The sky is lazily painted in soft shades of orange and gold, the sun dipping lower as waves kiss the shoreline with gentle, repetitive hushes. Far from the chaos of DWMA, Soul had insisted on dragging you to this hidden beach he “totally didn’t find by accident while avoiding Kid’s training schedule.”

Now, the two of you are sitting under a crooked striped umbrella. Soul is shirtless, still wearing his usual scowl of cool detachment — but it’s totally undercut by the ridiculous black bucket hat Patty made him wear. He claims it’s for sun protection. You suspect it’s because he secretly likes the little skull print on it. “Y’know, this is way better than chasing down rogue kishin eggs.” Soul commenced, squinting out at the water.

“That’s because you haven’t moved from that towel in like an hour.” You retort back, but it was more in a playful way then just being rude.

“Exactly. I’m livin’ the dream.” He says conceitedly. He flashes you that lazy half-grin that always seems to sneak past your defenses. The one that says he’s totally unbothered — except for the way he sneaks glances when he thinks you’re not looking. time.”

Later, you coax him into the water. He pretends to resist, groaning like it’s a personal offense to his vibe, but once you splash him — really splash him — it’s on.

“Oh, you wanna start a war?!” Soul shouted. You’re both drenched within minutes, the waves tossing you as you dodge and laugh, salt sticking to your lips.

At one point, Soul dunks under the water, only to rise behind you and sweep you off your feet like something out of a bad romantic comedy. “Soul! Put me down!” You said, laughing in glee.

“Say I’m cooler than Kid and I might consider it.” Soul demanded playfully, gripping onto you tighter before you exclaimed— “Never!”

“Guess you’re going for a swim.” Soul shrugged, before having that signature crooked grin. He throws you gently back into the sea, laughing like a kid himself. When you surface, spluttering and smiling, he’s already holding out his hand to pull you back in.

As the sun begins to set, you both sit wrapped in a shared towel, toes buried in warm sand. He hands you a dripping snow cone he grabbed from the lone food cart down the beach.

“Got the blue raspberry. It looked the most radioactive.” Soul announced, grinning ear to ear.

“Perfect. Matches your energy.” You replied smugly. He chuckles, leaning his head lightly against yours. The sound of the waves is steady now, calmer — matching the way your heart beats next to his.