***Warnings: Yaoi, language

***Rating: PG-13

***Disclaimer: I do not own Free! This is for fun. Explicit scene is cut from this chapter for this site. Full chapter is posted on AO3.

Chapter 10

When Sousuke woke up, he found that he was smiling, and felt more rested than ever. His shoulder ached, but he realized he's been sleeping on it. A warm body spooned against his back, and he didn't have to look to know who it was. Sousuke remembered only a little of last night after he had stormed away from dinner. He had been so angry, frustrated, and thought he would lash out at Makoto. Instead, the undine soothed him to sleep. Sousuke shifted himself under the sheets to roll over and face Makoto, who is still sleeping.

Sousuke studied the angelic face resting peacefully upon his pillows and knew he wants Makoto beside him like this forever. If Makoto were a woman, and if Sousuke preferred women, then he would have married Makoto right here and now. If only it can be that simple. In the undine world, marriage dynamics were different. Sousuke had to assume that 'mating' is the undine term for marriage, and so far, Rin and Haru are to be mated, meaning they will marry. Sousuke cursed himself for being born a human.

"Sousuke?"

"Good morning, sleepy-head,"

Makoto opened his tired eyes and smiled. "Good morning. Did you sleep okay?"

"Like a baby," Sousuke leaned over to kiss Makoto's forehead. "Did you work some magic on me? I've never slept so soundly."

Makoto chuckled. "Maybe a little. You were upset last night. I couldn't stand to see you that way, so I soothed you. Comes with the healing magic."

"Have you ever been mean?" Sousuke teased.

Makoto poked Sousuke's nose. "That's not nice. But yes, I have been mean."

Sousuke snorted. "Do tell."

"Well, one time, I was so mad at Haru that we yelled at each other and I didn't let him sleep in my bed."

"You're a monster!"

Makoto just laughed. "See, I can be mean."

"But not often," Sousuke pointed out, then sat up with a mighty yawn. "I'm hungry." he scratched his lower back. "Should send for breakfast."

Makoto sat up with him. "I wonder how Rei and Nagisa made out last night. I didn't think about them at all because I was so focused on the dinner, and then we fell asleep."

"I'm sure they're fine. All the same, I'll send for them when I send for breakfast. Maybe we can have a picnic today. The four of us. We can go down to the shore and have a picnic on the sand."

"That's a great idea! Thank you, Sousuke!"

When breakfast arrived, so did Rei and Nagisa. Both of them were in high spirits, with Nagisa dressed in one of the new outfits, this one all purple, and adorning the many pearls and circlet Rei had bought for him. The rest of them were dressed simply, in either white, blue, or black. Nagisa is the one that stood out like a bright beacon of light. As they shared in breakfast, Nagisa told Makoto all about his horseback riding and what a great teacher Rei is. Rei added that Nagisa is a natural with animals, which is due to an undine's ability to become one with nature in a way humans cannot. Sousuke then asked if they would like to have a picnic on a beach, and they both accepted.

They were able to leave for the beach before Sousuke could get called away by his parents. Servants packed a large basket of food and a clean blanket. They took three horses, and Nagisa wanted to show Makoto how well he can ride. Makoto stated that he would instead ride with Sousuke than Nagisa, just in case. As they rode towards the beach, Makoto looked all around him, taking in the landscape of Sousuke's land. So many open fields. Makoto felt vulnerable being this exposed. He was used to the shelter of water and the walls of trees. As long as he is with Sousuke, he didn't have anything to fear, but it was still a little unnerving.

Makoto had a chance to look at the port with human men working on big ships. Fishing boats, Sousuke had called them. Sousuke's family pay these men to go out on the ocean and catch fish to sell and eat. They also trade spices and wine with other people across the ocean. Makoto thought they would be having their picnic by the port, but Sousuke led them further down the shore to a secluded spot. They left the horses tied to a line of posts and continued to the beach on foot. Nagisa ran ahead, kicking off his shoes so to play in the surf. Makoto held the heavy basket of food while Sousuke and Rei spread the blanket out on the sand.

Makoto called for Nagisa to come back after the picnic was set up. To Nagisa's delight, the kitchen staff packed mainly sweets, like tarts, tea cakes, bread and butter, a blueberry pie, and honey wine along with fruit. Makoto reminded Nagisa to mind his manners and to wait for everyone to be served. Nagisa pouted playfully and sat himself Rei's lap, waiting for his treats. Sousuke poured the honey wine while Makoto made up the plates, giving each of them one of everything.

As they enjoyed the sweets and honey wine, each of them shared stories. Rei would ask Makoto and Nagisa specific questions about undines, and the two would answer as best they could. Sousuke was a little surprised that Rei did not bring his writing box to take notes. The man usually never went anywhere without it. Rei also appeared to be relaxed with Nagisa bouncing and hopping all around him like an excited puppy. It was refreshing to see Rei let loose a bit and drop the aloof scholar role.

"Nagisa, no more honey wine," Makoto said, taking the goblet from Nagisa. "You've had enough."

"Aww, but I like it!" He hiccupped.

Sousuke, resting on the blanket with his hands folded behind his head, said: "The last thing you need is to be drunk, Nagisa."

"Sousuke and Makoto are right," Rei said. "Too much of this drink will impair your vision and cloud your thoughts. It can make you do things you wouldn't normally do."

"Is that true?" Makoto asked, looking at his honey wine, which he, like Nagisa, enjoyed better than the red kind.

Sousuke sat up with a smirk and refilled Makoto's cup. "Yes. Keep drinking, little fishy."

Makoto batted playfully at Sousuke's uninjured shoulder. "Don't be naughty, Sousuke!"

"Did I say anything naughty? It seems like you're the one who implied that I am thinking 'naughty' thoughts."

Makoto rolled his eyes but flushed prettily. "That's because I'm certain you are," he whispered.

"It's true. I can't help it." Sousuke whispered back, nuzzling behind Makoto's ear.

"Give it a rest, you two!" Nagisa said. "I want to go swimming the ocean for a bit."

"No," Sousuke said. "This is an active port. My men are taking the boats out. It's not safe for you if they see your tail."

"I can swim without my tail!" Nagisa said. "And I promised Rei I'd teach him how to swim."

Sousuke raised a brow at Rei who looked a little embarrassed but confirmed Nagisa's words. "Well then, if you two don't mind staying near the horses, Makoto and I will walk along the shore." He turned to Makoto. "If that's okay?"

Makoto agreed to go with Sousuke but reminded Nagisa to be careful with Rei and to behave. To be on the safe side, Makoto chose to take the second jug of honey wine so that Nagisa can't get to it. Sousuke thought it was an excellent idea, and he brought a cup with them to share. They left their shoes at the picnic site and strolled along the surf, lacing their fingers tightly together, drinking the honey wine. When they happened upon a jetty, Sousuke guided Makoto along the black rocks to reach the edge where they sat to watch the waves. With the jug of mead almost empty, Sousuke poured the rest into the cup. They had drunk most of it while walking along the beach.

Sousuke closed his eyes to feel the ocean breeze on his face. He inhaled the fresh salty air, loving the smell of the sea. Sometimes he wished Seabriar was closer to the ocean so he could feel the air just like this. Though he can see the sea from his balcony, the sea air that reaches there is not the same as being up close like this.

"Sousuke, do you like the ocean?"

"I do," he answered. "I know you're afraid of it, but maybe I would be too if I could see what lies beneath it. I've seen how big whales are, and I saw a shark once. But, to me, the ocean is calming. I think I told you that I used to come to the beach with my father when I was a boy?" Makoto nodded. "I'm much happier at the ocean than living in the castle."

"I don't blame you. Seabriar is nice, but it's so cold and dark inside. Out here we have the sun and the blue sky," Makoto looked up at the passing clouds. "It truly is beautiful."

"Then I guess you wouldn't like to live at Seabriar with me?"

"Sousuke, I would live with you anywhere. As long as you're with me, I'll be happy."

Sousuke brought Makoto's lips into a kiss. It wasn't passionate, just a chaste little kiss. It made Makoto blush, and he turns away.

"Not in the open, Sousuke!"

"Wait, I know of a place where we can hide! This is the wrong jetty. I'll take you to another one." He stood up and offered his hand to Makoto to pull him up. "We're going to that jetty over there," he pointed to the right. "See it?"

"I do."

"I'll show you what I mean when we're there."

"Are we going to do more kissing there?" Makoto asked.

"Maybe."

"I don't like that look in your eyes!" Makoto said with a laugh.

Makoto let Sousuke lead him across the beach to the other jetty (which was a long walk) and up onto the black rocks. They walked halfway down the jetty when Sousuke stopped in front of a hole. Makoto looked down and saw an opening filled with sea water. Its diameter, like the forest pool, is contained. Sousuke asked him if he felt comfortable walking through the surf to enter the pool since he knew Makoto's fear of the ocean. Makoto said that he wanted to, so they left the jetty and came through the surf, leaving their clothes on the beach.

The water rose and fell no farther past their waists. Makoto liked the privacy of the jetty rocks and the gentle ocean water caressing his skin. He knew it was a risk standing in this private little area, alone, and naked with Sousuke. Despite the chilly ocean water, Sousuke's body is warm pressed against his. Makoto had to hide his face in Sousuke's neck when their groins touched. He did try to pull back, but Sousuke's firm hold prevented any movement. Makoto could change into his tail if his body gets carried away. Sousuke wasn't speaking, only letting his hands roam over Makoto's body and muscles. Makoto did the same, marveling at how much bigger Sousuke is compared to him and Rin. If Rin were to fight Sousuke as a human in hand-to-hand combat, Makoto knew his team leader wouldn't win. But hopefully, it will never come to that.

'This is nice,' Makoto thought, closing his eyes to feel and enjoy Sousuke's touch.

"I used to come here as a child," Sousuke started. "This is where I first learned to swim. My father would take me here as a boy and teach me about swimming. We'd find shells and catch crabs. This was our special spot. Then I got older, and we stopped coming here."

Makoto looked up at Sousuke, remaining in the embrace. "Why don't you come here with him again? I think he would like that, Sousuke."

"He still came when I chose to stop coming. I was a young boy. I wanted to play with my friends, not swim in a hole with my father. I don't know how often he comes to this spot, but he spends time on the beach, looking at the ocean. It makes my step-mother crazy."

"Your father likes the ocean, as you do."

"My birth mother loved the ocean too. I guess that's where I get it from. I learned to swim quickly, now that I think about it. My father said he wasn't surprised that I was natural in the water like my birth mother. She swam, too."

Makoto kissed Sousuke's wounded shoulder; the faded bites marks still scarring the skin. "You should keep swimming, Sousuke. It will help this to heal, and then we can swim together." He smiled at him. "I would love to swim with you, side-by-side."

"We can do more than swim,"

Makoto pulled back with a blush. "Is mating all you ever think about?"

Sousuke smirked. "I was going to say sailing on one of my family's boats. It's you who have mating on the mind more than me. Say the word, and I'll make you mine."

Makoto managed to narrow his eyes at Sousuke, who only seemed amused by it. That turned Makoto's frown into a pout. Haru and Rin always said that he is lousy at being mad and shouldn't even bother trying. But, Sousuke wasn't wrong in saying that Makoto keeps thinking about mating. The truth is, he was considering it, and since yesterday, has been thinking about it more and more. If they didn't mate this week, while Rin and Haru are away, Makoto might not get another chance to be with Sousuke for a while.

"Hey, don't think you have to rush this," Sousuke whispered to him, seeming to have read Makoto's thoughts. "I plan to court you as a knight would his maiden fair,"

Makoto tilted his head. "Maiden fair?"

"Ah. Courtly knight talk. Forget I said it," Sousuke appeared a little embarrassed, and Makoto chuckled.

"You mean, court me like Rin courted Haru."

"I'm not interested in their courting ways," Sousuke said. "The idea of anyone wanting to court Haru, and Haru accepting it, well, it baffles my mind. Haru seems the type to spit poison in your eyes if you try anything."

Makoto tugged Sousuke's left ear, making the human let out a little hiss. "Haru is my best friend, and I love and care for him deeply. I know you and Haru don't get along, but don't speak ill of my friend," Makoto embraced his lover. "There's room in my heart for many."

"I'm sorry, Makoto. I would do anything for you," Sousuke kissed Makoto's temple. "You know, Haru visited my chambers the other night,"

Makoto pulled back to gawk at him. "W-what? Why? When was this?"

"Two evenings ago. Haru had a very good reason for coming to my chambers in the middle of the night. He wanted to know if my feelings for you were true."

"Did he sit down and talk with you?"

Sousuke smirked. "No. He tried a whole different angle. He tried to seduce me, to test if I was only interested in lust for your body and not your heart. Why do you think Haru decided, out of the blue, to take Rin away for a week?"

Makoto honestly hadn't thought about it. He knew that Rin has been asking Haru for some extended alone time, but Haru kept denying him. Makoto didn't know that Haru's decision for taking Rin away had to do with visiting Sousuke's chambers. In a way, Makoto felt a little deceived. Even though he knew the answer, he still needed to ask.

"You didn't…do anything with Haru, right?"

"I pushed him off my lap," Sousuke answered.

"Are you sure that's all that happened?"

Sousuke furrowed his brows. "Why do you ask that? Do you not trust me?"

Makoto gasped. "No! No, that's not it! Even if something…happened…it wouldn't have been by your choice." Makoto tried to look anywhere but at Sousuke as he continued. "Haru doesn't appear it, but part of his undine magic is complete mind and body control. His powers of lust and allure have sunken human ships and made undine males turn against one another. In the ocean, in the past, many males have strived for him, but he always declined their advances. He doesn't like that he possesses these powers, and rarely uses them unless necessary, like if something threatened myself or Nagisa. So, hearing that he came into your chambers with the intent of tricking you with seduction surprises me that you did not give in to him. That would almost be impossible…unless he wasn't using all of his power, which seems strange to me."

"I think you hold Haru in too high regard," Sousuke pointed out. "I won't lie to you, there was a hint of arousal with his presence, but I didn't act on it, nor did I want his attention. You attract and hold my attention more than he ever could,"

Makoto looked down at Sousuke's chest, letting his fingers trail along the line of a muscle. "You're not an undine," Makoto started. "You haven't seen Haru swim. When he swims, the water lights up. Others are spellbound, even enamored by Haru's graceful movements. Undines are attracted to strength, speed, and beauty. Both Haru and Rin possess these traits. There has been no faster swimmer than Haru until Rin appeared, and Haru met his match. Or rather, they are equally matched. I'm fast, but I can't compete with either of them. Neither can Nagisa. I guess what I'm trying to get at is…how much did you let Haru test you?"

"He sat in my lap, naked," Sousuke said. "We talked, then he kissed me, and I pushed him away."

Makoto frowned. "Are you sure? That should have been impossible! Haru's powers-"

"To hell with Haru!" Sousuke sneered. "His powers didn't work on me because I only want you!" He lifted Makoto up by his rump and pressed the undine against the rocks. Makoto gasped out loud as their groins met. "I won't mate with you in this place, but I'll be damned if I let you go back to that blasted forest pool without being with me first!"

"Sousuke," Makoto had to tighten his hold around Sousuke's neck and rely on the ocean water to help hold him up. He can feel Sousuke's erection pressing against his growing one. Makoto blushed a deep crimson. He let out a pleasured gasp when Sousuke's lips and teeth nipped at his neck.

"A knight respects and honors his lady fair," Sousuke said with a low, sensual growl. "I will wait for your full consent, but until then, can I get a little something to ease the fire in my blood?" Sousuke moved his lips to kiss Makoto's mouth.

(Scene removed for this site. Go to read it on Archive Of Our Own for the full chapter)

"Sousuke, I think we should think of heading back. The sun is starting to set." Makoto said.

"Watch it with me," Sousuke offered, kissing both of Makoto's cheeks.

Of course, Makoto agreed, and the pair sat together on the edge of the jetty, naked, to watch the sun lower itself on the horizon. Makoto rests his against Sousuke's uninjured shoulder, lacing their fingers together. Sousuke brought Makoto's hand up to kiss the knuckles. Makoto never wanted this moment to end, and he wanted to have a lifetime of sunsets with his lover.

Maybe it is time for him to tell Rin about his feelings for a human.

With Haru's help.

A month from now.

"Okay, that was a good first lesson, I think," Nagisa said while rubbing Rei's naked back. He was trying to make Rei feel better after the swimming lesson, which didn't go over very well. Nagisa couldn't understand how someone can sink like a rock over and over again.

Rei had his face buried in his hands. "I don't understand it! It should be so easy! I have it all calculated in my head!"

Nagisa didn't know what that meant. "We'll try again tomorrow. Maybe I'm just not a good teacher? I'll ask Makoto. He can hold you up better too."

"Perhaps we should hold off on the swimming lessons," Rei suggested. "I want to do more research on the topic."

"I think it's better if you try and learn without reading a book."

Rei put his glasses back on. "Nagisa, you don't know the human world or the use of books. You just like pretty things. You don't need a book for that."

Nagisa thought that sounded like an insult, but he wasn't too sure. Rei spoke in funny ways sometimes. He continued to rub soothing circles on Rei's back, trying to ease the man's frustration. Nagisa could sense how tense Rei was, and nothing he was doing was helping. Makoto is better at this stuff than he is. They sat in silence for a while until Nagisa decided to ask Rei a question that has been bothering him.

"Rei, can I ask you something?" Rei nodded. "Do I bother you?"

"Bother me?"

"Yeah. You don't do things with me as Sousuke does with Makoto."

Rei flushed and cleared his throat, trying to look everywhere but at Nagisa. "It's...hard to explain. You don't bother me, Nagisa," he glanced at him. "You're just very, well, you're not what I'm used to," He saw Nagisa frown. "But I like it! I know it doesn't make much sense," Rei was surprised that Nagisa wasn't interrupting him but sitting patiently, and staring at him. Rei turned his body to face Nagisa. "When you danced that night, something changed in me that I found both exciting and confusing. I know I didn't like all those other men looking at you. And then you showed up at the abbey, where you attracted a lot of attention again. The reason I'm not at the abbey now is that...I yelled at the Headmaster for calling you names, and I left to stay with Sousuke. I'm waiting for my father to come here to confront me on the issue of you. So, I'm a little distracted by my thoughts. Do you understand?"

Nagisa grinned. "You do like me!"

"You cause me a lot of trouble!"

"But you like me!" Nagisa threw his arms around Rei and hugged him tightly, refusing to let Rei slip out of his grasp. "Now we can share the same bed and share kisses!"

"Wait-!" Rei couldn't finish because Nagisa began littering his face with kisses. "Nagisa!" He used his hands to smoosh Nagisa's face to stop the kisses. Nagisa fought him, and it was adorably playful. Rei found that he too was smiling at the antics. "That's too much too fast!" He slept on the floor last night to give Nagisa the bed because he didn't trust himself or Nagisa with lying next to each other. The first time sharing a bed held different circumstances.

"But Sousuke and Makoto sleep in the same bed together!"

"Well...that's different!"

Nagisa straddled his legs around Rei's waist, locking him firmly in place with his limbs. "How's it different?"

"Sousuke doesn't have the limitations that I do,"

"No one has to know but Makoto and Sousuke. And Haru."

"Nagisa-"

"Please, Rei? Just for this week?" He loosened his grip on Rei, changing the death lock hold to an embrace. "Give us this week together...then decide at the end. I like you a lot...and I can be good. I can be quiet and calm like Makoto."

Rei sighed into Nagisa's blonde hair, taking a second to enjoy the fresh earthy scent of the undine in his lap. "I don't want you to be like Makoto. Please don't change." He wrapped his arms around Nagisa to hold the smaller male close. 'I need to change.' He said to himself.

"My parents had a lot of rules for me, too," Nagisa said. "That's why I was happy to leave them and live with my team." He sat back in Rei's lap to play with the ties of Rei's tunic. "I don't want to make things harder for you with your father," he glanced up at Rei through his lashes. "But I also don't want to let you go."

Rei took one of Nagisa's small hands in his, taking a moment to admire the delicate bone structure. "Nagisa, let me be perfectly honest with you. It might hurt your feelings, and I've been holding off on telling you this," he kissed the center of Nagisa's palm. "My parents will despise you the moment they lay eyes on you. Like the Headmaster, they will only and ever see you as a common harlot who will exploit me for all that I have. You have no title, no lands, no castle, and not a coin to your name. You're not even human! This is the battle I am fighting, Nagisa. I want to be able to keep you, and also keep up my studies and my inheritance. If I lose all that, I have nothing to give you. We can't live off Sousuke for the rest of our lives. And if I lose all my entitlements, I will not be allowed a chance to sit among the king's high council. I don't know how it works in the world of undines, but in the human world, if you don't become something, you will have nothing! If you're not someone, then you're nothing. I have to become someone to be considered as having any worth." Rei had to stop, because he realized he was babbling. It felt terrible to say all these things to Nagisa, but it also is a relief to get it off his chest.

"Rei, what's a harlot?"

Rei cleared his throat. "It's a person who gives sex, or in your words, mating, for the sole purpose making money. To be one is a great dishonor, and it's more than just shameful."

"What? But I'm not that at all!"

"I know you're not! Your friends and I all know that! But that's not how other people see you. When you danced that night, all those men would have tried to have their way with you, because they thought you were a harlot- a person with loose morals. I know that isn't it at all. You're naturally a charismatic and friendly person who enjoys life and sees the fun in everything. In the human world, in the polite society that Sousuke and I live in, such a person is shameful. Don't ask me why. That's just the way it has always been."

Nagisa looked down at the stream of pearls he is still wearing. "So, your world will see me differently if I take off all things pretty and dress in plain clothes? Your father will like me then?"

"What? No, Nagisa! I mean, yes, but I don't want you to change! I like you how you are!"

"But that makes you ashamed to be seen with me,"

"I-" Rei didn't know what to say. In a way, Nagisa was right. He sighed. "I'm sorry, Nagisa." Rei pulled the smaller male into an embrace. "Nothing is your fault. You're perfect. It's this world and myself that needs to change."

"I like you as you are, Rei."

"But I must find the courage to stand up to my parents, to the king, and to this world. Sousuke is facing the same issues with loving Makoto."

Nagisa hugged Rei's neck tightly. "Makoto is worried about Rin finding out about him and Sousuke. I think we all have to find the courage to face our fears." Nagisa pulled away to face Rei again, only this time, he smiled brightly at his human. "Your father will be mad; Rin will be mad; our two worlds will be really mad! But we can face all that together, right?" Nagisa pressed their noses together just like the time they first met. "You, me, Makoto, and Sousuke! We can do it together! I know we can!"

Rei felt the corners of his eyes sting with tears at Nagisa's simple but powerful words. He let out a laugh and ruffled the blonde locks with both hands, pressing their foreheads together.

"Okay! I think we can do it! Together, we can face anything! Let my father find out! Let Rin find out! We'll find a way to deal with it!"

"Yay! That's the spirit Rei!" Nagisa planted a long kiss on Rei's lips, rendering the human almost breathless. "Well, let's leave the fighting just to Sousuke."

"Huh? Why?"

Nagisa smiled. "Rin will tear you apart limb by limb. You're not a fighter, Rei." Nagisa nuzzled behind Rei's ear. "And that's okay. Let Sousuke battle Rin for all of us."

"That's a little hurtful, Nagisa,"

"I only speak the truth, Rei." He giggled.

Rei wanted to protest but realized that Nagisa is right, and he laughed along with the undine. "You're right, Nagisa. Maybe if Rin were a human, I would stand a chance of getting in one or two punches."

Nagisa chose to keep silent on that matter and turned his attention to the horizon. "Look, Rei! The sun is setting! Isn't it pretty?"

"Oh. Indeed, it is."

Back at Seabriar, the four males decided to share dinner in Sousuke's chambers where they did not have to hide from others. They shared about their day together, leaving out the intimate details, and let the mead flow freely. After dessert, Nagisa and Rei left to return to their room. Sousuke wanted to pick up where he and Makoto left off at the jetty but remembered Kisumi's advice, and instead offered to teach his lover how to play cards.

The two played into the night, with Sousuke winning because Makoto still had not mastered the skill of bluffing. Makoto didn't seem to care about it. He just liked having fun and sharing this time with Sousuke. Sousuke offered to teach Makoto how to play chess another time for its a game he enjoyed and wanted to share that with Makoto. He hoped to show Makoto all about the human world in hopes it will make Makoto wish to stay. Sousuke knew that Makoto wanted to, but he still had to build up the undine's courage to confront Rin.

As they readied for bed, Makoto insisted on helping Sousuke undress. The night was cold, and the chambers were the same temperature. Sousuke playfully suggested that they should sleep naked for warmth and didn't expect Makoto to agree. Sousuke had no complaints. Before they got into bed, Sousuke showed Makoto how to put wood in the fireplace. As an undine, Makoto could regulate his body temperature. But in human form, he was often cold. Makoto liked to sit in front of the fire, and they did so for a few moments until retreating to the bed.

Makoto snuggled into Sousuke, holding his human lover close and inhaling the sweet scent of seawater and pine. They tangled their legs together so that most of Makoto is laying atop of Sousuke. He could hear the human's steady heartbeat beneath his ear, and Makoto let the sound slowly lull him to sleep. Makoto knew he was safe in Sousuke's arms, and just before drifting off to sleep, he heard Sousuke whisper, very softly, 'I love you.'

Makoto smiled and said, "I love you, too."

TBC