clear blue water

dean andersen. 22. marine biology student who loves the sea.

[confessmessina-blog]

these carters are really in over their head, huh? the big guy’s lusting after half the fucking football team and his idiot little sister’s into some straight chick. pathetic.

(via confessmessina)

Scotty and Lucy are lovely people. They’re both helping me clean up the beach and they’re ten times nicer than you are.

[confessmessina-blog]

who’s gonna tell indy to quit being such a dirtbag and accept that people are only interested in what’s underneath her skirt?

(via confessmessina)

Stop it, Indy is a princess.

[tfwdean-blog]

.lbrlucy:

Oh! I’m with you now, nice. Where’s Nadia at? Join the fray, boo! Your family needs you! Che and Mellie? I haven’t met them, no, but I totally know who Mellie is. Asides for Indy’s ‘main bitch’, that is - her words, not mine. And if I’m putting 2 + 2 together, Che is the ‘tall glass of sexy with the oceanic eyes’? I’d apologise for exposing Indy but I kinda doubt she cares. Yeah! I’m sure he wouldn’t mind, I’ll talk to him for you. You’re doing a really great thing, y’know. Seems unjust that you’ve gotta miss out on so much of your Spring Break because of the incompetence of others, though. 

I think Nadia is much to sensible to live with all of us and our chaos! That’s who Mellie is! Not that she’s a b*tch but that’s what Indy calls her in a nice way. And yes, that’s Indy and Nathaniel’s nickname for Che and it always makes him blush. Oh, well... my spring break would mostly be spent down at the beach anyway but not for partying... So I’ll probably end up hanging out at the aquarium while everyone else parties, because I like going there too. Three seal pups were born last week!

[tfwdean-blog]

.lbrlucy:

I was kidding, you’re totally good. No secrets must be spilled, promise. Is Benji your… brother? Sorry, I’ve actually heard Indy talk about you guys but… I mean, she talks a lot so, I dunno. Yeah, he is! He just texted back and said ‘yo’, so I told him to follow you. Let me know if he follows you so I can kick his ass if he doesn’t! You’re really nice, man. We’re both happy to help, though. I’ll ask my buddy James if he wants to help out too. The kid loves to clean.

Benji is my cousin! So are Nathaniel and Jacob. I only have one sister and her name is Nadia but she doesn’t live with us. Che and Mellie do though, but I don’t know if you’ve met them yet. He did follow me! That was really nice of him. If your friend is willing to help, that’s amazing. The more the merrier! With more of us, it won’t take long to help!

[tfwdean-blog]

.lbrlucy:

Oh. That’s kinda sad, dude. You deserve to be heard! I’m here, i’m all ears. Tell me your deepest, darkest secrets. It’s fine, it’s only the internet, nobody could possibly find out. Alright, but for real, sometimes it’s better just keeping your head low and letting everyone else go at it, huh? Scotty? I mean, sure, but he’ll make time. Oh, hey! He just texted back, said he’s reading our conversation right now, which means I’ve gotta say all nice things - Hey brother bear! - and that he’ll do it. I mean, it’s Scotty, so he sorta said it in fewer words, but hey, the sentiment is there!

Oh... I don’t think I should tell you any of my secrets, especially because we’re on the internet and anyone can read what we’re saying... But yes, it’s more peaceful to stay out of their arguments. Benji thinks so too. Oh, Scotty is reading our conversation? Your brother Scotty? Hello, Scotty Carter! :D Your sister is really nice and thank you both for helping out. 

[tfwdean-blog]

.lbrlucy:

Nah, i’m not brave. He’s just not as slick as he thinks he is. Your cousins? Why, what do they do to you? Oh! Dude, that’s cool. And true, she’s gotta care about the ocean and the beach, right? It’s, like, her number one spot. Oh my God, please. Scotty ain’t all that, he’s a total kitten at heart. I’ll text him now, and I bet he’ll say yes! But hey, Dean. Nice to virtually-meet-ya! 

They don’t do anything to me, exactly. But they’re all really loud. Even Hadley and she’s just a baby. So it’s hard to be heard sometimes and eventually I don’t bother speaking up. It’s not worth it when Nathaniel and Jacob are already arguing with each other. I suppose it will be nice to talk to him face to face, but I know he must have lots of other things on... It’s nice to meet you too!

[tfwdean-blog]

.lbrlucy:

Eh, not quite. I try to avoid any contact with vermin, but y’know. I don’t back down, and he doesn’t like that, so. Wait, for real? That’s dumb. Oh, you know Indiana? You’ve gotta be pretty tight if she’s willing to end her Spring Break helping you clean up, wow. Good for you guys, though. Uh, yeah, that’s him! You know him? He’d totally help if I asked, though. I’m positive. And, hey, ya never know! He might ask a few of his football buddies to come along, too? 

Oh, you must be pretty brave. I back down a lot. Even when it’s with my own cousins. Indy is my roommate! And I know she cares about spring break a lot but she’s like me and cares about the ocean too. I know who he is, but I’ve never talked to him before. He’s really popular. So are his friends. It would be really amazing if they helped out! Oh, I’m Dean, by the way.

[tfwdean-blog]

.lbrlucy:

No, totally. You can have fun without being an ass! You wanna get drunk on the beach? Toss your empty cans into the trash, it’s easy. You’re more sensible than I am, I guess. Yeah, totally! Lucy Carter, jot it down, man. You got many people offering to help out? I could ask my brother, he might consider it?

That’s what I think too. What do you mean I’m more sensible? Do you keep in Grant’s way? You’re the only one that’s helping me so far, Lucy. Although I think that Indiana will help me. And I’ll convince Nathaniel and Benji, I’m sure. And if Nathaniel does it, then maybe Will and Laurel will as well. Is your brother... Scotty Carter? Do you really think that he would join in? Wow.

[tfwdean-blog]

.lbrlucy:

That… actually makes a whole lot of sense. I mean, we’re people, but we wouldn’t want our houses being treated all gunky and people littering all over the places we call home, right? So why’re we doing that to animals? I mean, love your environment regardless, but shit. Remember the animals too, right? Makes sense about Grant, though. He’s a jackass, sorry. I’ll totally help you out, man.

Exactly! The animals shouldn’t have to deal with all that. That doesn’t mean that people should stop having fun, but they can have fun and be environmentally friendly too, right? It’s okay about Grant, I usually just keep out of his way. That’s great that you want to help out though! Can I put your name down?

[tfwdean-blog]

Hello to all of my internet friends! I’m just making this status because I know that it’s spring break soon and a lot of you will be heading to the beach. When this happens, the beaches don’t really get treated nicely and there’s a lot of litter and stuff left on them, and that’s really, really bad for most of the animals who live there. So I’m wondering if there are any people out there who would like to sign up to help me clean up the beaches after so the animals don’t get hurt or stuck, and it will be really good for the environment too! I had a sign-up sheet at uni but Grant Morley tore it up and I thought I might have better luck here. Thank you for taking the time to read this!

[tfwdean-blog]

TEXT: HUNTER

Dean: oh, happy birthday, hunter! i hope you have the best day ever :)

[tfwdean-blog]

TEXT: AMELIA

Dean: Hi Amy, happy birthday!!!!!

[tfwdean-blog]

.tfwprior:

One look in the stranger’s general direction was enough to put Prior at ease. Nothing about him seemed particularly threatening, nor did he seem to be in any danger, which was what Prior had been most concerned about. In fact, standing ankle-deep in water with a bemused smile on his face, Prior felt a little foolish to have assumed he was about to put himself in any danger whatsoever. The stranger seemed perfectly content amongst the waves, much more so than Prior would have been in his position. He was already lamenting the loss of his shoes, and wincing at the sharp ocean air. Preparing to utter a hurried and embarrassed apology, Prior opened his mouth and moved to step away, when suddenly the other man flung himself forward.

A sharp howl of surprise left Prior’s mouth, louder than he’d imagined himself capable of, as the man’s shoulder made contact with Prior’s own, sending him hurtling backwards. The only thing that kept him from tumbling backwards onto the damp sand was the man’s hand, clutching tightly to his shirt sleeve and acting as a grounding point. A pain shot through Prior’s shoulder as he used his free arm to immediately begin massaging the spot. The librarian had never quite seemed to grow into his wiry frame, always at odds with his own body. Prior was, instead, a sum of sharp edges and pale skin that bruised far too easily. It had been the case ever since he was a young boy, when he’d been too thin and gangly to fight his own battles, and he remembered with a mixture of revulsion and pride the bloody noses Melody had donned in order to fight off his bullies for him. 

“Ouch.” Prior found himself mumbling, as though by instinct. Squinting in the dark, Prior’s eyes moved up to the man’s face to find his eyes blown wide in abject terror, his tone equipping Prior with a sense of urgency as he rooted himself to the spot. He hadn’t been aware they’d been joined by any turtles, and he resisted the urge to lift up his feet to ascertain he hadn’t crushed one underfoot. Instead, he watched as the man sunk to his knees, seemingly unaware of the cold water that was certainly taking an effect on Prior. 

“Oh, I’m really, very sorr-” he started, before pausing quietly to watch the man at work. With a gentleness that seemed to be second nature to him, he scooped up one of the tiny turtles in the palm of his hand, as though it were something he’d been doing all his life. Prior sucked in an astonished breath, bending over slightly as though to get a better look, although he had no inclination of wetting any further than the hem of his trousers. 

“Extraordinary.” he exclaimed, already shaking his head at the man’s explanation. Wisps of dark hair fell into his eyes, and Prior pushed them away hurriedly, immediately looking around for more turtles. “Oh, you’re - you’re quite alright. I just wasn’t expecting to be shoved. I’m sorry about your turtle!”

Prior softened immediately as the man shot him an apologetic smile, and he quickly concluded it was probably hard to stay very cross with a sweet face like that. 

“Oh!” Prior said, wiggling his toes a little despite himself. Screwing up his nose cutely, he turned to his companion and stated, “Tickles, doesn’t it?”

Trying very hard not to move, Prior looked down at the animal scrabbling over his foot, probably making his journal toward the crashing waves a great deal more difficult for himself.

“Should I help it? I - are these your turtles?” he questioned, curiously.

Now that Dean was at ease with the stranger on the beach, he only hoped that the other man was as equally relaxed in his presence. Dean doubted that he looked the slightest bit intimidating though, what with his sandy bare feet, oversized swimming trunks and obnoxiously striped orange-and-white t-shirt. Nathaniel had threatened to shred it, burn it or throw it in an acid bath too many times to count but Dean had pouted and hugged it close to his chest, claiming that it reminded him of a clownfish. He wore it proudly and was now able to ignore the offended looks his cousin shot him whenever he dared wear it in public. All in all, he didn’t look like a threat at all, just a strange young man spending his night with a bunch of baby turtles on the beach.

Relieved when he had stopped that one turtle in particular from being crushed under the newcomer’s foot, Dean returned his focus to helping the rest of them make their way into the surf. When he realised that the whole scene had garnered the attention of the man next to him, Dean looked up and grinned.

It was hard to find people who were as enthralled with an event like this as he was. Watching the eggs hatch, allowing hundreds of tiny turtles to break free and scuttle across the sand was one of the best ways to spend an evening in Dean’s opinion. He didn’t much like the idea of partying or flying loop-de-loops in a plane like Nathaniel, or speeding down a ski slope like Benji. Dean definitely preferred spending his night in the company of the sea-dwelling creatures, where the only sounds were the crashing of the waves and the occasional snuffling of Max by his side. Well, that and the new addition of the stranger’s quiet exclamation.

“It really is!” Dean smiled, thinking that ‘extraordinary’ was a perfect way to describe the hatching. As the waves washed more of the tiny creatures further into the sea, Dean supposed he should feel a sense of melancholy to watch them go. After all, he had spent the past two weeks whiling away the hours on the beach until the sun came up and he dragged himself home. When he was away from the stretch of sand, he was anxiously worrying that he’d miss the hatching, but ever since the first eggs had cracked open and the very first turtle had tumbled out to explore its surroundings, Dean had been there. He would definitely miss coming and helping them when the last little baby took its first shuffling steps with its flippers, but he’d just let his excitement grow in anticipation for next year where he was sure to return.

Another giggle sounded from Dean when the man off-handedly commented about the tickling sensation of the turtle crawling over his foot.

“You can help him if you want! Just put him in the right direction so he gets into the water, and then the tide will do the rest of the work,” he commanded gently, still crouching in the sea.

As another three babies flopped and splashed in the shallow water before disappearing, Dean fondly watched them go. Max appeared by his side, resting his big old chin on Dean’s shoulder, and the boy reached up to pat his dog’s head, just to reassure him that he wasn’t forgotten about either.

When the man asked him if the turtles were his, Dean simply wrinkled his nose, very amused.

“What?” he exclaimed, as if it was the silliest thing in the world. His turtles? What on earth would give him that impression? He wanted to giggle but remembered that it was rude to laugh at others, but he couldn’t really hide the smile on his face, try as he may.

“Oh no, they’re not my turtles! I don’t own them, I’m just helping them,” he explained. “They’re not anyone’s turtles. Their mum is in there.” He pointed out towards the watery horizon.

His shoulders moved up and down with silent giggles, but they halted when he took the time to recall the soft ouch the man had let out before when he’d been man-handled by Dean. Dean had been a little preoccupied with making sure none of the turtles were hurt to pay attention, but he definitely remembered the sound the man had made. With wide eyes, he looked up.

“Did I hurt you earlier?” he asked timidly. “When I grabbed you? I’m sorry.”

[tfwdean-blog]

.tfwprior:

It was dark outside by the time Prior finally left the hallowed halls of Wellington’s largest library. Of course, the building wasn’t actually holy, but Prior certainly talked about it as though it were. Every library seemed like a grand sight to behold for the avid history geek and book lover, but Wellington’s library he was especially fond of. It was compiled of towering bookshelves and eager students, backs bent as they poured over the text at hand. Prior had often seen a few reading so intently that their noses brushed the page. It was a sight that was all too familiar to him and was probably the reason he now couldn’t see further than the end of his nose without wearing glasses. It also helped that he liked the people he worked with, the girls in Peter Pan collars, and young Henry, who was always blushing and telling him interesting things regarding Botany. Prior was especially fond of him.

It was with Henry that Prior had spent the last hour or so, despite the fact that neither had been scheduled to work so long or so late. It had been to Prior’s chagrin when a large group of students had traipsed through the books shelves, carelessly plucking large volumes from their homes and setting them down at their makeshift workspace for the evening - two tables, noisily pushed together. They’d chattered loudly among themselves, consumed food and drink in the library, and generally set Prior’s teeth on edge until they disappeared. Prior assumed they’d left some sort of group project a little too late, and would have been happy to see the back of them, had they not forgotten to put the books away. Prior and Henry had set to, Prior somewhat grudgingly, in finding homes for the various books, and generally tidying up after the careless students. By the time the library was in any semblance of order, Prior’s arms ached and he was suppressing a yawn.

Now, Prior faced the long walk home in near-darkness, the only source of light being the chemical yellow glow of the streetlights overhead, which Prior continually dipped in and out of as he walked. His satchel banged against his leg as he walked, weighed down by the three new books he’d checked out that night. Heavy and leather bound, Prior was sure it wouldn’t do any good to the perpetual shoulder pains and crick in his neck he suffered from. Still, he was looking forward to cracking them open in bed, and presumably falling asleep with his glasses still on. He’d broken more than one pair doing that.

Determined to say underneath the streetlights, Prior stuck to the same winding path home, which eventually gave way to the beach. Depending on the path he took to and from the library, Prior often passed it, and whilst he liked to look, he stayed wary of the lapping waves and what lurked underneath. He’d never been a particularly strong swimmer, and had memories of being taught to do so alongside his sister, and choking on water and chlorine as Melody splashed him over and over, roaring with laughter. 

Despite the darkness awash the beach, Prior thought he could see a figure among the waves. Even with his poor eyesight. Curious, Prior stepped onto the ledge that stopped the stand spilling onto the pavement, narrowing his eyes in order to see better. There seemed to be a figure, ankle deep in water, completely engrossed in whatever they were doing. Prior frowned, immediately jumping to the conclusion the stranger was in some sort of danger. God, he wasn’t about to witness the person throw themselves in or anything, was he? His stomach twisting sickeningly, he called out.

“Hello!” he shouted, wondering if he could be heard over the wind. “Are you alright over there?”

Gently, Prior stepped onto the sand, toeing off his shoes sheepishly. What followed was an ungraceful hop across particularly damp sand, hoping he wouldn’t have to tackle the man on the beach (he could see now it was a man) or perform spontaneous CPR, or something else he’d be terrible and useless at.

“Sorry,” he called from a distance, adjusting his glasses as he approached. “I uh, saw you from the path. Are you quite alright?”

Dean was by no means disobedient. When rules were set out, he generally liked to follow them, as getting in trouble made him blush furiously and bow his head in shame. It seemed to happen a lot whenever Jacob came home from one of his flights to find the apartment in disarray after himself and Benji had failed to stop Nathaniel from throwing yet another party in the eldest Andersen’s absence. Benji had always said that Nathaniel did so just to spite Jacob, and that the two of them had no control over what their cousin did and didn’t do, but Dean still couldn’t help but feel embarrassed when Jacob fixed his angry glare on him. Not at all eager to have anyone else look at him like that, Dean liked to keep his head down and do as he was told, although he tended to slip up sometimes, especially given the new freedom he had been granted when moving out of his parents’ house and being allowed to go to university.

Despite no longer having to check in with his mother and father every time he left for university and arrived home after class, he had still been instructed not to go anywhere by himself – especially the beach. Ever since Bay’s disappearance all those years ago, the sandy stretch of beach had filled Dean with melancholy, but his parents with fear. The idea of their son, although twenty years old now, wandering along the shore by himself at such a late hour, would send them into a tizzy. However, Nathaniel and Benji wouldn’t dare tell on him and he doubted Jacob cared enough to take note of his absence. So, he was free to while away his hours next to the ocean, waiting for the turtle eggs to hatch and making sure that Max didn’t eat any or crush them with his oversized paws.

Each night that week had brought with it a new set of hatchings and Dean had always dropped to his knees immediately in order to lead the baby turtles across the sand and into the sea. He had giggled in delight every time Max sniffed curiously at them, even giving one a nudge with his large, wet nose and sending the tiny creature toppling into the waves where he could join his brothers and sisters.

That night had been no different and, torch in hand, Dean was shining a pathway for all the little turtles that were scuttling forward in the hopes they would meet their parents in the big blue. The waves crashed around his ankles and he wiggled his toes in the surf, feeling seaweed wrap around his heels and pebbles scrape his skin. He knew Nathaniel didn’t like things like that and had yelled in horror when one particularly spiky piece of coral had jabbed him. It had taken hours and hours of reassuring from Dean to convince his dubious cousin that he hadn’t stood on a stone fish. Dean, however, revelled in the feeling of the water moving around him, having never found anyone since Bay that shared that feeling. And then he had been allowed to meet people outside of his family and had befriended both Bret and Indiana, who both shared his affinity for the ocean. When he heard a voice call on him from across the stretch of sand, he half-expected it to be either of his friends, but the voice lacked Indy’s femininity and Bret’s German accent. That meant it could only be a stranger, and Dean’s grip around his torch tightened.

Although his heart had begun racing under his t-shirt, he told himself not to be so silly and not to jump to any conclusions. It really wasn’t that late, and the beach was open to everyone. A familiar flare of annoyance made itself known and Dean, who tried to never think negatively of anyone, was once again shocked to feel a spike of resentment directed towards his parents. Their own paranoia had rubbed off on him over the years, making him fret over the mere sight of another lone figure walking along the beach.

Max, having sensed his owner’s hesitance, nudged Dean’s hand and the boy jumped a little, before giving his dog a soft pat. Quickly, he returned his attention to the person walking towards him, and let out a rather loud and obvious sigh of relief. It was only another man who looked to be around his age, even if he might have been the tiniest bit older. Still, he didn’t look threatening at all.

“Hullo,” he smiled, although his expression quickly turned to one of horror when he realised where the man intended to step.

“Watch out!” he cried, hurriedly lunging forward and using his shoulder to rather rudely bump the stranger to the side so he wouldn’t step on one of the turtles who had nearly found its way under his foot. Any other time, and Dean would have blushed at how bold he had been, but his alarm cancelled out his embarrassment and he clutched at the man’s sleeve in warning.

“You nearly stood on one of the turtles!” he exclaimed. His tone wasn’t accusatory, but rather gave way to how distressed he was at the mere idea. He let go of the man’s sleeve and quickly dropped to a crouch, the waves washing up around his knees and soaking his shorts, but he didn’t mind. He quickly scooped the sea turtle up into his hands and allowed the water to carry it further out to sea.

“That one was a little bit slower than the rest,” he mused, before glancing over his shoulder and fixing the man with a serious look. “I don’t think it would have gotten out of the way in time. I’m sorry I pushed you though.”

He smiled apologetically up at the man, who didn’t look like he was dressed for the beach at all. A delighted giggle bubbled in his throat suddenly, and he pointed at the sand. “One is going to crawl over your foot this time.”

Sure enough, one of the turtles was attempting to pull itself over the man’s bare foot and Dean only hoped he wouldn’t immediately pull his foot away in shock like Nathaniel would surely do if he were in that position.

[tfwdean-blog]

TEXT: FINN

Dean: Hello, Finn, happy birthday! :) x

[tfwdean-blog]

@deanandersen: it's my favourite time of year again! turtle hatching season!

@deanandersen: please be careful when you're at the beach these next few weeks. lots of baby turtles will be there!

@deanandersen: if you can, help them get to the sea and please be patient with them! they're only babies :)

[tfwdean-blog]

@indycheers: I had no class today which would have been fine if I wasn't looking hot as shit in this outfit, wtf

@indycheers: So I hope my entire contact list enjoyed those snapchats of me looking gorg!

@deanandersen: @indycheers they were really pretty pictures, indy :)