for the most part oliver doesn’t make it a habit to spend a whole lot of time outside, especially if there’s a storm coming. but he’s trying to make his way back from boots with a few things that he needed that he couldn’t get elsewhere. just trying to make sure that he’s able to stay stocked up on everything that he might need just in case he does end up losing power sometime during the weekend. this trip has managed to make him more on edge than before.
it wasn’t enough that the market was packed — it looked like a tornado had swept through it. he actually had to fight some one for the last box of advil. the situation had done nothing to curb the anxiety that had managed to manifest itself at the market, in fact it’d only made it worse.
which is why he’d decided to take the long way home, praying that the rain would at least hold off until he’d managed to get safely inside his flat. hazel eyes glance out toward the beach as he zips up the zipper of his rain jacket higher to attempt to kept out the wind. oliver isn’t exactly sure, but he thinks the wind has picked up since he’d been inside the drug store.
at this point in the storm forecast he is not expecting to see anybody outside, especially heading toward the beach instead of heading home. with a tilt of his head, he calls out to them, probably stating the obvious. “hey! you know it’s supposed to rain right? a lot”
the boardwalk ends and sand shifts beneath his feet — not exactly ideal for running under the best conditions. it makes him hesitate, half moving in place like his body is stuck between jogging and a child pulling it’s feet out of the mud. normally he would just run near the tide where the beach is packed down, a bit more solid but even he doesn’t want to stray too close to the waterline right now. neil’s an idiot, sure. reckless, definitely. seeking a thrill for the sake of overcoming his fears, absolutely. he is not, however, suicidal.
blue eyes, nearly grey in the dull light, glance toward the crash of waves. he thinks idly of water houses but swiftly pushes the thought away. it’s not the season for them. not that it would matter with weather like this. wrong sea, he tells him. myth. his something more is far less mystical and much more land oriented.
fucking oliver of all people drags his attention back to brighton’s skyline, the pastel buildings in direct view lackluster in the storm-light. neil almost sprints directly for the ocean just to get away from his co-worker; to drown out the sound of his obvious warning. the skies have already told him. as has the mailman, addy, and every local weather station for the last week (not that he actually owns a tv).
neil can’t even help himself, the anger burns too bright under his skin, hot hot hot to make up for the last few months of mild manner; he practically yells back, “i never would have fucking guessed, oliver! looks like a damn dream out here! thought i might go for a fucking swim!”