This ficlet takes place in the Yellowstone A/U, sometime after Sepulcher Mountain.
Chris stretched a sleepy arm to tuck Vin in close, and found only the sheet, cool to his touch. He opened his eyes and waited until they adjusted to the darkness in the trailer. He glanced at the bedside clock; 3:57 glowed softly. A quick glance around confirmed that Vin wasn't in the camper.
Chris waited until enough time had passed that a trip to the campground bathroom was ruled out. "Damn," he cursed softly, as he slipped out of the warmth of the bed and his feet hit the cold linoleum floor. The door to the camper opened, as if on cue, and Vin stepped inside.
"Sorry," he murmured. "Tried not to wake ya."
"You didn't," Chris said. "Bed was cold."
"Sorry," Vin said again. He came over and knelt between Chris's legs, heedless of the chill of the floor. He put his arms around Chris's waist and held on for dear life, as he pressed his ear up against Chris's heart.
Chris wrapped his arms around Vin, and held him tightly. Vin didn't trust this - couldn't trust it. Experience had taught him not to trust his heart to anyone but himself. He wanted to believe that Chris would stay, but he couldn't unlearn the lessons a lifetime of broken trust and painful rejections had taught him. Only time would ease the fear that sometimes woke him in the night - the fear that another person he cared for would leave him alone.
Chris bent close. "I won't leave," he whispered. One day, Vin would learn that lesson. Chris would wait.