Limnophobia: Your muse saves mine from drowning.
Beau had always heard about the New York beaches during his travels but when he finally managed to go and see one, he was pretty put out by it. In fact, Beau was pretty sure in saying it was one of the ugliest beaches he’d ever seen. Flat and grey with waves that looked more like ripples on the water. Almost as soon as he’d gotten there he wanted to go back to the Institute. But on the rare free day Beau didn’t want to be the Debby Downer that spoiled the day. So he’d set up camp on a chair on the fringes of their little group’s square of boring beach, half glad he hadn’t bothered with his trunks.
He’d been half asleep when he heard the yelling. Jerking awake and motivating towards the screaming Beau was startled to learn it was Aspen struggling out there in the water, clearly caught up in a rip tide and too tired to fight it well enough to escape. He took one look around the beach before stripping off his weapons and tossing them on the sand. Leaping into the chilly water Beau swum out to Aspen, determined to get her out of harm’s way. Looping an arm around Aspen he pulled her to him, treading water for a moment so she could suck down some air. “Kick with me. Left and then right. Repeat. Got it?” Beau didn’t wait for her answer before dragging her with him as he fought the currents.
For a moment he didn’t think he’d be able to break the current but then they were through and he was swimming back towards land. It took longer than he’d have liked but he was tired. Dragging them both out of the water Beau deposited Aspen less than gently onto the sand. She’d forgive him for it later probably. Dripping wet Beau didn’t bother getting up past kneeling for a long moment, breathing hard. “Next time.” He paused to take a deep breath. “I vote we go somewhere. A little less dreary, hmm?”