Rick had been adventurous his entire life. Exploring the woods around his house, joining the Army, anything to do to soothe that insatiable need to explore.

Drew, on the other hand, was much more of a homebody. He liked being indoors, where he had more control. Outdoors, anything could happen. Only so much damage could be done within four walls.

Them being together was a constant battle of staying in and going out.

Rick was tired.

Specifically, tired of watching his boyfriend sleep.

He wanted to go out.

Rick moved his head so it was directly adjacent to Drew's ear.

Then he screamed.

"DREW GET UP!"

That did get him up. Unfortunately, it also made him fall off of the bed, prompting giggles from Rick.

"What the fuck, Rick?" Drew sits up, rubbing the back of his head in pain. Rick leans off the edge of the bed, so he's almost face to face with Drew.

"As cute as you look sleeping, and trust me it's adorable, I want to go out."

"You always want to go out!"

"And you always want to stay home!" Feeling Rick's breath ghost onto his face made Drew grin despite himself. He stands, pushing Rick into the bed, watching as he presents with a matching smile.

"I like it at home, It's just the two of us, and that's how I want it." Drew plants little kisses onto Rick's face, smirking as he watches the man's composure dissolve.

"Stop it Drew!" Rick tries to push him off, until Drew's lips meet his. Then he can't help but pull him closer, drawing more of his skin upon his own. He loved this feeling. This was all he wanted to do…

Wait.

No.

Rick breaks the kiss, earning groans from Drew as he rolls over.

"I was enjoying that."

"And I wasn't?" Rick kisses the side of Drew's neck, shoving his head over as Drew moves to kiss him back.

"How about a deal? You go out with me today, do what I want, and we can stay in tonight and do what you want."Drew's face brightens at the suggestion, and Rick already knows he's going to agree.

"Really?"

"Have I ever lied to you, Drew?"

To seal the deal, Drew presses his lips to Rick's, deepening it as he hears the moans, the vibrations making his lips tingle. He grabs Rick's hips, swinging himself on top of his boyfriend, letting his lips travel down his neck.

"We mmmmm won't make it out the house at this rate." Rick gasps as Drew starts to suck on the spot where his neck and shoulder meet.

"We don't need to." Drew doesn't bother to look up, instead focusing on leaving hickeys, hoping the pleasure will make Rick forget about going out.

It doesn't.

"Come on, Drew. I wanna go out. We had a deal." Drew unwillingly climbs off of Rick, his pouts evoking giggles from Rick.

"Come on, we can go shower." Rick grabs Drew's hand and drags him into the bathroom.

"You wanna drive, babe?" Drew picks up the keys to Rick's truck, jingling them a little as Rick laced up his sneakers.

"Yeah, I can drive. Hm." Rick motions for Drew to toss him the keys, which he does. They walk outside, Rick locking the door behind him. They secure their packs in the bed of the truck, and settle inside.

"Soooo, where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

"Ughh no fair, I hate surprises. You know that." Drew taps his knuckles against the dashboard as Rick drives down the street.

"Too bad. We're doing what I want." Rick turns up the radio, as "Your Man" by Josh Turner comes on.

"I've been thinking bout this all day long." Rick sings in time as he merges onto the highway, winking at Drew dramatically.

"We literally woke up less than 3 hours ago. How could you have been thinking about this all day long?"

"I'm always thinking about you, that's why." Drew flushes, cheeks reddening as Rick brushes his fingers up the length of his leg.

"Shut up." He grumbles, and rolls his window down. They had gotten to more of a backroads. It was pretty scenic, all growing trees and quiet skies. Drew sighed, the breath practically stolen from out of him.

"Now you see why I wanted to go out here?" Rick peers out in front of them. This was his favorite spot in all of Texas, and he wanted to show Drew.

Drew nods, leaning his head on the sill of the open window, inhaling the scent of pine and tranquility.

They finally pull into a parking lot, and step out, shrugging on their backpacks.

"Do I get to know what we're doing now?"

"We're going to hike to the top."

Drew looks up. The peak wasn't that far, but it was a decent hike.

"Ok. I think I can do that."

"Yeah?" Rick locks their fingers together, forcing Drew between him and the truck.

"Yes." A quick kiss placates Rick, who steps back, but doesn't let go of Drew's hand.

"Plus, there's a surprise waiting at the top."

"I hate surprises!"

It took them a few hours to hike all the way up. In that time, Drew and Rick had just talked. Their schedules had been hectic lately, and they hadn't both had a day off in much too used the free time to catch up.

When they finally reached the peak, Rick made Drew close his eyes, then gently removed his pack. Some zipping and thudding followed.

"Ok, you can look now."

Drew opened his eyes to a picnic, and the most incredible view he had ever seen.

The nature around them was a close second though.

"All this scenery, and you're still staring at me?" Rick had removed his shirt, using it to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

"Sorry, sorry. You're just...God. You're so beautiful."

"Why thank you." Rick wraps his arms around Drew's neck, squirming happily at the feeling of Drew's arms embracing him.

"Let's eat. I'm starving."

"Aren't you always?"

After eating, Drew sat between Rick's legs, whose hands were clasped across Drew's chest. Drew's hands covered Rick's, fingers working their way around his wrists, between his palms, across his fingers.

"Mmmm that feels weird."

"How?"

"It's really soft. Tickles." Rick sticks his face into Drew's hair, placing soft kisses on his almost bare scalp.

They sat in silence for a while, just taking in the view. The cliff they were sitting on overlooked a lake. Trees lined either side, their reflections dancing on the water. The wind blew auburn leaves in circles, as rocks on the shore glistened in the sunlight. It was truly breathtaking.

"How do you even know about this place?"

"When I first moved here, I was really lonely. I didn't know anyone here, and I was scared. But I love hiking, and being in nature. One of the guys from my unit suggested it, actually. I came here once, and fell in love. Kinda like how it was with you." Rick removes his face from Drew's head long enough to kiss his forehead, down his nose, and to his lips.

"You're so sentimental."

"You like it."

"Unfortunately." Drew leans back, vying for another kiss, which he is awarded.

"We should probably head back down. The sun's going to start setting soon, and we don't want to be caught out here in the dark." Rick pokes Drew's chest, attempting to prompt him to rise.

"5 more minutes. Please?"

"Of course, baby." Drew never had wanted to stay longer before. He usually wanted to go home. Rick smiled. It meant a lot to hear him finally opening up.

The hike back down was quieter than the one up. Both men were tired, but content. The serenity of the mountain had affected them for the better. They felt at peace, centered.

"Thank you." Drew spoke softly as they reached the truck.

"It's my pleasure. I'm happy to show you a place that means so much to me. Any time I get scared, or angry, or upset, I come out here. It helps me calm down, process my emotions."

"Anything that's important to you is important to me."

"That...means a lot to me. You mean a lot to me."

"Oh, don't go getting all sappy on me."

"Shut up." Rick walked over, setting his arms on Drew's shoulders, pressing their foreheads together.

"Oh. My. God. You guys are so cute!" The squeal startles the men out of their private moment, turning to see a young woman in a Park Ranger uniform standing a few feet away.

"Do you want me to take a picture?" Rick's face lights up,and he turns to Drew for permission.

"Sure. Thanks." Drew grumbled. He loved taking pictures with Rick, but hated being interrupted, especially during times that were more...intimate.

They lean against the truck, arms tangled across each other's body, grins plastered on their faces.

"They came out really well."

The couple thanked the woman, and climbed into the truck.

"I enjoyed today. Seriously." They were seated on opposite sides of the couch, clean bodies, clothes, but more importantly, souls.

"Good. I was hoping you would." Rick takes a bite out of his sandwich, and moans. Drew made. The. Best. Sandwiches.

"Mmm, I like hearing you moan like that."

"Finish your food and you can make me moan all you like."

"Do I really have to finish?" Drew licks his lips suggestively. Rick hadn't taken the time to put his shirt back on, opting instead to drape it around his shoulders. Drew was glad Rick drove him, because he could barely focus.

"You might as well. I plan on finishing this sandwich."

"Didn't you say we got to do what I wanted to do?"

"Drewww come on. It's really good." Rick pouts, refusing to meet Drew's eyes. He knew if he did, he would lose himself to the lust. He knew what Drew wanted to do, and he was barely holding himself back. But, goddamn, if this sandwich wasn't one of the best things he'd ever tasted.

"Fine. You can finish your food. I'll be waiting in the bedroom when you're done." Drew stands, throwing his trash in the silver recycling can they kept by the door. He meandered into the hallway, grinning as he hears Rick stand to follow. He was so easy.

Rick walking in to Drew removing his shirt almost made him lose all self control. He was barely able to handle it when the sweat he had worked up caused the fabric to stick to his chest in all the right places, or when he got out the shower, smelling deliciously clean.

"Oh, now who's staring?" Drew's teasing brought Rick back to reality.

"Can't help it. I'm lucky to have all of that to myself." Rick stepped forward, pushing Drew onto the bed before placing his own body on top of Drew's.

"Mmm damn right you are."

"Are you sassing me, Officer?"

Drew whimpers as Rick's lips meet his skin. It felt so good, and he had just started. Rick started under his ear, flicking his tongue across the spot where his ear met his skull. He worked his way down his neck to his collarbone, pausing as Drew dug his fingers into Rick's hips. His breath catches as Drew's fingers keep digging into him, almost losing his will to continue.

Rick practically head butts Drew as he smashes their lips together, dragging his teeth against the skin above Drew's. Drew groans, obviously satisfied.

"That mmmm do that again."

"This?" Rick repeated his actions, allowing his teeth to mark their path to Drew's lips, focusing on his bottom one for a while, before defiling his neck.

"Shit…" Drew can barely get out the whisper. This was all he had wanted all day, and he was finally getting it. He could tell Rick was enjoying himself, moans falling out of his mouth and reverberating against Drew's skin. With every passing second, Drew's sensitivity was increasing, until it almost overtook him.

"Tell me what you want, Drew."

"Fuck me."

"You're so beautiful." Drew rubs his fingers against Rick's jaw before pressing gentle kisses to it.

"So I've heard." Rick turns his head to meet Drew's lips, humming in pleasure.

"I enjoyed today."

"You just gonna keep repeating things you've said already? You sound like a broken record."

"Unfortunately." Rick makes a face while Drew giggles.

"Was the sex that mind-blowing?"

"It's always that mind-blowing baby."

Rick kisses Drew's forehead, drawing his boyfriend into his arms.

"I love you." Drew squirms around to get more comfortable, throwing his legs across Drew's.

"Love you too." He lays his head on Rick's chest, listening to the sound of his breathing, allowing for it to soothe him to sleep.

Rick feels a small smile appear on his face. He was so in love. He never wanted anything to change. He wanted to stay like this. Forever.