The Art Of Living

by Turtle

"Excuse me? I don't believe ah heard you correctly. Did you just ask for mah permission ta court me?"

"Yup."

"Ah'm not some delicate Southern Belle, ah do not need courted."

"Yup."

"Yup what?"

"Yup, ya need courted. I know ya ain't some sweet little flower of a woman. Yer a strong man, capable of lookin' out fer yerself. But everyone needs a little romance in their lives. If I know anything it's romance. All ya need ta do is say okay, it ain't like yer gonna be up fer too much fer awhile. Might as well let me have my say, I plan on doin' it anyway, with or without yer okay, with it'd be a lot easier on both of us."

"Mr. Wilmington--"

"Buck."

"Mr. Wilmington--"

"Buck!"

"Fine then, Buck! Has anyone ever told you that you are somewhat pixilated. In plain English even you can understand, you are quite mad!"

"Yup."

"Yup what?"

"Yup, I've been told I'm a little crazy."

"Are you doin' this to make me insane? Speaking in one word sentences, ah know that you are capable of formin' full sentences with multiple words."

"Figure in a relationship ya gotta have someone talkin' and someone listenin', and you'll do enough talkin' fer both of us. Thought I'd take lessons from Vin and Chris on one word sentences."

Ezra rolled his face down into the pillow, but Buck could still hear what he said, "Ah do not need this, ah did not ask for this, why me Lord?"

Buck reached out and started stroking Ezra's hair, enjoying the softness, the feel on his hands. "I know you ain't had an easy life, hell none of us have. I also know there ain't been a lot of love in yer life, I mighta been raised in a whorehouse, but there was always lots of love from a lot of people. I ain't askin' ya ta suddenly believe that I love ya, all I'm askin' is fer a chance to convince ya that I care and that you deserve ta be loved. Ya ain't this worthless self-centered gambler that everyone thinks ya are, underneath all that armor is a kind, generous, lovin' man. Every kid and animal knows that, they all see yer gentle soul inside. Ya remind me of a wild rose, beautiful flower, beautiful fragrance, but surrounded by lots of thorns. The thorns are there to protect the flower from harm, but if you know how to avoid the thorns, then the prize can be yours. Just give me a chance ta get past those thorns, that's all I'm askin'."

"Ah must be pixilated myself, all you will end up provin' is that ah really am exactly what ah appear ta be, you will end up bein' greatly disappointed Mr. W-- Buck. Yes, if this insane scheme of yours is how you wish to waste your time, then who am ah ta stop you."

Buck could see Ezra tighten his jaw as the pain rolled over him, anybody else would be screaming or crying, but Ezra hardly even showed the pain. Nobody should have had to grow up being taught that every little emotion is bad, that you have to hide everything away. He kept up stroking the gambler's hair and started making soothing sounds. "Shh, it's okay, Nathan'll be here any minute now. He'll get ya fixed up good. We'll get ya back ta town and you can share the clinic with Chris, ah hell, forgot I had ta deal with that too. I'm either a brave man or a stupid man, having men like JD and Chris mad at me, askin' a man like you ta go courtin', in my case, reckon it's cuz I'm stupid. Once I talk ta Chris I know we can work it out and be friends again, JD, now that's a little harder. It's always easier ta forgive someone that hurts you than it is to forgive someone that hurts someone ya love. And then there's you, it takes a pretty foolhardy cowboy ta think he can catch the attention of a gentleman like yerself, but I'm fool enough ta try."

"not a fool, brave, maybe a bit stupid, but not a fool." Ezra's voice was quiet and he had to unclench his jaw to talk.

"Buck, how's he doin'?" Nettie asked from the doorway. "I see riders comin' in, figure it's Vin and Nathan, he hanging in there?"

"thank you madam, i am."

"Just call me Nettie, figure at my age I oughta get what I want." She winked at him and turned to greet the visitors.

Nathan and Vin came hurrying in the room, Nathan went over and picked up the wet rags and took a look at Ezra's back and then he removed the bandage from the bullet wound. "Ma'am, would ya'll boil me up some water. I need to get those wounds cleaned out real good, I'm gonna need ta stitch some of them up." Buck had gotten up and moved out of Nathan's way so Nathan leaned over Ezra and looked at his eyes and felt for a fever. "How ya doin' Ezra?"

"fine."

"Nathan, he's hurtin' real bad. The pain eases up fer a bit and then it just seems to sweep over him. Ya know how he is about tellin' us things like that."

"Yeah, I know. I figured as much. I'm gonna give ya some laudanum Ezra, more than I usually would fer pain. It oughta put ya ta sleep so's I can work on those wounds without causin' ya anymore pain than I gotta." He reached in the saddle bag Vin held forward to him and pulled out a bottle and spoon. He carefully measured out several spoonfuls and got Ezra to swallow them before turning back to the wounds. "I'm gonna start cleaning these out, but ya oughta be asleep before it gets too bad." He took the hot water Nettie brought him and added some carbolic to it and started gently cleaning out the smallest of the wounds, just as he'd said Ezra was out before he started in on the worst ones. Vin and Buck helped him until he finally had cleaned everything out and gotten the wounds stitched up.

"I'd like ta get him back ta the clinic, Buck would you ride into town and bring back a wagon?"

"I got a wagon we can use Nathan. If it weren't for Ezra I'd probably be dead now, I couldn't have held them men off much longer." Nettie turned to Vin, "Go out and pile the wagon up with hay, I'll get you some blankets to put on top so we can make a bed for Ezra. Nathan, you go clean up, Buck, you go get the horses ready and then when the two of you get the wagon up here you can help Nathan load up Ezra." Within a few minutes they were ready and had the wagon standing by the door. Nathan had told them that they couldn't put any pressure on Ezra's back so he had to remain on his stomach. Vin and Buck each grabbed two corners of the blanket and pulled them up between them so Ezra was hanging in a sling of sorts. They carried him out to the wagon where Nathan was waiting, Vin handed his ends up to Nathan in the wagon and then climbed in and reached down and took Buck's ends and then they gently laid him down and covered him with a quilt. Nettie climbed in the seat and took the reins and they headed for town.

+ + + + + + +

When they reached the clinic Josiah was waiting outside with a stretcher and they got Ezra on it and Vin and Josiah carried him into the clinic. Nathan stopped Buck with a hand on his shoulder before he could follow them in. "Buck, I don't think that's a real good idea. Chris and JD are in there and JD ain't feelin' too kindly towards you right now. If you could see ta the horses and maybe get some information out of that prisoner it would help."

"It's okay Nathan, I understand. Would you just tell Chris that I'm sorry? Tell JD the same thing too, I'll talk to them later and we'll work it out. Tell Ezra when he wakes up that the first step is gifts, he should expect the first shortly."

"Sure I'll tell him, is he gonna understand what yer talkin' 'bout?"

"Yup." Buck nodded and went back to the wagon, he helped Nettie out and she went to the hotel and he took the horses and wagon and got them tucked in their stalls and taken care of. Next stop the jail and the weasel that had hurt Ezra. The thought crossed his mind that torture probably wasn't allowed, but what nobody knew wouldn't hurt them.

The prisoner couldn't wait to talk, all Buck had to do was tell him that Vin was on his way to the jail to 'discuss' the problem and the guy couldn't talk fast enough. Seems they were hired by a rancher to try to chase off the smaller ranchers so he could buy their land and expand his own ranch. Buck sent a telegram to Judge Travis telling him about it and what had happened and headed for the saloon.

He met Vin there, told him about what the weasel had said and settled down with a bottle of whiskey. "How's Chris?" he asked Vin.

"Figured you'd ask how Ezra was?"

"Got an idea of how Ezra is, don't know how bad I hurt Chris."

"Not as bad as could be, he's got a concussion, couple a broken ribs, dislocated shoulder, bruised collar bone. Nathan says he'll be out of the clinic in a week, which means he'll be out a few days. Don't mean ta be nosy Buck, but you mind tellin' me what the hell happened?"

"Yeah I mind. Truth is I need ta talk with Chris and the kid first, owe them both an apology. Don't know that they'll ever forgive me, but I gotta try."

"You never know Buck, maybe just explaining what happened would help." Buck's head popped around when he heard JD's voice. "So?"

"What happened? You mean other than the fact that I was an asshole? Somewhere ya grew up and I didn't notice it happenin'. So instead of treating the two of you the way I'da treated any of the others I treated ya's like it was a friend takin' advantage of my kid brother. I was wrong on both counts. Ezra gave me a speech and made me think about what happened. I couldn't accept the fact that you were makin' yer own choices as a grown man so I blamed everything on Chris. I want you to know this before I say the rest, neither of ya did anything wrong! Love is special and when you find it then you have to hang onto it. Two grown men each found love in a friend and showed it by makin' love with each other. I was wrong, you were right. I didn't give you a chance to explain, and even when you tried I didn't listen. I'm sorry JD! Your friendship means a lot to me, so does Chris's and all I can hope is that the two of you will eventually forgive me."

"You don't have to wait Buck, I already forgave you. All you had to do is ask. Chris, you'll have to talk to him yourself, but I don't want to lose your friendship either, I just didn't want to have to choose because I'd pick love over friendship anyday."

"That's the way it's supposed to be JD. Now that yer here you can help me think of a gift fer Ezra."

Vin looked at Buck before asking, "Why, cuz he's hurt? You ain't never got no one anything before."

"No, it ain't cuz he's hurt. It's cuz we're courtin' and the first step is gifts. I was thinking whiskey, but he can't drink while Nathan's workin' on him. Flowers would get me killed, so any ideas?"

"How about soap?"

"Vin, even I know soap ain't a good present. When did you start courtin' Ezra?" asked JD.

"Today. Finally took a good look at the man and decided I liked what I saw."

"Buck, he ain't as tough as he looks, you hurt him and you got me ta deal with." Vin glared at Buck as he made the statement.

"I know, he's kinda fragile, especially where love's concerned, ain't been much of it in his life. So why soap?"

"Not just any soap, I overheard him asking Missus Potter the other day if some soap she'd ordered had come in yet, some fancy kind that smells good."

"Guess I'll head over there and see what Gloria knows. Maybe then I'll go check on both of Nathan's patients and if Chris feels up to it, he and I could have a little talk."

+ + + + + + +

Buck headed over to the general store to see if Gloria Potter knew anything about soap, he'd bought lovers and lovers-to-be a lot of things, but soap? Of course none of those people were Ezra. He spotted Gloria behind the counter, "Gloria? What do ya know about soap?"

"Any kind in particular Buck?"

"If I said Ezra and soap, would that help?"

Gloria started chuckling, "Yes, that would help. I told him I had a shipment of some new lavender soap coming in all the way from England. It just got here today. Nettie told me what happened, is Ezra going to be okay?"

"Nathan says he is, and Nathan ain't wrong 'bout these things. So would it be possible for me to get a bar of that soap, maybe it'd help Ezra feel better."

Gloria gave him a sly little smile that made Buck wonder just how much she knew. "I've also got some of the other soap he'd ordered in."

"Why would he need more'n one bar?"

"The lavender is for bathing your body, this other soap is for your hair."

"Soap, just fer hair?"

"I laughed the first time he had me order some in, but after I tried it once, I started using it all the time. Most of the ladies in town buy it now too. After all Ezra does have beautiful hair, it's such a shame it's usually hidden under that hat. Don't you agree Buck?"

"Yes ma'am, I surely do." Buck smiled thinking of just how soft that hair really was before realizing where he was. "At least I'm sure it would be if it mattered ta me." Gloria just smiled that sly little smile again, damn that woman had ta know somethin'. "Why don't ya give me a bar of each and I'll make sure he gets it." She wrapped up the soap and handed it too him before telling him, "When he can start eating real food again let me know, I'll send over a pie, that boy does like pie."

"That he does. I'll let you know, and thank you for advice about soap." Buck tipped his hat and headed over to Nathan's clinic. He lightly tapped on the door and Nathan answered, "I just came ta check on yer patients, how're they doin'?"

"Ezra's still asleep, Chris is awake and doin' better."

"Any chance I could come in and talk to him?"

"Don't you upset him, if'n yer gonna get him all riled up then just leave now."

"I promise, I came ta apologize fer being an asshole."

Nathan nodded and opened the door, "Since yer here, I'm gonna go get somethin' ta eat, I'll be back later. You stay here or get someone else, don't leave them alone, ya hear."

"Loud and clear." Nathan left the room leaving Buck alone with the patients. Chris was sitting in a chair looking out the window and didn't seem to notice Buck's arrival or Nathan's departure. Buck slowly walked over to him, "Chris." He didn't want to startle him. "Chris, I came ta talk to ya."

Chris slowly turned his head to look, "Thought you said everything you had to say earlier."

"Nope. I came ta apologize ta ya. Already tole JD that I was sorry for bein' an asshole. Now I need ta tell you the same thing."

"Don't matter."

Buck grabbed a chair and pulled in over in front of Chris. "It matters ta me. I didn't mean the things I said, well maybe I meant them at the time, but I was wrong, damn wrong. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that you and JD are perfect together." Chris gave him a curious look. "Look, the kid is got way too much energy, and not near enough common sense to look after himself. You got the way ta burn some of that energy off, and maybe along the way you can teach him a few survival tactics so he don't die young. 'Sides you both need someone to love and look after, if the kid's managed ta get through that wall you built after Sarah and Adam then I owe him more than I'll ever be able ta pay back."

Chris blinked back a few tears, "Do you mean that?"

"Chris, yer the best friend I've ever had, JD's the second best, nothin' could be better than my two best friends findin' love with each other. It's time fer you to start livin' again, and if JD makes ya do that then all I got ta say is why didn't I shove ya's together sooner."

"But you said..."

"I know what I said, it was just the shit from my ass comin' out my mouth. I can't believe I did this to ya, god, I am so, so sorry Chris. Can you ever forgive me?"

"Figure it was payback for a lot of years. I hurt you worse than this and more times, but yet you never let me get too far down before you pulled my ass back out of the dirt. I just didn't want to have to choose between you and JD, I love him you know."

"I know, it's gonna be okay." Buck leaned forward and touched his forehead to Chris and then reached around and gently hugged him. "I need ta go check on Ezra, I brung him a present."

"You brought Ezra a present, but not me, I thought I was your friend."

"You are, but I ain't courtin' you." He stood up and pulled the chair over next to Ezra's bed, ignoring the muffled outburst from Chris. "Hey darlin'." He leaned over next to Ezra, gently kissing his forehead. "You in there?"

"Ah am."

"I brung you a present."

"Brought."

"Huh?"

"You brought me a present."

"That's what I said."

"Nevermind, what did you bring me."

"Well I though about flowers," Ezra wrinkled his nose up, "I thought about whiskey," Ezra looked hopeful, "but I knew Nathan'd never let ya have it." Ezra looked disappointed. "So I brought you soap."

Chris burst out from the other side of the room, "Soap? I know you can do better Bucklin, you're disappointing me."

Buck turned and glared at him before turning back to Ezra. "I have it on the best of authority that you were completely out of this," He held up the hair soap. "When Nathan says it's okay, I'll help you wash yer hair with it." Ezra smiled at that thought. "And I have it on the same authority that you've been waiting for this to come in, close yer eyes." He waited until Ezra's eyes were closed and he opened the other bar of soap and held it under his nose, thinking how good it really did smell. "When Nathan says it's okay, I'll give you a bath and wash every part of yer body 'til ya smell as purty as that soap." He leered at Ezra before gently kissing him on the lips. As first kisses go it wasn't one of the best, but taking into consideration the location and the condition of the kissee, it was actually fairly good.

"When Nathan gives me the okay to go down to the bath house ah will indeed let you help me bathe."

"By then I could be old and gray."

"Now that ya'll mention it, ah do believe ah see a few gray hairs there, Buck."

"I don't think so, best look again darlin'."

Neither of them noticed JD come through the door and head over to Chris. Chris motioned to the other bed and JD helped him stand and slowly walk to it. Chris motioned for JD to sit down of the bed and once he was comfortable, Chris eased himself down, so he was sitting with his back to JD, leaning into the younger man's strong body. He quietly whispered to JD, "Did you know about Buck courtin' Ezra?" JD smiled and nodded. "I think he's got his hands full, finally met his match."

"Buck or Ezra?" JD asked.

"Both!" chuckled Chris as he leaned back a bit more and made himself comfortable. "Just like I've met mine," he smiled up and JD leaned down and gently kissed him. They settled in and listened to the other two men.

"I know I ain't got no gray hair, so you best look again."

"Lean down here, oh my mistake, it's only dust. Don't you evah take a bath Buck?"

"I take enough, I never had no complaints from the ladies."

"Ah am not one of your ladies."

"No, yer all male. Got a feelin' you cost a lot more ta keep than the ladies." Ezra opened his mouth to reply but Buck leaned down and kissed him. Not so gently this time, with more passion and love, "But I figure yer worth every cent!"

Ezra looked at him smugly and replied, "Yes, ah am!" The other three men in the room started laughing, Ezra just pulled Buck's head down for another kiss.

"Darlin', I need ta find Nathan?"

"Why?"

"Find out if'n ya can leave yet, I got plans fer you!"

+ + + + + + +

Several long weeks later Buck was finally getting to take his gambler from the clinic. He'd had to settle for kisses and some gentle petting, but hopefully that would be changing. Nathan was busy lecturing Ezra. "You still ain't gonna be able ta lay on yer back yet, not 'til ya heal up a bit more. But you could prob'ly lay on yer side now instead of just on yer stomach. If'n ya got any old, soft undershirts ya might want to wear one under yer shirt, either that or don't get them shirts starched and ironed fer awhile."

Ezra cocked an eyebrow and started to make a remark, but Buck beat him to it. "Nathan, shame on you. Don't ya'll know, 'Appearances are everything'." Ezra smiled at that.

"Well that's all fine, but they're also gonna be mighty rough against that healin' skin. I want ta see ya at least twice a week to see how yer healin' up."

"He knows, Nathan. I know. I got one question fer ya? Can he have a bath?"

"Don't see why not. Just make sure all the soap gets rinsed outta those wounds, other than that it shouldn't be no problem."

"Thanks Nathan." Buck gently helped Ezra to his feet and started for the door. He knew Ezra still tired easily and had lost more weight than he could afford to, but Buck intended to solve that. Once down the stairs he headed for the bath house. "How 'bout we get ya a bath first darlin'? That sound good?"

"It sounds wonderful, but they aren't open yet."

"I explained ta Thomas that Nathan was lettin' ya out and he said he'd let us in early so's ya could have a little privacy." Buck knocked on the door and was promptly let in. Several of the baths were filled and waiting. Buck whispered to Thomas who whispered back and nodded towards the rear. The two men shook hands and Thomas left, locking the door behind him.

"Dare ah ask what that was all about?"

"You could, but I ain't tellin', it's a surprise. Now, how 'bout I help ya undress and we get ya into that tub."

"Ah can undress mahself Buck."

"I know, but I figured it'd be more fun if I helped." He seated Ezra in one of the chairs and carefully removed his clothes, taking the time to gently massage each part of his body as it appeared. His toes and feet, his calves and outer thighs, his shoulders and arms. When he finished Ezra was wearing his birthday suit and a smile.

Buck helped him into the tub and turned to remove most of his own clothes, leaving only his britches on. At Ezra's cocked eyebrow he answered, "Don't want to get too wet." He reached in his coat pocket and removed a familiar package of soap. "I tole ya that I'd give ya a bath and wash yer hair. I always keep my promises, which first?" He held up the two bars of soap, Ezra pointed to the one for hair.

Buck grabbed a pitcher and gently leaned Ezra forward in the tub, dipping the pitcher in the water and pouring it over his head. Once his hair was wet, Buck lathered up the soap and started massaging it into his hair. Ezra leaned back and sighed, "Does that feel good darlin?" He nodded at Buck's question. "Well just relax and enjoy." It was probably a toss-up which of the two men was enjoying this more.

When Buck finally decided Ezra's hair was clean he leaned Ezra forward again. Grabbing the pitcher he poured water over his hair until all the soap had been rinsed off. The he grabbed a washcloth and the lavender soap and started lathering up the cloth. He started with Ezra's back, gently cleaning the whip marks before carefully rinsing them out and leaning him back. He then picked up his left hand and washed it and his arm and rinsed it off before turning to the right one.

Once finished with his arms he moved on to his chest paying close attention to his dusky-rose nipples. Ezra lightly moaned, Buck rinsed him off and leaned down and ran his tongue over one nipple before sucking it gently into his mouth. He paid the same attention to the second nipple before lifting his head and kissing Ezra. He then picked up the washcloth and moved down to Ezra's feet.

"You are a very, cruel man, Buck Wilmington." Buck just chuckled as he soaped up Ezra's feet. He could hear the younger man purring, apparently the gambler had sensitive feet. From his feet he moved up to the calves of his legs and finally up to his thighs. As he gently washed Ezra's inner thighs, Buck could hear Ezra's breath growing shallower and faster. He looked up to see Ezra's head thrown back against the edge of the tub and his hands gripped tightly to the sides. He sat the washcloth to the side and reached down and gently palmed Ezra's balls, then more firmly rolled them in his hand.

Taking his cue from the sounds Ezra made, Buck slowly continued his exploration. He ran his fingers over Ezra's cock and felt it growing firmer. It wasn't as long as Buck's but it was a little thicker. He noticed that the color of it was closer to a purple whereas his own tended to be deep red.

Ezra dragged his head up from the edge of the tub and reached out one hand to pull Buck forward for a deep, passionate kiss. "Buck, ah swear, if ya'll leave me like this, ah'll kill you."

Buck chuckled, kissed him again and pushed Ezra's head back before turning his attention back to Ezra's cock. He started stroking, gently at first and then more firmly. He could hear Ezra mewling, the man had to be part cat, he reminded himself to check for a tail later. He could hear Ezra's breathing grow rougher so he started pumping a little harder and a little faster until he felt the gambler's body tense, spasm and slowly relax. Buck kept pumping until he had milked Ezra's cock of every bit of cum. He then picked up the washcloth, washed Ezra's groin and rinsed him off.

Ezra just lay in the tub, spent and muscles shaking when he felt a hand on his back and another under his knees. He opened his eyes to see Buck picking him up out of the tub and moving him to another. "Figured ya'd want ta soak awhile, might as well do it in clean water." The warm water felt good on his back so he stuck his feet out of the tub and slid down a bit. He felt Buck pick up his feet and put something under them to cushion them from the edge of the tub.

"Lift yer head a bit darlin' and have a drink." Smooth, cool whiskey slid down his throat. "Open up and have a bite." Fingers slid in and left a piece of food. Ezra chewed to find it was apple, fresh, tart and juicy. Next was a slice of orange, in amongst bites of various types of fruit were sips of whiskey.

The water had just begun to cool when Buck kissed him and offered his hand. "You 'bout ready ta come outta there? Thought we'd stop in at the saloon so you could talk ta everyone fer a bit and then it's up ta yer room."

"Ah'm not tired."

Buck kissed him again, "Who said yer gonna be sleepin'? I got plans fer you." He helped Ezra out of the tub and got him dressed. They had just reached the door when someone knocked, Buck unlocked it to find Thomas. He shook hands with the man, "Thanks Thomas, we're all finished."

Thomas turned to Ezra, "Glad to see your feeling better Mr. Standish. That was a brave thing you did, helping Missus Wells that way."

"Thank you sir. Nothing makes you feel better and more ready to face life than a refreshing bath. Ah appreciated how this must have inconvenienced you."

"I figure if the seven of you can risk your life for the people in this town and territory than the least I can do is come in early to do this for you." Thomas nodded his thanks and headed in to clean up so he could open.

Buck and Ezra slowly made their way to the saloon, once there they found the other five lawmen waiting along with some of the townspeople. Nettie Wells stepped forward and helped him into a chair. She turned to Inez, "Why don't you bring Ezra a drink young lady."

"He don't need no alcohol, he's still recoverin', either water or juice Inez." Nathan said.

Buck just smiled at Ezra, neither of them were about to mention the whiskey Ezra had just had. "I've got some fresh apple cider, would you like some of that?" Inez asked.

"That sounds lovely Inez," he answered. "How are you Madam?" he asked Nettie.

"Thought we'd settled this out at my place. It's Nettie. If you can save somebody's life then you should be able to use their name. I'm fine young man, you're the one who was hurt. How are you feeling?"

"Much better Mi... Nettie, now that I've been released from the care of our resident healer."

Inez brought the cider and they all sat around for a bit and talked until Buck stood up and announced, "Ezra just got out of the clinic and I think he needs a rest." He helped Ezra up and followed him slowly up the stairs to his room.

"You really don't intend for me to rest do you?" Ezra asked Buck once they were safely locked in his room.

Buck held Ezra's face in his hands, "No." He leaned down and kissed the smaller man. Ezra wrapped his arms around Bucks neck and returned the kiss, soon they were playing dueling tongues. Ezra moved his hands to the front and started removing Bucks coat. Buck moved his hands to Ezra's hips and allowed him to slide the coat off and lay it on a chair. Then Ezra started unfastening Buck's shirt, stopping between every button to slide his hands in and rub them over the skin revealed until the shirt was undone and removed. As he was doing this his lips kept going back to meet Bucks.

He ran his hands over Buck's chest spending time rolling the brown nipples between his fingers. Buck moved Ezra's hands, placing them on the fasteners of his pant. Ezra took the hint and slowly undid the pants, then pushed Buck down to sit on the bed while he removed his boots, pants and underclothes. Buck reached forward and quickly helped Ezra remove his own clothing and then lay back on the bed, arms stretched wide, inviting Ezra to explore. Being a smart man Ezra took the hint and straddled Buck's legs and started tasting. He started with lips and mouth, Buck tasted faintly like whiskey, then he moved down his jawline to his ears, pausing briefly to tug on an earlobe before moving down to his neck. He stopped at the juncture of his neck and shoulder to suck until he'd marked Buck with the sign of his passion. From there it was down to his nipples, he licked, nipped and tasted until they were swollen and firm. He kissed his way down his abdomen, running his hands over the firm muscles until he reached his final destination. Buck's cock was firm and standing ready, drops of liquid oozing out of his slit. Ezra bent down and licked them off, only to see more replace what he tasted. He reached down and took Buck's balls firmly in his hands and pulled and rolled, repeating the process just so he could hear the moans coming from Buck's mouth. He licked from the base to the tip before swirling his tongue around the crown of Buck's cock.

"Buck, ah want you to make love to me! Ah don't care if it puts pressure on my back, ah want you to be inside of me when ah come."

"Ezra, do you have any grease or oil?" Ezra climbed off the bed and took a jar out of the dresser and handed it to Buck, before starting to lie down. Buck grabbed him and pulled him back up. "Straddle me with yer head facing the footboard and then lean forward." Ezra did as asked. Buck opened up the jar to find a cream, he dunked his finger in and reached up and ran his finger around Ezra's crack before finally sliding the finger in. Ezra was purring again, but nope no sign of a tail so guess that answers that. Buck wiggled the finger around before removing it, adding more cream to it and it's neighbor and sliding both back in. He scissored the fingers and worked at opening up Ezra, he was long, but not real thick so that would help. Ezra was moaning softly when Buck removed the fingers, recreamed them and went back with three. A few moments of silence at first but Buck felt him relax and then started opening him up once again. When he rubbed up against his gland Ezra purred and tried to push backwards into the fingers. Buck handed Ezra the cream, "Spread some of this over me and then turn around so yer facing me." Ezra did as told.

"Take hold of my shoulders and lean back against my knees, and when I tell you to, start sitting down." Buck reached behind Ezra and held his cock next to Ezra's opening, Ezra realized what Buck was doing and cooperated by lifting himself up on his knees. "Now," Buck said and started aiming himself into Ezra. When the head was in they both stopped, Buck's hands holding Ezra up until he felt the younger man relax and start easing himself down until he was seated and Buck was completely in. They both stayed still for a few moments until Ezra started rocking back and forth at first, then slowly lifting himself up down. Buck turned Ezra just a touch and the next time he slid down Buck's cock rubbed on his gland.

"Oh gawd, you feel so good in me." Both men were starting to get closer, Buck reached out and started stroking Ezra's cock matching the rhythm Ezra was setting. Buck felt himself slide into orgasm and Ezra followed, both men crying out in the heat of passion.

When Buck had returned to his senses, he slid Ezra to the side and went to the dresser and wet a cloth in the basin. Returning he washed both himself and Ezra down and then slid back into bed and pulled Ezra back on top of him. He could feel Ezra shaking and after feeling a few wet drops fall realized that the gambler was crying. "Darlin' what's wrong? Did I hurt you? I love you, I'd never mean ta hurt ya." He pulled Ezra's face up to his own and feathered kisses over it.

Ezra looked into his eyes before answering, "You really do don't you?"

"Really do what?"

"You really do love me, don't you. Ah don't think anyone ever has, not even my mother. Nobody has ever shown me this much care, this much concern."

"That's what ya do when ya love someone. Ya worry 'bout them when they're not around, you care for them when they are. See you ain't really alive until you let people into yer heart and they let ya into theirs."

"But ah can't do that. Ah don't know how."

"Darlin' yer wrong. Ya did that when ya put yer own life on the line fer Nettie. Ya did that when ya let Thomas show his concern fer ya by helpin' ya. Ya did that when ya told me that Chris and JD didn't hate me, I just had to ask fer forgiveness. Ya did that when ya let me bathe and feed ya today. Ya know all about love, ya just never realized that that's what it was. The best part of livin' is lovin'. It's an art, you get better at it the more you do it."

"Ah... ah love you Buck Wilmington. Ah am so glad ah agreed ta let you court me. You've won, ah'm yours, what ever you want ta do with me."

"Love ya, all the time we have on earth and then in heaven later."

Ezra yawned and snuggled into Buck's arms a little tighter and just before he dropped off to sleep he replied, "That sounds good, very good."

End

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