Maximo's POV

The next morning, we woke up to the gentle sound of the waves crashing against the shore. Boracay had already worked its magic, and I felt more relaxed than I had in a long time. After all the chaos of the military mission and the constant tension that had been hanging over us, this—this was exactly what I needed. What we needed.

Kai stirred beside me, his body still warm from sleep. I could feel the heat of his skin even through the thin blanket we had shared. The moment I opened my eyes, I found him already looking at me, his lips curling into that familiar smile that always made my heart race.

"Good morning," he murmured softly, and I couldn't help but reach out, brushing a strand of hair away from his face.

"Morning," I replied, my voice low, still thick with sleep. But the moment I met his gaze, I felt that spark. That same hunger I had felt the night before, only this time it was different—calmer, more settled. We weren't just two soldiers caught in a moment of passion anymore. We were something else, something deeper.

After we got up and freshened up, we decided to head out and explore the island. The sun was shining brightly, and the weather was perfect for a day on the beach. I could feel the excitement bubbling inside me—this was going to be our time. No missions, no distractions—just the two of us.

I grabbed my sunglasses and threw on a loose shirt, then turned to Kai, who was pulling on a pair of shorts. "Ready to go, babe?" I asked, a grin tugging at my lips.

The word slipped out so naturally, it surprised me. Babe. I hadn't even thought about it. But the moment I said it, something shifted between us. Kai's eyes locked with mine, and I could see the surprise there, quickly replaced by something softer—something more affectionate.

"Babe?" he repeated, his lips curving into a mischievous grin. There was a playful glint in his eyes, and I could see that he liked the sound of it.

I raised an eyebrow, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, what's wrong? You don't like it?"

He took a step toward me, closing the space between us, and before I could say anything else, he pulled me into a kiss, slow and sweet. I could taste the salt from the air on his lips, and the lingering sweetness of his breath.

"I like it." He smiled against my lips, pulling away just enough to look me in the eye. "I like it a lot."

I chuckled softly, my hand resting on the back of his neck, pulling him in for another quick kiss. "Then we're good. Let's go, babe."

We made our way out of the hotel and onto the beach, the warm sand between our toes and the sound of the ocean all around us. It felt like we had the entire world to ourselves, and in a way, we did. We were free here—no labels, no missions, just two men who had found something in each other that they couldn't ignore.

Our first stop was a small café on the beach where we could sit and have a light breakfast. The sun was already high, and the air was warm, but the breeze kept us cool. Kai sat across from me, his feet resting on the edge of the sand, his eyes scanning the horizon.

"You know, Max... I never thought I'd be here." Kai said, his voice thoughtful, almost reflective. "I mean, it's Boracay. This place is paradise, but I never imagined it would be with you."

I smiled softly at his words. "I didn't imagine it either, love. But I'm glad we're here now." I reached across the table, taking his hand in mine. It was a simple gesture, but it felt like everything had changed with that one action. I wasn't just holding his hand to comfort him, or to offer reassurance. No, this was different. This was something deeper, something that had started when we had first locked eyes on the battlefield and had only grown stronger from there.

We spent the day wandering the island, taking in the sights, the sounds, and the freedom that came with it. I wanted to make this trip unforgettable for both of us. We went swimming in the crystal-clear water, ate fresh seafood by the shore, and even rode an ATV around the island—laughing as Kai tried to drive while I held on tightly behind him, teasing him for being a terrible driver.

But amidst the fun and the relaxation, there was a quiet, unspoken connection that had developed between us. Every touch, every shared glance, felt like a promise. We weren't just taking a vacation; we were building something lasting. Something real.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, we found a secluded spot on the beach. The warm glow of the fading daylight cast a golden hue over everything, making the scene feel almost surreal. Kai sat beside me, his head resting on my shoulder, and I could feel his steady heartbeat beneath the soft fabric of his shirt.

"Max," Kai whispered, his voice barely above the sound of the waves. "This... this feels like the beginning of something, doesn't it?"

I nodded, my hand resting over his. "It does. A new beginning. For both of us."

"I love you, babe. I'm glad we did this." His voice was quiet, but there was no mistaking the sincerity in his words. I looked down at him, my heart swelling at the simple, beautiful confession.

I had known this for a while, but hearing him say it made everything feel more real. "Kai..." I whispered, lifting his chin to meet his eyes. "I love you too."

And just like that, the last barrier between us had broken down. There was no more pretending, no more doubts. We were exactly where we were supposed to be—together, in this moment, on this island.

"I love you, Max." Kai said again, his words soft but full of meaning. My lips curls up.

I didn't need to say it back, not yet. But I pulled him close, pressing a kiss to the top of his head as the sun dipped below the horizon. "I love you too, Kai."

He stoop up and reach for my hand. "Lets walk for a while" he smile.

The sun was slowly sinking, casting its warm, golden glow over everything, but it felt like time itself had slowed down for us. The whole world around us seemed to fade into a soft blur as we enjoyed the quiet, peaceful beauty of Boracay. The soft murmur of the waves, the salty breeze, the distant sound of music and laughter—everything was in perfect harmony, just like us.

We'd been walking along the beach, our fingers intertwined, not wanting to break the connection that had been forming between us all day. The laughter, the teasing, the playful arguments—it felt like we had found our own rhythm, one that we could only share here, away from the pressures of the military, the expectations, and everything else that normally weighed us down.

"I can't believe we're here," Kai said as he stopped, looking out at the sea. His gaze was far away, thoughtful, but when he turned to me, his eyes softened. "I never thought I'd be able to escape... or to be here with you like this."

I moved behind him, standing close enough to feel the heat of his body against mine, my hands resting on his waist. "I'm glad you're here," I murmured into his ear, my voice husky. "This is exactly what we need. No missions, no distractions. Just us."

He tilted his head, meeting my gaze with a playful smirk. "And what exactly do you want to do with me, babe? You've been pretty quiet about what's next."

I raised an eyebrow, amused. "You want to know what's next?" I leaned in, my lips brushing against his earlobe, feeling the shiver that ran through him. "I think it's time to enjoy the night. I'm not letting you go just yet."

Before he could respond, I slid my hand down his side, pulling him closer. His body fit perfectly against mine, and the heat between us sparked instantly. I could feel his breath catch, the way he responded to my touch like it was second nature. There was no hesitation now. No barriers. Just the two of us, exploring what we could become.

"Max..." he whispered, his voice low and teasing, "What exactly did you have in mind?"

I stepped back slightly, pulling him toward a secluded spot just off the main beach. It was quieter here, with only the soft rustling of the palm trees and the distant sound of the ocean as company. I knew exactly what I wanted.

I spun him gently so his back was pressed against a smooth boulder, the warmth of the stone mingling with the heat of our bodies. Kai's eyes flicked to mine, that familiar glint of mischief still there, but now there was something deeper in his gaze. Something that made my pulse race.

Without saying another word, I cupped his face, bringing his lips to mine in a kiss that was soft at first, but deepened quickly as I felt his body tense with anticipation. I was desperate for more, and I knew he felt the same. His arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer, if that was even possible. Every kiss, every touch felt like an unspoken promise, a connection that had been building for far too long.

I pulled away briefly, looking down at him. "You look incredible," I murmured, brushing a strand of hair away from his forehead, my hand lingering on his cheek. His skin was soft under my touch, and I found myself getting lost in him again.

"You're not too bad yourself, Max," Kai teased, his fingers running down my chest. "But we still haven't finished our little vacation, have we?"

"Not by a long shot," I replied, my voice thick with desire.

I kissed him again, my hands roaming down to his waist, lifting his shirt slightly to reveal the smooth skin beneath. Kai's breath hitched as I traced my fingers over his abs, feeling the firm muscle beneath his skin. He moaned softly when I leaned down, kissing a trail along his neck, my hands moving lower, pressing him back against the rock.

"Max..." Kai breathed, his hands tugging at my shirt as if he couldn't wait to feel me closer. I helped him pull it off, tossing it aside, and in the next moment, I was already kissing him again, this time deeper, hungrier. His hands roamed over my chest, exploring as if he needed to confirm that this was real, that I was really here with him.

"I want you," I whispered, my lips against his neck, my voice low and rough. "I've wanted you for so long. And now that I have you...I can't get enough" My hand slid down his back, pulling him even closer, our bodies pressed tightly together.

Kai's fingers tightened on my skin, his breath shallow, as he responded in kind, his lips brushing against mine in between quick gasps. "I want you too, Babe. I'm here. I'm all yours."

The words made my heart race. I couldn't help myself. I kissed him fiercely again, my hands now roaming beneath his shorts, feeling the heat of his skin against mine. The air around us was thick with desire, and all I could think about was how badly I needed to feel him. I knew Kai was feeling the same; I could tell by the way his body responded to mine, the way he moaned when I touched him in the right places.

We didn't waste any more time. I needed him in every way, and I was going to make sure this moment, this feeling, lasted for as long as possible. We were so lost in each other, we didn't even notice the world around us anymore. It was just the two of us, the night air, and the ocean in the distance. Our bodies moved together, and I could hear Kai's breath quickening as we lost ourselves in the intensity of what we were doing.

We reached a point where nothing else mattered except that we were together. I was completely lost in him, in the rhythm of our bodies, in the raw connection we shared. It felt so right, so natural.

Afterward, as we stood there, breathless and wrapped in each other's arms, I pulled him close, my lips brushing his forehead. I couldn't help but smile.

"This is perfect," I whispered, holding him tighter, unwilling to let go.

Kai's smile was everything I needed. "I'm glad we're here, Max. I'm glad it's you."

I kissed him one last time, savoring the taste of him.