The first thing Lucian did on the Amalfi Coast was steal Sebastian's sunglasses.

The second was insist that his husband photograph him wearing them beside the sea.

"You look like a criminal," Sebastian said, raising the camera.

"A fashionable criminal."

"An extremely demanding one."

"You're married to me. You should know."

Sebastian took the photograph. Lucian examined it and frowned.

"Again. My hair looks strange."

"Your hair looks exactly like your hair."

"That's the problem."

They had postponed their honeymoon because Sebastian's firm had a difficult opening and Lucian had an exhibition deadline. Now, at last, they had ten days with no meetings, no deadlines, and no one asking either of them for anything.

Lucian intended to make every hour count.

He bought lemons from a market stall, sampled gelato from three shops, and insisted they ride a small ferry despite Sebastian's entirely reasonable concerns about the wind.

By sunset, Lucian's cheeks were pink and his shopping bag contained two ceramic bowls, a postcard, and a tiny painted boat.

"For our kitchen," he explained, holding up the boat.

"Our kitchen already has a wooden airplane and three miniature lighthouses."

"It's developing a theme."

"Clutter?"

"Love," Lucian said grandly.

Sebastian laughed and kissed his temple.

Their hotel stood above the water, with a private terrace and windows that opened toward the sea. Lucian paused inside the suite, momentarily forgetting to complain about the luggage.

"Sebastian."

"Yes?"

"This is beautiful."

"I hoped you'd like it."

"You chose this place?"

"I had help. Your mother sent a twelve-page list of recommendations."

"Twelve pages?"

"With footnotes."

Lucian groaned. "That's Evelyn."

Sebastian set down the bags. "There's something on the terrace."

Outside, a small table waited beneath strings of warm lights. White flowers surrounded a simple dinner for two. The sea glowed dark blue beneath the rising moon.

Lucian turned slowly. "You arranged all this?"

"I wanted one evening that belonged only to us."

"Every evening here belongs only to us."

"Then consider this the first of ten."

Lucian stepped close, looped his arms around Sebastian's shoulders, and kissed him. The sea breeze lifted the edge of his open collar.

"You are being suspiciously romantic," he whispered.

"I've been practicing for years."

"You're getting dangerously good."

Dinner was fresh pasta, grilled vegetables, and a lemon dessert Lucian declared better than anything he'd eaten in Boston. Sebastian watched him with such open affection that Lucian finally set down his fork.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You're staring."

"My husband is happy. I like looking at him."

Lucian looked away, smiling. "That's unfair. You can't say things like that when my mouth is full."

"Would you prefer I write them down?"

"I would prefer you keep saying them."

After dinner, Lucian found a small speaker in the suite and played the song from their wedding dance. Sebastian stood beside the terrace railing, watching the distant lights on the hillside.

Lucian offered his hand. "Dance with me."

"Here?"

"No one can see us."

"I wasn't worried about that."

"You were worried I'd step on your foot."

"A legitimate concern."

Sebastian took his hand anyway.

They moved carefully beneath the lights. Lucian rested one hand against Sebastian's shoulder, feeling the warmth of his shirt beneath his palm. Sebastian's other hand settled at Lucian's waist.

"Your back okay?" Lucian asked.

"Perfectly. And I'll tell you if that changes."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

Lucian relaxed. He tipped his head back to see Sebastian's face, and Sebastian leaned down to kiss him.

The kiss lasted until the song ended. When they drew apart, Lucian was laughing softly.

"We missed the final turn."

"We can start again."

"What if I want to stay right here?"

"Then we stay."

They stood together as the sea breeze stirred the flowers. Lucian could hear the water below the cliffs and Sebastian's quiet breathing beside his ear.

"Do you know how long I've dreamed about taking you somewhere like this?" Sebastian asked.

"Since we were kids?"

"Longer than I should admit."

Lucian drew back, amused. "Were you planning our honeymoon when I was stealing your toys?"

"I was planning how to keep you from breaking the next one."

"Liar."

"Maybe a little."

Lucian caught his collar. "Then stop dreaming, Sebastian. I'm right here."

Sebastian kissed him again, and Lucian held him close. They stayed on the terrace until the air cooled and the candles burned low.

Inside, Lucian noticed Sebastian stretching his shoulders as he reached for a glass of water.

"Sit," Lucian ordered.

"Lucy—"

"That wasn't a suggestion."

Sebastian sat on the edge of the sofa, surrendering with a smile. Lucian stood behind him and gently worked the tension from his shoulders through his shirt.

"Too much?" Lucian asked.

"No. That's good."

"Tell me if anything hurts."

"I will."

Lucian had learned to recognize the difference between ordinary tiredness and the warning signs of Sebastian's old injury. He never took that knowledge for granted.

"You know," Sebastian said, "there was a time I thought the best I could do was keep you safe from a distance."

Lucian's hands paused. "You don't have to do that anymore."

"I know."

"I'm right here. I can look after you, too."

Sebastian reached back and took his hand. "You already do."

Lucian came around the sofa and sat beside him. Sebastian kissed his knuckles, then pulled a folded envelope from the drawer of the side table.

"I was going to give you this tomorrow," he said.

Lucian narrowed his eyes. "Another surprise?"

"One last one."

Inside was a reservation confirmation for an art studio overlooking the harbor. Sebastian had arranged a private morning lesson with a local painter.

"You remembered," Lucian said quietly.

"You said you wanted to paint the sea, not just photograph it."

"I said that months ago."

"I listen when you talk."

Lucian looked at the paper, then at his husband. "Even when I talk too much?"

"Especially then."

Lucian kissed him, a quick grateful kiss that became another when Sebastian smiled against his cheek.

"You're spoiling me," Lucian murmured.

"It's a lifelong project."

"You'll go bankrupt."

"Worth it."

They changed into soft cotton clothes and opened the bedroom windows to the sea. Lucian placed the painted boat on the bedside table, beside their rings and the folded studio reservation.

He climbed onto the bed and patted the space next to him.

"Come here, husband."

Sebastian obeyed, settling against the pillows. Lucian tucked himself into the crook of his arm.

"Do you remember the first time we went to the beach together?" Lucian asked.

"You buried my shoes."

"I was eight."

"You made a map and refused to give it to me."

"You had to solve the clues."

"The last clue was 'ask Lucian nicely.'"

Lucian laughed. "You were terrible at asking nicely."

"I've improved."

"Demonstrate."

Sebastian turned toward him. "Lucian, may I kiss my extremely troublesome husband?"

"You may," Lucian said solemnly. "If he feels like it."

"Does he?"

Lucian leaned in and answered with a kiss.

They stayed close, talking quietly as the night deepened. Sebastian's hand rested over Lucian's, and Lucian traced the edge of his wedding band with one fingertip.

"I thought marriage would make us different," Lucian confessed.

"Has it?"

"A little. I worry less about whether you'll stay."

Sebastian looked at him. "I wish you'd never had to worry about that."

"I know. But I like that we can talk about it now."

"We can talk about anything."

Lucian studied him for a moment. "Even how nervous you were before you proposed?"

"That subject is classified."

"Margaret told me you practiced in the mirror."

"My mother is a security risk."

"She said you dropped the ring box."

"Twice," Sebastian admitted.

Lucian laughed so hard he had to wipe his eyes. Sebastian watched him with a smile that made the whole room feel warmer.

"Still happy you married your childhood bully?" Sebastian asked.

Lucian considered the question with exaggerated seriousness.

"Ask me again in fifty years."

"And what will you say?"

Lucian kissed the corner of his mouth. "That I'd marry you all over again."

Sebastian drew him close. Beyond the open windows, the sea kept its gentle rhythm against the shore.

The next morning, Lucian woke before the alarm and found Sebastian already awake, watching the sunrise.

"You could've woken me," Lucian mumbled.

"You looked peaceful."

"I'm peaceful all the time."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow.

"Don't ruin the moment," Lucian said.

Sebastian kissed his forehead. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Lucian reached for his hand. Their rings glimmered in the early light, and somewhere below, a fishing boat moved slowly across the brightening water.

For once, Lucian didn't need a photograph. He knew he'd remember this morning forever.