PDA - Public Displays of Affection
Disclaimer: Not mine and no money is being made. Done for the pleasure of being lucky enough to be able to take an idea and merge it with a bunch of words and have people actually enjoy it.
Notes: Song fic.
Vin shot an annoyed glance at man beside him as they walked across the parking lot heading for the door of The Saloon, the team's official hangout. After stepping from the truck Vin tried to steal a quick kiss, but his stubborn, crazy-assed Southern lover side stepped him. And not for the first time either. It was nearly impossible for Vin to get close to Ezra in public. He was getting damned sick and tired of it, too.
Upon reaching the entrance Vin held the door open and followed Ezra inside. He then moved closer to Ezra, reaching for Ezra's hand as his lips made contact with the side of Ezra's face. Vin could have stood like that for hours, reveling in the taste and feel of his lover. But he was only allowed two minutes, if that long. Having had enough, Vin gave Ezra a dark angry look and began pushing his way through the crowd making his way to the table where their friends sat.
He signaled to Inez to bring him a beer when jerked a chair back and sat down. Refusing to look at Ezra as he joined them. His resolve lasted until Ezra settle across the table from him.
"Trouble in paradise?" Buck teased, hoping to lighten the mood.
"Why do you do it?" Vin heard himself ask, without realizing he'd even opened his mouth.
"What?" Ezra softly questioned.
Vin slammed his hand down on the table making it everything on it jump. "Don't play dumb with me, Ezra. Why do you pull away from me?"
"I don't . . ." Ezra sighed and began playing with a discarded peanut shell left on the table. "All right, I do. But you have to understand that public displays of affection have always cost me very dearly . . . my mother . . ."
"Ezra you're over thirty f****** years old and it's past time to let all shit with your mother go!" he growled in frustration and immediately felt guilty as Ezra flinched.
"I'm trying, Vin," the Southerner whispered. "You can't expect me to change thirty years of behavior in six months . . ."
"Are . . . are you ashamed of me . . . of what we share?" Vin hated himself for asking, but the words would not be suppressed.
"No!" Ezra cried, reaching for Vin's hand.
"I've been someone's dirty little secret before, Ezra and I won't go through that again," Vin hissed, not wanting Ezra to touch him just yet, "not even for you." He watched that hand tremble before withdrawing. The sight of those watery pain filled green eyes made his heart clinch, but what had his stomach dropping in fear was the reappearance of a wall that once again threatened his access to Ezra's soul. "Ezra . . ."
"I see," Ezra said, with narrowed eyes and a stiff back.
"What? What do you see, Ezra?" Vin had a very bad feeling that he'd just followed the snowball and the handbasket to hell.
"What do you want from me Vin?" Ezra countered. "A public declaration of affection? You want me to tell the world that I love you?"
"Yes, but tell me what you see?"
"If that's what you want," Ezra got to his feet, "then that's what you shall receive. And as for what I see . . ."
Vin held his breath as he too stood by the table.
"I see that 'I' have to let go of 'my' past, yet you get to horde yours," he told him. "You are not me secret . . . dirty or otherwise. I've told the people that I hold most dear to me that I love you. I'm sorry if that's not good enough for you, but then again that's the story of my life. A life that I have to change to suit . . . you."
Vin dropped back onto his chair, gasping as if he'd just been sucker punched. Everything Ezra had just said was true. He was letting his past cloud his future with Ezra. A future that he desperately wanted. Without Ezra, Vin knew he wouldn't have a future.
"Oh shit," he swore when he looked up and saw that Ezra was gone. He buried his head in his arms on the table and fought back tears.
"Vin," Chris questioned, "you all right?"
"N..no," he sniffled.
"What the hell just happened?"
"I . . . I ran into Charlotte yesterday and . . . and then Ezra p..pulled away from me," Vin's voice was muffled by his arms and his tears, "and . . . and it brought back all t..that shit I went through with h..her."
"Vin . . ."
"I . . . I know what he went through with Maude . . . And . . . and I k..know he's trying . . ."
"Then why?" Nathan pushed.
Vin sat up and glared at his friends, tears still pooling in his blue eyes. "I just told ya why! Hell, I thought I was over what happened with that bitch," he ran an agitated hand through his hair. "I took my unsettled emotions out on Ezra and now he h..hates me . . ."
"Dumb ass, he doesn't hate you," Chris rolled his eyes. "He may be mad as hell at you, but he could never hate you."
"Y..yes he does . . ."
"No, he does not," Nathan insisted. "For some strange reason he thinks the sun raises and sets on you . . ."
"Really?"
"What do you think he's going to do?" JD asked. "To publically show you how he feels?"
Four pairs of eyes widened at the possibilities. The fifth's turned even sadder at the thought of what he was making his lover do.
~E&V~
Ezra stood in the cool crisp evening air for a few minutes, letting it sooth his senses and calm his soul. He hated it when him and Vin fought. He knew that Vin's encounter with his married ex-lover, Charlotte, brought to life the demons that had never been completely dealt with. And of course, Ezra's own inability to let go of the past didn't help one bit. But he refused to give in or to give up on Vin or what they had. What he and Vin had was too precious to allow it to simply slip through their fingers like grains of sand.
He'd give Vin exactly what he needed. Then maybe they'd both be able to let go of the past and concentrate on each other and their future together.
Stepping away from the building and into the semi-darkness of the street, he hailed a cab. The beginnings of an idea was tickling the back of his mind and a plan was starting to form. After giving the driver an address, he settled in the back with a small smile playing teasing his lips. He knew just what to do.
The next morning a rumbled bleary eyed Ezra stumbled into the office, slightly later than usual, much to the relief of his partner and their friends.
"Ezra!"
"Not now, Vin," Ezra said, heading straight for the coffee pot.
"I was worried about you . . ."
"Shh," he pressed his fingers to Vin's lips. He desperately wanted to take Vin in his arms and snuggle his face into the side of Vin's neck and simply hold him. However, now was not the time or the place. "I need coffee . . . a shower . . . a shave . . . coffee . . ."
"You didn't come home last night . . ."
"Boys," Chris interrupted then separated them. "When you two first started this . . . relationship you promised you'd keep it out of the office. So keep it out of the office."
"I . . . I just wanted to know where he was last night," Vin told him.
"I'm sorry I worried you," Ezra said, "but I had things to do and didn't finish until very late. Preparing what you want took longer than I had anticipated . . ."
"Ezra . . ."
"There didn't seem much point in going home only to turn around and coming right back . . ."
"So you haven't slept at all . . ."
Upon hearing the worry and guilt in Vin's voice, Ezra gave him a gentle smile of reassurance. "I'm fine . . ."
"Well, I'm not," Chris growled, glaring at them both. "You're starting to piss me off. You know I don't like to be ignored."
"Chris . . ."
"Get to work," he ordered, giving Vin a non to gentle shove in the direction of his desk. "And you," he turned to look at Ezra, "get cleaned up. You look like hell."
"Might I have a word with you in your office?" Ezra inquired, following the blond without waiting for a response.
"No."
"Come now, Mr. Larabee," he teased, "that's no way to behave toward your favorite undercover agent."
"You're my only undercover agent," Chris reminded him.
"Exactly. If you should ever have the opportunity to work with another then I assure you, you'll find him considerably lacking in skills," Ezra boasted, causing everyone to smile. Chris included.
Chris rolled his eyes and without another word went into his office, but left the door opened.
~V&E~
Later that night Chris shook his head as he looked at each member of his team. What the hell had he been thinking hooking up with this bunch of lunatics. At least his life would never be boring, he thought with a grin.
He laughed and gave Vin another push as the younger man once again came to a stop.
"You're holding up traffic Vin," Chris prodded him again.
"I don't know why you insisted I come here," Vin fussed. "I need to be looking for Ezra. Need to find out where the hell he disappeared to this afternoon . . ."
"Quit your damned whining and move your ass," Chris told him. "Some of us actually worked today and are tired and are in need of a beer or two to wash the bureaucratic bullshit away. Not all of us are fortunate enough to get paid to stare at their lover all day . . ."
"I didn't stare at him all day," Vin huffed.
"Only 'cause he left early," he nudged him again. "Besides, if Ezra don't want to be found then you're not going to find him."
"What'd you two talk about in your office?"
"None of your damned business . . ."
"This is bullshit," Vin spun around, "I need . . ."
Chris grabbed Vin's arm before he could take two steps, "Trust me, Vin, you are where you need to be."
At his words, Vin's eyes narrowed then widened as understanding dawned. "He's here? Where?"
"All will be revealed in time," was all Chris would say.
"Hey, pard," Buck called as they neared the table.
"Boys." Chris took his seat, taking the beer Buck handed him, he sure as hell hoped this worked. At first he was totally against a relationship between Ezra and Vin. He just couldn't see what the men had in common outside of work. No only that but they were constantly together, day in and day out working. Chris couldn't see how that was healthy for any relationship. Then. However, after seeing them, he knew that this was the only way their relationship could have worked. Ezra was sometimes gone weeks at a time, with little or no contact. So the time they did spend with other was even more precious, valuable.
And he was wrong about them not having anything in common. Both were smart, loved the outdoors; riding, fishing, even camping. Which had shocked team. Ezra camping was not something the others could picture the Southerner doing. If Ezra camping wasn't enough of a shock, then Vin visiting art shows and museums was enough to send them reeling. Chris mentally snorted, if their three-piece-suit wearing undercover agent could don flannel, then their torn-ripped-jeans-and-t-shirt wearing sharpshooter could a tux. And he had to admit that both looked damned good in either setting.
What still bothered Chris and the others was the fact that neither had felt comfortable telling the team. In all honesty though, Chris did understand the reluctance to do; neither would have been believed. The team would have teased them unmercifully. But the two more than made up for it when they told them about their feelings for each other. Blushing and stammering like a couple teenagers.
"Aww hell," Buck swore, "it's open mic night. These poor fools need to just give up."
~V&E~
Vin felt his heart begin to race and sweat form on his upper lip; 'cause he knew what Ezra was going to do. He sat on the edge of his seat as Inez, after welcoming everyone, handed the mic to someone still in the shadows. The spotlight came on and a figure appeared, wearing tight black jeans and a black shiny silky looking shirt and holding a guitar. Ezra.
He willed the roaring in his ear away so he would be able to hear what his lover was saying.
"Good evening," Ezra greeted the crowd with a smile. "Most of you know me, but to those who do not . . . my name is Ezra. What most of you don't know is that I am currently in a relationship with Vin and currently find myself in the doghouse . . ."
Vin ignored the laughs this produced and concentrated on Ezra.
"Which I'm sure doesn't come as a big surprise." Ezra paused and ran a hand through his hair before continuing, "I'm hoping this gets me out of it."
The soft sounds of an acoustic guitar filled the bar for a few minutes then Ezra began to sing . . .
I don't like to be alone at night
And I don't like to hear I'm wrong when I'm right
And I don't like to have the rain on my shoes
But I do l..love youIn spite of himself, Vin felt himself grin as Ezra's voice broke and he hit the wrong.
"Sorry," Ezra smiled, then shrugged his shoulders, "but I only learned this song last night."
I don't like to see the sky painted grey
And I don't like when, nothin's goin my way
And I don't like to be the one with the blues
But I do love you
But I do love you
I love everything about the way your lovin me
The way you lay your head upon my shoulder when you sleep
And I love to kiss you in the rain
I love everything you do, oh I do-oVin's grin grew and tears stung his eyes, which he quickly blinked away not wanting to miss a thing.
And I don't like to turn the radio on
Just to find I missed my favorite song
And I don't like to be the last with the news
But I do love you
But I do love you
I love everything about the way your lovin me
The way you lay your head upon my shoulder when you sleep
And I love to kiss you in the rain
I love everything you do, oh I do
And I don't like to be alone at night
And I don't like to hear I'm wrong when I'm right
And I don't like to have the rain on my shoes
But I do love you
But I do love you
But I do love you
But I do love youAs the last note ended Vin jumped to his feet and made his way backstage. He took the guitar and laid it to the side then grabbed Ezra and maneuvered them further into the darkness before capturing his lips in a fierce kiss.
"Ezra," he panted. "I'm sorry . . . I never shoulda made ya do that . . . you were right . . . I love you, Ezra," he said in between heated kisses.
"I think . . . we both over . . . reacted," Ezra admitted, then moaned.
"Let's get out of here," Vin suggested and gasped as knowing fingers found their way into his jeans.
"We can slip out the back," Ezra said, taking Vin's ear lope into his mouth. Then whispered, "I may never be able to kiss you in public, but never doubt that I love you, Vin."
"I never did," Vin closed his eyes to keep the tears in, but one or two managed to escape and run down his face. "I'm sorry I hurt you, Ezra . . ."
"How about we both agree to try and promise to take things one day at a time?" Ezra recommended, brushing the moisture off Vin's face.
"Sounds like a plan."
"Good," Ezra stated, giving Vin one last kiss before stepping away from him. "Let's go home. And if you're a good boy . . . I might even let you bottom."
Vin laughed out right at that. "And if I'm bad . . ."
~E&V~
"Then I pick the position," Ezra told him with a wicked glint in his green eyes. As soon as Vin reached his side, Ezra slipped his hand into Vin's and instead of heading out the back Ezra lead them around the side of the stage and through the middle of the bar, never once relinquishing his hold. They grinned at the teasing from their teammates and ignored the offers of drinks. They did however thank them for their good luck wishes.
Ezra paused at the door, looked over his shoulder meeting the blue-green gaze of his boss and friend and gave him an imaginary tip of the hat then turned hooked a finger under Vin's chin and gave him a short, but sweet kiss. He delighted in the flush that stole across his lover's handsome features.
"Maybe this kissing in public isn't so bad after all," he teased with a wink causing the flush to deepen.
The End
"But I Do Love You" - by LeAnn Rimes
I don't like to be alone at night
And I don't like to hear I'm wrong when I'm right
And I don't like to have the rain on my shoes
But I do love you
But I do love you
I don't like to see the sky painted grey
And I don't like when, nothin's goin my way
And I don't like to be the one with the blues
But I do love you
But I do love you
I love everything about the way your lovin me
The way you lay your head upon my shoulder when you sleep
And I love to kiss you in the rain
I love everything you do, oh I do-o
And I don't like to turn the radio on
Just to find I missed my favorite song
And I don't like to be the last with the news
But I do love you
But I do love you
I love everything about the way your lovin me
The way you lay your head upon my shoulder when you sleep
And I love to kiss you in the rain
I love everything you do, oh I do
And I don't like to be alone at night
And I don't like to hear I'm wrong when I'm right
And I don't like to have the rain on my shoes
But I do love you
But I do love you
But I do love you
But I do love you