Caribbean Sunset
Ok, so this is not canon to any other works I've done. This was written for someone. There's a lot of lead up to this and all, but I tried to capture the feelings in a short work. Please enjoy, and I would love to hear any comments or anything for this piece. I haven't given it to the person in question yet, and this is a chance for others to read it. Feedback would be wonderful.
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Lucas looked out over the starboard side of the boat. In the distance, the sun was rising. The sea was lightly flickering silver flecks, as distant rays skipped over the crests of gently sloping waves. He idly fingered the pendant around his neck, twisting the silver pick in his fingers.
Down below he heard Kura get up. She groaned, her body achy; they were older now, their bodies now feeling the wear of age. Still, Lucas thought of Kura as the most beautiful thing on the planet.
He smiled as the morning greeted them like it often did in the Caribbean, the bright clear blue water shining around them. However, it did not shine as bright as Kura's turquoise orbs.
He went below deck, and saw her lying still in bed. She looked at him, her blonde hair light with the faintest streaks of grey, her delicate muzzle slightly fuzzed, but her smile still the same. "Up early again?" she asked, patting the bed.
Lucas nodded and moved to sit near her. His back protested, stooped as he was, but he would suffer through it, as he would always do for her. Recently, some days they found themselves just sitting in bed as the boat rocked and swayed below them.
It had been a fun retirement sailing around, never tied to one place or another. They kept in touch with the kids whenever they made port, but it had been a month since the last time.
They had found a small, quiet island, and decided to stay here for a bit away from everyone else. There was enough fish for food, and preserved food in case that ran slim...
The boat lurched as a large waved rolled under them, and Lucas fell ontop of her. She squeaked, but grinned. "Remember when it didn't take a push to get you to climb on me?" She chuckled softly, kissing his cheek.
He blushed, and said, "I'll always climb on you, you know that... I just don't want to fall asleep on you and pin you down or anything."
Kura shook her head, "I wouldn't mind. I like feeling you next to me. I always have."
"I know, honey. I love feeling your body next to mine too."
He pressed his muzzle to either side of hers, nuzzling her softly. Lucas looked at her, seeing that same gorgeous girl in his wife's image in that fading fiery orange fur; but each individual fur was still all Kura; his wife, his lover, the mother of their children...
She looked back at him, her eyes slightly faded. Some days, she would simply stare out from the boat as if thinking. Lucas worried, but she always told him it was fine. She just loved sharing in the moment, even if Lucas was puttering around to make sure they were still seaworthy.
"Are you hungry, sweetie?" Lucas asked.
"No, I'm fine. I ate a pretty full meal last night."
Lucas nodded, but was worried. Indeed, they ate last night, but she had only nibbled. He didn't eat much himself, intent as he was on her well being. He had felt her shake in her sleep, and even his arm, which usually comforted her, did not help much...
His heart was heavy with worry...
***
Kura had decided to go above deck, and Lucas found it hard to hide his pleasure at that. Together, they climbed up, and she decided to lounge on the bow. She wore nothing, just like him, as they eschewed the need for clothes so far from anyone...
The sun seemed to revitalize her, making her shine once again like some of her best photo shoots. Lucas sat with her, enjoying most of the day. He was simply content to let it pass, only wanting to spend that time with her. He stared raptly at her as the cool breezes whipped by, ruffling still downy soft fur.
He noticed the faint shivering, and when he shook her, she looked at him blankly. "Hmm? What's wrong, Love?" Kura asked, seemingly oblivious. Lucas frowned, but shook his head. "Oh, it's nothing, dear. I'm... just a little chilly."
"Me too..." she responded.
Lucas looked to the island, a few hundred feet from them. "Want to go to the island? To feel the sand between your toes again?"
"Oh, I'd love to, but... I'm not sure I'm up for the swim."
"I'd carry you, you know I would," Lucas reassured her.
"Well, I'd love it then, if you're sure."
Instead of answering, Lucas kissed her cheek and scooped her up. Getting to a knee was difficult; he was not as spry as he used to be. Standing up, was near impossible. He groaned as his back popped, and he buckled, but stood. Kura gasped lightly, and said, "Are you alright, honey?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine..." He stepped carefully, nearly toppling again, but, luckily he still kept his footing.
They made it to the water, and swam, as Lucas let Kura hang on his back. Getting close enough to walk, they got out, and he carried her still. Once totally free from the salt water, he let her down as she cooed, "My hero..."
He smiled, feeling much better than he had in days, even with the pains...
***
Kura walked for a bit, enjoying the feel of the sand against her velvet pawpads. Lucas wandered with her, around the small isle, until they decided to rest under their favorite tree.
It was a palm, but it grew almost straight out horizontally. They had set up a semi-permanent towel and rest area there, but it had gone unused in days...
Kura sat down, and stared out west. The sun hung low just barely touching the horizon. Kura looked at it, and said, "I love sunsets. They make me think about what magic can happen at night, and the promise of a new day. And they remind me of you."
"Me?" Lucas asked.
"Yes, your eyes, silly," Kura said, looking at him directly. He stared at her, his amber eyes looking very much like the sun at the moment...
Lucas clambered to sit near her, scooting close. Kura snuggled with him, her light body lighter than ever, her fur still as warm and intoxicating. But that time had passed long ago; their love still burned passionately in their hearts.
He wrapped an arm around her, and said, "Guess we're staying here tonight."
She said nothing, but sighed, and laid still on him.
He nodded, petting her some while brushing her hair from her face. He held her close feeling her body tingle on his, her small paws resting against his body. She wrapped her tail around his, and together they tucked those over their feet.
The sun sat halfway down...
Lucas wanted to count down another day, but he felt something.
Holding Kura's body so close to his, he felt something was different. He felt her heart still beating steadily like it did, but it was faint.
He almost moved, but opted to stay still.
She was quiet, so he was too.
Her heart beat softly, almost dimly, but he felt it through every fiber of her being. As the sun sank, he swore he almost felt it slow. Ba-dump.. Ba-dump.. Ba-dump.... Ba-dump........ Ba-dump..........
Watching the sun set, they held each other neither saying anything; what more could be said after a lifetime?
Like many nights previous, Lucas' heart beat in unison with Kura's; steady, but slowing. The pulse was gentle, like the soft crashes of the waves to the island.
With every second, their pair of hearts pumped slower. And slower.
The sun teetered on the edge. The final rays of that day shined over the water. Again, the bright waters shined silver as the crests rolled over the sea. Their last sunset greeted the lovers, the sun flashing one last time...
It grew dark as the stars appeared.
Somewhere, at sometime, the hearts stopped.
***
Having prepared for anything Lucas had written a note, and left it in his boat in a sealed pouch.
It read:
To who may find this,
I cannot ask you to do anything for me, because you may be a perfect stranger. Or not. It doesn't matter.
All I ask, is that you let me be with her. My wife. Kura.
The days are long, and the nights longer.
I lose track of time with her. It doesn't matter. I'd rather just spend whatever time I have with her.
Don't feel sad for us. We did exactly what life wanted us to do; live...
I raised a family, and they are doing fine. I've left instructions of how to divide my belongings to them.
I had a career, and wanted for nothing.
Most importantly, I had a wife. No, she's more than that. I had my soulmate. My other half. I am complete.
All I want is her. I lived my life, and I think I did what we're all supposed to do. I lived, and I shall die. But, what made it special, was that I was able to share that, with her.
Every moment after we met, we shared in the happiness, we shared in the sadness. We carried each other's burdens, but we did so smiling, and hearts full of joy.
Again, do not be sad. I lived and will die, but with her.
I don't know when, but I do know, that when it happens, I will at her side. I will not leave her side, until I'm with her again. And I will be. Just like if I went first. Maybe that will happen. All I know, is that I will never leave her.
Please, I only ask you to do one thing. Leave me my pendant, it was my most prized gift. Take our rings, take our boat, but leave that necklace. I told her I would never take it off.
Then, go out. And live. After all, life is only for the living, right? I am not sad. I am with her, in body and soul. Together, in this life and the next...
FIN