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"It's so nice out." Akira said with a smile brighter than the sun beating down on Goro's delicate skin. Goro had been included to disagree. He'd always preferred the bitter cold of winter to the scorching heat of summer. The muted tones that came with autumn were far more appealing than the overly bright eyesore that was summer. The fresh life that spring brought into the world was superior to the plants which were already beginning to wilt in summer heat. In short, there was nothing good about summer.
"It's going to be beach weather soon, maybe we could all go swimming next week!" Ann's overly cheerful suggestion garnered a chorus of agreement from the group. Summer people, all of them. Goro had looked to Futaba for help only to find her agreeing with the others. Traitor.
"That's a terrible idea." Goro protested to absolutely no one. His words went ignored as they planned over him. The beach... no doubt Akira would drag him too. He'd have to just sit there in the hot sand while the others splashed around enjoying themselves, not a care in the world. Goro absolutely dreaded it.
The ocean was vast and deep. Its harsh waves were as unforgiving as they were dangerous. At sea, everyone was equal, all were crushed beneath the water's weight. Goro stared at it. The way it sparkled as if trying to lure him in. The way it tried to swallow the land and increase its already massive claim on the world, it made Goro's stomach twist into anxious knots just looking at it.
"Dude, you okay." Ryuji was perhaps louder than the waves that crashed on the beach. His presence was more irritating than the burning sand beneath Goro's sandaled feet. Even with that, Goro would have preferred a day with him to a day at the beach.
Goro discreetly took a breath. He calmed his frazzled nerves and nodded. "Of course."
Ann appointed herself as leader for this "mission". She ordered the others where to place the blankets, how to place the umbrellas, where to place their valuables. In the end the spot that they carved for themselves on the crowded beach looked almost inviting. It was like a fortress of blankets and shade, one far enough to remain out of the water's icy grasp.
Goro hid beneath the umbrellas. He grabbed a book from his bag and busied himself with ignoring the rest of the world. The tales of Robin Hood and his merry men brought Goro away from the unpleasantness of the beach. He allowed himself to be carried off somewhere far from the masses that littered what should have been pristine sand, untouched by even himself. Especially himself.
"Goro." A voice attempted to break through the fantasy. Goro stubbornly refused to acknowledge it. "Hey, Goro." Unfortunately, it was the only person as stubborn as himself. His one and only equal among the people who he tentatively called friends.
Goro was content to tune out the distraction that Akira provided. He would have been fine if not for him possessing his one fatal weakness. His own personality. It was so infuriating how easily he cracked through the armor he put up. Robin Hood was hardly a protection again such a force. Even the entirety of his merry men couldn't stand a chance against Akira Kurusu.
Goro let out an irritated sigh in an exaggerated show of displeasure. In all honesty, he didn't mind Akira. Akira was the one person who could rip him out of his barricade and not make Goro angry about it. "What do you want Akira?"
"We're at the beach! You're supposed to be having fun." Akira grabbed Goro's bare shoulders. The intensity of his warmth rivaled that of the sun that beat down on everyone. "Come on, put down the book and come in the water with me!"
Goro turned his eyes back to the book. He could hardly focus on reading when he was busy trying to remember how to breathe. "I'm perfectly content here." He said, trying not to let on how affected he was. It was a delicate balancing act with Akira, never let him too close but always keep him within reach.
"You'd really rather read than swim?" Akira smiled, its warmth adding to the uncomfortable heat Goro could feel creeping up his neck. "Come on! It's so nice out!"
"Go enjoy your day then. Let me enjoy mine in peace." Goro watched out of the corner of his eye as Akira visibly deflated. He smirked slightly as he walked away, defeat lingering in his frame.
Goro imagined himself walking on a log. The rushing water beneath him sent chills down his spine as he bravely crossed the river. In the distance he could see a stranger. Wild black curls obscured stormy grey eyes. A cocky smirk played on his lips as he hopped on the log to block Goro's path.
"Get out of my way." Goro allowed his irritation to show.
"Oh, were you trying to get across?" The stranger's smirk didn't fall even as Goro felt his blood begin to boil.
"Yes, now move. You're blocking the way and I was here first."
"Why don't you just go around?"
Goro looked down at the rushing water. The current would sweep him away. It would never let him out of its greedy clutches if he fell.
"Move or I'll make you."
The stranger leaned forward. Interest danced in his dark eyes. "Is that a challenge?"
Goro met the stranger head on. He slowly nodded. "I suppose it is."
The rules of their game were unspoken as Goro attempted to knock the stranger into the water. Better him than Goro. He attempted to sweep his legs out from under him but the stranger was agile. He moved too quickly, anticipating all of Goro's moves before he could make them.
Before long, Goro realized he was having fun. The stranger was his equal, something he hadn't seen in a long time. It was these realizations that allowed Goro to become distracted. The stranger took the opportunity to hook his foot around Goro's ankle. With one swift pull, Goro was sent careening off the log. He closed his eyes and braced for impact as-
-a stream of cold water forcefully hit Goro in the back. The suddenness of it elicited a shriek from Goro as he scrambled away. He closed his book and held it close to his chest as he heard laughter.
"Holy shit man!" Ryuji laughed. He looked like he was on the verge of tears. "What kinda scream was that?!"
Akira, the traitor, held a water pistol in his hands. Not even his sly grin could stop the pure indignant rage that Goro felt. He threw his book to the ground and wrestled with Akira for the weapon. That infuriating smirk never left his face as Goro stole the offending gun.
He pointed it and shot without mercy. The cold water went straight into Akira's eye, getting a small yelp from him. He turned to Ryuji and quickly shot him as well. He batted away the harsh stream of water as if that would work.
With his revenge done, Goro threw the empty gun in the sand. He angrily stormed back to the safety of the shade and grabbed a blanket. He wrapped it around himself, frowning at the overpowering heat that came from it. He grabbed his book once again and began to read.
Goro closed his eyes and imagined a forest. He could feel the slight bump of the carriage as he traveled through bandit infested lands. The trees loomed large overhead, hidden dangers awaiting all who dared to cut through the forest's depths.
As Goro passively watched through the window, he noticed movement between the trees. Swift figures ran through the forest, nimble enough to be mistaken for wild life if one didn't know better. Goro knew better. The road through Sherwood forest was quick but dangerous. His father was a fool to have taken it over one of the many safer roads. A disgusting greedy creature who would get what was coming to him.
The carriage suddenly stopped. Out of the corner of his eye, Goro saw the irritation on his father's face. Beyond that, he could see a silent fear. They both knew what was coming. The sounds of struggles outside lasted mere seconds. Goro knew better than to believe their guards had won.
A handsome man opened the carriage. A notorious thief, Akira Kurusu, known far and wide for his tricks. His devilish smirk irritated Goro beyond belief. His dark eyes immediately went to a locked box on the floor and his grin grew wider. He pulled a sword and aimed it at Goro's father. "I'll be taking that." He announced, slightly angling the sword towards the box while keeping it close to his father's neck.
Goro watched as the man robbed them. He watched as the man's eyes flicked to Goro. He felt his heart seize with rage when he blew a kiss.
In an instant, Goro jumped out of the carriage. He grabbed a sword and pointed it towards the handsome thief. "How dare you!" His indignant rage only grew more fierce as the thief laughed. "I refuse to be insulted like this!"
"Are you looking for a duel?" The thief's tone was mocking but his eyes were interested. "Someone as pretty as you shouldn't dirty your hands with things like that."
"You're scared you'll lose." Goro stepped forward as the man laughed. Amusement brightened his features, making for a breathtaking sight.
"I wouldn't want you to get hurt." The thief took his own step forward.
"What's your name?" He was daring and Goro couldn't help but be interested.
"Goro."
The thief laughed again. Goro ran towards him but he swiftly dodged. "You've definitely caught my interest but... I can't stick around. Until next time."
Goro sliced with his sword but the thief was too quick. He dodged once again and before Goro could take another swing-
-"Goro!" Akira's loud voice distracted him-
-the thief got away.
"Come on, you haven't even moved in over an hour!" Akira grabbed at Goro's arm. "Get out there and have some fun!"
"Just let me read in peace." Goro shot a half hearted glare at him. He couldn't really be angry with him. Akira knew this and exploited it mercilessly.
"Just come with me for five minutes! It'll be fun, I promise!" Goro looked out towards the waves. He watched as children fearlessly walked into the water. They didn't so much as flinch at its attempts to consume them. They didn't see the cold jaws of death waiting just beneath the surface.
Goro turned away. "I don't want to... It's probably cold."
Akira rolled his eyes at the weak justification. "That's the point." He placed a warm hand on Goro's bare shoulder. His smile chased away the cover of shade. It removed all his places to hide. "What's so bad about the water?"
Goro shrugged off his hand. "I just don't want to!" He snapped. Akira took a step back, his shocked look sending waves of guilt through Goro's chest. He turned back to his book and tried to ignore him. He pretended as if Akira's presence wasn't as powerful as the sun.
Goro walked through the forest with his sword securely at his side. His hair was tied back and hidden by a hood, his figure was obscured by a cloak. The fine clothes he'd been accustomed were left behind in his hasty escape. He was free. Free from the father he despised and free from the gilded cage he'd been forced in.
As Goro admired the wild nature around him, he heard a sound in the distance. He readied his sword as the sound grew closer.
From the brush emerged a familiar face. Wild curls with stormy grey eyes looked upon him with no sign of recognition. Goro gripped the hilt of his sword just a bit tighter. Him. The thief who had dared to mock him those months ago.
"Who's there?" Akira called. His eyes had a certain curiosity to them. "Don't you know how dangerous it is to walk alone out here?"
"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself." Goro hissed. He unsheathed his sword and pointed it straight at the thief's chest.
The thief put his hands up in mock surrender. "I'm not trying to hurt you."
Goro scoffed. "I know exactly who you are, Akira." He stepped forward.
A devious smirk crossed the thief's face. "I guess you do." In a flash, he drew his own sword.
Without another word, Goro charged forward. He swiped and slashed at the thief but he was so quick. He only managed a small slice on his arm from a botched block. When the thief retaliated, Goro blocked and dodged just as expertly.
As their swords clashed, Akira managed to get a hit past him. A small cut on Goro's face, just above his eye. Blood seeped from the wound, half blinding him as it ran into his eye. He stepped back and began to attack more manically until Akira managed to disarm him.
Goro didn't give up. He charged forward, managing to knock the sword from his hands with the force of his surprise attack. Akira fought to get Goro off of him as Goro tried to knock him to the ground.
One wrong step from Goro allowed Akira the advantage. He tripped him, sending him to the ground on his back. He felt dirt touch his bear neck and realized that at some point, his hood had fallen.
Before he could get up, Akira pinned him to the ground. His smirk made Goro's heart race. "It's been a while, hasn't it Goro? You put up a good fight."
"Hurry up and kill me." He turned his head away from Akira and towards the discarded swords. It would have been easy for Akira to grab one and kill him in a single swift movement. Only, instead of doing so, he laughed. Goro looked back and saw just how beautiful genuine joy made him look.
"Kill you? Why would I want to kill you?" Akira leaned in closer, his grey eyes enveloping Goro's entire vision. "I like you Goro... I think you'd be a good fit to join me and my thieves."
Goro scoffed. "And why would I want to do that?"
"So you can get a rematch." He smirked. Goro glared at him for just a moment before he relented.
Akira gave a genuine smile and leaned even closer. Goro closed his eyes as Akira closed the distance between them. He felt as Akira-
-grabbed his shoulders. Goro snapped his book shut and turned around. "What now?"
"I just wanted to get your attention."
"For what?"
Akira let go and positioned himself so that he sat in front of Goro. He gave a sheepish smile as he blocked Goro's view of the water. "I wanted to keep you company."
"You don't have to-"
"But I want to." He leaned closer as Goro stood his ground. He was brave enough to deal with the destructive force that was Akira Kurusu. He could stand to sit with him for a little while. "So, if you don't mind me asking... why are you refusing to leave our spot?"
"Someone has to keep our things safe." Goro huffed. Akira gave him a skeptical look.
"That's not it, I know you don't care if anything that isn't yours gets stolen."
Or, maybe not. "I think I've made it abundantly clear that I don't want to." Goro did his best not to look past Akira at the taunting waves. His eyes fell to his book which rested on a towel. He grabbed it and held it close to his chest, as if having the characters near his heart could somehow transfer their courage to him. They were fearless while Goro was nearly incapacitated by something so... mundane. As much as he hated to admit it, the ocean wasn't anything special. It wasn't intentionally malicious nor was it out for his life individually. He would have been much less ashamed if that were the case.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Akira's voice was so soft. Normally he could effortlessly scale any wall Goro put up, now, he seemed to walk through them. "Goro?"
"I don't like the water." He quietly admitted. He held his book closer to his chest. Courage. If he wanted anyone to know about something so... embarrassing, he would have liked it to be Akira. Akira who was too good to hold something like that over him. "I can't go in, I..."
Akira smiled, it was genuine and comforting and Goro just wanted to tell him everything. He wasn't sure if he liked or hated that Akira had that effect on him. "You should have told me sooner. I wouldn't have kept bothering you if I knew."
"I didn't want to-" What? Be vulnerable? Let Akira in too close? He ran his thumb down the spine of his book. Courage. "There wasn't a good time and..." Courage. "I didn't want to stop you from having fun without me."
"So... that's why you stayed?" Goro nodded. "And the book?"
"It helps me keep my mind off things."
"If you don't mind telling me... what got you so scared of the ocean?"
Goro looked down at his book for a moment before he took a deep breath.
A small child walked along the shore. He marveled at the push and pull of the waves, the sparkling blue gem that ran as far as the eye could see. He was curious. How far beyond the horizon did that gem dip? Did it stretch into eternity, or end just beyond what he could see?
The child began walking. No one cared what he did. His mother was gone, his father non-existent. That left him in the care of those who had better things to worry about than one unwanted child. No one stopped the child from walking into the ocean. No one got him before he was dragged by the waves.
It felt as if the ocean had grown arms. As if the water itself had grabbed him by the legs and stolen his balance. It felt like the water tried to swallow him. He could feel the salt sting his eyes as it trapped him below the surface. He gasped for air only to be met with harsh salt water. It filled his lungs, threatening to choke him as he desperately flailed in some desperate attempt to escape.
His movements became weaker by the second as more salt water invaded his body. His eyes and nose burned from the harshness of it. Spots formed in his vision as everything grew distant. It wasn't long before the pain went from a sharp sting to a vague but unpleasant sensation. The child thought it was the end as he succumbed to the water.
It was a miracle that it wasn't. Someone had gotten to the child in time. The child never learned their name or saw their face. All he saw was the white hospital room and the angry faces of his foster parents.
"It's embarrassing. I can't even touch the water while-"
Goro froze on the spot when Akira pulled him into a tight hug. He didn't know what to do as he was acutely aware of every part of his body that Akira was touching. He felt his warmth, his soft skin, his comforting hold.
"That's not something to be embarrassed about Goro. You're not the only person in the world who's scared of the ocean." Goro looked away. He reasonably understood what Akira was saying but that didn't dull the sharp edge of shame he felt whenever he saw the ocean. He'd been stupid and scared himself so much that he couldn't even dip his feet in the water without freezing up, how was that not embarrassing?
Goro looked at Akira, ready to argue but the words died on his tongue. He quietly allowed Akira to continue hugging him, feeling his warmth seep into his body and up to his face. "Thank you." He said as he awkwardly hugged Akira back. He closed his eyes, feeling somehow at ease.