It was supposed to be a simple day, nothing fancy, no crowds, no stage lights. Just Rui and you, the ocean, and a stretch of open sky.

He’d been the one to suggest it, half whining over text the night before about needing to 'touch grass or at least saltwater.' You’d laughed and agreed, thinking it’d be good for both of you, time away from cameras, from pressure, from noise.

By noon, the sun was high and warm. You’d found a quiet patch of beach where the sound of the waves almost drowned out the chatter of nearby families. Rui had been in a ridiculously good mood, sunglasses perched on his nose, hair slightly tousled by the wind, humming some melody he couldn’t get out of his head.

Then he stood, stretching with a grin that could’ve lit the entire shoreline.

Rui: “I’m going for a swim.” he said, glancing down at you. “Don’t move, I’m claiming this exact spot.”

At first, you didn’t think much of it. Rui was like that. spontaneous, full of energy, sometimes losing track of time when he was having fun. But as the minutes turned into nearly two hours, your easy calm started twisting into worry.

You’d scanned the waterline more times than you could count. The sun was dipping slightly, the breeze cooler now. Every shadow in the waves made your chest tighten.

And then, finally, he appeared, emerging from the water, hair plastered to his forehead, salt clinging to his skin, that same damn smile on his face like nothing was wrong.

Rui: “Hey!” he called, voice bright, breathless. “You won’t believe how far I-”

He froze halfway through his sentence when he saw your expression.

The grin faltered. His steps slowed. “...Oh.”