Synopsis: A little melon. A little ginger. Perhaps a bit of vinegar? Let your senses run free in this dash of spices.

Season 3 - Episode 2:
Evan and Seph get to enjoy the beach.

Notes: This was done in about an hour or so, maybe less. I like how it came out. I actually didn't have much of a plan for this episode. Had more planned for the next one. But yeah.

Story:

Cupidit ac Patienti:
Season 3: Episode 2: Tired Sunbeams

Seph blushed.

Blushed hard.

Standing there on the street, Evan’s lips against his own, he was frozen. Out of nowhere, the panther had kissed him. He didn’t mind - oh no, not at all - it just caught him off guard. His blush spread to his ears slowly, turning the skin at their tips a light purple.

Seph slowly got over the shock and returned the kiss. He heard a gentle, rhythmic tapping sound.

The two separated. They had locked their arms around each other at some point. They looked at Jenga, who was tapping his foot. The wolf jerked his head over his right shoulder. The two turned their eyes there, and started stammering apologies. A crowd had gathered behind the wolf and fox, who stood like a barrier against them.

Evan and Seph glanced at each other warily, biting their lips. They nodded at each other.

Taking each other’s hand, they turned and ran.

“Race ya’ to the beach!”

---

Evan groaned and lay back, resting his leg on a pile of towels Seph had made for him. He sighed at the dragon’s adamant help, but smiled. He loved the guy for it, however much it may annoy him at times.

Seph sat by him, a worried look on his face. Evan gently rested a hand on his forearm. “I’m fine, hun. Really.” He smiled gently. Seph smiled back, but didn’t leave his side.

Evan sighed. “Seph, go enjoy yourself. Don’t worry about me,” he grinned, “I can take care of myself.”

Seph remained unconvinced. Evan bit the inside of his lips and subtly nodded at Drezda, who stood nearby. The fox nodded back.

“Honey, I’m fine sitting with you, honest. I’m just worried for you. You really shouldn’t have done all that running…” Seph trailed off, his face contorting with worry.

Evan smiled at the dragon. “Luv, you’re not going to enjoy your beach day sitting here with me. Go have fun.”

“But-!” Seph started.

Evan placed a finger on Seph’s lips, smiling gently. “Hun, trust me. You’re welcome to stay, but I want you to have fun. Besides,” he winked, holding up his sketchpad, “I’ve got something to do.”

Seph bit his lip. He was visibly torn between the two options. Luckily, the choice was made for him.

“Seph! C’mon! Me’n and Jen need a third for volleyball!” Drezda walked up with Jen, and the two of them practically dragged the dragon to the volleyball court. Evan blew Seph a kiss, giggling.

He lay back, a smile of contentment on his face. He rubbed his shirtless chest, sand already getting into his fur. Pulling his sketchpad onto his lap, he looked at Seph, Jenga, and Drezda. He knew what he was going to draw.

---

Seph came panting over to Evan, grinning widely. “We won!” He leaned down and embraced the panther in a tight, warm hug. Evan returned it, just as happy.

“Congratulations! Have fun?” The panther grinned gently, one arm still around Seph. The dragon snuggled up to him, nodding enthusiastically.

“Then good!” Evan smiled at him, plonking a kiss onto his forehead. They both turned to look out at the sea.

The sun had started to set, casting a gentle glow over everything. The sunbeams rippled in the sea like waves. The last vestiges of day clouds were turning an opaque purple, like a solid wall.

The two sat and watched for a while, Seph’s head on Evan’s chest. They watched and listened. They saw the seagulls flying high above, heard the crash of waved against the shore. They saw a ship far out at sea, nearly lost in the fading light. They heard the sounds of children playing, parents trying to urge them to stop.

They smiled, to each other. Softly, gently. There was beauty here. They just had to stop and see it.