Thanks to: onefreetoroam, kipperoo453, Mari, Pip3, Valandil Eluch, and dreamcatcher33 for all of the fabulous reviews.
Title: Slow Down, Hoss
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: See chapter 1, 10, and or 20
Jack was waiting in the bathroom, excited for this intimate moment, a rare happening since Ennis' girls had arrived. Ennis chuckled at the sight of Jack, cross legged on the floor, tugging his undershirt off over his head.
"Slow down, Hoss, don' get too excited." Ennis mock scolded Jack, but helped him get the shirt over his cast.
"Can' help it. It's been so damn long!"
Ennis was still grinning at Jack's child like excitement when he turned on the water. "C'm 'ere."
Jack scooted next to him and stuck his left hand under the water. "It's fine." So, Ennis stopped the tub and turned to help Jack take off his pants. He couldn't stifle his laugh, caused by a scene in front of him. Jack was lying on his back, arched up, using his neck for support. He was trying, sadly, to get his pants past his hips. At Ennis' laugh, however, he let himself fall.
"Don' stan' there, a gawkin'. Come 'n' help me."
"Sorry." He lifted Jack's back up and tugged his pants and shorts down. "There ya go."
"Thanks" He let Ennis pick him up and put him in the tub, his legs hanging awkwardly over the edge. Ennis quickly stripped off his own clothes and climbed in behind Jack. He put on leg on either side of his guy, and wrapped his arms around him.
"Ever do this with Alma?"
"No...but it ain't her fault er nothin'."
Jack sighed loudly. "I never said it was. Stop jus' assumin' I hate her, I ain't got nothin' agains' her. What's she ever tried ta do ta me?"
"Nothin'."
"Right, so it would be right stupid a me to hate 'er, I ain't got no reason."
"Yeah." Ennis voice got lower and quieter as he massaged the soap over Jack's tense back, the slick bar making slimy streaks on the pale skin. Jack's back hadn't seen the light of day in a long, long time. Come to think of it, most of him hadn't. Ennis decided they would go to the park today, and catch a movie later that night. He was sure the girls would love a whole day in town, where they could do a little shopping and meet up with some old friends.
He pushed a finger under Jack's arm, making the man squirm. "Hey now, what was that for? I can do that myself, thank you."
Ennis smiled and poked Jack's arm pit again. "Hey!" He pretended to try and get away from Ennis, not that there was much tub to move in. Ennis started to chuckle then wrapped his arms around Jack's chest. "C'm 'ere."
He maneuvered his hands up and down Jack's torso, not quite steering clear of the man's groin. He didn't want to have sex, it was too painful for Jack when there was water coating everything, but it was nice to goof around.
The bath ended an hour later, when the water was dirty and cold and both men were sufficiently clean. Ennis climbed out first, wrapped a towel around himself and pulled the plug in the tub. Then he put a towel and the cold tile floor, gently lifted Jack out, careful not the let any water drip in his casts and set him on the towel. The routine was simple enough. Jack would wrap his own towel around his own waist, then Ennis would carry him out. But Ennis seemed uncomfortable with that idea, seeing at Jr. and Francine were just in the other room.
"I'll go grab some clothes for yeh..." He was uncomfortable with the whole situation. He didn't want his girls to see him in a towel, with another man in a towel, but he also didn't want to make Jack feel unwanted.
"Sounds good to me." Jack understood, and forgave Ennis inability to choose. He knew it had to be confusing, everything had happened so fast. They could worry about that, as well as multiple other things, later.
Ennis thanked Jack with his eyes, cracked open the bathroom door and went to get some clothes. His girls were "entranced" in their conversation, so entranced, he knew it was fake. He wondered if they had been listening. He felt awful about being so distrusting of his girls, but he couldn't trust anyone when it came to him and Jack. No one.