Archivist's note: The theme for this story is #23, candy.

~I Want Candy, Bow Wow Wow

The sand was cool between his toes as the sun sank lower in the sky. They'd been coming down in the evenings to watch the sun set since they'd arrived and this night was the chilliest by far. Duo tucked his knees into the oversized fisherman's knit sweater and wrapped his arms around his legs, wondering not for the first time why Quatre owned a sweater so large. It could have been left by a relative staying at the cottage, but for some reason Duo felt it was Quatre's. Maybe it was because he could imagine it on his friend so easily.

Wind blew steadily against his face, pushing through the cabled weave, and kissing his bare chest with the salty air. It was so peaceful here, so beautiful, and although he sometimes felt the twinge of homesickness, he more often felt the desire to never leave. Waves lapped against the shore, coming closer and closer to where he sat as the tide came in, and Duo wiggled his toes to tempt the water.

"You're going to be wet before the sun touches the horizon," Heero said, coming up behind him. Easing himself down in the sand he stretched his legs on either side of Duo.

"That's part of the fun in the tide coming in." Duo turned and kissed Heero's chin before resting his back against Heero's chest. "Warm enough?"

"Now I am," Heero answered, resting his chin on Duo's shoulder. He wrapped his arms as far as they could reach around Duo's huddled form and chuckled. "You can really fit your whole body in that sweater."

"There's room enough for you," Duo teased. "I'm not wearing anything underneath it."

Heero made a small sound in the back of his throat and dipped his hands beneath the knitted material. Duo closed his eyes and grinned at the sky as Heero's fingers stroked over his bare thighs and started to move lower. The sweater rode up as Heero's hands found his hips, making him shiver.

"I'm liking this sweater," Heero whispered huskily against Duo's ear, pushing the sweater higher to expose more of Duo's bare skin.

"Is that why you're taking it off of me?" Duo laughed, reaching his arms over his head and around the back of Heero's neck.

"You'll be happier wearing something else." Heero's hands moved higher, baring Duo's belly to the breeze.

Duo leaned his head back against Heero's shoulder, getting warmer and warmer despite the chill in the air. "Oh? What?"

"Me." Suddenly the sweater was gone and lying across the sand like a makeshift blanket. Before Duo knew what was happening, his back was pressed against the soft yarn and Heero was blanketing his body, looking down at him with a satisfied smirk. "Much better."

Duo wrapped his arms around Heero's neck and smiled. "A perfect fit."