FIC: Western Lovers: Cowboys and Geologists (18/33)
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: 950
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| 16| 17|
Sean walked across the distance between the bunkhouse and the main house slowly, rolling the sleeves of his forest green work shirt up until they sat snugly just below his elbow. Stopping outside the kitchen door, he rubbed workrough hands across his stubble-covered face. Dark shadows ringed his eyes from a night spent sleeplessly pacing, tossing and turning. Eventually, as dawn tinged the mountains with its red-gold light, he'd thrown his belongings into his overnight bag and prepared to move back to his own house, away from the populated part of the Double L. Now he was dragging his sorry ass to breakfast before he left for the other side of the mountains and the solitude his weary emotions craved.
Leaning against the wall, he cast his eyes across the home yards, watching the hands and animals alike, stirring for the morning. As he stood there, silently remembering all the things he would miss about these mornings, voices drifted from the kitchen toward him. One voice in particular caused his brows to draw together, and turning quickly, he pushed the screen door open and stepped into the room filled with the scents of baking bread, sizzling bacon, and fluffy eggs.
"Close your mouth, Seanie." Liv spoke softly from her position in front of the old wood burning oven, her long dark ponytail flicking across her shoulders as she turned back to her cooking.
"But…" Sean opened his mouth to speak but his lips refused to form the words his brain was trying to speak.
"Ahh." Liv forestalled him quickly, holding one delicate finger up to him without looking away from her task.
"It's my fault, Livvie." Craig smiled nervously from where he stood in front of the industrial toaster, one gnarled hand gripping the head of his cane tightly.
"Don't care boys." Liv shook her head. "Breakfast on the Double L isn't the time to be sorting out your crap." Liv sighed, "Seanie, they need juice in the dining room." She directed him, "How’s the toast going, Craig?" she asked, not expecting an answer.
As Sean moved behind her toward the huge double door fridge, she snaked an arm out behind her and clasped his hand quickly. "Thank you." She whispered softly and returned her full attention to breakfast.
Sean leaned down to press an affectionate kiss to the base of his half-sister's neck. "No. Thank you, Lillibut." He grinned and moved to pull huge pitchers of fresh squeezed juice from the fridge and moved toward the dining room.
"Lillibut?" Craig asked softly, his eyes following Sean's departure from the room.
"Don’t ask. Its one of those silly childhood nicknames that stuck, you'll have to ask him how he came up with it. Something to do with him being big and all powerful and me being tiny. Fancies himself as Gulliver, methinks." She shrugged, as she transferred the bacon onto two large platters and shifted them to the huge kitchen table. Sliding the scrambled eggs from the heavy iron skillet to two deep bowls she had already prepared, she wiped her hands on the pink bibbed apron she wore and walked across the room to stand behind Craig.
"Want me to take over so you can talk to him before breakfast." She smiled, one long fingered hand rubbing Craig's back between his shoulder blades gently, "Or do you want to make him squirm until after breakfast?"
“Methinks your sibling doesn’t squirm nearly as often as he should.” Craig smiled fondly as he leaned into Liv’s welcome touch. “It might be fun to let him ponder for a while, don’t you think?” he turned his head to wink at the slender woman who ruled the Double L.
“Damned amusing, I think.” Liv leaned up to press a kiss against his cheek and grinned as she lifted the platter of warm toast from the counter in front of Craig. “Do you need a hand into the dining room?” she asked her voice filled only with concern and none of the pity Craig had been dreading.
“If nothing else, Liv,” Craig replied, folding his fingers around the cane he’d hooked over the edge of the counter, “This has taught me that slow and steady wins the race.” He smiled at her and waved her away. “Besides, there’s nothing like making an entrance.”
“It’s good to see you back, Craigie.” Liv kissed his stubbled cheek again before she turned and carried the platter of toast into the dining room.
Craig followed her path and pushed the large swinging door open with one hand before he stepped through into the room filled with Double L family.
You could have heard a pin drop as the room’s occupants looked up to verify the unexpected arrival. Craig ducked his head and smiled as he watched the reactions of his immediate family. He didn’t miss the grin splitting Dom’s face and the slight nod of confirmation from Liv before she turned her radiant smile his way. Billy’s jaw had dropped far enough for Dom to lean over playfully and caress under Billy’s chin, pushing his slack jaw closed. Viggo was rubbing his eyes in what Craig could only assume was disbelief only to be met with a scolding smack from Liv. The hands were similarly gobsmacked.
“Anyone would think you’d never seen me before.” Craig muttered suddenly embarrassed at the attention he was attracting.
“Good to see you, Craig.” Dom congratulated him with a wide cheery grin, “We’ve missed you.”
“Good to hear,” Craig ducked his head to hide the sheen of tears that filled his own eyes and lowered himself gratefully into the empty chair beside Sean. Pulling the chair awkwardly back in to the table, he leaned across and slowly started to fill the plate that Sean had placed in front of him.
Breakfast passed in a blur of contented happiness for Craig; until he’d actually set himself down at the table, he hadn’t realized just how much he missed the companionship of meals with family and friends;the sounds of family affection as parents tended to their children’s needs. He couldn’t help but surreptitiously watch Pietro as Dom lavished just as much love and attention on the small boy as he did on Daisy-May.
As the meal concluded, the hands stacked their dishes in the dishwasher and went about their business. As if by some sort of unspoken agreement, their companions filtered slowly away until Criag and Sean were the only ones left at the table.
Sean’s head rested on his hands, his gaze focused on the plate that still sat between his elbows.
“I’m sorry.” Craig murmured softly, not daring to look towards Sean.
“What for?” Sean asked fatalistically, “I shouldn’t be pushing you.” He shrugged.
“If you didn’t push me, I’d still be lying in that bed feeling sorry for myself.” Craig answered honestly, one gnarled hand reached out to touch Sean’s forearm. “You’re right self pity isn’t me and I’m trying to change it.”
“You will, Soldier Boy.” Sean laid his hand over Craig’s, “By the time I get back, you’ll be back to your old self I’m sure.”
“You’re going somewhere?” Craig couldn’t withhold the quaver in his voice.
Sean’s head dropped until he was looking at the forest green placemat that sat between his elbows, subconsciously counting the fine bamboo strips as he struggled to find the words to say to Craig.
“I know what I said to you Soldier Boy, but I can’t do this anymore.” Sean sighed. “I want to stay here for you, but I can’t, I have to go home…for me.”