Set Fire to the Rain, Ch. 10 "Warmth"

This fic is intended for mature readers due to the vivid depiction of a consensual adult relationship.  The setting is First Season, post-“The Preacher”, screenplay by John Dunkel, story by John Meston, original airdate June 16, 1956. This fanfiction was written with absolutely no regard whatsoever to actual Kansas topography, geography or meteorological activity, equine expertise, proper medical treatment or pioneer homemaking skills.

Warmth.  Matt sighed.  He hadn’t believed he’d ever be warm again.  Rain, flood, hunger, exhaustion, and a good, old-fashioned beating—a surefire recipe for pure misery and a bone-chilling loss of body heat.  He lay very still, head pounding, eye throbbing, gut aching, but, by God, he was warm.

Softness.  His battered consciousness slowly registered something warm and soft and breathing in the bed next to him.  He cracked an eyelid, the one that wasn’t black and blue and nearly swollen shut.  It was nighttime again—he must’ve slept through the afternoon--but by the light of the dying embers of the fire, he could just make out a small form huddled next to him, seeking warmth by nestling against his side.

His lips parted and he drew in a quick, shallow breath at the sight that greeted him.  Wrapped in a worn quilt that had slipped down to her waist, he gazed at her naked back, white skin nearly luminous in the darkness, tangled red hair spilling over bare shoulders .  He fought the strong impulse to reach out and smooth his hand over that lovely, creamy expanse.

Instead, he gingerly captured a wayward curl in his fingers, tenderly raking it out of her face.  Then he pulled the covers slowly over her so as not to wake his sleeping beauty.  His breath caught in his throat as she made a small sound, stirring in her sleep.  But she simply burrowed closer, pressing her sweet, soft, warm breasts to his side, nuzzling her flushed face into his shoulder.  He sighed deeply and wrapped a protective arm around her.  Then he lay very still and quiet, listening to her rhythmic breathing, until exhaustion tugged him once more into peaceful oblivion.

tbc

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