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There was a certain peace that Naib found when he found himself in Norton’s arms. It was that warmth, the safety that Norton’s presence provided him with that he felt with no one else.
As the sun set over the sea on the deserted beach that the pair had made home, Naib rested his head on Norton’s shoulder, heart calmer than it had been in years and years. Pink rays of sunlight painted the sky, accompanied by red and orange in equal measures, each fluffy cloud beautifully decorated with each color.
This was home now; a victory hard-won and not without scars that would follow them to the end of their days. But it was a victory nonetheless.
“I never thought we’d make it this far.” Naib spoke without thinking as his mind traveled back briefly to the manor they’d escaped from mere months before.
Norton’s grip tightened around him, almost as if he were afraid that Naib was going to slip right through his fingers. It was something Naib himself had often felt over the last few months, since they’d escaped. Sometimes, it was still hard to sleep for fear of waking up back in the manor or without Norton by his side.
“Well, we did.” Norton’s voice was surprisingly soft, his breath ghosting across his lover’s ear as he pressed a kiss to his neck. “And we’ll keep going.”
“...yeah.” Naib gazed at the horizon, watching the sun set over the gentle waves of the seemingly endless sea. The sound of the waves lapping at the shore was something he would never get tired of, he was certain. Almost, but not quite, as soothing as the sound of Norton’s steady heartbeat, the only sure sign that they were both still here, both still alive.
“Say, Subedar…” Norton paused, his gaze focused on Naib instead of the setting sun; a better sight than the sunset, in his opinion. “What if we get a dog?”
A soft laugh escaped Naib as he twisted his head around to look at Norton. “What kind of dog? Big and fluffy? Small and cute?”
“I already have small and cute with you. Wouldn’t wanna give you competition for my attention.” There was a teasing lilt to Norton’s voice, which Naib did not miss.
“I’m not a dog, Campbell.” A huff escaped his lips as he turned his face away to hide the flush rising to his cheeks. “And I’m certainly not cute, either.”
“Deny it all you want; I know the truth.” Norton snorted, pressing a soft kiss just below Naib’s ear.
A shiver ran down Naib’s spine at the kiss, and he couldn’t help but laugh at Norton’s statement. It was the warm nights spent watching the sunset, like this, that reminded him that they truly were safe now, and that they’d never find themselves back where they had first met.
“Well, whatever you say, I want a big dog. A fluffy one.” Naib paused briefly as he gazed at the clouds. “The kind that look like big clouds.”
“Oh, so you’re trying to give me competition now, huh, Subedar?” There was no bite to his words, only a warmth that had been as hard-won as their freedom from the manor.
“No one could ever compete with you, dumbass. I just think a big dog would be nice. Wouldn’t need any blankets in the winter.” Naib bumped his head against Norton’s shoulder, a soft smile gracing his lips.
“Isn’t that what I’m for? I don’t keep you warm enough?” Norton snorted, leaning forward to press a kiss against his cheek this time.
“You keep me plenty warm.” Naib let out an exasperated sigh, twisting in Norton’s grasp so that he could lean up and press their foreheads together. “Don’t ever doubt how I feel about you, Campbell. I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
“Oh, really now?” Norton leaned close, barely able to resist just kissing him right there and then. “Well, I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
A soft laugh escaped Naib’s lips as he gazed into Norton’s eyes, grateful for the rare softness he found within their depths. This was an entirely too perfect moment, and Naib never wanted it to end, never wanted to be parted from Norton’s embrace.
It was selfish, he knew, but what was wrong with a little selfishness when the pair of them had already been to hell and back? If anything, they deserved to be selfish every once in a while, and Naib would be damned if he let this moment slip away too quickly.
Naib closed the distance between their lips, pressing his own against Norton’s.
In the light of the setting sun, there was nothing more sweet than the feeling of Norton’s lips on his own.