Work Text:
Waves of gold were breaking on the shore, adorned by pearl-like foam; the crimson of the setting sun gleaming like rows of rubies on a necklace. After endless days of wandering through the desert, of seeing nothing but sand and stones, the sight of so much water was surreal. Every wave carried a sweet whisper with it as it crashed on the shore, a promise of clean warm water, tempting like the songs of the sirens must have been to Odysseus and his men. Unlike those sailors of old, Lawrence had neither plugged his ears with wax nor wrapped ropes around his body to withstand the sweet temptation.
“What are you doing, Aurens?”
Lawrence threw an amused look at Ali. “What does it look like to you, Sherif?” he teased, pulling off his thawb and stepping out of his shirwal; both joining his formerly white bisht in the sand.
“It looks like you're mad.”
Laughing, Lawrence turned to his friend who wore as sour an expression as if he had just suggested walking back through the Nefud. “I'm sweaty and dirty, I'm going for a swim. You're free to join me.”
“Why would I submerge myself in water that not even a camel could drink?” Ali crossed his arms over his chest scowling at the ocean as if it had personally offended him, his mother, and all of his ancestors. “It's worse to have a sea of salt water than no water at all.”
“Only if one is desperate enough to drink it, which I am not. Come on, Ali,” Lawrence grinned at him, giddiness rising up in him when water swapped over his feet. “Aren't you eager to wash off the sweat from our journey?”
“I'll do so without making a fool of myself.”
“You mean you'll waste water that you could drink?” Lawrence flashed his teeth in a grin, reminding Ali of the time he had complained about him shaving. “Just take a swim with me, or,” a thought jumped up in his mind, “Can't you?”
“Can't I what?” Lesser men would have run back into the desert at the warning note in Ali's voice, but Lawrence paid it no heed.
“Swim.” Lawrence's lips stretched into an even wider grin. “Is that why you don't want to join me, because you can't swim?” From the way Ali was clenching his hands, Lawrence knew he was right.
“There's no need for a Bedu to swim in the desert.”
“No,” Lawrence agreed mildly. “We're not in the desert anymore though. Maybe it's time for you to learn to swim.”
“And why is that?”
“Well,” Lawrence cocked his head to the side, batting his eyes at Ali, “You wouldn't want anyone to know that I could beat you at something.” Lawrence could tell his words had hit a nerve upon seeing Ali's eyes darken. “The mighty Sherif, bested by a lowly British officer.”
“You're not just a lowly officer, Aurens.”
“Sweet talking won't get you anywhere.” Lawrence hastily turned back to the water to hide the heat rising in his cheeks at the gentle infliction of Ali's words. “I'll just assume you're too chicken to swim.”
“I am not… a chicken?”
Lawrence chuckled. “It means you're afraid - probably terrified of a little water. Oh, if only Auda knew…”
“Aurens!” Ali hissed, reaching for him, but Lawrence hastily waded into the water until it reached his thighs.
“If you don't want me to tell him, catch me!” With that, Lawrence hastened deeper into the water as fast as the waves allowed, starting to swim as soon as the water reached his chest.
For a few blissful moments he forgot all about the desert and the sun, the war and the killing, as the warm water cradled his body, washing away the sweat and dirt of days in the desert. Splashing behind him brought him back to reality, and upon rotating in the water, Lawrence was greeted by the sight of Ali swimming towards him.
Any other day, Lawrence would have marveled at how fast Ali was making progress towards him despite his almost frantic paddling, but he was much too worried about the closing distance between them to feel anything but fear. Everything he had thrown at his proud friend replayed in his mind - he was as good as dead.
Lawrence glanced about, but the only way out of the water would be back the way he came, and he doubted he would make it past Ali even if he swam as fast as he could. It would be more dignified to just await his end.
Treading water, Lawrence indulged himself by watching Ali cut through the water. Even in an element so far removed from him he struck an impressive figure. Lawrence only mourned that he hadn't turned around in time to watch his friend undress; a glimpse beneath the dark robes would have made his death much more worthwhile.
“Aurens!” Ali growled when he reached him, grabbing him by the shoulders. “Got you!”
Lawrence just had enough time to notice Ali's wet curls and wonder how they would feel, before he was pushed beneath the surface. Salt water burned in his eyes, disorienting him to the point that a few precious seconds passed until he noticed the absence of hands on his shoulders. Ali wasn't trying to hold him down; he wasn't going to drown him. He was just fooling around.
Lawrence grinned, pivoting under water and diving away, hoping the waves were hiding his movements. It wouldn't do if Ali were to notice his absence too soon. If one was undertaking a practical joke, timing was everything, and Lawrence had always excelled at it. Resurfacing, Lawrence needed a moment to find his bearings, congratulating himself to a job well done upon spotting Ali's back in front of him.
“Aurens?” His friend called, panic evident in his voice. “Aurens!”
If he were a crueler man, Lawrence would have watched Ali cast about with increasing frenzy, splashing water in his search for him, but he wouldn't do that to a friend. Besides, he couldn't risk Ali drowning himself in his panic.
Doing a few leaps to get closer to his friend, Lawrence positioned himself right behind him, putting his hands just below the surface. “Ali!”
“Aurens!” Ali turned hastily. “Where have you…?”
“Got you!” It was with a mighty splash that Lawrence drenched Ali's face and hair, laughing at the disgruntled expression on his face. “You look like a foal that fell into a river.”
“You!” Ali wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, baring his teeth. “Aurens!”
Lawrence shrieked at Ali's sudden leap at him, convinced he wouldn't get away with a simple dunking when strong arms wrapped around his waist, but he was wholly unprepared for Ali's plan of attack.
“You impossible man.” Ali pulled him closer until their legs brushed while treading water to keep them afloat. “You'll be the death of me.”
Lawrence opened his mouth to protest but his words were swallowed by Ali's lips, claiming him with a passion burning so bright not even the ocean waves could douse it. Clutching at Ali's shoulders, Lawrence kicked his feet to stay afloat, simultaneously parting his lips to allow Ali to deepen the kiss. For a blissful second, his world narrowed down to Ali's lips on his, his hands on his waist, before the present reasserted itself.
“Damn!” Lawrence sputtered, coughing and kicking his feet after suddenly getting submerged. “Ali?”
“Here!” His friend coughed to his left, giving the perfect impression of a disgruntled cat. “I think I've got enough of your water for tonight.”
A mere short while ago, Lawrence would have laughed at such an announcement, now he exclaimed in protest when Ali turned back to the shore, paddling frantically to keep up with him. He didn't want the night to end on a sour note. He wanted… he didn't know, but it certainly wasn't for Ali to walk away from him.
“Ali, wait!” Lawrence stumbled through the waves breaking on the shore, his feet hitting the wet sand, running after Ali.
To his great surprise, and relief, Ali stopped, turning around to present all his glory to Lawrence's widening eyes. “Am I too fast for the great El Aurens?”
“I guess.” Lawrence swallowed, forcing his gaze to travel back up to Ali's face; the heat in his cheeks enough to evaporate the water on his skin.
“I guess I'll have to meet you halfway then.” Ali stepped closer, his graceful movements reminding Lawrence of the leopard he had once been gifted; only here he was the prey.
“Ali.” His throat went dry when his friend reached for him; a shiver shaking his body at the touch of skin on skin when Ali pulled him in. This time there was no water between them.
“Aurens.” Ali leaned in, his hot breath brushing Lawrence's lips. “Thank you for teaching me to swim.”
Lawrence had neither the air nor the ambition to correct Ali as he was slowly pulled down into the sand; his lover’s arms cradling him like only the waves had done before.