Relaxation Techniques
(Sandcastles)
"Why are we doing this again?"
"Oh, c'mon, I know you burn easily," Joker refused to actually look at Dylan. He figured the obvious gobs of sunscreen smeared in layers all over his pale skin would make him break out into giggles. "But a beach is a beach."
"No, I don't mind beaches," Dylan brushed some stray sand out of his hair, "But why are we building a sandcastle?"
Concentrating only on carefully pulling the bucket up off the damp sand until he was satisfied that the latest battlement was stable, Joker started carving details into it. "Chambers suggested it, remember? Said it would be relaxing." Pausing, Joker added, "I hate to say it, but I think she was right."
"Uh huh," Dylan sighed. He flopped onto his back, enjoying the way the coarse sand ground against his skin. He was badass like that. "Couldn't we just throw a towel over our heads and make out?"
"All in good time," Joker smiled. He was about to repeat the words, until he heard the change in Dylan's breathing, loud enough to mix in with the surf and the birds.
Dylan had dozed off. Frowning, Joker considered his options; leaving him out to burn wouldn't work, the guy was well aware of how easily that happened and his layers of sunscreen suddenly seemed less amusing.
Thus, Joker picked up a shovel.
"What the hell?"
"You really should see yourself." Joker went for his omni-tool, belatedly realizing he hadn't brought it. "Damn, I wish I could take a picture."
Buried up to his neck in the sand, Dylan groaned, "This is not funny." He didn't have a problem sitting up, but as the sand rolled off him, he realized it was caking onto his sunscreen, and it was quite possibly a more aggravating sensation than his skivvies chaffing inside a hardsuit. The sight of Joker with specs of sand stuck in the hair on his chest from the effort was little comfort. "It's in my shorts!"
"At least you had the good sense to take your boots off," Joker chuckled.
Staring at him blankly, Dylan stood up and reeled his left hand back. "Oh yeah?"
"Hey!" This only resulted in Joker leaning over his castle and throwing his arms out. "Don't you even!"
Sighing, Dylan let his hand drop. He plodded over to Joker and grabbed him as roughly as he felt safe doing, turning around and forcing Joker to ride on his back. "C'mon."
"Where are we going?"
"I need to clean off," Dylan smiled, though Joker couldn't see it.
It only took a few steps for Joker to realize where he was going. "Can't you just stand under the showers?"
"I could," Dylan answered, the ocean lapping up to his knees.
"Jesus, just don't backstroke," Joker's words were cut off as Dylan dived forward, seawater splashing into his mouth.
In the back of his mind, Dylan made a note to thank Chambers for her relaxation techniques.