Pinky ducked back into the cage, hiding behind the wheel, which didn't offer any coverage at all, and removed his cape and mask. Tossing them back into his suitcase, Pinky smiled at his husband and waved. "Hi, Brain! Poit."

"Hello, Pinky." Brain slid off the bed, holding onto the blankets to keep from falling entirely, and strode towards the cage. He grabbed a small bag, managing to shove a credit card that shouldn't actually fit into it. It joined money already stowed away inside and a few other things that would make them look more like tourists if need be. Also shoved inside were their ridiculously patterned swim suits since they were off to swim and the bag was handed to Pinky to carry.

Pinky hugged it tightly, then slung it over his shoulders. He was practically bouncing with excitement. "We're gonna see the fishies!" he sing-songed, giving a little twirl. "Oh, remember to put on sunscreen, Brain. Don't want to be all angry-cherry-red and ouchie."

"We will once we make it on the boat, Pinky. There's sunscreen in the bag." Brain turned on his heel and started off. "Come, Pinky."

"'Kay!" Pinky skipped after him, latching onto his arm. After a quick nuzzle, he released him to go open the door. The hotel service was kind enough to hail them a taxi, though Pinky was on the receiving end of a withering look from one of the staff members, the one who brought them breakfast. Pinky's ears drooped and he tried to hide behind the bag he was carrying. Why was he still so upset? Did he not want to be thanked for bringing them food? It bothered him only for a little while though, because a cab pulled up for them shortly after.

Brain, however, lifted a brow at the offending human. Why on earth would he have cause to be annoyed at Pinky? With a similar look of his own aimed at the hotel worker, he leapt from the service counter and grasped Pinky's hand firmly to lead him out.

Holding onto Brain's hand tightly, Pinky followed into the cab and helped give instructions on where they were to go. Although he wasn't much help, basically saying "to go swim with the fish" so left Brain with most of the work. But at least he got a bop out of it! He looked out the window for most of the drive, taking in all the sights. A lot of people were wearing funny shirts, so Pinky decided he wanted one too.

Brain gazed out the window as well, though his mind was more on whether or not they could use this place as a location for a future world domination ploy. He wouldn't mind returning. It was a lovely enough locale, despite all the tourists and their penchant for constantly taking photographs. Vaguely, he wished digital cameras had never come along. He had a plan involving old film in the back of his mind that would be next to impossible with modern technology. Hm. Perhaps on their next visit they could create custom Hawaiian shirts. And by custom, he meant designed with a subliminal message. No one could resist free t-shirts, even free ugly ones.

"Can we get some of those lovely shirts, Brain? Please?" Pinky asked as he leaned back from practically being plastered to the window to make big, pleading eyes at his husband. Point made. He wanted the ugly ones even before they were free.

Brain sighed. "I suppose they won't hurt anything, and we have a bit of extra time. Alright. You can locate a postcard to send to the Lab as well."

"Hooray!" He threw his hands in the air before reattaching himself to the window. The ocean was so blue! And so was the sky! And he couldn't forget the nice shade of green the bushes and trees were. All the colors were simply beautiful here. Pinky hugged himself in excitement as the cab pulled up alongside the curb. "Oh, oh, oh, troz! Are we here, Brain?"

"Yes, yes, we're here." Brain helped Pinky get the door open before passing a few bills to the driver and getting an irritable mutter for his minimal tip. Brain scowled and exited the vehicle. "The tips people expect are ridiculous," he grumbled. "They're already paid their wages."

Pinky hopped out after him. "Oh, but he did need one for his hair, Brain. You should've told him that because of his high-brow he shouldn't have a comb-over. Just makes the whole thing quite obvious, really. And he should use a different shampoo, one for dandruff. Oh, but that's more than one tip, isn't it? Zort."

"No, Pinky, a tip is money you give certain people in the service industry on top of their normal wages. Cab drivers or waitresses or... delivery people, for instance."

"Delivery people?" Pinky swallowed nervously, toying with the strap of the bag. "Like people who bring you things when you ask? Poit."

He was too busy paying attention to rushing tourists and avoiding getting trampled on to pay attention to the expression on his face, grabbing Pinky's wrist to drag him along. "That is what delivery people are, yes."

He followed obediently, though he now realized why that hotel person was so grumpy with him. "Are you always supposed to give them money?" he asked, completely disregarding the traffic around them.

"If they do a decent job, yes. It's considered the polite thing to do. Those who don't are considered rude." He scowled, mind going back to the cab driver. "Though there are always those who are never satisfied with what they do get."

Egad! He was rude! "Oh no, Brain! When we get back to the hotel, we have to give tips to that grumpy hotel man! He brought us the breakfast and I don't want to be rude!" he wailed, tugging on his husband's hand. "Rude people are intolerant!"

"Or ignorant, in your case." Brain shoved open the door to the gift shop they came across, ignoring the tugging. Though now he understood why the human had been so annoyed... and why they still had cash in his bag. "Fine, Pinky. Once we return, we'll find him and you can explain that you simply didn't know." No need having hotel staff spit in their food. Ugh.

Pinky breathed out a sigh of relief. Oh, good. Being rude was one of the worst things a person could be. Right up there with birthday party clowns because they enslaved the balloon people. Circus clowns were fine, but not those birthday ones. "Thank you, Brain!" He gave his arm a hug and with his worries soothed, he took the time to look around the shop. "Oooh... wow." So many more colorful things!

"Yes, wow." Though the smaller mouse was much less enthused than his husband. What sort of fool would pay money for half of these ridiculous things?

Releasing Brain's hand to go exploring, Pinky hopped onto the shelf with the Hawaiian Beach Darbie and Ben sets. "This one would look good on you, Brain!" he suggested, holding up a package containing a dark blue shirt with little orange and red triangles on it. Most of the others had flowers, which were lovely and he was definitely going to take one, but his husband was not much of a flower person. Though he would look cute all grumbly and flowerful.

None of them would look good on anyone, but after a brief survey of the other offerings, Brain nodded. He took the package, ears flattening with a check of the price. They were going to have to come back there just so he would have a reason to wear the ugly thing for more than just this week. And he had to buy two of them. Ugh. "Alright. Pick one for yourself."

"Oh, but there are so many lovely shirts from which to choose!" Pinky tapped his chin thoughtfully. Not really, there were only three other varieties of shirts. But he couldn't decide if he liked the turquoise one with purple flowers or the pink one with yellow flowers. Then his decision was made. He saw it hiding in the back. Gasping quietly, he clutched the package close then held it out to admire it. It was the loveliest shade of green he'd ever seen, and it had all the colors in all the flowers! Light blue like his eyes, and red and orange and purple and oh! It was the best shirt ever! "This one!"

Of course that one. He couldn't go for one of the other ugly ones because they were too simple. But Brain only sighed and gave him a pat since the shirt seemed to thrill him. "Excellent choice," he monotoned. "The postcards are over here. Come along."

Humming happily, Pinky practically danced over to the postcards, waving the package in the air. Oh, fun-fun silly-willy, the cards were on one of those carousel thingies! He gave it a spin and giggled, though stopped it when he got a look from the clerk and pretended he'd been searching for a specific card. When she looked away, he spun it again. "Troz! Okay, which card, Brain? We've gotta decide together because we're a married. Oh! Dolphin!" He plucked out one of a dolphin, oh it was so cute. Cici would like a dolphin card! Oh, wait, that wasn't a dolphin. It was a seahorse.

Brain scanned the rack, climbing up the side to try and locate a dolphin one. He plucked one out of the holder, blushed a little because the one right beneath it was of a hula dancer, and showed the dolphin postcard to his husband. "This is a dolphin, Pinky."

"Right, Brain," he giggled, stashing the sea horse, which was actually a swordfish, back in the card holder. "Do you think we should get them a dolphin card? Poit."

"It's a photograph of an aquatic mammal in the water and says 'Greetings from Maui' on the back. That's good enough if you like it, Pinky."

"Narf!" Pinky nodded and reached up for it. "Yes please, Brain!"

Brain dropped it to him and climbed down, brushing himself off and plucking up the package that held his shirt. "Good. Now let's pay so you can swim with the fish. We don't want to be late."

"Fishy fishy fishy!" Pinky sang as he skipped over to the cash register. He handed over his shirt, then dug through the bag to pull out the magic credit card, or it could've been a magic bag, Pinky didn't really mind which was it as long as something was magic. "Oh, can I put it through the swipey thingy? Please, Brain?" He pointed to the pin pad, hopping from foot to foot.

Taking the card, he turned it the correct way and handed it back. "Swipe it through just like that, Pinky."

"Do you need a bag?" the cashier asked.

"No." When she gave them the price, Brain gave Pinky a wave. "Alright, swipe it now."

Pinky watched the arrows light up all pretty and blue, then slid the card down the side. "Hooray!" The screen started doing funny things, so he hit the green button. "Yes!" Because green means go! As in "go to the fishes"!

"Pinky, don't push buttons." Brain climbed onto the pin pad, scowling at the screen and then at the cashier when she said there was a pin number error. He knew that. He could read. When the screen returned to normal, he inputted the four digits that had to be changed regularly thanks to Pinky's fascination with reBay. "Alright, now you can push the green."

Nodding, tongue poking out the side of his mouth, Pinky hit it again. "Go! Zort!" When the receipt started printing, he clapped his hands together. "I win!"

"Yes, congratulations." Brain took the postcard and receipt, shoving them in the small bag with the credit card. Their shirts they would open at the trash can near the door. "Come, Pinky." He gave him the bag and leapt off the counter with the shirt packages.

He couldn't wait to get to the trashcan, opening the package as he walked behind Brain. "Naaaaaarf," he admired, tossing the empty box in the garbage and holding out the shirt. Pinky undid the velcro, then slipped it on. A perfect fit! "Brain, Brain! Don't I look fetching?" He giggled, turning around to show off the shirt, striking a couple of runway model poses.

After prying open his own, he glanced up. It was still a rather hideous shirt, but Pinky was so thrilled with it, it somehow became easier to bear. "You look fine, Pinky." He pulled on his own shirt, smoothing it down with a small hum. At least they looked like tourists now.

Pinky clasped his hands together next to his cheek. "Oh, Brain, you look lovely!" He batted his lashes and laughed. So spirited! Skipping out the door, he grabbed onto Brain's hand to drag him out with him. "Which way to the fishies, Brain? Snork!"

Losing his footing with the exuberant skipping, Brain was bounced along. It wasn't until Pinky stopped that he could pull himself up and brush himself off, getting his bearings. He looked around, frowning and beginning to regret leaving the hotel room at all. "This way." He gestured and started off, hands clasped behind his back. "Come along, my dear."

"Ummm... who are you talking to, Brain?" Blue eyes blinked curiously, looked one way then another. He scratched his head, then it dawned on him. "Poit. Oh, do you mean me?" Pinky pointed at himself, rocking back on his heels.

Brain looked back, the blush detracting from his scowl. "Of course I mean you, you imbecile."

Hands going to his cheeks, his eyes grew wide. He liked that, yes he did. Hugging himself once again, Pinky hurried after his husband, sporting a delighted blush on his cheeks as well. "Oh, Brain!" Was all he seemed capable of saying, all a-flutter inside. He never called him that in public!

"Well." Tongue-tied, as embarrassed by his slip as he was Pinky's delight in it, Brain just reached out to take a hold of his wrist, grabbed his hand instead, and didn't bother to make the adjustment as he led Pinky towards the shack that made him doubt the company's reputation after all.

Pinky laced their fingers together, rather pleased by this turn of events. The snorkeling place looked exciting, like a place Super Mouse would go to all incognito-like and borrow a boat to go save the sea lions and sea tigers and sea bears. Oh my! There was a little dock! It was adorable! They entered the shack, heading for the counter where it said to confirm reservations and pick up the snorkeling gear. "Snork!"

It was irritating to learn that the previous tour was running behind schedule, more irritating that he and Pinky were going to have to share a mask. But at least he could comfort himself with the knowledge that he would be able to keep Pinky out of trouble if they stayed close together. They went to the dock, awaiting the little boat. There would be room for them to change into their swimsuits aboard there, but Brain opened the bag and dug through it, pulling out a small bottle of sunscreen.

"Oh, good idea, Brain! So we don't burny-burn up like bacon," Pinky remarked, holding onto the mask they would share. Sharing was so much fun when you were married!

"Exactly." Brain poured a small amount into his hand, rubbing his palms together before gesturing at Pinky to bend down. He took his hands carefully over the taller mouse's face when his husband bent down. "That silly hat of yours will fly off under the water, but you can wear it on the boat."

"It's not silly, Brain, it's fun-fun!" Pinky laughed, nuzzling Brain's hands. The lotion felt all smooth and nice on his fur. "I'll put it in the bag with our shirts when we go underwater," he agreed nonetheless.

"Good." Brain smoothed down Pinky's ears, getting the last of the sunscreen off his hands. He dug into the bag to retrieve the cap, fitting it snugly atop his husband's head. It was silly, but it was also acceptable because Pinky managed to look adorable in it anyway. "There."

Pinky wrapped his arms around his head with a happy little noise. When he was done, he reached for the sunscreen so he could return the favor. Brain's head was quite large and chubby, so it needed a bit more sunscreen and extra protection. He didn't want his head to be all sad if it got burned. "Your turn, Brain," he told him as he started rubbing the lotion around the top of his head.

Brain closed his eyes, letting Pinky do as he liked. He would rather not get a sunburn himself, really, disliking the thought of spending the rest of his honeymoon in pain.

His hands trailed down to get the back of his ears and neck, gently massaging until he came around for his face. Pinky stuck his tongue out in concentration, not wanting to accidentally get the sunscreen in his eyes, despite them being closed. He thumbed along his cheeks, resting his hands there a minute after he was finished, then leaned in for a quick kiss before releasing him. "All done!"

He blushed deeply at the kiss. They were in public. "Well, that's..." He cleared his throat. "Thank you, Pinky."

Pinky simply smiled at him. He liked when his face got that kind of red. Glancing over at the edge of the dock, his excitement grew when he saw the boat approaching. "Oh, look, Brain! It's almost here! Snork!"

"Wonderful." Brain tucked the sunscreen bottle bag into the bag and folded his arms across his chest, cheeks still burning. The blush hadn't faded when the boat finally docked, but Brain latched onto Pinky's hand to keep them from getting separated while the previous passengers, some redder than others, made their way off the boat.

"Blushy," Pinky giggled, poking one of Brain's reddy-red cheeks while giving his hand a squeeze. When the last of the passengers got off, he led his husband onto the boat, unable to wait any longer. He took them straight to the bow, wanting to look out at the water.

Brain gazed out at the water, resisting the foolish urge to lean against his husband because they were in public and he was listening to the tour guide explain what a "fun time" they'd be having. Oh, joy...

Pinky listened, rapt with attention for once. "Naaaaaarf." He tugged Brain into his side and held on. "We gotta stay close together, Brain, or you could get lost in the water." Despite that they weren't even ready to get in the water yet. Never hurt to be too careful, and Pinky would never object to more contact with him.

"Pinky, we're going to be sharing a mask. I highly doubt either of us will be able to get lost." But Brain didn't bother wriggling away from him. "Now come along so we can change and I'll finish putting sunscreen on you."

"'Kay!" The pair of mice entered one of the dressing rooms available for the passengers to use. Pinky wasted no time undoing the velcro of his special new Hawaiian shirt. He folded it up lovingly, with the promise that he'd get to wear it again later.

Brain tugged his off without preamble and just shoved it in the bag, exchanging it for two pairs of swim trunks. The two-piece he noticed had his eyes rolling until he actually pictured Pinky in it. Hm. He'd just have to keep that in mind for later. If they filled up the bathtub in their room, they'd have a private pool after all. He retrieved the sunscreen again as well before plucking up Pinky's shirt and settling it into the bag with more gentleness than he'd shown his own ugly shirt.

Taking the more brightly colored of the two swim trunks, Pinky shimmied into it and adjusted it around his waist. He coated his hands in more sunscreen and rubbed them together. Sidling up beside Brain, he set his hands on his shoulders to start covering his back to keep it safe from the sun.

Brain looked over his shoulder, frowning slightly and forcing himself to ignore the warmth that wanted to spread through him at the touch. He did look adorably ridiculous in that hat. "When we're in the water, stay close to the tour guide. Alright? More than likely, you'll see the most fish around him as he's familiar with these waters."

"Right, Brain. Stay close to the tour guide." He nodded, moving around to put more lotion on his front. His chest and tummy needed to not burn either! His chubby tummy. He couldn't help it, the word came unbidden mentally and he giggled, wiping off the remaining sunscreen on his arms.

With a nod, Brain picked up the other pair of trunks and tugged them up. As the stronger swimmer between the two of them, Pinky would have to handle their directions. Brain imagined he would have to do a lot of poking and waving to get his companion's attention when he got distracted by... everything. He picked up the sunscreen and poured some into his hands, reaching up to Pinky's shoulders and getting his front first. "We should be fine as long as we don't get separated from the group."

"Poit. But what if the group isn't with the tour guide? Where should we go then?" he asked, trying not to squirm as Brain rubbed the lotion in. And what if neither were with the fish? Egad, that would be awful.

"Pinky, the group will stay with the tour guide automatically. I'm considering your attention span, or lack thereof. There'll be a lot of pretty things down there and I don't want either of us getting lost because you want to try and pet something."

"But what if it's a really, really pretty fish? Or a koala?" Pinky asked, blinking down at his husband.

"There will be no koalas in the water. They're marsupials." Shaking his head, Brain got more sunscreen onto his hands and walked around Pinky to work the sunscreen into his back. "And as long as we don't get separated, you can pet things." Or attempt. Brain had never bothered to do any research on this particular subject, but he was fairly certain one couldn't pet a fish. He was just as certain that his husband was going to give it a try, though.

Oh, well, that was disappointing. But at least there would still be the fish! Fishy fishy fishy... "Okay, Brain. No separation! Narf!" Although now he was wondering... "Where do koalas live then, Brain?"

"They typically live in Australia in trees. And, no, we can't walk to Australia. It's very far away," he explained, anticipating the next question. He pondered a moment before getting a little more sunscreen to coat Pinky's tail. It was arguably more sensitive to the sun than the rest of him, after all.

Drat. He'd been about to guess Canada or Switzerland. Even Liechtenstein. Oh well. Pinky was quickly distracted by the touch to his tail, giggling as it wiggled beneath Brain's hands. "Oh, I didn't do your crookedy tail, Brain," he said between laughs.

"You can do so in a moment," Brain grumbled. "Now get this thing under control, will you, so I can finish."

"Right, sorry, Brain." Pinky snatched his tail in one hand and gave it a firm shake. "Behave! Poit. Let Brain put the sunscreen on." He gave it a squeeze to show he meant business, then handed it back to his husband. "You just have to show it who's boss, Brain. It can be a very bad tail sometimes." One time he had to give it a time out because it kept getting in the way of his knitting practice.

Brain gave his husband a bland look before returning to finish putting on the sunscreen. "You are the only being I believe I've ever met who had difficulties with his own tail." And yet they were married. It gave Brain momentary pause, wondering just what that said about him. Hm. With a shake of his head, he turned around. "Alright, Pinky, apply the sunscreen and we'll go back to the deck."

"'Kay." He quickly rubbed it into the bendy, breaky tail. Brain's tail was perfectly well-behaved, it never moved except when it tried to wag all cute. "Well, that's just something you'll have to take up with my tail. Believe me, I know it'd be much easier if I had a tail that behaved itself. I try reasoning with it." As if knowing it was being talked about, it swished from side to side as if to mock him. "Okay, done for real now, Brain."

"Good." He capped the bottle and tucked it into the bag. "Now come." He handed the bag over and strode out of the dressing room, dragging the goggles they'd have to share behind him.

Pinky marched behind him, only dashing to be in front when they got back to the deck. He went over to the edge, peering over the side to look at the water. It was so clear and blue. And all the fishies were down there. "Snorkeling time, swimming with the fishies in the water on our honeymoon," he sang to the tune of "Closing Time".

Brain followed, resting a hand on Pinky's back that was ready to curl in and grip if he slipped. The water here was so different than it was in California. It was the same ocean, but... He hoped Pinky would enjoy this as much as he seemed prepared to, though he had little doubt that his husband would find something to enjoy even if it was wretched.

Eyes quite similar to the shade of the ocean they were admiring turned to focus on Brain. Pinky smiled at him and leaned away from the edge into his hand. "Are you excited, Brain?"

"I'm... intrigued," he offered. "It may very well be an interesting experience."

He nodded in agreement. "Oh, yes. Very interesting." Intrigued was a good word, a big one, but it didn't usually mean bad things. Pinky perked up when the tour guide started calling out to gather everyone together. It was starting! Oh, fun-fun silly-willy!


Skimmingsurfaces:

Egad! Something that's not "mature"! xDDDDDDD

What is it doing? What is this nonsense? Clearly it's frippery. That's the only explanation.

Just one thing... those Hawaiian shirts :heart: So ugly, yet so adorable lol.