Seven Rides for Seven Brothers
"How about it, Boy?" Fatty Jenkins chuckled, grinning from ear to ear as he leant across the table towards JD.
"Mister," JD Dunne said, smiling broadly. "I reckon you're gonna regret askin' for a re-match."
"Is that so?" Fatty looked at JD over the rim of his tiny monocle. "Why don't you show me what you've got then?"
"Sure." JD threw his cards on the table confidently and flopped back in his chair, smiling up at Ezra who began patting him on the shoulder.
"I'm proud of you, son. I really am," Ezra said with a wide grin which made his gold tooth flash. "Why, this almost makes up for having to listen to those jokes of yours."
JD squinted at him, but went straight back to looking at Jenkins triumphantly. "Well, you gonna show me your hand or what?"
Fatty Jenkins pulled a face as if he was looking at something thoroughly disgusting. "Hell, you know I ain't got nothin' left to pay you with, son."
JD grinned. "Yeah, I know." He considered the situation. Then he got up and walked to the Saloon window. "Mighty fine horse you have out there, Mister. I reckon that would just about cover your debts."
Jenkins growled and stood, reaching for his gun. "Why, you sly little...!"
All around him, gun triggers clicked, and he found himself faced with six men who looked ready and more than willing to kill him at the first sign of trouble. The one right in front of him especially looked just the other side of sane. Staring down the barrel of Buck Wilmington's gun, he twitched nervously. "Now, there's no need for all this, gentlemen."
Buck smiled, touching his gun to Jenkins' fat little nose. "Cause there ain't. And if you just go ahead and pay up on your gamblin' debts, I'll even let you walk out of here with your ugly little head facin' the right way."
"Okay, okay!" Jenkins pulled out a huge handkerchief and wiped the sweat off his forehead. "I don't want trouble." He lifted his hands in the air, well away from his gun, and turned to JD. "Take the damn horse, son! But it's not mine. I was takin' it to be sold in Eagle Bend. It's a bronco, ya know. Nothin' but trouble. Ain't seen a man who could ride it yet."
JD grinned. "You're lookin' at him, Mister!"
Jenkins looked at JD as if he was insane. "Yeah, well, I gotta get goin'. I'm s'posed to be in Eagle Bend with that horse tomorrow. Can't go showin' my face around there without it."
Ezra stepped forward, nudging Jenkins towards the door with his gun. "Well then, Sir, you'd better be takin' your leave. As much of a loss as it may be for the fair community of Eagle Bend not to see your countenance, I do believe you would be wise to make your way home now."
Jenkins nodded, stumbling backwards through the swing doors. Once he was outside, he turned and ran, as fast as his short legs would carry him. Grabbing the reins of his own horse - a peaceful looking creature tied up next to JD's win - he kept running, not even taking the time to mount his ride.
Laughing, Ezra, Buck and JD stood by the door, watching him run.
"Well, kid, you got yourself a brand new horse." Buck punched JD in the side playfully and walked towards the beautiful mare.
JD followed him, grinning proudly.
When the two men reached her, she bucked, apparently ready to stomp them into the ground.
JD and Buck jumped out of the way just in time.
"Some price you got yourself there, JD." Josiah called out. He, Nathan, Chris and Vin had all come outside to take a look at JD's new possession.
"She just needs to get used to me." JD nodded emphatically, trying to convince himself that he'd be doing just fine with his new acquisition.
"If you need some help ridin' her in, just let me know, kid." Buck grinned, watching his young friend try to get a hold of his horse's reins at all.
"And what makes you the expert on ridin' in a wild horse?" JD challenged.
Buck smiled. "Let's just say I got the touch - women and horses are a lot alike. You just gotta know how to treat a lady. Whether she's on two legs or on four."
Ezra chuckled. "I'm sure your assorted ladyfriends would find the comparison mighty flattering, Mr Wilmington."
"I'm just tryin' to give the boy some advice here, Ezra," Buck countered mischievously.
JD groaned. "Yeah, well I don't need no advice on how to ride a horse from any one of ya."
Chris Larabee approached JD. "You really wanna be careful," he said, examining the horse through slitted eyelids. "I wouldn't wanna have to get Nathan to stitch you up."
"Any other advice?" JD asked, spinning around furiosly. "Vin? Nathan? Anyone? You know, guys, I've ridden in a horse before," he said to no one in particular but everyone present. "And I ride better than any of you."
"Okay, okay..." Buck raised his arms, waving them around. "Just go right ahead. We'll sit here and wait for ya."
"Now?" JD asked, suddenly a little worried. He wasn't sure he wanted to do this with the guys all watching. Just in case...
"Why ever not, Mr Dunne? Do you have a more urgent appointment to attend to?" Ezra asked, smilingly settling into the single chair outside the Saloon and stretching out his legs in front of him.
"Uh... no?" JD went over to his horse, terribly aware of everyone's eyes on him. Of course, they were all just waiting for him to make a fool of himself. And he didn't intend to give them the satisfaction.
"You might wanna try that with a saddle," Josiah offered, silenced immediately by JD's reproachful look. "Sorry," he said, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. He leant back against the wall by Ezra's chair with a big cheerful grin on his face.
"She's a wild one. I'm gonna ride her wild," JD stated, ignoring Buck's chuckle. He took a deep breath and sprinted up to his horse, reaching for its neck as he jumped.
Unfortunately for JD, the horse had guessed his intention.
JD didn't know what was worse - the pain in his behind when he hit the ground, or the laughter of his friends. "Very funny!" he growled, ignoring the hand Buck held out to him. "I can get up by myself!" He pouted, getting on his feet and picking up his hat.
There were only two things he could do, he realized. If he gave up, his friends would think him a coward. And if there was one thing JD would never allow himself to be, it was a coward. The other option of course wasn't too appealing either. He sighed, reaching up to his horse's neck again. This time, he decided that he might go about mounting it more slowly. He didn't get the chance, because as soon as he touched the silver-gray mare, she started running. "Hey!" JD yelled, chasing after it down the main street.
Buck leant back against the wooden rail outside the saloon, howling with laughter. "What do you think, guys? Is JD gonna catch her?"
Ezra grinned. "It might be more cautious to ask, should he be catching her?"
Laughing, Josiah walked out into the street, raising his hand to shield his eyes from the sun. He looked down the street, but saw no sign of JD or the horse. "She's fast, that's for sure. Can't see her anymore."
"JD ain't too bad either." Buck chuckled.
They all stood, waiting and wondering.
Suddenly, the horse came into view, racing past them as if the devil was behind her. He wasn't, but JD was certainly gaining on her.
Buck doubled over, holding his stomach.
"Maybe we should help?" Vin suggested, squinting.
"Now what would be the fun in that, Mr Tanner?" Ezra pulled out a pack of cards and started shuffling, the little smile which was so typical for him barely hidden by the brim of his hat.
Chris and Vin walked down the stairs, getting ready to get a hold of the horse or alternatively, JD, whichever would come back into view first.
It took a little longer this time, maybe they were both getting tired of the chase. But when the horse came trotting by, Chris stepped in front of it and reached around its neck and began talking to it soothingly. "Hey there, easy now..."
The beautiful horse was breathing heavily, but actually stood still, allowing him to stroke her neck.
Not long after, JD came into view. He was more stumbling than running now. Not surprising, considering he'd just made his way around half of Four Corners twice. Holding his side, he didn't protest when Vin caught him, stopping him in his tracks.
"Whoa, JD. We got her."
"Yeah..." JD gasped, shakily stumbling over to the rail where Buck was standing, and leaning on it with a sigh.
Buck smiled down at him.
"What?" JD snapped, giving his friend what he hoped was a threatening glare.
"Why don't I ride her in for you, kid?" Buck said it without malice, his tone soft even while he couldn't entirely suppress the grin on his face.
JD frowned. "Oh, you think you can tame... that!?" He pointed to his wild poker win in disgust.
"Sure I can. Watch and learn, JD." Buck strutted up to the horse, smiling.
"You ain't asking it for a date, are ya, Buck?" JD laughed, no matter how much it hurt his aching sides. He tried desperately to catch his breath.
Buck turned and cocked his head.
"You can't do it. No way!" JD stood up straight with a groan and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"Now that does sound like a challenge to me, Mr Wilmington." Ezra briefly stopped shuffling and looked back and forth between his friends. "Would any of you gentlemen care to place a wager on this?"
"Ezra, you'd sell your own mother!" Nathan chided in disgust.
The gambler thought about this for an instant, frowning. Then he replied, "I'm afraid that as of yet, no suitable offer has been submitted to me." He immediately soften the statement with his characteristic wide grin.
Everyone but Nathan smiled at his joke.
But JD interrupted, seeing his chance to get back at his friends for laughing at him before. "Okay, Ezra. Here's what we do."
"Oh, this should be interesting." Buck grinned, his hands on his hips. He looked at JD, waiting.
"You - any one of you - try and ride her. Just as far as the Hardware store and back. If anyone can actually do it, I promise to do anything you ask for a day."
Buck's grin widened. "For a day?" he asked. When JD nodded, he continued, "Anything?"
JD wondered what he was getting at. "Um... well, I ain't gonna shoot no one for ya, if that's what you mean. But aside from that, yeah." More hesitantly now, "I guess..."
"You've got yourself a deal, kid." And Buck turned eagerly, walking up to the horse. He stroked her neck, whispering to her softly. Too softly for anyone to hear what he was saying. Then he went to retrieve his saddle from his own horse which was tied up nearby. He returned and while continuing to talk to the horse, he began saddling her up.
JD was concerned now. But of course, this didn't mean yet that she'd let Buck ride her.
Buck was done shortly after and mounted the mare, immediately causing her to jump and start running, only he held onto her reins tightly. JD looked on as Buck rode down the street. He was very nearly thrown off a couple of times, but managed to hold on. And he did make it all the way to the Hardware store and back.
Grinning triumphantly, he climbed off his ride and held up the reins, looking into JD's face. "Anyone else wanna try? She's quite a ride."
"Sure," Chris said. He smiled at JD and took the reins from Buck. He never could resist a challenge. Besides...
JD shrugged. "Oh well, you win, I guess."
Buck smiled, stepping next to him and throwing his arm around his friend's shoulders. "A day, huh?"
JD nodded, hoping that bet wouldn't turn out to be a really bad idea.
Meanwhile, Chris Larabee mounted the struggling horse, holding her on very short reins. He managed to free one hand long enough to tip his hat to JD and then, he was gone like a flash, riding like the devil until he was a little past the store, only to turn around and come back, hardly able to make the horse stop by the Saloon.
"We have another winner!" Ezra chuckled, getting up.
JD took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. He watched as Ezra took the reins from Chris and led the mare out into the street. He patted her, mounting her slowly. She bucked, but after some more patting on her flank, began galloping towards the store.
When he returned and elegantly dismounted the horse, Josiah was already waiting. "I'm next, brother."
"Certainly." Ezra walked up to JD, smiling. "I do believe you owe me a day of your life, Mr Dunne."
JD nodded. This had been a very, very bad idea. He was beginning to see himself scrubbing down horses, cleaning boots and running errands for days to come.
Josiah didn't do too badly either, even though he was almost thrown off twice. When he returned, he dismounted, winking at JD. "Add me to your list, JD."
Sighing, JD slumped down on the Saloon's stairs and waited for the inevitable.
And yes, Vin stepped forward also, taking over from Josiah.
He did his ride and returned, handing the reins to a waiting Nathan, who felt just a little awkward, seeing JD's expression. "Look, I don't have to..." he began.
But JD shook his head. "Go ahead. A deal is a deal."
Nathan rode off to the store, but when he got back, he only made it to within a few metres of the others, before he was thrown off. "Shit!" he called out. Why had he gone along with this stupid bet? He'd known he wasn't as good a rider as the rest of them.
JD smiled. At least one less day he'd have to waste.
Josiah however burst that particular bubble. "How about a day for Nathan, JD? He did almost get back all the way."
"Oh, what the hell!" JD groaned. "Okay, who's first?"
Buck grinned. "Since I did it first... I'll decide. And I think we'll go backwards. You start with Nathan and finish with me."
JD frowned. "What are you up to, Buck? Why would you want to wait?"
Suspiciously watching the smile on his friend's face, JD was told, "So I can take my time coming up with something really good for you to do." Buck chuckled, his mind already at work...
Nathan rubbed his backside. "So I'm first?"
"Guess so." JD said with some concern.
Nathan's Day
The next morning, JD appeared in Nathan's clinic, willing to make good on his bet. He was greeted by an uncomfortable silence. "So, Nathan?" he asked.
"Look, JD..." Pause. "I thought about this - it ain't right. The whole bet is... It's too much like slavery."
JD frowned. Here was a chance to get out of it, but what good was a man who didn't stand by his word? He made a decision. "It ain't slavery if everyone agrees to do it. We made a bet. I lost. That's all there's to it." He grinned to emphasize his sincerity.
Nathan thought about it. "Maybe if you..."
"Yeah?"
"Okay then." The healer picked his hat off the dresser and headed to the door, waiting for JD to follow.
"Where are we going, Nathan?"
"The livery."
"Okay." JD followed, wondering what his duties were to be.
When they got there, they were greeted by Sam - one of the stable boys. "Mornin', JD. Nathan." He grinned. "What can I do for you fellas this mornin'?"
JD returned the greeting, but then he kept quiet, having no response to that yet.
Nathan said, "Morning, Sam. JD here is gonna be helpin' you out today. He's gonna take care of the horses, rub them down, clean out the livery. Whatever needs doin'."
JD's eyes widened as he stared at Nathan. "The whole livery? All day?"
Nathan nodded. "Seeing how the bet was about that horse of yours, seems only fair."
Groaning, JD knew already how he'd be feeling that evening. He held his sides in painful anticipation.
Sam however looked damn pleased. "Well, I'll be!" He exclaimed. "There's been word around town about that bet you fellas made. Looks like I'm standin' to benefit from it." Grinning toothlessly, he went inside, followed by JD and Nathan, and passed JD a brush and some saddle soap.
Looking quite gloomy, JD took the items, eyeing the horses. Luck would have it that the livery was full up. "Fresh hay?" he asked.
"Out back." Sam tipped his hat, making to hurry away. "You have yourself a nice day, JD. Mr Jackson, Sir." He grinned and left.
"I'm guessin' this will take you all day." Nathan looked around.
"Yeah, sure will." JD agreed with a sigh.
Feeling quite content with his choice of task for JD, Nathan retreated. "Be seeing you at the Saloon tonight, JD."
Nodding, JD waited until Nathan had left before muttering, "If I can walk there."
+ + + + + + +
Throughout the day, and usually everytime JD thought he was just about done, folks came to get their horses or return them for the night. By late afternoon, JD was worn out, sweaty and could barely stand up. He was just thinking about taking a rest when he heard a familiar voice from the door.
"How's it goin', kid?"
"Buck, I ain't in no mood for any jokes about gettin' back to my roots as a stable boy."
Smiling gently, Buck came closer to pass a flask of water to JD - he'd brought it in with him. "I was gonna offer to help, JD."
"Sorry." JD grinned apologetically. "Can't take you up on that offer though, Buck. A deal's a deal."
"I had a feeling you'd say that." Buck patted his friend proudly on the back. "How much more to do?"
"If people would stop comin' in, I'd be finished in half an hour or so." He noticed the look of hurt on Buck's face. "Didn't mean you by that, Buck. As a matter of fact, you're the best thing to have happened to me today."
"Really?" Buck teased, grinning from ear to ear. He was immediately pacified. "Look, kid. I'm gonna see to it that someone comes to take over from you . You've done enough. And I'm gonna get them to set you up a bath over at the bathhouse for when you're finished."
With a sigh of relief, JD said, "Thanks, Buck. I think I need one."
"Yeah." Buck winked at him and left, leaving the water flask in JD's hand.
"Back to work." JD took a deep breath and picked up the pitchfork once more.
Vin's Day
JD turned in his bed, groaning in pain. If it hadn't been for Buck's help, he'd never have made it up the stairs last night, let alone out of his clothes. Damn, but he was sore. He checked the time... well, at least he could go back to sleep for another couple of hours.
A moment later, the door to his room burst open. "Mornin', JD!"
"Whoever you are, go away!" JD growled.
"Can't do that, JD. We got a long ways to go today and we gotta get an early start."
JD pulled his blanket right above his head. "I'm not going anywhere today." In his sleepy head, he decided he knew the voice after all. "What do you want, Vin?"
"It's my day, remember?"
JD grit his teeth and turned, pulling the blanket off his face. "Vin, it ain't a day 'til there's daylight. Come back later."
Vin stood close to the door, itching to get back out. "If we get goin' any later, we're gonna miss the sage grouse matin'."
JD rubbed his eyes. "What the heck are you talkin' about, Vin?"
"I'm takin' you tracking, JD. Get dressed. I'll be downstairs, gettin' us some water to take along. I'm guessin' we'll be out most of the day."
JD slammed back into the bed the moment the door slammed into the lock. All day? He was supposed to be ridin' around in the heat all day? And worse... tracking?
"That's the last damn bet I'm ever makin' in my life!" he told himself, scrambling out of bed like a man a hundred years his senior. Even telling himself that tracking had to be less strenuous than what Nathan had him do the day before didn't help.
+ + + + + + +
"There!" Vin declared triumphantly. "See those tracks?"
JD yawned and then blinked up into the fiercely burning midday sun. "Yeah. Horse tracks."
Vin frowned and bent down. "You ain't payin' attention, JD. Look, them tracks back there. That's our tracks - horse tracks. These are sage grouse tracks."
"Right." JD couldn't have cared less. "So long as they ain't no snake tracks, huh, Vin?" He grinned broadly, earning nothing but a reproachful glance.
"Snakes don't leave no tracks like this, JD!"
"I was just teasin', Vin." JD sighed. "Look, Vin, I'm real hungry. Can we stop for a bit?"
Vin nodded. "Yeah, okay." He got off his horse and while JD had some water from his flask, he set to kneeling on the ground, scratching at the dry soil with his hands.
'He's had too much sun,' JD thought. "Vin?"
"Gettin' us some lunch, JD." Vin grinned up at him as if he expected JD to jump for joy.
"Not..." JD gulped, his stomach not feeling all that great at all. "Worms and stuff, right? Tell me we're not eatin' worms, Vin!"
"Eagle worms. Best time of the year for them - they're extra juicy just when it starts gettin' warmer," Vin lectured. "Funny, how everything gets busy at springtime. Like them mating sage grouse. Ah, here's a couple!" He triumphantly held up a few particularly fat and squishy worms in his palm, frowning when JD turned green.
Running off behind the nearest bush of sagebrush, JD prayed he wouldn't find anything mating behind there. Then, he gave up thinking as he retched his guts out.
+ + + + + + +
Riding back into town in the late afternoon, still rubbing his stomach periodically, JD swore to himself that he would never, ever, track another darn thing. If anything ever wanted to track him, fine. He'd just steer clear of it.
Buck was strutting across to the Saloon when he saw the two dusty riders head down the main street. "Hey! Had a good day?" he asked, immediately cringing when JD glared at him.
"Did ya know that a male sage grouse makes a plopping noise when it wants to mate, Buck?" JD asked bitterly. "It's called boomin'."
Vin nodded, proud that JD had learned something. "Of course, the females pretend like they don't give a damn," he added.
Buck scratched the back of his neck, using his other hand to hold onto the reins of JD's horse which was prancing in place, impatient to get back to the livery and some fresh hay and water. "Yeah, that sounds like girls alright," he said.
"Of course in the end," JD continued over the growling of his empty stomach. "... they go off into the sage with the males anyway, including the immature young ones."
"That so?" Buck asked, trying hard not to laugh.
Vin nodded seriously. "Didn't think you'd remember all that, JD."
"I had nothin' else to do but pay attention, Vin," JD said pointedly, giving his friend an icy stare.
Vin shrugged. "I'm guessin' that'll come in handy one day, JD. Ya never know..." And with that, he got off his horse and led it to the livery, leaving JD behind with Buck.
"Why the heck would I ever need to know about sage grouse?" JD asked bitterly.
Buck grinned, slapping JD's thigh playfully and sending a cloud of dust flying up in the air. Through his coughing fit, he said, "Might need to know about the mating bit, though." He kept grinning, more broadly still when he noticed how red JD had gotten.
"I better go feed my horse," JD mumbled. "And me."
Buck nodded sympathetically. "Eagle worms?"
JD's stomach flipped over again. Thankfully, there was nothing in it any more. "Buck!" he said warningly.
"Thought so." Buck tugged at his moustache. "Join me for some dinner at the Saloon in half an hour?"
JD smiled. "Hell yeah." Then he thought about something. "You s'pose they got any grouse on the menu?"
Laughing, Buck left JD to take care of his horse while he went to join the rest of the seven and wait for his friend.
Josiah's Day
Quite certain he'd either die of boredom or wind up breaking his back, JD reluctantly went to see Josiah at the church the next morning. He found him sitting on one of the benches, reading.
"Mornin', Josiah."
Looking up, the preacher smiled. "And a good morning to you, John Dunne."
JD nodded, his hands in his pockets. "So, am I restocking the candles? Polishing the church floor? Rubbing down..."
"Hey! Hold on a minute, JD." Josiah chuckled. "It's not even ten o'clock, and before ten o'clock, I don't do any planning."
JD grinned. "Sounds good to me." He dropped down on a bench next to Josiah. "What are ya reading?"
"The Tibetan Book of the Dead," Josiah said importantly.
"Oh." JD shuddered. "Sorry I asked, Josiah."
Josiah smiled. "There are a lot of valuable lessons in this book, JD. You might want to read it some time."
JD shrugged. "Yeah sure, why not."
"How about we go for a ride?"
JD groaned. "I'm kinda sore, Josiah..."
"Not a long ride, JD. I know all about your last two days."
JD smiled gratefully. "Short ride should be okay."
Josiah stood. "Let's get some food and find some place quiet, okay?" He led JD out of the church with a hand in the small of his back. "Sandwiches?"
JD nodded. "Sure. I'll go get 'em."
"I'll do that, JD. Meet you in the livery in a few minutes."
"Alright."
So far so good, JD thought as he went to go get his horse.
+ + + + + + +
They really didn't ride far at all.
JD gasped in surprise when they got to a low waterfall plunging into a stream not too far from town. "Hey Josiah, what is this place?"
"Piece of heaven." Josiah grinned broadly. "That's what I call it. Don't know if it has any other name."
JD nodded. "Sounds about right to me."
They unsaddled and took care of their horses, and Josiah spread out a rug on the grass. "Have a seat, JD."
JD sat down with a sigh, turning his face up towards the sun.
Josiah had some water and passed the flask to JD.
"Hey Josiah," JD said, and took a sip. "How did you find this place?"
Josiah joined him on the rug. "I meditated on finding some place nice and quiet."
"Meditated?" JD's asked curiously.
"Yup. Want to learn it?"
Shrugging, JD said, "I'm not sure. What do you do?"
Josiah lay back, leaning on his elbows. "You sit very still for at least ten minutes or so, and clear your mind." When JD looked confused, he added. "It's hard to start with, but you learn. You just think of nothing at all, concentrate on your breathing and if any thoughts come to you, you let them go by you like clouds in a summer sky. If they're worthwhile, they usually come back later on."
"Hmm..." JD frowned. "I wouldn't mind tryin' that, Josiah. Sounds kinda nice."
Josiah grinned. "I'll show you." And he sat up straight again. "You're supposed to sit in the lotus position, but that's pretty hard. You can sit like this." And he sat straight, drawing one leg towards himself and placing the calf of the other across it, tucking his foot into the groove between his calf and thigh.
"Doesn't that hurt?" JD asked, wincing a little.
"No. Just give it a try, JD."
JD twisted into position. "Doesn't feel too comfortable. I don't think I can mediate like that, Josiah."
Josiah grinned. "You'll be surprised. Sitting like this'll keep your back straight and your head upright and that's gonna keep you focused and relaxed."
"If you say so." JD was doubtful. "Now what?"
Josiah reached for JD's hands and lay them on top of each other, palms up, into JD's lap. "Now close your eyes and keep your head still. Imagine you have a string holding it up by a hair."
JD did as he was told.
"Your jaw is too tense. Open your mouth a little and relax, JD."
JD did that too.
"Now just breathe in and out through your nose, count your breaths quietly, don't think of anything else."
JD nodded, hoping it wouldn't tear up that string holding up his head.
+ + + + + + +
They both meditated for a while, but eventually, Josiah got curious and started watching JD. He smiled when he saw the serene, happy expression on JD's face.
What kind of thoughts would come to him, he wondered... Usually, people didn't get much insight when they first started meditating, but JD had been sitting there like that, all calm and quiet, for close to half an hour. That was pretty special. But then, JD was pretty special.
Finally, JD's eyes fluttered open and he was smiling.
Josiah grinned.
They continued sitting in silence, until JD finally unknotted his legs and lay down on his back, folding his hands underneath his neck. "Thanks, Josiah."
"Don't mention it, JD." Josiah lay down beside him. "If you want, I'll tell you about spirit guides some time."
"That would be great, Josiah." JD turned his head and grinned at him. "Boy, this sure beats cleaning out the livery and tracking sage grouse."
Josiah chuckled.
"Say, those spirit guides... are they like soul mates? I've read somethin' about soul mates once." JD blinked up into the sun.
"Not really, JD. Although your soul mate can be your spirit guide, too. But then, a horse or a wolf or a sage grouse could be your spirit guide."
JD yelped. "No!"
Josiah laughed heartily. "Sorry, couldn't resist."
JD groaned but then he too started laughing. "I sure don't want no sage grouse for a soul mate, Josiah. But..."
"Yes?" Josiah turned on his side, facing JD, who turned towards him as well.
"How do you know..." JD hesitated again.
"You can ask anything, JD. I'll try and tell you, if I can." Josiah smiled encouragingly.
JD returned the smile. "A soul mate is like someone you sort of... need, right?"
"That's one way to put it. There's a legend that says a soul splits in two halves before coming to Earth and those two halves are always gonna be looking for each other."
JD's eyes widened. "Really? That's beautiful, Josiah."
"I think so too." Josiah smiled. "So, do you think you've found your missing half?"
JD blushed suddenly and furiously, from which Josiah gathered that he just might have. "Gee, I don't know, Josiah. But... if I had, how would I know?"
Josiah thought about this for a moment. "You'd probably know the moment you meet. It would be like you've always known each other. You'd feel kinda lost without him. You can always talk to him and he'll listen. And when there's trouble, you always need to make sure the other is okay. You'd wanna protect each other. Oh, and you'd have a lot of fun together, too."
JD's mouth stood open. "Fun?"
Josiah nodded. "A lot of laughs. Teasing. That kind of thing."
JD bit his lip. Then he lay back down. "Hmm..." he murmured, giving that a lot of thought.
Josiah grinned to himself, pondering how JD had never questioned that his soul mate would be a 'he'.
+ + + + + + +
"I'm glad it's Josiah he's gone out of town with," stated Buck.
Chris looked up at him from underneath the brim of his hat, grinning. "And why is that, Buck?"
Buck was leaning against the outside wall of Chris' shack while Chris lay back in his rocking chair. "Josiah can be trusted."
"No one can be trusted," Chris stated simply.
Buck straightened up. "What?? What are you talkin' about, Chris? The fellas..."
Chris looked up. "Just the way I look at folks, that' s all, Buck. You don't trust anyone, you don't get disappointed." When Buck looked ready to panic, he added, "But Josiah's about as close to trustworthy as they get."
Buck snorted. "Yeah well, thanks, Chris." Then he realized what he was saying. "Look, I know JD's safe with Josiah. I was just sayin'..."
Chris leaned back, pulling his hat forward so that it shielded his eyes. "You were sayin' JD is just fine with Josiah. And he is. So stop treading a groove in my porch, Buck."
Buck glared at him but Chris wasn't even looking up. "What..." He cleared his throat. "When it gets to be your turn, Chris, what are you...?"
"Buck!" Chris growled. Then he decided to have some fun at Buck's expense. "Hell, if you can't trust your oldest friend, Buck, who can you trust?"
"Ruin my day, why don't ya!" Buck exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air.
Chris chuckled, wondering if it would be safe to point out that Ezra was yet to have his turn. He decided... no.
Ezra's Day
Feeling thoroughly refreshed from his day with Josiah, JD knocked on Ezra's door at nine o'clock the next morning.
"Would you kindly go away!" came the grumbled response from inside.
JD grinned and walked right in. "Mornin', Ezra!"
"Mr Dunne, what on Earth are you doing in my bed chamber at this ungodly hour?" Ezra pulled up his blanket until it covered his head.
"Reporting for duty, Ezra." JD walked over to the bed and tugged at the blanket. "I'm wide awake."
Ezra would have growled, except he was too civilized for that. He settled for glaring at JD over the edge of his blanket. "That is mighty fine for you, JD, but as you can see, I am far from awake myself. Why don't you take the day off until I get up? Go for a swim or some such thing."
"Hmm..." JD thought about it. "Want me to go get you some breakfast?"
"Tell you what," Ezra finally ascended. "Bring me breakfast four hours from now." And he dove back under the blanket.
JD grinned. "Okay, Ezra. If you're sure." He held up the blanket, at the same time reaching under it and tickling Ezra's foot.
With a shriek, Ezra jerked it away and yelled, "JD!!"
JD ran from the room, laughing.
Ezra sank back into the cushions with a sigh, which soon turned into a chuckle.
+ + + + + + +
JD was still running when he got outside, and promptly crashed into Buck.
"Where's the fire, JD?" Buck grabbed his upper arms and smiled down at him.
"Hi Buck." JD grinned. "Just runnin' away from Ezra, that's all."
Buck's eyes narrowed. "This is Ezra's day, right?"
JD nodded.
"What did he do to you?" Buck asked suspiciously.
JD was confused. "Nothin', Buck. I don't think he could do anything to anyone just now. He's still asleep."
Buck tilted his head, not letting go of JD.
"What's the matter, Buck?" JD grinned, testing the hold Buck had on his arms by trying to move away from it. "You look like a big old storm cloud."
"Just makin' sure no one's taking advantage..." Buck suddenly let go of JD, forcing himself to calm down some. "So he's still in bed, huh?"
JD nodded, swaying from being let go of so suddenly. "Doesn't even wanna see me for another four hours, can you believe that?"
"No! I mean... breakfast?" Buck asked quickly before he could stop himself.
"Yeah, okay." JD wondered why Buck looked all happy when he said that. But it didn't really matter - he was about ready to eat a horse.
+ + + + + + +
Four hours later exactly, JD gave Ezra's door a little kick with his foot, balancing a breakfast tray on his hands. "Time to get up!" he chirped, because he knew it would annoy the hell out of Ezra.
"Already?" Ezra slowly muddled his way out from beneath the sheets. "Oh my!" he exclaimed when he realized what JD had brought in.
"Eggs, bacon, corn bread, coffee and fried tomatoes. That okay?" JD asked.
Ezra ran a hand through his mussed up hair. "Uh yes, I'm sure it is, JD. That's a kingly breakfast you've got there. You're going to join me?"
JD shook his head. "Ezra, it's after one. I've already had breakfast and lunch with Buck."
Ezra grew serious. "Really?"
JD nodded, busying himself with positioning the tray across Ezra's lap as soon as the Southerner sat up. Then he sat down and watched him eat.Ezra didn't get self-conscious easily, but JD's grin was a little disconcerting. "What?" he said.
"I was just wonderin'..."
Ezra sighed impatiently.
"... what you're gonna get me to do today."
"Oh yes, that." Ezra smiled mischievously. "You see that door over there?"
JD turned. "The closet one?"
"Well, not exactly. But why don't you go and open it?"
JD did, and gasped with surprise when what he'd presumed to be a closet door opened up to reveal an adjoining room - a room reserved, apparently, entirely for clothes. "Hell, Ezra!" he exclaimed.
Ezra chortled. "There should be a flat iron right there on the dresser."
JD's face fell. There had to be dozens of shirts, suits and pants in that room. He started sweating just thinking about all that ironing. "Yeah, I see it," he said, accepting his lot graciously.
Ezra climbed out of bed and wrapped a sheet around his middle since he didn't sleep in anything at all. "Go in," he instructed.
When JD just stood there, he went past him and into the center of the room, turning and looking for something. "Ah yes, that one, I think," he said, picking up a blue jacket. Then he gathered together a white shirt, a blue and gray bow-tie and black pants and deposited everything in JD's arms.
"I'll get started right now if that's okay, Ezra. It's gonna take me all day."
"What is?" Ezra asked, surprised.
JD frowned. "Ironing all of this?"
Ezra laughed. "Good Lord, JD! I merely want you to iron that!" He pointed out the bundle of clothes in JD's arms. "And put it on."
"Put it on?" JD's jaw dropped. "I don't wear no fancy clothes, Ezra."
"When you go out with me you do," Ezra said simply and reached for the iron, putting that on top of the clothes in JD's arms.
"Go out with you?"
"You are a veritable parrot today, JD. I think I'll have a talk with the gentlemen who have preceded me to your services. Clearly, they've kept you out in the sun for far too long."
JD watched as Ezra left the room. It was probably just the way that sheet barely hung on to Ezra, but he thought he saw him swaying his hips.
+ + + + + + +
JD was still staring at the clothes he'd just ironed, not at all sure about putting them on, when Ezra entered, all dressed up to go out. He was wearing that purple jacket which looked kinda good on him.
"Not dressed yet?"
JD snorted. "I ain't wearin' this, Ezra."
Ezra assessed him in all seriousness. "No wonder you're reluctant. It wouldn't go at all with your facial accouterments."
"My facial what?" JD asked indignantly.
"That..." Ezra waved his hands in front of JD's face, indicating the eternal stubble for which he couldn't think of an appropriate name. "Here, sit down." He pulled out the chair from in front of the mirrored dresser and pushed JD down on it.
JD was in too much shock to fight once he realized what Ezra was up to. So he just allowed his face being lathered up with shaving cream and having Ezra go to work on him. Finally, the whole thing became too ridiculous and he began to chuckle.
"Careful, JD!" Ezra chided. "That shirt I'm about to have you wear is one of my favorites. I do not want to have it covered with blood stains."
JD shrunk back in his seat, deciding to hold still when Ezra put the blade to his neck. He hardly dared to breathe when his head was drawn backwards gently and held against Ezra's stomach. Closing his eyes, he allowed the well-manicured fingers under his chin to hold his face steady while his friend shaved him.
Ezra watched his progress in the mirror, smiling with satisfaction. Finally, he bent down lower to take a closer look at his work. "Very nice," he said, and JD's eyes flew open. 'Oh Lord, he looks even younger like that!' Ezra thought, just about the same time he realized JD even smelled like a baby - milk or cream or vanilla or some such thing...
"Hell, Ezra, I look... naked."
Ezra laughed out loud. "I assure you, JD, you're definitely not..." His eyes roamed over JD's body. "Naked." Sadly, no.
JD swallowed, suddenly feeling kinda nervous.
Ezra quickly moved back and stood behind him. "There's only one more thing..." he said.
"Yeah?" JD asked, warily.
"Your hair."
"There ain't nothin' wrong with my hair, Ezra, and you're not gonna cut it or..." JD suddenly froze. Ezra's fingers were moving through his hair, combing it back and tucking out a couple of shorter strands to let them curl around his ears.
"You're quite right, JD," Ezra admitted, looking quite serious now, not to mention flustered. "There's nothing whatsoever wrong with your hair. In fact, if anyone should attempt to cut it, I will personally deal to the miscreant." With that, he left the room to wait for JD next door. And to catch his breath.
+ + + + + + +
"I look silly," JD said for the fourth time since they'd left Ezra's room.
Ezra glanced over at him, smiling. "I assure you, JD, you look ravishing." Why on Earth had he said a thing like that?
JD's eyes widened. "Ravishing?"
"It's just another word for... tidy." Ezra quickened his pace, marching up ahead and away from JD.
JD grinned. "No it ain't." He followed Ezra to the restaurant.
They had a fairly lavish dinner. No matter how hard he thought about it, JD didn't think it was much of a chore at all, sittin' there in them fine clothes, eating duck or somethin'... but he had no idea what Ezra got out of it. "Wonder where the others are," JD mumbled around a spoonful of banana cream dessert.
"At the Saloon, I believe." Ezra had finished and was sitting back, sipping red wine. He didn't really believe that was where their friends were, he knew it. It was the reason he and JD were right where they were.
"Guess we're havin' the better dinner, huh, Ezra?" JD grinned.
Ezra stared at him.
"What?" JD asked, his eyes wide. He jerked back when Ezra moved forward to dab at his chin and retracted a fingertip of dessert.
"I didn't want you spilling that on my jacket," Ezra said by way of explanation, eyeing his finger and fighting the urge to lick the dessert of it.
JD watched Ezra curiously, wondering why his friend hadn't used a napkin to get that off him. "You okay, Ezra?"
Ezra smiled. "Certainly, JD." When he realized JD had finished his meal, he said, "Shall we go?"
JD nodded and got up, straightening out his expensive clothes and strolling to the door.
Ezra used the unguarded moment to lick the cream off his fingertip before he sorted out paying for dinner.
Once outside, Ezra said, "Well... it's not quite midnight yet, so..." He cleared his throat. "A walk, perhaps?"
JD looked up. The moon was almost full, lighting the main street all the way out of town. "Okay."
As they strolled down to the boarding house, JD said, "Ya know, Ezra, I don't have to be home by midnight."
Ezra smiled. "Why, I meant no such implication. I was merely referring to the fact that at midnight, your duties to me will expire, so to speak."
JD stopped suddenly, just around the corner from where they were headed. "I ain't keepin' time, Ezra. And you know that if you want to, we can have dinner and go for a walk anytime."
Ezra smiled wistfully. "No, I didn't know that, JD. But thank you."
"You're thankin' me?" JD asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
Ezra sighed. He wished the moon wasn't so lovely, the night not so warm and JD not so... innocent. "I guess..." he started. "I guess I get lonely sometimes."
JD was about to point out that the fellas were always around but deep down, he sort of knew what Ezra was talking about. "Sorry, Ezra," he said with his eyes cast down, kicking a bit of sand up in the air.
Ezra smiled. "Don't be. I don't even know why I said such a thing. Must be the wine talking." That was all very well. But he wasn't sure if the wine would do as an excuse for why he reached to touch JD's cheek with his palm or why he took a step closer and leaned in to kiss JD the moment he'd raised his face in surprise.
JD couldn't move. He'd only been meaning to say that it was okay, but once he opened his mouth, Ezra was suddenly... kissing him. He wanted to pull away at first, but then he realized it was kinda... nice.
Ezra grew a little bolder when JD didn't fight him off. He wasn't a fool - if JD wanted to, he could easily do significant damage to him. Except... he didn't seem to want to do that. So Ezra turned them both a little and pushed JD back against the wooden wall behind, moving against him and intensifying the kiss, parting the yielding lips with his tongue. That brief taste of JD's dessert earlier had only made him hungrier for this.
JD felt lightheaded. His fingers were digging into Ezra's upper arms. He didn't know where this was going, but he liked it a lot. Only... he also knew it wasn't really what he wanted. Needed.
Ezra felt it the instant JD stopped returning the kiss and he drew back, breathing heavily. "I'm sorry, JD. I shouldn't have done that."
JD smiled, a little embarrassed. "It's okay, Ez. I liked it, but..."
With an almost inaudible sigh, Ezra took a step back and straightened out JD's clothes with a few tucks here and there. "I know. That's why I shouldn't have," he simply said. Then he kissed JD's forehead briefly and touched one hand to his hair. "Goodnight, JD."
"Um... night, Ezra." JD remained behind a little shaken and overwhelmed, watching Ezra walk away.
He knew Ezra had wanted to do more than just kiss him, and he wanted to... know, what it was like, too, but something had held him back. Not now. Not... Ezra. JD sighed, thinking how this bet he'd lost was getting him a lot more than he'd bargained for.
Chris' Day
"You look tired, JD," Buck said with concern when his friend joined him in the Saloon the next morning.
"I'm fine, Buck." JD tried to smile. He was hoping Ezra was okay after last night.
Buck frowned. He wanted to know what had happened, but he had no right to ask, did he? "If you need to talk about anythin', JD... you know you can talk to me," he offered instead.
JD's eyes widened. Then he gave Buck a genuine smile. "Yeah, Buck. I know."
Buck smiled back, losing himself in JD's eyes which had gone from clouded to bright in a minute. He figured he ought to say somethin', not just stare at JD like that. Hell, he'd scare him away if he kept that up!
JD wasn't in any hurry to break eye contact either. There was something about Buck's eyes... like a clear summer sky, warm and with just enough tiny clouds to make them real and honest. Those eyes alone could make him feel good he realized, startled.
"I..." Buck cleared his throat. "I guess I should..." He pointed towards the Saloon door, having no idea whatsoever what it was he oughtta be doing. "Get going, that's what!" he told himself.
JD grinned. "Ya think?"
Buck laughed nervously. "Did I just say that out loud?"
JD nodded, smiling when Buck got all flustered. "Where's Chris?" he asked, changing the subject before Buck would go ahead and blush.
Buck grew serious. "He's out at his shack. Haven't seen him yet today. I guess he wants you to come out there." He passed on what he figured to be the message. Didn't mean he had to like it.
"I'll go as soon as I've had something to eat."
Buck considered having breakfast again, just to stay around JD, but he figured it was too obvious he'd already had his. "I'll be goin' then..." he said.
"Alright." JD smiled, watching Buck inch his way to the door. And he realized that Buck's reluctance to leave made him feel damn wonderful.
Buck reached for the edge of the swing door a couple of times before he got a hold of it. Of course, it didn't help that he didn't wanna let go of JD's eyes. "I'll see you later?"
"Sure, Buck." JD was still smiling after the door had swung closed behind Buck.
+ + + + + + +
"Chris?" JD stepped inside the shack cautiously. "You in here?"
There wasn't a sound, except... sobbing?
"Chris!" JD walked into the bedroom. But he hadn't figured on finding Chris sprawled across the bed on his stomach, his long, lean form trembling with the force of his sobs. "Chris..." JD sat down on the edge of the bed gingerly, reaching out to touch Chris' shoulder. He was in shock - he'd have never believed he'd see Chris of all people like this.
Chris turned his face to look at him, and JD gasped when he saw the tears streaking down the sun-bronzed cheeks, the sandy hair damp and falling into Chris' eyes.
"JD, what... what are you doing here?"
"I'm supposed to be. I mean, it's your day, Chris," JD said, somewhat helpless.
"My day..." Chris tried to figure out what JD was talking about.
"The bet, remember?"
JD drew his hand back when Chris shifted to roll over. He watched Chris shield his eyes as if there was too much sun in the room, except there was only a sliver of light coming in through the shutters. He noticed that Chris' undershirt looked damp around the collar, like he'd been lying and crying like that for a while. Aside from the undershirt, he was wearing jeans. His feet were bare. Looked like he hadn't quite made it to getting dressed.
"Sorry, JD." Chris said hoarsely. "Let's forget about that. Why don't you just go back to town, alright?"
JD frowned. "You sure?"
Chris nodded, but there was hesitation, which is what made JD turn back when he was halfway to the door. "No."
Chris stared at him. "What?"
JD sat back down again. "I'm s'posed to do something for you today. So... looks to me like the least you need is some company, Chris." He'd never really gotten over being just a bit awed as well as scared around Chris. Not that he'd admit it. But when he invited himself to stay like that, his heart started thumping in his chest.
"I ain't much company, JD." Chris tried to turn away, but JD held him back with his hand on his upper arm.
"Doesn't matter. I can still keep you company, can't I?"
"Guess so." Chris actually looked a little relieved.
JD nodded. "Want me to get you some coffee?"
"Alright."
While JD was out of the room, Chris wiped at his eyes. Damn, he'd have to pull himself together. What the hell was he thinkin', letting the kid see him that way?
When JD got back with a couple of mugs, Chris was leaning back against the headboard, one foot on the floor, the other leg drawn close to his body. "Look, JD, I'm sorry."
JD handed him the coffee, not even acknowledging that there was anything to apologize for. Then, he sat down beside Chris. "I make a pretty good coffee, ya know."
Chris took a sip. "Yeah, you do," he admitted, clutching onto the warmth of the mug like it could make up for a real person. God, when had he gotten so pathetic?
"I guess you think about your family a lot, huh?" JD dared, hoping Chris wouldn't get offended. He was surprised when the gunslinger laughed bitterly.
"I used to. Still do sometimes." Chris had some more coffee; it really was good. "Lately, I can't really see them anymore."
JD swallowed. "Is that why you... why you were..."
"No," Chris said abruptly.
JD shrunk back a little, pretty sure he'd gone too far and that was all Chris would say about that. And for a bit, they were both quiet.
Eventually, Chris started talking again. "You walk around for years, thinkin' the worst thing that could ever happen to you is already past. You don't give a damn about anything, and you think that's a safe way to go 'round. Then..."
He paused, wondering how to go on. "Then you realize, it can always get worse. Cause if you're meant to suffer, you will. It don't matter how well you hide or how far down a rabbit hole you crawl."
JD looked at him. He wasn't sure where he got the courage from, but he had to help, somehow. It didn't matter if Chris would get angry at him. "Who found you, Chris?"
Chris stared at him. If it had been any of the other guys, he'd have told him to mind his own goddamn business. But he never could get past thinkin' of JD as more fragile than the rest of 'em. "Do you remember Raphael?"
JD's eyes widened.
Chris took that as an answer. "He asked me to go with him."
"You mean..." JD gulped. "When he had to leave 'cause of that bounty on his head?"
Chris nodded. "Yeah," he said with a sigh.
JD digested that. He wasn't blind. And even a blind man would have figured out there'd been somethin' going on with Chris and the Mexican. But... was that what they'd been talkin' about when he'd joined them, just before Raphael had left?
"You wish you'd gone," JD guessed. He didn't like the idea of Chris not being around. Not at all.
Chris nodded. "I'm never where I'm s'posed to be, JD. When my wife and son needed me, I wasn't there. For all I know, Raphael is gonna get killed..." He paused when his voice grew so thick, he could hardly go on. "Because there's no one there to look out for him. No one who..."
"Loves him."
Chris' jaw dropped. He'd been dead wrong about JD. He wasn't a kid, and he wasn't any more fragile than the rest of 'em - that was just in his eyes.
Eyes which were now looking at Chris with more compassion and understanding than he could have hoped to find in anyone, let alone the youngest of his friends - the one who, apparently, had a whole different kind of strength.
"Yeah," Chris admitted, relieved to be able to talk about it.
JD nodded slowly. "If he came back for you now, would you go?"
Chris looked at him, his eyes watering up again. "Yeah, I would." He squinted, trying to keep the tears in, but it didn't work.
JD reached for the cup in Chris' hands and uncurled the fingers clutching it fiercely. Then, he scooted across the bed until he was leaning against the headboard next to Chris, and put an arm around Chris' shoulder.
Chris turned abruptly and slid lower in the bed. He buried his face in the crook of JD's neck, sobbing. His fingers were clawing at JD's shirt.
Chris' pain was so tangible that it was hurting JD inside. But there was something wonderful in the way Chris trusted him with that pain - it meant so much to him to have that trust, to be able to do anything at all for his hero. He hesitantly began stroking back tear-wet strands of Chris' hair while one arm remained around Chris' shoulder, holding him close.
And Chris kept holding on, not having realized just how much he had craved real human touch and warmth until then. Casual sexual encounters had nothing to do with either. This was what he needed - someone he felt for... holding him, being there for him, justifying trust he was in no habit of giving... letting him experience, for just a little while, what he could have had with Raphael.
"I'll always be there if you need me, Chris," JD said very softly, afraid his offer might break the spell.
But Chris only held on tighter, nodding into JD's now tear-stained shirt. "Thank you, JD." Then he looked up, finding tears glistening in the almost black eyes. "Don't cry," he said tenderly.
JD forced a smile, sniffling. "Says you."
Chris returned the smile sadly. "Yeah... Sorry."
JD shook his head. There was nothing to be sorry about. He hesitantly reached to touch Chris' cheek, blotting away the dampness with the warmth of his hand.
Chris' hand covered his and he turned his face a little, pressing a kiss into JD's palm. Then, he reached up, his hand around JD's nape, and drew that sweet face down towards him, praying that he wasn't being too selfish, taking more than JD was able and willing to give.
JD closed his eyes and then their lips, damp with tears, touched. A jolt of something went through JD, it was as if he was recognizing exactly what Chris needed, was asking him for. And he offered it because he could and because he wanted to.
Chris was still holding his hand while they kissed, curling his own fingers around JD's, clutching them to his heart while he parted his lips to receive more of that healing.
JD let his tongue flicker against Chris' lightly at first, then they began sliding them together and tasting each other, sharing an intimacy the rest of their bodies never would.
Finally, Chris closed JD's lips again with his own, pressing one last, tender kiss on them, and another on his cheek and the side of his neck before he returned to just lying against him, allowing himself to be held and comforted until the sun began to go down.
Buck's Day
JD woke up feeling more than a little giddy.Chris and he had talked for ages the day before, making a pact to do that whenever either one needed it. They'd grown real close. But while it meant so much to JD that his hero had opened up to him like that, his giddiness was mostly due to the fact that this was the day he'd be spending with Buck. Just with Buck, if he had his own way.
He was so deep in thought, he didn't hear the whistling outside his window at first. But it kept up, and eventually, JD realized someone was trying to get his attention.
He jumped up and was at the window in a moment. Looking down, he saw Buck standing there with both of their horses saddled up and ready to go.
JD grinned. "Did we have a date or somethin', Buck?" he teased.
Buck danced around awkwardly. "Well, I never did get a chance to tell ya last night that we were goin' outta town... Go on, JD, get ready. I'll wait for ya."
"I haven't had any breakfast yet," JD protested half-heartedly.
"Got somethin' packed."
"I'll be down in a minute!" JD went to get dressed hurriedly, beaming from ear to ear.
+ + + + + + +
"Where are we goin', Buck?" JD looked up at the sky, glad it was a bit cooler than the past few days. Although those clouds looked mighty dark...
Buck smiled mysteriously. "Nowhere special."
"So it's a secret?"
Buck looked over at JD, grinning. "Somethin' like that."
"What if it rains, Buck?" JD challenged, pointedly looking up at the fluffed up layers of gray cloud.
"Then we'll get wet, I guess."
There was something in Buck's voice that made JD wonder whether rain wasn't maybe part of his friend's plans. "You brought some blankets?" he asked. "To dry off with?"
"Yup. Prepared for any emergency, don't you worry, JD."
"I ain't worried," JD said sincerely, tilting his head as he assessed Buck from the side.
"That's good." Buck avoided his eyes, but there was a smile trying to make it to his full lips.
They rode silently for a while, the sky growing ever darker and gloomier. Funnily enough, both Buck's and JD's mood lifted more and more as it did so.
It wasn't long before the first rain drops started falling, deceptively sparse and un-intimidating. But within minutes, they'd grown into a torrent of rain - one they couldn't possibly hope to escape from back to town.
"There's some caves 'round here!" JD called out over the rain whipping at their faces.
"I know, JD." Buck glanced at him, his eyes positively twinkling, and then he set his horse off to a gallop.
JD raced after him, grinning.
The few minutes it took them to get to the entrance of one of the caves were enough to get them soaked through to the skin. Laughing, they struggled to grab all the supplies they could off their horses before tying them up in a nice sheltered place with some trees out front. Buck managed to make a flare from a branch and a cloth he doused in some whiskey.
"Come on, let's get out of this!" Buck headed on deeper into the cave, making sure JD was following.
JD smiled. He was beginning to realize that Buck knew exactly where he was going. "You been in here before, Buck?" he asked.
"Why do you say that, JD?" Buck called back, not stopping for a moment.
JD laughed. "You have been!"
Buck didn't respond. But he didn't need to, 'cause when they made it to a kind of chamber in the cave, they found firewood piled up in the center and a little box sitting next to it, obviously left there on purpose.
"Buck!" JD exclaimed, suddenly feeling warm all over. He ran forward to the box and found it containing a bunch of candles and matches and... a bottle of wine. His heart began to pound.
"Thought it would be a nice place to spend the day." Buck grinned, clearly embarrassed. He quickly walked past JD and got busy rearranging wood and lighting candles.
When he turned, he saw JD watching him, smiling and shivering. "Oh hell, JD, get out of those... I mean, here have a blanket!" He fumbled with his pack, drawing out a woolly rug. When he held it up and just kept standing like that, JD grinned.
"You gonna turn around or somethin', Buck?"
Buck ducked his head, smiling. "Sorry. But... there's a spot over there..." He pointed out a large rock at the far end of the cave.
JD took the blanket and hurried behind that rock where he peeled off his wet clothes, dropping them in a bundle on the ground. Then he wrapped himself in the soft blanket, shivering comfortably - it smelled of Buck... warm and soapy. He giggled.
"You okay, JD?" Buck called out.
"Sure, Bu..." JD's eyes grew even bigger than usual when he stepped out into the cave, carrying his wet clothes in his arms.
The fire was roaring, half a dozen candles had been lit and stuck into the shallow dust covering the ground, and Buck had even constructed a little rack from loose branches to dry their clothes on. Reflections from the fire and the candles, spaced nicely in the sandy floor, were dancing on the cave walls. "That's... beautiful, Buck," JD said, awed.
Buck smiled, stepping aside to reveal their bedrolls and a few blankets spread out by the fire. "Why don't you sit down, JD."
When JD brushed past Buck, he felt him shivering under his wet clothes. "Better get out of those too, Buck. You got another blanket?" It was probably a silly question - JD figured that if he'd ask Buck for a piano and a band, he'd probably produce that, too. He giggled.
"What's so funny?" Buck said, smiling.
JD ignored the question, pulling a blanket from his own pack instead and handing it to Buck. "Get changed, Buck."
"Alright." Buck quickly made off behind that rock. He was shivering miserably by then, but it wasn't all on account of the chill. He was so damn nervous, he could only pray he wouldn't make a mess of things.
JD got comfortable, trying unsuccessfully to get the butterflies in his stomach settled, too.
When Buck returned, he had JD's blanket wrapped around his hips, leaving his upper body bare.
"Not too cold like that?" JD asked, swallowing. He wasn't sure he'd be able to keep from staring at Buck. Or to ever wash Buck's comforting scent from that blanket again.
Buck grinned. "Hey, I've been doin' all the work in here. I got warmed up nicely." He sat down a little distance from JD and began to scrounge around for some food in his bag.
"What did you bring?" JD asked, trying to peer over the edge of the bag.
"Nothing special. Just a few sandwiches and some beef jerky and..."
"Wine." JD smiled.
"Yeah. Some of that, too." Buck stopped pretending to be looking for a feast in his bag and looked at JD instead.
"So..." JD started. "Why d'you bring me here, Buck?"
"Couldn't think of anyplace else?" Buck tried.
JD shook his head, smiling. "What did you want me to do, seeing how it's your day and all..."
Buck grew serious. "I... I just wanted... you to be... just wanted to spend the day with you, that's all, JD." He finally managed. "Just with you." There, it was out.
JD looked at him dead serious until Buck got worried. Then, he broke into a smile again. "Really?"
"Yeah." No hesitation this time. "You don't mind, JD?" Buck smiled at JD over the fire light, his always cheerful features lit by the warm glow, his bright blue eyes carrying a gentle, reassuring sparkle.
JD returned the smile. His heart was pounding and his skin felt on fire, like only ice cold water or... Buck's touch could help him. He shook his head slowly.
Buck seemed to know what was going through JD's mind. He moved closer, but as slowly and hesitantly as if he was approaching a little wild animal. "Don't be afraid of me, JD," he said in a near whisper. "You know you don't ever have to be, right?"
JD nodded and swallowed hard. He followed the movement of Buck's hand towards his face, and when the slender palm lay against his cheek, he closed his eyes with a sigh and leaned into the touch.
Buck gasped, for a moment too overcome to get his mind together. Then, he took a deep breath. "I adore you, JD!"
When JD opened his eyes again, he realized they were filled with tears. He was about to wipe them away even as he smiled at Buck, but instead, he was left trembling when Buck used his thumb to lightly sweep the dampness from his eyes.
"You do?" JD asked, sniffling.
Buck nodded, looking very serious. "Yeah. Oh yeah, I do." And he moved close enough to be able to look deeply into JD's eyes which were now glistening in the soft light. "May I..." He swallowed. "May I kiss you, JD?"
JD took a deep breath. "Yes."
Buck's hand cupped the back of JD's head and he moved towards his face, closing his eyes and parting his lips a little before touching them tenderly to JD's.
A soft moan later, JD was returning the kiss, suddenly shy and unsure what he was doing.
But to Buck, it was the most wonderful kiss ever. Buck's hand tangled in JD's hair while his lips plundered that sweet, soft mouth, nipping at one lip at a time before returning to kiss them both, finally sliding his tongue in between them, touching it to JD's gently.
JD clutched at him, his hands moving up Buck's sides and to his shoulder blades while he moved against him, unable to get close enough. He felt the smooth texture of Buck's skin and his warmth, smelled the musky scent which grew stronger the longer they kissed and he felt the heat begin to build in his blood.
Buck's arms were around JD, tangling in the blanket, touching everywhere and lingering nowhere. He wanted to wrap him up entirely in himself, hold him so close... never let him go again. Once he felt JD's quick, wild heartbeat against his own, he was lost completely, only concern over JD holding him back from ravishing that sweet boy like a wild animal.
"God, I love you..." Buck moaned against JD's neck, his mustache tickling the tender skin and his tongue tracing the fine tendons.
JD shuddered against him, his fingertips digging into Buck's skin.
"Buck..." he murmured hoarsely, his lips quivering as his head was bent backwards to allow Buck full access to his neck. Buck's movements, licks and touches seemed to grow desperate, and JD realized why - he needed a response. "Buck?" he repeated.
"Yes..." Buck kissed JD's cheek, then rested his own against it.
"I love you too."
Buck drew back suddenly and to JD's great shock, he yelped loudly. Then, he clutched JD close. "I never thought I'd hear you say that!" he said, his voice soft and shaky against JD's ear. "Never dared to hope for it."
JD smiled once Buck moved back and held his face in his hands, just gazing at him. He couldn't help adding with a cheeky grin, "You should have known, you big fool!"
Buck grinned sheepishly. "I had no idea I could ever feel like this, JD. Not 'til you came along. Hell, I've never been in love! It's so... perfect. So right."
JD blinked. "Yeah, it is."
"I s'pose you knew all along, huh?" Buck checked.
JD shrugged, grinning. "I've been wonderin'."
"You know what I've been wonderin' about, JD?" Buck asked, his eyes dropping to JD's mouth. He licked his lips.
"Why don't you tell me, Buck." JD hoped he'd be able to hear Buck over the thumping of his own heart.
"I've been wonderin' what your lips would taste like..." Buck lay a finger against JD's lower lip, watching breathlessly when JD's tongue flicked out against it.
"And I've been wonderin' if that hair of yours feels as soft as it looks..." Buck continued, his voice trembling a little. "I ain't ever even seen a girl with hair like that!" For a moment, it looked like JD was going to protest, but Buck smiled at him and held a thick strand of that soft, black silk to his face, inhaling with his eyes closed.
JD shivered.
"One thing I've always known though..." Buck said, letting JD's hair slide through his fingers slowly.
"What's that, Buck?" JD whispered, 'cause Buck was close enough.
Buck moved to kiss JD's cheek but his lips never quite made contact. "You smell so good..."
JD gasped. Buck's mouth was at his ear now, and he felt the tip of his tongue against his lobe before it slipped inside the pale shell. He was glad Buck was holding onto him, swaying as he was. "Buck, that's...uh!"
"You like that, JD?" Buck asked in a whisper, moving onto JD's cheek and to his mouth, where he stole his breath with a deep, penetrating kiss.
"Oh yeah..." JD drew in some air. But he didn't get much of a break, 'cause Buck was starting to slide the blanket off his shoulders, his eyes tenderly roaming over every inch of milky white skin he revealed. JD just sat and let it happen.
Buck's palm was gliding over his flesh like waves of fire. The blue eyes drank in all of him, hungry and full of longing, and Buck leaned down to kiss JD's shoulder, his collarbone... meanwhile, his other hand had started its own exploration, starting at JD's ankle and moving up a strong calf and underneath the soft blanket.
JD gasped when his thighs were slowly parted by Buck's hand and it boldly continued on upwards, lingering on the soft flesh of his inner thighs like a winding, teasing rattler about to strike.
"Oh Buck..." JD pleaded. He was chewing his bottom lip so hard, he was afraid he'd draw blood.
Buck sighed against JD's mouth. "You're so sweet... how can anyone be so sweet, JD?" He kissed his cheek again. "I want you so bad!" His last words had come out in a harsh whisper and he drew back, needing to know whether his desperation had frightened JD.
But JD looked anything but frightened. His pale cheeks were flushed, his beautiful eyes reflected the flickering of the fire and... he nodded. Then he silently began to slide the blanket all the way down, baring his upper body.
Buck's hand was still on his inner thigh, and when JD let the blanket fall off himself entirely, two pairs of eyes fell on it. Buck sat motionless, just staring, until JD reached for that hand and shifted his legs so he could lie back. "What are you waiting for, Buck?" he said softly.
Buck let out a little gasp and moved forward, getting his blanket caught on a stray branch from the fire. It slid off his hips as he moved to cover JD, and neither of them realized until their bare skin met in a blaze of heat.
JD's whimper jolted Buck back to reality, and he began to kiss and stroke down the prone, trembling body, whispering tenderly. His mustache tickled the skin around JD's nipples while he kissed and licked them. His hands were underneath JD's thighs and as he moved lower, he parted them further, settling himself in between.
Bending JD's right leg at the knee, Buck finally had complete access to him, and after placing several soft kisses on JD's inner thighs and below his navel, he looked up, smiled at him, and began to flick his tongue against the tip of the pale column before him.
JD jolted, but Buck kept right on going, licking up the sides and curling his tongue around it, then he licked all the way from the base up to the tip and closed his full lips over it.
"Jesus, Buck!" JD gasped, his fingers tangling in Buck's hair.
For a moment, Buck was afraid he might want him to stop, but when he heard JD's panting breaths and felt shudders pass from JD's body into his own, he kept going. Licking even while his lips moved up and down the silky flesh, he didn't even try to take it slow. He could already taste JD and he only wanted to taste more and more.
JD felt heat build up in his belly and concentrate into a bright beam, rushing towards Buck. Holding his breath, he just let the sensation take him over. And then that heat shot out of him and into Buck's throat, giving him the most incredible feeling. He cried out.
Buck closed his eyes while he swallowed, JD's cry of surrender sweetening the potion in his mouth further. Finally, he drew back and cleaned off anything he'd missed out on, before moving up and coming to lie beside JD, drawing him into his arms. "Come here..." he said tenderly.
JD lay against him with a sigh, his head on Buck's chest and his hand clutching at his shoulder. "I love you, Buck," he whispered.
Buck smiled, glad JD couldn't see the stupid tears in his eyes. "I love you too, baby."
"Um... Buck?" JD started, cuddling closer.
"Yeah?"
"Do you s'pose I could... try that... on you?"
Buck raised JD's face with a finger under his chin. "Sure you want to?"
JD smiled mischievously. "Oh yeah."
Buck's already uncomfortable erection twitched, and before he could say anything, he felt JD's hand brush over it lightly. He drew in a harsh breath and allowed the strong fingers to curl around him and squeeze. "This just might... kill me, JD."
JD grinned. "No, Buck. It won't."
And Buck watched wide-eyed and breathless as JD raised that hand and licked at it.
"I think I like that taste..." JD said. Then he corrected himself. "I know I like it." And he dove down, his hands sliding down Buck's sides as he settled himself between his thighs and started exploring that taste further.
Buck lay back, helpless under that assault. One of his hands was in JD's hair, so he'd be able to believe that was really JD doing that to him. The other was clutching at the blankets underneath them. And his body was as limp as that wet pile of clothes on the other side of the fire - except for that part of him that was in JD's tender care.
He had to look down, had to see what JD was doing that made him feel like he'd gone to heaven.
The dark eyes weren't closed, but intensely focused. It looked like JD was studying even while he did it, learning how to drive Buck wild with his tongue and his lips and his fingers.
"JD!" Buck gasped. He was going to shout out a warning, but it was already too late. He came with such force, he was completely helpless to even move.
By the time Buck realized JD had swallowed it all, he found him already crawling back up to kiss him and give some of it back to him.
"Sorry," Buck said quietly, figuring that had to be kinda scary for a first time.
But JD said happily. "I'm not." He snuggled into Buck's arms.
Buck smiled, pulling the discarded blankets they'd both been wearing up to cover them. "In that case..."
"Yeah?" JD murmured against Buck's neck.
"There might be a few more things we could do later on..."
JD grinned, running a single, teasing finger over one of Buck's nipples. "You've got me all day." When he felt Buck tense a little, he added with a chuckle, "Every day, silly."
Buck's embrace tightened and his relieved sigh blew a puff of warm air through JD's hair.
JD giggled, nestling closer.
And for a little while, they dozed.
+ + + + + + +
"What if it hadn't rained today, Buck? What if the sun had been burning down?" JD asked when they packed up to go home.
"Then I'd have taken you here to cool down, darlin'." Buck playfully set JD's hat on top of the disheveled dark hair.
JD grinned and strapped on his gunbelt. "What if it had snowed, Buck?"
Buck chuckled. "I'd have started up a fire too, and..."
"Guess you did."
"Guess I did."
JD stood on his toes and kissed Buck lightly on the lips. "Love you."
"Love you too, darlin'." Buck smiled.
+ + + + + + +
Back in Four Corners, they resisted the temptation to just hole up in one of their rooms; that would come later. Meanwhile, they went to join the others at the Saloon.
"Ah, if it isn't our missing associates returned from the wild." Ezra smiled when he spotted them coming towards the Poker table. He set down the cards he'd been shuffling idly.
"Hi Ezra!" JD called out, glad that Ezra seemed to be none the worse for wear.
Buck went and got them both drinks and they settled in at Chris' table.
Chris grinned at JD from underneath the brim of his hat and JD blushed a little.
"Guess your penance is up, JD?" Josiah said, winking.
JD winked back. "Not that much of a penance, really."
Nathan grumbled, "I still think it's slavery. Don't like it one bit."
JD shrugged. He thought about the past few days and when he added it all up, he came to an inevitable conclusion. "Ya know, Nathan, you're the only one that made me work."
Everyone but Nathan laughed.
END