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Mika did not think Yuu would take Shinoa's suggestion of taking a midnight dip seriously but here they were, he and Yuu, on a small beach hidden in a cove. Yuu had already gotten stark naked and was now working on undressing Mika.
"I still think this is a stupid idea."
"Come on. The sea is finally safe and you could not swim during the day." Yuu waved Mika's cape with its ultraviolet neutralizer for emphasis before setting it down on top of his own clothes.
"I'm not fond of swimming."
"Don't be a spoilsport," Yuu said with a pout as he removed Mika's jacket. "There are still a lot of things I want to do with you now that we're reunited and that's one of them."
Mika sighed. He knew there was no way he could refuse Yuu when he had his mind set on something. At least, this was relatively harmless, though the idea of leaving their swords behind made him slightly anxious. Guren and Ferid were still around back with the rest of the group.
"At least let me undress myself."
"All right. But hurry up!"
Mika still took the time to fold his clothes neatly. He was conscious of Yuu's eyes roving over his naked skin.
"You're beautiful."
"Was that midnight dip an excuse to see me naked?" Mika teased, though it was mostly to hide his own bashfulness.
"Not initially, but that's a nice bonus." Yuu grinned and held up his thumb.
"Idiot..." Mika shook his head.
"Come on, let's go swim."
Yuu grasped Mika's wrist and pulled him along toward the sea. Mika had to admit the feeling of his bare feet digging into the sand was rather pleasant. Under the moonlight, Mika noticed the contrast between Yuu's sun-kissed skin and the paleness of his butt.
"We could have kept our underwear on."
"It's not a midnight dip unless you're naked," Yuu said, parroting Shinoa's nonsense.
They stopped where the waves were licking at their feet. Yuu looked up at the crescent moon and the stars. Mika followed his gaze. To a vampire's eyes, the night was brighter than the day. He used to be indifferent to the glow of the universe until he had Yuu by his side. When Yuu was here, everything was beautiful.
"Let's go," Yuu whispered in the slight breeze.
They stepped into the sea together. If Yuu found the water cold, he didn't show it.
"Bathing naked does feel different," he told Mika once they were submerged up to their chests.
"How so?"
"There's this feeling of freedom, you know? No restraint."
"I think I see what you mean," Mika said, rubbing his left upper arm. He closed his eyes, focusing on the flow of the water. How great it would be to surrender his body to the waves, to become one with the sea. He was surprised when he felt Yuu suddenly cling to him. "What's with you, now?"
"The sea feels so big and I feel like I could lose you again if I'm not careful." It was unusual for Yuu to sound melancholic; he was usually so buoyant and cheerful.
"I'm right here, Yuu-chan." If anything, Mika was the one afraid to lose him. The world was so wide, so full of danger.
"And I'm so glad you are." Yuu's smile was back with full force. He pulled away, letting the water support him. "Up for a race?"
The fact Mika was a vampire, and therefore superior in strength to Yuu (unless Yuu was using his inhuman powers but Mika did not want to think about that right now), never seemed to diminish Yuu's competitive spirit. And once again, Mika decided to humor him.
Yuu started first, and Mika took a moment to admire him. The way Yuu had grown into such a fine young man always filled him with affection. Natation had been part of Yuu's training regimen and it showed.
"You're still an idiot, though," Mika said with a tender smile before he dove into the sea.
The underwater was dark, even for his keen eyes, but Mika used his other senses to follow Yuu's progression. He swam effortlessly, the need to breathe nonexistent. After several minutes, Yuu came to a stop. Mika glimpsed his childhood friend's legs swirling around. Yuu was visibly trying to figure out where Mika went. Feeling naughty, Mika swam right between Yuu's legs, allowing his hand to briefly fondle the boy's manly parts. He surfaced just in time to hear Yuu's outraged cry.
"Mika!"
"That'll teach you to swim naked."
"You idiot!" Yuu splashed him repeatedly, but that did not stop Mika from doubling up in laughter. "To think I was worried about you!"
"What? Did you really think I would drown? I'm a vampire, remember? No need to breathe."
"I know about that," Yuu said, crossing his arms with a pout.
"So why worry then?"
"I thought maybe a mermaid saw how handsome you are and decided to kidnap you."
Mika's usually cold cheeks suddenly felt hot. If there was something Yuu always bested him at, it was his way to come up with the cheesiest, yet oddly effective, lines.
"Mermaids don't exist," Mika said, mustering up his best deadpan expression. He just hoped Yuu could not discern his flushed cheeks in the moonlight.
"There's one in front of me."
"Yuu-chan!" Mika cried out, unable to hide his embarrassment this time.
Yuu chuckled and grasped Mika's cheeks. Mika pouted as he felt Yuu touch his ears.
"You can't hide those with wet hair."
"You're impossible."
"But you love me."
Mika did. Always had and always would.
"I do. I love you, Yuu-chan."
Yuu's four limbs wrapped around him. "And I love you so much, Mika!"