Veli hummed, shoving the candles down into the sand. He pulled out a match and lit them, waving it out soon.

"Ooooh~" He grinned. He'd always watched the humans on the beach at night before. It'd looked... Fun.

Noah lowered himself slowly and laid down, pulling a pillow beneath is head. His cast was plastic-bagged and his wound covered.

All was well in his world.

Veli sat beside him, leaning back to look at the stars. He pointed up with one hand, mouth moving slowly as he traced a few constellations.

"This is nice."

"It is," Noah smiled. Warm and beautiful and they were all alone. Perfect. Maybe they'd finally be getting laid this time.

Veli rolled over slightly, wrapping one arm over Noah's chest.

"I used to watch people on the beach when I was younger."

"And?" Noah asked. Was there a point to this story oooor...?

"I was jelous. They always looked so happy, so content." He nuzzled against him, kissing his neck. Mmm. "Like I feel now."

". . . Though, I always thought it looked a little uncomfortable..."

"Uuuungh..." Noah said cringing, "I can't imagine adding sand to the mix. It just doesn't seem...right."

"Mmhm, sand in senstivie parts doesn't sound fun..." Veli agreed. "But it looked to be romantic."

"If it happens, it happens," Noah smiled, looking to Veli and wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

"I guess it would be romantic."

"Mmmm." Veli kissed at his neck, sighing. "The stars, the sound of the waves, the smell of salt... Mmmm~"

Noah smiled, laying his head on Veli's chest.

"It's pretty, I'll give it that," he said softly.

Petting the shorn head, Veli smiled.

"It's perfect." He said softly, nuzzling against him. Mmmm. "The stars are beautiful as well. An amazing night."

"Mm," Noah nodded, "I like this dating thing..."

"I know." Veli laughed. "I've never had an actual date before. Yenno, mostly movie escorts and stuff. I don't think I've ever watched a movie straight through in the theaters before."

"I'll be sure to bring you to one some day," Noah smiled, "All the way through." He removed his head from Veli's chest and brought it up, holding him and breathing on his ear. Awww, love.

Veli opened his mouth to say something, then closed it, humming. Mmmmm, close~

Noah heaved a sigh and kissed Veli's jaw, then neck, burying his face this. He loved everything about this man; his build, his smell, his skin, his scales...everything.

And maybe tonight would be the night he told him.

Veli hummed again, stroking Noah's head. Mmm...

"I'm so comfortable around you..." He said, laughing slightly. "It's amazing..."

"Mm, me too," Noah said, chuckling. His voice was only marginally muffled by neckflesh.

"I haven't felt like this...in a really long time."

"Like how? Comfortable?" Veli asked, somewhat innocently. Oh, Veli. Such a silly boy.

"No," Noah said, carefully working his way up, building the courage. He kissed Veli's jaw, cheek, the coner of one lip...

Veli blinked slowly. Oh my, Noah was getting very nice and close...

"Like how?" He asked, voice small and thin.

Noah took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and kissed Veli gently but strongly on the lips. It lasted only a moment, and when he pulled away he whispered.

"I love you."

Oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit.

Veli crooned at the kiss, his eyes closing. A smile grew on his face.

"I love y-"

His eyes opened. Inside his mind, memories flew past. Of someone who said they loved him, and the power they had over him. The tank, the knives, the realization all too late that this wasn't love.

"...Ahn-!" Veli gasped, his eyes large. He seemed to be having trouble breathing and started pulling away from Noah. Very quickly.