Pulling Leather Interlude: Saturday Night Date
Title: Pulling Leather Interlude: Saturday Night Date
Current Mood: happy
Current Music: I Will Never Leave You by Jackie Greene
Author: forever9218
Pairing: Ennis and Jack
Genre: AU/Canon
Word Count: 4474
Author’s Note: Hey there, fellow Brokies. I’m just checking in to let you know that I had a computer crash last weekend and won’t be able to retrieve Chapter 4 until the data is recovered and my laptop repaired, the estimated Geek Squad time of arrival, probably another few weeks. Egads you say? Well, I guess that two syllable interjection would work, but I was thinking more along the lines of a simple four letter expletive that begins with the letter, “F”. *grin* In any event, I suspect I may be digressing from the topic at hand. The most important thing to remember is the old adage that when the world gives you lemons, you make lemonade. So amid the shadows of death, life still endures as I have a little aperitif to tide you over until my computer returns. Just because I have the most terrific readers/commenters in the whole wide world, I thought I would fill your “Pulling Leather” slash gap with an interlude segment that is meant to take place between Chapters 1 & 2, right before Jack returns to Childress. I had initially intended to do a fluff piece after I posted Chapter 4, but my meltdown coaxed me into accelerating the intermission and to write something a little more serious. No doubt, because I’m not in the best of moods, the precociousness of this link probably compelled me to insert more angst that I had originally intended. All I can add is that I hope my readers will understand and mimic Jack’s words to Lureen in the back of that car, “Fast or slow, I just like the direction you’re going in.” Enjoy!
He slowly surveyed the backyard one last time to make sure everything was in place for tonight. There were probably a few things he had forgotten, but as long as Ennis would be arriving soon, there was no need to fuss about details. Satisfied with his handiwork, he stepped back and finally relaxed, allowing the caressing breeze to blanket him with what felt like a soothing warmth. He smiled, figuring this must be a sign that, for once, nature might be cooperating with his plans. No snowstorm coming in tonight, he thought.
The idea of a cookout under the stars had come to Jack three days earlier after he and Ennis had been sitting outside enjoying an after dinner smoke, right before bedtime. One moment they had been shoulder to shoulder, silently taking in the beauty of the low-hanging sun vividly anointing the sky with a spectrum of changing colors. The next moment there was a flash of heat between them and all he could remember was how Ennis had grabbed hold of his hand, something he rarely did, before they tumbled to the ground, their kisses long and deep. While their bellies may have been full, there was a hunger that suddenly needed to be satisfied. The kind of hunger neither man could explain even after all these years.
Although it wasn’t quite yet summer, the desperate emotions stirring between them recently felt awfully similar to another time long ago, when a different kind of parting was beckoning. Back then Jack had been told there was a storm coming in from the Pacific and stupid ass Joe Aguirre had ordered them to break camp sooner than expected. This time, however, there would be no outside world abruptly separating them. Maybe Ennis had devoured him alive the other night, because he was thinking about how he had let Jack go with not much more than a “See ya around. I guess.” Unlike that summer of their nineteenth year, they were no longer youths, who had no idea what to do or say when others came between them. They had tried beyond all reason to live what other folks deemed a respectable life, but neither man was any good at it. Now the only two remaining demons they faced were each other.
After years of abject misery, Jack was determined that they were going to hold the reins on the homestretch for whatever amount of time the Maker saw fit to give them. They had wasted too many years and come too far to allow anyone else to alter the pace of their journey. Or, to try to make them change course when they were so close to having what they wanted. Because of this, Jack had decided they were not going to say goodbye on Monday morning without some promises being made first. Unlike that summer up on Brokeback, they were going to let each other know that even though they had to be apart for awhile longer, they both would not give up on the other no matter what. From this day forward, the only future that mattered was the one they were going to create together. This was the night they were going to make a pledge to one another, to swear and affirm what they already knew in their hearts. The unavoidable truth was that they just weren’t any good alone. With such overwhelming evidence, there was no use in pretending any longer.
The familiar engine sound Jack had been waiting for the past half hour was suddenly coming within earshot. Now, more than ever, he had to have confidence that Ennis wouldn’t be mad or even worse, resistant to his plans. Things had been going so well between them lately that he hoped he had not overplayed his hand, gone too far on the girly side of things. Jack had always been teased as a child about being emotional and softhearted, trying too hard to please and, of course, usually falling short in most people’s eyes. Maybe he was an unrealistic fool who more often than not found solace in star gazing much more than he paid attention to the traps and pitfalls underneath his feet. Although Ennis gave off the impression that he was far more at home with things he could see and touch, he seemed to like the dreamer side of Jack as well. Despite all the complications and challenges that still lay ahead, the simple truth was they complemented each other in all kinds of ways. What may have appeared to be a mismatch to the untrained eye was actually a perfect fit when considered more closely. According to Jack’s heart there was no one more suited to be by his side. All he could do now was hope that Ennis felt the same about him.
Too much thinkin’. Time to get this rodeo on the road.
He sucked in an uneven breath before traipsing around to the front of the house. With each step, he tried to steady his nerves in case he had been reading the signs all wrong. Fortunately for his own sanity, he did not have to wait very long to road test his optimism once he saw how quickly Ennis had turned off the ignition, set the brake and hopped out of the truck. His movements were so swift he looked like someone sprinting toward the finish line of a foot race that he was determined to win. The welcomed sight of an eager Ennis made Jack smile. For the first time in their lives, he actually felt like they finally might be on the same page.
“I ain’t inside,” Jack said in a no-nonsense voice.
Ennis turned around, a mischievous glint in his eyes already set into place. “Not yet, anyway.”
Jack stifled a gasp, always taken off guard by one of Ennis’ rare displays of vocalized bawdiness. “Whoa there, Cowboy. You askin’ or offerin’?”
Ennis grunted before casting a smoldering look, “Did ya ever think that maybe if you treated me nicer, I might let ya have your way with me more often?”
Knowing they could be seen from the road, Jack walked over and stood as close as possible to let the pickup truck provide some cover, the ghost of a smirk curving his lips. “Funny you should mention that,” a suggestive eyebrow finishing off the wicked thought.
“Yeah? Whatya have in mind?” Ennis asked.
“You’re my date. It’s Saturday night, got lots of things in mind when it comes to you.” Blue eyes swept over the tall, leaned length, as pure joy surged through every part of him. “Have to say though I’m not that interested in your mental capacity at the moment.”
Ennis snorted, “Shouldn’t we eat first to give us some energy? Don’t want your stomach gabbing away in the middle of our…uh…discussion.”
“You got that right.” Lowering his voice seductively, Jack nodded. “Particularly, since I’m plannin’ on gettin’ into some pretty weighty matters tonight.”
Ennis met his eyes with that little something extra Jack never grew tired of seeing before turning around to open the front door.
Thinking that Ennis might have misunderstood the meaning of his invitation, Jack’s eyes widened with disbelief. “Wait a minute, where you goin’?”
His hand stopped in midair before even reaching the doorknob. Ennis looked over his shoulder and shrugged, “Goin’ to get sumthin’ to eat. That concussion affectin’ your memory too, bud?”
Much more interested in moving things along, Jack shook his head and ignored the slight. “Nope. Just want to tell ya we’ll be eatin’ out tonight.”
Ennis squinted, his previous playfulness turning apprehensive in a second. “Jack, I know ya gettin’ stir crazy here, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to be seen in town together. You’ll be leavin’ soon and.…”
Jack sobered in an instant. “Not talkin’ ‘bout ‘goin’ into town, Ennis.” Rolling his shoulders to occupy himself before anything harsher came out of his mouth, he straightened up and cleared his throat, not willing to fall into the familiar trap of pointless argument about Ennis' fears. “Don’t have to worry. I wouldn’t want to embarrass ya none.”
“Didn’t mean that, Jack. It’s just… It’s just not safe.”
Jack put both hands on his hips and turned away for a moment to take in a lungful of air. Tonight was going to be special and he was not about to be distracted by another one of their pointless battles over Ennis’ squirreliness when it came to them being seen in public together. “Just hush. I’m not gonna let ya ruin what I’ve got planned.”
Ennis’ brow furrowed. “What plans?”
Jack shifted back around, already smiling again. “It’s a secret. Go get yourself a shower and don’t cheat by looking into the backyard. Got a clean pair of jeans and a shirt on the bed for ya to change into.”
Ennis folded his arms across his chest and waited to see what else Jack was up to before saying another word.
After an extended good old-fashioned Alpha male standoff, Jack decided to be the first to break, sidling up with a whispered message that he knew his man could never resist. “I got to spell it out for ya, dumbass?” an eyebrow arch, then a wink for good measure. “Let’s just say ya won’t be disappointed.”
Dark brown eyes sparkled, before a quick lengthwise pat of Jack’s forearm set things back to where they should be. “Never have been before, darlin’.”
Jack grinned from ear to ear, any possible letdown long forgotten. “Me neither, Cowboy. Me neither.”
_______________________
Looking down, Ennis ran his hands through Jack’s dark hair, his voice thick with need and sadness, “Want ya so bad.”
A few strings of twinkling Christmas lights dangled above them, giving off just enough of an otherworldly touch to warm their intimate surroundings. Fully aware of the unspoken intensity that was now flowing between them, Jack reached up with both hands providing the needed purchase and captured a long, slow kiss. After that groans and saliva slick spurred them on toward even more exploration, each man lost in a perfect world where there would be no more leaving, no more unanswered questions.
After a good while, Jack eased back down, making sure to take Ennis along with him.
“I’m right here, Cowboy. No need to be missin’ me just yet.”
Jack was stretched out inside the tent on one of the bedrolls he had unpacked from their last fishing trip, a spellbinding vision of temptation and revelation. His boots had been discarded long before. With jeans the only stitch of clothing that remained. Although Ennis was still fully clothed, Jack could not help but be pleased with how, over the course of the evening, the most aggravating man in the world had slowly allowed his emotions to become more bare and unprotected. The unguarded state an unusual one for a man who prided himself as being the kind of hard ass who would rather suffer in silence than try to go after what he really wanted. Clothes could always be shed, but opening Ennis up was a tougher nut to crack so Jack was not about to complain.
Over the years, Jack had become an expert at reading small cues, the twitch of a mouth, the sag of a shoulder, the slight shuttering of an eye. Often, with not much to go on, he had always figured out a way to give Ennis what he needed. He figured that no matter whatever else happened from this day on, Jack would never regret that unlike so many others, Jack had paid attention and made Ennis happy, if only in a fleeting kind of way. That’s why he had to be the one to ask for more, to push them forward. Ennis had never learned how to dream, but Jack reckoned that he had enough practice in that rose-colored pursuit to serve them both for a lifetime.
Straight away, both men laced their fingers together as if they had synchronized the connection to happen at that precise moment. The tender action followed by Jack sitting up, unhurried and deliberate, and scooting over on his knees to pull Ennis in closer. They looked at one another with a renewed fascination, allowing many seconds to lapse between them. When Ennis’s lips began to take the shape of a smile, Jack flung his arms around his man’s neck and dropped his head onto the strong shoulder being presented. Sniffing the familiar scent that always drove him crazy, Jack sagged further into the warmth that he never could get enough of, no matter how often they ended up in each other’s arms. This had been just the second time in a few days that Ennis had held his hand with purpose. He now was allowing the thought to take shape that the simple gesture was almost like a silent unwillingness to let Jack go.
“You’ll be leavin’ in a few days. Bed’s gonna be too big without ya in it.”
Jack sighed, a half-smile on his face, complete contentment surging through him. “You gonna miss me then?” he murmured.
He could feel Ennis’ lips in his hair and a soft kiss being left behind. “Even worse.”
“Worse?”
“Gonna miss us.”
Jack swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry from the powerful message Ennis was sending. Unable to handle the emotions that had surged up from somewhere deep, he buried his head into the sheltering curl of Ennis’ neck even further and whispered, “Don’t send me away.”
The words made Ennis grab hold of Jack even harder, an anguished, heaving sound filling up the night air. “I’ll never let ya go, again. Don’t ya worry, darlin’.”
Almost like a child, the smallness of Jack’s voice squeezed at Ennis’ heart, “Ya swear to it?”
With that request still ringing in his ears, Ennis loosened his grip to lift Jack’s chin upward with one finger, until their eyes finally met again. Ennis looked away once he saw what was there, then hesitated, his jaw working but nothing was able to come out. Swallowing hard, Ennis guided them back down onto the cushioned surface, rolling Jack over onto his side so they could face one another. The time was at hand to give Jack something other than the temporary tie of physical release. His man was asking for a different kind of bond tonight. Jack wanted a promise from Ennis. He could feel it in his bones. A pledge to stay put, to not give up, to never let go. He could do this. He had to.
“Jack, ya know I ain’t much good with words,” their fingers gripped tighter together, but Jack nodded his encouragement.
“Know now I never should have let ya drive away up on Brokeback. I still see that bruise on your jaw. That hangdog look in your eyes. Don’t know what came over me. Here I was bitchin’ ‘bout losing a damn shirt,” a visible shutter ran through him, while Jack held his tongue, and looked back intently. Although their noses were practically touching, Jack somehow found enough space between them to move even closer.
“I’m sorry, Jack. Talked ‘bout leavin’ behind a damn shirt, when I should have been tellin’ ya that I didn’t want to leave you behind. All I could think ‘bout was how I had made a pledge to Alma. Didn’t want to break it. Couldn’t break it. Wouldn’t have been right. Had no idea how we could make anythin’ work once Aguirre called us down from that mountain. Figured it was just best to move on with our lives. Hell, didn’t even know what was happenin’ ‘tween us anyway.”
Ennis nodded as if confirming what he already knew. “Not ‘til later. When I couldn’t get ya outta my head.”
“Know the feelin’, friend.” Jack kind of huffed out a half-laugh, his eyes still glowing with what Ennis now recognized as love.
The open-hearted expression made Ennis lower his head in shame, time passing before he finally gathered up enough courage to look back at the man who had never given up on them, despite all the anger and broken dreams. The knowledge of the unswerving faith Jack had never ceased to hold inside of him made Ennis shiver with awkwardness and an overpowering sense of regret, “Yeah.”
Even though Ennis knew he did not deserve Jack’s forgiveness, the kindness flowed from Jack to him in an instant, his fella leaning in without hesitation to gently kiss his lips, a thread of saliva still binding them together like that second night in the tent when his world turned upside down. “It’s alright. It’s alright.”
Ennis nodded, once more appreciating Jack’s strength, trying to compose himself before continuing. “I was all mixed up the day we broke camp. Hated myself. Hated you. Hated Aguirre. Hated Alma. Junior told me once that she learned in school that hate is nothin’ more than fear disguised as rage. So guess I was afraid more than anything else.”
Jack smiled, making him feel safe and wanted at the same time.
“Jack, I swear….” He cleared his throat before continuing on. Not sure if he was saying it right, but figuring Jack knew him better than anyone and would somehow be able to fill in the gaps.
“We’re no good apart. I see that now. Don’t rightly know where we’re headed. Can’t say as I’m not….”
Jack grimaced, knowing the tire irons couldn’t be far behind and waited.
“Can’t say I’m not worried. But, I know I’m not angry any more. Not angry with ya for makin’ me want ya. Now angry at me for lettin’ this all happen. Don’t give a lick what happens to me. But, don’t know what I’d do if….” Jack’s skin felt clammy and Ennis could feel the goose flesh crop up and the hairs stand on end.
“Ennis, don’t ya see. Ain’t nothin’ gonna happen to us.”
Uneasy, Ennis hitched himself impossibly closer and flung his leg over Jack’s so he could never leave again, “You don’t know that.”
“I know we’re stronger together.” Jack shifted and settled his chin against Ennis’ shoulder, unable to see his face when he told him the secret he had kept all these years. “And, I know we were meant to be together. I wouldn’t have taken your shirt up on Brokeback, if I didn’t believe that.”
Ennis wasn’t sure if he heard right, but when the meaning began to sink in he was struck numb, the words hitting him in the gut like a solid punch laced with TNT, not quite believing what was being said. Jack had taken his shirt? The one he was wearing that had been bloodied when he had swung at Jack and left his mark, nearly fifteen years ago. The day he had been filled with anger and confusion, knowing their time together was drawing to a close.
“You stole my shirt up on Brokeback?” He half-adjusted himself to look into Jack’s eyes, immediately seeing the truth and wondering why he had never seen it before now.
“Oh Christ, Jack. You’ve known,” Ennis gulped back a gasp, “since then.”
Jack swept his hand across his face, not hiding the fact that tears were being wiped away. Afraid he was incapable of speech, he simply nodded.
“Shit.” Ennis spread his fingers wide, as far as they could go to cover Jack’s head, and pulled him forward. Having waited far too long, both men’s tongues eagerly sought their target, already extended to suck the other one deep inside. The spark between them ignited like wildfire once contact was made. Separating just for a second, they grabbed each other hard again, falling into a protective bear hug, to rock back and forth, tight in each other’s arms. Jack was muttering something underneath his breath, but Ennis wasn’t quite able to make out the words. After awhile of straining to hear, the back and forth pitching motion momentarily caused a slight nausea in Ennis’ stomach to erupt from all the emotions being shared.
“Jesus, Jack.” Ennis rubbed his cheek against Jack’s to calm himself down. Not quite sure if all of this was really happening. When the haze eventually lifted and his fella’s voice became a low purr in his ear, the seductive sound shot straight to Ennis’ groin. The feverish thoughts that followed melted his brain in an instant.
Twisting his body so he was now laying on his back, he pulled Jack over on top of him, their mouths spontaneously occupying themselves with rough kisses. His legs parted to let Jack in closer, long smooth curves and lines continuing to be explored while Ennis angled his hips in such a way that the invitation was unmistakable.
Reaching out a finger, Jack touched his fella’s cheek before letting out a sigh and sagging into the two arms that had been flung wide, ready to receive him. When he felt a slight tension beneath his hands, Jack exhaled into Ennis’ ear to make sure he was not misreading the signs. “Are you sure, Ennis?”
Grabbing hold of Jack’s belt Ennis began to unfasten the buckle, reaching in between their bodies, to grab hold of the hardness he had been seeking. “Want to see you, darlin’.”
Clothes tossed aside, Jack drew in a quick breath and stretched out his arm to grab hold of the lube he had placed underneath the bedroll, squirting out a dollop for himself and then getting to work on opening up his man with the practiced hand he had acquired over the years. Ennis snatched hold of Jack’s two strapping thighs and tried to relax. The single then multi digit probing sensation at first uncomfortable, until eventually a twinge of pleasure was erased by an electrifying surge of gratification that shot through him like a bolt of lightning or a cheap shot of whiskey.
“Oh, gawd. Do me good, baby.”
Jack groaned already caught up in the sensations of giving his man pleasure and seeing Ennis so receptive to being claimed. Ennis wrapped his legs around Jack’s hipbones and grinned, one hand brushing away the sweat soaked thick thatch of dark hair that had flopped over his forehead. He ran his thumb along Jack’s upper lip and closed his eyes at the sight of the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.
“Give me everythin’ ya got, good-lookin’.”
Jack couldn’t help the short laugh that came out of him, “You’re not so bad yourself, dumbass.” Propping up on his left arm, Jack slowly began to forge inside, a little progress at first until he was completely sheathed and positioned right where he wanted to be. One deep, heavy sigh and then it was all jagged breathing, white heat, and muscles flexing. Pushing in and out, lifting up to meet the other, forgiving eyes not letting go, safeguarding and unflinching, filled with promises and a whole lot of memories yet to be made.
Once Jack sailed over the edge, Ennis, who had been helping things along on his own, soon followed close behind, cum shooting up between them as Jack collapsed on top with a whoosh. After a quick clean up, they folded up into each other’s arms, Jack ready to slip off to sleep, boneless and satisfied with the direction there conversation had gone. More certain that ever that Ennis wasn’t going to return to his ostrich ways the moment he drove away on Monday, he settled into a post-coital euphoria, shutting his eyes to the world and snuggling in closer. Just about to lose consciousness, he stirred a bit when he felt a shake of his shoulder, Ennis obviously not done with him yet.
“Jack.”
“Mhmm.”
“Want to ask ya sumthin’.”
“Can’t it wait ‘til mornin’, Ennis?” When no response came, Jack groaned and ineptly twisted around to see what was wrong.
“You, okay?”
Ennis had that shy look in his eyes that always made Jack’s stomach flip, a tender expression on his face.
“Guess ya threw away that shirt of mine, huh?”
Jack blinked, not sure where this line of questioning was going. “Aw, Ennis. Why would I do that? I kept it for a reason. Needed sumthin’ to remember ya by.”
Ennis was staring into his eyes with a tough-minded intensity, like he was afraid of what Jack might say. “I’ve done a lot of disappointin’ since then.”
“That’s true,” Jack agreed. “It’s up in Lightning Flat. I hung it in my closet,” Jack paused then added, “It’s on the same hanger as my own.”
“Your own?”
Jack flushed, suddenly realizing how silly his gesture may have looked to someone like Ennis. The rash action of a sentimental and schmaltzy fool who didn’t know how to move on or let go, even when all the signs were pointing in the wrong direction.
“Yeah. I um…put my blue denim shirt over yours, blood stains ‘n all. Don’t know why. Just seemed like the right thing to do. Figure if we couldn’t be together, at least those shirts could….” His voice faded before completing the thought, a half-sob providing the punctuation.
Suddenly dizzy and gasping for gulps of air, Jack could feel his heart throbbing in his chest, wondering how much longer his overloaded ticker could take the strain. He looked away before he might give too much away, the thick fringe of his eyelashes masking any trace of what was stirring inside. “You…you want your shirt back?”
Ennis frowned before quickly touching the back of his hand to Jack’s cheek to regain his attention. “Sure do.”
Jack’s head jerked up, disappointment beginning to overflow at the casual nature of the response. The fierce look he shot back at Ennis similar to that of a mama bear protecting her own.
“Hold on there, Jack. Hear me out. I want both those shirts back, just not yet. I was thinkin' maybe when we’ve got a place of our own, they'd look mighty good there. Seems only right not to separate ‘em after all these years. Could just be they'll bring us some good luck for a change.”
Jack was too overwhelmed to speak. Ennis did understand, after all. Just the knowing he was not alone anymore, made him realize that he would do anything for this man, even if it included walking away if Ennis couldn’t do this anymore. His tongue slid into the corner of his mouth, gradually perking up with the kind of genuine smile that reached all the way to his eyes, dimples and all. “Ya mean it?” he croaked.
Ennis’ lips pressed together then flattened a few more times before saying the words Jack had almost given up ever hearing.
“When I make a promise, I keep it, Jack. There ain’t anyway you can get rid of me now.”
_______________________
Tbc
