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Maybe the beach wasn't such a good idea. She ducked her head and walked through the kitchen, bare feet slapping against the tile. There was a door to the boardwalk leading to the beach. She stopped by it, hand resting on the door handle. "So… I guess I'll meet you there?"
How am I even supposed to focus?
"I-I don't have a bathing suit."
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"Ah…" I'm such an idiot! "There's a store a block from here that sells beach stuff. Don't worry about money. Just tell them you're with me."
He nodded, awkwardly walking out from the kitchen and towards the front door.
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She quickly went through the door she was at, closing it behind her and leaning against it. She let out a long breath, pressing a hand against her pounding heart. What the hell have I gotten myself into?
He began walking, eventually making it to the store and walking in.
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The store clerk popped his head up and plastered on his retail smile. "Hello sir! How may I help you today?"
"Hey, just looking for a bathing suit. Tess said to come here?"
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He politely tilted his head. "Tess? Oh! You mean Miss Hunt! Yes, yes, come in! Right this way." He beckoned for Runner, leading him to the male bathing suits.
He followed the guy, rubbing his chin.
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The store clerk showed him the bathing suits. "Pick out whichever you like," He pointed to a cut out section of the store. "Changing rooms are right that way. Is there anything else I can help you with today?"
He shook his head. "Thanks." He walked over to a simple solid blue pair of trunks and walked over to the changing area. He tried them on, and saw that they fit well enough. He didn't even bother taking them off, carrying his old clothes in his hands. "Do I need to pay, or…?"
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The man waved his hand dismissively. "It has already been taken care of. Will that be all?"
"Yeah, thank you." He walked out of the store and began walking down the street, feeling a little self-conscious.
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No one paid attention to him, used to people walking in bathing suits this close to the beach.
Meanwhile, Tessa had set up a little area for them at the beach, with two beach chairs, an umbrella, and a basket of food for lunch. She took off the cover and entered the ocean, sighing as the cooling waves relaxed her.
He walked into the home, dumping his clothes on to the couch and walking to the boardwalk, acutely awate of how pale he was. God, why am I so fucking self-conscious all of a sudden? This isn't your fist time at the beach! But those words did nothing to calm his beating heart as he say Tess already in the water.
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She ducked under, unaware of Runner on the boardwalk. She stayed under for about thirty seconds, then came back up for air, brushing the water out of her face. I really needed this. As opposed to most people wanting hot water to relax, she preferred cold water, as it cooled her typically high body temperature and suppressed the raging dragon inside.
He rubbed his face as his toes hit the warm sand, continuing to approach the waterline. Can I still swim? he thought. It's been about 5 years since I've ever actually been in a large body of water. His feet hit the water, and he shivered slightly, slowing down his approach as he sloshed into thigh-high water. He was momentarily distracted from Tess by the temperature, looking down to see if he could see his own feet. Jesus, did someone pour a big ass ice cube into here and let it melt?
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She dived back down, swimming a little ways underwater and playing with the darting fish. The salt water didn't bother her eyes, as a protective, transparent third lid had slid over her eyes before she entered the water, courteous of her dragon.
He suddenly had an idea. His dragon can swim really well, and he wouldn't have to bother about being chubby! She loved his dragon. The only issue was that Runner already used up all of his daylight energy, but he completely forgot. He made the attempt, but he only made a loud hacking noise, bending over as he tasted blood inside of his mouth.
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With her sensitive hearing, Tess heard his coughing. She waved at the fish and surfaced, turning to him. "Is everything okay?" She refused to acknowledge her heart skipping a beat as she saw him.
He blinked a couple timed, wiping a small droplet of blood from his lips. "Yeah. Just…overextending myself." The blush was back on his face, but it was much less predominant than before.
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She raised her brows. "Don't overwork yourself too much," she said, then dived back down to return to her fish friends. She went deeper, and a school of Dory-fish circled her waist as she swam.
He shook his head as she dove back in, smiling lightly. "Chinese dragons can't do that!"
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She mentally chuckled, smiling. A few fish planted kisses along her skin. Some small ones weaved between her fingers. The Dory-fish were back, doing a dance around her body.
He was unable to see where she was because of the murkiness of the water, so he walked back up the beach and sat down on one of the chairs, rubbing his chin.
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Her stomach growled, and she bid farewell to the fish and made her way back to the beach. When she made it to where she could walk on the sand, she rung out the water in her hair and headed towards Runner and the chairs, forgetting about her self-consciousness.
He smiled as she walked up. "Hey."
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She smiled back. "Hey. I got hungry." She sat in the other chair and pulled out a sandwich from the basket for her. "You want one?"
"I'd probably throw it back up if I ate something right now."
