Buck plopped his butt down on the edge of Vin's desk, interrupting the sharpshooter yet again that afternoon."Come on, it'll be fun, junior. Ya need to get out. Ya haven't done more than grab a drink and then head home since the accident." Buck had been referring to the car accident. The accident that had led to Vin's colleagues — his closest friends — discovering he was gay.
It had been strange at first. He knew they knew, Chris had told him as much, said they'd also chased off Zack, which was so like them, looking out for their friend even if they didn't condone his behavior. Still, they were all straight, so as much as they thought they knew about his life — his lifestyle — they all really had very little clue.
Once he'd stopped taking the pain medications, Vin had resumed drinking a beer after work every Friday night with his Team Seven co-workers, but he didn't drink any more than that and he'd often leave early, while he was still sober. The boys hadn't been oblivious to the change in his behavior. But their assumption that he headed home after leaving them was usually wrong.
Rarely did the gay club scene get going much before eleven o'clock, especially on a Friday night. And that was exactly where Vin wanted to be. He'd had enough of relationships that never worked out, with guys who led him on, but, in the end, didn't give a flying fuck about him, and he'd had enough of being alone in his apartment, and alone among his straight friends.
So, he hit the clubs. He danced. He drank. Hell, he even did a few hits of amyl nitrate when he had a reason to trust the guy offering it to him. And he got fucked, until he was so sore he couldn't sit down, until the pain and the pleasure and the immediacy of it all pushed everything else from his mind.
But, at least Buck cared, even if he didn't understand, had never thought to take the time to understand, what it really meant for Vin to be gay. And that was the very reason he was reluctant to go.
"They're having Skirt Night. And you boys know how much I luuvv Skirt Night!" Buck laughed, slapping his knee as a huge grin lit his face.
"Skirt Night? Don't ya mean Ladies Night?" JD asked, innocent that he was.
"Skirt Night is the politically correct term, son," Ezra explained. "It's considered discrimination to lure customers into an establishment based solely on their gender. Hence, Skirt Night, where anyone wearing a skirt—"
"But what guy would be caught dead wearing a skirt?" Buck interrupted, still laughing.
"Yes, well, anyone wearing a skirt will be sold a libation for half price," Ezra continued, only to be corrected by Buck.
"Actually, they're giving out drinks for a dollar — I reckon 'cuz they just opened. Certainly good advertising, if ya ask me. So, what'da ya fellas say?"
"Guess I'm in," JD shrugged.
Ezra leaned back in his chair, and Vin noticed a troubling smile sneaking across the southerner's lips. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Nathan, Josiah, what about you fellas?"
Josiah shook his head. "Sorry, boys, but I have other plans."
"Me, too," Nathan chimed in from behind his desk. "Rain's parents just flew in for the weekend...."
"And I don't reckon they'd appreciate you blowing them off to go drinking with your buddies," Chris finished for the forensics expert as he stepped from his office.
"But you're going, aren't ya, Chris?" Buck asked.
The team leader shook his head. "Nope. You boys have a good time without me. Just don't start any bar fights, because I'm not going to be in the mood to haul your butts outta jail at four in the morning."
Vin's heart sank. At least if Chris had been there, he'd have had someone to talk to, someone who wouldn't be trolling the crowd for some woman to snuggle up to for the evening.
"I'm out, too," Vin finally said.
But Buck wouldn't let it go that easily. "Don't make me hog-tie ya, boy. You're coming tonight, or my name's not Buck Wilmington."
Finally, Vin had given in. He now found himself behind the wheel of his Jeep, with Buck in the passenger seat and Ezra and JD on the backbench. While the arrangement made the most sense — Buck being the one with the directions — it hadn't pleased Ezra very much knowing he'd inevitably be wrinkling his suit. But, it certainly wasn't Vin's fault that he was the only one with enough room in his car to hold all four of them, nor was it his fault that Buck refused to let him out of his sight until he saw him having a good time for once.
"Turn here, then find a place to park," Buck suggested and Vin got an uneasy feeling in his gut. He knew this part of town, knew it very well, too well.
"Where'd ya hear about this place, Buck," Vin finally asked, curiosity as well as trepidation beginning to overwhelm him.
"Overheard two guys at Starbuck's talkin' about it. They sure made it sound like it's the place to be."
"Ya sure ya don't wanna just head over to the Saloon?" Vin finally asked, not seeing any parking spaces as he drove past pedestrians which should have caught Buck's attention, but for some reason didn't.
"I think we ought to indulge Mr. Wilmington, just this once. He seems to have his heart set on perusing this new establishment and I see no reason to disappoint him," Ezra came to Buck's defense. Vin shot a look over his shoulder, not liking the odd tone he caught in Ezra's voice, but the man's serene face belied nothing.
"There's a spot," JD yelled, pointing between the front bucket seats. Vin pulled the Jeep aside, then easily backed the vehicle into the small space beside the curb. JD hopped over the side roll bar to the street, but Ezra waited until Buck pulled the passenger seat forward, allowing him barely enough room to squeeze out.
"Good eyes, JD. And the place is right here," Buck pointed down the street just two doors. It was still a bit on the early side, so, despite it being Skirt Night, no line was yet forming outside the club. Once inside, they all headed straight to the bar where Buck ordered four beers. Then they found a table against the wall.
Vin and Ezra sat down, but Buck only placed his beer on the table before saying, "I see an attractive skirt all ready. Vin, don't even think about not having a good time while I'm gone." And with that the tall, lanky man was weaving his way through the slowly gathering crowd.
Vin took a gulp of his beer. He would have preferred something stronger. He just had a real bad feeling about how this night would end as he looked around the place.
Ezra was leaning back in his chair, appearing far more relaxed than Vin felt, but JD was still standing, fidgeting on his feet. "You fellas mind if I go dance?"
Ezra waved him off and, a moment later, they lost sight of the kid on the dance floor, as a new wave of energetic music swept through the room.
It hadn't been obvious to Vin. There were too many people with long hair, skirts, and high-heels to know for certain, at least at a glance. But, as he leaned back in his chair, he began to study the faces, the figures, that walked passed their table, that were just a stone's toss away on the dance floor.
He knew this neighborhood. There were coffeehouses, bookstores, bars, and clubs up and down the street. Some catered to everyone, some just to heterosexuals, some just to homosexuals, though none advertised the particular bend of their patrons, not explicitly. This was Denver, after all, not San Francisco or Hollywood, or even New York. Sexual preference wasn't always made obvious with red-leather pants or purple Spandex.
As often as he hung out in the gay-oriented bars and clubs of this city, this place was new and even he hadn't been certain when they'd first walked in. But he knew now.
Ezra chose that moment to lean close to Vin, in order to speak without having to yell over the volume of the music. "Care to place a wager?"
"On what?"
"How long it takes Buck to realize he's brought us all to a gay bar?"
Vin nearly choked on his mouthful of beer. Ezra had known all along, he'd known that Buck hadn't known, and he hadn't said a word.
Vin didn't know what to do. Ezra was obviously waiting for Buck to return, ready to laugh at the man's folly, but Vin wasn't sure he wanted to join in. It would be one thing if Buck knew, as Ezra did, but Vin doubted that he did; Buck had just been too eager to check out this new place. But then Vin began to worry. Would Buck be upset that this was a gay club? Buck had seemed accepting of Vin's homosexuality, but there was accepting and then there was accepting. He now had to wonder if the man would be upset that they'd come here, that Vin hadn't warned him, if he would believe that Vin didn't know this was a gay club before they set foot inside.
And then there was JD's reaction. Hell, the kid was more naive than anyone Vin had ever met. How would the kid react to the in-your-face, grab-your-crotch reality of this world?
Suddenly Vin felt the need to be alone. "Gotta use the head," Vin spoke close to Ezra's ear, making sure the man would hear him before he headed off.
He should probably just go and find Buck, find JD, and make them all leave. But, something inside of him prevented it. Deep down, he did want to know what they truly thought about gays in general, about him specifically. Straight men had a tendency to be uncomfortable around gay men, because they didn't understand the attraction, saw weakness in it, among other things. Yet all his friends had been so accepting of him — and, as masochistic as it might be, he did want to know how deep that acceptance really ran.
In the restroom, Vin found a stall that wasn't occupied and closed the door behind him; he wanted the privacy, more than the facilities. He just stood there, for the longest time.
No matter what he found out about his friends tonight, there was Nathan, Josiah, and Chris who would still be closed books to him. And, of all of them, it was really Chris's opinion he cared the most about. Would Chris think his lifestyle disgusting? Would he think his behavior wrong and insufferable? Or would he be as comfortable with all of this as Ezra seemed to be?
Vin let out a scoff, like Ezra and Chris had anything in common. Well, hell, did it really matter? He was the same guy, no matter what his co-workers thought. And it wasn't like he had a chance in hell with Chris anyway. Maybe it was best that he didn't know how the man felt. He'd deal with Buck and JD for now, worry about the others later, if there would even be a later.
He opened the stall, then headed right out of the restroom; just as he turned the corner, he bumped shoulders with a man who caught his eye. Tall, lean, hair dark in the subdued lighting, eyes wide and inviting. His dick swelled as the guy smiled; Vin smiled back, letting him take his hand.
Vin was led down the short hallway, back to the dance area, but well away from the bar and the table where he'd left Ezra. No one would ever know what he was about to do. He'd be back before anyone missed him, and then they could all head home, hopefully with no real harm done.
He was pulled around another corner that opened into a long, irregularly shaped room — large, but a fraction of the size of the dance floor. Inside, dim, oddly colored lights were splashed on the ceiling, giving the room an eerie, yet intimate feeling. Around him were men, in various positions, performing various acts on each other, each seemingly in his own little world.
The guy Vin had met found a space for them against the opposite wall and he immediately began undoing his pants. Vin followed along, undoing the top button, and then unzipping his fly, before pushing the fabric down to his knees. The guy ran his hand down the length of Vin's torso, and then slipped his palm up underneath his shirt until his found one of Vin's nipples. He brushed across it, flicking the sensitive nub, tweaking it until Vin squirmed.
As good as it felt, Vin knew he didn't have that much time. He turned his back on the guy, placing his hands on the wall and shoving his ass against the guy's crotch. The guy got the message immediately. Vin heard the ripping of the foil package even above the sound of the music that seemed to be seeping right through the walls. Then, he felt the guy's sheathed dick being pressed between his cheeks. He scooted his legs as wide as the jeans around his knees would allow and pushed his ass back even further, until he felt the guy slip inside.
Vin sucked in a sharp breath of air against the initial intrusion, but then he relaxed and settled into the rhythm he allowed his partner to set. It hadn't been long since he'd had this sort of action, days actually, so it wasn't like he needed this on any physical level, but mentally, hell, he just couldn't get enough, not lately anyway.
It was like he had to prove that Zack was the asshole, the one missing out, but really he was trying to convince himself that he didn't need Zack after all. He didn't need a steady relationship to be taken advantage of. Nope, he could manage that all on his own, but at least it was on his time, instead of someone else's.
Vin pushed his ass back, and then moved his hips forward, as he pumped his own dick, trying to speed up the action. He wanted the cum, he wanted it now, and then he wanted to get the hell out of there.
When he began to feel it, he was relieved. This damn well could have taken all night, but the tingling had begun, the tensing, the sweet spasms so deep inside. He was on the edge, ready to topple over at any moment. There was no stopping now, but that's when he heard it, the commotion behind him, and the familiar voice.
"What the— Oh my— Don't touch me!"
Vin turned his head and saw Buck standing there, the man's mouth agape at what he was witnessing. Their eyes locked just as Vin shot his load against the wall. Vin's face contorted as he came, he couldn't help it, and he couldn't help seeing the look on Buck's face: the shock, the disbelief, the disgust.
Vin turned then, trying to pull away from his partner, but firm hands on his hips prevented him. The guy thrust hard into him, as a pleasure-filled groan erupted from his lips. Vin cringed at the sound, knowing it would be something not soon forgotten by Buck. How would he ever be able to face his friend again?
The instant his partner relaxed, Vin moved away. When he turned, he immediately looked to where Buck had been standing, but the man was gone. Then, as Vin did up his pants, he looked at his partner, who was frowning, undoubtedly at the abrupt end to their session. The guy asked, "See ya 'round?"
"Sure," Vin lied as he headed out of the back room, into the bright, flashing lights of the dance area. He cut across the now-crowded floor and soon ran into JD who was still dancing. Vin stopped dead in his tracks and just stared. The kid was dancing to the beat, swinging his arms and moving his hips, not in the least bit disturbed that he was surrounded entirely by hot, hunky guys who were all staring at young JD like hungry dogs salivating over raw meat.
When Vin caught himself licking his own lip, he sharply shook his head, and then barreled forward, grabbing JD's hand, dragging him behind, as he made his way back to the table he hoped Ezra was still occupying.
As soon as they emerged from the dance floor, Vin glanced left, and then right, trying to locate their table. JD found it first, now pulling Vin behind him as they made their way over.
Buck was there, standing next to Ezra who was still seated. Vin didn't know if Buck was looking over Ezra, protecting him from the other patrons of this club, or if he was merely seeking safety in numbers.
"Buck, you have any idea what kinda place this is?" JD said, though Vin could only hear excitement in his young voice.
"I know," Buck replied, his jaw clenched tight. "Let's go," he demanded, but JD immediately began to protest.
"No, I wanna dance some more. Come on, Buck. You'll have a good time, you'll see."
"I said, we're goin'!" Buck then headed toward the door. Ezra stood slowly, shrugging with an indulgent smile on his lips. JD hung his head, obviously disappointed, but fell into step behind the two older men. Vin brought up the rear, dreading the conversation — or, worse, the silence — on the way home.
Outside, they quickly made their way to the Jeep. Buck, despite his long legs, climbed into the back behind the driver's seat. JD grabbed the roll bar and swung in beside him, leaving Ezra riding shotgun and Vin behind the wheel.
Vin started the engine and pulled the Jeep away from the curb. Their cars were all back at work, in the parking garage, so that's the direction he headed. He waited, wondering if anyone was going to say anything, and it wasn't long before JD felt the overwhelming need, as usual, to fill the silence.
"That place had the best dance music! I haven't had that much fun in a long time. I don't see why we had to leave."
Vin waited to hear Buck's response to that, but one didn't come.
"I believe the music was a little too loud for Mr. Wilmington," Ezra finally explained, but his tone must have struck Buck in the same way it struck Vin, condescending and derisive.
"Wasn't the music and you know it. You all know it," Buck declared over the road noise. They were all silent, no one daring to respond. Vin, for one, didn't know what the hell to say to the man — not after what Buck had witnessed.
"So, it's a gay club," JD finally said. "Big deal. Not like ya can't say no, iffn ya get asked. Not like anyone's forcing ya ta watch something ya don't wanna."
"Shut up, JD. Just ... drop it."
"Are you telling us, Mr. Wilmington," Ezra began. "You had no idea who patronized that establishment before we arrived there?" Vin could almost hear the mocking in the southerner's voice.
"No, I did not. Now, can we just forget about it?"
"Oh, I don't think so," Ezra teased. And Vin was afraid of how Buck would react; Ezra obviously had no idea what the man had inadvertently seen. He honestly had no idea what Buck might do, if Ezra continued to push him like this. "I think our colleagues back at the office would be ever so interested in hearing out about little outing tonight."
"Shut up, Ezra. Just shut the hell up!"
Vin cringed as JD joined in. "Yeah, Buck, ya sure ya didn't plan on a little non-gender-specific skirt chasing tonight? Saw a couple of real pretty fellas back at that place ... just yer type. Or did ya already find a skirt ya liked, only HE turned ya down?"
Buck lashed out then — Vin barely caught the movement in his rearview mirror — striking JD square in the mouth. Vin swerved the car to the side of the road, killing the engine. He hopped out, needing to know exactly what Buck had done, what he'd done to JD, because he was pissed at Vin.
JD was bleeding, a lot, but Vin couldn't tell if the blood was coming just from his nose, or if it was coming from his mouth as well. Ezra handed the kid a clean, white handkerchief, which immediately began to turn red as the kid pressed it to his face.
Buck was out of the Jeep now, pacing up and down the sidewalk. His hands clenched at his sides, anger holding his back rigid. Vin left Ezra to tend to JD.
"Buck, we gotta talk."
"Leave me alone, Tanner." Buck's words, as much as his tone, struck him. There was no "Vin," no "junior" in sight. Buck only used Vin's last name when he didn't want him around, when anyone in the world would be more wanted and welcome than Vin.
"Gotta settle this, Buck. Gotta do it now."
Buck nodded slowly, then lashed out at Vin with his right fist. Vin was expecting it, though. He knew Buck better than the man knew him. He stepped aside and allowed the man's own momentum to carry him forward until his stomach connected with Vin's waiting fist. Buck let out a whoosh of air, followed by some painful coughs. Then he turned hate-filled eyes on Vin.
Vin waited for what he was sure would come. The names: faggot, queer, pervert, cocksucker. But what he heard surprised him.
"Junior...." Buck took in a few deep breaths, before continuing. "I didn't need to see that."
Vin let out the breath he'd been holding. "Well, I sure didn't need ya ta see it."
Buck just nodded. "You won't tell no one?"
"Hell, no!" Vin replied, and then a smile broke across his lips as he saw Buck's concerned expression turn quickly to relief. "Buck, I'm real sorry. It won't ever happen again. I won't let my personal life spill into yours. It ain't fair to y'all and it ain't right."
Buck hung his head, shaking it slightly from side to side. "No, I'm the one that isn't being fair. I shoot my mouth off every day about this pretty lady or that one, about all the sexual adventures I've had...."
"Yeah, you do do that," Vin had to agree.
"It's not right, me just expecting you fellas to care. I oughta know it's just plain, selfish behavior. That maybe it makes you as uncomfortable as what I saw back there made me."
"Well, I wouldn't say that, but I sure as heck wouldn't wanna catch you in the act. I'm sorry ya saw what ya did, Buck. I didn't mean for ya to."
"I know." Buck took several steps over to the low wall bordering the street and the park they'd stopped next to, and then sat down. "Can I ask you something?" he said when Vin sat down, just a few feet away, feeling uncomfortable standing all of a sudden. Vin nodded in answer to Buck's request. "That pretty typical, that backroom? I mean, do all those sorts of places have 'em?"
Vin shook his head. "Some. Not all. Depends on the place. I go ta a few that are just plain ol' bars, like the Saloon, only there ya don't get beat up if you're not straight." Vin laughed, though he knew full well that no one would get beaten up at J. Watson's Saloon for being gay; being an *NSync fan, well, that was another matter entirely.
But Buck didn't find anything funny in what Vin had said. "I don't hate you, Vin. You know that, right? I don't even hate what you do ... who you do it with...."
Vin nodded, accepting Buck's words as the truth, simply because he sounded sincere.
"It's just ... I didn't know until recently, about your ... preferences, and, well, I guess ... I just didn't really understand, this whole other part of your life. Stuff I had no idea about. It's like I don't know you."
"I'm sure there's lots of stuff we don't know 'bout each other, but that don't change who we are. And I hope it don't change the way ya think 'bout me, treat me. I'm still Vin Tanner. I'm still yer friend, even if ya keep on tellin' them stories 'bout the latest filly ya roped...." Buck nodded, smiling as he held out his hand to Vin. But Vin didn't take it, not until he added in one last qualifier: "As long as I can start tellin' y'all about the latest stallion I roped."
The grin died on Vin's lips when he saw the sudden flash of anger in Buck's eyes. Damn, he'd pushed it too far. Buck wasn't ready for this; he did think differently of Vin, would treat him differently, from now on.
Buck suddenly reached out and grabbed Vin's hand. Vin flinched back, but it was too late. Buck yanked him to his feet, and then pulled him into a big hug. "You can tell, but we get final say on the next boyfriend you decide to bring home. That last one was a real loser."
Vin was about to agree when Ezra came over. "Excuse me, gentleman. I'm sorry to break up this bit of ... camaraderie, but I do believe Mr. Dunne could use a few stitches."
"Oh, shit," Buck breathed, obviously not realizing he'd hit the kid that hard. They all headed back to the Jeep. JD was still in the back seat, with Ezra's bloody handkerchief still pressed to his face.
"I'm sorry, kid. I'm so sorry," Buck said, grabbing JD's free hand in his own.
JD tried to nod his head, but the motion seemed painful and he shut his eyes tight.
"It'll be okay, JD," Vin said, pushing Buck to indicate he should climb in the back next to their young friend. Ezra climbed into the passenger seat and Vin slipped behind the wheel. "Just hang on, kid. The hospital's not far from here."
"I'm sorry," Buck said again.
"'S okay," JD managed to mumble from behind the blood-soaked cloth. "But ya owe me."
"Sure, JD. I'll make this up to you. Anything," Buck readily agreed.
"Any'sing?" the kid asked slowly.
Vin glanced over just then at Ezra and saw the wicked grin plastered across his face and the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Vin's stomach got that weird, uneasy feeling again. "Yeah, anything. You name it," Buck agreed.
"Want'cha ta take me back ta da club," JD finally mumbled, and Vin knew the kid would be grinning from ear to ear if he possibly could have managed it. "Want'cha ta take me dancin'."
Vin tried to adjust the rearview mirror, in an attempt to look at Buck's face, but he couldn't manage it. And he was worried. Right up until the moment he heard Buck's reply.
"Don't make me split that other lip of yours, boy!"
"'S okay. Long as ya do it 'fore we get ta da hos'ital. Still won't get ya outta takin' me dancin'."
~ fade ~
February 2002Please do NOT repost this story anywhere outside of the Blackraptor Fiction Website.
Characters from "The Magnificent Seven," were used without permission and this story in no way signifies support of, or affiliation with, The Mirisch Group, MGM, Trilogy Entertainment, or CBS Worldwide, Inc. The M7-ATF universe was created by Mog, and extra thanks go to her for allowing other people to play within it. The story itself and any non-Magnificent Seven characters belong to the author. This story will not be sold for any reason.
Thanks to my beta reader for all of her help and encouragement!