Crime's Punishment
It had been a relatively quiet week in Four Corners and the town's peacekeepers had decided to give themselves a day off and enjoy a little downtime. Nathan had ridden out to the reservation to visit Rain and had taken JD with him. Josiah was paying court to a widow woman and was putting in time with her and her two young children. Ezra had decided to visit a nearby town in the hopes of finding somebody to gamble with who didn't already know his reputation. Chris had crept into Buck's room in the early hours of the morning and the two had spent a few precious hours together before joining Vin at the saloon for a quiet drink and a game of poker. Things had started out well, but a few drinks later their peace was disturbed by a group of trail hands who barged into the saloon, sat at a nearby table and proceeded to enjoy themselves boisterously and obnoxiously.
Chris could tell that Buck was getting more and more irritated with the noisy cowboys. It wasn't their loudness or their rudeness, or even the smell of the trail clinging to them. What bothered Buck enough to put him off his card game and even slow down his drinking was the way they were treating Marie. Buck had a notorious soft spot for waifs and strays but he was a particular pushover for a working gal. Growing up in a whorehouse, his own mother for hire, Buck had developed a protective streak a mile wide for any woman forced to earn her living on her back. Add to that the fact that Marie was young and a little simple minded - a combination that pushed Buck's big brother complex into overdrive.
The other peacekeepers had witnessed the result of Buck's temper when he thought a woman was being threatened. The men had frequently seen Buck go up against a half dozen trail hands, ignoring the odds and turning a minor incident into an all-out brawl. So they had developed an unspoken agreement between them to step in whenever a damsel in distress was involved.
Marie could usually hold her own with the crowd that passed through Four Corners, but this particular bunch of cowboys was tired, thirsty, and some of them were just plain mean. Right now they were bothering Marie with their constant loud demands, and it was playing on Buck's nerves something fierce.
Chris and Vin exchanged a glance when Marie shrieked as one of the cowboys pinched her, just a little too hard to be playful. Chris felt Buck tense beside him.
"Leave it alone Buck," he warned.
"What?" Buck tried to look innocent.
"Don't think I don't know what you're planning," Chris replied.
"Well somebody has to teach them some manners," Buck grumbled.
"We've got it covered, Bucklin," Vin put in, fingering the mare's leg resting on the chair beside him.
Buck subsided, although he kept his eyes fixed on the table of men. One of the cowboys, by now more than a little drunk, saw Buck glaring at them.
"What ya think you're looking at?" he slurred.
Buck opened his mouth, more than ready to put the young whippersnapper in his place.
"Buck," Chris snapped. "Don't start."
Buck gritted his teeth and turned back to shuffle angrily through the cards Vin had just dealt him.
The cowboy laughed. "Do what your mamma tells you, boy," he crowed.
Chris turned to stare at the loud-mouthed youth. "Watch yer lip, kid," he threatened and the kid looked away quickly, cowed by the Larabee 'death glare'.
"Now, Chris," Buck admonished, "don't you go starting anything, ya hear?"
Chris turned back to his friends. "Shut up and make your move, Wilmington," he growled and Buck winked across the table at Vin, who was doing his best not to laugh.
Peace reigned for a few minutes until Marie stumbled, burdened by too many jugs of beer, and sent the contents splashing onto the loudest cowboy. He leapt to his feet, screamed a curse, and slapped the hapless girl across the face sending her sprawling. In the blink of an eye, the three peacekeepers were on their feet. Vin swung his mare's leg up and pointed it at the cowboy's table, while Chris threw himself in front of a furious Buck and pushed him so he was forced to step back several paces, cursing all the way.
"Okay, alright. Vin's got this one. Easy," Chris soothed as he continued to back his livid friend away from the action.
It had all happened so fast that none of the other cowboys had moved. Slowed down by drink and trail fatigue, not a single gun had been drawn.
"Okay fella," Vin said, "time to call it a day."
The dripping cowboy looked surprised. "You throwing us out?" he demanded.
"Jest you, mister. That ain't the way we treat women in this town."
The cowboy shook his head. "She's jest a whore," he said.
Only Chris' quick reflexes stopped the cowboy getting trampled. He pushed hard against Buck's chest as the bigger man strained forward. "Back down, Buck," Chris ordered, knowing he couldn't hold the stronger man back for long. Buck shook him off angrily, but stayed where he was.
Vin cocked the gun, letting the cowboy know he meant business. "I said out."
The cowboy looked to the table of men for support, but they didn't seem inclined to come to his assistance. They hadn't had nearly enough whiskey to make them consider taking on the lean lawman and the firearm he wielded so proficiently, not to mention his angry-looking friends. Besides, the loud-mouthed cowboy was not somebody they felt any obligation to. Seeing he was being left to fend for himself, the cowboy muttered a curse and stormed out of the saloon, vowing vengeance.
When he was safely out of range, Chris let go of Buck and the bigger man immediately went to Marie's side, talking to her softly, reassuring her that she would be all right.
Vin turned to the cowboys left at the table.
"You gonna give us any trouble fellas? 'Cos if you do you'll be out on yer ass just like your friend."
The kid who had tried to face Larabee down earlier spoke up. "He ain't our friend, mister. We just met up with him a piece down the road before we rode into town. All we want is a quiet drink."
"Keep yer noses clean and you'll be fine, "Chris growled. "Step outta line and you'll be sorry."
The cowboys nodded and returned, quietly, to their drinks.
When Marie was calmer and Buck was sure she felt safe, he re-joined his friends.
"You should have let me have him," he scowled.
Chris snorted. "You would just have beaten the shit out of him, then I'd have had to throw your sorry ass in jail," he said.
"You didn't think it was so sorry when you were fucking it this morning," Buck muttered, and Vin spewed a mouthful of whiskey across the table.
"Now look what you've made me do," Vin groused.
"Well, that answers one question," Buck said, a smile beginning to tug at the corner of his mouth.
"Huh!" The tracker looked confused, although Chris could see where this was going and rolled his eyes.
"Now we know whether Vin spits or swallows," Buck grinned.
"Aw, Christ," Vin blushed furiously. "You got some mouth on you, Wilmington."
Buck caught Chris' eye and quirked an eyebrow. "I'll drink to that," Chris said softly, raising his glass and smiling at his oldest friend.
Vin groaned, "Not you too, Larabee. I think I prefer it when you two are at each other's throats," he held up his hand, "and don't be turning that into anything dirty," he said.
The three men had returned to their card game when the saloon doors suddenly swung open and the drunken cowboy returned, pistol drawn. This time Chris was not quick enough to hold Buck back, nor did he feel particularly inclined to do so. The cowboy was obviously too thick-skulled to take a hint. Chris thought maybe Buck would be able to teach him a thing or two and now that he was sure that the table of ranchers was not going to get involved, he felt safe in letting Buck have free rein.
Buck was so fast that the cowboy, who was not very coordinated at the best of times, immediately found himself knocked on his ass, his gun kicked clear of his hand. Buck bent over the man and yanked him to his feet. He delivered a few sharp slaps, together with a lecture on the proper way to treat a lady, and turned the cowboy round, giving him a swift kick out of the saloon door and into the street outside.
"If I see your ugly face in this place again I'll do more than kick yer scrawny ass," Buck shouted and turned to rejoin his friends.
They all heard the cowboy scream, "I'm gonna kill you, you bastard!"
Buck grinned, feeling much better now that he had taken care of the problem himself. Chris glanced up from his poker hand and said mildly, "When you've finished, Bucklin, maybe we can get on with the game?"
Buck sat down, picked up his cards and grimaced. Vin smiled at the man's complete lack of poker face. "Not worried about yer latest death threat?" he asked.
Buck only snorted. "If I had a dollar for every drunk who threatened to kill me..." he began.
Chris cut in, "I only wish I had a dollar for every husband who threatened to kill you."
"I'm hurt!" Buck protested. "That was the old me, darlin'. I'm a reformed character."
Chris laughed. "You were fucking Lucy just two nights ago," he said.
Buck shook his head. "Lucy is a working gal, Chris. I was just helping her earn a living," he explained.
"Saint Bucklin," Vin murmured, and the three burst into laughter.
A half hour later Chris and Buck decided that they would take advantage of the absence of prying eyes and return to Buck's room for the rest of the afternoon. They had just exited the saloon when, out of the corner of his eye, Chris caught the flash of metal in the sunlight. Without thinking he shoved Buck hard and the man toppled over, just missing being creased by a bullet fired from the livery across the street. The peacekeepers heard the thunder of hooves and caught a glimpse of a male rider tearing out of town. Buck climbed slowly to his feet as Vin ran out of the saloon.
"Fucking cowboy," Buck muttered, dusting himself off.
Vin glanced at Chris and saw how shaken he looked. "You think that's the end of it?" he asked.
Chris shook his head. "I ain't taking any chances," he said.
"Aw, Chris. Don't fuss," Buck pleaded. "He'll sleep it off and we'll never see him again. Don't go getting all mother-hen on me."
"Mother-hen my ass," Chris growled. "We need to figger this out. No. Don't argue. It won't do you no good," he said firmly and turned away, missing the way Buck rolled his eyes heavenwards.
"Vin, round up the others. Meet us here in a couple of hours."
Buck perked up for a moment. "We got a couple of hours? Let's go, boy." He started towards the boarding house and stopped when he realized that Chris wasn't following him.
"Not so fast, Romeo," Chris said. "You and me are gonna go through flyers at the jail. This cowboy might have a record."
"What!" Buck exploded. "That's just a waste of good fucking time," he groused. Vin laughed as Chris ignored his friend and set out purposefully towards the jail.
"Never mind, Buck," Vin teased, "I'm sure you can have just as much fun looking at flyers."
Buck suddenly grinned and slapped his friend on the back. "You're right, pard," he said. "I've fucked him plenty of times in the jail house. I'll have him face down over the desk before you can count to twenty!" And breaking into a trot, he swiftly followed his lover into the jail.
Several hours later all of the Four Corners peacekeepers had gathered in the saloon. Buck and Chris were the last to join them. Buck's face betrayed incredulous frustration and Vin smiled to himself. Obviously the man had underestimated Chris when he was in his "mother-hen" mood and had not been able to turn his attention away from finding out who threatened his oldest friend.
"Okay. I guess Vin filled you all in on what happened here this afternoon," Chris began. The group of men nodded their assent.
"We gotta expect that this cowboy, or whatever he is, will come back looking for Buck."
"He was just a drunk," Buck groused. "We ain't gonna see so much as a hair on his head around here again."
"No harm being prepared," Chris said, dismissing his friend's bad temper. "Now. I'm gonna take Buck out to the ranch with me for a couple of days. JD, you wire the other sheriffs nearby in case they know who we're dealing with... "
"Nope," Buck interrupted.
Chris glanced at him. "No, what? You don't think he might have pulled something like this somewhere else?"
"No. I ain't going to the ranch," Buck clarified.
Chris waved him off impatiently. "You are going and that's final. It's the safest place for you."
"Ain't going," Buck stated flatly.
The other peacekeepers cringed as Chris tensed and began to flush with anger. Obviously trying to keep control over his voice and his temper he said, "Buck, there's no telling what this cowhand might be capable of. Now the best thing for everybody is if you lay low for a couple of days."
Buck turned a hard look on his oldest friend, not quite as devastating as the Larabee death-glare, but effective just the same. "I told you, Chris. I. Ain't. Going. If he's dangerous I need to be here to keep an eye on Marie and the rest of the gals."
Chris slammed a fist onto the saloon table, almost sending JD's glass flying.
"Goddamnit, Buck." He pushed his chair back, toppling it in the process, and stormed out of the saloon.
Ezra quirked an eyebrow at Buck, who considered for a moment and said, "Three and a half minutes. Five dollars."
"Done," Ezra replied and looked around the table to Josiah.
"I'm in."
"Nathan?"
"Count me in."
"JD?"
"I'll take that bet."
"Vin?"
"Nope," he winked at Buck. If nothing else, Ezra had taught him to never bet against the house.
Josiah chuckled while they waited. Nobody on earth knew how to infuriate Chris the way Buck did. The two were like an old married couple.
Suddenly the batwing doors swung open and Chris marched in saying, "Okay. Not the ranch."
"Hot damn," Ezra breathed, looking at his pocket watch in amazement.
Buck shrugged and smiled, mouthing "Five dollars," to the surprised men around the table, then turned an angelic face towards Chris.
"So. You'll stay here, but I want one of us to be with you at all times, ya hear?" Buck nodded his agreement.
Vin, who wasn't above yanking on Larabee's chain when the opportunity presented itself, said, "How 'bout at night, Chris? You think he needs to be watched then?"
Buck hid a smile when Chris answered, "I'll take the night shift."
"I could do it, Chris. Buck's room is just across from mine," JD piped up.
"I said I got it covered, JD," Chris growled, noting the smirk on Vin's face with irritation.
"Tanner, you can help JD patrol tonight. Come report to me when you finished," he snapped.
Vin saluted. "You got it, boss," he said. "Reckon I'll find you in Buck's room?"
Chris looked hard, but all he saw was an innocent expression on Vin's face.
"That's kinda the point of looking out for him, ain't it?" he challenged.
Vin grinned. "If you say so. See you there, pard."
Later that night Buck woke to the sound of somebody knocking softly at the door. Chris was snuggled up warmly against his back, an arm tight around his waist. Moving the arm gently so as not to wake him, Buck climbed out of bed, cursing under his breath when his feet touched the icy cold floor. Grabbing one of the thin blankets off the bed, he draped it around himself and opened the door a crack. Vin was standing in the doorway and Buck opened the door further and let him in. As he closed the door, Chris bolted upright looking sleep-tousled and a little confused, but quickly adjusting to the interruption.
Vin helped himself to the only chair in the room, and to a bottle of whiskey on the table. While he took a mouthful, Buck hopped from foot to foot, trying to keep warm in the freezing cold room.
Chris pulled back the blankets. "Get your ass back in here before ya freeze to death," he ordered. Buck hesitated, glancing over to Vin.
"Don't mind me, Bucklin," he said, grinning at the man's unexpected and endearing modesty. Buck jumped into bed and burrowed happily back into the warmth while Chris tucked the blankets tightly around him. Buck rolled onto his side, propping himself up on his elbow. Chris assumed the same position, holding himself a little higher so he could see over the top of the other man's body.
"Quiet as the grave out there," Vin reported. "Not a sign of the cowboy. I think we're safe tonight." He quirked an eyebrow, "You can probably go back to your own bed, Chris."
Buck laughed and reached back to pull Chris closer. "He ain't going nowhere tonight. It's the one advantage of having somebody trying to kill me."
Vin noticed how the words made Chris wince. He passed the bottle of whiskey to his friend, who looked as though he needed a drink.
As they talked and drank, Vin became aware that Chris had begun stroking a hand through Buck's dark hair and that the bigger man was unconsciously pushing back into the caress. Vin realized that the two were not even aware of how often they sought each other out with a touch or a look. Since learning that they were lovers, Vin had begun to notice the interaction between them - an arm draped casually across the back of the other's chair, the light that sparked in their eyes when they saw each other, the way they often disappeared together in the middle of the day, turning up an hour later with matching shit-eating grins plastered on their faces. They seemed to need constant assurance of the other's presence.
Eventually, when they had finished talking through strategy and plans, Vin rose to his feet, stretched and yawned.
"You can bunk on the floor if you want. I'll find you a blanket," Buck offered.
Vin shook his head. "Don't want to listen to you two fucking all night long," he drawled.
Buck laughed. "We wouldn't be at it all night, Vin," he said. "Chris is getting too old. He can't keep it up that long."
Chris slapped him on the ass. "Any more disrespect from you, boy, and you won't be getting fucked at all," he growled.
Vin smiled down at the two of them, tangled together on the bed. "I'll see you tomorrow," he said. "Don't wear yourselves out, ya hear." Saluting he turned and left them to it, closing the door quietly on his way out.
Buck rolled on top of his oldest friend. "Now then," he whispered, "what were you saying about fucking?"
Several days passed and Buck began to become increasingly irritated at being shadowed wherever he went. He complained not at all about Chris spending every night in his room, but he protested vigorously when the other men insisted on accompanying him all day, every day, everywhere. The peacekeepers were not surprised when Buck's irritation finally spilled over.
Buck stormed into the saloon one afternoon, JD in tow, and slammed his fist on the table in front of Chris.
"Enough," he exploded. "I won't stand for this a minute longer. I can't even take a piss without somebody along to hold my hand. Call 'em off, Chris. Now!"
Chris regarded him coolly. "We don't know if the danger's over yet..." he began.
"I don't care," Buck shouted. "I'd rather that cowboy put a bullet in my head than keep on living like this."
Chris' mouth set into a thin, determined line and Josiah, who was propping up the bar at the other end of the saloon, could see that trouble was brewing between these two. He walked over to their table and sat beside JD, who was trying to make himself as small as possible in the face of Chris' growing anger.
"Chris we've been out looking for days now," Josiah said. "We've scoured for miles around and no sign of any danger. I think we can afford to back off a little."
Buck looked at Josiah with gratitude. Seeing that his words were having an effect on Chris, he changed his own tone.
"Please, Chris," he pleaded softly. "I need a little breathing room."
Chris deliberated for a moment. "JD, any word from the other sheriffs around here?"
"Nobody knows anything about the cowboy, Chris," he replied. "I think he's just a drifter."
"It wouldn't make any sense for him to come back here," Josiah continued. "He probably just kept moving."
Buck held his breath while Chris considered what he'd been told. Chris glanced at his friend, seeing the naked hope on his face. He had been so happy to spend night after night in this man's bed, making love whenever they wanted, remaining tangled closely together instead of creeping out as soon as they were finished, waking in the morning in the other man's arms. But he knew that Buck was being overwhelmed and needed space. So he nodded, and felt a tangled surge of emotion at the look of absolute happiness that crossed Buck's face.
"Okay. We'll give it one more night," he said, gratified to see that Buck's face creased into a pleased grin at the prospect of a final night together. "Tomorrow we'll call off the armed guard," he managed to smile.
Buck let out a whoop of joy and slapped him on the back. "Thanks, pard."
That evening the two of them left the saloon early. They had sat closely together, Chris' leg bumping up against Buck's, his hand occasionally brushing against the other man's body. Buck felt his nerves sing every time Chris touched him and was anxious to get him someplace a little more private. With a glance at each other, they both rose and wished their friends goodnight.
Stepping out of the saloon, they began to walk towards the boarding house. Despite the fact that it was dark and there was nobody about, Buck was still surprised when Chris slid an arm around his waist as they walked. Chris was not a man given to taking chances, and was rarely overtly physical in public. They pulled apart before entering the boarding house.
They reached Buck's room and Chris felt a tug of regret that this would be the last time he could safely spend the whole night in town with his lover without arousing the suspicion of most of their friends. The townsfolk had been made aware of Buck's predicament and knew his friends had thrown a 24 hour protective ring around him, so they too accepted Chris' presence in Buck's room as a necessity. Buck turned and smiled at him and he felt a much deeper tug - through his heart, deep down in his body, stirring longing and love. He reached for his friend and slid his arms around the other man's waist, laying his head on Buck's chest, relishing the feel of the powerful arms that wrapped around him. They clung tightly together for several minutes until Buck whispered, "Hey?" Chris raised his head.
"You okay, pard?" Buck asked.
"Mmm. Just gonna miss this," Chris replied softly.
"Me too," Buck whispered, and cupped the other man's face gently between his hands. He leaned down and Chris tipped his head back slightly until their lips met. They shared a long, unhurried kiss, slowing only when they were both breathless.
Buck guided them to the bed. He sat on the edge and pulled Chris towards him, but the other man changed the intent and slid to his knees between Buck's open legs. He laid his cheek against Buck's thigh and circled his waist with his arms. Buck stroked his lover's cheek and tangled a hand in his hair. He relished the times when Chris was in this loving, tender mood. It happened occasionally when they were able to spend a few days at the ranch together and Chris could relax and let go the tensions of leadership. But usually their couplings were so quick and furtive, and they were both so hard and needy, that swift release was all they could hope for. Sometimes Buck thought that the reason he and Chris continually needed to reassure each other with a look or a gesture or a touch was that they had so little time to spend on those things while actually fucking each other.
Chris pressed a kiss to the inside of Buck's thigh and raised himself up on his knees. He began to unbutton his friend's shirt and pushed it back off his shoulders, trapping the man's arms by his sides. Buck smiled as Chris stroked hands gently over his chest and feathered kisses over his exposed flesh. He let his head fall back to give his lover greater access to his neck, and Chris took advantage, leaning up to trail a wet tongue up and down until Buck shivered. Buck freed his arms from the shirt and reached out to his lover, but Chris stilled him.
"Let me touch you," Buck breathed.
Chris shook his head. "Want this to be just for you," he whispered. "Put your hands behind your back."
Buck's breath hitched, but he complied. Chris grasped Buck's hips and pulled him up sharply so that he balanced on the edge of the bed, his hardened groin rubbing against Chris' chest. He leaned in to suck hard on Buck's nipples making the man whimper and squirm. Chris reached up to trace his partner's face, as if mapping the area, and he pulled the man's head gently and brought their mouths together in a series of kisses that left Buck moaning.
Buck had to fight to keep his hands restrained. Chris knew him so well, knew that given free rein he would take control of this encounter. And it was obvious that Chris wanted to use his considerable skills to pleasure his partner first. So Buck submitted to his lover's wishes, allowing Chris complete mastery over him.
Chris rocked back onto his heels and pulled off Buck's boots and his socks, then undressed him completely. Buck was hard and aching but he remained still while Chris touched him gently with hands and mouth, teasing out shivers and moans. When he finally bent his head and sucked his lover completely into his mouth, Buck all but surged off the bed, only held in place by Chris' hands pushing down on his hips. Chris began to suck strongly until he felt Buck tense, then he pulled off the other man, smiling at the way Buck struggled to keep his hands in place.
Chris stood and pulled off his own clothing, taking a minute to stroke up his own hard shaft. Buck licked his lips and raised his eyes. Chris smiled and took a step forward, guiding Buck gently, he pushed his cock slowly into the other man's open mouth. Buck suckled on him for a moment, just enough to bring Chris to full hardness, then Chris pulled out and Buck moaned at the loss.
Chris helped Buck scoot up the bed until his back was firmly supported against the wall, then straddled his lover. Without saying a word Chris grabbed Buck's hand and began to suck on two of his fingers. Buck's eyes widened when he realized what his partner was planning, and his breathing became shallow when Chris raised himself slightly and guided Buck's wetted fingers to the opening of his own body. Buck worked his fingers in, carefully stretching his friend's body while Chris grabbed his head and began to kiss him fiercely, pushing his tongue down the other man's throat. When he was ready, Chris reached down and positioned himself, then gently lowered his body until he could feel Buck's cock buried deeply inside him. Pausing for a moment to savor the feeling, he soon began to rise and fall, his mouth glued to his lover's, sucking gently on the man's tongue, moaning as the cock filled him over and again.
Threading his fingers through Buck's he raised the other man's arms and held them in place above his head. Still rocking up and down the shaft, he bent his head, forcing Buck to raise his own in order to continue their kiss. Chris became lost in the feel of the man beneath him, in the stretch of his own body, in the feeling of being filled and completed. He dropped a hand to Buck's face, combing back sweat-matted hair, holding the other man in place with just one hand.
Buck whimpered, "Please, Chris..." and Chris stopped, the muscles in his thighs trembling as he held himself up, the head of Buck's cock just nestled within his body. Buck's head thrashed slowly from side to side and his body began to quiver with the force of holding himself back, waiting for Chris to let him to finish. Chris shifted very slightly and Buck's body went rigid with effort. He looked at Chris with absolute pleading in his eyes and breathed "please..." once more. Leaning in, still imprisoning Buck's arms above his head, Chris plundered the man's mouth. Suddenly letting go of Buck's hands he whispered into his ear, "Fuck me." Buck shuddered and in one swift movement he had swung Chris around and slammed him onto the bed. Pushing his knees back, opening him wide, Buck began to thrust deeply into his lover's body, making Chris arch off the bed and groan.
Orgasm ripped through him and he collapsed on top of Chris, shuddering deeply. Chris gathered him into a tight embrace, rubbing his back as his ragged breath slowed and evened out. Buck clung to him, his face nuzzling into Chris' chest and neck.
"Alright, love?" Chris murmured.
Buck nodded, then rolled off Chris and onto his side, snuggling tightly up against the other man. Chris' hand reached down almost absently and he began to stroke his own rock hard shaft. Buck reached out and grabbed his wrist, stopping him and he groaned in frustration and turned beseeching eyes on his friend.
"What do you want, love?" Buck murmured, his hand lightly skimming up and down the man's erection, fingers gently circling the head.
"Suck me," Chris breathed and Buck leaned in to place a kiss on the tip of his pulsing cock. He knelt between Chris' legs and maneuvered him until his legs were bent and his feet placed on the mattress. Pushing Chris' knees apart, Buck reached both hands under his lover's body and cupped his ass. Bending his head, he sucked the shaft into his mouth and squeezed Chris tightly.
Chris moaned and reached down to tangle both hands in Buck's thick, dark hair. While he pushed Buck's head down onto him, his hips lifted again and again to thrust his cock deeply down the other man's throat. Soon his legs were trembling with the repeated thrusts and when Buck gave his ass a particularly hard squeeze, he barely managed to muffle a scream and climaxed violently, holding Buck's head steady while he pushed himself deeper and deeper into the man's mouth.
Finally his legs gave way and he dropped back onto the bed, pulling Buck up to lie beside him. Buck covered them both with a blanket and lay on his stomach, propped up on his elbow, and stroking a hand across his lover's chest.
"Alright, love?" he murmured in turn. And Chris smiled at him.
"Better 'n alright. C'mere." He pulled Buck towards him and kissed him gently. "Wish we could do this every night," Chris said softly.
Buck chuckled. "We'd never be able to keep up the pace."
Chris smiled. "Not the sex. This. Being together, knowing you'll be here when I wake up."
Buck reached out to cup the other man's face. "Won't be the last night we spend together, Chris. We'll take a ride out to the ranch in a week or two. Maybe stay away for a couple of days."
Chris nodded. He turned his face and pressed a kiss into Buck's palm. "You know I love you?" he asked, and it was a real question.
"Course I do," Buck assured.
"Good." Chris reached up and settled the other man's head on his shoulder.
"Love you too," Buck mumbled, already half way to sleep, and Chris hugged him tighter, never having doubted it because Buck showed him every day, in a hundred different ways.
Things seemed to settle back into a normal routine and Chris began to relax. It appeared that the others were right, the cowboy had just been a drifter, emboldened by too much whiskey. Buck was happy without his daily escort, although Chris caught his wistful look when he said goodnight at the end of each day and went to spend a lonely night by himself in his room. Chris determined that as soon as decently possible, he would gather up his lover and they would spend a few days together at the ranch.
Chris had almost put the cowboy incident out of his mind when one afternoon his quiet drink in the saloon was interrupted by a woman's shrill scream. Vin stepped over to the saloon doors to take a look outside.
"Chris, it's Buck," Vin hollered. Chris jumped to his feet and strode to the batwing doors. His stomach clenched when he saw the scene outside. The drunken cowboy had returned and Buck was staring down the barrel of his gun, pushing a terrified Marie behind him. JD, pistols drawn, was aiming at the cowboy. It looked like a real stalemate.
Exiting the saloon slowly so the cowboy wouldn't get twitchy, Chris and Vin stepped up to the scene,
"Easy, mister," Buck was saying. "We can settle this without no trouble."
"No whore's gonna make a fool out of me," the cowboy slurred, obviously having swallowed a few glasses of whiskey to help him find his courage. Marie trembled and cried, and Buck carefully handed her off to Josiah, keeping his eyes glued on the cowboy.
By now the street was full of onlookers, including all of the Four Corners peacekeepers. Chris glanced at each of them, ensuring they were ready to follow his lead then stepped up slowly.
"This here's a lawman, son. You took a shot at him a couple of days ago. Now don't go making more trouble for yourself. Put up yer gun and things can still go easy for you."
The cowboy laughed unsteadily. "It ain't right him beating on me over a whore," he said.
Chris saw Buck tense.
"You're outnumbered seven to one," Chris continued. "You ain't got any chance to get away."
"Might not get away," the cowboy drawled. "But I'll take yer friend here with me."
Vin glanced at Chris and saw a muscle twitch in his jaw, the only indication of how the words cut into him. Buck was in front of the cowboy's gun, at that range even the drunkest man could get off a killing shot.
"Drop yer pistol and we'll only charge you with drunk and disorderly," Chris said. "A couple days in a jail cell and you'll be on yer way."
The cowboy thought it over for a minute, and as he hesitated his gun wavered and Buck took a chance. Moving quickly, he kicked down viciously at the cowboy's legs and knocked the gun clear out of his hands, but not before it discharged a shot.
Four Corners erupted at the sound. Townspeople screamed and dived for cover, and the peacekeepers drew as one and in a moment six pistols were pointed at the cowboy, who was rolling around on the ground clutching at his leg.
Chris grabbed for Buck and pulled him clear, noting blood begin to darken his shirtsleeve.
"Nathan," he shouted and his friend swiftly holstered his weapon and leapt forward. While Josiah and Ezra took charge of the drunk, manhandling him none-too-gently towards the jailhouse, Nathan sat Buck down on the step leading to the boardwalk and tore away his sleeve. He sighed in relief when he saw that the bullet had only nicked Buck's arm.
"It's okay. He's all right. Don't crowd him," Nathan instructed, and began to wipe blood away.
"Where's Marie?" Buck asked.
"She ran off. She's fine," Chris said. "What the hell happened?"
JD opened his mouth to speak but Buck interrupted him. "Cowboy got the drop on me, that's all," he said, but he wouldn't meet Chris' eye. Vin knew he was lying, and unfortunately Chris knew it too.
JD didn't catch the undercurrents swirling around the two men. He thought what his friend had done was one of the bravest things he had ever seen and couldn't understand why he wasn't taking any credit for it. Buck was probably too modest to blow his own horn. Well, that's what friends were for.
"That weren't the way of it at all, Chris," JD began, missing the way both Buck and Vin winced. "The cowboy was bothering Marie again and Buck just walked right up to him and stood in front of his gun. Didn't say a word, just stood there."
"Without drawing your weapon?" Chris asked Buck, his tone almost friendly. Which is how Buck knew for certain he was in deep shit.
"Didn't have time..." he tried to explain, but Chris wasn't listening.
"Of all the stupid, asinine, thoughtless, sorry-ass fools...." Chris exploded.
"Jeez, Larabee," Vin drawled, "Why don't you tell him what you really think?"
"Stay outta this Tanner," Chris growled, and Vin threw up his hands and retreated. JD looked from Buck to Chris, having no idea what was going on, but realizing he had messed up somehow.
"JD," Chris barked, and the young man jumped. "Did he have time to draw his pistol - and don't look at him for answers," he snapped when the young sheriff cast his eyes to Buck for help.
Buck shook Nathan off and stood up. "Lay off the kid, Chris," Buck said. "I saw the cowboy causing trouble. I didn't have time to find anybody to back me up. I came to help Marie. End of story." Buck gave Chris a hard stare. "It's over, Chris. Let it go." There was no mistaking the command in Buck's voice.
For a moment it looked as if Chris would explode with anger. Instead he spun around and stormed off without another word. Buck watched him go, a look of resignation on his face.
"What now?" Vin asked.
"He'll choke on it for a couple of hours. Then he'll either decide he's so pissed that he won't talk to me for a couple of days - in which case he'll go to the ranch. Or he'll figure out there's nothing he can do about it, in which case I'll see him later tonight when he's cooled off." Buck grinned at JD and Vin, "Either way, I ain't wasting good drinking time waiting for him."
Nathan shook his head. "You should be taking it easy, Buck. You need to let me take care of that arm in case it gets infected."
"You know what, Nathan? I already have one mother-hen too many in my life. Don't need no others. Best you can do for me is to buy me a drink." And with that he ambled off towards the saloon.
Chris was livid. He had ridden out of town and was now pacing backwards and forwards about two miles outside Four Corners trying to decide if he should strangle Buck and put them both out of their misery. The stupid bastard had almost gotten himself killed not once but twice with barely enough time to catch a breath between each incident. What's more he had actually sought out death the second time, put himself in front of a gun to save a no account, goddamned whore...
Chris pulled himself up short as that word echoed in his head. He took a calming breath. Chris knew Buck would have been hurt deeply if he'd heard Chris' thoughts. Women meant the world to him, working gals most of all. Chris knew that. Surely part of the reason he loved this man so fiercely was his willingness to do what was right, to protect those weaker than him, to put others ahead of himself. Hadn't Buck done the same thing for Chris too many times to remember? Putting Chris' needs first when Sarah came along, stepping aside because he thought it was the right thing to do. Buck was an irritating, stubborn, pain-in-the-ass fool sometimes. But he was also kind, generous, loving. Chris knew he couldn't have one side without the other. And weighing everything up, he reckoned he could afford a gray hair or two if it meant having Buck in his life. Hoping that Buck wouldn't make him grovel too much when he apologized, he re-mounted his horse and went in search of his lover
Chris stepped into the saloon, knowing that at this hour it was where he would find Buck. He was there all right, sitting at a table in back, one of the saloon gals draped across his knee, her mouth glued to his. Chris felt a surge of irritation to see it was Lucy. A little older than the other gals and tough as nails, she had tried to stake her claim on Buck when they had first arrived at Four Corners. Chris had allowed her to make her play knowing Buck would turn her down - gently and kindly as only he could. Lucy, however, was not inclined to take no for an answer and every chance she got she tangled herself in Buck's life, in his arms and in his bed, hoping that the man would change his mind. Chris stalked over to the table, pulled out a chair and sat down. Buck and Lucy pulled apart, and Chris glared at the woman, ignoring Buck for the moment.
"Move along, Lucy," he ordered.
Lucy huffed, but seeing the look in Larabee's eyes she stood up.
"Will I see you later tonight, darlin'?" she asked Buck. Buck was about to reply when Chris cut him off.
"No you won't," he growled, eyes flashing, daring her to challenge him.
Lucy knew better than to argue. Unlike most of their closest friends, the working gals of Four Corners understood the relationship between these two men. Reading the signs with which their profession made them familiar, they had figured out almost immediately that although Buck enjoyed their company more than any man they had known, he didn't belong to them. He had been claimed long ago. Although Larabee had no use himself for the working gals' services, he indulged his friend's passion for them, allowing him to stray when he needed to. But though Buck's leash was long, it only took a single twitch to bring him back to Larabee's bed when the man wanted him there. Lucy let a knowing smile spread across her face, understanding full well how it would irritate Larabee.
"He's all yours sweetheart," she purred. "But you wanna start treating him better. He might not come back to you next time." And with that she turned on her heel and flounced off.
"Bitch," Chris thought. But he didn't give voice to the word, knowing Buck would be hurt.
The two sat in silence for a moment. Buck drank happily while Chris fidgeted.
"I'm sorry," Chris finally blurted.
Buck quirked an eyebrow but didn't say anything. Chris sighed. "I shouldn't have shouted at you," he continued. Still no reaction from Buck. Chris started to get worried. "Look, I said I was sorry..."
Buck cut in, "Yeah, well sometimes saying the words ain't enough."
Chris looked up, startled. Surely there was no way Buck wouldn't forgive him?
Buck leaned in close and whispered, "Tell you what, you be in my room in ten minutes and we'll make it a proper apology. I'm thinking you on your knees and I wanna hear you say you're sorry when you have your mouth full of my cock."
Chris tensed and groaned. "Wilmington, you goddamned bastard," he hissed.
Buck grinned. "Now that don't sound like a man who's feeling conciliatory at all," he admonished.
"You been cozying up to Ezra too long," Chris growled. "You've just given me a hard-on. I can't walk through the saloon like this."
Buck stood up and stretched, and Chris looked up the long, muscled body and felt another jolt of lust. "Well, son, that's a pity," Buck said. "Cos if you're not in my room in ten minutes, I'll find somebody else to help me out."
Buck stepped behind Chris, then leaned over his back and up close to his ear and breathed, "Be a shame if you don't make it, darlin'. I've got a real hankering to be fucked tonight. So hard they'll hear my shouts in the next town." He noted the way the words made his friend even harder, and chuckled as he left.
Buck was in his room at the boarding house hoping like hell that Chris would make it in time and he wouldn't have to call his bluff. He was hard and aching and what he had told Chris was true, he really wanted the man to fuck him tonight. Something about the way Chris was prepared to choke down his pride and admit when he was wrong made Buck hot to surrender himself to his lover.
He looked out of his window and caught sight of Chris pushing his way out of the saloon, a copy of what looked like The Clarion held discreetly over his privates. Buck roared with laughter, howling louder when he saw Mary Travis approach the man and engage him in conversation. Whatever Chris told her, he managed to shake her off in quick time, and with a minute to spare on his deadline, he banged through the door of Buck's room. Buck was still laughing when Chris tossed the newspaper aside, swearing a blue streak, his erection as hard and obvious as Buck's own.
"Don't think that's the purpose Mrs. Travis intended for her newspaper, pard," Buck laughed.
Chris, bent over trying to catch his breath, gave him a rude hand gesture.
Buck prowled over and slid his arms around Chris' waist, pressing against the hardness in the man's groin.
"Made it just in time, Larabee, he murmured. "Another minute and I'd have had Lucy up to keep me company."
"Don't think she can fuck you as good as I can," Chris smiled. "Speaking of which..." he started to undo Buck's belt.
Buck nuzzled into his lover's neck then leaned in to whisper into the other man's ear. "Not so fast." Chris drew back a little and quirked a eyebrow in question. "I think you owe me a proper apology first," Buck winked. "On yer knees now, darlin."
Later in bed, Chris rolled onto his stomach.
"Now, don't go getting all pissy with me, but can I ask you a favor?"
Having been expertly sucked and fucked, Buck was feeling somewhat conciliatory himself.
"Sure, pard. What?" he asked.
"Next time you face down a drunken cowboy who wants to kill you can you at least draw your goddamned weapon?"
Buck reached up and tumbled the other man down into his arms. "Tell you what, darlin', give me twenty minutes to recover, then you can ask me that favor properly. I'm thinking on your knees, my cock half way down your throat...."
"Jesus fucking Christ," Chris sighed, and Buck laughed to feel the other man's cock begin to harden all over again.
The End
*Author is deceased