Gladius, Zalan, Lydia, Riley, Jericho, Gemma, Juan, Turvi

@jenn2d2 @sorcerousadventurer @woundedsoul12 @sandcastlekings @serialsforbellara @zennihilation @davrinsleftpectoral

I have clearly been given too much power I had the entire harem in my possession so I did it except for Juan who I had to steal your screenshot of (heh heh replaced that with a better picture!)

Thanks to @hedwigoprah for special edition of A Word With Friends and @rookfest for the whole event.

Avocation

Noun

A calling away; a diversion.

A hobby or recreational or leisure pursuit.

That which calls one away from one's regular employment or vocation.

Pursuits; duties; affairs which occupy one's time; usual employment; vocation.

When Lydia packed for her trip to Texas, she thought it would be just a long vacation, a well-deserved break from her daily life, an avocation. She’d never thought that a city girl like her would find someone who would turn her world upside down.

When @woundedsoul12 posted about The Ranch I started looking for inspiration for Lydia and Riley, and stumbled upon an old pulp magazine publishing western romances. So I needed to make my own cover! Art without filters and textures under the cut, I liked it too much to not include it.

Jericho Mercar with @sandcastlekings

The Ranch Masterpost

Song: Night Train by Jason Aldean

It had been a hell of a day on the ranch. Damn storm took out a section of fence and the cows had gotten out. Again.

Riley had rounded the last one up about a mile away and drove it back after repairing the barbed wire. The sun was sinking low and he was aching all over as he put his horse in the barn for the night and headed to the big house.

He knew Jericho would be waiting, probably with a book in hand in his favorite corner chair and supper getting cold on the table. Not that Riley much minded. His hands were rough so Jer's could be smooth.

He shook off the dirt from his clothes and left his boots at the door as he stepped inside. He smiled as his boyfriend stood and walked over to greet him, a soft kiss exchanged between them as Riley quietly rumbled with contentment.

“It's been a long day, darlin. I was thinking after dinner we could head out for a bit. Wanted to spend a little time just me and you.”

“Of course,” Jer smiled as his fingers traced the stubble of Riley's jaw. “Whatever you have in mind, I'm up for it as long as I'm with you.”

One more kiss was shared before Riley headed off to get cleaned up and eat. He had plans, and nothing was going to keep him from enjoying them with the man he loved.

*****

They climb into the cab of Riley's old pickup, the radio turned up just enough to drown out the silence as his arm lounged casually behind Jericho's shoulders. They drove the back roads for a while talking of everything and nothing at all.

This was living. This was peace. Jer slowly inched closer as they headed out further into the county, finding the old dirt trail even few locals knew about.

Riley pulled off and killed the engine, grabbing the blanket behind the seat as he leaned over and nuzzled his face in the crook of his boyfriend's neck.

“Come on darlin. Let's go see how many stars we can count, and see what other trouble we can get up to.”

They laid out under the cloudy Texas sky, the faint whistle of the distant train and the quiet hum of the radio blending in perfectly with the crickets singing their nightly chorus. Jericho's head was nestled against Riley's broad chest, the Qunari's nose pressed into his lover's hair as he softly inhaled.

“You know I'm a damn lucky man. Never thought I deserved something like this… someone like you.”

Jer just chuckled before he playfully swatted Riley's arm. There was a blush to his cheeks as he gazed up into the Qunari’s mismatched irises, something tender passing in the space between them before he reached up and cupped Riley's cheek.

“Nah I'm the lucky one. But maybe this time we can agree to disagree.”