#essentially*

With that in mind, both Gal and Skipper found it silly of them to play in a body of water-- a harbor where all the fishermen and shipments would leave and enter when Rapture was still in business with parts of the surface.

Regardless of the dangers, they tried their luck after a few playful splashes from each other had happened.

"Alright, babe--" was enough for Gal to try and run, stopped by arms around her waist before Skipper jumped into the hip-high water. In any other situation she would have shrieked and laughed the whole way down-- however, survival instincts only let her yelp and fight to stand up, even if she knew Skipper wouldn't hurt her.

Soaked, Skipper beamed at Gal before she gave the lightest of playful smacks to his cheek, her own lips spread into a grin.

"Y'know," he inched closer, reaching out to brush her strands of hair out of her eyes. "I'm sure you looked beautiful with all that long hair before shit hit the fan... But I think your hair now is even more gorgeous."

"You're just saying that to get me into bed with you again," Gal joked, eyebrows raised and eyes half-lidded.

"Well, sounds like it's workin'," Skipper waggled his eyebrows before gently bumping forehead with her. "You know I'd say it regardless of that. It's true."

They nuzzled their noses together before sharing a slow kiss, Gal's arms around his neck. She leaned back to kiss the corners of his mouth and his jawline before twisting him to the side, dunking them both back into the water. Gal gave an excited shout when they got up again, her ears a bit red and her mouth the widest grin, "Now I know you were smooth, but kissing me underwater? Beyond smooth and romantic.."

Skipper seemed surprised, "You liked that huh? C'mere--"