Cassiopeia

Epilogue

Wednesday December 24th 1958

Cold. Freezing cold. The type of chilliness that enters through your bones and leaves your teeth chattering. This was a horrible idea, one of the worst ideas Earth ever had. But seeing Mix with such a joyous smile on his face as he ran amidst the shore trying to throw him into the freezing cold water, it wasn't a bad idea after all. Most people on Christmas eve would prefer to be huddled around a warm fire, surrounded by blankets and pillows whilst sipping on warm drinks and eating holiday treats. Instead, Mix had dragged him to the beach even though it was freezing cold outside, citing that a promise is a promise.

So now they found themselves here, at a beach that Earth was familiar with in his memories, the pale-yellow sand looking the same and the sea even though it was winter was calm, its light blue colour inviting. Mix was the first one to shrug his jacket and scarf off throwing them to the side, he rolled his trousers to just below his knees before giving Earth one look over his shoulder and bolted carefree straight to the water.

The sound of his laugh changed to a scream as the freezing cold water touched his skin. The water was shallow enough to be able to waft through without wetting your knees but that didn't stop Mix from submerging his head, a sigh accompanying the flip of his hair as he pushed the wet strands back as soon as he emerged.

"Earth! Join me it isn't even cold" Mix teased, clearly lying. Earth would know, he recognised the mischief in his expressive eyes even from this far back on the sand. "It's ok, I'll enjoy watching you from here" Earth shouted, he had already removed his jacket and placed it on the sand to sit on. It's hard to keep in a laugh when Mix's lips were clearly set into a displeased pout at him, strands of hair falling into his face as he huffed out loud. He was about to tease him more but as soon as Mix's eyes narrowed, and he hunched his shoulders Earth knew what was coming next.

He almost tripped from his own jacket as he hurried to stand and get out of Mix's way as the latter set on a mission ran towards him. Earth was far taller, his legs covering more ground in a shorter time as he ran towards the shallow water, teasing Mix along the way as the latter couldn't catch him. Chaos followed as Mix tried his best to catch up to Earth, he threw water in the hopes of slowing him down, Earth's teasing laugh urging him to try even harder.

Opportunities come in unexpected ways as Earth uncaring of what's before him as he looked back, yelped in pain. His foot must have hit a rock as he stopped abruptly, the initial shock of the pain surprising him. He stopped but Mix who had built too much momentum didn't have enough time to stop himself, instead, he collided with Earth's back pushing them both into the freezing cold water. The water was so cold that they both emerged with teeth chattering and arms quivering. They locked eyes with each other for a moment before breaking into a laugh, pointing at the state of each other as their clothes were beyond salvation at this point.

"Your teeth and lips are about to fall off" Earth teased coming closer to Mix's side, his hand had come up touching Mix's lower lip stopping the tremble from the cold.

"Then warm them up for me" Mix whispered between them, his arms entangled behind Earth's back bringing him closer until there was no space left between them. This. Earth will never tire of kissing Mix, the feel of his lips as they moved together, Mix's lips were cold but were soon becoming warm again as Earth kissed him deeper holding him steady with both of his hands at his waist.

They swayed unconsciously from side to side to music present between them only, their clothes were sticking to their skin now. And standing still made the water around their legs feel even colder, but at that moment they both didn't care as they kissed to the sound of the gentle waves at they hit the shore.

It was nearing evening when they headed back, the weather got even chillier, and they couldn't withstand it anymore as their clothes couldn't dry on their own. They entered the house that they had rented for the holidays, a small house with matching blue windows and doors. A small garden was present at the back and a balcony was present looking down at the beach opposite them, it was filled with pots of tulips, pink, blue and yellow courtesy of Mix. It was perfect Earth thought, a shame that they could only stay here for a week at most, the seaside town they were in was much quieter and more peaceful compared to the city. Even though Mix's apartment was luxurious, the city itself with its tall buildings and gloomy streets could never compare to where they were now.

It's been only three days since they arrived, but Earth could get used to the routine of waking up right next to Mix snuggled next to him, the day followed with a walk together on the beach early in the morning and then they always went to the café close by. Their pastries and tea were to die for as were the cats present, residents of the café itself. At night they would eat in their garden together followed by laying down on the grass to look at the stars. The stars looked brighter here compared to how they looked in the city.

They still had obligations and their work never stopped. Mix had fully joined the team and having a psychiatrist on board was helpful even in the simple investigations. It was still hard to talk about what happened a month ago, and not even Off brought up the thought of Louis, the wound still fresh and not yet healed. His desk lay deserted, nobody willing to take its place, it was too tainted now with what happened. It was hard to accept the reality, but life moves on, and new cases came in making you question your stand on everything all along the way. It was hard to hold on sometimes but ever since Mix was by his side, things got better. Having someone believe in your capabilities fully and support you all the way is enough when all things seem black and dark.

This house had to wait but perhaps, a few more years down the line they could... "Earth what are you thinking about?" Mix questioned.

They were both currently on the sofa waiting for time to pass, the blankets surrounding them and the warmth of the wooden interior of the room had lulled them to sleep for a moment. Mix had woken up, his neck against Earth's shoulder to see him deep in thought, his eyes looking past the coffee table in front of them and clearly thinking about something.

"Did I wake you?" Earth asked instead, he smiled at Mix's shrug kissing his forehead for a moment before bringing Mix even closer to his side.

"I was just thinking that a few years from now we could perhaps retire and live in a house like this, what do you think?".

"I would love that" Mix answered immediately, he didn't even need to think about it, the thought of having a small house in a quiet town too appealing to say no. "And we could get a cat" he continued enthusiastically, his eyes shining.

"Why stop at one?" Earth teased, "A house beside the sea like this one, with a garden where you could grow all the flowers you want. A cosy living room like this one where we could read together uncaring of anything else. I always wanted a lot of cats ever since I was young" Earth joked; his tone was amused clearly thinking of the past.

"We can have all of that" Mix said finally, he sat up a bit from his position so he could look at Earth directly in front of him, "I want all of that with you" he continued. Earth smiled in answer intertwining their hands together and placing them on his lap "It's a promise" he whispered between them. Mix smiled in answer, he gave Earth a brief kiss on his lips before he lay once again on Earth's chest taking a deep breath in basking in the peace of the room. He felt Earth's lips brush against his temple his whisper of 'I love you fervent just like the first time he said it.

Life was dark and a pain in the ass most of the days, and most of all life was most times unfair. But as the warm light of the fireplace continued in front of them lulling them both to sleep again entangled in each other's arms. They both wouldn't change a single thing.