Old Friends & Good Time

Daniel went to gather more wood. He realized the other two would spend time speaking and getting reacquainted with each other. He strayed away, allowing them to be alone together.

John had tethered his wounded horse nearby, had removed his coat and left it to hang high above his head on a strong tree branch. As soon as Daniel had gone for wood, he had gone straight into Mingo’s arm. The tall Cherokee's heart was beating a wild melody in his head.

“It’s been so long, Chris. I’ve missed you terribly since you left England,” he murmured, pulling Mingo’s head down for a long and deep kiss.

Mingo followed the lead, kissing with fierce male vigor the smaller man. He pulled back after a few seconds, however, taking John's head between his two hands, caressing smoothly the left cheek and staring with tears in his eyes at the dear face in front of him.

"It's Mingo, now. It's always been Mingo. I just could never tell you."

"We shared many nights together, and you could not tell me? Do you think I would have rejected you dear friend?" wondered John in a very subdued tone. "Do you think your origin would have troubled me when we both shared the same interest in each other?"

Mingo didn't respond. He simply sat himself down, taking John with him, and making sure to encircle him tightly in his arms.

John was by no mean less strong or sturdy than Mingo. The Cherokee could feel the muscle beneath the soft linen John wore.

"I had to decide where I stood in life before I could share my Cherokee's heritage with anyone, John. When I decided to leave England, my only regret was you. My people accept my sexual choice; it's the White Man world that is blind to difference such as these. You were career military John, you are English and you had no doubt about your place and your duty in your family's line. How could I possibly have shared my origin with you? I was so young, so young, John. I have missed you so much".

Mingo started to undo the top button of John's shirt when a branch cracked; Daniel had deliberately made noise to announce his return. Mingo wondered how to explain all of this to his Kentuckian brother.