One thing Mason wishes he had more time to do, is to go out by himself. It's not that he doesn't like being around his friends, family, or other people; he just likes the simplicity of being by himself. He doesn't have to worry about anyone else when he's alone, nor does he have to carry a conversation he might not be in the mood for. As an introvert, he enjoys his own company, especially after being around people all week.

The day is warm and sunny, so he heads out to the famous Santa Monica Pier amusement park. With his sunglasses on- switching his usual glasses out for contacts- along with a crisp white t-shirt and shorts, he's ready to soak up the sun.

He starts his day wandering around the park, looking at the available rides and stepping out of the way of running, shrieking children as their frazzled parents chase after them. He plays a few games, not winning anything on the fishing game.

As he's preparing for the basketball toss, he feels someone step up beside him. He glances over quickly before turning back to his game, aware of the handsome man shooting at the hoop beside his. Though pretty, the man doesn't do well at the game, and he leans against the game's counter as he watches Mason shoot ball after ball, racking up points. Considering the games are rigged to be losers, he did decently well, and he now has time to check out the attractive person beside him.

The man has soft-looking, artfully styled, messy blond hair and the prettiest, purest blue eyes Mason has ever seen. His fair complexion is like porcelain and, from what Mason can see, Is littered with thousands of freckles from head to toe.

"You're pretty good at that game," the man says, clearly checking him out.

"Thanks. You're not so bad yourself."

The man snorts. "We can both see my score and know I'm no good at it."

After collecting his prize, Mason leans into the man's space to tuck the little frog plushie into his pocket. Holding eye contact with the beautiful man, he quietly says, "I wasn't talking about the game," and walks away.


He finds the man again fifteen minutes later, playing whack-a-mole. He's doing well hitting most of the critters with the foam sledgehammer.

Mason sidles up to him to say, "You seem to know you're way around tools."

The man flashes a heartstopping smile, showing off his perfectly straight white teeth and the two adorable dimples on both cheeks. "Just the important ones."

"Oh? Would you consider yourself an expert?"

"Would you like to find out?"

"Perhaps." Mason gives the man a pointed once-over. "I might be interested, and you have to the end of the day to find out."

This time when Mason walks away, the man catches up to him a second later, and they walk together in silence, the backs of their fingers brushing. Mason thinks about turning his hand to catch the handsome stranger's hand and linking their finger together, but he doesn't.

They go on a couple of rides, laughing and rating them on a scale from pinecones to books. It probably doesn't make sense to anyone else- hell, it hardly makes sense to Mason, but they have fun giving a ride an object and reasoning why it is that object. Like the Shark Frenzy ride is a washing machine: it spins really fast, mixes up what's inside, and makes you dizzy when you watch too long.

They walk past long lines and loud children, commenting on which games and rides they'd like to check out. Mason almost walks into the other man when he puts himself in Mason's path, but he catches himself in time. He arches an eyebrow, to which the man bows, one arm behind his back and the other out in for Mason's hand. Then he says, "May I offer you a ride on a gallant steed?" Over his shoulder is a carousel, the colourful horses spinning around prettily.

"You may." Smiling, Mason takes the offered hand and steps onto the platform for the line.

A few minutes later, the man is helping Mason up onto a purple and blue horse, taking the pink and orange one beside him. During the ride, the man cheerily points out the local attractions and offers his opinions in a posh British accent.

"That large hill there," he says, gesturing to one of the rollercoasters, "is where Sunny and I like to run with foxes. They're quite fun to be around and mighty fast. And my, oh my. I remember that tent over there. Quite exciting if you believe in magic, sorcery and spells." He moves his fingers like he's casting a spell, and Mason giggles into his hand.

"I rate that one a… Ferris Wheel."

"That doesn't count!"

"Fine, a regular wheel."

Mason throws his head back, laughing, and when he's calmed down into chuckles, he sees the man watching him with a soft smile. "Would you like to stop for burgers and a milkshake? My treat."

The man's smile broadens.

That's how Mason finds himself in a booth of a diner in the amusement park, sharing a chocolate milkshake with the man over a plate of greasy burgers and french fries.

"So, tell me," the man says between bites. "What do you do for a living?"

"I'm a professor at CalTech."

The man's eyebrows shoot up. "Oh, wow. CalTech? That's impressive. How's it feel to know you're influencing the young inquisitive minds of tomorrow?"

Mason's lips twitch.

"It is a little… mindblowing, to put it that way. Mostly I see students chugging coffees and hunched over textbooks and laptops, not getting enough sleep or food. It's a little concerning, if I'm being honest, but I'm also very proud of them and the work they've done. They try so hard to do well. It pays off, but at what cost?"

"I bet you were just like that, weren't you," the man says gently.

Mason flushes as he remembers his graduate and doctorate days. "Nevermind about that. What do you do?"

Popping his non-existent collar, the man says, "I'm an artist. I make messes, but I make them look pretty. I've gotten some grief from my… roommate about turning the living room into a canvas, but alas." He puts his hand to his forehead like he's swooning. "That is the way it must be. There is no more truthful life for me."

Mason laughs and throws a crumpled-up napkin at him.

"Do you want to check out the Ferris Wheel next?"


Just like every cliche movie with a Ferris Wheel, the warm sun, clear skies, and height over Santa Monica creates a romantic atmosphere. Mason can hardly hear what the other man is saying. He's too drawn in by his beauty to register his words.

"You didn't hear a thing I said, did you." It's not a question. They both know the answer.

"No," Mason confesses anyway.

It doesn't matter because the man is cupping Mason's cheek in his warm, delicate hand. His fingers push into Mason's curls, and Mason leans into the touch, letting his eyes flutter shut.

The kiss is soft and sweet, barely a brush of lips before deepening. Their mouths slide together, gentle and charming and perfect.

Mason could stay in the carriage for the rest of the day, kissing the blond man in his arms, but the ride attendant has other ideas, and they're soon ushered off the Ferris Wheel. As soon as they're back on the ground, Mason takes the man's hand and drags him to a secluded part of the park between two stalls and out of sight from the rest of the tourists.

He grips the man's cotton t-shirt in his fists, shoving him against a wall to kiss him desperately. His thigh slips between the man's legs, his firm body pressing deliciously against Mason's. All of him pressed against Mason, and all at once, it was too much, yet not nearly enough. He needs more.

"Jamie," Mason sighs into his husband's mouth.

"Ha! You broke character first. I win. You owe me-" Jamie is cut off when Mason hauls him into another kiss.

"Let's go home. I need you to fuck me."

Jamie's jaw drops, and his pupils dilate. "Yes. Let's-" He swallows hard. "We'll go. Now. Yes."

Together, they run through the amusement park to the exit, hand in hand and laughing.