Work Text:
The waves crashed onto the shore, and sand stuck under Netty and Martyn's feet as they ran across the beach without a care in the world.
The two came to a halt, panting and out of breath. Netty wrapped her arms around the officer, burying her face into the crook of his neck.
"I'm so happy you brought me here," she breathed, savouring his scent. "this is beautiful." She looked up at him with a smile, that oh-so warm smile Martyn loved more than anything, and reached up to kiss him.
He was taken aback at first, but then leaned into it. He held her close to him, like if he let go she'd shatter. She ran her fingers through his hair, then traced her hand to the back of his neck, pulling him against her.
When they broke apart, they stayed like that, holding on to each other as the sun rose lower and lower behind the blue sea.
"D'you think anyone's spying on us right now?" Netty smirked, and Martyn sighed.
"Without a doubt." He groaned, putting a hand to his forehead. "I hope this is secluded enough, but you can never be sure. Next thing you know, we'll be the talk of the server." He rolled his eyes, finally breaking apart from their embrace to cross his arms.
Netty giggled, and blush crept up Martyn's face, tinting his cheeks and ears a shade of red. She was adorable when she laughed like that.
"Is being the talk of the server really so bad though?" She put her hand around his upper arm, feeling how warm his skin was. Martyn looked down at his lover before giving in, letting out a light chuckle as he did.
"Oh, alright."
Netty smiled again, before turning right on her heel and running off.
"Hey!" Martyn chased after her as she jumped over fallen logs and wove through overhead branches, just barely avoiding getting hit in the face by it himself.
But soon enough, he caught her, and tackled her to the ground. As he pinned her against the sand, he brought his hands to her ribs and tickled her.
"Martyn!" She gasped, curling in on herself as laughter flowed out of her as smooth as the sea. "Martyn, stop it! I give up!" She said in between laughter. Martyn ceased it quickly, straightening himself to his knees as Netty sat up, sighing in relief.
They were quiet for a moment, simply gazing into each other with pure adoration. Netty turned her head, looking out to the sea.
"I always loved beaches, especially during the evening." She stood, walking slowly back to the shoreline. Martyn followed quietly behind her. "It's a beautiful experience." She fidgeted with the plastic pearl bead bracelet on her arm, purple swimsuit flowing with every movement she made.
"I want to be with you forever." She took Martyn's hand in her own, and he was speechless. "I know we've only known each other maybe short of a year, but it's been the best months I've ever had." She shifted slightly, then froze, looking surprised.
"...Netty?" Martyn asked, brows furrowing. She looked down below her, lifting her foot, and just visible in the sand was a necklace of some kind.
"Oh!" She reached down and grabbed it, quickly washing it off in the rising and falling water to clean off the dirt. Now that Martyn could see it better, it was an elegant necklace - two thin gold chains attached to each other, one shorter than it's counterpart, and on the longer chain was a shell charm. The thin jewelery piece flowed in a sort of liquid way as it moved in Netty's hands, and she smiled at it, an idea seemingly forming in her head.
Before Martyn could say anything, she was on her toes, affixing it around his neck with her tongue sticking out slightly in concentration as she worked at the link.
"Netty, what's all this about?" Even though the blonde was confused, he couldn't help but smile, trying not to move as she worked.
"So you'll never forget me. Even in the hard times, or when I'm not around." She said at last, getting back down on flat feet. She stood there proud, hands on her hips as she admired her work.
"You say that like you're about to die." He crossed his arms again, and she snorted. "Ha! You're not getting rid of me that easily." With one hand still on her hip, she brought the other up to flip her long brown hair. The light from the sun sent shining waves of color into the strands, and Martyn found himself captivated by it.
"But if it's any consolation, you do look good with it on." She sat down, gently tugging him along. "I hope you'll keep it."
Martyn blinked, almost offended. "Of course I'll keep it! It's gorgeous, Netty. Thank you." He wrapped an arm around her waist, letting the setting sun soak into them both as slowly, the sky turned to orange, to red, then purple, then finally black.
And only at midnight did they return home - not minding one bit that the air had turned chilly - where Jimmy spent the entire rest of the next morning reprimanding Martyn for staying out so late.