Under the Stars

The sun had sunk beyond the horizon and had been replaced by a full moon, turning the vast ocean under the pale orb silver. Around the moon the sky was sprinkled with bright stars, adding to illuminate the night.

Sitting on the small porch, staring out over the water, draped in a thin blanket, Steffan smiled faintly. In his hand he was holding a seashell which he was absently stroking, following the lines on its surface with his thumb.

"You're not thinking of going for another swim, are you?"

Anton had come out to stand next to him, following Steffan's gaze.

The faint smile that had graced Steffan's lips slowly grew till it covered his whole face.

"That's a wonderful idea!" he exclaimed. Steffan rose and the blanket fell off, leaving him naked in the moonlight. He turned to Anton, his eyes shining bright.

"It's late," Anton said, "the water will still be there tomorrow."

The wide smile turned into a sweet one, and Steffan moved to stand close to Anton his hands caressing his chest and his lips inches from Anton's, gazing into Anton's eyes.

"It probably will," Steffan said softly. "But it's here now too. And I'm not tired."

Anton was. But before he could utter a word more Steffan had, after he'd placed the seashell on the blanket fallen to the ground, turned and made for the waterline. A smile tugging on the corner of his lips, and suddenly forgetful of the fatigue, Anton followed.

When he reached where the water met the sand, Steffan was already far out in the water laughing as he enjoyed the still, hours after the sun had set, warm water.

He swam out to where his lover was frolicking happily. He swam out and reached to catch the other man in his arms, but Steffan playfully evaded him. He dived and made a pretend escape, giving Anton more than enough opportunity to catch up with him.

With Steffan's arms wrapped around his neck, Anton felt as if he was in a fantasy world; submerged in water and a nymph escaped from some fairy tale of old in his arms, the beautiful being's hair floating around his form like pale silver seaweed and gazing at him with sparkling eyes.

Absently, as in a dream, he reached out to push away hair that strayed into the beautiful face. His nymph smiled at him and moved in to press a tender kiss against his lips, before heading for the surface. For a moment Anton didn't move at all, but stared after his ascending lover; admiring the grace with which he moved. Then, when the moment had passed, he surfaced as well.

Breaking surface his eyes fell on a rock rising up of the water, and sitting on its broad flat surface was Steffan shaking his head the long hair tumbling around his body. Anton swam over to the rock and heaved himself out of the water.

Anton drew closer pulling his lover to him. Two pair of lips found each other in tender caress, two bodies became one and murmurs of promises of love eternal arose like a silent breeze in the still night.