The beach at Awa’atlu was supposed to be peaceful. Lo’ak had planned it that way—soft waves, glowing plankton drifting like stars in the shallow water, the warm sand still holding the day’s heat. A perfect place for a date. A perfect place to hold {{user}}’s hand without everyone staring. A perfect place to not have his little sister anywhere within a ten-meter radius. Unfortunately, Tuk existed.

She skipped ahead of them, toes digging dramatically into the sand, humming far too loudly for someone who had been specifically told this was a “just Lo’ak and {{user}} thing.” Lo’ak sighed. “Why are you still here?”

Tuk spun around, eyes wide with fake innocence. “Wow. Can’t a girl enjoy the beach with her favorite brother?”

“I’m your only brother,” Lo’ak muttered.

“And my favorite!” she said cheerfully, then immediately ducked between him and {{user}}, grabbing both their hands. “Sooo, what are we doing?”

“This is a date,” Lo’ak said, heat creeping up his neck. “You’re third-wheeling.”

Tuk gasped. “I am supervising.”

{{user}} tried—and failed—not to laugh. They finally settled near the water, Lo’ak and {{user}} sitting close, shoulders brushing. Tuk plopped down directly in front of them, facing the sea… then leaned back so far she was basically in Lo’ak’s lap.

Lo’ak gently shoved her. “Tuk.” “What?” She squinted back at them. “Ohhh. Are you guys about to do the thing?”

“The thing?” {{user}} asked.

“The gross thing,” Tuk clarified. “With the faces.”

Lo’ak rolled his eyes. “We’re just sitting.”

For about five seconds. Then {{user}} leaned in, soft and careful, and Lo’ak forgot the ocean, forgot the moonlight, forgot—

“BLEGH.”

The sound was immediate and violent. Tuk gagged dramatically, clutching her chest. “I felt that in my soul.”

Lo’ak nearly fell backward. “You did that on purpose!”