Work Text:
His index finger drags through the sand aimlessly, drawing lines and shapes with no purpose.
The beach is too hot. And yet Sai is wearing a jacket, and his swimming shorts are long enough to almost reach his knees. Anyone could tell Sai isn't fond of having any eyes on his body. Not that he thinks anyone would gawk at him, but still, this is most comfortable.
Sitting on a towel and under the shade of an umbrella, a distance away from all the water splashes and loud voices.
It's also not like Sai has any distaste for Ryusui's new friends. They are all nice enough that Sai can't complain. It's just, he isn't used to this type of scenario. He's never played in the ocean or done whatever other social activities are done in these trips. Ideally, Sai would be sitting in front of his computer at home right now, but his annoying younger brother insisted taking his eyes off the screen would do him good.
Fine, that might be true, but it still upsets him to be taken away from his beloved programming and gaming, even if for a single day. He very much was sulking on the way.
But said annoying little brother… the man is his complete polar opposite. True to his name, Ryusui is at home in the water. He is surfing, laughing out loud and yelling some nonsense about the ocean being his. Exactly what you would expect.
Sai, with his chin resting on his palm, realizes that at some point he began to smile as he watched Ryusui fool around.
So embarrassing.
He quickly shakes his head, stretches, and hopes no one happened to be looking his way. He feels his face warm, and not because of the weather.
Their relationship has developed to the point they could even be considered close, but Sai is still unwilling and unable to act like it. It's awkward, when he was terrible for so long, when he had genuine dislike for Ryusui for years, always demonizing him in his head.
He can't simply be a normal, proud big brother now.
Overthinking again… that's what happens when you have nothing else to do. How many hours will he be sitting here in his little isolated spot? When are they leaving? Surely not soon. A bit ago, Francois came to ask if he wanted an iced drink and attempted to convince him to join the group, but Sai rejected both offers. Parental as they tend to be, Francois seemed disappointed, but wouldn't push further.
Maybe he can nap.
Sai flops onto the towel.
Both Francois and Ryusui, they try to take care of him. Make sure he eats at least one nutritious meal every day. Make sure he isn't going to bed at horrible hours and actually has somewhat of a schedule. He knows they truly worry, although he doesn't understand why. He is not deserving of their care, no matter how he looks at it.
Sai closes his eyes.
The sound of the waves is undeniably relaxing. While he doesn't share his brother's passion for sailing, even he enjoys the calming qualities of the ocean. He might really fall asleep here, just for a bit.
No, of course not.
There's no way he can, when he hears heavy footsteps hurriedly coming his way. Sai opens his eyes, to find the expected sight of his brother standing right in front of him, dripping with salty water. Unlike the covered up Sai, Ryusui has absolutely no problem walking around shirtless, showing off his big abs.
“Get up, Sai!” His younger sibling offers him a hand, looking at him with a smirk. “The water feels good. You'll have more fun than laying here.”
While Sai ignores the hand, he does sit back up. He glances at the rest of the group. Someone just got bonked on the head with a beach ball. “Not interested.”
“Hah! Difficult as always.” Ryusui sits in front of him, confidence clear on his face. “You look bored out of your mind. Don't tell me you really would rather stay here.”
Well, Ryusui has a point. Sai is bored, but that's because he is completely out of his element! “This isn't for me, Ryusui. I shouldn't have even come.”
“Ah, you are being all gloomy again.”
Sai almost pouts. He is not… gloomy, is he? Should he be offended? Before he can figure it out, Ryusui has moved to his side, and is now using his weight to annoy him, leaning onto him.
“Sai.”
“I don't want to.”
“Doesn't have to be with everyone. Come hang out with me.”
“Doesn't sound fun.” Sai responds. Ryusui is like a big, obnoxious, clingy dog. Too huge and heavy for Sai to push him away with his weak nerd arms.
“Haha! How rude!” So he says, but Ryusui is not the tiniest bit upset. Probably because he is sure Sai will give in, sooner or later. “Let's go on a walk.”
Sai sighs with such heaviness you wouldn't think he's been doing nothing but sitting under the shade all day. Indeed, Sai will always eventually give in, because he sees the way Ryusui is looking at him, and he feels the love and genuine excitement in him.
He doesn't get it. He doesn't get why Ryusui is choosing to drag him to a boring walk on the stupid sand when he could continue to have fun with his friends. Ryusui likes Sai more than Sai can find logical.
“Fine. Let's go.”
Sai had barely finished his words, when Ryusui had already grabbed his hand and forced him to stand up.
“You should take that off. It will be uncomfortable when wet.”
Sai hesitates, but it's true people wear little clothing at the beach for a reason. He discards his jacket and leaves it on the tower under the shade, trying to not focus on the difference between their bodies. As soon as that's done, Ryusui wastes no time grabbing his hand a second time, pulling him towards the shore.
It might be weird to continue comparing his own brother to a dog, but with Ryusui happily guiding him to the ocean, Sai can't help it. The wet blond locks of hair and carefree joy remind him of a specific type of dog, even. Yes, a golden retriever.
That's kind of… cute.
Before he knows it, his feet are already touching the water.
It's his first time experiencing this sensation, of tiny waves splashing onto his ankles.
The two of them were not taken on family vacations as kids. Their relatives would spend weeks talking about it with each other, then pack up and leave. The bastard children however, would stay behind with the servants. Of course, they had their needs taken care of, and Sai was even happy when they left, as it gave him a break from the usual expectations.
He did not think of Ryusui. He watched him sadly stare out the window, his small hands plastered against the glass as he looked out with tears forming in his eyes, the weight of rejection and exclusion tormenting his young mind.
And yet, just like everyone else, Sai did not care. His only interest was locking himself up in his bedroom, ready to immerse himself in the world of games and software.
If this was yet another wound on Ryusui's little heart, if he came at night to knock on a door that would never open for him, Sai was not concerned with that.
That sad boy is nothing like the man standing by his side now. Ryusui has become so… big. And smart. And capable. Assertive, collected and even charming, in his own unique way.
The hand holding his own is firm.
Like Ryusui really wants to make sure Sai won't turn away and escape his grasp.
Sai wouldn't. Sure he ‘is difficult’, as Ryusui puts it, but he has no intentions of running away. He regrets all the years of ignoring and pushing Ryusui away… he is just too shy to be open about such a thing.
He leans his head onto his little brother’s muscular arm.
Ryusui's eyes were on the view of the sun shining above the ocean, but his focus shifted as soon as he felt the unexpected contact. “Sai?”
But all Sai does in response is step a little closer, now holding onto him with both hands. I won't turn away from you again, he wants to say. Can this sort of thing convey his emotions? He feels like a child, blushing and keeping his head down as if that would hide his face.
And he is the older brother…
Older brother that is currently receiving headpats from his younger brother.
“You okay, Sai?” Ryusui asks.
“Hm.” Is all Sai can manage. He doesn't want to ruin the moment with his stupid regrets and insecurities, he also doesn't want to spill out some corny lines. He is basically frozen in place.
Then Ryusui hugs him.
Wordlessly pressing their bodies together.
Sai isn't bold enough to hug him back, but he happily accepts the gesture. A content sigh escapes him, his body relaxing. Now who is acting like a dog, submissively letting himself be held?
Both of them are so intelligent, yet so terrible at feelings and communication, Sai can't tell if Ryusui is being considerate by staying quiet, or simply is incapable of coming up with something else to say. They are brothers, after all… maybe being emotionally inept just comes with Nanami blood.
After a few minutes Sai didn't bother counting, he was promptly released and pulled closer towards the water. Deep enough that his knees are almost covered. Once again, Sai is just going along with whatever Ryusui does. He really is not that ‘difficult’…
Then Ryusui stops, and simply stands in front of him with his hands on his hips. “I'll let you go first, Sai. No need to hold back.”
“... Huh?”
Ryusui looks at the water.
“... Ah.” Right. Of course he wants to do something this silly. Sai has never played in the ocean before, but it sounds less awkward than a silent emotional moment.
Ryusui is staring at him with a big, stupid smile. Very stupid smile. Kid-like and too eager.
So, how could Sai possibly refuse?
“Fine, fine.” Sai says, gently dipping his hands into the water, to then awkwardly push it forward in an attempt to splash his brother with it. It barely reaches Ryusui's chest.
“Haha! Good try!” Ryusui tilts his head, looking down at his own naked and way too muscular abdomen, at the drops that reached him. “Want to try again? You really should be eating more, Sai.”
“I've heard that enough times, from you and Francois both.” Sure he spent years pretty much only consuming snacks and random easy to heat up junk, but he isn't that malnourished!
Regardless… he guesses he should be grateful they worry.
Fueled by annoyance, Sai does the same motion again, but with significantly more strength. He manages for the splash to reach Ryusui's face this time!
“Oh, well done. Now I get to fight back.” Ryusui's smile turns into a mischievous grin, causing Sai to instinctively step back. Of course, he can't do it fast enough to escape the incoming big splash of water.
Sai squeaks pathetically as the cold hits his face and chest, but, to be honest, it is also quite refreshing. He shakes his head, and hurries to splash for the third time. The insane speed of his arms is extremely useful right now. Sure his strength can't compare to his brother's, but he can spam attacks quicker than him!
Soon enough, they are both completely drenched. But Sai is already out of breath, while Ryusui is just fine… it's not fair, Ryusui works out. Usually early in the morning, while Sai is still asleep in bed…
Despite his tiredness, Sai can't stop quietly giggling between breaths.
Fun… he is having fun.
When he looks at his brother, he realizes the amount of affection he is being watched with. How embarrassing… Sai can't help but cover half of his face with his palm.
Ryusui brushes the wet hair sticking to his own forehead back, looking… very attractive while doing so, admittedly. He wouldn't be out of place as a model, really.
While he is having these shameful thoughts, Ryusui has already moved closer, doing the same with Sai's hair, gently pushing away his messy and wavy locks off his cheeks and forehead.
It makes him feel like melting.
“Hanging out with me isn't so bad, hm?”
“I guess.” Sai replies, avoiding admittance, like he wasn't laughing and acting as playful as his little boy self wasn't allowed to be mere seconds ago.
Ryusui huffs in amusement.