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Real smart, yeah, let’s go nude swimming with alligators, perfectly sensible thought.
JL wasn’t a huge fan of Shimmer’s new idea of a date, riding off on his ratty wagon through the muddy bayou, his anxious gypsy cob pulling the load faithfully. The soggy dirt squealed with every roll of the wagon wheels, sending bits of muck up at him and Shimmer. The shallow marshy pools shifted, and occasionally they’d hear a nasty terrifying growl from them, making JL nearly go limp.
At any moment a giant lizard could jut out and maul Madeline. He couldn’t stand the thought of his sweet horse getting torn apart by a monster like that. He kept his eyes on the road, willing himself to stay calm. This was the worst idea he’d ever agreed to.
The lively foliage swung past them, swaying in the summer breeze as birds flew from branch to branch, picking through the leaves. JL wished he could fly, that way he could get away from this situation. Flee like those birds could.
He couldn’t fly though, so he’d have to face the insanity that was Shimmer’s idea of a fun relaxing evening together.
“I think that one’s a roseate Spoonbill.”
Shimmer’s voice caught JL off guard and he leapt out of his seat, almost sending the wagon into the dreary water.
Madeline was a sensible horse though and backed up, getting herself back on the path and continuing the journey with a few light whips from JL.
“Ah- which bird, shim?”
“The one in the tree tops over there, it’s pink and has a spoon shaped bill.”
JL turned his head, slowing the wagon down so he could look. Between the healthy green leaves and mahogany colored branches sat a pink feathered bird, resting on a thick long branch high in the canopy. It was average sized and a gorgeous shade of pink.
He looked down from it, staring at Shimmer for a long moment as he took in how beautiful she was. Her red hair reminded him of a precious stone, or the soups Kandi would cook up for him and his father. An odd connection bur it was true, the color was very similar. And her deep brown eyes that he could look at forever.
“What’s ya looking at, baby.”
Shimmer teased, her soft hand moving to grab his. Her fingers unpeeled his fist from the reigns and knotted into his hand. They were warm and kind, a type of kind most people didn’t show him. More than just polite friendliness or pitying tips.
“Don’t call me baby- I’m 24..” JL mumbled, his hand shaking softly.
Shimmer laughed at his words and shook her head, free hand moving to rest on his shoulder. She gazed into his eyes and JL felt his face burn with redness.
“Not baby as in infant, Baby as in love, sweetheart, handsome, like a… a pet name.”
Her words made JL’s head spin and his throat dry. He needed to turn away for a moment, regaining his voice.
“Is that some new.. slang.. That the people are using?” He questioned quietly, his focus returning too the path and whipping Madeline back into a steady trot.
He could see shimmer shrugging in the corner of his eye. “Kinda I guess.” She turned away from him but kept their fingers intertwined.
“I’m really the only one saying it though.”
JL felt a tiny smile lift his lips and he snuck a glance at her, watching the way the sunlight flames up her hair, making it glow like a stained glass lantern. She was so stunning it made JL Swoon.
“Eyes on the road, baby.” Shimmer teased, taping his head. She squeezed his hand, comforting, warm, lovely.
JL focused back on the road, keeping Madeline on the path headed for the pond Shimmer wished to visit.
The rest of the ride was quiet, shimmer just running her fingers over his fist and humming a vaguely familiar melody, one that he’d likely forgotten after all these years. No, he wasn’t old enough to forget things.
Madeline pulled too a stop beside a murky dump of a pool. JL spotted one gator across the the water, sunbathing on the shore. Herons and storks were resting in and around the waters, relaxed.
“Is this safe..?” The black haired boy carefully stepped off the wagon, moving around to pat down his horse, keep her calm.
“It’ll be fine, relax Baby.” Shimmer hopped off as-well, circling over to him to hug him from behind. She buried her face into his neck, giggling like an eager child.
“You should probably let Madeline loose, just incase.” She advised, kissing His neck softly.
JL couldn’t stop himself from shivering as his shaky hands moved to detach Madeline from his cart. The mare snorted softly at him before stepping out and nuzzling her head into his chest. JL smiled at his horse and gave her a few pats to satisfy her antics.
“Okay, now let’s get in!”
Shimmer’s warm fingers laced between his and led him over closer to the pool. The edges were mostly hidden from sight, which meant they were a lot less likely to be spotted.
His- girlfriend..? Well he supposed thats what they were. She started undresssing, removing her shoes, pantyhose, skirt, corset, chamise, till she was fully nude and right in front of him.
JL couldn’t help but stare. He really was lucky to have her- to have anyone truly..
He must’ve dosed off like that, because Shimmer scoffed at him and leaned over to start removing his suspenders, then his jeans and his boots and socks and his shirt and his belt and his underpants-
He just let her do it. JL shook his body, cold and sweaty and nervous all at the same time. It was exhilarating yet intensely embarrassing..
The red head snickered at his embarrassment, her hand slipping into his and locking in place. “You’re adorable, baby.”
“I am…?”
“Yeah, you are.”
She led him to the waters edge, gently placing a foot down into the mud, pulling him with her. Yet she wasn’t pushing, she was careful, slow. “Just trust me okay?” Shimmer assured.
JL closed his eyes, his other hand flapping wildly to find hers. He was terrified, shaking like a leaf. “I’m trying, I really am- I swear-“
Shimmer pulled him to her chest and slowly sunk deeper into the water, until it was about stomach high.
“See? You’re alive and fine.” Her soft hands stroked his head until JL opened his eyes and looked up to her own eyes. Brown, with flecks of orange amber.
The girl just smiled at him, kissing his forehead lightly. She floated with him, gently rocking him occasionally. They just laid there, relaxing in the warm sun and cool water.
JL’s fingers folded through Shimmer’s curly hair, listening to her heart beat thump in his ear. She was so beautiful.. why was he allowed near her? Wasn’t she just a gem?
“You feel better John..?” shimmer asked.
JL was startled by her use of his name, and he blushed like a tree in autumn.
“Yeah, it’s nice out here.” He nodded.
Shimmer grinned at him, playfully shoving him off her chest and splashing him with some water, making JL squeal like a piglet and leap up in the water, causing a massive splash. He rapidly splashed Shimmer back, covering his face after.
Shimmer screamed in shock as the water hit her. She huffed at him and ran for, tackling him to the muddy bank of the pond. JL squirmed, splashing up waves of water and mud.
The pair were giggling at eachother, flipping back and forth. JL managed to knock Shimmer back into a ditch of mud just out of the water. A yell of frustration came from her and she pounced on JL, squeezing him and wrestling him to the floor of the pool.
JL yelled out, shaking back and forth, trying to pull away, his voice pitched as a girl being chased by a snake. He heard something growling from the other half of the pool, making him pause a moment.
When he registered it was a gator- well he really did scream, loud and frightful. Shimmer had to grab his wrist to keep him from running naked in the pathway.
“John- cool off-“ She hushed him softly, pulling his sleek body back to her own chest. “Ju-“
The pair both screamed and scrambled at the sound of gun shots- ringing through the bayou. Heavy hoof beats splashed through the nearby pools and the once growling gator on the other side of the pond was dead.
A gorgeous and hardy mare, stood unwavering over the gator corpse. Her tail swished violently and her head was propped high. Her rider, a thirty something year old man with bulky arms and a muscled body, sat upon her back, strong and firm.
The stranger man held his reigns in one hand and a rifle(JL didn’t have a clue what kind) in his other. A hat shielded his face from view as he gazed down at the reptile he’d shot.
JL was shaken. He and Shimmer had dipped back into the pond, shielding their bare bodies from view.
“Ey! Ladies, come out, it’s dead. what’re you thinkin’ swimmin’ in the bayou, you beggin’ one of ‘these prehistoric beasts to come eat ya’?”
When neither of them moved the man sighed. “Out with ya’ girls, this ain’t the spot for a bath.”
Shimmer stood up fully, covering her body in embarrassment. She crept over to the cart and fetched her clothes. JL was still staring, anxious and intimidated.
Shimmer turned around and waved at him, trying to get him to exit the water. JL followed suit, clambering out of the bayou waters and scrambling to Shimmer’s side.
The man across the way look surprised when JL got out. “You’re- not- whatever..” he turned his horse away and proceeded forward to the path.
Shimmer watched him leave with anxious eyes, her head snapping to JL before she jabbed him with her elbow.
“What the fuck just happened?” She whispered loudly, working her shirt on over her corset.
JL let out a scared squeak, his nerves exploding in terror to hug onto Shimmer tightly. “Never again please..”
“Yeah, no never again..”