Archivist's note: The theme for this story is #8, our own world.

Taking a long swallow of beer, Duo smiled against the bottle as he watched Heero standing on the edge of the water. Heero was a silhouette against the setting sun, gorgeous in every way. Duo took the opportunity to watch his lover openly, admiring how his broad back tapered to his narrow waist, and the masculine curve of his calves as he raised up on the balls of his feet when the waves came. Heero's wind tousled hair was hiding his face as he looked over the water, but Duo knew there'd be a small smile on his lips.

Duo's fingers itched to run through Heero's hair. He loved the way his hair smelled after being whipped around by the salty air and he was constantly following Heero around, burying his nose in it. Despite Heero's grumbling, Duo thought he secretly loved it, especially when it led to more.

Grinning to himself over where his thoughts were leading, Duo watched Heero bend down and pluck something out of the sand. He took the moment to enjoy the curve of his lover's buttocks beneath the material of his shorts, but it was more than that. It was watching Heero completely relaxed and totally comfortable in his own skin. Sometimes it still amazed him, the peaceful air of the man who had once been a killer like himself. It was a beautiful thing.

Heero lifted his face to the sky and Duo could see the rise and fall of deep, easy breaths. Sitting there at that moment he remembered watching Heero like this once before, during the first war. They'd been between missions with the safe house only a few miles from the shore. Duo had convinced him that they should go see the water, neither of them having ever gone to the beach. Oh, they'd been in the ocean, either secured in their Gundams or fully dressed in a flight suit, but that just didn't count.

Biting his lip thoughtfully, Duo remembered how they'd taken their shoes off and left them hidden near the rocks. They'd rolled the cuffs of their jeans up to their knees and Duo had laughed at how comical they'd looked. Heero had stood with his brow furrowed, flexing his toes in the sand like a child would before cautiously approaching the surf. They'd both left their footprints in the hard packed sand as they'd walked, standing side by side on the edge of the land.

The water had been cold washing over their bare feet. Duo had laughed, jumping back, while Heero had just stood there seriously watching the waves. They hadn't spoken, just enjoyed the quiet moment in each other's company.

Heero had been constantly scanning the area, his body tense and aware. Both of them had been increasingly edgy the longer they stayed out in the open and they left soon after. They'd smoothed away their footprints, not trusting the surf to do a proper job, and trudged up the loose sand towards the rocks. Sand had been sticking between their toes when they'd slipped on their shoes and Duo remembered finding sand in his sleeping bag for the next couple of months, no matter how he'd shook it out.

Later that night Duo had reached into his pocket to find a shell he'd absentmindedly stuck there earlier. He'd held it in his hand, marveling for a moment at the delicate curves and miniature perfection. Something so tiny and yet so strong -- it had sparked an indescribable feeling inside him.

Duo had set the shell on Heero's pack, a small treasure to remember the day. Part of him might've considered it a gift, a token for the feeling that had been slowly unfurling as the war dragged on, but mostly it had been impulsive. He'd briefly wondered what Heero would think of the shell, if he'd discard it as useless or tuck it away. Shortly after that they'd been called to duty, the shell forgotten.

Sitting there at the beach house Duo was surprised by the memory, amazed that he'd forgotten it entirely. Life was funny that way. Looking back now he remembered how his heart had fluttered in his chest when Heero would look at him. It wasn't that much different than now, only now he was allowed to touch and he knew with all his heart that his feelings were reciprocated.

Warmth bloomed in his chest as he watched Heero turn and start back, the setting sun providing a golden aura around him. Heero sat in the chair next to Duo, mirroring Duo's position as he propped his sandy feet on the rail. Leaning over, he dropped something into Duo's lap with a small smile.

Looking down, Duo picked up a small shell, delicate and perfect. He held it in the palm of his hand admiring it.

"I never did thank you," Heero said softly. "I always meant to."

Duo was quiet for a moment, the knowledge that Heero remembered starting thoughts cascading in his head. There were so many things he could say, but he just smiled softly as he closed his hand around the shell.

"You're welcome."