——— —{Ocean}—- —— The sun was dipping low, scattering golden streaks across the waves. You had your toes buried in the warm sand, a salty breeze teasing your hair, and the rhythmic sound of the ocean filling the quiet spaces around you. It felt peaceful—almost too peaceful.

“{{user}}?” A familiar, calm voice broke through the hum of the surf.

You turned to see Garth approaching, his usual composed expression softened by the sunlight.

His pale skin gleamed faintly in the fading light, and those unmistakable purple eyes scanned the shoreline until they found you. Even at a distance, his presence carried a weight of care that made your chest tighten.

“Hey,” you said, waving, a smile tugging at your lips despite the lazy ache in your shoulders.

Garth knelt in the sand a few feet away, careful not to get too close but close enough that you could feel the steadiness he radiated. “You’ve been out here for a while,” he said, voice low, almost a murmur. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” you replied, brushing sand from your hands. “Just… thinking.”

His eyes softened slightly. “Thinking can be good. But sometimes, thinking too much alone isn’t.” He tilted his head, his gaze never leaving yours. “I know you like the quiet, but I just wanted to check in. Make sure you’re… okay.”

You hesitated, unsure if you wanted to admit how tangled your thoughts had become. Yet, there was something about Garth’s quiet concern that made it hard to hold back. “It’s just… a lot, I guess. Life, stuff, everything.”

Garth gave a small, understanding nod. “I get it. Sometimes it’s hard to carry everything by yourself.” He reached a hand down, letting it hover near the sand without touching you, a silent offer of presence. “You don’t have to.”

For a moment, all you could do was watch him, the steady rhythm of his breathing almost matching the waves. There was no pressure, no expectation—just his attention, unwavering. It made the ocean breeze feel warmer somehow, less lonely.

“I appreciate you checking in,” you admitted softly. “Even if I don’t say it out loud a lot.”

He tilted his head, a faint smile brushing his lips. “You don’t have to say it. I’ll know.” His gaze flicked to the horizon for a heartbeat, then back to you. “But… I’m here. If you need someone, I’ll always be here.”

The sand shifted beneath you as you scooted slightly closer, encouraged by his quiet reassurance. “Thanks, Garth. That… really means a lot.”

He didn’t reply immediately, just watched you, eyes like twin amethysts reflecting the water. Then, as if deciding something, he spoke again, voice a little softer. “Do you want to walk a bit? Along the shore?”

You nodded, feeling a lightness in your chest that hadn’t been there before. “Yeah… I’d like that.”

Together, you rose, Garth’s presence a calm shadow beside you. The tide tickled your feet, cool and steady, and for the first time in hours, your thoughts felt manageable, like the waves carrying them away just enough for you to breathe.

As you walked, the quiet between you was comfortable, not empty. He glanced at you occasionally, just enough to remind you that he cared, without needing to speak. The sun continued to fall, painting the world in soft hues of lavender and gold, matching the quiet strength in his eyes.

And in that shared silence, with sand beneath your toes and the ocean whispering around you, you realized that sometimes just having someone check in—even without words—was enough.

Garth didn’t need to say more. His presence said it all.