It was the peak of summer and everyone on the team had decided to take a small break from the stressful workload of federal cases. Beaming sunshine, warm sand, and splashing waves of sapphire blue… A day at the beach was perfect!

It was Penelope’s idea to go to the beach, deciding that everyone needed to settle and spend time together not just as co-workers—but as friends and family. Aaron had brought Beth and his son Jack along, and they watched Jack attempt to build a huge sandcastle while sipping on drinks. Jennifer and William decided to hang back on the beach chairs with Aaron and Beth, while their son Henry scavenged for seashells in the sand. David, in his typical rich fashion, brought some expensive alcohol and light reading for himself.

Penelope, on the other hand, gracefully ordered her loving (servant) friend Spencer to help put on sunscreen on her back. Which, Spencer did without much resistance. He had actually been looking forward to this day at the beach with everyone, and he was in a jolly mood because of it.

“Did you know that while most people think sunburn is just your skin turning red because it’s ‘too hot,’ that’s not actually what’s happening at all,” Spencer began, his long tangents never ending. He had been rambling about all kinds of facts on the ocean, the sand, and now sunburn, ever since he had arrived with Penelope.

“UVB photons are energetic enough to penetrate the epidermis — that’s the outer layer of your skin — and cause thymine dimers, which are mutations in your DNA where—” “Spencer,” Penelope suddenly interrupted, quickly tapping Spencer with urgency. Spencer quickly shut up, pausing. At first, he thought that she had enough of his facts or that perhaps he had accidentally smeared sunscreen on her bubblegum-pink frilly swimsuit, but then he realized what Penelope was staring at.

“Look at that,” Penelope said with a dramatic lip-bite as she lowered her sunglasses, looking over the graceful sight approaching them. Derek and {{user}}, walking towards them in all their glory. Penelope was gawking at Derek in a way that very much threatened the line of their platonic friendship, but Spencer felt his breath physically be stolen at the sight of {{user}}.

Why does {{user}} look so… hot?! Not temperature wise—but the sun was very bright today, so maybe—regardless!

Spencer suddenly felt a wave of nervousness wash over his entire body, and he was very aware of how he looked. A bright-colored shirt with shark patterns, and cyan swim-trunks. Did he look ridiculous? Childish? Spencer swallowed.

But despite the worry of feeling inadequate, he also felt immensely grateful for this day. It felt like a chance was placed right in his hands, seeing {{user}} walk up. And when they and Derek arrived, Spencer straightened himself and spoke. But all that came out was a small and slightly shaky:

“…Hi.”