A Little Relief
Part 25
The two collapsed together on the platform, AJ slumped against Howie's limp form. Howie released one hand from the railing and slid it around AJ's wet back, holding the boneless man close, lest he slide back into the ocean. Howie had a feeling that AJ wouldn't have the strength to swim and stay above the surface if he did.
AJ wrapped his arms around Howie's waist, and after a few moments, got enough strength to push himself up onto the platform. He crawled fully into Howie's arms, and the two stayed there for a few moments, allowing their breathing to return to normal, and their brains time to de-fog.
After a few minutes, Howie started chuckling softly, catching AJ's attention. He pulled back from his position on Howie's chest, and looked at his lover.
"What?" He questioned.
Howie laughed harder at the confused look on AJ's face.
"What!?" AJ asked again, wrinkling his brow in confusion.
"I can't believe we just did that." Howie chuckled between gasps for air.
AJ finally got it, and joined Howie in laughter. "I know man. I can't believe it either."
"I never even thought that was possible, not without one or both of us falling overboard."
"Yeah well, what can I say, I'm good!" AJ told him.
"There you go with that ego again." Howie told him, punching him lightly in the arm.
"I told you, you love it."
"No, I just love you." Howie replied seriously, kissing AJ on the cheek.
AJ reciprocated, kissing Howie on the mouth. Howie groaned at the feeling, before deepening the kiss, swallowing AJ's answering moan.
Howie let go of the railing completely and wrapped his arms around AJ as the kiss continued, getting hotter by the moment. Their little piece of bliss was ruined however, when the boat rocked backwards on the back of a slightly larger wave, sending both of them back into the ocean.
This time both men came up sputtering, shocked after their impromtu dip. They turned in the water and looked at each other, water dripping from their flushed faces, and immediately burst out laughing.
"Maybe that was God's way of telling us we needed to cool off a little." AJ gasped out between choked laughter. This made Howie laugh so hard that he stopped treading water, and slipped momentarily below the surface, coming back up again coughing up the water he had just swallowed.
Of course this just made AJ laugh harder, and it was several minutes before either of them was composed enough to get back on the boat.