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It's the summer solstice on Botnia Paradise and Josua was doing his duty of being the mascot for Svanteklubben. Despite only being the mascot to step in for anyone calling in sick, one thing he never liked about it is the fact that the toddlers go absolute mayhem on the poor swan, but at least it would be worse if he wasn't paired up with one of the crew members, Aila! She's been on the crew for a while now, she used to be Svante before getting promoted to Junior Executive Entertainment Manager not long after Josua ended up on the cruise. After the final kid left the Svanteklubben they managed to get to the breakroom. Aila thought ahead and prepared water bottles for Josua, who is very red in the face from the audience abusing the poor swan.
“T-thanks, How did I do?” He asked, finally managing to get the upper half of the costume off of him and having the water
“Not bad! You're picking up the choreography well, say your Finnish is really good! Mother tongue?" Aila wondered
"Uhhhh, no. Just fluent I guess." Josua admitted
Aila nodded with a soft hum. The soft buzzing of the overhead light was the only thing heard as they sat there.
"Say, you wanna join me and the crew at the buffet for lunch?" she asked
"Can't sorry. Benjamin, Julia and I are heading to the beach!" Josua politely declined
"Huh! Neat! You guys picked a good time, the weather should be excellent for it! I hope you 3 have a great time" She spoke
The child nodded as he walked to the door
"I hope so too, bye Aila!"
"See ya!"
To tell the truth he's never been to any beach before. He knows the general idea of what it is from stories that Berit would tell him about it when he was a toddler but aside from that his knowledge is very limited. When he accidentally said that he's never been one day as they were having food at the diner, both Benjamin and Julia immediately invited him to tag along
"You've never been to the beach?" Benjamin asked
"Yeahhh, sorry" Josua muttered, impulsively clutching his arm. Julia was lost in thought as she had her noodles. She finished what was in her mouth and looked at Josua
"Maybe you can join us next week? It was originally just going to be just me and Benjamin but I wouldn't mind all 3 of us spending the day there!" she suggested, Benjamin's eyes lit up and nodded in agreement
Josua was startled, not by the idea of going anywhere with Benjamin and Julia. He's grown fond of the idea of hanging out with them outside of the ship, they made him feel safe. But the fact that they care and that they want him to discover life that isn't just within Gambämark's walls.
"Unless you have something else happening?" Julia wondered before letting herself get too carried away
"Are you sure? I don't want to get in the way" Josua muttered
"You're not getting in the way Josua, we promise" Julia assured him
...
"I don't have anything planned...I would love to join you guys" Josua decided with a small yet affirming smile
And today's the day! He honestly been excited for the trip as much as his usual nerves for experiencing anything new likes to occupy his brain. Josua walked into the corridor when he saw Julia and Benjamin with a bag filled to the brim with stuff, looks like she's checking for something.
"-so we have buckets, towels and-. Oh! Josua! Hej!" Julia called out, Benjamin waved too.
"Hej Julia! Hej Benjamin!" Josua greeted them as they met halfway
"Guessing Svanteklubben just finished?" She wondered
Josua simply exhaled and nodded. Both Julia and Benjamin immediately understood.
"Knowing Svante you definitely need a break," She joked but she'd be lying if there wasn't some truth to it "Do you have everything ready to go?" She asked
"I saw a bag that has some shorts in it in my cabin. I'm guessing that's mine?" Josua answered to which Benjamin nodded
"Mhm! I also recommend bringing a spare change of clothes just in case. Oh and sunscreen! Very important." The artist added
"Ummmmm I don't think I have any"
"Don't worry, you can use mine. I already put some on, just make sure to give it back ok?" The artist suggested as he rummaged through the bag and handed Josua the sunscreen
"So...should we meet back here in say, 15-20 minutes?" Julia asked, checking her watch. Josua nodded and headed off to his cabin to get ready
The shorts were simple in design, it was a forest green colour with funky patterns on it. He then grabbed the first shirt and pants he could find and wore it over the shorts. And for extra measure he applied the sunscreen he borrowed from Benjamin. He grabbed the Svanteklubben getup he was wearing beforehand to act as spare clothes and headed back to meet up with his brother and sister. But it seems like he was early as he didn't see them initially.
"You can put the clothes in the bag!" Julia called out, it made him jump slightly as he turned around "Oh! Sorry! I didn't mean to startle you" She said with a slight giggle
"It's fine" He assured her as he placed the clothes he was carrying into the beach bag.
Julia was rocking a sapphire blue one piece, the pattern is a whimsical marbling effect, almost reminiscing of the water in a way. She was also wearing a simply yet flowy white button up shirt. Benjamin's also wearing shorts like Josua but they're purple and gold and the patterns are noticeably different. Alongside that he's wearing a pretty floral shirt and sunglasses. Both are wearing sandals too.
"Ready to go?" Benjamin wondered, his usual bubbly attitude shining through
"I think so!" Josua responded
"Perfect! Let's go!!" The artist declared as he ran down the corridor, Josua and Julia looked at eachother and laughed as they ran after him to catch up
Not long after, Benjamin, Josua and Julia made it to the beach. The familiar salty smell washed away any nerves Josua had. The sea was shimmering underneath the sunlight. There was more people there, some were laying down on chairs, some on towels, others were running around. He didn't realise that he was falling behind until he heard his name being called out. There were 2 cheap sunbeds sharing the shade of 1 parasol. Josua grabbed his towel and laid it onto the sand, Benjamin did try to volunteer himself and offer Josua his seat but the child insisted. He didn't realise how uneven the ground is until he sat down, the tiny dunes acting like images of waves of their own. Josua couldn't help but notice the smaller details of the area: The sun's golden rays beaming down on the trio, the sound of seagulls chirping, the aforementioned familiar smell and look of the sea painting the shore even from afar...it's perfect.
Exactly how he always imagined it when he was imagining it. Seeing the crystal blue waves brush along the shore reflecting the opalite sky above, it's mesmerising in a way. After a while he also notices some people in the water, guessing it'll be ok for him to go in.
Josua stood up and brushed himself off from the specs of sand
"I think I wanna go in the sea, looks fun!" Josua proclaimed
"Hold on I'll come with you!" Julia decided as she got up from her sunbed and followed the kid as they made their way to the sea
As they walked closer to the water Josua turned around and saw Benjamin still at his spot
"You coming Benjamin?" He called out
Benjamin raised his sunglasses after hearing Josua's question and gave a guilty smile
"Sorry Josua but I'm good, I'm vey much a sunbathing guy plus...I can't swim for the life of me"
Benjamin's face turned bright red after admitting that
"But...you work full time on a ship surrounded by water!" Josua replied, looking very dumbfounded, Benjamin couldn't help but laugh
“Yeah, ironic isn't it? But I'll be fine! Besides, someone's needs to keep an eye on our stuff! And this book is too good for me to put down”
Josua shrugged, waved at Benjamin and followed Julia to the sea. The salty scent is getting stronger now as their feet are just inches away from the shore. Soon enough the water catches up and Josua flinches from how cold it was. Julia noticed and simply held out her hand for the kid to take
"Just keep walking until it reaches your shoulders ok? It'll be freezing at first but after a while you'll get used to it" She assured him. Josua took a moment to think, then took a nervous breath, held Julia's hand and walked into the sea.
...
Sure enough, she was right. It wasn't as bad as he expected it to be. The water flowed around his body like it was a cape in the wind. It's relaxing in a way. It's still weird knowing that Josua was able to relax and not get punished for it and being called lazy. But he isn't. Rest is productive. That's what Julia would always say to him whenever he feels bad for not doing anything. The duo floated in the water for a few minutes, bobbing their heads with the waves but trying not to get swept away by the current. Josua looked at Julia, there was something he wanted to ask her for a while.
"So what was Portsmouth like?"
Julia turned around at Josua's question. She smiled and there was a additional glimmer in her eyes as she spoke
"It was amazing Josua, the sights were breathtaking. Especially a major landmark there, the Spinnaker Tower, it's the tallest lighthouse in the UK standing at 170m, impressive isn't it?" Julia rambled, Josua's eyes widened and nodded
"The univeristy as well was good albeit stressful haha! The exams were brutal, everyone can attest to that. But I managed to graduate with honours at the end of it all so I'm taking that as a win!" She declared, but what she said next was surprising to say the least
"But if I'm being honest, there was a brief moment where I was considering not going." Julia admitted, Josua was startled by this revelation, just moments before she was gushing about it!
"What...happened?" He asked, Julia chuckled.
"Benjamin happened. I was ready to drop everything and stay on Botnia Paradise just so I could be with him until I had some sense slapped onto me by him. It took us years until we started talking again, I was working a different job just to keep a roof over my head! But at the end of the day, I'm glad I went. Because if it weren't for Portsmouth, I wouldn't be here today. I wouldn't be captain of Botnia Paradise, I would have never reunited with Benjamin, and I wouldn't have met you Josua! You have made these past few months so much more fun than it already was before. I'm glad you stuck around. Please don't ever forget that ok?" Julia spoke from the heart, Josua couldn't help but smile as he gave his sister a hug. A small tear fell down his cheek and into the sea.
...
"I won't Julia...I promise" He assured her. He really has come a long way since he first went on board, and if it weren't for Julia and Benjamin, god knows what could've happened...
...
"Say, have you thought about what you want to wear for the-?" Whatever Julia was about to ask that train of thought promptly ended as she turned her head around
"Aw crap- big wave!" Julia warned and started to move forward. Josua was confused before immediately realising as he turned around, he tried to catch up with Julia until...
SPLASH!!!
"AH-!" He yelped as the massive wave crashed over him, he managed to get up but was left shaking like beads in a box.
Julia unfortunately also was attacked by the wave. She exhaled out an annoyed sigh that felt like she was saying it is what it is. She turned to see Josua, it was hard to see because of the water surrounding them but she could tell that he was clutching his arms
"J-Josua?" She asked
"C-cold...it's-! S-so cold..." Josua muttered through clattering teeth, Julia nodded and looked at the sunbeds
"Do you want to go-o back to where Benjamin is?"
The shivering child nodded and shortly afterwards they made their way back onto the shore. Josua could feel the taste of salt on his tongue, it's so weird...This was not something they expected to happen on the beach trip. But before long, they find themselves back where Benjamin
"Oh! Hey you two!" Benjamin greeted them
"H-hey B-Benjamin. W-where are the ex-xtra to-owels?" Josua asked
"Should be in the bag," It was then when Benjamin realised that both Josua and Julia were shivering badly Josua more than Julia "Are you guys ok?"
"B-big wave..."
That's all what Josua needed to say as Benjamin nodded, places his book upside down and reached into the bag to grab a towel that wasn't in use and wrapped the child up in it like he was in a cocoon. He did the same with his fiancée
"Th-thanks honey" She smiled as she gave a small kiss to his forehead and laid down on the sunbed next to him and Josua sat on the towel he was on. He couldn't help but notice the book Benjamin was reading, the cover has a woman on the front wearing a shiny pink frilly dress and hair up in a ponytail, she looks familiar.
"B-Benjamin?" Benjamin sat up to look at Josua
"What are you reading?" Josua asked
The artist's eyes lit up as he showed the child the front cover.
"Who You Are Is Who You Know! Memoir by the one and only Linda Q!"
"Linda Q? Doesn't she sing Beverly Hills?" Josua wondered
"Oh yes! Glad you remembered!" Benjamin replied, he might as well have stars for eyes!
"He is obsessed with her! Got every album from her, tickets for her next tour, even a poster alongside that book! You love her don't you fanboy?" Julia teased Benjamin, the latter's face turned a bright red
"S-Stop calling me that!!" He stuttered hiding his face with his book
"You should've seen him when he learned that she was on Botnia Paradise! He was bouncing off the walls! Ho-Ho-Hollywood Oh my god!" She laughed with made him let out a muffled groan from the book.
Benjamin lifted his head from the book, his face might as well be the same colour as lignonberries.
"You're lucky that I love you" he muttered, his eyes narrowed but with no real malice. Julia simply smiled back and booped his nose
"Sorry honey you're just too adorable when you're flustered. But am I wrong though?" Benjamin couldn't argue as he sighed and shook his head and went back to reading the memoir
Josua giggled at them two, they really are made for eachother. As he was just looking around the beach from where he sat, he saw something sticking out of the bag, it looks like some sort of camera. He also realised that he's not shivering anymore, thank god.
"Hey what's that?" He wondered
Julia matched the child's gaze and immediately knew what he was talking about
"Oh! That's mine! It's a polaroid camera, a friend of mine from university gave it to me for my birthday. It really helps with preserving memories in my opinion" Julia explained, her eyes seemed to light up as she was talking about Portsmouth. That place really means a lot to her doesn't it?
...
Memories...
"Are you thinking about using it?" She wondered. He thought about it for a moment. Then nodded, because he can't deny that he's curious. He was about to reach for the camera yet stopped to look at Julia
"Uhhh, do you mind if I...?" Josua started to ask
The captain smiled and nodded
"Yeah sure!" She assured him
Josua nodded and carefully took out the camera, making sure not to damage it.
"What are you thinking of taking?" Benjamin wondered
The child took a look at the faint reflection of himself in the lens and then at the couple. His brother and sister. The 2 people that always showed nothing but love and appreciation to a kid who thought would always be broken.
"I was thinking...all 3 of us?" Josua suggested, the artist and captain's eyes couldn't have lit up more if they tried, guessing they like the idea!
"Like a selfie?" Julia asked
Josua nodded with a faint smile, he got up from the towel and took a few steps back, turning his back away from the couple and slowly raised the camera. It's definitely not heavy in the slightest but the last thing he wants to do is break it.
"You got it?" Julia called out
"Yep!" Josua reassured
The camera was steady in Josua's arms, he made sure to have the lens face the trio, once he believes he got the best angle he turned his head to the couple
"What should we say? Uhhhhhhhh Beach Trip?" He suggested with a nervous laugh
"Sure!" Benjamin agreed, Julia nodded with him.
Josua smiled as he turned his head back around, only making a slight adjustment. He hovered his left thumb above the button.
"Ok...on 3. 1...2...3!"
"Beach Trip!!"
"BEACH TRIP!!!!"
"Beach Trip!!!"
CLICK
...
WRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
The camera springs to life as it dispenses a laminated photo frame. He took it out and stared at it with an excited glee, but all he saw was a black rectangle staring back at him. A tiny hint of confusion showed in his eyes.
"Now we just need to wait until it develops! Should take what? Half an hour tops?" Benjamin wondered to which Julia nodded
Ahhh, that's why.
Josua placed the polaroid in the bag for safe keepings. He can't wait to see how it turns out!
...
After a few hours the trio decided to head back to Botnia Paradise. If Josua's being honest, if this was his world, he would want to stay on the beach forever. But the risk of sunburn even with sunscreen applied is an unfortunate reality check. During the walk back, something caught Josua's eye. It was a dark green tuxedo on display in a shop's window, definitely adult size but he didn't care. He elbowed Benjamin to get his attention and simply pointed at the suit. Benjamin immediately understood what Josua was trying to say. The singer took out his phone and took a picture of the suit.
"I'll see if there's anything similar or the same to that when we arrive at Mariehamn" He promised which made Josua smile.
He noticed that he's been smiling a lot more lately...like it's becoming natural to do so. Is it what it's like to be loved? I guess I could get used to this.
Soon enough the trio made it back on Botnia Paradise and after a long shower, Josua changed into his pyjamas when he reached his cabin. The soft cotton fitting perfectly around his body like he's being hug by a cloud. The ship has well since left the pier at this point. Josua held the polaroid in his hand, a physical memory. He can see the photo clearly, it was of him, Benjamin and Julia...and he couldn't help but smile at it. It was a brief moment. It felt like he can finally say out loud that he was home even though he was on a beach.
...
home...
...
Wait a minute
...
The child's eyes widened as he realised...! His mouth curled into a small yet bright smile like a child at Christmas morning, he shot up from his bed and rushed to the drawers to grab his new diary, it was similar to his old one. Like how the polaroid camera was a gift from a friend to Julia, the diary was a gift from her and Benjamin to Josua.
He opened the book, grabbed a nearby pen and started writing:
Dear Diary
I think for the first time since I got here, I didn't hear that voice once. Or if I did, it was so quiet I didn't notice! I thought I had to deal with it forever, but I didn't even notice its absence until right now
The beach trip was nice, the smell of the sea reminded me of Botnia Paradise so it calmed most of my nerves. Made some sandcastles, sunbathed and went into the sea with Julia. It was freezing at first but she told me to just keep going till it reaches my shoulders. I'll always keep that in mind. Even if that big wave was not a good surprise. But I want to go back in there or just the beach in general because aside from that it was so much fun!
I'm so grateful that I got to know Benjamin and Julia these past few months. They got me through so much. They've seen me at my absolute worst, I wouldn't have blamed them if they turned their backs on me. Yet they still decided to stick around. They still love me despite everything. I want to do something as a thank you. A thank you for sticking around, for making me laugh with their antics, for taking me in when they had every right to ignore me...for saving my life. They deserve to know. Gifts are a common courtesy for weddings right? I should make something for them. One of their co-workers know them well, Sinikka I think her name is. I'll ask her for ideas if I can find her tomorrow. Julia said that she's incredibly busy and does everything so it's unlikely but I'll try.
If only Juntton or Gunnar could see me, that I'm doing good out here. That they don't need to worry about me. I'm safe, I'm alive...I'm free.
I hope I can go back to the beach someday. It was the best day of my life, and I think it's because, well...
I think I can say out loud that I found my family, a real one.
