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Chaem sneered at the blond blocking the bottom of the stairs, jogging in place while waiting for him to move. “You're in my way.”
He whipped his head around, bright hair falling effortlessly back into place. “Oh! You're the lifeguard right? Ummm…”
Chaem watched him mentally scrambling through the filing cabinets in his brain, maintaining the sneer just long enough for him to shift uncomfortably.
“Pft.” She elbowed him, a grin lighting up her face. “Don't worry about it Dino boy! I don't know your actual name either.” She cackled as his shoulders sagged in relief.
“Oh thank the Goddess. I was pretty tied up in the museum before, um…. well before that.” He waved his arms feebly towards the museum door.
Chaem clucked her tongue, “Yeah. Shame about that.” She paused in her jogging, opting to take the opportunity to fit in a few stretches. “What's the plan?”
His dark blue eyes fixed on her. “The plan?” He asked morosely.
“Yeah. Figured you'd get some new stuff to replace what got sold.” She rolled her eyes at herself. “Well not like NEW stuff but like new OLD stuff.”
Scott’s blond head started nodding, a look of determination taking over. “Yeah! We did it before, right?”
Chaem rolled her shoulders and pulled her arms up over her head. “That new girl’s always out digging on the old farm. Betcha there's tons of old stuff out there. That place is a death trap.”
Scott was nearly vibrating with energy, giving a triumphant fist pump as she finished up. “Yeah!”
He grabbed her up in a joyous hug before suddenly setting her down, a look of terror creeping onto his face.
Chaem's eyes narrowed, a snarl crawling across her lip. “Don’t. Touch. Me.”
His hand flew up, opening his mouth to give what was likely to be the most babbling apology in the history of apologies.
“SIKE!” She tipped her head back and chortled, punching him lightly on his shoulder as he sagged in relief. “Shoulda seen your face!”
Chaem resumed her jogging in place, knees high. “Alright, I gotta git. And you got a museum to rebuild.” At his fierce nod, she stepped around him, sketching a salute on the way by. “See ya later Dino Boy.”
He called back over his shoulder as he bounced into the museum, “Later Life Guard!”
********************
Chaem shielded her eyes from the bright summer sun, towering over Scott as he finished up a set of pushups.
“You’ve been at it too long without hydrating. Time for a break.”
He sat back, grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat off his face. A slow brilliant smile crept across his face. “You’ve been watching me!”
“Tch!” Chaem’s eyes rolled as she turned towards the water, hoping he missed the splash of pink she could feel rising. “Kinda the job, Dino Boy!”
He laughed, deep and rich, and she folded herself down to sit cross-legged next to him. Digging into his bag, he grabbed out a bottle and two packets before shoving one her way. “Protein bar?”
She looked at the label and nodded in approval as he shimmied over to sit next to her. “Pretty aggressive body weight routine you got going.”
He nodded excitedly, launching into a detailed explanation as her eyes constantly scanned the water.
As they both finished up their bars, he reached over to take her wrapper. “What’d you think of it?” he asked, tucking both into his bag for later disposal.
“Meh. Tastes a bit like cardboard, but most of the good ones do.”
“Right?” He gave a small fist pump as he turned to face her, bouncing with energy. “That's been my snack-related crisis lately! Go with the good stuff or go with the good taste?”
She nodded in understanding, turning her head to him briefly. “Oh, absolutely stick with the healthy one. Your gains will thank you later.”
“True, true.” His blond head bobbed happily. “Sacrifice now, flex later.”
He leaned back on his elbows, flexing his abs just slightly. Chaem turned to take a peek. Just slightly.
Feeling her face begin to pinken, she smoothly jumped upwards, knocking the sand off her legs and rear. “Welp. Gotta run. See ya later Dino Boy!”
“Later Life Guard!” He watched her stride down the beach, blushing at the sight.
Just slightly.
********************
“...and then after I told Millie all about it, Mel said she was just there for 'emotional support’. I think her and Lily are in cahoots!” Wrapping up his tale, Scott helped Chaem rack the weight bar.
“You’ve been working out like crazy lately!” He lifted a plate, adjusting the pin to add weight to the bar as she stood up to swap out.
She matched the plate on the other side of the bar. “Yeah. The big game's coming up and I am NOT going to blow this opportunity.”
“HECK YEAH!” He fist bumped her before lying on the bench. “That's the spirit!”
She watched as he hoisted the bar off the rack and over his chest, a careful eye assessing that the weight was balanced and stable.
“Yeah. Like a lifelong dream, you know? Makes it easy - just remind myself what I’m working for.”
At his affirmative grunt, she glanced around his room. “Nice setup you got here. Thanks for letting me come by to use it.”
“Trying to avoid having too much gear out around Wakuu right now.” Chaem’s eyes rolled with a deep sigh, guiding the bar as Scott racked it. “Apparently you trip over ONE dumbbell and it's a national crisis!”
He chuckled as he sat up, “Sack of potatoes?”
A deep snort. “Complete sack of potatoes! I shouldn't laugh…” One golden eyebrow quirked her way as her lip twitched. “But I totally did!”
She shook a finger his way as he toweled off. “No tattling!”
Scott gasped in mock horror. “Never!” He held out a fist. “Welcome to the club!”
He chuckled as she bumped his fist with a questioning look. He answered with a wink. “The ‘grumpy, overachieving brother as a roommate’ club.”
She cackled as he pulled the added plates off the bar with a grin.
********************
Scott ambled across the tavern and plopped himself down next to Chaem as Mel wandered off, watching Wakuu and Pablo battling it out at the pool table.
His head lolled over to look at her, cheeks pink and eyes bright. “What's up Life Guard? You're lookin’ rough.”
Chaem heaved out a deep breath as she leaned her elbows onto her knees. “We blew it.” She heard his gasp next to her as she blinked slowly. “The Coral Reefs lost the playoff game.”
He shifted forward, mimicking her posture. “I’m so sorry. You trained so hard!”
“Not hard enough apparently.”
“Noooo!” He turned to her with wide eyes, clumsily reaching out to pat her knee. “No no no no nooooo…”
“Losing this… I mean it's just ONE game, right?” He stared at her earnestly, perking up a bit as she smiled.
“Thanks Dino Boy. You always know the right thing to say.” Chaem elbowed his side and he swayed slightly.
“Lemme… lemme buy you a drink!” Swigging down her last gulp, she shook her empty bottle his way with an accepting shrug.
He stood with a wobble, grinning cheekily towards the pool table. “Hey! You guys want anything while I’m at it?” Before Pablo could finish looking up, Scott cackled, slapping his knee. “Well too bad! Get your own, I’m only buying for her!”
As he swung his finger broadly in Chaem's direction, she pushed up from the couch, slipping her shoulder under his arm. “You sir, are drunk.”
“Nawwwwww.” He draped over her while she sent an apologetic look towards the pool pair.
“Yup. Time to go home. C’mon.” At his quivering lip and kicked dog expression, she relented and turned her back to him, stooping slightly.
“Yay!” Scott’s face lit up in glee as he clambered up onto her back, feet sticking out awkwardly. Chaem’s usual gruff eye roll was softened with fondness.
Sticking his fist out ahead of them in a super hero pose, he crowed “The Life Guard and Dino Boy, away!” She nodded to Pablo and Wakuu, then headed for the door. Scott proceeded to make swooshing air noises at the motion and she cackled in glee, picking up the pace.
Pablo stared after them, his mouth gaping in confusion. “What. In the ever living…”
Wakuu delicately blew the extra chalk dust off the tip of his cue. “No idea man. No idea.”
********************
Scott bounded up the stairs at the vineyard two at a time, mind racing through a task list for the day.
His train of thought completely derailed when the observatory came into view, or more accurately when her pleased-as-punch grin came into view. Chaem pushed off from the wall where she’d been leaning.
“Dino Boy!” He mirrored her excitement subconsciously, bouncing and jogging in place as they high-fived in greeting. “Good news!”
Blond hair bobbing, he gave a fist pump of celebration. “Yes! Love some good news to start the day!”
A rich sharp laugh floated on the air as she fondly jabbed his shoulder. “You don't even know what it is yet, you giant dork!”
He stilled for a moment, eyes wide and solemn. “Yeah, but you're happy about it so I am too.” His head tipped and he broke into an excited wiggle, curiosity overwhelming him. “Tell me, tell me tell me!”
Chaem smirked, dragging a finger to her lips in a semblance of great pondering. “Oh, I dunno.” Tucking her arms across her chest, she bit back a predatory grin. “Maybe I'll just make you guess.”
Scott leapt in place, one sharp clap before rubbing his hands together in glee. “Oh wow, yes! I am SO GOOD at guessing stuff!”
Rapidly pacing back and forth, his brow creased for a moment as he sorted out which idea was the most likely. “Ok. Ok, Wakuu found a planet and gets to name it!”
She snorted as her eyes rolled towards the observatory with a head shake. “Not yet anyways.”
His pace picked up as he nodded decisively. “Alright. Then it's gotta be that Aaliyah’s whole astronaut gig is cover for the fact that she goes into space to fight aliens.”
Scott whirled, arms gesturing broadly as Chaem doubled over in laughter. “Oh! And she found one locally didn't she?!” His eyes narrowed in suspicion. “It's Ben, right? C’monnnn, you can tell me!”
Chaem wiped away a tear as she managed to stifle her giggles long enough to speak. “Goddess, you're such a goofball!” Another giggle slipped out as he preened at her comment.
“No you weirdo. We got the wildcard spot!” She watched as his brain sorted through what she said and got his train of thought back over to the right track, savoring that brilliant beam of glee that suddenly lit him from within.
“No way!” Scott tried to fist pump and jump for joy and do a celebration dance all at once, stumbling into a mess of limbs before giving up and just picking her up into a hug.
After whirling once, he set her down, clasping his hands on her shoulders. His eyes searched hers earnestly. “That's so big! Are you nervous?” As she opened her mouth to respond, he babbled on with a gentle shake to her shoulders.
“You shouldn't be nervous you know! You got this Life Guard!!” He wheeled off, resuming his pacing, hands gesturing widely. “Now. On the very very VERY off chance that you lose, you have to promise that you won't beat yourself up! You were so down last time.”
She took a breath to attempt to soothe his sad puppy eyes, but he had only paused for the briefest instant. She leaned back with a grin, deciding to just ride out Cyclone Scott.
“I know you put so much energy into winning and being the best, but really you're being YOUR best and that's the important part!”
He swept around suddenly and grabbed her face, a hand on each cheek as he squished them forward until her lips were scrunched into a goldfish pucker. His stare drilled deep into her soul. “Win or lose, you're still the best volleyball player I know!”
Chaem jostled him with a playful shove, a laugh cracking between them. She took advantage of the momentary silence while Scott tried to regain his balance. “You dweeb! I'm the ONLY volleyball player you know!”
Her voice softened as he gave her that brilliant lopsided grin of apology, even though they both knew he wasn't sorry in the least. “Thanks though. You’ve believed in me all along and I don't know that I’d have made it this far without your support.”
She ignored his teary eyes and mushy wobbly smile, crossing her arms and kicking at his shuffling feet. “Annnnyyyywayyyss. What's up this morning? You seem… energized.”
“Right.” He resumed his rapid pacing, hands flailing about. “So. Did you know that you can use coffee to brew more coffee? And that it makes some sort of highly caffeinated death liquid?”
Chaem snickered as he turned to her with wide eyes. “Because apparently Charles knows that.” Scott stared at her, back to jogging in place. “Wanna go do some jumping jacks?”
“Tch!” She raised her fist to shoulder height, staring at her nails with a sneer.
Just for long enough to make him wiggle, before bursting out into a wide grin. “Always!”
********************
Scott ducked into the tavern to a celebration party in full swing. His eyes roamed over the crowd, finally spotting a hand waving him over.
“Dino Boy!” Chaem greeted him brightly as he approached, waving at Aaliyah as she headed off to talk with Ben. Scott watched the pair meet up with a suspicious smirk, before turning his attention back to the lady of the hour.
“I watched the whole tournament! You played so great the whole time!” He clasped a hand on her shoulder, beaming at her as she glowed with pride.
“Thanks! It was so amazing! Never gonna forget that feeling.” She stared off in wonder. “It was incredible… like my feet weren't even on the ground. I was just flying!”
Scott waggled his eyebrows, mischief in the air. “Flying eh?”
He whipped her up into a hug, twirling her around. Both a shriek of laughter and her feet flew through the air, joy radiating through her.
As he set her down, he braced her elbow gently as she wobbled a bit. Chaem chided herself at getting so dizzy and breathless after just a tiny spin.
Scott took a step back once she was steady, awkwardly jamming a hand into his pocket while she adjusted her top. He dipped his head towards her, voice low. “How are you feeling? Even when it's for the best of reasons, I know it can get a bit sad when something big wraps up.”
Head tipped to the side, her eyes shone with gratitude. “Thank you! I thought I was losing it.” Her gaze scanned over the gathered crowd fondly before returning to his face. “It's just, I put so much of myself into it, you know? To get to that one moment.”
Chaem stared at the floor, a fleeting foreign flicker of fear flittering across her face. “But now what?”
“Hey.” Scott’s knuckle brushed beneath her chin, tipping her face upwards. That soft lopsided smile just for her as he gazed at her earnestly.
“Tell you what. You just enjoy the victory celebrations tonight, okay? Tomorrow we can meet up and figure out the plan, just like you helped me figure out the museum. That's the ‘now what’, alright?”
She stared up at him breathlessly, lips parting just slightly for a moment before they curled up into a wide grin, eyes squinching closed in joy.
“Thanks Dino Boy. You always know the right thing to say.” She jabbed him lightly on the shoulder.
“No problemo Life Guard.” He gave her a gentle shove towards the crowd. “Now get out there and make nice with all the adoring fans!”
He watched her stride into the fray, wishing that his heart would slightly slow down on the whirling and twirling it was doing.
Just slightly.
********************
“Woah!”
Chaem looked around the museum foyer in wonder, pink petals strewn about with balloons gently bobbing through the room.
And there in the middle of it all, her Dino Boy stood with a brilliant grin. Chaem mindlessly stuffed the invitation letter into her pocket, swallowing her nerves as she strode over to meet him.
Scott wrung his hands with worry once before throwing them open wide. “Welcome to our own world of wonders! Ready for a journey?”
At her soft nod, he grabbed her hand with glee, guiding her into his world that she had helped rebuild.
He held her hand as they walked through the sparkling gems, talking of pressure and heat, feelings and brilliance. Her eyes shone as brightly as the diamond they stood over.
Her arm crooked through his elbow as they wandered through the fossils, laughter sparkling between them at Dino Boy and his dino boys. He spoke of the mark she left on his heart, and she realized he had left an impression just as deeply in hers.
His hand brushed light as a butterfly over her cheek as they stood among the insect display. He shyly spoke of her uniqueness and their interconnectedness, and she felt the tapestry of her life weaving in a new thread.
His arm around her waist now, as they stared at the shimmery scaley specimens in the aquarium. “Just for looking, not for eating” he promised in a warm whisper against her ear, and she blushed at the memory of her rant one night at the tavern. He spoke of wanting to always swim through the currents of life with her, and how safe he felt trusting her to be his Life Guard for as long as she would have him.
He stopped near the end of the aquarium tunnel, taking a deep breath. “Chaem. I need you to know-”
“I love you Scott!” she cut in breathlessly.
He gaped at her wordlessly for a moment as her eyes shone with happiness. He broke into a beaming grin while giving a small fist pump, then laid his hand along her jaw. “And I love you Chaem.”
He pressed his lips to hers, soft and sweet as she melted against him. She pulled back, just slightly, looking into his eyes.
They both burst out in laughter at how they sounded as he picked her up and spun. “Love you Life Guard.”
“Love you too Dino Boy! But let's get back to the kissing, yeah?”
His breath caught as he nodded. “Yes ma’am!” Their lips crashed together with no hesitation.
Not even slightly.