"So let me get this straight," said Feferi. "You've lived this close to the ocean the entire time and you don't know how to swim?"

"Not a motherfuckin' clue," said Gamzee, putting up his hands to stretch.

Feferi didn't want to bring up Gamzee's lusus, so she nodded and smiled. "Well you came to the right person! I happen to be quite the swimmer, but I don't mean to brag."

Gamzee grinned. "So you can all up and teach a motherfucker?"

"Sure!" she said. "This might take some time though. Are you prepared?"

Gamzee nodded. "I don't know where my floaties are though, but I don't think I need them."

"That's the spirit! You'll own that water soon enough!"

"Where is Eribro?" said Gamzee.

"Eridan is back at his hive. We were supposed to explore an underwater cave, but we always do that. I thought teaching you to swim would be more fun!"

Gamzee gave another one of his famous grins. "That's motherfuckin' awesome. Thank you, fish sis. It means a lot to me."

She took his hand and led him to the water. "Come in!"

The water felt cold against Gamzee's warm body, forcing a big smile out of surprise. He knew the water would be chilling, but he didn't think it would be that much. Nevertheless, he didn't let go of Feferi's hand as she led him farther out into the ocean, confident that he could handle water with a height as big as his.

"Right here is fine for now," she said. Gamzee nodded, and Feferi let go of his hand briefly. She began to swim around Gamzee in circles, grinning, watching as his head spun around to keep up with her quick maneuvers.

"What you're going to want to do it keep yourself buoyant," she said. "Try to float right now."

Gamzee wasn't entirely sure what she meant, but he managed to keep himself up for just a few moments before sinking into the water, poking his head back up, with his messy hair soaking wet.

"That's alright," she said. "But try to stay up for as long as possible! Kick your legs like a rhythm to push yourself up and keep yourself from sinking."

"Uh, what?"

Feferi smiled. "Don't worry," she said. "We can practice for as long as you want, until you get it right."

"Thanks again for doing this," he said. He was grateful he had a friend who was willing to help him with swimming. Karkat could probably swim, but Feferi was a master. Plus, she was closer to his hive, and to the ocean. And less likely to yell.

"It's no problem at all!" she assured.

The only sounds were coming from the very waves, washing over the shore and gently nudging Gamzee and Feferi farther out to sea. There was the sounds of rushing water as Gamzee followed Feferi's instructions, kicking his feet and moving his arms out to keep himself afloat. The air was brisk, and carried the scent of the salty ocean in its path. Gamzee shivered, and hoped that tomorrow's swimming lesson would be a warmer one. He just had to get used to the temperature.

"Alright," said Feferi. "Now we're going to try something for a little bit. I'm going to swim a little far away, and I want you to swim to me underwater."

Gamzee nodded.

"Remember what I told you," she said. "You need to push away from your body and to the sides when you swim underwater. Keep your rhythm and kick with your feet just like I showed you."

"I got it!" said Gamzee. "This shouldn't be too much of a motherfuckin' problem."

"Great!"

As she had said, Feferi had begun to swim further out to sea, and then turned around to spot Gamzee. He dove his head into the water and begun to swim, stretching out his arms and moving rapidly towards Feferi. Or at least he thought he was swimming rapidly towards her.

He swims like a wriggler, thought Feferi, giggling to herself. It took Gamzee several minutes what should have been a half-minute swim. Regardless, he surfaced up from the water with a big breath, splashing the cold liquid in every direction, soaking Feferi even more than she already was. She moved her hand across her face and cleared the water from her eyes. Gamzee was trying to keep himself from sinking.

"Was that fine?" he asked.

"For your first try, sure," said Feferi. "I think you've had enough practice for today. You should give yourself a rest."

"Alright," said Gamzee. "Would you like to come into my hive for a Faygo?"

Feferi smiled and nodded. "Sure, I'd like to try some."

Gamzee let Feferi choose her desired color of Faygo, and she went alone with a purple bottle that he had. Opening it and taking a long swig, she nodded and eyed the bottle, smirking.

"Wow, it's actually not half bad! I don't know why Eridan or Karkat give you such a hard time over it."

"Aw, it's cool," said Gamzee. "Karbro and Eribro just don't understand the wicked elixir like I do."

"Well I wouldn't mind taking a few of these back to my hive!" she said. "Oh, if that's okay with you?"

Gamzee grinned. "Sure! You can all up and take as much as you motherfuckin' want, fish sis."

"Thank you," she said, drinking more of the grape flavored fizzy drink. She had to be careful and make sure Eridan didn't see her drinking any. He would think she was "dowwn wwith the clowwn", as he would put it.

Feferi relaxed on Gamzee's horn pile and spoke with him for longer than she thought, and actually enjoyed the conversation. She wondered why she didn't speak with Gamzee more often. He was a very fun and silly clown most of the time.

Feferi yawned. "Well Gamzee, it's been really fun but I'm getting a little tired. Same time tomorrow?"

"Sounds like a motherfuckin' plan."

"Great! We should definitely talk more often!"

"Well you all up and have my Trollian handle, right?"

That was indeed correct. Feferi barely spoke to Gamzee on Trollian, but that would soon change. "Yeah. I'll talk to you soon!"

They hugged, and Feferi made her way back to the ocean with giddiness. She couldn't wait for tomorrow.