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The night is thick and heavy, the darkness only providing temporary respite from the summer sun.
Andy wakes to a sheet half-draped across his body, a thin sheen of sweat covering his skin. When he touches the spot next to him, it’s empty, a bunched up pillow shoved into the corner of the bed. His mind doesn’t jump right away to panic, not anymore, and he sits up, gaze pulled to the open window.
There’s the faint plucking of notes from a guitar, well-memorized, rhythmic, and the corner of Andy’s mouth turns up. He swings his legs over the edge of the bed, slowly gets to his feet. His muscles ache from the day’s work, but he forces himself to move, not bothering to put on extra clothes over the threadbare boxers he wore to bed.
The walk is quiet, his own footsteps almost too loud in the still night. The screen door squeaks as he opens it and the guitar playing comes to a stop. On the wicker couch sits Eddie, guitar in his lap, his own state of dress similar to Andy’s. His eyes brighten upon seeing the other man and their gazes stay locked as Andy sits in the chair opposite of the couch.
“Don’t need to stop just for me,” Andy smiles, resting his head in his hand.
Despite the cover of night, Eddie’s face shines through and Andy thinks he sees the faintest blush grow on his cheeks. Eddie doesn’t rush to start playing, but once he finds his momentum, the familiar tune comes back. Andy is thrust into the past, the hot, stale air of the islands. He can smell the trails of smoke, the salt of the ocean mixed with the blood on his hands.
His swallow is slow, aching, as face after face passes in front of his eyes. Those he couldn’t save, the ones now shells of humanity. Serving had been an honor, but as the days pass, Andy wonders if the cost was worth it.
It takes him a moment to realize Eddie has stopped playing and he drags himself from his thoughts. Eddie is staring right at him, the same question, the same pain reflected in his eyes. He doesn’t push Andy to talk, but he can sense the underlying hesitation.
“You ever wonder why we made it?” Andy starts, voice just above a whisper. “Hell, kids fresh out of high school didn’t even make it off the beach and here we are living the lives they deserved.”
Eddie’s head ducks and Andy sighs, gaze trailing to the silver scar on his torso. He and Eddie didn’t get out without their own injuries, but their survival must have been pure luck or perhaps a cruel trick of fate. Andy is forever thankful they were spared, but the guilt is neverending.
“Suppose all we can do is keep going for them,” Eddie murmurs.
Andy shouldn’t be so surprised at Eddie’s candor, but time and time again, the man will say something Andy doesn’t expect to hear. Eddie never has been one for poetry, at least, not as Andy once knew him.
Getting up from his chair, Andy crosses the space between them to sit next to Eddie. Despite the warm night, their sticky skin, they press up against each other, Eddie adjusting the guitar to make space for Andy. Seconds tick by, then Eddie rests his head on Andy’s shoulder. On instinct, Andy kisses his forehead, balances his hand behind Eddie on the couch. He takes a deep breath in, memorizing the feeling of Eddie, the peace found in this moment of solitude. Some days are not as easy as this, the internal torment claws at the last bits of their sanity.
“I love you,” Eddie whispers and Andy closes his eyes.
Tears threaten to fall, his lip trembles, and Andy digs for his strength. “I love you too.”
Such simple words break and mend Andy’s heart all at once. When the memories become too much, when the world rears an angry head, Andy must remind himself what he still has.
He lets his hand move, his fingers dig a little too hard into Eddie’s waist. When he kisses his temple, it’s with an underlying ferocity, intent to leave a mark behind. He will love this man until his dying breath, follow him into the unknown with all the trust in his heart. Eddie promises the same as well, kissing at his jaw, a shaky sigh leaving him.
Andy lays his hand on top of Eddie’s, rubs his thumb across worn knuckles and rough calluses. “Can you play it? Red River Valley?”
Eddie is slow to lift his head and when their eyes meet, Andy thinks he could take on the heavens with only his hands to fight with. Eddie’s smile is soft, he gives a slight nod of his head and starts to play. Andy’s heart beats in his chest, he’s surrounded by warmth and light. He traces his fingers up and down Eddie’s back as he plays and not once does he falter. If only they could stay this way forever, content, safe.
As Eddie plays, Andy’s heart aches. The beach hadn’t been perfect, but it was a small comfort in all of their chaos. Nothing has felt quite like that night, but Andy isn’t sure he wants to crawl though awful memories just to reach the few good ones. In his musing, he kisses Eddie’s shoulder before letting his lips trace along his skin. The song slows, Eddie’s playing coming to a stop once Andy nuzzles at the spot under his ear.
“Out here?” Eddie teases.
Andy huffs, but a small smile graces his face. “Why not? Who’s watching?”
Eddie shrugs, Andy can see the slight rise of his brow. They had chosen this secluded house for many a reason, but the privacy has been a rare privilege.
Taking hold of Andy’s wrist, Eddie tugs as he gets to his feet. Andy can’t do anything else but let himself be led, his heart thumping every time Eddie looks back. When they finally reach the bedroom, Andy is sure hours have passed.
His anticipation grows, the guitar is tucked safely into the corner, and then Eddie is right in front of him. The kiss they share is slow, fingers tangling together. There’s nips, noses brushing, breathing in all that the other man is.
When the embrace turns more insistent, Andy pulls them over to the bed. He lays down, bringing Eddie with him and he sinks into the mattress. The stuffy room doesn’t deter them, there’s just enough of a breeze coming through the window. When Eddie kisses his jaw, bites and sucks at his neck, Andy tips his head back with a sigh.
Eddie’s hands run up and down his torso, nails leaving red marks behind. An animalistic need jumps to the forefront and Andy jumps headfirst into the gaping maw. If Eddie wants to see his beating heart, Andy will let him tear his chest open and watch the blood pump through his veins.
He arches into Eddie’s touch, a soft moan falling from his lips. Eddie bites his pulse point, sucks, sure to leave a dark bruise for tomorrow, and Andy relishes in his claim. He cards a hand through Eddie’s curls, tugs just enough to make Eddie squirm. Teeth graze his skin, hands move to take hold of his waist. Eddie squeezes, rubs circles with his thumbs all while his mouth drifts to Andy’s chest, down the length of his sternum.
Andy lets out a heavy breath, his hips already lifting when Eddie takes hold of the waistband of his boxers. He can feel Eddie grin against his hip, a little love bite to seal his promise before making Andy bare underneath him. With a shiver, Andy opens his eyes and he quakes at the sight of Eddie braced above him. His stare is fierce, hungry, but underneath it all is pure adoration. Andy can’t help the blush that rises to his cheeks, his sudden shyness.
To be so loved and cared for, it has to be a dream, but day after day, Andy gets to experience it like it’s the first time.
Eddie kisses him, rough, tongue sneaking into his mouth and Andy moans. He throws his arms around Eddie’s shoulders, pulls him as close as he can. He’s pleasantly surprised to find Eddie has removed his boxers as well and when their cocks touch, the sensation is electric. They gasp and moan with their kiss, teeth biting, tongues demanding more. Eddie wraps Andy up in his arms and they grind together, pleasure shooting up their spines.
Andy could come like this, but he wants all that Eddie can give him. He reaches down in between them and gives Eddie’s cock a sharp stroke. A strangled noise leaves Eddie and he’s quick to sit up, reaching towards the bedside table.
Once he has lubrication, he slicks up his hand before tossing the container onto the bed next to Andy. When it bounces, Andy can’t help the small laugh that leaves him and he’s pleased when Eddie gives his own chuckle as well. Then, Andy’s smile turns into a gasp as Eddie traces his fingers from the base of his cock, across his balls. Andy doesn’t hesitate to open his legs, shifting just enough to give Eddie the room he needs.
Eddie’s eyes have turned dark, eager, but he still takes his time to work Andy open. When Eddie starts to push in, Andy grasps at the blanket, his mind rushing. He knows he needs to relax, but the first finger is always the biggest hurdle. Eddie massages his thigh, kisses his bent knee, his gaze never leaving Andy’s face. Andy could cry at the sincerity in Eddie’s eyes, his careful gauging. He doesn’t add another finger, not until he’s absolutely sure. Sometimes Andy tells him, but tonight, words aren’t needed.
It isn’t long before Eddie has Andy stretched around three fingers, the thrusting of his hand slow, testing. As for Andy, the fullness brings with it an ease, his body melting in Eddie’s touch.
Eddie gives Andy’s cock a few tugs with his free hand, he traces his fingers across his stomach. Andy is floating, he starts to move with Eddie, and a low hum leaves him when Eddie makes a pointed thrust. He gives Eddie a small tap with his foot, his toes curling when Eddie hits the spot once more. With a sly smile, Eddie is slow to pull out his fingers, he takes his time lubing up his cock. Andy rolls his eyes, shakes his head, and this only makes Eddie’s smile widen.
He pushes the tip against the tight ring of muscle, but with all of his careful ministrations, Andy takes his cock easily. Their hips move closer together, Andy clenches as Eddie pushes all the way inside. This makes Eddie groan, and he scrambles to balance himself with hands on either side of Andy’s body.
Andy savors the fullness, the drag of Eddie’s cock. Eddie is being careful tonight, soft thrusts, a purposeful kind of teasing. Andy could tell him off, but he lets Eddie do as he pleases, his own desire burning low in his gut.
“Andy,” Eddie’s voice calls to him.
When he had closed his eyes, Andy doesn’t know, but it’s easy to open them to look at Eddie. His heartbeat is loud in his ears, the hooded gaze from Eddie fills him with a love like no other.
Eddie gives a snap of his hips and Andy cries out, the pleasure undeniable. That’s when Eddie clasps his hands with Andy’s, pinning them near his head. The gentle sex starts to turn, a quicker pace, harsher.
Andy sings his praises for Eddie, moans and gasps tumbling from his lips. He wraps his legs tight around him, keening at the low groan he gets in return. Eddie smashes their mouths together, drinking down his sounds, worshiping with his entire body and soul. Andy gives over his heart, he promises his devotion until the end of time.
Their rhythm turns frantic, desperate then. All Andy can do is squeeze Eddie’s hands, to let Eddie piston in and out, the rough motions causing the bed to rock.
“Andy, Andy,” Eddie repeats like a prayer.
Andy manages to find his voice, to say, “Eddie,” and that’s when Eddie slams into him, his thrusts coming to a halt.
He spills inside Andy with a heady moan, head dipping so his forehead presses against Andy’s collarbone. Andy relishes the way Eddie fills him up, how once he finishes, his hand seeks out Andy’s waiting cock.
He shudders when Eddie strokes him, swiping his thumb across the head. Eddie spreads precum down the length, keeps his softening member inside Andy and he holds onto his leg while staring into Andy’s soul.
The familiar coil tightens and Andy moans, thrusts into Eddie’s hand. When his climax crashes down on him, Andy isn’t sure if he cries out, if he thrashes. All he feels is wave after wave of pleasure, dragging him away from the frightening world of reality.
His chest is heaving, he blinks at the ceiling above. A gentle hand cups his cheek and Andy’s eyes water at the sight of Eddie.
Eddie gives him a soft smile, a kiss on the lips before he pulls away to go to the bathroom. He returns with a wet washcloth, the water cool on Andy’s sweat-covered skin. The summer night rears its head and Eddie makes several trips to the bathroom, just to give them some respite.
After throwing wet towels to the side, Andy does his best to pull Eddie into his arms, needing to feel him despite the humid night. Eddie tucks his head under Andy’s chin and soon, even breaths are leaving him.
Looking towards the window, Andy watches the curtains flutter with a passing breeze and his gaze is pulled to the sky.
White speckles shine against the backdrop of indigo and Andy can’t help but notice how they look just like the stars that hung above the beaches of Pavuvu, where only the sand and waves were witness to their love.