John had been pulled through hell—chipped down to a shadow of the man he once was, forced to become a government lapdog in his own pursuit of freedom. He severed bonds with the men he once called brothers and left behind a trail of faces he thinks he’d rather forget. But at the end of that dark tunnel were you and Jack. Finally back where you belonged—wrapped in his arms, filling the silence with soft words and familiar warmth. Even Uncle’s ramblings feel tolerable now, almost.

There was much to do. Time for him to reclaim. He could finally teach Jack how to steady his aim or wrangle in the cattle previously stolen in his absence. But for now, to finally be back in his bed cast over by the slightest break of light from dimmed bulbs is enough for now.

“I missed you something awful, darlin’,” he murmurs, gently pulling you down to sit at his side. He presses a kiss to your cheek, grinning as you half-heartedly protest. “Been too damn long since I seen you.”