#date everything tyrell

The smell of sea salt wafted through the air as upbeat high energy music played over a speaker somewhere. Nearby, a young man in bright red trunks and sunglasses sat in a tall lifeguard stand, eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of trouble but, for the moment, finding none. Several yards away, there was a couple who had clearly been fighting but seemed to be pretending that everything was fine. You hadn’t meant to eavesdrop but judging by how many times they loudly said “It’s fine!” you assumed everything wasn’t fine.

And there next to you, stretched out and basking in the warmth of the sun, was Tyrell. He had told you long ago about his dream of being a beach towel and here he was, finally taking in the seaside atmosphere as a human.

“How do you feel?”

“Fantastic.” Tyrell stretched his arms over his head. “Drysdale was always good at what he did, but he’s got nothin’ on the sun.”

“I won’t tell him or Washford you said that.”

“Thanks.” He let out a relaxed sighed. “I always thought the only way I’d get to the beach would to be on the job, but it’s so nice to just be able to enjoy it and take it easy for once.”

“Right? No messes to clean, no puddles to soak up…”

“I mean, you know I didn’t mind doing that stuff for you, right?” He asked, tilting his head toward you. “You gave me and Towel Buddy a second chance after we ended up in that thrift store. Though I gotta admit, it helped that you’re cute, too. Not to mention, helping you dry off after a bath?” Tyrell let out a low whistle. “If any job ever had a better perk, I haven’t heard of it.”

You laughed and lightly slapped his hand, deciding not to remind him that Johnny and Bathsheba spent all the time before that with you while you actually got clean.

“I mean, I was just broke and needed a towel,” you teased. “But...I’m glad that towel was you.”

“And Towel Buddy.”

“Yes, and Towel Buddy.”

“It had to be a million to once chance of you picking us up. If just one thing had been different, we might not be here,” he said, smiling fondly. “I might not have ever gotten here and experienced all this...especially not like this. With you.”

“So, what do you think?” you asked, smiling. “Is it everything you imagined it would be?”

“Better,” he sighed. “...For the most part.”

“For the most part? What’s missing?” you asked before taking a drink from a bottle of water.

“Well,” he started, giving you a cheeky grin. “If I were still a towel, I’d have you lying on top of me.”

You half-spluttered half-laughed, some of the water spilling out of your mouth and on to your swimsuit. “TYRELL! Jesus! People can hear you, you know.” After a moment, you settled down, laying down next to him and placing your head against his chest. “Better?”