Chapter Text
“You can’t swim?” Eileen tried to stifle her giggles but couldn’t manage to, causing Rigby’s face to turn a vibrant shade of red.
“So? Lots of people can’t.” He huffed back, looking down at his bare feet nestled in the white summer sand.
“Aw Rigby, it's nothing to be ashamed of.” She said sweetly, sitting next to her boyfriend, “If you want, maybe I could teach you? I was a junior lifeguard in high school.”
Rigby snickered, “Of course you were.”
Eileen ignored the comment, “Come on let’s go in the water.” Before Rigby replied she had stood up, grabbing him by the hand and leading him out to the shallows.
“Jesus!” Rigby exclaimed as the small waves broke around his ankles. The ocean water was freezing, and already wanted to quit.
“Oh it’s not that bad.” The mole teased, wading deeper into the water.
“The things I do for love.” He said to one in particular, following his girlfriend. Before long they were chest deep, and Rigby was beginning to feel anxiety rising in his chest.
“So. First things first. Let’s work on treading water.” Eileen began, and proceeded to demonstrate. Rigby, however, was not paying attention. Instead his mind was filled with thoughts of jellyfish, sharks, giant squids, and other horrid sea creatures. “Rigby are you listening?”
“Huh? Yeah,” he replied, a little shakily, “So what do I do again?”
“Just move your arms and legs like this,” Elieen answered, demonstrating. Rigby did as he was told and was amazed as he managed to stay above the water.
“Eileen! I’m doing it!”
“Good job!” She beamed with pride as the raccoon sat in the water, doing his best to stay up.
“Are you ready for some real swimming?” She asked. Rigby thought for a moment about all the creatures in the sea, then hesitantly nodded his head, “So you’re just going to lay down and move your arms like this, and kick your legs okay?”
“Okay.” He paused, “What if something grabs me? Or I start sinking? Or-
“Rigby.” Eileen interrupted, “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
For the next hour they sat in the waves going over various basic swimming techniques and skills until Rigby could effectively stay afloat and move in the water.
“Thank you Eileen” Rigby said, blushing as he dried off with his towel, “It means alot.”
“Of course!” Eileen chimed back, and gave her boyfriend a hug, causing him to blush even brighter.