My Darling Lies Over the Ocean (YouTubers AU)

16. Engaging in conversation will always help to keep the spark alive

The blazing hot sun beats down on the lifeboat, searing the men inside. The fireball only seems to climb higher as the day drags on, turning hotter and hotter. The white wood of the boat does little to disperse the heat, nearly sizzling beneath the clear sky.

Everyone is shirtless, aside from Ethan. The small man is curled on the seat, closest to Mark though the heat forcing them apart. He sweat through his shirt, the wet material sticking to his chest and trapping heat. Yet, his stomach twist when he thinks of taking it off, cheeks turning red at the thought of the other men seeing his pale skin.

Mark is close by, though he can't bring himself to actually touch his husband. He fears he may burst into flames if he dares to move more than an inch. The sun reminds him of the heat waves of California, but it is so much worse. The humid air nearly sticks to his lungs, as if he's underwater. He longs for an Ohio winter, images the freezing snow falling onto his sweat-soaked hair.

Tyler hasn't moved since he heard the news, arms resting on his propped knees. The sun shines onto his back, creating a river of sweat, but it's only an afterthought. The discomfort barely penetrates his racing mind and his aching chest. He doesn't bother wiping the tear trails from his face, knowing they will soon be back with a quiet sob. He takes a small sip from the water bottle by his leg, placed there silently by Cry.

The heat only worsens Felix's temper. Small grumbles and growls pass his lips, his blue eyes glaring at the dark water of the ocean. He runs a hand through his sweaty, blonde hair, pushing it out of his face. He mutters a bit in Swedish, cursing the sun, as he fidgets in his seat. The unbearable heat makes it impossible for him to get comfortable, his jaw tense as he breathes a sigh from his nose.

Jack is close enough to hear his husband's groans, but he pays him no mind. He can feel the dull sting of a sunburn on his cheeks. He pops the cap a bottle of sunscreen, squirting it on his fingers and spreading it across his face. He's been applying it twice as frequency as Cry calls out for the other to do, knowing his complexion doesn't take kindly to this type of sunlight. He's afraid the sweat pouring down his face is wiping away the protective layer, rubbing more into his skin as sweat drips from his hair.

Cry's counting and recounting their supplies, just to give himself something to do. Everything's been sorted and stored away, but he pulls out one crate at a time, eyes drifting across bottles of water and food bars as his lips move silently. He's nearly memorized their supplies, but he can't sit still. The sun has his brown bangs sticking to his forehead, his palms slick with sweat. Sitting still for more than a moment without a distraction reminds him that he's in an oven.

Ken's sprawled out on the deck, nearly melting into the floorboards. The brutal heat reminds him of the drills they practice in Mississippi summers, full gear heavy and prone to trapping the blinding rays. He's considering getting rid of his pants, the jeans trapping warmth against his legs. He's used to community showers at the firehouse, completely comfortable with being naked in front of other men, but he doubts the others on board would take kindly to stripping completely.

Cry slides a box into the storage beneath the seat surrounding the outside parameter of the boat. Glancing up at the sun, he stands instead of grabbing the next box, grabbing a bottle of sunscreen from the bench.

"It's time to reapply," he decides.

They're a unanimous groan from the boat, the thought of moving in the blistering heat absolutely torture.

"Sun poisoning is a real threat," Cry reminds them with a roll of his eyes. "We need to be proactive. Now, come on. It won't take long."

Mark beacons Ethan towards him, gently rubbing the sunscreen onto the brunette's cheeks. Jack rubs sunscreen onto Felix's shoulders, taking a bit of extra time to massage the tension from his muscles. Ken doesn't move,not an ounce of entertainment without Cry hovering over him.