Disclaimer: This character's in this story don't belong to me...but I'm working on a plan.....right now they the property of Trilogy and all those guys.
Warning: C/V hurt/angst and oh, yes...M/M...them boys is at it again....YES!
The character of "Aspus fanficus" is exclusively mine. But you all can use him..just don't hurt him. He's complicated.
Part 1
Vin Tanner turned Peso into the livery and eased out of the saddle. When both feet were securely planted on the ground, he moaned softly and let his head rest against the leather of his saddle. Peso turned his head and softly nuzzled Vin's arm. Raising his head, Vin smiled slowly and eased upright, bending backward in an effort to stretch his lower back. "I know you're tired too, buddy. Here let me get your bridle off and get you rubbed down."Vin didn't see the large form approaching him from behind. Normally able to sense his surroundings acutely, the pain in Vin's back was so intense that it dulled his normal vigilance.
"Let me help ya there my young friend. You look about all in." Josiah stepped in behind Vin and took Peso's saddle off setting it on it's stand.
Vin jumped slightly at the voice behind him, glad that it was Josiah's voice instead of a bounty hunters. Shaking his head in disgust at letting the pain in his back distract him, Vin slipped the halter over Peso's head. "I'm fine, Josiah. Just spent too many days in the saddle. Getting soft living in this town."
Josiah watched Vin arch his back and lay his hands on his lower back. "Yeah, fine. That's why you can't even stand up straight. I'll finish taking care of Peso. You get over to Nathan's and let him check you out." Josiah picked up a brush and began working the sweat off Peso's coat. "Any luck in finding that stagecoach?"
Vin stood undecided at the entrance to Peso's stall. He always felt a strong duty to take care of Peso himself, but the desire for relief from his aching back made the decision for him. "Yeah, took the better part of two days to finally pick up the trail. Looks like they were robbed and then the stage coach taken off the road back to a series of caves."
"That's why it never made Four Corners." Shaking his head, Josiah turned to face Vin. "Did you find it?"
"Yeah, well what was left of it. They took the horses, valuables and some of the luggage, shot the passengers and then burned the stage. The trail lead off to the desert. We brought back what was left of the luggage to help identify the two women and three men. Then we buried them. They'd been out there a couple days. Buck brought that stuff with him, didn't he?"
Vin looked hopefully at Josiah.
"Came in yesterday. Chris was a bit put out that you weren't with him." Josiah smiled as Vin let his eyes drop to the ground.
"Wanted to track the bad guys. See if I could find a good trail. They used a few of the stage horses to set some false trails. Peso was getting tired and I didn't want to push him any further. So we both came home." Vin started to lift Peso's foot to look for rocks, his path was blocked by Josiah's large frame.
"Thought I told you to shuffle over to Nathan's. Peso and I'll be fine. Best steer clear of our leader if you're looking for some peace and quiet. I think he's got everyone in town on the outlook." Josiah smiled again and began singing a hymn softly as he turned his attention back to Peso.
Vin finally gave in, and picked up his coat and saddle bags intending on heading for his wagon. "s he approached the corner where his wagon was parked, Vin saw Nathan sitting on the boxes he had stored beside the back wheels. Before he slipped away, he heard Nathan speak.
"You can let me see why you're limping or I can let Chris find you. Which one do you want to choose?" Nathan stood with his arms crossed over his chest triumphantly. He knew Vin was not up to facing Chris so when Vin laid his saddle bags inside the wagon, Nathan put a hand on Vin's elbow and led him toward the clinic.
Vin eased himself down on the cot ;arching his back to keep the pain to a tolerable level. Nathan went to his bench and began gathering the herbs he wanted. Diluting a mixture of mustard and oil he added some boiled roots of witch hazel. He set some ginger and white willow leaves to seep in hot water, he walked back to Vin.
"Here, Vin. Let me see." Vin shrugged and let Nathan take off his jacket. He closed his eye as he felt Nathan undo the suspenders and pull up his shirt. Taking the warm mixture on his fingers, Nathan started working the poultice into Vin's lower back. With his eyes closed, Vin's imagination and the gentle warmth the lotion spreading made him realize just how long he had gone without Chris.
Before they met, Vin would have been happy to get his sexual tensions out with one of the working girls. Now he knew the love and lovemaking with Chris was the only way he wanted to live. The stirring in his groin and the resultant growth of his penis had Vin making a decision.
A Nathan, I'm gonna take this poultice up to the springs. Mix it with some of the mineral mud and lay in the sun. Worked the last time my back hurt this much."
Vin stood turned away from Nathan and buttoned up his pants. Adjusting himself, he took the tea Nathan handed him.
"Well, okay but not before you have some ginger and white willow tea. Now don't argue! I can see that look in your eye. Drink it here and you have my blessings to go to the springs. Come on, Vin. I can see how much pain you're in by the way you're leaning." Nathan handed Vin a cup with the hot tea. He took it and quickly drank the spicy tasting drink.
Grimacing, Vin bend his knees to pick up his jacket and gun. "I'm gonna walk there. Don't think I can make it back up on Peso."
Nathan nodded, "I want to see you again this evening for you go to bed. I'll
get you more tea and apply more of this poultice." Getting a nod for an answer, Nathan watched Vin ease himself slowly down the clinic stairs.
Vin decided against putting his jacket back on and carried it along with the bag of witch hazel and mustard oil. Half and hour later Vin entered a small cave like area that held a hot mineral spring deep inside a cave. Next to the springs was a area of dark black mud that smelled strongly of sulfur. Vin took his knife and cut away some large bushy tree branches and placed them at the mouth of the cave.
When he was sure he couldn't be seen from the cave, Vin eased down his suspenders and stripped himself of his shirt, pants, longjohns and boots. After testing the water with his hand, Vin slipped into the water and eased himself down until the water covered his shoulders. Sighing, dipped his head back letting his hair soak in the soothing water.
After taking in the heat of the water, Vin rose and made his way out of the water. Kneeling slowly beside the spring, Vin took the warm mud from the bank and mixed the witch hazel and mustard oil into it forming a poultice that he could use. Carrying it to the water's edge, Vin formed it against a stone resting just above the water. Arranging himself so the mud pack was against his lower back, Vin sat with his legs in the water, his head against a spring rock.
Despite his best efforts, the exhaustion of the last three days along with the tea from Nathan and the warm soothing mud and waters soon had Vin sleeping quietly.
The dark figure eased himself up the slope toward the spring. Seeing the tracker's footprints, the man smiled slightly and increased his pace. The bushes were parted slightly and the tracker was seen, bare-chested sleeping on the side of the spring. Taking off his boots the man slowly made his way across the cave floor toward Vin. Finally he was standing above Vin smiling at the sight of the naked sharpshooter. Quickly undressing the man eased himself into the warm water, feeling the warmth of it against his quickly engorging penis. Walking through the water slowly, the man watched as a pair of sharp blue eyes opened slowly.
Lifting his head slowly, Vin watched as Chris, his friend and lover, approached him. Grinning, he whispered. "What took you so long?"
Part 2
Chris's smile lit up his handsome face. "Who said I was coming here for you? Maybe I come here all the time to take in the strength of these healing waters. Huh?" Chris eased his hips between Vin's legs; carefully parting them slowly trying to avoid hurting Vin's back. He had been to see Nathan shortly after Vin had left and tricked Nathan into telling him about Vin's back.Vin lowered his eyes to Chris's engorged penis. "Guess them healing waters is already working. You needing all that extra strength and everything." Watching as Chris's hand began to caress his inner thigh, Vin sighed and leaned his head back on the rock. Letting the warm water and Chris's gentle strokes begin to work it's magic.
Vin began to feel the blood stirring in his groin. His penis began to harden on it's own and Vin took in a sharp breathe as he felt Chris stroke the underside of his shaft. "Chris...yes, oh that feels so good." Shifting his hips slightly, Vin let Chris ease his way closer.
"So, your back feeling better? Looks like part of ya is working pretty well. Want me to rub some more of that oil on your back?" Chris smiled and continued to tease Vin by rubbing and stroking his thighs and shaft.
"Huh?" Vin was lost in the sensations of the warm lapping water and the light teasing touch of the man he trusted most.
"Turn over, let me rub your back." Chris placed a hand on Vin's firm thigh and started to help him turn. "Here, over this way. There's a soft place for you to rest while I work on your back." Vin let Chris help him wade through the water, Chris keeping a hand on Vin's back as he began to work small circles at the base of Vin's spine.
Coming to a small stand of reeds and soft brush against the spring wall, Vin eased himself down on his stomach letting his head rest on his arms while Chris straddled his outstretched legs. Leaning forward Chris began working the oil he had brought into Vin's tender back muscles.
"Hmmmm....oh..." Vin moaned in appreciation while Chris worked his strong hand along his back. He penis was rock hard underneath him while the warm waters of the springs ran over and around it. "Chris...feels so good......I could stay here forever." Turning his head, Vin looked up to see Chris standing over him, his engorged shaft hard against his stomach.
Looking down at Vin's handsome face framed by the long auburn hair, Chris let his hand move to stroke his own cock, while letting the other hand gently part Vin's cheeks. Vin felt the subtle movement and raised his thighs to allow Chris more room to work.
"Like that, huh?" Chris's answer came as Vin eased himself to his knees. Chris moving himself behind Vin and up to support his thighs. Placing his own upper legs against Vin's, Chris began rimming the small parting between Vin's cheeks.
"Just like that," Vin murmured. Arching his neck, he rocked back letting Chris's slim finger slip inside him. "Oh....mmm..." Closing his eyes, he let his mind fix on what Chris was doing to him. He enjoyed this foreplay so much. The stroking and the fingering. The anticipation of Chris entering him. The warm water lapped at their bodies..lulling them both into a warm erotic envelope of heat and sexual tension.
Chris worked a second and third finger into Vin. Pressing gently, opening Vin to receive him, he too had closed his eyes letting his sensitive fingers find Vin's sensitive spot.
"Ssss...Ah...God, Chris...," Vin hissed as Chris's finger found the sensitive spot that marked Vin's prostate. Withdrawing his fingers, Chris quickly bent and positioned the head of his penis against Vin.
"Back feel better Vin?" Chris teased the tracker enjoying this part of their game. "Don't want to hurt you or anything. Maybe I better not put any more strain on it."
Waiting for Vin's reaction, Chris pressed the large bulb of his shaft and felt Vin's hole give slightly.
"Move that and I'll shoot you with my Winchester," Vin growled his head pressed downward, his chin resting on his chest. His eyes still closed Vin relaxed and felt Chris take him firmly; Chris stopped for a moment to let him become accustomed to the length and size of his shaft.
"Vin...oh, Vin...you're so hot. Can't hold back, gotta move.....can I....ah..." Chris felt Vin relax even more as he sank all the way home. Reaching with his hand, Chris let his fingers roam over Vin's balls as he began a circling motion with his hips. Resting his other hand on Vin's hip, Chris eased himself even deeper inside Vin.
Vin felt Chris begin to rock against him and felt his knees start to slip in the muddy surface of the spring. Reaching upward, Vin grabbed for the branches of a bush above him and used it to steady himself against Chris's movements. Closing his eyes again, he let the sensations Chris was creating take over his mind.
Chris felt the heat in his loins begin to surge. Deep inside Vin, Chris was lost in the sweet sensations of the firm body beneath him. Keeping his eyes on Vin's back, Chris worked hard on keeping control; maintaining the sweet tensions between them.
Vin couldn't help but begin a rocking motion against Chris's movements. His own penis was tight against his stomach, awash with the swirling water. Both men felt the need for relief and the sweet anguish it would bring.
Neither men saw the movement of the brush next to Vin's arm. With their eyes closed and their bodies locked in heated passion, they were oblivious to anything but the building climax.
"Vin? Can you feel it? I can't get enough....oh, Vin!" Chris knew his moment was seconds away and wanted Vin to get there with him.
Part 3
Vin could feel his balls tighten as Chris rode him hard. He concentrated on holding himself until he felt Chris begin to spurt. This was the best part, letting Chris come inside him and then letting himself go. He couldn't do it all the time, didn't always have the control as Chris drove him crazy with his thrusting. It was time...it was close.Chris felt the sperm begin to surge through his shaft. "Vin....I'm....YES!!!" Thrusting again, Chris began his climax.
Vin felt the warm trickle of Chris's cum inside him. It was the pre-cum that signaled Chris's release. "bout to let himself give in, he suddenly felt something wrap itself around his left arm. Startled, Vin knew it couldn't be Chris as both his hands were firmly grasping Vin's hips. Opening his eyes, he felt his release the same moment his saw the flash of the snake's white mouth.
"Chris!!" Vin shouted as he felt the snakes fangs go deep into his arm. His own climax forgotten Vin jerked in response to the pain the bite inflicted.
"Yes, Vin!! So good...." Chris heard Vin's shout and felt the tracker's body react at the same time. He moaned out loud as he pumped himself inside Vin.
"No, Chris!!...Stop!" Vin was totally focused on the snake as it reared back ready to strike again.
"Can' t Vin...love you so much...Need....more of you." Chris was slowing his thrusts letting to warmth of his climax surround his mind and body. Only when he felt Vin stop moving did he open his eyes.
Vin was staring ahead; not moving. Following Vin's eyes, Chris marked the snake quickly. Easing himself off Vin, Chris reached around slowly at the water's edge feeling for a something to use as a weapon.
Vin felt Chris lift off him slowly making as little movement as possible. The snake was unwrapping and beginning to travel between Vin's outstretched arms instead of back into the brush. The pain gutted Vin's senses. The knowledge of what the bite meant seized his mind and he bit his lip trying not to cry out in pain. He was helpless. The poison slipping into his body making him want to shiver..knowing that he couldn't. Chris. "h, Chris. Hurts! Vin tried to watch the snakes progress but couldn't.
A dark object blurred past Vin's head. Landing squarely on the snake's head, the rock Chris had thrown squashed it's life out into the warm water. Vin felt himself being lifted and placed on his back. Seconds later he felt his arm being lifted and razor sharp slices of pain begin to scream there way over the bite marks.
Chris had his knife and was opening up the bite marks; forcing the blood to flow; the poison to be washed away with it in the swirling warmth. "Vin. Here hold this."
Vin looked at Chris in a haze of pain as the rawhide off Chris's holster began to tighten around his elbow. Taking the end of the string, he tried to hold it in place as Chris forced it tighter. His body began to feel flushed and his heart pounded in his ears as he looked up into the tight lips of his lover.
"It' s gonna be okay, Vin. Just hold on. Let me get this tight. Gonna pack it in the mud and go for Nathan." Vin thought he could hear Chris talking but couldn't make out the words. It was a dream. Everything in the warm hot cave was a dream happening. Except the pain. The tearing, gutting pain.
Part 4
Chris quickly placed Vin next to the mud hole, dressed and ran to Pony for his bedroll and extra blanket. Coming back into the cave he saw Vin trying to pull the off the rawhide band from around his arm."Vin! No, don't!" Grabbing Vin's arm, Chris wrapped Vin inside the bedroll securing his good arm inside the blankets. "Know you're hurting, cowboy but I gotta leave ya to get Nathan. Can't risk taking you to him...it'll just make the poison spread faster." Caressing the already feverish face, Chris continued. "Gonna pack that arm in this mud. It'll help pull out more of the poison. Be right back, Vin." Giving the blankets one last tug, Chris left the cave spurring Pony quickly back towards town.
Nathan had just finished preparing more plantain poultice for the Garrison boy. Seemed to Nathan that the kid could find more poison ivy more often than anyone alive. Collecting his medicine bag, he made his way toward the door at the same time he heard Chris's voice.
"Nathan!! You there? Nathan!" Chris's boots could be heard taking the stairs two at a time. Nathan opened the door quickly and stepped to the balcony almost running into Chris at the door.
"Chris?" Seeing the look on Chris's face, Nathan grabbed his jacket. "Who's hurt?"
Seeing Nathan already packed, Chris grabbed a breath and said "Vin...Vin, a cotton mouth got him....in the arm....."
"At the springs?" Nathan said as he quickly moved back inside and reached for the herbs he wanted.
"Yeah...laced the bites and belted it....but he was already fevered before I left...think it got him twice....Nathan, I...." Chris followed Nathan down the stairs and both men mounted their horses.
"Sounds like you did good, Chris...let' s get out there." Nathan pushed his horse into a canter and both men rode at a gallop back towards the springs.
There was a white pain holding Vin in it's grip. Smothered him so he couldn't breathe. Try as he might, he couldn't get away from it's burning heat. Sweat poured from his body and his left arm throbbed and ached with unbelievable brightness. Licking his lips he tried to speak, but there was no moistness in his mouth. Even the sweat that fell down his face was sucked away by the heat of his body. "Chris... " he managed to croak. "Chris, help me...."
Pulling up to the cave, Chris was off on the ground before Pony came to a halt. Running inside he spotted Vin where he had left him. Hearing Nathan following, Chris knelt beside Vin alarmed that his face had become so flushed in such a short time. Going around behind Vin, Chris lifted his shoulders and head into his lap.
"Okay, Chris let's see." Nathan parted the sweat soaked blankets around Vin and exposed the arm. Covered in blood-caked mud Vin's arm was already greatly swollen..the fingers twice their normal size. Loosening the rawhide above the elbow, Nathan moved it higher on Vin's arm. Taking clean cloths from his bag, he soaked them in the spring water and rinsed the arm free of the mud.
The minute the water touched his arm Vin cried out and tried to sit up. Too weak to make the movie completely he fell back into Chris's arms moaning as Nathan continued to work. "Please, no....hurts....don' t!"
Chris looked down at Vin helplessly and back at Nathan. "Nate? He...he looks bad. So hot...confused." Watching Nathan expose the bare skin, Chris turned away when he saw the bruised and broken area on Vin's forearm.
"Chris, how big was the snake? Did you see it?" Nathan handed Chris a clean cloth and motioned for him to pack it with mud. Reaching into his bag for the snakeroot powder he had grabbed. Mixing it with water from canteen, he added the plantain poultice and applied it to Vin's arm. Covering the entire arm again with the cloth Chris had packed with mud.
"Huh? I didn't get a good look. We were....talking and then Vin cried out. I killed it over there." Chris didn't meet Nathan's eyes as he pointed to the outcropping of reeds at the edge of the springs.
Nathan nodded and crossed quickly to the area that Chris had indicated. Seeing what was left of the snake, Nathan turned it over with a stick studying what was left of it's head. Coming back to Vin and Chris, Nathan gathered sticks and began making a fire. "Looks small. Not full grown. If we're lucky it didn't get Vin too much venom. Sure wish Vin was as big as Josiah about now."
Part 5
"What else can I do?" Chris reapplied the wet cloth to Vin's face and chest; trying to cool and calm the fevered tracker."Just keep doing what you're doing. I'm gonna blend some valerian and feverfew leaves into a tea. It'll help take down his fever and make him less agitated." Nathan replaced the poultice again while he waited for the tea to brew. Making a decision, he looked at Chris. "I don't want to move him yet. If we can keep him quiet the poison might still not spread too far into his body." Pouring the tea into a cup, Nathan handed it to Chris.
"Can you spoon this into his mouth while I go back to town and get help and more supplies?" Nathan saw Chris nod his head and felt sorry for his friend. He knew how much Chris thought of Vin. He didn't question their relationship; didn't care, but he knew Chris would carry any guilt of an injury to Vin very heavily. "Chris? This wasn't your fault. Vin decided to come to the springs. Hell, he knows more about snakes than any of us. Could have happened to anyone." Meeting Chris's eyes for the first time, Nathan saw a fraction of softness appear. "Okay, keep spooning him the tea and I'll be back soon."
Chris nodded again not taking his eyes off Vin's face. He carefully spooned the first teaspoon of tea into Vin's mouth. Vin's tongue licked the excess from his lips so Chris offered him more. Vin eagerly took the tea; never opening his eyes.
Vin felt the sweet taste of sugar water slip inside his mouth. The tea soothed his mouth and lips and he instinctively parted his lips for more. The pain in his arm had dulled to a pounding throb but his head and neck ached with a sharp pain that cut him as surely as a knife. There was a voice that lulled him. A voice that seemed to be a constant. He wanted to answer. To let the voice know how much he hurt but his body refused to obey him. He continued to suckle the sugar tea and after a while he felt a calmness settle over him. The pain remained but the panic of it began to fade. He felt himself relax into strong arms that belonged to the voice and let himself sleep.
Chris felt Vin relax in his arms. He hoped it was the effect of the tea. Vin had eagerly taken most of the cup Nathan had prepared. He hoped it wasn't the poison spreading deeper into Vin's body.
Part 6
The snake leaned over him. It's fangs dripping with poison and death. Vin stared into it's emerald eyes and sank back with fear. Fear that threatened to take his life's breath away. A fear that left him drained and crawling with dread. Strong arms wrestled his flailing arms tighter; the soft whisper of a strong voice forced the snake away. Vin fought to open his eyes as he felt the cool cloth move across his face. His vision focused on the form leaning over him. Recognition came as Vin focused his eyes again. "Chris?""It' s okay Vin. You're safe. Nathan will be back in a while. Just rest." Chris looked down into the weary eyes of his best friend and felt a lump from in his throat. Swallowing hard, Chris reached over to pull more warm mud over Vin's injured arm.
"Ahhhhh!!! No!!!!!! Please!??" The suddenness of Vin's scream made Chris pull his hand back sharply. Vin reached up with his good arm and pushed out at Chris's shoulder sending the gunfighter off balance into the dirt behind them. Chris's knees rocked up as he fell pulling Vin on top of him. Vin's left arm came out of the mud following his body and crashed on the rocks beside the hot springs water.
"Chris?? Why, why did you hurt me?" Chris heard Vin's weak cry was silenced as the sharpshooter lost consciousness. Catching his breath, Chris attempted to sit up but the dead weight of Vin's body made it hard. Before he could figure out how to reach Vin, he heard noise at the entrance to the cave.
"Hey!! Nathan? Nathan, need some help," Chris raised his voice as loud as his energy would allow. Josiah appeared first carefully lifting Vin off Chris and cradling him, trying to avoid Vin's injured arm. "Thanks, Josiah." Chris rolled on his side and tried to stand up. Finding no strength in his legs, Chris settled for remaining on the floor of the cave.
"Chris? How's he doing? What was going on?" Nathan let the questions stream from his mouth as he first took in the haggard condition of Chris and the still form of Vin in Josiah's arms.
Chris looked up to see the healer arranging a makeshift cot next to the mud hole. He let his eyes travel to Vin and swallowed hard trying to speak. Accepting the canteen from Nathan, Chris began. A He was resting okay and then he woke up struggling, talking about green-eyed monsters and other things I couldn't understand," Chris spoke as he watched Josiah settle Vin gently on the palate. "He pulled his arm from the mud and I couldn't hold on to him anymore...I tried...he.." Josiah left Nathan to tend Vin and moved to stoop in front of Chris.
"Easy, Chris. You've been up here in the heat and humidity with Vin for hours. Finish this water and then rest for a while. Let Nathan and I tend Vin for a while."
"I' m fine Josiah. Just need some water." Chris greedily gulped the water from the canteen ignoring the slightly bitter taste in his haste to quench his thirst. Sitting back carefully on a bed of rocks, Chris watched as Nathan undressed Vin down to the longjohns covering his lower body. Reapplying the poultice and beginning to redose Vin with the sedative tea. Chris found his eyelids heavy and felt the tension of the last few hours melting from his body. The bitter tasting water. Chris tried to raise his head to spit out his anger at the healer's deceit. "The tea?" Was the only thing that came weakly from his mouth. The canteen fell from his hands as Josiah gently lowered Chris to the ground. Making him comfortable, Josiah crossed to watch Nathan as he continued to work on Vin.
"He won't fall for that trick again." Josiah smiled as he caught Nathan's eye. Nathan smiled and nodded his head while he reapplied the mustard and wintergreen poultice to Vin's lower arm.
"The skin's really tight. If the swelling doesn't go down soon he'll loose the blood flow in it." Nathan again studied Vin's fingernails wishing they weren't so white.
"Can you fix it? I mean...you wouldn't have to take his arm off or anything, right?" Josiah looked from Vin's arm to the very worried face of the healer.
Sitting back on his heels Nathan sighed and shook his head. "Can't rightly tell. I read an article about how some doctors back East ...they..they lanced the arm..opened it up so the blood could flow again. But ya gotta know where to cut..make sure it don't get infected.." Nathan raised sad eyes to Josiah. "Let's pray it doesn't come to that." Nathan dipped his cloth again in cool water and began wiping it across Vin's chest.
"Amen, Brother Nathan. Amen," Josiah prayed as he settled in for a long night.
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