Date-Night: Nayeli

They spent the next day on the beach...just not the one right outside their balcony. "I've got something better scheduled," Oro promised while the family packed several totes with swimwear, sunscreen, drinks, and snacks. He then led them down the beach to the pier just past their rental. After giving his name and confirmation number, they were shown to a chartered cabin cruiser, greeted by the captain they'd hired, and promptly set out for one of the dozens of small islands that made up The Scales.

"I figured you'd be anxious about wearing a swimsuit on a public beach," Oro remarked to Sarahi, gesturing at the skirt and light shirt she'd chosen to wear, as they leaned against the rail and the captain got them away from the immediate shoreline. "So we're going to a private one. They're all over the place out here, since most of the islands are too small to bother developing. It's only reserved until noon, but we have run of the island until then. Go fucking naked if you want."

The Sha'khari laughed and swatted his rump. "Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you?" she teased with a wink. Then she gave him a sincere peck on the cheek. "Thank you, honey-bunny. Now I'm excited!"

Nayeli, pressed warmly against his other side, kissed the other one. "I'm sure the twins will appreciate it, too," she agreed. "Since a swimsuit gives away Kylan's act pretty easily, and he really seems to be enjoying the freedom." She gave an amused look to the twins, standing on the lowest rung of the rail and savoring the salty wind in their faces, giggling in their matching sundresses.

"Yeah," Oro nodded. "The kids, too. Once we're off the boat and put a little space between us and the captain, even they can come out and play. I want it to be nice for everyone."

"You did great, dear," Tuli assured him, clutching her wide sun hat as the boat picked up speed. Perched on top of the control cabin, Kitt seemed to be exploring the area with her nose, eyes closed and head tipped back with a blissful smile on her face. Within minutes, they were disembarking on the sandy shore of a nearby island, still within (distant) sight of the big one hosting the town.

"Be back by noon," the captain reminded them with a jovial smile as they hopped onto the pier he'd just finished securing the boat to. "I'll be right here if you need anything before then. I've got water and some other basics inside, as well as a first-aid kit."

"Thanks," Oro grunted with a nod, hoisting their several totes onto his shoulders. The group wandered along the beach for a bit until they found a spot where some large rocks created a convenient wall between themselves and the pier. Safely out of sight of the one stranger on the island, everyone changed into their swimsuits right there in the open sun: the twins into matching bikinis, Sarahi into her favorite top and sarong, and the other girls into various two-piece swimsuits. Oro's trunks were arguably the most modest clothing in the whole set, and neither Sarahi nor Nayeli made any secret of eying his bare chest and back.

They splashed through the surf and rolled in warm sand. They hopped tidal pools and climbed palm trees (well, that was really just Kitt). They played volleyball and water polo...both of which resulted in an overwhelming victory by Tuli, Nigel, and the Nicks, who arguably had an unfair advantage, but nobody was petty enough to call them on it. As their last hour approached, the whole group did their level best to make Oro pitch a tent in his trunks. Nayeli succeeded with a magic word whispered in his ear: "Please...husband." Kitt was furious that she kept her special technique a secret, though Sarahi guessed it later.

As noon rolled around, dry and dressed and as happy as the morning had been sunny, the group returned to the boat and the main island. Oro took a moment to run their things back to the hotel, then they grabbed some lunch from a beach-side stand and ate while strolling along the shore, discussing attractions they'd like to see while they were here.

"You've got your wallet, right, Tuli?" Oro asked as the sun dipped low on the horizon.

"Yes," the Lioness tilted her head, patting the purse tucked under her arm. "Why?"

"Because here's where I get a little mean again," the Rabbit answered, taking Nayeli by the hand. "You're on your own for dinner. Nayeli and I are going this way," he pointed to the beginnings of a boardwalk a little ahead of them, full of noisy games and music and other little attractions. "Head on back to the hotel whenever you like, just don't wait up for us."

The whole group blinked at him, not least of all Nayeli, but Tuli's stunned look quickly melted into a knowing smile. "Alright, everyone," she said gently, taking Sarahi's hand in hers and subtly steering the little group toward the main street. "Let's find some good, fresh seafood tonight..."

Nayeli saw them off with an apologetic wave, especially toward Sarahi, before following her husband toward the boardwalk, never letting go of his hand. "What brought this on?" she asked curiously. "Not that I'm not happy, but I think we might have hurt Sarahi's feelings just now."

"I'll make it up to her tomorrow," he promised. "She'll understand, I think." He adjusted his grip on her hand, knitting their fingers comfortably and relaxing his own. "We never got to date. And I always feel like a chump trying to pass off a place you basically grew up in as something special to take you out to." He sighed, shoving the self-conscious knot in his chest down and forcing his shoulders straighter. "This is me trying to make up for it a little. Our first date. And I promise not to be a grump the whole—!"

She turned him around, slipped her hand free, and cupped his cheeks to pull him into a full, heated kiss. It wasn't the first of its kind that they had shared, nor the longest...but it was easily one of the hottest. Even Oro's already-scarlet cheeks burned hotter when she finally drew back. "I love it," Nayeli assured him with a blush of her own, reclaiming his hand between both of hers before letting him lead her into the attractions.

They wandered among the shops and stalls for a while, remarking on pretty things and the prices they did not justify. They shared a snack-dinner of grilled squid and meat-buns, and some kind of mashed potato mixed with locally grown fruit. "The view is beautiful," Nayeli remarked as they reached the apex of the Ferris wheel, gazing out over the ocean at sunset.

"You're telling me," Oro chuckled, sitting across from her and gazing at her with open fondness. Nayeli giggled and leaned forward to kiss him. They split funnel cake and tried their luck at the carnival games clearly designed to lighten tourists' wallets. No amount of rigging could stop Oro from smashing that bottle pyramid with a baseball, though...or the next, or the third. The operator refused to let him play another round, muttering about the damaged retaining wall, and Nayeli walked away proudly clutching a fluffy starfish-shaped day-pack. They shared a candied apple, sneaking kisses around the sweet coating as they bit into it from opposite sides. And when the candied apple was gone, Nayeli tugged the Rabbit between two stalls for something considerably more than stolen kisses...

It was a few minutes after midnight when they found themselves in front of the door to their suite again. "Oro," the shapely Lioness said softly as her husband fished the keycard out of his pocket, "I had a really great time tonight. Let's do it again sometime, back home. Okay?" She kissed his cheek for at least the hundredth time that night, and the affectionate gesture was no less sincere than the first time.

"Yeah," the Rabbit agreed, returning the kiss softly. "I definitely regret skipping that part of our relationship. I want to make it up to you. A lot." Just as the lock clicked open, he added with a chuckle, "You might have to share a few with Sarahi, though."

"No," Nayeli giggled softly, giving him a playful wink, "You might have to share a few with her."

A single dim lamp glowed in the corner, just enough to keep them from stubbing toes on the furniture shoved against the walls...and reveal the rest of the family curled up together on the mattresses, all in their fur and lost in the deep sleep of happy exhaustion. The pair smiled, and stripped down right there in the doorway before sliding under the blanket in the little space between Sarahi and Tuli, obviously left open for them.