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You opened up into my arms
And we laughed as I held you
I'll never go back to Georgia
Not at least 'til I have to
- Jamie All Over by Mayday Parade
It had been a couple of weeks since Kevin joined the dojo. He still feels unmored, trying to get a firm grip on his surroundings. He doesn’t take for granted the opportunity that had been given to him when Shibata-san accepted him into the cohort. After all, he’s making history as the first Black man who will go through the dojo system.
Sometimes, when he’s laying in bed after a long day of drills and chores, Kevin looks up at the ceiling and listens to the other lions sleeping around him. He’d never admit it, but he feels like an outsider next to his peers. Maybe its because he came to the dojo later than the others, having missed out on time to forge those bonds of trust and brotherhood.
But at least there was Clark. A familiar face in an unfamiliar environment.
Kevin’s not the only one struggling to fall asleep. He can hear Clark tossing and turning in his bed across the room. Back in Washington, Clark complained about his insomnia, telling Kevin that some nights it was like he couldn’t shut his brain off. Like his thoughts were racing a million miles an hour. It seemed like he still hasn’t found a way to get over it.
Kevin lies still, unsure if he should say something. Doesn’t know if there is even anything to say. Just a few words of understanding, maybe? Something to tell Clark that he’s not alone—Kevin is just as restless.
However, before he can get his thoughts straight, he hears Clark climb out of bed and softly pad his way over to Kevin’s bedside. Kevin sits up, squinting, trying to make out Clark’s shape in the darkness of the dorm.
It’s almost dawn, but a sliver of moonlight streams through a nearby window, giving Kevin just enough light to catch Clark’s face. Clark looks at Kevin—his gaze piercing, like he can see through Kevin. It’s the same stare he used to get back in Washington. Kevin never learned how to get used to it.
“C’mon, let’s get some fresh air,” Clark says, grabbing Kevin’s hand and pulling him towards the door. His smile is full of mischief, his teeth bared. It’s an empty threat.
In many ways, it feels like they’ve never left Washington. Like Clark never stopped looking out for Kevin.
They make their way to the beach that Shibata-san had them running drills on the day before. The memory of DKC getting knocked over by a wave ad falling face-first into the sand is still fresh in Kevin’s head. He tries not to wince.
It’s still dark outside, but the sun begins to peak over the horizon. The sky is a brilliant blue, almost like the waves which crash against the sand in front of them. It feels like time slows around the two of them, as they approach the shore.
Kevin watches Clark run across the sand, towards the water. The waves are calm now, but Kevin knows as the tide comes in, they will grow in their ferocity.
The sun is rising further now, and the golden rays fall on Clark, illuminating his hair in such a way that it looks ethereal almost.
“Wanna get a head start on drills?” Clark asks as Kevin makes his way closer.
“You and I both know the last thing I want to think about is drills.”
“That’s not the way a champion thinks,” Clark teases.
“Yeah, tell me that again when you finally get a championship.”
Clark’s face breaks out into a smile, his laugh ringing out. Kevin tries to tell himself that the growing heat on his skin is from being outside, but the sun has just barely made its way into the skyline.
“Fine, lets just have some fun—before the other’s wake up and tattle to Shibata that we’re not in our beds.”
Kevin bites back the urge to correct Clark’s lack of honorific for Shibata-san, as Clark pulls him down the beach, dragging him to stand in the water. The waves lap at their ankles, the rip current threatening to pull them under, but they hold on tight to one another. As if they’re in a lock-up.
Their eyes meet—blue like the crashing waves and brown like a shard of sea glass. Falling back into old habits, Kevin leans in and kisses Clark. His lips are soft, plush. There’s the taste of salt from the ocean’s spray. Kevin wants to savor it.
In an attempt to pull Kevin closer, and deeper still into the waves, Clark trips over something beneath the surface, tripping him into the waves and sending water splashing in Kevin’s face. The salt stings his eyes, and his nostrils flare. When he resurfaces, there’s that crazy smile on Clark’s face again—his eyes wide and his tongue almost lulling out of his mouth.
A red-hot spark of something fills Kevin’s chest and he tackles Clark, throwing them both into the waves.
They toss each other around, grappling and trying to pull one another under the surface.
Kevin kicks out at Clark and fights his way above the waterline. He struggles and gasps for breath. All the while, he’s laughing inexplicably as Clark pulls him back under.
He falls onto Clark, being anchored below the waves. Their lips crash together, lungs screaming out for air. The roar of the waves around them and the beating of their hearts fill their ears.
The world around them seems to melt away—leaving nothing left but two young lions and the sea.