It Was a Dark and Stormy Night
Vin Tanner sighed contentedly, stretching cat-like in the embrace of the warm bed. He listened to the thunderstorm that was rolling in, promising an amazing show of nature's power. Smiling, he considered the chance to spend the coming day in bed with Chris.
Rolling over toward Larabee's side of the mattress, he frowned, finding it empty. "Chris?" He called out in a sleepy whisper. The creak of the big wooden rocker told him where the other man was, even before the answer came.
"Right here."
Padding across the dark room, the cool air brushing his nude body and conjuring up goose bumps, Tanner reached over the back of the heavy, wooden chair. Sliding his arms around his partner's body, he said, "couldn't sleep?"
Shrugging non-commitally, the blond said, "just enjoying the show."
Gazing out the open window to the rain-soaked landscape beyond, Vin said, "looks like a good one." Seeing the far away look in the blond's eyes, he said, " want me t' let'cha be?"
Grasping the hands that held him, the older man said, "never. Why don't you join me?" He tugged at the slender man, coaxing him around the chair and into his lap.
Vin sprawled on the muscular form, enjoying the feel of their two nude bodies melding together. Sitting sideways, he wrapped an arm around Chris' chest, resting his head on the broad shoulder. The other man's arms held him loosely, and Larabee leaned his check on the brown head.
They sat for several minutes without talking, the lightening silhouetting the two men in silver. Vin gently ran a hand along the body beneath him, tracing the finely etched muscles. He felt Chris tense from time to time as he touched a particularly sensitive spot. A violent crash, sounding far closer than the others, startled him and took his attention from his ministrations.
Feeling the man in his lap jerk, Chris unconsciously tightened his hold. As Vin let out a long breath, he said softly, "you okay?"
With a sharp chuckle, Vin said, "yeah, sorry."
"That's all right. Never knew that storms bothered you."
"Don't, really," Tanner corrected. "Just sometimes loud thunder kind'a brings back some mem'ries I'd rather not have."
"Like what?" Chris tilted his head, trying to catch the blue eyes.
A sigh. "Just reminds me a bein' on th' street when I was young...tryin' t' stay warm 'n dry when I didn't have nothin' 'tween me 'n th' elements but a cardboard box, or sometimes nothin' a'tall. Thunder c'n be real loud when you're out like that."
A soundless cry caught in Larabee's throat. "I'm sorry, Vin, I - " slender fingers pressed against his lips, cutting off his words.
"Don't, Chris, all right? It's long past, 'n not worth th' mention. I've got you, got th' team, got a good life..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "Hell, I shouldn'a brought up."
"No you don't," the blond admonished, kissing the other man's fingers and placing them against his heart. "Any time you want to talk about those days, you know you can. I love you Vin Tanner, don't think you need to keep anything from me."
Curling back up in the strong arms, Vin said softly, "yes, sir."
Cuffing his partner across the back of the head, Larabee said, "damn, smart ass, up-start." Pulling Tanner even more firmly into his lap, he placed a finger under the square chin and tilted the handsome face up. "Don't know why I put up with you," he whispered as he kissed the other man's pouting lips.
"Reckon cause y' got a crush on me?" Vin asked as they pulled back from one another.
Laughing, Chris said, "reckon I do."
They curled up around one another once more, watching as the storm grew more fierce outside. Although he said nothing more, Chris felt Vin flinch from time to time when the thunder shook the big window. He had always loved storms; had wonderful memories of sitting with his parents on their porch, watching the lightening play across the Midwestern sky. Then later, sitting with Sarah and Adam, wrapped up in a big quilt, watching out this very window. Thinking of Vin huddled, miserable and alone, during the storms he enjoyed, broke his heart. The blond wanted nothing so much as to give his lover his own good memories of nature's magic.
But then, maybe he could.
Keeping the slender body close, Chris reached over the side of the chair and picked up the heavy afghan that usually resided over the back of the rocker. Flipping it open, he wrapped it around his partner. Vin slanted a look at him, but didn't say anything. Instead, he smiled and snuggled into the woolen warmth. Settling back in, he kissed the tousled chestnut curls then once more lay his cheek atop the silky nest they made. He began to rock the chair gently, almost imperceptibly, feeling the body in his arms relax. As the storm's intensity threatened to shake the very foundation of the house, he couldn't help but smile. Tanner's body reacted less and less to the violent roar of the storm.
Curled inside the afghan Vin felt more than the coverings warmth...much more. He felt the total, unconditional love that his partner had for him. He felt the strength of the bond they had formed as friends and forged in the flames of passion. The younger man lay his hand against the broad chest, feeling the steady heartbeat beneath the warm flesh. It was a sound much stronger than the thunder that faded farther and farther from his awareness.
Chris felt Vin's slender hand press against his chest, and covered it with his own. Drawing their hands to his mouth, he kissed Tanner's palm before returning it to its resting place. Leaving the younger man's hand where he had found it, he lifted his head and then tilted Vin's upward. Kissing him once more, he pressed his lips against the other's, lingering there for a time. Breaking the kiss, he moved to each eyelid, then the bridge of his nose. Sprinkling light kisses across the curl graced forehead, he trailed them down the stubbled jaw before he came up for air. With a soft, slow sigh, he tucked Vin's head back against his shoulder, then dropped his own against the curls once again.
The storm was reaching its crescendo now, but Tanner only barely noticed. He felt Chris' strong arms around him. He heard the steady beat of Chris' heart. He tasted Chris' lips on his. He smelled the familiar musk that was Chris' alone. He saw the storm-silvered smile on Chris' face. Nothing as fragile as a summer storm could touch him now.
Lifting his head to look into the familiar eyes, Vin said, "ever tell y' how much I like storms?"
Chris Larabee smiled.
END