🏖️Beach Fun || Ryland Grace ||
A/n: Poor Ryland can't catch a break.
The beach should have been relaxing.
That was the entire point.
Private stretch of sand, minimal people, the ocean stretching out in calm, endless blue while the sun dipped warm gold across everything. It was quiet in a way Ryland appreciated. Predictable, controlled, the kind of environment where nothing unexpected should happen.
And for the first five minutes?
You were walking ahead of him, barefoot in the sand, a loose cover-up draped over your shoulders, sunglasses perched on your nose as the breeze caught your hair just right.
He was doing fine, perfectly and completely fine then you stopped, turned and with absolutely no warning, slipped the cover-up off.
Ryland’s brain shut down.
Because underneath was your swimsuit.
Minimal. Fitted. Designed with absolutely no regard for the structural integrity of any man within a ten-mile radius.
And unfortunately for him, he was not just any man.
He was the man standing right there.
Then darted away because he was Ryland then against all logic pulled his gaze right back to you and the tiny bathing suit that was barely covering your body.
“…this is—” he started, then stopped, because there were no words in any known language that could adequately describe what he was currently experiencing.
You blinked at him, confused. “What?”
“I—” he swallowed, hard. “You did not specify that this was...part of the outing.”
You raised a brow, amused already. “.....A swimsuit?”
“That is not—” he gestured vaguely in your direction without actually looking this time, because he was trying, trying....to be respectful and failing spectacularly, “—a standard data point I was prepared for.”
You laughed softly, stepping closer, completely unaware or maybe very aware of the effect you were having.
“It’s just a bathing suit, Ryland.”
“It is not just—” he stopped again, pressing his lips together as if physically restraining himself.
Because you were closer now.
And the sunlight was hitting you in a way that made everything worse.
Colt’s voice echoed faintly in his memory. 'you look at her like she hung the stars'and for once, Ryland had no counterargument.
“…this environment is not conducive to rational thought,” he said finally.
You smiled, slow and a little teasing. “Are you saying I’m distracting you?”
You blinked then let out a laugh, softer this time, something warmer threading through it as you reached for his hand.
“C’mon,” you said gently, tugging him toward the water.
He followed automatically because of course he did, because it was you.
The waves lapped at your feet as you stepped in, cool water curling around your ankles, then higher as you pulled him along with you.
Not even trying to hide it anymore.
“…you are aware,” he said after a moment, voice quieter now, more focused, “that statistically, this is an unfair advantage.”
You tilted your head. “What is?”
“You,” he said simply, he wasn’t flustered now, wasn’t rambling.He was just…looking at you.Like he always did when he wasn’t overthinking.
“…that’s not very scientific,” you teased lightly.
“No,” he agreed. “It is not.”
The water reached his waist, he didn’t notice because you here.
Sun-warmed skin, soft smile, fingers still loosely wrapped around his and suddenly, the beach, the ocean, everything....Didn’t matter.
“…my heart rate has increased significantly,” he added after a beat, like he couldn’t help himself.
You laughed again, stepping a little closer. “Poor thing,” you murmured.
“…I do not believe this is survivable,” he said, your hand grasping his as you gave it a squeeze. You weren’t even trying to be mean about it.
You were just standing there in the water, sunlight catching on your skin, waves brushing softly around your legs, looking at him with that teasing little smile that always made his brain short-circuit.
“Ryland…” you said, tilting your head slightly, voice light with amusement. “You’ve seen me naked.”
He froze then parted his lips for a moment. “…yes,” he admitted carefully, like the word itself might betray him.
You took a small step closer, water shifting between you. “So you’re telling me a tiny little swimsuit is making you malfunction?”
Color flooded his face instantly, spreading all the way to his ears as he tried and failed to maintain any level of composure.
“That was different,” he said quickly, stumbling over the words. “That was....contextually, it was a controlled environment this is—”
And now there was absolutely nowhere safe for him to look.
His hand lifted instinctively, then hovered awkwardly in the air as he gestured vaguely, helplessly toward you. “This is...” he tried again, voice tighter now, “....visually… disproportionate.”
You blinked. “Disproportionate?”
He swallowed hard, finally forcing himself to meet your eyes only for his gaze to betray him immediately, flicking down for half a second before snapping back up like he’d just touched a live wire.
“Yes,” he said, far too quickly. “There is significantly less fabric, than previously observed, and it is—” he exhaled sharply, clearly running out of scientific language to hide behind, “....distracting.”
You laughed, soft and warm, clearly enjoying this far too much.
“Distracting?” you echoed, your brow raised as the smile remains on your lips.
Another wave rolled in, pushing you just a little closer into him, your hand brushing lightly against his arm to steady yourself.
Ryland’s entire body tensed like he’d just been struck by lightning. “…this is not fair,” he said under his breath.
You smiled, gentler now, the teasing easing into something softer as you looked up at him as you placed your hand on his chest, his heart racing under your palm. “Ryland,” you murmured, “you’re allowed to look at me.”
“I am looking,” he said quickly.
He faltered. “…strategically,” he corrected, weakly.
That made you laugh again, quieter this time as your fingers then moved and lightly curled around his wrist, guiding his hand down from its awkward hovering position.
“You don’t have to overthink everything,” you said softly.
He looked at you and yeah that expression was back.The one that made your chest feel warm, the one that gave you butterfly's in your stomach.
“…I am not overthinking,” he said after a moment.
“No,” he replied, voice lower now, steadier despite the lingering flush on his face. “This is a very straightforward reaction.”
You tilted your head, curious. “And what reaction is that?”
Like he considered dodging it.
But then he spoke. “You are… very difficult to ignore,” he said simply.
Your breath caught, just slightly.Because he meant it.
Just honest....just Ryland.
The ocean shifted around you again, but neither of you moved this time.
And for once, Ryland didn’t look away.
But of course, when it comes to Rylan...nothing peaceful ever lasts. Especially when he has a brother like Colt.
The moment had been perfect.
Warm water, soft sunlight, your hand still loosely around his wrist, Ryland finally was finally not overthinking for once, just looking at you like the rest of the world didn’t exist.
And then....because of course.
Ryland physically flinched.
And just like that....The moment was dead.
You slowly turned your head toward the shore.
Colt stood there like a menace to society, sunglasses on, arms spread wide like he’d just arrived at a party no one invited him to.
Behind him, Rocky bounced.Adrian loomed.
“…why,” you said slowly, “are they here?”
Ryland looked like something inside him had snapped.
“WHY ARE THEY HERE, COLT?!” he shouted, voice echoing slightly over the water as he turned fully toward the shore, composure gone.
Colt grinned. “Oh relax, I brought them for enrichment.”
“ENRICHMENT?!” Ryland repeated, incredulous, voice higher than intended to be.
Rocky let out a bright, excited cascade of tones, already moving forward into the ocean with absolutely zero hesitation.
“STATEMENT,” the translator buzzed proudly, “NEW ENVIRONMENT DETECTED. SALINE LIQUID.”
Adrian followed more carefully, their larger form wading in with a deep, curious hum that vibrated through the water.
You lit up instantly. “Oh my god, you brought them to the beach—”
“THEY ASKED,” Colt shrugged, completely unbothered. “You said beach, they said ‘what is beach,’ I said ‘let’s find out.’ Boom! Science.”
Ryland dragged a hand down his face. “That is not how decisions are made...that's not even...”
Rocky bounced again, sending another wave crashing outward.
“QUERY?!” the translator chirped, “IS THIS MATING LOCATION.”
Ryland made a sound of pure despair.
“NO!!!” Ryland snapped immediately, pointing at Rocky like he was personally responsible for his suffering, “this is not!!! there is no....why would you even—”
Adrian hummed thoughtfully. “ASSESSMENT,” the translator added in her deeper tone, “EXPOSED SKIN. INCREASED PROXIMITY. ELEVATED HEART RATE.”
You pressed your lips together, trying not to laugh.
Ryland turned bright red again. “THIS IS A BEACH,” he said tightly. “THAT IS NORMAL HUMAN BEHAVIOR.”
Rocky paused, waves hitting him, unfazed watching you both. “CLARIFICATION,” the translator buzzed, “YOU WERE EXPERIENCING MALFUNCTION.”
Colt pointed at him immediately. “HA! see, even they noticed—”
“YOU ARE NOT HELPING,” Ryland snapped.
Meanwhile, you were already wading toward Rocky, completely delighted, reaching out to touch his carapace as water rolled around both of you.
“Do you like it?” you asked warmly.
Rocky chimed, bright, enthusiastic as always when it came to you .“STATEMENT,” the translator rang out, “ENVIRONMENT IS… ACCEPTABLE. YOU ARE ALSO PRESENT. IMPROVES EXPERIENCE.”
Your smile softened instantly. “Aw, sweetheart…”
At you, standing there in the water, glowing in the sunlight, laughing softly as an alien the size of a small car leaned into your touch like an oversized puppy.
Colt sidled up next to him, dripping slightly from the water’s edge. “…you had, like, a whole romantic moment going, didn’t you,” Colt said, not even pretending it was a question.
Ryland didn’t answer, because yes he had this whole date planed out.
Colt clapped him on the shoulder. “Yeah, I ruined that.”
Ryland closed his eyes briefly. “Yes. You did.”
Another massive splash echoed as Rocky bounced again, clearly thrilled with his surroundings.
Adrian hummed in approval.
You laughed and Ryland found himself watching you again.
Because even with Colt yelling, aliens splashing, and absolutely no peace left—
Still looking at him like none of it mattered.
“…this is unsalvageable,” he muttered.
Colt grinned. “Nah, man. This is your life now.”
Ryland dragged both hands down his face, fingers pressing into his eyes like he could physically block out reality.
“I just wanted,” he groaned, voice muffled into his palms, “peace with my girlfriend.”
Behind him, a massive splash. Followed by delighted, echoing chimes.
You turned just in time to see Rocky, a eight hundred pounds of alien rock....roll.
Water surged around him as he tipped sideways, limbs flailing in what could only be described as pure, unfiltered joy.
“STATEMENT...!” the translator crackled mid-motion, briefly garbled by the water before correcting itself, “THIS IS....HIGHLY!!!ENJOYABLE—!”
Adrian stood a few feet away, watching with a deep, vibrating hum that sounded suspiciously like fond exasperation.
“ASSESSMENT,” Adrian’s voice translated calmly, “ROCKY IS… OVERSTIMULATED.”
Colt doubled over laughing on the shore. “HE’S DOING ZOOMIES!!! OH MY GOD—”
You burst into laughter, covering your mouth as you watched Rocky attempt another enthusiastic roll, sending water splashing everywhere like a living boulder having the time of its life.
“He’s so happy!” you said, completely delighted.
“I am not looking,” he muttered into his hands.
“NEW QUERY!!!” Rocky chimed loudly, mid-roll, “CAN THIS BE REPLICATED ON ERID—”
He hit a slightly larger wave, it flipped him.
For a brief, terrifying moment, there was nothing but limbs and water and chaos then he righted himself with a triumphant bounce.
Colt was crying now. “I CAN’T!!! HE’S A ROCK!!! HE SHOULDN’T BE ABLE TO DO THAT—”
You waded a little closer, laughing, reaching out to steady Rocky as he enthusiastically nudged your arm like a giant, soaked puppy.
“Careful, baby..” you said between giggles.
“STATEMENT,” the translator chimed proudly, “YOU ARE ALSO ENJOYABLE.”
Your smile softened immediately. “Aw—”
Behind you, Ryland let out a long, slow exhale then finally dropped his hands and looked.
He took in the scene. Rocky rolling in the ocean like a creature who had just discovered happiness for the first time, Adrian hovering nearby like a calm, approving guardian, Colt absolutely losing his mind on the shore and finally you.
Bright. Warm. Completely unbothered by any of it.
“…this is not peace,” he said quietly.
Colt, still wheezing, pointed at him. “No, man, this is better.”
Ryland stared at him then turned his attention back to you, at the way you reached up to pat Rocky again, the way you leaned into the chaos instead of away from it.
“…I did not account for this variable,” he admitted.
Colt grinned. “Yeah? What variable’s that?”
Ryland didn’t look away from you. “…that I would not mind,” he said softly.
And despite everything, despite the noise, the chaos, the complete lack of anything resembling his original plan.
Ryland felt something settle in his chest, it felt right, because you were here, because you loved him, loved everything about him, his brother, Rocky, Adrian.
Rocky bounced again. “FOLLOW-UP QUERY??!” the translator rang out, “WHEN WILL BABIES ARRIVE—”
“NO—” Ryland snapped immediately.
Colt hit the sand, laughing all over again.
And you? You just laughed too.
Because honestly, at this point, this was peace.
