Explorean Cozumel, Cozumel, Mexico

[not_every_mage]

It had been a bright, clear morning when Anders and Kathy got into the portal in Fandom, and it remained bright and clear when they stumbled out of the Portalocity terminal attached to the Explorean resort.

But Mexico was hotter -- much hotter -- and the water was a clear aqua, instead of the muddy gray of Fandom's bay. Anders sighed in pleasure as he reached for Kathy's hand.

"I can already tell this is going to be a very relaxing two weeks."

Comments

[spin_kick_snap]

"It's true," Kathy said with a solemn nod. "But who are we to argue with our, umm..." She also pinked a little. "...Boyfriend?"

She wasn't sure if Dante had updated Anders with that little news tidbit. And still wasn't quite sure about using it herself. She liked it, oh yes. But she still felt slightly guilty every time she did, like a privilege she hadn't yet earned.

Wasn't actually stopping her, though.

[not_every_mage]

Anders raised his eyebrows. "I didn't know you two had made it official."

[spin_kick_snap]

Kathy made a weird squeaking noise. A very mature and grownup noise, really.

"Like, sorta?" she said. "I mean, as official as Dante gets? But he...called me that. His girlfriend, I mean." Yeah, he probably got that, Kathy. "We didn't get all into the nitty-gritty of what it all means. I didn't ask?" She snorted, tucking her hair behind her ear. "I kinda just wanna figure it out as we go? Rather than trying to fit it into a preconceived idea of what it should be. That just gives me all kinds of anxiety."

[not_every_mage]

Anders quirked another smile at Kathy. "It's all right," he said. "I don't know what it means either. But i'm not going to argue when the three of us say it."

[spin_kick_snap]

Kathy shook her head, sharing that smile with him. "I'm not in a big rush to decide," she admitted. "Not when the alternative is figuring it out together, the three of us."

[not_every_mage]

"Now, that's new," Anders said lightly. "I thought you were the one who always needed to know the next fifteen steps. Being Dante's girlfriend is good for you."

[spin_kick_snap]

"These days, fifteen steps ahead is about twelve steps too far for me to focus on," Kathy said with a quick shake of her head. "Thinking about stuff too far in the future gives me kinda serious anxiety these days." Her smile was sheepish as she hooked her hair behind her ear. "I kept trying to figure out what I should be doing with my life and then I'd spend the next three days in a ball unable to do much of anything and I finally realized that I'm just not ready for that, yet."

[not_every_mage]

"I can't tell whether I should be happy or sad about that," Anders said with a little, embarrassed half-laugh. "Happy if it keeps you out of being curled up in a ball, I suppose."

He gestured with his free hand. "Look, the cabanas are on the right up there."

[spin_kick_snap]

"It's okay, sometimes things just are," Kathy said, deliberately bumping him with her shoulder. "And at least I figured it out, you know?"

She looked over to where he was pointing and ooh'd. "Our reservation came with an auto check-in, too," she added. "We can text when we get in with the confirmation code and skip, like, standing in line and talking to people and stuff like that."

[not_every_mage]

"Perfect," Anders said. "I'm always in favor of anything that means less time standing in line. Especially if it lets us start filling Dante's SIM card sooner."

[spin_kick_snap]

"It'll be an Anderstravanganza," Kathy said, leaning in to give him a kiss that promised much more later on. "Video, too, I'm thinking."

[not_every_mage]

LAnders put a forefinger under her chin, tilting her face toward his. "You know, I've never taken a video," he said. "You're going to need to suggest some scenarios to get me started."

[spin_kick_snap]

Kathy obligingly tilted her face towards him, angling her body towards his. "Pretty sure I can do that," she said with a wicked smile. "Might already have a few in mind."

[not_every_mage]

"Oh really," Anders said, in between kisses. "You;re going to have to tell me all about them once we're in the hut."

[spin_kick_snap]

"Cabana!" Kathy protested, breaking off a kiss to giggle at him before leaning in to claim another one in its place. "'Hut' makes it sound like we're going to be living in a one-room shack made from reeds or something."

She gave him another kiss, one deep enough to make her toes curl in the sand. "This one has plenty of rooms for us to debauch, or so the website says."

[not_every_mage]

"Sorry," Anders said. "I wouldn't want to hurt the cabana's feelings by calling it a hut."

He leaned forward, resting his forehead against Kathy's. and his hands at her waist.

[spin_kick_snap]

"Thank you so much for agreeing to come with me," Kathy whispered. "For wanting to come with me."

She'd been missing Anders, as odd as that sounded. Hopefully, this trip would give them a chance to reconnect.

[not_every_mage]

"Sorry for making you think I might not," Anders answered, after a pause. "I know I've been a little ... distant, lately. It wasn't about you."

[spin_kick_snap]

"Just working through some stuff?" Kathy asked, hoping that her tone would convey that she was happy to serve as a sounding board if he wanted to, but that she was also willing to back off if he didn't.

[not_every_mage]

"More or less," Anders nodded. "Trying to make some kind of plan for the rest of my life. It's not going particularly well, by the way."

[spin_kick_snap]

"I get that," Kathy said wryly. "Neither's mine."

What with the aforementioned anxiety and all.

"Trying to figure out what you want out of life? Let me tell you, sex hoboing sounds really enticing."

[not_every_mage]

"Sex hobo is my main career plan at the moment," Anders nodded. "Maybe house-boy if I'm feeling ambitious."

[spin_kick_snap]

"If you're looking for work experience, you can always try out cabana boying this week and see how you like it," Kathy offered. "I mean, I'm here for you if this is something you wish to explore."

[not_every_mage]

"It's so nice to have a supportive girlfriend," Anders sighed. "I'm a very lucky man."

[spin_kick_snap]

"I just want you to live your dreams," Kathy said, with more sincerity than their teasing really called for. "And if I can help with that, I'm happy."

Beat.

"Especially if it involves being naked."