Let's Go Swimming!
By Yukirei (a.k.a. Cosmiko Ling)
Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of the Abyss or any of their characters. Tales of the Abyss belongs to Namco. This is a non-profit fanfiction written by a fan, for the enjoyment of other fans.
Pairing(s): none? one-sided Saphir x Jade?
Summary: The Keterburg boys go swimming. [Keterburg childhood ficlet.]
A/N: Inspired by Jade's side story in Tales of Fandom vol. 2. Further note at the end of ficlet.
"But it's soo cooold tonight!" Saphir whined, mittened hands clutching his coat tightly. "Must we really go swimming?"
And so it was – cold, that is – they were standing outside the small wintery town of Keterburg after all. But of course, little things like the cold didn't deter the Great Prince Peony when he was on one of his whimsical impulses for romance and adventure. "Let's go swimming next time!" he had announced after their last night-time boat ride-adventure – which Saphir had hated as much by the way, partially because he fell into the water, screaming as he went over, and all the other two, even Jade!, did after that was laugh – and by his 'royal decree', here they were. It was for the adventure! And besides—
"True men, especially the ones who become legendary heroes, aren't afraid of swimming in cold water!" Peony proclaimed, grinning broadly at Saphir. He had naturally already thrown off the outer layers of his clothes upon reaching the shore, and was now hopping around a little from one foot to the other to reduce contact between the literally frozen ground and his bare feet.
"But we're still boys," Saphir protested. Catching an eye-roll from Jade out of the corner of his eye, Saphir felt a surge of triumph. "We aren't even men yet!!"
Saphir honestly thought that Peony was an idiot; the things he said didn't make sense, unlike Saphir, who had logic on his side.
"Isn't that right, Jad—"
Saphir's mouth fell open as he realised that he was betrayed! – Jade too was removing his clothes. His mouth stayed hung open because Jade, who was good at everything, was also good at taking off his clothes – so Saphir thought as he stared mesmerised – there was a certain unintentional grace in every movement of body and cloth that Saphir felt he could never emulate.
As he slipped out of his final article of clothing sans swimming shorts, Jade cast a sideward glance at Saphir, who guiltily snapped his mouth close, feeling his cheeks heat up despite the cold.
"Don't force yourself to go if you don't want to," was all Jade said before walking ahead without a backward glance.
From anyone else, those words might have been comforting words of concern, but when Jade said it and in that tone, they only sounded like—
"We're leaving you behind!" Peony called from the edge of the water.
Suddenly, the night felt even colder than it had been.
"W-wait!" In a fluster, Saphir began stripping.
Date written: 29 November 2008
Post-fic A/N: As mentioned, inspired by Jade's side story in Tales of Fandom vol. 2 -- except that I remembered wrongly - the night-time sea adventure was in a boat! Not swimming! Swimming at night in Keterburg's freezing cold waters may be too extreme even for Peony. Furthermore, it's questionable that Jade would agree to such foolishness. ^^;