Pairing: Chris / Vin

Disclaimer: The M7 characters do not belong to me, but I enjoy keeping them alive.

Comments: Many thanks to Renegade for her help with this fic. It's my first foray into the 'dark side' and I am grateful for her advice and Beta. I'd like to dedicate this to everyone who was at Media West and encouraged me to take the plunge.

Thanks: to Laramee for the collage.

Sunset

Vin Tanner watched as the sun dipped below the horizon and the sky took on the colored hues of a magnificent sunset. The pink, purple, and orange bled into each other in a kaleidoscope of colors that put many artists to shame. God had a way of working his magic on a canvas of his own making and Vin shifted his gaze until he stared at the man splitting wood near the corral.

What was it about Chris Larabee that made him stand up and take notice? Was it the way the fading light glinted off the blond hair that seemed just a bit too long? The way he raised his arms and brought the axe down with a force that split the chunk of wood in two? Or the lean body that seemed impossibly muscular each time he shifted his legs and grabbed for another piece of wood? Maybe it was the long legs or the perfect shape...God, he couldn't go there.

It could have been any of those, but Vin knew deep down it was the eyes, so green and filled with life now that Ella Gaines was out of the picture. They'd hunted her down and finally found her living on a ranch outside Eagle Bend. The woman had made a stupid mistake in thinking she could live so close without them finding her. JD had spotted her during a trip to a neighboring town and high-tailed it back to Four Corners. Chris had wanted to go alone, but they'd convinced him of the foolishness of such a decision and he'd reluctantly agreed they should accompany him on his quest.

There were nearly a dozen hired hands working for her, each one an expert with a gun, yet when it came right down to it, they'd been no match for the seven determined men who sought revenge. Vin would never forget the look of disbelief on her face as Chris had raised his gun and walked toward her. She'd begged him to understand why she'd killed his family. Pleaded with him to see how much she loved him and smiled when his hand wavered. Vin had raised his mare's leg, but he didn't get a chance to use it as Chris smiled and told her that 'Hell was waiting for its bitch.' He'd shot her between the eyes and watched as death took away the woman who had haunted his life for so long.

Vin shook away those thoughts and returned his attention to the man who now seemed at ease as he struck another chunk of wood with the axe. Would Chris now find love again or would he continue to live the lonely life of a widower? God help him, Vin wanted to help Chris find love again, but how could he? Chris had never shown an interest in him, not in that way. Vin had always wanted to touch the lean chest, to run his fingers along the taut stomach and feel the fullness of the ripe balls, but that was not to be. He felt the tightening in his gut and fought to keep his feelings inside. There was only one way to relieve the growing pressure in his balls. He sighed heavily and watched from afar, hoping he would always have these moments where he could dream of Chris Larabee.

Sunrise

Chris Larabee watched as the sun began to rise and caught movement out of the corner of his eyes. He turned and leaned against the tree as Vin Tanner shed his clothing and waded into the stream. What was it about the Texan that made him feel whole again? Was it the fact that Vin had stood by him even after Chris had told them he would be staying with Ella Gaines? Or that Vin had been ready to end her life even as Chris pulled the trigger? Sarah and Adam were finally at peace now that their murderer was dead and her bones left in the desert for the animals to feed on. Vin had ridden with him after the others had gone back to Four Corners and helped him stake her dead body out in the sun. It felt right knowing she would not be buried in hallowed ground because she did not deserve it.

Vin dove beneath the surface and reappeared at the center of the pool of water. The Texan shook his head, using his fingers to push the hair from his face and Chris found himself wondering what the strands would feel like. A tingling sensation in his gut caught him unawares and he shifted his gaze. Vin turned in the water and his arms made long strokes toward the opposite side of the pool.

The Texan's body glistened in the light as the sun finally topped the rise and reflected off the water. Chris' breath caught in his throat and he found it impossible to tear his eyes from the natural grace of Tanner's movements. Larabee thought about touching that naked body and running his fingers through the long hair, but his mind was wandering where his hands could not and he found himself thinking of things he'd done as a young man when he and Buck were fighting side by side in the war. There'd been no women around and they'd found other ways of releasing the sexual tension. That was in the past...forgotten once the war was over and there were plenty of females ready and willing to relieve them for the right price.

Chris once again tried to turn away, swallowing convulsively as Vin exited the water on the opposite bank. The man looked like God's forbidden fruit and Chris wanted nothing more than to taste him, but he'd never known Vin to show any interest in being with another man.

What was it about Vin Tanner that had his cock hardening and his balls bursting at the glimpse of the man's body? When did he start having the urge to taste the Texan's lips and run his fingers along the man's ass? And why did he want to push inside that ass or feel the Texan inside him when he'd never allowed another man, not even Buck, to do that to him?

Chris shook away the images giving him a raging hard on and knew there were other ways to relieve himself without Tanner having to know how he felt. He licked at dry lips when Vin turned toward him and was displayed in all his magnificent splendor, with a body that didn't quit and a smile that could melt ice. Chris knew he had to leave before he acted on the thoughts running through his mind.

Moonlight

The light of the moon shone down on the small shack huddled against the trees as a man exited through the door and lit a cheroot. Chris had been unable to sleep as the heat of the day kept his home hotter than he could stand. He smiled when he spotted Vin Tanner sleeping near the corral. The man had shed his clothing and thrown back the blanket in an effort to escape the heat. Chris suddenly realized Tanner wasn't the only one who'd rid himself of the constrictive clothing and wondered if he should grab a blanket.

'Don't be stupid...no one's here to see you,' he thought and took a deep breath.

"Chris..."

"Sorry...didn't mean to wake you," Larabee said and turned away before the Texan could see the effect Vin had on him.

"Ya didn't," Tanner answered.

Chris heard the footsteps and knew he could escape if he just took the few short steps that would put him inside his shack, but his feet were stuck in place. He felt a callused hand on his shoulder and turned to look into the deep blue eyes that threatened to take his breath away.

"Chris, I ain't one fer small talk..."

"Then don't," Larabee told him. He knew what he was doing and wondered why it felt so right when he pulled Vin close. He could feel the Texan's cock pressing against his own and gasped at the pleasurable sensation it caused.

"Ya sure?" Tanner asked.

Chris nodded and without thinking moved them toward the blanket Vin had been sleeping under. They lay down, neither one taking control as they allowed their minds and bodies to act of their own accord. Chris heard Vin moan and reached down to stroke the Texan's hardened shaft.

"God, Chris," Tanner whispered.

Chris could not believe the reaction he was getting from Vin, nor his own body's response to Tanner's closeness. God, he not only wanted this...he needed this. He continued stroking and teasing Tanner's cock sliding down Vin's body until he reached his shaft. He didn't hesitate when Tanner moaned softly and placed his hands on Chris' shoulders as if he thought Chris would not finish what he'd started. Chris' tongue traced a fiery path along the vein that ran the length of his cock before taking Tanner's balls into his mouth, sucking each one in turn. Satisfied he'd given each their due, he moved to take Vin's swollen cock in his mouth, continuing to gently roll the Texan's balls in his hands.

Chris tasted Vin's cum on his tongue and swallowed greedily as Vin pressed his fingers against the back of his head. He then shivered as a soft breeze blew across his body and wondered at the heady excitement that raged inside him. Chris gasped when the Texan quickly changed positions and he found himself lying on his back with long strands of sweat dampened hair tickling his thighs. He lost the ability to think clearly as Vin's mouth engulfed his cock, his tongue flicking tantalizingly across the tip. His body on fire with the sensations Vin was creating, his balls grew tight and he lifted his hips as he came in the other man's mouth, moaning softly until he lay sated in Tanner's arms.

The moon hung heavy in the sky, bathing the sleeping men in a soft light that spoke of a closeness beyond imagination. An owl hooted in the nearby trees as if pleased with the act performed only for the silent creatures nature allowed to bear witness. The soft sound of their breathing was soon the only sound as the moonlight washed over their bodies.

The End!

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