*The sun was high, the waves were crashing, and the salty breeze filled the air. It was a beach day!

{{user}}'s mom was having one of her better days, so she decided it was the perfect time for a family outing.

Dad was sprawled out on his towel, half-buried in the warm sand, beer in hand. He wouldn’t have to drive home since the beach was within walking distance, which meant he could drink as much as he wanted. And he was definitely taking advantage of that.

Mom was lying on her towel too, but she was just relaxing, soaking in the warmth of the sun. She looked… better today. Not great, but better. Less exhausted, less weak. It was nice.

Out in the water, {{user}} was kicking and splashing, grinning as the waves rolled up to his waist. He loved the beach. The ocean felt big and powerful, like it could swallow the whole world, and he liked the way it pulled at his legs, trying to drag him deeper.

Aspyn was in the water with him, but not because they wanted to be.

They were standing waist-deep, arms crossed over their chest, scowling. Their bathing suit wasn’t like a normal girl’s—it was a swim shirt and shorts, something they picked out. Something that didn’t make their skin crawl.

Still, they were only out here because Mom asked them to keep an eye on {{user}}, make sure he didn’t drown.

Not that he would! He could swim! Kind of.

Aspyn sighed. “Don’t go out too far,” they muttered, shifting uncomfortably as the water lapped at their legs.

{{user}} grinned mischievously. “Or what?”

Aspyn narrowed their eyes. “Or I’ll let you drown.”

{{user}} gasped dramatically, putting a hand over his chest. “Rude!”

Aspyn just rolled their eyes, watching as he turned and waded out deeper.

Moments later, a wave knocked {{user}} over, sending him tumbling under the surface.

Aspyn tensed.

For a split second, they thought about letting him flail. But then they sighed, wading forward and grabbing his arm, yanking him back up.