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Moon full and stars shining bright set the perfect night for a bon fire with friends. But most of the people around the fire are lost in the story or asleep in the sand that surrounded the fire pit.

Lying on a padded bench, with Cloud asleep in his arms, Rye continued his story that was so eagerly requested by a group of his friends. "...and I dropped in the bunker, fired short burst of stun rounds at all my opponents around me and took the flag. Before anyone knew what happened, I was back at my base, celebrating with my defeated teammates." Taking a breath, Rye stared back at the unblinking eyes staring at him from his friends. "That's all for tonight. I can't believe you all find this so fascinating. Good night everyone."

Groans of complaints followed by the crowd but it did start to dissipate.

"Good night."

"'Night Rye."

"See you at school."

"Bye."

A majority of the crowd headed for the locker rooms to leave for the night, while only a few stayed around the pool. Rye didn't move, for fear of waking up Cloud but he noticed Ariel building a flawless sandcastle nearby.

"Ariel," Rye whispered.

"Yeah Rye?" Ariel walked over to Rye.

"Cloud fell asleep pretty fast," Rye said. "How long has he been up last night?"

"All night," Ariel admitted and looked down at Cloud. "He was so excited that you were coming back that he couldn't sleep. He was staying at my house so he wouldn't get too lonely the night before you came back. Damn boy woke me up so early in the morning that we arrived at the airport nearly six hours before your plane arrived."

Rye smiled and looked down at the otter in his arms.

"You know," Ariel continued. "I don't think I've seen someone love another person as much as Cloud loves you. I love Patrick, of course I do but I still sometimes think that our relationship is not as passionate as yours. It almost brings back the old superstition of soul mates. You two were made for each other." She sighed. "To be honest, it took Patrick a bit of time to get used to you two being together but he got over it quickly. He was actually relieved that he no longer needed to feel protective of me when I was around you."

Rye chuckled under his breath but still didn't say anything.

"Hey Rye. If anyone ever gives you or Cloud a hard time because you are both boys and dating, let me know. You're not the only person I know who's in the military. I know some guys who are so good that they can make someone just disappear."

Rye chuckled a bit louder this time. "Ariel. I don't need you to hire anyone. I can take care of myself," whispered Rye.

"Still," Ariel smirked. "I don't want to see anything cause a problem to the love that you two share for each other. It's a true model of what relationships should be like."

"Thanks Ariel," Rye said. "I really do love Cloud. It's like I've never truly lived before I met him, and he now makes me whole."

"Cloud feels the same with you," Ariel said. "He's told me many nights how much you mean to him. He doesn't want me to tell you this but he told me that if you weren't a part of his life, he probably would have taken his own by now."

Those words caught the otter's breath, and he reflexively gripped Cloud tighter. "I won't ever leave him," Rye said almost desperately. "I wish he didn't depend on me so much." Rye paused thinking for a moment. A tear rolled down his cheek. "Ariel, make me a promise."

"Okay. . ."

"Promise me that if something happens to me, you'll stop Cloud from hurting himself. He might hurt for a long time but he will love again. I know he will. You say we might be soul mates like the old superstition but people can still love. He will love another if I'm gone."

"Rye, I don't like you talking like this . . ."

"Promise me Ariel! Look after him for me."

"Rye--"

"If Cloud hurt himself because something happened to me, I'd damn myself to the deepest circle of Hell! Swear to me that you'll protect him."

Ariel sighed. "Okay Rye. I promise that I'll look after Cloud."

"Thanks Ariel," Rye sighed with relief.

"Nothing's going to happen to you Rye," Ariel remarked firmly.

"Just in case," Rye commented back.

Cloud stirred in Rye's arms. Rye and Ariel watched him as he slowly resettled himself. Rye smiled knowing that Cloud was comfortable and so peaceful with him here. He almost didn't want to get up but Rye really wanted to go home where Cloud and he could have some time just to themselves.

"I guess we should get going," Rye muttered.

"Ryan is going to lock up for us tonight," Ariel said standing back up from her crouch.

Rye slowly positioned himself so he sat up in the chair properly, with Cloud lying across his lap. Rye put one arm under Cloud's knees and the other beneath his shoulders and with a gentle movement, Rye stood up, carrying Cloud in his arms. Cloud stirred again but didn't wake.

Silently, Rye carried Cloud to the parking lot, following Ariel back to her car. Patrick got in the driver's seat and Ariel in the passenger seat. Rye carefully laid Cloud in the back seat and Rye lied next to him as Patrick started to drive down the road toward Rye's home, where he has hasn't been in months.

Within a few minutes Patrick stopped the car in front of Rye's apartment. Rye again carefully picked up Cloud and to his appreciation, followed Patrick inside after unlocking the door. Rye set Cloud gently on the bed, who stirred again, and followed Patrick and Ariel back to the door.

"Good night you two," Rye said. "Thanks for everything you did today. I owe you guys big time."

"Don't worry about it," Patrick said.

"Glad to have you back Rye," Ariel commented. "Good night."

"'Night."

Rye went back into his room where Cloud still laid asleep. Rye felt uncomfortable in his still-damp shorts so he slipped them off and tossed them aside. Looking back up toward the bed, Rye saw that Cloud was also still wearing his damp shorts.

He probably doesn't want to be wearing those all night, Rye thought. Time for a little payback.

Rye climbed into the bed and snuggled up against Cloud. With some slight hesitation, he pulled Cloud's shorts off and tossed them off the bed next to his own pair. Rye examined Cloud's body but tried not to stare at Cloud too long. Tucking his arms under Cloud's, Rye cuddled Cloud and then pulled a sheet to cover their bodies.

It's been a long time since Rye has had another warm body in his bed and he missed it dearly. Rye snuggled Cloud, quickly drifting off. No more than a minute after Rye pulled their sheets up, Rye was sleeping the best sleep he's had in several months.