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"All done." You wiped the excess sunscreen off your hands and looked over Hiromi's back, ensuring that you'd left no white streaks behind. "Ready to go?"
"Just a moment," He replied, stepping aside, presumably to fetch the keys. You rocked back and forth on your feet, already feeling giddy. After all, you had finally succeeded in getting your boyfriend to take a day off. Not only that, but actually planned a beach trip for the day. So for once, as a reward for all his hard work, he would actually spend the day on golden sands and in blue waves, rather than on the couch.
You had even convinced him to get new swim trunks for the occasion, ones which he had no matching rash guard from late high-school to pair with. You turned when you heard him make his way back to the doorway, adjusting your tote on your shoulder and pausing as you looked at him. The sunglasses were definitely a rare sight on him, but it was certainly better than frying his retinas out in the sun. And it wasn't the sandals that made you stop and stare either. But rather the t-shirt he'd put on. Right over all the sunscreen you'd applied (and his toned chest).
"Hiromi?"
"Hm?" He was already turning the door, keys in hand.
"What are you wearing?"
His brows raised up. "A shirt?" With his free hand, he tugged at the hem, glancing down.
"After I just put sunscreen all over you." You perched your sunglasses atop your head, looking at him just short of exasperated. "Are you just wearing it to drive? Or..."
"Well, that was in case." He looked at you, a but awkward.
"You just...planned on wearing a shirt anyway? What if you want to swim?"
"You can swim with a shirt on." He shrugged as he stepped out, holding the door as you exited right after.
Now, you weren't mad. That would be unreasonable. You were, however, bewildered. It was the natural course of a relationship to discover more things about your partner. You supposed it was fortunate that all you discovered was his apparent fondness for remaining mostly clothed.
You kept up pleasant chit-chat during the car ride there, and as you walked from where you'd parked to find a good spot to spread the blanket. All the while, though, you couldn't help but glare at that shirt. The navy hue seemed to look back at you, condescending as can be.
It wasn't ridiculous, though, not at first. You laid on the blanket, reading your book at a leisurely pace, enjoying the bright sun, summer warmth, and the sound of crashing waves. At your side, Hiromi simply watched as water flowed in a constant rhythm, and gulls flew through the air. At the very least, he seemed truly at peace, which was a first in your relationship. Ordinarily he was rushing around, hurrying to get to his office, or a courtroom. Rushing to meet with his clients, rushing to gulp down a convenience store coffee, rushing, rushing rushing. You savored the sight of him so still.
You just thought you'd be savoring it a little more without all that fabric in the way.
"I'm gonna go down to the water for a little while." You declared, shutting your book with a thud and stretching your arms slowly. "Are you staying here?"
"I should watch your bag." He replied simply, glancing around at the fairly full beach, as children ran around and people strolled the shore. "Maybe a little later."
You felt deflated, even as you rose and walked down towards the crashing waves, pretending you did not mind. You knew he worked through tiring weeks, and the beach was a chance for a little rest and relaxation, so he might leave feeling replenished. You just...didn't think that would involve him sitting and simply watching. A glance back and you caught his eyes on you, making you smile despite yourself.
The water was cool, a welcome break from the warmth of the day. You waded through until you were deep enough to float and and gladly embraced the gentle flow of water.
And for a little while you enjoyed the melody of flowing water, crashing waves. You swam, let yourself rise and fall and be pushed by the water. You waded in the shallow span of water close to shore, catching the rays of warm sun. You strolled along the sand, occasionally gathering a shell or two bearing a unique pattern or color. And briefly, turning the little shells over in your hand, you sat on damp sand and looked out over the water. But a time came when there was an afternoon lull, and crowds had thinned out. And you realized you had spent most of your time alone.
Back upon the sand you saw that Hiromi had picked up his book and engrossed himself in reading. You joined him on the blanket and turned towards him. "You know, if you didn't want to go, you didn't have to."
His brows knit together as he looked up at you. "What do you mean?"
"You've been up here the whole time, reading, keeping your shirt on. Staying as far from the water as possible." You paused. "I hate to think I dragged you out here on your day off if you'd rather...you know, be at home."
And suddenly he looked almost stunned. "I'm enjoying myself." He spoke. "And you're here with me. And I've gotten sick of spending every weekend and spare minute cooped up indoors."
"But you haven't even gone swimming."
He glanced around. "Maybe later."
It was your turn to look surprised. "Later? The water's fine, Hiromi."
"I know it is. But it's so...crowded."
You glanced around the beach, noting the mosaic of spread blankets, chairs, umbrellas and shades, all occupied by their own groups. And the water, full of people clad in brightly colored swimwear. Then your eyes made their way back to him, wearing the black swim trunks and loose navy blue shirt.
"You didn't want to swim because of the crowds?"
He leaned back on one hand, his eyes on his lap. "It feels a little...awkward."
You couldn't help but snicker. "I think you're one of the only people I know who thinks it's awkward to be seen swimming at the beach on a beautiful day."
"Maybe." He said plainly.
"Come on." Standing above him, you extended your hand. "We're going swimming."
Before he could utter a single word in protest, you reached down and wrapped your hand around his wrist with a gentle, yet firm grip. It took a small tug to draw him up and off the towel, even as he muttered worries about your belongings or the amount of sand sprinkled over everything. It wasn't until your feet met wet sand again that he finally spoke. "Don't you think it seems immature, being an adult man and messing around in the ocean?"
"I think it's immature to think that." You decided as a cool wave lapped at your ankles, and sand shifted below the soles of your feet. "You already spend every day being a super professional, very serious guy, after all. What's so childish about having fun?"
Something in him relaxed, bringing a smile to your face. And as you bent forward just enough to feel the current, your entire side was splashed with cold saltwater. Hiromi chuckled, now half soaked himself from smacking the water's surface with his arm, amd looking entirely too satisfied with himself for having done so.
But soon you retaliated, prompting him to do the same. And you both became fixated on your game of utterly drenching each other. The stretch of the beach filed with sounds of sloshing, splashing, and your joint yelps and screeches as it went on. Certainly half the good people trying to lounge and catch up on tanning were all staring on in disapproval from the ruckus. The thought would arrive later, when you had washed the day off and were back at home. But for that glorious little moment, lasting no more than an hour, you were both happy, and nothing else. There were no thoughts of offices or courtrooms. No troubles from the workplace bleeding into your minds. And even the navy shirt that was now waterlogged from ocean waves couldn't bother you.
And later in your bedroom, as you dried off freshly conditioned hair and rubbed lotion into sunkissed skin, he bent down and pressed a kiss to your forehead. "Thank you for today."
You grinned up at him. "You're welcome."