it's all but expected from them, really, as they're both way too competitive. but that's what makes it all the more fun, because where's the fun in racing solo?

well, there's some fun in doing things solo, but that's beside the point.

"i'm actually really looking forward to having you cook for me, mars. it'll be a nice change for once."

his words are teasing as he kicks off his shoes as well, and within seconds of mars diving down into the sea, he follows after, diving down himself.

and through the water he swims with his squad of castform trailing behind.

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of jumping into the ocean; the cold water, the movement of the waves, the seafoam around him, and the briny breeze above him. All of these things are familiar, cherished, and welcome, and yet as much as Mars may appreciate them, he doesn’t even give himself a single second to simply relish in his love for them.
[break][break]
He has a race to win, after all.
[break][break]
It’s only a short moment after he resurfaces that there’s the splash of Cian following right after him, and seeing the Castform follow along, Mars can’t help but chuckle about it.
[break][break]
”They really like you, huh?”
[break][break]
Still, it’s not as if something like this will distract him from the race, as made evident by the way he takes off as soon as these words are said – streamlining through the water with a nearly flawless front crawl swim.



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

cian is mostly indifferent to the ocean. the beach is nice, sure, but the farther out one goes the more dangerous and terrifying it gets.

so it's not just the desire to win that has him speeding through the water, but also fear that something might lash out at him at any given moment.

but like usual, he keeps this to himself.

"yep! i'm pretty much the castform whisperer."

words escape him between breathes and he picks up the pace, slapping through the water with his hands and legs, eventually catching up to mars.

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

Cian’s fears are not unjustified, and out of all people, Mars would be the first to admit this. There are many dangers that dwell within the waters, and he knows this well, since he has caught many of them. But, perhaps this is one of the things he likes about swimming in the ocean…
[break][break]
The danger.
[break][break]
The seemingly endless depths that lie beneath them.
[break][break]
Those depths to which Mars refuses to look, just like how he doesn’t look back at Cian and his Castform – his sole focus being the island.
[break][break]
”Ha! Just don’t try to teach them to make SANDSTORMS.”
[break][break]
Yes, Castform can learn SANDSTORM.
[break][break]
If he really thinks about it, it probably wasn’t a very good idea to tell Cian that, was it?
[break][break]
The thought is brushed away as quickly as it comes, Mars swimming even faster.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

could they learn SANDSTORM?

that would actually be really cool. thanks for the idea, mars.

"i just might now!"

after another breath, he pushes himself the same way he would when running on land, exerting a burst of energy into a sprint through the water as he somehow overtakes mars.

though there's still a bit to go. who knows how long he'll last?

actually, mars would know.

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

Mars sure does know.
[break][break]
And, because he knows, he also knows it won’t be enough.
[break][break]
Swimming in the ocean is not like swimming in a pool, and even if they’re headed in the direction of the waves, there’s added effort that comes with their pull and push. Out of pure love, or maybe also because it’ll likely only encourage him, Mars does warn him:
[break][break]
”Don’t tire yourself out too much!”
[break][break]
He himself maintains a steady pace; never falling too far behind and only speeding up a moment later. He could make things more interesting by calling out a pokémon and having them use SURF or something of the like, and he even considers it, but honestly, Mars just wants to enjoy himself swimming...
[break][break]
And beat Cian, since he’s getting too cocky from always winning when they go for runs.
[break][break]
Then again, hasn’t he always been that way?
[break][break]
Just like Mars also has.

[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

swimming and running, despite both being cardiovascular exercises, work relatively different muscles, and so it isn't as easy as simply moving his legs to speed up. he actually has to work his upper body.

ugh.

cian eventually tires himself out enough to slow down, allowing mars to overtake him to be the first to reach the shore.

well, technically second as the group of castform float on ahead, arriving first.

they patiently wait for cian.

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

You win some, you lose some, and they both have their own things they’re good at.
[break][break]
Naturally, this being the case and the fact that they know it doesn’t stop them from being stupidly competitive, and it usually also doesn’t stop them from being annoyed whenever they end up losing one of their little “games”. That’s just the way it is, and while Cian may be used to getting away with a relatively easy win every time they run, swimming sure is different...
[break][break]
Speaking of which: going from swimming to wading, and then to actually running through the water once it’s shallow enough, Mars makes it to dry ground; standing among a small swarm of Castform that look towards the water, as if waiting for Cian. Like as if they were his pets. His own team of adorable little cheerleaders. Cute, but too bad Mars is still his biggest fan.
[break][break]
”You doing okay there, babe?”
[break][break]
As it could only be expected, victorious as he is, Mars grins as he calls to him.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

you bet your ass that cian sprints the moment his feet found somewhat solid ground. water splashes all around him but it's to no avail. mars ends up victorious, making cian the loser.

and the chef for later.

"shut up."

cian's usually a sore loser and this time's no different. well, it's a little different as it's mostly an act, but he still pouts and rolls his eyes all the same as he makes his way to dry ground.

he turns to his little cheerleaders.

"sorry i let you down, guys."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

In Cian’s defense, Mars is also terrible at losing, and when he does lose he rarely takes it well (unless he thinks he’s getting something more valuable in return). He knows how much it sucks to be in that position, and yet he still can’t help but smile when seeing Cian pouting like that.
[break][break]
Who could blame him, though? It’s fucking adorable.
[break][break]
”Aw, babe.”
[break][break]
Ever with that sweet and seemingly concerned tone, he walks over to him and kisses his cheek. Since, even if Cian is faking it and even if Mars is aware that’s probably mostly the case, he still would do just this.
[break][break]
”You did great though, and you also looked really hot swimming out there.”
[break][break]
And he would also say just this.
[break][break]
Apologies to all the sweet little Castform having to listen to him.



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

cian rarely loses, especially when it comes to races, and there are not many that could say they beat cian maher in a race. still, he takes this loss well if only because it's mars, not to mention how much he likes cooking for them.

so the pout easily disappears when mars kisses his cheek, turning into a smirk instead.

and then, he slaps mars's side, shaking his head.

"not in front of the children."

only to step away, heading away from the beach.

"come on, babe."

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉

A smirk, a slap at his side, and just like that, things are back to normal. Painful, but worth it. Even more so since this definitely wouldn’t turn out to be as much of a nice experience if Mars were the one who ended up having to cook for them.
[break][break]
”Is that what they’re now?”
[break][break][break]
He chuckles, shaking his head, only to then follow after Cian without a complaint.
[break][break]
The island itself is quiet and the vegetation is lush, as is perhaps to be expected from a place that is uninhabited and untouched. It’s nice, though there are a few obvious concerns that come with that...
[break][break]
”So, doing things your way, right?”
[break][break]
There’s a smirk of his own, but the question is serious all the same. After all, they’re soaking wet and not even wearing shoes, so running probably won't be all that fun at all.



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ CIAN MAHER

"excuse you. they've always been my children."

the island is quiet, void of anyone else besides them. the vegetation is lush and undoubtedly full of wildlife, but he shrugs off the obvious concerns as he turns to look at mars.

a smirk curls on his lips.

"you ever run barefoot?"

Martín del Mar // [x]

☉