"That's because your ass is heavy," I mutter.
I carry him all the way to the towel and drop him onto it gently. "There you go," I say, brushing sand off his calf.
Rava stretches out dramatically, smirking at me. "You're lucky you're hot. Otherwise I'd press charges."
I flop down next to him. "I'd let you win," I say. "Just to see your little courtroom victory face." He turns his head to look at me. "And then I'd demand conjugal visits."
"I'd bring lube to the trial."
He laughs. I love it when he laughs with my jokes.
We lie down side by side, still wet. I place my hands behind my head and stare up at the sky, the stars. Beside me, Rava shifts, then lays his head on my stomach.
"You comfy?" I murmur, raising an eyebrow even though he can't see me. He hums.
"Your abs make a surprisingly good pillow."
"Better enjoy them now," I say. "Might get softer while you're gone. I emotionally eat."
"Cool. I'll eat you emotionally when I come back." I chuckle. "That sounded weirdly hot." Rava grins without opening his eyes, his fingers are spreading across my stomach, and it's the most relaxing thing ever.
"Don't go falling asleep on me, Weston," I say, nudging him gently with my elbow.
"I'm not," he murmurs. "Just soaking this in." I'm stroking his hair gently. My thumb is brushing his forehead.
"I feel bad that my graduation is on October 26th…the same day as your birthday." I smile a little, still playing with his hair.
"It's okay. That day should be aboutyouanyway."
He shifts. Lifts his head. Then turns to lie beside me, facing me. His eyes…
Oh no. His eyes are glassy.
My fingers stop. I sit up slowly. I wasn't expecting that look. Not now. "What are you thinking about?" I ask, already bracing for it.
"What are we going to do, Gio? Actually. What the fuck are we going to do?" His lips press together. "Are we going to break up?"
I stare at him, offended. "What—no?! Don't say that."
Shit.
I sit all the way up now, facing him completely. "Don't say that again." His eyes flicker. "Then how's it going to work?" His throat clenches. "Tell me how, Gio. Please."
I can't take it. I reach for him, grip his hands. "I have a plan. Okay? I wasn't going to tell you yet because it's not simple, but I do. Listen… I know someone who might be able to transfer you here. To Italy. Same program. Same everything."
Rava blinks hard. "What? Who the hell do you know that can do that?" I hesitate for a second. "An old connection. Not exactly a buddy. But I'll deal with it. I'll make it work. Whatever it takes, I swear. It's worth a shot."
I pull him into me. Hold him tightly. My hand cradles the back of his head. "Just promise me you won't fall for anyone else while you're gone," I whisper. "Promise me. I'll figure this out. And we'll be together again. For real. No ticking clock."
He sniffs and looks up at me with this crooked smile that both breaks me and puts me back together. "You better," he says.
"You fake proposed with a rubber duck ring. My expectations are dangerously high now." I laugh, but it's wobbly. Because yeah, sure, he's joking. But I'm so fucking serious.
I look at him. And I hate it. I hate that I can't stop time. I hate that I can't fix this now. That he's still thinking about the damn plane. So I try something else.
"I remember once," I say, brushing a hand through his hair again, "when we were little… I almost invited you to one of my birthday parties."
His head lifts from my chest. His eyes look like tennis balls. "WHAT?! Almost?"
