Work Text:
Etho and Bdubs walk around the state fair.
Etho had decided to take his boyfriend on a date to a surprise place.
Bdubs had never been to a fair, and was loving it.
The white haired boy bought them some fried dough and they went and looked at the cows, then went to the sheep barn.
The brunet was loving every minute of this.
Etho even watched as he struck up a conversation with one of the teenagers showing their animals, talking about their sheep, asking questions, his big smile never faltering.
The teen he was talking to answered every question happily and even let Bdubs pet his sheep.
After a quick trip to the bathroom to wash their hands, the two nineteen year olds were on their way to the ‘secret’ part of the date.
As they walk, Etho hears a horse bay from one of the barns.
Bdubs’ face lights up, “They have a horse barn Etho!” he says, “Can we go look at the horses!?”
“Of course.” Etho says.
Bdubs looks like he just stepped into heaven as he looks around the barn.
Stall after stall has horses of all different breeds.
Bdubs could just die on the spot.
He runs over to the first horse, a big smile on his face.
Etho is behind him, walking over.
Bdubs points to a sign, “This one’s name is Graccie, look at her Etho.” Bdubs says, “She looks so strong and beautiful."
The horse bobs her head up and down, naying before sticking her nose between the bars for a treat, “Sorry, I don’t have anything you can eat.” Bdubs chuckles.
A teen girl in boots, jeans, a tee shirt, and a cowboy hat walks up to them, “Is Graccie here giving you guys trouble for food?”
Bdubs chuckles, “Now, I just don’t have anything she could have.”
“You want to give her some sugar cubes?” the girl asks, pulling a sandwich bag of the small white cubes from her pocket.
The horse nickers, trying to get to the bag of cubes.
Bdubs smiled, “Yes.”
The girl gives him a sugar cube and hands one to Etho.
“So, what brings you to the fair?” the girl asks Etho as Bdubs feeds his cube to the horse, petting her nose when she eats it.
“Date.” Etho says, “Bdubs adores horses.”
“Ah, that’s cute.” The girl says, “My girlfriend is competing in light horses, she loves dogs.” The girl says, “That’s for the date idea.”
“No trouble." Etho says, before letting Graccie eat the cube from his hand.
They go around, looking at more animals.
The duo goes around to every horse, it takes about two hours, but two hours well spent in Etho’s opinion.
After that, they go wash their hands, Etho buys them some burgers and fries for dinner and then they head to the colosseum to eat in the stadium seats.
As they walk in, Bdubs’ eyes land on the dirt floor of the entire track, and he looks like he’s going to burst with joy, “Is this a horse show?”
Etho nods, “We have to be quiet so we don’t spook them.”
Bdubs nods, he knows that, but a reminder is always good.
They find a seat just in time.
The next group of horses is about to go out, the track is full of obstacles to jump.
They watch the horse shop as they eat.
Bdubs will occasionally whisper to Etho fun facts about the horses’ breeds, mindful of the easily spooked animals.
They even see the girl from earlier, riding Graccie.
The duo watches as the horse flies over the obstacles with grace.
Bdubs and Etho sit and wait for the results to be tallied up.
The blue ribbon is taken home by the girl and Graccie.
After the show, they sit and watch more horse competitions, Bdubs loving every minute of it.
After all the horse competitions for the day are over, Bdubs and Etho finally leave the coliseum.
It’s dark, the fair is almost over for the day.
Etho and Bdubs walk through the fair and back to Etho’s car.
Etho and Bdubs get into the front seat.
Bdubs kisses Etho, “Thank you.” he says, “I loved that so much!"
“You're welcome.” Etho smiles, “I knew you would love that, I’m glad you had fun.