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Alec had waited patiently until they were allowed to go back to their hometown of Shiganshina. Life in the Military had become second nature, but it still didn't beat going home to the town he loved and knew so well. Even if it meant traveling from Wall Rose, back to Maria in order to achieve this. The traveled distance wasn't that outrageous, and while Alec planned to do a few things before he had to return the Military training compound he'd spent the last few months at, he had pestered Preacher constantly about her possibly coming join him for swimming lessons. Now that they were actually back in town, the first thing the red head had wanted to do beside fulfill his promise, was see his family before heading off for the day.

They also had plans to later possibly hang out with Henrik before leaving the next day, but one thing at a time. Once the convoy dropped them off at the harbor Alec offered for the other to accompany him back to his place briefly.

"I'm pretty sure I have clothes you can borrow to swim in if needed..I'm betting sure as s**t Ashley will be glad to see you." he grinned nudging the other. They weren't far from Supply Goods, leisurely strolling keeping pace with his blue haired friend. It was almost foreign being back here, like it had been even longer than the actual amount of time having passed. The sun was high, and made him anxious to get down by the water even if he risked a sun burn. It was terribly warm, even for his tolerance.

As if on queue, the 9 year old was playing outside with the border collie Lady. The dog lifted her head hearing footsteps approaching, and upon recognizing the red head whom had adopted her bolted over barking with joy. She was also sniffing too at Preacher, wagging her tail happily. Ashley was close on the dogs heels, remembering Preacher just the same and tossing herself first at her brother hugging him, then quickly a quick one for Preacher.

"Hiii! I'm so glad to see you guys!" her green eyes gleamed with childish wonder, giggling. She had no idea as to their plans to go swimming. As it was she was just pleased to see her older sibling more than anything.

"Yeah, its no problem I'll grab you some shorts and a shirt of mine. Unlike Preacher, he owned a fair amount of clothing, besides just the pristine uniform the pair both wore. The red head quickly assured his friend, it wasn't like they'd just throw away all his things. With both of them being about the same size, they could easily share clothing thankfully. Just as well, Preacher seemed easily caught up in the moment. Of course Alec's eyes went a little wide as Preacher leaned in whispering. He knew right away who she was asking for, and about. "Hmm, yea sure, I don't mind." He whispered back, glancing at his sister.

Ashley all the while watched the two older teen's exchange their whispers, looking with wide eyes and rather considerate. She had gotten taller in the last 3 months, she was over 4 feet now, perhaps even taller than the bookish girl Lenore. Before long she might even be taller than her sibling with time. "Yeah! I have. Daddy measured me I'm taller! You guys look sooooo cool in uniform by the way!" The girl sighed, a sense of longing burning in the child's mind to follow after her brother. This she kept ot herself. Ashley looked proud of herself, puffing up a bit. "Oooo! Bring me where?" The girl instantly asked the second they weren't speaking to one another.

"Swimming down by the Lake outside town, you wanna go?" Alec grinned at his sister, unable to keep the amusement out of his voice. He quietly thanked the Walls Preacher adored the girl, convincing his sister to stay home would have been a chore.

"YES!" She bounced up and down happily bobbing her head wildly in agreement. "Please! I totally wanna go yeeeeey!" Ashley cheered racing back towards the house after being told to get her clothes. Lady gave one last lick to Preachers hand before racing after the excited girl.

Supply Goods was on the bottom most floor, a well stocked, and well run business. Above, was the family's home. Each sibling had a room, and the parents their own. Alec waved for Preacher to come up the stairs leading into the dwelling above ducking into his fairly well kept room rifling for clothes they could both wear out. "Bathroom is around the corner if needed, here." He tossed out a pair of shorts, and shirt as promised to her. Forever modest, Alec waited patiently for the other to leave before changing out of his uniform clothing.

Ashley's enthusiasm was at least not limited to everything and anything to do with shouting. While jovial, she rarely actually made a habit of shouting that much. As soon as her feet hit the house, she bolted up the stairs zooming into her room to change. If Preacher was thrown off by what he considered to be normal, and typical Alec didn't notice. He was thrown when Preacher said she didn't own any other clothes. "I dunno how that'd work back on base, but you can have something of mine if you want?" He offered, with no strings attached or requirements of return. While they were in town, if she needed something he was sure within reason most of their clothing were interchangeable.

He had all but literally flailed into his closet when he realized Preacher was going to undress right then and there. Alec hadn't meant to make the scene comical..even if it was rather strange he was sure. Once he was fully out of the uniform, he carefully folded it as they'd been taught back on base. With that done, he stepped out of the closet, dressed in a tank-top and shorts.

"On the chairs fine, i'm setting mine on my dresser." He answered her, instead of calling out muffled through the door. He set his clothing down as indicated, now staring at Preacher who was flopped across his bed. Alec arms crossed over his chest making a nervous sound that ended in awkward laughing. How much longer was Preacher going to keep teasing him! Walls. Did she happen to know something that he did not? "What secret? 'n I told you...I do like him ya. Why does it matter!" Alec asked in retort squinting at her suspiciously. It was silly, they wrote each other letters, and Henrik was always very kind to him. He had a sense of humor, and was thoughtful even if he smelled a bit like the earth he worked from. Surely it was nothing serious, just a passing fancy on Alec's part he would grow out of.

A red brow was arched then, waiting for her explanation. Alec was about to ask for more information when his sister wandered back in her bathing suit and shoes, having already grabbed 3 towels, and asked her mother for permission to go out. "Come on slow pokes!" She flung one of the towels at her brother first, Preacher's following right after unaware she'd interrupted the older girl's talk of secrets nor the origin of her brothers flustered expression. She was too busy grinning, humming happily.

Alec was quiet for a long while, not exactly blushing but looking very serious like he was thinking. While he had a perplexed look on his face as he sat with her by the waters edge keeping an eye on his sister as she splashed around, oblivious of their conversation for the moment. "Preacher, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say, or do." He spoke quietly whispering to her. "I hope he doesn't think I don't like him." He sounded quietly, biting on his own lip some talking quietly. He left it unspoken he doubted it was anything too serious. They'd bonded over the letter exchanges, or so Alec believed at least. This certainly made things confusing but unless he talked to the man in question this wasn't up for debate anymore.

They could focus on swimming and he'd worry about this later.

"I'll just have to talk to him about it." He finally said shrugging slightly. "Yeah, lets talk about something else ok." Alec agreed quietly. He wasn't angry, he'd wait to talk with the source of all this gossip. It wasn't a lot to go off of information..but he acknowledged her with a nod of his head. It wasn't like he was going to turn the tables and press her about Axel, so they could agree to drop the topic."Come on, lets give this a try shall we." he got up, going to join his sister in the water and easing himself in backing up just a bit. " 's start with back floating since thats pretty easy." He assured her (hopefully) with his confidence she could take to the task. "When you lie back, relax, you aint gunna drown I swear. I've got you." Alec noted pointedly, aware of her fears.

Ashley choose then to pop her head out of the water, looking pleased her brother was finally in the water, and now looking to Preacher expectantly, waiting watching like a hawk wanting her to join in the fun. The younger girl hummed thoughtfully calling out in a sing song voice sloshing water around. "Preacher! Seeee like this." She let herself lay in the water, casually showing off.

"If I wanted to drown you I would have tried to hold your head under water!" Alec replied in a lackadaisical threat. His grin betrayed the comment, not even fathoming holding such ill will against Preacher.

Ashley's green eyes sparkled with consideration at her calling her half a mermaid. "Momma says that all the time, you know me so well like a big sister kinda!" She laughed, switching from her back to gracefully keeping herself aflot upright, remembering the first time her brother had shown her and making this process easier for the older girl.

"Oooo I know I have a brother, but can you be my sister too!" She chimed looking on in earnest.

Alec wasn't sure how the navy haired girl would take to the question. Ashley didn't always do that to people. She'd done it to Lillian before many years ago, and not it seemed like Preacher had joined that consideration. Forever solidifying their friendship. "Yea, next is treading water. Its the same idea, instead you move your legs in small movements like so--" He demonstrated, also moving his arms, before keeping a close watch over his friend should she sink like a lead balloon. The sun was almost getting to the point were they couldn't stay to much longer. Eventually they might burn, but for now it was all fun and games.

Alec for a long moment stared at Ashley as she blathered out her suggestion. The two siblings had briefly discussed the idea and agreed it must be so. However, Alec hadn't exactly expected his younger sister to launch into asking Preacher so soon. Yet, he trusted the small girl in her infinite wisdom. He'd been worried for the navy haired girls reaction but she seemed to take to the notion just as easily and well as she had swimming.

When Preacher accepted, Ashley merely smiled proudly looking absolutely beside herself with delight ducking out of sight off to give her skills a test an extra pep in the girls step all the while.

A mischievous gleam in his blue eyes as Preacher announced he had best watch himself. "Nah! Its you who better look out." He replied back unafraid of her light hearted threat. "However I am fine with it." Even if she was laughing like a deranged person, it made him nearly doubled over from laughter especially when she blew bubbles. He floundered in the water slightly making a splash here and there as he tried to control his laughter fit. Finally, he managed to calm down sitting back up slowly exhaling slowly.

He realized she'd asked him a question he gave a small nod to the other trainee. "Yea, tomorrow we'll go visit with him. Mom'll likely have us help her cook dinner. You and Ashley can share a room if you want, or I'll take the sofa whatever you want." He added in conclusion, letting himself drift in the watering hole sighing dramatically.

Alec didn't exactly know what he was getting himself into, the other fifteen-year-old didn't give him an indication of what she wanted. He merely trailed after her as requested not thinking twice she might be plotting something. The red head was about to ask her what sort of experiment, when his shoulders had been grabbed, pulled forward into a surprise kiss. Their lips met, not exactly matching the embrace of lips but not wanting to hurt her by shoving and potentially drowning the other trainee.

His eyes went went, color flushing his pale face staring at her with a wide eyed expression the moment passed after several heart beats before pulling back from Preacher, just enough so he was away from her face. Whatever this was supposed to be, it defiantly wasn't what he'd expected her to do. It was sudden, like the idea had popped into her head and she'd rolled with it. Regardless, Alec was left to stare at his friend.

"....what in the walls was that for? What sort of experiment is this even?" Alec's tone was borderline comical, stammered and a bit of a hushed whisper as he blinked at her in disbelief. Thankfully his sister hadn't seen a thing surfacing to float lazily on her back. He'd never have heard the end of it otherwise. While Alec wasn't angry, he certainly wasn't sure what to make of Preachers sudden action.