thering: (Doc1233)
John Henry "Doc" Holliday ([personal profile] thering) wrote in [personal profile] tinstar 2021-09-25 03:51 pm (UTC)

They're all learning how to... best put up with each other, make this arrangement work. Doc isn't a stranger to complications. Complications have been a running theme throughout his life. He can't help if Wynonna or Winona are used to having all of what they want. He can only work on what he wants, how many pieces he's willing to cut himself into and give out (always too many - somehow all the little slices add up to over 100%, and yet he is relentless and tireless about trying to keep the peace and nudge everyone in his circle a little bit closer to happiness), and how much shit he's willing to put up with before he calls it quits. Thankfully, he's had some very good life lessons on patience. He used to chase down what he wanted a little too hard. It's taken him a long time to learn to let 'em come instead.

"Well I wouldn't argue that we mind giving them back from time to time, but I do enjoy having them around for the most part," Doc muses with a little smile. He really is too old to be running after those pint-sized danger-seeking missiles. They scare the shit out of him in expected and unexpected ways, but he just hates hearing one of his names being screamed out at the top of those little lungs after one or both of the girls have been gone out of his sight just that little bit too long. It isn't for lack of love or wilful neglect that Doc isn't watching them like a hawk 24/7, he just thinks Wynonna is overprotective and maybe he's overcompensating the other way a little bit, giving a little independence far too early, but if Raylan wasn't around to mind them they'll probably have both perished in a ditch out back somewhere a long time ago.

"Wynonna doesn't much like the idea of me teaching Alice to shoot." Doc hardly ever brings up anything between them to Raylan. It's not really fair on Raylan, and Doc isn't looking to be vindicated here - Wyatt would have been more than happy for Doc to put a gun in his children's hands back in the day, so he honestly doesn't see the fuss - but he does value Raylan's opinion. One does not get through this wretched life without learning how to shoot, family curses ended or otherwise. This is their way, the life they have always known.

"I don't know, how to be a-- anything, if I couldn't shoot. I would like to at least leave this behind." Maybe it's not the right kind of thing to leave behind, but he doesn't have anything else to impart.

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