title from: Pierce the Veil - Dive In
summary: Mikey wants to make the most of his vacation, but unfortunately, he's a total scaredy cat. Luckily, you're there to help his face his fears!
tags: inok!mikey, mikey way x reader, fluff, reader has a description kinda??? (idk read the authors note), sfw, tw the ocean idk if anyone has thalassophobia but yeah
a/n: hi i'm guys im back. ik i usually make my y/ns very vague so they can apply to anyone, but this is a very self indulgent one, so for the sake of it, reader is implied to have dyed hair. sorry guys π also this is a bit of a warm up before i get to writing my bigger stuff.
"I told you, Mikey... I'm a vampire!"
To properly emphasize her words, Illi ended her statement with a sharp hiss, glaring at her brother before draping another beach towel over herself, acting as though it was a stereotypical vampire cloak.
Mikey sighed, mustering up the strength to not roll his eyes, so that his mother wouldn't scold him for attitude again.
"We're at the beach, Illi. Come on, you're supposed to enjoy it!"
"I am enjoying it," Illi replied, not bothering to look up from her sketchbook. "Just under the shade."
Grumbling, Mikey fussed his way towards the waves. He looked back towards his sister and his mother. Well, Illi was more towels than person right now. His mother, on the other hand, was laying out in the sun, presumably tanning.
Mikey turned towards the ocean again. He'd always loved playing around in the sea. It wasn't often his family went on vacations like this, so he always tried to make the most out of it.
The only problem was, Mikey was kind of (definitely) a bit of a (a lot of a) wuss.
The waves crashed against each other, colliding with the shore after forming cylindrical rolls of teal and aquamarine. Sea foam splattered against the sand, kelp dancing through the bubbles.
A particularly large wave erupted from the sea, eventually reaching Mikey's feet in the form of gentle ocean froth. The cool water made Mikey flinch, his skin unaccustomed to the chilly temperature. However, it was a hot day, so it's not like the freezing temperature was unlikable.
Still, the daunting height of the waves sparked a primal fear within Mikey, preventing him from traversing into the blue depths any further. (Although, if he had just sucked it up, he would've found that the waves were just short of only a meter tall.)
Mikey waded in the shallow water, the tides shifting heights as they rose from his heels to his ankles before falling down to his toes, only to repeat the cycle once more.
The ocean breeze and distant chants of seagulls were almost therapeutic to Mikey, and he forgot all about his lazy sister. His worries quickly faded, replaced only by the thought of relaxing aquatic meditation.
Before Mikey knew it, the waves had sucked him in, each tide gradually forcing him further away from shore. The water stretched up his calves, just barely coming short of reaching his knees. He looked around, observing the other beach-goers around him.
In the distance, people were surfing, braving the cool rush of the ocean before being thrown off their boards, colliding with the water with smiles plastered across their tanned faces. Closer to the shore, children collected wet sand in tiny toy buckets, running towards their parents to construct soggy sandcastles. Along the coast β where the water fluctuated between shallow and deep β people splashed around, enjoying the chill of the water in the sweltering sun.
There was one person that looked about his age. They seemed to be having the time of their life, but they weren't clumsy like the other swimmers around them. They seemed calm, almost calculated with their movements, as though each dive they took into the deep blue was a familiar routine. Whenever they surfaced, Mikey caught a glimpse of their hair β their actual facial features were too distance for Mikey to see from where he was standing. Besides their impressive swimming techniques, their hair made them stand out as well. It was a pale type of vibrant, the kind you'd see on someone with a crippling hair dye addiction, but an equally terrible hair care routine. The color was faded, presumably from swimming. Mikey assumed they frequented the beach often, or at least just swam a lot. Still, he could imagine their vibrant locks in their prime. Just before he could admire the swimmer any longer, they dove under a wave once again. Mikey sighed, and turned his attention back to the surfers and the other vacationers.
Mikey felt a sense of jealousy growing within him. He knew he was being quite the hypocrite; he wanted to make the most of his vacation, yet here he was, just barely deeper than the sandcastle-building children. Anyone else his age was actually swimming. Meanwhile, he was standing. He felt a bit lame, maybe not as lame as he thought Illi was being, but he still found himself being unsatisfied with his decisions.
As though the sea read his mind, a wave caught him off guard. It was larger than the rest, rising high enough to slap Mikey in the face. Salt water and sea foam rushed up Mikey's nose as he staggered back, losing his balance from the impact.
Once the wave finally subsided, Mikey found himself sitting near the shore, smaller currents washing over his legs. Adding to his humility, a strand of kelp had tangled itself around his ankle.
Mikey haphazardly got up, kicking the plant off his leg once he regained his balance. He wiped his face, attempting to resurrect his vision after his eyes had been unpredictably assaulted by the fury of the ocean-
Wait. He wiped his face. Mikey blinked. Everything was a blur. He patted his body, searched the pockets of his swim trunks, ran his hands through his hair in a messy panic.
The wave must have knocked them off his face. Mikey cursed in his mind. There goes his vacation. Oh God, his mom was really gonna get him now. What was he even supposed to do at this point? He wasn't brave enough to swim, and even if he could, they were probably long gone. Ugh, how could he have been so stupi-
Mikey looked up from his spiral of self pity. His head turned toward the direction of the voice. A person stood next to him. When did they get here? Mikey didn't realized how absolutely fucked his peripheral vision was without his glasses until now.
Still shocked by the fury and regret of losing his glasses β his practical lifeline β Mikey didn't feel like socializing, especially not with strangers. He simply scowled at the person in silence. What did they want anyway?
"Damn. So you're blind blind, huh?"
Before Mikey could interject with an equally annoying insult (not like he could form one anyway, he couldn't see the person well enough to properly create a fitting one), his wrist was grabbed by them. Mikey opened his mouth to protest, but the person pried his fingers open, planting something in his palm.
Mikey immediately recognized the familiar feeling. His glasses! His expression softened as he slipped them on again, perching them atop his nose as usual. With his vision back, he took a proper look at his savior. It was the person from before!
"Thanks," he said to them, a shy smile across his lips. "You're a really good swimmer, by the way."
You cocked your head, giving the man with the glasses a curious look.
He immediately flushed. "S-Sorry! I didn't mean like- I mean, I was watching everyone and-"
You couldn't help but laugh at his awkwardness. "Dude, relax. It's ok, I wasn't being serious."
The man blushed a bit less, but he kept his lips pursed in an embarrassed expression. You decided to save him from himself (again), and actually introduce yourself, or at least turn this thing into a real conversation.
"My names Y/n, by the way." You extended your hand. He took it in his, giving you a weak handshake. It's not like you expected a firm one anyway... This guy seems like a total dork, but you're ok with that.
"I take it you're not from around here," you assumed.
He nodded bashfullt. "Wow, how'd you know?" he asked sarcastically. Oh good, he was finally starting to warm up.
You giggled a bit. "Unfortunately, it's quite obvious," you joked slightly, though there was some (a lot of) truth in your words. He let out a huff of amusement from that. You continued your introductory speech.
"Well, thanks to your little glasses conundrum, and me being the knight in shining armor that I am, I had to pause my hunt."
Mikey's brows furrowed at your words. "...Hunt?"
You nodded. "For oysters! They're super popular around here," you explained. "But..." you continued, a look of curiosity grew on Mikey's face, "...I think you should repay me." He looked slightly exasperated at that. "Y'know, cause I saved you and everything," you said, smiling with a shrug.
"Um... I dunno if I can-"
"Oh come on! Pleeeeease?" You clasped your hands as though you were praying, pouting as you begged him to comply.
Mikey hesitated, nervously glancing around before sighing and eventually agreeing. "Ok... fine."
You jumped up in joy. "Yes!" Calming down from your minor celebration, you finally explained what you had in mind for Mikey. "I promise you'll find this beneficial as well."
Mikey frowned slightly, but his face began to flush. "I-I'm not like that-"
"Ugh!" You exclaimed, crossing your arms. "Get your mind out the gutter, man."
You rolled your eyes. "Anyway, I mean that it'd be fun if I had someone to swim with."
The color drained from Mikey's face. "...I think I actually prefer my idea."
You socked him lightly on the side of his arm.
"Hey, hey!" He held his hands up in surrender, laughing slightly. "I'm just kidding."
You gave him an exasperated look. "Sure you are," you joked.
"But seriously though," Mikey swallowed, facing the waves again, "how am I supposed to swim in that?" He gestured towards the tides, acting as though going even a foot deeper would instantly kill him.
"Oh come on, if I can do it, you can."
You began wading your way deeper into the water. You turned back, checking if Mikey was coming. He stood still for a moment, still trying to keep his fears in check. Eventually, he took a deep breath, and followed you in.
"See! It's not that bad," you said, smiling at him.
The two of you continued heading further from shore. The water level was short enough so that both of your torsos were still peeking out from the sea foam.
"So, are you scared of the water or something?" You asked as you walked.
"No, it's not like that." (It was totally like that.)
"I mean, the waves look kinda... scary." He seemed embarassed to admit his fears, but you understood.
"I get it. If I didn't grow up here, I'd probably be terrified of them."
"Hey, I'm not gonna give out my address to strangers."
"Ok you know I didn't mean it like that."
You laughed. "Yeah, but I just like messing with you."
Before either of you realized it, the water was at your stomachs. You looked at Mikey once he realized how deep he was.
You snickered. "At least you admit it."
Through Mikey's hesitance and bashful expression, you could tell he was having fun. You knew you just had to push his limits.
"The waves aren't so bad, see?" You motioned towards the shallow tides as the sea form surged against both of your chests.
"Here they aren't," Mikey admitted. He looked into the distance at the larger waves. "But those are."
You followed his gaze. "They just look that way." Turning towards him, you spoke again, "But seriously, don't worry about them."
A look of concern spread over Mikey's face. "Wait, are we going past those...?"
"No, Y/n, I don't think I can... I mean they just look so... They're really high!"
"They really aren't, but ok."
"Well, they're high for me."
"I'm pretty sure you're taller than them."
"Here, how about I go through them and show you, then I'll come back, and we can go through them together?"
Mikey's eyes locked with yours. You could tell he was thinking, contemplating your offer. Still, his trust was building in you. After all, you'd brought him all this way, and he wasn't dead yet.
"Okay," he said with a sigh. "Fine."
You smiled brightly. "I knew you'd say yes!" Your joy was contagious, and Mikey couldn't help but smile back.
"Stay here, alright?" You instructed him. He responded with a firm nod. "And watch closely!"
Before Mikey could even agree to that, you were already on your way. Your back was to Mikey, but you could still feel his gaze boring into you.
You approached the area with the large waves and waited for one to form. As it began to rise, you sucked in a large breath. Just as the wave got to its peak, you dove under the currents, swimming through the wave, remaining underneath it so as to not get thrown around by the tide.
When you surfaced on the other side, it was calm waters, and the waves were past you. So was Mikey. You wiped the water from your eyes and swept your hair away from your face. Treading water, you faced Mikey.
"See!" you called out towards him. "It's fun!"
Mikey had to admit, his fears were gradually decreasing by each second. He felt a sense of self-belief. Before he knew it, you were underneath the water again, then popping up in front of him.
"So," you said, looking directly at him, "you think you're ready?"
Mikey looked towards the waves he had previously been terrified of. Taking a deep breath of determination, he met your eyes again. "I think so."
Approaching the area you were at before, you stood beside Mikey, your feet barely reaching the sand below the two of you.
"All you have to do," you explained, "is swim under the wave."
Mikey stayed silent, intently focused on the sea.
The water began to rise, and Mikey's heart rate increased.
Mikey nodded, his throat dry as he realized he was actually gonna do this.
Ripples turned into small blue mountains.
The water previously at your necks sunk as it began being sucked in to form another wave.
Mikey sucked in a breath. The water shot up and started to curve at its peak. Foam adorned its tip and the surface area around it.
Just before the wave crashed down onto the both of you, you and Mikey dipped beneath the water, angling your bodies diagonally down as you both swam forward.
Mikey kept his eyes tightly shut, paddling through the cool currents until his air ran out. When it finally did, he surfaced, gasping for oxygen.
You were already treading water, watching as Mikey flailed like a pufferfish. You stifled a laugh, not wanting to embarrass him. Eventually, he regained himself, and floated as gracefully as he could.
Mikey smiled. "I guess I should believe you more."
"Also, your glasses are still on."
Reaching a hand to his nose, Mikey realized you were right. "Huh. They are."
"Trusting the water pays off."
The two of you stayed like that, paddling around with smiles on your faces. Mikey was glad he was actually enjoying himself, and you were glad to have made a friend. Once Mikey had gotten comfortable being in the deep water, you took the opportunity to start a splash fight.
Slapping your hand against the water, you sprayed Mikey in the face. He instinctively flinched away. When he stopped shielding himself, he met your laughing face with an amused β and vengeful β look.
He fought back, scooping water up in his hands and throwing it towards you. Being a local, you know how to avoid novice water attacks such as these. You dunked yourself beneath the water level.
Swimming under him, you surfaced behind Mikey, launch in a surprise attack on him.
"Not fair!" He exclaimed through his laughter
The next few moments were spent like that: mini tsunamis and hurricanes launched at each other in nothing but playful friendliness. Occasionally, you'd let Mikey win, but you also couldn't help but defend your honor, and happen to absolutely dowse the poor guy in a barrage of salt water.
Mikey's attacks grew weaker. Though your energy was sustained, you went easier on him as well. You didn't wanna kill him, after all.
"Getting tired?" you asked.
Mikey nodded, acting as if he understood what you were requesting. Awkwardly tilting his body, he laid on his back, or at least attempted to. He seemed to struggle staying atop the waterline, and his lanky limbs continued to assist him in keeping his face above water.
"Do I have to teach you everything?" you asked, acting as though you were annoyed, but in reality, you were glad to be of help.
"It seems I'm dependent on you."
You giggled at that one. Swimming over to Mikey, you positioned yourself behind him. You held his head up in your hands. You noticed his cheeks flush at the contact, though you weren't about to bring it up to him.
"Alright, try to focus on keeping your chest and stomach up. Make sure to take in a lot of air, that way you stay buoyant."
Mikey did as you instructed. Sucking in a large breath, he puffed his torso up.
"You know what a starfish looks like, right?"
Looking up at you, Mikey scowled. "Hey, I'm not that helpless."
"Okay, okay, my bad," you said with a playful roll of your eyes. "Anyway, pretend you're a starfish. Stretch out and stuff."
Extending his arms and legs, Mikey looked as though he was about to make a snow angel. You approved of his form, and began to gradually let go of his head.
"I'm gonna drop your head, ok?"
"Your ears are gonna go beneath the water, and that's what they're supposed to do. So, like, don't panic or anything."
With that, you slipped your hands away from him. You tread away, giving him space to float.
Mikey's words were small, not because he didn't care, but because he felt peaceful. His tone was soft as he enjoyed the sea. This was far better than standing at the shore and longing to be deeper in the water.
"I'm gonna go look for my oysters now," you said. "Don't drown or anything."
"You're asking a lot from me."
You chuckled at that. "I believe in you." Your words may have been a slight joke, but to Mikey, they meant a lot. You had believed in him this whole time, and look where he was: totally away from his mom and sister! Alright, maybe that sounds bad out of context, but this is what he wanted after all, and without your help, Mikey probably never would've gotten the courage to go this far.
You surfaced moments later, oysters cradled in your arms. "Oh good," you said towards Mikey, "you're still alive."
"Oh really? I thought I had already died and went to Hell."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. You and I both know you're enjoying yourself."
Mikey simply looked at you with a smile, rather than verbally responding, but the look in his face was enough for go to know that he really was having fun.
Looking towards the pier, you realized the sun had gone from a blinding yellow to a calming orange. It was sunset. Usually, you would enjoy this time of day, but with Mikey, you knew he'd probably scare himself shitless if he stayed any longer.
The sudden shift in your tone was enough to break Mikey's relaxation. "What? Why? What's wrong?"
Mikey looked toward the horizon. "Isn't that a good thing? It's so peaceful and nice."
You sighed. "Don't you know what happens at night?"
"Uh..." Mikey really thought about your question. "It gets colder?"
Mikey scrambled to his feet. Well, he awkwardly and ungracefully transitioned from floating to haphazardly treading water.
"It's fine right now, but we should get back to shore," you tried to reassure him.
"You know I'm just gonna do whatever you tell me I should."
"You're really easy, y'know that?"
"Remember how I told you to get your mind out the gutter?"
"Hey, that one's on you with your weird phrasing."
You gazed at the shore. Though the area where you and Mikey were was calm, you could tell the waves were starting to grow more violent.
"You ready?" You asked, looking towards him.
Like earlier, you began swimming away, Mikey following close behind. Admittedly, this was harder with all the oysters you were carrying, but it's not like you hadn't done this hundreds of times before.
Just before you reached the part of the water where the waves were, you spoke to Mikey again.
"This is the fun part." You had a sly smile on your face.
"I don't like that sound of that..."
"Just... stretch your arms ahead of you, and try not to inhale too much water."
Before Mikey could ask anymore questions, a wave pushed the two of you forward. Another one rose beneath both of you, continuing to juggle you through the currents. The cycle repeated until eventually, you had both reached the sand.
Mikey had tumbled quite a bit, and found himself scrambling in the sand, attempting to get to his feet. You got yourself out the water first, throwing your oysters onto the beach so that you could grab them later. Once your hands were free, you dashed towards Mikey, pulling him up.
When he had finally regained some stability, the two of you ran towards the dry sand of the beach. You couldn't help but laugh from the pure adrenaline rush, and the fun you'd had the whole day. Mikey matched your energy, and helped you collect your scattered oysters.
"Mikey!" a voice called from the distance as he placed the last oyster in your arms.
He looked up at the sound. "Oh... I guess I have to go now," he said disappointedly.
"Had to happen eventually," you shrugged. "So, where are you staying at?"
"I'm not gonna give my hotel to a random stranger."
You rolled your eyes with a smile. "TouchΓ©. How about we trade? I tell you my street, you tell me yours."
The two of you exchanged your addresses, or at least the current address Mikey had. He even gave you his room number. Luckily for you, he was only on the second floor.
"Mikey, come on! We have to go!"
Mikey turned back to respond to the voice. "Alright, Illi! I'm coming!" After he was done calling out to who you assumed was his sister, he muttered an annoyed "Jesus Christ..." under his breath.
He turned back to you. "So, I'll see you around?"
"You'll see me at the shore."
"And what if I don't come back to the beach?"
You simply shrugged in response. You liked remaining somewhat mysterious.
"You should go before your family gets more annoyed with you."
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"I have been this whole day."
He let out an amused huff at that.
"Bye, Y/n," Mikey bid you farewell as he began returning to his sister and mother.
"Bye, Mikey," you responded with a smile, watching as he walked away.
"So, who was that?" Mikey's mom asked with a knowing tone.
"They're a local," he responded, trying to ignore the implications of his mother's tone.
"We watched you guys swim," she said, continuing her sly form of speech.
"They're a siren, Mikey!" Illi chimed in.
"What is it with you and monsters, Illi?"
"What? It makes sense... After all, you have a vampire as a sister."
"Ok, sure, whatever. But they're just a normal person."
"No way. They were way too comfortable in the ocean."
"Yeah, cause they literally grew up with it!"
"Because they're a siren!"
"No they're not! They're-" Mikey turned to gesture back at the person he'd met that day, only to find they had already disappeared.
Mikey stayed still, staring at the shore and its rising tide. The previous oranges and pinks from the sunset had faded into a violet navy as the moon started to rise.
"See? Told you they're a siren; they literally went back into the sea!"
Mikey didn't have another quip for his sister anymore. He was left in a daze, wondering where you were, and maybe even what you were.
His walk to the hotel remained the same. His mind was completely focused on you and your whereabouts. There was a certain mystique you carried that he just couldn't shake off.
That night, he slept a dreamless sleep, which was surprising to him. He had thought he'd have some sort of dream about you, or at least of the ocean. However, his peace was cut short when he awoke by his mother shaking him awake.
"Mikey, did you order room service? You know I told you not to!"
Still groggy and half-asleep, Mikey rubbed his eyes and groped for his glasses on the night stand.
"Huh? I didn't... What're you talking about?"
Before his mom could respond, Illi called for him out on the balcony. "Mikey, come here and look!"
Sauntering out the screen door, Mikey's eyes fixed onto the decorative table. Perched atop it was a basket.
A basket filled with oysters.
Cooked and seasoned oysters.
Any leftover sleep quickly escaped Mikey, and he was staring at the gift completely dumbfounded. He had no words to say, but Illi sure did. She pointed at the basket, and gave Mikey a wide-eyed stare.
a/n: like halfway through writing this i remembered that mikey has a fear of large bodies of water. and to that i say: too fucking bad cause i'm alr thirty billion words in.
