The sound of waves lapping at the shore and the tang of salt water in the air woke Blaine from a restful sleep. Breathing in deeply, he smiled as he took in the clean smell of the ocean and rolled over to see the doors to the small porch and patio open, giving him a beautiful view of the white, sandy beach.
He and Sam had rented a small ocean front bungalow, tucked away at the edge of the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui. It had been a good choice for lodgings, as it offered privacy while still allowing them to enjoy the resorts many amenities.
Running a hand through his hair, Blaine yawned and sat up, stretching (though he was careful to keep the sheet over his lap until he snagged a pair of shorts from the floor and wiggled into them). He gazed out onto the beach and smiled.
Sam was emerging from the water, clearly having decided an early morning swim was a good way to start his day. Over the past few days, the sun had painted his fair skin with a healthy bronze glow. As he strode out of the water, he tossed his head, sending water flying.
If there were any paparazzi lurking around the beach, they were being treated to some gorgeous photos. Hell, Blaine almost wished they were around, just so he could get a copy of the picture for himself.
"Morning, Sleepyhead!" Sam called out as he stepped onto the patio in front of the bungalow and turned on the outdoor shower to rinse off.
Glancing at the clock, Blaine huffed. "It's only 7:42am, Sam! I've hardly been in bed all day."
Sam chuckled as he raised his face to the warm spray of water and asked, "Wanna go get breakfast at the hotel and then go exploring?"
"We could go to Paia," Blaine suggested with a grin. The coffee served at the hotel restaurant was phenomenal and he nodded happily at the mere thought of it. In short order, they were dressed and walking the path toward the main hotel grounds.
A pair of small, laughing children passed them at a run, calling out hellos to Sam, who had helped them build a sandcastle.
As they walked, both their phones buzzed and Blaine glanced down to see a message from Kitty.
{Kitty: Ignore the gossip rags, I'm on it.}
"Crap," Sam said with a sigh. Neither of them really felt inclined to ask Kitty what she was texting about, as they knew how to read her moods via text and Kitty was pissed off. It was best to stand back and let her destroy whomever had pissed her off.
After raiding the breakfast buffet, they found a small table off to the side of the busy room. Both of them had an array of fruits, Ulupaluakua Strawberries, Maui Gold Pineapple, Waipio Valley Watermelon, Molokai Papaya, Oranges, Grapefruits & Grape Clusters, as well as ham and eggs with a warm croissant.
"No Spam for me today," Sam teased, because the day before he'd filled a croissant with Spam and eggs and Blaine had been aghast. He had an understandable aversion to meat that came in a can.
"Excuse me?"
A voice made both Blaine and Sam look up and, upon seeing a teenage girl clutching a cell phone, they both smiled and chorused, "Morning." That made them chuckle and seemed to ease her nerves, because she began to speak.
"So, my mom told me not to bother you, but I just had to come over here and say hi and tell you I love Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and your characters and I was wondering if I could get a picture?" she rattled off in one long breath, cheeks stained pink, clearly still a little anxious about talking to them. "I'm Emily. Hi!"
"Only if we can get a picture with you too," Blaine offered with a smile, holding up his phone as he stood. Sam joined him and they tucked the girl between them. Her face was glowing in the selfies they all took.
"Thank you!" she breathed, practically bouncing with glee. "My friends are going to go nuts and be so jealous! You know, I totally didn't believe that story today. And now after seeing you guys, it's like, who would?"
Blaine raised a brow and traded a look with Sam. That must be what had Kitty in a lather. "Oh? Which story would that be?"
"This one. You didn't see it?" Emily asked, tapping at her phone and then showing it to them.
"Really? Well, that's one I haven't heard before…at least not about you, dude," Sam said with a grin. "They're trying to out you from a 'straight closet'!"
With a snort, Blaine shook his head. "Who writes this trash? Even some rudimentary background research would prove this to be a complete fabrication."
Emily beamed. "Plus, anyone who sees you two together can tell you're a real couple."
After a few more pleasantries, the girl bounced back to her family, clearly thrilled with the encounter. Blaine had enjoyed himself too. He and Sam always liked meeting fans and knowing what had Kitty on the warpath was a good thing.
They had been pretty sure they hadn't done anything themselves, but….it was always good to be sure.
The article really wasn't much of a concern for them, as it was totally unfounded. Neither of them were closeted straight men pretending to be in a relationship for PR. Frankly, it was a little silly that people would assume such things. Kitty would handle this, so all they had to do was be themselves and enjoy the rest of their vacation.
When they finished breakfast, Sam drove their rental car (a Prius convertible) to Paia. Zipping along, sun on their faces and wind in their hair, was a good way to wake up and they chatted a bit about what they should do during the day.
Paia Town was really a lovely place.
By the end of the day, they were both a bit sunburn, happy and full of mahi mahi taco salad from Island Taco. Sam had bought them a couple of prints from the gift shop at the Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center and Blaine had picked up an array of local treats at the Kua Store for their friends and family. They had wandered along Baldwin Beach, hand in hand as the waves lapped at their toes and then browsed the shops.
Returning to the hotel, they washed up before setting out again, making the trek to The Kula Lodge on the Halekala Volcano for an evening of stargazing. They conditions were perfect and from the high elevation, they could see amazing star clusters, nebulae, planets, constellations, galaxies and a truly incredible close up view of the moon. The guide seemed to know everything about the stars and they both enjoyed the night to the fullest.
The rest of their vacation was equally amazing. Snorkling, volleyball, naps in hammocks, luaus, a moving trip to Pearl Harbor, karaoke at Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi bar, a party on Little beach and roller skating at Kalama Beach. They spent New Year's Eve on The Pride of Maui, enjoying dinner and live music and watching fireworks over the ocean.
All in all it was a dream vacation.
Returning to LA was both bittersweet and welcome. After dropping their bags off at the apartment, Sam went over to Dottie's to retrieve Storm & Wolverine while Blaine went up to Ruth's to pick up Richie…and the rest of Sam's Christmas present.
By the time Sam returned with the cats, Blaine was sitting on the couch, a cute little Miniature Schnauzer puppy in his lap with a bow attached to her collar. "Merry Late Christmas, Sam!" he said as his boyfriend gaped at him in shock.
"Is…Is that for me?" Sam sputtered as he set the cats down. Neither of them were bothered by the puppy's presence, as Ruth and Dottie had been socializing them for nearly a week.
"She's your Christmas present," Blaine said as Sam slid onto the couch beside him and reached out to pat the pup, who licked his hand. "I know you always wanted a dog, so I…."
Sam cut him off with a kiss that left him breathless.