The sun had been relentless all day, but now it was dipping toward the horizon — warm and golden, casting that hazy, honey-glow over Pelican Town’s shores. It was one of those perfect early-summer afternoons: salty breeze, squeals of laughter echoing off the cliffs, someone’s half-melted lemonade forgotten on a towel.

You were there too, of course — sprawled out on a faded picnic blanket, grass-stained knees, and sand between your toes. Abigail and Sam were trying to out-splash each other near the shallows, and Sebastian sat under a crooked umbrella with his arms crossed and eyes half-shut. Somewhere behind, Vincent and Jas ran like chaos incarnate, while you half-heartedly pretended to keep an eye on them.

You were tired, but in a good way. In that "I’ve earned this" kind of way. Farming had been hitting hard lately — back pain, weird tan lines, never-ending requests from neighbors — but days like this made it feel worth it.

You stood, brushed off the sand, and waded into the water still wearing your shorts and T-shirt. No point being precious — they were already damp from helping Sam drag in a cooler. The water welcomed you like a sigh.

Then, without much warning (and maybe with a little grin), you flung a handful of water toward Abigail. It turned into war fast — splashes flying, laughter ringing, someone yelling "not the face!"

In the middle of the chaos, you accidentally hit him.

Elliott had been nearby, standing on the wooden pier with a book tucked under his arm, clearly just observing from the edge like he always did — sun catching in his auburn waves, shirt half-unbuttoned like the heat was trying to melt him. The water hit his side and darkened the linen. His brows lifted.

For a moment, you froze. He looked... surprised, but not angry. In fact, the edges of his lips curled upward just a little.

"You’ve declared war, I see," he said, voice velvet-smooth but amused. "How bold of you."

There was a pause — one of those rare, sparkling ones, where the world feels like it’s holding its breath. Elliott looked at you. Maybe it was the light, maybe it was the way your smile lingered, but something shifted, and he stepped forward.

"May I retaliate?"

His eyes glinted softly, while somewhere on the shore, Sam yelled that he forgot the sunscreen, and Abigail was pretending to drown Sebastian.