Ocean Kisses

Doc

Ren’s POV:

Watching Doccy in the water was honestly the most adorable thing. I never thought I’d see the day when a little creeper boy would be learning to swim in my sanctuary, and I had to admit, it felt like something special. His small body was a bit awkward in the water at first, but I could see the determination in his eyes. He was trying hard, not wanting to give up, even when his feet barely touched the bottom.

I swam beside him, keeping close as he floated and kicked his legs, splashing around with excitement. I guided him gently, showing him how to use his arms, demonstrating the strokes. To my surprise, he picked up on it faster than I expected. Doccy even dove down under the water for a short while, a look of both panic and thrill on his face as he disappeared beneath the surface.

I stayed low, watching closely, just in case. Then, after a moment, his little head popped back up, gasping for breath. His hair was plastered to his face, but he looked so proud of himself. “I did it! I went under!” he shouted, his voice full of triumph.

I chuckled, swimming closer to him, giving him an encouraging pat on the back. “You did great, kid. You’re a natural,” I said, and he beamed at me. I could see the joy in his eyes, the confidence building as he learned more. It was like he was finding his rhythm in the water, and for a moment, I could almost forget everything else happening around us.

The peaceful flow of the water, the soft sunlight filtering through the trees above, and Doccy’s delighted laughter filled the air, making everything feel right. I kept my eyes on him, making sure he stayed safe, even though he was more capable than he realized. It was a moment of calm in an otherwise chaotic time, and I felt proud of him.

“You’re getting the hang of this pretty quickly,” I remarked, nudging him gently with my fin.

He puffed out his chest, trying to look even braver. “I’m going to be the best swimmer ever!” he declared with a big grin.

I smiled back, my heart softening. “I think you’ve got the potential for that.”

As Doccy swam around, trying out different strokes, I couldn’t help but feel a growing attachment to him. It wasn’t just about teaching him how to swim—it was about being here for him, showing him the safety and comfort that the water could offer. We were becoming a team, and I was determined to help him learn and grow, not just in the water, but in life too.

I swam low into the tide pool, feeling the smooth rocks against my fins as I maneuvered through the water. The coolness of the ocean current swirled around me, my eyes scanning the deep, clear waters for something special. Doc, sitting at the edge, was watching me intently, his gaze filled with pride. His smile stretched wide as he watched, and I couldn’t help but smile back. He was so proud of his son, so eager to see him grow. It was clear that, despite everything, Doc had found a connection with the water that made him happy.

But as I swam deeper, I saw something that gave me an idea. There was an old, weathered chest nestled among the rocks in the pool’s depths. It wasn’t much, but it had been there for a while. Something caught my eye. It would make the perfect distraction for Doc. I swam towards it quickly, my fins propelling me through the water with ease. I wrapped my arms around the chest, feeling the familiar weight of it. I knew Doc would love it, and it might just be the perfect way to pull him in.

When I resurfaced, I saw Doc still sitting on the edge, his gaze still on me, a proud expression on his face. But he wasn’t in the water yet, still sitting stiffly, not fully trusting. And that’s when I decided to push the idea forward. Without wasting another moment, I swam closer to the shore, holding the chest out in front of me.

"Hey, Doc!" I called out with a grin. "I think I found something cool down there. You wanna see it?"

His eyes lit up at the mention of the chest, curiosity piqued. But it wasn’t enough. Doc needed something else to get him fully engaged, to make him feel like it was his time.

Before he could answer, I slid out of the water with the chest, walking carefully toward him. I set it down gently on the sand, pulling it open with a dramatic flair. Inside, there were old trinkets—shells, bits of coral, and a few polished stones. Doc's eyes widened as he leaned forward, clearly intrigued.

His mechanical parts shifted with the motion, reminding me that, as much as he was a little different from the rest of us, he was still a kid, still wanting to experience these small wonders.

I couldn’t help but chuckle as I watched him lean closer, his curiosity getting the best of him. "See? Told you it was cool. But, there’s more if you’re brave enough."

That was all it took. Doc, for the first time, moved to get up. I could see the gears in his mechanical parts whirring as he adjusted himself, the curiosity winning out over any hesitation. And just like that, he was stepping closer to the water. His smile was small, but I could see the determination behind it. He was ready to take the next step.

I smiled back, watching Doc approach. His son, Doccy, followed closely behind, curiosity sparkling in his eyes. The two of them stood side by side, a mix of excitement and wonder in the air. Doccy, still adjusting to the world around him, was surprisingly steady for his age. He looked at me with that wide-eyed look of a child who was seeing something new and incredible, just as Doc had moments before.

The chest lay between us on the sand, its contents now revealed to them both. I watched as Doccy hesitated for a moment before reaching out. His small hand grabbed the first thing that caught his eye—a polished stone, its surface shimmering in the light.

To my surprise, Doccy held it up to the light, his expression serious, as if he was studying it like a treasure. He passed it to Doc, who took it gently with his mechanical hand, turning the stone over in his fingers. I could see the fascination in his eyes as well, despite the hardened exterior he sometimes put on. There was something soft in the way he held it—like a parent showing their child the beauty of something small but meaningful.

Doccy’s eyes twinkled as he looked up at Doc, his voice filled with excitement. "Look, Dad! It’s shiny!"

Doc, still lost in the moment, smiled softly, his gaze lingering on his son for a beat longer than usual. "Yeah, it’s beautiful, kid."

I couldn’t help but smile at the scene in front of me. It was a quiet, tender moment, one that spoke volumes without needing many words. They didn’t need anything grand; sometimes, the smallest things were the most important.

Doccy, having decided that he needed to share his new find, handed the stone back to his dad. "You keep it," he said, his voice small but full of affection.

Doc nodded, tucking the stone into his pocket with a soft chuckle. "Thanks, buddy. I think it’s going to be a good luck charm."

As they stood there, I felt a swell of pride and a deep sense of satisfaction. This, right here, was what I had wanted for them—a peaceful moment of bonding, of connection, in this sanctuary I had carved out. It was a place of healing, for both of them, and even for me.

Doccy looked over at me, his eyes softening as he took a step forward. "Ren, this place is... really cool."

I grinned, proud of the small sanctuary I’d created. "Glad you like it. It’s all yours too, whenever you need it."

Doc nodded, his posture relaxed as he joined us at the shore, looking out at the water with a contemplative expression. There was a sense of peace in the air now, as if everything had settled into place for the moment.

"I think this is a good start," Doc said quietly, his gaze lingering on the horizon.

I nodded in agreement, the soft sounds of the water rushing around us a calming backdrop. "Yeah, it feels like it."

Doccy then, not missing a beat, reached down and splashed some water playfully at his dad. "Last one in is a rotten egg!"

Doc's surprised laugh echoed in the air as he leapt back, pretending to be caught off guard. "Oh, you’re on, kid!"

And with that, the atmosphere lightened, and we were all back to the playful energy that came with spending time in a place like this—away from the chaos, where the only thing that mattered was the bond between us.