Elder '06: Cotton

The day I was certain made it all that much harder. Us seven kept on an even keel - hell, alive - was hard enough without this. The night after was one unbothered, my first good sleep in months. Always easier knowing than wondering, no matter the news.

I'd been paying attention. Looked past what was always a given, what was taken for granted. I got closer, closed in; something Buck said, off-hand if you didn't know how to listen, and because I knew what to look for a chanced bit of proof gave me the answer.

When Vin had come down the stairs early the next morning I made sure to be there, made sure he saw me. Made sure he understood. We'd stared, measured, then Vin had nodded and dusted a fingertip to his brim.

Chris, he'd said.

No glance over his shoulder to the sweep of stairs leading up to the dark hallway of rooms empty save for Ezra's, his heel caught on the edge of the last step, other foot flat on the floor. No tell to suggest here we were, confronting the notion he'd just rolled out of Ezra's bed, Ezra's arms - not for the first time, not for the last. No acknowledgement of his over-bright eyes and lips obviously just kissed, of this being him and another man, of this being none of my business and my every right to call him on it.

Mornin', I'd answered.

Another moment then Vin had tilted his head, slight smile. The doors up there squeaked pitifully on their hinges - all but Ez's - and I used to think it was because the man had enough sense to be annoyed and do something about it. Vin had crept down, easy, without a sound. A rasp of laughter and Vin had shaken his head, another tip of fingers then he'd kept on through the saloon, pushed out into the icy blue light that hadn't yet felt the sun.

He'd understood. That I knew. That I wasn't making a fuss so much as I wanted his word- that it was as I suspected, as I had to know if I was gonna worry after this being kept safe too, that it was what they needed. I'd gotten the message, and he'd heard me clear back. Enough that I'd sat there, met his eyes, then let him get on with his day.

Even more - enough for both of us - that I hadn't asked him to do anything more than tell me yes.