Bill's POV

Pine Tree wasn't really happy with my forcibly making him go back to the frigid waters, I didn't care. I just wanted to have fun while I was in a good and happy mood.

As soon as we reached the water I decided to dive in head first like he had suggested earlier. The water closed around me, extremely cold, but I ignored it as I was immersed in the salty water. I opened my eye and felt the water sting it, but I couldn't feel the pain of it as I looking in the murky water.

I decided to resurface and I shot up, gasping for breath, and paddled my feet in the water as I looked up at the shore to see Pine Tree sitting at the shore the shore line. I swam up till I could feel the sand and walked up to him, running a hand through my wet, golden hair. "Why aren't you coming in?"

"It's too cold, uh, duh." He said it like it was obvious.

I stood up over him, casting my shadow across and, and glowered. "Come on." I snatched his hand and jerked him upwards so he was on his feet.

He muttered some words to himself as I led him down to the water's edge. "It's fun! Now have fun." I ordered him. When he didn't move, I decided to say, "or I could go back to torturing you..."

Pine Tree raised his head and groaned. That got him to listen. He marched forward into the water, tensing up at each step deeper in.

I plundered ahead and took his hands, bringing him forward. "Don't be so sour, Pine Tree." I commanded him. "Don't you want to have fun while you can?"

He took a deep breath and forced a smile on his face. "Yeah, I guess you're right. While I have it..." He glanced up, a playful light in his eyes that made me smirk. Pine Tree took his advantage and shoved me forward so I fell backwards into the water as he raced to the right.

"Hey!" I exclaimed and laughed, standing up, and chased after him. Running through water was a lot harder than I expected. The water seemed to hold your feet down to the ground, like it was an extra set of gravity on your body. I began to catch up and when there was only a foot between us, I leapt forward, tackling him in the water.

He let out a gasp before he plunged forward as I pinned him down. He lifted his head up and shot me a hard stare. "Kay, you got me." He growled, but I saw a small smile playing with his lips. It seemed like he wanted to stay mad at me. Well, I couldn't blame him since I was basically planning on ruining his entire life.

I turned him over so he was on his back and I suddenly had a flash back of last night that made me want to stand up. "Having fun?"

Pine Tree sighed. "If you let me up." Pine Tree raised his arms and pushed me off of him and, surprisingly, I obeyed. He was shivering all over, his teeth chattering.

"Aw, Pine Tree, you're all wet." I told him in a mocking tone.

Pine Tree scoffed and shot me a look that said really? and said, "you noticed?"

"Come on, let's play again. That was... Fun." I was starting to get angry at myself that I was enjoying this joyful time with Pine Tree. I wasn't supposed to be having fun with him! I was supposed to be making him miserable! I crossed my arms. Oh well, I told myself, this is an off day.

"You know," he said as he stood up and ran a hand through his hair, "you're not so bad when you act normal. And when you're not trying to kill me."

I pouted and looked down at the water that was swirling down by my feet. "So? What do you mean...?"

Pine Tree told me his reason, "That you aren't a horrible guy. Just your intentions are bad."

I didn't look up. "Whatever. Let's just-" I shook my head, "let's continue this game."

Pine Tree noticed me not wanting to talk about that, but, thankfully, ignored it. I felt the joy somewhat vanishing since he brought up that topic, but I refused to get pissed off now since I was genuinely happy for once in my life. I tapped Pine Tree in the middle of his chest. "Tag!" I said, smirking and his eyes changed from dark to light like that and he smiled.

Tomorrow I'd continue to pester him. Yeah, tomorrow. I took of sprinting through the water and let the sea water spray up behind me. I did want to stay happy like this, but every time I thought about just living like this, I realized that I'd be giving up on Arrow. And I couldn't give up on her. I loved her too much... I wanted and needed her back... Then I could live happily like this forever, with her.

I knew for sure I could easily out run Pine Tree, I wasn't even trying. Besides, he was too weak and shy to even attempt tackling-

I screamed as I was slammed into the ground. For a moment I was in shock. Did I fall? How did I fall? I raised my head up from the water and looked over my head to see him pinning me down. Ok... I was wrong about that... "Well done." I congratulated him, surprised. "I thought you were too timid to try taking me down."

Pine Tree smirked, obviously happy to have the upper hand for once. "Timid? Please. I got you this time."

"Yes, yes." I said exasperated, the weight of his body on my back practically crushing. "Now... You can get off of me."

Pine Tree nodded and went to release me when his eyes widened and he looked down at me. "Wait... No."

I blinked and looked back over my shoulder, the water surging around me as the waves crashed farther in the ocean. "What?" I began laughing. "Come on, kid."

"This is what you do to me." He pointed out.

Yeah.. Ok.. This is uncomfortable... I swallowed and thought about using my magic to just blast him off of me, but I considered seeing it from his point of view: powerless. He had my arms behind my back with my stomach in the sand. Dammit. I thought. I didn't know it was this effective. I took a deep breath and used my legs, which he forgot to keep down, to roll over and reverse our position.

"Ow!" He cried out as his head slammed into the sand and he let go of my arms.

I stood up triumphantly. "Oh, how pathetic, Pine Tree. I escaped your flimsy grip even without magic. Pathetic."

He glared up at me, his hair floating in the water that had rushed up around him. "You're a lot stronger than I am..." He admitted, muttering.

I nodded and helped him up. "Maybe next time." I clapped him on the shoulder. Dammit, why am I having such a good time? I am not gonna be friends with Pine Tree. I can't be. I'm not going to go soft. Not this time. I'll get my act together tomorrow. Tomorrow.

"Guys, it's Dip-Stick!"

We both looked over at the beach and saw a group of four guys. The one that had called out had dark swept black hair and steel gray eyes and his little followers looked over at us and began snickering.

Pine Tree went white. "Crap..." He whispered.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Those guys go to my school... They, uh, bully me." He grew embarrassed and looked down, holding his arm.

"What's the matter Dip-Stick? Didn't expect us to catch you here with - who's that? - your boyfriend?" He laughed and his friends joined in with laughter.

I narrowed my eye at him. Bullies... Shooting Star mentioned them to me a while ago... I glared at them. "They pick on you?" I looked over at him and saw him hiding his face. But that's MY job?! I clenched my jaw. They were ruining my fun.

"And who says that's true?!" I shouted back.

Pine Tree looked up at me, bewilderment flashing across his face.

"You've been playing tag like a bunch of idiots since you both got here!" The black haired guy called back. "Gay!"

Pine Tree's face turned red. "I-I-I-"

"Oh, does it want to speak?" The bully marched up to Pine Tree, he was at least a foot taller than him.

Pine Tree started shaking. "I'm just en-enjoying my vacation, Max."

So that's his name? I thought.

"Oh, really? I've kind of missed beating you to a bloody pulp, kid." His hand suddenly shot up, grabbing Pine Tree by the neck, and lifted him off the ground.

He made a choking sound as his body tensed up and he gasped for air.

I stood there, ridged. I had no idea that humans could behave like I did...like a demon. I had no idea I looked like that. "Hey, Max!" I shouted.

"Oh," he didn't turn to me get, "your little boyfriend want to say some-"

I slammed my fist straight into his face, sending him stumbling backward and falling onto his back.

I heard his whole group gasp in astonishment and I picked Pine Tree up, pulling him to his feet.

His eyes were as big as moons. "Wh-why did you-?"

"Shut up!" I said furious that I had defended him like that on the spot. "Let's get away from these guys."

Pine Tree still seemed shocked as I pulled him away. "Why did you defend me?!" He said shocked.

"I don't know! And I'm pissed off!" I whirled around and stared him straight in the eye. "Don't start expecting that type of stuff to happen! I slipped up, ok?!" I clenched my hands into fists.

"Are we...going home?" He asked carefully and held his throat.

"No." I spat. "Not yet. Just shut up and follow me." I growled. You're not supposed to be friends with him! I scolded myself irately. You can't be, Bill. Get your act together... I sighed and told myself again, I will tomorrow.... Tomorrow.

(•3•)