pullmeoutalive | Hold me like the river Jordan;

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Hold me like the river Jordan;

[ it's strange to be back here again. Not that Makoto found being near the ocean to be a particularly odd thing, but it's been a year, and so much has changed since then. They hadn't been as well known back then. They could run down the beach or leap into the ocean or get hit on without fear of being overly crowded (though the latter was mostly Miki). For the time being, staying in the ocean had kept recognition to a minimum, and the other idols had split up to stay low and relax in their own different ways.

In Makoto's case, the ocean was still the place to be, and she's happily trotting towards it after some additional time spent on dry land (mainly keeping the twins from burying the Producer completely). Is she expecting company?

No, but at least she's open to it. ]

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[The grip is an anchor to reality. And for some reason, her words make him laugh. Only for a short period of time, of course, because then a wave does a good job of splashing him right out of it before it can become hysteria but...

They'll go back together.]

A-alright.

[He thinks he can do that. It takes an immense amount of willpower to move from that spot, but slowly, he manages a swim stroke forward.

Right. Okay. He can do this.]

[ there's an encouraging smile, before she releases his hand. He'll need both of his arms to swim faster, if he can manage that, but as she lets go-- ]

If it gets too much, you can reach out. I'll be right here, okay?

[ and she will, matching her pace to his and keeping him in sight. He may be bigger than she is, but she'd like to think she has enough strength to keep him afloat if anything causes him to sink. ]

[He doesn't respond to the words in any verbal way, but his swimming strokes do get more firm and controlled. He can't think about how he's being chased, or he'll panic again--he can't think about it at all. So instead, he thinks about Makoto, and matches her strokes, and it works.

They're swimming, and they're synchronized, and when they reach the shallow water, Makoto knows they're safe.

And so he takes a deep breath, shuddering, and splashes right out of the water and onto the beach, for a moment just convincing himself--

They made it.]

[ it's weird to have this kind of unity with someone outside of her fellow idols, to realize they're trying to match each other, and that it's somehow working. Either way, it gets the job done, but even Makoto's a little tired when she stumbles out of the waves and staggers upright.

... Followed by a tight hiss when sand and that scraped sole mingle, and she plunks right back down on the sand and stares up at him. ]

... Good job!

[ and there's her cheerful smile, like it was just that, just a refreshing swim. ]

[...and he just flops down on the sand next to her. Her smile is infectious, and despite how terrible he's feeling, he can't help the sheepish smile that appears on his face in return.]

Ha...

[And he pauses to look out over the ocean, and then just resolutely closes his eyes.]

Sorry about that. I didn't expect it to get that bad.

Shouldn't I be the one apologizing? I might've forced you into it...

[ it had been a little scary, to see him like that. ]

...I'm on the swim team...It doesn't seem too much to me to ask someone on the swim team to swim.

[He's so embarrassed it hurts, now that the panic is fading away.

Ah...life...]

That's not wrong, but there's a big difference between a pool and the ocean!

... Um, but you already know that. More importantly, are you feeling better?

[ because she hasn't seen anyone freeze up that much since Chihaya, and that's still a memory that makes her chest ache. ]

I'm alright, thanks...

[Of course, he'd say that even if he wasn't, but that's just how it goes. He doesn't want her to worry so much...and even if his own chest still feels tight, he's not panicking anymore, which is an improvement.

He just drapes his arms over his knees and sighs, watching the water drip from his hair onto the sand.]

...It used to be all swimming, but...I've gotten better about it, in the pool. I'm sure that'll happen for the ocean, too.

[he's really not so sure, since the ocean is the very root of those fears, but hey. He's trying.]

[ a swimmer who had trouble swimming...

Well, trauma could do that. She knows all too well. ]

... You're amazing, Makoto-kun. [ she's dripping just as much, but that doesn't stop her from resting her cheek on her knees and looking his way. ] I might not know what happened, but facing your fears like that is incredible. All the same, you don't have to force it, either.

[...ah.

It's really funny, because despite everything, despite the friends that were there for him (in their own ways) at the time, nobody has ever said that to him before.

Haru hadn't understood at all, in fact, and Rin had been supportive, but baffled. So this is...absolutely startling, and he can't quite help his look of astonishment.]

That's...

[And he sighs, shoulders slumping, but looks a bit more relaxed than he did before.]

Thanks, but I'll be alright. Though...maybe I'll hold off swimming in the ocean for a bit.

That's fine! [ she might feel guiltier than she has in months, but Makoto's never had a problem with smiling. ]

I think I've done enough swimming for one day myself. If you don't mind company, anyway.

Are you sure?

[He looks a little wry at that.]

I don't want to keep you from your swimming.

I got a lot in, so don't worry about that! And besides, getting to spend time with a friend has always been more important to me.

[...oh Makoto-chan, how are you so sweet...

What he does say, laughing sheepishly, is--]

You're very cute, Makoto-chan. In that case, I'd appreciate the company.

[ the comment catches her off-guard, and heat pools in her cheeks before she lifts her head-- and bashfully studies her sandy feet instead. ]

Y-you think so...?

[ sometimes she hears it from Yukiho or Azusa. Boys, not so much. ]

I mean, obviously you're really brave and strong-- [really, you helped him out in a panic situation like whoa] --but yes, I do think so.

[she's adorable okay.]

[ this is a little too much for her, and maybe she's turning even redder, but she'll try to dispel that with a breathless sort of laugh. ]

... Thanks. S-so, did you want to just walk?

[What a cutie. But Makoto just stands, stretching for a moment (still shirtless, oh yes those abs) and then offers Makoto a hand.]

I wouldn't mind seeing more of the beach. I've never been to this one before.

[ she'll reach out to take that hand, pulling herself to her feet-- and after some consideration, subtly shifting to take some of the weight off her other foot. Maybe she'll grab a band-aid later to keep this from becoming irritating. ]

It's a nice one! It doesn't get too crowded, either-- especially when the sun goes down.

[It's subtle enough that he doesn't notice it--yet. Yet.

Instead, he nods.]

Well, I'm sure Haru will be busy swimming for awhile, so it can't hurt to take a walk.

[he's suppressing his mother hen nature, but it's for a walk, so it's okay. It's helping him get his bearings, after all of that.]

Just let me know if I'm keeping you! You did come here with your friends, so I don't mind.

[ but for now, she's keeping up a lively pace. Not jogging or anything, but she does like her movement.

Her occasionally ginger movement once they get a little further on said walk, but shh. ]

It's funny... about a year ago, no one had any idea who we were.

[He's watching her because she's talking, because it's just polite--which is why he's starting to suspect something is wrong.

...though her words distract him for a moment.]

That must have been tough as idols. But now you're pretty popular now, right? You must have been doing something right.

[being cute idols fits the bill really.]

[ it's okay, she's distracted too. ]

We all worked really hard, and in the end, it paid off!

... I kind of miss not having to try and stay in disguise sometimes, but I've had a lot of opportunities that I wouldn't give up either.

[He'll get you next time you show any sign of pain he'll get you.

ahem.]

I can imagine that must be tiresome. Still, it shows just how amazingly popular you all are now!

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