Chapter Text
Ennis pulled up to camp slower than usual rubbing at his head. That bear had seriously spooked his horse, and his head was paying the price for it. I felt like I'd gone crazy, I fully remembered a life of stolen moments with Jack. Remembered the pain of that last postcard more than anything else. The indescribable loss I'd had to hold to myself for the last twenty-seven years, not like I could talk ta anyone about it. Then I'd opened my eyes and was staring down the bear that spooked poor Cigar Butt over forty years earlier, joints looser than they'd been in decades. I’d chased after the mules and found as much food as I could, then followed the trail to the campsite.
That's when I saw him.
The years had peeled away to reveal a pissed off looking Jack Twist by the campfire, hands on canted hips, fresh faced with those beautiful bright blue eyes shining in the dark. Vibrant. Alive.
Jack called out to me in frustration "Where the hell you been? Been up with the sheep all day. Get down here hungry as hell and all I find is beans!" That’s when he must've noticed the gash at my forehead, as all his anger seemed to drain out of him, fiery eyes going soft and voice filled with concern "What in hell happened Ennis?"
But I couldn't answer. I’d a sworn it were a dream, ‘cept I’d never had a dream so vivid in my whole life. I’d dreamt of Jack plenty a times since he’d… since. And it never felt like this. I was overcome with the memories, the gut-wrenching loss and the absolute sucker punch of Jacks concerned gaze on me once again.
I was moving before I'd even thought about it, fast as I could manage in that moment. Brought my hands up as I got closer, bracketing Jack's face, the skin soft against my ranch calloused hands. The rough material of his kerchief and coat grating against the sides as I moved them up, threading into his soft dark curly hair, knockin' his hat off in the process. Lost my own somewhere on my way over too.
Jack was pushed back by the force, and we kept moving backwards until we hit a tree, or the post we tied the horses to, didn't know which, didn't care. Jacks deep blue eyes were wide with a mix of surprise, heat, hope and with maybe a small amount of fear. I couldn't have that. Jack never had to be afraid of me. Not ever.
The second Jack hit the surface, my lips were on his, pouring everything I'd felt in the last twenty-seven years into that kiss, almost choking on the sensation of those lips against mine again. Jacks surprise lasted longer than it had back in Riverton all those years ago, but back then, he'd been expecting that kiss, or at least hoping for it.
Didn't take him long to get on board with my idea though, soon enough I felt hands gripping my collar, pulling me closer, like it was possible, like we weren't already connected head to toe, like there was space enough for a breath between us. Felt his long lashes flutter against my cheek as the eyes I loved more than anything closed in surrender. Felt Jack's hands tug at my hair, heard a soft whimper but was unsure which of us made it. Suppose it didn't matter.
When breathing became a necessity we could no longer ignore, we pulled back, not away, just resting my forehead against Jack's, just breathing him in. "Jack fuckin Twist" sighed against his lips.
Jack let out a breathless little laugh "Christ Cowboy. You should hit cha head more oft'n if that's the result". Could feel more'n see the grin on Jacks face. Could picture it perfectly. How his slightly bucked teeth would be hooked ever so gently against his swollen lower lip, long dark lashes splayed against full, flushed cheeks, happy crinkles at the corners of his eyes.
"Came outta nowhere, but I ain't complainin'" he wet his lips for moment before admitting "Hell, I been dreamin' bout it even" hearing the playful, cocky voice I'd longed to hear all these years tease me once again as another huffed laugh puffed against my chin sent a jolt through me. "Never thought it'd happen in a million years, but it didn't stop me from wantin' it somethin' fierce" felt a small shudder run through Jack's frame at the whispered admission, felt it run through myself too.
Cause Jack Fuckin’ Twist was in my arms again. Solid. Real. There. Alive. Looking just as gorgeous as the day I first met him and felt everything in my life flip upside down in a confused whirl I’d never known how to handle.
Jack Twist with his laugh that made me feel lighter than air and that perfect fuckin' smile. With that goddamned mole at the corner of his lip that I'd always loved to press kisses to and so did once again. The surprise sun over the last few days had the summer freckles starting to show on the bridge of his nose. His far too beautifully kind blue eyes with those incredibly long lashes like a calf. Long, tight, lean frame a warm weight against me, long legs twined with my own. The gentle rasp of stubble on his jaw rubbing against my own as I moved to press kisses to the rest of those all too aptly named beauty marks. They were all back in their proper places; high on his left cheek, along his well-defined jaw, drawing soft little gasps from that pre-Texan drawl I loved so much.
And that scent. God how I'd fuckin’ missed that scent. Tobacco, whiskey, woodsmoke from the fire, horse's an fresh spring sweet grass, light sweat from the day’s work, mixed with somethin' else I'd never found a similarity to. Closest I could get was warm brandied cherries. It was something that was just so uniquely... Jack. The day it was completely gone from his old shirt had felt like losing him all over again.
My throat closed tighter than normal at the memory. Emotions I couldn't begin to name trying to choke their way out in a ragged breath, causing my body to tremble. The tears came easy. Couldn’t’ve stopped 'em if I'd wanted to. Didn't try. "Ennis?" Jack nudged his nose against my cheek gently. "Wha's wrong?" I shook my head slowly, face pressed against his collar.
Jack shifted to wrap his arm a little more securely around me, right hand curled gently as he brushed his knuckles to softly stroke against my cheek, like he was tryna unspook a horse "Come on Cowboy, can't help if I don't know what it is" I tried to open my mouth but all that came out was another choked up sound. "That's alright. It's alright. I got cha. Shh" he started to gently rock me from side to side soothingly, like he always used to.
"You're alright" his fingers were combing through my hair, being careful of the injured area. "Come on Cowboy, let's sit ‘cha down by the fire" he went to move back, and I just clung on tighter, terrified that not holding him for a second would cause whatever wonderful dream this was to dissipate. "Not going anywhere, I swear. Come on now, I'm really getting worried, need ya ta take some deep breaths for me, okay? Make ya feel better" I shakily nodded my head against him and took one of the shakiest breaths of my life.
"That's it Enn, now gimme another one" I'd give him anything. Breath, blood, he could ask for anything right now and I'd move the moon and stars ta give it to him. Hopefully, he'll ask for that sweet life he'd always wanted us ta have. If he did, I'd vow to make it work whatever it took. And fucking damn anyone who tried to take it from us, they wanted him, they'd have to go through me first. I wasn’t gonna lose him again, no way, no how. The thought helped to ease my breathing some, and the sweet cherry scent of Jack helped with the rest of it. Even if it was tainted with guilt, and more than a little remorse and regret at the idea that if I'd just listened to him all those years ago then maybe he'd have never... I felt myself slipping again. Jack clearly felt the change too.
"Ennis, I swear, you're throwing me more than any goddamned bull ever did, wha's goin’ on?" He shifted us around so he could meet my eyes, and well, whilst I'd never liked making eye contact for any prolonged period of time with anyone, Jack as usual was the exception to the rule. Hard not to break it, if you'd ever seen those eyes.
He gave me a worn-out smile and tried to ease the tension "Cat got yer tongue? Or was it the sheep?" It was a god-awful joke, but it surprised a laugh outta me anyway. Something which lit Jack up like a tree on Christmas, grin stretching wide over his face, showing off those indecent dimples of his "Now that's better" I must’a done something real good in past life to deserve havin’ a smile like that aimed at me in this one again.
In response to it, I felt my mouth open against my will "Bear" he got a confused crease between his brow "Huh?" I felt a smile tug at the corner of my lips.
"Waddn’t a sheep, nor a cat. S'bear" Jack’s eyes widened “You fought a bear?!” I snorted at his exclamation “I look like I got a death wish to you?” He rolled his eyes at me “Well how the hell else d’you get hurt by a bear if ya weren’t fightin’ it?”
"Wasn't lookin’ where I was goin’. It spooked the horse an’ he threw me. Spent the rest a the day tryin’ a track the mules and the food down" he made a wince "Christ" shook his head. At some point in the last few minutes, not sure when or how, he’d managed to get us back by the fire. He eased me down onto one of the logs with a fond look, brought his hand up to the side of my face again, knuckles caressing the skin near the cut tenderly.
He pulled back suddenly, hand going to untie his kerchief and bring it to the pan of heated water over the campfire. Stung just as much as the first time he'd done it. Only this time, ‘stead of jerking away from him and mopping myself up, I let him clean me up. The tender touch warming me more than the fire did.
The tip of his tongue was peaking between his lips as he concentrated on the task at hand and was possibly the most distracting thing I'd ever seen in my life. His eyes met mine as he finished up and I guess he saw something he liked cause I got another one a them smiles. A man could ruin himself on a smile like that. Had done before, was doing it again now.
“See somethin’ you like Cowboy?” he teases bravely, dipping his head so our lips were mere inches away. I swallowed, giving him a definitive nod, heart hammering in my chest so bad I thought I might crack a rib.
With his grin melting into somethin’ softer, sweeter, I felt a flutter in my chest and words on the tip of my tongue that sent a wave of warmth to wash over my skin. Whilst I couldn’t bring myself to utter such things, not with everything so uncertain between us at this time, I did move my hand back to Jack’s collar, to pull him the rest of the way. Our lips met, suddenly the chill of the night was gone.
Hands moving to gently curl into his hair, needing him closer, which made Jack hum softly, hand sliding to the base of my skull in return as he deepens the kiss for a moment before pulling back with a dopey grin.
“I missed that” he said as I slid my hand down from his dark locks, to take a firm hold of his jaw, thumb grazing repeatedly over the plump bottom lip “I missed these” my eyes followed the path of my thumb across his lip, he really was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
Jack, ever the opportunist, parted his lips further before playfully biting at my thumb, peering through his heavy lashes, wrapping his lips around me and drawing my thumb into his mouth before sucking, hard, cheeks hollowing out. A deep moan pulled itself free as heat flooded through me, eyes tracing over those perfect petal soft lips, stretching so wonderfully over me. My mind started flashin’ to all the times I’d seen it like that, all the times it had been stretched wider. Suddenly the pressure building in me felt unbearable.
“Jack, I swear…” I growled before hooking my thumb over his bottom row of teeth, yanked him towards me possessively. His eyes darkened at the action, low moan travellin’ along my hand. Had me feelin’ so hot I’d a sworn I could breathe fire. I pulled my thumb free, hand moving to fist in his jacket. Since I was already a sinner tenfold over for the man, I gave into his temptation.
My tongue darted out to catch a taste of those damnably soft lips, sweet as syrup. It pulled a small hum from Jack’s throat as he leant in to deepen the kiss, tongue slidin’ against my own. Jack’s hands pulled at me, asking me closer, all but beggin’ me to press him into the ground below. I obliged, because hell, how could I not? Jack was the sweetest nectar I’d ever tasted. Laid out beneath me like every prayer I’d ever dreamed had finally been answered.
Heat pulsed beneath my skin and small breaths escape my lips as he tried to control his breathing “Jack Fuckin’ Twist” said breathlessly, felt Jack let out a breathy laugh of his own and I felt something long forgotten click into place inside me.
His hands started impatiently tugging at my shirt, trying to untuck it. Or tear it. Wasn’t sure which. I let go of him just long enough to shrug off my jacket and help him with the buttons. Soon as it was gone, they were drawn back to him to return the favour. Second my hands touched the material I froze. His shirt. This was his shirt. I’d know the feel of it anywhere. How I hadn’t realised that was what he was wearing before now I don’t know. Blame the dark, or the jacket he still had on. Hell, I could blame the bear.
I wet my lips as I carefully traced a line down his chest, knuckles brushing against his buttons reverently. It’d been the only thing I’d had a his for so long. The only thing. And now it was here, still wrapped around the man himself. I swallowed thickly, and with shaking hands, carefully started to unbutton it.
His eyes were full of questions, but he thankfully didn’t ask any of them, just gave me the moment I needed to gather myself, his thumbs rubbing small, soothing circles into my hips. I leant down to brush a soft kiss to his temple, moved down, my nose brushing against his cheek, until I could kiss him again proper. No idea how I’d ever be able to stop doing so long enough to ever get anything else done again.
It was a softer kiss than anything we’d shared so far tonight, for as desperate as I was to feel him against me again, I also wanted to savour every moment of what we’d been given. I didn’t know if it were a dream, hallucination, hell maybe I’d died and this was heaven. Cause for as much as the preachers could talk about how sinful it was to feel like this, for us to be together like this, I couldn’t figure any part of Jack to not be angel made. He couldn’t be anything other than good. He was Jack.
My hands carefully pulled him up, so I could push the jacket off his shoulders, remove his shirt properly and place it gently down next to us on the log, out of the way of danger. Couldn’t let anything happen to it.
A soft chuckle brought my attention fully back to the man beneath me “You must really like the colour blue” I blinked in surprised confusion at his teasing tone. He met my eyes, flickered his gaze to his shirt for a moment before resting them back on me with a hint of a smile. A small laugh punched its way through my lips as I shook my head at him, deciding to match his playful tone. “Brings out yer eyes”.
He looked surprised for a moment before a rose blush bloomed on his cheeks “That so?” He bit at his lip for a moment before pressing up into me, lips trailing my jaw until he could whisper in my ear, voice lower than usual “You been thinkin’ bout my eyes a lot, Ennis Del Mar?” a breathy little chuckle that sent a shiver down my spine.
I turned my face into his neck, stubble scraping against his sensitive skin, bit lightly against his pulse like I knew he liked, revelled in the little gasp it drew from him. “Think about cha everything a lot, little Darlin’” he shook under me; from the bite or the name I didn’t know. Felt him swallow heavily, as he took a shaky breath in.
“You’re sure full of surprises tonight, you know that?” he nosed at my neck, teeth lightly biting at my throat. Heaven, plain and simple. His hands moved to my belt, pulling the buckle free and thumb grazing the button on my jeans in question.
My answer was to pull him into another kiss, hotter, hungrier than the last one had been, more urgent. He had his free hand fisted in my hair, pulling me closer, legs falling open under me as my hands travelled up strong thighs. I’d always loved his legs. Longer than the day, strong and sculpted from years of ranch work and rodeoing. Especially his thighs. They say Bull Riding’s all in the legs, gotta grip strong to stay on, and it don’t hurt none if you had good hips to go with them. Feeling for the movement, the momentum, shifting reflexes, ready for anything… really wasn’t a wonder he’d been so successful with legs like these and them dangerous snake hips.
When we pulled back for air, I immediately started trailing kisses down his neck, sucking bruises into his collarbone. Felt that possessive rush again as my marks started blooming on his skin. His hips started rolling against me and I damn near lost my mind. I lifted myself up, so as not to end anything before we could begin it for real, felt more than heard the whine of disappointment from him at the loss.
Made my way further down his chest, pressing kisses to every inch a him I could reach, all the way to the deep cut lines of his hips. Was undoing his belt before I’d even decided to do it, button fly of his jeans pulled open next, was startin’ to feel drunk on the feel of him writhing under me in anticipation. Debated pulling the zip down with my teeth just to get closer to the scent of him.
Instead, I moved back up to his lips, like the addict I was turning into. Caught sight of those baby blues, hooded, pupils blown so wide they nearly turned his eyes black. Kept contact with him as my hands hooked into the top of jeans and tugged down. If possible, his eyes got darker before he surged up into me, crashing our lips together. “Goddamned tease” growled out at me between kisses.
I pulled away for long enough to pull his boots off and get his jeans fully out of the way. I got my own jeans undone and pushed down enough, then I was on him again, pressing as close as possible against him. Fuck, ain’t nothing else ever felt like that. The sounds comin’ from Jack suggested he was feelin’ much the same way. And god, I could listen to them sounds all day long.
Jack shifted to run his hands over my back, nails lightly scratching on the way down. Damn, it always did drive me crazy when he did that. I ground my hips harder against his, and he bit down on my lip in response, before pulling back just enough to press kisses along my jaw as his hands moved to squeeze my backside. Small nuzzle against my cheek, ““Know somethin’?” a breathy chuckle near my ear “Y’ain’t the only one with surprises Cowboy” he bucked his hips hard against me, shifted his legs, and suddenly I was on my back, starin’ at the sky with him straddling my waist, wearing nothing but a cheshire cat grin.
I couldn’t help but drink in the sight of him like a parched man at a pond. He was gorgeous, head to toe. Somethin’ about the way the campfire was lightin’ him up, was doin’ something downright primal to me. He was fuckin perfect, and I’ve never wanted anyone more in my entire life. I grabbed onto his hips roughly, used them as an anchor to pull myself up to kiss him, right before our lips touched, he rolled his hips down.
“Fuck!” he gave me a wicked smile and did it again “Christ Darlin” I was seeing fireworks, and barely breathin’ along with it. Forgot how good he felt like this. I felt his breath against my cheek “Gonna show you how to win a rodeo” another roll of them hips “And I guarantee, it’ll be a might longer than eight seconds for this ride Cowboy” a playful bite at my ear.
He might’ve been able to guarantee it, but I wasn’t so sure I could at the rate his hips was going. Been way too damn long since I’d felt anything even remotely like this. Hell, I’d practically lost all interest after he’d… after. No other man had ever turned my head, and since meetin’ Jack, women had pretty much lost all appeal other than a way to protect myself from small town talkin’. If I’d learned anything in my life, it was that if it wasn’t with him then it wasn’t worth it. And christ was he worth it. The sight of him alone would be enough to send me at this rate, pressure was already built high in me. Twenty-seven years since I last saw him like this. Twenty-seven years since I kissed him. Twenty-seven years since I held him, touched him, fucked him. And now here he was writhin’ above me, bare as the day he was born, looking as wild as the fire beside us. And I was only human in comparison to a vision like that.
His hips slowed down a little as he shifted to reach for somethin’ in his jacket, so I took the opportunity to close my eyes, and try to get myself under control. Wanted to make this good for him, and that wasn’t somethin’ I could do if it ended afore it started. We’d had plenty a practice at drawin’ the moment out over the years, but for some reason none of the usual tricks were workin’ for me. Like all my self control had up an left me right when I needed it most.
S’when I realised it. If this really was way back when and not some glorious hallucination, then this was the first time we were doin’ this. Back then, the first time was still a few more weeks away. This was the first time I’d ever do anythin’ with anyone, again. I had to stifle a laugh at the sheer incredulous nature of it, only Jack Fuckin’ Twist could take my first time from me twice.
I felt a brush of knuckles against my cheek. “You still with me Cowboy?” whispered closer than I expected. Opening my eyes felt difficult at that moment, but the sight awaiting me was more than worth the effort. Half lidded, lust hazed blue eyes were gazing at me, his kiss bruised lips pulled into a devilish smirk, fine sheen of sweat starting to coat his skin. I wanted to taste it, so I leant in to trace my tongue over a small scar on his collarbone. Tasted as good as I remembered it did, better even. Intoxicating.
He let out a soft moan in my ear, right before I heard a small metallic sound followed by a soft thud. I reluctantly pulled back, dragged my eyes down the length of his body to discover him holding a small tin of Vaseline, lid abandoned to the floor somewhere. Apparently, he’d been reaching for something to help ease the way forward, and I couldn’t help but swallow at the sight of it. The memory of that first time in the tent flashed in my mind, hadn’t had anything other than spit to guide the way that night, and I know now how much that must’ve hurt him the next day.
I surprised him by gently taking the tin from him and swiped a finger through the thick waxy substance, gathering a generous amount before rubbing it between my fingers to warm it up a bit. Felt the sharp intake of breath against my neck as I moved my hand down between his thighs. My eyes met his, checking for any sign this wasn’t what he wanted, and when I found nothing but heat in his gaze, I carefully pressed into him.
The sight of his lashes fluttering closed, lips parting in a heavy sigh, head tilting back, as his body ground down against my hand, would live with me forever. “Christ Ennis” his thighs twitched against me as he got used to the feeling. “I gotcha Darlin’, I gotcha” I barely recognised the sound of my own voice, pitched lower than ever, a strained mess in the night air. The soft little hitches in his breathing as I slowly worked him open were the prettiest sounds I’d ever heard in my life. I was utterly hypnotised by him.
Before long I felt him grip my wrist and gently guide it down “Yer real fuckin’ good at that” his voice was soundin’ as ragged as I felt as he dipped his own fingers into the tin, slicking up his hand before taking hold of me. “Need somethin’ else more though” I almost lost it right then and there as I felt those long, nimble fingers wrapping round me. Bit my tongue so hard I could taste blood just to try and cool myself off, every muscle in my body tensed like piano wire.
I was helpless but to watch as he lifted higher on his knees, free hand braced on my shoulder and lined us up. Sonovabitch didn’t even try to go slow, sank down in one fell swoop, jaw dropping open and head thrown back with a loud moan. I was grateful he held still for a couple moments to let himself adjust, as I needed a minute to adjust myself. He was so warm around me, and tight, christ was he tight. The most exquisite feelin’ I ever felt in my whole life.
He pressed his forehead against mine, our breaths, the crackling of the wood burnin’ and the distant song of cicadas the only sounds to be heard. Then he moved. I swore loudly. He went slow at first, barely circling his hips as he was stretched, but he soon started building momentum. Hips rising up and slamming back down hard, gyrating his hips like a damned rattlesnake striking. My hands gripped his thighs, kneading the firm flesh, barely hanging on for the ride as his mouth met mine hungrily, messily, and his fingers dug into my shoulders, leaving little marks of their own behind. I thrust my hips to match his rhythm as best I could from this angle, and I must’ve got somethin’ right because he let out sharp moan and shifted so we could better hit it again and again.
His movements were gettin’ more erratic as I felt him getting closer to the edge, one of his hands moved up to tangle itself in my hair as the other slipped between our bodies to wrap around himself. The sight proved too much for me to hold back from. I gripped onto his legs hard as I thrust up, shifting so I could press him down into the ground without breaking contact. He arched up against me, moaning loud “Christ Ennis!” as his legs moved to wrap tightly around my waist as my hips sped up.
“Harder. There” Broken little whimpers were pushing past his lips desperately. ”Oh god, right there Enn” his heel dug into my lower back, spurring me deeper. I slowed my pace down so I could move his other leg up onto my shoulder to give him what he needed.
His eyes were screwed tight, hips snapping up against me “Open ya eyes Darlin’” the words were pulled from my throat, sounded like it was full of sandpaper “Wanna see ya” his lashes fluttered, barely revealing the glazed blue pools beneath them as he locked onto me. Felt myself swallowin’ hard at the sight, ground my hips harder against him.
“Faster, oh god, faster, fuck!” His lower lip was taking some abuse as he sunk his teeth into it between moans. “Don’t wanna hurt cha Darlin’” never wanted to hurt him again long as I lived. “Christ Enn, I ain’t made a glass” his hand slid between us, takin hold of himself, matching the pace we’d set “Just-” another bite “Aint gonna break if you, oh god, if you go for it Cowboy” I never could resist an offer like that from him.
Planted my arm by his head to better anchor myself, crashed my lips into his and let loose, hard and fast as I could. “Oh god Ennis!” his head fell back, tongue flicking against his lips “That’s it! Oh god! Ennis, Ennis!” he called my name like a prayer, like it was something worth saying. Brought my hand between us, batted his own away and took over.
He started clawing at my back, tugging at my hair, before I felt him tense up under me, whole body going taut as he arched his back so hard I worried he’d break it, hand coming up to press a fist into his mouth to muffle the sound he made as spilled over his stomach. The feel of him clenching around me, coupled with the feel a him pulsing in my hand, the sight of him strung out in pleasure underneath me, tipped me over the edge so hard I practically blacked out.
Barely stopped myself crashing into him, braced on my arm to give us room to breathe as I brought his leg down off my shoulder. Blinked exhausted eyes open to catch sight of him, make sure he was okay. His hair was in complete disarray, damp chocolate curls sticking up in every possible direction. His eyes were still screwed shut, long lashes curling against his cheeks. Bruised lips parted just enough for his tongue to lap at his lip before pressing behind his teeth, and then back again. Flushed chest heaving raggedly beneath me, fightin’ to get some air back as his body relaxed into the ground, boneless and sated.
If a more perfect sight existed, I wanted no part of it. I’d happily drink this one in for the rest of my life. I buried my nose in his neck, nicotine, whiskey, and cherries pulling me towards complete and utter bliss like only Jack could.
I felt a shaky arm wrap clumsily, yet firmly, around my shoulders, pulling me down against his heated skin, before stroking small circles into my spine. His other hand brushed through my sweat soaked curls soothingly, before switchin’ to scratchin’ lightly at my scalp, pulling contented little hums from my throat that were swallowed up in the hollow of his neck. The righteous could keep their heaven, I’d take Jack over that any day.
I wasn’t sure how long we lay there catching our breaths before I felt his head thud lightly against my own. Face nuzzling into my damp curls, wide grin against my cheek “Christ” a rough scoff in my ear “Not sure if there’s more stars above me or behind my eyelids right now” a surprised snort punched its way outta me. I took a moment to think on it myself, liftin’ my head just enough to reply “Eyelids. Hun’red percent” before settling back into the nook of his neck.
I swallowed a gasp as he laughed under me, felt his body spasm with it around my oversensitive skin. Fuck, when I thought he couldn’t feel any better, there he went proving me wrong. “Damn Cowboy, that was” a small chuckle “I don’t have words for what that was. Ain’t never felt anythin’ like that in my life” felt him lick his lips as he shook his head.
“Well, that makes two a us then” I knew he meant the fire that had been stoked between us, as opposed to the act itself. He’d lost his own innocence his first year a high school, told me once when we was drunk, bout ten years from now. I coughed to try and clear my throat, feelin’ like I swallowed a whole gravel pit all of a sudden. He brushed his hand through my hair, lips against my forehead “You alright there, Cowboy? Don’t need no air or nothin’?” a soft kiss to my cheek.
I hummed a moment, tried to wet my lips “We got any whiskey left? Throats dry as hell” a soft huff “Not sure whiskey’ll help with that, but we got ‘bout half a bottle. Take it the bear made off with the new one?” could feel the smile in his voice.
“He just might’ve” I hid my grin in his shoulder, if I was rememberin’ right, it should still be there. “But if he didn’t then it’s on the other side a the camp, and that’s way too far away right now” felt him chuckle as he unkinked one a my curls, windin’ it around a finger before letting it fly. I smothered a chuckle, at the idea of me bein’ wrapped around Jacks finger. He lifted up a little, which dislodged me from my very comfortable position, which made me let out a grunt of displeasure.
“I’m just grabbin’ your whiskey, calm down Cowboy” I rolled my eyes but shifted a little to give him more room, a movement which actually separated us. Jack let out a hiss of discomfort which made me sit up a little straighter “You all right Darlin’? I didn’t hurt cha or nothin’?” He squirmed a little awkwardly for a moment “I’m good” he let out a laugh as his hand closed around the bottle “Hell, I’m great right now” he flashed me a grin as he pressed it into my hand. I snorted as I undid the cap, and took a swig, enjoyed the burn as it went down.
He picked up the discarded kerchief from earlier, wiping at the drying mess on his stomach, offered it to me so I could do the same, but I waved him off. He shrugged before moving to clean between his thighs. The sight had me taking a deep drink from the bottle before placing the cap back on. I regarded the mess on my own chest and stomach, reached down to the pocket of my own jeans, which were still tangled around my ankles and pulled a rag from the back pocket, set to work on cleaning myself up. When I was done I kicked off my boots, but pulled my pants back up, though I left them unbuttoned. Noticed Jack seemed content to leave his off. The fire was still warm enough for the time being, and he’d always been comfortable in his own skin, so it didn’t surprise me too much.
He tossed the kerchief away, reaching over for his jacket, gave me a triumphant grin as he produced a pack of smokes from the pocket. He shook one free, resting it between plush lips as he fished the lighter from inside his pocket. He cupped his hand around the top of it as it sparked to life, a moment later he extended his arm, offering it to me, and I took it gratefully.
He lit another one, setting the pack to the side before propping himself on one elbow and inhaling deeply. “Lets hope the bear didn’t get the smokes too, down to my last three after this” I huffed a laugh, shaking my head “Those are safe, kept the cigarettes in Cigar Butts saddle bag” he threw his head back, laughter taking over his body, blue eyes sparkling beautifully. When he calmed down, he fixed me with a soft look “Of course you did” I reached over, brushing my hand through his hair, messing it up further, cupped the back of his head, and pulled him into a sweet kiss.
After we’d settled back down, his head on my shoulder, our arms brushing “When we can stand again, we’ll have to investigate this food situation” I made a noise of consideration “Not much to investigate, beans is about all we got left” I could feel his scowl even if I couldn’t see it “Shoot, that’s, well that’s a bitch is what that is” he took a long drag of his cigarette “Maybe we could shoot one of the sheep?” I shook my head in amusement as the memory of this conversation surfaced.
“Supposed to guard the sheep, not eat ‘em” he snorted “S’matter with you, there’s a thousand of ‘em” I laughed “Yeah well, I’ll stick with beans” he shook his head “Well, I won’t” some things didn’t change, it was somewhat comforting. “We could go huntin’ in the mornin.’ Lot more than just bears out there” he considered it for a moment, shaking his head with a laugh “Sheep’re off limits, but you’ll risk a fine from the Fish and Game for huntin’ outta season?” I gave a small shrug.
“Some things are worth the risk” he shifted to look up at me “That so?” a ghost of a smile curling at the corner of his lips. My eyes traced over his face, memorising the playful glint in his eyes, the way the fire lit his skin golden “That’s so” I pulled the last bits of life from my cigarette before crushing it out on the ground, exhaling slowly, watching the smoke curl away into the night. I wrapped my arm around his shoulders, pulling him back in against me, and for once in his life he actually settled.
I wasn’t sure what was gonna happen after tonight, if I’d wake up alone in my trailer again, or inside the tent with Jack curled next to me snoring away. Maybe, if I was really lucky, it’d be the second option, and I’d get the chance to re-roll our future, give him that ranch he wanted, a real sweet life together. I knew he was filled with questions, no idea how I was gonna be able to answer them. But they could wait for now. Whatever this was, I wanted to enjoy it, just grateful to be a part of it.