Two weeks later
Kevin squealed as Mark tackled him onto the grass from behind, trying to get a hold of the football Kevin had clutched to him.
“Hey! You said nothing about tackling!”
Mark laughed and grabbed him again, wrapping his arms around Kevin’s waist and trying to pry his arms apart, but it was useless. Years of dancing and working out at the gym had given Kevin arm’s of steel, and there was no way Mark was going to pry them apart.
Instead he decided to go for a different tack – diversion.
He rested his head on Kevin’s shoulder, sliding his hands into the pockets of Kev’s pants, “You never asked about tackling, that’s why I never said anything.”
Kevin felt his resolve wavering as Mark cuddled him close, he could honestly get used to this. Especially when he did that.
Before he could stop it, a small whimper escaped, and Mark stopped kissing up his neck and chuckled, before nuzzling his neck gently.
“Someone likes that.”
Twisting his neck slightly, Kevin caught Mark’s lips with his own, kissing him deeply. Realising his plan was working, Mark kissed him back, running his fingers through Kevin’s hair, and he felt Kevin’s whole body relax. Acting quickly, Mark grabbed the ball, broke of the kiss and ran across to the other side of the garden.
It took Kevin a few seconds to realise Mark was no longer kissing him, and it took another few seconds to realise that Mark wasn’t even behind him anymore, and he was no longer holding the ball. Looking across the garden, he saw Mark standing there, hands behind his back, trying to look innocent.
“Marcus! That was so not fair!” He took off across the garden, deciding it was time for his own tackle, but Mark was too quick for him, and was away, over the small back fence and out across the field, in the direction of Hazelwood.
“Mark! Wait up!” Kev raced after him, briefly wondering why Mark never put this much energy into dancing, and that if he had, he would have been the best dancer in the group.
“MARK!”
Mark slowed down and ran backwards, watching as Kevin tried to catch up, before ducking behind a tree, hiding himself from view.
Kevin slowed down and looked around, Mark was nowhere in sight.
“Mark?” He couldn’t stop the note of concern creeping into his voice, he hoped nothing had happened.
He nervously walked towards the trees, calling out Mark’s name and keeping a close eye out for the singer, but there was no sign of him.
Just as he was wondering wether or not he should go and fetch someone, and he found himself tackled once more into the dirt, and he screamed in panic, not sure who it was. Whoever it was pinned him to the ground, before they started to laugh.
“You BASTARD! You really scared me.” Kevin rolled over and crawled to the nearest tree, leaning up against it, trying to slow down his heart beat.
“I’m sorry babes, but the look on your face and you…” Mark broke off, laughter over taking him, while Kevin tried his best to glare and be mad at his boyfriend all at once.
Mark had tears of laughter running down his cheeks now, spluttering as he tried to finish his sentence, “You screamed, you actually screamed!” He broke off again, laughing even harder.
Kevin narrowed his eyes, and decided enough was enough, Mark needed to be punished. He crawled over to where Mark was doubled up in laughter and grabbed him, pushing him backwards into the dirt.
Mark stopped laughing and looked up at him, seeing the glint in his eyes, “Kev? What you doing?”
“Stopping you from laughing!” He started to kiss down Mark’s neck, nipping at the skin, before tugging Mark’s shirt off.
“Ahh Kev, babes, as much as I love you, we are sorta in a public place.”
Kevin shrugged, “So? Makes it more exciting!” He continued kissing down Mark’s body, smiling in victory when Mark dropped his head back and admitted defeat.
“All right, fine! But if we get caught, it was all your idea!”
20 minutes later
Mark pushed himself into a sitting position, before attempting to stand, his legs wobbly beneath him., while Kev leant up against a tree, smiling, looking just like, well, like the cat who had got the cream.
Mark mock glared at him, zipping up his jeans, before holding his hand out to his lover. Laughing softly, Kevin took it and pulled himself to his feet, kissing Mark’s hand softly, before tugging him into a cuddle, enjoying the feel of Mark’s body pushed up against his. Gently, Kev brushed his mouth across Marks, whispering softly into his ear, “Love you,”
He felt Mark cuddle up closer, “Love you more.”
Kevin chuckled, “You know what? I find that hard to believe,” he squeezed Mark tightly, “Only cause I love you more than words can say.”
Embarrassed, Mark buried his face into Kevin’s shoulder, enjoying the warmth and love that flowed from Kevin.
The cuddle was rudely interrupted by the pounding sound of a galloping horse, and before they could move apart, a brown mare appeared next to them, Shane perched on her back.
“Thought it was you two! Not many, if any, gay couples around here than I know of, who’d risk a cuddle in broad daylight, in public, in the most popular section of Hazelwood.”
Kevin chuckled, remember their earlier events, while Mark blushed a bright red colour, hiding his head in his hands.
Shane laughed, “By the look on both your faces, I’m glad I didn’t ride past earlier! But seriously guys, you need to be careful, I could’ve been anyone!”
Both Mark and Kevin nodded, they knew that, knew how careful they had to be, but it was hard, hiding a love so strong, when all Mark wanted to do was shout it from the rooftops that he was in love with another man.
Louis would love that.
“Here, Mam wanted me to deliver this”
Shane was holding out a brightly coloured enveloped, of which Mark had a sneaky suspicion that he knew what it held.
Seeing Mark wasn’t in a hurry to take it, Kevin accepted it, before turning his attention to the horse.
“She’s beautiful Shane, is she yours?”
Shane smiled widely, “One of, yes! She’s one of our best jumpers, and fantastic to ride. Feels like you’re flying when she gets going.”
Reaching out, Kevin rubbed her between the ears, “One of? How many you got?”
Shane cocked his head on the side, “Last count, 90 I think.”
Kevin’s eyes went wide, “Bloody hell! Can I come round at some stage? I love horses!”
Shane nodded, “Sure, we can go out for a ride if you want, show you Sligo from horseback.”
Kevin grinned, and gave the horse once last pat, smiling happily at Shane, “Thanks, that’ll be great.”
With a final wave, Shane turned the horse around, clicking his tongue to it, urging it faster.
Kevin turned back to Mark, “Didn’t know Shane was a horseman, you should’ve told me!”
Mark shrugged and snatched the envelope out of Kevin’s hand, turning on his heel before stalking back across the field towards the house.
Shocked, Kevin just stood there for a moment, before hurrying after him.
“Mark! Wait up! What’s wrong?”
Reaching him, Kevin grabbed Mark’s arm, and spun him around.
“Mark?”
But Mark refused to look at him, keeping his blue eyes firmly fixed on the ground.
It suddenly clicked in Kevin’s head what was wrong.
“You’re jealous! Jealous cause Shane talked to me and offered to take me horse riding instead of you. Honestly Mark, you’re being silly! I love you remember, you and only you.”
Sheepishly, Mark looked at him, blushing a bit, “Sorry, but, it was stupid, I couldn’t help it!”
Kevin laughed, and looked around, before hugging Mark quickly, risking a quick kiss.
“C’mon, let’s go and give this to your Mam, mind you, I have a feeling it’s gonna be the Spanish Inquisition when she sees us! Now first one to the back door gets the first shower…go!”
Kevin raced off, Mark following a split second later, yelling out as he ran, “That’s so not fair, you got a head start!”