Catb Imagines

Beach bums | Van

Prompt: The boys go to the beach but you hate the beach and Van messes with you by picking you up and dumping you in the water. Maybe ending with a cliche walk when the sun is setting? Just something really fluffy.
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You hated Benji. Well, not really, but it was his stupid suggestion that made the guys decide that going to the beach on their weekend off would be "highly therapeutic for the stress that the we endure on a daily basis." You hate the beach; the sand, the sun, the way your eyes stung after swimming. Not to mention you would be staying there overnight to 'relax' further. It was an extreme waste of time to you. Sure, you wanted to spend time with Van and the boys but you didn't need the beach to do that. A whole day shoving your face with food and napping with Van would be perfectly fine with you.

You picked at the end of your shorts, glancing over at your boyfriend's excited face as he watched the large palm trees pass by, occasionally asking Bob a question. You laughed a little when Bob placed his headphones over his ears to block out Van's insistent talking, leaving Van looking like a sad, still very much excited, puppy. You turned, looking out at the road, wondering what excuse you could tell the five men to get out of all this.

While the little schemes ran through your head, Van watched you frown, wondering what made you hate the beach so much. He had tried asking early on in the journey, only to be given a glare and a (adorable) pout by you. When Benji had announced that they were going to the beach, Van's original plan had been to spend the entire day with you, soaking up sun, splashing in the water and... well, other things that he had let his mind wonder to. Specifically having a particularly cliche and sappy moment while the sun was setting over the water. But he would never verbally admit that to anyone. Now, knowing that you hated the beach, his new plan was to make the next couple of days as enjoyable for you as possible.

You didn't admit it but the view was stunning. And you hated that you almost liked it. The beach was private, courtesy of one of Bondy's friends, with two small houses on the waterfront.
"Hey babe, race you up to the house?" you heard Van shout as he ran up the sand, smiling back at you. You slipped your sandals off and ran after him. After catching up with him, you found Bob, Bondy, Benji and even Larry. He stood up, walking towards to where you and Van were standing together.
"How's the happy couple today then?" you smiled and saw Van look down at you from the corner of your eye.
"Well Y/N hates the beach so not so happy today" Van suddenly blurted out, causing everyone to turn to you with their eyebrows raised.

"So, who's in what house?" you chuckled nervously, sending a death glare up to Van before lightly elbowing him in his side.
"Obviously I'm in the house with Y/N and Van but why don't we just go out and chill by the ocean for a bit?" Larry stood, grabbing your's and Van's bag, setting them down with his near the door of the house.

As you walked down to the beach, you felt Van's eyes on you almost the entire time.
"Van what do you want?" you laughed, looking over to him, laying on one of the chairs provided.
"What I'm suddenly not allowed to look at my dead pretty girl anymore?" he said playfully. "I just don't understand why you won't tell me why you dislike the beach so much"
You sighed and looked out to the water. "It's a long story babe, don't want to get into it when you're meant to be having a relaxing break away from the usual hustle and bustle of your life yeah?" you gave him a smile, watching him nod slowly and understandingly at your words.
"At least come for a swim with me?" You lay down on the chair, glancing over at him and his hopeful outstretched arm as you shook your head no.
His usual bright smile somewhat dropped, saying a small okay before stripping his shirt, running off into the water where Larry and Bondy were playfully splashing each other. You felt bad. Extremely bad since you knew Van missed you when he's away on tour and it was unusual for the two of you to get a few relaxing days together like this weekend. So, you decided to swallow your hate for a little while and walk out into the water near to where Van was.
"Van!" he turned, smiling widely. He swam over to you, his hair wet and stuck flat all over his forehead, partially covering his eyes. He stood up and walked the rest of the way to you. Your eyes involuntarily travelled to his chest, then lower, and your face flushed as your thoughts veered off the course of hating the beach to something much more private.

"Are you going to swim?" He moved closer to you, moving in to wrap his arms around you in a hug. You ducked, not wanting to get anymore wet and squealed.
"Babe no, this is a happy compromise. I'm not going any further." His cheeky smirk appeared as a response and splashed you. You yelled and attempted to run away from the lanky man, only to be caught by the waist, his soft hands gripping your hips to keep you still and flush against him. The contact made you freeze, your heart thudding in your ears as you anticipated his next move. "Van, what are you-" he cuts you off by picking you bridal style staring down at you lovingly.
"Hey, Y/N?"
"Yeah?" you breathed.
"Be prepared."
"What are yo-"
He ducked his head under water, taking you with him. You both reappeared from the water, Van was laughing beside you whilst you took a gulp of air, irritation flooding your veins. You push at his chest and wiped your eyes with the back of your hand. "Put me down Van." His laughing stopped, and you felt him slowly release you, settling you on your feet.
"Y/N I'm sorry." You shivered from the cool breeze in the air, making your way towards land and away from Van. Water spashed behind you, undoubtedly Van catching you up. "Y/N c'mon babe."
"Van I'm cold and I'm going inside" Having caught up with you, he followed you all the way up to the house. You grabbed your bag and walked in, trying to find some warmth. Van didn't follow you in, and for that you were grateful. Everything that had already happened today was overwhelming, and all you wanted was to get into some warm clothes.

Van didn't know the whole story behind your strong opinions towards beaches. Actually, he didn't even know you had a dislike for them until this morning on the way here. Guilt pooled in you stomach as you thought about what had happened on the beach; you snapped at your boyfriend who was trying his hardest to make you enjoy the weekend away with him despite your reservations. And for that you felt like a terrible girlfriend.

You had just slipped a top on when Van shyly poked his head around the door of the bedroom, giving you one of his classic smiles. You have him a small one back, patting the spot next to you on the bed. "I'm sorry. Here" he handed you his sweatshirt, giving you a sheepish smile. It was your favourite one to wear, the one that he always refused to let you steal from him. "You wear it, yeah? Sort of a peace offering." You smiled and slipped it on, discretely breathing in his scent; the faint lingering of cigarette smoke and mint.

You sat there, on the bed, in comforting silence for a few seconds before turning to him. "Let's go for a walk, yeah?" Van visibly perked up and smiled.
"Yeah, yeah let's go!" He stood up, offering his hand to you. You immediately took it before walking back towards the sandy beach.

After multiple people teasing you (Larry and Bondy), you made it down to the beach, both of you sitting on some rocks nearby. Even though the two of you had been together for a while now, the simple gesture of Van tracing little patterns on your hand still makes your heart stutter.

You look down, focusing on Van drawing patterns on the backs of your hands as you confess to him. "Sorry about snapping earlier, it's just that beaches remind me of family and people I love. I'm scared, you know? Most of the people I've visited a beach with are no longer in my life and I just - I don't want that to happen with you." Van turns to you and smiles.
"I get that, I really do love. I know you're scared you're going to loose me and trust me, I'm scared that I'm going to loose you too one day. You're the best thing that's happened to me since starting the band and I'm constantly worried I'm gunna fuck it up somehow. But, we're here now, together and maybe that's all that matters right in this moment. We'll take it minute by minute and see where it leads us yeah?"

You turn and look up at Van lovingly, you part your lips to say something but he stops you by pressing his lips to yours softly. Communicating the love between the two of you in this moment, he tilted his head down as his fingertips caressed your cheek. His tongue lightly brushed your bottom lip, drawing a gasp from you which gave him access to all of you. He knew you by now, all of the secret tricks to make you putty in his hands, to give him control over you. You're teeth clash with his as you both try to deepen the kiss, and you pull away giggling.

"I'm sorry I'm just-" he giggles with you.
"Happy?"
"Constantly when I'm with you"
"Me too babe, me too" He smiles at you and you give him a wide smile in return.

Minute by minute. That doesn't sound too bad.