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“No. Absolutely not,” Eddie argues as soon as he realizes where Buck is pulling up to.
“Eds, come on. It’ll be fun,” Buck urges.
Eddie scoffs. “No, Buck. I’m not doing this. Horses are not fun,”
“You’re from Texas, and you’re telling me you don’t like riding horses?” Buck asks, looking over at his boyfriend. “I find that a little hard to believe.”
“I had a rather traumatic experience as a kid when I was riding a horse, so I have plenty of reasons to not want to go horse riding,” Eddie says, glaring at Buck. “Really? This is what you pick for our date?”
“Because I thought it would be fun!” Buck huffs.
“Have you ever ridden a horse before, Buck?” Eddie asks.
“Yes, actually. Maddie and I used to ride horses together all the time when we were younger. It was kind of our thing that we did. Maddie would be so jealous that she’s not here right now,” Buck says.
“I’m jealous of Maddie because she’s not here,” Eddie grumbles.
“Babe,” Buck reaches over and gently grabs Eddie’s hand to comfort him. “I understand if you really don’t want to do this, but I think you should give it a try. I’m very familiar with this place, and I know for a fact that these are the sweetest horses you’ll ever meet. Do you think I would put you in danger?”
“You’re Buck. Do you really want me to answer that question?” Eddie asks.
“Fair point, but this time there’s no danger involved. Can you at least try to meet the horses? And if you’re still scared, then I won’t force you to go on,” Buck says.
Eddie sighs and looks over at Buck after a moment. “You owe me for this,”
Buck grins, and leans over to kiss Eddie once on the lips. “Thank you. I love you,” he says, before getting out of the car. He looks over and sees Eddie hesitating before getting out of the car. Eddie is a firefighter, so Buck is pretty surprised that Eddie is so against riding horses. He can’t even imagine the trauma Eddie must have gone through as a kid that made him this afraid of horses.
“God, are we really doing this?” Eddie asks.
Buck walks over to Eddie, grabbing his hand reassuringly. “It’s going to be fine, Eds,” he says, as he leads the way over to the stables, where a man in a cowboy hat walks out. “Hey Frank!”
“Buck, it’s good to see you again,” Frank says as he walks over to Buck, shaking his hand. “I see you’ve brought a friend with you this time.”
“Yeah, I did,” Buck grins as he looks over at Eddie, who still looks terrified. “This is my boyfriend, Eddie. Uh-” He leans closer to Frank. “So, Eddie’s got a bit of fear of horses, so we might have to take our time. That okay? I just really want him to give it a try.”
“Absolutely,” Frank says, nodding. “We’ve got some of the friendliest horses here!”
“Right? That’s what I tried to tell him,”
“You know I’m standing right here?” Eddie says, huffing.
Buck laughs. “We’re gonna get started. Eddie, you have to meet Bella. She is the sweetest horse, there’s no way you’re gonna be afraid of her-”
“I’m not afraid,” Eddie grumbles as Buck leads him into the stables.
“Mhm,” Buck says. He looks around, and smiles when he sees Bella’s pin, and leads the way over to her. “Bella, there you are.” Buck grins when Bella starts walking over to them. He looks over and frowns when he sees Eddie quickly taking a step back. Buck quickly reaches over and grabs Eddie’s arm.
“Buck, I don’t know if I can do this,” Eddie breathes.
“Eddie, it’s okay. She’s not going to hurt you. Try to take a deep breath, and relax. They can smell fear,” Buck says, gently pulling Eddie closer to him.
“They can smell fear, can they?” Eddie asks, eyes wide as he stares at the horse in front of him.
“Eddie,” Buck warns softly. “Look, she’s sweet. She’s not going to hurt you.” He reaches out and gently pets Bella, smiling when Bella starts neighing happily. “That’s my favorite girl.”
Eddie practically stands behind Buck, watching carefully as Buck interacts with the horse. He’s almost impressed at how good he is with horses. He had no idea his boyfriend was such a horse whisperer.
“I think we should get her out,” Buck says.
“Wait a minute- what?”
“She’s itching to come out and play, I just know it!” Buck grins. “Frank, she’s ready!”
“Buck!” Eddie hisses, and he can feel his heartbeat picking up. He looks over as Frank walks over to them. His eyes are wide, and he backs up a little as they open the gate to the pin.
Buck looks over at Eddie and frowns. “Eds,” he steps closer to Eddie, wrapping an arm around him.
Eddie gasps as Frank leads Bella out of the pin, and takes another step back.
“Eddie,” Buck says, frowning at his boyfriend. He looks over at Frank, who’s watching them curiously. “Uh, one second-” He turns to look at Eddie. “Babe-”
“Buck, I can’t,” Eddie immediately says, quickly shaking his head.
“Hey,” Buck gently wraps his arms around Eddie’s waist, pulling him closer. “Deep breath, Eds. It’s okay. You have nothing to be afraid of. Are you willing to try, or do you really not want to do this?”
“I- I want to try, but- but-” Eddie takes a deep breath. “I just keep thinking about…”
“I know, babe,” Buck whispers. “But, I’m here now, and I promise I’m not gonna let anything happen to you, nor is Frank.” He leans forward and gently kisses his forehead.
Eddie groans and rests his head on Buck’s chest, pouting. “I’m being such a-”
“No, you’re not,” Buck says, wrapping his arms around Eddie to hug him, gently rubbing his back,
Eddie pulls away after a moment. “Okay. I- I’ll try-”
“Eds, you don’t have to-”
“I want to, just be patient with me,” Eddie says.
Buck nods, and grabs a hold of Eddie’s hand, and looks over at Frank. “We’re ready,”
“If you’re sure,” Frank says, before leading the way outside.
Buck looks over at Eddie one last time, squeezing his hand. “Are you sure-”
“Buck, don’t make me change my mind,” Eddie groans.
Buck chuckles, reaching over to kiss Eddie’s cheek. “I’m proud of you. I know it’s scary, but I think you’re going to really enjoy yourself once we’re on the horse,” he says.
“Ah shit, I forgot we actually have to get on the horse,” Eddie pouts.
Buck huffs out a laugh, shaking his head fondly at his boyfriend.
Once the horse is ready to go, Buck decides that Eddie should get on first. “You got this,” Buck says, hugging Eddie from behind, before he helps Eddie climb onto the horse. “Thanks, Frank.” Buck grins, before climbing onto the horse and settling himself behind Eddie. “Relax.”
“I’m fine,” Eddie says, before taking a deep breath. “I’ve got you, don’t I?” He looks back at Buck.
“Damn right,” Buck says. “Alright, Bella. Let’s do this.”