Jeffery was right. The first two weeks were hell. Gavin quietly begged each morning for Nines to let him take the day off, but every day he was strapped into the prosthetic and walked up and down the parallel bars. They'd started with just one length, once a day. Gavin was always a sobbing mess by the time he reached the other end, but after a few days, it got better. They started doing two lengths a day, and Nines encouraged him to keep the prosthetic on for a while afterwards.
By the end of the second week, he kept it on for hours at a time. Although it definitely hurt to walk, he wasn't crying anymore. By the third week, he'd started riding in it. The four of them had gone out. Nines rode Goliath, Gavin rode Blossom, and two more horses were found for Connor and Sixty. A temperamental white mare called Juniper for Connor, and her short-tempered twin, Oscar, for Sixty. Juniper was strangely docile under Connor's gentle hand, though Oscar occasionally tried to throw Sixty off. Sixty took it as a game, cackling as he gripped the reins and rose in the saddle. It was insane how well Joe had matched their temperaments. He swore Oscar was getting as big a kick out of it as Sixty.
They rode to the usual patch near the apple trees and trailed a little further to follow the river. Blossom enjoyed plodding along, wetting her hooves at the edge of the water. Nines chided her softly, reminding Gavin that the hinge on his prosthetic was metal and probably wouldn't appreciate the water getting inside. Kill joy…Sixty had no such worries as he and Oscar pelted straight through the shallow water to the other side. Connor rolled his eyes as he let Juniper plod her way across, too. The water barely went above her knees. Nines and Gavin remained on their side of the river, thinking there may be a bridge further ahead. Nines was right about the prosthetic, and Blossom didn't seem too thrilled at the prospect of dirtying her legs.
There was no bridge, so they ended up riding separately for a while. Connor and Sixty rode further out to explore the fields on their side, while Gavin and Nines continued up the river. There had been rain when Connor and Sixty first arrived, but it had cleared up nicely after a few days. The weather was back to that pleasant warmth with blue skies and sunshine. They found each other again eventually. Sixty and Connor met them further up and waded their way across the shallows. The estate seemed endless. Upon finding a road, they left the fields and circled back.
Around the mansion, things were changing. Since he was getting steadier, Gavin was moved upstairs to the second floor. It was a bitch, hobbling up and down every time he wanted to go to his room, but the ground floor was for those in wheelchairs. New men came in. Old ones shipped out. He was gutted to find that Freddie was one of them. Nines was disappointed, too. Freddie was one of those that Gavin was closest to. He'd promised to write from Manchester, and Nines was quite certain he would. Thomas also left, being further along in recovery than Jeffery. They were sad to see him go.
"And then there were two…" Jeffery sighed as he handed Gavin a tumbler of whiskey. Gavin gave him a tight smile as they clinked glasses. There really would only be two of them in a few days. He was painfully aware that the month was coming to an end. His last month with Nines. He'd be heading back with his brothers next week. All three of them would miss the estate. He was an insufferable prick, but Sixty had made a name for himself as the best poker player in the mansion. He'd sat for hours, shamelessly playing patients out of their money.
Connor had been a little more elusive. He'd be with them one minute, and then disappear the next. Gavin had wondered what he was doing at first, but wished he'd never found out once he saw. He'd thought it was just a coincidence the first time he saw them together in the garden, and perhaps it had been that first time. It certainly wasn't a fucking coincidence when he saw them leaving Connor's bedroom a few days later, though. They hadn't noticed him, and he hadn't brought it up. He held his tongue each time Chloe came over to see them, as if she hadn't been off with Connor barely an hour before. He reminded himself more than once that it wasn't his business, and Sixty was right. If Elijah didn't have his head so far up his ass, he would have noticed.
Nines had worked out a good balance of spending time with Gavin while also giving him space to get used to his absence. He often played with Sixty at night, or shared whispered conversations with Connor. They'd disappear together sometimes, leaving Gavin with Jeffery and some of the newer arrivals. It was weird, being one of the more experienced men. He found himself in Freddie's shoes. Greeting people, giving them walking advice, making them feel welcome. A lot of them were youngsters. Damned shame…
Nines noticed a marked change in Gavin as the last week arrived. He was sullen and quiet. Faster to snap. He didn't want him to leave. Nine didn't want to leave. They clung to each other at night, staying awake for hours. It felt like time went slower if they didn't sleep. Morning took longer to arrive. Connor and Sixty understood their feelings, and often let them go riding by themselves. They'd head out to the apple trees, which were starting to bloom. Pretty pinkish white flowers. They'd lie beneath them and doze as Blossom and Goliath grazed. Gavin looked so tired that Chloe was worried he was having a relapse. Gavin almost scoffed at the idea. He wasn't shell shocked. He was just worried. Worried about Nines. Worried he'd forgot him. That he wouldn't come back.
Time went by too fast. It was soon the last day. Nines knew he was trying not to show it, but it bothered him. He was scared. Nines was scared, too. He hadn't expected it, but he was. Things weren't looking good. They'd been rough since before Connor and Sixty returned, but the men who'd recently arrived didn't bring good news. They were being pushed back. Many areas had suffered or were expecting large assaults. The only good news was that summer was coming, and with it, the chance to dry out the sludge and filth. Only one person seemed excited to go back, and that was Sixty. The closer they got to their departure date, the brighter his eyes became.
Nines took Gavin to the apple tree that day. It had become their favourite place. Their private place. Gavin had no trouble mounting and dismounting these days, though he always winced as his prosthetic touched down. He took his usual place against the tree and brought his knees up, stripping the bark from a twig he'd found in the grass. Nines tied up Goliath and paused, almost sighing at Gavin's downcast expression. Heaviness settled in his chest. A dull sadness and sense of loss. Fear lingered in the back of his mind, but his more immediate thought was that he didn't want to leave Gavin.
"What are you thinking?" he asked softly as he took the spot at Gavin's side and lounged in the grass. Gavin barely spared him a glance as he scratched at the wood. He shrugged silently, tugging a loose string of brown away. Nines tried not to feel too hurt by the apparent indifference. He knew it was hard for him. "I'll try to come back again soon…" Gavin let out a harsh scoff at the idea, glaring at the stick as he peeled off another section.
"You just used all your leave, dipshit! You won't be back for months!" Nines winced at the reminder. It had been for a good cause, but he had used all his leave at once. Elijah had even negotiated to somehow get him more. Three months was well above his yearly allowance. "You better be careful." The grumble brought a small smile to his face. He nodded as he reached across to take one of Gavin's hands, tugging it away from the stick. Gavin looked at him, prodding the ground with the half-stripped twig.
"I will…I'll be careful, and I'll come back…" His brow creased as Gavin pulled his hand free and pointed the stick at him.
"Don't phcking do that! Don't make promises you can't phcking keep!" The stick fell as Nines grabbed his wrist and pulled him closer, sitting up so that he could lean in. Gavin gasped as he was pulled in, barely catching his free hand on the ground. Nines' silvery eyes were sharp and determined as he looked at him, sharing his eye level. The grip on his wrist was almost painful as he squeezed, holding on like his life depended on it.
"I mean it! I'm going to come back for you…" Gavin's eyes creased sadly as he huffed. Nines pulled him again, prompting him to look up. "I will…I'll come back here and make you mine." Gavin almost scoffed. Make you mine? What are you, some sort of prince? Nines' gaze softened as Gavin swatted his shoulder.
"Phcking sap! What are you going to do? Marry me?" Gavin rolled his eyes at the very idea. It wasn't like they could do that anyway, but even the idea was corny. Nines chuckled as he released his hand and picked up the stick. Gavin watched curiously as he teased a strip of bark loose and started twisting it into a small circle. Are you phcking kidding me? Despite the sappiness of the gesture, Gavin couldn't help the heat in his cheeks as Nines raised his hand. "Ha-ha, very phcking funny…" He huffed as he looked down at the little circle of bark. It was messy, of course, and likely wouldn't last the afternoon.
"I'll bring you a real one next time," Nines promised softly as he raised Gavin's hand to his lips and kissed his knuckles. Gavin fell silent, still staring at the little string around his finger. He was pretty sure he didn't mean that. They were just a couple of guys who'd met on the front. Sure, he came back for a few months to help him recover, but what were the chances of it lasting beyond the war? If it ever phcking ends…He shivered at the thought. The Brits had been fighting this thing for four years already. They'd barely joined a year ago, and it already seemed too long. "What about me?" Gavin huffed as Nines held up his own hand and wiggled his fingers.
"Phck, I never thought you'd turn out to be such a sap the first time you shoved your cock in my ass…" Nines chuckled at the grumble as Gavin pulled another strip of bark and started twisting it into a ring. It wasn't as tight and held together as Nines' one, but it at least kept its shape as he slipped it on. It was just a dumb joke, but it still made his stomach flutter. "I'm going to miss you." The confession slipped out before he could even think to stop it. He felt his eyes burning, using his free hand to wipe the tears away while Nines gripped the other.
"I'll miss you, too." Nines felt his own eyes filling up as he pulled Gavin against his chest. He held him tight, falling sideways into the grass. The dull feeling in his stomach grew as they lay there. The sky was getting dim. It was late afternoon, heading for evening. It would soon be their last night. Tomorrow, their last morning. The sky was dark blue by the time he gently insisted they head back. It wouldn't do for them to get lost in the dark.
Joe seemed to understand their solemn moods as they returned. He took Blossom's reins and told Nines he'd see to Goliath as well. Nines thanked him as Gavin took up the singular crutch he was using for support. Elijah had said he'd get a cane at some point. He no longer needed the crutches. He still limped as he walked, mainly because his skin was sore. They headed to dinner, where they found Sixty entertaining a group with card tricks. Connor entered with Chloe a few minutes later. Their smiles were less bright than usual as they lingered in the doorway, sharing hurried whispers.
The five of them ate together. Nines' hand barely left Gavin's knee for an instant besides when they were eating. Gavin rested his on top, stroking along the rough string on his finger. Nines smiled each time he felt it. It felt nice to be claimed. To be wanted. He led Gavin upstairs almost as soon as they'd eaten, greedy for his attention. They both bathed before bed. Gavin was still naked when Nines came out. He was sitting on the edge of the bed with the white towel on his head, hiding his face from view. Nines was curious as he padded over.
"Gavin?" He didn't answer. He also didn't move to stop him as Nines crouched in front of him and lifted the towel enough to see his face. "Gavin…" He looked sad, though he wasn't crying yet. Nines was gentle as he pressed in closer, moulding their lips together in a gentle kiss. Gavin accepted the press of lips, shuffling further up the mattress as Nines moved closer and climbed onto the bed beside him. Their mouths didn't part the whole way down. "Gavin…"
"Nines…Phck, Nines…" They continued to sigh and whisper between kisses, settling on the pillows together. Hands and fingers explored. Nines stroked Gavin's thigh and ass with one hand while tangling the other in his hair. Gavin looped his own arms around Nines' neck, scratching his back and shoulders. Their legs tangled as they squirmed closer, skin gliding on skin. Gavin whined as he ended up on his back with Nines on top. Their legs remained tangled. Nines was almost grinding his thigh as he moved higher. "Phck…" Gavin panted as he felt Nines' hand slip between their bodies. He hummed softly as their shafts slotted together.
Nines bucked and squirmed against him, moving slowly as he caressed their solid lengths. Gavin cursed under his breath as he pulled Nines down with a hand in his hair. He shivered and trembled, enjoying the slow movements and skin on skin contact. He hooked one leg over Nines' hip and pulled him closer, bucking up to meet him. Nines hummed and gasped his appreciation, accepting the urgent kisses Gavin pressed against his lips. This slower, more gentle intimacy was rare, and somehow more intense. Nines blinked his eyes open as he felt Gavin's fingers teasing his nipples. He huffed softly as he lifted his chest, giving him more access. He watched lazily as Gavin bent lower to lick and nip at his pecs.
He squeezed and rubbed their shafts a little harder, slipping his finger between the slickened heads to tease the tender skin. Gavin drew back to let out a little mewl as Nines' finger rubbed against his glans. Nines smirked as he bucked his hips again, tightening and rubbing. The undersides of their cocks pressed together, sending pleasure swirling in their stomachs. Nines raised his head, blue eyes intense as he committed every detail to memory. The mixture of green and blue with speckled amber in Gavin's eyes. The pink flush of his skin. The tidy stubble creeping up his chin and cheeks. His fluffed brunette locks. The deep pink of his parted lips. The sound of his gasping mewls. The way he whimpered his name and begged for released. The grip of his parted thighs. The scattering of hair across his toned pecs.
Gavin came first. His body twitched and trembled as white spurted over Nines' fingers. Nines bit his lip as he got to his knees, pumping himself slowly as he straddled Gavin's chest. Gavin gripped his thighs and gazed up in a daze. That look alone was almost enough to finish him off. He moaned as he jerked himself, shivering as Gavin held himself up and opened his mouth. He poked his tongue out, just about prodding Nines' tip as he rocked forward. Nines cursed as he spilled, huffing as the streams splashed Gavin's parted lips and stubbled cheeks.
They didn't speak at first. Gavin was tired as he lay panting on the sheets. He barely did more than lick his lips as Nines climbed off and grabbed their towels. He was gentle as he returned, using a damp corner to gently wipe away the creamy smears. Nines leaned down to kiss him as he worked, cleaning his cheeks before rubbing lower to clean his pelvis. Once he'd wiped his own shaft clean and tossed the towel aside, returned to lie at Gavin's side.
"Phck, I don't want tomorrow to come…" Nines didn't say anything in response. He accepted the desperate embrace as Gavin turned on his side and burrowed into his chest. He felt his own heart race at the reminder of what tomorrow would bring. A hurried breakfast. A rushed car ride. The ship across the channel, and the rickety truck that would return them to the front. Shells rumbling in the distance. The cutting breeze. A lingering smell of rot and antiseptic. Yelling soldiers. The cracking of rifles. The groaning moans of injured men. Coughing. Choking. Rasping. He buried his face in Gavin's shoulder and breathed.