"Hm.." he murmured. "It sounds nice." *** He laughed slightly. "What was that for?" *** She nodded, looking up at him. "Yeah."
She nodded slowly, her voice sounding a little softer. "It was." * * * "I don't know," she admitted. "I felt it was appropriate." * * * "Why is that? Tall?"
"Well, we'll visit one day. Even if it's a different side." *** He squinted before tapping her nose back. *** "I guess," she said. "Also how it makes me feel and it's really pretty."
She was quiet for a moment before speaking. "I believe you." * * * She laughed, rolling her eyes playfully. "None of that." * * * He rolled his eyes, kissing her forehead. "You're sweet."
He nodded, brushing her hair back. "Good." *** He squinted. "You started it." *** She pursed her lips before pulling away. "I'm gonna keep these shells, so I'll go put them in the car."
She fell silent again, and not much time would pass before he would realize that she had fallen asleep, her hand flat on his chest. * * * "You're bullying me," she replied pointedly. * * * "Will you come back?" he asked, looking down at her.
He looked down with a frown, staying there unmoving for a bit. *** He gasped. "I am not!" *** She looked over at him. "Yes.. Or you could come with me and we could set up a fire."
She was dozing, not completely asleep, but she snapped awake, her eyes flying open and she sat up, shrugging off his arm in surprise, obviously disoriented. * * * Lucy laughed, shaking her head. "I think we're camping out here tonight. You good for sharing a bedroll again?" * * * "That sounds better," he agreed. "Let's do that."
He blinked, sitting straight. "Aisling?" *** He nodded, stretching. "Only if you are." *** She nodded, offering her hand. "I hope it's not too sandy."
She looked back at him for a moment, looking totally bewildered before she remembered. She relaxed, lying back against him. "Oh... sorry." * * * "Someone's gotta take care of you," she teased gently. * * * He seemed confused, taking her hand. "The... beach?"
He tilted his head, brushing her hair back. "Are you okay?" *** He flushed slightly, shaking his head. "I'll be alright." *** "Well, sleeping on the beach."
"Yeah," she said, waving away his concerns. "I just forgot where I was for a second." * * * She grinned at his blushing, tapping his nose before pulling the bedroll out of the car. * * * "I see. Yeah, it'll be good, sand or no."
"Huh.." He stood slowly. "Let's get camp set up so we can sleep." *** He followed, rolling his eyes at her taps. *** "I dunno. I don't like sand in my clothes."
She nodded sleepily, standing up and stretching with a yawn. Despite her increased comfortability with him, her posture was still alert and severe and she offered a hand to him to help him stand. * * * She unrolled the bedroll and began digging a shallow pit for a fire. * * * "We could sleep in the car, if you wanted."
He took her hand, starting back towards the car. *** Jaz went to get wood, collecting it from the sand and bring it back. *** She looked up at him affectionately. "We'll see."
The handholding seemed to unnerve her a little, but she looked down at it thoughtfully, tilting her head as her fingers intertwined with his. She had a ring on her pinkie finger. * * * She looked up at him, grinning. "What would I do without you?" she asked cheerfully. * * * "It's up to you. I'd be happy anywhere."
He was observing her, tilting his head.as he gestured to her pinkie. "What's that from?" *** "Eh," he said slowly. "You'd be just fine." *** "I shall decide when we get to that point."
She blinked, looking down at it curiously. "Nothing significant," she said after a moment, looking up at him. "I found it while exploring my first time out." * * * "No," she said, shaking her head adamantly. "I would be lost." * * * "I trust you," he said with a small nod.
He tilted his head with interest, saying nothing again. *** He rolled his eyes. "Uh huh. Sure." *** She nodded, putting their shells in the car and getting their sleeping mats, setting them next to each other.
She looked over at him thoughtfully for a moment before a small smile crossed her lips as she considered him. "I really mean it, you know," she said quietly. "I do think you're lovely." * * * She huffed, sitting on the bedroll. "Don't be dumb." * * * He watched her work, running his fingers through her hair before kneeling down next to her.
