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The beach was not on the list of acceptable locations that Wednesday would be willing to spend her time at. It was too noisy, too crowded and often too hot for her to handle. Alas, it was Tyler's request that they go. He was keen on getting her to experience new things. She should have put her foot down, insist that he go without her. At least she wouldn't be standing in the sand that was burning her sandal covered feet amid the happy screams that was making her wince and under the scorching sun that was making the back of her neck damp with sweat.
Tyler owed her for this.
He looked excited, she noted. He'd never been either but for an entirely different reason; simply put, the sheriff worked too much and didn't have the kind of money to throw around for a road trip and hotel stay. Wednesday wondered what sort of power paid behind those puppy dog eyes of his that made her acquiesce so quickly. "Where do you wanna sit?" He asked, carrying a small cooler and a folded up umbrella.
"Anywhere is fine," Wednesday would see where he picked. So long as they were far enough away from the water and other people, she would be fine with his decision.
They soon found a spot. It was adequately far from the tumbling waves and bothersome people. Wednesday was satisfied. "What are we supposed to do? Do we sit down?" She said, eying the sand in distaste.
Tyler simply smiled, laying down a long blanket. "Sit on this." The umbrella was next, plunged deep into the sand. Wednesday let out a breath of relief at having a bit of shade over her. As if he could sense her thoughts, he said, “Do you want me to pin your braids up or something? You’d probably be less hot.”
“I’m fine,” came her automatic response.
“Mhm,” he drawled.
Truth be told, the heat was draining her. Wednesday nearly fanned her flushing face but refrained, knowing she would hear a remark about it. “I only wore my hair differently because of that ridiculous dance. It is fine the way it is now.”
“Quit being so difficult, Addams,” he rolled his eyes as he peeled his shirt off.
Wednesday did not bother to reply, not when her eyes caught sight of a small group of girls not too far away staring openly at Tyler. She frowned. That would simply not do.
“Put your shirt back on,” she ordered.
“What?”
“Put it back on or I will do it for you.” Only Wednesday was allowed to see him shirtless. Those other girls had no right to look at him. He did not look any different than any other male, after all. Yes, perhaps his muscles were toned and did look perfectly golden in the sunlight, but it did not mean they should be looking his way. If they did not watch themselves, they would be mysteriously impaled by the umbrella Wednesday was currently sitting under.
Tyler followed her gaze over to where the aforementioned girls were, understanding the issue immediately. “Are you jealous , Wednesday?” he said slyly.
“I don’t get jealous. Much less for someone like you,” she’d hoped it would sting, get him to forget about the topic, but much to her dismay, he laughed .
“Fine. I’ll just go see if they wanna go for a swim.”
A swim? Oh, that couldn’t happen. She could just imagine they would find every excuse to run their hands along his smooth skin, practically drooling as the water droplets would fall down his chest.
“ No !” She stood up, a defiant glint in her eyes. “I will swim with you.”
Should those girls try to follow, Wednesday would be there to keep an eye on them and put them in their place if need be--preferably under water. Although some part of her regretted it. Wednesday could not swim, never being in a situation where it was vital to know how. There was no backing out now and she wouldn’t . Tyler didn’t need to know of this. Perhaps she could stay close, not wading out far and that would satisfy him for the time being.
As they passed by the group of girls, Wednesday shot them a scathing look each.
“Yup, totally not jealous,” Tyler muttered under his breath.
“They are ogling you, Tyler. I will not allow it.”
“Relax, Cockroach,” his arm slid around her waist. “I only want you.”
“I know that.” Wednesday trusted him completely. If he made the unfortunate decision to cheat, the sheriff would simply receive the skeletal remains of his son many months later.
The water came rushing at them in large, thick waves. Wednesday was wary by this, her movements coming slower, not wanting to get any closer but knowing she had to. Tyler let go of her, beaming. He’d been looking forward to this part. She hadn’t thought she would be down here, her feet sinking in the wet sand, water up to her ankles.
“Come on, Wednesday!” Tyler called. He’d gone out a bit further, water sloshing around at his abdomen. She remained where she was, squinting against the sun with folded arms.
Her legs felt heavier as Wednesday strode out into the deeper water. Joining him, she stared at him even as he smiled at her. Her expression didn’t change even as he kissed her cheek.
“It’s okay, I’ll keep you safe.”
“I don’t need you to do anything for me.”
“Even though you can’t swim?”
She was surprised. How did he know?
“It didn’t take a genius to figure out,” he answered her unspoken question with a shrug. “I’m guessing you never went to the beach either?”
“No.”
“Thought so,” he said. “Don’t worry, I won’t make you go out anymore.”
As if he or anyone else could make her do anything .
A few seconds of silence passed by and he suddenly said, “Oh, look. It’s a jellyfish.”
Intrigued, Wednesday looked around. She would like to bring one back with her as a souvenir.
But then, there she was. Dunked under the water and resurfacing with a strangled gasp.
Her vision was blurry, eyes stinging from the salt water. She could barely make out Tyler, who was overcome with a laughing fit at her expense.
“ Tyler Galpin!”
“Yessss?” He said, batting his eyelashes.
The water was dripping off her, her soaked hair clinging to her. It made her look like some stupid wet dog caught out in the rain. “I will make sure no one will ever find your body again,” she whispered furiously.
“ Wednesday! Are you really doing sexy talk out in public?” he said with mock shock.
She opened her mouth to dole out more threats but then they were hit by a wave. It didn’t do much to Tyler other than get his hair wet like hers. But Wednesday was smaller than he was, the power of the wave started to make her move--and she might have panicked.
Until strong arms wrapped themselves around her. “I got you,” he said soothingly.
She let out a deep breath. This was out of her control and she did not like situations that were out of her control.
“Do you wanna go back a little?” He asked.
Wednesday Addams was no coward. She shook her head. “I am fine here.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind.”
“Yes, just-” She stopped, not wanting to utter the rest. “.....don’t let go of me,” she finished, lowering her eyes so she wouldn’t have to see his.
It was because of that, she didn’t see his expression soften. “I won’t,” he promised and she knew he wouldn’t.
She leaned her back a little closer against his chest, feeling more secure than she wanted to admit.
While Wednesday was certain she would never become a huge fan of beaches, she could appreciate getting away from their usual life and responsibilities.
She wished she hadn’t forgotten something very critical.
Sunscreen.
The next morning, after struggling to get out of bed due to the pain that made every single movement excruciating, she was horrified at her reflection.
The girl who despised color was now bright red .
Tyler laughed at her until he had tears in his eyes.