Chapter Thirty-Six: with others

"Here," nineteen year old Abigail says.

Danny peers from behind her sunglasses, lowering her basket and the beach blanket to the ground. She takes the blue fabric from the woman, rubbing a hand in circles at the strange, smooth, and flexible feel.

Danny looks up, question on her tongue, but stops as the blonde Faunus kicks off her sandals.

"It's a wet shirt," Abigail explains, her shirt sliding off her. "You can wear it over something, but it is supposed to go in the water. Normally people who burn easily wear one. See how it fits like a shirt?" Danny holds it up, seeing what the blonde means. Abigail takes off her shorts. "Go and change, we'll be here when you get back."

Danny lowers the shirt, smiling. She goes to say something, but pouts at sight of the bikini the blonde has on. Shaking her head, Danny smiles. "Thanks, Abby."

"No problem," Abigail says, giving her a thumb up. Abigail turns to where the lagging team members are fighting as to who brings down the umbrellas, and who gets the lawn chairs. "Hurry up, you two!"

Abigail rolls her eyes as Qrow dumps the umbrellas on James. She gets to work setting up the discarded blanket, and then pulls towels out of her beach bag. She peeks into Danny's basket to see what food their team leader brought.

"Anything good?" James asks in his low and smooth voice.

Abigail looks around at the assortment. "Lots of variety. I wonder where she gets all this stuff."

"She still won't crack?" Qrow asks. He throws the chairs into the air and watches them unfold.

"No," Abigail sighs. "She said some of it came from the cafeteria, but I don't know how she smuggles it out. And I know the cafeteria doesn't do sandwiches like these."

"Where is Danny?" Qrow asks.

Abigail sits on the blanket and looks out at the lake, trying not to stare as her teammates strip off their shirts. "Changing."

"Why wasn't she ready before hand?" James asks.

Abigail bites her lip. "She didn't have anything to wear, so I gave her something."

"What person doesn't have a bathing suit?" Qrow doesn't hide his disbelief.

"It fits great, Abby!" Danny shouts, running over hot sand from the restroom. The boys stare curiously at her blue shirt and black shorts. "You're a lifesaver."

"No problem," Abigail replies, springing to her feet.

"Are you going in the water like that?" Qrow asks sharply.

Danny turns to her teammates, smile wavering. She doesn't notice Qrow's concerned look. "Yah… Is there a problem?"

"Nothing wrong," Qrow grumbles. He turns to face further up the beach, a nervous twitch to avoid them.

"Alright?" Danny shrugs and looks over to James. Abigail links an arm through hers and starts dragging towards the ocean. "Food in the basket! Come join us later! Eep! Abigail, I'm coming!"

James turns to Qrow, eyebrows raised. "What's with you?"

"Do you think," Qrow mutter softly, turning to his retreating teammates, "that our team leader is ashamed of her body?"

"Danny?" James asks in disbelief. He looks at the women, Abigail in a bikini and Danny in a t-shirt, and sees what Qrow sees. "Honestly, no. I don't think she would plan this for our eight-months-as-a-team anniversary, otherwise."

"Unless Abigail begged her to do it."

"Our team leader is not self-conscious," James insists. "She's probably never gone swimming, or just out-grew everything. Besides, how often do people go swimming in Vale? Atlas has nice summer beaches by the ocean."

Qrow gives him an irritated look. "Our tiny little Danny out-grew her clothing? And have you asked why Abby likes swimming even though she's a cat-Faunus?"

"Alright," James concedes. "Maybe Danny's never been swimming before? And no, I haven't asked our timid Faunus why she loves water."

Qrow pauses and looks over at the women, dropping his shirt on a chair and kicking off his shoes. "Do you think they can both swim?"

The women go under water, and both men freeze. Some bubbles appear, but the women don't. James and Qrow share a wide eyed look. Qrow sums it up in one word.

"S***."

The moment they jump into the lake, the women lift their heads above water and laugh at whatever had kept their interest long enough to stay under the water a little too long.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I'm going to try and update twice next week, but after that I won't be able to update in August. Sorry. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Thank you, highking cartef, for your review! I really hope you enjoyed this chapter, and will enjoy the ones to come. Thanks again!