Sand shifted under his feet, he could feel the heat of it through the sandals he was wearing. But his focus was on the water. It was a pretty blue-teal, and seemed to go on and on forever. A few fluffy white clouds drifted along in the sky, and distantly he heard the sounds of other people. But Harry was transfixed by the water.

He had never learned to swim, he didn't think using gillyweed really counted. The Dursley's would never have wasted money on lessons for him to learn. And every year at school, there was some kind of death trap. But he had always wanted to see the sea. The Realm really did seem to have everything.

Taking a deep breath, when had he stopped? He finally tore his eyes away from the water and glanced up at Laric with a faint blush. The Warrior was looking at him with a fond smile, not seeming to be upset at all that he had just spent the last however long staring in silence. Fionn looked both excited, and a little unsure. A faint nervousness coming through the Courtship Bonds from both of his mates. As well as a faint hint of excitement.

"Shall we?" Laric offered the arm that wasn't laden down with things for their beach day.

He had refused, gently, any offers from the other two to carry anything. Insisting the basket had lightening charms and hardly weighed anything at all. Harry wasn't sure where the umbrella had come from, he hadn't noticed it before they traveled by Storm. Ducking his head slightly, the blush spreading across his cheeks again, Harry looped his arm through Laric's as Fionn moved to take his other hand.

They passed families with small children, people sunbathing, reading, playing magic-enhanced beach games, and finally found a small section of beach that didn't have too many others nearby. Laric opened the umbrella and stabbed it down into the sand. It was a bright, cheerful yellow, with red and black swirls. Large enough to fit all three of them plus their things, and gave plenty of shade.

Once it was firmly in place, the tall Warrior opened the basket and pulled out a light blue blanket and a mini table-like object with 3 holes in the top. After moving things around to where he wanted them, the Storm Demon pulled off his shirt and slipped off his shoes. Leaving him in only his swim trunks. A softly muttered spell later, and his pale skin sparkled briefly before fading to normal.

"Wear whatever makes you comfortable. Once you are ready, I can apply the sunscreen charm if you wish and we can go in the water. Unless you would rather stay under the umbrella?"

"I don't know how to swim, but the water looks like fun." Harry tried to keep his eyes on the icy blue eyes of the Warrior. Reminding himself that even though they were Courting, it wasn't polite to ogle.

"We will not go in past your waist then. And we can get out of the water any time you decide you are uncomfortable. If you wish to learn to swim, I can help with that as well. Though it is easier to learn in calm waters."

"I'm ready for the sun charm Laric." Fionn had stripped until he was only in swim shorts as well.

Harry chewed his lip a moment, then decided to take off his t-shirt. He wasn't ashamed of his scars, and both of his mates had seen them before. At least, he thought Laric had seen all of them. He didn't hide them on purpose, but some were uglier or brought uglier memories than the others. "I must not tell lies." on the back of his hand. The scar in the crook of his right elbow from where Wormtail had taken his blood to resurrect Voldemort. And, just above the resurrection scar, was the scar from the basilisk's fang his 2nd year.

Why they were all on his right and none on his left, he wasn't sure. Even his curse scar was a bit more over the right side of his forehead. Distracted as he was, he didn't hear Laric murmur the sunscreen charm, but the cold tingly feeling that swept across his skin, jerked him out of his thoughts.

Fionn ran ahead of them, and was soon in water up a bit past his waist. Laric hung back to walk near Harry, but his ice blue eyes flicked back and forth between them, as well as occasionally around at the others on the beach.

When they finally made it off the hot sands and into the cooler dampness where the waves lapped the shore, Harry paused and dug his toes into the sand. The holes quickly filled up with bubbly water, and his feet sank in a bit. The sand sucked at his feet as he pulled them free, and stepped farther in until the water lapped his calves.

He shivered at the sensation of the water against his skin, but the warmth of the sun on his back was comforting. Harry glanced over at Laric, who seemed to be waiting patiently for him to make the next move. Taking a deep breath, Harry stepped further into the water until it was up to his waist. The waves crashed against him, pushing him gently back and forth.

A sudden surge of water caught him off guard, and he stumbled slightly, charcoal and red wings flaring out. His heart raced as he regained his footing, feeling vulnerable and exposed in the unfamiliar environment. But Laric was right there, a steadying hand on his hip to keep him from falling. Making sure Harry was stable once more. Pulling his wings tightly against his back, the way the water lapped at them was disconcerting. Or perhaps the slightly dizzy feeling had more to do with the warmth of the Warrior's fingers on his skin.

"Are you alright?" Laric's low voice rumbled in his ear, sending shivers down his spine.

Harry nodded, feeling a little embarrassed. "Yeah, I'm fine. It just caught me off guard."

Laric smiled reassuringly at him, the warmth of his gaze spreading across Harry like a comforting blanket.

"It takes some getting used to. But you are doing well, Harry."

Feeling a surge of pride at the praise, Harry grinned up at him.

"Thanks, Laric. I'm really glad we came here today."

Fionn had swum out a little further, his sleek body cutting through the waves with ease. Harry watched him for a moment, feeling a pang of envy at how comfortable he seemed in the water. But then he turned back to Laric, feeling a sudden urge to be closer to him. The water lapped at their hips, and Harry tentatively reached out to touch Laric's chest, feeling the warm muscles beneath his hand.

Laric's breath hitched slightly, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he leaned down to capture Harry's lips in a gentle kiss. Harry's heart pounded in his chest as Laric's lips moved against his own. The sure steady strength of the Warrior felt, even in his kiss. Like nothing could possibly go wrong as long as he had Laric with him. He vaguely noticed the Storm Demon had wrapped one black and white wing around them, as if to hide them from all but Fionn's view.

The waves continued to lap against them, the water a soothing sound that Harry found himself getting lost in. He had the fleeting thought that if he were to drown, because of how he couldn't pay attention to anything but the Storm Demon in front of him, it would be worth it.

In the back of his mind, he could feel amusement and contentedness, a rising excitement, hunger and love. So so much love it was almost overwhelming.

As the kiss finally ended, he swayed slightly, and just knew he must have a silly look on his face. How had his life come to this? What could he possibly have done to be lucky enough to have not one, but two people love him so fiercely? And he knew it was fierce, with the Courtship bonds in place, he could feel their emotions almost as strongly as his own if he took a moment to reach for them.

He wanted to stay in this moment, with Laric's hand still on his hip, the sun warming his back, and the water lapping at his waist. He wanted to savor this feeling of being loved and cherished, of being wanted and desired.

They spent the rest of the day playing in the water, building sandcastles, and lounging under the umbrella. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, and Harry was just beginning to think the day and the date were over, Laric gently tugged Fionn and him by the hand. Leading them back to the umbrella and blanket, he folded the umbrella and sat down on the blue blanket. Moving the mini table, with their drinks in the cup holders out of the way, he patted the blanket on either side of himself.

"If you are not too tired, there is one last thing I wanted to show you before we leave."

Fionn flopped down on Laric's left, and Harry sat to the Warriors right. Both looking up curiously and wondering just what else the enigmatic Storm Demon could possibly have in store.

"There is a meteor shower in a little while, and as we are out here and not in the middle of the city, you should be able to see them clearly."

Harry and Fionn both gasped in excitement. Harry had never seen a meteor shower before, and the idea of seeing shooting stars streaking across the sky was thrilling.

Laric leaned back on his elbows, a black and white wing spread out and brushing against each of them as his eyes scanned the sky. "We will have to wait a little while, but it should be worth it."

The three of them settled into a comfortable silence, watching as the sky slowly darkened and the stars began to twinkle into view. Harry snuggled up against Laric's side, feeling a sense of peace settle over him. He had never felt this contented before, and he had never been surrounded by this much love.

As the first shooting star crossed the sky, Harry couldn't help but make a wish. He closed his eyes and sent it out into the universe, hoping that it would come true. And as he opened his eyes again, he saw that Fionn and Laric were both looking at him with soft expressions on their faces. And he just knew, that it would. For the first time in his life that he could remember, he knew his wish would come true.