FIC: Western Lovers: Cowboys and Geologists (2)

Jul 09, 2007 11:39





Title: Western Lovers: Cowboys and Geologists
Author:sassywitch
Beta by the talented niblets
Pairing: OB/DW
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: 1152
Previous Stories: Can be found at Western Lovers: Cowboys and Archeaologistsand Western Lovers: Cowboys and Biologists

Sean stood just inside Craig’s door, listening to the sound of water running in the bathroom, his eyes searched the room quickly. Seeing the plumes of steam billowing from the bathroom, he set the tray holding their meals on the table just inside the door and moved slowly towards the bathroom.

Fully intending to announce his presence to the younger man before he reached the steamy room, Sean stopped dead in his tracks as he caught sight of Craig. Standing inside the glass shower enclosure, Craig stood with his arms braced against the wall, the water cascading across his strongly muscled shoulders, streaming down his back and across his taut buttocks.

His mouth went dry as he watched the rivulets of water running across Craig’s pale skin. One leg held his weight, his other barely touching the slick floor, almost as if he didn’t trust the scarred and twisted muscles in his thigh to hold his weight in the slippery environment. Sean could only imagine the pain and damage inside his leg, the ugly and intensive scarring the once strong leg was testimony to the numerous surgeries that Craig had endured.

“You do know that I’m only a cripple, not deaf?” Craig’s voice resonated from the bathroom.

Sean’s eyes lifted expecting to meet Craig’s gaze, but he hadn’t moved from his position against the tiled wall.

“I know, but you’re no cripple.” Sean almost stammered, “I’ll give you a minute.”

“Why? Haven’t got anything I haven’t,” Craig twisted the spigots off and turned to face Sean.

“Trust me, I’m not packaged nearly so well.” He laughed.

“Doesn’t look too bad to me.” Craig replied quietly, his eyes downcast, he hopped a few steps to the vanity unit and lifted his soft fluffy towel. Giving himself a cursory rubdown he fastened the towel low around his hips.

Running his fingers through his wet hair, Craig looked up at Sean.

“So why are you here? Or is it entertain the gimp night?”

“Thought I’d save you and Billy the heartache and I’d bring you your supper tonight.”

“Maybe he should learn to just leave it here.”

“Maybe you should come down to eat with your family.”

“I don’t need their pity.” Craig retorted sharply.

“We had steak and vege tonight, didn’t see any pity on the table.” Sean replied calmly.

“Don’t be a smartass.” Craig snarled.

“I wasn’t. They’re your family and they love you, they don’t pity you.” Sean tried to explain.

“Don’t bullshit to me Sean.” Craig looked into his face, “I see the pity in their eyes every time they look at me.”

“I didn’t take you for stupid.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Craig maneuvered himself to the edge of the bed and sat down heavily.

“That’s not pity you silly prat, it’s not even sympathy, they see you suffering, it’s concern, they love you and they don’t like to see your pain.”

“Then I’m saving them by staying in my room, no sweat.”

“Fuck, you’re a stubborn bastard” Sean growled as he took a plate from the tray and moved closer to the bed. “Dinner or massage?”

“Is there any choice?” Craig lifted an eyebrow as Sean thrust a plate holding toasted sandwiches in front of him.

“Not that I can see.” Sean grinned, and sat on the side of the bed. His hand resting lightly on Craig’s injured leg, unconsciously tracing the thick scar under his palm with his thumb. “Eat and then we’ll see about making you feel better.”

“Then you eat too.” Craig extended the plate to his companion.

“It’s your supper, Laddie.” Sean grinned.

“It’s not fun to eat alone.” Craig replied gently, lifting a thick sandwich from the plate and bit into it hungrily.

“Then why the fuck do you sit here all alone meal after meal.” Sean asked softly, his thumb brushing back and forth across the scarring as he watched Craig eating.

“Because I can’t stand seeing their pity, sympathy, concern, whatever it is.” Craig murmured, his eyes downcast. “Because it hurts too fucking much to hobble over there and back again. Because I used to be able to move and look after myself, now I’m hard pressed even using the bathroom on my own.”

“Then let me help you.” Sean asked quietly.

“Nobody can help me.” Craig put his food down and pushed the plate across the bed.

“I can, and if you’ll let me, I will.” Sean replied confidently.

Craig dipped his head, his chin pressed against his chest as he refused to look up into Sean’s face. “You’re the last person I want to help me.”

Sean immediately recoiled, he pulled his hand back. “I’m sorry.” He drew a deep, calming breath then hooked a hand under Craig’s chin forcing him to look up into his eyes. “I’ll leave you be if that’s what you want, but I want you to explain why first.”

Craig’s eyes shimmered emotionally; he swallowed convulsively before he spoke. “I’m still a man, Sean.” Was all he could manage without emotion quivering in his voice.

“I never thought you were anything less.” Sean replied quickly.

“If this,” Craig waved one clenched hand toward his leg quickly, “Hadn’t happened, we would have been fucking like bunnies by now, instead we’re like this, I’m like this. I can’t stand the pain, let alone myself.”

“Firstly, you don’t know that,” Sean shrugged, “secondly, I don’t just fuck and run, I don’t do that, not to you, not to me. I have relationships, and isn’t that what we have? So really, we’re exactly where we would have been right? Let me help you. Let me make it easier for you. I’ve been here, Laddie, I can help.”

“This is sure as hell going to make you want to shag me isn’t it?” Craig snorted, gesturing angrily at his leg.

“Honey you could be two hundred pounds heavier, two foot shorter and allergic to me before I wouldn’t want you.” Sean pressed his hand firmly against Craig’s damaged thigh, his fingers pressing into the tortured flesh, massaging as he spoke.

“That’s not the point, Sean.” Craig sighed. “I want to be the man I was when you met me, not a broken shadow.

“You’re not broken, Craig.” Sean whispered, leaning forward to cup Craig’s face, rubbing his thumb across his cheekbone. “You’re a wee bit damaged at the moment, but we’ll fix you, and even if we can’t I’m not going anywhere.”

sean bean, wlc&g, fic, craig parker

Previous post Next post
Up