Archive of Our Own

Franz woke to birdsong and the diffuse sound of waves crashing against rock. The piece of sky visible through the open window was only just turning from blue to the pale rose pink of dawn. It was summer, so this must mean it was very early still, but since he did not wear a watch anymore, Franz had no idea what time it actually was. And he had no reason to care, still a strange and unfamiliar feeling. The prospect of another lazy morning entirely without obligations stretched out in front of him. After so many years of stress and constant occupation, that alone felt incredibly luxurious.

Against his back, he felt the heat of Ivo's body, heard his quiet, steady breaths. His partner was clearly still fast asleep. Franz carefully shifted towards the edge of the bed, sat up, stood, walked to the door that led outside into the small rocky garden. He opened the door, but before stepping outside, he turned back to look at the bed. Ivo was sleeping on his stomach, his head resting on his arms, which he had folded under his pillow. His face, visible in profile, entirely at peace. The sheet they were using instead of a blanket had slipped down to expose his tanned back all the way to the top of his naked ass. Franz ran his gaze up and down Ivo's body, drinking in the sight of him, and, for the thousandth time in the past month, felt a pleasant pang of happiness in his chest. Franz had loved working with Ivo, mostly, but to have gotten through and to be able to enjoy their retirement together was another kind of joy.

The air outside was still cool on Franz's bare skin. As he stepped around the corner of their cottage and looked out over the coastal landscape, he could just see the first rays of direct sunlight creep above the horizon inland. He felt their warmth on his back as he slowly made his way towards the edge of the cliff. The stone steps leading down, as well as the narrow strip of sandy beach, still lay in shadow, but the sun reached him again as he swam out into the Adriatic Sea. When Franz turned to look back at the shore, he could just make out Ivo's silhouette against the glare of the rising sun. He waved invitingly.