"You don't have to say anything," Krem said. He knew it was an overly demonstrative thing to have done, to get all this ink and attach it to people. He knew it was probably a burden for some people, more than for others. Gannicus had taken it well. Thomas was a harder sell on symbols and affection.

Krem smiled, though, because it was not a rejection or an upset at the ink. He headed back up onto the sand and, out of the water, stripped off his shorts and sports bra. The spot they were at was hidden by the rocks they'd had to climb over, and Krem did want to swim, even if the water was cold.

He braced himself as he went back to the water, pausing at his knees briefly, and at his waist longer, before he dipped quickly under the water. When he resurfaced, he let out a shuddering breath. "Oh. Well. Not that I was tired, but I'm certainly not now."