Disclaimers: Belong to CBS, Trilogy, Mirisch... all them guys.
Notes: (Note to self: Never say you'll never do something... ) First mistake: saying I'd NEVER write slash. Second mistake: saying I'd never write OW slash.
Feedback welcome.
Other Note: I have fiendishly wreaked havoc with reality on the little song Vin sings and that the average Texan learns to lisp out shortly after toddlerhood. Honest, I did look but couldn't find any firm information as to when it was actually written though I really doubt it is quite old enough to have been around during this time period. So, I'm begging writer's license and suspension of disbelief. It just fit so great. <VBG>
The two horses took the narrow trail in stride, their riders letting them pick their way up the gravel strewn path. Once up on the ridge, they trotted along easily. Vin pulled on Peso's reigns."Easy, boy," he said, scanning the brush nearby closely. Grinning, he then turned the black aside from the trail into what appeared to be impenetrable brush. Pushing through the bushes just behind them, Chris found they were on a narrow but discernible trail. It twisted back and forth, moving lower until they broke through trees and brush to the floor of a small valley. At one end a waterfall splashed into a pool. The grass grew lush in a clearing beside the water. Chris caught his breath.
"And nobody knows about this place?" he asked the tracker.
"Well," drawled the Texan, "'sides a few Indians and mountain men... no."
"It's safe here?" The blue-eyed man smiled and nodded his head.
"Ain't too easy to find," he commented. "And those of us what have... don't spread the word. It's a sacred place for the Indians. They don't let just anyone up in these hills."
"But they trust you..." It wasn't a question.
"Reckon..." The younger man slid off Peso and set about seeing to his mount and setting up camp. It had been high summer out on the plains, dusty and hot. Here it was cooler and comfortable, the encircling cliffs keeping the heat of the sun out even during the height of the day. Chris followed suit with Pony, brushing him down and turning him loose to roll in the grass. The two men laughed at the sight of their horses frisking about like colts. Peso stood hock-deep in the pond for a while, slaking his thirst with the clear mountain waters.
"Looks inviting," said Chris and with a big grin began to shuck his clothes. Vin stood watching mesmerized as the lean torso appeared. When the tight black jeans followed, his heart began to pound in his chest. The blond ran yelling across the clearing and took a dive into the pool. His head emerged and tossing his hair out of his eyes, he laughed. "What ya waitin' on, pard?" he asked. "Water's great!" A lop-sided grin lit the Texan's face. He stripped out of his dusty garments and shrieking like a wild Indian streaked across the grass, doing a belly flop into the deepest part of the water. Chris came up sputtering and grabbing the slender man pushed his head back under as soon as it emerged.
"I didn't say drown me," he mock-growled. Vin popped up on the other side of the pool and laughed, blue eyes alight with delight. Larabee stretched out and allowed his body to float in the buoyant water.
"This is just what I needed, Vin," he said. "Damn town was driving me crazy. I needed to be somewhere I don't have to watch my back every second."
"You're safe here," said Vin, "and you know I'll always watch your back."
"You're safe too," said Chris. "I'm still keepin' an eye on your back..." He leered. "side..." the blond finished. Vin gave a shout of laughter. It was what they had both needed after the last weeks of trail herds coming through, drunks, and cowboys and cattle rustlers. Both of the men had come close to the breaking point of loosing their anger on undeserved citizens. At last things had calmed down enough they felt they could leave the town safely in the hands of the other five peacekeepers and escape into the wide open spaces. The tracker had headed straight out of town like a man on a mission, the blond gunslinger a breath behind him.
Chris, floated, letting his mind range free. He felt something brush against him in the water. A light touch ran quickly down the crevice between his buttocks. With a gasp, he stood up only to have a laughing Texan emerge beside him.
"Damn, Vin," he said, "I thought some fish was fixin' to take a bite." The sharpshooter chuckled.
"Ain't no fish," he said, eyeing the tight ass, "but I'll bite..." A sheet of water washed over him, leaving him spluttering this time. He scooped his dripping hair out of his face, to see green eyes gazing at him with desire. Chris lunged at him, nipping the younger man's lips, then moving away. Vin followed and they chased each other back and forth, pinching, dunking and nipping, playing in the water like two young otters. As the shadows lengthened across the small valley, Chris waded out and retrieving a bar of soap from his saddle bags, returned to the waterfall and lathered his hands. He began to apply the suds to his chest, but Vin was there.
"Let me," he said in a husky voice. Chris surrendered the soap to him and the young man worked up lather between his hands. Spreading it over the firmly muscled chest, he watched his hands in fascination as they stroked over the smooth skin. The gunslinger relaxed into the touch of his partner. The young man's face was intent as he bathed the body of his lover, yet lit with an inner glow that poured out of his blue eyes.
Vin flicked callused fingers over light brown nipples and was rewarded with a soft moan. His lips tipped up in a smile. Next, he stroked firm hands around the lean man's sides and down to cup firm buttocks. He kneaded and massaged down to the gunslinger's thighs. Chris' hips moved slightly and Vin reached out to take one of the gunslinger's hands in his. Spreading the lather carefully over every inch of it, he then held it under the falls to rinse. Once removed, water streamed down to puddle in the palm. The tracker bent to lap at the clear nectar, then nipped and nuzzled his way to the tip of the index finger. He swirled his tongue around the end, sucking it into the hot cavern of his mouth. He slowly stroked up and down, his blue eyes rising to meet passion hazed green. Chris's chest was rising and falling in time to the strokes of Vin's lips and tongue on his finger. His mouth parted and his own tongue slipped out to wet suddenly dry lips.
"Your turn," said Chris huskily, taking the soap from Vin's hand and rubbing it briskly to get enough suds. "Turn around," he ordered. The blue-eyed man slowly presented his back. Chris started at his shoulders and massaged the slickness into the taut muscles, feeling the tension leave them as he did. He worked his way down the torso to the slender waist his long fingers almost encircling it. Stroking around to the front and down the ridged abdomen, stopping just short of the cluster of curls.
"Ahhhhh," moaned Vin on an exhaled breath, his head dropping back to rest on Larabee's shoulder. Chris occupied himself for a while with drawing slow circles and figure eights on the younger man's chest and belly. The tracker's eyes drifted shut. When his hips began to thrust, the blond moved his hands around to the back and used his thumbs to massage deeply stroking out from the spine. Vin groaned in relief. Larabee pulled back and eyeing the curve low in his tracker's spine, traced it with a finger.
"Lookin' pretty twisted there, pard," he said. "Been hurtin' ya?" Vin knew better than to deny it to this man. He could get away with even less with him than he could with Nathan.
"Some," he admitted.
"Think you could use a good straightenin' out." They ducked under the falls, each rinsing the other off, snatching a few heated kisses along the way.
Wading out of the pool Chris had Vin lay down on the soft sweet grass near the edge of the pool. He retrieved the container of herb-scented oil from his saddle bags and knelt, straddling the sharpshooter's hips. Coating his fingers, the gunslinger started just above the S-shaped curve, digging his strong fingers in deeply. Moans rose from the man beneath him as he worked his way through the curve and below then back up again, loosening the muscles.
"Feel good?" asked the blond.
"Hurtssss...ssssooo goood..." groaned the man below him. As Chris felt the tightness melt beneath his ministering hands, he smiled. Vin would never ask but it gave him such pleasure to ease the pain he knew the younger man suffered. Placing the heel of one hand on the back of the other, Chris carefully placed his clasped hands over the curve.
"Deep breath, Vin," he said. The young man knew the drill and filled his lungs. "Out...slow..." As Vin exhaled, the blonde pressed down with a sharp movement. The young man yelped as a sharp crack was heard.
"Ya got it, cowboy," he murmured. Chris continued with his deep massage. As the tracker's breathing deepened and his body relaxed, the gunslinger eased up on the pressure of his fingers, now soothing the man into a comforting haze. He sensed Vin slipping over the edge into a light doze, free of pain for now. Easing himself off the young man, Larabee slipped on his jeans and building a small smokeless fire, set water to heat and prepared a meal. He watched the still form, touched to the core that the preternaturally cautious sharpshooter trusted him to watch his back as he slept. The shadows were growing deep and the smell beginning to make his mouth water when he glanced over to see sapphire blue eyes smiling at him.
"Dinner's ready," he said.
"Smells good," said the Texan, rising to his feet and ambling over to the campfire. Larabee watched the tanned body moving towards him and felt his heart start pounding again. He reached over and tossed the young man his pants.
"Better put these on, Tanner," he advised, a lustful gleam in his eyes, "or else I ain't gonna be responsible." Vin grinned a wolfish smile. "I got plans for that body tonight," continued the blond, "and right now, I'd rather ya eat something so you'll have the strength for it..." The Texan chuckled.
"Ya better eat twice as much then, old man," he teased, "if'n yer plannin' on keepin' up with me..."
The two men finished their meal, straightened up the camp and checked on their horses. Their mounts had returned to the edge of their camp and stood still, heads down and relaxed after their time of freedom. As they returned to the fire, Chris stopped to dig in his saddlebags, then settled himself beside Vin on the ground.
"Got something here for ya, pard," he said, holding out his hand. Vin looked at him closely but couldn't see his eyes in the shadows. The younger man sensed more than heard a tone in the too casual voice that told him this was very important to Larabee. He took the object from his lover's hand and held it in the light from the fire.
"This looks like real silver," he commented. "There's a meanin' behind it, ain't there?" The blond nodded.
"A long time ago, in Ireland, the leader of a clan made a treaty with another clan. They agreed to help each other fight off their enemies. He had this symbol made into a medal and gave it to the other clan chief. The Irish call it a Claddagh. See the two hands holding the heart in the middle?" Chris pointed to the bottom of the medallion Vin held. "And there's a crown on top of the heart. It stands for 'May love and friendship reign'. But there's another meaning too. The arms go up to join and make it a continuous circle and that means 'forever'." Vin looked up at him, eyes wide.
"I like that...May love and friendship reign...forever..." He smiled. "Says it just right, don't it, cowboy."
"There's something else, too, Vin," continued Chris. "This particular Claddagh was handed down in Hank Connally's family." The blond turned to look into the fire as if remembering the man and his sad ending. "When we were out at my place... he was pretty clear. We talked some about Sarah... He told me he'd always planned on giving this to Adam." The gunslinger was quiet for a time, seeming to gather his thoughts. Vin waited patiently. "Hank gave it to me that day. Said he figured he'd never have any other grandchildren now... but maybe one day I'd have a son to pass it on to."
"Chris..." said Vin. The blond looked up, guessing what the younger man was thinking. He closed his hand around Vin's and the medallion.
"I want you to have it, Vin," he said. "I think it says it just right too. Will you wear it... for me?" Vin looked into his eyes.
"I'd be honored, Chris," he said softly. The lean gunman took it gently from his hand and placed it around the Texan's neck.
"I braided the leather to make this to put it on... for you," said Chris. Vin closed his hand around the silver circle. His eyes told the older man how much that meant to him.
"Every time I look at it... or touch it..." he said in a firm tone, as if making a vow, "I'll remember you and what we've found together." His blue eyes grew smoky with emotion. "I love ya, cowboy."
"I love you, too, Vin... always." Chris leaned forward wrapping his hand with the tracker's around the Claddagh and sealed his words with a long tender kiss.
Chris and Vin laid out their bedrolls side by side. The fire was banked low and above them the narrow swathe of sky visible between the towering cliffs was awash with stars. A lighter colored band of dense stars cut across their view. They found themselves caught by the display of nature's glory.
"Beautiful, ain't they?" breathed the Texan.
"Mmhmm," agreed Chris, "but not as beautiful as you." The blue-eyed man blushed. "Want to see you, Vin," continued the gunslinger in a husky voice. He reached out a hand and unbuttoned the Texan's pants. Slender fingers did the same to his. Vin rose up on his knees and Chris eased the tan pants over his slim hips and down his legs. Kicking them off, the younger man pulled the blond up in front of him, leaning forward to suck the seductive lower lip into his mouth.
Chris felt the light touch and the cooler air as his jeans slid down his legs. He flicked his tongue out to stroke along the younger man's upper lip. Their mouths moved over and around, tongues dancing, lips suckling. Easing back, Larabee tossed his pants to the side and let his eyes rake over the body caught by dim flickers of firelight as well as the wash of starlight from above. His cock swelled and a soft groan came from deep in his throat as green eyes traveled down firmly muscled chest and lean hips to the brown curls from which rose a thick shaft. He let his eyes feast on the finely muscled legs then back up to the organ that was bobbing in time to the tracker's quickened breaths. When his gaze rose at last to blue eyes, it was to see that the sharpshooter had been looking his fill as well. The usually bright blue eyes were smoky with desire. Chris sat back, reaching out to draw the younger man to settle between his legs, back to his chest. "Want to touch ya now," he rasped, sliding long fingers up and down the Texan's torso. Vin moaned softly, relishing the warm hands on his body, not teasing or seducing, simply satisfying his constant craving for touch. He clutched at the strong thighs that encircled him, kneading the muscles gently as he leaned back into the curve of long arms that were home to his heart.
"Vin," rasped Chris burying his face in the soft brown curls. "Vin, I want to make love to you all night long... slow, agonizing, sweet love..."
Mmmmrrrrr," responded the Texan, arching his body against the one he craved. Taking the response for a positive one, Chris began kneading the younger man's shoulders. The tracker turned in his arms, seeking his mouth. The blond responded by kissing his way across the handsome face, stopping only momentarily on the enticing lips. He worked his way across the square jaw and nibbled down the slender neck, settling in to suckle at the hollow above his lover's collarbone. Vin's hands roamed up and down sides and back before sliding down to settle on two firm buttocks, kneading and pulling.
The gunslinger allowed his hands to wander too, seeking out all the sensitive places he knew so well on the younger man. He stroked, kissed and touched all the way down muscled abdomen to strong hips and thighs. Skirting the cock that had come to life already at his hands roaming the slender body, he worked his way down the long legs to tender feet, massaging the muscles and sore places with gentle touches. Vin lay back on his elbows, watching this dark and powerful man exploring his body like a small child does a new toy, seeking always for new pleasures. Chris began to work his way back up and the Texan began to breathe deeper, anticipating his fingers on those portions of his body aching for his lover's touch.
When Chris lay once again beside him, hands never stilling as he stroked pleasure from Vin's body, he looked deep into blue eyes. This was their best communication. No need for words that might be clumsy or misunderstood...just two hearts speaking directly to one another in their own language.
Chris gently turned Vin on his side, facing away from him. He slid one arm under the younger man and curled it around his body. Snuggling up behind him, he rested his upper body on one elbow, pressing his back and legs along the curve of the tracker's body. The blond stroked his free hand over hip and thigh then down between well-muscled legs. When Vin lifted his leg in response, he slipped his knee between the man's thighs. Dipping his hand in the container of oil placed behind him, Chris slid a single finger between firm ass cheeks. Vin sighed. He pressed deeper, moving up the crevice almost to his waist and back down to his balls. The younger man pushed back against him. Chris nipped gently at the junction of the tracker's neck and shoulder then laved it with his tongue. Pressing his finger in, he found the tight opening. Vin gave a little moan. The gunslinger pushed in slowly, then just as slowly retreated.
"Chrrrisss," whispered Vin.
"Just relax and enjoy it," whispered back the blond. "We're gonna take this nice and slow... and easy. So... just don't get in a hurry."
"Mmmmm," said Vin as a long finger pressed in again, this time a little deeper. The older man slowly rocked in and out, each stroke growing a little longer. Vin took a deep breath, relaxing his body into the pleasurable sensations. Letting them spread through his limbs like ripples in a pond. The long finger reached its greatest depths and a low growl broke from the young man. Chris slowly introduced a second finger beside the first. The tracker's back arched, his breath caught in his chest as his body was slowly stretched.
Vin's hips began to thrust as the two fingers stroked in and out in slow motion. He found his breathing sliding into rhythm with the pulses of his body and the motion of his lover's hand. Chris' other hand caressed his chest, scraping across sensitive nipples and bringing them to aching hardness. Soft lips kissed the arch of his throat, suckling on tender places that sent shafts of desire shooting through him. He let himself sink into the sensations, the thrill of this man playing his body. A third finger pressed into his pulsing hole almost sent him hurtling over the edge. But Chris sensed this and eased off, simply murmuring soft words in his ear.
"Easy, there pard," he breathed. "Not yet...not for a long time yet. Just take a slow deep breath. That's it." Carefully, Vin edged back from the precipice, the heat in his veins banking down to a manageable fire once again. He moaned and turned his head, seeking lips and tongue... and they were there. The taste of cheroot, whiskey and Chris fed his hunger for the man who completed him.
Fingers pressed in again...even slower this time and his chest heaved as he sucked in air at the exquisite sensations. It wasn't enough. He wanted more...wanted Larabee's long, hard cock impaling him...wanted his partner's soul sealed to his even as their bodies became one.
"N-need... ya," he gasped out. "Need ya... in me now..."
"Soooon," crooned the other man. He slowly thrust his fingers deep into the body of his lover, scissoring them, waiting for the muscle to give. "Deep breath, Vin." The younger man did so. "Now... let it out... slow." As the tracker exhaled slowly, Chris curved his fingers and brushed the sweet spot inside his lover. Vin screamed in pleasure.
"Ohgod...ohgod, Larabee," he gasped. His cock was leaking a slow steady stream. The fingers withdrew and he sobbed in loss. "Nooo.." he whimpered. Slender hands separated his ass cheeks and he felt a longed for pressure once again. "Yeesss..." he hissed. The welcome stretching and slight burning sensation caused him to lunge his hips backwards but strong hands held him still and the head of Chris' cock slid into him.
The blond held Vin steady, his own chest heaving. That hot, tight ass closing over the throbbing tip of his shaft had him grinding his teeth to try and hold onto his control. He wanted nothing more than to plunge all the way in and begin a driving grinding rhythm that would bring them both screaming to a climax. But he'd dreamed of this for a long time. An opportunity to feed their senses, to try to slake some of the constant hunger he felt for the taste, touch and feel of his tracker. And he wasn't going to let go of that dream so easily.
"God, Larabee," gasped Vin, "what are ya doin' to me?"
"What I've dreamed of for a long time, Vin," said the blond in a husky, passion-filled voice.
"W-what's... that?" rasped the tracker, rocking on the hardened shaft that teased his senses mercilessly.
"A... looooong... slooooow... fuck...." said Larabee in a deep growl, punctuating each word with a leisurely stroke a little deeper into the Texan's hot, tight body.
Oooohhh, shiiiiit...." groaned Vin. "Feels...soooo... good..." The tracker's hand slid along the blanket, finding a long-fingered hand and entwining their fingers. With each stroke in, their fingers gripped each other's hand, releasing as Chris withdrew only to clasp again as they pressed together.
"Vin..." rasped Chris and the young man knew what it was he asked. The Texan opened his mind and heart, reaching out to the other half of his soul... and he was there waiting...reaching for him also. Their hearts moved together in a gentle, slow blending that was so exquisite both men let out a deep groan.
"Ooohhh, God, Vin," moaned Chris. "Every time..."
"Yeah," gasped the sharpshooter, "it's like the first... so right..."
Larabee used his other hand to caress and fondle every part of the Texan's enticing body he could reach. He stroked, massaged, squeezed, kneaded... leading his lover on a sensual journey of tender touches and loving embraces. They moved their bodies slowly together and apart... long easy strokes. Gradually the pressure built in them till they approached climax but Chris drew them back, holding them both still, gasping for air, allowing the tension to subside. Then he began all over again. Their cries and moans floated through the quiet night as they moved together, caressing each other's bodies to heights of ecstasy.
Again and again as they neared the final embrace they pulled back, neither wanting the sweet communion between them to end, to feel that wrenching separation back into their own bodies. Tonight, for once, there could be no interruptions, no calls to duty, no need for them elsewhere and they could indulge their passions and desire for each other to the fullest. They fell into a rhythm of movement and stillness... the one as sweet at the other, for when they were motionless they could hear their heartbeats pounding out the same rhythm, hear the tender words whispered heart to heart. Words of love and loyalty, courage and eternity, healing and protection.
Even as his body rode the flesh impaling him so sweetly, tensions and passion rising in a swelling tide, Vin's eyes were drawn upward to a series of flashing streaks across the sky.
"S-stars..." he gasped, his hand lifting as if to catch the lights. "burstin'..." The hand dropped to press at his chest. "I-inside...too..." Chris pressed his hand over the tracker's fingers interlacing tightly.
"Feel... it..." he groaned, his body fighting him as he strove to keep his movements slow. Grinding and circling his hips as he eased into the trembling body of his soul-mate. Their hearts writhed and twined as their bodies and limbs echoed the joining. "All... through... me..." And their bodies clenched and poured forth...in a single rippling movement. Vin's warm seed poured over Chris' hand as his own filled the hot channel of his lover. It clasped and tightened in spasms around his cock, milking more of his fluid from it.
"VIIIINNN," he cried out hoarsely, even as he heard the tracker call his name in an equally raspy voice. They moved together, pressing as deeply as bodies allowed, trying to come as close as possible. Pulsing as one, they pumped out their release, needing it, aching for it, yet straining to extend the sweetness of it just a little longer...just a few more minutes, seconds of joining, blending into one. At last, bodies spent, but hearts and souls still clinging to the connection between them... the wholeness they experienced when they came together, they lay panting, bodies still wrapped tightly together, breath and heartbeats gradually slowing.
Softly, the Texan began to sing:
The stars at night
re big and bright
Deep in the heart of..."My Texan," interposed Chris.
"I felt ya, Chris," said Vin, "felt ya in me... around me... through me... like those stars shootin' across the sky..."
"I felt you too Vin... my poet... felt whole again... and new... felt you... deep in my heart."
Fini
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