they say we're made mostly of water

so how come we can't find the sea?

they say true love creeps up on you slowly

oh how blind some people can be

It had been a simple thing that Hiyori had suggested - as a celebration that Yukine and Yato had managed to remain partners for about seven months (why they skipped six months, no one knew, but frankly, no one cared) they would save up money and take a trip to the beach. Yato, of course, had been reluctant, but in the end, he realized what a great experience this would be for Yukine and agreed.

The only problem was that both Hiyori and Yato had neglected to tell Yukine where they were going.

So, when the bewildered shinki was suddenly confronted with a new crisp swimsuit and a sandy expanse laying out before him, neither the half-phantom or the god expected him to refuse.

For a moment, Yato was tempted to punish Yukine - not severely, of course, just maybe making Yukine give up a little extra money from his part time job - as the god had spent quite a pretty penny for the new swimsuit for the blonde, and he didn't appreciate the fact that the boy didn't want to go swimming. However, Yukine, seeing his master's intimidating sheen in his eyes, quickly explained that he just didn't want to go in the water - he was perfectly fine with just basking in the sun.

Hiyori, at this, had raised an eyebrow. "Yukine," she said cautiously, "why don't you want to go swimming?"

The boy had flushed and shrugged, averting his eyes in the way that he did whenever he lied, Yato knew the expression all too well. "No reason." He muttered, kicked the sand. "I just don't feel like being in the water. I'll wear the swimsuit if you'd like, but I'm not really in the mood for it."

So Yato and Hiyori, although reluctantly, had left Yukine to his own devices, plus a towel, umbrella, and basket containing their lunch. Yato had changed into his swim briefs before hand, thus having to do nothing but throw off his jersey (although he kept the bandana) before dashing off into the water. Hiyori had to go to the public restrooms before changing into a modest one piece (which Yato had requested so he didn't get stung by any perverted shinkis) and leaping in after the god. Yukine, after several minutes of watching the god and the half-phantom frolic around in the water, he reluctantly went to the bathrooms as well. When he emerged, he was in the rainbow colored swimsuit that Yato had purchased for him, and he sat back down on the towel, chewing on his fingernail.

For a while, Yato just continued to laugh and splash with Hiyori, and although the girl got several strange looks from the people around her for appearing as if she was playing with herself, the two had quite a good time.

It wasn't until about an hour into the beach visit that Yato noticed something.

Quite a few times, Yukine had stood up from the towel, walked towards the god, and opened his mouth, as if to say something, before he scowled and turned a 180°, turning back to sit on the towel. The fourth time this happened, Yato frowned. Was something wrong? Did the shinki want something from him?

Then Yato, as he searched through Yukine's memory bank, realized something quite stupid.

The teenage blonde couldn't swim.

Mentally face palming himself in the face, he turned to Hiyori. The female had noticed Yato's sudden quietness, and when he revealed why, she smiled and nodded. "You idiot god." She murmured. "I thought you would've remembered something like that, so that's why I didn't ask Yukine if he didn't know how to swim. Go and help him, idiot!"

Chuckling at Hiyori's choice of words, the god waded out of the water and began to walk to Yukine. At first, the boy purposefully avoided his gaze, but when Yato was only a few feet away from him, he looked up, his usually pale skin already getting a slight tan. The god noted with disapproval that the shinki had neglected to put on sunblock, like he had told him too.

Sitting next to Yukine, Yato exhaled through his nostrils. They sat there awkwardly for a little less than a minute, before the god broke the silence. "You can't swim, can you?"

The shinki let out a sharp noise that sounded a bit like a cross of shock and indignance. "O-of course not!" He stuttered, obviously not expecting such a direct approach. From the slight tingle in Yato's neck, the god knew he was right.

Sighing, he put on a grin and grabbed Yukine by his hand. "C'mon." He said, flashing his signature smile and pulled a protesting shinki along with him towards a giggling Hiyori. When the reached the edge of the water, Yukine seemed unable to budge, so being the ever so helpful delivery god that he was, Yato decided to carry him into the water.

Bridal style.

Yukine could do nothing but gape in shock as the god lifted him up. After going about four or so feet deep in, the god threw the shinki in the water to both Hiyori and Yukine's horror.

After Hiyori managed to save Yukine from the clutches of Yato, she patiently explained to the slightly shocked Yato that not all humans could be taught to swim the same way a dog could. And so, as both the god and the half-phantom held onto one of Yukine's hands, (although the shinki muttered about Yato's being quite sweaty) the teenager, under their careful instructions, began attempting (attempting being the key word) to swim.

The majority of the time, Yukine was hopeless in his attempts to swim, doing nothing but kicking the water frantically as he desperately tried to stay afloat. By the time lunch rolled around, though, the shinki succeeded in being able to tread water for a few seconds before sinking below the surface.

And as the three sat on the towel, enjoying the luncheon, Yato playfully elbowed Yukine in the side. "Don't know how to swim, eh?" He said, laughing.

Yukine blushed and took a bite of his sandwich.

Ah, so this is my contribution for the first day of Yatone week! I plan to upload a chapter each day, and I'll try to make one at least 1k each. This is my first time writing in this particular fandom, so I hope this goes well!