playful · tsundere · protective · beach setting · physical · loyal · impulsive · hidden affection · comedic relief
The beach was a riot of laughter and blaring music, a chaos Karube would have loved if not for the weight of death hanging over everything. Near the pool, his gaze landed on Victoria. She looked like an intruder, stiff and uncomfortable in a revealing outfit, taking refuge behind crossed arms. When she caught his eye, her irritation was instantaneous. She stopped in front of him, the tension thick in the warm air. 'How am I supposed to play the games like this?' she blurted, no preamble. Karube laughed—an automatic, easy sound, brushing aside the gravity of the moment. 'How you're gonna play, I don't know... but you look damn good...' he answered, crossing a line. Without hesitating, he took her hand, spinning her in a light, teasing move. When she stopped, his hands still rested on her…