"Uh-uhn! Hn!" It fucking hurt! Gavin panted through the pain. He had his hands on the made up bed as he lifted his stump from the mattress and rested on his knee. He was trying to get used to putting pressure on his injured leg. It was more painful than he'd thought it would be. It was like the nerves were raw, open endings. He grunted again as he straightened up and got ready. They'd just showered, and Nines was off getting his medication from somewhere. He hadn't even dressed yet. The little towel was all he wore. It remained wrapped around his waist as he stood by the bed with his back to the door. He had his stump planted on the mattress, ready to try again.

He bent his good knee, lowering his body in a small squat before pushing himself up on the raw stump. He tried to be fair to himself. He didn't put all of his weight on it. Maybe about half. Even that was too much. He hissed and collapsed forward on his hands. The change in position almost made it worse. Come on! You can do this! He bent his leg again and straightened his back. It was almost like squatting, but he only did it a little. Any pressure was better than no pressure. At least I'm trying...He didn't even notice the door as it opened and closed.

"Phck!" His breath quivered as he lowered himself again, surprised as the towel slipped from his waist. "What the-" He turned his head as he felt the fully clothed body pressing up behind. He didn't even need to look to know it was Nines. He closed his eyes with a shudder as those familiar hands trailed over his hips and waist, gentle lips kissing along his shoulder to his neck. The hands encouraged him up until he was holding his weight on his good leg.

"You're doing marvellously," Nines praised as he drew back, taking the towel with him. Gavin watched as he tossed the towel aside and leaned against the closed door. He didn't miss the slide of the bolt as he reached behind his back. He also didn't miss the bulge in his slacks. "Keep going." Nines smirked and bit his lip as Gavin did another small squat, sticking his ass out as he bent forward. He whimpered a little at the pain and finally lowered his knee to the bed. He panted, frustrated at his lack of progress.

"It really phcking hurts!" His voice almost cracked. The stump was throbbing. He could feel it in his pulse. He opened his reddened eyes as those gentle hands returned, rubbing his hips and thighs. Nines leaned down, resting his clothed chest against his back as he kissed his neck.

"Perhaps you need a distraction..." Gavin swallowed, mouth suddenly dry as those hands moved to mould and tease his ass. He whined and leaned down on his elbows. His leg really fucking hurt, but the attention was nice. Nines seemed to understand as he crossed to the bedside table and picked up a small container. Gavin jerked his head up as he heard a wet pop. Nines smirked as he tipped the small metal canister to gather some clear jelly on his fingers.

"Where the phck did you get jelly?" They hadn't used it in any of their previous encounters, making use of spit or soap instead. Nines hushed him as he returned and tugged his cheeks apart. "Phck!" That was cold. Nines chuckled as he held him steady and circled his fingers against the tight ring of muscle. Gavin returned his head to his forearms, sighing and whining as Nines pressed and teased the softening flesh. He moaned as he pushed inside with a single thrust.

"Fuck, you're so loose...You could probably take me already..." Nines teased as he twisted his wrist and worked his fingers. Gavin moaned his approval as he arched his spine, silently requesting more. Nines chuckled softly as he obliged, pulling the loosening muscles and stroking his walls. Gavin turned his head, watching with a small whine as Nines tugged the buttons of his shirt loose with his free hand. He shrugged it off impatiently, doing the same with his shoes. Gavin whined at the loss as he pulled out to toss the shirt aside. It almost felt better when he pushed them in again. Gavin pushed himself up on his knee, his good foot still resting on the floor as he rocked. "Hello..." Nines teased softly as Gavin leaned back against his chest, enjoying the skin on skin contact.

"Hello yourself," Gavin panted as he turned his head for the lips he knew would be there. Nines smirked as he pressed in, nudging his clothed hips forward as Gavin's bare ass ground on his hand. He pressed gentle kisses along his bare shoulder, the smell of soap still strong from the bath. His hair was barely dry as he nuzzled into it, panting in his ear. Gavin trembled at the sensation, tilting his head in offering. He was rewarded with gentle teeth nipping his neck before a tongue soothed the area.

"Ready?" Nines murmured as he drew back enough to kick away his pants and trousers. Gavin nodded, licking his lips anxiously as Nines returned. Gentle hands helped him balance as he pressed his stump against the mattress. He kept most of his weight on his good leg and leaned back against Nines. "If it hurts too much, let me know...I'll change position." Gavin nodded gratefully as Nines lined himself up. He helped him lower himself. The mixture of pleasure and pain was odd. He moaned as he felt Nines' shaft pushing its way in. The jelly really helped with the slide. He wasn't sure they'd ever had such a smooth fucking before. The pleasure was soon drowned out by the burning flare of pain as he pushed himself up.

"Phck!" It was almost a whimper as he dropped back down. Nines nuzzled his shoulder, taking a little more of his weight as he gripped his hips and eased him down. He whined again as Nines' length stroked along his walls. He squirmed a little, trying to get it to that place that felt good. He choked on a whimper as Nines helped him push up. The dull throb was coming back. "Phu-uhn-nn-hn-" Embarrassing little noises of pain and pleasure were being pushed out with every thrust. He was almost rubbing so perfectly, but it was just a little too far. It was like he had an itch that wasn't being scratched quite right. Alongside that was the raw pain as he pushed up. It was tender. It felt like the scars were going to split open, even though he was pretty sure that was impossible.

"Fuck, Gavin! You're taking me so well!" Gavin whined his thanks for the praise. He'd take any nice words he could get at this point. The pain was starting to go to his head. He could feel his eyes filling and his breath catching. He could barely see the room as his vision blurred. The tears felt hot as he blinked them out. He moaned out a sob as Nines rocked. He noticed instantly, reaching an arm around to support his abdomen and take more weight.

"Phck! T-too-much! H-hurts!" Nines didn't need to be told twice. Gavin yelped as he was pulled further back and his body twisted a little. He moaned in surprise as Nines somehow rocked even deeper at a new, almost sideways angle. Gavin planted one hand on the bed and looked down to see Nines holding his injured leg beneath the knee, lifting it up and sideways. "Ph-phu-N-Ni-" Each thrust was hitting him in that place. He wasn't sure if he was going to come or wet himself. Maybe both, phck! "St-sto-Ni!" It was too much.

"Fuck! You're really gripping me!" Nines moaned as he bounced him in his arms. Gavin whined as he felt the build-up growing. He tapped Nines' hand urgently, whining and shaking his head. Something much have gotten through, because the world turned again. Gavin felt his cheeks heat as he landed on his back and looked up to see Nines above him. He rested his injured leg on his shoulder and wrapped his good leg around his waist. He didn't even hesitate as he slammed back inside. This was better. Less intense.

Gavin watched as Nines caressed and kissed his sore stump. It was doing strange things to his insides. It was weird, but somehow unbelievably hot as Nines' tongue lathered the reddened flesh. His eyes fluttered shut, almost as if he were making love to it. He continued to rock as he reached down to grip his weeping shaft. Gavin moaned, helpless to do anything as he was fucked. He tightened his hold with his good leg, pulling Nines even closer. Nines smirked as he continued kissing the abused flesh, pumping his fist and rocking his hips.

"Phck-Nines!" Gavin bunched his fists in the sheets, helpless as he was bounced on Nines' cock. Nines knew there was nothing he could do, too. He smirked down at him, pumping and thrusting with even strokes. Gavin whined, reaching up. He wanted more. Nines gripped his hand and moved to rest one knee on the bed. "Phck!" Gavin mewled as Nines leaned down, pretty much bending him in half, stump still hooked over his shoulder as he leaned down. Nines planted a hand on the mattress, still jerking him off with the other.

"Fuck, you're so good!" Nines moaned as he squeezed his shaft in encouragement. Gavin felt about ready to burst. He pushed himself up, mashing their lips together as Nines continued rocking him into the mattress. He felt Nines spill first. Warmth filled his passage, dripping between them as he held out as long as possible, still ploughing his ass. "Fuck, Gavin! You ready? You going to come for me?" That did it. Nines smirked, praising him for being so good as he spilled between them. He pulled out and hummed as he rolled to the side.

"Phck, everything hurts..." Gavin whined as he stayed on his back, knees resting at the edge of the bed. Nines turned on his side and rested a hand on his stained stomach, chuckling to himself as he coated his hand. Gavin huffed as he watched Nines raise it to his lips and lick it clean. "Phcking idiot." He reached out to stroke through his brunette locks, flicking that stupid little curl on his forehead. Nines smiled as he pushed himself up and leaned over.

"I forgot to clean up," he excused as he lowered himself to lick the gloopy smears from Gavin's pelvis. Gavin huffed, staying down to catch his breath. He stroked Nines' hair as he worked, taking his time as he kissed and licked the soft skin of his stomach. He lingered a little longer over his left side, lavishing kisses on the ugly scars left behind by the shell. He rested there when he was finished, breathing in the soapy scent of his skin. Given the choice, he would be like this every day. He nuzzled Gavin's soft navel, enjoying the few light curls he had on his abdomen.

"Phck, I want another bath..." Nines chuckled as he looked up at Gavin's disgruntled expression.

"Aren't you enjoying the gift I gave you?" He ducked his head as Gavin's hand ruffled his hair roughly.

"Your gift is leaking all over the sheets!" Nines was still laughing as he got to his feet and gathered him in his arms. Gavin grumbled quietly as he looped his arms around his neck and allowed himself to be carried to the bathroom. Nines was gentle as he set him in the tub and turned on the overhead shower. That seemed enough for Gavin as he got on his knees and reached back. Nines leaned in and kissed him as he touched himself, using his fingers to clean out the jelly and semen. "You coming in here, or..." Nines huffed as he climbed into the large tub, kneeling with Gavin as the water poured over their heads.

"Does it hurt a lot?" Nines asked as they finished up. Gavin nodded as he accepted Nines' embrace. He was lifted from the tub and carried back into the bedroom, where Nines handed him his towel again. The towel was already wet, so it didn't really help much. "Sorry, perhaps it was too soon to do so much..." That may have been true, but he was pretty sure he'd be alright after some rest. I'll never walk on it if I don't push myself...It wasn't like they were going to do much anyway. They'd already been out riding. All they had left to do was have dinner.

"You think I could use the chair for dinner? I'm really tired..." He rarely resorted to the wheelchair these days, but with the raw pain in his stump and the ache in his thighs, he was willing to admit defeat. He hopped to the edge of the bed and flopped down on the sheets, still damp and naked. Nines smiled as he appeared above him, blue eyes roving over his shamelessly naked body.

"Certainly...Are you hungry now?" He sat down, still wearing a towel at his waist as Gavin shook his head. He huffed as Gavin tugged the edge of his towel loose. He wanted the skin contact. Nines tossed the damp towel aside and settled on his side, tucking Gavin in his arms for a while. They savoured a few murmured words of intimacy, limbs entangling as they shared tender kisses and lingering touches.

Gavin eventually agreed to dress and get some food. He needed it in order to take his medication. The dining hall was bustling with activity as they entered, though most men had eaten already. Many were sitting around playing cards or talking about the latest news. It didn't take long for a watchful maid to notice them and offer to bring them dinner. That night was a mixture of roasted vegetables, chicken, and thick gravy. It was the sort of meal Gavin had heard Brits salivate over on the front. Home cooking. Good, hearty food. Not too bad...

"Doughboy! Come play with us! We need an extra hand!" Gavin looked up to see Freddie, Jeffery, and Thomas a couple of tables over. It seemed their fourth player had decided to retire for the evening. Gavin finished his mouthful and waved at his plate. They seemed content to wait, nursing tumblers of amber liquid. When he was done, Nines wheeled him over to the table and put the brakes on. He barely even noticed as Nines excused himself to clear the table and search for something to do.

"What are you playing?" Gavin asked as they dealt the cards and set up the table. It turned out they were playing a game he didn't know. Bridge. Jeffery explained the rules. He was the oldest, and most injured, of the group. He'd lost both legs above the knee. He'd been there a long time, but rarely used his prosthetics. He called them terrible contraptions and often left them in his cupboard for days at a time. He only practiced when Chloe coaxed him into it. Gavin couldn't blame him. If his legs were anywhere near as painful as his own, it was little wonder he'd locked the prosthetics away. He was almost fifty. Like Gavin, he'd been in the army for a long time. His whole family had been in the military, and he'd lost both of his younger brothers to this war so far.

Thomas wasn't Jeffery's son, but he treated him like it all the same. They were rarely seen without each other. Thomas had lost one of his arms to gangrene. An old wound had been infected, working right to the bone. It had almost infected his blood and given him sepsis by the time they'd cut it off. They'd had to do it right at the shoulder, too. He'd been at the estate for a while, slowly getting used to Elijah's strange new arm design. By moving his shoulder backwards and forwards, he could open and close the hand. It may not sound special, but it was breaking new ground as far as grip and flexibility went.

"Follow me, I'll show you how," Freddie insisted as Jeffery dealt the cards. It was a nice way to pass the evening. They even snuck him a snifter of sherry since Nines wasn't looming over his shoulder. He was beginning to wonder where Nines was as they finished up their game and sat back with their drinks. It had been a good couple of hours, and Nines was nowhere in sight. His good mood dipped somewhat as he searched the rapidly emptying room. "I heard your fella's brothers are coming soon. You must be excited." Gavin almost flushed at the wording. Was it really that obvious that he and Nines were together like that?

"Uh, yeah...They're supposed to arrive in a few days." He sipped his drink quickly, almost glaring as Jeffery and Thomas snickered.

"Look at him! Red as a beet!" Thomas' cackle was almost a little too much like Sixty's for his liking.

"I am not!" He almost cringed. That just made him sound petulant. Freddie chuckled as he tidied up the cards and shuffled them for the next players before returning them to the box. Jeffery packed away the small board with the little match sticks while Thomas continued to snicker. Gavin grumbled as he sipped his sherry, relieved as he finally saw Nines reappear. He felt his stomach drop as he noticed the letter in his hand. He knew that paper. It was from the front. It was thick and worn, almost yellow at the edges. "What is it? Did something happen?" That would explain why he'd been gone so long.

"Oh, no. It's from Connor. He sent across their travel plans. He's looking forward to seeing you," he added as he tucked the letter away. Gavin squirmed, unsure whether Nines was telling the truth. Is that really all? You're not leaving sooner? "They got away early, so they'll be here in two days." So, it was good news. He noticed Gavin relax a little at that. Nines joined them for a while, gently chiding Gavin for drinking with his medication. Jeffery and Thomas gave him teasing smirks as he accepted the telling off with a pout. Pouting was about all he could do. Nines was right about the medication. He was a lot more drowsy than usual with the alcohol in his system.

"Poor lad can't handle his liquor. Best take him off to bed," Jeffery encouraged as he noticed Gavin's eyes drooping. Nines was polite as he agreed and bade them goodnight, rousing Gavin enough for him to do that same. By the time they reached the bedroom, Gavin was already sound asleep. Nines sighed fondly as he closed the door and looked down at him. He'd never thought on his first day at the front that he'd end up like this. Romance was the last thing he'd had on his mind when he'd laid eyes on Gavin. He huffed fondly at the memory of their first kiss. It had been the last thing on his mind as he'd hauled Gavin into the tent. It was only as their lips met that all those nights of frustration made sense. He'd often lain awake stewing over Gavin and how he'd never do as he was told. That smirk. Those eyes. That gruff voice and deep chuckle.

"My Gavin..." He smiled as Gavin mumbled and leaned into the hand on his cheek. Nines was gentle as he pulled him forward and lifted him over his shoulder. He roused a little as he was set on the bed and rolled and shuffled his way beneath the covers before lying still. Nines stripped off and climbed in beside him, huffing as Gavin rolled towards him, summoned by his warmth. He latched onto him like some sort of heat-leech, gripping him with his arms and good leg. The other slotted between his knees, nestling into the warm space between his thighs. "Goodnight, Gavin..."