"WE'RE AT THE BEACH!" Tommy and Tubbo celebrated as Wilbur pulled into a parking lot. Techno hadn't been joking when he said he'd bring a bucket to throw up in if he needed to, though he was half-joking when he said he'd let Tommy and Tubbo bury him in sand.

The sun beat down brightly and warmly, the air frying and the water crisp and cold. Techno was limping along the shore with the help of Phil, and water occasionally lapped at his legs. When a larger wave pulled back and swept over his knee, it didn't hurt like Techno had thought. The salty water even seemed comfortable.

Wilbur decided that they would set up their towels and umbrellas, drinks and food, and anything else they managed to bring, a little ways away from the water. Techno wanted to try to swim, he felt better in the water.

"I'm... not sure. What if you have a coughing fit, or your leg isn't actually able to function, and you hurt yourself further?" Wilbur asked, concern in his eyes. They looked amber against the sun. It's warm out today, warmer than it usually was.

"I won't go far, then. I'll be in deep enough to swim, but not deep enough to drown." Techno tilted his head slightly. Wilbur visibly thought about it for a moment, before finally giving in.

"Fine. But if you need help, shout something, like... I dunno, withers." Wilbur joked, Techno smiling at that.

"Sure thing, button boy." Techno basically purred. Wilbur chuckled at this, helping Techno to the water.

Tubbo hadn't been joking when he said the beach was empty. It wasn't eerie, just empty. In California, the beaches had been packed. Everyone had wanted to see the water, especially in the areas where it was a clear teal. 

(now that i know from experience. california is hot though q.q)

Techno slid into the water, gasping when the water reached to his chest. It was still comforting, in a way that words can't explain very well. The rose in his knee didn't effect him, and when water splashed the side of his head, it didn't effect the one in his mouth or his ear.

"THE BLADE IS IN THE WATER!" Tommy laughed, and Tubbo flinched, not realizing Techno was only a little ways away from them. 

"Be careful with him," Phil called, smiling. "He's still awfully fragile."

"He's not old!" Tubbo called back, not hearing Phil over the water in his ears. Everyone laughed, and you could hear Wilbur laughing from the car. 

"That's not what he said, big man." Tommy smiled, and Tubbo made an 'ohhh' sound, shouting a quick 'oh, sorry!' back to Phil, who was still losing his shit.

"Nah, he's over twenty, he's old." Tommy nudged Tubbo, whispering something in the boys ear. Tubbo lit up, and ran onto the beach, looking for something in his bag.

Pulling something out, he ran back into the water, covering Tommy with a splash, and gave the item to the sputtering boy. Tommy took it, and held it in the air.

"HEY, TECHNO!" He called, and Techno gave him a look. He was flexing his leg under the water, glad he could move it without the looming pain from the rose.

"What, Tommy isn't it?" Techno called, earning another snicker from Wilbur, who set up a chair next to Phil's. He also had one of those bright blue surf boards next to him, letting it take in the suns heat for a bit.

"CATCH!" Tommy shouted, throwing what Techno could now identify as a ball.

"Oh, you're on!" Techno smirked, jumping to catch it.

The playful fights and mini battles continued for a few hours, until the sun began to set. The sky was painted a red-orange, and the water looked similar to a sea of blood from afar. It was almost terrifying, but in a comforting way, to people passing by. The sun closely resembled an egg yolk, setting behind the blood sea. 

The boys were out of the water by then, tired out, leaning on each other as the gentle wind dried them off, and as they began to fall asleep on each other. Even Techno, though he wouldn't be admitting that any time soon. He felt his eyes close, and he blinked them open again, but was out before he realized he had closed his eyes for longer. 

Maybe... maybe visiting his online family wasn't so bad... And he had also learned to be a better person, and that murder is cringe.

He would've laughed at that last one, if he was still awake and able to process his own thought process.

---

pay close attention to the ending parts. 

Also.. does this chapter feel shorter, or is it just me?

Right, it's not over 1000 words...

wonder what that means.