The sun beamed down from above you, its rays warm and bright. You were surrounded by the screams of children, the lapping of waves against the sand, and your team erupting in competitive howls every minute or so.

You’d all been deployed for a few months now, and when you returned it was the height of summer. And also the perfect time to spend your break relaxing against the sand with dunes and the never-ending ocean as a backdrop, underneath the sun.

Your eyes were closed, and if it wasn’t for the constant buzz of energy around you, you probably would’ve of fallen asleep. You’d taken to tanning, making the most of the sun. Every now and then you felt Simon’s eyes land on you when he was in-between games of volleyball with the guys.

A couple hours went by when suddenly the sun disappeared. When you opened your eyes, Simon stood in front of you blocking out the sun, arms crossed. Your eyebrows raised.

“You just going to lay there the entire time?” he asked, unimpressed. “We came here to swim and enjoy ourselves. Not sleep and cook under the sun.”

“But I am enjoying myself. This is relaxing,” you replied.

He was standing there in a pair of swim shorts, skin glistening with a light sheen of sweat from running around in the heat. “I’ll tell you what it is. It’s boring, and a waste of time.” He leant down a little. “Come swim with us.”

“…No.” You smiled sweetly, then allowed your head to fall back against the towel beneath you. You closed your eyes, fully intending on just ignoring him until he left.

Until you were—without warning—being hoisted into the air. Simon swung you over his shoulder and turned, marching towards the water.