Disclaimer: The characters of Magnificent Seven do not, have not, and probably will not ever belong to me. I am merely borrowing them for a Muse's whim. If you would like to try and sue me, all you'll get is my piggy bank of pennies and a couple of boxes of Mac & Cheese.
Notes: This story was sub-conciously inspired by my own little Muse-Kicker, Carla. If you like it, please let me know so I can tell her, or tell her yourself. ;) Also, I have a bit of a switch in how things usually play out, but hopefully, I have made it believable. Any and all comments are welcome. (In other words, if you liked it, let me know. If you didn't, let me know why!)
ONE
The stars were shining against the black curtain of night, their brightness unchallenged as the moon was still hiding its head. Most of the creatures of the world were sleeping quietly, not noticing the dark shadow that slid through their lives. The man rode a black horse, his clothing rivaled only by the darkness of the sky. Piercing eyes caught every movement that went on around him. Coming up over a small hill, a twinkling below captured the night rider's attention.Chris Larabee sighed as he saw the few lights of Four Corners come into sight. This was his last night on the midnight patrol and the gunslinger was more than ready to be in his room with a bottle of whiskey. As he made his way into town, the gunman was surprised to find Buck already out in the street, waiting for his return.
"All quiet?" Chris nodded his reply, not dismounting as his old friend climbed aboard his gray, coming alongside him. The gunman raised an eye, not having to ask his question about why he wasn't having to wake the ladies' man as usual. "Just had some business to attend too. You go put your horse up in the livery and I'll see ya in the morning." Chris could tell Buck was up to something. His eyes were twinkling, but there was also a touch of seriousness in them. A seriousness that Chris couldn't quite understand. Buck seemed to be looking at him as if he were judging him.
Before he could ask, Buck tipped his hat and rode off to begin his four hour patrol. Chris wondered what his friend had done now, but decided it was too late to worry about for now. All he wanted was to care for his mount and then get some rest. He'd let the morning take care of itself.
+ + + + + + +
Chris carefully rubbed the black down with a handful of hay, taking some of the comfort his mount was recieving from the gesture to his own tired body, relaxing just a bit. When he finished, the blonde made sure there was ample feed and then grabbed his saddle bags. Throwing them over his shoulder, Chris made to leave the livery. A soft rustling sound carried to his ears. Like a live thing, Larabee's gun jumped to his hand, the hammer pulled back as the gunman turned towards the sound. He heard it again and looked upwards towards the loft.
"Show yourself!" he commanded, his voice hardly above a whisper, but still heavy with a dangerous quality. Even though his watch had been a quiet one, it had still left him on edge. The noise came again and the gunman was positive it was coming from above him. Then, almost too soft to hear, another voice answered him.
"It's me, Chris." The gunman sighed and holstered his weapon.
"JD, what the hell are you doing out here this time'a night?"
"Just had some thinking to do, that's all. Didn't mean to startle ya." Chris stood for a moment, staring at the ground. He could almost hear his bed calling him, begging for his body to come and rest on the cool sheets. But overpowering that voice, was another one coming from above him. Something in that short sentence seemed to catch on Larabee's ears. It was true that he hadn't wanted JD around in the first place, but Chris could see that the boy was quickly becoming a man. A man that he could trust with his life. A man that he could trust with his soul.
With the softest of sighs, Chris turned and made his way to the ladder that led up to the loft. His eyes naturally scanned the upper level as he reached it, finding JD crouched over at the far edge. The lights from the lanterns below shown up through the cracks on the floor too create a lined pattern on the young man's tense face. Chris silently made his way over to the younger man, making himself comfortable across from him.
"Alright, JD. What's going on? Buck's acting like he's about ready to bust and you're looking more keyed up than a long tailed cat in a room full'a rockin' chairs." JD looked at him, his large eyes full of seriousness and the smallest touch of uncertainty.
"It's nothin', Chris. I just asked Buck for some advice on something, but I'm not sure I can take that advice." The older man smiled that half smile that was known to his friends.
"You asked Buck for some advice?" he said incredulously. JD tried to return the smile, but it only came out as a nervous grin, as he nodded. Chris looked at him more closely. The gunman reached out and laid his hand across the other's forehead. "You feelin' sick, JD?" Chris couldn't help but see the sudden tightening of JD's lips. Had he hurt the boy? Larabee was careful to keep his touch light, a caress as he felt the boy's forehead for his playfully suggested fever. The skin was slick with a slight sheen of sweat, and Chris thought he felt like he was burning up. Could he have guessed correctly? JD was sick?
"Nah, I ain't sick, Chris. Just needed some advice and he, well, he seemed the best to ask about this...uh...matter." The other moved carefully out of the gunman's reach. Chris felt the coolness of the air return as his hand fell away from JD's face. That skin was so soft, just like a piece of silk he'd once felt. He wondered, if only for a brief moment, if JD had that same skin all over his body. Chris knew that his own was tough and hardened, like leather, and he found himself fighting down the urge to reach out and touch JD's arm, just to see if that silky softness was the same there.
"You havin' troubles with Casey again?" Chris had to smile slightly at that. The two youngsters seemed to be constantly dancing about one another without ever getting close enough to know the true meaning of what it was to move as One. What it was like to feel someone's heart beating against your own, knowing that beat was for you alone. So strong against your chest. Chris was sure Casey didn't know what she was missing. He knew JD had a good heart, one that was sure to have a strong, hardy beat.
"Not really. I don't want Buck's advice on Casey. There's..uh...someone....well...." JD blushed and took his bowler off to play with the brim. With a sigh, he pushed the hair back from his face.
"Someone else, huh?" Chris watched as JD nodded, not meeting his eyes. He thought he should be surprised, but for some reason, he wasn't. "So did Buck straighten ya out on it?" The youth shrugged still refusing to look up.
"I guess. He, uh, he told me that I should tell....uh...that I should...."
"Maybe you should."
"Maybe...." Chris watched the boy carefully. "Hell, I don't know. He'd probably shoot me." JD waited a moment before looking up to find those icy eyes meeting his own. Chris didn't even flinch. Guess the kid's not as innocent as we thought. It wasn't the first time he'd seen this sort of thing. Long nights on the trail led to many men seeking comfort from any place they could get it. Hell, he'd even found the same comfort himself a few times. For some, it became their way for always. He could tell from JD's worried glance that the youth was waiting to see if understanding or condemnation was the answer he would receive. Chris decided to do it as easily as he could without embarassing the kid any further.
"Chance you'll have to take, I guess." The gunman watched as JD's eyes widened with the understanding that Chris had understood his trouble and was not condemning him for it. The dark-haired youth visibly relaxed. The blonde reached over and laid a hand on the other's shoulder, squeezing slightly. Once again, as before, JD's face tightened slightly. Chris' eyes sharpened their gaze on the youth's face. It was as if his touch was causing the other pain. The gunman slowly removed his hand and he thought he caught a glimpse of a deeper hurt at the loss of his touch. The gunman winked as he went to turn, not sure he was certain of where his thoughts were taking him. "You got ta give him a shot 'fore he can take his, JD."
"Being dead would be better than not doing this," came the rushed voice behind him. And then, Chris felt a hand, warm and firm on his shoulder, pulling him back. Chris turned out of reaction to find JD's face so close to his own he could feel the youth's breath on his lips. That mouth, usually turned up in an enthusiastic smile was partly open, wet with a nervous tongue. And then, it was on his own, moving hungrily. Chris grunted once in surprise as he felt the other wrap him in his arms, that tongue tracing along his mouth, begging to be let in. Chris gasped and opened his lips. He pressed back, laying his body over JD's.
And then, he felt it. That heartbeat, as strong as he'd thought, thudding rapidly against his own matched beat. Larabee pulled back, dragging in a breath as he looked at the still youth beneath him. JD's eyes were darkened with passion and desire, and something else Chris vaguely recognized: love. His lips now wet not only from his tongue, but Chris' as well. The blonde searched through his own thoughts, trying to keep his body from doing something that would only hurt the other man more when he realized that the gunman's heart wasn't in it. But what if his heart was in it?
"I took my chance Chris," the youth whispered, not making any move to get away or influence the older man's mind. "Will you take one too?"
TWO
Chris could see the guarded expression of JD's eyes as he waited for an answer that would either give him another reason to live, or take it from him. Keeping his face clear of any emotion with a poker face Ezra would have killed for, the gunman slowly lowered his mouth to the one below him. His tongue flitted out to trace the trembling lips below his own. He pressed harder, finally allowing himself to smile as JD gave in and opened up to him, letting him slip his tongue inside his warm cavern. Chris explored every inch of the new terrain, wrapping the slight body in his arms, pulling them closer together.JD groaned into his mouth, rubbing his form up against the gunman, allowing them both to feel the growing arousal between them. He felt rather than heard Chris' intake of breath, and used the gunman's slight shock to his advantage, pushing the larger man off of him and then rolling over to straddle his hips. JD began a rocking motion, pulling back to watch in delight as the gunman's eyes closed in pleasure. The youth sat up, his hands soft and gentle as he undid the buckle of the gunbelt. Chris' eyes stayed closed and JD felt the rush of knowing the blonde was trusting him with, in fact, his life.
Lifting his body slightly, Chris allowed JD to pull the belt completely away from him and lay it next to where his saddle bags lay, almost forgotten. The youth's belt followed and then JD was stretched out along him again. Chris felt his hands, sure and steady, as they began to undo the fastenings on his shirt. The gunman sought out that hot mouth again, but was denied as the youth slipped down from his grasp. And then, the first touch of silky wetness to his chest. Chris arched up against it like a cat against a petting hand, reveling in the contact. He heard JD chuckle as the other man continued his oral exploration, his hands running out and down the gunman's arms to clench their fingers together. Chris continued to arch against that talented tongue. He couldn't recall a feeling so exquisite as when JD moved to take a stiff nipple in his mouth, tongueing it to even greater hardness.
Long, dark hair tickled his skin as JD touched here, tasted there. A lick, a kiss, a bite, a soft, wet caress. Chris was going crazy as his lover slid down his body. JD paused to lick and gnaw at his hard belly, feeling the muscles beneath that taut skin clench in response. The gunman was being taken, commanded by a rythym of life he'd almost forgotten. The youth released the older man's hands, bringing his own up to run over the hard body, down to the spot where white skin met dark fabric. Looking up to catch the other's eyes, JD watched carefully for any sign of hesitation as he undid the buttons of his jeans, one by one. He saw no resistance, only a blinding, hungry need. One that he was feeling as well. He had watched Chris Larabee for so long, wanting him, that hard body, fast hands, and piercing gaze tormenting him night after night. But now, he was here, writhing in pleasure, all because of him. JD almost couldn't believe it. But, as he pulled the fabric away and removed it and Chris' boots, leaving the gunman naked to his devouring gaze, JD believed.
Chris held his lover's gaze as he was stripped, wanting him to see the complete trust he had with him. But when he saw the utter delight with which JD's youthful eyes went over his naked form, he thought he would explode. As it was, he'd reached rock hardness at that first overpowering kiss. Now, he was a throbbing, tingling mass ready for release. JD reached out, running a hand up the side of the hard steel below Chris' belly. The gunman jerked, clenching his fists as the youth squeezed carefully at the base. A second of warning, warm breath on sensitive skin, was all he got before a blazing wetness engulfed him. Chris moaned out JD's name, his hips bucking upwards.
JD quickly placed his hands on the other's hips, holding him down as he began to work his mouth up and down the hard organ. Using tongue, teeth, and lips, the youth pushed his lover to the edge, over and over again. He took as much in as he could, gripping the base with one hand, moving it in time to the long, slow, sweeping curls of his tongue and mouth. Chris was jerking beneath him now, moaning softly. JD listened intently, groaning as he realized that it was his name the other was using as a mantra. The extra vibration finally got to the gunman and he reached up to wrap his hands in JD's hair as he began to erupt. JD took all the other had to give, softly lapping at the faltering flesh until it was completely soft once again.
Moving up, JD watched as Chris drug in breath after breath. His normally pale face was flushed with the crimson color of heat, his upper lip dotted with sweat. JD brushed a lock of blonde hair, now dark with sweat, away from the slightly glistening forehead. Those eyes, usually hard like diamonds, were now warm, unguarded and open, allowing JD to see the emotions that Chris normally kept hidden. JD smiled and suddenly found himself on his back, the gunman straddling him like a hungry beast.
Rather than mess with the buttons, Chris just undid the first two and then yanked the shirt up and over his lover's head. JD's hair fanned out around his head and Chris allowed himself a moment to run his fingers through it before beginning his attack. With a growl and a feral grin, Larabee dropped down, his tongue tracing the lines of muscle on that pale chest. It had been awhile since that time on the trail with Buck, but he still knew what to do to bring the younger man to the same level of exquisite torture he had been but a few minutes ago.
JD squirmed beneath him, his hands clenching in the short, damp blonde hair of the gunman as he moved about, licking and nibbling at the broad expanse of flesh open to his mouth. Chris could feel the other's arousal pressing against his stomach. Just knowing that it was caused by him brought a stirring to his own groin. Those hands that were so sure and fast with a gun didn't fail him as he quickly undid the buttons of JD's pants, wasting no time in stripping him completely. Chris cast his gaze over the pale flesh before him. JD was tall, his body stretched, but now, open to his eyes, Larabee could easily see the lines of muscle and form
Chris leaned down, wrapping his lips over the swollen head of JD's erection, sucking lightly as his tongue brought back the ample taste of the younger man. Chris felt the other's hands on his head, struggling not to hold him and push further into his warm mouth.
"God! Chris, I...." The gunman stopped moving up to lay feathery kisses over the young face of his lover.
"What?" He pulled away, waiting for the other's answer. JD seemed torn and Chris gently pushed his leg between JD's, rubbing up against the slightly deflating flesh. JD groaned against the pressure. He knew what he wanted, oh so desparately. But he knew that he couldn't dare to hope for it. He'd already been granted more than one prayer this night, JD didn't want to push his luck. But Chris could easily guess what the younger man had been about to suggest in his passionate outburst. Leaning down, his voice soft as he gently traced the outter shell of JD's ear. The blush wasn't long in coming as JD took in what Chris offered. With eyes closed, the youth nodded slightly.
Chris moved his mouth over to capture that mouth that had held him a prisoner of pleasure not long ago. JD relaxed a bit at the touch, gripping the wide shoulders of his lover tightly. Larabee sat up and reached over, grabbing his saddle bags. Without taking his eyes away from the barely believing ones that held his gaze, Chris reached inside and found the small bottle of saddle oil he'd purchased earlier that week. He passed the now open bottle to JD's shaking hands. The gunman lay down beside the youth, pulling him on his side. JD sat up and coated his fingers generously with the oil before setting it down. Chris closed his eyes, licking his lips in anticipation.
JD couldn't believe it to be true. But as the oil dripped down his fingers, he knew it must be. Very carefully, he trailed his fingers down from Chris' new erection, tracing the lines of flesh that he'd only dreamed of. JD felt the puckered flesh a second before he felt the twitch through the gunman's body. The youth laid his other hand on Chris' stomach, making soothing circles. Chris relaxed and JD slid one finger inside the tight heat. The gunman groaned, feeling his body adjust to the intruder.
They moved slowly, JD pausing to reapply the oil as he saw fit, adding first one, then two fingers, moving three digits in and out of Chris' quivering form. His long fingers brushed over that small spot of heaven inside the gunman's body, making him jump once more. JD didn't know how much longer he could wait, but wait he would, until Chris asked him not to. It wasn't long in coming.
"JD....JD...." Chris thrust the bottle towards the youth and JD understood. With shaking hands, he coated his own straining flesh. Removing his fingers, he placed himself at Chris' entrance. Slowly, he pushed inside, gasping at the sudden heat. Chris moved his legs further out of the way, watching JD's face as he continued to sink inside his body. The youth wasn't large by any means, but he wasn't small either. As JD finally settled completely, the gunman decided he was just about the right size. He was filled completely, the feeling of stretching flesh exquisite. Chris felt his hardness trapped between them and rocked his hips, using his muscles to stroke JD's member from the inside out.
They began to move slowly, not as two beings any more, but as One. Their bodies rocking with increasing force as they raced towards the cliff of release. And, as they reached it, without hesitation, they jumped, feeling the rush of pleasure through them as each erupted, spilling their liquid heat out on their bodies. As their bodies began to relax, JD pulled away and collapsed onto the gunman's chest, feeling the heartbeat strong and true under his ear. It was a good sound.
Larabee looked out, seeing the growing sunshine through the doors of the loft. It would be dawn soon, and the town would be bustling about soon. Sleepily, JD nuzzled his head further into Chris' neck, his breath warm and soft on the gunman's flesh. Chris stroked the dark, tangled hair gently as he felt his body relaxing from its recent actions. The soft thud of his heart, mixed with the softer, but equally strong thud of another, filled his mind. There was just one thing...
"JD...." he began, but was cut off as the man in question rose up to look at him. Leaning down, JD kissed him softly, holding the other man to him.
"I figured you were worth the chance."
THE END
Comments to: NMGambler@aol.com