I was the only one paddling today. Rei actually didn’t want me heading out, not without learning to swim first but I can’t be bothered. I never learnt as a child and I don’t really want to learn now. It’s just troublesome. Rei realised I was going whether or not he came with me so he settled for holding onto me while I paddled. He was sulking the whole time but I don’t mind. Not when he’s helping to protect my skin from the sun.
Despite all his earlier protests, Rei made me go around the island today, pointing out where the reef ended and how to spot certain currents. I accidentally went too far and the waves almost swept us into the rocks. For the most part, though, it was alright. The island was mostly surrounded by shallow reefs, thus the calmer waters.
Rei showed me the cave exit on the other side of the island. It was near there when we had that little scare with the waves and the rocks. I don’t think Rei ever held me so tightly before that. Anyway, it wasn’t possible to get to the shore inside the cave though. The reef around it made the waters far too shallow for the boat to cross. But as he said before, there were dilapidated boats there. I could see that much. It was a bit like a lagoon though, smaller rocks surrounded the shore, almost like a rock pool but one big enough for people to frolic in.
After that, I brought us back to this side where the houses stood. My arms, my shoulders, and my back are aching like hell. From what I’ve seen, getting to the other side by sea really is a bad idea. Be it swimming or by boat, it’s just too risky. Considering what Rei rambled about walking through the cave the last time, it sounds like that’s the easiest way after all. Though I still have no idea what else is in there that he doesn’t want me seeing. He’s still quite against my going in.
Anyway, I guess I’ll trying fishing out on the water tomorrow. I hope my body doesn’t protest too much.
6
Soaking in the cold bath, Sho sighed in relief as Rei slapped a towel on his sore skin. After multiple days of cold baths in a row Sho had hoped for a hot one to relax in but alas, it would be far too painful to bear with the sunburns he had sustained. Perhaps he truly wasn’t meant for this seafaring life after all.
Gently dabbing at Sho’s skin with the cloth, Rei clicked his tongue in askance. “You’re staying indoors if tomorrow’s sun is as harsh as it has been these two days,” Rei said. He wasn’t giving Sho a choice.
“We’re almost out of food though. And-”
“I’ll get the food,” Rei cut Sho off irritably.
“Are you… are you angry with me?”
“I don’t understand how you’ve lived till now if this is how you take care of yourself,” Rei grumbled. “First you run a fever, then you tell me you can’t swim even though you’ve been at sea this whole time, and then you get these burns and you still want to stay outside even more and make it worse.”
Sho couldn’t help but chuckle at Rei’s grousings. When Rei turned away to rinse the cloth, Sho leaned against the back of the tub and looked over at him. “Maybe I like being taken care of by you,” he grinned.
“Are you saying that this is my fault?” Rei muttered crossly.
“You’re a perk in my predicaments,” Sho replied, merely smiling at Rei when he turned and narrowed his eyes at Sho.
With a frustrated huff, Rei threw the towel back at Sho and marched out of sight, his shimmering robes fluttering after him. Unsettled by how upset Rei seemed, Sho quickly stepped out of the bath, dried off and dressed. Heading to the front of the house, Sho searched for Rei and found him seated on the walkway, leaning against the wall of the house.
As Sho approached Rei, he began to mutter to himself. “I don’t know what’s the point of me being so concerned for you when you don’t even seem to care about yourself.”
“You really don’t have to do this, you know?” Sho said, sitting down next to Rei. “You can just… let me deal with things myself.”
Rei stared at him as if Sho had just said the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard. “How am I supposed to leave you alone like this?” he snapped. “You’ll wreck yourself by the end of the week…”
“No, I won’t,” Sho chuckled, pulling Rei to him. “Why are you getting so worked up? Hm?” he asked gently as he brushed Rei’s hair away.
“Because I care!” Rei flared, slapping a hand on a patch of tender skin on Sho’s calf. “And you’re being reckless!” Sho hissed and winced as Rei continued, “Will it kill you to listen to me and just stay indoors?”
“Mm… If you really insist…” Sho muttered reluctantly and rubbed the back of his neck.
Rei suddenly sprang up, held Sho’s face in his hands and kissed him, surprising Sho. He almost fell back from the momentum but quickly stopped his descent by thrusting an arm behind him. Sho wasn’t sure how to react to this. The last time Rei did this was after he had drunk a bottle of rum. But this time…
Sho was about to return the kiss when Rei suddenly pulled away. Hands still cupping Sho’s face, Rei looked him in the eye with a serious expression and said, “One more thing. Never, ever, ever go onto the water without me.”
“But I’ve been fine so far, haven’t I?” Sho protested.
“You’ve been lucky,” Rei retorted. “What if you fall in when I’m not around and the waves swallow you?” he challenged. “I’ll never see you again…”
“It’s a good thing you’re coming with me when I leave then,” Sho smiled, attempting to placate Rei. Perhaps this afternoon’s close shave was a little too close for Rei.
“Sho…” Rei’s hands slid to Sho’s shoulders, distress in his eyes as he gave Sho a squeeze. Looking away, Rei put a hand on his forehead, over his eyes. “I… What am I getting so upset over…” he muttered with a sigh and his lips in a wry expression.
Sho leaned forward and put his arms around Rei, letting Rei rest his head on his shoulder. He didn’t know what to say as Rei let out another sigh while making himself comfortable in the space between Sho’s legs. Looking out to sea, Sho noticed that neither the moon nor the stars could be seen tonight. Clouds were probably responsible for that.
As a chilly wind blew inland, Rei sat up and turned to face the sea as well. After a moment, he said, “Sho, let’s go inside.”
“Do you think it’s a storm?” Sho asked, slightly worried. If the weather was too violent, neither of them will be able to head out to gather food.
“Maybe,” was the only answer that Rei offered while his eyes were fixed on the sea as if trying to see something in the darkness out there. Sho waited. Rei hadn’t moved yet; things probably weren’t that bad.
Rei put a hand on Sho, pulling Sho’s attention to him. “We should close the storm shutters for good measure,” Rei said, still staring into the distance.
“Like, now?”
Rei nodded. As he stood up with Sho, Rei began to stare at the water beneath the walkway and backed into Sho, pushing him into the house without looking at him. Once indoors, Rei had a stern expression on his face as he wordlessly slid the shutters outside of the house close, sealing the front.
“Rei? What’s wrong?” Sho asked, perplexed by Rei’s sudden austerity.
Eyes glued to the shuttered entrance, Rei barely moved as he said, “Don’t go out when it’s raining.”
“That’s a lot of don'ts coming from you tonight,” Sho muttered, folding his arms as he raised an aloof brow.
“I’m trying to keep you alive,” Rei stressed, frowning slightly as he continued watching the shutters.
“It’s