#the photo is of anaehoomalu bay

[petri808]

Day 11 @flufftober “sweet tooth” TakaRitsu . Just tooth ache fluff kind of Drabble.

It’s their first vacation trip as a married couple, and Masamune wants to make it so memorable, that his husband will always remember the time they spent together. Of course, in Japan it’s not a legal marriage, but now that Ritsu is added to his family registrar, Ritsu Onodera is now legally, Ritsu Takano… Oof, just thinking about it still gives Masamune goosebumps. Everything they’ve gone through to get to this point is in the past, and now their future is looking bright. Two successful men in the publishing world, who will one day take over Onodera Publishing, but for today, all that awaits is sand, sea, and a little paddle boarding in Anaeho’omalu Bay in Waikoloa, Hawaii.

The six day, five night honeymoon trip is a collective gift from both sets of parents to give the young couple a little relaxation before starting their fresh beginning. Many tourists choose Oahu island because of it’s wider array of things to do, but considering Ritsu and Masamune come from he city, a city vacation is a the least enticing idea. Therefore, Waikoloa on the west side of the Big Island of Hawaii was chosen for it’s warm climate, and natural beauty— A place where life moves at a relaxing, slower pace that ebbs and flows like the waves on the islands sandy shores.

At the Waikoloa Marriott, Masamune and Ritsu are checked into an oceanside suite on the top floor that overlooks Anaeho’omalu Bay. It’s a pretty typical hotel with it’s pool, bar, restaurant, a salon and small gym, but what makes it special is it’s ties to the local culture. In ancient Hawaii, the local islanders would use the natural landscape of some bays to create what is referred to today as aquaculture ponds and fisheries. By adding rocks and wooden slatted gates, they would entice young fish to swim through the gate by providing abundant food sources, so by the time they try to leave, they’re too big to get through the slats anymore. The shoreline of the hotel features a renovated pond so tourists can see this amazing technique up close. It then stretches out into a mile or so long white sand beach where vendors rent out surfboards, kayaks, and paddle boards.

Around 4 pm, Masamune convinces Ritsu to go out with him on a tandem paddle board as long as he can sit while Masamune does all the paddling for them. It’s September, so the air is still fairly warm despite moving towards autumn. Plus, they didn’t plan to stay out too long.

“The sunset will look the same whether from our balcony or the beach, so I don’t understand why you want to be on a board in the middle of the bay.” Ritsu complains.

“Well,” Masamune counters, “the balcony is not really romantic and the beach has other people. This way, we can relax without distractions.”

“Guess that’s true” Ritsu relents as he sits down in the center of the board.

After kissing his husbands forehead, Masamune stands up and pushes away from the sand with the help of the vendor staff. Thankfully, the weather is on their side with very little wind to stir up the waves. For about twenty or thirty minutes, he paddles against the tide to get them past the break-point in the waves maybe two-hundred yards off-shore. It may not seem so far when you’re just looking out over the water, but when the waves are working against you, and you’re trying hard not to lose balance, it takes time to travel such a distance. But finally, they reach a point where it feels like the tide is no longer pulling too strongly and they can relax, just floating and bobbing surrounded by the deep blue sea. Masamune sits down behind with Ritsu between his stretched out legs, then passes the paddle forward to Ritsu to hold in front of them.

“What do you think?” Masamune asks Ritsu as he wraps his arms around the man. “Isn’t it so much more relaxing like this?”

Ritsu shifts back against his husbands chest. “Okay, I’ll admit it kind of is… Even the way the water is shimmering from the sunset is cool.”

Masamune sighs happily in his contented win. “Boy, the pictures of Hawaii’s sunsets don’t do it enough justice. They’re mostly red and oranges in the photos, but who knew they came with pinks and purples too!”

“I can imagine some of my clients immediately seeing these sunsets and breaking out their colored pens,” Ritsu chuckles and sighs too with a smile. “They’d look amazing with watercolors.” He turns his head so he can see Masamune better. “Thank you for bringing me out here.”

Over the gentle pitter-patter sounds of the water lapping against the fiberglass board, light whooshing of the trade winds, and occasional seabirds flying above, a sense of pure euphoria drowns out the conch shells roar in their ears. There’s a crinkling and tinge of moist shine in Masamune’s eyes as he smiles and leans in, placing a pressure-laden, long-lasting kiss on his husbands lips. “No,” his voice grows fervent, “thank you, for being here with me.”

What a perfect way to end their day.