Riptide

A short little DC drabble thing, to see how well I can write in this verse. (: First-timer, & avid shipping for Em & B. 3 Okay, so...read! & enjoy. & review, because I like know what you guys think.~

Legal jazz—all characters copyright of Harmonix & others.~ I simply take the most amazing crew & make them awkwardly not platonic anymore. o.o


Her mouth twist into a frown, arms folded tightly while icy green eyes stare at the ridiculousness before her. In the background Emilia stood, becoming increasingly annoyed by the second. Yes, their crew was popular. And yes, her partner was just as popular as she—even if his fanbase were more beach babes than anyone else.

Emi's fingers rap against her forearm as she grew even more impatient. Bodie was conversing with his fans after they completed a routine during practice—a practice session these females rudely interrupted. Emilia noticed the crowd grow as they tried to put new moves together with new songs, despite her biggest effort to find the most secluded area of the beach she could.

Bodie just had to practice outside today.

She didn't know what annoyed her more—the airheads that interrupted them, or the nonchalant but friendly attitude Bodie was currently displaying despite being kept from a vital dancing session.

Deciding that she'd had enough of watching females grovel Emilia picked up her bag, stuffing her towel & iPhone inside before throwing it over her shoulder; toned legs lead her up to the boardwalk ready to ditch the beach completely.

"Em." A familiar strong hand grasp onto her arm, though the hold was gentle it demanded her attention.

"B," Emilia responded coolly, not pausing her stride nor looking at him. His hand still held onto her, as he walked right next to his dancing partner. She was surprised that he'd caught up with her so quickly, but she still felt the need to be upset with him.

"Why'd you leave?"

"I didn't want to interrupt the party." Emi tend to speak in short & in low tone when she was mad, as she finally look over at him. She cursed herself mentally for doing so, because the oaf had the biggest nerve to have a smile on his face. His smile had the ability to be both refreshing & bothersome at the same time—at least during this particular moment.

"Come on, Em—we have to finish up. Don't leave."

Emilia noticed that he picked up his bag, too; he was leaving with her. A swell of pride over winning his attention over the beach Barbies pooled up within her, though you couldn't tell by the deadpan expression on Emi's face. "If we're going to finish, & do it without an audience, we'll need to do it at home. Like I suggested before we left," she added, finally stopping in order to face him. She shook her arm from his hold, opting to fold them to show an air of seriousness. "B, we'll never get any better if your fangirls are in the way. I want to win, it's so important to me."

Bodie's dark brows raise, his smile slowly disappearing—facial expression showing a bit of remorse for disappointing his best friend. "I know," he finally replied, rubbing his arm. "Let's go finish up at home."

"Like I suggested before," Emilia repeated, shaking her head before walking again, partner in tow. "We'll pick it up later. Right now I'm pretty starved."

"Let's go pick up some ice cream," Bodie suggested, friendly smile back on his face. "I'll get the tub with the three flavors. Huh?"

Emilia bit back a smile, shoving him in the side. "Whatever," she said, internally appreciating that at least he knew the right way to butter her up again.


The Riptide crew sat upon Emi's living room sofa, large tub of Neapolitan ice cream between them, each equipped with a spoon as they dig in while aimlessly watching some movie on cable.

"Let's watch something else," Emilia murmured. "The action is so fake."

"You're gonna miss the good part," Bodie insisted, handing her the remote anyway.

"Mm." She replied halfheartedly, surfing through channels.

"Fangirls?"

"...what?"

"Fangirls. That's what you called 'em." Bodie glanced over at Emi, lips turned up in amusement.

"I said that hours ago," Emilia exaggerated, waving the remote carelessly. "Besides, that's what they are."

"Nahh."

"That's totally what they are!" She finished off the ice cream on her spoon before continuing. "They practically stalk you on the beach. & they're so obvious about it."

"...nahh," Bodie disagreed.

"B!" Emilia look at him incredulously. "You really don't see it? Here—I'll reenact a typical day training at the beach for you." The brunette toss her spoon on the coffee table. "Boooooooodie!~" she exclaimed with an air of ditziness, clasping her hands together. "Can you teach me that dance? I lovvvve dancing. Do you see my new two-piece?" Emilia push her chest up. "It's got polka dots!"

Bodie burst into laughter. "You're horrible, you know that?"

"They're so desperate," she giggled, leaning back & crossing her legs. "It's impossible to get anything done."

"Like you don't have guys hanging around!" he countered with a chuckle.

"Uh yeah, but I have the uncanny ability to ignore them," she insisted, flicking his cheek.

"You are pretty cold out there," he said, swatting her hand away.

"For the sake of getting things done!"

"Well it won't happen again. I know how much this competition means to you—to both of us. So...from here on out, nothing but seriousness."

"Seriousness," Emilia declared, finally smiling brightly. The pair bumped fists, concentrating on the television set again with a comfortable silence—Bodie taking over the tub of ice cream.


Somehow, time flew by, & nighttime shaded the sky. Emi dozed off on her sofa; Bodie tucked the uneaten ice cream in her freezer, gathering his stuff up to finally head home. He left the light on in the kitchen for guidance, turning off the lamps in the living room. He got as far as opening the front door when a soft voice stop him.

"B." Emilia had woken up, slightly embarrassed by falling asleep while she had company—though her company was the person she felt most comfortable doing anything with.

"Go to sleep, Em," Bodie said. "I'll text you in the morning."

"I'm not sleepy," she responded with an annoyed wave of her hand, standing up for a good stretch. She walked over to him, embracing him warmly. "Sorry about earlier."

"What are you sorry for?" he asked curiously, hugging her tightly.

"Being mad at you."

"I thought we were over that."

"We are, B—I'm extending an official apology. Take it or leave it."

"I'm takin' it," he grinned, his nose in her messy brown locks. Bodie could smell the beach on her—it was a natural perfume . Emi wasn't one to be girly, but she did show her feminine side every once in awhile. This moment was a prime example.

"Tomorrow morning, 6am," she ordered, face still buried in his shirt. Why couldn't she pull away?

"6?!"

"I might have made it 8am—had we finished today's practice," Emilia replied, looking up with a devious smile.

"Okay, okay." Bodie's smile beamed down at her, & at this moment, everything was okay.

She still had her Bodie.

Her Bodie.

He was still the same, happy, outgoing Bodie.

The longer she could keep him from acquiring a girlfriend, the better.

Emilia bit her lip at such a selfish thought, but her rational side encouraged it. If he ever did fall for another girl, she'd no longer be the center of his universe.

Well maybe that was a little much, but...

"What?" he asked, noticing that she'd gone completely into her own thoughts.

"What?" Emilia repeated, not knowing what he said before.

"I don't know, you kinda dazed out on me," Bodie joked.

"Go home," she said, planting a hand on the center of his chest & giving him a little nudge, though her arm was still wrapped around him.

"I'm goin'!" Bodie grinned, letting her go & taking a backward step out of the door. "Good night, Em."

"Night, B," she replied, giving him a little wave while leaning against the open door. Neither of them moved, waiting on the other to go.

"Come on, go inside & shut the door," Bodie said.

"Why? I'm waiting on you to leave," Emilia pointed out, a hand now on her hip. "Go."

It was difficult to argue with Emilia most of the time, but this time proved even more hard as Bodie didn't really want to walk away. Emilia shutting the door would be the best way to leave without doing something that he was very well contemplating—but knew that it would be a bad idea.

Yet, it seemed like the right time.

Emilia gave him a little look, eyebrows raised & shoulders held up—silently asking him, "Why are you still here?"

His blue eyes scanned her face intently, trying to search for hints. Clues. He was really good at reading her expressions, but half of the time Emi was unpredictable anyway.

So he took the chance.

Instead of walking away, he stepped closer to her. Emilia's heart nearly lept from her chest. She knew exactly what was going to happen, & she seemed powerless to stop it.

She wanted it to happen.

Bodie stopped about an inch away from her, his tall frame overpowering hers. Emi stood as tall as she could in the doorway, trying to emit courage. Her eyes didn't leave his, & didn't blink. She dared him to do it.

He cupped her chin; she still didn't say a word. She didn't pull away. She didn't throw expletives at him.

& he went for it. Bodie's lips lands on top of hers, barely touching. It wasn't a very meaningful kiss. It felt more like an experiment, lips pressed to each other's for merely seconds. Her fingertips grasp onto his sides, & she swore she her heart was racing so much that he could hear it.

Bodie leaned back, silly smile on his face.

Emilia frowned, letting him go. "I think you should go." She didn't wait for his response—she only gave him a little shove back before shutting the door in his face.


:D ohay. So...that was it! Though, I don't think this can be considered a drabble anymore, as I went a little longer than I anticipated. & part of me REALLY wants to continue, though I said I'd stop it there. Ahhh. Decisions. Well I'll ask you—Riptide fans, should I leave it here, or post another chapter?!

You know you want to know what happens next. ;D Just say the word & an update shall appear! Thank you for reading. 3

Also, tons of apologies—I could not come up with a good title for this thing. Ugh. Riptide will suffice.