Rowan trailed behind Link as he led the way through the corn maze. He wasn’t sure how long they’d been in there, but it definitely felt like they were lost. He didn’t mind though. They were both having fun trying to avoid the actors dressed in costume trying to scare the maze goers.
Link turned around as he waited for Rowan to catch up. “I think we’re almost to the end.”
“Oh yeah? How do you know?”
Link reached out and grabbed Rowan’s hand, yanking him down the path. “Because—” he pulled them to the left. “It’s just around—” and now to the right. “Here!”
This time, Link was actually correct. As they turned the last corner, the exit was in sight. Link picked up speed, pulling Rowan behind him. Before they could make it out, however, someone with a hockey mask and a fake chainsaw jumped in front of them.
Rowan’s heart leapt and he took a step back, but Link nearly screeched as he jumped back, his back hitting Rowan’s chest. Rowan couldn’t help but laugh as he wrapped his arms around Link and pulled him close.
The actor seemed to be laughing as well, and he waved as he stalked back into the corn maze. After a few seconds Link pushed away from Rowan and turned to face him. “You didn’t even jump!”
“I was further away from them, Link. And besides, I had you to protect me. What did I have to be afraid of?”
Link rolled his eyes and turned around again. Rowan followed him as he walked out of the maze and back towards the concessions area.
Rowan sped up until he was beside Link and grabbed his hand. “You okay?”
Link glanced over. “Of course! I’m happy as long as I’m with you.”
Rowan blushed at the words, and it only deepened as Link reached up and kissed his cheek. He paused there for a moment, and whispered into Rowan’s ear. “You’re cute when you blush.”
Rowan didn’t think he could get any redder, but the heat in his cheeks proved him otherwise. “Shut up.”
Link only laughed and pulled him towards the nearest concession stand. “Come on, I want to try the maple cookies.”
Rowan had to admit that he’d wanted to try them as well. They were the thing to get at the festival, and the line to get them was always long the whole night. There had to be something special about them, right?
By the time they got to the front of the line, Link looked as tired as Rowan felt. It had been a long evening of pumpkin picking, a hay ride, and the corn maze, and they’d both been up early. Neither of them had to work in the morning, so they could sleep in, but Rowan was ready to go home after this.
They picked a container of six maple sandwich cookies and a cup of hot cider to share, and soon they were headed back to the car. Link was walking close enough to Rowan that their elbows were bumping into each other, and if Rowan didn’t have his hands full with their purchases, he wouldn’t hesitate to wrap an arm around Link or grab his hand.
At least they got to the car quickly enough. Rowan unlocked it and dropped into the driver’s seat. Link took the other side, careful to set the cup of cider in the cup holder before taking the bag of their purchases and the box of cookies from Rowan. He opened the box as Rowan started the car, and the spicy sweet smell of the cookies filled the space.
Link handed one to Rowan before taking one for himself. Rowan bit into the cookie, chewing slowly. The cookie was crunchy and the spices were nice, but it was a little too sweet when combined with the icing in the center. And the icing definitely squished out the sides too much for his taste. But he supposed that they were pretty good for something that had to be made in such large batches in a short amount of time.
He looked over at Link, who was still chewing with a thoughtful look on his face. Rowan put the car in drive and pulled out. “What did you think?”
Link hummed. “I think you could do better.”
