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Fourth Time's the Charm!

by Kim


Vin could feel Chris's eyes on him. The blond had been watching him surreptitiously all night. No one but Vin, with the possible exception of Ezra seemed aware of Larabee's attention. Ezra, the tracker was pretty certain, would be aware of the interplay between the two men, even if he didn't have the first idea of what it meant.

Vin knew. When Fowler had died, Vin had ridden with Chris back to his shack, while the others put out the fire and buried the badly burned body. He'd listened to Chris alternately cursing Fowler and whoever'd hired him, and then torturing himself with the imagined cries of his wife and son, begging him to save them. In the end, Vin had offered Chris the only comfort he knew how to give. In desperation, Chris had taken what Vin had given almost savagely.

Twice since that night three weeks ago, Chris had given a silent invitation and Vin had acquiesced wordlessly. They'd ridden to Chris's shack without a word and Chris had poured them both a drink and then they'd repeated that first time, albeit in a more restrained fashion.

Tonight, Chris had given him that same look. And Vin had silently accepted. But tonight was different. Vin intended to get things straight with Chris. He knew that Chris might not agree to what he had in mind, and that was what had him tied up in knots. Tanner wanted the blond gunslinger more than he'd ever wanted anyone or anything. But, he couldn't make Chris agree to what he wanted and he wouldn't settle for anything else. Too many times in his life he'd settled, and in the end, he'd been the one used and alone. This time, he was determined, would be different.

And so, Vin stood in the middle of Chris's small house, holding his hat and nervously fiddling with the brim, trying to find the courage to tell Chris straight out.

Chris couldn't help but notice, how tense Vin was, as he took a bottle of whiskey off of the plank that served as a shelf. Two battered tin coffee cups sat beside it and he grabbed those too. "Damn Vin, you're as jumpy as a virgin in a whorehouse," Chris observed, and poured them both a healthy shot of the whiskey.

"Ain't no virgin, y'oughta know that," Vin replied testily.

"Yeah, I know that alright," the blond replied with a sly grin. He handed Vin one tin cup and downed the contents of the other one.

Vin made no move to drink his whiskey and Chris's eyes narrowed. Something had Vin on edge and whatever it was, threatened to ruin the night he'd been thinking about all week. Hell, since that first night with Vin, Larabee hadn't been able to think of anything else. Seemed like every time he'd closed his eyes, the lanky Texan had appeared in his dreams. The only times he'd slept easy in the past three weeks, had been those two nights Vin had spent with him.

All night, he'd watched Vin out of the corner of his eye, careful not to let anyone else notice. Well, Ezra had noticed. It was damn hard to get anything by the wily gambler. Vin had seen him though, and while to a casual observer, the tracker had appeared to be his normal taciturn self, Chris had seen the growing tension in the younger man. And now that tension seemed like it was about to explode.

Whatever was bothering him, the whiskey would probably ease some, Chris thought. So, he sat his cup down and ambled over behind Vin. He put his hands on Vin's shoulders and nuzzled around his hair, until his lips were against the younger man's ear. "Why don't you drink your whiskey?" the blond suggested soothingly.

"No." Vin snapped.

Chris could feel the tension in Vin's body and tried once more to relax the Texan. "It'll take the edge off," he began, only to have Vin interrupt him.

"You want the edge off, you drink it!" Vin snapped and slammed the cup down on the table so hard that some of the contents slopped over.

Chris felt his own anger rising, and the hell of it was, that he didn't have a goddamn clue as to why. He took the cup Vin had abandoned and drank what was left in it. The fiery liquid burned it's way to his stomach and he could feel the warmth spreading throughout his body, calming him. Whatever had Vin so riled, he was going to try to find out what it was, without losing the infamous Larabee temper.

Vin sat on the edge of Chris's bed, trying to get his treacherous emotions under control. Why the hell had he snapped at Chris like that? He'd intended to lay it out calmly and rationally for Chris and hope that the older man would agree to the partnership he wanted. Instead, he was biting Chris's head off for nothing. Vin sighed deeply. He wished he'd never started this tonight.

Chris sat the cup back on the table and watched Vin for a few seconds. He could see the internal struggle Vin was having, plainly on the long haired man's face. Vin didn't even seem to be aware, that Chris was watching him. Something was definitely wrong with the sharpshooter and Larabee aimed to find out what it was.

Chris crossed the room and sat down beside Vin on the edge of the bed. He frowned at the way Vin tensed, but he kept his voice low and even, when he laid a tentative hand on Vin's shoulder and asked, "What's wrong pard?"

"I ain't no virgin," Vin replied miserably and shrugged off his hand. "I already knew that, pard," Chris replied, with a hint of exasperation in his voice.

Vin's troubled blue searched Chris's face, trying to read the answer to a question he hadn't asked yet. "It's just -" Vin began hesitantly. "I just - I want -"

"What do you want Vin?" Chris asked soothingly and gently stroked the tracker's cheek.

"YOU! I want you, dammit!" Vin exclaimed and jumped up off of the bed. He strode over to the small window beside the door and stared off into the darkness.

"That's ain't exactly news, pard," Chris acknowledged.

Vin could hear the amusement in Chris's voice. He turned to face his lover again and he struggled to make what he wanted clear to Chris.

"No, I don't mean I want you. I mean I want you," the Texan fumbled with his words. Even to himself, the words made no sense. "Aw, fuck!"

"I was hoping to, but it ain't lookin' too good right now," Chris said sourly and joined Vin at the window. He laid a hand on Vin's shoulder and this time the tracker let it stay. >It's a start, Chris thought hopefully. "Whatever it is, Vin," he said calmly, "just say it plain."

Tanner met his eyes and Chris could see the confusion in the deep blue depths, that was gradually overtaken by a steely determination. Vin's cheeks were flushed with embarrassment, but his gaze held steady as he spoke frankly, "I want'cha Chris, more than I ever wanted anybody, but I ain't gonna be yer squaw. I'm a man, same as you - and I got the same needs as you."

Chris stared at him blankly, until it dawned on him what Vin was telling him. "Jesus Vin!" he exclaimed in disbelief. "All this shit, is 'cause you wanta take me?"

Vin saw the incredulous look on Chris's face and heard the dismay in his voice and turned away from the gunslinger. Larabee was as revolted by the idea, as he had been afraid the gunslinger would be. There was a vice grip around Vin's heart and he was afraid he was going to be sick right in the middle of Chris's house.

"Guess I'll head out," he said in an oddly strangled voice. >Christ, he had to get out of here, before he embarrassed either one of them anymore.

"Don't go," Chris breathed against his ear. Vin could feel Chris's lean body pressed against his back and the older man's hands encircling his waist. "Don't go," Chris urged him again.

The vise around his heart tightened and Vin could feel the blood surging into his cheeks. "Don't," he pleaded, unable to manage anything else.

"Vin, just hear me out," Chris pleaded softly. "Please," he added quietly.

"Ain't nothin' t'say," Vin replied in that strangled voice again, and fought the urge to lean back against that lanky body pressed against him.

"Sure there is pard," Chris whispered into his ear. "Starting with, how come you think you gotta tell me you wanta do it?" He eased around the tracker and one hand moved up to stroke Vin's crimson cheek.

Tanner couldn't look Chris in the eyes and not lose control, so he didn't. Instead he stared at the floor and tried to put it into words. "You're the boss Chris. Don't matter what'cher doin', yer in charge. And that's alright most o' the time, 'cause yer damned good at it. But, in this one thing, it ain't alright. Not fer me. I ain't never gonna let somebody else be in charge o' me in this again."

"I never figured you would," Chris informed him, with a wry expression. "I wouldn'ta given you my hand the other times, but you weren't exactly bein' real patient."

The color that had begun to fade from the Texan's cheeks flooded back in, when he remembered the way he'd begged Chris for relief.

"Chris please, I can't take it no more. Ya gotta do me. Please."

"Shit!" Vin cursed and slumped down on the edge of the bed dejectedly. " I made a fuckin' mess o' this."

"It ain't so bad, cowboy," Chris said softly, as he sat beside his lover and slid a hand under the hair covering Vin's neck. His long fingers brushed lightly against the pulse beating in Vin's throat.

Vin's own hand strayed up to cover Chris's lightly. "Sorry," he whispered. "Just been a real long time, since anybody I wasn't payin' was willin' -"

"Vin," Chris interrupted. "You ain't payin' me and I'm willin', so ya wanta shut up now?"

"Yeah," Vin whispered and leaned over and placed a tentative kiss on Chris's lips. The gunfighter responded by tightening his grip on Vin's neck and putting his other hand around Vin's waist and leaning back on the bed, pulling the younger man on top of him.

Vin stretched out over top of Chris and reveled in the way he was feeling. Their mouths were locked together in a deep kiss, that was becoming hotter every second. Vin couldn't get his tongue deep enough into Chris's mouth and the way Chris's tongue was trying to get down his throat, Vin figured Chris was feeling the same way.

God he wanted him! Tanner hadn't ever wanted anyone this badly in his life. His hands began to roam and he was frustrated at the feel of the cotton and denim beneath his fingers. He wanted to touch Chris - - to feel the satiny skin covering hard muscles and his flat stomach - - not a bunch of cloth.

The sharpshooter began trying to get Chris's shirt open, but he didn't want to stop the kiss and the damned buttons wouldn't come loose. Tanner tried to be patient and work the stubborn buttons loose, but it was no use.

"DAMNIT!" he cursed and yanked one side of the shirt. He was mortified, when the buttons popped and went flying. "Shit!" the long haired man cursed again and looked down at his lover.

Chris could barely contain his mirth. But, Vin didn't look like he was in the mood to be laughed at right now. Shit! Vin >looked like he was about to have a stroke. His face was bright red and his blue eyes blazed with frustration. They'd finally started on that night, that Larabee had been looking forward to, and he wasn't about to let a little thing like a ruined shirt spoil it.

"Why don't you take off your own clothes and I'll take mine off," he suggested kindly.

"Sorry Chris," Vin answered blushing even redder. "Seems like buttons ain't what I'm real good at."

"Well, why don'tcha get them clothes off and then you can show me what you're real good at," Chris said suggestively.

Vin felt the blood boiling in his veins and surging straight to his cock at that remark. He kissed Chris hard again and both men were panting for breath when they parted. "Let's get these clothes off," he said huskily and started removing his own clothes.

Chris stripped off his own clothes efficiently, all the while keeping one eye on his lover. He was thoroughly enjoying the sight of the younger man, not-so-patiently, trying to get his clothes off. Vin's hat, bandana, boots, and suspenders had come off quickly, but when he got to the shirt, his own buttons proved as stubborn as Chris's. The now nude gunfighter watched with growing lust, as evidenced by his rapidly hardening cock.

He fondled himself, sighing softly with pleasure, at the feelings there, and at the sight of the tracker's lean body, coming teasingly slowly into view. >Damn, Vin was one fine looking man! Tanner moved gracefully, his shirt slipping off to reveal the smooth lines of his back. His hair curled softly over his shoulder blades.

Vin's pants fell and Chris nearly gasped out loud, when his cock jumped in his hand, at the sight of those soft cheeks. Damn! If Vin didn't hurry up, Chris was gonna start their fun without him.

Vin grinned smugly, exceedingly pleased with himself. Chris was behind him practically ready to bust and he hadn't even touched him yet. He moved with deliberate slowness, feeling Chris's eyes on him. He let his shirt fall to the floor and he worked his pants down as slowly as he could, without Chris catching on, that Tanner knew he was watching. He heard the strangled gasp Chris tried to hold back, when he let his pants drop and he decided to add to the torment. Vin bent over, like he was going to move his clothes, when he suddenly heard a growl and felt himself pulled backwards onto the bed. He looked up as innocently as he could at Chris, and asked, "What?" before he gave into the laughter, he was helpless to control.

Chris stared down at his lover, when he realized he'd been had. Vin was the most sensible, dependable, person you could ever want to meet, but when he let his guard down, he was as full of boyish exuberance as JD. Not, Chris thought, that he'd be seeing JD like this anytime soon.

Narrowing his eyes speculatively, the older man looked down at his lover, who was finally getting himself under control. Vin's blue eyes were unrepentant and full of mischief, when they met Chris's. Grinning evilly, the blond decided to play a few games of his own.

The amusement Vin was feeling faded, when he saw those clear green eyes go smoky and the easy smile change into something wild. His cock stiffened and it was his turn to gasp, when Chris stretched his body out over Vin's and began thrusting his cock against Vin's in long lazy strokes.

"Payback is hell, Vin," Chris said softly against Vin's ear.

"Fuck you," Vin gasped out, as his hands began to roam over the soft skin of Chris's back, seemingly of their own volition.

"Anytime pard," Chris whispered and brought his mouth down on Vin's effectively silencing whatever reply the sharpshooter would have made.

Their kisses were brutal in their intensity, both men trying to taste more of the other man, thrust deeper, suck harder. Their hands roamed freely, palms splayed to feel as much as possible, fingers closing to squeeze ass cheeks, or pinch tender nipples. Soft sighs and moans, escaped them, when a hand would caress in a particularly pleasurable way. Their cocks slid against one another, precum leaking out, easing the way and adding to the pleasure building in them.

Vin broke the kiss and looked up at Chris, need written plainly in his eyes. "Chris," he said quietly. "Need ya real bad."

The blond met his eyes, knowing what Vin wanted. He leaned down and kissed his partner again, and pressed a small jar of grease into his hand. Rolling over onto his stomach, he wordlessly presented himself to Vin.

Vin swallowed hard, when Chris handed him the grease and rolled over. He turned to face Chris and almost came on the spot, at the sleek beauty of the man lying there. Shit! Chris was as perfect and beautiful as one of those African lions Ezra had shown him a picture of once.

Vin straddled his lover and began to stroke and caress the smooth skin of his back, loving the feel of the powerful muscles rippling under the skin. He leaned forward and began kissing the back of Chris's neck. He worked his way down the hard knobs of Chris's spine, suckling, and biting, and licking until he got to the soft cheeks. He mouthed each one and kept going, his tongue and teeth, teasing the backs of Chris's powerful thighs.

The older man moaned helplessly, at the incredible sensations Vin was causing. He spread his legs and pushed himself up some, so that he could give Vin easier access to his aching cock and balls. And Vin didn't disappoint him. Chris yelped when he felt that talented mouth begin tonguing his balls. A strong hand squeezed his cock. And then Vin's tongue left his balls and began gently roaming over the puckered opening to his body. "Dammit Vin," he growled, "Fuck me!"

Larabee almost howled in frustration, when he felt the warm wet mouth leave his body.

"Shhh," Vin breathed into his ear, as he inserted a slick finger into the older man's body. "Gonna take real good care o' ya."

Vin moved back down, so he could be sure that Chris was truly open. He added another finger and then another and scissored them. He alternately thrust them deeper, and scissored and was rewarded when Chris's body jerked and the blond gasped out, "Fuck . . . Vin . . . that . . . oooh . . . fuck . . . that . . . feels good."

"Y'think that feels good, just wait 'til ya feel this," Vin breathed as he greased his cock and then slid his fingers out and let his rock hard erection push against the opening to Chris's body.

The older man was ready and it only took a few careful thrusts, before the Texan found himself sinking slowly into the depths of Chris's body. "Y'okay?" he asked, the strain of not giving into that exquisite heat and thrusting madly, showing clearly in his oddly strangled voice.

"I will be, if you use that thing," Chris said, his own voice higher and thinner than normal.

Vin moved slowly, experimentally and the older man growled in frustration, "You said you wanted to fuck me. You plannin' on doin' it anytime soon?" he demanded.

"Shit, yeah," Vin replied and nipped at his lover's back, while he rammed his cock into the tight passage over and over. This was better than he could have ever imagined. Chris felt so good around him. The warmth was so damned good! His hands roamed over Chris's body and one wrapped around the thick cock pulsing under the blond's body.

Chris immediately started thrusting into the warm hand gripping him tightly. The few other times he'd been with men, had been nothing like this. Either; they'd been the result of drunken binges and he barely remembered them, or they'd been hasty encounters with strangers on the trail, when need became overwhelming and there were no women for 50 miles. Being with Vin was different.

The tracker was like a wild creature - a she wolf maybe, fierce and passionate, but with a gentle side to him. Chris had to grin at how Vin would react if he knew Chris was thinking of him as a mama wolf. Just then, Vin hit something inside of him and suddenly, Chris wasn't thinking about anything, except the way his cock was about to explode. "Fuck, what was that?" he demanded, his words harsh and his breath coming in gasps.

"Liked that, did ya?" Vin managed to say, as he thrust into the tight channel again, trying to hit the same spot. His hand tightened around Chris's cock even more when he felt his balls beginning to tighten and his release building.

"Gonna - -" Vin started.

". . . Come," Chris finished.

And then both were coming. Vin emptying himself deep in Chris's body and Chris spurting over Vin's hands.

They collapsed together in a heap, Vin's, now soft cock slipping out of Chris's body. Breathing raggedly, they lay as they fell, Chris on his stomach and Vin on his side, with one leg thrown over the back of Chris's thighs.

"Damn! - -It - -ain't Never - - been - -" Vin managed to gasp out.

"It - - was - - something," Chris panted out.

They stayed that way for a time, until their breathing eased. Then, Chris sat up with his back against the wall and smoked a cheroot, while Vin rolled onto his other side. The tracker's breathing evened out and Chris thought he'd fallen asleep. He was stubbing out his cheroot, and was surprised to hear Tanner speak.

"Reckon, you might wanta try it again, sometime?" Vin asked casually, trying to keep the hopefulness out of his voice.

I reckon," Chris ageed carefully.

He settled down on his side, with his body pressed comfortably against Vin's, one arm over the tracker's middle. Vin quieted again and Chris thought maybe he was asleep, but what the hell?

"Might not mind makin' it a regular habit," Chris threw out, in a casual voice of his own.

"Might not," Vin agreed quietly and hitched his ass, so that it pressed against Chris's cock.

Chris's hand began to meander over Vin's belly at that and he started nuzzling on the back of the long haired man's neck. "Might even get addicted to it," he murmured.

"Might at that," Vin said softly and began rubbing his ass slowly against Chris's cock. "Good habits is hard t'break."

"Who said anything about breakin' it?" Chris asked and leaned over to claim the mouth that reached for him in a deep kiss.

Later:

"Chris?" Vin called softly from where his head rested on Chris's shoulder.

"Hhmmm?" the older man murmured, his hand gently stroking Vin's hair. "Think I'm addicted," Vin replied drowsily.

"Me too."

THE END

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