The Scoundrel's Apprentice
JD Dunne was becoming a little frustrated of late. He didn't know what he did wrong, but something about his dealings with the female population of Four Corners wasn't working out.
It was always the same - he asked them out, they agreed enthusiastically, they went to the weekend dance together, and he took them home. He said goodnight, politely pointed out that he had had a wonderful time, and then left. After that, it was as if they barely remembered him.
Deep in thought, he sat in his favorite chair inside the Sheriff's office and never heard anyone approach. It nearly sent him crashing to the floor when he heard a familiar cheerful voice out of nowhere.
"Hey, kid! Somethin' botherin' you?"
"Buck! Dammit, you scared the hell outta me," JD protested.
Buck chuckled. "Sorry if I'm intrudin' on any nice daydreams, kid. Thinkin' about a ladyfriend, are ya?"
"Ha!" Sometimes, it was uncanny how Buck seemed to be able to read his mind. Even if he tended to be just a little bit off.
Buck pulled up a chair, turned it and sat down. He folded his arms on the chairback, facing JD. "Whatever it is, son, you can tell me," he said, unusually serious. He sensed that JD was rather embarrassed.
Unsure how to breech the subject, JD decided to help his thinking process with some whiskey from the flask in his desk.
"That serious, is it?" Buck asked, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yeah," JD admitted.
Buck hooked the tips of his boots behind the chair legs. He waited patiently until JD had made up his mind how to put it.
"I need some advice," the young sheriff finally said shyly.
Buck's jaw dropped. "Never thought I'd see the day." He laughed, but was immediately silenced by JD's reproachful look. "Sorry, kid. Go ahead."
A little doubtful now, JD continued his earlier sentence. "...'bout women."
Buck nodded knowingly. "Well, you've come to the right place."
JD sighed. "That's what I was hoping." And he proceeded to tell Buck his troubles, giving him a rundown of his "routine".
At the end of it all, Buck looked his young friend over seriously and said, "You know, aside from a bit of change not hurtin' once in a while, most of that is just fine."
"Well, something isn't!" JD helped himself to some more whiskey, waiting for the advice.
Buck pondered the problem. "Say kid, you ever make those ladies feel real special? You know, like you can't wait to see them again.?"
JD shrugged. "I think so."
"You think so? That probably means you don't."
JD listened up. "How do I do it, Buck?"
Buck smiled. "What kind of goodnight kiss do you give your lady friends, kid?"
A little confused, JD said, "Um... I don't."
"You don't??"
Feeling like he was missing something, JD stammered, "It would be too forward to just kiss a lady I hardly even know."
Laughing, Buck reached out and patted him on the shoulder. "You're damn right about that, but that's how they'll remember you. Gotta give 'em something they won't forget."
"A kiss?" JD asked, doubtful.
"You can say a lot with a kiss. Tell your little lady exactly how you feel about her."
JD blushed, embarrassment all over his youthful face. "I haven't really... what I mean is..."
Buck's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "You've never kissed a lady before?"
"Of course I have." JD was most indignant. Quieter, a lot quieter, he added, "But not since I was about 10."
Buck was close to laughing, not so much at JD's inexperience - which didn't surprise him all that much - but at the frightened expression on the boy's face. "Relax, kid. No one's suggestin' you go and try kissin' Chris Larabee."
"Buck!" JD squealed, sending his friend into a laughing fit.
"Sorry, but you looked like you needed cheerin' up. So, you want my help?" Buck stood and walked over to JD's desk. He leaned against it.
"Yeah." JD nodded.
"It's all about what you want that kiss to say, boy." Buck scratched his chin. "Say you wanna tell the lady, 'That was real nice and you're a mighty sweet girl, and when you're all grown up, we should do this again.' What you do is kiss her real light, nice and dry, just barely touching her lips. And you don't hold her, you just take her hands while you kiss her."
JD was listening attentively now.
Buck was in his element. He gestured animatedly as he began to tell JD about everything from the 'You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen' kiss to the 'Don't make any plans for the rest of your weekends, Hon', cause I already have' kiss.
Finally, he looked at JD, but instead of the understanding look he'd expected, the boy looked more confused than before. "What's the matter?' Buck asked.
JD sighed. "I'd just feel so awkward, Buck. I mean, won't they know I have no idea what I'm doing?"
Buck finally got rid of his hat, crossed his legs and gave JD a very serious look. "You need to gather some experience, kid. I know a lovely lady over at the ..."
"No, Buck! I don't want to make a fool of myself in front of those girls." JD was a little offended at the suggestion.
Buck considered the options, decided there weren't too many, and then, he smiled. "Okay, kid, there's another way." He reached for JD's hand and pulled him up off his chair.
JD was too shocked to fight when Buck announced, "This is that first one I told you about - the shy one with no commitment to ever see her again, even though she'll be sure you want to." And with that, Buck gave JD the merest whisper of a kiss, holding his hands just as he had told him to do.
Gasping, JD just stood there, his eyes as wide as saucers.
Buck smiled at him before continuing, "Now, this one's a big compliment. Tells her you find her real delightful." He took JD's face into his hands and kissed him tenderly, very briefly letting his tongue dart out to moisten the boy's lips.
JD was shaking all over when Buck released him.
"Now, you gotta make sure you don't get these mixed up, kid," he said, grinning. Who'd have thought he had a talent for tutorin'? "Because if you mix up those earlier ones with the "real" ones, you'll make a mess of things."
JD stuttered, "Those... weren't...real?"
"Nah! See, like this one." Buck reached around JD with one arm while cupping the back of his head with his free hand. He pulled him in tight and kissed him deeply, parting the surprised boy's soft lips with his tongue. He went deep, until he heard the involuntary whimper and felt JD tremble in his arms.
JD Dunne was quite sure he'd never learnt so much of value in one day. Once Buck had let go of him, he barely managed to stay on his feet.
"Okay there?" Buck inquired, bemused.
Nodding, JD touched the tip of his index finger to his bruised lips. "That all?" he asked, suddenly feeling bold.
Buck grinned broadly. "If you ask that way..."
"Might as well show me everything." JD straightened himself, his hands folded loosely behind his back.
"Sure thing, kid." Buck reached around his waist with both arms and dipped him as if he was about to lay him down. He effectively trapped JD, who had to rely on him for his balance. Buck lowered his mouth to the now eagerly parted lips and kissed him until he gasped for air. Then he whispered, "That one says, if I weren't such a gentleman, you would not be spendin' the night alone." With a twinkle in his eyes, he added, "Don't use that one much myself."
"I bet," JD gasped. struggling to get back to a vertical position. He only managed to stay upright by holding onto Buck, his arms wrapped around the taller man's neck.
Looking deep into the moist brown eyes of his young friend, Buck teased, "So, you think you'll know what to do now, kid?"
"Hmmm..." JD grinned mischievously. "There's one you never showed me, but I bet I can figure out how to do it now."
Buck waited, mighty curious and quietly bemused. But when JD moved right up against him, tightening the grip around his neck, Buck began to wonder whether it was his turn to be taught a little something. The whole lesson was getting pretty intense.
JD didn't seem to be worried about that when he pressed himself hard against Buck. He looked up at him trustingly and opened his mouth a little, looking as innocent as a lamb. Once Buck's lips were on his, however, JD began to rub against him, encouraged by the answering groan. He pushed his tongue through Buck's lips, reaching as far as he could, drinking and sucking, all the while letting his hands roam through Buck's sleek dark hair.
When the kiss was over, Buck whistled. "Damn, kid! What was that?"
JD stood back and declared, "Don't make plans for the rest of your weekends, Hon', cause I already have."
Buck cleared his throat and smiled. "You know, I think you may be right." He briefly touched JD's cheek, turned around and walked out of the Sheriff's office, leaving a smiling JD behind.
Once outside, Buck slumped back against the outside wall and took a deep breath, loosening the bandanna around his neck. "That kid's a real fast learner," he murmured to himself, before shakily making his way to the saloon.
END