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Depths

Zeke stilled in the water, but he didn't seem very concerned as amelvin stared fixidly over his shoulder. Curious, more like. He turned his head to try to catch a glimpse of whatever it was that caught the blonde's attention.

Arrangements

The was a considering pause, a few seconds for Zeke to take a long swallow of his drink. Then he was shifting forward, long legs drawing in so he was sitting comfortably in the center if the tub. It left room for Melvin to slid in behind him.

Depths

If their conversation leading up to this point had been anything other than what it was, there was a good chance Melvin's attempt at playfulness would have been taken as just that.

But it wasn't.

Hands on his shoulders shoved, and Zeke's legs buckled before he had a chance to brace for it. He went under with a startled grunt, and instinct took over. He grabbed for the other man's legs, hands curling around the fronts of his thighs, and kicked against the sandy bottom to push himself upward again. As he broke the surface he pushed with his arms to send Melvin up and over his head, and away from him. "What the ********, Melvin?"


arrangements

When Melvin settled the other man straightened up again, sliding back a bit. "Definitely relaxing." The water, the warmth, even the sounds of the ocean outside the window. And certainly the drink wasn't hurting either.

More relaxing than their moonlit swim, that was for sure.

Depths

There was a long moment where Zeke just stared at him, processing what he said with what just happened, and after a moment it seemed to click, because the tense eased from his shoulders, arms lowering into the water again.

"You really have to work on your timing." It came out a little gruff, not entirely happy. "You just spent the last ten minutes talking about how you could drown me, in all seriousness I might add. How exactly did you think I'd take suddenly being forced under?"

To Zeke's credit he managed to keep his voice level. Not exactly patient, but as close as he could manage as he reminded himself of the twisty way Melvin's mind seemed to work.


Arrangements

It wasn't often Zeke was the one being held onto. Sure, Ever draped against him from time to time, but it was usually him holding onto people. Having Mevlin's arms looped around him was different, new.

After a moment or two he tipped back the rest of his drink, possibly bumping Melvin's head off the back of his neck in the process, but settled back against him instead.

Depths

"Of dying. I believe I asked you multiple times, and specifically, if I should be worried about you attempting it, and you never gave me a clear answer." The tension was gone, but he still seemed put off. Even as Melvin swam back over.

"I would really rather not accidently hurt you or start a fight over a misunderstanding." It was earnest. "You want to talk about the dark s**t that comes to mind, fine, but don't turn around and use that subject matter in a joking fashion. We deal with enough s**t trying to kill us, fight or flight is pretty much hardwired in at this point."


arrangements

"Do I?" He let himself settle into that foreign warmth, eyes half closed. Watching the waves as Melvin's arms tightened around him. Different. But he'd tip his head at the brush of lips beside his ear, stretching his neck out.

He wasn't sure how well things would work out, given their personalities, their preferences, but he was willing to see.

Depths

Zeke puffed out a long sigh as he watched Melvin head back for shore. Not entirely sure how to fix the awkwardness that had sprung up again.

After a moment the taller man moved to follow, a thoughtful frown resting on sun darkened features. They'd figure it, probably, but Zeke had a feeling it wouldn't be the last misunderstanding.


Arrangements

They seemed to have moved past the awkwardness from the beach, or at least enough of it for Melvin to take advantage of the invitation of skin Zeke had offered him. It had the redhead closing his eyes, and a soft of his arms let him rest his hands on the other man's calves where they rested along the side of his hips.