Justin pulled the kitchen window curtain aside to watch JC as he stood by the fence. The older man was hammering a nail, fixing the wobbly fence of the corral. Justin wondered how JC could even stand to be outside in the scorching heat, much less work so hard in it. Justin thought JC must have been suffering aftereffects from his previous nights drinking binge. But when JC had walked into the kitchen this morning, he’d said nothing about either feeling bad or about what he’d said the night before. He didn’t speak at all, merely sitting at the table drinking cup after cup of Justin’s coffee, then walked out and began his repairs to the corral fence. So Justin was left wondering if JC even remembered what he’d said the night before, about wanting Justin. But Justin remembered. And the memory of JC’s words—and JC’s lips on his hands—was enough to keep Justin here, at least until the truth was revealed. Justin watched as JC took off his hat, wiping his arm across his brow, and looking toward the house. Justin dropped the curtain quickly, not wanting the older man to catch him watching. He could still see JC’s outline, though, standing out in the hot sun. Getting inspired, Justin grabbed a jug and pushed the pump handle, filling the jug with cool well water. ***************** JC finished hammering another nail and tuned, surprised to find Justin behind him. That the boy was able to sneak up behind him without being heard was testament to how badly JC felt. For if he’d been at 100%, there was no way Justin would have gotten that close without JC knowing. He watched Justin’s eyes squint against the bright sun. “You shouldn’t be out here without a hat, Justin.” Justin lifted a hand to shield his eyes. “You shouldn’t be out here at all,” he replied. JC stiffened. “There’s nothing wrong with me.” “Liar,” Justin countered, handing JC the jug of water. “Here. Drink some water before you collapse from the heat.” JC took the jug from Justin, pulling out the stopper and lifting it to his mouth. The cool water slid softly down, quenching his parched throat. He gulped the water, realizing now how thirsty he was. Justin watched in fascination as JC drank the water, his strong throat working as he drank, small rivers of water escaping from JC’s mouth to slip down his skin. Justin wanted nothing more than to lick those dribbles off of JC’s throat, his own mouth watering and wondering how JC would taste. JC lowered the jug, catching Justin’s expression before the younger man covered it up. Their eyes locked, moments stretching into minutes as they both struggled with their inner thoughts. JC was the first to break contact. He handed Justin the jug. “I’m going to take Zeus out for a ride,” he said, leaning down and picking up the toolbox at his feet. He brushed by Justin and headed toward the stable. Justin watched JC walk away, a small smile on his face. **************** It was close to dusk before JC returned. He walked into the kitchen and was greeted by the smell of stew on the stove, and the sight of a steaming bathtub on the floor. “Great. I timed it perfectly.” JC looked over to where Justin stood in the doorway to the mudroom. His hair was damp and his clothes were…JC’s. “I hope you don’t mind,” Justin said, indicating the borrowed clothes. “I just couldn’t bear putting on those dirty clothes after bathing.” JC’s eyes traveled to the tub. “Bathing.” Justin walked into the kitchen to the stove, stirring the stew, then turned to JC. “Cleaning at the trough is fine for a while, but I thought you might need, er, want a hot bath.” He blinked at JC’s still frame. “It’s all yours,” Justin said, walking to the front room. JC watched Justin leave, his mind reeling. This boy…No. Don’t think that. Don’t believe it’s possible. JC looked at the bathtub, quickly stripping off his clothes. He sighed with pleasure as his body sank beneath the water. JC lay in the bath for a long time, the hot heat soaking the soreness from his muscles. He lay there until the water started to cool. He lifted the cloth floating and picked up the soap that was placed on a chair near the tub. Quickly working up a lather, JC scrubbed his skin pink and clean. He washed his hair, splashing to rinse, but groaned with pain when he tried to wash his back. “What’s wrong?” Justin’s concerned voice sounded behind him. He stood by the tub, a set of clean clothes in his hands, and worried look in his eyes. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” JC blushed a bit. “I, uh, twisted my shoulder while riding this afternoon. It’s nothing.” Justin gave him a puzzled look. “I can’t wash my back,” he finally admitted. Justin laid the clothes on the chair, deftly plucking the washcloth from JC’s hand and kneeling next to the tub. “Let me,” he offered, running the cloth against JC’s back. JC stiffened at the touch, waiting for the inevitable question. Justin did not disappoint. “JC…what…why…your back is…” “Scarred?” JC finished for him. “What happened? Who did this to you.” Justin’s voice was tinged with anger. “I wasn’t the most cooperative of prisoners when I was first sent to Leavenworth,” he explained, trying to sound casual. “I’m afraid the guards took exception to my disobedience.” JC tried to twist away from Justin, but found his movements stopped by Justin’s hands on his back. “I’m sorry you had to see them, Justin. You don’ have to…” His voice trailed off as he felt a gentle finger trace the rigid scars; then, shockingly, the soft touch of breath before the even softer lips. JC held his breath as Justin’s mouth moved over his scars, salving the hard flesh with tender kisses. A wisp of cool air and the slamming of the front screen door indicated Justin’s sudden departure from the kitchen. JC sat in the bath until the water turned cold. ************** The creek of the screen door sounded as JC walked out to the porch. He walked to the rail, leaning and looking up at the stars. He knew Justin was behind him, sitting on one of the chairs, but he waited until the boy was ready to speak. JC was content to count the stars. He felt rather than heard Justin’s approach, then the timid hand on his arm. He turned, seeing the boy’s bright blue eyes shining in the moonlight, a question lurking in them. JC lifted a hand, running his fingers along Justin’s cheek, smiling when Justin leaned into the caress. “Justin…are you sure?” Justin lifted a hand, covering JC’s and pressing it harder against his face. He nodded, his lips parting slightly. “I’m sure,” he said. “I didn’t know…thought I was strange, different.” He moved his head, kissing JC’s palm lightly. When JC pulled away, a worried expression entered Justin’s eyes. “It’s right, isn’t it? You feel the same way?” JC smiled softly. “Yes, I do,” he assured Justin, pulling the younger man closer to him. He leaned down, skimming a soft kiss across Justin’s lips. “But I don’t want to scare you.” Justin sighed with relief. “You won’t.” He wrapped his arms around JC’s neck, smashing his mouth against JC’s. JC’s hands came up, intending to push Justin away. Instead, he gripped the younger mans’ hips, and pulled him closer, at the same time, deepening the kiss. JC’s tongue swept inside, delving deep and gather all of Justin’s taste and texture while pressing his growing hardness against Justin’s answering erection. Mutual groans of pleasure broke the night as the heat built. Justin stood on tiptoe, almost climbing onto JC in his eagerness to be closer to the older man. JC held him just as tight, wanting to envelope Justin and hold him forever. JC tore his mouth away, traveling with hot lips up and down Justin’s throat, nibbling at the flesh that now belonged to him. “Oh, god…yes,” JC said, as he felt Justin’s hand creep toward the front of his pants. A firm grip on his cock, and JC pressed forward, filling Justin’s hand. “You’re…for me…I don’t…oh.” Justin’s voice was hesitant. “JC, I don’t know what to do.” JC stilled. “Justin…you’ve never…” Justin bent his head, shaking it. JC lifted Justin’s face, his cheeks bright pink with embarrassment. “Hey, it’s okay,” JC told him. “We’re going too fast anyway.” “Don’t you want me?” Justin asked, his eyes fearful again. “Shh, yes I do,” JC said, covering Justin’s mouth with a finger. “Let’s just take it slowly, at least for right now, okay?” JC’s stomach rumbled. “Besides, I’m hungry, and I bet you are, too.” Justin’s own rumbling stomach was answer enough. JC laughed, pulling Justin close and looking up at the stars. He wondered which one was his lucky star, the one that had sent Justin to him. He must remember to thank it later.