Follows Guilt and Secrets
Disclaimer: Magnificent Seven does not belong to me and never will. This story is for enjoyment only.
Author's Note: All spelling and grammar errors are mine. I am not an English teacher. This is for fun. Thanks to MOG for creating the ATF universe.
Pairing: Vin and Chris
Feedback welcome, no flames. Thanks
Vin looked up when Art and Chris walked into the room. He was sitting on the edge of the exam table looking very uncomfortable since the only thing he had on was a hospital gown.Vin knew it was useless to tell either man he was fine. Chris had seen the attack and knew what injuries he had, Art would have a good idea since it had happened before, but not quite this bad.
Chris stood leaning against the wall out of the way as Art began the exam. Chris had to admit that the man was very gentle with Vin yet didn’t allow the stubborn sharpshooter to get by with anything. The man obviously knew Vin Tanner very well and knew how to handle the stubborn Texan.
Vin tried to prevent Art from checking his sore ass, but Art just crossed his arms and glared at the younger man.
Vin looked over at Chris and saw that he was outnumbered and might as well give in. That didn’t mean he had to make it easy for the two overbearing mother hens.
“I said I was fine,” Vin whined completely forgetting that he knew it was useless to say that. He had to try.
Art just pointed to the table as he pulled out the stirrups he used for expectant mothers. It was the easiest way to check the damage that Russ had done; Vin hated it but knew he wouldn’t get out of the clinic until Art was satisfied with his condition. Besides he had to admit that he did hurt more that he did the last time Russ had fucked him.
Chris choked back a laugh as Vin flashed Art a lethal look then pouted like a little kid as he lay down on the exam table.
Art put a sheet over Vin to give him some modesty. Chris saw his friend tense up and pale as Art began to touch him in his most private and now most painful spot.
Chris immediately crossed the room and stood at Vin’s side. Vin glanced up just as Chris picked up his hand and held on tight giving support in the only way he knew.
Vin blushed but squeezed the hand that held his so tightly letting Chris know without words how much the gesture meant to him.
Vin gasped and flinched when Art slipped a finger inside him to check for damage. Fuck that hurt, maybe it was a good thing he was being checked out.
Chris flashed a dark look at the doctor for hurting Vin. Thankfully Art was concentrating on Vin so missed the death glare. Vin however caught it and felt warmth fill his heart.
Chris was here with him and was upset for him. It had been a long time since anyone hovered over him and cared what happened to him. The stint he had in the Rangers had given him that family feeling at least for a while but nothing like what he felt with Chris and the guys.
Vin knew that Chris would kill for him and had wanted to kill Russ but only Vin’s request had saved the man. Vin also knew that if Russ ever crossed his path again Chris would not hesitate to kill the man.
Art had been right when he had told Chris that Vin loved him. The doctor had also been right when he had informed the brooding blond that Vin was probably aware that Chris loved him back.
Vin had thought about making a move but was too afraid of losing Chris’s friendship. Of course that was the excuse Chris used, then again the two men were very much alike.
Vin had thought Chris was close to saying something when Russ had shown up. There was no way that Vin wanted his friend dragged into Russ’s nightmare, it was something that he needed to deal with. After all he had a large part in making Russ into the violent man he was today.
Of course he had not been dealing real well with the whole situation. Russ had been getting more and more out of control. No matter what Vin said or did to pacify the man it never helped.
Now it looked like Chris had taken care of the whole thing. Russ was gone. Now Vin was going to stay at the ranch until Chris allowed him to leave. Chris had phrased it like that but Vin knew the blond ATF leader.
Chris would not allow him to leave until he was sure there was no danger to Vin. Chris was extremely anal when it came to his men’s safety and especially so with Vin.
In fact, Vin sighed loudly, he would be lucky if Chris let him out of his sight in the foreseeable future. Hell, he’d probably want to put a tracking device on him so he would know exactly where Vin was day and night.
Chris leaned down and brushed hair off Vin’s forehead after hearing the heavy sigh.
“You okay, cowboy?”
Before Vin could respond Art loudly and sarcastically said, “He’s fine; he would say he was fine even if he was bleeding to death from a dozen bullet wounds.”
Chris couldn’t help it, he laughed. Art knew Vin real well, because that is exactly what his friend would say.
Vin glowered at both his friends, his blue eyes sparked with irritation and damn if the lower lip didn’t pop out further in a definite pout.
Chris thought it was one of the sexiest things he had ever seen, as his fingers itched to touch that soft lower lip stroke it open and slip...
‘Fuck’ Chris thought as he put the brakes to that train of thought. Vin had just been raped and here he was fantasizing about the man.
Art deadened the area around the tear and put in a couple of stitches. Russ had torn Vin in the same spot he had torn him the last time and this time it was a little worse. Stitches would help it heal faster.
Art finished and stood up. Glancing at Vin he noticed the look he was receiving from his ranger buddy. It was a look he had gotten a lot from the younger man, but it had never bothered him. Vin always put others ahead of himself and this time it was not going to happen. Art had an ally in Chris Larabee and Vin would be taken care of whether he thought he needed it or not.
Art and Chris helped Vin sit up neither man missing the wince of pain from the expressive face.
“Will I live?” Vin asked raising an eyebrow his tone of voice carrying a hint of smart-ass sarcastic attitude.
Art shook his finger at Vin and smiled; his friend’s tone of voice didn’t faze him in the least.
“Now you listen to me kid. That bastard tore you in the same spot he did the last time…and don’t give me that look…Chris needs to know what you’ve been through and you damn well know it. I put two stitches in; they won’t have to come out, as they will just dissolve. You will need to keep the area clean…extremely clean, do you understand me?”
Vin had turned red at the frank speaking of his old buddy especially with Chris standing there listening to everything.
Vin’s stubbornness kicked in, he was tired, he was in pain, he was embarrassed and right now his life just sucked even with the man he loved standing right next to him.
Art growled in frustration, Vin was the most bull headed kid he had ever met and when the kid was in this kind of mood there was no talking to him.
Art had reckoned without Chris Larabee. Chris very deftly stepped between the two men and put his hand under Vin’s chin raising it until angry blue eyes met his calm green ones.
“Vin understands and he will do whatever you say he needs to so he will heal faster. Isn’t that right Vin?”
“You going to wipe my ass for me, Larabee?” Vin snapped, he knew they were just worried about him but he liked to be in control and he had no control over anything right now.
Chris leaned down and with just a few inches between their faces he hissed, “If I have to I’ll wipe your ass and put baby powder on it. You will follow the doctor’s orders.”
Vin’s mouth dropped open at Chris’s words, his blush deepened as he pictured Chris doing just what he threatened to do.
Art busted out laughing; it wasn’t often he saw Vin struck speechless. Yeah, Chris was going to be more than a match for stubborn young friend; he wouldn’t have to worry about Vin anymore.
Chris felt his lips tremble trying to keep the laugh from escaping, but Vin saw it and had to smile.
It wasn’t like him to be so irritable and antagonistic to his friends. It certainly wasn’t their fault that he had let the whole situation with Russ get out of hand. They only had his best interests at heart.
Chris reached out and cupped Vin’s cheek in his hand, he couldn’t help but notice that Vin rubbed his cheek against his hand for a second. He really didn’t think that Vin even knew he was doing it.
Vin sighed in defeat, the plea in the green eyes to please take care of himself made him admit that he had been behaving like a spoilt brat.
“I understand, Art. I promise to take care of myself. I…I’m sorry that I’ve been acting like a brat. I guess tonight it all just hit me and you guys were the ones I took it out on.”
Art patted Vin on the shoulder. He loved this boy like a kid brother; there wasn’t anyone finer than Vin Tanner.
“It’s okay kid. If anyone is entitled to have a fit of temper it is you. Now you get dressed and I will fill out the prescriptions. Meet you in the office.”
When Art left the room Chris helped Vin off the exam table. To Vin’s embarrassment Chris helped him get dressed. The blond didn’t make a big deal about it; just matter a factly helped him into his pants and shirt.
Vin thanked him and meant it.
Chris pulled Vin into a gentle hug whispering that it was all going to work out. Vin wasn’t going to handle anything alone again.
Leaving the room Art was waiting for them. The doctor handed Chris the prescriptions and a written list of instructions. Seeing Vin frown at the list, Art shook his head…the boy would never change.
“Vin, I want to see you in a couple of weeks. You do what Chris says, you hear me boy? In fact I think I will drive out to the ranch tomorrow and see how you are doing.”
Vin nodded his head wondering why he had so many overbearing bossy friends, but then was thankful that he had them.
Art grabbed his friend up in a bear hug; he then looked at Chris over their friend’s head and gave him a long look.
Chris fully understood what he was being told. Vin was now his responsibility, his to protect and his to love, the warning was also very clear. If Chris hurt Vin Tanner then there was nowhere he could hide from the wrath of Art.
Chris silently nodded his head accepting the precious gift that Art was passing on to him.
Art locked up behind the two men looked upwards and said a prayer for the men who had just left. A prayer that asked for them to be kept safe, for them to be happy and find the love they so richly deserved in each other’s arms.
Chris went by the twenty-four pharmacy and had the prescriptions filled. He then went through an all night drive through and picked up a hamburger and a coke for Vin. Under his watchful eyes Vin took a pain pill and the antibiotic.
They were halfway to the ranch when Vin succumbed to the medication and went to sleep. Chris pulled to the side of the road and moved Vin’s seat into the reclining position.
When they reached the ranch Buck immediately came out of the house and met Chris at the passenger side door. Buck hefted Vin into his arms and carried the sleeping man inside.
Buck started towards the room that Vin always slept in but he was stopped by Chris who guided him into the master bedroom.
His two friends carefully undressed Vin until he only wore his boxers. Buck hissed when he saw the marks on the slender body and the weight that Vin had lost over the last few weeks was more noticeable without any clothes on.
Chris had noticed the same thing in the doctor’s office but had managed to keep his face from revealing how upset it made him to see how Vin had suffered.
Chris covered Vin up then they left the room leaving the door open in case Vin cried out in his sleep.
Chris went to the bar and made up two drinks. Jack Daniels straight, they both needed it.
Chris quietly filled Buck in on what Art had said. Chris then told his old friend that the rest of the team was not to be told anything. Vin would tell them what he wanted them to know.
Buck agreed then he growled, “I will kill that mother fucker, Chris. That boy has had a shit life and that bastard has tried to destroy him.”
Chris took a deep breath.
“I agree, Buck. We need to play it cool with Vin. I think he’s ready to talk and we need to be ready to listen. Why don’t you stay the night?"
“You bet I will stay, stud. That boy needs us both…I do have to ask why you put the boy in your bedroom?”
“I’m afraid he will have nightmares and I want to be close to him if he does. I plan on being by his side from now on, you were right I love him and I think he loves me. I will help him through this and then I hope we will be together.”
Buck swallowed his drink in one gulp.
“What I wanted to hear, stud…what I wanted to hear. You take care of that boy, because I only see good times ahead. Vin won’t let this destroy him he is to strong for that.”
“Yeah, you’re right and we will be here to help out in anyway we can. Now I think we need to go to bed. I have a feeling that tomorrow we are going to need all our faculties with us,” Chris said as he tossed back his own drink.
The two old friends parted ways in the hallway. Chris went and got a pair of old sweats that Vin had left out at the ranch and put them in the bedroom so the sharpshooter would have something to change into the next day. Chris took a shower and then crawled into his bed. Vin looked like he had not moved from where he had been put.
During the night Vin had started getting restless mumbling under his breath. Chris woke up and whispered soothingly to the younger man stroking his hand through the long hair.
Vin opened his eyes briefly, Chris was not even sure that Vin knew where he was just that he was safe.
Chris suddenly had an armful of Tanner and was very happy.
Vin snuggled in close resting his head under the blonds chin, his arm thrown around the slim waist and one of his legs over both of Chris’s.
Chris wrapped his arms around Vin as he quietly teased the sleeping man.
“Guess you aren’t planning on me going anywhere...huh cowboy. That’s okay though because I like it just where I am.”
Chris pressed a kiss on top of the tousled head and drifted back to sleep.
The next morning Chris woke up first and just lay quietly enjoying the feel of the warm sleeping body curled in his arms. Chris carefully slipped out of the bed, smiling as Vin murmured a protest before settling back down in the warm spot that the blond had left.
Chris tucked the blankets around the sleeping body and went to get dressed.
Before leaving the room Chris couldn’t help going back over and leaning down giving Vin a quick soft kiss on the lips.
“Love you cowboy,” he whispered before leaving the room.
Chris should have remembered that Vin had been in the Rangers and knew how to fake sleep. Vin was worried when he had woken up in Chris’s arms that the blond would be embarrassed so he had pretended to be asleep.
The kiss from Chris was heaven to the battered young man's soul, yet it was the words that were spoken that made his heart soar and his hopes for the future look brighter.
Vin waited until he heard Buck’s voice join Chris’s in the kitchen then he got out of bed and went to take a shower. Padding out of the bathroom he saw his sweats lying on the chair.
After dressing he took a deep breath then headed for the kitchen and his two friends. It was time for them to know the whole story, he thought they would understand and after hearing Chris’s declaration of love, Vin knew that Chris would always be by his side and no one had a heart bigger than Buck Wilmington.
Vin entered the kitchen to find a plate waiting for him filled with eggs, bacon, sausage and biscuits. Chris ate healthier than that so he knew the blond had fixed all of it just because he knew Vin liked it.
Vin smiled shyly at both men. Chris and Buck resumed their discussion of a case the team was currently working on letting Vin eat some food in peace.
After Vin had eaten half his breakfast, Chris pushed two pills at him. At Vin’s glare Chris calmly raised one eyebrow and crossed his arms.
Vin glanced at Buck who gave him the same look; clearly he wasn’t going to get any help from the easygoing ladies man.
Sulking slightly Vin took one of the pills and swallowed it followed by a full glass of orange juice.
Chris looked at him suspiciously as though doubting that Vin had really swallowed the pill.
Vin took a deep breath and stuck his tongue out rolling it around to show he hadn’t hidden the pill anywhere in his mouth.
Buck choked on his juice at the childish behavior of the deadly sharpshooter, Chris tried for the glare but since he knew it had never fazed Vin and never would he to cracked up laughing.
Vin frowned then had to join in, it felt good to be so relaxed and around his friends. Not having to worry about getting hit or saying the wrong thing to set anybody off.
“The other pill Vin,” Chris said nodding towards
Chris saw Vin’s mood change and glanced at Buck.
“I need to be clear headed because I want to talk to you and Buck. It’s time for me tell you guys what’s been going on. I promise to take the pill afterwards.”
Chris nodded his head smiling at his young friend in reassurance.
Buck stood up and took his and Vin’s dishes to the sink as Vin slowly got to his feet.
“I think I’ll clean up the kitchen. Chris. Why don’t you and Vin go on into the family room, I’ll be right in,” Buck said.
Vin was going to protest that he could help, but knew neither man would pay him any attention.
Chris sat down in the corner of the sofa; Vin sat next to him needing to be close to his rock.
Buck finished the kitchen and came into the family room; he sat in a chair opposite his two friends.
Vin took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“I want to thank you both for being there for me last night.”
“You don’t have to thank us, Vin. That’s what friends are for,” Buck replied.
“I...I mean we will always be at your side, Vin. You can always count on us,” Chris added patting his best friend’s thigh before pulling his hand away.
“I need to tell you guys everything from the very beginning. I think I will feel better if I do and it’s time. First off you both should know that Russ didn’t rape me, I allowed it to happen.”
Chris jumped up at that comment absolutely furious.
“You mean you enjoyed what that animal was doing to you, don’t give me that shit Vin. I know better.”
Buck frowned at his old friend until Chris sat down.
“Vin, did you want Russ to hurt you so bad that you had to see a doctor?”
Vin slowly shook his head no.
“Then it was rape. Just because you allowed it doesn’t mean it wasn’t rape. You didn’t ask to be beaten and torn up, he used emotional blackmail on you didn’t he?”
Vin looked at Buck in surprise.
“Yes he did, but I allowed it,” Vin insisted refusing to absolve himself of any liability for what had happened.
“Junior, you have the highest capacity for guilt that I have ever seen. Things that are totally out of your control you feel guilty about. I would imagine Russ knew that and used it against you,” Buck asserted.
Chris placed his hand over Vin’s and quietly said, “I don’t believe for one minute that you wanted him to abuse you like he did.”
“I didn’t but I owed him. Hell, don’t you think I could have gotten away from him. Sure he’s bigger than I am, but I was an Army Ranger, and I am a black belt, I could have gotten away. I owed him,” Vin miserably said.
Chris gritted his teeth so he wouldn’t say something he would regret, but if Vin said he owed that animal one more time he would scream.
Buck picked up the slack knowing that Chris was close to blowing his stack at Vin’s stubbornness to listen to reason.
“Tell us why you think you owe him. Start at the beginning just like you said you were going to,” Buck softly said.
Vin leaned back against the sofa resting his head on the cushioned back. A part of him wanted to run out of the house but he couldn’t do that, he was braver than that. Besides he figured he wouldn’t even make it to the door before Chris or Buck stopped him.
Chris put his arm on the back of the sofa his hand resting right behind Vin’s head. Vin felt fingers ruffling his hair and glanced over at his best friend.
“You’ll feel better if you tell us.”
Vin nodded his head and gathered his thoughts.
“There were five of us on the special ops team, Art, Russ, Dell, Judd and myself. I can’t tell you the country we were in because it is classified but we were the advance team for a large mission, two days behind us was about thirty other guys and we were to make sure they made it through safely. Intel indicated that a local terrorist group was going to attack the caravan. It was our job to find the group and take them out. Dell was my spotter. You have to understand we were a tight knit group. Our lives depended on each other. The first day out we came up on a woman with a kid, it was like they were waiting for us. The kid was about four years old. Russ greeted them like they were his long lost family and guess what they were his family. Russ had been in country a lot longer than the rest of us and had secretly married the woman and they had the kid. Judd was the officer in charge, he was not happy about the added burden of a woman and kid, he also said it smelt like a setup. He and Russ had a royal screaming match. The next thing we knew Russ had taken off with his family leaving us a man short but he came back a few hours later saying he had hidden them away somewhere safe. Judd was not happy but there was no way we could call off the mission too much was riding on it. Then the next day we came upon the terrorist hide out. It wasn’t much of a camp, a few tents, but a lot of weapons and a lot of well-armed men. Out of one of the tents walked Russ’s family. We knew what the leader looked like we had a picture of him, he walked out after the woman. The woman had a rifle over her shoulder and was pointing in the direction that the caravan was coming from. I got in position to take out the leader and then the ammo dump, Dell was right next to me to spot. I could hear the guys gasp as they watched the woman kiss that damn leader like a long lost lover. I chanced a glance at Russ and he looked like someone had taken a baseball bat up the side of his head, he was totally shocked by the woman’s actions. Then I nearly died when that damn woman took her kid and walked over and sat in a jeep right by the fucking ammo dump. I almost pulled the rifle off my shoulder, but Judd was right behind me and told me not to move, the job would go forward. Russ threw another fit, Judd told him that it was very apparent that his family was part of the terrorist group and that he had slipped information to them. Whether it was innocent or not was up to a military court. Art came up behind Russ and knocked him out then tied his hands behind his back. The mission had to go forward and Russ was now a liability. The camp was getting ready to break up so we had to make our move. I did what I had to do and I killed the leader, then all hell broke loose. I prayed the woman would grab the kid and run but she didn’t just sat there like she was daring us to take her out. The kid panicked and took off running away from the camp. I pulled the trigger and the whole thing went up, the ammo, the jeep and Russ’s wife.”
Here Vin’s voice broke off as he remembered those horrific moments.
Buck got up and even though it was early in the morning he poured them all a drink. Vin probably didn’t need it with the medication he was on and Nathan would zone if he knew about it but damn if this story didn’t need a strong drink.
Chris nodded his thanks and drank it down, he let his hand slip down to rest on the back of Vin’s neck in support of his friend. Vin slowly drank the strong whisky then began again.
“Russ had regained consciousness and began screaming hysterically calling us murderers, he took off running towards the camp trying to get to his kid even though his hands were still tied behind his back. About that time Judd was shot in the shoulder, most of the terrorists had died in the explosion or were dying at that point. Unfortunately one of the men saw the kid running away and saw Russ screaming at the boy running towards him. I aimed the rifle to take out the terrorist but was a second to late; the bastard shot the kid in the back. Russ went to his knees and I swear to God I never heard a man scream like he did. Dell went to Judd to help him and Art and I headed for Russ. By the time we got there Russ had become silent; he was just staring straight ahead and didn’t even acknowledge our presence. At the military trial it was decided that Russ’s wife had been a spy and had duped him from the very beginning. She used him for information and he was so besotted with her that he trusted her completely. Russ was put away in a military hospital. The whole team visited him periodically. The last time I saw him was about a year ago, he actually looked at me and said the first words he had spoken since the attack. He said, ‘this is all your fault Tanner. You killed my family and you owe me. I will collect one day and you will pay’. Two months ago he showed up on my doorstep, he had been released and as long as he took his anti-depression pills he was okay. I felt guilty for my part in the destruction of his life. Sure I knew that it was war, but he watched his family die in front of him. Russ was fine for the first couple of weeks but he kept bringing up his family, saying he had not had sex since they had died. Russ told me that he had tried but nothing seemed to work right and the last woman he had asked to help him through the problem had laughed in his face. It was no secret between the five of us that I was gay. I mean so was Judd. It didn’t matter as long as you could shoot and you had your buddy’s back that was what was important. Russ said I owed him a mercy fuck after all his family was dead and he needed the release. He said that I needed to help him over his problem. I went along with it, and it went downhill from there. Russ became more violent and the sex became meaner, he began to enjoy hurting me. Of course he apologized afterwards but he always brought up my guilt in his family’s deaths. I knew he was playing me, but I just felt sorry for him and I kept thinking he would quit. I tried to talk him into seeing a doctor but he accused me of hating him and wanting him to be put away again like an animal. I talked to Art and he told me to turn Russ in but I couldn’t do it. I felt like I had betrayed him once I couldn’t do it again. That is the whole sordid story pathetic as it is.”
Vin dropped his head down not wanting to see the looks on his friend’s faces.
Chris continued rubbing the back of Vin’s neck letting the younger man know by touch that he was on Vin’s side. The mark that Russ had left on the back of Vin’s neck could easily be felt so Chris made sure he was very gentle with his touches.
Buck got up and knelt in front of Vin, he put his hands on Vin’s knees and gently squeezed until sad blue eyes met his. Buck caught his breath; fuck he had forgotten how Vin’s eyes could strike right into a person’s heart.
“I’m only going to say this once, kid. You did what you had to do. You saved all those soldiers, just think of them and all their families who would have been grieving if you hadn’t had the guts to do your job. You tried to help Russ and he refused your helping hand that is all you can do. You don’t owe him anything; you have paid more than you ever should have. I am so proud to call you my friend.”
Buck held out his hand and a bemused Vin put his out. Buck shook Vin’s hand looking right into the blue eyes. Buck knew that Vin was analyzing his sincerity. When Vin smiled at him he knew that he had passed, Vin now knew without a doubt that Buck meant every word he had said.
Chris exerted careful pressure on Vin’s neck and turned his friend to face him.
Vin tensed ever so slightly. Chris felt the tension in his friend and thought he knew the reason for it. Chris’s opinion held more power over Vin than Buck’s, and only Chris had the capacity to hurt Vin’s soul.
Vin raised slightly fearful blue eyes to his.
“Buck is right. A soldier’s duty is never easy, but it is necessary and innocents are killed all the time. I wish it was different but as long as there are animals out there who choose to kill for the sake of their cause innocent people will be caught in the line of fire. You did not kill that kid, the woman did by not protecting her son, and the terrorist is the one who fired the killing shot. You saved other people’s kids that day and I am so proud of you. I love you for your bravery, your compassion for a man who abused you, and well... Vin I just love you,” Chris finished on a whisper. He enjoyed watching the blue eyes widen at his words, the blush that stole across the beautiful face and the pink tongue that licked nervously at the full lips.
No power on earth could have stopped him from leaning in and despite Buck’s presence kissing those tempting lips. It was a chaste sweet first kiss for a man who was hurting emotionally and physically. A kiss to show Vin that he was loved, he was safe and finally he was right where he belonged, in Chris’s failsafe arms.
Vin saw Chris leaning in and knew the blond was going to kiss him. Vin let his eyes drift shut; a soft whimper left him as he finally felt Chris’s lips on his. Lips he never thought he would ever feel on his, it was a dream come true.
Chris pulled back and leaned back until he was reclining in the corner of the sofa. Smiling gently he saw Vin slightly sway in his direction trying to keep contact with him.
Chris carefully pulled Vin into his arms and situated him so that Vin was not putting any pressure on his stitches.
Buck handed Vin the pain pill and a glass of water. Vin frowned but took the pill. Nothing not even the hated medicine could ruin his mood right now.
Vin snuggled in close to the blond curled on his side between Chris’s long legs, his head tucked under Chris’s chin.
Vin reached out and grasped a handful of Chris’s shirt holding on to his lifeline.
Buck took an afghan off the back of the sofa and covered the two men smiling as he saw Vin lean his head back and kiss the side of Chris’s neck.
A husky Texas drawl whispered, “I love you to, Chris.”
Chris flushed with pleasure, he sighed pulled Vin closer and settled back into the comfort of the sofa. He had no plans on moving anytime soon. In fact he was going to stay right where he was until Vin woke up which wouldn’t be for a few hours.
For several minutes there was silence as Vin drifted off to sleep. Chris just basked in the joy of holding the most important thing in his life, feeling the living breathing man nestled so trustingly against his chest. Buck just smiled like he was the one who had gotten the two men together and was thrilled with the developments of the morning.
Buck knew the answer but he asked anyway.
“Want me to carry him to the bedroom?”
“No! He is perfect where he is and I don’t plan on moving either. I want to enjoy finally having him in my arms where he belongs,” Chris said.
“I’ll go on out and feed the horses then head on home.”
“Thanks Buck for everything. You knew what exactly what to say to him, just like you always knew what to say to me when my life was falling apart. Thank you,” Chris whispered his green eyes filled with gratitude for his old friend who was always there when he was needed.
Buck felt tears prick the back of his eyes as he heard Chris’s words. Chris after he had climbed out of the bottle had let Buck know by his actions that he had appreciated what the big man had done for him, standing by his side after his family had been killed. This was the first time the words had been spoken between the two of them. Buck knew that it was the man Chris was holding in his arms that had broken past the blonde’s defenses and made him able to say the long overdue words.
“Like I told Junior. That’s what friends are for. You would have done the same thing for me. You realized that we still are going to need to work on Junior about this guilt hang up he has,” Buck replied then changing the subject back to Vin before they both got to emotional.
“I know, but Vin has always put everyone ahead of his own well being. He feels for people especially when they are friends and his compassion while being a wonderful thing to have sometimes backfires on him. That bastard took advantage of Vin and I am going to make sure no one does that every again,” Chris vowed.
Buck nodded his head his eyes hardening as he remembered the marks on his young teammates body.
“I’m with you stud. You want to cancel the BBQ tomorrow?”
“No, Vin would be upset if we did that and I think he would like to be around his friends. We say nothing to them and let Vin take the lead in what to divulge to them.”
Buck said his goodbyes and left. About thirty minutes later Chris heard Buck’s truck leave the driveway. Soon after that he turned the TV on low so as not to bother the sleeping angel in his arms.
The next thing he knew he woke up several hours later having nodded off during a boring movie. Vin was still sleeping soundly in his arms.
Chris felt the urgent need to go to the bathroom. He didn’t want to leave Vin but there was no recourse and he slipped out from under his friend. After making sure that he had not woken Vin up he left the room.
Vin woke up feeling warm and comfortable, he knew immediately that he was alone on the sofa, but that was okay. The memory of being held in Chris’s arms would stay with him for a long time and he had a feeling that there were more good memories to come.
Vin stood up wincing as stiff muscles protested the movement. Chris walked into the room just then.
The blond grasped Vin’s elbow and helped him to the bathroom.
“You should have called out I would have come and helped you angel,” Chris said hiding his smile.
Vin stopped dead in the hallway and turned incredulous eyes to his boss.
“Did you just call me angel?” he asked aghast as a faint blush colored his cheeks.
“Sure did. I thought about sugar or cupcake but didn’t think you would like those at all,” was the blithe comment.
“How about just Vin,” Vin retorted blushing even more at the thought of being called cupcake in front of the guys.
“Well I could do that but I like to see you blush, you do it so pretty. You don’t blush like that if I call you Vin,” Chris replied still keeping a straight face.
“Pretty! I am not pretty, Larabee,” came the aggravated retort.
“Okay then beautiful and I’m sorry Vin but I have heard others call you beautiful so you can’t get out of that one.”
Vin was speechless then frowned at his friend's continued look of innocence.
“You’re messing with me aren’t you?”
“Sort of. However I do love to see you blush. I do want to call you angel because that is what you are to me, but if it makes you feel uncomfortable then about babe?”
Vin shyly smiled at the earnestness of Chris’s comment. No one had ever bothered to worry about what endearment to call him because no one had ever cared enough. Buck called him Junior but that was a nickname and one he cherished.
“As long as you don’t call me that in front of the guys it would be fine.”
As Vin went to walk into the bathroom he had to ask, “You were just kidding about people calling me beautiful right?”
Chris grinned, “Nope. More than one person male and female have called you beautiful and they were one hundred percent correct in that assessment.”
Vin turned a bright red and shut the door in Larabee’s laughing face with a harder shove than was necessary.
Not wanting to push his luck Chris went into the kitchen to make a late lunch. Remembering the doctors orders he made something that would be easy on Vin’s stomach. A case of diarrhea with those stitches on his ass would not be a good thing.
Vin walked in and smiled when he saw the pillow on the chair. Sitting down gingerly he had to admit he felt a little weird now that he knew Chris loved him as much as he loved the blond.
Chris knelt down next to Vin’s chair and put one hand on Vin’s thigh rubbing gently. Chris had been watching Vin and with their uncanny knack for reading each other he knew what the younger man was feeling. Thankfully with Russ out of the picture that connection was back, Vin no longer felt the need to hide his feelings from him.
“Don’t feel uncomfortable Vin. I’m not going to push you into anything. We take this as slow or as fast as you want. I love you, you love me and that is all that matters,” Chris said.
Vin smiled then greatly daring leaned down and kissed Chris putting pressure on the blond’s lips until he was allowed access to the hot mouth. Their tongues dueled for dominance until the kiss relaxed into something sweet and slow.
Both men were flushed and breathing heavily when the kiss was over with. Jeans were a little bit tighter than they had been before the kiss had started.
“I think we better quit while we can,” Vin said breathlessly.
“I think you’re right, but remember where we left off so we can pick up later on,” Chris teased.
Vin smiled and shyly nodded his head.
Lunch was a quiet affair. Vin talked some more about his Ranger days, about the guys he served with. Chris had to admit that Russ seemed to have been a decent guy until the death of his family, but that did not absolve the guy for what he had done to Vin.
Vin might be willing to let it go, rationalize it, and push the whole thing to the back of his mind, but Chris couldn’t do that.
Chris had the uneasy feeling that there was a lot of shit that Vin had been through that the sharpshooter just pushed to the back of his mind. It was a safety mechanism that a lot of people had to use to protect themselves from a harsh cruel world.
Knowing that Chris vowed that he was not going to let Vin be hurt like that again and he would be available for whenever Vin wanted to talk.
After lunch much to Chris’s dismay Vin refused the pain pill, he took the antibiotic but not the pain pill. He did promise though to take one later.
Vin flashed his blue eyes at Chris asking if he could go see the horses. Chris wanted to say no but he could never deny Vin anything and now that he had the sharpshooter under his roof and had sampled that sweet mouth he certainly couldn’t say no his blue eyed love.
Buck would say he was whipped by puppy dog blue eyes and that pouting mouth and damned if his old friend wouldn’t be right. As they walked to the barn Chris grinned and decided he liked the whipped feeling especially since the instigator was walking right beside him grasping his hand.
Chris felt carefree as he lifted their clasped hands and placed a kiss on the back of Vin’s hand bringing a blush of happiness to the younger man.
Vin cheerfully greeted Peso who somehow knew his master wasn’t feeling one hundred percent. Chris was shocked when Peso became a perfectly behaved horse, standing still while Vin pet him and fed him apples. The horse didn’t even act like he was going to do something.
Damn fucking horse would have bit his hand off Chris thought sourly to himself as he went about feeding the rest of the horses.
A movement out of the corner of his eye made Chris’s hackles rise up and he moved over next to Vin, cursing when he realized that he had left his gun in the house. Just being close to Vin had made him forgetful and that was very dangerous.
Chris reached out and put Vin behind him the sharpshooter glanced up curious as to what Chris was doing.
Just then Russ stepped into the barn a semi-automatic revolver in his hand pointing right at the two ATF agents.
Vin gasped when he caught sight of the man. Chris felt the tension in the slim body behind his and knew that Vin was ready for anything and he was very afraid that Vin would sacrifice himself to save Chris. He wasn’t so sure that Vin wouldn’t try to save the bastard standing there threatening them.
Chris vowed right then that would not happen not while he had any breath in his body. Vin Tanner had the purest soul he had ever seen and he’d be damned if he let this animal hurt his beloved again.
Russ grinned as he stepped further into the barn. Now he would have his revenge.
“Hello lover boy. I see it didn’t take you long to find someone else to fill your ass with cock. Bet Blondie can’t make you scream or split your ass so hard you bleed. Does he know you like it rough, like to be tied up, whipped until you pass out and beaten black and blue,” Russ laughed enjoying the looks on the men’s faces.
If he was looking for Chris to be disgusted with Vin he was sadly mistaken.
Chris just raised his eyebrow and looked at Russ like he was a piece of shit to be scrubbed off his shoe. Vin however paled, made a low moan in the back of his throat as he worried that Chris would believe he enjoyed those things.
Chris whirled around putting his back to Russ as he grasped Vin by the shoulders.
“He’s playing you, babe. I don’t believe his shit and never will. He is jealous of your decency, your compassion and your ability to connect with people. An animal like him can’t function in decent society and tries to drag everyone down with him.”
Vin’s stricken eyes looked deep into the green ones staring into his and he found what he needed.
Chris didn’t believe anything Russ said, his love for Vin was total and nothing would shake his belief in the younger man.
Vin straightened his shoulders and turned angry eyes to the vindictive man.
“Nothing you say will break us apart Russ so you might as well give it up. You’ve lost. I tried to help you but you just threw it back in my face. I let you use me, but that won’t happen again,” Vin said coming to stand next to Chris.
Chris would have preferred keeping Vin safely behind him, but knew that Vin wouldn’t stand for it.
Russ was livid, well if he couldn’t break the men up and make them distrust each other he would finish it now.
Russ raised his gun and hissed, “Well then how about this. I’ll shoot Larabee in the gut. Then Vin as he slowly dies I’ll fuck you in front of him, and then I’ll kill you. Won’t your precious friends enjoy finding your dead bodies here in the barn? I think I’ll strip Larabee of his clothes and they can find both of you naked, what a story for the papers.”
Vin shook his head as he said, “You are sick, Russ. Put the gun down and let us get you some help.”
“Fuck that and fuck you, Tanner,” Russ screamed hysterically as his finger tightened on the trigger.
Vin saw something that Chris didn’t and at that moment dove for the blond knocking Chris down.
Chris reacted by grabbing Vin and rolling the slim body underneath his. Chris was protecting the slender body with his own, fully expecting to feel a bullet hit him in the back.
Two gunshots echoed and Chris cringed but felt no pain, Vin gasped causing Chris to think that he had been shot.
Chris kept Vin pinned to the ground and turned to look at Russ. To his surprise and relief Art was entering the barn holding his own gun. Russ was lying on the ground bleeding from a bullet wound in the chest.
Chris scrambled off Vin and knelt next to the younger man. Green eyes searched Vin’s body and didn’t see any blood.
“You okay, babe?” Chris asked totally forgetting not to call Vin that in front of anyone, but Vin didn’t care. They were both alive and that was what mattered.
“Not shot, but I think I wrenched my hurt knee and…and my ass hurts,” Vin finished quietly, his face pale yet very embarrassed at having to admit his injuries.
Chris started to stand up and go see about Russ and send Art to Vin, but Vin put his hand out grasping Chris’s arm.
“Help me up. I need to go over there.”
Chris started to say no, but at Vin’s look he helped him up.
Vin limped over to the two men, Chris’s arm tight around his waist.
Art stood up and took Vin’s arm taking part of his weight.
“He’s dead Vin. I had no choice, he was going to kill you both.”
Vin glanced down at Russ and saw that the man actually had a small smile on his face. Maybe Russ could be happy now.
Vin looked up at Art and gave him a small smile.
“Glad you showed up when you did. I think that maybe he is happy now. This life had become hell to him, maybe the next one will be better,” Vin softly said.
Art and Chris looked at each other. After all the hell Russ had put Vin through the man could still feel compassion for him.
Vin was definitely one of a kind and Chris was thankful that this special soul belonged to him.
Just then Vin’s eyes rolled back in his head and he passed out. Chris let Art scoop Vin up in his arms and led the way to the house.
Chris led Art to the bedroom, after getting the doctor’s black bag out of his car; Chris left Vin to the doctor’s gentle hands.
Chris called the police, and then Buck. After assuring Buck that everything was under control he told the man to contact the team and let them know what had happened. He didn’t want them to hear about it on the evening news.
Buck called the team and told them that Russ was dead, not one of them felt any sympathy for the man, but all they knew of him was that he had been beating one of their own up. Buck needless to say did not tell them about the sexual abuse, that was something only Vin would divulge and he had a feeling that Vin would never let them know.
The BBQ was still on, Chris figured Vin needed the guys to keep his mind off what had happened. If Vin changed his mind then they could do the BBQ another time.
The police came out and took statements from Chris and Art. It was deemed a good shoot. After all Chris and Vin were ATF agents and Art was a doctor with a good reputation. The police did tell Chris that after contacting the sanitarium Russ had been at for years they had been told that if the man had quit taking his medications he would have become violent, paranoid and vicious.
Chris knowing how Vin’s mind worked told the police that he wanted custody of Russ’s body. At their looks of surprise he told them that the man had been a good soldier, was not responsible for his mental illness and deserved a decent burial.
Art looked on with approval, it was exactly what Vin would want and he knew that was why Larabee had done it.
Vin’s statement could be given later, but the police said there was no hurry.
While Vin had been out Art had checked his friend and while he did he thanked God that he had come out a little earlier than he had planned to see how Vin was doing.
Pulling up in front of the ranch house he had seen Russ enter the barn with gun drawn and knew that he had to stop the man. When he saw Vin glance at him and dive at Chris he knew that was his signal to shoot and he did with deadly accuracy.
Chris gave the police his statement first then went to get Art. Art had told him Vin was sound asleep as he had given him a pain injection. While Art went to talk to the police Chris had entered the bedroom and looked down on the sleeping man, smiling at the angelic look on Vin’s face.
Chris decided he might have to change his mind and instead of babe call Vin angel, of course it depended on how brave he felt at the time.
Chris kissed Vin on the forehead and then on the full lips whispering his love then went to the living room to where Art and the police were.
After the police had left Chris rustled up some food and the two men sat down and ate. Art answered all Chris’s questions about Russ and the Ranger team. The doctor assured Chris that Vin was on the mend, he suggested that Vin stay off the knee until Monday, and the stitches were fine.
Chris saw Art to the door and promised to bring Vin around the clinic in a week. Chris then climbed into bed and pulled Vin into his arms, though it was early in the evening Chris was exhausted and soon fell asleep.
Chris woke up the next morning to find Vin trying to slip out of the bed.
“Where you think you’re going cowboy?” he asked tightening his arms around the slim warm body.
“Bathroom,” Vin replied the panicked look on his face letting Chris know that he couldn’t wait any longer.
Chris laughed but stood up and picked Vin up and carried him to the bathroom.
Vin held his tongue until he was put down in the bathroom and then grumpily insisted, “I can walk you know.”
“Art said you were to stay off your feet until tomorrow,” Chris calmly replied.
Vin grumbled but had to admit his knee was bothering him. To Chris’s irritation Vin insisted on taking a shower. Chris put a metal chair in the shower stall, but had to leave when Vin threw him out saying he didn’t need an audience while he showered.
After Vin was dressed Chris carried him to the living room and laid him on the sofa where he was served breakfast.
Chris then told Vin what had gone down with the police, how he had called Buck and what the team had been told. Vin was glad the guys were coming out that afternoon; it would keep his mind off Russ.
Chris then told Vin that Tuesday they would claim Russ’s body since he had no family and have him buried at a Veterans cemetery near the VA hospital.
Vin was thankful that his friend and hopefully soon to be lover understood what he was thinking and feeling.
That afternoon it was a determined group of men who refused to let Vin alone for a minute. They teased him, carried him wherever he needed to go without a complaint, and plied him with good food although Nathan said no liquor with the pain pills.
The whole team also showed up for Russ’s funeral, while they didn’t know the whole story, just the fact that Chris had claimed the body told them that there was more to Russ than just the man who had beaten up their friend. They were willing to go on that knowledge alone, their trust in Chris and Vin telling them that this was the thing to do.
Art saw Vin and told him he was healing fine, give it another week and he would be free to take up whatever activity he wanted to. Of course since Art winked at Chris when he said that Vin knew exactly what his old buddy was getting at.
Aghast at Art’s behavior Vin blushed hit the big man on the shoulder and threatened to shoot both of them if they continued to tease him.
The week passed slowly Vin was sure he was fine and was ready to be penetrated but Chris refused not wanting to take a chance on hurting Vin.
Vin was pacified when Chris had agreed to oral sex. The first time the blond had gone down on him he had nearly passed out at the sensations that had coursed through him.
Then Friday finally arrived, two weeks had passed, and Vin was excited, nervous, fearful and impatient. Chris damn him was calm cool and collected all day. In fact he had been called into a meeting that afternoon and had told Vin he would meet him at home.
Vin had told Chris that if he wasn’t home early then Vin would track him down and haul his ass home.
Vin got to the ranch and pulled up in front of the house. Walking up to the front door he saw a note that said for him to come around back. Glancing around he saw the back end of Chris’s truck sitting behind the barn.
A tingle of anticipation raced up and down his spine. Chris was home and he had planned something for the night.
Vin wandered around back and saw the whole back deck was lit with tiny white lights; Chris was standing by the hot tub in a robe waiting for him.
Chris held out his hand and Vin let himself be pulled into a hug, a kiss landed on his mouth.
“Let me help you get undressed,” Chris murmured.
Vin found himself slowly divested of all his clothes and then he was urged into the hot tub. Chris put a tray on the side of the hot tub and then stepped into the water.
Vin went to fling himself into Chris’s arms but Chris held him back.
“We have all night, babe. I want to savor our first time, no rushing, I want to enjoy every second of our time together.”
Vin blushed. No one had ever treated him like he was something special, someone to be treasured and loved.
Chris used his fingers and held out a piece of fruit waiting until Vin opened his mouth. When he had dropped the fruit in Vin’s mouth Chris rubbed his juice-covered fingers across the full lips of the beautiful man he was with.
Vin caught his breath at the love he saw shining in searing green eyes. Vin picked up a piece of fruit and put it between his teeth then leaned forward covering Chris’s mouth with his. The blond pulled the fruit from Vin’s teeth and ate it never loosing contact with Vin’s sweet mouth, letting the juice dribble back into Vin’s mouth.
The romantic tasting with fruit and cheese accompanied by glasses of wine continued until Chris pulled Vin onto his lap holding his lover carefully to make sure he didn’t lose his balance.
Chris reached between them and grasped both cocks in his hand that he had coated with special lube to be used in the hot tub (yes there is such a thing). Slowly Chris stroked their cocks placing his other hand in the small of Vin’s back holding his love in place.
Vin put his arms on Chris’s shoulders his hands laced behind the blond neck their mouths were fused together.
Soon the kiss became deeper, the breathing harder until both men climaxed sending their seed into the hot water. Vin slumped against Chris letting the older man hold him up enjoying the closeness after such a mind-blowing experience.
Getting out of the hot tub the two men put on robes. Vin wondered what Chris had planned now. Whatever it was had to be good.
Chris had the table set with candles, the good china and crystal. Soon big steaks, baked potatoes and salad were being consumed.
Light carefree conversation filled the air and neither man could take their eyes off each other.
There was no talking about work or the past, just talk about the future and what would make them happy.
Russ was in the past, the man was buried and he would never haunt them again. Chris was moving on leaving his old ghosts behind. The two men were moving on together just as they were meant to be.
Dishes were dumped into the sink to be worried about the next day…late the next day.
Chris blew out the candles and then led Vin down the hallway to their bedroom. The room was filled with lit candles, the light scent of sandalwood filled the air.
Chris removed Vin’s robe and then his own. Chris moved Vin into the middle of the bed where he had the younger man lie on his back. Glancing down he noticed that Vin was once again hard and leaking.
Oh to be young again.
Chris then set about loving every inch of the younger man. Vin moaned as talented lips and teeth nipped and sucked at his throat and collarbone. The mark that Russ had left was all but faded from the back of Vin’s neck; Chris had vowed that he would never mark Vin that viciously. Love bites yes, marks that had the capacity to scar never.
Chris paid particular attention to Vin’s nipples until Vin was arching up whimpering. As Chris sucked on one hard little nub he plucked and played with the other one.
Vin kept his hands on Chris’s arms or shoulders; Chris never attempted to pin Vin down. He wanted no flashbacks to the sexual abuse that Vin had suffered so they were going to take it nice and easy.
“Now...now Chris. God just do it, I need to feel you in me,” Vin sobbed trying to rub his cock against his lover's skin anything to get some much needed friction for his throbbing shaft.
Chris had decided to make love to Vin face to face. He wanted Vin to see it was him taking him, claiming him, making love to him
Chris bent Vin’s legs and spread them apart then lubed up his fingers slowly slipping them into the tight hot channel until he had worked up to three fingers.
Vin was taking his fingers easily. In fact the sharpshooter was pushing down trying to get Chris’s fingers in deeper.
Chris put more lube inside the loosened passage then liberally coated his cock with it.
Vin put his legs over Chris’s shoulders arching his back so Chris could get better access to his hole.
Vin whimpered as he felt the flared head of Chris’s cock nudged his most private entrance. Slowly his lover's cock filled him, the stretch making his muscles ache, pain flickered then disappeared as the cock rubbed across his prostate. Chris had prepared him real well and he knew how to relax and take someone up his ass.
Vin sobbed as he felt Chris’s balls touch him, he knew the blond was buried as far as he could go. They were finally one with each other physically.
Chris watched the beautiful expressive face and when Vin nodded that he was ready Chris began to thrust in and out of the exquisite heat and tightness of Vin’s ass.
Chris glanced down and watched his cock disappear inside his lover; he had never thought to feel like this again since his family had died. Vin had changed everything for him.
Life now had meaning, he laughed, and he enjoyed his friends and most of all he adored the man now writhing beneath him.
Chris kept pumping inside his lover as he put one hand behind Vin’s neck. Carefully he leaned down as Vin met him halfway, then their mouths fused together.
Chris could think of nothing more perfect as he swallowed Vin’s scream of completion following his lover's climax with his own.
Fused together as Chris continued to plunder the sweet ass and mouth the two men finally collapsed together on the bed, Chris covering Vin’s sweaty body with his own.
Chris caught Vin’s wince as his spent cock slipped from the loose wet passage.
Chris didn’t hesitate as he stood up, scooped Vin up in his arms and despite the younger man's protests carried him into the bathroom.
Under the hot water Vin was gently turned to face the shower wall as Chris gently spread his lover's ass cheeks apart to check for damage.
Vin knew he was fine, but knew that his lover would not be satisfied until he had checked for himself.
Chris sighed in relief, there were no tears or blood, just a little redness, which was to be expected.
Chris kissed the Vin’s little puckered hole and then each ass cheek. Vin felt so loved as the blond kissed his way up the slim waist and then nipped lightly at each shoulder blade.
Vin was turned around and he felt his lips taken gently in a sweet deep kiss.
Wet slick bodies melded together as the kiss continued. Chris pulled back and looked down into dazed blue eyes.
“I adore you babe. You have given me the greatest gift I have ever received, yourself,” Chris whispered.
“I love you to, cowboy. When you gave me your heart my life became complete,” Vin replied.
The two men came together for another long loving kiss; they had all the time in the world. Life was perfect and they had a long happy future ahead of them.
END