Wisconsin
The sound of the engine roared— loud and thunderous— as the hog sped down the open road. It was just the two of them, nothing but the sky and the ground, no audience but the trees they left behind.
The wind lapped her hair that wasn't covered by the helmet, ticking his chin, blowing in every direction with only the wind as its guidance. Even though the sun was up high in the sky and the weather was the definition of a perfect Wisconsin late summer day, Erin was happy that she took Jay's advice and had her favorite red leather jacket to protect her against the wind. Jay had on a leather jacket of his own— black as opposed to her red— her first birthday present to him a couple of weeks ago.
The leather felt soft and buttery underneath her hands but she was searching for something more intimate— more him. Her hands found home underneath the cotton shirt he was wearing, the smooth skin of his taut stomach feeling infinitely better. Plus it was warmer, Jay emitting heat like he was the sun. Warm, comforting, hers.
She laid her head on his back, looking at the scenery on the side. She scooted closer to him, her fingers running over the ridges of his abs like they were her own instruments. Jay's hand joined hers while he was expertly controlling the motorcycle with his other hand. He laced their fingers together and pressed her hand closer to his stomach. Erin tightened her hold on him and inhaled, the scent of new leather and Jay's usual Sandalwood storming her senses and filling her with peace.
It was much needed.
They dealt with so much heaviness everyday— in their jobs and in their lives— that sometimes, it was essential to just get away. To toss their bags in the truck, load up Jay's bike in the back and just drive. To come back to a place that was familiar, private, and special to the two of them.
The cabin would always be Jay's second home— a home away from home— but Erin was quickly learning to love it just as much as Jay did. To look past beyond the bird-like mosquitoes and the smell of cheese curds in the air and see why the man she loved was so in love with the place. The cabin built Jay back up and pieced him back together when he was so broken. The cabin gave Jay refuge— a sanctuary— when he needed it. The cabin played a huge part in the man that stood before her today— allowed her to meet this Jay— so how could she not love something that gave her Jay?
A familiar feeling went through Erin as the bike took a sharp turn— thrilling and exhilarating. Similar to the feeling when she rode on a rollercoaster, right before the drop, like her stomach was floating inside of her. She clutched onto Jay tighter, leaning her body along with his to ease into the turn. She felt his laugh more than she heard it, the rumbling of his chest going unopposed while the sound of his laughter had to compete with the sound of the wind.
Erin couldn't even pretend to be annoyed, her heart just content with feeling his joy more than anything. At least he wasn't riding the bike in the city. Because out here, it was just the two of them. No gridlock traffic and angry drivers like back in Chicago. She would never try to stop Jay from riding his bike, knowing just how much he loved it. But it didn't mean that she would ever stop worrying every time he got on his Harley Davidson. She just loved him too much.
But for now, when it was just the two of them out on the backroads of Northern Wisconsin, Erin would enjoy the ride. She would live in the moment and enjoy the feeling of the wind blowing past them and seek out the heat of Jay's bare skin.
"We're here." Jay's voice broke the quiet and Erin opened her eyes, taking in the surrounding. The motorcycle stuttered to a slow stop as Jay pulled up to his mysterious destination. One that he kept a secret, only giving hints here and there but promising Erin that she'd love it all the same.
"And here would be?" Erin asked as they got off the bike and took off their helmets.
"Nice try," Jay retorted, giving her a look. "You'll find out in a few minutes. What do they say about patience?"
"How it's a pain in the butt?" Erin guessed, returning an unamused look from Jay with an innocent one of her own. Jay took her helmet and placed it down next to his own on the bike. "I have helmet hair," Erin whined, pointing to her hair that she was sure was a complete mess.
An evil glint came over Jay's eyes and before Erin could stop him, Jay had his hands buried in Erin's hair, ruffling it all over the place.
"Jay!" Erin squealed, trying to dodge Jay's hands while he laughed, obviously amused by his own antics. Finally satisfied, Jay released his hold on her, giving her a grin so bright that Erin couldn't even put up an act of pretending to be mad. "I look like a crazy person," Erin griped as she caught her reflection in the rearview mirror of the bike, her hair going in all directions.
"You look beautiful," Jay argued, bending down next to her and giving her a peck on the cheek. Erin smiled, their eyes meeting each other in the small mirror. "You're always beautiful," Jay repeated.
Erin felt herself blush, her cheeks getting warmed, and she dropped her eyes bashfully. Jay chuckled at her action and brought his hand over her shoulder as they stood up.
"Adorable," he murmured into the side of her head as he kissed her hair.
Erin scoffed, mocking offense to the adjective he described her with. She was not adorable. Badass. Tough. Cool. She'd take any of those adjectives but not adorable. She made her sentiments known to Jay but he just responded by pushing her cheeks together, her lips jutting out in a pout, and him kissing her.
"See? Adorable," he repeated, dodging her hand just in time before it met his chest. "Come on," he said as he took her hand and led her to the opening of what looked like a trail.
"Hiking?" Erin questioned, doubt creeping in her voice. She was a City girl, through and through. And yes, while she was learning to love the cabin and the peaceful lake it was situated next to, hiking was a bit out of her range. She wasn't even really dressed for it — wearing her usual jeans, a t-shirt, her usual boots with her red leather jacket.
"Don't worry. The trail's just a couple of miles long and it's not that hard. And it's worth it, I promise," Jay reassured her, leading her by holding her hand. He looked so excited that Erin kept her doubts to herself and followed. Jay had never led her astray before so she trusted him.
They walked hand in hand further through the forest, only the tall trees surrounding them. The leaves were just beginning to change colors— turning from bright green to the more richer reds and oranges that signify that Fall was around the corner. The sun peeked through the trees, casting the whole area with a warm glow and providing just enough warmth for the hike to be comfortable. They walked along the boardwalk of the trail, Erin more than grateful since the plankwoods made for easier passage than a dirt trail.
"It's really pretty." Even Erin had to admit it. The trail was easy enough for a beginner like her and the scenery was gorgeous even to a City girl like her. Jay beamed, giving her hand that was joined with his over her shoulder a squeeze. "Is this the mysterious spot you wanted to show me?"
"Nope," Jay replied cryptically. Erin tilted her head up so she could see his face better, Jay just giving her a grin. "You'll know when you see it," he promised as they continued on their path.
Erin heard it before she saw it. The peaceful and almost quiet surrounding was interrupted by the unmistake sound of water cascading down, the gushing and roaring vibrating in the air. She met Jay's eyes and he looked as excited as she felt, his surprise finally revealing itself.
"Jay!" Erin exclaimed, her anticipation building up as they trekked the last of the trail, steeper and a bit more difficult than earlier. But Erin soldiered through it and was rewarded with the beautiful sight of Jay's mysterious destination. The waterfall itself wasn't too big— stream of water poured over the ledge of the small drop onto the lower sitting rocks below, the water cascading steadily into the clear creek. The water was so clear that it looked good enough to drink from.
"Surprise!" Jay spread his arms out, his face smiling widely. Erin could only laugh as she fully took in the picturesque scenery. "You like it?"
"Duh!" Erin replied, giving him a thank you kiss. "It's so pretty!" she gushed as her eyes remained glued on the waterfall. "Can we go in the water?"
"Oh yeah," Jay nodded. "We can do more than that," he added, taking off his jacket and his shirt. Erin just watched him get down to his boxers, putting his clothes in a neat pile on top of one of the rocks. After he was done, he looked at Erin expectantly, waiting for her to follow his suit.
"Are you sure this is okay?" she asked, slowly taking off her jacket. There was no one around. "How come there's no other people here?"
"It's not a very well-known waterfall. There are more popular and touristy ones around here. This is more for the locals who know about it," Jay explained. "Besides people usually come here in the Spring, not this time of the year."
Erin nodded as she listened to Jay's explanation. If she and Jay were left alone to enjoy this piece of paradise just the two of them, then who was she to look at a gift horse in the mouth. She slipped her shirt off and took off her jeans until she was just in her bra and underwear.
"You should've told me to bring a bathing suit," Erin said as she and Jay slowly entered the water. The water was cold but it wasn't too bad, more refreshing than anything.
"Nah, that would've ruined the surprise," Jay argued, holding Erin close as they waded further into the creek. "Besides, I'm certainly enjoying the view. Maybe even more than the waterfall," Jay said suggestively as he eyed her wet undergarments. Erin rolled her eyes before going around him and jumping on his back, locking her legs around him.
Jay held her up by her bottom, his fingers sending heat through the thin fabric of her underwear. She wrapped her arms more securely around his shoulder and buried her face in his neck, inhaling the familiar scent of Jay. She sighed contentedly, dropping soft kisses on his neck, feeling goosebumps grown on Jay's arms at the sensation.
He tilted his head so their lips could meet, Erin kissing him deeply. "Thank you for bringing me here," she whispered as she rested her forehead on his. "I love it."
Jay didn't reply with words, instead his lips sought hers out again, resuming their connection.
They spent the next few hours at the waterfall, taking advantage of the fact that it remained just the two of them. They swam around. They chased each other around the water that just ended up with Erin in Jay's arms and her legs around him. They kissed. They nuzzled. They took pleasure in the feeling of each other's bodies. They enjoyed the closeness and took time reconnecting with each other.
They spent the final few minutes at the waterfall sitting behind the main cascade, Erin resting on Jay's chest as their legs stretched out in front of them, intertwined. Jay's fingers drew patterns on her bare stomach, Erin's eyes closing in pleasure at the feeling. There was nothing interrupting them, not intrusion and no other company than the sound of the water as it poured onto the rock they were sitting on.
"We really needed this," Erin said softly, like she was afraid to break the peaceful atmosphere. Jay just hummed his agreement, burying his face in her hair. She felt him chuckle, his chest rumbling against her back. "What?" she asked.
She felt him shake his head but she nudged her head, prodding him for an answer. "It's just, who would've guess you'd love Wisconsin as much as you do? I thought I would have to drag you up here when I first mentioned it."
"You mean you planning our retirement a month into our relationship?" she retorted, teasing him right back.
He squeezed her waist and brought his head around to catch her eyes. "So I was excited. Can you blame me? I always knew you were the one from day one," he returned. "You were the one that needed convincing."
"mmm," Erin hummed, her stomach filling with butterflies at Jay telling her that she was the one. "I guess I just needed some time."
"You still need time?" he asked. Erin loosened the hold he had on her so she could turn her body around and meet his eyes straight on. He looked at her, an open and almost vulnerable look in his eyes, and Erin straddled him, bringing her arms around him.
"No," she whispered, her lips ghosting over his. "I already know everything I need to know. About you," she punctuated her confession with a kiss. "About us." Another kiss.
His fingers felt ticklish on her side but Erin knew that the goosebumps she was feeling had nothing to do with that. It was all because of the way Jay kept on looking at her like she was it for him. So tender, so warm and so loving. She grazed his face lightly with her fingers before traveling to his lips. His lips parted with anticipation and she could hear his breath quickening. Erin smiled, her dimples showing the genuineness of her happiness, before slowly leaning to connect their lips. Jay held her tighter, her chest pressed up against his, and they remained lost in the moment.
Leaving the scenic waterfall was hard but they eventually headed back home. Her clothes felt uncomfortable as she slipped them back on her wet body and she cringed as she put her boots back on.
She took a couple of steps and whimpered as the boots sloshed. Jay, the evil ass, just laughed at her misery while he looked perfectly fine back in his clothes. Suddenly, Erin was dreading the hike back to the bike.
"Come on." Erin looked up to find Jay crouching down, his back to her. "Get on."
"Really?" Jay just looked at her and nodded.
"Can't have my girl be unhappy," he quipped. "I got you, babe," Jay insisted, urging Erin to get on so he could carry her. She still looked hesitant. "It's either a piggyback ride or I'm carrying you bridal style. Your choice."
Giving in, Erin did as Jay asked, wrapping her legs and her arms around him as he lifted her off the ground. "Let me know if I get too heavy."
"Yeah right. I'm smarter than that," Jay teased, Erin smacking his chest for his comment. "Hey, be careful. I'm carrying precious cargo here."
Erin just shook her head, hiding her face in the crook of his neck so he wouldn't see that she found his lame joke more charming and endearing than anything. But the way he laughed told her that he knew her stance on them anyway.
Jay carried her all the way through the trail, Erin just enjoying the close proximity to him. By the time they got back to his bike, she felt more comfortable in her wet clothes although the feeling of wet jeans was never going to be pleasant.
Jay handed her the helmet that he bought just for her and before he put his own helmet on, she grabbed his hand and stopped him. He gave her a curious look and Erin stepped closer to him.
"Thank you for bringing me here," she thanked him again, not just for bringing her to what seemed like a magical place but sharing his secret place with her.
He smiled and pecked her nose. "Thank you for coming with me," he returned. "Not just here but…" he trailed off but Erin understood him all the same. He was thanking her for trusting him, for understanding just how special Wisconsin was to him and despite her initial misgivings, learning to love it just as much as she loved him.
As they traveled down the same open road, heading back toward their second home, Erin took the time to soak in the scenery. The wind was blowing harder this time and the sun was getting lower in the sky but it was all okay because one thing that remained constant was the heat of Jay's skin on her hands as she held onto him. Never letting him go.
AN: I stopped watching CPD after season 4 so I had no clue that they actually gave Jay a motorcycle in the later season. So this was inspired after I came across a gif of him on a bike and I needed to write about Linstead on a bike in their leather jackets. I tried to fit it into 23 more but it just didn't so I just had to pause on writing the next update 23 more and had to write this first.
So this will be sort of like my drabble/one-shot dump. To be updated whenever more inspiration for Linstead just being happy, domestic and living their lives together hits. So if you guys have any requests or ideas that you want to read, this is the place to dump them.
