Dear Camerado: Inmate 78 by Zeke Black (mature)

[farad.livejournal.com]

Fandom: The Magnificent Seven
Pairing: Chris/Ezra
Length: 3766 words
Author on LJ: zekiel 
Author Website: Zeke Black on AO3
Why this must be read:

Zeke is one of the best stylists - word smiths - I've ever had the pleasure to read, and in this story, she tackles the missing resolution to one of the most intense episodes of the show. This was the last episode of season one, and it features Chris, the reluctant leader of the seven.  Chris, on his own, is illegally detained in a prison work camp where he's subjected to not just inhuman conditions but to the hatred of the camp's commander who sets out to break Chris' spirit.  The other six, once Chris is very late for his return, set out to find him, succeeding just as Chris has found his own escape.

This story is the missing scene between the 'rescue'/reunion of the seven and the last scene of the episode, the morning after when the seven turn the camp over to legitimate authority and leave.  In her wonderful style. Zeke shows how each of the six reaffirm their allegiance to their leader, and reassure themselves that Chris is, indeed, all right. She does a brilliant job with the characterizations of all seven, and the dynamics of each individual relationship Chris has with his men.

An excerpt:

Vin smiled when Chris laughed at the tale of their antics, which he reckoned was exactly Vin's plan all along.

Vin got up after that, hooking his thumbs into his gunbelt. "I'm gonna go talk with Phillips some more. The man's all right. Some of them guards need to be weeded out, and he's got the lay of them."

Chris nodded and looked up at him, standing haloed in lamplight. Vin gave him a warm feeling just like the others, but special to himself like each of them, this unlikely bunch he'd fallen in with. He didn't need to tell Vin outright he'd been glad they'd come, though; that was the difference with Vin. He just looked at Vin and nodded.

Vin's eyes crinkled in silent acknowledgment, then he tipped his hat. "See ya in the morning, Chris." He turned and left, spurs clinking with his long strides, out the door till they fell silent.

Chris had finished eating and was settled down with one of the Warden's expensive cigars when Josiah came in carrying a sheaf of papers.

"Got 'em out of the safe in his office," Josiah said. "Need to separate out the real prisoners from the innocent men they trapped here."

Josiah sat at the other side of the small, round table. Chris shoved the humidor to him and Josiah broke off reading to peer inside. Josiah gave Chris one of his toothy grins and plucked up a cigar. He rolled it under his nose before biting off the end and spitting it onto the fancy carpet. Chris flipped him a match and Josiah, heedless of the fragility of the little side table, fired it on the underside and lit up. He drew the smoke deep into his lungs and sighed out a smoky gust of pleasure.

They smoked in harmony for a couple of minutes, then Josiah pulled out his big flask and put it on the table between them. Chris bobbed his head in thanks and took a long swallow. Josiah always carried damned fine liquor.

A wonderful view of the seven and the relationships they have with their leader.

Dear Camerado: Inmate 78