Chapter Text
They went out for breakfast the next morning at a place called Fat Nat’s. The food was cheap, but delicious, and the coffee had the kind of kick Buck preferred. Slurping down half his mug he said, “What’s today’s plan? I looked at the weather and it should be pretty nice. If we’re going to do something outside, today’s the day for it.”
Tommy bit into his toast, eyes locked on his phone. “Hmm. Would you want to go apple picking? We can’t take anything back with us but there’s this place down in Jordan that’s also a brewery. Might be interesting.”
“You and your craft beers.” Buck snorted though he was secretly beginning to enjoy them as well. “That sounds like fun. You said it’s in Jordan?” Tommy nodded in confirmation. “How far is that from here?”
“It says about forty-five minutes. The place opens at ten.” A silence as he sucked down his own coffee. “I’m not sure how I feel about drinking that early. Maybe we can leave the hotel around noon and get there just before one? Make an afternoon of it.”
Buck shrugged and checked his watch. It was only just before nine. If he was being honest, he was kind of tired after yesterday. Not necessarily from all the walking, but they’d done a lot of driving and a lot of crowds. He loved people, but he could admit that sometimes he preferred hanging out close to home. Spending an extra couple hours at the hotel wouldn’t be too bad. “It’s still early so why don’t we go back to the hotel for a bit and go swimming? I saw that they had a pretty decent pool and hot tub.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively which earned him a snort of laughter.
“We’re not getting frisky in a public hotel pool, Evan. I’m already concerned about what we might contract because who knows the last time it was properly cleaned.” No one would guess it from looking at the man, but Tommy was a kind of a neat freak and worried endlessly about whether things were actually clean or not. He’d spent the first ten minutes at the restaurant inspecting every utensil and fastidiously wiping out their coffee mugs. “But I wouldn’t mind taking a dip.”
Buck pumped his arm. “Yes! Hurry up and finish eating.” He shoved the last few bites of egg benedict unceremoniously into his mouth, all the while urging his grazing boyfriend to do the same. Tommy looked him straight in the eyes as he brought the toast as slowly as feasibly possible to his mouth and took mouse nibbles from the corner with just his front two teeth. “Tommy!” Buck whined, jutting his bottom lip out in a pout he knew the man couldn’t resist. He’d learned quickly that Tommy was weak to his pouting and he had zero qualms about utilizing it to his advantage.
Laughing, Tommy finished the half slice in just a few large bites and drank down the rest of his water before throwing his dirtied napkin onto his stacked dishes. “Fine, fine. We can go back and catch some horrible bacterial disease from the pool.”
Snatching up the bill, Buck got to his feet and threaded his way through the crowded room to the hostess desk to pay. They had a case of bakery goods that featured some holiday flavors. He added a pumpkin cookie, a slice of pumpkin pie, and a cinnamon apple muffin to their order to eat after swimming. They got back into the car and were off.
At the hotel, they stripped out of the clothes they wore to breakfast and got into their swim trunks. Bucks were a bright blue with little surfers on yellow surfboards all over it while Tommy wore more form fitting trunks in solid green. Buck licked his lips at the way the swimwear hugged Tommy’s curves and accentuated certain assets. Some days it was wild to think there was a time he acted like he didn’t know what was good for him in the form of phallic shaped objects. And phalluses themselves, of course.
Tommy was smirking at him, arms crossed over his chest and hip cocked out to the side. One eyebrow was raised in question. “See something you like?”
Buck swallowed hard, throat dry. Licking his lips once again he tore his eyes away and groaned, “Always but damn it, Tommy, I want to swim.” Deep rumbling laughter followed him out the door and all the way down to the sub level where the pool was located.
Over the next hour they alternated in the big pool and the hot tub, swimming laps and letting the high temps ease their muscle aches. Buck convinced Tommy to play mermaids for a bit and raced him from one end to the other. It was payback for Tommy not telling him that he was exceptional at mini golf. Buck may as well have been a fish in a previous life for how smoothly he moved through the water.
Finally exhausted, they climbed out and dried off. Back in their room, Buck tackled Tommy onto the bed and decidedly devoured him, the sounds of their pleasure loud and unashamed. Tommy tried to protest that they’d ruin the sheets but Buck shut him up damn quick.
Afterwards they showered, individually because they were both big guys and shared showers weren’t as sexy as people made them out to be, and got dressed. They split the slice of pumpkin pie with its swirl of whipped cream - it was delectable and they fought over the last bite - before it was time to head out.
Buck pulled on a powder blue button up that he pulled on a thick white woolen sweater over, layering the collar of the button up over top, leaving the triangular edges untucked and showing under the hem. He pulled on a pair of dark wash straight leg jeans and his favorite pair of white Adidas. His yellow tinted aviator sunglasses sat perched in his curls.Tommy dressed similarly to the day before in the same skinny cut black jeans. The difference today was the cowl neck sweater he paired it with in a dark heather grey with knitted ribbing in intricate designs down the front. He had on a lightweight black cardigan duster, left unbuttoned, to keep the wind at bay, though he pushed the sleeves up to his elbows, and the same sneakers. His own blue tinted sunglasses were perched on his nose. “I’ll drive this time.” Buck held his hand out for the keys. He saw Tommy’s hesitation so he wiggled them in a gimme gesture. “While I appreciate the gesture, Tommy, I don’t intend to play passenger princess this whole trip.” That earned him a crooked smirk which he returned in kind.
Pulling out of the hotel parking lot, Tommy set the GPS for Ferguson’s in Jordan while Buck set the radio to the Pop 2k station and started belting out all of his 2000 favorites while Tommy just sat shaking his head fondly, mouthing the words to about half the songs like he thought Buck couldn’t see. When they arrived in the parking lot, Buck carefully, slowly, drove down the uneven grass lanes and parked, finding a spot way in the back to his surprise. It was ridiculously busy for the middle of the week. Getting out, he stretched, forty-five minutes went fast but could still be tough on the body, and grabbed for Tommy’s hand which the man took immediately.
Walking up the dirt path, Buck took everything in, the smile never leaving his face. The brewery slash gift shop was massive and in the shape of a barn. The barn doors were open giving him a glimpse inside. Further in they found the line to buy tickets into the orchard itself. From there Buck could see a giant mountain of hay bales that people were climbing on and some wooden games. There was more, so much more, but that was all that he could see immediately.
At the ticket booth, Tommy paid the entrance fee and the two of them were off. As soon as they were inside, Buck dragged Tommy towards the line for the hayride. There were only three groups of two in front of them. While they waited the two chatted quietly about seemingly nothing at all, leaning into each other as if seeking warmth, despite the temperature being quite pleasant. The tractor pulled up, an older man with graying hair in a plaid shirt and blue overalls at the wheel, and their little group boarded.
The ride was bumpy but Buck couldn’t keep the smile off his face. A young family had boarded with them and the two children, two little girls, knelt on their parents laps and pointed behind them, giggling with excitement. “Mommy, look how big those trees are!” One yelled, bouncing, not noticing the way her mother winced as knobby knees dug into soft thighs.
Her sister, they looked like someone copied and pasted them a few years apart, said, “That tree is bigger! Mama, which is bigger? Also, why are those apples green?” The other lady, apparently their other mother, smiled indulgently as she ran a soothing hand down the girl's back, craning her neck to see where they were pointing.
“They’re green because they’re a different species of apple.” She explained, voice kind and patient. “This orchard has lots of different kinds of apples.”
Buck’s attention moved to other things as the woman continued explaining and her daughters listened with rapt intrigue. Tommy’s strong arm was wrapped around his shoulder and he snuggled in close, hand resting on a firm thigh muscle, squeezing it gently like a stress ball as they meandered around the orchard. Eventually they made it back to the beginning where they got off and went to further explore.
Grabbing Tommy’s hand, Buck walked his way around the play area to the corn maze. Wordlessly he entered, a sighing Tommy following reluctantly behind. The maze was clearly designed for children, much to Buck’s chagrin, but he had fun anyway. Within five minutes they’d run into five dead ends which made him snort and flare his nostrils before turning and stomping back the way they came. After the sixth dead end, a repeat Buck was certain, Tommy took the lead and led them through the rest of the maze like a champ. It popped them out on the backside where a large animal pen had been erected. A few billy goats munched on hay as they stood on ramps that led into the barn, surveying their kingdom. Two of them butted heads in a friendly match, one bleating as it was knocked to the ground. It got back to its feet quickly, shaking itself out and acting like it hadn’t just been made the fool.
They moved on to the absolutely massive wooden chair where folks were taking pictures, their kids and family members climbing up to get a picture in the seat. Nudging his way into line, Buck asked a man to take his and Tommy’s photo; they sat on the edge, their feet dangling and their ankles crossed, Buck’s hands in his lap and Tommy’s around his shoulders. Just as the stranger took their picture, Tommy leaned in and planted a kiss to Buck’s cheek making him blush to the tips of his ears.
After they’d climbed down, they didn’t spend much more time in the orchard itself. Buck made sure to climb the giant hay pile just to say he did, but they exited through the same gates they’d come in and went into the large barn for drinks and maybe some souvenirs.
The brewery had a list a mile long of different flavors so rather than getting large individual drinks, they got two flights to split between them. With ten options, they got to taste nearly every one on offer. Within three shots, Buck came to the conclusion that the Thanksgiving Apple Pie was probably his favorite, though Tommy argued that it was a cider, not a beer. Meanwhile, Tommy favored a hazier dark stout which surprised Buck since Tommy was a natural sweet tooth. “I can’t eat sugar all the time, Evan. I’d be the size of a blimp and unfit for duty if I did that.” Tommy clucked, downing the last of the small shot sized glass.
Buck said nothing and raised his eyebrows, resisting the urge to tell his boyfriend that his favored beer probably had just as many calories in a ten ounce glass as a small slice of pie did. Another time. “Speaking of sugar.” He said, grinning. “I guess there's a place not too far from here that boasts being the world’s biggest candy store. How would you feel about stopping there before we head back?”
Tommy would never admit that his eyes legit began to sparkle with joy at the prospect. He was really about to be a kid in a candy store at this rate. “That sounds great. How far is it?”
“It’s literally just a few minute drive further south on 169. It will take us less than ten minutes to get there from here.”
“Absolutely. I think we should go. Like… right now. Immediately.” Was Buck imagining the way Tommy wiggled in his seat, imitating every girl's little happy wiggle as they bit into something delicious? No. No he was not. “Or did you want to check out the gift shop?”
Buck shook his head. “We’d either have to eat it before we leave in a few days or find a way to safely carry it back with us. And I think I have enough decorated holiday themed tea towels to last me a lifetime.”
“Great. Let’s head out then.” Tommy hopped to his feet, gathered the flight boards to deposit at the counter, before he grabbed Buck by the hand and just short of dragged him back to their car. He let Buck drive again since he already had the directions up though it was also possibly because he was almost shaking with excitement.
A ridiculously short time later, Buck turned right into the parking lot of an absolutely massive yellow barn with an even bigger yellow silo attached at one end. On the way in they’d driven past a few big yellow signs with humor in the shape of red letters and dad jokes for days. They also advertised what was on offer at the moment and Buck was getting more excited by the second.
Despite being the middle of the day, the parking lot was packed but they managed to get a spot near the front. Tommy was positively gleeful, stuffing his hands into his pockets and trying to act casual about his dream come true. “Ready?” Buck asked, crossing his arms over his chest as his gaze went up and up and up until it reached the round head of the silo. It was so much bigger in person.
“Absolutely.” Tommy affirmed, striding over the gravel road towards the entrance. Pumpkins lined the sidewalk under the awning and there were vibrantly colored farm related decorations and wooden cutouts that gave it an inviting feeling. As soon as they entered, Buck stopped short, eyes going huge.
As soon as they walked in the door they were surrounded by stuff. To their left were tables of fresh made pies and tarts, an open window frame showing into the kitchen where they were baked. The walls on either side of them, in front and behind, were covered in shelves of treats. And not just sweet things, but salty and savory and spicy, too. To the right were the checkout lines, people carrying cardboard boxes reserved for six packs. There were refrigerators as well with nothing but fizzy drinks. Buck was drawn to it, jaw hanging open.
Stopping in front of one case he blinked. Then blinked again. Then rubbed at his eyes until they hurt. But when he read the bottle once more, the flavor still hadn’t changed. “Oh my God, Tommy. They have bacon flavored soda.” He reached out blindly next to him to tap his boyfriend’s shoulder only to hit thin air. “Tommy?” He turned to look only to see a familiar head of hair bobbing down the aisle, mouth slack as he carefully looked at each and every label he passed. Grinning, Buck pulled open the cooler and grabbed one bottle of the strange flavored soda. Spotting empty six pack boxes at the end of the row, he grabbed one. As he turned, he was stunned to find half a grocery stores worth of just glass bottled soda. “Holy shit.” He breathed, heart thumping.
“First time here?” He glanced next to him to find a tiny little grandma looking up at him with a grin.
“Uh, yeah. My boyfriend and me are visiting from out of state. He’s got a sweet tooth.”
She chuckled and patted his arm. “Well you might have just given him the best gift of all time, dear. There’s plenty to see around here. Oh, make sure you have cash to pay. It’s cash only.”
His heart sank. “Crap, seriously?” He couldn’t remember the last time he carried the green with him. Guess he’d have to forgo the soda unless Tommy had cash on him.
She smiled gently at him, “No worries, hon. They keep a stocked ATM right near the registers. You’ll have to pay a fee but the pies, and the pops,” she glanced at the bottle in his hand, “are worth it. I hope you and your beau have a lovely time.”
“Oh, uh, yeah. Thanks.” Well there was that Minnesota Nice he’d been expecting. Although, to be fair, he’d seen it a lot more than he first realized when he stopped to think about it. Shaking himself from his thoughts, he went to browse the ridiculous number of glorified sugar water drinks in front of him.
Ten minutes later he’d grabbed a good selection of drinks he didn’t think he could find anywhere else. Now to find his wayward man. Pushing through the growing throngs of people, he took the time to check out the pies, selecting an apple pie bread that looked mouth watering. Expensive, but hopefully worth it.
Buck was truly shocked at just how much stuff was inside the shop because it wasn’t just candy. They also sold pasta, pasta sauce, hot sauces and jams, some breads, puzzles and games… It felt endless. There was so much to look at that his brain struggled to process it all. When he didn’t find Tommy after a few minutes he began worrying that maybe Tommy had already left the building and gone back out to the car. He went to pull out his phone to call when he spotted a familiar back circling around the inner sanctum of the silo. From what Buck could tell it was where most of the international snacks were stored.
And as he approached he snorted with laughter at the overflowing basket Tommy carried in his left hand, even as the pilot added yet another treat on top. “Do you plan on eating all of this? Because we sure as hell won’t have room to bring it all back. Also, weren’t you the one complaining about calories and not over eating earlier?”
“Taste testing calories don’t count.” Tommy replied primly, flaring his nostrils. Buck grinned and couldn’t resist leaning in to peck him on his unshaven jaw.
“Sure, babe. Let’s go with that.” Tommy cocked an eyebrow at the pet name, fully aware that Buck only ever used them when he was sassing the man. “Are you nearly ready to go? This place is cash only so unless you have cash on you we’ll need to use the ATM up front.”
Tommy shook his head. “No cash. I’m almost done. I just want to do one last lap.”
“Don’t you have enough already?” Buck’s eyebrows shot to his hairline.
“It’s not all for me.” Tommy assured him. “I thought Jee, Denny, Mara, Chris, May and Harry might appreciate some souvenirs.”
“But not their parents?”
“Only if they’re willing to share with them.” Tommy replied sarcastically, scoffing.
“Right. Well. I’ll go grab that money and meet you up front in ten?”
“Sure. I’ll be there.” This time it was Tommy who pecked him lightly on the cheek which caused them to flush a bit for whatever reason. Probably because Tommy would always have that effect on him.
True to his word, the pilot appeared ten minutes later, the last of his haul in his arms that he had to precariously balance as he side stepped around unsupervised children and little old ladies with no sense of spatial awareness. Buck had withdrawn way more cash than he thought he’d need but looking at the abundance of stuff, he was starting to think he maybe should have drawn out the max amount allowed.
The cashiers chatted with them as he checked them out, talking about other things they could do while they were in Minnesota. He was a born and raised Minnesotan and clearly had a lot of pride in his state. There were a couple of historical reenactment village things that really piqued Buck’s interest. Paying the man, nabbing two caramel apples at the last second, both men thanked the cashier and said they’d definitely check some of the places out if and when they had time.
At the car they set their haul carefully inside before hopping in and heading straight back to the hotel.
They decided to order in and pay for delivery rather than go out again. The rest of the night was spent trying strange flavors of sodas and eating enough candy that their dentist was probably on the verge of having a suspicious heart attack. Buck could see large dental bills in the near future. It had been a great day, Buck thought, and a successful one. He couldn’t wait to see what tomorrow would bring.