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As the weather was getting better and their wedding anniversary came closer and closer, it was just about time for Impulse and Tango to start planning how they'd celebrate the event. 9 whole years into their marriage… they needed something they could one-up next year. Still, it should be something fun, maybe something new? After a bit of brainstorming and digging through advertisements, they came across something neither of them had done before: What better to do than go on a cruise for their anniversary?
The booking and planning went by smoothly, and time simply flew by them. One day they'd been building and working on their projects, the next it was time to pack and get all their things ready. With a few notes left to the hermits who agreed to help keep their bases in tact, it had been time to start their newest adventure.
Little did either of them know that Tango had a tendency to get seasick. It wasn't that bad at first, though the nausea refused to leave — quite the opposite actually, it only got worse the longer he was ignoring it. He'd excused himself abruptly, almost storming off towards their room. Luckily, Impulse wasn't that far behind, already a little suspicious as to why Tango was acting off. The sounds of retching as he got closer to their room was enough of an answer. Tango was quite glad to have his husband there to take care of him, even if the idea of needing to be taken care of was that special kind of embarrassing he hated with a passion. Not like he had the time or energy to complain or shoo Impy away while his head was stuck over the toilet bowl, though.
That's how they ended up where they were at now. Cuddled up in their room, Tango wrapped in a blanket and sat on top of Impulse's lap. Whatever they were talking about with the other guests before was entirely forgotten, preferring to take the time to rest together. More prepared than they were, the captain had pointed out the ship's infirmary — mainly stocked with pills against seasickness, as well as any other medical equipment necessary. Back then both Tango and Impy commented on how sweet it was for the crew to be prepared, yet thought they wouldn't need the medicine. However now Tango was more than thankful for the crew's preparation.
Impulse had brought them two of the small pill bottles, just in case, before they'd sat down to make sure Tango could be comfortable.
Tango stared out of their little porthole-window, watching the horizon in the distance. A steady line, something that kept him a little distracted from the upsetting hot-and-cold state the nausea forced him into. Impulse being right behind him like a solid brick wall was somehow helping as well, though Tango would chalk it up to the soft purrs he was giving off, and the fact Impulse could simply fix any ailment of Tango's if he'd let him.
Impy was dozing a little while giving Tango the time to adjust. His eyes were closed, yet his mind was still active and thinking through what they could be doing later. They hadn't explored the whole ship yet, and he had overheard some other guests talking about an on-ship casino evening being hosted. Impy absentmindedly drew small circles over Tango's stomach, very careful as to not disturb him too much. After a short, deep breath he adjusted himself and hugged Tango a little closer, softly nuzzling his face against the back of Tango's head.
After a long while of haphazard damage-control within him, Tango stirred again. A small hum rumbled from him as he moved his arms, rubbing his cheek against Impy's shoulder.
"…Sorry I just stormed off like that," he apologized, voice quite raspy and dry as he didn't think himself capable of stomaching any new liquids earlier.
"Don't say sorry, baby. I'd rather you storm off than throw up all over other guests," Impy giggled, pressing a soft kiss into Tango's hair — especially focusing on all of the strands of grey peppered throughout.
"Not that— I should've told you I was feeling bad sooner."
"Maybe, but that's also not something to be sorry for either," Impulse comforted, watching Tango shed the blanket as he slowly got up. He padded into their bathroom, and returned a few seconds later with a glass of water in hand. Impulse smiled, quickly adjusting himself as Tango sat down again to cuddle. Grabbing the blanket to lay over their legs, Impulse made some space for Tango to lean into his arms again. A small peck to his cheek was enough to get Tango's purrs going as well.
"…Sorry for dragging you away from the rest of the crowd," Tango mumbled, lightly tapping along the glass with the pads of his fingers.
"It's okay, everyone gets seasick sometimes!" He tried to reassure, continuing on a little softer, "Please don't apologize for taking care of yourself. In sickness and in health, remember?"
The ship rocked them a bit closer together, and Tango let out a little huff.
"Don't you use that against me," he tried to growl, though it was painfully obvious how charmed he was by his husband. Impulse smiled in return, nuzzling against Tango's face. They sat like that for quite a bit of time, comfortable and touching in all the ways possible, while Tango sipped on his water.
The glass emptied faster than they'd thought, slowly unraveling the comfortable moment as reality settled back in. With a sigh Tango stretched to put the glass on the table, sliding it into the small divot specifically to hold glasses and bottles so they wouldn't slide around. A few of his joints made themselves known as he stretched, making him huff a small noise. Settling back into Impulse's arms was the easiest part.
"There's my little clown fish," Impy smiled, hugging his arms around Tango's middle innocently.
Tango seemed to almost… freeze for a moment. Slowly turning his head towards Impulse, he had more confusion in his gaze than true shock.
"What was that?"
"…my little clown fish?" Impulse repeated, earning a grimace and a pair of furrowed brows from his husband.
"Oh come on, it's cute!"
"No, it's not. Don't call me that," Tango grumbled, though his cheeks were a soft rosy pink. His tail flicked against Impulse's leg, letting the bits of fur settle against his warmth.
"Fine, my little dolphin?" Impy chuckled amused, yet Tango's expression didn't change one bit. He had to get creative.
"My little sea-slug?—"
"How's about you talk less about being little, and do a little more of the snuggles-thing?" Tango grumbled, the end of his tail thumped against the mattress in a soft rhythm. Showing off amusement as much as it showed off gentle annoyance. Impulse let his cheek squish against Tango's, lightly rubbing his tusks against him.
"You just caaan't get enough of me," Impy mumbled, interrupting him with a kiss before he could argue against him.