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Disclaimers: about how none of the XF characters in this story belong to me and how I'm a Bad Girl for stealing them and writing naughty stories about them. I'm also sorry I felt it necessary to drag Scully and Skinner's names into the mess. More Apologies to the people who own hotels on the island, men named Raoul, and the makers of Tidy Bowl (again). And to people who don't believe that God laughs. Beta stuff: For reasons I've never understood, Alicia kindly took on the task of betaing this piece of idiocy, and thereby improved it a great deal. Because she's such a nice person, I let Alex and Mulder "kiss and make up" when she suggested it. All of the errors and inconsistencies that remain are the consequence of my own stubbornness.

Author: annezo @ fastmail . fm

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ONCE IN BLUE WATERS

Mulder's face was too self-consciously casual. Might as well wear a sign.

Beside him, Alex Krycek looked cheerful and unconcerned.

How the hell does he do that? He didn't look at all like the same man who had just been jerking Mulder off in the steamy surroundings of the restaurant's tiny bathroom.

By the time they reached the table, their meals were waiting for them. Their host seemed to have been watching for their return. Their meals appeared in front of them the moment they say down.

"Is nice?" he asked anxiously. "You are hungry now?"

Mulder gave him a sharp glance, but decided it must be the language barrier.

"Sure." He offered a polite smile.

"I am Manuel," the waiter said pleasantly. "I will be nearby if you need me."

Mulder couldn't decide whether he wanted the man to leave them in peace, or if he hoped the waiter would linger and postpone the necessity of making conversation with Krycek.

Unaware of Mulder's conflicting desires, Manuel retreated gracefully after assuring himself that the two men had all they needed for their meal. Mulder ate silently, glancing over to where the waiter stood by the kitchen door, smiling happily at them.

"What do you think that guy's problem is?" he asked finally.

Alex glanced across the room. " He's probably glad we kissed and made up."

Mulder choked on his water. "What?"

Alex laughed at him and shrugged. "It's not like the guy probably hasn't seen it a hundred times. He's more than likely been in there himself occasionally."

"You think he's gay?"

"If he's not, I don't know why the cook keeps coming in here and pinching his ass." Alex grinned and turned back to his food.

They finished their meal without any more conversation. Alex didn't seem to think there was any more to say.

Mulder had a lot to say, but he really didn't know where to start. Now that his hormones were no longer in the way, he was dismayed about what he had allowed to happen.

Allowed to happen. Quit lying to yourself. Mulder shoved the food around on his plate. The hint of an invitation and you were in there with all flags flying.

Some surge of insanity must have possessed him. A succubus, maybe. In medieval times, otherwise quite normal people claimed to have been approached and ravished by lustful spirits during the night.

Jumping off of a cliff might have been smarter. Mulder refused the waiter's offer of coffee. It was probably career suicide, anyhow. Alex Krycek.

He stared at the man across the table. Jesus.

Mulder also refused Alex's suggestion of a drink, and his companion led the way back to where the hotel bus stood waiting. They made the journey back to the hotel in complete silence.

Alex seemed cheerful enough as they walked down the curving path to the two bungalows.

I suppose he thinks . . . . Mulder cleared his throat.

"I'm tired," he said abruptly.

Alex nodded politely.

"I'm going to take a shower and turn in," Mulder added pointedly.

"Sounds like a good idea," Alex said. He stopped where the path to his bungalow split off.

Mulder started to walk on.

"Not even a good-night kiss?"

The teasing question stopped him cold. When he turned to look at the other man, something in Alex's expression made him feel guilty. Whatever this was, he couldn't blame it on Alex. Or on anyone but himself.

So, he offered. No one forced you.

He stopped short of admitting to himself that the excitement he'd felt from the minute Krycek had shown up had anything to do with it. Alex was still watching him expectantly. Mulder gave him a reluctant peck.

"Night." What the hell did I do that for?

He set his brain firmly to off while he showered and got ready for bed. He wasn't going to lay awake half the night worrying about it. Hopefully, his subconscious would work on the problem for him and he'd wake up in the morning with a tailor-made answer to the situation. He knew he was facing a long night of insomnia.

Sixty seconds after his head hit the pillow, he was sound asleep.

* * * *

He avoided meeting his own eyes as he shaved the next morning. Not only had his subconscious betrayed him by not coming up with a solution to the insoluble problem, but he'd overslept. He had intended to rise early and head for a more deserted area of the beach, to avoid running into Krycek again.

Mulder checked the clock. 8:30. He might still have a chance. Or, maybe God had decided to take mercy on him and the entire episode had been a bad dream born of too much tropical sun.

He was halfway through his breakfast when Alex showed up, looking altogether too real. What did I do to you?

If God was listening, he was probably laughing.

"You're early." Alex dropped into a chair on the other side of the table and signaled to the waiter.

Mulder checked his watch. "Actually, I'm late."

"Really?" Alex smiled at the menu. "You must have slept well. For a change."

Mulder stabbed an unoffending piece of sausage and tried to pretend he hadn't heard the remark.

Alex ordered his breakfast, then turned his attention back to his companion.

Mulder cleared his throat uneasily. "So, what are you doing today?"

"What are you doing?"

Mulder shredded his eggs and pretended to be interested in the antics of a few seagulls outside the window.

"I see. Sitting on the beach, sulking again?" Alex took a sip of his coffee, looking pleasantly surprised at the taste.

"There doesn't seem to be much point in that," Mulder admitted. Whatever problems he'd thought he had yesterday paled in comparison to the one sitting across the table from him.

"Then we're making progress. How about a hike? I hear there's a great waterfall about an hour away."

"Hike? What's the matter with driving?"

"Getting there is half the fun, Mulder."

"Says you." Great. Another flashback to my adolescence.

"Get over it." Alex leaned back and waited while his breakfast was served.

Mulder glanced him curiously, aware of the waiter's hovering presence.

Alex reached for the pepper and covered his eggs liberally. "I'm here. And I'm planning on staying. I think we're past the point where you should be wondering whether or not you can afford to be seen in public with me."

Mulder wanted to argue. One quick jerk-off session in a public bathroom was hardly a commitment.

On the other hand, he had the feeling it wouldn't do much good. There was a stubborn set to Alex's chin that he was very familiar with.

As ye sow, so shall ye reap. His brain couldn't quite chase down the quotation. It sounded vaguely biblical but it certainly fit the situation.

Something told him it would be useless to pretend that sneaking off to the men's room for a quick fuck was just a routine event in the life of Fox Mulder.

Alex sighed. "Stop thinking. Did you bring anything to wear?"

"I didn't pack my jungle gear, no." He caught Alex's look. "Yeah, I've got some jeans and stuff."

"Go change. I'm going to finish eating and I'll meet you at your place in a few minutes."

Mulder signed for his meal and headed back toward his bungalow, trying to decide exactly when he'd decided to do this. He pulled out a heavy pair of jeans and some boots and stuffed a few necessities in his pockets. He didn't have a compass. I sure as hell hope he knows where we're going.

A few minutes and a knock at the door later, and Alex was there with a couple of well-filled backpacks.

"Ready, Nature Boy?"

"Asshole." Mulder eyed the two packs. "Why are we carrying a bunch of stuff? I thought you said this place was only an hour from here?"

"I don't know about you, but I'm kind of in the habit of eating. And I brought some drinking water."

Water's okay, but you're not feeding an army." Mulder lifted one of the packs. It weighed about three pounds. He'd look like an idiot if he kept complaining.

"If all you've been doing for the past few days is sitting in the sun feeling sorry for yourself, you probably need the exercise."

Mulder gave a sour look in response to Alex's cheerful grin. "Let's get it over with."

"Oh, you're going to be a barrel of fun today, aren't you?" Alex ignored Mulder's incoherent mumble. "Let's get the party started."

Party. Mulder had a sick feeling he was making yet another mistake. What the hell was he thinking? He knew it was a mistake. He should have left the moment Alex had joined him at the breakfast table. Why hadn't he?

* * * *

The question occupied him for the first half of the hike. Why, exactly, was he doing this? A close examination of his motives led him to the regrettable conclusion that it was the same childish impulse that had prompted him to sit brooding in the shade on the beach yesterday. Some kind of weird masochism thing. Like if he couldn't be at work where he felt he belonged, he just had to do everything he could to sabotage himself.

Jesus. It figured that Alex Krycek would stumble across him when he was weakened by the betrayal of his partner and his boss.

It had been a betrayal, he insisted to his conscience. Being forced into this completely unnecessary vacation when his desk was piled with work that needed to be done was a display of treachery he hadn't expected from the two of them. It was just typical of his luck that Scully had chosen a place that Alex Krycek was infesting and that his former partner would turn out to be the most interesting person on the island.

Mulder wasn't good in casual social situations. What had they expected him to do? Join the croquet and badminton lessons given behind the hotel each day? Learn to play golf?

Suddenly he realized he was alone.

Mulder stopped, looked around, then turned back, almost in a panic.

Alex was standing in the middle of the path about fifty feet back. "What's wrong?"

"I wondered how long it would take you to notice."

Mulder stared stubbornly at the ground. "I was thinking."

"You're on vacation, Mulder. Could you give it a rest?" Alex walked up to join him. "I know what you were doing."

"Okay, what do you think I was doing?"

"Yelling at Scully," the other man said with unerring accuracy. "She's not here, Mulder. What the hell difference does it make if you wanted a vacation or not? You're here. Can't you just try to have a good time like any normal person would?"

"Obviously my first impulse at this point would be to point out that I was having more fun before you joined me."

"Obviously." Alex nodded. "But it would be a lie. Not even you could pretend to believe it, right?"

"I've believed stupider things."

"Frequently. But there's nothing to gain this time." Alex smiled coaxingly. "Come on, Mulder. Relax and enjoy it."

Mulder looked back along the path, then ahead to where the narrow trail disappeared between the trees.

"Are we there yet?"

Alex grinned. "Do you see a waterfall?" He started on up the path.

Mulder made an effort to shake off his introspective mood. "How did you hear about this place?"

"I asked around at the hotel."

Except for the conversations Raoul had more or less forced on him, Mulder had barely spoken to anyone since he arrived. He'd spent so much time and energy being bitter about the enforced trip that he honestly hadn't considered the possibility of just bowing to the inevitable and actually having fun.

On the other hand, he was honest enough to admit that he wouldn't have undertaken this hike, or have gone to the town for dinner last night, without Alex's insistence.

Last night.

His mind shied away from the thought abruptly.

Mulder glanced around.

They were surrounded by lush growth. Tall trees filtered the insistent sunlight and the air soft breeze across the path was cool. Undisturbed by their passage, a variety of birds fluttered from tree to tree and chirped alien songs. The unfamiliar spicy scent he had noticed on the beach was stronger here.

Scully had made a good choice. For anyone but Mulder, this would probably be a dream vacation.

He watched Alex lead the way up the path, realizing with some surprise that the other man was enjoying the hike. Alex seemed perfectly at home.

Mulder cleared his throat. "You seem to be having a good time."

"Unlike you, I know how to enjoy my time off."

"So, now it's your turn to sulk? You know, if we time it just right, we won't actually have to speak to each other for the rest of the week."

Alex hesitated, then turned to face him. "You asshole." He grinned reluctantly.

Mulder caught himself smiling back. "You can still change your mind. There are a few thousand people on this island, almost any of whom are sure to be better company than I am."

"Not a chance. You're not getting off that easily." Alex started moving again. "We should be almost there."

A few more minutes brought them to their goal. Across the small pool of water that fed a stream into the ocean, a waterfall dominated the clearing. The pounding of the falls was loud enough to mask the surrounding sounds of the forest, and the waters looked cool and inviting.

Alex dropped his pack under a tree. "I'd say it's time for a swim."

They were both hot and sweaty.

"I'd say that's sounds like the best idea I've heard today."

Alex stripped out of his clothes quickly and efficiently and slid into the pool.

Mulder hesitated, then shrugged and pulled off his own clothes. It's not like either of us has anything left to hide.

He walked down the shallow bank and waded into the water, then began swimming energetically back and forth across the pool. When he rolled onto his back to float and enjoy the sun, he was surprised to find Alex right beside him.

"Let's try the waterfall." He grabbed Mulder's arm and towed him toward the falls then pushed him under the torrent of water without warning.

Mulder sank like a log and came up coughing and choking. "What the hell was that for?" He sluiced the water from his face and glared at his companion.

"For ruining the trip up here," Alex said coolly.

Mulder glared and reached for the other man but Alex dodged back beside the falls, feinted, and managed to wind up with Mulder in his arms.

Surprise held Mulder motionless long enough for him to realize he was more or less trapped. Any attempt to free himself would result in another ducking under the stream that poured relentlessly into the pool inches from his back.

"What are you doing?" The contrast between the vibrations of the water pounding over the cliff behind him and Alex's barely felt hands moving over his skin distracted him. He backed cautiously toward the falls and the water poured down his back, beating into his shoulders and drenching both of them.

Mulder stared into the green eyes, mesmerized by the warm light that danced in them. Alex's skin felt slick and smooth under his hands when he reached out to touch it. He leaned forward and tasted the warm lips inches from his own, feeling the force of the spray move from his shoulders, down his back and across his hips.

Alex pushed him back under the falls and kissed him again, almost drowning both of them before Mulder managed to wrestle them back into the air.

"So, what do you think?" Alex turned Mulder and held him against his chest and they both looked up along the height of the falls.

Mulder wanted to say that he hadn't realized such a place existed on the island. He thought about thanking Alex for taking the time to find the place, but those talented hands were stroking his chest and sliding down to cover his crotch and protect it from the force of the heavy spray, and he forgot the impulse.

Strong fingers worked against his cock, squeezing and stroking until the organ began to stretch and heat in the cool water. Alex turned Mulder back to face him again, both hands cupped around Mulder's cock. Mulder dragged his leaden arms out of the flow and rested them on Alex's shoulders, pressing a quick kiss against his mouth. They both watched Alex's hands move over Mulder's body, dipping below the waterline and stroking up toward his neck slowly.

Mulder pushed lazily against Alex's hands, enjoying the warm, strong grip and the contrast of the cool water. He ran his hands through Alex's wet hair, combing it back out of his eyes. Cupping one hand behind Alex's neck, Mulder urged him closer for a long, hungry kiss.

"We have all day," Alex whispered. His hands dropped away from Mulder's body and he turned and plunged back into the pool.

Mulder gave some serious thought to sulking again, but he wasn't sure how Alex would react. In the meantime, he started doing slow laps across the water, letting the water take care of his erection.

Eventually it subsided, leaving a pleasant tingle of arousal, but nothing more urgent.

"How about some sun?" Alex's voice broke into his pleasant as he floated peacefully, listening to the rumble of the waterfall.

Alex slid his arms under Mulder and guided his floating body over to a large, flat rock that protruded above the waters of the pool

Reluctantly, Mulder climbed out of the water and stretched out onto the warm stone. He wished now he'd remembered to bring his suit. A burn on any of the places that weren't normally exposed to the sun would be the fastest, and least pleasant, way he could think of to end this idyll.

Alex crawled onto the rock next to him and stretched out. They enjoyed the warming rays of the sun for a few minutes in silence.

Rolling over, Mulder found himself face-to-face with Alex, who lay on his side watching his companion.

"I wasn't thinking," he said defensively.

"I know." Alex grinned at him. "I could tell."

"Why were you watching me, then?"

"If you come a little closer, you might find out."

Mulder shifted over a few inches, meeting Alex's own advance. "That was fairly cheesy, as come-ons go."

Alex shrugged. One hand trailed down the length of Mulder's arm and slipped off the tips of his fingers to stroke the smooth, white skin of his thigh. "I have better lines, but I didn't see any point in wasting them on you."

"I'm not worthy of your best material?"

"You wouldn't appreciate it."

"Try me," Mulder challenged.

Alex shook his head. "I'll save them. In case you decide to be difficult again later this week."

His fingers stroked down in front of Mulder, putting an end to the discussion. Mulder leaned forward impulsively and captured Alex's mouth in a kiss. His own hand searched and found the warmth of Alex's cock and he squeezed it gently, feeling the stirrings of arousal. Alex shifted forward again and they were pressed together from chests to knees. His arm slid around Mulder's shoulders and he eased them over until he was sprawled across Mulder's body. He worked his hips against Mulder's without breaking the long kiss. Mulder felt the heat between them and the gentle friction producing the inevitable response. He slid his arms around Alex's waist and arched his neck to accept the kisses the other man was trailing toward his ear. A warm, wet tongue probed the cavity and sharp teeth nipped the lobe.

Just as he was beginning to relax into the caresses, Alex pulled away again. "It's time for lunch."

"Now?"

"There's no rush." Alex slid off of the rock carefully and swam to shore. "We have all day."

"If you say that again, I am not responsible for the consequences." Mulder followed reluctantly, his eyes fixed on the pale globes of Alex's ass as the other man stepped out of the water and bent over the backpacks.

Alex pulled two beach towels out of a pack and tossed one to Mulder.

He dried off obediently. "Why did I have to carry the heavy stuff?"

"You're lucky I brought you a towel at all," Alex said. "You sure didn't think of it."

"You said a hike," Mulder objected. "You didn't say anything about going swimming."

"It's an island, Mulder," Alex told him patiently. "Where did you expect to go and not find water?"

They spread the towels out and sat down to explore the lunch the hotel had provided. Mulder was surprised at his own appetite. He ate his share of the sandwiches and they fought over the third piece of fruit in the sack before finally splitting it.

"Is that all?" Mulder explored the empty lunch sacks with disappointment.

"I think you got it all." Alex laughed. " I didn't realize you'd be so hungry or I would have ordered more. Sorry."

After they ate, they stretched out in the sun again.

"I wish I'd brought my shorts," Mulder complained. "I'm going to fry if we stay here for long."

Alex laughed at him again. "You won't burn in five minutes."

Mulder lay peacefully for a few minutes, enjoying the comfortable fullness and the warmth of the sun. Eventually, they both moved over into the shade.

Alex rolled onto his stomach and closed his eyes, with all the appearance of a man about to take a long nap.

Mulder lay on his back, looking at the sky through the branches of the tree.

"Cerulean blue, would you say?"

"What's that?"

"The sky. Or, is that a song title? Sounds like a song."

Alex yawned. "Sounds more like a car commercial."

Mulder looked at him in lazy disgust. "Now who doesn't have any poetry in his soul?"

Alex grinned but didn't reply. His head was pillowed on his arms, his eyes closed.

He looks . . . innocent, Mulder realized. He stared at the dozing man for a few minutes, then leaned over and bit him on the soft pad of muscle under the arm.

"Hey!" Alex yelped. He tried to pull away but found himself caught by Mulder's grip.

Mulder bit harder and tugged the flesh, then let go and ducked Alex's swinging arm, laughing.

"What the hell was that?" Alex rolled to his side and Mulder pressed up against him.

"Just keeping you awake. We wouldn't want you to get careless."

"Yeah, we wouldn't want me to get too relaxed on my vacation, would we?" Alex looked disgusted, the expression fading quickly as Mulder's arm snaked around his waist.

"You need to keep those reflexes sharp."

Alex looked at him suspiciously. "Are you planning to do any further damage, or can I finish my nap?"

Mulder laughed and tried his best redneck cop accent. "You come along quietly, boy, and no one will get hurt."

Alex rolled his eyes. "Don't quit your day job."

Mulder smiled and moved away. It was too hot to make laying close together very comfortable. He could use a nap now, but later....

Consciousness returned slowly and Mulder let the sound of the waterfall pull him out of his dreams. He glanced over and saw that Alex was also awake

"Time for another swim," he said lazily. He needed it, to clear the fog of the unexpected midday nap from his head. He headed toward the water and, after a moment, Alex followed him. Mulder returned to swimming laps back and forth across the small pond, letting the coolness of the water bring him fully awake. He noticed Alex, swimming his own path nearby and watching him closely.

Mulder turned his head when he started on the next lap, so he could keep an eye on his companion. He stopped swimming and followed the other man when Alex climbed out of the pool and dropped down onto the towels they had just deserted.

When Alex reached for him, Mulder's immediate response surprised him. In spite of the arousal Alex had been teasing out of him most of the afternoon, he had been aware of his own lingering indecision. He kept waiting for his conscience to speak up but it was regrettably silent.

Well, I guess I'm done pretending it isn't really happening.

"The day is wasting." He slid into Alex's arms eagerly, his hands and mouth hungry on the wet skin. A

lex stroked his hair back out of his eyes. "You need to learn to relax and savor these encounters."

Mulder buried his face in Alex's neck, lapping at the beads of water trailing down the stubbled skin. "Can't afford to waste any time. Opportunities don't come around that often."

"Yeah, well, this one isn't going anywhere. Try not to bruise me." Alex squirmed closer, sliding his arm around Mulder's waist.

"What if I want to bruise you?" Mulder bit his shoulder lightly. "What if the idea turns me on?"

"Why am I not surprised?" Alex slid an arm under Mulder's neck and kissed him. "In that case, go ahead."

Mulder laughed breathlessly, but declined the invitation.

He slid his hand down Alex's back, rubbing beads of water from his skin, exploring the broad sweep of his shoulders and the inviting hollow where the spine dipped, then swelled into the firm mounds of his ass. Mulder wrapped his hand around Alex's waist, cupping one smooth cheek to keep their hips pressed together while they both stoked themselves against the warm wet place between their bodies. Alex kissed his neck, murmuring approval and encouragement. Mulder pushed Alex onto his back and rolled on top of him, still rubbing his cock against Alex's stomach. He braced himself on one arm and forced the other hand under Alex's ass, squeezing the resilient flesh.

Abruptly, Alex pushed him off and Mulder caught himself, staring at his companion in surprise.

Alex ignored him for a moment, searching through the nearest back pack and pulling out a tube of lubricant, which he tossed to Mulder.

He kept searching, then finally threw the pack down with a muffled curse.

"I forgot the condoms."

Mulder hesitated, then shrugged. He pulled his jeans over and fished around in one pocket, pulling out a handful of the familiar foil packets.

Alex looked at him oddly, then smiled. "Looks like you were expecting a party."

"Fuck you." Mulder dropped the condoms beside the lubricant and stretched back out on the towels.

Alex laughed at his embarrassment and Mulder attacked him, pinning the other man to the ground and plugging his mouth with Mulder's tongue. Alex gasped, then locked his arms around Mulder, straining against him eagerly. Mulder squirmed until he lay across Alex's body and started thrusting against Alex's stomach again, rubbing his cock across the hardness of Alex's erection until Alex moaned and bucked under him, shoving his hips frantically against Mulder's.

Mulder laughed evilly. "Looks like you can perform even without the romantic atmosphere provided by the sweet aroma of Tidy Bowl."

"I like dirty talk as well as the next guy, but you're not enhancing the mood."

"I can fix that." Mulder slid down next to Alex, pillowing his head on one broad shoulder.

He could feel Alex watching as he explored the smooth chest, tweaking the erect nipples and tugging at the hard nubs until Alex moaned softly. Mulder explored the length of Alex's body, slipping his hand down to squeeze gently at the vulnerable balls, and stroking the hard cock slowly. He reached down and stroked his own erection, feeling the instant response to his own familiar touch. He heard Alex's breath catch when he touched himself, so he prolonged the pleasure, trailing his fingers along the sensitive underside and around the swollen crown slowly until Alex reached over and replaced Mulder's hand with his own. Mulder rubbed Alex's stomach and kissed his neck, pushing his hips into the firm grasp.

"Is your mood improving?"

"Never been better." Alex rolled over to face him, offering his mouth for another kiss, his hand still caressing Mulder's hard cock.

Mulder moaned in disappointment when the touch disappeared, his body aching for more. Alex pressed another kiss against his lips, then turned onto his stomach, his head pillowed on his arms again. Mulder stretched out next to him, stroking the long back from shoulder to thigh, sliding his fingers along the spine until Alex squirmed impatiently. Then he leaned over and replaced his hand with his lips, licking and nibbling the planes of muscle padding the shoulder next to him. He pressed against Alex, rubbing his anxious cock against one smooth hip. His fingers slid over to cup the firm ass, massaging the flesh, and probing the puckered hole gently.

Alex parted his legs invitingly, so he moved down and laid his head in the slight hollow of Alex's lower back, kissing the mound of flesh near his face. He pressed his hand between the strong thighs, coaxing them farther apart. Mulder opened the lubricant and squeezed a generous portion onto his hand. Propping himself on one elbow, he captured one firm leg between his thighs, rubbing his cock against the light dusting of hair that covered the smooth skin. He explored the warmth of Alex's ass again, wriggling one finger into the tight channel and working the lube inside as he stretched the firm ring of muscle guarding the vulnerable interior.

Alex moaned softly, pushing against the touch. The muscles in his thigh worked against Mulder's hard cock, producing a steadily growing heat and urgency.

"Jesus....Mulder...." Alex squirmed impatiently, his mumble barely distinguishable through the soft noises of pleasure pouring from his throat.

Mulder tore open one of the foil packages and rolled the condom on, spreading more of the thick lube along the sheath. He slid into the hot warmth carefully, pausing for a few seconds to let Alex adjust to the intrusion, then pushing relentlessly into the depths until his cock was buried in the tight flesh.

"Are you okay?" He forced himself to wait until a slight nod gave him permission to continue.

All the time in the world. Mulder moved deliberately, sinking into the squirming body with passionate luxury. He pulled free, then buried himself in Alex's ass again, twisting his hips until the other man was whimpering and tearing at the grass. Mulder braced himself, one hand on each side of Alex's head, and fucked him with slow, deep strokes. How can he feel so good?

Alex grunted, then mumbled incoherently, his hips pushing urgently against the press of Mulder's weight pinning him to the ground. Mulder kissed the back of his neck and pulled almost all the way out, then drove his cock all the way in, deep and hard. Alex clawed at the grass and cried out, a sound of intense pleasure. Mulder withdrew slowly, then forced his cock back into the opening roughly. Alex moaned, his body trembling.

Mulder shifted his weight, lying against Alex's back, and freed one hand so he could stroke Alex's ass. He squeezed the resilient mound, running his fingers over the smooth curve, and pinched lightly. Alex whimpered, rubbing his cock against the towel wadded beneath him. Mulder coaxed Alex's willing hips up from the warm cotton and locked his hands around them, thrusting deeply into the slick channel, savoring the heat and the feel of the tight flesh encasing him.

Alex rocked against him urgently, murmuring something, too breathless to be understood.

Mulder slid one hand down and found Alex's hard cock. He wrapped his fingers around it and pulled, letting the hot skin slide through his hand a few times. Alex shuddered, thrusting down into his grip, then back to impale himself on Mulder's cock. Mulder massaged the slick organ, matching his strokes to the demanding rhythm of Alex's hips. A few seconds of wild plunging and Alex came suddenly, thrusting hard against Mulder's hand and crying out softly. His muscles clenched around Mulder's cock, creating a mind-blowing pressure that distracted Mulder from his surroundings. He pushed Alex back down against the towels and fucked him desperately, every stroke intensifying the pleasure and taking him closer to the edge. Distantly he was aware of Alex's ragged breathing and the sound of the waterfall still pounding relentlessly into the pool. He worked his cock in and out of the tight channel, feeling the pressure peak in a rush of hot pleasure that centered in his cock and seemed to pour out of him in an endless stream. Mulder's cry echoed through the small clearing, his hands squeezing Alex's shoulders as he rode the orgasm to a slow, heavy ebb.

Gradually, he became aware of Alex's protesting noises and shifted some of his weight off the sweaty body under his own.

"Sorry," he mumbled groggily.

Alex nodded, smiling slightly. Mulder lay his head back on Alex's shoulder, one arm cuddled around the strong waist. After a few minutes, Alex rolled onto his back and pulled Mulder against his side.

"Hey."

"Mmmm?"

"You want to take another nap or another swim?"

"I don't have the energy to take any more naps with you."

Alex laughed. "Then let's go swimming. We need to clean up and head back."

"The water's cold," Mulder objected.

Alex gave him a hug. "You've got five minutes. Then you either go in willingly, or I throw you in."

Mulder stretched and sat up slowly. "I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for not going all soft and mushy on me."

Alex grinned up at him from the crumpled bed of towels. "I'm more romantic when I don't have an hour's walk ahead of me. If we stop and cuddle, you're going to fall asleep and we won't get back until after dark."

"So, what? You have an urgent appointment?" Mulder stood up and pulled the other man to his feet. They headed toward the water.

"Can you find your way back down that path after dark?" Alex watched Mulder hesitating on the edge of the pool, then reached over and pushed him in.

Mulder hit the cool water and came up sputtering and yelping. "You asshole!"

Alex slid into the water more cautiously. "At least you're awake."

"I'm probably going to catch my death of pneumonia," Mulder complained. He took a couple of quick laps across the pool and headed toward the towels, making sure he picked the less stained of the two, drying himself quickly. Alex came up behind him and snatched it out of his hands, blotting most of the water from his head and body.

They dressed in a companionable silence, then shoved the damp towels and the remains of their lunch into the backpacks.

The voice of Mulder's conscience, uncharacteristically quiet through the long afternoon, started trying to make him consider the consequences of his behavior as they headed back down the shaded path, but he ignored it.

He looked ahead of him to where Alex was waiting impatiently for him to catch up.

What the hell. I'm on vacation.

He grinned at his companion cheerfully. Just following orders.

****

The end