The bustle of city goers makes it almost impossible to get where I need to go. A mix of people dressed in business suits and tourist passing by feels like I'm stuck in a tidal wave. No matter how much I push and shove, wave, and wonder, I end up stuck behind another slow walker. Why?

"Damn, I need these croissants!" I grumble.

Food critics have been raving over the brilliance of these croissants, and so I need them. Breakfast food, well, all food has been our thing. Having these croissants in the picnic basket is going to make an excellent edition. Nobody mentioned the shop is stuck between business buildings and tourist destinations.

When I arrive at the shop, I shuffle through a group of stagnate pedestrians. I swiftly walk up to the counter and order a couple of takeaway croissants. The young serving girl nods her head and begins packing a set of croissants into a white cardboard box. I pay for the food and then leave.

With the box in hand, I rush down the sidewalk to return to my car. On the way back, I bump into someone's shoulder. I quickly jump to the side as I look over to see the person. A small smile tugs onto my lips when I realise it's actually Axel.

"What are you doing here, stranger?" He laughs.

"Um, picking up food." I wave the box and smile. "How about you?"

"Working, actually." Axel points his thumb over his shoulder. I lean to the side to see his motorbike cheekily parked on the sidewalk.

"Oh." I frown. "I don't think I ever asked what your job was."

"I'm a delivery driver. Something about super important documents or something like that." He shrugs.

"Ah, that's cool." I smile. "What are you doing later on? We should catch up."

"I have my new roommate moving in tomorrow, so I'll message you when I'm free," he replies.

"Okay, sounds great, and good luck with it."

"Good luck with your food, and see you later." Axel awkwardly waves as he returns to his motorbike. I slowly pivot around and then continue with my journey. In the background of the bustling city, I hear the revving engine of his motorbike racing down the street.

When I arrive at my car, I put the food in the picnic basket and hop into the front seat. I reverse out of the parking bay and then head to Blake's house. I sing along to the radio to help pass the time. Traffic is a nightmare until I hit the suburban area.

Thankfully, the drive to Blake's house isn't too long. I park the car on the curbing and then walk to his house. As I walk down the pebbled pathway, I hear the delightful squeals of London's laughter. She runs across the grass and then launches her body into Blake's open arms.

He kisses her cheek and snuggles in. Blake stands up and then spins them around before setting her on the ground. As London runs back to Thomas, she wobbles back and forth before landing on the ground. The fall doesn't faze her because she gets up and then sits in Thomas lap.

"Hey," I call out.

"You're here." Blake's eyebrows raise with surprise.

"Are you ready?" I question.

"Yes." He nods.

Blake says goodbye to Thomas and London before heading off. He takes the lead while I lag behind. Before we disappear, I look over my shoulder to see Thomas and London walking inside. She places her hands on the couch and tries to jump up with no luck. Damn, can she be any cuter?

We're not even a minute into the drive and Blake's already bored. He plays around with the seat, taps his foot, and then looks out the window before setting his gaze on me.

"Where are we going?" he asks.

"It's a surprise, okay?" I grin.

"Please?" he begs.

"No." I shake my head. "I'm keeping this a surprise."

With an extensively long groan, Blake's attention flickers to the moving surrounding outside. At least he's not bugging me anymore.

Our arrival at the beach as Blake's curiosity at peak. He straightens up in the chair and looks at the passing view as I pull into the carpark and find us a spot. Since the day is winding up, more people are leaving than coming. Thankfully, that means I nab a parking spot close to the entrance.

Blake immediately jumps out of the car and stretches his limbs. I peak around the car to see the stunning smile plastered on his lips.

"What next?" he questions.

"Can you help carry the picnic basket?"

"Yes, I can," replies Blake.

I open the boot and pass the basket to Blake while I grab the blanket. Pocketing the keys, I walk towards the walkway to join up with Blake. We walk down the pathway and onto the beach front. Sand easily gets stuck in my thongs which makes walking annoying. I flick 'em off and carry them in my other hand.

The beach is almost quiet despite a few people wandering around. Blake and I walk for a long time until he decides on a spot. He places the basket down while I roll out the blanket. He helps to straighten it out before flopping down and looking at the water crashing onto the sand.

"Do you like it?" I ask.

"Yes, it's beautiful here." He smiles.

"I'm happy to hear that," I reply. "I thought we could eat food and watch the sunset."

"I think this is perfect," he says.

While Blake watches the waves, I get to work setting out the food. There's an assortment of breakfast delights to consume. I went for a classic fruit salad, a cook up of now cold fried food, and then pancakes and croissants.

"Breakfast foods?" Blake frowns.

"Yes." I nervously chuckle. "Breakfast food is amazing, even if it's cold."

Blake nods his head in agreeance as he reaches for a slice of crispy bacon, "Hm, this is great, Ava."

We eat a huge assortment of food until there's hardly anything left. I pack away the containers and then lay across the blanket and pat my stomach.

"I think I might explode." I sigh.

"So, we shouldn't go swimming then?" he teases.

"There's no doubt to whether I'll sink."

"I'll take my chances." He winks.

Blake wraps his arm around my waist and tugs me towards him. The pressure on my stomach has me gagging. He quickly moves back and sheepishly smiles.

"Ops?"

"Why is good so yummy?" I frown.

I roll onto my stomach and then wiggle my way into Blake's arms. He lightly snuggles into my body as we watch the fiery yellow ball eventually be consumed by the fluffy grey clouds. The once blue sky is kissed by an array of oranges hues and pinky reds.

"Best date?" I ask.

"It's getting there," he replies.

"Oh." I pout. "Is this because you want to go swimming?"

"No, but I think it'll be fun."

I shuffle in his grip so that I can look over my shoulder. Blake tugs on a bright smile as he kisses the end of my nose.

"But we don't have bathers," I point out.

"We won't need bathers when it's dark," he swiftly replies.

"Gee, you've always got a way of getting me naked."

"Does that need explaining?" Blake asks.

"I suppose not." I laugh.

"Great because we're going swimming." Blake's arms tighten around my waist as he tries to stand up. I try to pull out of his grasp, but his muscular arms tighten around my body. My stomach churns with the pressure placed on it.

"You wouldn't," I shout.

"Yes, I would, so don't think otherwise." Blake starts to walk down the beach while I claw at the stand to somehow prohibit us from moving any further. However, my feet slide through the sand effortless which makes my struggle pointless.

Blake throws me over his shoulder and stomps into the waves crashing by his feet. The cold water creeps up higher the further he walks in.

"Please don't do this, Blake, it's doing to be so cold!"

Without a struggle, Blake launches my body into the air. I flap my arms like a bird, but I submerge into the depths of the oceans clutches. My clothing stick to my skin like plaster as I break through the surface of the water to breathe.

Blake stands before me with a pleasant expression.

"Best date every," he comments.

"I can't believe you threw me into the water!" I cup my hands together and throw water at Blake. He raises his hand to block the water from splashing on his face.

"Really? Because I said that's what I was going to do," he replies.

Blake tugs his shirt over his head and throws it onto the sand. The soggy material flies through the air and then lands on the dry sand.

"Blake," I shout. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going swimming." Blake reaches into the water and then pulls out his pants and underwear. He then throws those items of clothing onto the sand as well.

"I can't believe you're naked right now."

"I can't believe you're not." He laughs.

"What if we get caught?" I whisper.

"So you want to whisper about that?" asks Blake, amusement swirling through his green eyes.

"Fine." I awkwardly tug on my clothing and eventually pull it off. Blake throws it onto the sand and then we swim further into the ocean. The cold water is freezing, so I wrap Blake's arms around my body for warmth.

"This is really cold," he mumbles.

"Just a little."

"I kind of like it," says Blake.

Oddly enough, I like the sense of freedom and excitement swimming naked in the ocean gives me.

* * *

The moving vehicle comes to an abrupt halt as we pull into the driveway. My eyes spring open and I realise I'm still wrapped in the sandy picnic blanket from the beach. The warm air from the heater fans across my skin until Blake turns the car off.

"We're home," Blake softly mumbles.

"Are my clothes still wet?" I ask.

Blake leans over the console and grabs my jeans. He then drops them on the ground and laughs.

"No, and they need to be washed."

"Shoot! What if we get caught?" I question.

The thought of either Angela or Thomas catching us, or me dressed in a blanket would be humiliating on all levels.

"You won't be, and I'm sure they're asleep anyway," he comments.

"At least you have your underwear." I sigh.

"Would it help if I took them off?" Blake laughs.

"No, unfortunately."

With a smile, Blake and I get out of the car and grab out things. Blake takes the picnic basket while I grab our clothing. I tightly wrap the blanket around my torso and then clutch the wet clothes to my chest.

"Ready?" I nervously ask.

"Yes."

Blake runs ahead while I follow a bit behind. He reaches the front door and opens it as I run inside after him. I walk through the house and hide in the living room.

"That was less scary than the last couple of times we've done it," I say.

"So, we can do it more?"

"Not happening, Blake."

"Fine." He pouts.

Blake puts away the leftover food while I head upstairs. I go straight to the bathroom to warm up. I toss the soggy clothing and blanket into the bathtub before getting into the shower. I turn on the hot water tap and get a splash of cold water in my face.

"Not again," I grumble.

The pipes rattle and then the water beings warming up. I wash away the salt and sea water with the soap sponge. The smell of the coconut soap is a nice change from salt and seaweed. I grab the shampoo and then see Blake walk in.

He immediate strips out of underwear and reaches for the shower door.

"What?" he asks.

"Nothing." I turn away and look at the wall.

"What? It's not like you haven't seen me naked before." He laughs.

"Just get in the shower," I say.

Blake eagerly steps under the water and reaches for the soap. He starts rubbing it across my back and then turns my body around. I forget about the shower as I stare into his captivating eyes. Blake's moist lips press against mine and I wrap my arm around his neck.

"I want you," he mumbles against my lips. "Please say yes."

And for the first moment in a long time, it felt like two waves suddenly merging into one. We don't need to be a perfect ship, we just need to be together, even if that means leaky holes and the occasional man overboard. 

Did you expect something like this, or where you hoping for something else?