Andy woke early, heading to the kitchen to start preparing baskets of food. After she was done, she finally started on breakfast, noting it was about time the guys would be waking up. She filled her own plate then sat down.
Tet and Kiba entered, conferring over a schedule. They both kissed her before getting plates and sitting down. "I think today can be hand to hand, tomorrow the range?" Tet shoveled the food in, handing the paper to Kiba.
"Why don't we have a break day? Get some exercise by swimming at the beach?" Andy suggested.
They frowned at her. "Why?"
"Why not? It'll give the team a needed break which will help the team overall."
Tet exchanged a look with Kiba, then sighed. "I am a little worn out.."
"See? Relaxing and getting some sun will help," Andy smiled.
"We surrender." The men chorused with soft smiles.
Ryon and Akasa came in, their hands clasped together. They gave a wave as they got food and sat down.
Andy grinned at Kiba and Tet, "Good, I already prepared the food for the day." She looked over at Ryon, "Tell everyone we're having a beach day."
"Sneaky.." Kiba chuckled as the porter lifted an eyebrow. "At least we'll get away from Boss."
"Why doesn't he go with us?" Andy suggested.
"You've never tried to pry him away from his desk when he's overworked." Kiba shook his head. "Fighting Branch is easier than trying to get Puff to relax, unless alcohol is involved."
"Well, I'll at least offer it to him," Andy said as she finished her food.
"Need a fire extinguisher?"
Andy rolled her eyes before putting her plate in the sink and heading down to Tsukasa's office.
She could hear Tsukasa's pulse through the door as it raced dangerously.
She knocked on the door before sticking her head in.
Daiki gave her a small smile from where he was trying to keep Tsukasa calm. Smoke billowed in the air, spreading on the ceiling in clouds.
"Hey, are you okay?" Andy asked quietly.
"Headquarters just told him there's an evaluator coming next week. He's close to losing control." Daiki sighed as he bent and looked at the dragon. "Breathe. Calm down before you pass out."
Tsukasa stared at the desk, his eyes distant as the panic attack worsened.
"Do I need to give him a sedative?" Andy said with worry.
"Might be a good idea. Damn them for doing this now!" Daiki growled as he tried to get Tsukasa's attention.
Andy went and grabbed a sedative before returning and injecting it into his arm.
He stared dully at her before he slumped into the vampire's arms.
Daiki cradled him gently. "What did you want before?"
"We're taking a beach day to relax.. Thought he might need it."
"Great idea. I'll bring him like this. Then he can't argue when he wakes."
Andy smiled, "Alright. We'll probably leave soon."
"Okay." The vampire lay Tsukasa on the nearby couch, running a hand through his hair. "Didn't expect the news to cause a panic attack. But after the incident with Tet, maybe I should have."
"Well we can give him some anti anxiety meds if he needs them."
Kiba knocked on the door. "Remember how Boss always claimed this wasn't a daycare?"
"Why?" Andy raised an eyebrow.
"The announcement of a beach day has turned half of us into five year olds." He grinned until he spied Tsukasa. "What's wrong?"
"Panic attack. Apparently we're getting evaluated next week."
"Shit. This idea is sounding better and better." Kiba looked at her. "We should go before the 'kids' start whining."
She nodded, "Let me go change then I'll be ready." She headed out and put her light blue bikini on before covering it with a yellow sundress. Then she went to the kitchen and started getting the baskets out and handing them to the porters.
The group collectively raised an eyebrow as Daiki entered, Tsukasa on his back.
Andy smiled, "Alright let's go." She gave them the location of the beach before starting to port there. She smiled as she spotted the vast water, the sun bright in the sky.
A minute later, the beach was filled with rowdy young men.
Daiki gently laid Tsukasa on a towel, then gave her a smile.
Two pairs of hands reached for her dress, tossing it over the baskets. Then both men picked her up and headed for the water.
Andy laughed, excited to get to swim.
The three of them splashed into the waves, Tet kissing her deeply.
"My turn." Kiba claimed her mouth greedily.
Andy smiled as they pulled away, then giggled and splashed water at them both.
"You're gonna pay for that.." Tet mock growled as he pounced on her.
Andy laughed again, wrapping her arms around him to keep afloat.
Kiba whistled, pointing past them at Jack and Zal, who were surfing.
Andy smiled, noticing a few of the others had started a volleyball game on the beach.
Ryon fell on the sand, a smile growing as the ball went over and bounced. He brushed his hair out of the way and stuck his tongue out at Akasa on the other side of the net.
His brother chuckled, extending his hand to lift him. "Don't make him lose too bad" he whispered.
Ryon winked, then got ready for the next serve.
Tsukasa blinked his eyes open, a look of confusion on his face.
Andy chuckled as she noticed him.
He gave her a look, then leaned back and closed his eyes.
Andy started swimming out from the beach, diving underwater and smiling at the tiny fish she saw.
Kiba appeared, giving her a wave as he swam past.
Eventually she quit swimming, opting to float on her back and enjoy the sun.
Tet lay on a towel, his eyes closed.
Yamae had wandered over to the phoenixes and they were building what appeared to be a replica of the base.
Ryusei sat on a towel, staring into the horizon.
Andy got out of the water, wrapping a towel around herself before breaking into the food baskets. She grabbed herself a sandwich before sitting down beside Tet.
"Do you ever get tired of being right?" He asked without opening his eyes.
"No," she smirked.
The tiger laughed, cracking an eye open.
She sat eating as she looked around at the others. When she was done, she laid back and leaned against Tet.
He wrapped his arms around her. "What did we do to deserve you?"
She blushed. "You're sweet."
"It's easy when you're beside an angel." He kissed her neck softly. "I can forget everything when you're next to me."
She gave a soft chuckle, "I might be nice but I don't know about angel level."
"You're definitely a guardian angel." Kiba sat down next to them.
She smiled softly, "I love you guys."
"We love you more." Kiba kissed them both, then lay down. "We should just stay here."
Andy chuckled, "I wish we could stay here forever."
"Let's retire here. Become beach bums." Tet laughed.
"We could build a little shack to live in," Andy added.
"I second the motion. Resolution passed." Kiba slammed down an invisible gavel.
Andy smiled, closing her eyes and relaxing, "Problem is, we'd have to fish for our food."
"Tigers are good at fishing.." Tet answered. "Now wolf boy here might starve, but.."
Andy laughed in response. She was quiet for a while before asking, "How late do we want to stay? We could build a fire once it's dark?"
"This was your idea, darlin." Tet smiled at her.
"We could send someone for s'more ingredients and roast marshmallows," Andy suggested.
Tet and Kiba looked at her. "What are s'mores?"
Andy stared at them for a minute, "Seriously, you've never had s'mores? It's graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate."
"Sounds like something parents make for their kids." Tet's voice was quiet.
"They're good. You'll love them," she smiled before standing. She headed over to Ryusei, "Want to go to the store with me?"
"Okay." He stood up, then looked at her. "What are we getting?"
"Firewood and ingredients for s'mores."
His eyes clouded, but he nodded and ported her to the nearest store.
She picked out what they needed then paid. "You okay?"
He gave her a smile and nodded. "Fine. Why?"
"Just making sure. You know what s'mores are don't you? Tet and Kiba have never had them."
"Tet and Kiba were raised in a lab. I wasn't. I know what they are." He took the firewood, then ported them back. He busied himself building the fire.
When it was up and burning, she moved her towel near it and set the ingredients out for everyone.
Ryusei excused himself as Tet and Kiba approached. He resumed his spot, once again watching the horizon.
Andy frowned. After a minute she headed over to him and sat next to him, "What's wrong?"
"How old were you when.." He trailed off, looking down at the sand.
"When what?" She said gently.
"Your parents."
She sighed, "Luckily I was almost an adult."
A sad smile flitted across his face. "I'm glad."
"How about you?"
"Ten.." He whispered.
Andy wrapped her arms around him, "That must have been tough."
"They were like you. The town we lived in was nice until one day a group of those anti shifter thugs showed up.. I'd stayed home with a cold, so my mom was making my favorite snack.. They broke down the door.." His shoulders began to shake and he buried his face in her shoulder.
"That's terrible. I'm sorry you had to go through that," she said gently, running a hand through his hair.
"Afterwards, I just wandered around. One day, Ryon caught me stealing his lunch. He took me in, then we stayed together and entered Branch."
"I'm glad you found someone so you weren't by yourself."
"I hadn't thought about it in years until you mentioned them." He gave a small laugh as he wiped his eyes. "Sorry for being an idiot."
"You're fine," she smiled softly. "Do you want to come make some with us?"
He gave her a smile. "I'd like that."
She stood and held a hand out to help him up, then headed back to her towel. She grabbed a marshmallow and a stick, then started heating it.
Ryusei did the same, chuckling at the matching confusion on the shifter's faces. He turned as Ryon softly touched his shoulder.
"You okay?" The redhead asked softly, smiling when he received a nod. Ryon moved to Andy's side, whispering a thank you gratefully.
Andy gave him a smile before starting to show Kiba and Tet how to make s'mores.
Their faces lit up as they ate, making them look like little boys.
Andy smiled as her mind flashed to when she first made s'mores. Her family was camping, sitting out in the woods under the stars. She remembered her dad handing her the ingredients and her mom helping her put it together. She smiled softly, wishing they were still there with her.
"Andy? You okay?" Tet's eyes were concerned, his cheek smeared with chocolate.
"Yeah, just some memories popping up," she smiled before wiping his face off.
He chuckled and kissed her as Kiba began to eat another s'more with a wide smile.
Ryusei snickered, putting together one himself. He gave Andy a smile as he bit into it.
Andy finished her s'more and stared into the fire, losing her thoughts in the flames.
After awhile, Ryon touched her shoulder. "I'm going to take him home." He gave a soft smile towards the sleeping porter. "I'm glad you could get him to talk."
"Me too," she smiled. She looked around the beach to see who was left.
Daiki made his way over, "Take us home? I am not carrying him again."
Andy nodded and stood, heading over and teleporting Tsukasa and Daiki back to the base. "Have a good night guys." She teleported back to the beach where Kiba and Tet were still sitting.
"This was nice.." Kiba's voice was sleepy, but he wore a bright smile. Tet ruffled his hair and nodded. "We should just learn that she has the best ideas and stop arguing."
Andy chuckled, "That would be nice."
Tet grinned at her, catching Kiba as he tumbled over with a soft snore. "I think we wore him out."
"Let's go home," she touched their arms before teleporting them back to the base. They appeared in her bed and she moved the blanket out of the way so Tet could lay Kiba down.
He gave his cheek a soft kiss, snickering as Kiba curled into the touch. "He really is a little kid sometimes."
Andy smiled sleepily, "That's alright, I think we all can be sometimes."
Tet snuggled beside her, wrapping his arms around and laying his head on her shoulder. "Sleep well darlin."
"You too," she kissed his cheek before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.