Yellowstone AU
Main Characters: Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner
Universe: The Yellowstone National Park AU was created by Farad, Sassyinkpen and myself.
Author's Note: Betaed by Farad, who encouraged me the whole way through, and Catyah and Arouette, who helped me sort out the ending. Thanks, y'all! Special thanks to Winter, who gave me the bunny lo these many months ago. Written because Farad requested a story based on this picture:
http://pics.livejournal.com/sara_merry99/pic/0078tw94/s640x480
Note about the story: This is a sequel to my story Sepulcher Mountain, Farad's Quadrant Mountains, and Kim's Checks and Balances.
Summary: Vin has to move his camper.
Chris rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and scratched his stomach as he walked toward the kitchen in his house. He hadn't checked the clock, but the dim grey light told him it was early, not much past dawn. Early as it was, Vin was already up. Had been for a while, judging from the coldness of the sheets when Chris had gone reaching for him in bed.
Chris tried to hope that Vin's absence meant that there might be coffee, maybe even pancakes mixed up and ready to go on the griddle. But Vin had been irritable and stressed in recent weeks, even less inclined to talk than normal and prone to disappearing in the evenings after work. It almost seemed like Vin had been avoiding him, though he'd accepted Chris's suggestion of dinner the night before readily enough.
Accepted the suggestion that he stay the night as well, and Chris was grateful for that.
Vin didn't stay at his place nearly as often as Chris wanted him to, leaving most nights when it got late with a kiss and whispered good night. But there were nights when Vin was too tired to drive back to his camper after they had dinner together, or when Chris was too horny to let him. He didn't stay every time he came over, but often enough that Chris hoped he knew what to expect this morning.
Vin always woke with the dawn, if not before, slipping out of bed so quietly and gently Chris didn't even notice. The first time he'd woken up alone he’d worried about what it meant, despite their promises to each other not to run away from what was between them. But there had been a sinking feeling in his chest that lasted until he was halfway down the hall and could smell the coffee Vin had brewing and hear him softly singing along with Aaron Tippin playing on the kitchen radio.
So Chris made his now familiar beeline toward the kitchen, coffee, and Vin, realizing how much he'd missed their comfortable morning routine over the last few weeks. He was brought up short when he got to the kitchen and found that the kitchen was dark, the coffee maker empty and the radio silent. No sign of Vin having been there at all. He scrubbed his hands through his hair, trying to wake up his brain without coffee.
He shuffled past the breakfast table, where they usually left notes for each other if they needed to but there was no message either. Waking more thoroughly, he went on into the great room, large and open to the kitchen and dining area, assuming he'd see Vin curled up on the corner of the sofa next to the cold fireplace or in one of the big armchairs near the TV, but he was not to be found. His confusion turned into worry when he checked the last remaining rooms, laundry and hall bathroom, and still found no trace.
He turned toward the phone in the kitchen, though God only knew who he was going to call--Vin didn't have a cell phone and his antique camper sure wasn’t equipped with one. He wouldn't even be at the office yet. Would he? The turn took him close to the doors that lead out to the deck, and it was there he saw Vin, sitting on one of the loveseats wrapped in a woolen blanket staring out toward the peak of Sheep Mountain, framed by lodgepole pines.
The morning was cold, Chris could see that in the way Vin's breath hung in little clouds, and he worried about what would make him sit outside in conditions like this. Suspecting Vin would want to get warm as soon as he came in, knowing he himself would, Chris took a moment to start a pot of coffee. Then he threw on sweats and his boots, and grabbed a blanket of his own before heading out to join Vin.
Vin turned to look at him as soon as he walked through the door and shuffled aside in welcome, making space for Chris next to him on the seat. "Mornin', cowboy," Vin said, quietly. "Must have lost track of time. Sorry ‘bout the coffee."
Chris sat next to him, wrapping himself in his own little cocoon of blankets, and said, "Not a problem. I started it. When we get inside it'll be waiting for us." He looked at Vin for a minute, studied him like he didn't usually get the chance or take the time to do. He looked stressed, lines pinched around his eyes and mouth, shoulders tense, and despite Chris’s presence, he didn't look away from the view. Snaking an arm out of his covers, Chris reached out and pulled Vin close, pressing a kiss to his temple as he situated his lover up against his side, then tucking his arm back in the warmth of the wool again. Vin settled against him quietly, though his muscles were still hard under the soft wool blanket.
He turned his attention to the mountain while he waited to see if Vin would say anything. The peak was beautiful, snowcapped already, even this early in the season, and the early sunlight was reflecting off the snow and getting caught by the clouds that surrounded it, so that the mountain looked as though it were glowing with its own inner light, shining more than any other part of the sky or surrounding landscape.
He was glad for both the beauty of the view and the warmth of his blankets, because it was several minutes before Vin said anything at all. And when he did speak it was a bit of a surprise. "You know Travis told me I had to move my camper," he said.
It wasn't a question and Chris didn't treat it as one. "I knew he was going to," Chris said, suddenly understanding Vin's distant and skittish behavior lately. Hoping he was wrong, that he hadn't been that obtuse, he said, "He talked to me about it back just after the whole mess when your trailer got broken into. I'm surprised he waited this long to talk to you."
Vin shrugged. "He didn't wait as long as you think. Gave me enough time to settle back down after all that shit with the reporters then called me into his office." He turned to look at Chris. "He told me I had until the end of November to find a new place. Can't stay after that."
Chris turned slowly to look at him. "You've only got a few more days. Damn it, Vin, why didn't you say something?" he snapped, irritation flooding him.
Vin turned to him and blinked slowly, his forehead wrinkled in confusion. "It ain't like you didn't know, Chris. Travis made that clear. He also made clear that he was telling me himself because he didn't want me thinking there was anyone I could appeal to about it."
Chris took a deep breath, the cold biting into his lungs, and said, "No, there isn't. He got barked at when the Director saw your camper on CNN.” He rested his cheek on Vin’s head for a second, then asked softly, “So what are you going to do?" He knew what he wanted Vin's answer to be. They hadn't been together long, just a few months, but he wanted Vin to move into his house. Wanted to wake up every morning to coffee in the kitchen and Vin's country-western music playing low.
Vin shrugged. "Still ain't sure." Chris felt a pinch of anger, but before he could voice it, Vin said, "And don't go saying nothing, I been lookin'. There's no park housing available. Most of the campgrounds outside the park close for the winter and those that don't want an awful lot for me to stay there year 'round. The trailer park out Jardine way don't want me in my Airstream. And they don't have toilets or showers anyhow." He took a deep breath, coughing slightly when the cold hit his lungs. "Buck overheard me on the phone with one of the campgrounds a few weeks back. Offered to let me park in the driveway at his place."
"Are you going to take him up on it?" Chris asked, his heart sinking. That Vin hadn't even talked about the problem with him, hadn't even said anything about having a problem, made him ache.
Vin pushed himself up so he wasn't leaning on Chris anymore, and said, "Depends." He turned to Chris. "On what you say."
Chris blinked at him, unable to give up his hurt and disappointment so quickly. "What I say to what? It doesn't look like you need my input on any of this. Should I be flattered that you're talking to me about it now?"
Vin winced, then said, voice quiet, "I was trying to solve the problem on my own, Chris. Didn't want to bring my burdens to you." He pushed himself to his feet, unwrapping himself from the blanket. "Never mind. Guess I'll take Buck up on his offer." He disappeared into the house while Chris stared at his back, wondering what his lover was thinking.
Chris swore to himself as he untangled himself, leaving his blanket on the seat in his hurry to get inside, to catch Vin before he could leave if he was going to.
He was relieved to see, though, that Vin had only gone as far as the kitchen and was standing by the coffee maker with his arms wrapped around his chest, head ducked. The machine was gurgling its way through the end of the brew cycle and Chris blew out a huff of relief as he walked up behind Vin, taking care to make noise.
He rested his hand on Vin's shoulder and said, "What were you going to ask me?"
Vin shrugged and shook his head. "Don't matter. I wasn't sure I ought to anyhow." After that he fell silent and it was clear to Chris that no amount of waiting would get him to speak. Buck could be counted on to speak to fill a silence, and sometimes it was the best way to get to whatever was really bothering him. JD too. Even Josiah, who appreciated quiet almost as much as Vin did, could be drawn out that way if the silence was accompanied by the right sort of glare. But it never worked with Vin.
Chris rubbed his forehead for a second, then opened the cupboard next to Vin and pulled out coffee mugs, Vin moving to the other side of the kitchen to make room. Chris set out the things for them to make their coffee, mugs for both of them and cream and sugar for Vin who liked his coffee strong and sweet and the color of autumn's dried grass. He shook his head to ease a budding headache, realizing then that he'd had his jaw clenched and his lips pressed together hard. Realizing then how angry and hurt he was by this.
He took a deep breath, then said, more anger in his voice than he intended, "Damn it, Tanner. Don't do this. Talk to me."
The coffee maker gave its last dying splutter, almost obliterating Vin's words, but Chris could just hear him say, "I was gonna ask if I could park here. Maybe in your garage if the weather got real cold. But I wasn't sure it was such a good idea."
Chris turned to him, hurt winning out over anger, though just barely, "Why the hell wouldn't it be a good idea?"
Whirling on him with an energy and fury completely at odds with the stillness of just a minute ago, Vin said, voice like ice cracking, "'Cause you knew Travis was going to talk to me. You knew I was gonna have to move my camper. And you didn't say nothing about it. You didn't ask or offer or even check to see how I was doing at finding a new place." His words seemed to take all the anger out of him, and he reached tiredly for a mug. "Shouldn't've said nothing to you. Should've just moved to Buck and JD's. Nothing would have had to be different between us." He made his coffee then slipped away to the other side of the kitchen again without another word.
Chris poured his own coffee with shaking hands grateful that at least Vin wasn't walking out of the house. Chris looked up at Vin, one hand gripping his coffee mug and the other wrapped around his chest. Head high and shoulders square, he glared at Chris with sad eyes, looking like he was braced to take whatever Chris threw at him, whether it was a rejection or a punch. The sight of Vin like that, combined with his words, cooled Chris's anger, leaving nothing but regret.
Chris took a deep breath, and another sip of his coffee, before saying, "I was hoping you'd talk to me." He kept his voice quiet.
A scowl split Vin's face. "Ain't never begged for nothing in my life, Larabee, and I ain't about to start now. Anyway, it didn't seem like there was anything to talk about. Wasn't like you didn't know."
Chris stepped toward Vin, but stopped when Vin backed away holding up his coffee mug in warning. Chris stopped, leaving a few feet between them, then caught Vin's eye and said, "I wanted you to ask." He held up his hand before Vin could speak and went on, "Not to beg, Vin. But...damn it. You know you're welcome here. In your camper or in the house. I'd prefer the house."
Vin's eyes narrowed. "Then why the hell didn't you say somethin'? I figured you just..." He ran his free hand through his hair, then went on, his voice sad and tired, "I've been getting on as best I can on my own for my whole life. When you didn't say anything to me about moving, I figured it was just more of the same."
This time when Chris stepped toward him, Vin set the coffee mug down on the counter, letting him approach, though he stayed stiff and resistant when Chris tried to pull him into a hug. Chris settled for putting a hand on the small of Vin's back and took a second to finish off his cup of coffee and gather his thoughts. Vin was staring straight ahead all the while with that blank look that hid everything he was thinking and feeling. With a deep breath Chris said, "You having to move is park business, from the Director to Travis to you, a direct order. I'm your boss, Vin, not just your lover. I was trying to keep the uniform, the job, out of our life together."
"We've been managing pretty good so far," Vin said, quietly, studying the toes of his unlaced boots. "And it sure would've been nice to know that my lover," his voice dropped to a whisper on the word, "gave a shit." He shook his head and looked up, his eyes still shuttered. When he saw Chris's face, he bumped Chris with his shoulder and said, "Don't need to look so sorry. I reckon I get it. You didn't want it to sound like you was orderin' me to come out here. Or like you was trying to get around Travis's order."
Chris nodded as he pulled Vin closer to him. But when he had Vin in his arms, solid and warm, he realized there was more. "Yeah, but I also didn't, I don't, want the fact that you're in a bind to be the reason you came out here to stay. I need you to want it. For yourself. For us."
Vin relaxed against him, his lean body molding more closely to Chris's, but his head was still down when he said, "I like being here with you. I like fallin' asleep next to you and wakin' up in the morning with your arm around me. Wouldn't mind having more of that."
Chris's arm tightened around Vin, contentment warm in his chest.
After a few minutes of quiet, Vin pushed away from Chris and poured them both another cup of coffee. Chris was hoping Vin would settle back against his side, but he stood across from him, gripping his mug tightly. He looked Chris straight in the eye, hopeful and determined and scared, and asked, "Can I park my Airstream here and use your shower and toilet, Chris? I'll pay rent, same as I was paying at the campground. More if you want." Even after their conversation, he looked like he was expecting a rebuff and once again Chris cursed Tigee and everyone else on that reservation who'd scarred the best man he'd ever known.
Thinking about his words carefully, Chris said, "I don't want to be your landlord, Vin." Vin's back straightened so fast and hard it hurt to look at him and his face went blank again, but Chris put his hand on Vin's arm and went on, "Look, bring your camper here, park it wherever you want--yard, driveway, garage. I'll get a key made for you today. I've been meaning to give you one since all that mess with the dig site and the reporters anyway. I want you to stay in the house, but if you prefer your Airstream, well..." He shrugged. "Just don't be surprised if you have company out there."
Vin relaxed somewhat, though he shook his head vehemently and said, "I ain't gonna sponge off you 'cause we're together."
Chris nodded, understanding Vin's position, though he didn't really like it. He didn't especially need or want money from Vin, but he knew that Vin wouldn't agree to stay if he wasn't paying his own way. "We'll figure out a fair way to share expenses, Vin. People who live together do it all the time." He set his coffee down on the counter then took Vin's mug and set it aside too.
Chris reached to pull Vin into his arms, but Vin extended his own hand, taking Chris's forearm in the handshake they used only with each other. "Deal," Vin said, shaking firmly.
After shaking, Chris pulled Vin into his arms and said, "I can think of better ways to seal this deal than a handshake, Tanner," then kissed him hard and quick, pulling back before Vin had much chance to respond.
Vin growled and slid his hands up into Chris's hair, saying, "Hell, the handshake was better than that, Larabee. That was just a damn tease." The kiss that followed was long and slow and deep, tongues sliding and slipping against each other. Chris could feel Vin hardening against his own rising cock and pulled him closer with a hand on his ass so they pressed against each other.
Vin leaned into the kiss, then moaned, his fingers tightening in Chris's hair for a moment, like he was fighting against himself as he eased out of the kiss. Vin's cheeks were flushed and his lips slightly swollen and the sight of him like that made Chris's cock jump. Vin rocked into it once, then away just a hair, saying, "That's a little better. I'm startin' to get the feeling that maybe you're kinda serious about this deal."
Pulling Vin in close, Chris nipped his earlobe, then said, voice soft, "I couldn't be more serious about this, Vin. One of these days you'll believe that." He softly kissed Vin's cheek and temple, then slid his hand forward to grip Vin's hard cock for a second before nudging him toward the bedroom, "You ready for me to show you?"
Vin didn't answer in words, but there was no mistaking his meaning as he shimmied out of his sweats and led Chris toward the bed.End