Whatever Gets You Through The Night

I leaned against the side of the tree, bored. I looked down at my hand, flicking a silver coin in my palm. Waiting. Waiting, as always.
I slipped the coin back into my pocket. I looked out over the shoreline, wiggling my toes in the sand. I loved the sand here. Nice and soft.
Something was telling me to step closer to the water. I pushed myself off the tree, ignoring the burn of the sun against my sweaty back. I took step after step towards the water.
Eventually the water lapped against my ankles. I remembered the warnings earlier, about the riptide, but I just couldn't stop walking.
Suddenly a short wall of foam ripped my ankles off the ground, and I fell into the water on my back. The current pulled me out to sea, and I spluttered water from my nose and mouth, disoriented.
I tried kicking my feet, getting to the surface, but the light only seemed to get smaller.

* * *
I sat straight up in bed, panting. I looked around the small, dark room, feeling my heart.
"Christ." I said out loud. My voice was rather hoarse. I looked over at the clock, but then I remembered I couldn't exactly read it from where I was.
A crumpling noise on the other side of the room interrupted the peaceful silence. Someone sat up, and he reached out to flick the lamp on. Paul blinked at me, his brow furrowing as the light blinded his vision for a second. "John, why are you awake?"
I shook my head and rubbed my face, trying my best to cover my eyes from the harsh light. "Nightmare. Go back to bed."
"Mm, I can't," he admitted. He looked out the window, the moonlight illuminating his big eyes. "It's too hot here. Too humid."
"I can agree with that." I flopped back onto my pillow, though I knew I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep now. He turned the lamp off again, but that feeling you got when you knew someone else was awake wouldn't leave.
I looked back at him, but he was still staring out the window. His face was turned just right so that I could still see half his face from the moon.
"Paul?" I said.
He turned towards me, and his face disappeared. "Yeah?"
"Can I tell you about my dream?" I rolled over so I was on my side, kicking the blanket until only my calves were covered. It was more comfortable that way.
He copied me, propping his head up on his hand. My eyes were starting to adjust, and I could just make out his eyes. "Sure."
"I was drowning." I said simply. I watched while he wrestled with that for a moment.
"Drowning? Maybe you should stay away from the beach for a while," he suggested. "I know earlier....that really freaked you out."
"It didn't freak me out!" I complained. "I just got nervous. Wouldn't you?"
He shrugged, but I knew he would've. Falling off the boat, and not finding the surface...that would freak anyone out.
"Anyways. I know how to make you feel better." he chuckled. He stood up and walked over to me, stroking his long fingers along my chest. I shivered, and he chuckled again as he laid next to me. "I thought you were too hot?"
"I am," I said, pulling him close to me. "Not hot enough for you, though."
He laughed and shook his head, curling his hands around the back of my neck. "Oh please. That was one of the worst lines I've ever heard you say."
I didn't bother answering. I just leaned forward and pressed my lips to his, loving the taste of his honey lips and candy tongue.