Fic: Western Lovers: Cowboys and Geologists (16/33)
Title: Western Lovers: Cowboys and Geologists
Author:sassywitch
Beta by the talented celtprincess13
Pairing: CP/SB
Rating: NC-17 for the series.
Summary: Craig is bitter and broken, can the Sean soften both their edges enough for a good fit?
Feedback: Feedback is love
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality. These men whilst adorable and perfectly happy to slash themselves, their actual relationship is something that they only know. This story is loosely adapted from a series of books that I adored when I was younger written by Elizabeth Lowell.
Word Count: 1221
Previous Stories: Can be found at Western Lovers: Cowboys and Archeaologistsand Western Lovers: Cowboys and Biologists
Previous Chapters:
1| 2| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8| 9| 10| 11| 12| 13| 14| 15|
A large, non-descript SUV pulled into the ranch yard before the sun had barely cleared the distant mountains. David and Billy had known of its imminent arrival and were waiting patiently at the kitchen door, warm tin mugs of coffee in their hands. Sean stood a short distance away, a thin cigarette held between the fingers of one hand, his coffee mug cradled in the other.
As the car drew to a halt near the main house, Sean took a long draw on the cigarette and then ground the smouldering butt out under his booted foot. A large man alighted from the vehicle, his crisp dark denim and stiff western cut shirt showing his discomfort with his locale without him even speaking. The taut nod the out-of-town goon sent towards Billy was enough for Sean to realize that the gorilla and their ramrod were acquainted. Opening the rear door of the SUV, man-mountain reached inside the vehicle and lifted something from the back seat.
Looking closer, Sean realized he was looking at what, in his mind, was ostensibly his new son. A tiny thin child, dark golden skin and a shock of unruly black hair he held onto the gorilla’s hand like it was his lifeline. In that moment Sean lost his heart to the youngster. He’d known fear and desperation but never had he known the fear this child had known in his short five years.
Without even thinking about his actions Sean strode forward, intent on extending a hand of friendship and warmth to the youngster. As he approached, the boy slipped behind his current protector, his face a mask of fear. Instantly regretting his impulsive action, Sean dipped to his knees in front of the goon, extending a hand to the child in greeting.
“Pietro?” Sean spoke softly, “It’s alright lad. I’m Sean. You’re safe here.”
Sean watched the tiny face peer out from behind the crisp denim-covered legs. Wide grey eyes peered at him from under the shock of thick black hair. Small white teeth gnawed at the bottom lip as he tried to understand the words he heard.
“It’s alright, Pietro.” He lifted both arms to him, cautiously beckoning the youngster into the warm haven of his arms. “I’ll keep you safe.”
The youngster extended his own tiny hand to Sean and instead of pulling Pietro into his embrace, he waited until the child stepped close enough before he closed his arms and hugged him tightly. Feeling the frantic beating of the boy’s heart against his body, Sean closed his arms and stood, lifting the youngster as he did.
“Everything go smoothly?” Billy asked the big man quietly.
“No one knows he’s even in the country.” He answered, turning to lift a small suitcase from the vehicle.
Handing the suitcase to David, he stood with his hands on his hips watching Sean soothing the youngster.
“He don’t talk much.” He nodded towards the child. “Cate wants you to find out what he knows.”
“You’re not interrogating a five year old.” Sean spoke calmly, his eyes flashing fire at his companions.
“Because that’s the type of assholes you think we are?” David asked.
“You maybe.” Sean responded. “Can’t you see he’s terrified?” Sean brushed one large hand against Pietro’s head, smoothing the unruly hair as the youngster pressed his face into Sean’s shoulder.
“Are you good with him?” Billy asked quietly, “Dom’s awake if you want to take him down there.”
“He’ll be fine with me.” Sean stated, tightening his arms around the youngster, fingers caressing the back of Pietro’s head as the boy relaxed against him.
Billy nodded as he watched the youngster in Sean’s arms, his mind drawn back to his own relationship with his eldest daughter. Wanting to give Sean the same opportunity he had been given Billy nodded in understanding.
“I’ll have some breakfast brought up for you all.” Billy replied.
“Thanks.” Sean acknowledged and turned to carry the youngster towards the barn, wanting to give him a little time to get used to his surroundings before he took him back to the room he would be sharing with Craig.
Walking inside the dimly lit barn, Sean winced as the tiny body in his arms tensed.
“What’s wrong, Pietro?” Sean asked as he knelt down, standing the youngster on his sandal clad feet.
Pietro looked up at him, his wide grey eyes shimmering with tears, his lip quivering nervously as he spoke softly. “Are you.. are you going to hurt me now?” he asked
“Who hurt you lad?” Sean lifted one large hand to press his fingers against Pietro’s face, flinching when he pulled away thinking he was about to be hit.
Pietro shook his head wildly.
“Can I call you Pete?” Sean asked softly. “A new name for your new home?”
Pietro shrugged his shoulders non-committally.
“Do you have animals at your old home?” Sean asked conversationally.
Pietro’s brows furrowed one small finger pressed to his lips as he considered the question.
“Dookens.” He answered, holding up his other hand to indicate that they had five.
“You had five dookens?” Sean responded with a grin. “Would you like to see your new dookens?”
Pietro nodded solemnly and waited while Sean scooped him up again. Striding through the barn, he stepped through the smaller back door and towards the chicken coop. Opening the high gate, he stepped inside and fastened it again before he put Pietro on his feet. He watched as Pietro moved slowly around the coop, his tiny fingers trailing across the chain fence, as he followed the chickens around their enclosure.
Never before had Sean been so happy to have a nature loving sister. For the short time they had lived together in their youth, Liv had been the proud owners of several Dookens and Chucks. She had been well into her teens before she had admitted to having chickens and ducks.
Leaning against the sturdy fence Sean watched as Pietro crawled into the hen house. Several minutes later Sean had been almost ready to kneel down and peer through the doorway when Pietro emerged from the small structure, several large brown eggs carried in the front of his stretched out t-shirt.
Presenting them to Sean he smiled shyly.
“Six.” He told Sean proudly.
“You’re a clever boy.” Sean acknowledged lifting a small bucket hanging on a nail on the side of the house and carefully took Pietro’s bounty from him. “Do you like the dookens?” he asked.
“I help mama.” He nodded. “The dookens are my job.” Nervously looking down at his feet, he scuffed his toes in the dirt. “Mama won’t be able to find me now, will she?”
Sean took a deep breath and put the bucket on the ground beside them and placed his hands on Pietro’s trembling shoulders.
“Pietro,” Sean started, waiting for the youngster to look up at him. “I’m sure that wherever your mama is, she’s waiting for you.” He cupped Pietro’s chin in his hand and looked earnestly into his face. “But until it’s time for you to be together again, will you trust us, trust me enough to look after you.”
Pietro stood for long minutes watching Sean, almost like he was trying to decipher the words he was hearing, before he nodded his head and launched himself into Sean’s arms.