The morning sun cast gentle golden light across the smooth sea surface. A lazy breeze carried coolness to shore. The last rains of the season had passed, and winter was beginning.
The first light of dawn touched the large dark-tinted glass of the seventh-floor room in the small hotel nestled by the pearl-white sandy beach, as if knocking on the glass to wake those sleeping peacefully within to witness the beauty of the golden rays. The gentle breeze swayed the beautiful flowers in pots on the balcony like playful whispers, making the blooms sway shyly back and forth.
Inside the quiet room, white curtains hung peacefully, waiting for the chance to greet the outside world when the door opened. The air conditioner had stopped humming, its shift ended after working through the night.
This morning was beautiful... like the love of two men who had shared warmth throughout the night.
Anupap emerged from the bathroom, using a white towel to dry his face before sitting on the edge of the bed, gazing at the sharp-featured man sleeping peacefully before him.
In sleep, Atikom looked like a harmless young man—sharp nose, lips slightly parted, breathing steadily. His broad chest rose and fell rhythmically, one strong arm folded across his flat stomach, the other spread wide on the bed. The blanket covered him from the waist down, the center prominently raised, announcing the vigorous masculine energy preparing to greet the dawn.
Anupap thought about everything that had happened the previous week...
The courtyard... the pounding rain... the tragic scene mixed with tears where all the actors felt pain...
Now... this man... the one he'd run from that night lay before him... peaceful and still...
His anger had vanished. Just seeing Atikom's eyes full of love and pleading since last night had softened his heart. Similarly, right now he gazed with eyes full of...
"Major..."
Anupap exclaimed as suddenly the sleeping man's eyes opened, his strong arm reaching out to grab him, pulling him down against his muscular chest.
"Let go."
"No."
"I said let go."
"Why keep saying let go—you've been saying that since last night. If you struggle again, I'll flip you over and pin you down on this bed right now."
Atikom looked up with that teasing smile, eyes twinkling.
Anupap met his gaze without flinching. "You think I'm scared?"
That was all it took. The young detective flipped the defiant one onto the bed, his tall, muscular frame rolling on top, pressing down and pinning the struggling young man beneath him.
"Let go."
"No." The police officer spoke curtly before lowering his head to capture the lips of his victim, silencing any protests.
Anupap continued struggling despite barely being able to move. Atikom's body pressed him down as if he might sink into the mattress. His hands pushed against the larger man's chest, his face turning side to side but unable to escape the assault. He tried lifting his legs to push away, but strong legs hooked around his ankles, holding him fast.
He couldn't breathe, trying to turn his face away to gasp for the air he desperately needed. The labored breathing of both men harmonized like the rhythm of relentless, stirring music.
"Major..."
"Khun Nu... please be mine."
Atikom didn't wait for an answer. His strong hand slipped under the thin t-shirt of his beloved, caressing the smooth skin he'd yearned for until he could barely breathe. His other hand slid lower, cupping the younger man and lifting him, fingers sliding behind to hook the thin silk pants and pull them away. Anupap struggled more, arching up instinctively, unknowingly opening the way for his attacker to act more freely. His hands that had been pushing against Atikom's chest changed to embracing, roaming across the strong back.
"Major... I..."
"Darling…"
Atikom's voice was breathless, gasping as he trailed kisses along Anupap's neck, alternating with his tongue caressing the smooth, firm skin. His face moved lower to the tight, clean chest before his tongue tasted the flesh he'd desired.
Anupap shuddered and gasped, accidentally moaning as the young police major's strong hands kneaded his chest, fingers teasing the small peaks while his sharp face moved to the other side, nibbling gently, teasing and tormenting until the owner of that firm chest had to arch up when his tormentor pulled away from his ministrations. The detective's remaining hand worked busily below, squeezing and kneading relentlessly before sliding between his legs, pushing them apart, then trailing fingers along the sensitive inner thigh skin. Anupap threw his head back, shaking it back and forth, feeling an almost unbearable tingling sensation. He moved his arms up around the police officer's neck, hands clutching and pulling at Atikom's thick hair frantically. His body burned with heat, shivers of sensation penetrating every fiber of his being, making him tremble and convulse.
"My darling... I love you."
"I love you too."
Two breathless voices harmonized, repeatedly declaring their love without pause, mixed with cries of ecstasy.
The strong bodies of both men pressed together, exchanging heat for a long, long time. Sweat beaded and glistened as they moved in passionate rhythm, the entire world standing still with only their two bodies entwined, moving according to desires overflowing with love.
The sunlight caressing the dark glass began to fade, as the room's occupants showed no sign of emerging to greet it.
The sea breeze picked up strength, helping to carry wave after wave to shore, to touch the fine, clean sand.
The newly awakened sea suddenly grew playful, splashing and crashing against the rocks, breaking into white foam.
Beautiful nature had to wait longer, as no one was ready to come out and appreciate it, especially the two men lost in their world of love.
All things followed their natural course. The sunlight gradually intensified as time passed with the earth's rotation. The wind swayed the pines and other trees in alternating slow and quick rhythms. Wave after wave rolled endlessly toward the sandy beach as long as the wind provided force and underwater currents drove them forward.
Peaceful nature was truly beautiful, embracing humanity to admire its excellence. Human nature was equally beautiful and wondrous. The miracle of many hearts in love made existence in this world meaningful, especially at this moment—the loving hearts of these two men.
The large glass door opened, and the white curtains fluttered as the breeze touched them. The room's owner stepped out to breathe deeply, gazing far toward the horizon above the dark blue sea. The gentle wind caressed the bare upper body of the handsome man.
Anupap forgot the recent gloom he'd experienced just a week ago. Atikom had given him so much love that he could barely contain it all. His heart swelled, filled to bursting with happiness. Any lingering hurt had completely vanished.
"Sneaking out here alone. How cruel, leaving me sleeping by myself."
Strong arms slipped around Anupap's waist loosely, the tanned, handsome face nuzzling into his neck. The bare, broad chest pressed close against the smooth back, skin touching skin, sharing warmth.
"Major, don't." Anupap hunched his shoulders, avoiding the nuzzling.
"Hmm... stop forbidding me for once, won't you?" Atikom pressed a kiss below his ear, mouth opening to try to nibble the soft earlobe.
"That's enough."
"No."
"We just... Major... aren't you satisfied?"
"No."
"Someone might see us. Let go."
"No... if you're afraid someone will see, then come inside with me."
"No, I need to work. They're probably waiting."
"Let them wait."
"Captain, stop it."
"It's Major, not Captain." Atikom corrected his rank, voice drowsy as his mouth worked on the young man's ear, applying gentle pressure. His arms tightened their embrace, his stomach pressing firmly against the back of the younger man.
"Come inside. I'm embarrassed." Atikom coaxed. If possible, he wanted to push his boyfriend down on the lounge chair right here on this balcony, letting the sea breeze caress both their naked bodies while he made love to him.
"Mmm..." Anupap gave up resisting, exhausted, and allowed himself to be pulled back into the room.
***