[ quentin laughs bright and unhindered as koby surges into him, the little row boat rocking in protest. he's careful to grip the seat with the backs of his calves, lets his arms wrap around koby's slim figure and draw him in as close as he may, as though their bodies could merge somehow and become one on this little boat lost on the lake.

he wants to kiss him again - wants to taste koby on his lips and taste the sun and salt and sea air all over again. he hadn't realized until lately how much time he spends cocooning himself in koby's life, seeking him out and welcoming him the same, their doors connected as much as everything else. a day is nothing until he's seen the soft pink hair out of the corner of his eye, caught a name on his phone, tasted home on his lips.

just like now. his compass turning, turning, turning. the busy clattering of his mind and magic stilling. he knows where he is. he knows where his heart has gone to. he knows where his thoughts are, and there are no lines to what he needs to see, because its here. there's nothing to track, nothing to find.

koby is right here with him. ]

Mm, your first mate? [ he laughs against koby's mouth, soft and sweet, color rising up into quentin's cheek, his expression open and honest. gentle. there's no joking or teasing or flirting here. it's not needed. ]

I'm honored to have the position. A first mate to an outstanding captain. I will follow you into the storm, into the dark, into whatever magics await us outside of this place.

[ he reaches up to koby's face, brushing away the hint of tears, unknowing that there have been a few to slip down his own cheeks. he leans to kiss him, soft things, over and over and over again, chasing the taste and warmth of him. the everything of him. ]

Mm, let me make love to you here. Let me lay you out in the afternoon sun with the ocean's song and show you all the ways you are home to me.