#diego sky

It had been casual fun. No strings attached - until it wasn't. Catching feelings was never a part of the 'deal' - of this 'friends with benefits' situation, but as clichè as it sounded, it happened. At least for you. Diego, though, he needed a long moment to come around. Almost a month, to be precise. He pushed you away. Said he wasn't the type for a relationship - or so he thought.

Eventually, he came around - and now, almost five years later, it was astonishing what this fuck-buddy turned romantic relationship had brought the both your way.

Love, like you never experienced before. Trust, so deeply rooted like the roots of a thousand year old tree - and a child. An unplanned miracle...

"No, buddy, look again. You have to do it like that." Diego's voice was the first thing you heard as you shut the door to your car; coming home from an early shift at the little diner you worked in in town. The soft breeze rustled your dress as your eyes searched for your long-term partner in crime - for your favourite cowboy. It wasn't super hot today - luckily. Rather pleasantly warm.

It didn't take you long to find Diego and your now four-year-old son. They were standing across the yard; throwing stones at empty cans which Diego had placed on the wooden fence lining the 'garden'. Both your men were wearing a cowboy hat - naturally. Like father like son, or so they say. While your partner was sporting his ranger gear, your son wore a t-shirt and shorts.

"Look," the man said again and tossed a stone at a can - hitting it perfectly and causing it to fall from the fence. Frankie was next. The boy picked up a stone as well and tried to mimic his dad and threw the stone - missing by a few inches. "Good. That was closer. You're getting better, buddy."

You crossed your arms over your chest and watched them for a moment with a smile on your face. You called it shooting practice without a gun - yet, since the boy was definitely way too young for that. Diego called it can knockdown - a term he would never hear the end of it from you because the both of you knew exactly that it was shooting practice in disguise.

"Can knockdown again, huh?" You finally spoke up; successfully drawing both your men's attention.

"Mommy!" Frankie smiled that cute smile you loved so much and ran over to you - arms open. You crouched down and opened your arms for the little boy as well; embracing him in a big hug. "Kept your daddy on his feet, huh, young man?" He nodded and took a step back - still smiling, but now rather boyish. You giggled and slightly adjusted the cowboy hat on his head; tucking a loose strand of brownish hair out of his face. "Can I play outside some more, mommy - or do I have to go inside?" Frankie asked then – clearly being a little adventurer and definitely with ants in his pants. "Of course," you nodded. "As long as it doesn't get too hot outside." Your son nodded and stormed off.

Diego had watched the both of you; leaning against the fence with his hands shoven in the pockets of his pants. Now that Frankie was 'out of his reach', he lit himself a cigarette. You shifted your attention from your son to your partner. Walking over with a smile, you wanted to greet him properly as well.

"Hey, cowboy," you called him by the nickname he held since day one. Since you saw him all those years ago in that bar, wearing the same cowboy hat he was wearing today. Placing both your hands on his chest, you leaned into him. Diego blew smoke out of his mouth before he turned his face to kiss you; one hand still in his pocket while the other held his cigarette. "Hey, starlight." The scruff on his chin and cheeks slightly scratched your skin as his lips found yours a second time.

"Good day at work?" You nodded; watching Frankie out of the corner of your eyes. "Not much going on. Weather's too warm, I guess." "Mhm," Diego huffed out and took another drag of his cigarette. "Not gonna count for me. Got always something to do." Your expression shifted into sympathy. "I know, handsome, I-"

"Mommy, daddy, look! I found a friend for Bob!" Frankie interrupted you excitedly and caused you to turn around - and what you saw left you a little shocked. You would've lied if you said it wasn't shocking. It wasn't another Iguana like Bob is Frankie was holding, no... Your son held a snake in his hands.

A fucking snake.

"Frankie," you started - still a little overwhelmed and honestly also quite a bit scraed, 'cause it was a snake after all. Yes, it wasn't the first snake you encountered in your life. Especially since you lived with Diego, but snakes could be dangerous after all - and you were anything but a snake expert.

"That's a... freaking snake!"

Your son smiled triumphantly. "I know! Cool, right?!"

You blinked and looked appalled - seeking help and gazed behind you at Diego, who had a hard time to stop himself from laughing. "It's a California kingsnake. Harmless," he mouthed at you with a suppressed smile.

"Can we keep him, mommy? I'm going to name him... Bill! Bobby and Billy!" You sighed and inhaled deeply and slowly moved forward to crouch down again to be on Frankie's eye-level.

"Baby... I don't think Bob would like a snake as a buddy, to be honest. I think you should rather find another Bob for him." Frankie looked at you a little disappointed, but then shrugged his small shoulders, "Oh, 'kay, mommy." and gave in easier than you anticipated. He swiftly turned to bring the California kingsnake back to where he found it.

You turned back around to look at your partner again; still kinda shocked. And Diego? He just grinned. "Bob wouldn't like to have a snake as a friend, or you, starlight?" Diego teased you. Your answer was throwing him a death glare. The ranger just cracked a small laugh - and quickly reeled you in his arms once more.

"We created that," you said with a smile; shaking your head and vaguely gestured at Frankie across the yard with the hand that wasn't resting on his shoulders.

Diego huffed out another laugh. "Yeah, we did."