ATF Universe
This story is for a dear friend on her birthday. Have a happy.
Disclaimers: Kathy says the boys are her's for a day..so don't tell MGM or Trilogy.
Chris Larabee finished his shower and toweled off dressing quickly. Opening the door from the master bath to the bedroom, Chris smiled as he picked out the patches of auburn hair buried in the pillows on the right side of the bed.Feeling heat rushing to his groin, Chris shook his head in wonder that merely looking at his young lover could bring such a reaction. Vin Tanner turned his head at the presence he felt at in the room. Opening his eyes slightly he saw Chris moving quietly around the room. Lifting his head, Vin mumbled. "Chris? What are ya doing up this early?"
Seeing Vin awake, Chris moved and sat on the side of the bed. "Wasn't gonna wake you till I got breakfast started. But we've got to get going if we're gonna get our tree cut and down the hill by this evening." Standing Chris gave Vin a sharp slap on the thigh.
"Chris..."Vin whined and buried his head back under the pillows.
Chris looked down at the remains of Vin's hair sticking out underneath a pillow. "Vin, wasn't my idea to stay up at JD and Buck's playing action games on the computer till three am. This was your idea, remember?" Chris stood and made his way across the room to the hallway.
Vin signed. Chris was right. This whole tree idea was his. Vin had been watching t.v. the other night and saw a commercial with a man leading a horse that was pulling a Christmas tree. Grabbing at the idea, he had sought Chris out in the den and described to him what he wanted to do. He remembered Chris's expression and his words.
"Sorry Vin. I don't decorate for Christmas. Haven't for years." Chris didn't look up as he pretended to concentrate on the file he was reading. Vin had remained sitting on the coffee table not speaking.
Vin chided himself. It was natural that Chris wouldn't want to remember Christmas. Sarah and Adam had been dead only four years now. It was natural, but still. This was his first chance. His first Christmas where he had a home to decorate. A fireplace to sit by and a wonderful man and friends to share it. Vin sat wondering just how far he could push Chris.
Chris sat silently trying to read the file while Vin watched him. Vin had been hinting for weeks about a Christmas tree. Not wanting to fight, Chris had deflected all the suggestions until now. Putting down the file he looked at the young man sitting in front of him.
The big blue eyes were staring at the snow falling outside. Chris turned and followed Vin's gaze. His mind flashed back to a small boy sitting in Vin's place. "Daddy? When can we get the sled out? Why do we have to wait until tomorrow morning? The horses will know where the tree is, won't they?" Chris could hear Adam's chattered questions as he pictured himself picking up his son and tucking the boy in bed with promises of an early start.
Looking at Vin now he could see another young boy. Only this one stood in a door way of a large room in a children's home. The house mother's helped the young children decorate the small tree someone had donated near the window. The boy crossed the room to the tree and gently touched the needles. What would it be like to have his own tree? He made himself a promise. When he got old enough he would find the perfect tree and chop it down himself. Vin had told Chris that story over a year ago. It was one of the first personal things Vin had shared with his new lover. Looking again at Vin face, Chris made a decision. "Okay, Vin. This Saturday we'll take the sled and Pony out and find us a tree." A stunned Vin had looked at him with big eyes and could only nod while a shy smile started to appear on his handsome face. Unable to resist, Chris had thrown Vin over his shoulder and taken him to their bed.
Vin felt his penis respond as he remembered how Chris had treated him that night. After unceremoniously dumping Vin on the bed, Chris had straddled him attacking his clothes while he licked the side of Vin's neck. Vin had immediately become hard. Chris had ground his groin into Vin's; the friction that was created made had both men groaning and naked within minutes.
Chris had flipped Vin over and grabbed the lube from the bedside table. Vin was more than ready. His own cock dripped with pre-cum and he rubbed it against the sheets trying to bring himself to a climax. Chris placed one hand on Vin's hip stopping his movement but his other hand slipped between Vin's cheeks and began rimming Vin's hole.
It didn't take long before Vin was humping the three fingers Chris had worked into his ass. Leaning along Vin's back, Chris whispered into the sharpshooter's ear. "Hey cowboy....looks like you need some relief there. Are you ready for a ride?" Vin couldn't talk only nod his head and push his hips backward toward Chris's hand.
Chris kept worked lube on to his engorged shaft and moved it's head to the entrance to Vin's hole. Reaching around he grabbed the base of Vin's cock and began squeezing it as he pushed himself slowly inside. Vin felt Chris ease into him and forced himself to relax. These first few moments of entrance were often painful if Vin was the least bit tense. Chris was large and long and Vin still marveled that he was able to take all that Chris had to offer. Vin only felt pleasure this time as Chris began to stroke his shaft deeper inside Vin's body.
Soon both men were moving together as one. Vin lay on his stomach intent on Chris's constantly moving shaft. Breathing harshly through his mouth, Vin was unable to do anything besides moan and clutch at the bed sheets. Chris had total control. Vin's body was an instrument Chris played. Pumping hard while using a circular movement with his hips Chris had Vin climaxing within minutes . Closely behind him Chris felt his warm fluid flash deep within Vin. Vin arched his back upward toward Chris's body. Chris grabbed at his lover's shoulders and pulled him upward seeking to bury himself deeper inside this lean tanned body. Both men fell forward spent...both were soon asleep spooned side by side.
Remembering that night, Vin listened as Chris made his way to the kitchen. Groaning from muscles that protested sitting on the floor for hours, Vin slipped into the shower and tried to wake himself up.
Decked out in ski pants and winter hiking boots, Vin joined Chris at the table. Pancakes greeted him, and he made easy work of the stack Chris placed before him. "These are great Chris!" Chris nodded his head at the remark but kept his peace. Vin studied him for a minute and put his fork down. "Look Chris. I know I should have been more considerate and called last night. And you're going to a great deal of trouble to do this for me. I know it's something you are doing for me and I really appreciate it. Really..." Vin reached across and let his hand rest on Chris's.
Chris looked at the slender fingers resting on his. Fingers that he knew could work magic on his body. Fingers that belonged to the man he had taken into his heart as his own. Raising his head, Chris nodded to the unfinished pancakes in front of Vin. "Better finish those. We're gonna need all the carbohydrates we can get out there in the cold. I packed a bunch of power bars, coffee and chocolate in the backpack. We should be back before supper."
Vin dug into his syrup covered cakes. "So where do you think we should look?" Vin looked expectantly at Chris.
"There's a grove of trees back behind the fishing pond. I planted the trees when Adam was born. Between those and the ones that were already there we should find something suitable. It takes a lot of tugging and pulling across the snow to get it back here. Hard work but more fun than going to a tree lot." Chris said as he stacked the breakfast dishes in the sink.
"Well, we could take Peso and Pony. That sled will work with both horses." Vin tossed in some granola bars in the back pack.
"Yeah, Vin. I can just see Peso when that sled starts rattling behind him. We'll be lucky if we find him in downtown Denver." Chris chuckled and grabbed his parka heading toward the barn. "Think we better stick with Pony. He's done this a time or two."
Vin helped Chris pull out the hay covered sled. Quickly dusting it off, they checked out the harness and leather attachments. Seeing everything in order, they hitched up Pony and began their trek toward the ultimate Christmas tree.
Chris lead Pony while Vin made snow balls and tried hitting jackrabbits and fence posts. Chris laughed, happy to see Vin so carefree and full of energy. He had thought this journey would fill him with too many memories. Memories he didn't want to revisit but Vin seemed to sense it and kept the mood light with antics and attempts at singing Christmas carols. When Vin started in on "Mommy got run over by a reindeer" Chris cried out for mercy and pointed out the approaching grove of evergreens.
Vin was quickly at Chris's side. "This the place?" Vin walked forward with his arms out reaching toward the tree tops spinning in a circle as if to take it all in. "Chris. It's wonderful. Look at the size of these beauties. Untouched. Perfect. Which one, do you think?" Vin crossed back over to Chris and stood quietly.
Chris looked over the grove he hadn't seen in four years. Many of the trees he had planted after Adam was born were about six feet tall. Walking forward Chris motioned to Vin as he made toward one particular tree. "Over here Vin. This one should be just right." Chris pointed to a tree about five feet, a blue spruce round at the bottom and with a single limb rising into the sky; perfect for a Christmas star..
Vin walked toward the tree taking his time as he walked around it. Looking at it up and down. Chris was right. It was just about perfect. Smiling he nodded at Chris and started toward the sled to get the axe. As he walked he passed a tree that had been obviously hit by lightening some years ago. Underneath the tree was a small sign. "Adam December 7th".
Chris watched as Vin passed the damaged tree. Seeing him pause and look at the sign, Chris spoke. "It's Adam's tree." His eyes went dark as he remembered. "I planted it the week after he was born. Couple years later I came up here to find it had been hit by lightening."
Seeing the look on Chris's face, Vin nodded his understanding and made his way to the sled. Chris continued. "It continued to grow though. Crooked, but still grew. I came back later and planted this entire grove of trees." Vin watched as Chris went forward and touched the closest branch. Vin stood a little bit behind him waiting...giving Chris space and time with his memories. "Anyway, I think Adam would be pleased to know we're taking one of these trees to use at our first Christmas together." Stepping back to put his arm around Vin's shoulders, Chris looked him in the face. "Fact is, I know he would." Pulling Vin's head against his shoulder, Chris felt the tears begin to fall but made no move to stop them.
Vin and Chris stayed together looking at the tree until Chris regained his composure. Taking the axe from Vin, Chris made his way to the tree they had chosen and began the task of cutting it down. With the two men taking turns they soon had the tree down, stray limbs trimmed and snugly secured inside the canvas wrapping. With Vin leading Pony and Chris steadying the sled, they began their way home as the afternoon began to dip lower in the sky.
Later Chris would say it was his fault. That he should have warned Vin about where he knew the land near the pond fell away. But the emotion of seeing the grove had made him forget so when the sled started to slip with the weight of the tree, he was powerless to stop it's slide. Vin felt the sudden shift in the sled and quickly unsnapped the sled from the harness sending Pony forward with a slap to the his butt. Turning Vin saw the sled start to tumble, the front skid flying upward as Chris tried to move away.
Caught in a snowdrift, Chris was able to get one leg free and tried to throw himself sideways to avoid the skid. Unfortunately his left leg was still trapped in the snow and the blade of the sled sliced deeply into the back of his leg below the knee. Feeling it knife it's way through fabric into muscle, Chris was helpless to do anything but watch as his blood began to soak the snow. The pain flowed through him taking his breath away.
Vin watched everything in slow motion. Horrified he saw the sled skid slice across the back of Chris's left leg. Hearing Chris's surprised cry, Vin failed to see the sled turning over and over toward him. The flat board of the sled hit Vin high across his back. Knocked over and out of breath, Vin lay in the snow as he tried to hang on to consciousness. Forcing himself to roll over, Vin climbed to his hands and knees and waited for another spasm of pain to go away.
Chris tried to reach his leg. As the air and snow touched the jagged edges of the torn skin, Chris's head swam as his vision faded. His body twisted in the deep snow, he couldn't reach his leg. He could feel his warm blood flowing down his leg; could feel the knife-like pain stab again and again at the fresh wound. Before he passed out from the pain gnawing at his leg, Chris saw Vin reach down. As he lost consciousness he felt Vin's hands working to dig him free.
Vin worked frantically to see where Chris was hurt. The blood that covered the snow seemed to be coming from the back of Chris's left leg. Pushing away the snow, Vin was soon able to see the deep gash that began behind the knee and went deep into the calf muscle. Cutting away the material around the wound, Vin was relieved to see the blood was not spurting but was still alarmed at the amount Chris had lost in such a short time. Unzipping his ski jacket, Vin quickly shed his sweater and took off his t-shirt wincing at the pain in his back the movements produced.
With his sweater back on, Vin wrapped the strips of his t-shirt around Chris's leg. He pulled the bands tighter until he was satisfied that the bleeding was under control. Although unconscious Chris moaned and tried to pull away as Vin worked. When he was satisfied he had done what he could Vin wiped the blood from his hands in the snow and went around behind Chris. Lifting Chris's upper body from the snow Vin hugged him to his chest and forced himself to review their situation.
Pony had not gone far, standing just a few yards away with the harness still on him. The tree was at the bottom of the hill still wrapped in the canvas cover. The sled was on it's side just a few feet away. Letting Chris down slowly, Vin made his way as quickly as he could through the snow toward Pony. The horse nickered as he approached. Vin cupped his hand and ran it over Pony's nose taking comfort in the blowing warmth the animal had to offer. Chris had thrown a blanket on Pony to protect his skin from the harness. Vin quickly unbuckled it asking Pony's forgiveness. "Gonna take your warm blanket there pal, you partner needs it more than you do right now." Leading Pony back to the sled, Vin tied him and took the blanket back to Chris.
Placing the horse blanket on the ground, Vin rolled Chris onto it being careful to not jar his injured leg. Securing the belts around Chris's body, Vin soon had the injured man warm and relatively dry. With the sun sinking behind the mountains, Vin knew he was working against time. He had to get Chris warm and to the emergency room quickly.
Reaching the tree, Vin gasped at the sharp pain in his back when he bent over to unwrap the canvas. Shaking it off, he continued working until he had the canvas completely off the tree. Carrying it back up the hill, Vin placed it on top of the righted sled. Despite the constant pain coming from his rib cage, Vin picked Chris up and placed him carefully on top of the canvas covered sled. Wrapping the heavy canvas around Chris, he looked down at the soft blonde hair now wet from the snow. Securing everything to the sled, Vin looked up not surprised to see Pony standing patiently in line with the sled.
"Good boy. Chris always said you were the smartest horse he'd ever had." Vin praised the big black quarter horse and attached the harness to the sled. As he turned to recheck Chris once more he saw that his friend was awake.
"Vin? My leg..." Vin leaned over Chris in response to Chris's words. The injured man was pale, his face lined in pain but his eyes burned with fierce determination to overcome it. Feeling helpless, Chris looked up into Vin's face. Concern streaked the young man's face and there was a paleness to the quality of his skin.
"Hey cowboy...You're finally awake." Pulling the canvas tightly around Chris's face against the wind, Vin continued. "The skid caught your leg below the knee. There's a big gash. Got things organized Pony and I are gonna get you home in no time."
Chris looked up seeing only Vin's face. "You okay? Where's your jacket?" Chris tried to sit up but was restrained by Vin's hands. Vin reached over and grabbed his jacket covering Chris's chest. "Put it on. I'm warm enough. You can't get cold if you're gonna get us home. You're already wet." Chris tried again to sit up.
"Easy, now don't undo all my work. We're gonna move off now. I'll walk right beside you. Let me know if we're hitting too many bumps." Vin patted Chris on the shoulder and stood stiffly bracing himself against the stab of pain in his back.
"Vin you gotta go around the pond toward those trees and then..." Chris made it no further with his directions. Vin made to put on his jacket as he interrupted Chris.
"Figure Pony knows the way home, Chris. We'll just follow him home. What do you say?" Vin waited for an answer but noticed Chris had lost consciousness again. Placing his parka snugly around Chris's head Vin walked to Pony's head. Vin took the bridle and whispered "Okay, Pony. You got to get us home now. Go on, I'll follow." As if understanding, Pony snorted and began moving the sled with it's precious cargo toward the ranch.
Two hours later Vin saw the outline of the barn against the fading sunlight. He was numb with cold; his body involuntarily shaking to warm itself. His fingers and toes aching with cold. The pain in his back was constant agony now. He was sure he had cracked or broken some ribs. Each breath brought a sharp bite of pain, each twist of his upper body a return of fresh throbbing. But they had made it home. Just another hill. Vin smiled despite himself. Chris was in a great deal of pain but was no longer unconscious all the time. He had taken some hot chocolate from Vin and was no longer shivering.
Arriving at the barn, Vin ran inside to call 911. He knew it might take longer to get Chris to the hospital this way, but he was afraid Chris had lost too much blood to go any further without medical help. He also knew he had pushed himself past his endurance. He was functioning now on shear will and love for the man in his care.
Vin carefully moved Chris from the sled to one of the den couches. He thought he would pass out as Chris grabbed his arm when he put him down. Steadying himself for a moment as he fought the pain and dizziness Vin got up and turned up the room heat. He grabbed blankets from the closet and pilled them atop Chris trying to keep Chris warm. "Vin, I'm okay. Warm enough. Leg just hurts." Chris reached down to knead his thigh trying to ease the stabbing pain that would not go away.
"Okay Chris, the paramedics are on their way. If you're okay for a moment, I wanna go put Pony away. Just stay still. I won't be long." Vin stood over Chris looking down at the pale face. Hesitating, Vin felt the push of a hand on his leg.
"Vin. You've done great. I'm fine. Go ahead and take care of Pony." Chris closed his eyes against another blast of pain down his lower leg. Vin saw the grimace of pain shadow Chris's face. Seeing that Chris wasn't going to talk again, Vin went out to the barn area to tend to Pony.
The ambulance sirens were constant now. Loud as they came over the top of the hill and turned into the road leading to the ranch. Vin came out to met the medics. He had waited what seemed forever after unhitching Pony, brushing and bedding him down. He had grained and hayed both Peso and Pony. As he walked up the driveway to meet the ambulance, Vin took one labored step after another not daring to take his focus from the road ahead.
"He's in there." Vin pointed to the back door. Following the men inside, a wave of dizziness hit him. Grabbing for the back dinning room chair, he missed and landed on his back letting out a scream. One of the medics was quickly at his side a concerned look on his face. Vin sat up slowly gesturing toward the den. "Please, I'm okay. Take care of my friend. He's lost a lot of blood." The medic helped Vin to his feet. Vin refused any other care pushing the medic toward the den.
Fifteen minutes later the medics were loading a medicated Chris Larabee into the back of the ambulance. Vin eased himself inside and settled on the padded bench opposite Chris's stretcher. "Wish you'd let us take a look at you, mister. It'll be a bit before we reach Four Corner's General. We've called ahead and they have a vascular surgeon waiting for Mr Larabee. We've got an IV in and after the fluid we've given him his blood pressure is okay. The morphine will ease his pain till we get him to the ER. You did a good job of stopping the bleeding. You're shaking and pale. Just show me where you hurt, okay?"
Vin studied Chris sleeping in his drug induced peace. Shrugging his shoulders, Vin let the medic help him take off his sweater and jacket. The medic turned Vin gently so that his back was exposed. Shaking his head, he noted a large bruised area with a reddened area of impact right below Vin's left shoulder blade. When the medic pressed on it, Vin arched his back and moved away in pain.
"Looks like you took a hit from something too, Mr Tanner. I suspect that the ribs underneath that bruised area are broken. We'll have the docs x-ray it when we get to Four Corners." Vin nodded at the medics words and let himself be helped into his clothes again. The medic wrapped a warm blanket around his shoulders and Vin let his head rest on the wall of the ambulance. Snuggling for warmth, Vin sighed. Chris would be all right. That was all that matter.
Arriving at the ER, Chris was quickly unloaded and taken to a trauma room. Nurses and doctors quickly had him on monitors and stripped of clothing. Warmed blankets covered him as the surgeons began inspecting Chris's left leg. Checking pulses in his foot, irrigating the wound and updating his tetanus were completed swiftly. After consulting with the surgeons, the emergency room doctor went to the waiting area to find Vin.
Vin saw the ER doctor looking around as he finished his conversation with Nathan. As soon as Chris had disappeared into the trauma room, Vin had called Josiah and then Nathan to fill them in on what had happened. Hanging up, Vin approached the doctor. "I'm with Chris Larabee. Are you the doctor taking care of him?"
"Mr Tanner? I'm Dr. Gilbert. Your friend is going to have to have surgery tonight. The vascular specialist want to make sure that there are no injuries to the blood vessels in his leg and check for any nerve damage." Dr Gilbert watched the reaction on the young long haired man's face. He saw Vin's skin go even whiter. Gilbert was quick enough to catch Vin as the sharpshooter's knees began to buckle.
Easing Vin to a chair, the doctor help him upright and looked at him closely. He was about to yell for assistance when both of the paramedics who had brought Chris in approached the doctor.
"Hey doc! I see you found him. Are they broken?" The medic noticed the puzzled look on the doctor's face and the pallor on Vin's face. "Look at his back, doc. Below his left shoulder blade. Something hit him hard." With the help of the medics, Vin was turned and his back exposed for the Gilbert.
Sighing, Dr Gilbert leaned down to look up into Vin's tired face. "You've been holding out on us. Let's get you x-rayed and medicated. Did you bring your friend all the way here with that injury? Why didn't you let the medics help you?"
Vin raised his head slowly. "He's my friend. Had to get him help first. I'm fine." Vin's world spun around him as he started to sag in the chair. Gilbert and the medics eased him down on the floor of the ER while a technician went for a stretcher.
Vin opened his eyes. A tile ceiling presented itself. He felt as if he were floating although he knew he was flat on his back on an ER stretcher. "Well, well. The sleeping prince awakens." Ezra's voice came from below Vin's stretcher and he tried to raise his head to locate it's owner.
"Stop now. You're in enough trouble. Running around with three broken ribs and exposure. When Chris finds out you are gonna be fresh meat, junior..fresh meat." Buck's face loomed over Vin as a pillow was placed under his head by Ezra. Vin saw IV fluids running into his arm and shivered involuntarily despite the warm blankets on top of him.
"Buck? Ezra? How's Chris? What time is it? They took him to surgery? What did they find? Please, Buck. It was my fault....I wanted..." The pain in his back made him sink back onto the stretcher. "I just wanted a Christmas tree." Closing his eyes he tried to stop the tears that were beginning to flow. He reached over under the covers to try and remove the IV. He had to get to Chris.
"Vin. Now relax. Chris is out of surgery. They said he's gonna be in a brace and on crutches for a bit, but all his blood vessels and nerves were okay. Nathan and Josiah are with him. Doctor said you have to stay here a few days. Ezra suggested he may as well put you two together else we'll find you wandering the halls looking for Chris." Buck tucked the warm blanket around Vin's shoulders as he watched the sharpshooter's eyes try and stay open. "Why don't you let old Buck take care of things for a while. Nurse came in just a minute ago and gave you some pain medication. Go on and get some rest."
Watching as Vin's eyes drifted closed, Buck looked at Ezra. "Can you believe he led
Pony five miles with Chris on a sled bleeding out from his leg with busted ribs all because he wanted to cut down his own damn tree. What's wrong with a Christmas tree lot? You know Boy Scouts...Salvation Army....??" Ezra sipped his coffee silently and smiled while he stood guard over the sleeping agent.
Chris Larabee was a strong willed man. Stubborn some might say. But he couldn't get himself discharged from the damn hospital. Every since he had woken up in the recovery area to see Nathan beside him he knew he would be alright. The next time his eyes opened he saw a hospital gowned Vin Tanner asleep in the bed next to his. Watching Vin stir quietly in his sleep was the best thing Chris had seen since getting to the ER.
He couldn't bring himself to wake his sleeping lover, but his leg was killing him and he had lost the nurse call button. Hating himself for his weakness, Chris called gently. "Vin? Hey Vin, wake up."
Vin heard Chris call and sat up quickly. Growling at the pain the medication couldn't make go away, he saw his best friend resting on one elbow leaning toward him. "Chris? What's wrong? You okay? " he said trying to orient himself.
"Yeah, Vin. It's okay, but my leg is hurting me a bit. Can you call the nurse?" Chris grabbed at the velcro brace holding surrounding his thigh. The pain had grown to a throbbing mass in the last few minutes and he didn't know how much more he could stand. Groaning he eased his head back, trying not to move his leg.
Vin was pressed his call light and told them about Chris. Within minutes a nurse was back with a healthy dose of morphine for Chris's pain. When the nurse was sure Chris was out of pain and sleeping quietly, she turned back to Vin.
"Mr Tanner? You haven't asked for any pain medication for over twelve hours. "Mr Larabee is right here next to you. He's not gonna sneak out on you, trust me." Holding out two pain pills for Vin, she waited patiently until he had taken them. Making him open his mouth to insure they had been swallowed, the nurse pulled the curtain between the two beds back and pinned them to the wall. "There. Now you can see him. Is that alright? Promise you won't get up and sit in that chair again like last night?" She remembered coming in the room to see Vin hunched over with a blanket around his shoulders sitting in the chair next to Chris's bed.
The nurse waited patiently for Vin's answer. Vin stared at Chris and then at his equally stubborn Florence Nightingale. "Mr Standish said I wasn't to trust you unless I heard you say "I promise". Is he right?"
Knowing he was losing the battle, Vin muttered "Okay, I promise I'll sleep in my bed tonight not the chair." Smiling the nurse again checked on Chris one more time; glad to see his face relieved of pain.
Smiling at Vin who was trying to stay awake, she left the door open to their room. She had learned long ago that even handsome patient's can't be trusted.
Four days later Josiah drove his Explorer up the drive to Chris's ranch. Vin was strapped into the front seat and Chris sat in the back with his left leg resting in a heavy brace on the seat . Feeling every bump and dip in the road jab down his leg, had Chris on edge. All he wanted was to crawl in his bed and take his pain medication. He let Josiah help him down and fumbled with the crutches until he got them settled like he wanted them.
Vin watched with guilt as Chris made his way slowly up the walkway to the house. The doctors had told them that Chris would be in the brace another four weeks and then on crutches for at least another three. There would be physical therapy but eventually he would regain use of his leg. Vin was restricted to the house for the next week and then restricted to light duty four weeks. He had been told not to spend any time at the shooting range for another three weeks. So it was a dejected Vin and a depressed Chris that made their way inside the darkened house.
Vin heard JD's giggle before the lights came on. "JD? What's ?" Vin heard Buck's hearty laughter followed by "I told you, you couldn't keep quiet. Pay up!" as lights flashed on near the fireplace.
Chris peered around Vin to see JD, Buck, Nathan and Ezra standing by a beautiful blue spruce aglow with gold twinkle lights. Josiah followed behind with their bags. Unable to contain himself, JD moved toward the two men. "We went and got the tree yesterday. Buck and Ezra helped me bring it in. Isn't it great?" Pausing JD realized he was chattering on again. Quietly he said as he stepped back. "Hope you don't mind. Seemed like after everything you ought to have the tree when you got home." Seeing the pleased faces on Vin and Chris's face, JD blushed.
Chris draped his arm across Vin's shoulder's carefully. Seeing Vin's shy smile, Chris studied the tree and the men gathered beside it. "Ezra? You went out too?"
"A miscalculation on my part Mr Larabee. I thought they were talking about a Christmas tree lot not a three hour expedition through the snow. By the way Mr Tanner, you need to train Peso to a sled. Thought we were going to loose the tree several times." Ezra tried to look nonchalant as he sat down on the couch.
Vin laughed carefully and said. "You took Peso? You guys are lucky any of you came back in one piece."
"Exactly." Ezra said as he began opening a box of delicately fashioned glass Christmas bells. "Mother got me these last year, but I didn't put up a tree so I thought they would look nice on this one."
Chris hobbled over to a chair and Vin knelt carefully by the boxes of Christmas decorations piled by the tree. JD came over next to him and they began separating the boxes.
Nathan approached Chris with a glass of water and some pain medication. Looking up Chris nodded. "Thanks, Nathan. So when did all this happen?"
Josiah sat next to Chris as he said. "Buck and JD have been planning things for days. Casey and Nettie are coming over later with cookies and stuff. I told them you two might be awfully tired tonight."
Watching Vin wince as he lifted a box heavier than he was ready for, Chris motioned to Nathan who nodded and went for Vin's pain meds. Leaning back in the recliner, Chris eased his leg into a more comfortable position. Content he watched as Vin tried to protest Nathan's medication and lost. Looking at the men in the room, Chris felt a truly warm and happy since the accident. The tree was just the right size and Chris watched as everyone took turns placing the decorations onto the branches.
Vin placed another bell on a tall tree branch and felt his ribs grab him again. Gasping involuntarily, he felt Josiah's hand on his arm as he was guided to the couch. "Why don't you supervise for a while Vin? It's been a long day." Vin nodded and let himself be lead to the couch.
Nettie and Casey arrived laden with cookies and cake to find Chris and Vin sound asleep while the others merrily finished the tree. Shaking her head, Nettie conferred with Nathan. A half an hour after they had arrived all the cookies were gone and Chris and Vin were being helped groggily to their bedroom. Vin still had a sugar cookie in his teeth as his eyes closed while Nettie tucked his covers around him. Chris let Nathan help him slip on the lighter brace he had to wear while sleeping and was soon asleep beside Vin. Nathan unpacked his overnight bag and made his way to the spare bedroom. He would stay overnight and make sure both men were organized before leaving in the morning. The rest of the men admired the tree before shutting off the lights and packing up the left over food.
Three days later Chris sat in the living room admiring the tree. He had forgotten how much he enjoyed having one. The next day after he and Vin had gotten home, Chris sent Vin to the basement to retrieve a green colored box marked "X-mas tree top". Unwrapping the box slowly Chris folded back the paper and took out an old golden star. It had a few chips and dents in it's surface but Chris held it with tender care. Looking at Vin, Chris explained. "My father was given this star for the tree by his father when he had his first child. My Dad gave it to me when Adam was born. It's always been on a Larabee Christmas tree. Think it belongs on ours." Handing it to Vin, Chris admonished. " Be careful." Vin placed it carefully on top of their tree.
Settling next to Chris in their bed, Vin leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips. "Thanks, cowboy. Our tree looks great, sorry you had to get hurt getting it. Next year we'll go to a tree lot." Resting his head on Chris's chest, Vin felt Chris's arm begin to stroke his back.
"Nope, next year we'll be back up there looking for another one. We'll just take a few more friends with us for safety." Chris smiled as he looked into the warm brown hair of his lover. Feeling his groin stir, he tried to will it away, not wanting to push Vin into anything that might hurt his ribs.
Vin lay quietly feeling his penis begin to harden wishing he could enjoy Chris's caresses without his body reacting. Chris's leg was still healing. He couldn't ask him to do anything that might re-injure it.
"Chris?" Vin asked moving away.
"Vin? Don't move." Chris held Vin loosely in his arms.
"Do ya think? I mean if we're careful. I'm....uh....getting uh.." Vin stammered as he tried to concentrate on anything but his hardened organ.
"Vin can you straddle me? I want you so bad. We've .....we just have to be careful." Vin raised himself slowly on one elbow and leaned over running his tongue down Chris's chest. Chris groaned reaching over to open up the bedside drawer. Taking out the lubrication, Chris opened it as Vin eased over on top of him.
Looking down at the strikingly handsome man beneath him, Vin gently eased Chris's shaft forward. Turning his back to Chris's face, Vin began to stroke Chris slowly concentrating on rolling the leader's soft sacs between his fingers.
"Oh, Vin...that feels so good." Chris let himself enjoy the feel of Vin's hands on his balls and the view of his lover's tight butt. Reaching forward with lubricated fingers, he pressed his finger into Vin's cheeks parting them carefully. Vin shifted carefully exposing his balls and cheeks fully to Chris. Chris found Vin's hole and began to rim it slowly. Vin let his chin fall to his chest as he hissed and moaned enjoying every second of Chris's invasion.
"Chris ...more..please..open me...I'm so hard...Wanta ride you....ahhh..." Vin pushed back onto Chris's two fingers as they scissored and opened him in preparation for Chris's cock. Chris felt Vin lift and turn himself around to face him. Still keeping his hand inside Vin, he worked a third finger inside and felt Vin push himself down fully on Chris's hand.
Looking Chris straight in the eye, Vin reached down and gently pulled Chris's hand from underneath him. Easing himself up on his knees Vin positioned himself over Chris's weeping shaft and began to lower himself down. He felt the head of Chris's penis press and open his rim. Sighing he let himself down fully on the engorged shaft.
Sinking all the way in, Chris arched his back. Feeling the brace restrict his leg, Chris bent his right leg and pushed up thrusting himself further inside his beautiful lover. "Vin...geez....you feel so good. Can't help it..have to push...are you okay? You ready?" Seeing Vin nod his head he watched Vin's face as the young man straddling him wiggled in pleasure on the cock inside him.
"Go Chris...do me..please...can't last much longer." Vin groaned as Chris took his penis and began spreading the pre-cum around it's head. Seeing Vin gasp and feeling him grind himself around Chris's shaft, Chris began thrusting feeling his own climax building.
"God, Chris!!" Vin arched his back and Chris felt the penis in his hands spasm and begin to spurt. "Ah...shit....too good...Yes!!!!!"
Vin's reaction set Chris off and he felt his liquid start to flash deep inside Vin's body. "Vin? ..Oh, man!! Do it! Can you?" Chris wanted to thrust harder but couldn't manage with only one leg. Vin sensed this and began to pump his hips up and down around Chris's cock as he came. Moaning and growling both men spent themselves for what seemed forever. Both came hard. Vin finally falling forward on Chris's chest breathing heavily.
After a few minutes, Vin raised his head to see Chris's relaxed and pleasured face in front of him. Feeling the strain on his back, Vin planted a kiss on Chris's lips and eased off Chris's steaming body. Curling next to him, Vin felt his head being stroked as he drifted off to sleep. Chris pulled the blankets up around the two of them and joined his lover in deep satisfied sleep.
Chris woke to find Vin's side of the bed empty. The bathroom door stood open and he didn't hear Vin any where in the house. Turning carefully on his side, he began to ease himself out of bed protecting his leg. Taking off the light brace, he strapped on the heavier brace and reached for his crutches. Pausing he found a note on this bedside table. It was from Vin.
"Chris. When you get up, dress and come outside to the barn." Vin's handwriting had improved greatly in the past year so Chris had no trouble reading it. Wondering what Vin was up to, Chris dressed in a sweater and sweat pants and hobbled with his crutches downstairs to the kitchen. Grabbing a cup of coffee, he pulled on his jacket and made his way carefully across the path Vin had cleared in the snow.
Chris reminded himself to chastise Vin for shoveling with broken ribs, but lost that thought when he saw what Vin was unloading in the back of the barn. Approaching the pickup truck, Chris saw three beautiful two foot tall blue spruce trees. Vin turned as he heard Chris and stopped digging holes.
"You shouldn't be digging holes or shoveling pathways." Chris tried to use the glare but failed miserably when Vin just ignored him.
"I'm fine. Sides I wanted to get this started. It's my Christmas present to both of us. See that spot over by the back pasture?" Seeing Chris following his finger, Vin continued. "I figured it was a great spot for a small grove of evergreens. We can add on each year and start using them when we're too old to climb up to the one in the hills." Vin pulled each of the trees onto the sled and secured them. "There's one for you and one for me..and one for our love for each other."
Chris stared at the trees feeling moisture begin to fill his eyes. Vin stepped in front of him and reached up wiping the tears away. "Great idea, huh Chris?" Vin reached up and kissed Chris on the lips.
Chris smiled into the happy face of his friend and lover. "Wonderful idea, Vin. Best idea in the world." Chris reached out and wrapped his arms around Vin carefully. "Don't know what I did to deserve you, but I'm sure glad I did it."
Vin smiled shyly and snuggled deeper into Chris's embrace. "Me too, Chris. Me too."
The End
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