Glenn sat on a sandy beach near the Viper Manor, gazing at the blue sea. It was getting late; the sun was about to set beneath the ocean. He sighed. This beach... It brought back a lot of memories of his brother. Dario had been dead for almost three years now.

He lowered his head and stared at the sand. He missed his older brother - and tonight, he would miss him more than he usually did. It was Dario's birthday. He had been eight years older than Glenn; that would have made him 28 years old now.

Glenn didn't want to cry. He was almost 20... Way too old to cry. He took a deep breath and looked at the calm sea again. The water glimmered in the sunlight.

"Dario..." he whispered. "If only..."

He buried his face in his hands and tried to keep the tears away.

No... Not this time... He shook his head. He didn't want to cry. But... he couldn't keep the tears from falling.

Glenn didn't know that someone was watching him. A blond man stood by the bushes only 200 feet away, watching the young knight. A soldier, but not dressed as one...

Norris, or Ishito as he called himself here, leaned on the tree beside him. He was supposed to be spying in here. He worked as a dishwasher in Viper Manor. He was an army officer, the captain of the Black Wind of Porre... But since he was a spy, he couldn't act like a soldier. But he wished he had chosen something else than dish washing... He didn't have much free time for investigation.

This young man here was the younger brother of the late Deva Dario. Norris knew he wouldn't get much information about the Frozen Flame from Glenn, but... Maybe he did know something. He had talked to Glenn a couple of times. He liked the knight. Glenn was kind, although a bit serious and sometimes hot-blooded. And... Very handsome. Norris smiled to himself. He was that type of a man who would look at both women and men... There were a couple of good-looking men in the Acacia Dragoons, but none of them were as cute as Glenn was.

He had followed Glenn here. He needed every informant he could get, and Glenn was a good candidate. He would use every opportunity to talk to him. Right now, Glenn was sitting on the beach, shivering. The evening wasn't cold... Norris shook his head. It had to be something else. He could see that the young man was crying.

Hmm. Maybe... I should check if he's okay...

Casually, he walked to the beach, as if he had just happened to walk by. He stopped by the young knight.

"Hey? Everything all right?"

Glenn turned to see him, looking a bit startled. "Huh...? Oh... Ishito...?"

"Sorry... Didn't mean to scare you," Norris said with a smile.

"It... It's alright... I wasn't..."

"Hey... You don't look too good." Carefully, Norris wiped tears off Glenn's cheeks. "What's wrong, Glenn?"

"Don't... worry about it."

Norris kneeled down next the knight. "No, tell me."

"It's nothing. Really." Glenn took a deep breath and tried to smile, but only managed to look miserable.

"Glenn..."

"I... I'm just not the type that tells all his problems to a stranger."

Norris touched his arm. "I'm not a complete stranger, am I? Besides, they say that sometimes it's easier to talk to someone you don't know that well..."

Glenn lowered his shoulders. "Maybe."

"So, what's it is?"

"Well, if you want to hear it..." Glenn sighed. "Today was Dario's birthday. I miss him so much... I've felt so alone after he died. Days like this are the hardest ones. It must be hard for Lady Riddel, too, but... I... Well. Karsh doesn't probably even remember what day it is. Or care. Or if he does, he doesn't let it show... Actually, I think he misses Dario as much as the rest of us, but..."

Glenn gave up. He would tell Norris everything that had been bothering him lately, from things like Karsh being too busy to talk to him to things that happened in Termina while Glenn was on patrol there.

The sun set below the horizon, allowing the countless stars shine. Norris listened carefully as the younger man talked.

Finally, Glenn stopped talking. He leaned on Norris' shoulder and looked at the sea.

"It's so peaceful..." he whispered.

The older man nodded. "Yes, it is."

He looked at the two moons that were hanging just above the horizon. It was peaceful indeed. And the beach was silent... The only sounds he could hear were the sound of the waves and Glenn's quiet breathing. It was late. They both should have been back in Viper Manor by now.

"Hey, Glenn... It's late, we should... Glenn?"

He looked at the blond knight, only to realize he was sleeping. He smiled and moved him gently so that he was lying on the warm sand, his head on Norris' lap.

Time passed slowly. Norris stroked Glenn's hair, trying to ignore the light wind that was turning a bit chilly. It was completely dark now... Carefully, he shook the young knight.

"Glenn?"

"Mmmpth..." Glenn opened his eyes slowly. He blinked. "Wha...?"

"It's late. We should go back to Viper Manor."

"Where...?"

"Don't you remember where you are?"

Glenn sat up. "Uh... I guess I... fell asleep...What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't leave you alone in here, could I?"

"You should've waken me."

Norris smiled. "I didn't want to. Well. Shall we go home now?"

"Uh... yeah." Glenn stood up, wiped off the sand from his clothes. Then he headed towards Viper Manor, with Norris following him.

After walking for about twenty minutes, they reached the manor area. They walked to the yard. Glenn greeted a couple of guards, stopped and faced Norris.

"Well... Goodnight, Ishito."

Norris hesitated a bit, then smiled. "Glenn?"

"Yeah?"

"If you need anyone to talk to..."

Glenn smiled nervously. "Well... I..."

Norris folded his arms. "I mean it. I don't think anyone should be alone, if they feel depressed or something like that. Besides... Sometimes you just feel like you have to talk to someone. Just say a few words. Tell someone how you feel... So, Glenn. If something troubles you, never be afraid to tell me. I will listen."

"I..."

"Promise me... If anything really bothers you, you'll come and talk to me."

"Uh... I guess... it wouldn't hurt if I..." Glenn gave him a warm smile. "Okay. I promise."

"Good."

"Well... Er, thank you, Ishito. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Glenn."

A few days passed. Glenn worked, mostly patrolling in Termina as usual, not giving much thought to his conversation with Norris. He saw the man a couple of times, but didn't talk to him.

It was late in the evening. Glenn walked down a narrow path that lead to a small remote beach about a mile away from Viper Manor. Sun was setting already, but it didn't matter. It would be almost midnight when he'd be back at the Manor, but if anyone asked where he had been, he would tell them to go talk to Karsh. He had the Deva's permission for this.

He was here for a reason. There was a small pond and a waterfall near the steep cliffs that run along the seashore. He liked to bathe here. The water of the small waterfall came from somewhere underground. Sometimes it would suddenly become cold, but it was warm most of the time. The fresh water from the pond run a quarter of a mile down to the sea as a narrow stream.

Glenn had been here with his brother and Karsh hundreds of times. He glanced at the sea, glimmering in the dimming sunlight, and started to undress himself. He didn't have his armor, but he put his sword leaning on a rock near the pond. He had to carry a weapon, in case there were animals around... or something like that.

Norris, who was hiding behind some bushes again, smiled. He had some free time this evening, and he had followed Glenn here. He watched as the knight took off his clothes and laid them next to the pond. He sighed. The young man was so handsome... And he hadn't seen him naked before. When he had decided to follow Glenn, he had no idea where the knight was going... He was more than pleased to realize he was here to bathe.

Such a strong body... And yet... so slender...

He moved a little off the bushes to get a better view on the young man bathing in the fading sunlight.

Glenn swam a round in the pond, then returned to his clothes to pick up a piece of soap. He swam to the waterfall. The water in the pond was not deep, only up to his waist where the waterfall was. It was a perfect place for bathing.

He was covered with soap when he noticed that a shadow was moving near the bushes. Quickly, he washed off the soap from his hands. He got out of the pond and took his sword. He unsheathed it with a swift move and looked at the direction where he had seen the shadow.

Damn... where did it go?

He looked around. Where was it? What was it? He held the sword up, ready to fight, ignoring the fact that he had no clothes on. He glanced around nervously. Where is it?!

"Glenn... Put the sword down."

Glenn almost dropped his sword. He turned around to see Norris standing about fifty feet away. He closed his eyes for a few seconds and sighed in relief.

"Ishito. You scared me! I thought it was some animal..."

Norris grinned. "No, just me."

Glenn put the sword away. He sat down on the grass that grew near the pond. He took a deep breath. There was nothing to be afraid of... he could finish washing himself now. He stood up and walked back into the pond.

He glanced at Norris, and realized that he was watching. He blushed and turned away.

"Hey. Stop staring at me, will you?"

Norris sat on a rock next Glenn's sword. "You're not embarrassed, are you?"

Glenn bit his lip. "Maybe I am."

"Why?"

"Never mind..." Glenn swam to the waterfall and turned to face Norris. "What are you doing in here, anyway?"

Norris shrugged. "I followed you."

"Eh?"

"Surprised?"

"But why did you...?" Glenn inquired.

Norris smirked. "Had nothing better to do?"

"Oh, really." Glenn sighed, trying to hide his face. He was feeling more than embarrassed now.

"What?"

"Would you... please... stop looking at me?"

"What's the matter, Glenn? Are you troubled by the fact that there's another man around when you bathe?"

"No. I bathed here with my brother and Karsh a lot when Dario was still alive... It's just... You."

Norris leaned forward. "Oh? What is wrong?"

Glenn felt ashamed. "Well... I... Er..."

"Yes?"

"You see... I..." Glenn was trying to think of a good way to say this. He turned to face the other man, keeping his face down.

"Well. I've noticed something. You... Uh... Sometimes, when you're not working, you sit and watch the Dragoons practice. The way you... look at some of them..."

"Oh? What way?"

"You know."

Norris laughed. "Do I?"

"You should know what I mean. I think you... erh, like men."

"Ah, that." The blond grinned. "What if I do?"

The young knight looked irritated. "Stop staring at me!"

"Okay, okay... you know, I like women too. As if it would mean anything. Don't worry, I won't look. Just go wash yourself. Don't mind me."

Glenn started to wash himself, trying to keep an eye on the older man. Norris sat by the pond, studying Glenn's sword.

The blond smiled to himself. Glenn obviously thought he was looking at the sword. Actually, he was following the knight's every move. He grinned. Mmm, he's so pretty to watch...

An idea struck him. He stood up and started to take off his clothes.

"What... are you doing," Glenn asked.

Norris smiled at him. "I thought I'd take a bath. Or is this pond too small for the two of us?"

Glenn gulped. "Uh... no?"

"Good." Norris stepped into the water. "Ah, nice."

"Yeah..." Glenn tried to ignore the other man. Norris was swimming about fifteen feet away from him, looking quite carefree. Glenn looked at him. The water was clear, he could see the older man's symmetrical body. He was strong... for a dishwasher. Glenn smiled slightly, admiring the blond's muscular back. He didn't notice that Norris stopped swimming and looked at him.

"Glenn?"

"...What?"

"Is it just me, or are you staring?"

Glenn's face turned red. He was about to say something, but instead he just turned away and lowered his face. Aw, damn! Did I really...?

The older man grinned and swam to the knight. "What? Embarrassed?"

"I..."

"Doesn't matter. Hey, want me to wash your back?"

Glenn lowered his shoulders. Do I have a choice here? Guess not... Well...

"If you insist." He turned a little and handed the soap to the other man.

Norris started to wash his back. "Mmm. You got such a soft skin..." Tenderly, he ran his left hand along the young knight's skin, stopping at his waist.

Glenn shivered from the touch. "Uh... Ishito?"

"What? You find my touch unpleasant?"

Glenn swallowed. "No... It's not... that... "

Norris pulled the younger man close to him and turned him around. He gave him a quick kiss on the forehead, holding him firmly.

Glenn was trembling. It had been a long time since anyone had held him... But still, he wanted to get away. But... part of him didn't. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He was so close to the older man that he could feel his heart beating...

Just relax. He's not gonna hurt me or anything...

He could also feel something else... His eyes widened when he realized what it was.

Oh holy Dragon Gods.

After holding the knight for a short moment, Norris let him go. He smiled when he saw how Glenn looked. "What?"

"N... nothing." Glenn withdraw a few feet away.

"Okay. Hey, can I borrow your soap?"

"S... sure."

"Thank you." Norris started to wash himself. His eyes followed the young knight who got out of the pond and started drying himself with his cloak, hiding his slender body beneath the cloth.

"Hey Glenn? You alright?"

The young knight didn't reply. Norris finished washing himself, got out of the pond as well and dried himself a little with his shirt. Then he got dressed quickly.

"You didn't reply. Is something wrong, Glenn?"

"Oh, no." The knight started to get dressed, trying to ignore the other man.

"Remember what I said a few days ago? If something troubles you... You promised to tell me if..."

Glenn avoided looking at him. "But..."

"Glenn..."

"I..." Glenn sat down. "All right. I did promise I'd talk to you, didn't I. Well... I... When you..."

Norris sat down next to him. "Yes?"

"It's been years since anyone has held me close like that." Glenn sighed. He looked at his feet. "I'm so pathetic, am I not?"

Norris touched his face gently. "I don't think so. You're just lonely."

"Oh, think so?"

Norris leaned a little closer to the young knight, then gave him a kiss on the lips. When they parted, Glenn blinked and looked a bit surprised.

"...Huh?"

"Sorry. Couldn't resist," Norris said with an innocent smile.

Glenn's face turned red. He turned away, then got up and got the rest of his clothes on quickly. Norris waited until he was done.

"Should we go back to the Manor?"

Glenn nodded. "Well... yeah. It's... late."

"Let's go then."

They walked towards the Viper Manor. Almost there, still out of sight from guards at the front gate, Norris stopped Glenn by taking his hand.

"Glenn?"

"What?"

"You're not angry at me? Or anything like that?"

Glenn shook his head. "No... Should I be?"

"You might be. I followed you, kissed you and all that."

Glenn smiled. "I think I don't care."

Norris let go of his hand. "That's good to hear. Well. Time to go to bed now... Goodnight. See you tomorrow, perhaps."

"Yeah... Goodnight."

Glenn watched as the older man walked away. He smiled to himself. He didn't feel so alone anymore. Besides... The way the other man touched him...

Uh, better not think about it... for now.

Still smiling, Glenn made his way to the Dragoons' quarters and went straight to bed.

Author's notes:

Kiriban # 1000 request; a Norris / Glenn fic.

Norris uses "Ishito" (his name in the Japanese version) as a cover name here. Haha, very clever. Actually, that was Harken's idea, not mine; she was planning on using that in a fic of hers. Anyway, pretty innocent once again. My kind of stuff.^_^

- Elmina (May, 2001)