Cut and Run 2 - Sticks and Stones

but he didn’t let go of Zane’s shirt, nor did he move away from him.
    “You’re pretty damn strong yourself, Ty Grady,” Zane said softly, raising his hand to touch Ty’s scruffy cheek gently. His beard had grown to nearly a full one. It suited him somehow. Zane thought maybe anything would suit Ty. Ty snorted in amusement and released Zane’s shirt. “Strong enough to take care of yourself,” Zane added pointedly.
    Ty rolled his eyes. “You think I could have taken care of myself after being shot in the back with a twelve gauge?” he posed.
    “That’s why I killed him,” Zane said bluntly.
    Ty nodded, still looking into Zane’s eyes unwaveringly. He smoothed down the material of Zane’s shirt that had bunched under his hand and looked away almost regretfully. “That’s why I said thank you,” he pointed out.
    “There aren’t many things left that truly scare me, Ty,” Zane said softly. “But that’s one of them.”
    “What is?” Ty asked without looking back at him. There was a hint of dread in his voice as he stared devotedly at the ground.
    Zane looked at him longingly, the words on the tip of his tongue: Not being in time. Losing you . But just the sound of Ty’s voice carried a warning; they were too close to a line neither of them wanted to cross.
    “Hell freezing over because you actually said thank you,” he tried instead.
    The tension in Ty’s frame ebbed some as he looked at Zane, and he seemed almost relieved to accept the out, as weak as it may have been. “Well,” he said after a moment. “Quit being a scaredy-cat,” he advised in an almost gentle voice.
    “I’ve had lots of practice,” Zane tried to joke as Ty reached out and smoothed down Zane’s shirt again. It was a tender gesture, one Zane wasn’t sure Ty was even aware of performing. Zane felt the knot in his chest relax as Ty touched him. They so rarely shared tender moments like this. When they came along, they were at the same time welcome and disturbing. Zane was never sure whether he wanted more of them or wanted to run from them. Tonight, though, he decidedly wanted more of this one. When Ty was done fussing over the collar of his shirt, Zane lowered his head until their foreheads touched, and he brushed his nose against Ty’s.
    “Quit it,” Ty muttered despite the smile Zane could feel on his lips. He pushed Zane away half-heartedly and stood.
    Zane got to his feet, stepped over the log, and caught Ty’s arm to pull him close again. “No more nuzzling,” he agreed.
    Ty gave a token struggle just like he always did as Zane wrapped him up into a hug. He enjoyed the game they played when it came to control and power and was often disappointed when he succeeded in eluding Zane’s grasp. But it was obvious in the way he let Zane pull him closer now that he’d been missing the contact as much as Zane had while they’d been on the mountain. Zane closed his eyes, the feeling of relief almost palpable as he soaked in Ty’s touch, his scent—even though neither of them had showered in days—and the warmth of his body. He smiled as he slid his arms around Ty’s waist.
    Ty sighed loudly and rested his chin on Zane’s shoulder as he slid his hands under Zane’s arms and around him. He gave his back a few manly pats. Zane knew Ty was humoring him. But at least he cared enough to be doing it.
    To Zane’s surprise, Ty’s arms tightened around him, the humor of a moment ago turning into a true embrace. Ty turned his face into Zane’s neck and hugged him close, his fingers pulling at the fabric of Zane’s coat as he did so. Zane smiled in the dark as some little knot of tension inside him unfurled and began to flutter like butterflies instead. “I’ll be glad when we get home,” he murmured, his lips against Ty’s cheek.
    “Shut up,” Ty muttered as he extricated himself and gave Zane’s unhurt cheek a pat. A hard one.
    Zane grinned but kept his mouth shut. He reached to grasp Ty’s chin, turned his head, and claimed a short, solid kiss before letting him go.
    Ty swatted at him as soon as he was free. “Just… don’t get carried away,” he reminded with a small smirk as he pointed in the direction of their camp.
    Zane nodded as he tried to calculate just how many hours it would take them to get back to civilization and get naked somewhere nice and private. He’d even settle for semi-private at this point. Ty nodded as if he was thinking the same thing, but then he glanced off into the