ASJ Fic - (AU) Part 2

[granderobino]

 

 

 

Jed was glad they had thought to start a small fire in the hearth before heading out earlier, there was a definite autumn chill in the night air outside, but it was pleasantly warm in the small cabin.
 

There being no furniture other than a table and chairs, the men had unpacked their sleeping rolls and they had been warming by the fire. All in all it looked pretty inviting, after a day spent riding hard, as they had.
 

Without conveying any sense of hesitation Heyes immediately removed his outer layers of clothing, quickly and efficiently laying them one of the chairs. Until he was down to his henley undershirt and thermal leggings.
 

Jed took his cue and followed suit, until they were similarly attired. They had gathered all the extra blankets they could find and, having thoroughly aired them out, had created a bit of a nest. Now they moved to position the sleeping bags in the best spot to be able to benefit from the fire's warmth.
 

“I've got another idea,” Heyes offered.
 

“Well, let's hear it. You haven't seemed too shy about offerin' your ideas up to now...” Jed said amiably as he crouched down and shook out his bag.
 

“Well, this is a little different...not sure you'll take to it...”
 

“Heyes. I've agreed with everything you've suggested so far. Hell, if it's as a good an idea as the marshmallows...”
 

“Its just that...it's bound to get pretty chilly here tonight and I was thinkin'..if we put our bed rolls together we'd conserve warmth...You know, use our body heat...” Heyes seemed to be looking pretty intently at the fire.
 

“See, that's why you keep tellin' me to let you do the thinkin' in our partnership. I think that's a fine idea Heyes. How 'bout you get down here and we settle in for the night?”
 

Heyes eagerly complied and within a few moments they found themselves wrapped snugly among the bedrolls and extra blankets.
 

As if in unspoken agreement they lay shoulder to shoulder and thigh to thigh, as they tried to warm themselves. Feeling his body temperature rise to a comfortable level, Jed decided to up the ante. He stealthily snaked his arm around his companion's waist and waited for a reaction.
 

Jed took it as a good sign when he wasn't slugged. In fact, he could swear he felt Heyes settle even closer against him. That suited Jed just fine.
 

As if on cue, a deep-throated wail pieced the silent air of the hills that surrounded their cabin. A lone wolf.
 

“Was that as close as it sounded?” Heyes asked, sounding more interested that fearful.
 

“Doubt it. Their voices carry for miles in this valley. Never seen 'em near this particular spot. Even rustic as this old place is, it's probably too civilized for comfort for 'em,” Jed said with a note undisguised admiration in his voice.
 

“Tell me what you know about the wolves, Jed,” Heyes asked in a wistful tone.
 

“Oh, I'm not sure you want me to do that. That's somethin' else that doesn't make me too popular around these parts. Seems I can get fairly...passionate...when I get to talkin' about 'em,” he said rather apologetically.
 

“Yeah? Well, you've piqued my curiosity now. Go ahead...I'd like to hear it. Please.”
 

The last word was added with a plaintive raising of an eyebrow, that Jed was sure Heyes could use to get anything he wanted - at least where Jed was concerned. He began to expound on what he knew about the creatures.
 

How, for years, they had been hunted by civilized man, practically to the brink of extinction. Until the passing of the Endangered Species Act in 1973. And even then, it had taken time to get wolves recognized as needing and deserving protection.
 

Many ranchers and farmers remembered the stories they'd grown up with, of wolves as predatory creatures who attacked livestock as well as humans at will. While it was true, wolves would occasionally kill livestock, it was usually the sick or the young that they took and it actually was an almost natural culling of the herds.
 

Human casualties were usually in response to the wolves feeling threatened and acting on instinct. As man intruded more into the wolves territory these confrontations became more prevalent and, having no voice of their own, the wolves were held to blame.
 

Only recently had some state and federal agencies begun supporting research on the impact of the drastic reduction in the wolf population. Recognizing that their existence was essential as part of the natural balance in the area.
 

Jed had been among the first to support protection of the wolves, to the extent of capturing illegal poachers (not the fearful rancher who wanted to protect his livestock, but the men who set out bait to lure the animals so as to kill them and sell their carcasses to interested collectors) and doing his best to see that they were prosecuted.
 

“So the wolves are kinda' like the misunderstood outlaws around these parts. Hunted for the price on their heads,” said Heyes.
 

“I guess you could put it that way,” Jed agreed.
 

“That sounds pretty dangerous,” Heyes said with genuine concern.
 

“Not really. I've learned to treat the wolves with respect, and I don't antagonize 'em...”
 

“Wasn't talkin' about the wolves. Was talking about the poachers. Men who'd do that, don't have much respect for life – animal or human,” he said gravely.
 

Jed had rarely met another man who seemed to understand where his sympathies lie, so completely. Again, he felt warmed to his core.
 

“Well that's true enough, but I've also found they're basically cowards and pretty easy to handle when faced opponent in an actual, fair, fight,” he said reassuringly.
 

“So you say. Still don't like the idea of you putting yourself at risk...”
 

“It's partly in my job description Heyes. Besides if I don't do it, I'm not sure who will.”
 

Heyes smiled and turned his body so he was facing Jed, managing to do so without losing contact with Jed's arm around him.
 

As if it were the most natural thing in the world, Heyes similarly brought his arm to rest on Jed's hip.
 

“I knew it. You've got a bit of The Kid's spirit in you. Protectin' the underdog so to speak. Tell me, do you at least go out with another Ranger, when you confront these bounty hunters?”
 

“Well, I never felt right askin' another fella' to risk bodily harm on account of somethin' that nobody, 'cept me saw as that important,” Jed answered truthfully.
 

“I bet if you explained it to 'em like you just did to me, they'd think it was plenty important,” Heyes argued. “And if it's the law, then they should uphold it as part of their job, like you said.”
 

Jed shook his head, “We really don't have the resources or staff to double up, unless it's some special circumstance. Just aren't enough bodies to do more than what needs to be done to keep the park visitors safe most days. I sorta' do my wolf protectin' on my own time.”
 

“On you're own t-....Okay. Now I know I don't like the sound of that. Tell me you at least let somebody else know when you're plannin' on doin' this.” Jed noticed Heyes' hand had tightened on his hip, as if to underscore his words. It had an almost proprietary feel to it. And, damn, if it didn't feel good.
 

Knowing better than to try to lie to the man, Jed offered as softened a version of the truth as he could.
 

“Mostly...when I think of it...often I don't plan on actually catchin' anyone, but I can't ignore it when I see it happening and sometimes I have to act on the spur of the moment...”
 

And why he felt he had to explain himself, he wasn't quite sure.
 

“Well, I guess I can see that. But we need to think of a better way to ensure your safety, Jed,” Heyes said decidedly.
 

“Look, I can see you're concerned here. But it's really not a big deal. Don't know if you noticed, but I'm a big boy, Heyes. Been takin' care of myself for a long while, now.” Still, he felt touched by the concern.
 

“Well, I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm getting' kinda' attached to you. And don't like the thought of losing you...” his voice dropped to a near whisper, “Now that I finally found ya',” he said as he looked into the flames dancing in the hearth.
 

“About that...” Jed figured now was as good a time as any to see where this was going.
 

“Yeah?” Heyes swept his eyes back from watching the fire to meet his eyes, and Jed thought he could read worry in those knitted brows and wanted to ease the man's burdens if he could.
 

“Guess it's fair to tell you, I find myself feelin' the same,” Jed said truthfully.
 

The smile that Heyes gave at his admission was even brighter than his usual expression, which Jed had, previously, found so disarming. He was drowning again.
 

By way of a lifeline, Heyes' hand tightened at his waist, and drew him closer still.
 

Then, Heyes shifted and raised up on his elbow just sightly, so that Jed found himself looking up into the most beautiful brown eyes he'd ever seen. Drowning. Jed thought he must be. That's why he wasn't breathing.
 

Heyes raised his eyebrows in an unspoken question, as if he were afraid of breaking the spell by using words.
 

In answer Jed brought his arm around the back of Heyes' neck and drew his head down until their lips met in a kiss.
 

Interestingly, rather than feeling that the kiss took away his capacity for breathing, Jed felt as though he'd come alive once Heyes' mouth was sealed over is own. All his senses seemed heightened as, breathing through his nose, he inhaled Heyes' scent. He smelled of leather and musk and campfire smoke and a little horse.
 

And he tasted...god, he tasted of coffee and marshmallows..and...Heyes. Jed had never tasted anything so good.
 

Jed's ears became aware of the groans that Heyes was making in the back of his throat, as well as the way their breathing had become synchronized.
 

And Jed felt...well, he'd never felt anything like this. Certainly not in his experience with women. Instead of a lover who felt weak and soft, he found Heyes to be his match in strength and power. Even the thrum of Heyes' heart was steady and strong. And it matched Jed's beat for beat.
 

There would be no holding back with Heyes. Jed was sure of that.
 

When Heyes drew back, Jed opened his eyes and was, once again, struck by beauty of Heyes' features. Less tentative now, he reached up and used the back of his fingers to trace from outer corner of his eyes down his cheek and along his jawline. He was besotted...in awe of this man who seemed to have cast some sort of spell on him.
 

How else could he explain what was happening. He'd not let himself get this close to anyone since...well...ever. But here he was completely at this man's mercy. Willing to follow him into whatever schemes or plans he may have. But he knew he would be completely safe in his hands, so there was no risk here, really.
 

Unless...
 

“Hey,” Heyes soft voice finally broke the silence, “Where'd ya' go there? Not having second thoughts now are ya'?”
 

Again, feeling he could only speak the truth, Jed replied, “Not about this. Never. Nothin' has felt so right to me Heyes. You gotta' believe that...”
 

“But?...” Heyes seemed to brace for the rest of Jed's confession.
 

“This afternoon when I asked if you'd done this before...I was talkin' about ridin'...but you thought I meant something else...was it...this? It's okay, ya' know. I don't expect you've been a monk up until now. And you probably guessed from our conversations that I've had women in the past... But I've never been with a man before Heyes...Guess I thought I should let you know...I might not know what to do, exactly, but I know I want to find out with you...”
 

“You about done?” Heyes said with a grin.
 

“Yeah...I guess...” Curry stumbled a little over his words.
 

“Fact is, Jed, I've known I wasn't meant to be with a woman for a while...though it took some time to realize why. I had some men show interest in me, when I was on the publicity tour for the book, and I was what you'd call 'curious'...but none of 'em really appealed to me so it never went farther than a couple of kisses and some clumsy groping...”
 

For some reason, though he'd tried to play it down, the thought of another man with his hands on Heyes caused Jed's blood to boil. Heyes noticed.
 

“That bothers you?” he asked in surprise.
 

“Sorry. Can't explain why. Like I said, you got nothin' to apologize for before meeting me. But. Swear to God Heyes. We go through with this tonight, then No. Man. Touches. You. Again. Understood?”
 

“Message received Ranger Curry. Gotta' say, kinda' like the idea of you gettin' all masterful on me,” Heyes said with the kind of mischief in his voice that was music to Jed's ears.
 

Rolling them both over so that now he was looking down at Heyes, Jed took a moment to admire the man in a new light. With the eye of a lover.
 

“Then you're gonna' love this,” Jed promised and proceeded to thoroughly plunder Heyes' sweet mouth...then pulled away marveling at the expression on his lover's face.
 

“And this,” he added with a feral smile just before pulling the collar of the henley away from Heyes' neck and diving for his throat as a hawk swooping in on his prey.
 

Heyes first let out a happy yelp as Jed gently suckled and bit the tender flesh of his collar bone, then began an appreciative moaning as it became clear what Jed was doing. Heyes was being marked.
 

“Mine...” Jed said solemnly when he released Heyes only slightly from his grasp.
 

“Yours.” Heyes spoke in agreement.
 

Their growing desires could not be ignored as Jed reached down between their bodies to stroke Heyes' erection. At his touch, Heyes cried out. Seeing the effect he was having on his partner, Jed continued his firm massage until Heyes' hand desperately grabbed his wrist.
 

Looking into the smoldering depths of his lovers' eyes Jed waited for a sign.
 

“Gonna' go off like a rocket, you keep that up...was hoping to impress you with a bit more stayin' power first time around.”
 

“Never mind about trying to impress me...just want you to feel good Heyes...however I can.” Jed said, laying his soul bare.
 

“How did I get so lucky?” Heyes said, as though completely enamored, while gently stroking the side of Jed's cheek.
 

“And here I thought it was me who was the lucky one...Got an idea,” Jed said as though he'd just solved a puzzle.
 

“Oh boy,” Heyes rolled his eyes but Jed could tell he was delighted.
 

“Step one: we get rid of the rest of these clothes,” he said, already grabbing Heyes' henley and pulling it over his head in one quick motion.
 

“I think I see where you're goin' here,” Heyes said as he eagerly dispossessed Jed of his undershirt as well.
 

Then, each man then reached to pull off his long-johns. And, just like that, they were completely naked.
 

After taking a minute to admire the masculine form next to him, Jed proceeded to fully explore this new territory. He used his hands and his mouth to show Heyes that he meant it when he said he wanted to make him feel good, however he could.
 

It seemed to be working, to judge by the glazed expression on Heyes face when he paused in his ministrations. And Jed had to kiss him then. Jed thought that kissing Heyes was gonna' become his new favorite pastime.
 

At least one of 'em.
 

The way Heyes gave as good as he got, the way they alternated back and forth from being the aggressor to being the conquered. It was as if they instinctively knew how to keep the balance so that both men could claim victory in the end.
 

As he broke the kiss, he gave a small nip to Heyes' lower lip that resulted in another of his deep throaty groans. Jed imagined he could come just as a result of hearing that sound.
 

He then began working his way down Heyes' lean torso while alternating wet kisses with feather light touches that stopped just short of tickling. When he reached the man's impressive cock, he hesitated only a moment before descending on it and engulfing as much of the length as he could in his mouth. Thinking about what had felt good to him in the past, he started a gentle suction and reached his hand to stroke the heavy balls.
 

If he thought Heyes' groans were sexy before, it was nothing compared to the sounds he was making now. Heady with the feeling that he had it within his power to make this man react so strongly, Jed intensified his efforts and began stroking the organ with his tongue.
 

Suddenly, with another guttural moan Heyes grasped his shoulders to stop his movement.
 

Questioningly, Jed looked up, feeling a little disappointed that he had somehow failed in his task to take Heyes over the edge. Until he saw the want in his lover's eyes.
 

“Need you up here...together...please?”
 

Relieved at his partner's admission, Jed worked his way back up, until they lay front to front. Their cocks nestled together like the last two pieces of a puzzle.
 

It was Heyes' turn to take the lead, and he began thrusting his hips, creating a wonderful friction that caused Jed to instinctively move in perfect counterpoint. Soon, Jed felt himself going over the edge and all he could do was hope Heyes followed him. He didn't know whose voice cried out first, but he knew he heard them both at the climax, signaling their mutual completion.
 

And how good it felt, after. To have two strong arms wrapped around his own limbs, as he dozed in the light of the fire.
 

He was awakened a short time later as Heyes arms left him to reach for something in the night.
 

“Where ya' goin'?” Jed mumbled, still feeling boneless after their lovemaking.
 

“Shhh...Didn't mean to wake ya'...just need to find...this.”
 

Jed felt the soft cloth of...oh...Heyes' henley, as he was being gently wiped clean of the remnants of their spent seed. He was vaguely aware of Heyes tossing the shirt when he was finished. Then he felt himself drawn back in to those arms and he settled more firmly against the solid frame next to him.
 

He took one last deep breath, inhaling Heyes' unique scent, and drifted to sleep with a smile on his face.