Deep throaty moans escaped Mark's throat. His hands sliding along the bedroll looking for things to grab and claw at. Clutching the thick fabric of the bedroll in one hand, Mark let his other hand ease up to cup Sean's cheek. He tried not to grab Sean. He didn't want him to stop. He just wanted more. Sean sucked on his cock lightly, but never took him in all the way. It was slight torture to Mark. Eventually forcing him to grip Sean's head and coaxed him down more. For a brief moment Sean took him all the way, then jerked off to cough violently. Wincing, Mark released him and sat up on his elbows. Sean spit into the fire, avoiding his eyes now as little coughs rocked through him. Feeling terrible, Mark told him a little worried. "I'm sorry... I..." Mark couldn't bring himself to finish his thought without sounding selfish. Bowing his head, Sean told him gruffly. "It's not you... Well, it IS you, but not... I can't take you like that without gagging. I'm sorry... I thought I could but... I can't." Mark quickly reached out to cup his face, coaxing him to look back at him before he told him gently. "It's ok. I shouldn't have pulled you down... I should have asked. It just... It felt good."

Sean couldn't meet his eyes, prompting Mark to pull him over him on all fours. Pulling him down by his snake choker, Mark pressed his lips to his in a loving kiss. After a minute, Mark broke the contact to whisper. "Please don't stop. I'll be good this time." Sean smirked, a tiny chuckle breaking the tension between them. Nipping Mark's lower lip, Sean blushed out. "As long as you want me too." Mark nodded, relaxing back into position. Sean shifted back to Mark's waist, lowering his head back down to take in the tip. Mark inhaled deeply, then placed his hands on Sean's arms. Squeezing them as he moaned. When he was hard enough again, Mark tugged a little on Sean's arm, pleading softly. "Use your hand too. Please?" Sean hummed, causing Mark to shudder under him. Sean laid down between his legs, using his hand to grip the length that he couldn't take into his mouth. Moving it in time with his mouth and squeezing whenever he sucked. Mark forced his hands over his head. Clutching his own wrists tightly as his own lust grew. He tried his best to lay still, but his body wanted to move as he reached the height of his pleasure. Each thrust and arch of his back, straining the muscles over his sore ribs. As the pain turned sharp, Mark quickly grabbed Sean's wrist to stop him from stroking him.

Sean looked up, his expression turning into a worried one. Giving Sean a slightly forced smile, Mark coaxed him up over him again. His voice was gruff and deep when he spoke to Sean soothingly. "Come here." Obeying, Sean rose onto all fours again and crawled over him. Careful to avoid putting any of his weight on Mark's ribs. Cupping the side of Sean's face, Mark pulled him down into a lust driven kiss. Sean submissively gave in to his control of the kiss. Soft whines and moans escaping him as Mark's tongue caressed his own and on occasion coaxed it out enough to suck on it. Holding Sean in the kiss, Mark let himself get lost in his desire. He wanted to flip Sean over and see what kind of noises he made when he made love to him. Instead, he just imagined it as his other hand quickly finished himself off during their kiss. Breaking the kiss to breathe, Mark winced and lightly draped his arms over his ribs to warm the tense muscles there. Sean flinched, his eyes trailing down to Mark's ribs as he asked uneasily. "Did I hurt you? Is that why you made me stop?"

Chuckled softly, Mark told him lovingly. "No. My ribs are just acting up. I'm sorry." Sean started to ease up and away from him, uttering out guiltily. "No. I'm sorry. You're supposed to be resting and I'm just making it-" Grabbing his wrist to keep Sean from leaving, Mark firmly cut in. "Don't go. Stay." Sean tried to pull his wrist away, but Mark held it just enough to keep him from pulling free. Giving him a smile, Mark pleaded softly. "Please? I'm a little cold." Sighing, Sean adjusted to lay down beside him facing the crackling fire. Behind him, Mark draped his left arm along his side, his hand sliding along Sean's thigh comfortingly. Thunder rumbled loudly and a bright light flashed, lighting up almost the whole cave. Seconds later, the deep boom hit, and Sean jerked. The horses whinnied restlessly but remained huddled close in the far corner. Mark patted Sean's thigh, his deep voice filling the silence as he said calmly. "Sounds like we're in the center of it now." Sean nodded, burying his face into the crook of his arm. He loved the rain and the flashes of lightning. It was just the loud bangs that made him nervous. Living alone had made him alert and cautious to sounds around the farm. Now that he was on the run, he felt just as afraid that those loud sounds implied an incoming raid or gunfire.

Mark's voice helped him drown out the sound, when he added with slight humor to his voice. "I saw your riders' rash. When we get to Coyote Walk, you should ask the medicine man for a cream to reduce the burn." Sean blushed into his arm, mumbling out something inaudible to Mark. Rubbing Sean's ass innocently, Mark admitted openly. "It happens to the best of us. I got it all the time until I switched to softer pants. Kept my saddle from rubbing my thighs raw on long patrols. Started wearing chaps and now I just get saddle sore." Sean peeked over his shoulder, asking in a mousy voice. "Saddle sore?" Mark nodded, answering swiftly. "Ya. It's when you ride for a long period and then try to get off your horse. Only to fall on your ass because you can't get your legs to close and walk." Sean snorted, chuckling out. "Ah. Somehow, I can't see you having a problem with that." Mark rolled his eyes, huffing out playfully. "Ask Bob and Wade. They'll tell you stories. I've fallen off my horse more times than I can count. I've pulled my groin muscles during foot chases. Broke my bones trying to saddle my horse. They've got a list." Sean muffled a hearty laugh that drew Mark's attention. When their eyes met, Mark grinned and pushed Sean's bangs away from his bright blue eyes.

Sean shifted to lay his head on Mark's arm as he stretched it out for him. Snuggling closer to Mark's side, before whispering lovingly to him. "If I remember, I'll ask them. I'd love to know more about you." Mark let his hand run through Sean's hair, until they both dozed off. Without much too to do, napping and relaxing was the best option. It wasn't until Mark started to feel really cold that he shifted to hug Sean closer and felt... damp. Sleepily Mark felt his damp shirt, only for Sean to practically scream out. "Mark!" Mark jerked awake behind him, but it made little difference. The fire was out, and the cave was lost in a pitch-black darkness. Sitting up, Mark cursed as he felt cold water all around himself. Beside him came soft splashing as Sean got up and asked him in a panic. "Mark? This isn't good! What do we do?!" Carefully Mark got to his feet and reached out to grab Sean's arm. Sean gripped his arm in return, moving closer to his side. Unable to see or hear anything over the rain and thunder, Mark asked. "Where are the horses?" Sean shuffled his feet, blurting out. "I don't know. Should we go?" Holding Sean close, Mark ordered him seriously. "No. Stay close. Horses are good swimmers. They'll be fine."

Sean's voice cracked a little when he asked timidly. "And us?" Mark gripped his hand tighter, telling him calmer than he felt. "We'll ride it out. Just stay close." The horses let out unsettled neighs from farther away as the water rose up around their waists. Sean shivered, hugging Mark's arm against his chest. Mark trembled a little from the cold but waited for the lightning flashes to get his bearings. With the flash, Mark saw the water rushing into the cave entrance. The horses snorted, their hooves clattering on the rocks. The water just kept rising and in the pitch black it made Mark's heart race. He hated water and this was testing him and pushing him well beyond his limits. As the water reached their shoulders, Sean asked Mark in a worried but much less freaked out tone. "Mark? You ok, buddy?" Mark shook his head, thrashing a bit when something in the water brushed his leg. Sean steadied him, rushing out. "It's just the bedroll! Easy!" Mark's panting grew louder as the water forced them up to the ceiling of the cave. Beside him, Sean's voice spoke to him as calmly as he could given the circumstances. "We'll be ok. Mark? You hear me? We're fine." Mark grunted, his fingers clawing at the rocks of the ceiling. Rocks clattered as the horses snorted above the water and kicked rocks with their hooves. Putting Mark on edge.

The rush of water slowed, but the water continued to slowly rise. Sean let Mark hold his arm, but slightly regretted it. Mark's fingers were digging into his bone and his grip was only getting tighter. So, Sean tried to distract him by saying aloud. "I'm getting really tired of getting trapped in water." Mark chuckled nervously, straining out. "Honestly... This is worse." Sean moved closer, while Mark stammered out. "D-d-don't! K-k-keep your distance. I don't trust myself not to drown you!" Sean didn't listen. Moving closer, Sean pressed himself against Mark and whispered over his shoulder. "Mark, kiss me." Mark's temper flared as he blurted out. "Now?! I can barely breathe and you wanna..." Sean blindly guided Mark's lips to his, before whispering over them. "Focus on me." Mark inhaled and exhaled loudly, before straining out. "Why aren't you freaking out?" In the flash of light, Mark saw him smile before telling him warmly. "I am. Which is why I need your help. Focus on me. Ask me something. Anything. Or just kiss me." Shrugging, Mark blurted out. "You gonna farm again?"

Sean chuckled, placing his hands on Mark's shoulders when he playfully replied. "I don't know. Why?" Mark swallowed, gripping the rocks above him to keep himself from treading water so hard as he answered breathlessly. "Cause... I might try it. And if you do it... and you need someone around..." Sean hummed in response, his fingers stroking Mark's neck. After a moment or two, Sean finally said in a blissful voice. "Are you asking to live with me, Cowboy?" Mark took a deep breath, then mumbled out. "You don't have to agree. I just put the offer out there since... I don't know what I'm doing after all this. But whatever it is... I hope you're in it." Sean's lips found his and they shared a long kiss that Mark thought might be their last. However, as their lips reluctantly parted, Sean told him excitedly. "The water stopped rising." Mark listened, hearing the thunder in the far distance now. Leaving only the heavy sounds of rain outside. Sean shivered, snuggling against him as he added. "I'm so cold. I can barely feel my fingers." Mark nodded to himself. His fingers were cold but his death grip on the rocks kept him from feeling it as much.

Wrapping an arm around Sean to keep his warmth against him, he asked reluctantly. "Do you think snakes could be in this water? Or... something else?" Sean didn't answer right away, causing Mark to tense. Shortly after though, Sean purred over his shoulder. "No. All the rain would have flushed them out to higher ground." Rolling his eyes, Mark muttered out. "You're lying to me. I've seen snakes swim..." With a light giggle, Sean admitted honestly. "Yes. But I'm positive the flash floods washed them out days ago. We should be ok until next season." His response made Mark laugh enough that he felt... better. Burying their faces against each other's neck, they stayed still until the water level drained out. When the water reached their shins, Mark shook off a lantern from his supplies and lit it so they could find their stuff. Sean rushed around to collect their stuff and saddle up their soaked horses. Mark winced as he looked out of the cave, asking Sean wearily. "I don't think we should leave until dawn... There is still a good share of water out there. The horses are wet and if they slip..."

Sean finished getting the horses ready, telling Mark seriously. "The Pinkertons will think the same thing. The water will cover our tracks. If we follow the storm out, they won't be able to box us in." Mark bowed his head, shaking his cowboy hat uselessly free of dropping water before putting it on and telling Sean confidently. "I see your point. Pain or not... Let's ride." Sean helped Mark mount his horse to save his ribs, then mounted his own horse. Mark took the lead, his horse trotting bravely through the shin deep water like he'd done it millions of times. Sean's mare struggled to keep up since she wasn't as used to water splashing her belly and trudging through the water. She followed close behind Mark's horse, forcing Mark to take the lead. Mark set a slow pace, but the horses appreciated it. Allowing them to fight their footing along the uneven river. Mark pulled his brim low to help keep the rain out of his eyes, using only the flashing of lightning to see the path ahead. Sean kept his rifle across his lap, keeping his eyes on the ridges. A few times he saw two horsemen on the ridge within the flashes that seemed to be following them, but they kept their distance. They had to be natives because they were navigating better than them in the dark and pouring rain.

As dawn crested the ridge, the two horsemen disappeared from sight. Sean hoped they were apart of Hawk-Eye's tribe, but it was hard for him to tell. The rain faded as they reached the end of the pass. Groaning, Mark kicked his horse into a trot to make it up the steep hill and out onto the thinner Coyote Walk trail. Sean quickly followed him onto the trail, then screamed as a bullet grazed his arm. His horse started to spin as more bullets pelted the area around him. Mark started to turn his horse around, but Sean yanked his horse in his direction, yelling out. "RUN!" Mark kicked his horse into a run and Sean did the same. From farther behind them, two Pinkertons spurred their horses to pick up the chase after them. Mark glanced back, aiming his pistol to fire a few shots. The Pinkertons swayed on the trail but didn't slow down. Sean panted, yelling out to Mark. "SHITE! We've got to lose them!" Mark cursed as he saw nothing but open dusty fields in all directions. Sean cocked his rifle, telling Mark sternly. "Two on two?" Mark shared a look with him, before they both pulled their horses into a sharp drift across the wet dirt. Raising their guns, they took aim at the Pinkertons.

The Pinkertons aimed theirown guns at them, their horses still bolting start for them. Bullets whizzed through the air, pepperingthe dirt and missing the horses. ThePinkertons rode into range to get better shots on them, when two tan horsesrolled up to their feet from the ground. At the top of them were Natives covered in the dirt and brush. The Pinkerton's horses reared, while theriders took bullets from both sides of the trail. Their bodies hit the ground, the horsestaking off into the field to avoid everyone. One of the Natives turned his horse to chase the horses. While the other trotted up to them. Sean and Mark panted as they raised theirguns, until Hawk-Eye chuckled out. "Morning,Boys. Run into some trouble, did we?" Lowering their guns, they shared a tired laugh with him. To Be Continued...