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+ + + + + + +Saturday had its ups and downs for Vin. He insisted on being out of bed and on the couch, but it was clear he was fighting pain every time it was about the hour for his next pain pill. He tried to keep pushing that back, and Chris tried to allow it. He wouldn't compromise on Vin's antibiotics, and Tanner was so anxious to keep from relapsing or doing anything that would get him sent back to the hospital that he didn't argue.
Chris and Vin craved each other's company. Chris went out to take care of the horses, but found himself rushing to get back inside. Vin had watched some television, and Chris suspected he had slept some while Chris was in the barn. The younger man was restless and bored, so after lunch Chris read to him for awhile. When Tanner had to go to the bathroom, he needed only a little help getting off the couch but managed fairly well on his own, although Chris saw that he was leaning heavily on the cane that had finally replaced the hated walker.
Chris tried to persuade Vin to go to bed, but the more he 'suggested' it the more stubborn Vin grew. There was nothing worse than a tired, crabby, hurt, stubborn Texan.
"Fine. Sit there in pain, then," Chris told him, handing him the remote.
Vin huffed, and Chris wished that just once Tanner could admit he was human and needed to rest and sleep to get better. The older man puttered around the house, doing some cleaning for the guys to come over the next day. Suddenly he got an evil gleam in his eye, and smirked. Nodding with satisfaction at his plan, Chris got out the vacuum cleaner. One time when they'd been sitting surveillance for hours and trying to keep their minds off the fact they were freezing, they'd talked of anything and everything. He could never remember just how the subject came up, but Chris had mentioned to Tanner that when he was a kid he was afraid of the vacuum cleaner. Vin had laughed at him, but then told his boss that hearing a vacuum cleaner running always put him to sleep. One time at the orphanage he had the measles, and the only thing that would get him to sleep was if they ran the vacuum cleaner. He was in the infirmary, and the nurse wanted him to rest so badly that she ran that vacuum cleaner for five solid days and nights. Chris had chuckled and shook his head. He thought back to that night fondly, as the first night he could remember Tanner ever opening up to him and sharing anything personal.
Chris smiled softly as he pulled the remote from nerveless fingers and tucked Nettie's guilt higher around the thin shoulders. Vin was deeply asleep. His face was so relaxed and unguarded, and Chris's eyes glistened to see him sleeping so peacefully
Chris stood there a moment longer. Maybe he'd still occasionally feel like a dirty old man when faced with the truth of being fifteen years older than his young, beautiful lover. But if he'd learned anything it was that their love knew no boundaries of age or background or gender. Theirs was a love that was meant to be and destined throughout time. Whatever had gone before and what tragedies they had suffered and endured had only served to bring them together at this time and in this place. It was a destiny that Chris was determined not to question, but instead to cherish and protect for the rest of their lives.
+ + + + + + +
Chris was happy that Vin seemed a little stronger and a little less pale on Sunday. They took their time getting ready for the team to come over. They decided that the best thing to do would be to get Vin showered and dressed, knowing he would need to sleep after what was sure to be exhausting for him. Then Chris would take care of the horses as Vin napped. Chris helped cover Vin's cast with plastic, and got him into the shower. When Vin's hands started straying, Larabee swatted them away.
"You stop that! I'm not going to explain to Dr. Cooper why you ended up back in the hospital when you collapse and crumple in a heap on the floor of this bathtub."
Vin pouted, and turned hurt, sad eyes toward Chris, looking up through long, thick lashes at the taller man.
Chris swallowed hard. God, when Tanner looked at him with those huge, shimmering blue eyes, all pitiful and hopeful at the same time - even his iron will couldn't resist those puppy-dog eyes. And Tanner knew it, too, the little fucker.
Chris heaved a sighed, but didn't protest when Vin turned magical hands on his chest. He worked palms and fingers across the firm pectorals and toyed with the flat nipples until Chris's cock jutted long and thick and hard. Chris placed his hands low on Vin's waist near his hips to steady the younger man, who was balancing on one foot while trying not to put too much pressure on the casted leg. Talented fingers grasped his cock, and Vin worked the proud shaft until Chris's eyes closed tightly and he tried to remember to breathe. The muscles in his neck strained as every nerve ending thrummed with sensation while Vin worked his dick. Vin reached over and squirted liquid soap into his hand, and the coolness of the soap against his overheated dick caused him to gasp.
Tanner used both hands, alternately worked together on the taller man's dick, and then shifting until one hand worked his balls and the other his shaft. Chris felt himself harden even further when Vin scraped a thin nail along the thick vein. When his hand circled the top of his cock and then the other squeezed and pulled at the base, Chris exploded in a torrent of release. Long ropes of thick creamy cum shot from his dick, splashing Vin's chest and belly. He felt his legs trembling as he slowly came back into awareness.
Dark green eyes opened, and he saw Vin looking at him with a mixture of concern and happiness.
"Thought I was gonna lose ya there fer a minute," Vin admitted, smiling.
"You almost did," Chris growled. He moved forward, pressing his slick wet body against Tanner's. He could feel the younger man shaking, and pulled back with a frown.
"You're hurting."
Vin shook his head.
"You never could lie to me, Tanner."
"Ain't hurtin'. I wanted ta do this, Chris. Thank you fer lettin' me. Wanted ta love you, especially after what ya did fer me last night."
Chris frowned. "This isn't about keeping score, Tanner."
"I know. Didn't mean it like that," Vin reassured him.
Dark green eyes searched brilliant blue, and Chris saw the truth of that.
"Well, all right. But lets get you washed off and get some warm clothes on you before the guys get here."
Chris got Vin's chest and body washed off by having Vin put his hands on Chris's shoulders. He took a deep breath and gritted his teeth to keep from getting aroused again when washing Vin's dick and groin. When he washed the long slender legs and then came back up, he breathed out a huge sigh of relief.
Straightening up again he found himself looking into dancing blue eyes. Vin smirked and pointedly looked down at Chris's cock, which was showing interest again surprisingly soon after his intense orgasm.
"Hmmm...., not bad," Vin smiled wickedly. His eyes flashed with delight.
"...fer an old man," he added.
"You are evil, Tanner," Chris growled, swatting a tempting ass cheek with one hand.
Vin just laughed, and Chris delighted at the flash of white teeth. God, it was wonderful to see Vin laughing and relaxed and healing.
"Turn around, you, and try to behave yourself."
Chris helped Vin lean forward slightly and brace his arms on the shower wall. He poured shampoo into his palm, then lathered Vin's long hair. His fingertips gently massaged Vin's scalp until the younger man was literally purring with contentment. Chris grinned and shook his head. Damn Texan was half feline. Nobody was that quiet and that stealthy and that lean and graceful unless they were half mountain lion. And when Vin was healthy, well..., then Chris found himself with a handful of Texas wildcat in bed.
The thought of that made Chris hard again and he forced himself to keep his mind away from straying down that path.
Vin had heard his faint growl, however.
"Ya okay back there, Cowboy?"
"I hear that smirk in your voice, Tanner," Chris warned, swatting that tempting ass again lightly. "Keep that up and I'll stop washing your hair."
"Mmmm.... Love it when you wash m' hair."
"I know you do. I hear you purring."
Vin's head turned enough to fix Chris with a glare.
Chris grinned. "That's okay. I love making you purr. You're half damn cat, Tanner. Right now you're all calm and sleek and relaxed and I'm making you purr. Just got me to thinking about the other side to that, the times I have a wildcat in my bed."
Vin's eyes grew huge and he stilled, barely breathing.
"Got to get you well, Cowboy. Miss that wildcat."
"Me, too," Vin breathed. He smiled, and his eyes crinkled with delight. He turned back around so Chris could reach his hair better, turning his face up so his long hair cascaded down to nearly his shoulder blades. He pressed backwards, and Chris chuckled as the younger man craved the feel of wet bare skin against skin.
"You are such a slut, Tanner."
"Yeah, but I'm your slut, Lar'bee."
Chris threaded his fingers again through Vin's hair, making sure the water was rinsing out all the shampoo.
Chris shut off the water and helped Vin carefully out of the shower. He wrapped him immediately in warm towels, and got Vin settled on the closed lid of the toilet. Chris refused to let Vin do anything, while he lovingly dried the now slightly shivering man. He pulled on warm socks, then clean sweatpants came up over the heavy cast. Chris suspected that Vin couldn't wait to get the cast off just to get into his jeans again, but that would have to wait. Chris gently put on the antiseptic cream and carefully re-bandaged the wound on Vin's side. He was relieved to see that Vin seemed to be able to move his shoulders and arms more easily already, watching as Vin pulled on a long-sleeved tee-shirt, then a soft grey thermal shirt, followed by a sky blue and soft grey flannel shirt.
Chris pulled out the hair dryer and plugged it in. Vin gave him a small smile and shook his head at Chris's fussing, but then turned his head to the warmth and attention of the dryer. Chris used his fingers at first to card through the damp curls, and then used a wide-toothed comb to keep it from tangling. He couldn't tell for sure under the hum of the dryer, but he was pretty sure Tanner was purring again.
When the silky hair was dry and shining in the soft light of the bathroom, Chris leaned down and pressed his nose into the soft hair, breathing deeply.
"God, I love the smell of your hair, Tanner. Every time I smell cedar and sandalwood I think of you."
Vin leaned back into the embrace. "Feel the same way about you and whiskey and leather."
"You know," Chris commented as he put the dryer away and then combed his fingers through Vin's hair again. "By the time you get back to work, your hair is going to be longer than I think we can push Travis to allow. But I'll tell you something else."
Vin turned, looking questioningly up into Chris's deep green eyes. He saw the love and passion reflected in there, and his breath caught.
"I'm looking forward to your hair getting as long as we dare. When we make love, and you're settled on my dick, your ass squeezing me tight and my hands clenched around your hips, your chest arched upwards so those tiny perfect nipples are pulled tight....I love seeing your hair fall down past your shoulders. I love watching the light play against the streaks of gold and red from the sun. And then when you lean forward, your hands on my chest and your hair falling like silk around your face.... God, Tanner. It's the sexiest thing I've ever seen."
"Damn, Cowboy....," Vin whispered, his voice raspy and hoarse. "I think I just came."
They each took a deep, shaky breath, but each man was thinking of times Chris would thread his fingers through Vin's long hair, grabbing a fist full and pulling in order to expose Vin's neck to an assault from Chris's mouth and teeth. There were other times when Vin was on his hands and knees, Chris's hands pulling his hair to arch his back and increase the angle of Chris's dick in his ass. Their eyes locked, each one knowing exactly what the other was thinking. At the exact same moment, both smiled and laughed.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Chris smirked.
"I'm thinking that you better be the one who fights Travis over my haircut, and I'd jist better not be in th' same room - or even in th' building."
"You'll start choking, and than that damn adorable blush will start and we'll both be out on our asses."
"Ah, how the government loves its don't-ask don't-tell," Vin rolled his eyes. "Might be hard t' keep that policy when we give ol' Travis a heart attack if he figures it out."
"Well, I'm not so sure he hasn't figured it out," Chris admitted.
He smiled reassuringly when he saw the panic flash across Vin's face.
"He likes you, Vin. He respects you, as a person as well as an agent. He's not about to lose the best damned sharpshooter in the ATF over what he may or may not suspect we do away from the job."
"He ain't gonna lose his top SAC, either," Vin added, a hint of pride in his voice.
"Travis is a good man. Just because a policy is there, he's not going to go out of his way to conduct a witch hunt to enforce it when it's nothing that's anyone's business."
"Jist..., don't want nothin' ta affect th' team. I know I'll have ta leave if'n they find out I'm datin' th' boss," Vin said, not able to keep a hint of fear out of his voice as he stared down at the floor.
"Hey, don't you worry," Chris said. He took the square jaw firmly in his hand and lifted until he looked into the glistening blue eyes. "We're gonna be okay. We just keep on the way we've been. We keep 'us' out of the office. We get to those doors of the federal building, and we're supervisor and agent. That's all there is to it."
"But..., but what about..., I mean..., the guys. What if the team finds out?" Vin's anxious whisper mirrored the fear in his eyes.
Chris sighed and shook his head. He smiled softly and shrugged.
"We've talked about it. If they find out, they find out. They might suspect more now, I suppose. I wasn't exactly..., totally discreet while they were around. I couldn't be. Nothing blatant," Chris rushed to reassure Vin when he saw the younger man go into a near panic. "I mean, it's not like I was making out with you while you were unconscious. But I might as well tell you that I caught some curious looks."
"I ain't ashamed a' lovin' you, Chris," Vin said, straightening his shoulders. "I ain't gonna apologize, an' I ain't ever gonna be made ta feel like it's somethin' I should be ashamed of."
Chris smiled, his green eyes lighting up with pride and affection.
"I agree. We face life as it comes, Tanner. We always have. Just from now on we face it together."
+ + + + + + +
As the meal went on, Chris and the others could tell that Vin was feeling worse and worse. His pallor turned slightly grey, his eyes seemed to burn fever-bright, and his entire body screamed exhaustion.
"Hey, Cowboy," Chris said softly. "You look about done in here. You ready for bed?"
Vin turned slowly toward the blond, blinking in confusion.
"What?"
"Can you eat any more?"
Vin grimaced. He closed his eyes and shook his head, shuddering at the thought.
Chris met Nathan's eyes over the lowered head of his partner, and Nathan gave him a reassuring nod. Vin was still much too thin, but Nathan had kept a good eye on what he was eating while trying not to be caught watching. Even though Vin had only eaten a small amount of food, he'd eaten a tiny bit of everything, including the vegetables. They all knew that when Vin couldn't eat there was no use trying to force him. He couldn't afford to be sick and keep throwing up.
"Nighty-night, Junior," Buck teased.
Tanner frowned. "No bed. Couch."
Josiah grinned hugely. It was entertaining to him to see their deadly sharpshooter start pouting like a four-year-old.
Nathan and Ezra just shook their heads at each other, watching while Vin carefully pulled himself up.
"I'll jist watch th' pre-game while ya'll finish up yer dinner," Vin's pain and exhaustion making his normal drawl even more pronounced.
Chris tried not to hover, but he couldn't help rushing forward when Vin, limping slowly and carefully toward the other room, suddenly stumbled. Chris caught the younger man around his waist, and helped support him as they made their way toward the living room.
"We'll finish eating and then clean up the kitchen," Ezra told their boss. "It's the least we can do to repay your generous hospitality."
He looked pointedly at Buck and JD. "And I will take it upon myself to make sure that the job is done to your standards, Mr. Larabee, and not to the standards of our team members who harbor the delusion that they are living in a college frat house."
"Hey! I resent that!" Buck glared at Ezra.
JD couldn't resist teasing his older room mate. "Yeah, Buck, but he never named names. You knew he was talking about you, though, didn't you!"
"Us, JD. He was talking about us."
"Oh, yeah," JD frowned. "Hey!"
"Good Lord," Ezra rolled his eyes. "Keep up the whining and I'll put Nathan in charge of supervising. He'll have you all disinfecting the entire kitchen."
"There's nothing wrong with keeping things clean," Nathan protested. "Do you know how many germs are on a kitchen counter? And with Vin's system being so weakened, that boy doesn't need any more viruses making him even more sick. We should be scrubbing this place with bleach and anti-bacterial cleansers."
"Now see what you did!" Buck accused Ezra. "This is all your fault. He'll have us mopping the floor and scrubbing the walls next!"
"Children, children," Josiah soothed.
Shaking his head at the teasing going on in the kitchen, Chris carefully maneuvered Vin onto the couch. He frowned at the sight of Vin landing heavily, and then closing his eyes and laying his head back against the cushions while he struggled to catch his breath.
"You okay?" he asked worriedly.
Vin just nodded, and Chris saw the tight lines of pain and exhaustion around his eyes and in the tension of his mouth.
"You can go to bed, you know. The guys will understand."
The blue eyes opened at that, and Vin glared at him. "Been in bed too much lately."
"Still...,"
"Shit, Lar'bee. Ya need ta quit fussin'," Vin insisted, blue eyes flashing with anger.
Chris sucked in a deep breath. He finally realized that what he saw as helping would be perceived by his fiercely independent lover as hovering. Vin needed to feel like he was getting better. He needed to feel like he could move under his own power, even though a strong wind - or maybe not even that strong - could topple him over.
"Okay, Vin. You're right. You sit there and get your breath a minute. I'm going to go get one of your pills. And don't you turn that baby blue glare at me. It's time for them now, maybe even a little past time."
Chris left to go into the kitchen, snagging the pill from the orange bottle on the counter. Ezra handed him a glass of ice and water from the refrigerator, and Chris smiled his appreciation.
When Chris got back to Vin, he was relieved that Vin's color was slightly better now that he'd been sitting for a couple minutes, and his breathing had slowed from the too-rapid panting from before.
Vin's eyes opened when Chris sat down in front of him on the coffee table.
"I'm sorry, Chris," Vin's mouth tightened and his looked away. Chris saw the long, bony fingers plucking idly at the fabric of the couch. "I jist git s' sick a feelin' s' sick all the time. I been takin' it out on you, an' that ain't right. Ya been nothin' but good ta me. 'M sorry."
"Hey," Chris set the glass and the pill down, then leaned forward and took Vin's face gently between his two hands. "Vin, it's okay, pard. I know you don't feel good. Hell, you were sick before the bust, then getting shot and getting pneumonia on top of all that... It's nothing but your own stubborn insistence that you're all right that you were even discharged from the hospital this soon. And it ain't just Nathan's who's not too sure that's all that great of an idea."
Vin looked up at Chris, and the older man could see the worry and almost fear that flashed across Vin's eyes as he worried that Chris might be thinking of taking him back to the hospital.
"No, I know what you're thinking and I'm not taking you back there unless it's absolutely necessary. I want you home and not in the hospital nearly as much as you do," Chris rushed to reassure him. He'd felt the slight trembling when Chris was talking about how sick he was.
"But I'm not playing around with this, Tanner," Chris continued sternly when Vin gusted a soft sigh of relief. "I'm going to be watching that you don't get another fever going, and if your lungs don't clear up soon so you can breathe without it sounding like a train is wheezing in your chest, you're going back to the doctor. If you need to be in the hospital, that's where you're going to be."
"No...,"
"Vin, look at me," Chris put his fingers under the strong jaw and tilted it gently. "I love you, Vin. I don't want anything to happen to you. And I'd rather you be in the hospital for a couple more days - even if you're mad at me - than me not taking you to the doctor and then you getting a lot worse. Pneumonia isn't anything to mess with, Cowboy. And getting shot didn't do anything to help your immune system or your overall strength. I love you too much to lose you."
Vin gasped and his blue eyes widened, shimmering with sudden tears.
Chris leaned forward and kissed Vin gently on the lips, then kissed each closed eyelid.
"Hell, Chris," Vin's voice was no more than a raspy whisper. "When ya put it like that..."
Chris chuckled.
"And all this time I thought I had to glare you into behaving, Tanner. Shit, who am I kidding? That never worked. And all this time all I had to do was kiss you."
"I still kin shoot yer sorry ass, Lar'bee," Vin gave a good imitation of his own glare. "Mebbe m' lungs 're full a crap, an' m' leg's busted, but I kin still shoot."
"Ha!" Chris grinned, shaking his head teasingly. "You gonna race me to your guns?"
"Hell," Vin huffed, falling back against the cushions. "It's a sad, sad sight when even someone 's old 's you kin beat me, even when it ain't a fair fight."
Chris leaned forward and kissed his nose, chuckling.
"Anyone ever told you how cute you are when you're pouting?" he grinned.
Vin glared up at him, blue eyes sparking.
"Here," Chris told him, handing over the pill and the water. "Take your pill. It'll let you rest so you can get your strength up. Then we'll race."
A wicked grin flashed and the young sharpshooter's bad mood was erased.
"Hell, Lar'bee. When I git m' strength up, I ain't plannin' t' race ya. I kin think of a lot a other things I'd rather do ta ya."
Chris froze, and all the blood raced to his groin. Damn, Vin's voice was so low and raspy it sounded to Chris like a sexy half growl, half purr. Even this hurt and this sick, Vin was stunning. The flicker of flames from the firelight caught the reddish and golden caramel glints in his hair. The shower had exhausted him earlier, but now, although he was obviously tired, there wasn't that painful gauntness to his features. The thinness of his face only made his impossibly blue eyes even larger, and now they darkened in desire.
"Vin......," Chris whispered warningly.
"Want you, Cowboy," Vin reached out to touch Chris' waist. "Need you."
"Need you, too, but I'm not doing anything to hurt you. You just sit here and relax. Besides, the guys'll be finished up in the kitchen soon, and be in here to watch the game."
Vin blinked.
"Guys?"
"Yeah, Vin. Remember? Our friends? The ones here to watch the game with us?"
"Huh," Vin huffed. He crossed his arms in front of his narrow ribs.
"Could always git up ta our own game. Mebbe right here on th' coffee table. That'd give 'em a show," Vin suggested.
"God, Vin!" Chris gasped, shooting a panicked glance toward the doorway to see if anyone had overheard. Thankfully the sounds of teasing, dishes clattering, and water running in the kitchen had drowned out anything the two of them were saying.
"Well, shoot, yer always tellin' me that JD seems a little baffled by the whole idea of us bein' t'gether. Figger if he sees ya bendin' me over th' coffee table with yer dick buried in m' ass, he'll figger it out."
"Tanner!" Chris yelped. "What the hell...!"
Vin nearly giggled to see Chris's face turn red, and watched delightedly to see the frantic look on Chris's face as he struggled to get himself under control. While Chris was anxious not to have the other men overhear what Vin was saying, there was another, growing, part of him that was way too interested in the picture that his young lover was painting.
"That vein in yer forehead is throbbin' again, Lar'bee," Vin pointed out, his face the picture of innocence.
Chris turned his glare on Vin, fighting to get himself calmed down and his breathing under control before anyone walked in and saw him like this. Buck would have a field day, Josiah would get that huge shark's grin, Ezra would just nod knowingly and probably give him a two-fingered salute with that unreadable expression on his face. He didn't even want to think about Nathan or JD. Nathan might actually make up some excuse to leave, and, God only knew what kinds of questions or comments would fly out of JD's mouth.
"That all that's throbbin', Cowboy?" Tanner asked again, his sultry drawl even lower and raspier than before.
Chris closed his eyes, took a deep breath, held it as long as he could, then let it out slowly before he opened them again. He knew that Vin loved to drive him crazy, to push all the buttons that made the most feared team leader in the ATF quiver with need and want. No one had ever affected him that way. Damn, he loved this man.
"Take your pill, before I beat your sweet little ass," Chris told him, upset that he had to clear his throat before he could speak. He was annoyed with himself that it still came out a little high and squeaky, and didn't miss Vin's smirk. He held out the pill and the glass of ice water, and was rewarded with that blinding white, lopsided grin.
"Yes, sir," Vin took the pill, and then the water. He started to take it, then looked at the glass thoughtfully. "Ya want me ta save some a' this fer you ta 'accidentally' spill in yer lap?"
"Just. Take. The damn. Pill."
"Okay! Okay! Ya don't have ta git all huffy about it!"
Vin swallowed the pill, and then drank the entire glass of water. His energy was suddenly completely gone, and he leaned back heavily, closing his eyes. Chris's eyes softened at the lines that tightened around Vin's eyes and mouth, from the pain and deep weariness. He gently took the glass from Vin's suddenly boneless fingers.
"You okay, pard?" he asked gently. He sat the glass beside him on the coffee table and placed a hand on Vin's knee.
"Mm, hmm," Vin murmured, not opening his eyes. "Guess mebbe I'll have ta take a rain check on that coffee table deal."
"God, Tanner," Chris shook his head.
"Thanks fer the water. 'S real good an' cold."
"Ezra got it for you. He remembered that you like it cold, and got the ice and then added the chilled water from the fridge."
Vin's eyes blinked open. He was still, his eyes wide as he bit his lip.
"Only told him th' one time. We was on a stakeout."
Chris's stomach clenched. What kind of life had his young lover lived, that he could be so impossibly touched at the thought of someone remembering something so simple as that he liked water ice cold.
"You sit back and rest," Chris hushed, taking a deep breath to calm the rush of emotion he felt at the look on Vin's face. "Unless you want to go to bed."
"No. Not goin' ta bed."
"You know the guys won't mind."
"I know. Jist wanna be here, 'kay?"
"Sure, Cowboy. I'll take this to the kitchen, and be right back."
"I can take that," Ezra told him, appearing in the doorway. "I'm in charge of cleanup detail, and we'll get this glass washed with the others."
"I think that means he's supervisin', and ain't actually doin' any cleanin'," Vin whispered loudly.
"I assure you, Mr. Tanner," Ezra sniffed. "I am making full use of my talents where they are needed most."
"Yep," Vin nodded in satisfaction. "Told ya so."
Chris handed up the glass, and Ezra bent over to take it from his outstretched hand. Before he straightened, Vin raised a hand toward the team's undercover agent.
"Thanks, Ez," Vin rasped, blue eyes searching out deep green. "Fer rememberin' about th' ice water. Tasted real good."
Ezra blinked, thrown for a loop that Vin would thank him for such a small kindness. He felt himself touched at Vin's gratitude, and found he was feeling happy that he'd remembered. Good Lord, his mother would be appalled. He almost brushed it off, but looking into those big blue eyes, he couldn't bring himself to dismiss the genuine sincerity behind the comment. The thanks weren't for the fact that the water was cold. The thanks were in gratitude for him caring enough about the younger man to remember such a small preference, and for caring enough about him to do something he'd appreciate.
"I'm glad, Vin."
The two men nodded at each other, message given and message understood. Chris watched at Ezra left the room carrying the glass. It was the first time he could ever remember hearing Standish call him 'Vin,' and not 'Mr. Tanner.'
"He called you Vin."
"That's m' name."
"He never calls you Vin."
"He likes me."
"What do you mean, he likes you?"
"Hell, what's not t' like?"
"He better not like you like you, if that's what you mean."
"Shit, Cowboy, I don't know. I heard some things. Don't recall him actually datin' anyone...,"
"Tanner! He better not be looking at you."
"Well, o' course he looks at me."
"I mean, he better not be looking at you looking at you."
"Yer makin' m' hair hurt, Lar'bee, all this repeatin' yerself."
"Vin...," he growled warningly.
"Ya know what they say about that. Repeatin' yerself over an' over. It's a sign a' old age," Vin shook his head sadly.
"I want to know if he's ever said anything..., done anything...., you know!"
Vin tilted his head to the side and looked at him quizzically.
"Of course he's said things an' done things. We work t'gether. Ya've seen us at th' Saloon. I've said things ta him, he's said things ta me...."
"You know damn well what I'm talking about."
"Ya mean, like has he ever asked me out?"
"Shit, Vin!" Chris squeaked, looking frantically at the doorway again. "No! I mean, well, maybe..."
"You worried about m' virtue?" Vin's lopsided grin appeared. "Or are ya jist worried somebody else is lookin' at m' ass?"
"Oh my God," Chris lowered his head into his hands, running the strong fingers through his short blond hair.
"Guess we c'ld ask him," Vin continued. "Want me t' call him in here?"
"No!" he hissed sharply.
"Yer awful cute when yer jealous," Vin winked.
"I can still shoot your ass, ya know," Chris growled.
"Yeah, but then that wouldn't be any fun," Vin shook his head slowly. "An' I know you kin think a more fun things ta do ta my ass."
Chris sighed heavily, and stood up to find the remote and find the game on the large-screen television in the corner.
"You're gonna be the death of me, Tanner."
"Yeah, but ya'll die with a smile on yer face, if I have anything ta do about it."
"Yeah," Chris turned and gave his young lover a blinding smile. "You will at that."
Vin gasped at the vision of his lover, standing there all lean, hard muscle, the light from the fireplace glinting the strands of his blond hair a burnished gold. He looked up into the ice green eyes made darker with love, and reached out a slender hand toward the taller man.
"Come sit by me, Chris?" he asked.
Chris moved across the room as if pulled by an unseen force. He could never refuse his lover anything, and especially not when Vin was looking at him like that. God, maybe there was a more beautiful person in the world somewhere, but Chris had never in his life seen anyone else who compared to Vin Tanner.
There were sounds coming from the kitchen of snacks and drinks being loaded on trays, as Chris came over and settled the hurting man into as comfortable of a position as possible on the long, wide couch. Vin used his hands to lift his cast up onto the cushions, and curled his other long leg up beside the cast until he was sitting just off the center of the couch. Chris rushed to help, placing a throw pillow gently under the calf part of the cast to relieve the pressure as much as possible. Vin just smiled his thanks, and scooted around to get comfortable, while Chris settled himself at the end of the couch. Vin's shoulder was near his, but they weren't touching.
Vin had left room for someone else at the other end, but when the guys came into the room, they all found other chairs. Joshia settled his large body into Chris' recliner, sighing with contentment at the firm comfort of the heavy furniture. Buck relaxed in one of the overstuffed armchairs and Ezra in the other one. Like a squirming puppy, JD grabbed a couple of the oversized cushions and flopped onto his stomach on the floor, leaving the other couch for Nathan. The others just shook their heads at the thought of how uncomfortable that looked, and shuddered at the thought of the stiffness in older bones if they tried that.
Nathan stopped in front of Vin to place the back of his hand on the Texan's forehead, checking for fever.
"'M okay, Nathan," Vin told him. "Ya don't have ta worry."
The big man snorted. "Sure I don't. After all, you'd tell me if you were hurting, right?"
"If he doesn't, I will," Chris looked meaningfully between the younger man and the big medic.
"You can't be overdoing, Vin. Your body is dealing with a lot of trauma right now, and you need to let it rest and heal. Things are going to take time, and as much as I know you don't like it, that's just the way it is."
"I know, Nate. I do," Vin turned pained eyes on him. "It's jist, I hate bein' s' useless, ever'body waitin' on me.... Cain't stand not doin' fer m'self."
"Hey, none of that," Nathan shook his head sympathetically. "How many times have you saved us, saved all our lives? If we do a little taking care of you once in awhile, it's the least we can do to thank you. Let us do this for you, all right, Vin?"
The Texan swallowed hard. He'd never had friends like this before, never had anyone who cared about him, or cared so much about what happened to him. Sometimes it threatened to overwhelm him and he couldn't speak for a long moment.
Nathan understood, and moved his large body closer to Vin to block the younger man from anyone else's sight.
"Now, how badly are you hurting?" he asked kindly.
Vin looked up into warm, caring brown eyes.
"Reckon I'm hurtin' a mite," he finally admitted softly.
Vin looked down and away, afraid that he'd see disgust and frustration.
"Hey, Vin. Look at me."
Finally large blue eyes raised to meet gentle brown ones. Nathan saw the hesitation and wariness.
"You need something? You know you don't have to stay out here with us if you need to go to bed. No one's going to think badly of you if you sleep. You know that, right?"
One slim shoulder shrugged, and he winced slightly as the movement pulled against the bandages at his side.
"I... I know. I jist took one a them pain pills. Reckon it'll kick in real soon."
"What about the antibiotic?"
"I didn't bring that one in, Nate," Chris told him. "Is it too early still?"
Nathan looked thoughtful, then shook his head. "It's supposed to be an even measure between them, but it's close enough. Then if he falls asleep we won't have to wake him up and get him to take it. Besides, he's just eaten and I don't like what it does to him on an empty stomach. We don't need him throwing it back up."
"He is in this room. He is right here," Vin groused.
"I'll go get your antibiotic," Nathan rose, looking sheepish.
Chris grinned at Vin's pout.
"Don't start with me, Cowboy," Tanner warned.
Nathan brought back the antibiotic, and Vin swallowed it with a slight grimace. As Nathan settled into one end of the second couch, Chris said a silent thanks that he'd had the foresight to insist the builders create this large living area when he and Sarah were designing their home. The architects had wanted to use a standard floor plan, but this much furniture would never have fit without his requesting a large, usable floor plan.
Their attention was drawn to JD noisily opening a bag of nachos and Buck turned the volume of the television up so they could hear the game.
"Geeze, JD," Buck groused. "Keep it down, would ya?"
"Good Lord," Ezra shook his head. "How can you eat that now?"
"What do you mean?" JD stopped crunching mid-mouthful. "I'm hungry!"
"Didn't we just eat?" Nathan shook his head.
"Hey, it's the game," JD said, as if that explained everything. "Ya gotta snack when the game's on!"
"Oh. Well, of course you do," Ezra rolled his eyes.
"In that case, hand over the cheese curls," Josiah grinned.
Nathan and Ezra shuddered, while Buck intercepted the bag being passed over to their team profiler.
Buck scooped a huge handful out into a large bowl sitting on his lap before sending the bag over to Josiah.
"Hell, Nathan," he called over. "You go ahead and get your chopped up veggies, and Ezra, you go find some hoity-toity cheese and gourmet crackers. Just leaves more 'real' snacks for the rest of us."
"Hoity-toity cheese?" Ezra's eyebrows threatened to meet his hairline, and Chris smiled as he felt Vin's body shake with quiet laughter. He turned to meet shining eyes. This is what Vin needed. He would never be able to relax and heal in a clinical hospital setting, with the noise and the smells and the invasions from the nurses and doctors and medical technicians. He needed to be here, surrounded by his friends - his family - and with his lover taking care of him.
"Hey, Vin, you want some of these chips?" JD called over.
"He does not!" Nathan squeaked.
"Nate, yer gonna have ta stop answerin' like I ain't here, or I'm gonna have ta shoot ya."
"Sorry. But I really don't think it's a wise decision to..."
Vin held up a hand to stop the tirade that was coming. They'd all heard Nathan's voice as it rose in pitch and started getting faster and faster as he got himself worked up.
"Ya don't have ta worry. I ain't a complete idiot - and Buck and Larabee kin jist keep their dang mouths shut. Even if I wanted to, which I don't, I couldn't eat one more thing."
"Well, all right," Nathan nodded, looking from Vin to Chris suspiciously, as if to reassure himself that the blond would stop any foolish snacking on the part of their injured teammate.
"Ya want me to smack JD since I'm closer?" Buck volunteered.
Finally the crew settled down to watch the game, and the snacking and teasing continued as the family of friends enjoyed each other's company and the satisfaction of being whole again.
The game was close, and everyone's attention was focused on the screen as the seconds ticked away toward halftime. When the break came, everyone shifted and made to get up for more drinks or to head to the powder room or the bathroom down the main hall. Buck was the first to notice, and he shushed JD's exuberance.
Vin had fallen deeply asleep, his head cradled on Chris' black-clad thigh. His breathing was still a little wheezy, and his face was slightly flushed from a fever, but this was the deepest sleep he'd had since getting out of the hospital. Chris was gently combing his long fingers through the silky strands of long, curly hair, the motion helping to soothe and quiet his young lover. The men exchanged quick glances at the sight of the two men. It hadn't been that long since they'd discovered that their two friends, strong, tough, masculine men, their boss and teammate, were lovers and had been secretly for several months. Chris raised his chin and met their eyes with a touch of defiance, never stilling his hand as he continued running his fingers though the soft hair.
JD broke eye contact first, mumbling something about being first in line for the bathroom as he rushed down the hall. Ezra and Nathan went to the kitchen, and Josiah headed for the powder room off the foyer.
"Say it, Buck," Chris said quietly.
Buck stared at him a long moment. Chris was his oldest friend. They'd known each other forever, it seemed; had been together all through high school, on several sports teams. Buck was there when Chris started dating Sarah. He was the best man at their wedding, godfather to their son, and had supported his friend through the grief and guilt and overwhelming sorrow after their deaths. And Buck had watched as his oldest, dearest friend had become a ruthless workaholic, barely avoiding killing himself with alcohol. Chris Larabee had developed a reputation and was feared by criminals, and commanded a certain amount of fear by other agents and teams throughout the ATF and among other agencies in their federal building.
All of these thoughts flew through Buck's head in an instant, and then other images began to take over. The image of his boss gradually relaxing the tight control he always maintained even when there wasn't a stressful case they were currently dealing with. Images of the first time Buck had seen Chris laugh in over three years, and the pang he'd felt when Chris was laughing into a pair of smiling, sky blue eyes instead of his own. The times Chris joined them at the saloon and suddenly seemed more of a friend than a boss; the invitations to the ranch for barbeques or games or to go riding, that had at first seemed strange but now were commonplace.
Buck realized now that the transformation had started the moment a skinny, long-haired, scrawny-assed, impossibly young bounty hunter with a raspy drawl and eyes bluer than the entire Texas sky had strolled into Larabee's office and announced he was their new sharpshooter. As much as he wanted to resent the young kid for doing in weeks what he hadn't been able to accomplish in years, Buck had found that he couldn't. In his own quiet, unassuming way, Vin had woven himself into all their lives without them even realizing it, and rather than being jealous and resentful, Buck realized he should get down on his knees and thank Vin for saving Chris's life. Because like it or not, Buck knew that Chris had been on a path to self-destruction that he wasn't sure he'd have been able to prevent.
"Ya know, Chris," Buck sighed, running his fingers through his thick, dark hair. "It just threw me for a loop. I mean, you were married...."
"I know that, Buck."
"And Vin...," Buck shook his head. "He never..., I mean, hell. He was a Ranger, for Chrissakes! Special Forces."
"I know that, too. Keep your voice down."
Vin frowned in his sleep and began to move restlessly. Chris stroked a hand down to his shoulder, rubbing gently across his narrow back. The younger man's features evened out and he sighed, settling quietly again on Chris' lap.
Buck looked at Vin a long moment, and up into the face of his friend. He moved to sit in front of them, settling on the coffee table. Whether by accident or by design, the others had all managed to stay away and give them their privacy. Maybe they all realized that the future of the team hung on whether Buck could accept this new development in the life of his closest friend.
Buck sighed heavily, and shook his head before speaking.
"I wasn't expecting this, Chris. Nothing in my life, or yours, prepared me to see this coming. I tried to blame Vin, tried to tell myself that he tricked you, that he pushed his way into your life or duped you somehow. Then I realized that boy doesn't have a dishonest bone in his body. And you ain't no fool to let yourself be hoodwinked into anything."
Chris' lips twitched briefly, but he didn't say anything. He still wasn't sure which way this conversation was going.
"You know I'm always one for the ladies," Buck continued and Chris stifled the urge to roll his eyes, "but you also know I appreciate beauty wherever I see it. And that boy is one of the finest physical specimens I believe I've ever seen. That hair is pure silk, cheekbones any model would die for, those big bluer than blue eyes and whiter than white teeth, all set off by a golden tan and long lean muscles without an ounce of fat anywhere. I tell you, Chris, the first I saw him bending over a pool table, I had a picture in my mind that had me coming in my jeans."
"Buck...," Chris growled warningly.
"I know, I know!" Buck protested, putting his hands up. "I'm sorry. But if I hadn't thought Tanner would have slit my throat with that bowie knife he's got tucked in his boot before I'd have finished, I would have propositioned him within a week."
Wilmington stopped and looked at Chris.
"It ain't right of me, I know, and don't shoot me, but damn! That boy is one fine piece of ass."
"That's enough, Buck."
"All right. I know. I'm just saying. It's one of the things I considered, that you were just attracted to his body; that maybe it wasn't serious. Men have been known to get to a certain age, ya know, maybe think they got an itch needs scratchin', try something new once or twice then go back to..., well...., normal."
"Anyway," Buck cleared his throat before continuing. "I just gotta say this, Chris. I need you to know what I've been going through, and while I've been dreading this conversation, I think this is as close to the time and place as it's ever gonna get."
Chris stiffened, but all he said was, "Go on."
"Well, JD's been slamming around the house for a couple days now," Buck continued, rolling his eyes. "Kept going on and on about how come you kept it a secret, all mad at Vin for not telling us right at the start that he's gay. I will confess I was feeling the same thing for awhile until it hit me. I mean, Tanner was a Ranger for Chrissakes. To survive that training is hell on earth as it is; to survive it being gay had to be that much more impossible."
Buck paused and swallowed hard before continuing.
"He's had a completely different life than you, Chris, so I told myself maybe it was the novelty. Orphaned at a young age, horrendous foster homes, scars from beatings we'll never know all the truth and details about. Living and surviving on the streets as a kid, then always being forced to look out for himself when there was no one else to do it. Hell, I tried to tell myself you were just being protective. I tried to tell myself that it was just creepy - that the age difference between you and Vin is like me dating JD."
The big man shook himself in mock horror, and was gratified when Chris ghosted a true grin.
"Then I realized that if I live to be a hundred, I'll never be as old as that boy was when he was fifteen. And that's a hell of a thing to realize," Buck added. "It ain't any surprise Vin kept that a secret. Hell, what kind of conversation did JD expect?! 'Hi, guys. I'm Vin Tanner, your new sharpshooter, and I'm gay.' I mean, what the hell! Vin's had to protect every tiny piece of himself from the time he was five, and people have just been waiting to rip him to shreds by their callousness and thoughtlessness and just plain meanness. He's seen the worst of people, suffered more and survived more, and done it alone, than any person should ever have to."
Buck swallowed hard at the emotion that threatened to choke him. He met Chris' eyes full on, and Chris saw the tears swimming in the dark blue eyes.
"But you knew, didn't you?"
Chris met his gaze calmly, and Buck nodded at the truth he saw reflected back. Vin had trusted Chris, trusted him from the first with the truth that could have gotten him fired immediately, harassed, or worse. Buck knew in that instance that Vin, who trusted no one, had trusted Chris Larabee from the start.
He nodded thoughtfully, almost overcome at the realization of what that meant.
"And yet Vin Tanner is the most gentle, selfless, caring individual I have ever had the pleasure and the privilege to know. There isn't a dishonest bone in his body, and yet at the same time he's learned the hard way to protect himself and guard everything about him because people have done nothing but hurt him with anything they can use against him. And I don't even want to think about the reasons he's had to learn to live that way.
"That boy took forever to trust us. I swear, Chris, at times it was like looking at a young wild wolf, hovering at the edges of the campfire but ready to bolt at the first hint of danger or even attention. You were the only one he trusted, Chris, I see that now. He trusted you from the first. The rest of us have had to earn that trust, and I figure we've got a little more earning yet to come. "
Chris nodded, and Buck was encouraged to go on.
"What I'm taking forever to say, Pard, is that it finally came to me. You two are right together. I look at this," and he motioned to Vin sleeping on Chris' lap, "and there is nothing more right in the world. He belongs to you, Chris, and your heart belongs to him. I don't have to understand it, but I think I'm starting to. Love is love, and I don't think I've ever seen two people more in love than you are with Vin."
"Thanks, Pard," Chris said. Their eyes met and held. "You have to know that I'd never give Vin up. I'd give up the job, I'd give up my friendships, I'd give up my relatives, but never Vin. He's the other half of my soul, and has been from the first time I saw him. I can't explain it either, Buck, but he completes me in a way I've been missing my whole life."
Buck stilled as he took in everything that Chris was telling him.
"That being said, Buck, I can't tell you how relieved and happy I am that you can accept us as a couple. I'd hate to lose your friendship, Buck. You've been there for me, and you're still the greatest friend I've ever had throughout my life, sharing all the good times and the bad times. And I'd like to think you'll be there for all the times to come."
"I will, pard," Buck swallowed hard as emotion threatened to overwhelm him. "For both of you."
Buck stood, and Chris reached his hand up. Buck took it, shaking it once, then leaning over to grasp Chris' shoulder.
"I'd hug you, but Tanner looks way too cute sleeping there on your lap to risk disturbing him."
"Buck...," Chris warned, but couldn't keep the smile off his face as Wilmington danced out of reach and headed down the hall as JD was coming from the bathroom.
JD headed to the kitchen, and Chris overheard sounds of the men as they finished refilling snack trays and getting drinks for the start of the second half. Part of him hoped that JD would come around soon. He figured their youngest agent would eventually. It puzzled him a little to think that JD would be bothered about it. After all, he was the youngest and the one raised in the most enlightened era. He would have had gay rights organizations in his high school and college, and Chris was surprised he wasn't more immediately tolerant and accepting.
Then again, Buck was always talking about how JD had a serious case of hero-worship. When they were alone, Buck would tell him about how JD would try to perfect his own glare in the mirror, having to shut the bathroom door because it would send Buck into a fit of hysterical giggles. Buck said that JD was awed by Chris' personality and the power he wielded, and JD despaired of ever having that kind of leadership capacity. Buck also had told him that JD was constantly amazed and consumed by admiration for Vin and his shooting ability. He agonized over his barely passing marksmanship scores, and when Vin would offer to work with him at the shooting range, JD would be bouncing off the walls with excitement.
Most likely learning that Chris and Vin were in a committed relationship with each other had sent the kid into a tailspin. Chris just hoped that JD could come to terms with this knowledge soon. For himself it wouldn't matter so much, but he didn't want Vin hurt if JD ended up rejecting him. Chris laid his head back on the couch and closed his eyes. Maybe it was good to have that conversation another day. His head was starting to hurt just from his talk with Buck. He smiled to himself to acknowledge how well it had gone, and it wasn't until the feeling of relief overwhelmed him that he realized just how tense he'd been.
"Beer, Mr. Larabee?" Ezra's soft voice drew Chris out of his reverie, and he looked up to see that Ezra was holding a cold, opened bottle of beer out to him. "You look far too comfortable to move."
"Thanks, Ezra," Chris saluted the undercover agent with his beer before swallowing gratefully. He hadn't done much talking, but the cold refreshment was welcomed. He watched as Standish stood a moment longer, and thought he caught the flash of regret, and maybe a little envy, as Ezra stared at Vin settled so comfortably on Chris.
"Yes, well...," Ezra coughed, and moved to his chair across the room.
Nathan came by and looked at Vin, then up at Chris.
"He looks a little fevered," he said quietly, noting the faint sheen of sweat and the bright patches of pink high on the white cheekbones. "He seem okay to you?"
"I think it's a little fever, but he's not burning up," Chris told him. Somehow it was important to him that Nathan seemed to accept the way he knew that Vin wasn't overheated by fever, the fact that Vin's head was resting on Chris's thigh. And that Nathan, as much as he could be, was okay with that. "I think the rest is going to do him more good, at least right now, than waking him up to take acetaminophen. I'll get him to take something before bed."
"I agree," Nathan nodded and their eyes met. "But you'll let me know if he seems to get much hotter?"
"I will."
Josiah walked in and set the tray of snacks on the end table next to Buck. Before taking his seat again, though, he walked over to the rocking chair by the fireplace and got Vin's quilt that Nettie had made for him. He opened it up, and then came over to the couch, placing it gently over the sleeping sharpshooter.
"Thanks, Josiah," Chris told him. "I should have thought of that myself."
"That boy is always cold," Josiah grinned softly. "Has that southern Texas blood, and never had any fat on him to help keep him warm. Figure nearly bleeding out hasn't helped any, and we sure don't need him catching a chill."
Chris watched as Josiah made sure that Vin was covered, and Vin sighed contentedly into the warmth and comfort of the quilt.
"Uh, Chris?" JD stood hesitantly before him.
Chris stiffened a little inside, careful not to show anything on his face. Who knew what JD would say, or would ask, or what kind of comments or conversation he'd want to have.
"Yes, JD?"
"Um, I was, um, wondering," JD stammered. He held up the throw cushion he'd been twisting in his hands. "I was thinking, maybe, that you'd like to put your feet up on the coffee table, and that maybe this would help protect your heels from the hardness of the wood?"
Chris blinked. JD was offering a pillow for his feet? Then Chris realized it was more than that. It was that Chris was holding Vin, and JD was okay with that. Not just okay, but the pillow was his way to symbolize that he'd do whatever he could to cushion their relationship from that hardness of the world.
Either that, Chris decided as he mentally rolled his eyes at himself, or he was spending way too much time in philosophical discussions with Josiah!
When he looked up and nodded at JD, he saw the tension break in the young agent. This is why they pay you the big leadership bucks, Chris mocked himself. JD really was thrown for a loop when he'd found out that Chris and Vin were not only in a relationship, but that they were deeply committed to and passionately in love with each other. He'd had to reconcile that with the vision and image he'd had of the two men. Now he was probably a nervous wreck, wondering whether Chris would ever forgive him for the way he'd been acting since finding out.
JD broke into a huge grin, and watched as Chris carefully toed off his boots, trying not to jostle the sleeping Vin. He stretched his sock-clad feet up onto the pillow, sighing as that took the strain off his back.
"Thanks, JD," Chris smiled at him. "That helps a lot, feels good to get my feet up. Thanks for thinking of that."
"You're welcome, Chris!" JD beamed, practically bouncing back to his spot on the floor. This time instead of sprawling on his stomach, he sat next to Buck's chair to share the chips and salsa. Buck met Chris's eyes and winked, and Chris ginned back.
It seemed like Team Seven was whole again.
The game ended and as the men were getting up to leave, Vin stirred also. A soft moan escaped as he struggled to push himself upright. Vin blinked owlishly as Buck rushed over to help the younger man sit up.
"Here ya go, Sleeping Beauty," Buck winked.
Vin tried to glare but yawned instead. "Have ta take a piss," he muttered.
"Thank you, Mr. Tanner, for sharing," Ezra rolled his eyes.
Josiah reached over and pulled off Nettie's quilt from where it started tangling around Vin's cast. Nathan hovered, watching Vin for signs of pain or fever, but knowing that Tanner would balk at being watched he forced himself not to rush over and feel his forehead. Nathan and Chris exchanged looks, and Chris nodded in unspoken agreement that he would watch Vin carefully and call Nathan immediately if there was a problem. The medic nodded back, satisfied.
"Here's your cane, Vin," JD said as he brought it over from where it had been propped against the wall. "Let me know if you want some help."
Chris looked around at their friends and teammates and saw the care and affection they were showing toward Vin, and to them both as a couple. Something had changed that night, and while learning of his and Vin's relationship had thrown them for a loop, they were making it clear that they had accepted it and were willing to maintain their friendships with both of them. Chris knew that each man had a certain amount of problems or issues with it, some more than others, both with the general concept of two men loving each other, and moreso when those two men were Vin and himself.
Vin blinked again, noticing for the first time that the television was muted, showing post-game interviews. He stretched a little and yawned, realizing that the others were getting ready to leave.
"I must a' slept longer than I thought," Vin commented drowsily. He looked up at his friends. "So did we win?"
Chris looked at the circle of friends surrounding them, meeting each man's eyes as they included both him and Vin in their gaze. He realized how anxious they had been as a couple, figuratively holding their breath while waiting to see the final 'score' of the reaction of their teammates - their friends - when they learned of their relationship. Chris saw only friendship, affection, and support reflected back at them.
"Yeah, Vin, we won. We won big."
THE END