syngende_engel | Thalassophobia

For Writer's Month 2022 Day 7: Castle

Raev had never swam much at all. His poor eyesight and anxious nature made water, especially the ocean and lakes, terrifying. He didn't even particularly like baths because the anxiety was so bad. When the tour bus pulled up to a beach that was closed off just for the bands he lingered in the bus. The smell of the ocean alone drove him to sweat, from anxiety more than the heat. He'd even faked a smile and told Karl he would be out soon, after he changed. The Dane had no intention of going out there. All he could imagine was falling in the water and drowning, or off a cliff and dying. It didn't matter that th esun was bright and outside his vision would be far better than on the dark tour bus. His anxiety didn't care much about reality.

He sat in the bus struggling and on the verge of panic or crying. It didn't matter which came first, both were bound to in the end. His eyes came up when he heard someone step back on the bus. The foot steps were light and even in the dimmer light he could tell Ziggy from everyone else. The pale skin and bright clothing was a sure give away for the British singer.

Raev's disposition was what had brought the half-breed alien back to the bus. He could feel the stress and wondered who was struggling. Raev was desperate to hide anything was wrong but Ziggy sat down beside him.

“Why don't you come out with us?” Ziggy asked carefully while sipping on a glass of water to cool off.

Raev shrugged and realized quickly that he wasn't going to get away with not answering. “I don't like to swim.”

Ziggy didn't think much of it and assumed the stress came from feeling odd for being different. “I don't swim either.”

Raev tried to smile but he couldn't imagine Ziggy being afraid of anything. He was a force of nature on the stage and surely off as well. The Dane didn't say anything and struggled to keep his emotions in check.

“Come on out with me.” Ziggy asked while placing a light hand on the Dane's shoulder. “We can do something on the beach under my umbrella.”

Ziggy had a huge umbrella to keep the heat and sun off his body. He overheated so quickly and he didn't need to cause a scene. Raev was curious about what the singer wanted to do.

“Sand castles?” Ziggy had picked that up in Raev surface thoughts and while he didn't read minds the loudest thoughts sometimes came through.

It was enough to get the Danish singer to smile. “Ulfen used to make them when we were younger.”

Raev's older brother had always watched out for him while simultaneously dragging his little brother out of his comfort zone.

“We should get him to make one with us.” Ziggy offered and then giggled when he heard the emotions flare with surprise.

“I don't..”

Raev started and Ziggy cut him off. “Just one, then you can come back if you want.”

Raev sighed and stood up when he realized Ziggy wasn't as easy to send off as others. It did bring a smile to his face when he realized that there were some similarities between Ziggy and his older brother, Ulfen. The kindness with a stubborn sort of care that no one could escape.

“Just one.” Raev finally agreed as he pulled off his boots before going out in the sand.

“I'm far from the water.” Ziggy encouraged.

That really was an encouragement and Raev was less reluctant as they walked out of the bus. He held tight to Ziggy as the bright light blinded him, even in sunglasses. His vision would clear soon but for now there was more comfort to being close to someone else who didn't like the water.

“Don't let them throw me in.” Raev worried as they stepped under the umbrella. He'd heard Bjorn talk about that and suddenly felt the anxiety flood in.

“No one will throw you in or they'll have to deal with me.”

Raev felt another smile blossom when he heard the usually kind singer's voice turn to an ice cold threat. Who knew? Maybe it would be fun to sit here and make sand castles with Ziggy Stardust.

Current Location: The Beach

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Karl had wondered where Raev had gotten to since leaving the bus. Everyone had piled off to go for a swim or a sunbathe on the sandy beach but where was the Dane? The fluffy fox Raev? Frowning a little as he pulled himself out of the waves, feeling someone shove him forwards from behind. Maybe one of the others? Karl just laughed and then started up the beach spotting Ziggy under an umbrella. The red haired singer didn't like to swim, did he?

Raev was also there.

"Raev? Fancy a swim, fluffy fox? The other guys are pissing about trying to pull my shorts off."

Karl giggled and pulled his blue trunks up a bit higher because they kept slipping down his legs. He shot Ziggy a cheeky wave and wondered where Ronno was because he often kept close guard on his girl. Mick, now having a swim with Weird, Hunter and Gilly just in front of where Ziggy's umbrella was. Karl pushed his black hair away from his face and could taste salt in his mouth from where he'd near swallowed some sea water.

Raev was sitting with Ziggy and trying to help with what they were building with the wet sand. He'd pushed his sunglasses up in his hair now that they were in the shade of the umbrella. The voice and especially the question made him cringe.

"Not right now." He tried to keep the worry out of his voice but Ziggy could feel it.

"You could join us." Ziggy motioned to the cooler behind him that had beer and some other drinks in it since he didn't want the Dane to feel stressed, though he knew Karl had no idea what was going on under the surface.

Karl was about to laugh but then stalled himself because Raev seemed put out or he sounded as if he wasn't having as much fun as he should. Had someone upset him? If that was the case then Karl would smash that person in the face for insulting his Dane fox. But no one would do that would they? Everyone respected Raev and understood his eye problem.

"You're making sandcastles? Fucking fun! Can I build a giant sand cock?"

The trashy Swede went to the cooler and picked out a beer for himself, pulling the ring and taking a few big gulps. Why was Raev sitting away from everyone else with Ziggy? There had to be a reason.

"I think Ronno just got his trunks stolen by Joe."

Karl smirking and giggling while pointing to Mick, who was running after Joe, trying to snatch his trunks back from the crazy bassist.

"Over there." Raev made a motion away from the castle because he was engrossed, partially, in making the castle nice. It was a goo distraction from his anxiety at the moment.

Ziggy giggled and shook his head as he looked out toward the water. OF course Joe was stealing people's pants.

"Has my brother and Torden started sucking face out there?" Raev looked up with a faint smile, hoping to turn the conversation away from why he wasn't in the water.

"No worries, sweet cakes. I can build my sand cock here away from your castle. Yours is fucking good so far."

The trashy Swede now grabbing piles of sand stacking it up so he could work with it. But, why was Raev distancing himself away from everyone else? Also, the whole not wanting to go in the water was a bit odd considering it was a really hot day. Maybe he just felt a bit off or was sick? Karl hoped it wasn't the latter. The LA climate wasn't for everyone.

"You ok, fluffy? I just want to make sure you're ok is all."

Karl gently touching Raev's arm, squeezing it slightly before going back to his sand cock. As for Torden sucking face? The bassist squinted towards the beach and noticed Lars sidling up to the hairy Dane while Hjalmar was being buried in sand by his younger feminine brother.

"Not yet but I'm sure they will soon. He's---"

The Swede felt a loud "slap" on his bare back and could feel wet sand now sliding down it. Fuck! Who did that? Spinning around he noticed Erik running away giggling loudly with sand balls in his hands. Oh, that porn boy!

"Thank you." That got a big, nearly shy smile out of the Dane. He went back to building and Ziggy took advantage of both the distraction and the fact that Raev didn't speak Swedish.

"Karl." Ziggy grinned and set down with the Swede to help him pile sand but he had other motives. He spoke in Swedish for the moment. "I think he's afraid of the ocean. Terrified of it."

Ziggy put weight into those words so Karl would know this was something serious. Though he would let the two talk and not interrupt any more. He simply thought that Karl needed to know.

Raev nodded. He didn't feel bad but then he started to laugh. "Give them time. It will be a sex show out there.

Vars had been watching from where he was sitting down near Ziggy's umbrella after swimming but he saw the game that was going on. Even though Erik wasn't that close, Vars nailed him right in the ass with a ball of sand, packed hard. Vars' victory was short lived when Rekker, who was all the way down in the ocean, caught the punk right in the face with a less packed but much farther thrown, ball of sand. Rekker had played baseball for a long time and still helped Dee with little league. If Hexed got involved the pranksters were going to have their hands full.

Karl didn't know Ziggy could speak Swedish so this was a nice change. Who else could speak it from the non-Swedes anyway? The bassist wasn't sure. Patting the sand into a shape like a big cock, he looked up to Ziggy and saw that the singer was being really serious about Raev. The poor guy was afraid of the ocean. Really afraid.

"Fuck. He is? I had no idea, sweet cakes. That's rough. Maybe he nearly drowned as a kid or something or maybe it's to do with his eyes? I'd help into the water slowly though---maybe he could sit inside a rubber donut or---"

The Swede wanted Raev to enjoy the waves just like everyone else was right now. It fucking sucked that he was too scared to enter the water. But Karl respected that and would make the Dane feel included none the less.

"I love him, Ziggy, so I'll make him feel included somehow even if he hates the water."

Karl now making the shape of the balls underneath the sand cock. It was so lewd he giggled.

"AH!---"

Erik cried out when he felt the compacted sand slam against his ass. The ball of sand hurt a little and stang but the cheeky Swede just laughed, looking around and wondering who threw it. Was it Hunter? One of the tarts? Aarne? He wasn't sure so just balled up more sand in his palm and hurled it towards Gilly, which splatted against his pale chest.

Ziggy took a moment to stare at the Dane, watching him build but also listening to his mind. He shook his head at Karl's suggestion about taking him out before turning back to Karl and addressing him in Swedish.

"I think he's always been afraid of the water." He let out a breath. "I don't think you should force someone this scared. He wasn't even going to come out of the bus because this close to the ocean is a lot for him."

Ziggy knew Karl was trying and he honestly wanted to do something with the Dane. The singer took a moment to assess the area and smiled. "There's a path over there, maybe you could walk on the beach? I wouldn't try to coerce him into the water though."

Ziggy could feel the tension rolling off of Raev and knew this wasn't something to try and do today.

Devon was just coming up the beach out of the water and saw Rekker hit Vars. Turning on his guitarist, Devon aimed for Rekker but caught Bjorn because he wasn't as accurate as the others. Rekker turned on him and Devon ran with the ginger after him. The two ladies of Hexed laughing because they knew Devon would get caught, he always did eventually.

"A walk? Yeah---that could work. No, I won't make him touch the water if he doesn't want to. We can walk along the sand and talk."

Karl finished his sand cock and admired it from above. Not bad. Maybe he could get one of the others to take a photo of both his and Raev's work when he'd finished his more refined sand model. Joe? He had a camera, didn't he?

"Poor boy. He had the courage to leave the bus so that's something. I just want to hold him and touch his body close to mine so he knows I'm always with him. If that makes sense."

The Swede loved Raev and surely Ziggy could sense the empathy coming off the bassist. He sidled up to the Dane and kissed his cheek.

"FUCK! Who did that?---"

There was a loud scream which sounded more like a screech as Bjorn was now covered in sand. Someone had thrown sand and it had hit the trashy Swede. Getting up he wiped his face with a towel and was fucking pissed because it was all in his hair! Fuck! Rekker now running off after Devon. So, it was him!

"My fucking hair is full of sand!---"

Lars giggled a little and then squealed when he felt sand slapped against his pale back by someone.

"I think he would enjoy that." Ziggy confirmed. The Anthean could feel how both of them wanted to be close to each other, the stolen glances and all of it. "Maybe you should walk down to somewhere private and make out?"

Ziggy wiggled a brow at the Swede playfully. Who knew? It might calm the Dane down some to distract him from the ocean.

Missy started giggling at Bjorn from where she and Dee sat drinking and enjoying some snacks. "Serves you right to know how Rekker must feel about all the glitter in his."

It was a tease and said with a lot of good natured giggling. Ansgar and Rik were standing together talking and watching Billy. Those two were up to something and hoped no one noticed.

Bjorn just huffed and stormed off to wash his hair with the water from the ocean. Surely, that would help get most of the sand out, wouldn't it? Fuck! Erik noticed Bjorn trying to get the sand out of his hair but didn't dare chuck a sandball at him right now because he'd earn a slap or get screamed at. So instead, he hurled one at Hunter's back, giggling and hiding behind Harald. Karl nodded to Ziggy.

"Yeah, I'll ask him and see what he says. Thanks, Ziggy. Mick is a lucky boy to have you."

Karl patted Ziggy on the shoulder softly before going up to Raev, wrapping his arms around the Dane and kissing him on the back of his neck.

"Do you fancy a walk along the beach away from this craziness?"

The nature of Rik's plotting came through Aarne made a grab for Billy to toss him into the water. Of course, they knew he was about to come after them once he found out but who cared. This was fun.

Ziggy gave the Swede a quick hand squeeze before he went to his lover. Raev wiggled and cried out when his neck was kissed unexpectedly. Once the tickling died down he leaned into the Swede behind him.

"We could." He turned and kissed Karl's cheek. "Do you think we can get to the beach without getting hit."

That wiggling and crying out was so cute, Karl couldn't help but laugh at the Dane's reaction because he was sweet as fuck. The Swede's hands now trailing down Raev's sides gently.

"We can make it, sweet cakes. If anyone chucks a sand bomb at you I'll get them back."

That Erik or Billy or whoever else. Watch out! Karl took Raev's hand and helped him walk if he needed some guidance. He could see in the day, couldn't he? It was more out of habit with him needing support in low light scenarios. Really, he just liked holding the singer's hand.

"Let's go, fluffigt lejon."

Fluffy lion.

Those trailing hands got a long sigh out of the Dane as he leaned back into Karl. Ziggy didn't want to interrupt the couple nuzzling but he pointed to the nearby stairs that went up and over the rocks and cliff that the umbrella was near.

"Those stairs go up to a boardwalk that comes down on the other side." He smiled because it would mean they could avoid the chaos. Though, Raev wasn't so worried about seeing. He could see very well right now. It was the water he didn't like.

He slipped his hand into Karl's and kissed his cheek before standing up to walk whichever direction Karl choose; the safer route via the stairs or the one that took them down the beach and through the sand war that was happening.

Karl decided on the route Ziggy had suggested, which was the one past all the sand bombs that were being thrown down at the beach. The safe route this time because Karl wanted to spend some romantic time with Raev away from the others. He was finding it hard with the water so close and the Swede wanted to reassure him.

"Let's go up the stairs, sweetcakes. Away from the shitshow down there."

A cheeky giggle erupted from Karl as he saw Billy now getting thrown into the water. Again. Erik was covered in sand from a well-aimed hit from Viktor and Mick was running around naked looking for his swim trunks. Hilarious.

"You're so sexy in the sun. Did you know that?"

Karl kissed Raev on the cheek as they walked up the steps.

Raev is just glad he is not part of what is going on closer to the water. The idea of being thrown in the water is horrifying.

"So are you." Raev reached out to stroke Karl's hair as they walked. "It's like a raven."

In this light he could make out a lot more, including the bluish hue when the sun hit Karl's black hair.

"A raven? Korp. That is raven in my language."

Karl stroked Raev's own blond hair and smiled. He wanted to teach his lover Swedish so that Raev could understand more and especially if any of the other Swedes let out phrases in their mother tongue.

"Let's walk along the sand. There's a path leading down over there near the cliff away from the crazy."

The bassist spotted a quiet path that looked a little more civil. A loud scream could be heard behind them which sounded like Bjorn getting sand bombed.

"Smuk ravn." Raev gave the Danish for what he meant. It would be important for them to learn each other's languages.

"I prefer the quiet." Raev did like people but the tour and constant people was draining after awhile. He squeezed Karl's hand, glad for some time alone without others always around.

"The quiet can be nice when you've had a fuck load of booze the night before and don't want screaming bitches in your ear. Hangovers are totally bullshit."

Karl knew Raev probably meant quiet as in away from people and things rather than nursing a sore head. Either way, the Swede would make sure his Dane partner wouldn't be anxious or fear the water.

"We could sit on the rocks and watch the view if you want? Romantic."

He squeezed Raev's hand and kissed his cheek.

"I've never had one." Raev admitted while they walked toward the path. He wasn't a big drinker, never was, though he would have a few drinks here and there.

"I like the ocean. We live close to it, all the Danes here do.. or did." He returned the hand squeeze before letting go to slip his arm into Karl's though he could still hold the Swede's hand this way.

"You don't want one, sweet cakes. They're total shit."

Karl knew he drank too much and snorted too much coke but then what rock star didn't? That Bjorn and Joe---they must be always off their faces. Holding onto Raev as they walked, Karl wanted to make sure the Dane was feeling ok.

"I'll look after you."

The trashy bassist knew he wasn't perhaps the most suited partner for someone like Raev but that wasn't going to stop him.

Raev laughed quietly. "I'll be the one looking after you and your hangovers."

He was teasing but honest. He knew that could be part of dating someone who drank a lot. Torden had to take care of his brother, Ulfen, often enough when he decided to drink way too much. Sitting on the rocks somewhere quiet would be nice. As long as they were far back from the water.

"I get them bad sometimes, not always, but when they hit, they hit like a fucking freight train."

Karl's body was mostly used to his drink and drug taking but sometimes he burnt himself out or went over his body's limit and totalled himself into a stupor. Then, he'd wake up sick in the night. Squeezing Raev's hand, Karl then kissed the Dane on the cheek as they walked.

"The air smells nice and salty. How far from the water did you want to go, sweet cakes? Whatever is comfortable for you."

The Swede gently leading Raev along the rocks to a sheltered area.

"I'll take care of you."

Raev squeezed a little tighter on Karl's hand. He looked out on at the ocean and tugged a little farther away.

"Over here." Raev was angling toward a large, smooth rock that was quite a way away from the ocean. The smell of the ocean wasn't exactly nice for Raev but he feels safer with Karl here.

"Thanks, babe. I'll look after you too."

Karl kissed the back of Raev's hand as they walked along the rocks away from the water. Seeing where the Dane wanted to go, Karl followed, still holding onto his boyfriend, making sure he wouldn't slip or trip on any loose rocks.

"Up there, sweet cheeks? Ok. Let's sit on that big smooth rock."

It looked a good spot and one where Raev could feel comfortable away from the big expanse of the ocean.

Raev leaned into Karl as they walked across the beach. It felt nice to be away from the noise and the water.

"Yes. It looks smooth?" Raev is questioning Karl to ensure that he was seeing dappled sun on the big rock rather than it being lumpy. Sometimes it was hard to tell himself. Raev is looking forward to sitting with Karl and simply enjoying his company.

"Yes, it looks smooth to me and nice for sitting on."

Karl guiding Raev towards the large rock, holding his hand and then leaning close to kiss the Dane's cheek. He was glad there was peace and quiet here so that Raev could be at peace with his water phobia. The ocean was further away here and less of a threat.

"How are you feeling, sweet cheeks?"

Raev smiled from the kiss as they got to the rock and could have a seat. "I'm ok."

The Dane sat down and pulled at Karl's hand so he could come sit next to him. Raev was nervous of the ocean but he was far enough away that he was feeling calm. This felt nice.

"As long as you're ok. I wouldn't be a very good boyfriend if I can't comfort you or make you feel safe."

Karl winked playfully and held onto the Dane's hand as they sat. He meant it though as Raev's safety was paramount to him now that he knew how the poor boy relied on his other senses to aid in his sight impairment.

"I love you and want to help anyway I can."

The Swede kissing Raev's ear.

Raev leaned his head against Karl's shoulder once they were both seated on the rock. He could look at the ocean from a distance but he didn't like being close to it so this was perfect.

The kiss got a quiet laugh and a smile from the Dane. "I love you too."

He did. Karl was a good person, wilder than Raev was used to, but he knew he could trust him.