“C’mon.” Buck Said Randomly, Patting His Lower Back.

“C’mon.” Buck said randomly, patting his lower back.

“What?”

“I-I wanna give you a piggy back ride.”

Tommy groaned. “Evan. I can walk just fine.”

Buck patted his back again. “Come on. Let’s go.” He said more adamantly, refusing to take no for an answer.

Tommy reluctantly climbed on Buck’s back , wrapping his strong thighs around Buck’s hips, and draped his arms over him.

Buck hoisted Tommy up slightly and grasped his thighs. “Alright, there we go.”

Tommy was awkwardly silent as Buck took him around the park. Buck could feel Tommy’s heart pounding against his back and sensed his unease and tension.

“Nobody’s looking at us, Tommy.” Buck said, causing him to laugh.

“Very cute, Evan. I remember that being my line.”

“Well, now it’s mine.” Buck decided as they walked along a bridge over a pond, spotting some ducks in the water. “I know you’re not used to this—“

"You're right. I'm not." Tommy admitted. "The men I date don't usually offer me piggy back rides."

“There’s a first time for everything.” Buck said with a slight chuckle.

They continued their stroll through the park enjoying the slight breeze and calm ambiance. Buck told Tommy some fun facts about the trees, flowers growing near the pond, why ducks shouldn’t eat bread and even informed Tommy that the inventor of frisbees came up with the idea as a teenager, throwing popcorn tin lids with his girlfriend.

“It’s a really beautiful day, isn’t it?” Buck sighed wistfully, admiring the scenery.

“Mhm.” Tommy hummed as he buried his reddened face in Buck’s shoulder.

This was the safest he’d ever felt in a relationship—perhaps even his whole life.

He felt so secure. So happy. So…small. Which would probably sound silly if said aloud. But, nonetheless. Tommy did feel small, being held so securely with his feet dangling above the ground—yeah. How could he not love this?

“If you hide your face, you’ll miss the sunset.” Buck said softly, prompting Tommy to lift his head.

“Are you sure you’re not tired?”

“I had 2 cups of coffee this morning. I’m pretty wide awake.”

“No.” Tommy snorted. “I meant—are you tired of carrying me?”

“Oh!” Buck laughed. “No. It’s fine.”

A brief silence fell upon them as they watched the fiery red sun setting.

“Did you know the sun starts to lose its color as it sets? As it drops into the horizon, it loses its blue, then green and yellow, then orange wavelength hues. And all that’s left is red.”

“That’s why it looks like a fireball when the sunsets.”

“Yep. It’s probably the only fire we never want to put out.” Buck said with a smirk.

“I would never want to put out our fire either.”

“Yeah?”

“I love you, you know.”

“Yes I-I do know. And I love you too.”

“So, can I give you a piggy back ride home?”

Buck shook his head. “I’m not putting you down.”

“I could just jump off your back.”

“If you try it, you’ll take me down with you, because I’m not letting you go.”

“Evan…” Tommy warned, pulling Buck down into the grass with him. The two tumbled around for a few moments, then lied in the grass, laughing together until the sky turned dark and everyone around them had already gone home.