Water archery was a simplistic twist on traditional archery competitions. A few targets were set afloat on several buoys, and the archers were at a further distance aboard separate row boats that rocked in the waves. Like mounted archery, the difficulty was elevated - but still more manageable for an archer who isn’t as skilled on horseback. 

Clout archery, typically challenging with its ground-based flag targets, took on a new level of complexity in the water. The target was a flag made of cloth that blew in whichever direction the wind was. Standard Clout Archery was whoever got the closest to the flag on the ground. With Water Archery, it was whoever got closest to the embroidered emblem on the flag itself.

Under the watchful eyes of the referees, Rhae inspected and tested a free of the supplied bows before finding one with the length and tension that matched his skill level, a suitable grip and a smooth draw. Satisfied with his pick, he handed it to the referee for a secondary inspection. Once approved and his name entered into the competition, Rhae boarded a rowboat with a waterside referee as the rower. 

From the shore, where Kaisan and his cousins had a perfect view, he gave his customary toothy grin and thumbs up. Rhae chuckled as the boat reached the shooting line marked by buoys. 

As Rhae stayed seated as the boats readied into position, he made mental notes on the target distance, the wind direction and strength, and even the competitors on either side who could possibly interfere. As the main referee instructed them to be ready for the first shot, Rhae took his stand on the shaky boat. 

The competition proceeded smoothly, without any interruptions. Rhae, whose forte lay more in swordplay, managed to secure a respectable second place overall.  He couldn't help but feel a swell of pride at his achievement. But as the boat approached the shore, he spotted a smug expression on Kaisan’s face, and he chuckled to himself. 

“Looks like you lost,” Kaisan teased, smiling so wide that his eyes became a thin line. He looked well-pleased with himself as if he had won the contest. 

Kaisan offered his hand out to support Rhae as he exited the boat. Rhae flashed a charming smile as he tightened his grip, his fingers lingering down to stroke the inside of Kai’s wrist. Kaisan shivered as goosebumps formed instantly. He reflectively tried to pull away, but Rhae held on tight as he boarded the dock.  He slipped his arm around Kai’s waist and returned him to their group. 

“Easy now, my lovely dancer.” Rhae playfully whispered into Kai’s ear. “Your family is watching. You don’t want to provoke me now, do you?” 

“You wouldn’t dare,” Kaisan gasped, his expression faltering as his face paled. Rhae regarded him with a proud smirk.

“They already know I’m ‘your man.’ What difference does it make?” Rhae joked as he patted Kai’s lower back, enjoying the flustered and confused face his partner made. “Do not worry, we’ll be alone soon enough on that canal boat.” 

Kaisan clicked his tongue,  stumbling slightly as he stepped onto the picnic blanket. Rhae swiftly caught him by the waist, a brief silence passing between them as they locked eyes, surprised by the sudden closeness. Hoots and hollers erupted from the cousins, breaking the moment. Rhae steadied Kaisan, who swatted him away in embarrassment - his entire body beat red. 

“Hurry and refuel if you want to have time to do the boat ride,” Kai grumbled, retaking his seat at their table. Rhae, feeling equally self-conscious under the crowd's gaze, cleared his throat as he moved across the rug to sit.

A long, elegantly carved vessel approached their dock as they finished their tea. It had a comfy interior of blankets and pillows, and the boatman had a lace ribbon over their eye to obscure some of their view for client privacy.

It stayed close to the shore as it steered towards the eastern side of the lake - where the willows gathered that hid the entrance. Gliding through the willow leaves was ethereal as the golden afternoon sun cast enchanting shadows. 

Rhae reached his hand out to feel the vines of the weeping branches. He looked down at Kaisan, lying with his head in Rhae’s lap - eyes closed and feeling the breeze. Rhae smiled as he stroked Kai’s hair and watched the light rays bounce off his peachy face. 

The canal boat ride was as beautiful, relaxing, and private as Kaisan described. As the barge exited the tree foliage, Rhae sucked in a breath. It indeed was a stunning view. It was like the ground and canal walls didn’t exist. The garden appeared to hover above the water and float down from the sky. The most extensive types of florals were gathered in this canal, with tall, bushy walls that the garden on the other side didn’t even compare. Rhae looked at Kai, who now has his eyes open with an easy smile as he looked up at Rhae.

“What? Can I not admire your face?” Kaisan scoffed.

“I didn’t say anything,” Rhae chuckled softly.

“You are my lover. That means I have absolute permission to stare at you, unabashed, all I want,” Kaisan declared proudly. 

“That is true,” Rhae gave a gentle smile in response, unable to tear his gaze away from Kaisan's face. Kai looked like he belonged in this garden. He wished nothing more than to grab his oil paints and create his next masterpiece. “I want to paint you…”

“You paint?” Kaisan sat up abruptly, spinning to look at Rhae with a glint in his eyes, propping himself up on his elbow. “What do you paint? What medium do you use?”

“I dabble in landscapes. I used to do portraits of my mother. Sometimes of just the town folk in a local village. My chosen medium is oil and gouache. I use watercolour for village scapes.”

“I would love to see some of your work sometime!” Kai replied with excitement, delighted to learn something new about his partner.

“I only have my watercolour travel set, so I will have to show you that when we return tonight,” Rhae commented, his eyes crinkling with his smile. He looked back up as they passed through a section of the canal with an assortment of English roses and peonies. 

“Thank you!” Kaisan whispered as he leaned forward to kiss Rhae unexpectedly. Rhae was momentarily taken aback before gently wrapping his hand around Kai’s neck and leaning into it. It was a deep, breathy kiss - too much tongue for such a public place. They parted seconds later upon remembering they were not alone. Both embarrassed, they went back to their original positions.

“Didn’t you mention you wanted to go swimming today?” Rhae commented, finding a conversation point to alleviate the awkwardness, eyes darting to the boat driver.

“I never said the time of swimming mattered,” Kai huffed. Rhae looked down at him, confused. Kaisan met his eyes and gave him a playful wink, taking Rhae by surprise. Since when has his little lover been so proactive in initiating? Rhae laughed heartily and said nothing as they continued the long leisure ride through the garden canal.

“Oh, sweet cherry tree, what are you wearing?” Rhae quipped as Kaisan returned from his quarters to change into the evening attire suitable for a dance on a grand sailboat. 

“It is a humid, hot summer night, and we’ll be dancing over the water. I need to breathe.” Kai retorted with a tone that was only slightly annoyed as he strutted over to where Rhae waited on the pathway to the lake. 

His top was made of embroidered ivory lace, with hints of skin visible through every opening. His loose shorts and short layered waist cape were made of lightweight ivory silk. They stood out against his peachy complexion and peony-pink hair. His shirt was skin tight, from his high collar down to his elbows, where it flowed and billowed outward. The back was open but laced like a corset with silk ribbons from the bottom up, forming a large bow at the back of his neck, which completed his ensemble, complementing his figure and exuding effortless charm.

“I would rather not share how enticing you look with the masses.” Rhae sighed, looking down as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“You're hardly one to talk,” Kai playfully snapped back at him, gesturing to Rhae’s outfit—an ivory silk top with a deep v-neck that dropped to just above his belly button—the well-toned chest muscles clearly visible. His pants were typical black slacks, but they were pretty formfitting, showing off his leg muscles—a simple but sexy outfit accentuating his physique.

“I went with the classics.” Rhae shrugged nonchalantly.

“Sure.” Kaisan rolled his eyes as he walked forward and linked his arms with Rhae, guiding him to the lakeside docks. There was a short queue for boarding as the sailboat slowly approached. The trip around the lake was only thirty minutes, with a ten-minute break at the dock after each loop. The large boat itself was a double-decker with the lower deck for wining and dining while the upper was for dancing and music. It was adorned with lanterns strung across the entire boat, creating an enticing atmosphere and casting a romantic glow upon the water.

“What an overly luxurious boat for simply staying on a lake. Is this used for any other occasion?” Rhae inquired. 

“Propose to me, and we'll host our engagement party here,” Kaisan joked in response, grinning mischievously.

“Then, should I do that once we’re on board?” Rhae teased back.

“Don’t you dare. I hate public confessions.” Kai warned. Rhae smiled gently, grabbed Kai’s hand, still looping through his arm, and squeezed to reassure him.

“I’ll keep that in mind. I won’t do anything you don’t like,” He reassured Kai, his teal eyes glowing with affection in the lantern light. Kaisan gave his catchmark a toothy grin, feeling relief. He turned to signal a passing server carrying a tray of wine glasses. 

“Good. Then let’s get drunk and dance the night away!” Kai declared confidently, picking up some sparkling wine and downing it in one go. Rhae mirrored him, finishing his own drink swiftly.

“Then dance we shall,” Rhae replied, setting their empty glasses back on the tray and pulling Kaisan with him to comply with his first evening request.  

It was only after several loops late into the evenings that Kaisan and Rhae managed to stumble off of the boat, both heavily intoxicated. Luckily, neither fell from the dock as they made it safely to the pathway. Kaisan looked around at a few stragglers boarding the boat again and pulled Rhae off the trail and towards a small garden entrance on the side of the lake that ran along the back side of the maze. "Follow me, don't make a scene," Kaisan said firmly through a drunken slur. Rhae laughed as he tripped, trying to keep up, as keeping his balance remained difficult when a more petite person dragged a more prominent man at high speeds.  "Where are we going?" Rhae asked, not concerned for his safety but more to see what mischievous activities his lover had planned. "Swimming," Kai slurred out while laughing. "Don't resist." "I wouldn't even dream of resisting you," Rhae laughed along, glancing over his shoulder at the small drunk crowd they left behind before disappearing into the thick garden. Kaisan directed them through a hidden path behind rose hedges to a shrubby area along the water with a towering willow tree. The weeping willow was massive, sweeping its giant branches half on the shore - creating a private beach - and half over the water, creating a private swimming area.  "Impressed?" Kaisan chuckled, flashing a toothy grin.  "It's perfect," Rhae responded in awe, looking around at the perfectly maintained area semi-lit by the full moon shining through the branches and reflecting off the water. Both stripped down and entered the warm lake water, swimming and dancing in the subtle waves. It was late into the evening - late enough to consider it early morning, and the activities following alcohol finally hit Kaisan with an exhausted wave. He gripped onto Rhae so he would not sink into the water. "Look at me," Rhae whispered against his cheek as he slowly spun them around, Kaisan loosely gripping Rhae's shoulders and legs tightening around his waist. Kai picked his head up to look into Rhae's eyes. Rhae looked at him with eyes filled with so much emotion that they were even visible in the dark of the night. "I love you, Kaisan." "Wha-" "Every piece of you. All your different quirks, your change in personalities, your weird eating habits, your talent for sports, the views you show me, the way you sleep next to me, the way you smile that sweet, goofy grin, the way you look at me with those gem-like eyes, and the way you come running back to me like us being together is the most natural thing." "Wait-" Kai tried to reply, but Rhae continued. "I know it hasn't been long since we met, and I've never believed in something as silly as fate. But if anyone could be considered the other half of my heart, only you complete me. It's okay if you don't feel the same; it's understandable since you're still young and we just met. But please, at least permit me to love you. I have felt like I've been searching for something all my life. Since meeting you, it feels like I found it. I can't lose you now. I love you." Kaisan felt so overwhelmed with the weight of Rhae's words that he remained silent, burying his head into the crook of Rhae's neck and hiding his expression from view. Tired from swimming, the indulgence in alcohol, and the emotional waterfall - Kai started to nod off. Rhae carried them to shore and laid them both down on the grass with Kai on his chest, stroking his hair. "I love you." He whispered again into the top of Kaisan's hair. Kai, sleepy as a few tears escaped his eyes, blacked out as the cool breeze stroked his skin with the night air.