[attr="class","uriah"]it definitely is a fair warning, and it's one he'll remember for the future if he ever tries to do anything stupid again. in his defense, he didn't think it was stupid when he did it...

i'll tell you when the time comes.

"kinda scary but okay, you got it."

whatever it is, he'll find out eventually.

for now, they arrive at the viewpoint slightly less wet than earlier. it's quiet, almost empty as they approach.

naturally, he gravitates towards a bench that looks out across the cliff, toward the ocean, and to the setting sun.

[attr="class","noodles"]@sol

[attr="class","uriah"]pretty much all the time but damn there's no need to call him out like that. he still chuckles all the same, nodding in agreement.

"i'll try to be more careful."

the viewpoint comes into sight and it looks like they will make the sunset after all.

"pretty sure you pulled me down with you, but okay, i'll make it up to you somehow."

maybe with flowers...

Martín del Mar's words ring loud in his head.

"what would you like?"

[attr="class","noodles"]@sol

[attr="class","uriah"]uri does mean it. he doesn't lie very often and what he says is almost definitely the first thing he feels, as they've come to experience.

"yeah...sorry again."

his clothes are wet as well but he doesn't seem to mind it. it's still pretty hot out despite it being the evening, which makes him wonder whether they'll be able to catch the sunset in time.

"of course. i can be pretty dumb at times so thanks for putting up with me."

[attr="class","noodles"]@sol

[attr="class","uriah"]where she prefers to stay quiet, to keep her thoughts to herself, he often chooses to do the opposite. it's what makes him end up in trouble most of the time, and he really should learn by now.

he shakes his head.

"no, no, of course not."

his gaze returns to her momentarily before moving off to the path ahead of them.

"i'm just looking forward to spending more time with you."

the path starts to slope up and he can basically see the viewpoint from here.

"i don't think we're that far now."

[attr="class","noodles"]@sol

[attr="class","uriah"]it might've been just a couple of minutes but it sure feels like forever. he's tense the whole time, unsure what to do or what to say; what could he even say after that? so he's relieved when the silence between them is finally broken.

"okay."

he should say more, and so he does.

"i'm sorry. i really just meant we could've dried off there and nothing else."

pausing, he looks off to the side for a moment.

"...i'm not the best with words sometimes."

[attr="class","noodles"]@sol

[attr="class","uriah"]for a long while, he's simply stared at, and he's at a loss as to why exactly. it's only when she turns away and starts walking that it hits him.

uri, you idiot.

with a sigh, he follows after her, holding most of his belongings in one hand while his other reaches out for hers.

"i didn't mean it like that, sol."

[attr="class","noodles"]@sol

[attr="class","uriah"]surprisingly, there are very few ways to get dry without a towel. he looks around the beach for any ideas, finding none before turning back to her.

"...my airbnb isn't too far away."

maybe he's too cheap to stay at an actual hotel or maybe he just prefers something more comfortable. either way, it's only a mere five-minute walk away.

"or we could hike up to the viewpoint there. we'll probably dry out by the time we arrive."

[attr="class","noodles"]@sol

[attr="class","uriah"]good.

that they are.

he watches her turn away from him and is quick to follow her out, knowing full well she's not going to wait for him.

"you're still going to be soaked when we get out."

it only takes a few strides to catch up to her. his hand slips into hers, holding on for the short distance until they arrive at their stuff. he reaches down for her purse, then extends it over to her.

[attr="class","noodles"]@sol

[attr="class","uriah"]it's a promise he knows he can keep. call him a fool or whatever, but he prefers the term optimist. he's hopeful; this region definitely needs it.

he leans into her touch, bringing a hand up to cup hers.

maybe.

"yeah."

after a nod, he smiles, warm and hopeful.

"thank you, sol."

[attr="class","noodles"]@sol

[attr="class","uriah"]something good can come out of this, as long as they both want it to, and he certainly does.

what does he want her to say?

"that you'll try."

a pause.

"that you'll give me a chance."

a beat.

"i'm not going anywhere, sol."

[attr="class","noodles"]@sol

[attr="class","uriah"]"i won't leave."

it's said so easily as though there's not even a shred of doubt behind his words. he stands as well.

"i might leave to a different squad but that's about it."

he chuckles, then reaches out for her arm to pull her gaze towards him.

"try me."

[attr="class","noodles"]@sol

[attr="class","uriah"]uri would be lying if he said he hadn't thought about the logistics of it. he'd likely have to move squads, which has no issues doing, and wouldn't that be enough to solve their problem?

it's only when she continues that he remembers what mars said: everyone has baggage.

nothing good would come of it.

"...why?"

that might be too broad of a question, so he clarifies.

"how do you know?"

[attr="class","noodles"]@sol