The window to the clinic was open and a fresh breeze blew in,
carrying with it the happy songs of birds. Sunlight streamed into
the room, lighting up every corner. The sounds of children laughing
could be heard through the window, but Vin paid no attention. His
entire being was focused on the occupant of the bed, looking far
smaller and more fragile than he ever had before.
Vin's gaze was fixed on the still form who slept fitfully in the
bed. The man's face was pale and gaunt, the bones entirely too
prominent. His eyes had not sparkled with life for much too long,
and a wet rasp was heard whenever he took a deep breath. That sound
alone was nearly enough to shatter Vin's heart.
The tracker was pulled from his painful contemplation when the other
man suddenly began to cough. He shot out of his chair and slid onto
the bed, propping the other man up against his chest and holding a
handkerchief to his mouth. Green eyes blinked open as the coughing
fit eased and glanced up at Vin.
"Thank you, Vin."
The tracker smiled sadly as he gently wiped the blood from Ezra's
lips. "Don't thank me, Ez. I just wish I could do more for ya."
The gambler settled back against Vin's chest, stifling the cough
that the motion evoked. He smiled as the Texan's arms wrapped around
him, holding him snugly. "You do more than enough, Vin. You're here,
and that is all that matters now."
Vin felt tears welling in his eyes as his lover spoke, the small
droplets leaving salty trails down his cheeks as he felt Ezra's
shoulders shaking from suppressed coughs. No matter how much they
both wished otherwise, the consumption was slowly killing the
Southerner, and Vin could tell that his lover didn't have much time
left.
The tracker glanced down when he felt a tender kiss to his throat.
He felt his heart break once more as Ezra slowly shifted so that he
could kiss away the tears. When Vin finally met the green eyes, his
breath caught as he saw the love, sorrow, and acceptance mingled
there. He closed his eyes, nuzzling at the gambler's hair.
"No matter where ya go, or what happens, I'll find ya again, Ez. I
promise."
Ezra tilted his head, burrowing closer to the tracker. "I know you
will." His thin frame shook violently with more coughs and his grip
on Vin began to weaken. His voice was just a harsh whisper as he
spoke again. "I love you, Vin."
Vin tightened his arms around the slender body, rubbing his lover's
back even after his shoulders ceased to shake and he went limp. As
his tears began to fall again, the tracker gently laid Ezra back on
the bed and pressed a kiss to the slack lips.
"I love ya, Ez. And I'll find ya again, no matter where ya go."
The End
Follow-up Story: I Will Find You
