Beach Day
It was quite a few days after the incident had happened, and Tanner had spent every moment that he wasn’t working to earn back the money owed Boss- protecting Brian. He even went as far as to sleep with Brian in his bed at his grandma’s place. Which always embarrassed him, because grandma was so nice about Brian being bisexual in front of Tanner.
However, there was something about it that really made Brian fall deeper in love with Tanner. Brian had always been an open person, hence how he found out he liked guys in the first place with his ex. This was different though. This wasn’t some fling at all. It was a man who dedicated every waking moment of his life thinking about him. It made Brian tingle inside with joy and embarrassment every time the subject came up of Tanner’s dedication to him.
Tanner on the other hand was deathly afraid to loose the one thing in his life that went right. The shinning beacon of light in the dark. A kind face, a kinder heart, and a sexy muscular little body.
Let’s just say the two needed a little chillaxing.
The two agreed to spend some time at the beach for a day the two had off. Tanner came by the house in his red pickup truck first thing one morning after grabbing his swim outfit. Brian hopped in with just some bathing suit trunks on, nothing else. He smiles at Tanner gleefully. The still healing scars present on Brian’s chest and arms reminded Tanner of the stinging reality that was a few days ago. Brian noticed the shift in mood, but was ignorant to what was on Tanner’s mind.
“Sorry. I just can’t stop thinking about it. I really let those guys fuck you up. I feel so stupid.” Tanner’s hands clench around the steering wheel, as he stares out the windshield. Brian shook his head, putting a tentative hand on Tanner’s very toned thigh. “Tanner!” He says sternly, which catches his attention enough to cause his head to turn to Brian.
“It wasn’t your fault. It was no one’s fault. Please, don’t blame yourself.” Sad eyes met Tanner’s which sighed with a very soft smile. “You’re too good for this world, you know that? Too good for me.” Brian blushes softly, unsure how to respond and flustered by the blunt advance from his boyfriend. “That’s what I love about you. I really just can’t bare to loose you. Those scars, even as they are, only dig into my subconscious.” Tanner drifts into sadness again. Following this, Brian huffed, “You know, I get injuries all the time, but I don’t see you telling me to quit boxing. Who says I’m going to quit on you? Those guys can go fuck themselves.”
Tanner looked startled by this thought, but couldn’t retort it. He smiled again, but bigger. “Yeah, you’re right.” Tanner began to drive off as Brian quietly sighed in relief.
The truck ride was quiet, but not awkwardly so. It was peaceful. Shoreline eventually appeared as Brian was gazing out the window. Tanner pulls into his usual spot, and Brian quickly scrambled out like an excited kid. “I can’t believe we haven’t done this, you literally work here!” He exclaims, looking back at Tanner who was slowly getting out with a fishing net on a pole in hand. Tanner chuckles, “Well that’s probably why. I’m always working.”
“Yeah, guess you are. So come on.” Brian takes Tanner by his other hand and leads him into the water, who just smiles and follows willingly and puts down the net. How could he say no to that cute face.
Lukewarm water rushed up their legs as Brian led them into water deep enough where you could float a little- well at least Brian could. Tanner looks down as if to express his boredom with this depth. Brian looked puzzled, then realized. “Sorry, you could go out further without me.” Tanner instead smiled a little fiendishly and picks up Brian, who made a cute noise in response. “Nope, you’re coming with me.” Brian gripped Tanner’s muscular form, afraid of suddenly being swept away. Tanner enjoyed the feeling, happy to carry Brian again for a better reason this time. Life comes full circle it seems, and he was glad it did.
Tanner brought them out farther than Brian ever had been due to the fact that Tanner was simply huge. Left with no other choice, unable to reach the bottom and not being a fan of doggy paddling in place, firmly holding onto Tanner was Brian’s current state. He blushes slightly in embarrassment, but noticed Tanner was deep in thought. The ocean was always Tanner’s calm place it seemed, and it made sense being a shark-human and all. Tanner placed his other arm gently around Brian, then spoke. “Can I be honest with you?”
Brian looked concerned, but nodded in acknowledgment. “Well, when I first started flirting with you, it was only because you smelled of fresh blood and I loved that.” Tanner glances at a bothered, staring Brian. He breaks out into a little laugh, “Wait let me finish- But then I realized how… um…” a deep red blush emerged from Tanners face unlike ever before and his eyes averted, causing Brian to smile in amusement. “I realized how kind you really are. You treated me like no one outside of my family ever has. Everything you did was with such passion and love.” A now flushed smile came over Brian’s face. The sounds of the ocean made the moment more pleasant, Tanner had glanced down at Brian with embarrassment still on his face. Brian chuckled a little. “Thank you for telling me that.” Was all he said. It was all he needs to say.
“I love you.” Tanner bluntly stated, with a sort of worried, but caring look on his face. The water could sweep Tanner away right here and now, and he’d stand strong knowing he’d keep them both safe. The water was both Tanner’s home and his vice. A bittersweet love- and a bittersweet life to live knowing you love something that could easily come back to bite you, and you loose it all. However, what’s the point of having anything if you don’t accept you can loose it… And that’s life and love. There was no better answer and Tanner had come to terms with the truth. Brian was all he needed. Whether the world took him away or not didn’t matter. Only the ocean could decide that.
Brian was surprised by this exclamation of love; it’s the first time Tanner said it before him. Or at all even. His face flushed and he stumbled over his words, hands still embracing him. The feeling of Tanner’s muscular sides, while still covered by the body suit, coupled with the situation was all too much for him to bare. “I l-love you t-too.” This was the man he’d let himself be soft around for sure. He knew that now. It was okay to be soft, he’s spent his whole life being tough.
The overwhelming feeling of love that was taking over Brian was apparent to Tanner and it made him happy. Tanner kisses Brian on the forehead. Fingers ran across Brian’s scars with Tanner’s free hand, and a topless Brian shivered a little, watching. “Did it hurt?” Tanner asks. “Like hell. But it was worth it.” Brian answered honestly, with a smile. Tanner smiled back, pleased with the answer.