Sun-Rich

Warning for liberties taken with FBI budget logic :P

Aaron hadn’t missed the look in his secret lovers eyes as they’d interviewed a witness by the beach. The way his eyes kept darting towards the shore as though mesmerized by it. It would have been easy enough for a passer by to see, much less a seasoned behaviorist. He understood it. Spencer had grown up in Vegas, on to college and then straight to Virginia with barely a day off for vacation; the sight of a sunny and beautiful beach was probably a rare one. For Aaron too, if he were honest with himself. But he and his family had taken many vacations in his childhood and the ocean was no stranger to him.

Still, when they’d wrapped up a case late on Friday night, Aaron had called up Strauss and requested - well, more demanded really - that his team be allowed to remain for the duration of the weekend. With Prentiss having left and her replacement not yet selected, their expendatures lately had plummeted so it hadn’t been too much of a stretch to convince the weekened to be funded for by the FBI. It was against the rules and would take some diligent covering up and excusing by Garcia, but it was doable.

More importantly, it was necessary for them.

When he hung up after calling Morgan - who he was sure was going to very excitedly tell the rest of the team - he smiled as he exited the bathroom. Spencer was packing his bag with a resigned look on his face and Aaron tried not to chuckle conspiratorially as he walked up behind the man and wrapped his arms around the slim waist.

He nuzzled Spencer’s hair and hummed happily as the familiar and comforting scent filled his senses. Spencer tilted his head back slightly and sighed.

“Shouldn’t you pack?” His lover asked after a moment.

Smiling, Aaron answered, “Nope.”

Knowing that Spencer was frowning, Aaron took pity, “What would you say, if I told you that I convinced Strauss to let us stay the weekend here on the FBI’s coin?”

A moment of silence fell over the room before Spencer inhaled deeply, “Well, my initial reaction would be to assume you were joking.”

Nosing behind Spencer’s ear, Aaron mumbled, “And what if I added that I’ve already called Morgan to tell the rest of the team and we are officially off the clock in Cape Town in the height of summer?”

Another pause and Spencer turned in his arms, “Then I’d have to claim you as my favorite person alive.” he declared with a bright smile on his face.

“I accept.” Aaron laughed before kissing the man in his arms. Spencer’s stepped closer and held onto him tight as he kissed him fiercely.

Pulling back, Spencer licked his lips and grinned, “Can we go to the beach first? It’s so beautiful there.”

“Whatever your heart desires.” He leaned in and kissed Spencer again, feeling more relaxed already.

~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~

Their progress across the beach was slow, given Spencer’s desire to stop every 30 seconds and savor the feeling of warm sand between his wriggling toes, but the breeze was calm, the waves soft and the tone of gentle peace washed over Aaron like the tide. The pure and open glow of contentment on Spencer’s face didn’t harm that either, rather causing a stable smile to curl Aaron’s lips in such a casual way, it was almost foreign to him.

The 20th or so time Spencer stopped, Aaron chuckled and took his hand. When he found a spot of smooth sand, just in the sun, he sat down and patted the ground next to him. Spencer collapsed down and grinned widely, “This is so perfect.” He said, reverently.

Leaning over and lightly nudging the man’s shoulder with his own, Aaron mumbled, “Thanks to you.”

“Me?” Spencer asked with disbelief, “You’re the one who talked Strauss into getting us the time off.”

Aaron nodded, “I know but, without you, I’d just be in the hotel room working anyway. Because of you, I’m sat on a beautiful beach with the man I love and, that’s perfect.” Looking over at Spencer, he was taken by surprise. Their was a look of astounded wonder on the man’s face that Aaron couldn’t place. “What?”

“The man you love?” He asked, a smile teasing at his lips.

Aaron realized what he’d done. They hadn’t declared those feeling to one another yet but Aaron had considered it a formality. He knew he loved Spencer, he had for a while, but he supposed that his ease with the situation had caused the words to spill from his lips without him realizing. Though, now that it was out in the open, he could think of no reason to deny it any longer, “Yes.” He stated simply, looking Spencer in the eyes, “The man I love.”

Spencer bit his lip, perhaps taking Aaron’s words in, before he quickly added, “You know I love too right?”

Looking down for a moment before making himself meet Spencer’s eyes again, Aaron assured, “I do now.”

Spencer stared at him for a few long moments before he did something unexpected. He suddenly dove forward and tackled Aaron to the ground. As the felt more than saw sand fly out from around them, disturbed by the impact, Aaron had barely a chance to laugh before Spencer’s lips were on him.

Aaron wrapped his arms around his partner and held him close, returning his affections. Spencer had straddled his waist and was kissing him fervently. With hands on Aaron’s face and soft moans escaping his lips, Spencer seemed to surround Aaron in that moment and then, in his mind, everything truly was perfect.