Late Summer/Early Autumn 1987 || let's go to the beach beach

[theunpressuredclub]

There's just a little bit of a chill in the air that's starting to touch the waters. That's what Rachel's using as a partial excuse for the long-sleeved nature of her swimsuit, at least. Andrew had accepted the statement with a smile that only just hinted at the worry behind it-- he was just glad she was coming out with them at all, at this point. She'd been cooped up and more than a little withdrawn from the for too long.

But she's easing out of the heartache, now. She's stopping short of making her way all the way to the shoreline because she's too busy taking in the beauty of the water.

"Oh, it's beautiful."

"Told you so," Andrew says with a rough kiss to her cheek, "C'mon. Let's go play."

Comments

[ofthecubs]

It feels a lot like a 'finally.' And that's certainly what Argine is grinning about, even as she turns to look forward again--and even though her fingers are absolutely lingering around Andrew's without thought.

Edgar would be happy to take note and see and be ready to tease forever, of course, but that there's still Rachel smiling right next to him. Her grin is beyond captivating.

"Thanks for actually coming."

and now i am actually asleep :3

[theunpressuredclub]

Andrew certainly won't point it out, because he certainly doesn't mind it. May even give a bit of a squeeze back, in response.

Something which Rachel, too would be definitely teasing about, if it weren't for the fact her attention is very much on the dark-haired young man beside her.

"'m really glad I did."

but are you asleep now, 22 hours later :|a

[ofthecubs]

They're on vacation, so to speak. They're somewhat removed from the rest of their lives. They're surely allowed to be a little bold, a little careless, a little free.

Surely no one will notice if Argine's fingers wrap just a little more snugly for the moment around Andrew's. Surely no one will object if Edgar's arm squeezes a little tighter around Rachel's shoulders.

Or, hopefully, if his lips manage to brush briefly against her temple before he lets go completely. "This mean you'll come out with us more often, then?"

I should be but I'm not B|

[theunpressuredclub]

There'll be no objections from Andrew. There'll be a bright grin from Rachel as her skips a beat from the touch of his lips to her temple.

"I'll definitely think about it."

We're both bad at that game, admittedly.

[ofthecubs]

The hand-holding is actually quite easy to see, even from farther back where Edgar is wandering with Rachel. Catching up would also actually be quite easy, if they wanted to.

But... maybe hanging back together isn't the worst thing in the world. Maybe it's actually incredibly nice. "Don't just think. Promise, okay?"

That we are!

[theunpressuredclub]

They can all stay where they are, for now. They can all cling close to the person they care about more than feels right to say.

It only takes Rachel a moment to think on his plea and nod, her own lips lifting to kiss him on the cheek, "Promise, Ed."

But it's cool when we're bad in the same timezone~

[ofthecubs]

She's going to have to give Edgar a second. And then another second. He's at a good age, generally, for using his charm as a defense mechanism--a forcible attempt at 'playing things cool'--but everything utterly fails him for a moment.

Apart, of course, from a beaming grin.

It's the best o/

[theunpressuredclub]

It's nice to see him flustered, for reasons she's not quite willing to acknowledge for herself.

Better to just grin back at him for a little while, before letting her attention be caught by the fact her cousin's still holding Argine's hand.

"Hey-- look."

/smothers with snuggles

[ofthecubs]

It's good to have something else to focus on. It's impossible not to let out a barely-stifled 'whoop' of amusement.

Clearly, it's not quick enough; Argine's head absolutely whips around, fingers startled from Andrew's.

/all them all :D

[theunpressuredclub]

Rachel's elbow digs into Edgar's side to no avail, an apologetic glance aimed at Andrew. Her cousin flushes nonetheless, turning bright as a tomato as Argine's hand falls away.

"Guess we should wait for 'em," he says, attempting at lopsided smile at the young woman beside him.

And one day we'll learn to actually sleep. Maybe.

[ofthecubs]

"Sorry!"

Edgar's moan--obviously pained from the intensity of Rachel's elbow to his ribs, complete with a bit of stumbling and dramatics--is clearly audible from further down the beach. Argine's cheeks will join Andrew's in turning a brighter shade of read. "Y-Yeah. I-- think so."

Anything's possible!

[theunpressuredclub]

"Edgar," Rachel huffs at him, "You are the least subtle person I've ever met."

"Suppose here's a good place," Andrew says, still clearly flushing.

<3!

[ofthecubs]

There's no attempt made to argue. It's a fairly true statement, after all; particularly with matters of the heart. Edgar's not sure it'd be worth to try anything else. "Honestly, though, don't you think they-- need a push?"

Not unlike, perhaps, someone closer to home. Like himself.

And not like Rachel will be given a huge amount of time to answer. Argine's very much angling to catch hold of her friend's hand now, after all, while trying to force the red from her cheeks.

<333

[theunpressuredclub]

"Not like that," she says, and she might've said more, but she's being grabbed hold of and can't.

Andrew will have to swoop in instead, trying to raise a brow to cover his blush, "So."

[ofthecubs]

Holding hands with Rachel isn't at all the same as holding hands with Andrew, but it's also a whole lot easier in quite a few ways. It's more natural already; easier to just swing their linked fingers quietly as she pulls them to walk just a bit farther ahead of the boys.

Throwing an arm around Andrew's shoulder isn't at all the same as around Rachel's shoulder, but it's as instinctive as breathing. "So."

[theunpressuredclub]

It's easy to hold hands with Argine. It's absolutely comfortable to grin briefly at her best friend as they get to walking.

It's just as easy for Andrew to settle into Edgar's hold, blush fading just a bit in lieu of the easy smile that he can't help but have around his best friend, "Good day?"

[ofthecubs]

There's something entirely perfect, Edgar's certain, about leaning here with Andrew and watching the girls wander ahead. There's something beyond comforting about having all of them here together--and knowing how many lines are being drawn between them in all directions.

"Really-- really good day. Don't you think?"

[theunpressuredclub]

"Really good day," Andrew agrees, his head settling contentedly on his best friend's shoulder as he watches Rachel and Argine up ahead.

"'m glad we did this."

[ofthecubs]

"Have t' do it again." There's sheer determination in Edgar's voice, albeit underneath the softer contentment. "No buts. 's-- 's really good. For--"

And the forward jut of his chin is somewhat noncommittal. It could mean for the pair of girls before them generally. It could mean for the burgeoning Somethings that seemed a little easier in the air out here.

It does actually mean those things a little, of course, but more than that, he means it's good for Rachel.

[theunpressuredclub]

"It is good," Andrew agrees, with every sentiment it possibly could be. But more specifically, it really has been good for his cousin, "She looks--"

Happy, with her hair still more than a little soaked and another free laugh echoing back towards them. It's been so long since they've seen that spring in her step.

[ofthecubs]

"--yeah."

And, now that she's smiling again, they have to keep it that way. There's absolutely a briefly tight set of determination in Edgar's jaw about it.

"'sides, Argine spent the whole day on the beach."

[faithfulclublet]

"She did."

And some part of him is really disappointed in that. He doesn't look into it too deeply, for once. He's too busy feeling reassured by the determined set to Edgar's jaw.

He always hoped his cousin would find someone who cared about her being happy just as much as Andrew himself did.

"So we've got t'get them both out here again, clearly. Or-- do something else that's fun."

[ofthecubs]

"Just seems like this'll be the easier fight. They already know they had fun, right?"

Because all of them--Andrew included--sometimes needed to be convinced that they'd actually have fun doing a fun thing. Proof positive couldn't hurt.

And look what a good job not talking about Argine in a bathing suit. Rachel should be proud of the actual attempt at subtle.

[faithfulclublet]

"Very true."

It likely would be easier to convince now they'd done it. Maybe they could even convince Argine into a bathing suit.

Edgar doesn't mention it-- and Rachel would be proud of the subtlety-- but Andrew's mind still goes there anyways. Maybe if he's lucky his friend won't comment on the sudden flushing.

[ofthecubs]

Alas, he's used up all his subtle. Thankfully, the unsubtle is just a bright grin and a tight squeeze, with the slightest smack of a kiss against his best friend's cheek.

"Dork. We'll come back before summer's over, at least."

[faithfulclublet]

At least it's the sort of unsubtle Andrew can handle. He smiles just a hint ruefully back at his friend, rubbing at his cheek.

"Sounds like a plan."

[ofthecubs]

"Gotta do it quick, though, before the water gets too cold."

It's mostly subtle. Mostly.

And it's followed up by a squeeze and a quick letting go to jog ahead and throw his arms around the girls instead.

[faithfulclublet]

"Definitely."

Even though he'll keep blushing just a little bit when Edgar runs off to the girls. He'll let Rachel greet him with a bright smile before catching up himself.