ASJ Fic - (AU) Part 3
You'll really want to read these in order otherwise you'll be confuzzled...
In the morning, Jed woke up to the feel of strong hands stroking his back. Eager to see Heyes' face, he quickly opened his eyes.
The early dawn cast him in a beautiful light. Jed reached out to trace his dimples. God, how had he not noticed how sexy those were before?
“Mornin' cowboy,” Heyes said with a lazy smile.
And his voice. That had to be about the sexiest thing Jed had ever heard.
“Mornin' yourself. Sleep well?”
“Like the proverbial dead. You?”
“Same.”
“So, what's the plan for today?” Heyes said continuing his caress of Jed's back and arms.
“You keep touchin' me like that and we might never leave this cabin.”
“Sounds good to me.”
With that, Heyes began kissing a trail down Jed's sternum. Jed felt helpless to stop him. Not that he wanted to, really. It was the sweetest agony he'd ever known.
And then he felt himself taken in that hot, wet mouth. Oh god. And then, Heyes started moaning, and the vibrations only heightened the sensations. Jed thought he might not survive this. But what a way to go.
If he'd intended to hold back, his resolve dissipated with each stroke of that talented tongue on the sensitive underside of his cock. All too soon he felt himself going over that edge again. He came with a guttural shout, only peripherally aware that Heyes hadn't released the organ from his mouth. The thought of Heyes' willingness to accept him like that made him feel powerful and humble at the same time.
As he came back to himself, he looked lovingly at the man who now had turned to rest his head on Jed's thigh. Heyes looked wanton. Flushed cheeks, hair falling over his face and panting. Eyes still glassy with passion.
“A man could get used to wakin' up like that,” Jed said in a husky voice.
“As long as you plan on wakin' up with me, I think that could be arranged,” Heyes tried joking but his voice had an uncharacteristic uncertainty to it.
“I meant what I said last night Heyes. I want this-you and me, together-to last. I'm talkin' about more than the physical thing-not that that part isn't great-I'm talking about giving you my heart. Somethin' I haven't been willin' to do with anyone until now. But I gotta' know that we're in this together. And I think I gotta' know now. Just you Heyes. Only you. And I won't share you. Think you can handle that?” Jed sat up a little as he asked the question.
“Handled it last night didn't I?” Heyes replied, as he touched the spot on his own neck where Jed had marked him. He raised himself so they were looking eye to eye, and repeated the vow from the previous evening, “Yours...”
And he underscored his words with a deep kiss, then pulled away to add, “I hope you know that works both ways...you're mine too. Just mine. Won't share you either. You can tell any interested ladies that you are off the market. Fair enough?”
“Sounds fair to me. Speakin' of fair...” Jed looked toward Heyes' groin which was hidden in the twist of blankets, “I think somebody deserves some attention this morning,” he said with obvious intent.
“Uhh...actually no...” Heyes said and flushed.
Confused, Jed raised his eyebrows.
“Came while I was getting' you off. Just seeing the effect I had on you Jed. It was a powerful feelin',” he explained.
“I know what you mean. Feel the same when I sense you tremble at my touch or every time I hear you moan in pleasure. Wanna make you feel like that forever Heyes,” Jed said in all sincerity.
“Oh, we are a pair,” laughed Heyes, shaking his head. “We'll be impossible to be around, you realize that. Everyone will be able to tell how much we just wanna' fuck each other.”
“And they'll be jealous as hell. So what. Let 'em get their own cowboy,” Jed said amiably, helping himself to a kiss.
“Right. You know, I think I've worked up an appetite. What'd you pack for breakfast?”
“Remember when we talked last night about bein' authentic?”
“Oh god. It's not beans is it?” Though, truthfully, Heyes didn't appear too bothered by the thought.
Jed laughed, “No. No beans. Coupla' biscuits, and I got some jam and honey. And some oatmeal. Just need to put on the water to boil for the oatmeal and the coffee.”
“You handle the breakfast, and I'll take care of cleaning up all this mess,” Heyes said, gesturing to indicate the tangle of blankets and hastily discarded underclothes.
Jed's eye caught sight of the much abused henley and looked from it to Heyes, remembering the gentle care he took to clean them up after their lovemaking.
“Thanks for...” Jed found himself struggling for words.
“Anytime,” Heyes said knowingly, and kissed him lightly.
Simple fare though it was, breakfast tasted as good as Jed could remember food ever tasting. And he took some pride in noticing Heyes seemed to enjoy it with equal relish.
Heyes was right, Jed thought. They were a pair.
He followed Heyes' gaze as he surveyed the cabin in the light of day.
“So this is where Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry lived when they first staked their claim, after they got their amnesty. Pretty small. For two grown men, I mean. Not that it didn't seem plenty of room for us last night,” he quickly amended with a sheepish grin.
“Now that you mention it, it does appear kinda small. From what my grandad told me, Heyes and The Kid lived in this cabin for a couple years until they finished building the big house on the ranch. S'pose after years on the run, holed up in cheap hotel rooms and whatever other accommodations they could find, anything that they could call their own must've seemed like a palace.”
“You know Jed, I do believe you're right about that. What's at the top of the ladder?” Heyes asked with a nod of his head toward a short ladder at the end of the cabin.
“Probably a small loft. Pretty common, in these one room cabins of the time. If the ladder and loft are as sturdy as the rest of this place, I don't think there'd be any danger in our checking it out,” Jed ventured.
“Yeah. It seems Hannibal and The Kid didn't do things by half measures. They intended this to last. After you,” Heyes offered graciously.
Jed was up the ladder in three steps, with Heyes following behind. He turned at the top to glance back and found Heyes watching his ass.
“Oh, so that's how it's gonna' be from now on, is it?” Jed let out a knowing chuckle. “Next time we find ourselves having to climb something, it's my turn to stay behind and ogle your ass.”
Stepping into the loft, Heyes joined the laughter and gave a little yip when Jed punctuated his last remark by swatting the ass in question.
There was one small window in the situated above the rafters which allowed enough light for them to take in the space. There eyes both fell on the old trunk, pushed in the corner, at the same time.
“Jed, I believe we may have just hit on something,” Heyes said clapping his partner on the back.
There was an old padlock on the case, but it was rudimentary at best and Jed, somehow, was not surprised that Heyes was able to use a tool on his pocketknife to pick it.
“Some criminal past you wanna' confess, partner?” he asked in amused tone.
“Just a skill I seem to have. A natural ability to get around a lock. Comes in handy when you lock yourself out of your car...or your house. Not sure where it came from,” he said as he was clearly pondering the possible contents of the trunk.
“Well, you've earned the honors. Go ahead. Open it.” Jed felt the same anticipation that Heyes seemed to be exhibiting.
“Dunno...feels like this is pretty important. Like we should take a minute and consider what it means...” Heyes said, in a seemingly sudden change of heart.
“Yeah. Okay. You're right. Whatever we find, we'll treat it with the proper respect. Alright?”
Again, the Heyes smile that turned Jed's insides to mush.
“How come you always know just the right thing to say?” he said in a grateful tone.
“I think us sharing the same brain, might have something to do with it...” Jed offered, and nodded toward to trunk, “Go ahead.”
Heyes took a breath and lifted the lid and both men stood stock still as they assessed what lay before them.
Some documents and letters, yellowed but clearly legible. Various articles of clothing, and a gun and holster.
Heyes dropped to his knees, as if in reverence, and Jed followed him. Jed was the first to tentatively reach toward to contents, gently touching the white handled six-shooter.
“That was his, Jed. That was Kid's gun. I know it from the descriptions and the few period photos I was able to find,” Heyes said and added with appropriate solemnity, “It's yours now, Jed. He'd be proud to have you wear it.”
“I dunno. Doesn't feel right...” Jed said, a little overwhelmed.
“S'okay. Put it aside for now,” Heyes said reassuringly.
Heyes reached for the hats and leather gloves. A black hat with a black band that was studded with decorative bits of silver and a pair of black riding gloves nestled inside. And a brown one, decorated with a silver band, also with a matching pair of leather gloves.
Without a second thought, Heyes placed the brown hat on his friend and appropriated the black one for himself.
Then the edge of a photograph caught his eye. Heyes lifted it carefully from among the papers and swallowed hard. Without a word, he handed it to Jed.
Oh my god. Its was true. Everything Heyes had said about their being destined to meet...and maybe more. It was as if he was looking at Heyes and his own face in that photo. Jed looked up at Heyes, as he wore the newly discovered-yet-somehow-familiar black hat then back to the photograph were Hannibal Heyes-circa 1890s- wore the same.
He even had the same dimples. His arm slung happily around The Kid and The Kid's around him. Both ginning from ear to ear, as they stood in front of their little cabin. Their entire lives yet before them.
He looked again at Heyes-his Heyes-smiling at him with all that love showing on his face. It was a lot to take in. Jed was nearly dizzy from it.
Knowingly, Heyes reached out a gentle hand to his shoulder. At his touch, Jed felt calm and peaceful. He smiled gratefully.
“Wanna' stop for a bit?...if it's getting' to be too much-”
“No, I'm okay. Thanks, though. Are those personal letters of some kind?” Jed gestured toward the bundles in trunk, still hesitant to touch anything more, himself.
“Well, let's take a look...” Heyes took the first bundle and gave it a cursory inspection, sitting down cross-legged on the floor. Again, Jed mirrored Heyes' movements.
When Heyes noticed the top envelope appeared somewhat less aged than the others, he decided it should be read first. Jed nodded in agreement.
Unfolding the letter, Heyes glanced to the bottom of the last page and was not surprised to see the signature of Hannibal Hayes. “You wanna' to read it with me, or wait 'till I'm done, or...” Heyes offered the letter to Jed.
“Truthfully?” Jed asked.
“Always,” Heyes assured him.
“Think I'd like to hear you read it...you mind?”
Heyes looked like Jed had just paid him the highest compliment.
“Don't mind a bit,” he said as he leaned his back against the trunk and Jed did the same keeping shoulder pressed to shoulder. Heyes began to read:
Amnesty Ranch
Montana-1919
I'm writing this letter to set a few things straight. My name is Hannibal Heyes. I can say that now and not have to worry about it causing me any sorrow. True, I done some things in my youth that I wasn't too proud of. But, with the help of my partner-the best man I ever knew-I was able to right most of my wrongs, and not to commit too many new ones. Not serious ones, anyway.
When we were young bucks, The Kid and I rode with a few disreputable characters, though for the most part, they weren't violent. Just been dealt a bad hand most of em, and tryin to get by as best they could.
That could describe Kid and me too. But we set about to change our ways to become genuine, bonafied, productive citizens. Wasn't easy, I can tell you that. More than once, I was tempted to go back to my old ways, but The Kid kept me on the straight and narrow.
And the hell of it was, I wanted to be a better man...for him.
I've heard him tell it the other way around, but I can't believe that's true. Though, to be fair, The Kid never lied to me. So, maybe he just didn't know any better.
So I wanted anybody who reads this to know, regardless of the terrible things they will no doubt tell future generations about me and my partner, I want it stated for the record (such as it is) that we never hurt anybody if we could help it and we did the best we could, in the end, to leave the world a better place.
Now I say this knowin there are two lives, in particular, that are entitled to hold their grudges against us.
That would be the two little ladies who we, each of us, left in the family way shortly before joining up with Big Jim and the Devils Hole bunch. Not that it's a defense, but neither of us knew the situation when we left town, and had told the girls from the start there wouldn't be a future with us. That became especially true, once we became true outlaws.
When we found out many years later that these ladies had born sons that were of our loins, we felt we owed them somethin, but they made it clear to each of us that they had gotten on with their lives and we should do the same.
We checked on them from time to time, and made sure their families never wanted for anything, if we could help it, as much as we could and still stay anonymous.
Eventually Kid and I did each get the opportunity to meet our grandsons, those were among the happiest of our days, I can tell you. It seems our lines will continue in spite of the things we done to spoil our chances. For that we were both grateful.
Something else I want to state here in writing. The thing I am most thankful for in this life, has been the loyalty...and love of my partner. He has been my rock, my conscience and, mostly, my reason for living.
I thank the good lord that we had the chance to tell each other how we felt before it was too late.
After we got our amnesty, we staked our claim here in Montana. At first we made a decent living raising cattle. Though, we found we didn't really have the heart for it. After raisin and carin for the animals it became to difficult to send them to slaughter.
So we started raisin horses. Suited us better. We gained a pretty good reputation for being able to tame the creatures. Even taught other ranchers better ways (and, as Kid always stressed, more humane ways) to handle their animals.
They were happy times. But Kid got it in his head, he wanted us to leave something of a legacy, besides the happier horses. At first it made me kinda sad, cause I thought he was regretting not having a family.
But he swore that me and him were the only family he needed. Made me feel better, him sayin that, cause that's exactly how I felt.
Then he packed us onto our horses and took me to a spot he'd picked out behind our old cabin. This cabin, you've found the letter in. It had been our first real home.
He made me close my eyes and brought out a couple of saplings from...I don't know where. He had been planning this for a while. He handed me a shovel and grabbed one himself and told me to start digging. So I did.
Once we had the saplings planted, he brought some water from the well and doused em good. Then he told me they were apple trees. McIntosh apples he said. Supposed to be able to grow in harsh Montana conditions.
I laughed and reminded him that we might not live long enough to see them bear fruit, seein as how they were so small. But he just gave me his best grin and explained that's what he wanted, something that will still grow and maybe even produce fruit, long after we had passed...maybe produce seedlings of their own.
That was the Kid. Always thinkin beyond just hisself...
I'm writing this now, after he has passed on from this life, and as I always suspected, the doc tells me that my time will come shortly, and I'll be ridin again, in the hereafter, with my partner by my side.
But I don't want anyone who reads this to feel sorry for me. As I said, The Kid and I realized how much we meant to each other while we still had plenty of life ahead of us. We had a great ride. Together.
If you're readin this and have somebody special in your life...whether you known each other 10 days or 10 years...make sure you tell em what they mean to you. And then tell em again. Every day.
That's what we did. And we never regretted it.
Best of luck to ya
Hannibal Heyes