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Clive huffed a tired sigh and shaded his eyes from the sun as he took a sip from his water skin. The Velkroy Desert was sweltering on a good day, and it felt ten times hotter today. It was even too much for Clive, who often wasn’t bothered by the heat.
(This “stardust” better be worth it, Mid.) He thought as he crouched down to tie the last bag of the mineral he and Gav had gathered closed.
Near where they’d dug up the last of the stardust was a river with crystalline blue water and a wooden dock. Gav was sitting at the end of the pier, boots off and trouser legs rolled up, dangling his legs in the water to cool down.
Clive heaved the last bag of stardust into the pile with the others then headed toward Gav. The man shot a smile at him over his shoulder when he heard Clive’s boots on the wooden boards. Poor Gav. He’d slathered himself in a rice bran and lupine concoction three times over the course of the day, but he and the desert sun just did not get along. The blonde’s cheeks, nose, and even the tips of his ears were pink with sunburn. Perhaps Clive should’ve brought Otto along instead to give Gav a break from the sun, but it’d been a while since they’d had some time alone together.
“Hotter than Ifrit’s asshole out here.” Gav sighed. Clive spluttered slightly as he sat beside the blonde, who gave him a salacious grin. “Am I wrong?”
Clive tried and failed to contain his laughter, shoulders shaking with mirth. “You’re not wrong.”
He aimed one foot at the other man and Gav yanked his boot off for him. Clive removed his other boot himself then rolled up his pant legs, dipping his legs into the chilly water. Little silver and orange fish nibbled at his and Gav’s toes. He leaned against Gav, one arm sliding around the blonde’s waist.
“Been a while… since we’ve had some time to ourselves.”
Gav nodded, relaxing into Clive’s embrace, resting one hand on the man’s thigh. Even after all the time they’d been together Gav’s touch still made Clive’s heart flutter. He gave the blonde a little squeeze.
“So, how’ve you been, Gav?”
“Busy. I’m busy, you’re busy, and I miss you.” Gav gently nudged away a fish that had rather insistently been nibbling at his heel. “But it’s all worth it, knowing I have a home to come back to, that I have someone who—” He broke off, his already pink cheeks turning pinker.
“…Loves you?” Clive suggested, nuzzling his nose against the side of Gav’s neck. “Because I do.”
The hand on Clive’s thigh tightened. Gav’s face was so glowing pink he could’ve rivaled the desert sun. Clive chuckled, lightly kissing the other man behind his ear.
“Aye, someone who loves me.” Gav said quietly, turning his head to look at his companion. “And… someone who I love too. Clive.”
A heat fierier than the desert around them spread through Clive’s chest as Gav leaned in to kiss him, glad he hadn’t invited Otto… despite poor Gav’s sunburn.