Sam couldn’t stop his grin. Something about Tally’s assumption that Sam would just drop his plans and take him to the park was endearing.
But then Sam realized he had kind of offered and then it dawned on him that some part of him had already decided that dropping everything and taking Tally to the park was exactly what he was going to do. He sighed in surrender. It had been ages since he had enjoyed a walk in the park.
“Come on then,” he said.
Chapter 5
Thesunwasout,trying its best to warm the early spring air.
The park was busy. Full of people desperate to soak in the first glimpse of winter releasing its hold. There were families, dogs, people playing frisbee, as well as joggers and cyclists.
Tally stood next to Sam at the entrance of the park. His pink hair and borrowed coat vivid in the afternoon light.
His blue eyes were huge.
“Everything alright?” asked Sam, feeling bemused by Tally’s reaction.
Suddenly Tally grabbed his arm and looked up at him, his eyes full of exuberance.
“This place is so beautiful! Thank you so much for bringing me here!” His grin was full of glee.
Sam smiled and cast his eye around the park again. He supposed it was quite a nice park, but that was all it was. A standard inner city park. Grass, trees, some flower beds. A scattering of winding paths.
He shook his head in puzzlement. “Come on, the river is this way.”
Tally didn’t let go of his arm and Sam realized he didn’t mind. He normally wasn’t one for public shows of affection, and it wasn’t like Tally was his boyfriend or anything. But somehow, none of that mattered.
Tally gasped in delight when he saw the river. He let go of Sam’s arm to pull off his shoes and push up his trouser legs before walking down the embankment to the very edge of the river.
Sam eyed the mud and decided to stay where he was. He watched Tally walking along the river. The young man bent over and started investigating the plants. Seemingly oblivious to the mud he was getting coated in. Completely heedless of his bandages.
Sam sighed. Quite how he had ended up babysitting a crazy person was beyond him. He winced at his own thought. Calling Tally crazy, even in his own mind felt wrong.
The young man seemed really sweet, had obviously had a really shitty time, and just needed someone to be nice to him for a while. His delusions were harmless and if they really were going to get him clean, they were even positive. Crazy was a harsh thing to think.
Sam put his hands in his pockets and resigned himself to waiting.
Tally turned around, still bent over, and Sam suddenly had a magnificent view of his very nice ass. Sam pulled his gaze away in absolute horror. What the hell was wrong with him? Perving on a vulnerable young man was not acceptable. He was so much better than that.
Sam tried turning away and not looking at Tally at all, but then he was plagued by images of Tally falling into the river. So reluctantly he watched as Tally started pulling up weeds and bundling them in his arms.
Sam was just starting to get chilly from standing still when Tally clambered back up to him. A wide grin on his face. He picked up his shoes but made no move to put them on. Seemingly content to stroll through the park in muddy bare feet.
Sam strolled contently beside him, resigning himself to feeling constantly bemused in Tally’s presence.
Suddenly, a large slobbery dog ran over to them. Tally shrieked in delight, thrust his bundle of wet muddy weeds at Sam and dropped to his knees to fuss over the dog.
Sam gingerly held the soggy weeds. Two more dogs ran over and Tally fussed them all. Then one excitedly knocked him over and started licking his face. Tally just squirmed and giggled.
Sam chuckled. It was an utterly endearing sight. He loved all animals and seeing how enthralled Tally was warmed his heart.
The owners came over and retrieved their dogs and apologized. Tally just beamed at them. Even though he was obviously not well, with his face pale and drawn and dark circles under his eyes, he just exuded happiness. It was lovely to see.
He got to his feet but made no attempt to reclaim his weeds. Sam sighed and realized his coat sleeves were already wet and muddy, so it didn’t really matter.
He looked at Tally, bare foot, muddy, pink hair all messy and with a wide grin on his face and thought he had never seen anyone more beautiful.
Shocked at his thoughts, Sam steered his mind away from that path. He was offering Tally a place to stay whilst he got back on his feet. Nothing else was going to happen. It would be taking advantage and Sam was not that kind of creep.
