We were all packed and ready to go on our first trip. We had grabbed a fast breakfast at the deli and then we were off with the train to get to the harbour, catching a ferry to Mykonos.

It was nice on the ferry. The wind was pulling in my hair and the smell of salt tore in my nose. But it was really nice and warm. Dion was right next to me, looking at the island coming closer and closer.

I stepped behind him, put my arms around him and rested my chin on top of his head. He stroked his fingers over my arm before grabbing both, keeping them right where they were. Even if I wanted to move back, I couldn’t now. And I didn’t want to. He was leaning against my chest, warming me up from the inside.

“What have you planned for us when we arrive?” he asked.

“Why do you think I have something planned?” I snorted and pressed him a little closer.

“Because you’re you? You have everything planned all the time.” I could hear the tease in his tone. And it made me smile.

“We’ll go to the hotel and then there’s time for a stroll on the beach. Or a nap, if you’re tired. And then there’s this bistro on the beach that Oliver recommended.”

“Oliver?”

“The satyr bartender. He’s from here.”

“Friend of yours?” He tipped his head back and looked up at me.

I nodded. “Yeah, he’s a good friend. He looks out for me.”

“Do you need someone to look out for you?”

Why did I even say that? I didn’t want Dion to know about the cluster in my head. I had struggled with that for so long and it was finally not as intrusive. I had gotten to a point where I could function without obsessively plan out my days or overthink everything. He didn’t need to know about this.

“Hey,” he said softly, cutting right through the clutter. He took my face in his hands and pulled me down, softly kissing me. “Where did you go?”

“Sorry, I...” The words died on my lips. I didn’t know what to say.

“It’s okay. Just stay here. Watch the water with me.” He turned back around, and we watched the water together. It was almost as green as emeralds. And it was soothing.

 ***

We sat on the beach, watching the sunset. Everything was cast in orange and pink hues from the last sunlight of the day. There was a slight breeze, making it a bit chilly but it wasn’t too bad. At least I got an excuse to move real close to Dion, putting my arm around him. I think he also pretended to be a little cold, when he pressed himself closer.

We had been walking up and down the beach, our feet submerged in the water, until we had made it back to the small hotel. It wasn’t far from the beach, so just sitting here, enjoying the sunset was easy. We could just go inside when we got too cold.

“Thank you for taking me on this trip. I needed to get out of the city.” Dion smiled and kissed the corner of my jaw. I revelled in the small act of affection.

“I did too.”

“And… Thank you for inviting me to your home. I do wanna go someday but-”

“Going to hades is weird. I know,” I finished for him.

He shrugged a little. “Yeah, kind of? Like, no offence. But I didn’t think I’d ever get the chance to go before I was dead. So… I don’t know how I’d feel about just going for a visit. Besides, Hades kind of scares me.”

“You don’t have to be scared of him. He’s very kind, actually. He just doesn’t smile a lot.”

“Like you.”

“I smile!” I grinned and tugged him closer.

“You do now when I’ve taught you.” He winked at me and then pulled me down, just so he could kiss me properly this time.

 ***

“Oh gods, look at those!” Dion almost squealed and pointed at the windmills. Sightseeing with him was the best decision I had ever made. He had never been outside of New Delphi which was a big, dirty and smog-filled city. This was so much better. There was actual nature here.

We were on our way to a small boat trip to the caves. It’d take us to this secluded beach and leave us there for a while, so we could swim and explore the caves.

The trip didn’t take long and then we were there. I pulled my shirt off and waded out into the water, looking back at Dion.

“Come on. The water’s perfect.”

“Hmm, yeah. I uh… I can’t swim.” He shrugged a little.

“I’ll teach you then.” I waded back and took his hand in mine and pulled him towards the water.

“Just promise you won’t let me drown.”

“I promise,” I said softly and led him out to where the water was deep enough for him to practice, but also where he could still stand.

I got him on his stomach, holding him up while I instructed him how he had to move first his legs and then his arms. Soon he was doing it himself and he was brilliant.

We swam to the caves, me making sure Dion wasn’t drowning. He grew tired fast though and had to put his arms around my neck, as I swam. I didn’t mind. His body was pressed against mine, heating it up.

We came to the small beach hidden within the cave and Dion could let go of my neck again. He walked around me and pushed me down into the water, laughing as he sat down in my lap. His hands found my cheeks and he kissed me. I couldn’t stop myself from making that weird sound again. It sounded like a rumble and a growl at the same time and it came all the way from my stomach.

I was panting before I even realised, I was out of breath. And then my teeth started burning. I pulled back and slapped my hand over my mouth, gently pushing Dion out of my lap.

“Sorry,” I panted and turned away from him.

“Hey, Arlo… It’s okay,” he said and put his hand on my shoulder. “Let me see.”

“Please don’t,” I whispered. “I’m a monster. Don’t look.”

“You’re not a monster.” He pulled on my hand, removing it from my mouth. He didn’t even flinch. He leaned in and kissed my cheek, fitting his fingers in between mine. “There’s nothing wrong with you.”

I grabbed him and pulled him into my lap again. I then rose to my feet and carried him closer to land. He kissed me as he laughed. I gently put him down on the sand and kissed him, the water gently rolling against us. It was only about 10-15 cm deep. And nicely cooling, which I needed. My skin was on fire.

Dion wrapped his legs around my hips and ran his fingers through my hair. I more or less growled against his lips, getting so lost in him. I couldn’t think of anything but the taste of him and the saltwater.

“Arlo,” he murmured, taking my face in his hands again. “You really wanna do this here?”

I snorted. “Why not? I want you.”

Dion inhaled sharply and pulled me down, kissing me hard. His hips rolled, pressing up against me and it made me lose my breath fast. I started moving my own, shifting the weight of my body to one arm, so I could grab his thigh and steady him. Just so he wouldn’t shift around under me.

“I want you too,” he breathed. “But…”

I stopped and pulled up. “What’s wrong?”

“Sand,” he laughed. “Sand everywhere.”

“I didn’t actually think of that.” I dumped down beside him in the water instead. He chuckled and sat up, running a hand through his wet hair.

“Tonight though. When we get home. And when we’ve showered.”

When we’ve showered. Not when I’ve showered.

Now I couldn’t wait till we got back home to the hotel.