Hayloft!?

“Good mornin’ Ladies,” Tal said, smiling at the two detectives that showed up at his gate that morning. Neither of the girls were impressed with him. Tal’s smile stayed, though. “What can I do ya for on this fine day?”

“We’re looking for a man of the name Douglas Dimmadome.” The first woman, Monet, said. She stared at him with a scowl. “Do you happen to know him?”

Tal shook his head.

“Never heard a man like that in my life.” Tal said, his smile fading a little. Monet looked to the other. The second woman, Loreli, furrowed her brows.

“The jig is up, Tallahassee. We know you’re hiding him. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll step aside and let us take a look around.” She said. Tal’s smile faded completely. He furrowed his brows, and scowled.

“Now you listen here, lady.” Tal said, shoving his finger past the property line to point at Loreli’s chest. “This is my property, and unless you see a ‘Dog Dimmydome’ in your line of sight, you best be on your way. You’re gonna be waiting for me to ‘step aside’ for a long while.”

Loreli narrowed her eyes. When Tal didn’t bend for her, she scowled further and glanced to Monet. The two of them turned around.

“Fine. Have it your way, Mr. Callihan. You should expect a search warrant soon.” They snipped, and went on their way. Tal smiled, and watched them leave.

--

“Where’s my honey pie?” Tal said, closing the barn door behind him. Doug snickered from the loft.

“Up here. You really chased ‘em off, didn’t you?” Doug said, listening to Tal walk up the narrow steps. He held out his hand to help Tal onto the loft. “Good work, sugar.”

Tal blushed a little and chuckled. The loft was cramped, and Doug couldn’t stand up in it completely. Doug was laying on the piles of hay, his hat laying beside him. Tal let Doug’s hand lead him into his lap.

“You look naked without that.” Tal said, gesturing to his hat. Doug humphed, and Tal knew that he’d be rolling his eyes if he had them.

“I bet you like that.” He said, scowling. Tal smiled, and ran his hands through Doug’s hair.

“Very. You look dashing like this, y’know. You should take it off more often.”

“You’re just sayin’ that.” Doug shook his head, but Tal saw the start of a smile on his face. “I’m prolly lookin old and rotten these days. I’ve prolly got hat-hair, too.” Doug listened to Tal’s snicker, letting his smile grow.

“Very. Your hair is stickin’ out everywhere and you’ve got wrinkles all over ya.” Tal said. “Y’know. Dashing.” Doug let his hands rest on Tal’s waist, and the smaller cowboy leaned in. Tal kissed him, and Doug kissed him back.

Doug felt lightheaded, high off of kissin’ on his husband. Up there, in the hayloft, it felt safe. Safe to love, safe to smile, safe to snuggle and safe to laugh with his husband without a care in the world.

Tal pulled away, getting a good look at the dumb, small, lopsided smile on Doug’s face. He ran his thumb along Doug’s facial hair.

“We should celebrate another job well-done. Whatcha want for dinner, baby?” Tal said, lacing his fingers behind Doug’s head. Doug kissed Tal’s cheek again, and hummed.

“We’ve gotta use up that pie crust.” Doug said.

“Sounds like a plan.”

---

Jimmy walked in on his dads baking. The kitchen radio was blaring Doug’s music, and pots and pans were all over. Doug was behind Tal, holding his hands and helping him roll out the dough. Doug was swaying a little to the music, and it was making Tal laugh. Eugh. Jimmy quickly escaped before the two could notice.