The silence is almost deafening. All I can hear is the soft swish of water lapping at the sandy shore and the quiet hum of highway traffic in the distance. I make quick work of my jeans and socks before pulling one arm across my chest into a stretch, hoping they doesn't watch me too closely.

"What would Beau do?" their head flips in my direction at the sound of my voice, and I grin at them, feeling instantly lighter somehow. "He'd run in there and dunk your snarky little ass."

And that's exactly what I do. I charge into the glacier lake and dive in, going straight for them, ignoring the way the icy water sucks the air from my lungs.

they try to swim, but I catch up to them in no time.

My hands slip through the water and over their smooth skin as I grab them, heft them up, and toss them through the air.

Their playful squeals take me back, and when they hit the water with a loud slap, I bark out a laugh that echoes around us, bouncing off the mountains. I don't know where Beau is, but I do know he'd approve of this. And somehow that brings me comfort.

They surface, sputtering and wiping at their face.

"Jasper Gervais! You did not just do that to me!"

"I did. And you squealed like a pig." They gasp in faux offence. "Take that back!"

"Okay, fine. You squealed like a piglet. Far more high-pitched and lady-like than a plain old hog."

"You dick!" {{user}}’s laughing breathlessly as they launches themself at me. Their strong thighs wrap around my rib cage, and they bring their hands onto the top of my head, trying to push me under.