It was a clear and cool autumn night, and Flik was in his usual perch atop Pinwhelia Castle. He frequently spent his evenings on the balcony attached to his room, as it was one of the two highest points in the castle, and on clear nights, gave a view of the landscape for many miles. In one direction, below the cliffs that melted into the diamond beach, was the ocean, dark and unyielding as always. In the other direction, just over the hill, was the little wooden shack. These were the only two buildings around for miles, aside from the amusement park, but that is best left to another story.

Flik leaned his arms on the railing and sighed deeply, letting the sound of the ocean calm the silent tidal wave of emotions he'd been dealing with all day. Where the hell is Vik? It was hours ago that I dragged him back here to speak to Hardin, and hours ago that Hardin left for the little wooden shack…

As if on cue, Viktor walked out onto the balcony, whistling merrily under his breath. “Hey, why so glum?” he addressed Flik's back, trying not to give away his inward fear.

Flik turned to glance at him briefly, and then returned his gaze to the ocean beyond the castle. I've always loved the ocean…it can be as gentle as an embrace, as mournful as tears, and as vengeful as anger… “Simply the state of my life,” he replied after a few moments of silence. “Another rude awakening, perhaps…”

Dammit…why the hell does he always have to talk in riddles…? Can't anything ever just be yes or no, black or white? *sigh…* But he wouldn't be Flik if he didn't… Viktor looked a bit hesitant, but still forced his grin. “Ah, still mad, huh?”

“I never said I was mad, Vik...”

Viktor hrrmed to himself and cocked his head. Maybe he's not mad? “Well then, feel like talking about it? Or are you just going to pout about it all night and not accomplish anything at all?”

Flik smiled slightly, knowing Viktor could not see his expression. He knows me so well…and he's exactly right. I would just stand here all night and think, because that's what I always do…well, he wants the truth? Fine then, the truth… “ What is there to talk about? You said yourself that it meant nothing. If it meant nothing to you, should it mean nothing to me?”

“Uh... well...” Viktor stammered, that having not at all been the answer he was expecting. “Yeah, definitely! That works.” There was a moment of silence and Viktor's grin faded as his shoulders hunched. “…but I guess you're probably not serious.”

Flik turned again to glance at Viktor over his shoulder with a slight smile. “The truth is that I'm not sure whether to be hurt that you were with someone else, or flattered that you seemed to have done it...thinking of me.” Flik let his chin fall to rest in his hands as his elbows remained on the balcony's railing.

“...Well, we didn't really DO anything, y'know... not anything too important...”

“I suppose it was a rude awakening that I'm not really sure what we are," Flik continued. "I've spent many nights up here thinking about it.”

“Hmmph,” Viktor muttered, not sure of what to answer. “We are what we are.”

“...cop out....” Flik muttered softly. He turned and walked a step toward Viktor, one hand outstretched.

“Why?” Viktor asked. “Is it really so important to stick a label on everything?”

Flik shrugged. “…no. But I think it is important for me to know when you feel awkward.”

Viktor was a little thrown off by this remark. "...hmm?"

Flik reached out a hand to touch Viktor's shoulder in a gentle gesture. “It's kind of funny, thinking about all the times that you've asked me if I "was ok" with things…Have I ever asked if you were okay with things? If you wanted less from me? More?”

“Eh..." Viktor just shrugged. "Didn't want to make you feel bad or anything, didn't want to push you too hard, you know?”

Flik gazed at Viktor steadily for a moment and then glanced down. “I'm not mad at you, Vik, because maybe it's my own self-centered actions that caused this.” He sighed and let go, turning away to look out towards the horizon again. “Sometimes it's really hard to acknowledge the good things in your life now when you're caught up on the good things that are gone.”

“Ah, don't worry about it,” Viktor replied somewhat cheerfully. “I mean... it's no big deal on my part, I just went and did something stupid, that's all.”

Flik laughed softly, “...yeah, but that something stupid made me realize a few things...” He gestured for Viktor to come join him at the railing and pointed up at the stars.

“I'm okay with everything, really,” Viktor replied, stepping closer and grinning slightly at Flik's gesture. “You forget, I'm supposed to be the Tenko star, right?”

“...Yeah?” Flik said, deciding to let his friend speak before going off on another philosophical ramble.

“I've always been on my own, so it's no big deal. Fate, I suppose.”

Flik nodded. “I come out here every night and stare at the sky, and it never seems to change…Maybe I wish life was the same way...”

“Yeah, I guess the stars are comforting like that...” Viktor agreed, looking up at the sky as well.

Flik reached for Viktor's hand and tried to keep the blush from creeping into his cheeks. “They are...but at the same time…” Flik sighed and muttered under his breath.

“What??” Did I interrupt his metaphors again? “What did I do this time?”

Flik laughed softly and turned to grin at Viktor slightly. “I've been bitter a long time, Vik, and you know it.”

“Yeah... can't really blame you,” he replied, cautiously slipping an arm around Flik's shoulders.

“But you, more than anyone, have had the patience to show me that even though life's not like the sky, there's life beyond one event and one person.” Flik moved a step closer to Viktor and continued to stare up at the sky, leaving them in silence for a few moments before continuing. “Do you think we ever "get over" the people we love, Vik?”

“Hmm. I hope not.”

Flik laughed softly, “...why not? Wouldn't that be easier than pain? Fear? Betrayal? All those things?”

“...I dunno,” he said softly. “I guess it's just... I wouldn't want the rest of her to die. If she was going to give me her heart, I've got to keep that safe. ...I sure couldn't say I did that much for the rest of her.” The two were quiet once again, Viktor thinking of Daisy, Flik thinking of Odessa, as they often did.

“So pain is worth the memories of love we carry in our hearts...maybe...” Viktor impulsively pulled Flik closer, hugging him tightly in response. “But how do you make the pain less?" Flik continued. "How do you feel not guilty for lo.....for caring about other people?” He turned to look at Viktor and smiled, looping his own free arm around Viktor's waist.

“I... geez, Flik, I dunno. I'm just a big dumb fighter, not a philosopher,” Viktor muttered helplessly, taking a deep breath and trying to settle himself a little. He wasn't sure what had triggered it, but suddenly he was dissatisfied with the way things were.

Flik laughed softly and nudged Viktor. “I think you're a hell of a lot more than that...” Flik grinned impishly.

“Bah, you've called me that yourself.”

Flik laughed again and leaned his face closer to Viktor's. “...thanks, Vik...”

Viktor slid a hand up through Flik's hair, looking strangely serious. "Not a problem."

Flik closed his eyes and sighed softly... "I know neither of us is much for the sentimental crap...though it's funny how much more it comes to my mind lately...Vik...can I ask you something?"

“I owe you that much, yeah...”

“...will you stay here tonight? I just........don't much feel like sleeping alone.” Flik colored slightly and opened his eyes to check Viktor's reaction.

Viktor hesitated a moment before answering with uncharacteristic gravity. “...I dunno if you want me here tonight, Flik...”

Flik tilted his head slightly, confused. "...why?"

“...Because I'm really, really tired of the star of heavenly loneliness... if you know what I mean.”

Flik raised an eyebrow “...no, I'm not really sure what you mean...”

“Gah,” Viktor replied, smacking a hand against his forehead, “and here I'm calling myself the big dumb fighter." He stood thinking for a minute, then just gave up and turned Flik towards him, kissing him fiercely.

Flik wasted no time in winding his hands through Viktor's hair and kissing him back just as fiercely, breaking off only to mumble. "Don't you think I'm sick of being heavenly darkness? ...It's just as depressing..."

Viktor laughed a little as he resumed the kiss, tugging Flik close against him, then settling his head on Flik's shoulder, breathing a little too heavy. “...I shouldn't have done that..." he muttered, "...'cause now I don't want to let go of you.”

Flik tightened his grip on Viktor as he took a shaky breath. "...then don't...please..."

“Well, I'd be happy to oblige," Viktor agreed, also sounding slightly shaken, "but... if I don't let go... I'm not sure what I'll do next.”

“...you can do anything you want...if I didn't feel that way I...I...I wouldn't have asked you to stay.” Flik bit his lip and sighed softly...

“What I want is to not screw stuff up anymore.” Viktor paused momentarily. “Well okay, and you.” He paused again. “But the second sort of depends on the first."

Flik blinked and opened his mouth to say something, but seemed to have temporarily lost his usual ability with words. “...Well look at that," Viktor commented, "I finally managed to scare you so bad you can't yell at me. I knew this day would come.” He grinned a little, trying to put his friend at ease.

"Vik...I..."

Viktor waited. “...Yeah?”

Flik wound his arms around Vik's back and buried his face in the other's neck, mumbling, "yes...just yes, ok...I....just....yes..."

He started to laugh softly as Viktor stood stunned for a moment, disbelieving. “We can't both be stupidly stunned so,” Flik muttered, “...so do something...before I change my mind...”

“Well, since you put it that way...” Viktor drew Flik's face upwards, kissing him, then leaned down to lay kisses down his throat, down to the shoulder.

Flik let out a long sigh, turning his head to nibble on Vik's ear even as he gestured to his room with a blush. “Heh, yeah... I thought of taking you right here, but I didn't think that was your style,” Viktor told him as he grabbed Flik on a whim and just picked him up, carrying him back into his room. Flik yelped slightly in surprise, but didn't protest, instead burying his face in Viktor's hair.

Flik's room was warm and inviting, the large metal canopy bed covered in blue-grey blankets and pillows, a plush green turtle sitting atop the headboard. A small fire burned in the corner, and next to it was a large cushioned chair, easily wide enough for two. Beside the bed was a small night table, and on the other side of that, Flik's desk and bookshelves. Across the desk, maps, books and papers were spread out. The only sign of modern times was the CD player in the corner, and the tall rack of music beside it. The 21st century had provided Flik with the desire to memorize as many instruments and music as he already had books. Viktor had been telling him for ages that his room would someday be a museum.

Viktor leaned down to lay Flik upon his bed, but didn't really feel like letting go, and so simply rolled over him to the other side of the bed, still holding him closely. Flik took his hands and ran his fingertips not so gently down Viktor's back as he leaned towards him to kiss him again.

“Mmmm... Flik," Viktor murmured, "you do realize I have no idea what I'm doing here, right?”

Flik laughed softly, “...and all this time I thought I was the one who was lost...” Flik raised a hand and turned Viktor's face towards his. “Look...you may think I know more than you, but...really, I don't.”

“...But you and Odessa...”

Flik closed his eyes and blushed. “Well…”

“...Well?” Viktor echoed.

“.....honestly?” he asked, gritting his teeth.

“Yeah, I think honesty would be good right now,” he started as his mind connected his friend's awkward expressions to his words. “...You can't mean...”

“Yes, Odessa and I shared a bed many nights, and everyone who knew us referred to us as being lovers...but...well...we'd always thought that after the war was over, after everyone was free...we'd get married, maybe even have a family...and…well...” Flik sighed deeply and reached to twine his fingers through Viktor's.

“So... wow." Viktor was completely lost for words. "You never...”

Flik shook his head. “She didn't want to end up with child during the war.” He sighed. “I'm sorry...I guess I should have...told you...I just....”

There was silence for a moment and then Viktor just started laughing his head off. “What!” Flik exclaimed.

“Oh man... Flik, don't get me wrong, I'm not laughing at you…” Viktor choked out.

“..then what?” he replied, puzzled.

“I'm just... I'm even stupider than I thought, then!”

“Whaaat? Why?”

“All that fuss, because of my insecurity and everything..." Viktor grumbled, "and then you're in the same state I am!”

“You don't think I was insecure?” Flik replied, finally laughing as well. “Hell, I still remembered how totally stupified I was the first time you kissed me.”

“Well I guess you must've been insecure, or you'd have said something, but...” Flik laughed loudly at Viktor's astonished expression and ruffled his friend's hair. “But you didn't go out and try to seduce someone else just to get some practice!” Viktor sighed. “...Damn, I'm stupid.”

Flik smiled slightly. “...I don't want anyone else, Vik....not even for practice.” He shrugged. “...I guess I trust you or something.”

“Well, I didn't want to disappoint you...”

Flik shook his head sadly. “...that does not sound like the Viktor I know...”

Viktor rolled over onto his back, shaking his head in disbelief. “Stupid, stupid, stupid! Flik, I'm so sorry...”

Flik rolled on top of Viktor and grinned playfully. "...would you stop that? This...apologizing stuff....you're supposed to be the arrogant and over confident one!" He reached to run a finger over Viktor's jawline.

"Yeah, and you're supposed to be the nice innocent one..." Viktor pointed out, "and just look at you now."

Flik grinned slightly and then rolled off of Viktor. "Oh, well...if that's the way you want it..."

"I dunno, Flik... I mean... wow. This just completely threw me for a loop here..." Viktor rolled onto his side and propped himself up on one elbow, looking down at Flik in amazement.

Flik sighed again in exasperation. "...I'm sorry...I know I should have told you...but why are you so amazed?"

"You know, after the life I've had, I didn't think anything could shock me again..." Viktor began. "And I'm amazed because I was so stupid all this time! I should have just.... I dunno...”

“Would you quit blaming yourself? I'm the one that let you think something that was totally untrue...” He folded his arms behind his head and gazed up at the drapery of the canopy, blown gently by the wind drifting in from the still open balcony door.

“Yeah, I guess, but still.”

“Well....why don't we just call it even?” Flik smiled slightly.

Viktor rolled onto his back again, chuckling as he looked up at the draperies as well. "Fine by me, but ... that sort of distracted me...."

“Sorry…” Flik mumbled.

“Yeah, I bet you are,” Viktor said with a teasing grin.

“But if that's the case, I suppose I'll just go to sleep now...” Flik sighed.

“...If you do, do I get to stay?”

Flik rolled his eyes. “...I invited you, didn't I?” He rolled onto his side and looked at Viktor again. “Besides I...”

“Well, I was getting the impression you invited me to do more than stay...”

“I did," Flik agreed, "but...if you don't want to...I'd certainly be happy enough just to...umm...well...just to fall asleep with your arm around me.” He slapped his head with his hand in disgust. “God, that sounded so corny.”

“Hmm... yeah," Viktor agreed. "But it sounds nice, too.”

Flik tilted his head thoughtfully, "...yeah?"

Viktor reached to pull Flik's head towards him and kissed him again. "So... is that what you want then?"

Flik kissed him back gently and mumbled. "Mmm.....why, what do you want?"

“I mean, I wouldn't mind you trying to rekindle my interest here," Viktor informed him. "You did a pretty nice job of it earlier.”

Flik grinned. “I didn't think I ever had to rekindle your interest in me, bear…”

“General interest, no. But specific kinds of interest, well, maybe.”

Flik grinned again. “Oh, that's not hard to do either, really...”

Viktor hesitated. "You know, I'm tempted to dare you."

“Dare me...?”

“Yeah, if it's so easy, then you can just try and…” Viktor paused for a moment, considering. “No, wait, it would be that easy. Never mind.”

Flik laughed loudly, and Viktor growled playfully, rolling on top of him. “So...”

Flik wrapped his legs around Viktor and pressed closer to him "So..." he repeated.

“Okay, that might just do it...” Viktor murmured, his breath quickening.

Flik raised an eyebrow, and Viktor slid a hand up under Flik's shirt, pulling it up a ways, looking at him questioningly. Flik slid his own hands down Viktor's back and up his shirt as well, a very serious expression suddenly replacing his smile.

Viktor's expression grew suddenly intense as well. “...Yeah, that definitely could do it.”

“Do it or do me?" Flik smirked. “See how you rub off on me?”

“Hey, I haven't even done that yet!” They both laughed, and then quickly sobered again. “...Wow, we are bad,” Viktor observed.

Flik laughed softly again. “You're making me get antsy now, Vik...”

Viktor took advantage of the momentary laughter to pull Flik's shirt over his head, and then tossed it aside, not really caring where it landed. Likewise, Flik pulled Viktor's shirt over his head as well and then reached to pull him close, nibbling a line of kisses from his jaw down his neck to his shoulder, making Viktor groan. "Nnn... okay, okay, who's making who antsy?"

Flik slid his hands down Viktor's back to grab his ass and laughed again. "Maybe I got sick of waiting..."

Viktor nodded. "I know how that is."

“Does that mean you're going to go something about it?” Flik asked him with a challenging look.

Viktor rolled them onto their sides, then nuzzled at Flik's neck, then down across his chest “How's this for starters?”

“Mmm…”

A sly smile crossed Viktor's face. “I think that means I'm doing okay.”

Flik slid one hand down Viktor's chest and the other up his thigh with a mischievous grin. “Yes...definitely okay...”

“Ah, that works too...” Viktor kissed down to Flik's stomach, his hands busy with his friend's belt, which he similarly tossed aside. Flik, in turn, fondled Viktor through the fabric of his pants even as he sighed at his friend's touch, before reaching his other hand to Viktor's face, begging for another kiss. Viktor groaned as he straightened again to come face to face with Flik. "You're very persuasive..."

Flik whispers softly, “Only when it's something I want a lot...”

“Oho... I should start charging.”

Flik kissed Viktor lightly, running his tongue over the other's lips as he hands reached to remove his pants. "Oh...this isn't payment enough...?"

“Mmm…Yeah, I should say so…”

Viktor slid his hands down the back of Flik's pants, squeezing him softly before he slipped them off entirely. Flik returned his hands to Viktor's face, brushing the hair from it, leaning to kiss him again, mumbling things that were utterly incomprehensible. “...Hmmm?” Viktor mumbled.

“I...nothing....” Flik smiled sheepishly.

Viktor pressed his hips against Flik's, holding them together with a strong arm. “Normally I'd be more serious about you telling me, but I can't say I want to talk so much right now...”

Flik groaned slightly, “Agreed…Vik...I...” Flik sighed softly again and closed his eyes.

“Say what you want, Flik," Viktor told him. "I don't want to cut you off, either,” He paused, just holding Flik gently while he waited.

“Words kind of fail me right now..." Flik began. "...really don't think I've ever felt quite like this…I'm sorry, that sounds stupid, and I wish I could explain better.”

“I dunno, didn't you mention that earlier?” Flik reached his hands up to twine through Viktor's hair and Viktor grinned at him... "Threw me off, too."

Flik took a deep breath and closed his eyes again. “I do want you, Vik...a lot...”He cracked one eye open to look a Viktor with a sheepish smile.

“So why is that such a hard admission?" Viktor asked him with a cocky grin. "I mean... who wouldn't?”

Flik laughed loudly and whacked Viktor lightly upside the head. “Now that's the Vik I know!”

“Okay, okay, I'll stop being such an ass." He paused. "Maybe.”

Flik raised an eyebrow and pressed his hips into Viktor's. "...Is that so?"

“But seriously, Flik... yeah. I've been looking forward to this for... ahhhhh!" Viktor gasped at what his friend was doing to him. "…Man, don't even let me get a sentence out...”

Flik grinned unapologetically. “Oh, go on, I'm listening, really...”

Viktor sighed a little. "Actually, can I make an admission here? While we're baring our souls... and everything else..." he added.

“ ....Sure.”

“You're going to laugh," he muttered, "but... this scares me a little.”

“...What does?”

“All the time I spent thinking about when this day would come... trying to figure out what would be the right thing to do... and it's here now, and I just...” Viktor shook his head. "I'm turning into you - thinking too much. ...But that's okay. Guess it's just something you take as it comes.”

“I think that's just the way life is, Vik...you of all people have shown me that...that we can't dwell on the past or plan the entire future...we can only live in our lives as they're happening.”

“Yeah. So...” Viktor hesitated again, feeling a little sheepish. There was something else he had to say that was far more logical than romantic. “...I read up on this stuff though... asked around - man I'm pathetic - and…we can't just do this dry, or it'll hurt. And that's one thing I don't want to do, is hurt you.”

Flik laughed softly. “I thought I was the one who did all the reading and research.”

Viktor raised an eyebrow. “So I don't suppose you've stashed anything around here in preparation....?”

Flik let out an embarrassed laugh and gestured to the little wooden nightstand next to the bed. “Ok, so I admit to you that I've thought about it too.”

“Okay, good," Viktor said with a relieved grin. "We've come too far to stop now, I think.”

Flik buried his face in his hands and laughed softly. “Oh Vik, please stop intellectualizing and just be you before you drive me crazy!”

Viktor grabbed the bottle out of the nightstand and put a little on his fingertips. “I think this'll ease your mind...”

Flik gazed up at Viktor with hunger in his blue eyes, and reached to pull his face close, wanting to feel those lips against his again. Viktor slipped his slicked fingers between Flik's legs, pressing in deeply as he claimed Flik's lips again. Flik groaned into the kiss, arching his body involuntarily, his hands clutching at Viktor's back. "Yeah, that's more like it, I think," Viktor said with a satisfied grin as he continued to massage Flik gently, loosening his tense muscles from within with one hand as the other circled Flik's waist, holding them together. Flik closed his eyes, mumbling Viktor's name as he released his hold and gripped the sheets between his fingers instead... "Vik...I...damn..."

Viktor nibbled at Flik's neck as he continues his work, then slid his fingers roughly up Flik's spine. "Mmm…you taste good." He took the bottle again, and started to pour a little more into his palm, then hesitated. "I did you... you wanna do me?"

Flik opened his eyes as he sighed again. "I...umm....did you want me to...?" He blushed, suddenly awkward again.

“…Yeah. You have really nice hands.”

“I do....?” Flik asked, surprised.

Viktor gave him an embarrassed look. “I know that's a really crazy thing to notice, but... yeah.”

The two locked eyes for a moment, faces flushed, the night wind still rustling the draperies around them. Flik held out his hands and grinned, and Viktor handed the bottle over gladly. Flik flipped Viktor over and ran one hand down his length, hesitantly though he'd done it a good many times before, and slid the other underneath him. He whispered slightly as he watched Viktor's face intently. “I guess I...don't want to hurt you either, you know...”

“Mmm... I don't think I'd care if you did, not now...”

Flik grinned at this and continued to fondle him with one hand, exploring with the other. "Well then...I suppose it's up to you to decide when you can't take me teasing you anymore..." He leaned over Viktor to kiss him lightly and as teasingly as his words.

“Heh... if that's the case...” Viktor ran his hands up Flik's sides, clutching at the back of his shoulders roughly to brace himself, then rolled them over again. “So you're all ready then...?” he asked with unusual gentleness.

Flik felt his breath catch in his throat and nodded mutely, leaning towards Viktor to brush their lips together again.

“Great…” Viktor positioned himself carefully, and entered Flik, just a little bit at first, gasping at the feel of warmth surrounding him. Flik groaned slightly, wrapping his arms around Viktor and rising to meet him. Viktor tossed his head back at the feel of motion, and pushed in deeper, more forcefully, as one hand drifted down to touch Flik carefully.

Flik sighed again, his eyes clenched shut as he reached his hands up to drift lazily over Viktor's chest. Viktor, deciding that Flik was definitely enjoying himself, gave in to his body's urges, slipping into a natural rhythm of rising and falling, their bodies locked together. Flik wrapped his arms tightly around Viktor, meeting his movements, reveling in the feel of his entire body on fire.

"Oh, Flik..." Viktor moaned, feeling the same as their lovemaking gradually grew more intense. He'd never felt anything that compared to this before, this overwhelming pleasure that left him feeling completely right and yet completely helpless. "This is... this is perfect. You're perfect..."

Utterly breathless and far beyond the ability to think in more poetic terms, the only response Flik could manage was a gasped "You too."

It made Viktor laugh, and his emotional pleasure combined with the physical pleasure nearly made him dizzy. Leaning his head down upon Flik's shoulder, he ran the fingers of one hand through his friend's sweat-dampened hair as the other hand continued to pleasure him, stroking and pumping with the same rhythm as the rest of their bodies.

Flik clung tighter to Viktor, his fingers digging into the larger man's back roughly. For years he'd dreamed of a slender, soft body in his arms, and though Viktor was neither, the sensations were all his dreams had hinted at and more. To be so completely open to his longtime companion, and to have Viktor responding just as he wanted, as instinctively as when they'd fought side by side or back to back... to have nothing at all remaining between them... Flik's head swam, and he took a deep breath, feeling himself approaching the edge.

Viktor too was reaching the limits of his self-control, and feeling Flik go rigid in his arms, he knew it wouldn't be long. He pulled away slightly, to give their motions more force, and nearly had the breath knocked out of him as Flik's hands tightened around his lower back, pulling his hips down to clash against his own. "Ahhh..." Flik breathed faintly, and the look of utter rapture on his face when Viktor looked down wiped away any resolve he had left. One last time he thrust himself into Flik's body, and was overcome by the ecstasy.

Flik cried out as he felt a burst of blissful warmth deep within him, and he came as well, wrapping his arms and legs around Viktor's torso as tightly as he could manage. All he was aware of was Viktor on top of him, within him, and his arms around him.

Gradually, his breath slowed and his perceptions returned to him. Viktor had apparently recovered more quickly, and was covering his neck and shoulders with tender kisses. "Thank you..." he murmured over and over between kisses. "Thank you so much..."

Flik let out a breathless laugh. "Thank you too... I can't imagine you got better than you gave."

Arms still around each other, the two of them rolled onto their sides, simply looking into each others' eyes as they caught their breath. "So... that was up to your expectations, then?" Viktor asked finally.

"Oh, yes." Glancing down at the rest of them, Flik grimaced a bit. "...If a little messy."

"Hmmph. So we'll take a bath and do some laundry," Viktor told him with a smirk, trailing fingers fondly over Flik's cheek.

"Yeah, okay... but tomorrow. Right now," Flik whispered dreamily, "I don't want to move..."

"Same here," Viktor agreed, his grin softening to a smile.

Utterly exhausted, the two of them began to drift off to sleep, still holding each other closely. Just as he'd almost fallen asleep, however, Flik was roused by someone poking at him. "Mmm... hmm...?" he murmured, his eyes fluttering open to see Viktor looking at him with an expectant grin.

"Hey, Flik..."

"Yeah, Vik...? What is it?" he asked drowsily.

"...Wanna do it again?"

Viktor's grin was blocked from view as he was suddenly smacked in the face with the green plush turtle.