Complete

27: Wash away

"Gulf, we have reached."

Mew shook Gulf lightly, waking Gulf from his sleep.

"Where are we?" Gulf rubbed his eyes sleepily, smelling a hint of the ocean breeze.

Wait. Ocean breeze?

Gulf's eyes flung open, greeted by the night falling over the vast beach.

"I would come here when I feel troubled. So I brought you here. I hope it helps." Mew caressed Gulf's face, his gentle smile and actions warming Gulf's heart.

Mew leaned back, his hand behind Gulf's seat as he grabbed a duffel bag from the back seat.

With Mew so close to him, Gulf could smell his cologne and natural scent.

Gulf fidgeted in his seat, having the urge to nuzzle in Mew's chest and inhale his intoxicating scent.

"Wow you came prepared huh?" Gulf laughed, looking through the duffel bag that Mew passed him.

Clothes, food, drinks, toiletries, sparklers...

"You brought sparklers?!" Gulf beamed.

That was his childhood. He would always chase his brothers around with them, sneaking up to his brothers and putting it beside their ears.

Sung Hoon once yelled and jumped away, kneeing Seo Joon who sat beside him in the groin.

(A/N Kids please don't do this at home, please place sparklers away from your face.)

Gulf cupped Mew's face, giddily dropping a peck on the tip of Mew's nose.

"Oh my gosh you are the best boyfriend ever!" Gulf continued to shower Mew's face with little pecks, smiling.

Receiving such affection from Gulf made Mew blush.

"Then what are you waiting for? Let's set these sparklers." Mew coughed, grabbing the sparklers out of the bag.

Getting off the car, he went over to Gulf's side to open the door, locking it once Gulf stepped out.

They walked along the shoreline, the glows and sparks mirroring the stars that lit across the pitch-black night sky.

Waving it around, Gulf drew stupid patterns such as shit, Mew doubling over in laughter.

When they used up the sparklers, they threw it in a nearby dustbin. A pouting Gulf trailing behind Mew.

I wish there were more sparklers...

When Mew bent down to throw the used sparklers, Gulf being his cheeky self, pounced onto Mew's back, nearly causing Mew to stumble.

Gulf laughed, wrapping his legs around Mew's waist while hanging his arms on Mew's shoulders.

Pointing to the beach, he yelled excitedly. "Let's go Mew! Charge!"

Mew chuckled at Gulf's childish antics, wrapping his hands around Gulf's thighs to prevent him from falling.

"Hold on tight then!"

Mew ran along the beach with Gulf on his back, the two men under the silver pepper of stars.

When they were near the tide, Gulf cheekily snaked his arms around Mew's neck and leaned back. The sudden shift in weight took Mew by surprise, causing both to fall into the ocean close to shore.

Mew laughed at the sight of Gulf sputtering from the seawater that got into his mouth.

"Serves you right!" Mew teased, raking back his damp hair.

Moving closer to Gulf, he tenderly brushed away Gulf's wet locks that covered his golden-brown eyes. They stared at each other, soft smiles on their faces.

Taking off their shirts, they laid their shirts on the sand. A comfortable silence enveloped them as they lay beside each other, the tide swirling around their legs before receding.

"When me and my mother come to the beach, my mother would tell me to close my eyes and let the rhythmic sounds of the waves wash my troubles away."

Gulf decided to try it out.

Closing his eyes, the gentle sounds enveloped him, washing away his uneasiness. The waves crashing before retreating to join the ocean. The leaves of the palm trees rustling ever so softly against the ocean breeze.

While Gulf closed his eyes, Mew turned his attention from the night sky to Gulf.

Gazing at Gulf, he traced the contour of his face. Memorizing the way the ocean breeze ruffles Gulf's hair. Imprinting the ethereal image of Gulf under the moonlight.

In that moment, Mew's heart was overwhelmed with only a single thought.

Fuck I love him so much.

Mew didn't want to hold back.

Wanting to be honest with his feelings, he softly uttered.

"There is a line in one of the most famous love poems, Shakespeare's Sonnet 116.

It is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken

Shakespeare tells what love is through a metaphor: a guiding star to lost ships that is not susceptible to storms. He tells of a love that is unwavering, a love that is ever-lasting."

Gulf turned his attention to Mew, melting under Mew's loving gaze as they lay on their arms on the wet sand.

"And I fell in that love.

I love you Gulf.

Falling in love with you was like entering a house and finally realizing I'm home. When you smile at me I feel invisible hands wrapping around me making me feel safe. When your eyes are locked on mine, it's like I can see galaxies instead of just pupils. Having you in my life makes me feel like everything's possible in this world, like I can conquer anything. I don't regret meeting you and I know you might be my first but what I really wish in life is for you to be my last."

Mew shakily said those last few words, hesitantly peering at Gulf to see his reaction.

He relaxed and smiled lovingly upon seeing a blushing Gulf.

There's a kind of blushing that shows the soul, a sort of compliment to the eyes and the delicate sweetness within. It shows a connection, that the smile and shyness come from some deep emotion... and that's a beautiful thing, that's something real.

That what they have is real.

Gulf's hand reaches for Mew's and they interlock as they kiss tentatively, passionately and then, tenderly.

Mew smiles into the kiss as Gulf's fingers tug at his short hair and his other hand skims across his veins.

"I love you too Mew, so damn much." Gulf whispers as their eyes make contact.