bakerstreet | lets go, beaches!

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[meme] gen

lets go, beaches!

( art credit )

TO THE BEACH MEME
It's that time of year to pack up tight in your hot car and bring yourself on down to the beach for a fun time with friends!

1. Comment with your character, canon and preferences.
2. Reply to others.
3. RNG if you need to for prompts or make up your own.
4. Have fun!

WATERWORKS: One of the more popular ways to cool down at the beach is to get wet. Swimming around is fun but so is filling up some store bought water guns and spraying your friends!

COMPETITIONS: There all kinds of competitions at the beach. Watermelon eating, watermelon smashing, volleyball, ect. Work hard to win that shiny blue ribbon.

RELAXATION: Maybe you want to relax under the sun to get that nice tan or maybe go back to the hotel room have a drink out on the balcony.

SHOPPING: You have to look good for the beach so why not do some shopping at the local stores. Getting a cute bathing suit, a souvenir for the people back home, or maybe going on a supply run for a party back in your hotel room.

DATE STUFF: The beach can be quite romantic too. A long walk on the beach at dusk, eating at a restaurant, checking out the boardwalk, ect. All good stuff to steal a kiss or maybe for a meet-cute.

WILDCARD: For people who want to do something a little different.

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[The beach is just one of Les' favorite things ever. Information can be found here. Usually would be shopping (you can never have too many swimsuits), having a cookout/picnic (away from the blowing pesky sand), tanning, swimming.]

If you ask anyone else, Les and Dom are still playing games about this not really being a date, or any of the times they've been together being a date. There's too much riding on their families for them to rush into something that could tear down a lot of people so they're being careful. They're enjoying time together, working in the garage together, hanging out with others and even had Les and her family over for Sunday dinner.

But none of it is a date.

This, a day at the beach, is still not a date.

Even if they spent an hour playing in the water before nearly taking down a family picnic while playing Frisbee in the surf. Settling back on the sand, Dom is ready for some time just baking in the sun, though he glances at Les, arching a brow.

"Do we need to get you undercover before you're a really vibrant shade of Viper Red?"

Although she was being teased about the not-dates by Abby back home, she knew that the other girl understood the hesitation. And honestly, the rest of the guys did as well. Neither of them wanted to rush into it and damage either of their families. There was simply too much riding on it. Family was everything to them and she wasn't going to jeopardize that.

She knew Don and Ricky were slightly worried... probably more than slightly but she would never let anything hurt either party and she knew they knew that. Les had honestly been a little nervous going to Sunday dinner (primarily worried that the rest of his family wouldn't like them) but by the end of the night it was good. More than good. Even Letty was okay with her which was definitely a plus if you asked her.

She was enjoying working in the garage together and just spending time with him. It was hard to believe that in a week (maybe two if she was able to pull it off with Don and Ricky) she would be going back home. But she wasn't thinking of that just now. Les was just content to spend some time out in the sun with Dom. Coming to the beach, one of her favorite things was just what she needed to make this trip semi-complete.

Les looked at him as she reapplied some sunscreen on her arms and shoulders and laughed. "Thankfully no, I do actually tan. Now, get Blake out in the sun for too long? Then yes, because when he gets burnt and turns a lovely shade of red, he whines. But I think that's mostly to get sympathy from Abby," she said, spreading some lotion onto her legs. Her tone was fond though - she loved the guy and really, were they really family if they didn't give each other hell from time to time?

Despite the fact that he liked Les from the first moment they met, Dom knows it's more than that. It's family and business, and family business. And business that was illegal as all hell, and if they let others in, it meant others possibly finding out all the rest of it so they had to be careful about the chances they took. All of them.

Even if he truly did like Les more and more the longer they spend time with one another.

And then dinner had happened and it was better than he could have hoped.

Everyone was friendly and enjoyed themselves and it had ended on a high note. One that left Dom worrying less about having Les around and more about when to talk to her about the rest of the business. It hasn't been long enough yet but one day it would be, and he'd worry about it then.

Dom wasn't trying to think about when she would leave though. That wasn't what he wanted on his mind yet. Maybe things would change so he needs to focus on here and now, and them.

Laying back on the sheet, loving the way the sun prickled over his skin as Dom turns his head to watch Les. "Jesse burns under fluorescent lighting, I swear," he teases with a grin. "We brought him to the beach. Once. Never again."

Les laughed. "That I can absolutely see. The poor boy," she said, setting the lotion to the side and laying down next to him. She loved the way the sun felt on her skin and was especially enjoying the time one-on-one with him. "I did see him get a bit pink just when we were sitting outside for dinner."

She was surprised by how much she was feeling toward Dom so quickly. It wasn't the norm but she couldn't complain. Not only that but she'd made some money while being down here and people who, as Dom had suggested, would pay to bring her down when they want their car worked on or a new paint job. It was a really good feeling.

"I think a few of the guys are planning on coming down for Race Wars this year. I'll have to come down this time I think," she said, glancing over a Dom with a grin. It was still a couple of months away at least but it'd be fun.

Dom laughs at that, shaking his head. "Gets better after summer. Sun isn't so bad. We keep SPF 100 in the fridge for him and a bottle of aloe in the freezer though. Just for the family dinners," he says.

He can't stop smiling, thinking about the dinner and her family there with them. It had been nice having new people and it had gone well. Everyone had a good time and fit in with one another. He couldn't have planned it as well as it had gone but he's glad for it. They need this, he thinks. All of them.

That question though makes him go quiet for a moment, thinking about that and what it means. "So, when do you head back?"

Les laughed. "You're good people," she said with a grin, closing her eyes a bit as they laid there. It was true - they were good people in that they looked out for each other and helped each other. Having dinner with Dom and his family had been easier than she had worried it would be. She would be lying if she said she hadn't been concerned that they'd all get along.

But then, she realized, that Austin and Blake had already met Vince and Leon years before they'd moved to LA at Race Wars and so had a few of the other guys. So they already got along. It was mostly her and how Letty might act around her but it went well. Really well. The guys back home seemed pleased too.

At that question, she shifted onto her side to face him, leaning on her arm. "Originally, I was supposed to go home next week," she said, watching him for a moment. "But, Don is supposed to call me later today. I had a couple of appointments set for next week and he's seeing if they'd be willing to reschedule. They're nothing major, just a couple of touch ups that even the others could do if they aren't willing to. Which would give me another week..." She'd already asked Austin and Blake if they'd mind her sticking around an extra week and they hadn't (which was of no surprise really).

Dom gasps, eyes wide as she says it and then laughs, shaking his head. "You think that, just means I'm doing the right thing." His expression grows solemn then. "Thank you though. I try and do the best I can for my family. Some of them..." He sighs. "They've been through a lot of shit, and been hurt, and they deserve to have a place to feel safe and people that will take care of them. That's all we try and do for them."

And he knows in the grand scheme of the world, that does make him a good man and them good people. Even despite the crimes they commit.

Next week. He hates hearing that, even though he knew it was coming. He knew eventually she was going to have to go home. He just didn't want it to be yet.

"So another week then?" He could work with that. "Besides work, could I maybe actually ask you on a date then?"

They keep talking about no dating and these aren't dating but he wants it to be.

Les laughed and glanced at him. "That especially means you're doing the right thing," she agreed with a smile. She listened as he spoke about the people in his life. Once again, she was struck by the similarities in their lives and nodded in understanding. "It's appreciated," Les said after a moment. "Not that I'm speaking for them but...," she cleared her throat. "Abby and I... well, really all of us had a really rough go of it growing up. Some more than others but when we met Don and Ricky, they became that safe place for us. Alex, another one back home, his mom Alicia really helped too - as much as she could. Probably the only real mother figure any of us have. People like you, Mia... Don and Ricky who are there without asking much in return mean the world to those of us who didn't have that." She glances over at him and smiles. "So. For that. You're a good man. Despite the fact that your shop may be on just this side of legal." The last part was said teasingly, thinking back on their first conversation at the races.

"If it works out then I'll have two weeks," she agreed before grinning. "I should hope so. Because I'd really like to go on a date with you."

She was thankful they were taking it slow and hadn't been bothered by that as much as she would have if she was much younger. The last thing she'd ever want to do is burn any bridges by something not going right. She wasn't a girl who believed in love at first sight or happily ever after but if there was someone that she could see her with for a while it was him. Since she'd been in LA, she hadn't thought of her ex-boyfriend (and honestly, she hadn't been that broken up by it in the first place). It was nice to be around someone who she just clicked with.

It's interesting to Dom that they share such mingled lives. The same sort of group, the same kind of backgrounds. Though it's not surprising. A lot of people raised in rough lives want a way out. Fast cars promise that. Then they end up adopting one another, still seeking family while wanting a different life. Then they end up here, like this. Each of them part of a different family, all found and barely sometimes of blood but it's enough. No, it's more than enough. For most of them it's better than the family they've ever known.

"We have to try and be there for one another. You can't be there for everyone but once you have family that you've chosen, you have to try and help. What else are we here for?"

He smiles at that though. "I'd like that. A lot. Not saying I'm not enjoying our not dates, but I'd really like to have a real date with you,' he says, reaching out and tenderly brushing an errant strand of hair back from her face.

"It took me a long time to realize what a having a or having family was like," she admitted with a little smile, glancing at him. "But now... there's nothing I won't do for them." One day, perhaps she'll explain it more but it was enough that he understood it.

Les smiled and leaned into his touch. "I would definitely like to have a real date with you too," she said, reaching out and trailing her fingers over the curve of his cheek. "I really like you Dom." She really hoped that Don would get in touch with her later to say staying the extra week would be okay - she'd hate for this feeling to end so soon.

She knew, even if she did have to go home, that she'd be back when she could. It was nice that they were already planning on seeing each other after this. They'd be down for Race Wars, he was considering coming up during the fall and after that... they'd have to see.

He shifts, considering her a minute, thinking about his family and how they had grown. "How did you all meet? Was it racing or before?"

Because discounting Mia, it was kind of over time, though it's been nearly a decade now that most of them have been together. Though it's been nearly five years since they've grown and now it looks like they're, what? Merging? Maybe that's it. Whatever it is, he likes how it feels.

Smiling at that touch, covering her hand with his and curling his fingers around hers. "I like you too, Les. I never thought something like this was in the cards for me any time soon, but I don't care if we're talking over miles for some of it, I wanna see how it turns out. You know?"

He's not sure how it could turn out but he wants to know.

Les took a minute to think about all those years ago and laughed. "It was definitely before racing - at least for most of us. Abby and I met in kindergarten and met Alex and Nathan in... early middle school, maybe? We were little sixth graders and somehow our paths merged with theirs. Alex was in the 7th grade and Nate was in 8th." Her mouth quirked up a little at the memories before shaking her head. "As for Don and Ricky, they've known each other forever - their dad's were best friends so they grew up as basically brothers. All their lives, they've lived and breathed cars and racing. They met Austin and Blake in high school and when Nate became a ninth grader, he met them in some shop class. It wasn't too long before he introduced the rest of us to them. It was very organic, I guess," she said with a grin.

Les smiles as he curls his fingers around hers and slides her thumb over the back of his hand. She liked the way this felt and how she felt when she was with him. "I never thought so either," she admitted, looking at him. "I would never have believed it, honestly. But... I want to see where this goes," she agreed. "Even if we talk long distance for some of it. It's not that bad of a drive so I can come visit more often."

There was no telling where they'd end up but she'd give it a chance and see where it lead them. If all she got was a close friend, she was okay with that. But, there was certainly attraction there.

She watched him for a moment before leaning in and brushing her mouth over his in a soft tentative kiss. Perhaps it was too much for a non-date but she was comfortable with him, so she wasn't going to hold back.

Dom shifts a bit closer to her, letting the sand move to mold to his body as he watches her talk about them. Certainly he's listening to the details, but it's not the only thing he's paying attention to. He's watching her eyes, listening as she remembers them, how she smiles and carries herself as she remembers. It's a beautiful thing to see her remembering, being willing to share this part of her life with him as she tells him of the things in her life that had brought her to this point.

Knowing these things are as important to him as it is knowing her. He knows this. It's the same about her knowing the others in his life. They're part of larger families, good friends, and that is important to them both.

"I do too," he admits with a nod. "And there's a lot of ways we can keep in touch. Even if I can't lure you back soon," he adds, making it clear he's already thought about this, and wanting her to know as well that this isn't just about her being here and now in front of him.

Sighing softly at that kiss, leaning in closer to her as his hand moves to cup her cheek, smiling as he steals a second kiss from her.

It had always been important for her that anyone she became romantically interested in would understand and know how important her family was to her and at the very least attempt to get along with them. Was it always easy? No, of course not. But at the end of the day, there wasn't anything she wouldn't do for them just as she knew (and had seen it demonstrated) that they would do the same for her. Meeting Dom's family had been just as equally important to her because that was his family and she knew just how important they were to him.

She was glad that it was something they had in common, so she wouldn't have to deal with someone upset that she had so many "big brothers". Honestly, if the guy she was interested in couldn't handle them? Could they really handle her?

Les smiles as she shifts closer to him. "Exactly - we have this thing called cell phones which makes it much easier to keep in contact," she said with a grin. Her grin widens as he admits to giving thought to luring her back sooner rather than later. "It's okay, I'm already thinking of when I can make a long weekend happen... or how to lure you up north," she admits with a teasing smirk.

She sighs happily into the second kiss then steals a third. She liked the way this felt with him and how content she felt.

It's definitely something that Dom can definitely understand since he feels the same way. He has a family who will always come first and anyone else in his life would have to adjust to the same thing, accept them as well. It would never work if they didn't. He's had the few of them over, but he knows from the way everyone interacted that if things with he and Les became more, they could truly all adjust to that and understand it of one another.

"Much better than when we were teens," he says with a grin, imagining those days, tethered to a cordless phone base.

He gasps. "Go North? Of the county? Wow, I don't know. That's kind of scary," he says with a laugh. "But you know, that drive up PCH ain't so bad. Worth it for the company," he says, believing that. She was definitely worth it.

His hand moves to cup the back of her head, pulling her in for a deeper kiss. He's wanted to do this since the night he met her but he's glad he waited as well. He's glad to know her, not just know that she's beautiful with kissable lips.

Les laughed and nodded. "Oh, it's definitely much better than those days," she agreed with a grin. "Traveling is also easier with said cellphones as well."

"It takes a lot of nerve and courage to come up North," she said trying her best not to laugh. "But I believe in you." Les did laugh then and sent him a grin. "It'll definitely be worth it for the company," she agreed, glad to hear him say so as well. She really wanted him to meet the rest of her family and she knew that Don and Ricky were curious to meet him after everything the three of them has told them so far.

This was exactly what she had wanted to do that first night and when they were at the carnival. She moved in closer to him and returned the deep kiss with a soft sound, cupping his cheek with her hand. It figured that it would be at that moment that her phone would start to ring. She didn't hear it right away so it was a good five seconds before she pulled away from his mouth and reached toward the beach bag they'd brought with them and pulled her phone out.

"I swear, sometimes I think he has a sixth sense - it's Don," she said, looking at him before sitting up, clearing her throat and answering. "Hey Don," she said with a smile, hoping that it was good news.

"Hey Lessy, having a good day," Don asked, leaning against the counter of the shop with a smile, knowing she'd be pleased by the news he had for her. It had been a surprise, honestly, at the question about extending the trip and if her clients could reschedule. From what he understood from Austin and Blake, she'd had a few jobs down there over the weeks and grown close to Dom. She hardly took a vacation and took her obligations seriously, in fact hardly any of them took vacations, and so Don said he'd at least ask.

She looked at Dom with a smile before answering. "Yeah, it's been a really good day so far. Spending the day at the beach with Dom. I'm guessing you have an answer for me?"

"I'm not even going to ask," he teased her, not wanting to know what he might've interrupted. Though happy that she seemed happy. "Everyone was good with rescheduling - they didn't trust us to touch their paint," Don said with a grin, though honestly, he couldn't blame them. They were decent enough but when Les showed an aptitude and interest in painting and detailing, they left it in her court and she was fantastic.

"Smart guys," Les said with a laugh. "So, I'll see you guys in another couple of weeks. Thanks, babe. We'll call you Sunday, yeah?" She hung up moments later and looked at Dom with a grin. "Looks like all of you are stuck with me for another week," she teased him, tucking the phone back into the bag.

There's the ringing of a phone, but Dom doesn't care. It's not his, and he's not thinking about the fact that he's not the only one there. No, he's acutely aware he's not the only one there but not that they would be interrupted. He just wants to keep kissing her for as long as they might before things started to go too far.

But then she breaks the kiss to take that call and Dom sighs, lying back on the sand and trying to cool himself down. The sun and the sand aren't helping. Neither is the view of the woman next to him, beautiful when she smiles as she's talking to Don.

So he lays there, half listening to what she's working out about staying. It sounds promising, so there's that. Even if the guy had interrupted their kissing. Though they're in public, so maybe it's for the best. Sucks, but for the best.

But damn does he light up at that. "Another week," he says, pulling her in close for a small, more chaste kiss. "I'll have to make the most of it then, won't I?"

Les grinned when Dom's face lights up at the mention of another week. "Definitely," she said before leaning in and kissing him a little deeper. It wasn't like the kiss the Don so rudely interrupted but it wasn't as chaste as the others were either.

She was really glad she had asked Don if she could have another week. She loved being home, there was no doubt about it. But over the last couple of weeks of being here in the valley with Austin, Blake and especially Dom, she was started to dread having to leave. The extra week would give her more time with all of them and again, especially with this man.

"So we can go on that official date," she said with a grin after pulling back from his lips and licked at her bottom lip.

They were in public, so they shouldn't have been kissing like that at the beach either, but he's still grumpy a bit at being interrupted. But they're together and they have another week. He can get over being grumpy for that.

"Oh, can we?"

He smirks, even as his fingers curl over hers, taking her hand in his as he runs the thumb over the back of her hand.

"I'm thinking at least two dates," he says. "Maybe three if I can work it out," he teases. It's not that he doesn't think they won't see one another again, but he wants to establish things between them before she goes home. Or at least see if there's something to establish.

"I'm thinking at least three dates," Les said with a smirk, letting him take her hand. She leaned on her elbow as she moved in closer to him. Honestly, she was a bit grumpy herself over the interruption but at least she knew that they'd have more time together.

She definitely wanted to know if there was something here. Obviously that kiss felt like something. Les licked at her bottom lip before leaning in and pressing another kiss to his mouth, unable to help herself. "Let's get seafood tonight, overlooking the beach," she said with a smile before biting down teasingly on his bottom lip then releasing it.

"At least," he says, stroking his thumb over the back of her hand and considering her. "We keep this up and I might have to arrange for one every day I have left," he teases, though there's a light in is eyes that it might not be a joke.

He smiles at that, considering it and then giving her a nod. "I know the perfect place. You'll love it." And he's going to love having the night with her and enjoying himself because he's spending time with her.

Les looked down at their clasped hands and smiled softly, stroking her thumb over the back of his hand. "Well, I can't say I'd mind that," she said with a teasing smile, looking at him. "We must take full advantage of all the time we have available."

It wasn't as though they were on opposite sides of the country and she was thankful for that. Still, it didn't mean it was exactly easy.

She smiles at the response. "Oh good, sounds perfect." Les liked the idea of not rushing back so soon. It was nice to have this time with him and making plans for dinner.

"Guess I need to start planning some dates then," he says with a grin, because he would utterly take advantage of the time he has. "Though one of the nights I want us to go racing and ride along with one another when they make the run."

He just likes the idea of it, and there's an intimacy to it in his mind.

Sometimes California felt like that, at least to and with Californian's. It's another world, one that they don't look to as the same place and, therefor, driving up the coast was like leaving the state in so many ways. In how things looked, how others acted and talked. How it felt. So going from his world to hers felt like a million miles connected by the fact that their lives and families were the same. Or close enough to it.

"Do you want to pick any of the dates or anything you want to do?"

She tilted her head with a hum and gave him a wide grin. "Oh, what about more than one night going racing together?" Because yeah, she definitely liked that idea too. "They don't have to be anything fancy," Les said, though having the feeling that neither of them were into anything super fancy in the first place.

Les considered the question and hummed thoughtfully again. "Oh, I have a few ideas for dates," she said, nodding. "So, I would be happy to pick and/or plan a few."

It was true, it did feel like they lived in opposite sides of the country in California - two separate worlds. It was insane how that tended to be the feeling which explained why it took so long to get down to visit Austin and Blake.

She tightened her hand around his and rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb. "I'm really glad I have another week with you."

lets go, beaches!

Les Gianni | Original | OTA

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I adore you. And also, I like to pick on my guys. Hahaha!

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Her family beginnings have shifted a bit cause there isn't a Scott or Jason!

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