thenearshore | OVERFLOW for | 012

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OVERFLOW for | 012 | The Beach Episode

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[The small boy blinks at that and lets out a small grunt of protest. He doesn't need the warning. He's perfectly fine, though it does make him lean back a little just in case. Goten has no desire to face plant the grill either. Ruining food and getting frill makes on his face isn't something he's really up for. So the warning is heeded even though it isn't appreciated.

He's caught up in watching Sousuke though. He moves so naturally for a guy who didn't know he could cook.]

Yep! Do you still need more time?

[He's willing to wait, not that he wants too. There are other people in the water and they could get in the way of their race, but Goten is still more then willing to go at it---after food. Right now, that's the center of his attention and what he's craving the most. Even though he finished off Sousuke's plate that doesn't make him any less of a bottomless pit.

Of course when the older shinki agrees to let him be a taste tester, his fist shoots into the air enthusiastically.]

Yay! Even if everything you make is good maybe I can help you make it super good!

[Not that Goten knows anything about cooking...]

[Don’t grunt at him; he’s looking out for your safety. Once Goten leans back, Sousuke returns his full focus to the cooking. At least he listened to the warming. The larger boy doesn’t offer anything further on it. Giving the tonkatsu in the pan a few more flips, he checks its doneness before finally deciding it’s finished. Using tongs, he pulls the meat from the skillet and sets it on a plate to drain off the excess oil. Sure it’s edible now, but give it a few moments to get firm and crispy and it’ll be even better.

As for that question… Sousuke hands the plate with the hot tonkatsu to Goten.]

We can go for that race when we’re done eating.

[It feels nice to finally be able to say that. Getting to make good on that long-held promise won’t be as easy as he’d hoped first off, but what he can do now is more than enough to provide a challenge. Goten doesn’t need to know the underlying issues. Sousuke can push past them to give his companion the race he’s wanted for so long. After all, it hasn’t just been himself that Sousuke’s been learning (reminding) to swim for.

Once the food’s done. Because for all the people Sousuke’s cooked meals for, he’s not had anything to eat himself besides the plate of tonkatsu. Which he only got half of. So he’s more than ready to close shop and make something for himself. Once Goten has the plate, he’ll get to work on frying up the second cutlet.]

Why don’t you test that and tell me how to make it “super good” then.

[Consider that a challenge.]

[Goten stares in an awed silence, mouth hanging a little agape as he watches Sousuke work his food-magic. He's never really sat and watched someone cook before. but it really just makes the meat look that much more appetizing, so much so he has to wipe away the bit of drool from the corner of his mouth.

It's luckily not that long of a wait. Sousuke is greeted with wide hungry onyx eyes as Goten leans over to take the plate from him. He already had some of Sousuke's before but this is a plate made just for him and it looks amazing sizzling on the plate.]

Thank you for the food, Sousuke!

[He says it loud and proud, clearly delighted. Food is a quick way to make the already smiling child to grin that much more. He wastes no time, grabbing up a peice with his fingers. He chews quickly, letting out little puffs of air because, ow, its hot. Ow, but it's so good! He doesn't want to stop chewing! There's the tiniest tears in the corners of his eyes but the boy is determined to power through it since it taste so good. It's only when he finally swallows and lets out a breath, tongue sticking out a bit to cool, that he speaks up. Whew]

After we race, it'll be even better I bet. But I donno if it can get more super good then it already is! Your other foods might though!

[He's being a bit cheeky but yeah, he has no way to improve on this dish.

[He’s so used to cooking with Rin in the castle, he doesn’t realize just how surprising and impressive it can be to cook for people who don’t regularly do it. Goten’s reactions help him see that, even if he does find them amusing.] You’re drooling. [A soft aside comment since he sees that as well. Now he’s curious as to what Archie and Goten did for food, but he holds the question in. Probably not the best idea to bring up Archie. He hopes the man’s okay.

Turning back to the skillet, he adds some more oil to start it bubbling again. While that warms up, he returns to his own pork cutlet and makes sure it’s nicely dipped in egg wash and panko crumbs. Sousuke nods slightly at the gratitude.]

Aa. Enjoy it.

[Seeing the boy so happy is a nice feeling. Goten’s been through a bit in the past few weeks, so he’s glad to see him smiling again. Even if that smile is normally the default expression. Setting his cutlet in the oil, he begins frying it, carefully turning it over with chopsticks once each side reaches its golden state.] Oy. It’s hot. [he admonishes Goten, frowning a bit as the boy goes for it with his bare fingers and then ends up popping air breaths to cool down what’s already in his mouth. Impatient kid… At least he didn’t get ahold of it fresh out of the frying oil… Wait, is he… crying?

Sousuke sets a bottle of cold water down in front of Goten. Silent command: Drink it. And stop burning your mouth.]

You’re thinking about eating after we race? [Bottomless pit here, this one is.] You’ll have to wait for other samples another time. [He sees what you’re doing, Goten. Right now, there’s only omurice and tonkatsu. The compliment, however, is silently appreciated.]

[How can he slow down when it's so good? He'll happily accept burning the surface of his tongue to enjoy Sousuke's tonkatsu as quickly as he can. But wow, it is really hot. It probably is good that the older shinki didn't give it to him directly fresh from the oil. But Goten would have still powered through it. That much is clear as he enjoys the piece in between air puffs.

The water bottle makes him blink and he looks from it, to Sousuke and back to the bottle before reaching out and taking it. Screwing the cap off, he quickly downs some of it. The cold water is more then welcomed and appreciated as he gulps it down with a little dripping from the corner of his mouth and down his chin..

He let's out a satisfied 'Ahhh~' as he pulls the water bottle away and wipes his mouth on the back of his arm. Good food and his mouth is no longer burning. Everything is great! He flashes a cheeky grin to the teen.]

Mmmhm! I'm gonna use everything I got to race you so I bet we'll both be hungry again!

[He's actually waiting a little bit before stuffing another piece of tonkatsu in his mouth. Just a little while. The smell of the delicious food is hard to resist even if it burns his mouth.]

[There’s an answer to that question, but it’s pretty wry and Sousuke doubts Goten would care much anyways. So he’ll have to simply stay to the side and do the whole protective big brother thing and send some cold water his way in hopes that he can cool his tongue and mouth off before he ends up with blisters all over his skin. Which doesn’t sound like a good reward for all that tasty tonkatsu. (And no, he’s not going to serve it straight off the grill; that’s asking for dragon fire.)

While Goten nurses his mouth with the cold water, Sousuke finishes up his own tonkatsu and lifts it out of the oil. Letting it drip a few times, he gives it a couple light nudges before transferring it to the paper towel from before. It’ll drain and dry there while he turns off the burner on the grill and lets everything cool down. Pointedly, he makes sure to keep his plate of tonkatsu on his other side. Aka: keeping himself between Goten and his food. Look, he knows those hands of yours, kid. Not this time.]

I’ll hold you to that.

[Coming back from the race and firing up the grill sounds like a huge burn of food, but he’s not going to put it past them. Espeicially if they’re out there swimming for a good long time. Sousuke looks up towards the waves, judging the water once more. It looks nice out there, the waves not too high or anything. Should be an interesting challenge to race in, since he’s more used to racing in a pool. But hey, the swimmer welcomes it.]

Have you improved on your flying as well?

[And finally slides his tonkatsu off the paper towel and onto his plate. A few moments later, he’s cutting it into strips and then picking on up with chopsticks to give it a few blows for cooling. And into his mouth it goes.]

[It's still pretty hot, but not scolding. And it's so good! Goten delight shows clearly on his face as he smiles through the big bites. Sousuke's gotta be the best cook ever or at least that's what Goten is going to assume. He hadn't tasted anything better then this other then maybe some sweets but that's not surprising considering he's still a young boy with a big sweet tooth.

Stuffing another piece into his mouth, he looks back to Sousuke, watching him blow on a piece. Yeah, he probably should of did that from the get go. Oh, well.]

Mmhm mmhm!

[Goten nods his head quickly, smile growing as he chews. He tries to hurry and swallow too somehow being mindful of some of his manners]

I can go higher and faster. But if I go super high it gets harder to breathe so I don't like that. I'm faster then my cloud friend too. We race sometimes. Sousuke! I'll take you flying again too if you want. But we gotta do our race first and I still wanna train with you to. I can do a borderline now to...sometimes!

[There are still some hiccups to work out of that one. But he smiles all the same before going back to stuffing his face. Good food~]

[And that first bite is still a little too hot. Sousuke sets his dish down and ends up puffing similarly to Goten previously to cool the bite in his mouth. With that verdict, he’ll give his own plate a few more moments to cool in the ocean breeze before going at a second bite. While the scent of fried pork is drastically tempting him to go for a second earlier, the reality of a burnt tongue and mouth is definitely putting a hold on his hunger. He got lucky on the first bite, but he’s not going to risk a second so soon. At least in the meantime he gets to benefit from that ball of sunshine over there on the stool. He doesn’t consider himself the best or anything, but he’s glad that his skill’s enough to make Goten happy (though he has a feeling the kid’d be happy with almost any food).

Finally his own is cooled enough and Sousuke uses his chopsticks to get a second piece up to his mouth, basking in the perfectly-temperate fried pork strip. Honestly, he could eat this every day (and probably get tired of it in a week because he does like variety since boredom drives him up the wall). And there’s Goten, rushing through a bite so he can get a thought out. He’s never going to not amuse Sousuke.]

So you get affected by the atmosphere?

[Obviously he would, since he’s a human and all, but… still interesting to note. Oh speaking of.]

Tell me about your cloud friend. I saw it mentioned on the network post. [But never got the chance to talk about it with Goten since they had other things to talk about. Like Archie’s disappearance and Sousuke’s swimming issues. But he’d been curious about it. And now they’re finally going to have their race.]

Aa, we’ll do some training too, work on your borderline.

[Goten can't help but grin a little bit once he see's Sousuke puffing at the first bite. Goten isn't vindictive but it is good to see he's not the only one burning his tongue. Though Sousuke seems to have it more under control then he did. Still, a small muffled laugh escapes him. But he's quick to lift the water bottle back to his mouth to keep himself from making it anymore noticeable. Another cool drink and he's back to eating, this time he's finishing the pork off by gobbling down the last few pieces. Yep! He's gotta get Sousuke to make this again sometime soon in the near future! It's too good not to! Goten isn't too picky of an eater. He enjoys all food aside from greens but that doesn't make Sousuke's food any less delicious!

The question makes him lift his head, mouth still full with cheek bulging on a bit on both sides as he chews. He has to think about the words for a second before nodding his head repeatedly. Atmosphere, yeah, that. He can't breathe where there's no air. He's not daring enough to see just how far he can go past that. At least not yet. It would be cool to see space though.

Tilting his head back he glances around towards the sky, not spotting the cloud around. He knows it's around somewhere, the yellow cloud hasn't really stopped following him. It's always in the nearby area. Probably somewhere in the clouds. But the brief moment of scanning the sky with his eyes gives him time to chew and shallow again. Licking his lips and then fingers, he looks back to Sousuke.]

It's a big fluffy yellow cloud I can ride! I met it a little while before Archie disappeared. It got caught in the ceiling fan somehow and it's been following me around since. It's pretty friendly but I don't think it can talk or anything. I'll introduce you!

[Who knows, maybe the cloud will let Sousuke ride it. Goten isn't sure why it's moody about people. Archie went right through it but Hibiki was able to sit on it. Weird. But the boy is quick to perk up at the mention of training]

Yeah! Are you good at boarderlines, Sousuke?

[He does expect something of a tease, but apparently Goten’s going to be nice enough not to jump on him for biting into a hot piece. At least Sousuke has the defense of waiting till his was less than scalding before he popped it into his mouth. He hears that muffled laugh, but does nothing, since he does deserve it. A little. Picking up another piece, Sousuke gazes out to the water again, savoring the mixture of good food, Goten’s presence, the sights and sounds and scents of the beach, and the quiet anticipation of a race hanging in front of them. Strange that it’s been several weeks and this place has started to feel somewhat… normal? The questions definitely aren’t answered and there’s so much to still learn, but the anxiety and frustration of the first week are quieted down now.

Of course Goten’s going to nod. The kid breathes are so if he goes too high, it’s going to be hard for him to take breaths. Still, Goten’s definitely not a “normal” human as far as Sousuke’s seen so perhaps he’s simply checking bases on Goten’s strength and limits. Curiosity and all. He doesn’t push into it though, more interested in learning about the cloud Goten’s spoken about.]

You ride it? Even though you can fly? [Sure, Goten probably needs to rest and all, but riding a cloud… A brow arches at the concept of “meeting” it. Like the cloud’s some kind of living thing. Is that what Goten’s getting at? It only goes up more when he hears about it getting caught in a fan. A cloud… stuck in a fan. Wouldn’t it simply dissipate?] I’m confused. Is it a pet or something? Alive? [Not talking or anything only enforces that strange idea. But the chance of introduction perks his interest at least.

And then it’s back to training again.] Aa. I’m skilled with them. [There’s self-confidence in his tone; he’s not bragging because he knows he has the skills to back it up.]

Ahuh! I can fly faster then it can but that doesn't matter unless we're racing.

[Sure he can fly and he can ride the cloud. It just gives him two different methods of flight but the cloud is more of a friend then anything. Goten doesn't know why it acted so friendly towards him. It had bounced into him like some kind of long lost friend but he's pretty sure the cloud was happy to see him when they first met back at Archie's. The boy hasn't really bothered to question anything more about the cloud. It's just there and it's his new friend. Some people can ride it, other people fall through. That's it really.]

I donno. I don't think of it like a pet. It's more of a friend. The cloud can't talk or anything but it does move and sorta bounce around so you can kinda tell if it likes something.

[Sousuke, that's a silly question. It makes Goten grin a bit]

Of course it's alive! It wouldn't follow me around or go when I ask it too. I mean, I never hear it breathing but I don't think clouds breathe....

[Do they? He doesn't know. He's only met this yellow one. Every other cloud he just goes through. So, he naturally looks back to Sousuke]

Do clouds breathe?

[Sousuke seems pretty smart. So he's got to know, right? At least, that's what Goten is boiling it down too. The older shinki has always been pretty good about answering questions so he must know a lot! But training: of course Sousuke is skilled at them! Goten bounces a bit on the stool, kicking his feet.]

Lucky! I'm getting better. Sometimes they don't come out though and I end up making a hole in the ground instead. Yukine taught me how to make a borderline and he gave me lots of advice on how to do it but it's sorta hard to do if I'm not really thinking about.

Huh. Interesting.

[Again, it definitely sounds like this cloud is a sentient thing. Which is, naturally, hard to really get his head around. The mental image is rather awkward. Cloud with a face… But Sousuke doesn’t know flying anything like Goten. It probably tires him out after a while, so having a cloud to get around in the air if he’s exhausted isn’t a bad idea. And it looks like Goten’s happy with it, so that’s about all Sousuke needs to know to brush off any suspect or guard.]

A friend. [He’ll remember that distinction. And now he can erase the face off his awkward mental image of the cloud friend. Which makes it a little more realistic, actually.] You don’t need a face to know emotions all the time. [Oy, his questions are perfectly legitimate for someone who isn’t familiar at all with sentient clouds or flying on your own power, thank you.]

Last I checked they don’t. [Breathe, that is. But they are in the air a lot. Okay that’s thinking too hard about this. Honestly, why is Goten looking to him to answer that kind of question? Goten’s the one with a living cloud friend, right? So, he should know. Or not.]

You know how to make borderlines now? Good. [That’ll help any of their future training. He arches a brow at the mention of putting holes in the ground though. His borderlines cut through the ground, so maybe that’s what he means…] It's not luck; it's training. You have to focus on it if you want to make a good one.

[Sousuke has all the answers so of course he's going to ask him as his go-to source. Nevermind the fact that Sousuke is asking questions about the cloud too. But bouncing off each other is sort of fun. It's almost like a game.]

Then I don't think it does either. When you two meet, maybe you can figure that out.

[Yep. Leaving the 'do clouds breath' thing for him to find out. Goten really can't wait to introduce them. That yellow cloud is usually floating nearby or somewhere high in the clouds. It follows Goten a lot but there are still times the boy has to actively look for it. The cloud doesn't have a name and calling it 'Cloud friend' doesn't seem to be good enough to get the cloud to come to him without getting it's attention first.

The borderlines are tricky. Goten can do them. He's decent enough at them but he really has to focus on what he's trying to do to make it work. It feels so much more natural to shoot glowing energy from his palm then it does to make a borderline. He's had a lot of...accidents while training to get it right. Yukine's advice helped a lot but he doesn't really like thinking about it every single time he has to make a borderline. He frowns a little at that, as his eyes drop down towards his hands thoughtfully. He wants to be good at borderlines like Sousuke is! Maybe there's a trick he's missing?

Just as soon as he lowers his head to glance at his hands, he shoots back up to look at Sousuke. ]

Hey Sousuke.. what do you think about when you're focusing? Yukine helped me and it works but I don't like thinking about it so what do you think about?

[Wow, kid you have so much faith in him. If he knew, he’d probably be a little touched/awkward about it. But Sousuke definitely has no way of answering about sentient clouds or what normal clouds do and don’t do. At least, beyond the normal basics.]

You’re going to be there when we meet.

[Meaning that Goten’s going to help out with any “conversations” that happen when the try to figure it out. Not that he really thinks they’ll be able to. Talking to a cloud… Sousuke actually finds himself glancing upward towards the sky, as if expecting some yellow, fluffy cloud to be bumbling around in the blue sky. All he can see are some white ones; you’d think a yellow one would stand out. But, well, can’t see any so back to Goten and food it is.

Sousuke’d been honing his borderlines diligently. First it’d merely been something to do and contend with Rin’s powers, but after being stolen by Schuldig and fighting ayakashi, he’d thrown himself into training with them. Determined never to be helpless again or rely on anyone’s power but his own, the shinki worked hard continuously to make his borderlines as powerful and reliable as possible. Since his shinki powers were locked behind Rin’s permission, he took what he had at his own disposal. Sousuke can make borderlines with little intense focus now, more acknowledging he wants one or more than one and makes the proper number in the position and shape he wants. But again, he’s practiced hard at it.

When Goten’s eyes drop to his hands, Sousuke glances down as well, his free hand picking up another piece of tonkatsu for himself. Oh. That question. He pops the piece into his mouth and chews silently. Thinking… but he already knows the answer.]

My goal for using it. To get stronger or protect someone. I don’t think about making a borderline so much as thinking about why I’m fighting.

Yeah! I gotta introduce you both so I gotta be there.

[That brings the smile back to Goten's face. He's a bit eager to see the yellow cloud and older shinki meet. Who knows, maybe it'll like Sousuke ride it too. He hopes so. Goten doesn't mind carrying him, flying is fun but it might be more comfortable for Sousuke if he has a bit more freedom to move around. The little yellow cloud would be perfect for that. The only issue being that it's a little picky on who gets to sit on it and who doesn't. He hasn't quite figured out why that is but Sousuke is a good person so it should be fine!

But as much as he wants them to meet, the borderline talk grabs his attention a little bit more. He's hoping Sousuke can offer some advice to help him get better at making them. Yukine was a great teacher and he did help him stop blasting holes in the ground but always having to think about that jerk-god isn't something Goten really likes to do.]

Maybe that'll work...mmmm I'll try it later. Yukine told me to focus and think of something I want to protect myself or my friends from. Thinking of ayakashi didn't work even though I want to protect everyone from them too but I'm not really scared of them...

[Ayakashi aren't really scary. He gets excited and wants to fight them. There's only one being in the Far shore that has really scared Goten and having to think about him to make a borderline doesn't feel right. Goten shakes his head dismissively and raises his eyes from his hands to look back to Sousuke. He glances breifly to his plate then back up to the shinki smiling a little.]

You eat super slow!

[That’s right you do. Sousuke’s not sure he wants to be alone trying to introduce himself to a sentient cloud that has no face and can’t talk. While he’s sure the cloud’s a decent… thing, the mental image is pretty awkward. What do you say to a cloud?]

Aa.

[Then again, the introductions aside, if this cloud is what Goten’s saying, then he’s probably going to prefer riding on a cloud to go flying than end up draped over Goten again or go flying bridal style in the kid’s arms. He still hasn’t heard of anyone else who can fly, so he’s still thinking it’s something only Goten can do. Not a normal shinki ability either. With a quiet sigh, he goes back to his food, slipping another piece of tonkatsu in his mouth.

As for the borderline, Sousuke’s not sure what he’s going to do with the training. He can tell Goten what he does, but will the other shinki even be able to do it? As far as the swimmer knows, you hold your fingers this way, say the line, and swing your arm. And out it comes. There’s no… flexing or summoning or anything as far as he can tell. It does take concentration to manipulate it beyond just a line in the direction of your hand swipe, so it’s a malleable ability at least at the cost of focus.]

That’s one way I guess? It’s different for each person. [Even if two shinki want to protect their friends, those friends are different and one’s view of protection isn’t going to be the same as another’s.] Finding what works for you best will help the most I think.

[Not being scared of ayakashi’s admirable. Sousuke still finds their appearance offsetting and he’s only faced them once (not counting those strange zombies at the shrine). Then again, it’s pretty freaky to see your own leg getting gnawed on by those slobbering fangs… But before he can go too far into thinking about that event again, Goten has to change the subject. Sousuke blinks and looks down at his food…

Then shoots the other boy a wry look.] I do not. I’ve been talking. [And he’s not going to talk with his mouth full. Or shovel his food in like a vacuum, unlike someone he knows… Though Sousuke does eat a lot even if he takes his time.]

I'll work on it. I just don't like thinking about what I don't like every time I gotta make a borderline.

[Maybe if he practices and trains more then it'll become more natural. He likes doing blasts, those are fun, but when he does that instead of making a borderline that's bad. He almost blasted Yukine after all. It just comes out so much more naturally then a borderline. But Sousuke is right. He's just got to find out something else that works best for him. It's basic advice but it's helpful and appreciated it. He's got to get better so he can protect Sousuke and the rest of his friends. Actually....that brings up an important question too.]

Hey Sousuke, that one mean god guy... has he tried to be mean to you at all? You know, since that last time?

[Goten kicks his feet absently as he makes the stool rock a bit in the sand. It feels wrong to bring that guy up on such a nice sunny day when they're about to finally do their race but it's eating at him. He wants to be sure Schuldig isn't hurting or bothering Sousuke or his god.

Also it's not his fault Sousuke takes forever eating. Goten has a efficient way of eating that just happens to include shoveling food in his face. Mouth-full talking doesn't bother Goten either so Sousuke is fine there too. If anything, the wry look being directed at him over that just gets a bigger innocent smile in return.]

You don’t have to. I don’t.

[Sousuke had to think initially about what he wants to protect to focus himself enough to keep the borderline up. But enough time using it had generated a familiarity to the point he can do the borderlines almost purely on instinct. When he wants to make one, he makes one. Of course, most of the time he makes one, he’s doing something that links to that desire to protect, but it’s never unpleasant. Saying such a thing to Goten’s presumptuous of him, but whatever. You can get multiple versions of advice from multiple people. There’s almost never one single way to do things.

Do it your way, what’s most comfortable and effective for you.]

No. I’ve not met him again since that time. He hasn’t bothered you either, right?

[The mention of Schuldig brings up those old feelings, but he shoves them down. He wants this time to be fun for him and Goten, so it’s not a place that bastard needs to come up. There are people watching for him, Sousuke’s sure Schuldig had been “present” for that entire network conversation, so any attempt by him again isn’t going to go down pretty. Besides, Sousuke’s a lot stronger now and he’s pretty sure both he and Schuldig know the same trick isn’t going to work twice. Not with what the shinki knows now.

And it is completely his fault. He’d have been done eating by now if a certain someone hadn’t stolen his food and all. You know, just sayin’. As it is, the larger shinki finishes up the last two pieces of tonkatsu a moment later and sets the plate down by the grill.]

Do you want anything else or are you finished? [He knows shinki never get truly “full” but might as well ask. If no, they can start cleaning up the grill area and take their leave.]

[Maybe if he tries and makes borderlines a lot then he won't have to think so much on it. It's just really inconvenient to shoot a blast into the ground rather then making a borderline. Something about those blasts just makes them come so much more natural. Yukine helped him around that and gave him a way to make borderlines without that hiccup but it's still not a fun way to do things. He will have to practice it more. Focus more on who and what he wants to protect rather then who he wants to keep away.

On a brighter note, at least that jerk god isn't bothering Sousuke! So then it must of worked! still, Goten can imagine that would keep Schuldig away forever. Still, when the question is redirected his way Goten blinks, sitting up a bit straighter. He laughs a little nervously, hand finding it's way behind his head. About that....]

N-not really! I just wanted to make sure you're okay.

[ Schuldig hasn't come at Goten like he had before. That much is true. But Sousuke really doesn't need to know about the deal he made with Schuldig in a attempt to keep Sousuke and his god safe. No, not when they're suppose to be having fun. Goten didn't want to bring any of that up but he really had to know. Make sure Sousuke and Rin are really okay and that Schuldig really is staying away from them both. Why should he worry the older shinki with that?

Goten hops down from the stool, landing firmly in the sand before he tilts his head back to smile up at Sousuke and offer him back the plate.]

Finished! I want more but I wanna swim with you more then that right now!

[That’s the general idea. Once you get used to something, it’s not hard for that “thing” to become instinctive or merely second nature. Sousuke’s done well with his work on the borderlines and while he initially had trouble with it, continual practice with Rin soon honed it into something he could focus on and improve with. The encounter with Schuldig, however, was the driving point for Sousuke to really throw himself into it and make the improvements by leaps and bounds. So if he can help Goten make some of the same progress, he’s going to. It’d be good to spar with him.

But if Goten thinks that kind of answer is going to turn Sousuke’s concern off, it doesn’t. The swimmer’s eyes narrow and a more serious (if not darker) expression comes to his face as he watches the smaller shinki. The straight back, the nervous laugh, hand behind his head. There’s more to that answer.]

Goten. [His tone’s quiet and he’s not letting this go.] Tell me.

[Because if Goten’s going to be focusing on making sure Sousuke’s okay, then dammit, Sousuke’s going to do the same thing in reverse. He’s not someone who likes other people protecting him even if he knows it happens. Rin has to deal with the swimmer’s huge self-reliant streak a lot and unfortunately Goten’s not an exception. He doesn’t know what it is Goten’s hiding, but if Schuldig’s been bothering him, he’s going to put a stop to it. No matter who he has to go to. Even Schuldig himself.

He doesn’t move as Goten hops off the stool, only follows him with his head and reaches out to take the plate that’s offered to him. Sorry kid, but the smile’s not returned and there’s quiet concern in Sousuke’s focused eyes.]

Aa. We’ll swim in a few minutes.

[Uncovering topic aside, he doesn’t want to barrel into the water on a full stomach.]

[That...isn't really a look that Goten is use to seeing from Sousuke. Least of all being directed at him. It makes the boy blink slowly and go still as the smile slips from his face. Sousuke is already way taller then him but that look makes him feel that much smaller. It wasn't a good idea to bring up Schuldig. He knew that but he really, really, needed to be sure that Sousuke was okay and that jerk god was keeping his word. Maybe he should have waited till after they swam and closer to the end of the day but Goten didn't want to leave it for then either. No matter what, it wasn't going to be any easier.

He lowers his eyes down to the sand, wiggling his toes in it to distract himself. He doesn't want to meet Sousuke's gaze when his expression is so heavy. Still, it doesn't change the fact that Goten can feel it. Sousuke isn't going to let it go is he? Goten takes a deep breath before slowly letting it out. It's only then does he lift his head little, shoulders falling slack. What he did was good. It protected Sousuke and Rin. So...why does he feel guilty about admitting to helping that jerk? He can't figure that out.]

It's just...he showed up looking for me to help with him prayer. I said I'd only help him if he left you and Rin alone. I just wanted to make sure he kept his promise.

[That isn't so bad is it? He lifts his gaze back up to Sousuke. See nothing to worry about]

[Sousuke knows it’s uncomfortable for the other shinki, but this isn’t something he’s willing to let go. Goten’d hinted at it and it’s not something he’d wanted to realize the smaller shinki’s been dealing with. He’s sorry the smile disappears, sorry his eyes lower as Goten looks away from him, but he doesn’t relinquish the expression. Yes, it probably would’ve been better to wait till after they swam, but as much fun as swimming will be, he’d rather help Goten if he needs it than swim. The boy’s safety’s more important and if that damn bastard is bothering him again, Sousuke’s going to deal with it. One way or another.]

Hn. I see.

[The stern expression fades rather quickly, replaced by a quiet sigh and a glance to the sea. There’s not much he can fault Goten on when he brings that story to him. He’s still not comfortable with someone sacrificing themselves for his safety; clashes with his huge self-reliance streak.]

That’s close to the reason I had to help him too. He threatened to keep hurting you if I didn’t submit.

[So they both fell in the same trap, both wanted to protect the other, and both of them got used for it. It only makes him hate Schuldig even more because that’s just sick. And it makes his skin crawl to think the guy’d staked both him and Goten out or somehow learned about their connection to each other.]

But see I'm fine. He hasn't bothered you though and I haven't seen him since then. So maybe it worked!

[Goten lifts arms and waves them up and down. His head lifts up as he stares up at Sousuke, trying to make him feel better. Schuldig is always going to be someone that scares Goten but that doesn't mean he has to think about him all the time. Sousuke either. What is imporant is that the jerk god is staying away. And who knows, maybe he disappeared even. Goten wouldn't wish that on anybody but....Schuldig is a super scary awful guy.

As long as Sousuke and Rin are fine, and Schuldig is staying away then they shouldn't be upset about anything. He's not about to let him ruin their day. Nope! Sousuke needs to have more fun. Goten got the answer to his question and it was good. He's eager to lift Sousuke's spirits back up.]

Don't think any of this gets you out of racing me either.

[Well yes, Goten’s fine now, but back then he hadn’t been. Or at least that’s what Schuldig had Sousuke believe. He’s still pissed about it, obviously, but there’s not much he can do about that now. Move forward and never forget. That’s what he’ll do. When Goten says he hasn’t seen Schuldig in ages, the larger shinki relaxes a little. He wants to believe him, and admittedly it’s rather easy to, but there’s a lingering doubt… Sometimes being protective is a bitch.]

Hn. I wouldn’t try to get out of that.

[The shadow over their little reunion passes and a small, smug expression appears on the swimmer’s face. No, he’s still got a race to win and a flying shinki to show up. There’s no way Schuldig is going to ruin that. Sousuke turns back to the grill, makes sure everything is settled, and then drains his water bottle before tossing it into the recycle bin.]

All right. Let’s go.

[Not to the waves just yet. He’s going to walk along the beach for a few minutes to let his stomach settle. Besides, they need to find something to mark their race after all… like a buoy or something.]

Good! 'cause I wouldn't let you. Nope. No way! Not when I'm gonna win.

[Sousuke's smile, while smug, is just what Goten is trying to draw out of the swimmer. Forget Schuldig. He's not here, they're both safe. It's just to two of them and the long stretch of ocean and beach. His excitement is back full force as Sousuke starts to walk. Goten;s face instantly lights up with a huge smile before he bounces up and jogs after Sousuke---passing him up. It's as though Schuldig was never mentioned. Nope. There's too much fun ahead. Goten has been waiting way to long for this.]

I've been practicing a lot so you better be ready! I donno if I can wait anymore, it feels like its been forevvvvver!

[He spreads his arms wide to emphasize his whine. Maybe not forever but to a kid, it feels like it. But it's always worth it. He'd rather Sousuke be free and feeling up to swimming then anything. At his absolute best! Boundless energy, excitement and tasty food is what is fueling Goten now. Though when Sousuke doesn't immediately head for the waves, Goten blinks at him. He stops just short water as he looks back at the teen and points in front of himself.]

Sousuke, the water is over here! What are you doing?

OVERFLOW for | 012 | The Beach Episode

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