In real life, foggy air can be so pretty. On paper, it just looks dull and grey. Jamie frowns at the drawing of mountains he did, displeased with how it turned out. It looks nothing like the stunning landscape in front of him.
"What?" Mason asks when he groans.
Jamie shows him the drawing. "It's terrible."
"I like it."
"You keep it then," Jamie says, passing the page over to his boyfriend. "I'll look up technique tips for foggy landscapes and try again later. Hopefully, it'll look better then."
Mason frowns but doesn't say anything as he carefully slips the paper into his backpack.
Jamie ignores the look shot his way as he instead focuses on putting his paper and coloured pencils away, returning his attention to his half-eaten sandwich on the picnic table.
The two of them are on a hike in the Rocky Mountains, and they stopped for lunch at a gorgeous rest stop overlooking a plunging valley. The day is damp and a little on the cooler side, so at least they're not sweating buckets under the sun. Their windbreakers are wet with dew, as are their water bottles. The ground is thankfully dry and perfectly fine. Mostly. As someone who spends most of his time indoors, Jamie is a little worried about twisting his ankle.
Mason picked up hiking while at WSU, and he's coaxed Jamie into going on hikes with him more than once, working their way from beginner trails to some of the smaller mountains of the Rockies.
Jamie takes another drink of his Gatorade and leans on Mason's shoulder as he admires the incredible view. The vastness of it, the size of the mountains, and the difference in elevation from the top of the mountain peaks to the bottom of the valley. It's all fascinating and beautiful.
He inhales deeply, enjoying the fresh, crisp air. "It's beautiful."
Mason's fingers tighten a little on Jamie's thigh, where he's resting his hand. "Yeah."
They should probably get going soon, but Jamie just wants to sit and enjoy nature for a little while longer.
AN: a drawing I did of mountains. Jamie's is like this, but so much better because he is an art student and I am not. larrylashton98/709201276938993664/c54jc3w6hkta