~Above is Jace, just without glasses~

[TESS] Morning had come and gone by quickly, the group of giants and one human having sat around the fire for hours, simply chatting with smiles while eating their breakfasts to fill their bellies. It was mid day before everyone decided they should get up to finally stretch their legs. The sun had become warm and now beat down onto the group making it humid and sweaty beneath its beating down raise. It needn't be said twice for everyone to come to the collected decision that a swim was well needed, quickly rushing to their individual tents to climb into bathing suits and then rush to the dock to jump off into the cool waters to escape the heat. Tess on the other hand wasn't so excited to simply jump in like the larger giants, finding herself hovering by the edge as she she wasn't a strong swimmer. Never had been the best in the water since she'd never actually been taught how to swim.

Cole and Ava were the first into the lake, they practically were a couple at that point with how they held hands and walked only together. Whispering and giggling into each other's ears. Jace waded into the waters alone with a large pink donut floaty, looking noticeably lost without his partner in crime who was in la la land with a girl. Not only did he look lonely he looked incredibly ill as he floated across the lake with a pair of thick sunglasses upon his face to shield himself from the sun. Adverse to bright light while being hungover. He had a large white shirt on which had become considerably transparent from getting wet, hugging his chest and showing off his nipples. His shirt being paired with blue board shorts that were too loose on his hips from not being properly tied. She felt bad for the large boy, watching where she stood on the wharf as he sat slumped in the distance in a donut shaped pool toy, simply paddling at the water with one hand every now and then by himself, sometimes earning some company from Austin who tried to annoy him and push him around but got bored when he didn't receive a reaction from the hungover Jace, who just grumbled in response.

Austin was like a lost duckling, paddling around between Jace and Cole and Ava wanting attention and looking annoyed when no one would give him any.

Darrick sat on the dock alongside herself, looking god like as he relaxed so effortlessly back onto his hands with his bare chest soaking in the sun. She could see his tattoos snaking around his collar bones, which she tried to not stare at but couldn't help but gawk at the magnificent sight. His torso was flowing with muscles, rippling with abs that shone from the light down to his calves, thighs covered by a black pair of board shorts. He was like a living, breathing piece of art, his tan skin was like a magnet, so tempting for her she wanted to touch. Every movement, a shift, simply raising an arm gave way to the perfect image of his strength. His eyes were closed facing the sky, enjoying the suns raise that warmed his cheeks. Tess couldn't help but edge closer until she could see his face, giving mostly a view of the bottom of his chin that was tipped up toward the sky, a calmness having come over him like she'd never seen him before.

She found staring at Darrick had become a distraction for herself from thinking about how she hadn't gone in the water yet. It was only Katy and Darrick and herself now sitting on the edge of the dock since Tess was too embarrassed to say she couldn't swim, so she found herself using excuses such as blaming it on the cold. Katy was kind enough to sit out along side her as well as Darrick who hadn't left her side all morning. But Tess could tell that Katy wanted to go in, dipping her toes into the water below and kicking at her legs to cool her ankles. It was hot and the wood of the dock was burning at the soles of her feet, Tess using Darricks shadow as a way to escape the deadly heat of the sun, beginning to want to dive in herself but was too intimidated to say anything about it.

"You can go in, Katy.. I'll just sit up here a bit longer" Tess said up to the girl, who wore red swimmers that hugged at her body nicely. Katy looked down at Tess from where she sat, raising her brows in return before tilting her head.

"Are you sure? I can stay with you for as long as you want" Katy gave a soft smile, a bright smile that reflected white teeth. Tess smiles and nodded, waving her toward the water, encouraging her to go in. She didn't want to keep Katy from having a good time just because she couldn't swim herself

"Yes! Go in you don't need to sit around waiting for me" Tess smiled and Katy gave a nod, standing and carefully stepping over Tess, making the small human flinch a little but it was simply so the giant girl could jump into the water. Leaving her and Darrick alone. She could feel his head turn from above, turning his attention down now that Katy had left.

Looking up she found herself looking up to return his gaze as Katy splashed into the water beside them, spraying him and making him wince his eyes as the water hit him "do you wanna go in together?" He spoke lowly, shifting so that he wasn't leaning on his hands anymore and instead lay on the warm wood beside her. Tess couldn't help but smile watching him, her eyes meeting his bare chest and nipples.. she quickly back peddled and had to shake her head, trying to not stare at his magnificent form

"Uh~ I might just stay up here. You can go in if you'd like" Tess spoke shyly, looking to Darrick who's brows knitted together

"By yourself?" he tilted his head slightly as she nodded then looked to the water. Pursing his lips he watched her carefully, seeming to be trying to analyse her thoughts and making her shift a little uncomfortably beneath his large gaze "are you scared of the water?" He asked softly, his voice deep but kind as he moved to come closer to her until his body loomed over her, shielding her from the sun and covering her from view of the others in the lake

She wasn't expecting him to say that, the words seeming to not register in her brain for a second. How did he know? She shifted on her feet and she gave a small shy shrug, letting her arms cross over her chest as she looked away from him, feeling embarrassed. She was wearing a one piece bathing suit, black with thick straps that covered her body modestly.

"I-I can swim" she lied "I've just.. never really swam a lot.." she says finally, feeling her heart hammer in her chest expecting him to laugh at her. Instead she could see him nodding out the corner of her eye, instead of laughing he carefully reached out to rest a hand behind her making her flinch before she found herself leaning into his fingers.

"That's okay you don't need to be embarrassed. I can hold you if you'd like. You can just sit in my hand" he says softly and gives a dazzling smile "just so you can cool off a bit"

She hesitated looking to him then to the water, her heart hammering with nerves because of the water and not Darrick. Hugging herself she felt anxiety building in her chest like a hot poker in her lungs "o-okay.. but you can't let me go okay? Cause I'll probably die"

He gave a low, amused laugh and carefully scooped her up into his hands, making her squeak softly as he climbed to his feet to carry her to the ladder of the dock "your not gonna die, not when I've got you" he chuckles and began to descend down into the water with one hand on the ladder and the other holding her.

She couldn't help but whimper as he fell in, keeping her high above the water to keep her dry as he sunk into the cool waters causing a small wave about him as he did so. She didn't realise she was clinging to his fingers until she felt his finger slightly move with her holding onto it desperately still. Embarrassed, her face turned red but she couldn't unwrap herself from the giants finger, squeezing her eyes a little trying to avoid looking into the dark waters below. Where monsters lurked and sea creatures were ready to grab her.. a fish could easily grab her for a snack.

"Don't worry, your safe with me" Darrick gave a small chuckle as he floated on his back so effortlessly through the water, as if he had done it many times before, his hand stayed steady and careful when holding the tiny human over the water. He was sure to keep her up away, his fingers curled and palm up, becoming warm beneath the sun with her in it, which she appreciated since the very thought of being in water which was so deep, sent a shiver down her spine.

She could only remember 'swimming' once in her life and it was far from being considered swimming. It was at an ankle deep man made pond that had fake ducks floating about it for aesthetic purposes to accompany the park that was only a block away from her small house. She was young, around 10 when she had kicked a soccer ball by mistake into the waters. She had to retrieve it by walking into the shallow waters to grab it and throw it back onto dry land. It was nothing like the never ending depths of the lake beneath her. Who knew what lurked in the dark

She could tell Darrick was trying to comfort her, being quiet and comforting as he floated with her in his hand, trying to lightly rub at her shoulder with his thumb in a way that felt like he was trying to massage her nerves away. It felt so comfortable , so normal being in his large hand. She found comfort in being held, secure knowing he was protecting her. Keeping her arms around his long index finger, she purses her lips looking into the water and leant her head lightly on the pad of his finger.

"You okay?" He spoke softly, everything seeming to slow down as she turned her eyes to look up at the giant boy. His eyes sparkled against the gleams that shone against the water, his black hair clinging to his forehead and his wrapping around his chin which lightly grazed the waters surface.

"I think so" she said softly and looked beneath his hand toward the water, seeing his giant stomach and tan skin reflecting back up toward her.

"Good. See it's not that bad. I knew you could do it" he chuckles and let his head rest back into the water so he could simply float around in the cool lake. She found herself sink into his palm, leaning her head into his fingers and lazily laying back to soak in the suns warmth. Watching Darrick as he floated, she got the chance to admire the boys features which were simply on show. His sharp jawline that wrapped around his face, his soft lips, dark lashes.. she didn't find his scar strange anymore, it even complementing his features even more now.

After a while he raised his head, making her jump as he catches her staring. She blushed, seeing him smile and begin to move her closer til their eyes met, his much larger as they looked at her "would you like to touch the water? I'll keep a hold of you, so you can stand" she hesitated at his idea and found herself feeling nervous at the thought of being in the water. Looking closer into Darricks caramel eyes she saw a confidence in them, she could trust him. He wouldn't let her go. She knew he would protect her, she didn't know why she felt any doubt. He has only been kind to her, stuck by her even when everyone else had left her.

"Okay.. but you better not let me go" she pointed to him, a little playfully and causing a smile to grow on his face. Stretching up and make his ears turn a soft pink.

"Come on. You seriously think I'd let you go when I've finally gotten the chance to hold you again" he chuckles and she saw a hint of a blush burn at his nose as he carefully moved her down closer to the water til she could see his bare chest, rippling beneath the water. She gasped loudly as the shock of the water suddenly hit her body, she knew if she fell in she wouldn't be swimming more like drowning slowly. She wasn't was fully submerged, simply up to her hips but it was enough to send a shiver down her spine and goosebumps up her arms. It wasnt cold it was freezing. Sucking in a sharp breath, her eyes widened looking up to Darrick who was smirking at her reaction, sending him a glare since he found this amusing and also since he hadn't warned her of the temperature

"It's freezing!" She shivered, standing quickly to escape the cold so that the water only came to her shins. Darrick gave a deep laugh which made his hair fall out of his eyes and hand ever so slightly shake. His laugh was like rumbling thunder, beginning in his chest before leaving his lips.

"Hey it's not that cold~ it's Devine" he shimmied his shoulders, letting out a low sigh as if he were enjoying the arctic waters.

She shook her head and glared toward him, kicking at the water with her toes to splash at his fingers that held her "no it's cold! Very very cold" she scrunched her nose hating that he was enjoying seeing her freezing to death, making his smirk simply grow at her attempts to splash him and look tougher then what her size made her to be. Grabbing at her cold arms, she shivered In his hands, but couldn't help but smile to herself as he lifted her back out when noticing her begin to shake.

She was surprised when he brought her close til she met his cheek, her small form pressing into the soft skin as if he were trying to warm her little limbs, making her ten times hotter as she began to blush which only made him chuckle.

"Better?" He seemed to purr, making her bones rattle and eyes happily close as his voice enveloped her body. She sighed and nodded her head.

"Mhm~"

~~~

[AUSTIN]

Austin was bored, Jace was too hungover and wasn't any fun. Ava and Cole were inseparable and whenever he had tried to swim by them he was simply brushed off. Tess and Darrick we're together which made him smile seeing Darrick floating about the waters with Tess in his hands, smiling as they talked about whatever. So he was left to clamber out of the waters by himself, before everyone else and was now sitting upon the dock all alone while watching everyone. He felt like a moron, finding his eyes always seeming to travel toward Katy as she effortlessly swam in the waters alongside Ava and Cole. Having to force his eyes away toward a tree as to not find himself staring. He hated that he couldn't control his wandering eyes, having to lay down so he couldn't see.

Sighing deeply, he sat back up to bring his hands through his brown hair, letting the droplet fall onto the wood before him. Counting the circles where the water had fallen. He was bored and found himself fidgeting, playing with his fingers, running his fingers through his hair. At one point he found amusement by blocking a bugs path so it scurried around confused. He didn't care that his shoulders were burning beneath the hot sun, feeling himself cook like one of his fathers dinners.

Turning his eyes when he heard someone climbing up the ladder, his brows raised hearing feet hitting the metal as the body climbed out. His eyes widened when he saw familiar dark eyes as they raised up the side of the dock to reveal Katy. Clambering to his feet, he quickly moved with instinct, reaching out a hand toward the girl to offer her a helping hand.

"Here" he gave a small smile toward her, watching her eyes as they met his hand that hung in front of him, then lifted her gaze up to him to where he stood over her upon the dock.

She promptly ignored his hand to help her up, climbing up the ladder by herself out of the water to stand on the dock beside him. Austin could scarcely breathe as she brushed past him, his hand retreating to his side as he watched her, eyes following her bare body as she walked past him, water cascading down the length of legs, his wandering eyes moving down to her hips as she sauntered by. Her skin was soft and rich, flawless darkness. Her eyes seemed to have gotten brighter, more brilliant all of a sudden against the sun. They sparkled in the sunlight like dark gold, radiant and beautiful. Her cheeks were slightly pink which Austin assumed was from the shock of the cold water. Wiping at her face with one of the towels, she gently brushed her high cheekbones as she did so, drying her face and neck. Her perfectly-shaped lips were a deep cherry pink. Austin saw tiny droplet of water on her long dark lashes, framing her caramel eyes. She arched a slender brow at him and put her petite hands on her hips.

"What?" She says suddenly, snapping a bit he blinked, not registering what she had said completely, not realising he was staring til she wrapped herself with a towel and turned a little away from him. Snapping out of his daze he steps back, eyes turning away to look around him at anything but her. She eyed him, a small smile curling ar her lips finding his exasperation amusing as he desperately tried finding the right word to say.

"Uh~" he cleared his throat and looked at her again, feeling his body beginning to warm from embarrassment "nothing.. nothing, um~" he gives a quick smile and quickly turns away, grabbing a towel himself and wrapped it around his waist to then turn away, nearly slipping on the wet wood of the dock in his hurry to escape. He heard her lightly giggle at his slip, making his face ten times hotter.

His red face felt as if it were on fire as he scampered away back to the campsite, rubbing at the wet strands of his hair on his head, lightly tugging on it wanting to die in that moment. He practically threw himself into his tent once he arrived, clambering in and zipping up the door to hide. Now hidden away from sight, he pressed his hands into his face, letting out a low, long groan feeling his heart hammering as if he were gonna be sick "idiot"

I hope you enjoyed the update. I thought to just pump out something small for you guys! I just hope it wasn't bad!

Would love to hear your thoughts and ideas for the story! What you'd like to see happen!

Want more camping stuff or should we get into the juicy stuff back home?