Cut and Run 2 - Sticks and Stones

ever seen Ty’s eyes more honest than they were in those short moments. They were sad and worried, angry and lost. Haunted. It made Zane wonder just how much of Ty’s carefree attitude was put on all the time, how much baggage he truly carried with him and just never let on about. Zane told himself in that moment to remember this look the next time he wanted to strangle Ty for being an asshole.
    Then the moment passed, and Ty’s hazel eyes were clear again as he looked at him. He nodded his head. “Thanks, Zane,” he whispered.
    Zane nodded slowly. “Any time.” After a long moment he reached out and let his fingertips trail down Ty’s chest. “I think I’ll go try to sleep while the endorphin rush is keeping the pain somewhat at bay.”
    “Good idea,” Ty said softly as he lowered his head and looked away.
    “You coming?” Zane asked carefully.
    Ty looked back at him, his eyes flickering toward the camp in the distance and back to Zane. He nodded and smiled slightly. “We have a tent all to ourselves,” he informed Zane.
    “Was that Deuce’s doing?” Zane asked drily.
    “You complaining?” Ty asked with a raised eyebrow.
    Zane shook his head. If it were anyone else under any other circumstances, Zane might have held out his hand. But even in his gentlest moods, that wasn’t Ty’s style. Zane slid his hands into his jacket pockets. “C’mon, Grady. I’ll give you the warm spot.”
    Ty draped his arm over Zane’s shoulders as they walked. “I’ve trained you well,” he claimed, sounding very pleased with himself.
    Zane chuckled. “You do realize the only warm spot in that tent will be under me?”
    Ty turned his head to look at him innocently. “And?” he asked with a slight leer.
    Zane bumped their hips together as they walked along. “Just saying,” he murmured, trying to hold down the grin that threatened. He wanted to hold onto this warmth and comfort as long as he could. It was a feeling he’d experienced fleetingly after they’d been reunited in DC, one he’d mostly lost in the last few weeks as Ty had drifted away from him. He’d almost given up hope on recovering it until Ty had invited him up to these godforsaken mountains. Maybe the trip wouldn’t be a complete loss if they lived through it.
    Ty squeezed his shoulders tightly and then released him, letting his hand slide down Zane’s back as they entered the silent camp.
    A long glance showed Redjacket and Earflaps had finally wrangled around enough to rest their heads against the tree—although uncomfortably—and they both appeared to be dozing. Zane had the intense desire to chuck a rock at them and wake them up. He restrained himself, however, and after watching them for several seconds to satisfy himself they were secure, Zane looked to Ty and waved a finger in question toward the tents.
    Ty glanced at him before looking back at their prisoners with a deep frown. He looked around the camp, his eyes reflecting the firelight. To Zane he looked haunted as he gazed around the darkness, perhaps seeing other camps and other prisoners from the past.
    Zane let him be for a few moments, but then he took a half step in Ty’s direction. “Hey,” he said softly. “Still with me?”
    Ty looked back at him and cleared his throat. He met Zane’s eyes and nodded jerkily, and he brought his hand up to his mouth to rub at his bearded chin. “Let’s get warm, huh?” he suggested, jerking his head toward the tent they were supposed to share for the night.
    Zane nodded and walked over to the all-weather tent, where he crouched down and unzipped the front with a silent curse. It was difficult for him, seeing Ty like this. Zane didn’t know what to say, didn’t know how to relate to what Ty was going through. He glanced over his shoulder before crawling in over the thick sleeping bag that had been tossed on the taped-seam floor of the tent. His Ty seemed to be back, for now, and Zane wanted to hold onto him for as long as he could.
    Ty remained standing outside the flap of the low tent for a few moments; then he ducked down and crawled in behind Zane. The tent was just high enough for them to be able to sit up. It was made for one person, possibly two who were very friendly, but it was warm inside, out of the wind, and appeared sturdy enough.
    Ty zipped the flap up and secured the nylon covers on the mesh windows, making the interior a very small space with both of them in it. Zane wondered if Ty’s issues with dark,