A LONG YEAR by C.V. Puerro

Vin laughed at the absurdity of the situation, and then nearly fell from the saddle when Peso stumbled over something buried in the snow. Vin righted himself before checking over his shoulder. The misstep had lost him both time and momentum; Buck was gaining on him.

First, it had been a game a pool to determine the winner, to settle who would buy Chris the horse -- two out of three, three out of five.... Then they'd moved on to darts. Eventually, they were at the shooting range and then the basketball court. There was always some reason to contest the winner, always some excuse not to allow the other man to win. Because, this wasn't really about the horse. This was about Chris, and they both knew it. This was about which one of them would finally back off and let the other have free rein in his pursuit of Chris Larabee.

They'd been tripping each other up all year, sabotaging the other's efforts to win Chris over. In the end, they both just looked like a pair of idiots and Chris still seemed oblivious to their feelings. They'd both finally realized it couldn't go on. One of them would have to step aside, but neither was willing to make the sacrifice. And so, it came down to this. Today, they had agreed, was the last day, the last contest. A horse race. From the ranch to the cabin. The first man with both feet inside the doorway would win. The other man would lose and would have to immediately stop pursuing after Chris. It seemed simple enough, and Vin was determined to win.

Vin spotted the cabin through the trees up ahead. He thought he knew this trail better than Buck did, so he veered off as the man pulled up beside him. Vin lost sight of Buck as he steered Peso through the trees, avoiding the sharp bend in the trail on which Buck was still riding.

The trees suddenly cleared, revealing the cabin directly in front of him. Vin pulled Peso up sharply, tossed himself out of the saddle, and then scrambled for the door. Buck came around the corner a moment later, running along the porch. Their hands met the doorknob at the same moment. Buck shoved Vin as Vin kicked Buck in the shin. Finally, they pushed the door open, but a moment later, they were down, rolling across the porch, grappling with each other, determined not to let the other man get his feet inside that doorway.

Vin was tugging on Buck's coat; Buck was yanking on his hair. Vin punched Buck in the side and Buck nailed him in the shoulder. Neither of them could find footing, neither was gaining the upper hand. They rolled off the porch, down the two small steps, and into the snow.

"Let me go, Buck!" Vin demanded.

"No way, Vin!"

"He's mine. You had your chance years ago and you didn't take it!"

"And, you hardly know him. Showing up outta nowhere in those damn-tight jeans of yours."

"Ow! Dammit, Buck!" Vin yelled when Buck's fist connected with his jaw. He took a swing at Buck again, landing it firmly in his stomach.

Buck gasped as the wind was knocked from him and Vin took the split second opportunity to get to his feet. He turned toward the cabin, but then Buck grabbed him around the ankles and he fell face first into the snow. Buck was now climbing up his body, keeping him pressed to the earth. Vin struggled beneath the man's weight, finally managing to twist under him.

Suddenly, they were face to face, Buck lying on Vin's stomach. Vin reached up to push Buck off, but Buck grabbed his hands, pinning them over his head. They were both panting hard from their efforts. Vin could feel the heat of Buck's breath on his face.

"Get offa me!"

"You don't even know him," Buck said again.

"What business is it of yours?"

"Chris's my friend. And I don't want you to make a fool of yourself."

"What the hell's that supposed to mean?"

"Means, you're better off forgetting about Chris. He'll turn you down."

"Why? Because he's so in love with you, only he doesn't realize it yet?"

"No. Because Chris isn't gay."

Vin starred at Buck. He wasn't sure he'd heard the man correctly.

"Chris doesn't like guys," Buck said. "He never has."

"But...." Vin began. He was sure he'd been right about Chris. He'd been sure he'd seen the signs, the looks, the.... He wasn't gay? "Then why are you after him?"

"I'm not."

"But, I've seen you."

"You've seen me trying to discourage you. That's what this damn contest has been all about. Me trying to get you to stop going after Chris. Me trying to give you something else to think about."

"Something else?"

"Someone else."

"Huh?"

"Me, you idiot. Me. I'm gay. I'm the one who likes you. I'm the one who wants to get into those damn-tight pants of yours."

"Buck?"

"Yeah, me."

"But you like girls."

"So? I like cake, too, but that doesn't stop me from eating ice cream."

"You ... you like ... me?"

Buck nodded. "A whole hell of a lot."

Vin blinked up at the man. He'd never thought about Buck before. He'd only ever thought about Chris. Chris was the first man he'd met on the team, and Vin had never thought to let his gaze wander. Buck? Buck Wilmington?

"I know I'm not Chris. I know him and me are pretty different, but ... well, you and me ... I think, I think we've got a lot in common. I think, if you think about it---"

Vin didn't have to think about it, not for one more minute. He wrapped his arms around Buck's neck and kissed him. Vin sucked Buck's lower lip into his mouth, teasing it with the tip of his tongue. Then he was chewing on his upper lip, as the man's mustache tickled his skin. Buck responded easily, pressing his lips against Vin's, pushing his tongue into his mouth.

Vin wrapped his legs around Buck's waist, and rubbed over his ass with the heel of his boot. Buck was holding his face in his hands, brushing his thumbs over Vin's ears and cheeks. Vaguely, in the back of his mind, Vin realized that the snow was melting beneath them and his entire backside was quickly becoming very cold.

"Buck?" he managed to say between kisses and breaths. "Buck, I'm wet."

Buck chuckled softly against his lips. "Me, too, Vin."

Vin felt the man shift his hips, which rubbed their crotches together. It felt so good, but not good enough to stay his discomfort. "No, Buck, I'm really wet."

"Well, I knew I was good, but that has to be a record." Buck grinned down at him, but Vin didn't smile. He just narrowed his eyes.

"The snow, Buck. It's melting and it's really cold!"

"Oh!" Buck exclaimed as he stood up, pulling Vin with him. They looked back down at the ground and found a human-sized patch of damp earth. Buck then spun Vin around. "Not only are you wet, but you're muddy, too. Let's get inside."

Vin nodded and they headed for the door. But, just as they reached the threshold, Vin stopped, yanking Buck to a halt beside him.

"How do I know this isn't some trick?" he asked, but Buck looked like he had no idea what Vin was asking. Maybe they were still playing this damn game. Maybe this was still all about the contest and Buck was working a new angle. "How do I know this isn't some ploy to get your two big feet inside that doorway first?"

Buck nodded. "Fair enough." He stepped aside and motioned with his arm for Vin to precede him.

"You sure? You're just gonna let me walk right in there?" Vin asked. This had to be a trick. "You know what that means, right?"

Buck nodded again. "Means I'm not going to pursue Chris. And that you can, if you want."

Vin swallowed. If you want. He hadn't expected Buck to say that and he hadn't expected it to hurt. "I think you oughta go in first." Vin stepped aside.

Buck reached out and grabbed Vin's hand. "Maybe we better go in together." Hesitantly, they both stepped forward, each, at the same moment, placing first one foot and then the other inside the doorway. They paused, but Buck kept a hold of Vin's hand and Vin felt a little twinge of relief in the pit of his stomach. Then Vin forced himself to scan the interior.

It was a small one-room cabin. He'd been there before; they all had. Chris had built it for weekend fishing trips in the summer and hunting trips in the winter.

"I'll get a fire going," Vin finally said. He was feeling just a bit uncomfortable, not knowing what ought to happen next. Building a fire would give him something to do. He crossed to the stone hearth and found a small stack of firewood beside it. He started piling logs onto the iron grate when Buck came over.

"Here," he said. He handed Vin a folded, green blanket. "You oughta get out of those wet clothes, before you catch pneumonia. I'm gonna take care of the horses."

Vin nodded, taking the blanket from Buck. He hadn't expected this, any of this, but all the same, he wished it didn't feel so ... awkward. He tried to push all the thoughts from his mind. He had two things to do: start the fire and get out of his cold, wet clothes. He could that. He could do that without worrying about anything else.

When Buck finally returned, Vin had stripped out of his clothes and was now standing in front of the fire with the blanket wrapped around his shoulders. Buck stared at him for a moment and Vin finally ducked his head away, slightly embarrassed.

"Help me move this," Buck said. Vin turned around and found Buck standing at the foot of the bed. It was just an old mattress on top of a rough wooden frame, but it was better than sleeping on the floor and that's why Chris had added it to the sparse furnishings. "Help me scoot this closer to the fire. It'll be more comfortable than you just standing there."

Vin moved to the head of the bed. He tucked the blanket under his arms, securing the ends, and then bent down to grab the bed frame.

"One, two, three," Vin counted. They both lifted together and moved the bed into the center of the room. Close enough to the fire for warmth, but not so close that they'd have to worry about stray sparks.

Vin readjusted the blanket around his shoulders. Everything he'd been wearing, except his socks, had been soaked. He'd peeled everything off and laid it over the chair beside the fire to dry. Vin was about to sit down on the edge of the mattress when he noticed Buck still standing at the foot of the bed.

"You better not be thinking about getting on this bed in all those wet clothes." Buck wasn't as wet as Vin had been, but he was close. Vin tugged the quilt off the bed and brought the fabric up to his nose. It didn't smell bad. Chris must have been up to the cabin not that long ago, maybe as recently as a couple of weeks. The quilt smelled as if it had been aired out, if not actually washed. "Here."

Buck nodded and began to strip. Vin wasn't sure if he should watch or not, but he found that he couldn't quite pull his eyes away. Buck was half turned as he pulled off his coat and then kicked off his boots. He tugged off his shirt and thermal undershirt and tossed them on the bed. Vin reached over and grabbed them. He spread them out over the other chair, which he brought up next to the fireplace, and then he turned his attention back to Buck.

The man had pushed his pants and underwear off and, like Vin, was now only wearing his socks. He had the quilt wrapped closely about his shoulders; Vin had missed seeing him naked. Buck handed Vin his pants and then seated himself on the bed, facing the fire. Vin dropped down beside him a moment later.

"Better?" Vin asked. Buck nodded as he reached out his hand; they twined their fingers together and soon Vin found himself leaning against Buck's shoulder.

"Vin," Buck said after a while. "I'm sorry about Chris. That he's not.... Because, you know, if he was...."

"Thanks, Buck. It's okay," Vin said. He sat up again and looked over at the man. He took the time to finally look at him. Buck had the friendliest blue eyes, eyes you just couldn't help but like, eyes that crinkled up at the corners when he was smiling, as he was doing right now. "Might sound strange, but ... I'm kind of glad that he's not ... and that you are."

Vin leaned forward and pressed his lips against Buck's as they both fell back onto the mattress. Buck pulled Vin on top of him and they fumbled with the quilt and the blanket for a moment before simply giving up. Vin's back and butt were partially exposed, but enough heat was radiating from the fire to keep him comfortable for now. Buck was warm beneath him, their bare bodies pressed together.

Vin could feel Buck's erection against his stomach and he shifted until his own cock bumped against Buck's. He felt Buck smile into their kiss and almost found himself laughing, but Buck flicked his tongue forward, over Vin's lips; Vin forgot about everything else for the moment. Buck's tongue was in his mouth now, sidling around, encouraging Vin to relax, to play, to want this more than anything. And he did.

Vin began to move his hips against Buck, rubbing their erections together. He felt Buck tense and squirm beneath him before pulling away from their kiss.

"Best not do that, Vin. Not unless you mean it."

"Oh, I mean it," Vin said, smiling. He tipped his hips forward again, closing his eyes as their hard cock rubbed against one another. Oh, yes, he meant it. He felt Buck's hands on his ass, cupping his cheeks. Buck pulled him forward, rubbing their erections against one another again. Vin shivered.

"You cold?" Buck asked, but Vin shook his head. "You hot?"

"Just for you."

Buck lifted his head and they were kissing again. Vin let Buck set the pace as the man's hands on his ass continued to rock him forward and back. Vin felt the hairs of Buck's crotch brushing over his balls and he wondered what Buck's mustache would feel like down there. He suddenly had to know.

Vin rolled onto his back. He looked up at Buck, who was staring at him with both confusion and surprise. Vin lifted his eyebrows and smiled invitingly. He ran his hand over his chest and down his stomach. Then, he wrapped his fingers around his cock and slowly began to stroke himself.

"Why, you coy little bastard," Buck exclaimed. He bent over Vin and began kissing his chest and sucking on his nipples. Vin ran his free hand over Buck's back, encouraging him. Buck's fingers soon met his over his cock. Buck tried to push Vin's hand away, but Vin wouldn't allow it. Buck quickly gave up, sliding his hand lower, until his fingers were gliding over Vin's sac.

Vin pushed his hips up, enjoying the feel of Buck's touch and wanting more. Buck slipped his hand lower, cupping the sac; he wiggled his fingers, brushing the tips over the smooth skin just behind Vin's balls, and then wiggling more to brush the edge of his hole. Vin thrust his hips upward again. Buck moved his hand back further until he was rubbing the tip of his finger over the tight pucker.

Vin smiled as the tingles of sensation washed through him. He slipped his fingers down Buck's side and underneath his body until he was caressing the long length of his cock. Buck let out a soft groan and Vin took the sound for enjoyment.

Buck shifted his position as his kisses moved down Vin's body. Lower and lower. Yeah, Vin, thought. Lower, baby. Buck kissed the very tip of Vin's cock and Vin fought the urge to thrust into Buck's mouth. Buck continued to press kisses down his length, until his lips were on Vin's balls. Vin felt the hairs of the man's mustache tickling him, causing the skin of his sac to repeatedly contract and relax.

He couldn't reach Buck's cock with his mouth the way they were currently positioned, so Vin stuck his fingers in his mouth, wetting them, then he moved them up to Buck's ass, rubbing them along the crack. Buck wiggled slightly and, Vin began to play with his hole, circling around and around, pressing slightly, and then entering. Buck gasped suddenly, but was then pushing back against Vin's hand. Vin pumped his fingers in and out of Buck's body, in time with the strokes he was making over his own cock.

Buck returned to kissing him, pressing his lips against his inner thighs, against his sac. Then Buck began to suck on his balls, to draw the tender tissue into his mouth, rolling it around with his tongue. Vin groaned from the sudden intensity that shot through him.

Then Buck pulled away, sitting back on his heels. "Damn," he breathed.

Vin was still rubbing his hand slowly over his cock as he watched Buck, wondering why he'd stopped.

"I knew you'd taste sweet, but" -- Buck let out a small whistle -- "you taste sweet." Vin was watching him, their eyes locked. Buck ran his hand down Vin's body, but held their gaze. "Roll over," he finally said.

Vin turned, moving onto his stomach. He couldn't reach his cock anymore, but he figured that was a temporary thing. Buck pushed Vin's legs apart and then kneeled between them. Vin felt him lean forward, felt Buck's stiff cock bump against his ass, rubbing over his crack. Then Buck was kissing his shoulders, his back. Vin felt Buck's tongue on his spine, slowly moving downward. Small shivers raced over his body; Vin couldn't believe how incredible this felt and that it was Buck, of all people, fulfilling his fantasies.

Vin felt Buck's tongue lingered on the skin covering his tailbone, then he felt the man's hands slip under him, lifting up his hips. Buck's tongue continued its downward journey, until Buck was lapping at his hole. Vin couldn't silence the groans now escaping his lips. Buck circled the tip of his tongue around the hole, pressing against it, and then he pushed inside, thrusting into Vin as he sucked on the surrounding skin.

Vin felt his cock spasm as more blood rushed into it. "Buck..." he gasped. "Buck ... you're making me ... wet."

"At least this time you can't blame it on melting snow," Buck said with a chuckle.

His breath felt hot against Vin's dry cheeks and cold along his wet crack. Vin lifted up his butt, wanting more. Buck licked him again, as he shoved his hands further beneath Vin's hips. Then he was pulling Vin to his knees.

Buck pushed his tongue deep again and Vin squirmed from the pleasure. Buck's hands were wrapped around Vin's cock, stroking it in time with the thrusts of his tongue into Vin's hole.

This was killing him. Vin was going to come. He wondered if Buck would keep on like this until he did, or if he would....

Just then, Buck straightened and then Vin felt Buck's legs scoot up close to his own. He felt Buck's hand between his cheeks, pressing what had to be the head of his cock against his hole. Vin couldn't wait. He pushed back, impaling himself on Buck's shaft. Buck quickly grabbed Vin's hips, pulling until he was buried deep. He then reached around Vin's waist, grabbing hold of Vin's cock. He began working his fingers over the flesh and soon Vin found himself moving his body back and forth, moving Buck's cock in and out of him as Buck pumped his length.

Vin felt Buck rubbing him deep inside. Wave after wave ran through his body, the tension building with each thrust, until his muscles tightened and hot come shot from his cock. Vin's back arched, ramming Buck's cock deeper, then he was shaking from the effort of just holding himself up.

Buck helped ease him down onto the mattress, before running his come covered fingers over Vin's back, drawing small, swirling patterns against his skin. But, after just a few moments, Buck was thrusting into him again, holding onto his shoulder, and riding him as if he were a wild horse. Vin felt Buck's hips slamming against his ass, their balls slapping. Buck pushed hard and harder. Vin shuddered as he came again, quicker and more sharply than before. Then Buck was stifling a cry as his hand tightened on Vin's hip. He pushed into him, once, twice more. Then he collapsed on the mattress beside Vin.

Vin reached up and took Buck's hand, twining their fingers together. He pressed a kiss to the back of Buck's hand as he looked over at his eyes. Even in his exhaustion, his eyes crinkled with obvious delight.

"So, who's going to buy Chris the stud horse for Christmas?" Vin asked.

"Let him get his own damn stud. I've got mine and that's all I care about."

On The Twelfth Day Of Christmas...

January 4, 2003

Comments would be most welcome if sent to: C.V. Puerro

Please 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 belongs to the author. This story will not be sold for any reason.

Quoted lyrics are from "All I Want Is You This Christmas" by 'NSync.

Background graphics courtesy of Snogirl.