Chapter Text
The second school was out for the summer (and later, harvest), Billy was beyond thrilled. No more studying, no more homework, no more being bored out of his mind for most of the school day. Of course, he’d always stare at Cole during class and sneak off to the back room with him during lunch, but now, he could pretty much spend time with him whenever they want.
There was only two problems, one was the fact that Billy’s father wanted to get him started on learning about his business, and the other was that Cole’s mother often expected him to work on the farm. Luckily, there wasn’t much to do on the farm at the moment (and if there was, Billy would offer to help, since he doesn’t have anything to do and it would make it easier for Cole) and as for Billy, well, he was able to distract his father a lot of the time.
Billy’s father wasn’t home that day, so Billy found it as the perfect opportunity to go off and spend the day with Cole, whom he’s grown to care impossibly deeper for during the time they’ve been a couple. Cole is the sole reason for his happiness, he makes his days brighter, he makes him feel right for once in his life.
And that’s why Billy practically runs through the woods and to Cole’s house, because he’s excited to see him, even though they saw each other last week on the final day of the school year. To Billy, that’s too long.
When he gets to Cole’s house, he’d like to go right in and find Cole and take him into his arms, but his mother will probably be the one to answer the door, and there’s no way Billy can do that in front of her. So, he’ll just have to wait until they’re out of sight.
Billy knocks on the door, Cole’s mother opening it a minute later, groaning in disappointment when he sees it’s him. It’s not an unusual occurrence that he shows up, since with how close him and Cole are, he comes here a lot, so much that she’s probably tired or seeing him. Or, maybe just tired in general.
“Hello, ma’am.” Billy greets, holding back a laugh at the annoyed look Cole’s mother gives him in response. He’s convinced that she finds him irritating, much like Cole does, but worse.
“You again?” She sighs in frustration, not in the mood to deal with this kid. “I’ll get Cole.” She turns around and goes back into the house, and a moment later, Cole runs up, a wide smile on his face at the thought of seeing Billy after the days they’ve spent apart. It wasn’t long at all, sure, but he’s only a lovestruck boy, a few days seems like an eternity.
“Hello, Billy.” Cole tries to sound formal, since his mother is just behind him and she always lectures him about how he needs to be careful hanging around with Billy, since the Andrews just happen to be one of the wealthiest families in town while the Mackenzies, well, not so much. She always goes on about how it’s better not to get involved, but Cole ignores her, saying that Billy is his ‘friend’ and Billy doesn’t care about their social status, not anymore.
“H-“ Before Billy can respond, Cole’s mother comes back to the doorway, nudging Cole out.
“Alright young man, I want you home before the sun sets, alright?” Cole’s mother demands, sternly. Cole nods in response, knowing that if he disobeys, there’s constant farm work in his future. Luckily, him and Billy don’t stay out that late, since both of their parents would have their heads as it is.
“Alright, mother.” And with that, Cole and Billy run off towards the woods. Cole has no idea where they’re going this time, they usually go to the clubhouse on the weekends or after school days, but he’s never hung around anyone in the summertime, not until now.
If he’s being honest, Billy has no idea where they’re going either. He was mainly just glad to see Cole again. In fact, the second Cole’s house is out of sight and trees cover them from all directions, Billy pulls Cole in for a bear-hug, holding him tightly like he’s been longing to ever since they last saw each other.
Cole welcomes the embrace, throwing his arms around Billy’s neck as Billy slightly lifts him off the ground, arms wrapped tightly around his waist. It’s slightly dramatic, sure, but they couldn’t care less.
“I’ve missed you so much.” Billy mumbles into Cole’s shoulder, keeping his grip on him, not really wanting to let go.
“I’ve missed you too, even though it’s only been a few days.” Cole replies, laughing. They stay hugging for a few moments, making up for the affection they’ve missed. When they do part, though, Billy reaches down and grabs Cole’s hand, holding it as they walk through the woods.
“So, where are we going?” Cole asks, curiously. Billy thinks about it for a second, wondering where they should go. He looks through the trees, noticing that they’re close to Barry’s Lake, and figures that maybe they should go there for a change.
“Just Barry’s Pond, to spend time together.” He answers, pretending like he knew where they were going the whole time. Cole, at this point, doesn’t buy it, and just nods, squeezing Billy’s hand.
“Anne likes to call Barry’s Pond the ‘Lake of Shining Waters’.” Cole corrects, grinning. Billy playfully rolls his eyes, because of course she does.
“Of course she does.” He says just that, chuckling. It seems as if Anne has a fancy name for everything.
When they get to the lake, at first they just sit down by the edge and talk about random things, catching up on the past few days. There wasn’t much to talk about, truthfully, so it was mostly just Cole sitting peacefully while Billy kept changing what position he was in, whether it was keeping his arm around Cole, his head on his shoulder, or laying his head on Cole’s lap. Cole didn’t mind the touching, of course, he just wishes Billy would pick a position and stay there.
“Having fun there?” Cole smiles, although he really just wants Billy to stay still, so he can enjoy their quiet afternoon by the lake. But, he knows Billy better than that, and will admit that while he likes Billy (so much), the boy doesn’t know how to be, well, peaceful. “Billy, if you don’t quit moving around so much-“ Cole cuts himself off as Billy flops down, sliding his head into Cole’s lap, gazing up at him, a smug grin on his face.
“I’m getting comfortable, Cole.” He says, keeping his head on Cole’s lap and relaxing like that. Cole doesn’t mind, of course, and allows it, running his hands through Billy’s hair and stroking his cheek, staring up at the blue sky. Billy looks up as well, but he isn’t staring at the sky, he’s staring at Cole. Because Cole is much more beautiful than any other view Billy has ever seen, and he can’t help but admire him from every angle.
After a while, both boys grow tired of staying still, standing up and finding something else to do. They did bring some things with them, Cole brought his sketchbook and Billy brought a baseball, just for something to do.
Billy ends up convincing Cole to play catch with him, even though Cole finds it kind of dumb, he does it, for Billy. Working on the farm pays off and Cole had some strength in his arm, so he was able to throw the ball past Billy a couple of times, unintentionally. Now, Billy would consider himself pretty good at catch, and nowadays he’d call himself a ‘patient’ person, but admittingly, Cole was better than him at catch, and Billy didn’t appreciate that very much.
The fourth time that Cole threw the ball too hard that it passed Billy, Billy decided that was enough, and made his way towards Cole, that look on his face that lets Cole know he’s more than likely planning to do something to annoy him, since that was just the way Billy was. Cole halfway expected Billy to like, tickle him or chase him around or something (that has happened many times before, both almost passing out from laughter every time), but he didn’t, instead picking him up, scooping Cole’s legs out from under him.
“Billy!” Cole exclaims as Billy picks him up bridal-style. “Seriously?” He playfully rolls his eyes, although he really doesn’t mind that much, if the way he blushes as his arms go around Billy’s neck says anything.
“Just because you’re taller than me doesn’t mean that I can’t pick you up.” Billy points out, smirking. Any opportunity he gets to hold Cole close, he’ll take it. And secretly, Cole doesn’t mind so much when Billy picks him up, it’s only fair since he constantly teases Billy about seeing shorter than him (and all of the other boys). And as a plus, Billy does have very strong arms, so, he quite likes being held by them.
“You’re such a pain-“ Cole is cut off by Billy kissing him, the sole purpose being to quiet him. “You’re lucky I find you so cute.” Cole murmurs when the kiss breaks, playfully rolling his eyes and burying his face into Billy’s neck, shyly.
“Oh, is that so?” Billy teases, nuzzling his nose against Cole’s cheek. “I think you’re cute too. Very cute.” He whispers, placing a kiss there. Cole gives him a kiss back, just a peck, but passionate enough, because that’s always how he kisses Billy.
Billy puts Cole down after that, and the two goof around or talk for a while, until they end up under one of the willow trees, Billy sitting with his back against it while Cole sits between his legs, leaning back against his chest. Billy had his arms wrapped tightly around Cole, holding him close to him, arms resting over his shoulders, staring into space, while Cole took out his sketchbook and began drawing the scenery.
It’s probably becoming too hot to sit outdoors all cuddled up, since it’s only making them warm by doing so. Neither of them care too much, though, they’d rather be touching the other and burning up than not touching at all. They’re content like that, in each other’s arms, safe.
Billy buries his face in Cole’s hair, just enjoying the summer breeze and the feeling of being with him. It’s a great feeling, being free. No fear or problems, the world holding not but joy. It’s just him and Cole, alone, and it feels right.
“This is nice, isn’t it?” Billy asks, running his hands up to Cole’s shoulders, smoothly brushing against his skin. Cole tilts his head back to look at the boy who won his heart, admiring his smile, just as Billy does with him. When he looks at Cole, he sees everything that matters to him. Cole is his sunshine and his very reason for feeling what happiness truly is, and Cole feels the same way. He never knew being with Billy would be so great.
“Yes, it is.” Cole answers, reaching his hand up to stroke Billy’s cheek. Billy sees the opportunity to steal a kiss and he takes it, gripping Cole’s cheek with his thumb, and pressing their lips together, for a soft, sweet kiss.
Even when they part, Billy can’t help but admire Cole, because he’s the prettiest, most perfect thing that Billy’s ever seen, the summer light only making him all more beautiful. Billy can’t help but smile and place a kiss on Cole’s forehead before Cole looks back at his sketchbook, just for a quick last kiss, although he’s sure he’ll be getting more later.
Billy keeps his arms around Cole, pressing kisses into his hair, not ready to let go of the embrace any time soon. He’d stay this way forever if he could, the boy in which he cares for so deeply in his arms, as close as possible.
It’s now that Billy, both of them, honestly, knows what it feels like to be completely at ease. No worries, not anything of the sort, just Billy and Cole and the peaceful summer breeze.