Willow 03 (1 of 3): Discoveries

Vin narrowed his gaze and came to a complete stop. He sensed something, or more accurately someone, was nearby. He lowered to a crouch, hands and feet shuffling over the ground as he blended back into some scrub growing over the ridgeline he'd been meandering along.

He'd ridden out of town to do some thinking - not his usual just needing a bit of space and quiet air type either. He was pondering on why Ezra was always on his mind of late, the thoughts chasing each other round and round inside his head as he tried to catch up with any one of them and never with success. It seemed no matter where he went or what he did the man was there with him, ghosting his very being. So far Vin hadn't come to any good conclusion, mostly because of how distracted he got every time a picture of those green eyes and generous smile flashed to jolt his attentions and warm his musings. But he was working on it.

Vin shut it all away, banishing Ezra for a time, leastwise best he could, so he could focus on whatever had disturbed him. He was always vigilant to be sure nothing caught him unawares. Safe as he felt in the outlying areas of Four Corners - specifically Chris' land, where he was now - one could never be too sure. Especially in his case.

He bellied over a few rocks at the peak of the ridge, palms planted on the rough surface and he levered forward to peer over the edge of the largest boulder. Were he not lying down, what he discovered would have knocked him right onto his backside.

Buck was facing him, the lanky body in an easy, sitting sprawl. Bare feet wriggled unconsciously as the man chuckled happily. The long legs were open wide, torso angled away from the ground, arms lifted to bring another lanky body close.

The lanky body of one Chris Larabee.

Hands insisted, tugging at where black pants were held closed then at Chris' gray shirt, the supple material falling away to reveal the round of one shoulder. Vin watched Buck's face split into a grin of pure invitation and lust, kept from lechery by the light in the blue eyes. Light he'd swear shouted 'c'mere lover!' to Chris and was meant in every sense of the word.

Chris met the tugs easily, laughing huskily, hands reaching down to finger buttons loose from holes so more and more of Buck's shirt hung open. The blond bent at the waist, strong thighs and buttocks obscuring Buck from Vin's view, though the wet sounds he heard could only be a kiss. Chris' precarious position didn't last long, Buck's arms opening to soften the pitching fall.

Once Chris settled hands appeared to caress over the partially naked back, the shiny blond head weaving from side to side as the kiss surged on. Buck's hands disappeared down into Chris' pants, black material now hugging the hands that hugged Chris' ass. A low grunt left the blond's chest as fingers pulsed and kneaded, then he was surging forward, knees supporting him as thighs opened wider to surround where Buck sat in the olive drab grass. When Chris was seated in the open lap the black denim was hooked under his thumbs then peeled away, shuttled to bunch under muscled legs. Exposed fingers required no encouragement to continue their intent exploration over the pale globes.

Laughter hot as the sun overhead rippled between the lovers where it broke from between their hungry kisses.

Vin's eyes widened as he watched Buck's long middle finger stroke a brazen line to follow Chris' cleft. The finger traveled on, disappearing further when it slid neatly home, the puckered entrance usually hidden from view eagerly receiving the entire length.

At this action Chris' head tossed back, revealed face contorted with a grimace. From the near frantic, hitching movements of the man's pelvis and the low beg for more Vin divined it wasn't a look of pain. Further proof was offered in Buck's voice, burring huskily, asking with a hoarse tease if his stud liked it and just how much more was wanted.

Chris growled, the sound interrupted then negated when a second finger went burrowing, the blond's mouth falling open in a ragged sigh. He gripped Buck's shoulders, arms locked and knuckles white, lean body shuddering as he started riding the fingers with sensuous undulation.

This was allowed only so long then Buck surged forward, knocking Chris from his lap to bump onto the ground as he lowered to blanket Larabee's form, settling right inside the wantonly spread legs. The embedded fingers danced away to rip greedily at black denim, Chris' hands busy with opening Buck's trouser fastenings. That goal met they reached within to free the straining hardness that had become visible as outline against Buck's pants when they'd changed positions.

Vin slammed his eyes shut.

Somehow only now he remembered he had no right to be here, that his mere presence was a trespass, never mind all he'd just allowed himself to watch with fascination and surprisingly growing arousal.

He pressed into the rock, letting his arms straighten so he could ease away before further harm was committed. Vin twisted soundlessly as he slunk, lifting one eyelid to track his progress over the boulders - a moment too late.

His body was in an ungainly suspend over a hollow created where two rocks met, one leg dangling with nowhere to find purchase, hips rotated too far to forgive the position and allow his escape. From here it was either tumble down the small incline or grapple back the way he came. Vin cursed himself. His attention had defied him twice in his efforts to get away - first as it was so raptly held and now from not paying enough. He winced as rocks clattered to the dirt, larger ones dislodging as he continued his scrabbling crawl back to his perch.

Silence met his actions and he hunkered close to sit, hunched against the cool rock, eyes open and alert, senses prickling for any sign of having been detected. He was just about to let his breath escape the tightness of his chest when he was jerked into a stand by strong, angry hands.

Vin coughed in a splutter as his collar drew to cinch around his neck, pulled taut as he was lifted from behind. He was spun roughly and before he could duck a fist cracked into his jaw, the force of the shot sending him reeling back to bounce painfully on the small plateau. His head rung after the punch and the sharp thwack it'd earned when he'd slapped against the rock.

He pushed off with his heels, digging his boots in as he scraped away, but he wasn't fast enough to gain a breakaway or a moment to explain. He was winded in a rush, air forced out when a heavy weight slammed into his midsection. Vin grunted, trying to spin free of the restriction straddling him.

The next moment he froze still.

A sure hand gripped around his throat to hold him steady, metal shivering when a hammer was cocked back.

Vin held his breath. He even tried to hold his heart from beating. One minute then two and he finally pried his eyes back open. He hadn't even realized they'd been clamped shut.

Chris was glowering over him, dusky eyes ablaze, face curled in an unforgiving sneer.

He swallowed, Adam's Apple gulping awkwardly under the palm compressing it flat.

Teeth were bared to him and Vin searched frantically for something to help him. Fear to abate perhaps; recognition sparking that he could confirm. None of this appeared in the hazel eyes.

Just the protective, near murderous glint that chilled through him where he lay, pinned and near helpless.

Suddenly it occurred to Vin why there was no quarter.

Buck.

This wasn't about Chris or having been discovered. It wasn't due to shame or regret or even trying not to get lynched for bedding another man. It was Chris making sure nothing happened to his own.

Something Vin understood - and respected - very well. He just hoped that any time now awareness of who he was would seep into that white-hot brain and his esophagus wouldn't be crushed or a bullet unloaded into his own addled head.

In an attempt to stem the tide before it broke further Vin mustered himself to speak without knowing what to say, but was interrupted before he ever made a sound.

"Chris?" Buck's voice sailed to them with the warm afternoon breeze.

Footsteps crunched, gaining quickly on their positions when no answer sounded. Vin hadn't even tried to swallow again, only daring to blink a few times as Chris held him, the one hand still so tight a grip around his neck, the other angled strange where it pivoted on the drawn weapon that was tilted with false harmlessness into the ground at his ear.

"Chris?" The query was repeated, spoken softly, Buck with them now.

Vin shifted his gaze, chancing to look over Larabee's shoulder at twinkling blue eyes. He almost huffed at how nonchalant Buck seemed over this situation. He widened his eyes and tipped his head towards his captor, sending out a silent 'little help here big guy?' towards Buck.

Crinkles appeared around the blue eyes, Buck's face relaxing further. "Now c'mon Chris. Let Vin up. He didn't mean no harm."

A few tense seconds passed where Vin wasn't sure if Chris would do it or not. He also wasn't sure why Buck wasn't being a bit more active in getting Larabee and the threat of the man's gun off him. Vin stifled an impatient bark that wanted loose. Much as he might want to curse a spit right around now he knew full well it wouldn't help a thing. His jaw was starting to ache from the punch and having gritted it so hard once he'd been wrestled to the dirt. His feet were losing feeling and he knew from experience that eating would be uncomfortable for the next day or so. It was a position Vin was ready to be free of.

He looked back into storming hazel depths, remembering how those familiar eyes had flashed, alien in violence and retribution. They weren't much calmer now.

Vin sighed, the breath barely making a noise at it escaped him. A rethink of the moments just before he'd been jumped had his lip braving to curl in self-derision. The look on Larabee's face wasn't one he'd never seen before - he'd just never expected to be on the receiving end. If he weren't so pissed, scared, bruised, hot and uncomfortable he might actually be sorry for having earned it.

"C'mere Stud," Buck's low voice crooned.

Hands wrapped around Chris' tense shoulders from behind, massaging absently as the blond was eased off and away from Vin. He stayed put, heaving chest sucking in a long breath when his diaphragm was freed from the constricting weight that had sat atop him after the brief struggle. Two more deep pulls of air and he grimaced, side pinching painfully as a cramp took place of relief.

A topaz eye winked reassuringly, sharp finger commanding he stay, gestures contrasting one another as he squinted into the matching blue sky that was brilliant backdrop to the men looming over him. Vin nodded and kept quiet.

He noted distractedly that both had their pants on again, most of the buttons on Buck's shirt closed though Chris' still hung open. Inane thoughts of wondering how they'd managed to get dressed so fast and look nothing like the totally enraptured and flushed lovers of moments ago surfaced then resubmerged as he laid in silent observance. Vin still felt the intruder, but having run out of options for getting away save for remaining until he was told he could go, he held fast.

Buck maneuvered Chris to stand them face to face, bodies close. He sidled up into his lover, left hip nudging into the blond's groin intimately but without coy, right hip angling to open away a fraction. A firm hand grasped Larabee's to shush loose the gun that had been drawn at Vin's disruption. The weapon was dropped into the dirt, leaving its imprint with a small puff of dust. The hand moved on.

Up Chris' arm the long fingers kneaded until they could spear back into tousled blond hair, Buck's thumb hooking around the clenched jaw to trace the distinctive line again and again in an unhurried pace.

Vin watched with fascination as Chris began to give - tense body losing its line of vibration, eyes uncoiling from their tight glare, mouth bowing open from the pinched frown. At these signs the other hand was brought into play, flicking at Larabee's open belt to skim upwards over the exposed skin until the index finger pressed into the slowing pulse thrumming at the base of Chris' neck, the other fingers splaying in and out, a comforting fan. Buck continued the gentle assault, their gazes never leaving one another, Vin forgotten where he lay on the ground.

Chris' head dropped, ducking sideways, but Buck just followed the movement, thumb ever patient as it stroked the relaxing jaw. After another long bout of the two staring at each other in knowing silence Buck nodded.

"Okay?"

A wan smile was the answer, followed by a lightly rasped, "Yeah."

Buck nodded again, hand untangling from the blond locks, head tilting towards the small, sketchy campsite where they'd been dallying. Without a word Chris acquiesced to the directive, planting a kiss into Buck's hovering palm before moving away. Hazel eyes glanced off Vin then drifted and with that Chris was gone.

The lanky figure shifted, blue eyes following Chris, caressing while making certain all really was okay. When satisfied Buck grunted then spun on a heel, three light steps bringing him to Vin's side.

The sun hanging low was eclipsed when Buck leaned close, then strong hands were pulling him up to stand. Vin staggered, coming to rights thanks to the hands that held firm. Finally the dizziness abated and he nodded.

"Thanks, Buck," he said softly.

Blue eyes appraised him, stern but not unkindly.

"You of all people should know better than to sneak up on a man like that."

Vin shook his head absently. "Yeah, I know. Never meant ta even sneak." His brow lifted. "Hell, never expected ta find…"

"Don't rightly think you would have." Buck interrupted him, winking again. "'Course, that's kinda the idea."

He couldn't help but grin back. For all that had just happened Buck was easily restoring him to a friendly, even-keeled feeling. It was an ability he envied the other man, appreciated it every time it eased out to subtly smooth the natural burrs that cropped up between the seven from time to time.

Vin turned his head, catching glimpses of blond hair and dark clothes from between the rocks. He nodded his chin. "How 'bout Chris?"

Buck's eyes followed, softening as they always did when they sought out and found Chris. It was the first time Vin saw just how deep that softening reached, how much was meant by that gentling.

"He'll be fine. You know Chris… he likes surprises even less than you do." Buck grinned again, this time the toothy display feeling somewhat forced.

Vin grunted. "Something like that."

Blue eyes snapped back to meet his. "No, just like that. Can't think he was too pleased at being seen during a moment so, private. Hell, sometimes I wonder if he minds that I see him when we're… ah, busy." Buck's hand waved loosely through the air, dismissing wherever those thoughts may have led. His eyes remained steady and sober, lips pursing. "Just so long as my trusting that you'll keep it to yourself isn't off the mark, Vin. Think you know all the reasons why too."

He gave a bob of his head and Buck nodded back then continued, voice a trace higher and a pitch louder, striving for boisterous funning but not quite achieving.

"You know I ain't one to complain - got nothing to be ashamed about when it comes to my god-given glory. Chris was just in a snit 'cause he hates how pale he really is under all that dark clothing."

The vehement denial followed by the jostling teasing clicked thoughts into place for Vin. A truth he could offer Buck as a start on repaying the steady, kind treatment he'd been dealt with instead of any number of more unpleasant alternatives as response to his abrupt disturbance of the lovers.

That and his solemn vow to never question or waver in his support of their chosen intimacy. His eyes must have revealed his determination because Buck's face relaxed into a genuine smile, warm hand clasping to surround his shoulder.

"Thanks, Vin." It was simple, but the tone eloquent.

"Sure Buck. Don't mind a bit this is where y'all have found your happiness… ain't my business anyway, even if I was in a snit about it. Let that angry cuss Cowboy over there know the same, all right?"

"Okay, Pard. Can do."

The hand squeezed then loosened but before Buck could let go Vin snatched out, holding the wide wrist in a strong hold.

His head tilted. "One more thing."

Here the blues studying him shuttered, retreating a pace in expectation of the addendum he was going to leverage as part of his acceptance of the unorthodox relationship.

Vin grunted in annoyance. "Nothing like that Buck - just… just something ya need ta know."

"I'm listening."

"Wasn't for anything like you said, Chris reacting like he did. He wasn't ready ta kill me 'cause I surprised ya both or 'cause he was scared or angry at being found out." Vin paused, letting the words sink in. He bobbed his head, arching a brow meaningfully. "Can't see him not killing whatever he'd figured was a threat to ya."

"Aw heck, Vin. He'd a let up on ya eventually. He was just steamed, outta sorts." Buck smiled, the eyes remaining passive despite the effort.

Vin shook his head. "Nope. Iffen I was really gonna hurt ya and he knew it, he wouldn't have wasted the second it mighta cost you to hesitate in being rid a me." He paused then added to clarify, "Even if it was just me."

Buck stood in quiet disbelief then managed a low, "Oh."

Vin couldn't help himself. He laughed, long and hard but without getting carried away into guffaws, tension built from the muddled afternoon leaving him completely.

He punched Buck in the arm. "That all ya got ta say? 'O-h?'"

Vin's chuckles continued to rumble as he waited for Buck's wits to fuse back together.

"Yeah that's all I can think to say!" Buck huffed, a stray lock of hair floating upwards when disturbed by the puff of air.

Silence poured over them while Vin waited patiently for Buck to catch up, waited for the truth to sink in. He knew the moment it had. Blue eyes started twinkling again, near intoxicated with the newfound revelation. Vin wondered how Buck could never have seen it before.

Buck thunked his free shoulder. "Damnation Vin, you sure are a pain in the ass." The affectionate, greatful tone belied the barbed words.

He grinned. "Don't I know it." His head tilted, indicating beyond the rocks. "Bet someone else is likely thinking 'bout the same right now."

The two laughed together, natural and at complete ease. It felt good. They stared at each other for another long moment then Vin smiled.

"I'll leave ya to it then, Bucklin. See you boys in town later? Drinks on me." He waggled his brows.

Buck chuckled. "Yeah, sure Vin. Thanks."

Vin held Buck's gaze, liking the serenity that had settled into the blues, appreciating the quiet acceptance and forgiveness living there as well. He patted the arm in his hold once before drawing away, nodding with a casual wave before ducking off, trotting back the way he came to corral Peso and get gone. He'd intruded long enough. He also wasn't willing to catch any more hell from Chris if he kept Buck any longer. A grin tugged his face at the thought, a lot about how Chris acted towards and about Buck suddenly making good sense. It was small wonder the blond was usually impatient to herd the lanky rogue off somewhere for a spell; small wonder that the barking yells about remembering to stay safe and the harsh criticism when they didn't were always a touch sharper for Buck.

If Chris didn't vent his amorous frustrations and lover's fears in some way the man would likely go plum insane.

Ezra flashed into Vin's mind, pictures of the man naked and sweaty, tangled with him as he'd seen Chris and Buck. He stopped in his tracks, momentarily stunned where his thoughts had led.

It didn't last long.

Vin shook himself of the revelation's paralysis. With determined urgency he ate the ground to Peso's side then leapt into the saddle. He lifted the looped reins off the horn and dug his heels into the black's flanks, spurring them to gallop towards town.

He licked his lips, almost tasting Ezra in place of anticipation. It wasn't just that he was shifting uncomfortably in the saddle, mind and body burning with demanding heat after what he'd watched. It wasn't just his need to release that heat deep inside someone to end the frustration that was mounting to itch through his veins. It was that his first instinct had been Ezra - to find and devour the man, have his raging need devoured by Ezra in turn. Vin didn't need further proof or prompting that the time had come to turn the corner with their friendship.

He had a pretty fair idea of where that damn handsome gambler should be - another of why he'd always thought of Ezra as damn handsome gambler as well.

Stupid he'd never let himself think on it in the right way to become more before now. A moment of brooding was indulged then Vin threw the wasteful musing away. He suddenly understood how come it took his pointing out to get Buck to see a truth so plain it near shouted its presence. How neither one of them could know something so obvious. Never mind. He knew now. Knew and would be damned if he didn't do something about it.

He just hoped Ezra felt the same.

End