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Even though it was the height of summer, they were going through an area of good graze and ahead of schedule. So Gil had agreed to let Wishbone put together a July 4th party. Wish had put together a special meal, barbecuing a side of beef and coal roasting potatoes. The men even got a slug of whiskey in their coffee. They didn’t have fireworks, and couldn’t have them anyway near the cattle. But it was still a good July 4th.
Gil leant against the wagon, finishing his coffee. The rest of the drovers were either finishing off the food or singing and dancing along to the tune of Pete’s guitar and Toothless’s harmonica.
Gil brought his hand up and touched the blue bandana around his neck, smiling fondly. At the last mail stop a week or so ago, Gil had gotten a parcel from home along with the usual letters. It was birthday gifts from his family. Eleanor had sent a small photograph of the three of them, the picture a little blurry because, as Eleanor explained in her letter, Maggie had started to giggle from trying to keep a straight face and that had set Gillian off too. Gil loved it even more for that detail. Maggie had sent him a knife with a leather sheath and she’d carved his initials into the handle. In her letter, she’d said how she and Gillian had wanted to get him things he could use since they knew he couldn’t take many belongings with him. Gil could just imagine Eleanor’s reaction to little Maggie buying a knife. The bandana he now wore was from Gillian. It was blue with a darker blue print that reminded Gil of leaves or feathers. It was a good quality fabric and the edges had been meticulously hand stitched by Gillian. Gil thought it was too nice and special to be messed up by dust and sweat on the trail. He’d keep it for times like tonight.
Only a few people new today was his birthday. Of the one's here, only Pete, Wish and Rowdy knew. He preferred it that way. He never liked or wanted a lot of attention on himself.
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The party had wound down. Everyone had settled into wherever they were spending the night. A new shift had taken over nighthawk and quiet had settled over the camp, broken only by someone softly playing with the guitar and the crackle of firewood.
Rowdy, who Gil’d seen come out of a nearby clump of trees a while ago, tugged gently on Gil’s sleeve, “C’mon.” he whispered.
Gil followed Rowdy into the treeline a ways to where Rowdy had spread out a blanket under one of the trees. They were close enough to camp to hear if they were needed, but far enough away to have privacy. Moonlight falling through the tree branches gave enough light to see.
Gil sat down on the blanket and leant against the tree trunk, watching as Rowdy fished something from under the blankets edge.
Rowdy moved to sit in front of Gil and held out a paper candy bag, “Happy birthday, Gil.”
Gil smiled at Rowdy and took the offered gift, “When did you get this?”
“Last week in town. I hid them in the chuck wagon, hoped they wouldn’t melt to much. They kind melted together in places though, but if you break ‘em they’re alright still.”
Gil opened the bag and broke off a chunk of the chocolate, quickly popping the piece into his mouth.
Rowdy grinned at how just how young Gil looked in that moment.
“What’r’ya grinnin’ at?” Gil asked around the mouthful, which only made Rowdy’s smile widen.
“Nothin’. Just love you.”
Gil watched his boyfriend’s beautiful smile for a moment, before he reached out, gently cupping the back of Rowdy’s head and pulled him close for a kiss.
Rowdy moved himself closer, sinking into a kiss that tasted like coffee, whisky and chocolate and made his head spin.
By the time the kiss broke for want of air, they were tangled up together, holding each other close.
Rowdy gazed lovingly into Gil’s blue-brown eyes, “Enjoy your birthday, Sweetheart?”
“Was wonderful.” Gil answered. His hands slid up under Rowdy’s shirt, “And it’s about to get even better.”