nice to sea you again

“hah. i knew it.” Spider settles beside him in the water, ignoring the biting chill as it laps at their back. “yeah, there’s a beach. and some shallow pools in this cave a boy showed me.” their voice takes on a hopeful edge. “when you’re able, you should come  visit and we can practice our swimming together. maybe Bas can supervise.” they can picture it now, the two of them flailing clumsily as they slowly gain a sense of rhythm, Bas trying to mask his amusement  behind a studious expression.

but then they think of Delphi, and her potential reaction. will she not want Spider to see Strai anymore? she’d be well within her rights; Spider wouldn’t blame her. unbidden, their heart gives a twist of loneliness. “hey…Strai,” they murmur, lifting their gaze to track the first stars as they light the dark sky. “do you think…do you think someone will like me one day? the way you like Delphi?” it has to be a wonderful thing, to have someone you feel so strongly for. to have someone like Bas has Hazel.

"Speech"