Universe: Ostensibly, ATF, no specific references though.
Warnings: Not really, but it is sort of religiously oriented. Also, not beta'ed, so if it sucks, I take the blame.
Note: I was pondering on Easter, and well, where I find God, and this was the product. I hope nothing here offends anyone who can find God in a church, but right now I'm having a real hard time with that and that was sort of translated itself to my take on Vin's view of religion in this story.
Darkness reigned over the earth, with silence as its queen.
Chris opened the door onto his porch and stepped out, bare feet curling slightly at the chill of the boards.
Vin was seated motionless on the steps, had been all night. He didn't turn at Chris's arrival, though it was assured that he was aware of the older man's presence.
Tomorrow, later that day actually, was Easter, and the boys were all coming out to the ranch around noon to celebrate the day. Vin, however, had shown up the evening before, claiming he had no use for church, so he'd help Chris get ready for the boys Sunday morning, or if Chris wanted to go to church, he could do whatever needed doing while Chris was busy. Chris knew that he didn't need the help, but he appreciated the company. There had never been a question as to whether or not Vin could stay.
But Vin hadn't retreated to the guest bedroom like he usually did, instead, at about the time that the sun had set, Vin had gone outside to watch the spectacular display of nature's glory; he'd been out there since.
At first Chris had sat with him, two friends enjoying the quiet. When he had gone in to go to bed, Chris had thought Vin would follow shortly, but now, an hour before sunrise, Vin was still sitting on the porch steps, and it was obvious to Chris that he hadn't moved all night.
"You get any sleep, Cowboy?" Chris asked quietly, coming up to sit next to the sharpshooter. Vin just shrugged. Chris took that to be a 'no'. "So, what were ya doing up all night?"
"Waitin' on Easter," was the drawled response.
Chris frowned in confusion. "Thought you didn't have any use for church?"
"Don't. Ain't much one fer religion."
Chris rolled his eyes at the typical Tanner response that answered the question, but gave absolutely no information. The man could be as infuriating as Ezra sometimes. A lot of times, Chris amended. He shivered slightly at the chill air.
Vin cast an amused glance at his best friend, seeing the shiver and taking in the bare chest. "Ya know, ya shouldn't be out here half nekkid. Could catch yer death, then Nate'd have m' ass fer lettin' ya do such a damn'd fool thing."
Chris glared at the young Texan, but Vin had a talent for ignoring the Larabee Glare, and just laughed it off.
The two sat in silence for a while longer. Chris wanted to question his friend about why he had spent the night outside in the cold "waitin' on Easter' when he claimed to want nothing to do with church and religion, but he knew that Vin would get to it in his own time and not before.
"Never liked church," came the quiet drawl eventually. "Seemed real — sanctimonious, ya know? Some big preacher guy tellin' ever'body what ta believe 'n' how ta live their life. Didn't feel — right. But ya cain't look aroun' an' not know that somethin' bigger'n us was b'hind it. So I got ta thinkin', the God part ain't the problem, 's jest how men interpret God an' try an' make ever'body else see God their way. Figured what's b'hind all the preachin', God, the scripture, that's real, 's just the preachin' that's all twisted up.
"Never found God in a church," Vin explained, "but here," he gestured to the expanse before them, "I found God here."
"Today's Easter fer the whole world. But fer me, 's Easter mornin' every day. Easter's all 'bout God's Son risin' fer us, what most people don't see is that God's Sun rises fer us every day."
Chris shook his head with a smile. "You never cease to amaze me, Cowboy, ya know that?"
A shy grin crossed Vin's face and he looked away.
"Thanks Vin," Chris said quietly to the man seated next to him.
"Didn't do nothin' needs thankin', Cowboy."
Chris just smiled and shook his head, knowing better than to argue with the stubborn and humble man. A man who was more deserving of thanks and praise than any other he'd ever met.
The two men sat together on the stoop, waiting for the Easter Sun to rise.
As the golden orb peeked over the horizon, Chris heard Vin murmur, "Happy Easter, Chris."
A quiet smile crossed Chris's face. "Happy Easter, Vin."
End
Happy Easter, Passover, or Corresponding Holiday
Hope it's great.
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