Once me, Dan, Suzy, and Arin are done eating breakfast, Arin says, "Okay. Do you guys wanna get ready now or wait a bit?"

"I mean, if we get ready now and head over there right after, not a lot of people will be there, since it's early," Suzy says, shrugging.

"That sounds nice. I always wanna avoid some people," Dan says, rubbing his still semi-tired eyes.

   "Okay, then!" Arin says with a dorky smile.

   We all leave the room  to change. I slip into the guest room with my luggage, Dan takes the bathroom after getting some clothes from the guest room drawer, and Arin and Suzy take their room.

I shut the door rummage around in my suitcase, trying to decide which bathing suit I wanna wear. I brought three. Why so many? I dunno. Just felt like bringing three, I guess.

I finally end up choosing my (f/c) two piece. Humming, I take off the clothes that I wore yesterday and replace it with the bathing suit. I look at myself in the mirror that's just chilling in the guest room.

Not bad.

I then slip on some shorts and a shirt to cover myself up until we get to the lake, brushing my hair afterwards.

   I grab my toothbrush from my suitcase and walk out of the guest room. Since Dan's still changing, I walk into the kitchen and brush my teeth there.

   As I spit out the toothpaste that's in my mouth, Dan comes in. He whistles, making me turn to him and wipe off the toothpaste that's on my face. He's got a playful smirk on his face. "Hey, (Y/N). You're looking nice."

   I can hardly contain my blush. I think he's complimenting me just to make me feel flustered. What a sneaky bi—

I study Dan, taking in his own appearance. He's wearing a long, white T-shirt and is sporting some shorts. I also notice that his hair's a little less frizzy than normal.

In conclusion, he looks nice as well.

"You look nice too," I say with a shy smile.

   Dan smiles back and leans against the kitchen counter, fairly close to me. "So, are you one of those people that likes to swim when you go to a lake or do you just like to lounge by it?"

   "I'm more of a swimmer than a lounger," I say with yet another shy smile. "What about you?"

   "Same," Dan says, running a hand through his long, luxurious hair. Suddenly, his warm, smiley demeanor changes. He now looks nervous.

   I cock my head to the side like a dog. "Everything all right, there, Dan?"

   Dan chuckles awkwardly. "Uh...yeah...I just have something to ask you, and I'm kinda nervous to ask it." He scratches the back of his neck nervously.

   "Just ask it. I won't judge," I say, smiling warmly. I do this because I want him to know that I won't judge him for whatever he asks, nor will I tease him about it.

   It seems my smile has eased him. Good. His shoulders relax a little, but they're still tense. "Okay..." He clears his throat, stepping closer to me. "Um...I was wondering if you..." 

   He trails off, leaving me in suspense.

   "If I...what?" I prod, desperate to hear what he wants to ask me.

   "If you wanna—" Dan says, but gets cut off by the sound of a door being kicked open and obnoxious shouting.

   God damn it, Arin.

   I wonder how many times I'll have to say that in my life. This probably marks the 200th time.

   "LET'S GO TO THE HECCIN' LAKE YA'LL," Arin says while Naruto running into the kitchen. Suzy laughs and follows behind, clutching a bag full of everything we'll need for the lake (besides the umbrella, that's in her other hand). She's a little less ecstatic than her husband is.

Dan sighs, annoyed. He crosses his arms and leans against the counter once more, scowling.

Arin glances at me, not knowing why Dan looks so annoyed.

I try to give Dan another opportunity to ask whatever he needed to ask me. "Uh...guys?" I say shyly. "Dan was trying to ask me something."

And when Arin and Suzy nod and don't leave, I clarify, "I think he wants this conversation to be private."

"Oooh," Suzy says and starts to walk out respectfully.

This is when something clicks in Arin's mind. He gives us a small smirk before beginning to follow his wife out of the room.

"No!" Dan exclaims, making Arin and Suzy turn around. "No. It's okay, guys. I'll ask (Y/N) after."

"Under a sunset, perhaps~?" Arin teases, swaggering up to Dan and poking him in the ribs.

I don't get it.

"Oh, you freaking—" Dan growls. He gives Arin a hard shove, not finishing his sentence. And that shove was anything but playful. There was no hint of a smile on Dan's beautiful face.

Arin stumbles backwards but doesn't fall. His smirk slips off his face, looking a little hurt.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Suzy says, standing in between Arin and Dan so that they won't inflict any violence on each other. "Settle down, boys."

Dan sighs and looks away, guilty. He doesn't say anything, though.

Arin looks away too, stuffing his hands in his shorts' pockets awkwardly.

Suzy looks at Arin. "Come on, let's go to our room. We need to talk."

Not giving Arin a chance to respond, she stalks out of the room.

Arin nods and follows his wife, giving Dan one last glance.

Dan sighs and runs a hand through his hair, avoiding my eyes. "I'm sorry. I don't...I don't normally act out like that."

"No, it's okay," I say, smiling shyly.

"It's not," Dan says, finally looking at my eyes. "There's no excuse for putting your hands on someone."

I don't know what to say. No matter what I say, Dan will disagree. Well, he'd probably agree with the mean things, but I don't like being mean to people, regardless if they agree with it or not.

We're both silent. I look up at Dan, and he's staring ahead, an adorable frown on his face. His eyes are glistening with tears, and he's tapping his foot.

I pat Dan's arm, amused at how skinny it is. "Just apologize to Arin. You guys are best friends, you'll be able to move on from this. It's just a little spat, that's all. You've had spats before, right?"

Dan looks at me and smiles, shaking his head.

My mouth falls open. "You...haven't?"

"No, surprisingly," Dan says. "This is the first."

"And how long have you known each other?" I say, amazed.

"Like eight years or so?" Dan says, shrugging.

"Wow," I mumble. "But regardless, if I know anything about Arin, he forgives easier than anyone I know. He'll accept your apology in a heartbeat."

"You think?" Dan asks, smiling a little.

"Definitely," I say, smiling back. "Remember what Arin said yesterday about me throwing a chair over his head?"

Dan laughs. "Yeah."

"Well, as soon as my one-year-old self said sorry, Arin responded with 'aw, it's okay, (Y/N)!'"

Dan chuckles. "Yeah, that sounds like Arin."

"So, you gonna apologize?" I say and playfully punch Dan's chest. "You gonna get your best friend back?"

"Yes and yes!" Dan says, a new energy spicing up his voice.

Then, as if on cue, Arin and Suzy walk back into the room, Arin looking like he has new energy to him as well. Whatever Suzy said must've gotten through to him.

Arin and Dan walk towards each other. They stop once they're about two feet apart. Dan puts his hands on Arin's shoulders. "Man, I'm so, so, so sorry."

"I'm sorry too," Arin says, smiling a little. "I need to cool it with my teasing."

Dan smiles back. "So, we good?"

"We good," Arin says, opening his arms for a hug.

Dan smiles wider and hugs Arin.

Arin wraps his arms around Dan in return. "I love you, bro."

"I love you too," Dan mumbles into Arin's shirt.

Suzy and I look at each other. I wipe an imaginary tear from my eye, making her laugh.

The two men pull apart, smiling at one another.

"So, now that you guys have worked out your issues, you ready?" Suzy says, smiling and grabbing the unzipped back and the umbrella.

"Yep!" Dan and Arin say in unison.

"Cool, let's go!" I say, opening the front door and skipping outside. The rest of the gang follow behind me.

Arin unlocks the car, and I'm about to get in the backseat when Dan grabs my hand.

I turn to face him, and he's smiling. "I just wanna say thanks for helping me to apologize to Arin."

"Oh, it's no problem," I say, trying not to freak out over the fact that he still hasn't let go of my hand.

Another cute smile from Dan. "Actually, I'm feeling like repaying you." That smile turns into a smirk. "I'll tell you what I'll do later." Then, to my surprise, Dan presses his lips to my hand.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Arin and Suzy staring at us with their mouths agape.

I blush at Dan's newfound confidence and the fact that his lips are lingering way longer than necessary.

Finally, he releases my hand, flashes me one last smile, and walks to the other side of the car to get in the other backseat.

What just happened?