Christian

Before I could whisk Alex away to our final destination for the evening, I walked us down to the second tent that was selling those incredibly tacky ass shirts.

I thought they looked like an absolute abomination on the eyes...

... but I could tell that Alex really wanted one.

He had a smile from ear to ear as the vendor swiped my card for the twenty five dollars and thirty six cents. It was pocket change though, and especially worth it for the abrupt embrace I received from Alex.

"Thank you!" He gushed in my arms. "I'll pay you back as soon as we make it to the resort, I promise!"

"No you won't. Shut up and enjoy your stupid shirt." I told him sternly before giving him a light kiss on his forehead. "Now, let's head to our final destination shall we?"

-

Alex tangled his fingers with my own as we walked.

That brought a smile to my face.

I kept thinking about what I had said to Brad in the morning- about making a gesture that was genuine. It wasn't that I didn't think Alex appreciated or enjoyed the expensive lavish lifestyle I came with... but I was starting to see how money could be a cop out. I wanted to do something for Alex that didn't always have such a pricy price tag attached to it- something more meaningful...

Like Eddie Chang.

I lead him to a more private area of the beach. It was still a place open to the public, but scarcely anyone knew about it.

We watched as a small group of women gathered at the edge of the ocean. They were wearing traditional skirts and tops with colorful lei's and gorgeous ankle bracelets. Alongside each woman was a large surfboard. Alex began to slow to a stop.

"Who are they?" He asked me.

"They're Hula dancers." I replied. "This date marks the passing of one of the community's leaders- Kahawai Kahikilani. They bring their boards out to the water as part of a ceremony to honor his life. I know it's a little sad, but their singing is so beautiful, I thought you would like to sit in for the ceremony with me."

I pointed past us to a place ahead. Alex turned to where I was pointing, and sure enough, just a little further up the beach was the little spot I'd prepared. It was just a blanket on the sand with a few candles around, but it was right next to the shore of the ocean. The spot was also surprisingly secluded. A large rock structure that merged with the mainland, had created a barrier around the area. This made this particular location all the more romantic.

On the blanket, I had set a bottle of sparkling juice, along with two wine glasses and a tray of treats.

Alex whipped his head around to face me again. I couldn't read his expression at first... but then the largest smile graced his lips, and all that worry left me. "Do you like it?" I asked.

"I love it." He replied, not skipping a beat. "This is beautiful, Christian... and so unlike you."

I chuckled at that, as I helped him get comfortably seated. The wall of rock behind us made for a nice place to lean back against, as we watched the dancers take to the ocean.

They pushed their boards out against the current of the water, as their leaf like skirts grew damp and heavy. The woman had come together in a circle, with the waves gently passing through, but never breaking up the group. This was when they started to sing.

Alex held my hand tight as he watched. He was so invested in the ceremony, yet I couldn't help being a little more invested in him. I had witnessed these women down at this part of the beach for many years. It was when I had found the opportunity to sneak out past Slav during his business meetings. But this time it was different.

I got to share one of my own intimate memories with Alex.

The heat of the sun had made the skin just below the frame of his glasses, slightly red with sunburn. It looked like he had remembered to spread sunscreen everywhere but on his face, which sounded like typical Alex behavior..

I was just glad we had less skin reactions on this trip, than we did on that camping trip I forced Alex on.

The memory of that trip made my lips twitch up into a smile.

That was the first night I had quite possibly ever cared for someone like that. Or at least someone who wasn't family. At the time I couldn't understand why.

Sitting here with Alex now, I did.

His eyes grew wide as he watched the women lay hundreds of flowers on the water. They had glossed over so finely, I thought he may have been on the verge of crying. I just held his hand tighter. The women then used the currents their hands created to break the circle and push the flowers out into the ocean. I couldn't help but watch this last part.

-

The ceremony was over before we knew it.

The sun had started its descent on the horizon, as the woman pulled their boards in and began the walk back to the mainland. Alex nuzzled into my side to watch the sky change colors.

"That was one of the most beautiful things I think I've ever seen." He whispered nonchalantly. That made my skin tingle.

"Would it be too cheesy for me to say that you're the most beautiful thing I think I've ever seen?" I asked him.

His face immediately got red. "I- I mean-"

I started to chuckle at his loss for words... but then allowed that chuckle die out, as we continued to watch the sunset. The sky that was once the most gorgeous blue, was now split by streaks of vibrant gold and yellow hues. It had cast a gorgeous light against Alex's overly sun kissed skin, and in this light I could see the hazel in his eyes like I hadn't done so before. They were focused on the beauty ahead of us.

I let some time pass before I decided to say anything next, but after a while I whispered "Thank you."

Alex's eyebrows furrowed at my words. "For what?" He asked.

"No reason in particular this time. I just don't feel like I say it enough." I replied. I know I had told Alex this before, but it rang true again today.

Alex ripped his eyes away from the setting sun to look at me.

"And I truly am-... thankful, I mean. These last few months have been unexplainable. You- wow." I chuckled. "You really came through and knocked me on my ass."

A small smile formed on Alex's lips.

"You started it with that laptop you just had to go all wrestle mania on, remember?" I couldn't help but laugh at that.

"Oh I remember." I replied. There was another pause before I found the words to continue. "But I dunno. Sometimes I wonder whether I'll look in the mirror one day, and seem unrecognizable from how much I've changed... but now I realize how ironic and idiotic that thought is." I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding. "I'm not afraid that one day I'll catch a glimpse of me and not recognize myself, I'm ashamed of all the times I looked in the mirror these past few years and thought I did recognize myself.

"You've made me value everything more. My family... My work...." I took a brief pause, "And You."

Alex was silent as he listened, but I could see his face had started to heat up feverishly at my words. His tongue went out to lick his bottom lip, which momentarily distracted me, but I forced myself to continue.

"I spent this entire trip thinking of ways I could show you how much you mean to me. Ways I could show you how much I cared about you. I even rented out a whole fucking chef, and look how well that went."

I couldn't stop the memory of Derek falling over the terrace, from resurfacing. Last night was about as crazy as crazy got- even for this particular group of individuals.

"You've taught me that all my outlandish spending and planning- however pleasant, means close to nothing. Cause you, Alexander Hamilton? You're not someone who's love can be bought... and forgive me for being blunt but I've only ever been in relationships with women who's love could."

Alex was the one to give my hand a tight squeeze this time.

"I have never been with someone where every topic of discussion is so unrestricted and unconditional. I've never met someone who could truly encompass the meaning of the word beautiful so wholesome and perfectly. I have never wanted to give so much of myself to another soul, Alex... before your sarcastic witty ass entangled itself in my life. I understand that what I do isn't a run of the mill job, and I can't promise that there won't be times during this public relationship, where you're going to have more eyes on you than you're used to- both good and bad... but I can promise that I will do everything in my power to make this easier on you.

"You'll have to forgive me for my lack of direction with my words, because this is still new territory for me." I took another brief pause to collect my thoughts. "But It's territory I want to grow accustomed to... with you... because although I may have never experienced this particular feeling with anyone before, I'm pretty sure I've fallen madly in love with you Alexander Hamilton."

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