Chapter Text
It was a long journey for this moment, the beach at sunset. It wasn’t as cold as the rest of the country, but it wasn’t truly warm anywhere. The ice did not reach the beach, thawed away some miles back, but the ocean wind was still harsh to the bones.
The shore was littered with glittery shells, tusks and bones left forgotten by animals of all kinds. They would search the beach come morning, keeping memories for wherever they ended up next.
The day was warmer when the sun was high in the sky. Jongin and Zitao had stripped away outer layers of thick fur and leather, boots left behind, to splash in the cold water.
Now, darker and later, they still weren’t wearing boots or coats. Wrapped instead in a fur blanket, tucked around both their shoulders, hands clasped tightly together. Jongin buried his toes in cold sand, head resting on Zitao’s shoulder while they watched the sun disappear.
“I wanna stay,” Zitao murmured, as if the sight was so delicate that speaking loudly would break it.
“As long as we want,” Jongin whispered, kissing his lover's cheek softly.
Auroras danced across the sky. It was a beautiful trip.