Chapter Text
Alex hadn’t expected the water to be this cold in May, but at least John was having fun.
Alex stood on the dock, considering how the water looked far too shallow for a boat to get anywhere near here, and decided that the dock must not be for boating. He looked up and smiled fondly, watching John wading in the lake. His jeans were rolled up just above his knees, still getting splashed as he walked. He seemed to be chasing something.
Alex rolled his own pants up, determined to join him. This was a date, after all. “What are you looking for, babe?”
“There was a frog on these rocks. I’m trying to catch him.”
Alex laughed and dropped into the water, letting it lick cold at the backs of his knees. He winced, bit back a whine, but waded over to his boyfriend. “Have you found it?”
“Shh!” He was bent low, closely examined the rocks right on the edge of the lake. He stood stock still, and Alex tried to do the same. After a very long moment, John lunged at the rocks. Alex gasped.
“John! John, are you alright? Are you hurt?” John had landed hard on the smooth stones, and Alex wasn’t sure he hadn’t hit his head. Alex almost went into a panic when he thought John was crying, but John turned over, laughing. Alex huffed. “Jesus Christ, what the hell was that?”
But John kept a wide grin on his face, and Alex couldn’t really stay mad at him. John unfolded his cupped hands to reveal a little frog.
Alex laughed softly, rubbing his face. “I’m proud of you, baby. You got it.”
“Here. Hold it.”
John tried to pass the squirming creature into Alex’s hands, but Alex flinched. You could take the man out of the city, but you can’t take the city out of the man. John may have easily returned to his southern summers chasing frogs and various other unsuspecting critters, but Alex was not so eager to hold the slimy thing. “Noooo, I’d rather noooot…”
John huffed and rolled his eyes. “Please? I’ll kiss you if you do.”
“You’ll kiss me anyway.”
“Okay, true.” John let out the light laugh that Alex adored so much. “Alright, hold the frog and you can decide what you get in return.”
Alex considered. “Anything?”
“Within reason.”
Alex hesitated a moment, and then a minute, but finally held out a shaking hand. John rested his own hand underneath, steadying him, and dumped the frog into Alex’s hand.
Honestly, it wasn’t as bad as he expected. It wasn’t really slimy, more smooth and wet and soft. And it didn’t even last long, as the frog hopped out of his open palm after less than ten seconds, and Alex was definitely relieved.
John laughed and washed his hands in the lake water. Alex, trusting his favorite country boy, followed suit.