Happy Trails (Mistro)
Title: Happy Trails
Author: ME
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Entirely fiction
Summary: Michael and Jason go for a ride on horseback.
AN: I have no clue why I wrote this :)
Jason and Michael arrived at the ranch at a quarter to eleven on Saturday morning. The idea of a horseback ride was all Michael’s idea. Jason had never successfully ridden a horse in his life before, which made him a little more edgy about the whole thing.
“Come on, Jason. It’s fun.” Michael had said the previous night.
“Says you. I can never stay on those things.” Jason said
“I won’t let you fall.” Michael lifted Jason’s chin gently. “Trust me,” he whispered softly as he gazed intently into Jason’s eyes. Jason’s heart warmed at Michael’s words. Michael had always had a protective side when it came to Jason. He smiled and nodded.
“I trust you.” Jason tipped his head forward and gave Michael a tiny peck on his lips. “I trust you.” he repeated.
So when they arrived on Saturday morning, Jason was wary but ready. He and Michael got out of the car and walked over to the owner of the ranch. “Howdy,” the owner said with a bright smile. “You fellers lookin’ to ride?”
“Yes sir.” Michael said to the owner.
“Well,” said the man, “I’ve only got one good stallion left.”
“That’s fine.” Michael said a little too eagerly. “We’ll take it.”
“Okey dokey.” The chubby man eyed the pair of them carefully. “He’s right over here.”
The owner of the ranch led them to the fence and Michael and Jason couldn’t help but gasp at the beauty of the horse inside. The stallion was a good size, decent build, and had the most beautiful coat either of them had ever seen. The horse’s light tan fur seemed to glimmer in the sun, and it’s black mane seemed to sparkle. Michael and Jason stared with wide eyes at the creature as the owner unlatched the gate and led the horse through.
“I assume you know how to ride?” the owner said.
Michael nodded and reached out to pet the horse. “Is it alright if we ride bareback?”
“Hey, you fellers do whatever you want.” He held up his palms. “It’s no business of mine.”
Jason burst out laughing, he couldn’t help it. This man was getting unbelievably uncomfortable with only the thought of their relationship. Jason covered his mouth and tried to stifle his laughter. Michael smiled and looked as though he was trying to suppress some laughter of his own. Of course, Michael was the first to mature as always, and said calmly to the man, “I meant the horse, sir.”
The man let out a wheezing guffaw. “Of course you did, son.” The man’s eyes still darted warily between Michael and Jason.
Michael helped Jason climb up on their horse and then hopped on himself. He was careful not to get too close with Jason as he was used to. Michael climbed up in front of Jason and took hold of the reins. “Be sure to have ‘im back by four. That’s when I close up.” Michael agreed and told Jason to hold on, to which, of course, Jason complied.
The chubby man watched two of the strangest men he’d ever seen ride away on his only stallion. As he watched them shrink further and further into the distance, the man still eyed them with the same narrowed, suspicious eyes.
Michael and Jason turned onto the trail, and found themselves consumed by trees. The horse went at a steady pace, and Jason watched the trees pass by one by one. He still clung to Michael’s middle, afraid that if he let go he’d fall to the ground.
This isn’t so bad, Jason thought. It’s actually kind of relaxing. Michael’s arms gripped the reins and his muscles flexed, then relaxed. Flex, relax. Jason watched this beat for awhile and became even more calm. He laid his chin on Michael’s shoulder and breathed in his scent. Jason could feel Michael’s muscles now. Flex, relax. Flex, relax. Jason laid his cheek onto Michael’s shoulder and smiled widely, sighed contentedly. As Jason unwound to the slight movement of his chin with Michael’s arms and the vibration of the horse’s movements, he felt a familiar sensation that only came around during certain moments. His eyes grew wide as this uncomfortable feeling grew more intense. He jerked his head from Michael’s shoulder and tried everything, anything to get his love lump to shrink back to its normal size. He pulled away, however unhappily, from Michael and switched cloth on his shirt. He could feel his bulge growing hard inside his jeans. His face flushed and he pulled back even farther from Michael, as much as it pained him to do so.
“Are you okay, Jason?” Michael asked warily.
“Oh, yeah. I’m fine.” Jason said in an anguished voice.
The ride continued and Jason tried to keep his attention on the path. The tall, pointed trees went by excruciatingly slow. . He turned his attention to the road, or, what he could see of it, when the horse stopped dead in its tracks.
“There’s a rabbit on the path.” Michael said. Then Jason saw it. It was small and brown, and hopped away so quickly into the brush. Jason felt his body return to its normal state, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Jason dared so much as to wrap his arms back around Michael, though he kept his eyes off of the bulging muscles.
“We’re here.” Michael said, and stopped the horse. Michael jumped off the horse’s back first. He then took Jason’s hand and proceeded to carefully slide him to his feet. Michael tied the horse up and walked over to where Jason stood, awestruck at the view.
Michael smiled at how Jason’s eyes glimmered in delight atop the mountain. His own eyes filled with love and adoration at the man he had fallen so passionately for. Michael gently placed his hand on Jason’s shoulder and began to give it a massage. Jason tore his eyes away from the mountain just long enough to gaze into the chestnut brown of Michael’s eyes. Jason stroked his fingers down Michael’s spine, making his love shiver with excitement. Michael leaned down and touched his forehead with Jason’s. They stood in that position, cherishing the moment where their breaths intermingled, where their noses touched. Jason opened his eyes and smiled at Michael. They pulled apart, their heads still resting on each other’s, and looked out over the mountain.
It seemed to go on forever. From the top they could see over the canopies of trees to the rivers and far away mountains. Michael gazed at the sky in wonder. The vast space reminded him so much of Jason. Its baby blue tint resembled so much of the eyes Michael had fallen in love with so many months ago. Michael slipped one hand around Jason’s back while the other fingered his dreadlocks. He twirled them in his hand, he played with them, he ran his fingers through them. Everything felt just perfect at this moment. Michael looked at his watch. It read quarter past two. They could afford to stay out here a little longer, Michael figured. It was worth it.