the long way around [holly, open]

As soon as Holly stepped into the canoe, the excitement welled up within him. The water lapping at his legs only spurred that on, and his eyes met hers as she settled into the other end. His fingers curled around the front of the canoe. "Of course we can."

With that, a strong push was given. He moved forward with the canoe as he pushed it, gliding it off the sand and into the water. As he did, in one smooth motion he kicked off from the beach, grabbing onto the oar, and slipping into place onto the closest seat as the canoe soared out into the water. Dipping the oar into the water, he guided them along just beyond the beach until the trees further down covered the canoe with their outstretched shadows as the edge of the forest followed along beside them.

"What do you think? It's changed a bit since we've last been out." Keeping a steady rhythm with the oar, the deep blue of the ocean flowed around them as they floated down the coast. When he would switch sides with the oar, every now and then droplets of water would catch the glistening sun through the leaves of the trees, causing them to sparkle as they floated along. "How far do you think we'll get?"

"Oh, ouch." So both of them were stupid. For some reason, even as she said that, as they rowed out across the vibrant blue coast, her smile negated the harshness that would normally be associated with those words. And it was okay. Without asking, he knew what she meant. They had been together for so long he would be ashamed if he couldn't tell that probably wasn't what she fully meant to say. There was plenty of time for the real words to come out at their own pace.

He didn't mind waiting. Not for her. If he had to... well, waiting as long as it took didn't seem to bad. Some things were worth it.

"Then I'll make sure not to bother you with my stupidity." The warm grin across his face gave away his thoughts. Playing along with her words, he stuck the oar straight down to connect with the soft sand that coated the ocean bed. The canoe swerved smoothly, and he lifted the oar back up as the canoe glided into the curve the coast had taken as if the boat itself was a part of the water.

"If you fell in, you wouldn't be able to see this." The canoe drifted up onto the wooded part of the coast they had found themselves on. Climbing out, Wynter held it steady, offering his outstretched hand out to Holly. "Come on."

How many times had he held her hand in the past? There had been countless time they had growing up. As children they often held hands while playing, walking to the school house, or sharing secrets like most kids do. While he honestly couldn't remember every time, he could still remember most, and he wouldn't forget.

Now, though, it was different. A lot of it was the same and they were still good friends, there was a spark between their skin that hadn't been there before. A deeper meaning now existed, and he could honestly say the girl holding onto his hand was the only one who he would do anything for. For now, he could keep that to himself.

"It's something I found the other day." Setting aside the now cold feeling left after their hands parted, Wynter led them through the Whispering Woods. Holding up branches and slipping through smaller trees, the sun glistening through the top canopy of leaves and making the sunlight sparkle along the ground, they continued until a clearing ahead was reached.

Pulling back the last long blades of grass, Wynter stepped forward out into the flowering Memorial Garden, a monument to how far they had come. The trees behind where they had come from covered the secret little path leading back to the ocean. Smiling, he turned back to Holly, stepping aside to let her through. "What do you think of it? It was a lot faster than walking."

"Of course. Just the two of us." The secret path leading down to the ocean had been something he had found entirely by accident. He had been getting a feel for the water again when he had happened across it, and as soon as he had laid his eyes on it he knew it was something he had to share with Holly. Their little excursions were common in the warmer season, yet he hadn't wanted to wait any longer to show her.

As she leaned against him, he had to close his eyes to keep his heartbeat in check. The hand that had been free lifted, hesitating for only a moment before placing itself on her left shoulder and squeezing. With her against him as she was, he wouldn't be surprised if she could hear and feel the rapid pulse beneath his chest, but he hoped beyond hope that is wasn't as noticeable as it felt in his own ribcage.

If she did feel it, would she point it out? Or would she ignore it, and brush it off? If only to keep the situation from turning awkward, he hoped she didn't feel it.

"It's about lunch time. What do you say we break into this?" A grin spread out across his face as he held up the picnic basket he had packed in advance. He had grabbed it from the boat as they had left it, and he was sure the contents inside would be enjoyable. The garden was the perfect spot.

His hand only left her shoulder after another squeeze, one he hoped didn't linger for too long. Reaching into the basket as he walked, Wynter pulled out a sky blue and white checkered blanket. Laying it out along the grass amongst the flowers and and under the sunshine that shone down through the trees, it was spread evenly before he sat down. The picnic lunch was set in the middle and opened. "So has the trip met your expectations so far?"

"Oh, you're more than capable of feeding yourself!" Wynter's mood only picked up even more with the giggles that spilled out of Holly's lips. Shaking his head at her comment, he reached into the picnic basket, beginning to pull each item out and ay them on the blanket. "You're not five anymore, you know."

A light spring salad with sausage made of soy done in a light marinade, sandwiches for each of them with melted fresh mozzarella cheese grilled vegetables, a side of chilled potato casserole, homemade macaroni and cheese with breadcrumbs, and a bowl of fruit to share with two slices of strawberry pie. A thermos of sweet tea was packed as well, with cups for the both of them.

"So, what do you think? Was today worth it?" Grinning in cheerfulness, Wynter reached for one of the grilled sandwiches, resting his elbow on his knee as he sat cross-legged. He knew her preference for food, so he tried his best to incorporate that.

Sometimes they clashed, sometimes they saw eye to eye. Other times he knew exactly what she was going to do and when, and sometimes she knew the same for him. Yet there were still times when she did the complete opposite of what he thought she was going to do. This, this situation, was one of those times.

It wasn't as if he knew that her body now was different than when they had been children. In fact, he knew very well just how different it had become. For her to go and physically point that out, though, was another matter. It wasn't as if he hadn't cracked his own jokes before, but this was a while other level entirely.

"H-Holly...!" Despite his best efforts, and try he did, Wynter could do nothing to help the heat he felt rushing to his face. He was distinctively aware of exactly how warm his ears felt. He was instantly glad they had decided to go out alone on the boat, because if this had happened anywhere with Fayt nearby, he wasn't sure how this would go over either way.

Looking away with a sputter, he used the brief moment of not looking at where she had emphasized to regain himself. As she continued, he blinked as she trailed off. That wasn't what he had expected. "What's missing? You can tell me."