Melting the Devil

Enjoying the Rain

A/N: Good day, afternoon, and evening everyone. In my place it's past 10pm and I will have  a long weekend ahead of me since tomorrow was supposed to be a working day for me still but it's a holiday for us here.

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"What's the strategy?" Can is strolling along the shoreline rather idly when Tin asks him. Even though the day is mostly cloudy, Can's shoulders are already covered in freckles.

"Our strategy?" Can spins around him, arching his brows. "Would you like to search for the ribbons?"

Tin pulls back his eyebrows. "Wouldn't you?"

"I assumed you wouldn't give a damn." Can shrugs.

Tin scoffs. "I care about winning, but I don't really care about the prize."

Cantaloupe snickers. "You do, of course. I apologize for ever doubting that you want to win."

Tin glances quickly over the beach. Prem is still somehow carrying Saint on his back as he makes his way to the other stretch of sand, while Mai and Yacht are positioned in front of the house, intent on throwing sand at Jom and Loewe for some reason.

Cantaloupe says, "I don't think there will be much of a competition."

Tin laughs. "Most likely not," he concurs. "Why don't we head over there while they're still preoccupied?" He gestures to the portion of the beach that is shorter and curves into the ocean.

Cantaloupe grinned. "Race you!" He kicks a splash of water onto Tin's legs and bolts off without another word.

Returning to the arid sand, Cantaloupe makes her way toward the lifeguard post. Cantaloupe laughs as Tin catches up to him halfway and intentionally bumps into him before passing him.

"You take up there? I'll look down here. " Tin gestures toward the beach hut.

"That sounds good, sir," Cantaloupe replies, bolting up the hut's steps.

Tin looks over the high chair's wooden posts and sees nothing. As he bends over to look beneath the beach hut, he notices a flash of yellow between the wooden slats.

"I found one, Can!" He calls out, reaching out of the shade to hold it up and yanking the ribbon from where it had slipped.

Can triumphantly holds out another yellow ribbon as he peers out of a window. "I also found one!" He dashes back down the steps. "Come on, let's move! "

Tin proceeds to a nearby fenced-off property with a patch of trees, and Can points out another ribbon that is fastened to a high branch on one of the trees right away. "Ah, there!"

Tin tries to grab hold of it, but it's too high up. "How in the world did Rei get up there? It's not sturdy enough to climb."

Can comments, "You know, I've learned not to question her ways," as he stands behind Tin and fixes his gaze on the ribbon.

Tin notices something else as he searches around for a tool to poke at it with. "Can, please come here for a moment," he gestures for him to approach.

Tin steps in close, bending his knees as Can comes slowly, tensing up. Well. How do you do this?

"Carrying you," Tin says, putting his arms around Can's waist and raising an eyebrow. "Ready?"

Can yelps a little as Tin lifts him up, but he looks surprised for a moment before nodding in agreement. Can reaches up to grab the ribbon, but Tin's fingers just brush the ribbon. With a sigh, he places Can back on the sand.