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Mike was somewhat newly in love. He had matched with none other than the cycling champion herself, Anna Larson.
Steph constantly teased him about it, thinking it was hilarious that her brother was dating the cycling champion, given she herself was ranked #5 in cycling.
Anna was still not quite herself with her new partner. They hadn't kissed or made love- they just talked and hung out with the intention of romance eventually. She often came across as distant or cold, but Mike didn't push or prod like most of Anna's previous dates. It was one of the huge reasons that she wanted a second date.
It was a particularly hard day for Anna. Practice was hard on her, and she felt a sense of defeat and anxiety over possibly losing her champion title in the next race, which was next week. It was hard enough constantly re-gaining first place every single race. She couldn't lose her sense of identity like this!
The only thing that stopped her from bursting into tears while mulling over her thoughts was a text from Mike.
"Hey Anna! I'm free tonight. Did you want to go out? I was thinking of taking you canoeing, if you're up to it."
Anna looked at the text for a moment. She had no plans either, and was in a pretty shitty mood. However, something told her she would need to be in someone’s company tonight- so she accepted the offer and got ready.
—
Mike had told Anna to meet him at Sugarsand Beach instead of Duckling Lake. She didn’t question it- he was the Extreme Canoeist, after all. She rode her bike there, not bothering to charge her currently dead car. She locks it at the bike rack before making her way to the beach, where Mike was waiting with a two-seater canoe.
He smiled gently. “Hey Anna!”
Anna smiled back the best she could. “Hey Mike. I see we’re doing your version of a canoe date.”
Mike smiled sheepishly. “Yeah. On the bright side, the water is nice and calm. So there’s nothing to worry about!”
Anna was mostly assured by it- after all, he’s a professional. “Alright then. I reckon we should go out now.”
Mike hands Anna a life jacket, which she puts on. Anna sat in the canoe, grabbing an oar. Mike pushes the canoe into the water before getting in himself, and the two begin to paddle their way towards Wedge Island, his usual extreme canoeing route.
They mostly stayed silent, Mike knowing Anna was not one to start small talk. He didn’t mind though, his more outgoing mind often coming up with the topic of conversation whenever the two chatted. He hummed a little tune to himself as the canoe made its way across the ocean. The tune stopped as Mike figured out a topic to talk about.
“So, Anna, how’s life? Was practice good today?” Mike asked a lighthearted question as he always did. He didn’t ask much deeper than the surface, as he knew it would take a while to break Anna out of her shell to truly love her.
Anna tried to think of a response that wouldn’t deeply concern her date. Her grip on the oar was a bit tighter as she tried to keep herself together.
“It.. it was good. Covered the whole Talon Rock route,” Anna managed to spit out.
“Oh, nice. I can only really get about half in during practice times. Steph is constantly making fun of me for my performance.” Mike had a smile on his face. Anna’s expression remained mostly neutral.
Mike sighed, continuing the conversation and his thoughts. “I wish I was as good as you and Steph.”
Anna sighed. “Yeah. I guess.”
Mike stopped paddling and turned around. He looked at Anna, an expression of concern now on his face. “Is anything wrong, Anna?”
Anna tried her very best not to cry. Mike respected her boundaries, so she wasn’t about to snap at him for asking.
“It’s… it’s nothing, Mike.” Her lower lip quivered as she tried her best to hold it in.
Mike’s face still showed concern, but he didn’t dare ask further lest she get angry.
“Oh, okay. Sorry about that. Did you want to talk about anything else? There’s still a way to go until we get to Wedge Island. I don’t have my wallet with me so we can’t stay at the Nine Hole Hotel.” Mike turned around halfway, but still looked at Anna.
Anna shook her head. Mike turned around fully and the two continued paddling.
Mike resumed humming his little tune. Anna listened, the humming becoming very gentle singing. She didn’t think Mike would have a good voice- but here they are.
The stars were big and bright tonight. There was no fireworks show, so the atmosphere was calm and serene. Anna still felt incredibly down, the only other noise aside from the water and Mike’s soft singing being the thoughts in her brain. Thoughts of self doubt, thoughts of anxiety: What if I don’t get first place again? What if I can’t do it? What will I do with my life?! Will I be doomed to drown myself to death in vodka?
Mike stopped singing to talk again. “So, Anna… are you ready for the race next week?” he asked, turning his head slightly to face her.
Anna abruptly broke for a moment. Mike turned around fully when he saw Anna not answer right away, concerned now. His gut told him to ask and risk her wrath.
“Anna… are you alright?” Mike asks. He held his breath, praying silently to Maka Wuhu that he wouldn’t get yelled at.
Anna lost it. No- she didn’t yell at him. She broke into tears, starting to cry as she could no longer contain her feelings. Mike’s eyes widened.
“I’m not fucking ready for anything!” Anna exclaimed through her sobs. “At this point, Fritz and his fucking ass is going to take my title! I might as well just drop out now, right?!”
Mike became more deeply concerned. “Anna, what are you talking about?! You’re amazing! I’m not usually far enough in to see you, but Steph is, and she envies you.”
“Who am I to envy, Mike?! I can’t go a single fucking race without someone passing me! No one else makes a dent in Tommy or Matt, right?! I have to constantly work my ass off to pass someone just to keep my title! If I lose this race, I’m fucking done for!”
“Anna, Anna!” Mike exclaimed, suddenly dropping all of his cautions and embracing Anna. Anna was too upset to even think about pushing him away- in fact, being held was just what she needed. She sobbed hysterically into his chest. “I can’t fucking do this anymore, I can’t!”
Mike rubbed soothing circles into her back. He didn’t dare say anything else, just holding Anna as she cried her heart out. He hadn’t even gotten close to holding hands with her, much less giving her a hug. But Anna was incredibly upset, and actually felt safe being comforted by him.
As Anna’s cries died down, Mike spoke again. “Anna. So many people look up to you, including me. The fact that you keep winning despite all odds is a feat in itself.”
Anna looked up at Mike, still being held by him. “I don’t know why you think that… it just keeps happening. I’m a terrible champion, Mike. I really am.”
Mike looked into her eyes. Anna felt an odd comfort, his eyes glazed with tenderness and genuine love. “You’re unlike the other champions in such a powerful way. They defend their titles with ease, but you continue to push through and win again and again and again despite the difficulty. It says so much about you- you’re still here, doing the things you love, being there for your friends, spending time with me. Wuhu Island wouldn’t be the same without you.”
More tears rolled down Anna’s cheeks, her eyes incredibly puffy. Mike gently wiped the tears away from her eyes with one of his thumbs. Anna didn’t move, soaking in this tender side of Mike that, at this point without the upset, would have repulsed her. But then and there, she knew that he genuinely cared about her and really loved her- more than just a casual date. She didn’t think anyone was capable of doing so given her cold demeanor- but now, she knew. Someone loved her.
Mike continued to gently smile and gaze at her. Anna leaned in towards him more, the sounds of the ocean assisting in comfort. She reached up with one hand, cupping his cheek.
“What’s up, Anna?” Mike asked before she answered wordlessly, kissing him on the lips.
His eyes widened in surprise, but he leaned into the kiss, returning it as he closed his eyes and held her close. It was definitely nice, even with Mike’s mustache being ticklish.
The two parted, Anna now in a much better state than she was earlier.
“It’s late. I think we should turn around,” Mike said.
Anna nods. “Yeah. Let’s go.”
They turned the canoe around, heading back to the beach. Once there, they both got out and dried off a bit.
“Well, I’m going home and to bed. Can I take you to breakfast in the morning?” Mike asked, his heart still pounding in joy from the kiss.
Anna thought for a moment. “Sure. Bergman cafe, right?”
Mike nodded. “Of course. The croissants are to die for, after all.”
Anna unlocked her bike lock. “Well, goodnight, Mike. Thank you again for everything.”
Mike smiled. “Well, it’s the least I can do. Get home safe, get some rest, I’ll see you in the morning. I love you.”
Anna’s heart fluttered when he said that he loved her, in words.
“I love you too, Mike.” Anna actually smiled. As if he read her mind, Mike leaned in and the two shared another gentle kiss. After they parted, Mike watched with a smile as Anna began to bike back to her apartment.
“Ha! AN OFFICIAL GIRLFRIEND!”
Mike yelped hearing a familiar voice suddenly yell.
“STEPH!” Mike yells. “What the fuck are you doing here?!”
Steph giggled as she came out from behind Camel Rock. “Just stargazing…”
“Yeah, right.” He rolls his eyes. “Don’t get me started.”
“Whatever. Let’s go home.”
As Mike and Steph head home, his thoughts are filled with his new love. He was glad that he was the one that could be so close to her and reassure her.
He truly did love her, no matter what.