The afternoon sun was high, turning the ocean into a sheet of blinding silver. Dud had dragged you down to the beach on a whim, board tucked under his arm, that easy grin plastered on his face.

“C’mon,” he called over his shoulder, feet already splashing in the surf. “Water’s perfect today!”

You hesitated at the shoreline, toes curling into the sand, the pull of the tide louder than usual in your ears. You hadn’t told him—not once—that you never learned to swim. Dud, in all his golden, wave-chasing energy, just assumed everyone knew how.

He turned back, grinning wide. “What are you waiting for? It’s amazing out here!”

You forced a laugh, arms folded, trying to mask the knot in your chest. “I’m good here.”

Dud squinted, cocking his head. “Good here? Dude, no. You gotta feel it, the ocean’s like… medicine. You’ll thank me.” He waded further out, waving for you to follow.

Your stomach flipped, but before you could say anything, a big wave broke near him and he dove straight through, popping up on the other side with that boyish laugh of his. He looked back at you, water dripping from his hair, completely unaware of the storm building in your chest. Not wanting to seem like a wimp, you gently step one foot into the water treading in slowly.

The water was deeper than you thought. Before you realized it, your feet weren’t touching the sand anymore. Panic rose in your chest as you flailed, each swell pulling you under just long enough to steal your breath.

“Hey—hey!” Dud’s voice cut through the rush of water. You didn’t even have time to answer before another wave shoved you sideways.

In an instant, he was there. One strong arm wrapped around you, steadying you against his chest. “Got you, I got you,” he said, urgent but calm, pulling you back toward the shallows. His grip was solid, unshakable, his presence cutting through the panic like sunlight through a storm.

By the time your feet hit sand again, you were gasping, clinging to him. Dud kept a hand on your shoulder even after you were upright, scanning your face with wide, worried eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me you couldn’t swim?” His voice cracked a little—part fear, part relief.

“I… didn’t think it’d be a big deal,” you admitted between breaths.

Dud huffed out a shaky laugh, brushing his wet hair from his forehead. “Kinda is a big deal. You scared the hell outta me.” But his tone softened instantly, that easy grin creeping back. “Guess it just means I’ll stick closer from now on. No way I’m letting the ocean take my best friend.”

And with Dud standing there, drenched, sand sticking to both of you, it didn’t feel like failure—just another piece of his endless loyalty, another way he’d keep showing up when you needed it most.