Happy Thursday!

Did you guys miss me? I missed you! Seriously, I felt so empty without this to post every week, it sucked! I was working on this chapter, though, and I figured a month on it'd be totally appropriate to post it.

This chapter sort of occurred to me, like, the week after I finished the first draft of this back in July. It was scorchingly hot in the city so my friends and I all drove out to the beach and got knocked around by waves for like, 6 solid hours. It was so cathartic and wonderful, I thought of how nice it would be to include something like that!

Um.. what else? OH! So I'm doing NaNoWriMo (is anyone else? if so, best of luck!) and my project is, surprise surprise, more X fanfiction! So keep an eye out for it in a few weeks. I also have another really lovely SubaKam AU in the works which I'd like to have up in the new year, so please don't forget me!

Anything else? I don't think so, enjoy!


"Yo it's hot as fuck," Kamui said to no one in particular as he emerged from his restaurant. The last few weeks had been unbearably hot; the sun blazed overhead and the air hung humid, stagnant and unmoving over the city. Everything felt damp and sticky from sweat and all the water vapor trapped in the air, and it made Kamui lethargic and irritable. At work, there was central air, but outside it was disgusting, even this late at night.

He put on his headphones and proceeded east, only to get stuck at a light on 3rd Avenue. He rocked backwards and forwards on the balls of his feet, waiting for the traffic to cooperate. There were way more cars on the road than usual, all pumping exhaust into the air and radiating more suffocating heat. Kamui sighed impatiently, feeling his irritation increase along with his body temperature. The second he was able, he crossed the street, then almost got run over by someone riding a bike in the middle of the street. "USE THE BIKE LANE, YOU FUCKING IDIOT!" He yelled after them, venting his feelings. He turned up his music and continued on his way, finally making it up to his apartment. It was ridiculously hot here too; he and Subaru only had AC in their bedroom. "I'm home," he called, wearily, toeing off his shoes and stowing his headphones in his bag. The bedroom door was closed and all the lights were off. For a second he wondered if Subaru was asleep, but-

"Hold on, Kamui's home." The bedroom door opened, revealing Subaru in only a t-shirt and underwear. Kamui felt his irritation abate slightly as he strode into the bedroom. He dropped his bag, stripped down to his underwear and fell face first into bed. He felt the unnatural cold of the air conditioner on his skin and sighed in satisfaction. "Kamui?" Subaru asked, rather cautiously, his phone still against his ear.

"Hmm?" Kamui asked, his voice muffled. Subaru smiled affectionately as he shut the door and sat down next to him on the bed. He wanted to rub his back or stroke his hair, but knew he wouldn't be receptive until his body temperature had cooled sufficiently.

"Do you want to go to the beach the weekend after next?" Kamui looked up at once.

"What?" Subaru's smile widened.

"Sorata wants to know if we want to go to the beach the weekend after next." Kamui propped himself up on his forearms and looked over his shoulder at Subaru.

"Where, his grandfather's place?" Subaru repeated the question into the phone.

"Yes."

"Hell the fuck yeah!"

"I guess that's a yes," Subaru told Sorata, and they both laughed.

"Yeah I heard! Sweet, this will be awesome. I've still gotta confirm times and what not, but Yuzuriha says Kusanagi might drive which would be amazing because taking the LIRR out there fucking sucks." Subaru laughed again.

"It'd be worth it," he replied. "I think we all need to get out of the city for a bit." He looked over at Kamui, who had gotten out of bed to hunch over the AC in the window.

"Fucking factual, bro," Sorata agreed emphatically. "It sucks we couldn't have gone out there while your sister was here, though," he continued, regretfully.

"Yeah that's true," Subaru agreed, sadly. Hokuto had left two weeks previously, and though Subaru missed her terribly, it was nowhere near as bad as when they'd said goodbye the first time. It also helped that they'd made plans for Subaru and Kamui to spend Christmas with her in Tokyo. "Next year though," he added, heartily.

"Word, absolutely!" Sorata replied. "Anyway, I'll text you guys when I know more details and stuff. Sorry to call you so late!" Kamui withdrew from the AC and flopped backwards into bed, his arms and legs splayed around him. Subaru watched his belly rise and fall with his breath.

"It's fine," Subaru assured Sorata. "We both got home late from work."

"No doubt, have a good rest of your night!"

"Yes, you too!" Subaru ended the call and replaced his phone on the bedside table. He lay down beside Kamui and ran his fingers tenderly up and down his chest. Kamui closed his eyes at the touch. "How was work?" Subaru asked, but Kamui just shrugged.

"It was whatever. How was your day?" Subaru rolled his eyes and placed a gentle kiss on Kamui's breastbone, making him shiver slightly.

"Ridiculous, truthfully. I have to go back tomorrow." Kamui gently cupped the side of his face, looking concerned.

"Why, what happened?" Again Subaru rolled his eyes.

"High school students-"

"Oh shit…" Subaru smiled appreciatively and rested his head against Kamui's chest.

"Yes, there's a group of friends who I guess decided to practice magic they found online. They're all amateurs, obviously, and couldn't be bothered to do more research or fact check." He sighed heavily and Kamui pulled him closer and kissed him on the top of the head.

"That's fucking stupid, especially considering here there's like, legit places where you can learn about this shit." Subaru sighed heavily again.

"Of course, and you know they kept casting spells and doing things until they got something, even if they had no idea what was actually happening or if it was good or bad or what." Kamui rolled his eyes and rubbed Subaru's back. "Truly, it scares me that people will just take spells sat face value because they found it on someone's blog," he finished, exasperated, and looked up at Kamui.

"What will you have to do?" He asked. He knew Subaru could take care of himself, but it was hard not to be at least slightly concerned.

"I'm not sure yet. I still don't know exactly what they did, and all five of these kids are affected, so…" He shook his head. "I'll take care of it before we go to the beach, though." Kamui smiled, and Subaru kissed him. They broke apart and hesitated for a moment before going back for more. They kissed softly, gently, though Subaru's body was begging him to move faster. He climbed on top of Kamui and kissed him deeper, and Kamui gasped and thrust his hips upwards. Even as he got hard at the sensations, it was still uncomfortable in their room despite the AC, and Kamui was tired and sweaty from work, and even though he wanted it badly, he pulled away. "Are you okay?" Subaru asked, his eyes widening in concern. Kamui nodded.

"Yeah, I'm just, feeling really hot and gross." Subaru nodded and brushed Kamui's hair off his face.

"Do you want to just go to sleep?" He asked, disappointed but understanding. Kamui nodded.

"Is that cool?"

"Of course." Subaru rolled off of him to turn off the light on the bedside table. They fell asleep facing each other, hands clasped, the AC feebly blasting cold air over them and droning loudly in the darkness.

It was lucky that Subaru and Kamui had the beach trip to look forward to. The next ten days were even hotter, and though there had been a few thunderstorms, they only made the air steamier. Kamui had felt all his constant low key irritation simmer more and more vigorously, and Subaru had been working almost nonstop with the high school students practicing amateur magic. They'd still always wait up for each other, but they'd be too tired or too annoyed to do anything except go to sleep.

At last, the Friday morning of their departure arrived. It was clear and cloudless, but the sun blazed mercilessly overhead. Subaru and Kamui had gotten up early to pack, and it was already 90° by 10 AM. "That's how you know it's disgustingly hot, when fucking 90 feels like a break," Kamui said, crossly, shoving clothes unceremoniously into his bag.

"Really," Subaru said from the opposite side of the bed. "We'll be at the beach soon, though!" Kamui made an impatient noise, but didn't reply. Subaru smiled softly, but said nothing else; he'd learned fairly quickly that trying to dissuade Kamui from a bad mood was a waste of time. He hesitated for a second, then pulled open the bedside table drawer. He extracted the condoms and lube they kept there and added them to his own bag. Kamui watched this out of the corner of his eye, his insides twisting in guilt and frustration. He hated that they'd had no time for each other. He zipped up his bag, then climbed up onto the bed. He approached Subaru on his knees and leaned his forehead against his chest. Subaru smiled affectionately and tucked a strand of hair behind his ear.

"Sorry," Kamui said, and he meant it. "I'm just hot."

"I know," Subaru replied, quietly, though he appreciated it. Kamui wrapped his arms around him and sighed heavily, holding him tight. Subaru rubbed his back and kissed him on the top of the head, inhaling the smell of his hair and feeling a slight shiver run through his body. Kamui looked up at Subaru as he gripped the back of his shirt. Subaru brought his hands to cup Kamui's face and pulled him into a kiss. Kamui moaned softly, his body lighting up at once. Subaru started to pull away but Kamui shoved his hands up his shirt, palming his smooth, soft skin. "How much time do we have?" Subaru asked, his voice suddenly heavy.

"Enough," Kamui breathed, dragging his fingers down Subaru's back. Subaru kissed him hard on the lips and thrust his tongue into his mouth. Kamui moaned appreciatively and rolled his hips forward in excitement.

"Lie down," Subaru groaned, between kisses. Kamui obeyed at once, his legs splaying open and a hot blush in his face and neck. Subaru bit his lip and exhaled slowly through his nose as he eyed Kamui's erection, constrained by his shorts. He climbed on top of him and kissed him deeply, grinding his hips down against him. Kamui moaned softly and wrapped one leg around Subaru's waist to pull him closer, the space between them hot with desire-

Then Kamui's cellphone rang, loud and jarring, on the bedside table. Subaru and Kamui broke apart and Kamui cried out in frustration. Subaru rolled off of Kamui so he could reach for his phone. "What?" He demanded.

"Good morning to you, too," Yuzuriha replied, and he could tell she was rolling her eyes.

"Sorry," he sighed. "Are you guys here?"

"Yup! And we're double parked so hurry the fuck up!"

"Yeah yeah, see you in a second." He ended the call and gave his phone a nasty look. "We have to go," he told Subaru, who smiled.

"Oh no, away for a weekend at the beach with your friends and your boyfriend, how awful!"

"Fuck off," Kamui snapped, though he was smiling too. He kissed Subaru, then got out of bed to shut off the AC. "Let's be out." They gathered their things and headed downstairs. Outside, the sun blazed overhead and steam seemed to be rising off the concrete as though the very air were simmering. A car horn sounded suddenly a little ways up the street and Kamui and Subaru looked around to see Yuzuriha waving at them out of the passenger window of a car with its hazards on.

"Over here!" Subaru and Kamui hurried over and opened the back door, revealing Sorata and Arashi in the middle row of seats.

"Took you long enough!" Sorata cried, grinning.

"Shut up," countered Kamui, wearily.

"Good morning!" Kusanagi called from the driver's seat. "Just throw all your stuff in the trunk, but be careful of the groceries." Sorata jumped out of the car to help as Kusanagi popped the trunk.

"You get in, I got this," Kamui told Subaru, who smiled and kissed him before climbing into the last row of seats.

"Fuck you being so cute," Sorata told Kamui, helping him load up the trunk. Kamui replied with a rude hand gesture and slammed the trunk shut, then he and Sorata climbed back into the car.

"Is this your car, Kusanagi?" Subaru asked, curiously as Kamui settled himself beside him and put on his seatbelt.

"Nah, I just rented it for this weekend. Yuzuriha was talking about taking the train and-"

"Yeah, fuck that," Kamui agreed. "Thanks for driving."

"It's no problem! All right is everybody strapped in? Let's go!" He accelerated and immediately made a sharp left turn onto 2nd Avenue. Yuzuriha turned up the radio, which was tuned to a classic rock station, and Sorata cried out excitedly behind her.

"Dude, good song!"

"You're such an old man, Sorata," Yuzuriha giggled, watching him playing an invisible guitar enthusiastically. Kusanagi burst out laughing.

"And how's that supposed to make me feel?" He asked, driving them further and further southeast.

"Sorry," she replied, not sounding the least bit sincere.

"No Chill Nekoi," Kamui interjected from the backseat. Everyone swiveled around to stare at him.

"Um, pot, have you met kettle?" Yuzuriha asked incredulously.

"The fuck you mean?!" Demanded Kamui, outraged.

"Subaru, do something!" Yuzuriha implored him, but Subaru just sighed.

"I pick my battles, okay?" He replied.

"God me too," Arashi told him, and they exchanged a nod of solidarity.

"You guys suck," Kamui said, crossly, but he leaned against Subaru's shoulder and took his hand anyway. They inched further and further across Delancey Street, then crossed the Williamsburg Bridge. Manhattan and Brooklyn were covered in a dirty, shimmering heat haze, and Kamui was grateful to be cocooned in the cool interior of the car. He held Subaru's hand in both his own and pressed his thumbs into it, feeling the smooth skin and flexible joints. The conversation continued around him, easy and energetic.

"So this is your grandfather's house we're going to, Sorata?" Asked Kusanagi, exiting the BQE to get on the LIE.

"Yeah! He's an astronomer, so he needs to be someplace where he can actually see stars." Subaru and Kamui exchanged a soft smile. "He teaches at this private school out on Long Island but he's all over the place. This weekend he's at a conference in the city, so yeah."

"That's cool! Can you identify planets and constellations?" Kusanagi asked.

"I remember some stuff but like, I heard it all so much growing up I tried to block it out," he replied, and everyone laughed. Outside, the highway was now lined with trees rather than ugly converted warehouses, and Kamui looked out eagerly. He so rarely left the city these days, he felt like he was entering some kind of parallel universe. Growing up, his mother would take him somewhere with Saya and Kotori every summer, usually upstate. She always said how good it was for him, and he had to agree, especially as the trips became fewer and farther between after Saya and Kotori's accident. He looked over at Subaru, who was also watching the views outside become wilder and wilder, and gave his hand another squeeze.

After a few hours, they pulled off the highway and onto some state road, lined with large, old-fashioned houses. They turned corner after corner onto smaller and smaller streets, eventually finding themselves on a road that ran parallel to the beach. There was a collective, "Ooh!"

"Almost there!" Kusanagai informed them. They passed smaller, newer houses with large porches, at last pulling into the gravel driveway of Sorata's grandfather's house. The second Kusanagi turned off the car, Sorata threw his door open and jumped out joyfully. Arashi followed, watching him with a deeply affectionate smile on her face. "Trunk's open!" Kusanagi called as everyone else clambered out of the car too. Kamui stood in the driveway facing the ocean, his eyes closed. He inhaled deeply. The salt in the air both stirred him up and planted the seeds of great contentment. It wasn't nearly as hot here, and an insistent sea breeze kept the air constantly moving. Subaru came to stand behind him and wrapped his arms around him.

"Better?" He asked, nuzzling into Kamui's neck, and he sighed contentedly.

"Yeah." Subaru kissed him right behind the ear.

"Let's go help them unload the car." Kamui nodded and Subaru withdrew his arms. He was pleased to see Kamui in a better mood as well as to be feeling better himself. However, he did feel a dull ache in his chest watching Kusanagi joking around with Sorata and Arashi, easy and excited with his girlfriend's friends despite their age difference. He had wanted to admire Yuzuriha's courage in inviting him, but now realized she had nothing to worry about.

He felt the grief bubble in his chest expand, then burst softly and painfully as he reflected that Seishiro would never have done this. If he had, he would have just made everything tense and awkward anyway. Subaru sighed heavily, waiting patiently for the bitter feelings to abate. He made to pick up his and Kamui's bags, but Kamui beat him to it, so he reached for a bag of groceries instead. Although Seishiro was usually the last thing on Subaru's mind, he'd sometimes appear this way, suddenly and sharply as resentment and shame in his chest. At first, Subaru had tried to resist and shut them down, but now he knew it was best to just let the emotions come, then leave again. He knew, eventually, they'd stop.

"Missy could you get my keys out of my pocket?" Sorata asked, his arms full of stuff. Arashi did so as Kusanagi slammed the trunk shut and everyone approached the front door.

"You okay?" Kamui asked, quietly. Subaru nodded.

"I'm fine, don't worry." Kamui understood and kissed him on the cheek. Arashi unlocked the door and everyone followed her inside. They found themselves in combined kitchen and living room, small but airy, with a tile floor and sliding glass doors on the opposite wall that opened out onto a deck overlooking the sparkling ocean. "This house is beautiful," Subaru told Sorata, placing his bag of groceries on the counter and looking around eagerly.

"Really, this is great," Kusanagi agreed. Sorata shrugged, putting groceries into the refrigerator.

"Thanks, but all credit to the old man."

"I'll take our stuff upstairs," Arashi told him, kissing him before picking up their bags.

"Thanks, um," Sorata looked around at everyone else. "Kamui, Yuzuriha, if you guys are cool with the same rooms you had last year, go for it." They looked at each other, then shrugged.

"That's cool," Kamui said. "I'll show you." Subaru nodded, and followed him down a short hallway. Kamui opened a door to their left, and they entered a small, airy guestroom. Sunlight poured in through the windows on the opposite wall out of which they could see the ocean. Kamui dropped their bags onto the floor, then fell backwards into bed, staring up at the ceiling fan. He closed his eyes, suddenly remembering coming here last year. He'd asked Fuuma for the weekend off, saying he was going to the beach with friends.

"Fun," Fuuma had said, leaning over his counter. "Do you want extra supplies? I have this really nice exotic right now…" Kamui opened his eyes and watched Subaru unpack. It seemed incredible that offering extra drugs had once felt like an expression of love. It was rather shameful in hindsight, but it was also gratifying to think how much had changed.

"Subaru?" He looked up from Kamui's t-shirt he was refolding so it was actually neat.

"What's up?"

"Come here," he said, reaching out. Subaru smiled, placed the shirt on the bed and lay down next to him. Kamui kissed him softly on the lips. "I'm glad you're here."

"Me too." They kissed again.

"You should close the door," Kamui breathed.

"Really?" Subaru asked, remembering where they'd been before getting interrupted that morning. Kamui gave him one last kiss, also remembering and feeling an excited shiver run through his body.

"Mmhmm." Subaru jumped up, shut the door quietly and climbed back on top of Kamui, kissing him deeply and shoving his hands up his shirt. Kamui let out a moan of satisfaction, arching into the touches, wrapping his arms around him and pressing his tongue into his mouth. Subaru started to grind his hips against Kamui, both of them already so hard and-

"Kamui! Subaru!" Followed by a knock at the door. Subaru scrambled off of Kamui, but Sorata just called through the closed door, "We're all getting ready to head down to the beach!"

"Okay, we'll be right there!" Subaru assured him. They heard Sorata retreat and Subaru ran his fingers through his hair. Kamui rolled over, his face in the blankets and groaned in frustration. Subaru smiled and rubbed circles on his back.

"Come on," he said, coaxingly, moving Kamui's hair aside to kiss the back of his neck. "Let's go swim." Kamui grunted in agreement and got out of bed. There was a large wardrobe facing the foot of the bed with a mirror in one of the doors. Kamui stood in front of it, applying sunscreen. For a moment, Subaru watched his hands caress his face, neck, shoulders and chest, but then had to look away.

"I like how this mirror is facing the bed," Kamui said, thoughtfully.

"Is that why you picked this room?" Subaru asked, flushing slightly and still not looking at Kamui, who laughed.

"Nah, this is new." They finished getting ready and headed back into the living room. Sorata, Arashi, Yuzuriha and Kusanagi were there waiting, looking excited.

"We're good?" Sorata asked the room at large, and everyone nodded. "Sweet, let's be out!" He picked up the beach umbrella next to the kitchen counter and slung it over his shoulder. He pulled open the sliding glass door and they followed him out onto the deck and down a short path that wound between sand dunes. "Here!" Sorata stopped abruptly and plunged the umbrella into the sand. Subaru and Kusanagi put down all they were carrying to help while Yuzuriha and Arashi spread blankets and towels underneath. Kamui stood facing the ocean with his arms spread wide and eyes closed.

"Kamui! Let's go in!" Came Yuzuriha's voice suddenly from right behind him.

"Huh? Ow!" She pinched his side, then sprinted away before he could retaliate. "I hate you!" He cried, chasing after her. Yuzuriha shrieked in excitement as waves crashed against them, smacking into their thighs and nearly taking their legs out from under them. Kamui threw himself backwards into the ocean and stayed under for a few seconds, suspended, at the mercy of the water, the chill and force draining his body of all tension. He came back up, laughing and shaking his hair out of his eyes.

"THIS FEELS AMAZING!" Yuzuriha cried ecstatically, throwing her arms up over her head.

"Dude seriously this is exactly what I needed," Kamui agreed, falling back into the water. "It's so fucking hot in our apartment the water in our kitchen sink comes out hot and not as hot."

"Our apartment, our sink…" Yuzuriha giggled, swimming in a circle around Kamui.

"Shut up!" He snapped, splashing her, though he was grinning of course.

"Ah! Don't splash me!"

"Don't talk shit then!"

"Excuse me?!"

Up under the umbrella, Subaru and Arashi were reclined on beach chairs with Kusanagi beside them, watching Kamui and Yuzuriha with deeply affectionate looks on their faces. "Are you guys coming in?" Demanded Sorata, looking wildly excited.

"In a second, you go ahead," Arashi replied, and he kissed her before sprinting into the ocean. At once, Kamui and Yuzuriha tackled him and he fell into the waves. Kusanagi laughed appreciatively.

"Getting thrown around by the ocean is so good for you," he said.

"True, it keeps you humble," Subaru agreed. They watched Kamui get knocked over backwards and wash up on the beach while Yuzuriha pointed and laughed. "I haven't been to the beach in so long!"

"Same here, I was too busy working the last few summers," Kusanagi replied.

"Well we come here every year, so you can both make up for it," Arashi told them, warmly, and they smiled at each other, newcomers to the traditions of the people they loved. "Oh no…" Arashi said, suddenly, breaking the moment. Sorata, Kamui and Yuzuriha were running back from the ocean, soaking wet and gasping for breath.

"Missy, come here!" Sorata cried, his arms outstretched.

"Sorata I will kill you!"

"No! Please! I love you!" Arashi screamed, sprang up out of her chair and ran from Sorata, her long hair rippling out behind her. Yuzuriha tried to jump on Kusanagi, but he caught her by the shoulders and held her at arm's length. Though she continued to struggle, keeping her at bay seemed to be costing him no effort at all.

"Kamui, don't-" but Kamui had already climbed into Subaru's lap, curling up like a cat and burying his face in his neck. "You're freezing!" Subaru cried, through his laugher.

"Nah I'm fine! It feels so good, you have to come in with me!" Kamui replied, looking up at Subaru, his face shining.

"I will, I promise." A sudden scream cut through the air as Kusanagi took his hands away from Yuzuriha's shoulders. She fell forward, but he caught her before she could actually go anywhere and pulled her close.

"You okay?" He asked her, his arm muscles bulging protectively.

"Of course!" She giggled. Arashi returned to the umbrella, having successfully evaded Sorata.

"See? It's not so bad!" He told her, and she threw him a dirty look.

"We knocked your ass over," Kamui reminded him from Subaru's arms. "She just doesn't want to catch the shame!" Arashi snorted with laughter.

"Says the guy who got wrecked by that tiny fucking wave," Sorata countered.

"Yo I dove under it, fuck outta here!" Sorata let out a sharp, contemptuous laugh.

"Yeah that's why you washed up on the beach with your legs up over your head?"

"Come on, Sorata, that's Kamui's favorite position!" Yuzuriha interjected, and everyone laughed. Kamui extricated himself from Subaru's arms and gave her a look of grudging respect before turning to face Sorata.

"Fuck that, the ocean can't do shit, it's more worthless than you!" Sorata raised his eyebrows.

"Word?"

"The ocean and Sorata Arisugawa!" Kamui proclaimed, spreading his arms wide. "Try to get in my face and get their shit destroyed!"

"I'll give you five seconds to take that back," Sorata replied, very seriously.

"Only good for cooking and getting put in his place, seems fucking legit," Kamui answered. Sorata lunged forward, seized Kamui around the waist and threw him over his shoulder. Kamui cried out and struggled, his arms and legs flailing.

"Say you're sorry," Sorata told him, his expression deadly serious.

"No!" Yuzuriha cheered, Kusanagi laughed and Subaru and Arashi seemed caught between amusement and horror, their hands over their mouths.

"Sorata be careful!" Arashi cried.

"Really? That's all I'm good for, you punk ass?"

"You wanna intervene, or…?" Kusanagi asked Subaru, who just shook his head.

"Say you're sorry!"

"No!" Sorata sighed heavily, then grinned around at their friends before turning sharply and walking resolutely back towards the ocean. "Ah! No! Fuck you put me down!" Kamui cried, struggling pointlessly. "Subaru!" Subaru looked up at Kamui, then shrugged. Yuzuriha, Arashi and Kusanagi burst out laughing.

"Ice cold!" Kusanagi said, appreciatively.

"Seriously I felt that!" Yuzuriha cried, clutching her sides. "Oh my god Subaru I'm so glad you're here!" Subaru flushed slightly and shook his head.

"Come on," he said, getting to his feet. "Let's go watch." Yuzuriha, Kusanagi and Arashi followed him down to the ocean. As they splashed into the water, Sorata slammed Kamui into an oncoming wave. They all watched Kamui scramble to reemerge and get his wits about him.

"Like I said, you ain't shit," Kamui informed Sorata, shaking his wet hair out of his eyes. "Even with your freak hulk strength you can't do nothing." Without saying a word, Sorata picked up Kamui again and suplexed him into another wave.

"For goodness sake, Sorata!" Arashi sighed as she and Subaru waded deeper into the water in case Kamui needed help getting up. Of course, he was fine, emerging from under the surf seconds later.

"Dude! You hit me in the SAME EXACT PLACE!" He moaned, grabbing onto his back and staggering over to Subaru.

"Good," Sorata replied, indifferently, falling backwards into the ocean. Arashi rolled her eyes and dove gracefully under a wave. Yuzuriha jumped onto Kusanagi's back and he charged into the water.

"Are you okay?" Subaru asked, his arms around Kamui.

"Of course I am," he replied, rolling his eyes. "But like, fuck you, Sorata!"

"Blow me, Kamui!"

"You wish!" They spent the next few hours in the ocean, splashing, swimming and play fighting. Eventually, Kusanagi and Yuzuriha got out to go for a walk along the beach and Sorata and Arashi returned to the umbrella to dry off and warm up. Kamui and Subaru remained in the water, going far out where the waves weren't crashing. Kamui jumped into Subaru's arms and wrapped his legs around his waist. Subaru held up him close, the ocean supporting both of them.

"Are you having fun?" Kamui asked.

"Of course, this is wonderful!" Kamui kissed him, tasting saltwater on his lips. A shiver of excitement ran through both of them and Subaru dug his fingers into Kamui's thighs. The water continued to push and pull them as they moved in for another kiss and Subaru sucked on Kamui's lower lip, making him gasp and roll his hips forward. He kissed Subaru deeply, thrusting his tongue into his mouth as heat rushed between his legs. Subaru groaned softly, moving Kamui up and down to create a gentle, teasing friction. Kamui gasped, his stomach muscles pulling in and up as he kissed Subaru even harder. At last, they broke apart, their foreheads touching. Kamui drew his hand down and cupped Subaru's erection through his bathing suit.

"You're so hard," he breathed, feeling his own erection twitch in excitement.

"I know," Subaru gasped, his face flushed as he held tight to Kamui, who hesitated, then looked over towards the beach, but their friends all seemed to be occupied.

"Let me jerk you off," he whispered, very quietly.

"Right now?" Subaru asked in a soft groan, thrusting his hips forward excitedly.

"Yeah," Kamui replied, continuing to tease him. Subaru bit his lip, but nodded, fresh heat rushing between his legs. Kamui smiled a seductive smile and slipped his hand into Subaru's bathing suit. Subaru stifled his small cry by kissing Kamui, feeling him start to work his erection. Kamui knew a rush of excitement and smiled into their kiss, pleasing Subaru in fast strokes. It was hard to maintain a firm grip and good friction under the water, but Subaru continued to thrust his hips into the sensations with more soft groans. He pulled out of their kiss and buried his face in Kamui's neck, still holding tight to his thighs. "Does this feel good?" Kamui asked, his voice slightly constricted as Subaru began to kiss his neck.

"Yes," Subaru breathed. Holding tight to Kamui with one hand, Subaru brought the other around to take hold of his erection. Kamui cried out softly and kissed him full on the lips. They worked each other faster, they didn't have much time, but this was so good they wouldn't need it, and-

"Kamui! Subaru!" They broke apart and Kamui let out another frustrated cry as he looked around.

"What?!" He demanded, only to see their friends splashing back into the water. Subaru let go of Kamui at once and took a few deep breaths, trying to calm down.

"What's with you?" Yuzuriha asked.

"Yeah seriously, fix your face," Sorata added.

"Shut up," snapped Kamui, still rather flushed. He dove under an oncoming wave, trying to regain control of himself. Subaru smiled rather apologetically, but he couldn't help but feel frustrated.

"The ocean's salty, but not as salty as Kamui's punk ass," Sorata said, sagely when Kamui reappeared above the water.

"You can't blame him, you did choke slam him into a wave," Yuzuriha said, thoughtfully.

"That wasn't a choke slam, it was a suplex," Kusanagi interjected, wisely. Everyone laughed, even Kamui, and Sorata brofisted Kusanagi.

"My dude," he said, appreciatively.

"Yeah, this is a choke slam," Kusanagi continued, seizing Sorata and demonstrating the move. Kamui and Yuzuriha burst out laughing and Arashi and Subaru hurried over to Sorata as he reappeared above the waves. He threw his arms up over his head, a grin on his face.

"I'm cool!" he announced.

"Dead ass though I want a loop of that as my cellphone background!" Kamui said, his expression uplifted.

"Don't," Arashi said preemptively to Sorata, though she was smiling too. They played in the ocean for the rest of the afternoon, not calling it a day until the sun hung low in the sky and the waves began to settle. They crawled slowly back to shore and up to their things, not talking much and feeling pleasantly exhausted. Kamui put his arm around Subaru as they traipsed back to the house, feeling rather wobbly now he was back on dry land. Subaru felt deeply satisfied and alive, his body still tingling from the waves and the saltwater and from everything he and Kamui had done earlier.

"So, rinse off and make dinner?" Kusanagi asked as they stepped up onto the deck.

"Yeah that's perfect," Sorata replied. "Just don't track too much sand into the house, the old man gets tight about that." The living room seemed dark and shadowy after the brightness outside, but the tile felt pleasantly cool on the soles of their feet as they returned to their rooms.

Kamui hung his and Subaru's wet towels on the back of the door and dug for fresh ones inside the wardrobe facing the bed. Subaru shut the door, and Kamui approached him. "What's up?" He asked, gently touching Kamui's arm. Kamui sighed, stepped toward him and buried his face in his neck. Subaru wrapped his arms around him and pressed his lips tenderly against his shoulder, inhaling sunlight and saltwater. Kamui took a deep breath in, his body igniting as Subaru moved his lips, teeth and tongue up the warm wet skin of his shoulder and neck. "You taste like the ocean," Subaru breathed, and Kamui moaned softly. He pulled away, kissed Subaru on the lips, then rested his forehead against his. "Worried we'll be interrupted?" Subaru asked quietly, and Kamui laughed softly.

"A little." Subaru laughed softly too.

"Should we just go rinse off?" Kamui nodded.

"Later, though," he said, and they exchanged a look.

A half hour later, they rejoined their friends on the deck. Sorata and Kusanagi were hovering around the grill, talking very seriously about technique, while Yuzuriha and Arashi were seated at the table, chopping vegetables. "There you are, get your ass over here," Sorata told Kamui, who rolled his eyes but made his way over. Subaru sat down beside Arashi and picked up a spare knife to help. A deep contentment had settled over them as the sun sank lower and lower towards the horizon and the conversation was light and easy. The tide came in and the ocean glittered in the soft, orange sunset. The air smelled of saltwater, charcoal smoke and grilling meet, fish and vegetables. Yuzuriha went inside to get drinks and her cellphone, then darted about taking photos.

"Subaru, smile!"

"What?" Yuzuriha grinned.

"It's perfect, I'm sending this to Hokuto right now!"

"Let me see!" Kamui interjected, abandoning the grill and running over, spatula in hand. Yuzuriha showed Kamui the picture, of Subaru looking up at the camera, innocently confused. She and Kamui laughed affectionately. "Fucking perfect," he agreed, kissing Subaru on the lips, and they held each other's gaze a moment.

"You got a lot of sun today," Subaru said, quietly.

"That's another one I'm sending to Hokuto," Yuzuriha giggled, and Kamui rolled his eyes as he returned to Kusanagi and Sorata. Shortly after, dinner was ready, and everyone took their places around the table, plates piled high with food and drinks in hand.

"Cheers, guys," Sorata said, raising his beer. "Thanks for coming all the way out here, this is fucking great!" They clinked their drinks together, then began to eat. Dinner was mostly quiet; the food was delicious and they were all particularly hungry after getting thrown around by the ocean all day. The sky darkened to a deep, rich blue as they cleaned up their dishes, then returned to the deck for more drinks. Stars began to bloom, glittering and beautiful overhead. Kamui squinted up at them curiously, though he had no real idea what he was looking for. "It's too early to see the Pleiades," Sorata told him, quietly, across the table. Kamui was about to respond, but Subaru put his arm around him and kissed him on the side of the head.

"What can we see right now?" Arashi asked, looking curiously up at the sky.

"There's Orion," Kusanagi said, pointing. "You can also see the Big Dipper, but that's all I know."

"You know your shit," Sorata said, impressed, and Kusanagi laughed.

"A friend of mine from the Academy," he replied, and the conversation continued, quiet and curious. Kamui really wanted to leave the table, but knew he'd have to stick it out. Beside him, Subaru was stroking his hair and gently nuzzling him behind the ear. He also wanted to return to their room, to have the rest of the night alone with Kamui, and these last few minutes were the most agonizing.

"What are we doing tomorrow?" Arashi asked, after a while.

"You promised we'd build a bonfire this year," Yuzuriha reminded Sorata.

"I did say that," he conceded, yawning and stretching.

"Are you tired?" Arashi asked, and he nodded.

"Yeah I'm about ready to call it a night, especially if we're digging a fire pit tomorrow."

"Me too," Kamui interjected, praying he didn't sound as eager as he felt. He looked to Subaru, who nodded, smiling softly. They all headed back inside.

"Good night!" Sorata said, smiling. He then put his arm around Arashi and they headed back upstairs.

"Sweet dreams," Yuzuriha said, grinning, before taking Kusanagi's hand and pulling him to the other guest room at the opposite end of the hallway. Subaru and Kamui looked at each other, then hurried back to their room. Subaru closed the door tightly and they waited for the sounds of two bedroom doors closing over the ceiling fan and the ocean. Finally, they heard the blessed sound in the distance and grabbed onto each other, kissing passionately in the moonlight.

"I want you," Kamui gasped, between kisses, and Subaru groaned softly as he slipped his hand into his shorts to grip his erection. Kamui gasped softly and held tight to Subaru, thrusting his hips forward into the sensations.

"How do you want it?" Subaru asked in a low voice, moving his thumb in a slow circle around the tip of his erection. A deep shiver ran through Kamui's body as he pulled away to look Subaru in the face. Desire rose up in both of them, heating up the space between them.

"I want it from behind," Kamui told Subaru, quietly commanding, and Subaru bit his lip. "And I want you to fuck me hard." Subaru blushed deeply even as the words sent shocks of pleasure through his body. "Give me what we've wanted all fucking day," he finished, groaning softly. Subaru nodded, still moving his hand slowly up and down Kamui's erection.

"Will you do something for me, then?" He asked, his voice low and seductive.

"Anything."

"Can we be turned towards the mirror? So I can see your face?" Kamui cried out, his heart skipping and erection throbbing.

"Yes!" Subaru kissed Kamui full on the lips, and they continued for a few more glorious seconds as they stripped each other naked. Eventually, they broke apart, and Kamui climbed into bed, facing the mirror on his hands and knees, the breeze from the ceiling fan cool on his back. He watched Subaru get a condom and lube out of his bag. The moonlight pouring in through the windows shown on his pale skin, illuminating every curve of his body in the blue-black light. He took his place behind Kamui, and they both looked at themselves in the mirror, then blushed furiously. Subaru bent over Kamui and began kissing the back of his neck and shoulders. Kamui moaned softly and grabbed onto the bed sheets, tendrils of pleasure moving outwards from Subaru's kisses. He tried to look at himself in the mirror, but found it was far easier to just keep his eyes closed and enjoy.

Subaru inhaled deeply and exhaled in a soft moan, smelling Kamui's hair and tasting his skin. He moved his lips down his spine, kissing each of the vertebrae, then wrapped his arms around him and dragged his hands down his chest. Kamui groaned softly. He wanted desperately for Subaru to keep going; these light, teasing touches were enough to drive him crazy! Subaru rubbed the side of his face tenderly into the deep curve of Kamui's lower back before giving him one last kiss and straightening up. He reached for the lube, squeezed some onto his fingers and pressed them up against Kamui. "Is this okay?" He asked, his voice heavy and needy, rubbing his first two fingers in a slow, though deliberate circle.

"Yes," Kamui moaned, pressing his hips backwards into the sensation. Subaru watched Kamui's face in the mirror as he pressed his fingers inside, watched his eyes close and mouth fall open in excitement. His breath caught in his chest and he bit his lip, moving his fingers in and out, watching Kamui arch and curl his back, looking desperately for more friction. He brought his other hand to Kamui's hip, holding him in place, then moved his fingers faster, stretching and exploring. "O-oh god!" Kamui moaned, opening his eyes to watch Subaru in the mirror as he threw his head back with a soft groan. Hot, fresh arousal surged through both of them; how excited they could make each other was always such a turn on.

Subaru spread his fingers, then moved them faster, finding what he was looking for at once. Kamui fell forward onto his forearms, arching deeply into the feeling with a long, hard moan. Breathing heavily, Subaru teased his sweet spot mercilessly and Kamui's toes curled, pleasure coursing outwards from deep inside him. Subaru watched Kamui in the mirror as he gripped his hip and moved his fingers even faster, listening to his string of incoherent moans and swear words. He managed to clamber back up onto his hands, and they locked eyes with each other's reflections, both so desperate and needy. "I want it," Kamui moaned, his voice dripping with longing. Subaru felt all the muscles in his body seize up in an a sudden, desirous spasm, then release, his erection throbbing almost painfully. He didn't trust himself to speak, so he nodded and withdrew his fingers. He slid on the condom and lubed himself up as Kamui spread his legs, a deep arch in his back. Subaru held tight to Kamui's hip with one hand and guided his erection into place with the other.

"Ready?" He asked, softly desperate.

"Yes!" Kamui cried, rather impatiently.

"Watch," Subaru said, and they both looked up at the mirror as Subaru began to press slowly, carefully, inside. Kamui exhaled sharply and gripped the bed sheets with his fists, his eyes glued to Subaru's reflection. Subaru dug his fingernails into Kamui's hip and let out a low groan, waiting, his heart and erection throbbing with every passing second.

"Keep going," Kamui said, relaxing easily. Still slowly, Subaru pushed further and further in, centimeter by centimeter, always waiting for Kamui's "okay." At last he was completely sheathed inside. He collapsed onto Kamui's back, wrapped his arms tight around him and kissed the soft skin between his shoulder blades. Kamui was breathing deeply, feeling fulfilled as he couldn't be by anything else. He wanted Subaru to move, but feeling his chest against his back, breath behind his ears, arms around him in a loving embrace, erection deep inside him… He could have stayed there all night. He opened his eyes and looked up at his reflection, feeling excited by his own, deeply aroused expression. "Fuck me," he moaned, softly, his entire body shivering in anticipation.

"Okay…" Subaru kissed him right between his shoulder blades, then straightened up. Grabbing onto Kamui's hips with both hands, he pulled out slowly, then looked up at his own reflection, powerful, aroused and needy, and thrust back inside. Kamui cried out sharply, the sensations echoing through his body as Subaru repeated the move.

"Yes!" He cried out, feeling Subaru dig his fingernails into his hips. "Go faster!"

"That's what you want?"

"God yes!" Subaru exhaled sharply, pulled out and thrust back in, over and over again, moving much faster this time. He threw his head back in a deep, ecstatic groan, the heat, pressure and friction sending powerful waves of pleasure through every nerve of his body. He kept looking down, at what he was doing to Kamui, at Kamui's rapturous expression in the mirror, or his own. "Go deeper!" Kamui begged, feeling like he was in heaven, pleasure forcing out all other tension or sensation from his body. He pressed his hips back against Subaru, and he changed his angle slightly on his next thrust. Kamui seized up around him and moaned harder than ever, his hands shaking as he gripped the bed sheets. "Oh god- Yes!" He moaned, his body on fire and mind spinning. "Harder!" His insides throbbed and his erection pulsed with need. "Harder!"

The words sent an entirely new heat surging through Subaru's body and he let out a hard, needy moan as he moved faster still. He thrust deep and hard into Kamui, never losing that incredible angle, the friction and pressure around his erection making him feel lightheaded. Kamui's arms were shaking so badly he collapsed again onto his forearms, moaning and swearing with no idea what he was actually saying. The rest of the world was melting away; all that was real was him and Subaru and how good they were making each other feel.

Subaru could feel Kamui shivering, feel him tensing and releasing around him. He knew he was close, they were both close. He usually liked to draw it out, but after being denied so much… He wrapped his arms around Kamui and lifted him up so his back was against his chest. Kamui cried out as Subaru grabbed the side of his face and pulled him into a kiss. He moaned into Subaru's mouth, grinding his hips back against him, looking desperately for more friction. Subaru moaned into their kiss and dragged his fingernails across Kamui's chest, discharging his sudden surge of need. Kamui pulled away with another deep moan, shivering in Subaru's arms. "What do you want?" Subaru breathed, his voice constricted, digging his fingernails into Kamui's chest again, making him groan as his erection throbbed desperately.

"Make me come, Subaru," he groaned, his face the picture of need. Subaru exhaled sharply as he reached down and took hold of his erection. Kamui stiffened in his arms and arched deeply into his lower back. "Yes!" Subaru kissed him again with another deep groan, shoving his tongue into his mouth. They broke apart, gasping and shuddering. Subaru looked forward, still stroking Kamui's erection, and Kamui followed his gaze. They stared at themselves in the mirror, Subaru deep inside Kamui, arms around him, pleasing him, Kamui's expression lustful and desperate and profoundly seductive. "I'm so close," he moaned, staring his reflection in the face. A violent shiver ran through Subaru's body as he watched himself in the mirror.

"How do you want it?" He breathed, and Kamui shuddered.

"Fuck me," he moaned, his voice oozing desire. Without thinking, Subaru let go of his erection and pushed Kamui back down onto the bed. He came to rest on his forearms, a deep arch in his back. Subaru brought his hands to his hips again, pulled out slowly, then thrust back inside, deep and hard. Kamui cried out as Subaru immediately found the angle that was making both of them so crazy. Once again the world seemed to be melting away: nothing existed except for each other and how good everything felt, the need that had been simmering inside them finally getting released.

Kamui was holding so tight to the bed sheets his knuckles were white, watching Subaru fuck him in the mirror, moaning and crying out, begging and swearing. Blood pounded in his ears as the pressure between his legs built to the bursting point, pleasure seizing hold of his entire body. "I'm gonna come!" He cried, suddenly, and then his mind went completely and gloriously blank as he came, so hard, all over the sheets. His chest heaved as he fell forward, his orgasm sending waves of pleasure crashing through his body. He couldn't think, he couldn't even move, his body was too heavy.

Subaru watched all of this in the mirror, and it was one of the most exciting things he had ever seen. He had paused to give Kamui a moment to recover, but it was taking all of his self-control. At last, Kamui managed to look over his shoulder at Subaru, his face burning, hair a mess, mouth open and eyes glazed with satisfaction. They locked eyes, and Subaru felt an entirely new surge of pleasure. It was way too much.

He gripped Kamui's hips almost painfully hard; he could barely hold him steady he was so shaky. He pulled out and with a few, deep thrusts, came hard inside Kamui. Subaru's entire body shook with the force of it as he threw his head back in sheer ecstasy, moaning so hard. His heart hammered against his ribs as he thrust weakly into Kamui a few more times, draining himself completely before collapsing on top of him. All the pressure inside him was gone, replaced by light, satisfied space. "God, Kamui…" He moaned, quietly, nuzzling into the back of his neck and wrapping his arms around him. They stayed that way for a long time, until finally the rest of the world started to come back into focus, beginning with the soothing whir of the ceiling fan and the ocean waves crashing in the distance.

"That was amazing," Kamui breathed, his words slurring slightly and voice heavy with satisfaction. Eventually, Subaru managed to straighten up. He pulled out with a soft gasp and Kamui rolled over onto his side, spent and speechless, watching Subaru clean up in the moonlight. Subaru returned to bed and Kamui crawled into his arms and buried his face in his neck. Subaru held him tight, feeling a sudden wave of emotion as he rubbed his face in his hair. "I love you," Kamui breathed, his eyes half closed.

"I love you too," Subaru whispered. His heart still skipped when he said it. Kamui shifted slightly in his arms.

"You fuck me so good," he said. Subaru blushed deeply, though he felt the praise in his whole body.

"Good," he replied, rather sheepishly. A few moments passed under the soft breeze of the fan, then Kamui disentangled himself from Subaru's arms and kissed him on the lips.

"Come with me, I want to show you something." Subaru smiled at Kamui, his face eager in the moonlight. He tucked his hair tenderly behind his ear, then nodded. They got out of bed and redressed rather clumsily. Kamui took Subaru's hand and led him out into the hallway. It was pitch dark there, but the moonlight poured into the living room from the sliding glass doors, casting long, spidery shadows across the tile floor. Being as quiet as possible, Kamui slid the glass door open and he and Subaru stepped out onto the deck. The ocean crashed in the distance and the sand dunes seemed to whisper in a soft, salty night breeze. Kamui gave Subaru's hand a squeeze and looked up. Subaru followed his gaze, and a smile of deep, genuine happiness spread across his face.

"My wish has finally come true," he said, pulling Kamui into his arms and staring wide eyed up at the sky. Kamui held tight to Subaru, feeling deeply connected under the vast sea of stars. "You know," Subaru said, thoughtfully, after a few minutes. "When you see all the stars this way, it's really not so surprising people used to think the Earth was the center of the universe." Kamui's chest constricted painfully. He said nothing, but continued to stare hard at Subaru. "What?" He asked, meeting his gaze.

"Nothing, I just fucking love you," Kamui replied, his voice constricted now. Subaru flushed deeply and pulled Kamui closer to him.

"I love you too." They breathed deeply into each other, feeling and listening. "Do you mind if we stay out here for a while?" Subaru asked, tentatively. Kamui kissed Subaru tenderly on the neck.

"We can stay out here all night."


Thank you all SO much for reading!

I think of reviews when I summon my kekkai, leave me some!