki into the kitchen, stretching and yawning. “Where ya going?”

“Into town. I need supplies. And I don’t really want to explain Nico to the sheriff.”

Green eyes blinked at Maki, curious, but the marshall asked no questions about that. “Can I come along?”

“Why?”

“I need to talk to Sheriff Sonoda.”

“You know Umi?”

Rin shrugged. Hanayo mumbled something from where she was wrapped in her bedroll, next to the children, Ruby and Dia. Then she opened her eyes, reaching out for nearby glasses.

“You didn’t wake me.” She chided Maki.

Maki shrugged, keeping her voice low to let Ruby and Dia keep sleeping. “Everyone needed the rest. It was a quiet night. I’m going to take a quick ride into town.”

“Can you take Nico’s horse? I think he needs to be looked over.”

Maki frowned. She had wanted to be gone and back before Nico woke.

“I’ll take him to the blacksmith while you do your doctor stuff.” Rin searched the kitchen for something edible, finding biscuits Hanayo had cooked in advance for breakfast.

“There’s honey and butter in the pantry.” Hanayo pointed.

“Thank you.”

“Aren’t you going to eat anything, Maki?”

“I’ll grab something in town. Would raise some questions if I didn’t.”

“Can I tell people I’m your cousin?” Rin asked, chewing on a biscuit.

“Why me?” Maki felt like kicking something. The more she tried to get herself alone, the more entangled things seemed to get around her.

“Don’t want ‘em thinking I’m Hanayo’s relative.”

Maki stared for a minute at Rin’s very serious expression, then sighed. “Just be a friend from Philadelphia.”

“I don’t know Philadelphia.”

“Where do you know?”

“Colorado.”

“Okay. Colorado cousin, let’s go. I want to be back before Nico wakes up. She’ll need a dose of strengthening tonic, and a painkiller before I clean her wound.”

“Lead the way, Cousin Maki.” Rin winked.

Maki wondered if she should have just agreed to Sensei.

###

“Nozomi.” Maki nodded curtly as she strode into the general store. Nozomi Tojo watched the general store counter in the morning and the saloon’s main bar most nights.

“What’d you need?”

Maki was in the medical section. “Breakfast. I’m replenishing my pharmaceutical ingredients after that surgery run the other day.”

“Taking some down time to restock.”

“Yeah.”

“Got a fresh baked soft pretzel left.”

“I’ll take it.” Maki held the pretzel in one hand, a basket hooked on her forearm, her other hand grabbing bottles off the shelf.

“Who’s that on that black horse my Eli saw at Hanayo’s?”

“Rin. My cousin from Colorado.” Maki put her basket on the counter. “Add a bottle of whiskey.” Remembering Rin’s near constant motion, Maki continued, “She surprised me when she showed up. City life bores her, she wants a ranch job. Just rode straight to Hanayo’s. Always has to be doing something.”

Nozomi laughed. “Sounds pretty impulsive but Hanayo could use the help.”

“That’s what I told her in my letters.”

“She is pretty cute, from what I could see. Must run in the family.” Nozomi smirked.

Maki ignored that, chewing the last of the pretzel.

“Two dollars and two bits. And I threw in some penny candy for Ruby and Dia.”

“I don’t let them eat that, you know.”

“Just a couple candies won’t hurt anyone, don’t be a sourpuss.”

Maki rolled her eyes and left the bag of penny candies on the counter.

###

Maki was in her apothecary closet, measuring out ingredients when she heard Umi’s voice.

“Maki?”

“In here, mixing.”

Umi stood in the doorway, at ease, never looking heated, even in a full wool suit and tie in warm, early fall, hat centered directly on her head.

“Glad to see you back, Maki. How are the girls?”

“Fine.” Maki hated polite talk. But Umi was a friend and genuinely interested in Ruby and Dia. “Did Rin find you?”

Umi nodded.

“Why did Rin find you?”

Umi shook her head.

“She isn’t with you?”

“She’s taking the horse back to the ranch. Eli put a new shoe on.” Umi tilted her hat back slightly, “How’s your patient?”

“Last night she was pretty wiped out. I need to get back with some medicines.”

“I won’t stop you.” Umi hesitated, “Are you going to bring her back here?”

‘I’d like to. Hanayo doesn’t have much room in that house.”

“We’d rather not have people know she’s in town; too many have seen the poster…”

Maki sighed, spinning on her stool to face Umi, “If you have any idea how I can sneak Nico from Hanayo’s house to my spare room, just tell me.”

Umi nodded, pleased that Maki was being so pragmatic. “Borrow Eli’s cart, put her in the back, under blankets, come back at night.”

“What am I borrowing Eli’s cart for?”

“A load of lumber and supplies so Rin can work on an addition to the barn or house.”

Maki rubbed the bridge of her nose, “Hoshizora already ordered it, didn’t she?”

Umi pulled her watch out of its fob pocket, “Eli said it would be ready in another half an hour.”

Maki grimaced at her wall of bottles and tins. “I have a lot of precise measurements to make and mix. Anything not raw is running low. I will be here longer that that.”

Umi clapped a hand on her shoulder, “And the cart’ll be there when you’re done. And Kotori and I will be honored to come to dinner on Saturday.”

Saturday. Two days away. Another advance plan. Rin would probably invite herself. And somewhere in all of this deliberately planned out law enforcement shenanigans, Maki was surely supposed to have the bandit ready for interrogation.

“You want to talk to…”

“I want to have a pleasantly social evening.”

“Bullshit.”

“Maki,” Umi rarely scolded, Umi spoke slowly, seriously, and with every expectation of being respected. “Please remember you are a parent now and to limit the profanity you express.”

Maki raised her lip in a snarl, but did not reply.

“I will leave you to your pharmaceutical preparations.”

Maki grunted.

“If there’s anything or anyone strange at all, immediately come get me.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Maki pulled fresh garlic out of a bag, ready to mince it into paste.

“See you Saturday.”

Maki used the time until her front door closed behind Umi to test the boundaries of her parenting vocabulary.

###

Nico spent most of the morning half asleep, half awake, unwilling to admit she was waiting for the pretty doctor to come back and take her mind off the pain with medicine and perhaps some more chatter. Ruby and Dia would sneak in to see if her eyes were open. Nico would wake up, smile at them, then fall asleep again before anyone could speak. But now, the day had gone on long enough that pain would not allow Nico to sleep anymore. She struggled to a half sitting position.

“Don’t do that.” Ruby squeaked, startling Nico.”Mama said you had to stay in bed until she came home.”

“Hi Ruby!” Nico managed a smile. “Don’t worry. Nico is strong.”

Nico wanted to get away from the wet sheets and the wet packing and the smell of blood and pus and lingering carbolic acid. Suddenly everything was overwhelming and the nothing in her stomach threatened to come spewing out. Ruby would be terrified. Nico was scared, her heart racing. Ruby would be terrified if Nico lost control. Nico had to stay calm. Like with her siblings the winter her parents had been so sick. Nico breathed in, deep and slow, forcing calm into her trembling body.

“Ruby, Nico needs breakfast.”

Ruby nodded. This was a reasonable request. Nico was awake. Breakfast was next. She understood that.

“I’ll get Dia.”

“That’s a good idea, Ruby.”

Ruby looking for Dia would surely draw the attention of Maki. Why wasn’t Maki there to clear out Nico’s wound? Nico almost touched it, but just let her hand hover, feeling lingering heat.

Ruby had only been out of the room for a minute when Hanayo popped in, “Breakfast porridge?”

Nico winced, “Add in some whiskey.”

“Maki’ll be back soon. She had to go into town to mix up more medicine.”

Nico relaxed. That made sense. Maki would be back soon.

“Can you open the window?”

Hanayo nodded.

The fresh, crisp breeze cleared Nico’s head and simple porridge soothed her stomach.

After Nico ate, Hanayo took a quick look at the dressings, “Do you want to wait for Maki?”

Nico, feeling heavy under a wave of weariness, nodded.

###

“Yazawa.”

Nico almost recognized the voice.

“Nico. Wake up. I need to clean your wound.”

Nico opened her eyes. Maki was leaning over, red hair falling in front of her forehead, almost tickling Nico, plum lips pursed with worry. Nico wondered how much closer Maki would have gotten if she’d kept her eyes closed.

“Hi, Doc.”

“Maki.”

“Nico missed you.’

Maki’s expression flashed to worry, “A lot of pain, huh.”

“A lot of stench.” Nico fake gagged.

“We should see less inflammation and infection today.”

Maki gently helped Nico into a position where she could change the dressing easily. “Need something to bite on?.”

“Nico will survive.”

“Good.”

But Nico didn’t want to suffer in silence.“Can you talk to Nico?”

“Sure.” Maki smiled, as she pulled off the cloth surrounding the healing entry wound, “Dia’s keeping a chart of how you’re doing. I have to give her a report.”

“Does she want to be a doctor?”

Maki chuckled, a pleasant sound that distracted Nico from the rough texture of cloth against her healing wound. “She wants to be everything. She follows Eli, the blacksmith, around when she has the chance. I won’t let her follow Um aroundi.”

“How long have they been with you?”

“Two years this November.”

Nico yelled. Maki had hit a sensitive point.

“”Almost done.”

“Nico’s fine.” a hissed whisper, all Nico’s willpower focused to keep from collapsing back into the bed.

###

Maki stood outside, sipping coffee from a camp cup, watching Rin and Hanayo measure and mark up lumber as they unloaded it.

“It’s going to be a rough ride.” Rin tapped the rough wooden cart floor.

“Couldn’t put any blankets in, didn’t want to make Eli suspicious.”

“Nozomi watches everything.” Hanayo agreed.

“Yeah, Umi warned me not to tell her too much.”

“But if you don’t talk, she’ll get curious.” Maki rapped the cup on the fence, “It’s hard to keep anything private in this town.”

“You’d better be careful tonight, Maki.” Hanayo said.

“I will.”

###

Dia and Ruby were going to sleep well later, Maki told herself. They’d been in a bouncing state of heightened excitement all day, eager to be going back home and bringing Nico with them. Maki had Hanayo and Rin helping them pack the wagon, while she dealt with Nico, who was stubbornly on her feet, wrapped in an afghan Hanayo had almost finished.

“You can’t walk to the cart.”

“You are not carrying Nico out in a pile of blankets.” Nico’s voice was still weak and raspy. Maki knew she only had to wait a few minutes before Nico nodded off again.

“Please don’t fight me, Nico. You need that energy for healing.”

“No one else sees this. Or hears about it.”

Maki nodded. “The girls are saying goodbye to Juniper and the sheep.”

“Be quick.”

Maki nodded, picking up Nico easily, rapid strides getting them both to the cart in under a minute, Maki leaning over to arrange the blankets over Nico, who was staring up at the sky.

“No stars tonight.” Nico grumped.

Maki glanced up. Thick clouds were a dark gray against the sky, hiding even the slightest glimpse of moon behind them.

“Storm will probably wait until tomorrow to break.” Maki sniffed, “Doesn’t smell like rain.”

“MAMA!” Ruby came running, followed by a barking sheepdog, “Is Ni…”

Maki knelt down, raising a finger to her lips to shush Ruby.

With a squeal, Ruby clasped both hands over her mouth, then whispered, “Sorry, Mama.”

Maki hugged the tiny redhead, “We just have to be careful. Even the moon is keeping our secret.”

“Juniper.” Hanayo’s calm command was instantly obeyed, the dog running to her side.

“We need to get a cat.’ Rin suggested, tossing a bag in the back of the cart.

We already. Maki raised an eyebrow but Rin continued her planning.

“And another dog for the house and one so Juniper won’t be lonely and…”

Hanayo giggled, “We can talk about that later, Rin.”

“Yeah! Let’s go have dinner. Maki’s all set.”

Dia concurred, “I made sure all our clothes were put in the cart, Mama.”

“Thanks, Dia. Now let’s get you and Ruby settled.” Maki leaned down to pick up Dia.

“Can I sit in the back? I’ll be careful.” Dia asked quietly.

Maki had expected that from Ruby and was going to say no.

‘Please, Mama.”

Maki couldn’t see the look on Nico’s face, but she did hear a whispered, “Okay, kid.”

“Stay seated at all times.” Maki gently put Dia in the corner of the cart closest to where she’d be driving.

“Yes, Mama.”

“C’mon, Ruby, you’re going to help me drive.”

“Can I hold the reins?”

“You can sit in my lap and hold them when we start, okay?”

Ruby’s squeals were half excitement, half terror. Maki thought she heard Nico chuckle. She definitely saw her reach out and take Dia’s hand.

With Ruby firmly in her lap, both of their hands on the rein, Rin and Hanayo waving goodbyes, and a night willing to hide their visitor, Maki let the horse take them back to town.

###

Three people to carry inside. After the jarring of the cart, Maki would be sore tomorrow. She’d have to rub some liniment in before bed. Ruby first. Easiest enough, the lightest and the sleepiest.

“Stay put, Dia. Let me get Ruby to bed.”

Dia muttered sluggishly. Nico was stirring but Maki was not going to acknowledge the fourth person in their party.

Maki tucked Ruby into bed, just taking off her boots. They’d changed them into nightgowns before loading up the wagon. Ruby cried a little, but didn’t fully wake up. Maki did sing a brief lullaby, soothing her youngest to full sleep. When she left Ruby’s bedroom to head back outside, she was surprised to find Dia and Nico in the main room.

“I helped Nico, Mama.” Dia’s eyes glowed with pride.

“Dia was a big help.” Nico’s knuckles were white where she was holding onto a chair. “Where do you want me, Doc?”

Maki didn’t have the energy to scold anyone. “Dia, take Nico to the spare room I use for patients.”

“Okay, Mama.” Dia pulled Nico’s hand, “C’mon, Nico.” Dia stared at the windows, but all the curtains were closed, “Sneaky.”

“Let’s be sneaky.” Nico winked at Maki and let Dia tiptoe as she led Nico to a room off the kitchen.

“I’ll be right back, Dia.” Maki called. Next step, take care of the horse. Eli would be by to pick her up in the morning.

###

Maki had expected Dia to be talking at Nico, but Dia was soundly asleep on the bed, Nico watching her fondly.

“She was going to read me a Sherlock Holmes, like you do, and then...” Nico gestured.

“Long day for them.”

“Long day for everybody.”

“How was the ride?”

“Jarring.” Nico stretched, “But nothing seems to be worse.”

“Good.” Maki swept Dia into her arms, “Let me tuck her in with Ruby and I’ll take another look at your side.”

Nico nodded.

Maki came back into the room with two glasses, a pitcher of water, and a whiskey bottle. She placed them on the dresser.

“Let’s take a look. Does it hurt.?

Nico shrugged, “A little. No throbbing or stabbing pain.”

After a close examination, her hands gentle, her breath warm, Maki nodded. “I’ll change your bandage in the morning. I’m too tired to cope if there’s a lot of blood.”

“Sounds fair.”

Maki grabbed the whiskey bottle, twisting off the cap, “Nightcap? It’s nice to relax after Ruby and Dia go to sleep.”

“I’ll drink what the doctor recommends.”

Maki poured two generous tumblers.

“Can I ask you a question, Doc.” Nico’s voice had gained strength, her tone was brusque.

“Maki.”

Maki nodded, handed Nico a glass, clicked hers against it, “Welcome to my home.”

“Thanks.” Nico took a sip, “So Hanayo says you’re not really interested in…” Nico paused, “a partner.”

Maki snorted, “Everyone asks about that.”

Nico felt as if she’d lost some of Maki’s attention.

“No one wants to know how I managed to get that effect, what I had to do to the negative? Did I use gelatin or silver?” Maki pointed her glass at a photograph on the wall. It was a waterfall, but Nico could see that it had somehow been exposed across a longer time. “They want to know when Dia and Ruby get a…” Maki puffed out air, aggressively.

“Did you take all these?” Nico noticed the framed photographs on the walls, remembered the upright piano she’d walked past. Photography and music. Plus doctoring. Plus raising two small children with the help of good friends.. A full, busy life.

“Yup.” Maki popped the p.

“Nico likes.” There was a long silence, Nico’s thoughts racing for a new topic. Then she remembered her most cherished possession. She reached into her pants pocket, taking out a small, dark object the size of a shot glass, holding it out to Maki. “My brother, Cotarou, my youngest sibling, he’s an artist too. You can’t distract him from his ideas. He made me this Smiley as a chess piece for good luck.”

Maki took the knight. The carving was smooth, the captured horse gave off a sense of raw motion, as if first he had been liquid speeding down a slope, and then transformed into almost moving obsidian, the striations in the mineral captured quickness.

“It’s beautiful.” Almost a soft feel against Maki’s fingertips..

“Nico will have him make you a piece as a thank you.”

Another silence, this time with Maki searching for words.

“Umi…”

“The sheriff.”

“Yes.”

Nico waited. Maki put the tiny horse on the nightstand and finished her whiskey.

“Is coming to dinner in two days.”

“Rin told Nico. We’re making a plan.”

“For what.”

“Nico can’t say.”

Now, Maki was getting irritated, “I didn’t save you to…”