"Ah know we've had alot on our plate Sugar... and ah hate to bring up another thing for us to worry about." Taurie said, rubbing the back of his neck. Since getting hitched with the Texan Taurie felt like he'd scarcely stopped smiling, never once regretting his decision.
He had been putting something off though... and with his last letter from home it felt like it couldn't be put off much longer.
"When uh... do ya think we should tell mah family? About us ah mean? Ma's been askin' for me to come back for a visit..."
“….” Dell put down the newspaper he was reading, brows furrowed and a small frown of deep contemplation on his face. “How old are your parents again?” Dell eventually asked though he knew waiting until Taurie’s dad died wasn’t the best plan. He remembers hearing women usually lived longer than men, but his mom was an exemption to that rule and Taurie’s might be too and Dell didn’t want to risk losing the chance to have one mom who accepted his life choices, or at least got the chance to.
Plus the cousin was young so he wasn’t going nowhere… unless… Nope. Dell knew murder was still off the table.
Dell leaned his head into the rubs like an affectionate kitten, grinning ear to ear as he squinted over at Taurie through the summer sun. “Well, if it’s just us here don’t see why we gotta have all our manners minded.” He teased, as he slowly was becoming more comfortable with outdoor tussles.
“Not now though, too damn hot for somethin’ like that.” Tilting his head up he kissed Taurie’s palm before sitting up and starting to unlace his boots, pulling them and his socks off before pushing up to his feet and continuing to peel off the rest of his clothes until he was left in his briefs, the outline of the goods more noticeable with how his damp skin clung to them. He was sure the water was fine, but in case of leaches he figured he’d want some coverage.
Turning he’d help Taurie up if he wasn’t already then turned to step out onto the old little dock, the wood creaking under his weight but it seemed sturdy.
“You know, can’t remember the last time I went swimming like this before you.” He said, looking out at the water, standing out in the edge of the dock, hands on hips and unaware.
Dell was flushed and grinning as he watched Taurie fan himself and look him over, giving a little laugh he flexed for the cowman a little before continuing to undress. “Probably sit at my desk working making trouble and wishing I had someone share it- AH DAM-“
He cut off as he suddenly found himself bumped out off the dock, Tauire able to shove him an impressive amount out and there was a good moment of floundering before his shiny bald head surfaced his face red and a scowl baring his teeth.
“Oh you’re going to get it now pumpkin!” Dell hollered as he grabbed the pull chain on his gunslinger and yanked, his scowl turning to a grin as his hand began to spin wildly in the water, sending large splashes over to soak Tauire up ok the sock.
Dell seemed to have miscalculated the power of his water attack, for a moment he stared in shock at the lake monster of a cowman Taurie had become before snapping out of it. “Heck ya ok there pumpkin? Shoot I didn’t think it’d bring the whole lake down on ya!” Worriedly Dell swam over, helping to clean off Tauire if he’d let him, the gunslinger powered down.
“I ain’t smart none, in fact I’m a little impressed. Seemed ya fixed up my gunslinger a little too well.” He teased, holding back to Taurie as his lover’s arms wrapped around, paying no mind to the algae that met his touch.
“Hmn, guess that was my bad.” He agreed with a chuckle as Taurie spoke of temptation, glad Taurie didn’t seemed miffed about his mess up too.
“Ya kiddin’ me? Course I’m gonna keep ya! If loosin’ ya don’t kill me I’m sure yer Ma n’ Pa would string me up for breakin’ your heart.” He teased before his jovial smile when soft, his flesh hand coming to pick some more seaweed out of Taurie’s hair. “Not a single thing you can do to keep me from lovin’ ya pumpkin. I’m in too deep.” He whispered, hoping Tauire believed him.
Dell chuckled at Taurie’s mutterings, having shared his thoughts but chose not to speak them.
“Almost scary ain’t it? Makes me worried what my old heart might do come our weddin’ day.” He sighed, resting his head against Taurie as he looked up at the sweet summer sky. “Hard to imagine lovin’ ya anymore than I do.” “Yeah… we stay in the water any longer and we’ll be more wine than raisin.” He sighed looking at the pruney fingers of his flesh hand.
Swimming them back to shore he snorted as they stepped out and he pulled a few strands of algae from his gunslinger. “Yep, showers definitely in order… think that shower can fit too or?” He wouldn’t blame Taurie if showering with him in that house was too much, but truth be told he was a little nervous of being away from Tauire near *insert name of Dad*. That magnet trick had been a nasty surprise and he wasn’t looking for another.
Arm around Taurie they made there way back to the house.
