"Phck! It's freezing!" Gavin was shivering in his saddle as they returned from their customary ride in the forest. They no longer stopped at the apple tree. It was far too cold for that, but they still went riding. Blossom and Goliath needed exercise, even if the weather was cold. Blossom had healed wonderfully, and all of them were happy to be out again. Nines chuckled his agreement as he watched his breath cloud in the air. There was something quite bitter about the British weather, even though the temperature was much higher than they were used to.

"Don't worry, I'll be sure to warm you up when we get back." He enjoyed the way Gavin glared in response. They both knew he'd be the first one out of his clothes when they got back. But perhaps some hot tea would be a nice preamble. There were few things he liked more than curling up with Gavin and a hot drink, and Gavin's mood always improved when there was cake involved. It would likely be teatime when they got back. Hank and Allen were probably in the hall already. Over the past month, Allen's skin had shown a lot of improvement. The burns had healed enough for him to perform regular leg exercises in preparation for the prosthetics. They were just simple lifting movements to keep his hip joints in shape for now. He wouldn't actually be fitted with prosthetics for at least another month. The burns around his thighs needed to completely heal lest the prosthetics rubbed them raw again.

"Phck, I could even go for a cup of that piss weak leaf water they have on the front at this point!" Gavin's teeth chattered as he gripped the reins with frozen fingers. Nines laughed at the admission. He really must be cold if he was willing to go that far. He hated weak tea. Nines was glad he'd convinced him to dress properly that morning. The weather could be deceptive from the warmth of the bedroom. Clear sky and sunshine didn't mean it was warm outside. Not at this time of year. Blossom snorted, lowering her head as she walked so that Gavin jerked forward to rest a hand on her neck. "Hey! Easy, alright? We'll be back soon! Guess I'm not the only one who's cold."

"You both have weak constitutions." Nines smirked as Gavin scoffed, patting Goliath's shoulder as he plodded along. The larger horse had no such issue with the weather. He was in no particular hurry to go anywhere as he plodded along the path, looking around the trail for any fallen treats.

"You're American too, dingbat! We have the same constitution!" Nines blinked before chuckling and shaking his head. "What? What's so phcking funny?" Nines didn't enlighten him, choosing to pick up a little speed instead. The sooner they got back, the sooner he could have Gavin huddled in a blanket. Goliath obligingly picked up his feet, breaking into a light trot as they made their way back to the stables. Blossom kept pace, occasionally snorting and skipping her way into the lead. Goliath wasn't particularly competitive. He seemed content to allow her to lead.

It was a nice day, despite the cold. The air was crisp and fresh. It bit their hands and cheeks, but the sun was out. There were clouds in the distance, but otherwise the day was quite fine. The birds were singing and fallen leaves were being crunched underfoot as Goliath and Blossom trotted along the faded path. A lot more sun broke through the branches now that the leaves were falling. Many branches were already bare. Nines was glad to be away from the front in this weather. Last winter had been truly unbearable, though considering the time he'd spent with Gavin, he wouldn't change it. Stealing time with Gavin along the treeline, both of them shivering and complaining about icy hands, was something he would always cherish.

"The phck are you looking at?" Nines blinked. He didn't even realise he'd been staring. He softened a little as he smiled, enjoying the way Gavin flustered under his warm gaze. They both paused as they reached the end of the trail that led back to the stables. There seemed to be a lot of excitement up at the mansion. They could hear the raised voices from their place on the edge of the paddocks. "What's gotten into them?" Nines shrugged as he turned Goliath towards the stables.

"We'll likely find out when we get back." It certainly didn't sound like it was going to stop anytime soon. As they approached the stables, Joe was already waiting. He hurried down to meet them, gleeful and excited as he waved. Perhaps we won't even have to wait...He was positively buzzing as he took Blossom's reins and helped lead her in.

"Gavin! Nines! I hoped you'd be back soon! Have you heard? Have you heard the news?" Joe looked at them excitedly as Gavin climbed down. By their clueless expressions, he guessed not. "It's over! The war's over! Well, not exactly, but a ceasefire has been called!" Gavin's jaw dropped as he looked up at Nines to see if he'd heard right. By the smile on Nines' face as he dropped beside him, it seemed he had. "They signed the accord just a few hours ago!" That was even better. If they'd actually signed something, then it really was almost over. Gavin couldn't even move, he was so shocked. He'd hoped it might end soon, but hadn't dared believe it. He could only imagine how the Brits must feel after almost four years of it.

"Thank phcking Christ..." It was barely a murmur as Nines pulled him against his chest. Nines certainly shared the sentiment, but he couldn't help the lingering bitterness. If this had happened just two months sooner, his brothers would have survived. It was so unfair that they'd gotten so close to the end, only to be struck down. Gavin gripped back, squeezing tightly. He wished he could say it had been worth it, that he felt he'd made a difference, but he couldn't. Maybe if it was just his leg, he'd feel differently. He was learning to live without the leg. He could handle that, but the men he'd lost? The friends? Nines' brothers? The hundreds of thousands of others? Phck, it could even be in the millions at this point...

"Let's find the others," Nines murmured eventually as he drew back and wiped his eyes. Back at the house, celebrations were in full swing. Whatever bitterness the men felt had been swept aside by the sheer relief of knowing it was over. Men would start coming home soon. Healing could begin for both land and people. The good mood was contagious, and despite their loss, Nines and Gavin quickly joined in with the merriment. The dining hall was bustling with activity. Injured men were singing and drinking in loud, gleeful tones. The house staff were joining in, refilling glasses as they went. The nursing staff remained happy but attentive, making sure their charges didn't overdo it.

"Dad? Dad!" Nines waved as he guided Gavin through the bustling hive. They had to dodge around more than one spinning wheelchair and waving crutch on the way through. Hank was sitting at a table with Allen and Jeffery, all three of them singing and drinking with the crowd. Hank stopped as he saw Nines to get to his feet and pull him into a tight embrace. Gavin sat down with a smile, gripping Allen's hand with a knowing look. They both nodded, jaws tight as they shared a moment of quiet pain and loss. Jeffery clapped their shoulders, adding his understanding. He'd lost even more than they had.

"It's over, son...It's over." It certainly felt like it, looking at the cheering crowds. Nines swallowed the lump in his throat as he buried his face in Hank's shoulder. He could feel his eyes filling at the unfairness of it all. Why was he the one to make it out alive? Why had Sixty chosen him and not Connor? Connor had someone waiting. Perhaps even a child. Sixty would never have left the front himself. He'd lived for the danger. Nines honestly wasn't sure what he would have done afterwards. He found trouble far too easily.

It was quite overwhelming to think it was all over. Gavin seemed to share and understand his feelings to a certain extent. They had a drink with the others to steady their nerves before Gavin suggested they head upstairs. Nines nodded. That seemed appropriate. They needed some time alone to let it truly sink in. downstairs was too lively with celebrations. Perhaps later they may feel like joining in, but both of them had a lot to think about. Hank seemed to understand as well. He ran a hand through Nines' hair and gave him another peck on the cheek before sending them off.

As they reached the first floor, Gavin wasn't really surprised to hear sniffling coming from Elijah's office. He sneaked over and put his head round the door, ready to back out if need be. Elijah was facing him, but far too intent on Chloe to notice. He was resting his chin on her head, hushing her as he rocked her in his arms. Gavin couldn't help feeling bad for them. Chloe was mourning the loss of a love and possibly the father of her child, while Elijah was comforting her. It had to be hard, comforting her while she cried for another man.

"I've told you before, you don't have to hide it from me...If you need to cry, then you can do it in my arms, always. For any reason...For anyone..." Gavin backed out quietly. He was getting teary-eyed just listening to the sappy declarations. It seemed he'd touched Chloe, too. Her sobs got louder as she clung to him. He felt Nines' hand on his shoulder and shook his head. They weren't needed. She wasn't alone. They continued up to their room and closed the door before kicking off their shoes and climbing onto the bed.

"What are you thinking?" Nines asked after a while. They'd been lying in silence, staring vacantly at the ceiling. Gavin turned his head at the question to find that Nines had turned on his side to gaze at him. He turned over to join him. They slowly reached out, subconsciously searching for each other. Their fingers entwined, and Gavin tightened his grip. He had a lot of things on his mind. It was a complete mess. He wasn't really sure where to start.

"A lot of things...We just had this massive war, but...I guess I don't know what it was all for...For some dead duke? Is that really it?" There was a lot of bitterness in his pinched brow as he thought about it. Nines shook his head after a while.

"I don't think that's right...It may have started because of that, but everyone joined for their own reasons...Revenge, duty, friendship, love, money...I'm sure they all played their part. You're right to wonder though...I feel we lost far more than we gained...Everyone did..." Gavin nodded at that. They'd only been in it for a year, but the Brits and the French had been in it since the start. Did they really feel like they'd won? All that death, gore, and bloodshed. Was it worth it? What about the other side? Did they regret it now? Would they go back and change it if they could?

"Phck, I can't believe it...Looking back, it seems so unreal...Phck, the things we did to each other..." Gavin couldn't help shuddering at the thought. He'd heard some pretty terrible things. Chlorine gas searing eyes, throats, and lungs. The shelling that had caused so many injuries like his own. The slow torture of prisoners. Killing those on your own side if they ran scared. Nines had treated his share of injuries, too. Shrapnel buried deep in flesh. Wounds that wouldn't heal. Infections caused by the filth of the trenches. Flesh shredded by barbed wire. Fevers and sepsis.

"I can't stop thinking about them..." Gavin didn't need him to clarify. Of course, he'd think of his brothers at a time like this. Gavin had done his share of thinking, too. He'd seen so many come and go, he'd lost count. He could have lost Nines, too. There's no way he would have abandoned his brothers and left his post. Hell, he probably would have thrown himself in front of them to take the bullets...

"If I could see Sixty again, I'd kiss him for saving you..." He really couldn't imagine life without Nines. He never would have gotten through recovery without him. If he'd died, he probably would have suffered a relapse and stopped trying. He reached up to stroke Nines' cheek, running his thumb back and forth over the soft, smooth skin. He'd shaved that morning. It was still fresh.

"Maybe that's why he jumped the parapet...You know he'd hate that." Nines was part snorting and part holding back tears at the idea. Gavin blinked in surprise at the unexpected joke.

"Phck, you're right, that's just the sort of shit he'd pull!" He couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up this throat. Much like Nines, if he didn't laugh, he'd cry. Nines laughed, too. They laughed until their sides hurt and their ribs ached. They laughed until their eyes watered, spilling rivers down their cheeks. They laughed until their gasping breaths became heaving sobs. Tears of mirth spilled into rivers of mourning. They moved closer, desperate for comfort and reassurance. Their tears combined as their bodies turned. "I love you...Phck, I love you..." The words were barely more than gentle murmurs between kisses as Gavin held himself up on his forearms.

"I love you, too." Nines looped his arms around Gavin's neck to pull him down, sniffling quietly as he accepted the tender press of lips. Gavin was faring little better. His own tears were blinking from his eyes to spill down Nines' cheeks. He laced a hand in his hair as he settled against him, slotting their bodies together. He could feel each sigh of breath in Nines' chest, and knew he could feel the same. Nines hummed softly as he tightened his grip and squirmed until his legs parted to greet Gavin between them. Gavin kissed him slowly as he nudged his hips forward in question. The returning roll was answer enough for him to press closer.

Their movements were slow and lazy. Tongues entwined. Teeth nipped. Lips kissed. Hands searched beneath clothing before pulling it free. The room was chilly from the weather outside, but they paid it little mind as they stripped and writhed on the sheets. Gavin moaned as teasing nails ran down his back until those greedy hands could grab his ass. Nines squeezed and kneaded the flesh, encouraging him closer. Gavin huffed softly as he drew back from Nines' needy lips to look down at his flushed cheeks and puffy eyes.

"Careful, or I'm going to take that as an invitation." Nines turned his head a little, almost side-eyeing him as he tugged his hips closer. "Phck, you're so spoiled," Gavin teased as he returned to his lips and lavished him with gentle licks and lingering nips. He breathed a little deeper as he lowered himself to rock against him. Resting his weight on one arm, he stroked his way down Nines' body to the rising bulge between his thighs. He felt Nines twitch as he took him in hand and stroked. He was filling out nicely already. Gavin hummed as he circled his thumb over the sensitive tip, enjoying the way Nines squirmed beneath him.

He gently coaxed Nines into releasing his ass so he could reach across for the small pot of jelly. Nines' tears had finally slowed as Gavin drew back to coat his fingers. He sniffled and wiped his eyes, swallowing the ache in his throat as he parted his thighs wider. Gavin was gentle and attentive as he reached down to tease the tight ring. He circled his fingers slowly before pressing harder. Nines did his best to relax as Gavin leaned down to tease his pecs. Small sparks of pleasure darted downward as Gavin nipped and licked his hardened nubs.

The flesh beneath his circling fingers softened. The muscles loosened enough for him to press two fingertips inside, where he massaged and encourage the ring to relax. He smirked at the way Nines squirmed at his searching touch. It was rare for him to lie back and let him do as he pleased, so Gavin was going to make the most of it. He raised his head to enjoy the sight of Nines' body spread open before him. He'd reached up to fist his hands in the pillows for now, cheeks flushed from their earlier shared tears. His body was like a blank canvas besides the dotted moles and freckles. Even his healed wrist remained unscarred. The little curl remained in his damp brunette locks. His lips were pink from urgent kisses, almost matching the shade of his tear-stained cheeks.

Gavin reached out to wipe the tears away, enjoying the way Nines leaned into his touch. They shared another slow kiss as Gavin pushed deeper, flexing and stroking his inner walls. Nines rocked his hips slowly, matching pace with his pumping fingers, moaning his own satisfaction as their cocks brushed. Gavin could feel himself getting harder, almost ready for the task ahead. He huffed as he felt those needy hands return to grip his rounded flesh. Nines whined at the loss as Gavin sat up and dislodged his grabby hands.

"Alright-alright, I'm coming..." His voice was soft and soothing as he sat back on his heels and pumped his own cock. Nines watched with an almost vulnerable expression as his silvery eyes filled again. Gavin hushed him softly as he lined himself up and slid forward. He felt Nines stiffen and shudder as he was breached, tears spilling as he tucked his face against his shoulder. Gavin felt his own eyes filling as they stilled. He nuzzled and nudged Nines into a gentle kiss, stroking his hair and caressing his neck. He kept their lips locked as he rolled his hips, both sighing and humming as he pushed deeper.

Nines kept his thighs spread wide, feet resting in the sheets as he enjoyed the slow rock of Gavin's hips. He stroked and scratched his back and shoulders, circling his hands for a while before reaching for the prize. He felt Gavin part sob and part chuckle against his lips as he finally squeezed his ass and held on. They both sniffled and snuffled as they shared gentle nuzzles and lingering kisses. It had once been rare to see Gavin so openly emotional, but since his injury, he'd become much freer with his tears. The whites of his eyes were pink and irritated around the dirty rings of green as his tears spilled. His lashes were wet, blinking salted drops like rain.

"Gavin..." Nines tugged him closer, encouraging harder thrusts. Gavin was perceptive as ever, immediately taking the hint and rocking deeper. Nines moaned as he stared up, enjoying the ruddy flush of Gavin's skin and the heat against his own. He enjoyed the rough sound of Gavin's voice as he moaned his name. Gavin buried his head in his shoulder as he lowered himself to his forearms and put all of his focus on obeying the pull of those needy hands on his ass. "Oh-fu-" Nines bit his mouth shut against the helpless cries that wanted to break free, holding himself open as he encouraged a series of hard, relentless thrusts.

Each rock pressed their bodies together, grinding Nines' dripping cock between them. He moaned and squirmed, pushing and pulling Gavin's ass in encouragement. Gavin remained keen and eager to please, treating each tug and squeeze like an order to be followed. Harder. Faster. More-more-more! He was breathing hard as he held himself up and snapped his hips. The thrusts were so hard he was almost worried he was going to bruise him with his hips. Nines pulled him closer, giving him almost no room to draw back as he squirmed and writhed. He could feel the stickiness forming between them, telling him Nines was close.

"Phck, in or out?" He wasn't sure he could hold back much longer.

"I-inside!" Gavin almost spilled just from the thought of Nines wanting to be filled. He moaned into the pillow as he kept rocking, trying not to pull too far from Nines' warmth. He trapped his dripping cock between them, rubbing and grinding against his pelvis. "G-Gavin-I-f-fuck!" Gavin bit and teased Nines' neck as he spilled between them. He could feel his body stiffen and quiver, muscles contracting, squirming uncontrollably. It was almost enough to make him spill. He enjoyed the quiver of Nines' thighs as he finally came, pushing deep to deliver his gift.

He was spent as he almost collapsed, holding himself on trembling arms as he remained embedded in Nines' warmth. Nines encouraged him down with a gentle hand on his back, encouraging him to settle against his spent body. They were both panting, Gavin with his face in the pillow, and Nines staring up at the ceiling. The warm, seeping feeling hadn't arrived yet, not with Gavin's cock acting as a plug. Nines almost twitched to life again at the realisation that Gavin was still hard.

"Do you need to go again?" He didn't recall it taking this long for Gavin to flag before. Gavin shook his head, exhausted from all the excitement and stress of the day. "I don't want to wake up and find we're stuck together." Gavin huffed softly. That didn't sound like a bad way to wake up to him. He nuzzled closer as he settled his weight and closed his eyes, enjoying their closeness a while longer before the inevitable clean-up.