#windfall island

[the-carnival-of-time]

[locirodrawsstuff]

A postcard for a rainy Windfall Island!

Tried to capture my very vivid memory of playing this on gamecube, hopelessly lost while sailing around in the rain, and seeing this lil island town on the horizon.

[pitchblackespresso]

Wind Waker watercolour sketches compilation

[link-is-a-dork]

[katlimeart]

Made in 2023

If you've seen this anywhere else, I posted it back on my deviantArt when it was made.

Mario girls cosplaying as NPCs from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

1 + 2. Aryll

3. Laruto

4. Gillian

5. Potova

6. Vera

[aikoiya]

LoZ - Euryhaline Zora & Coastal Rito Port Town

I have an idea for a new settlement in Hyrule.

This is a result of an adventurous Zora woman falling in love with an equally adventurous Lurelin man. However, both had desperately wanted children of their own, but obviously couldn't have them. Neither were opposed to adoption, but they still want what they want. Then the little Lurelin man remembers an ancient story of the Hero of Time.

And part of that story had been about a magical mask that could turn the wearer into a Zora. The story had spoken of a distant land across the sea to the east & falling into another world.

So, while not totally believing it, they figured that the journey would be worth it at least.

Anyway, they sort of commandeer a monster pirate ship, gather a crew, & set sail to lands long forgotten.

Only to discover a new land named New Hyrule, ruled by another Hylian Royal Family, where people rode along on long, metal carriages chained together, the one at the front seeming to billow out smoke, & moved down large minecart tracks. The people also seemed able to capture images with wooden boxes that produced those images on pieces of paper almost automatically. Not even the Purah Pad could do that & while not as advanced as the Pad, it seemed that these "Pictoboxes" were low-cost enough & made of cheap enough materials that a decent number of people could own one if they wished. They didn't even seem all that complicated to make if you knew how!

It was certainly a great surprise, as these individuals claimed that their ancestors had ventured there from the Great Sea in the west to found a new kingdom inspired by the old legends of a sleeping kingdom beneath the Great Sea.

The unlikely pair informed the king of the time that there was no Great Sea in that direction, only their home country of Hyrule, which was founded 10,000 years ago, which comes as a shock.

This is how it was discovered that the legendary kingdom was, in fact, real & that King Rauru had merely refounded a new iteration of the kingdom based on what was considered a myth at the time.

Anyway, this began the process of a new & great alliance.

Turns out that the 2 Hyrule Royal Families were indeed related by blood, though so distantly that it didn't even really matter anymore.

But that wasn't what the pair had come there for. They set off to find the doorway to another world & found it they did. They fell into the terrifying world & began to search high & low for the desired mask. Which this world was filled with. In the end, they found themselves aiding a number of people before acquiring the Zora Mask as a reward.

Anyway, the unique mixing of Termina's old Sea Zora with Hyrule's new River Zora results in euryhaline Zora able to survive in both the ocean & rivers.

Their appearance ends up resembling that of the Twilight Princess Zora, though with more color variation. Their main color remains that sort of silvery-blue or faded teal shade of the old Zora, but with vivid accent colors much like the new Zora. However, they do seem to retain the new Zoran sizes.

The males tend to have the more utilitarian webbed fins of the green River Zora, while the females tend to have more betta-like fins.

A bit like this in style. Not my art. Though, with more variety of colors for the accents & following the specifics that I listed above.

These Zora later make a settlement on Eventide Island & create a new Domain called Koholint.

I'm also making Koholint a chain of islands much like Hawaii with Eventide being the smallest & closest to the mainland & their capital being on an island named Windfall. The other islands are Outset Island, Gale Island, Greatfish Island, & Dragon Roost Island. The domain is called Koholint, but the whole of the island chain are called the Koholina Archipelago. Koholina being the Lurelin word for "to choose joy."

Later, some human/Hylian Lurelin residents begin to live there, as well as a small faction of Rito that eventually adapt to the climate, becoming more water birds. They come to be known as Coastal Rito.

While the island's architecture resembles a mix of Zora's Domain, Rito Village, & Lurelin Village, with the commercial district & Rito & human/Hylian residences being on the island itself & the Zora's residences being underwater, the colors of the stonework resembles more the inside of the Face & Color Dungeons from the new Link's Awakening remake. With some definite influence from Lurelin & the Rito.

The Zora homes will mostly retain a Zora's Domain architecture, but with definite influences from Hindu & coastal Greco-Roman design aesthetics. On the other hand, the island architecture will use more wood & take on the more Maori aesthetic with coastal Hindu influence. Though, both will have definite influences from each other. (I guess what I mean when I say Hindu inflence is a look like what you see with Skyward Sword's Ancient Cistern. So, some definite Buddhist influences. At least as far as design.)

They don't really have a king, more so a Chieftain as the culture there tends to take more influence from both the Rito & Lurelin, which both tend to be more tribal.

The overall result ends up being a mix of Polynesian, southern coastal Native American, & coastal Hindu with some ancient coastal Greco-Roman influence (even Atlantis-like) for the underwater sections of the settlement. As well as in their formal fashion. Though, again, even when showcasing these Greco-Roman features, they still showcase an overall fusion of the many cultural influences as a whole.

There'd likely also be a tiny bit of Caribbean & Okinawan inspiration in there too.

They'd also have various Polynesian weapons such as the mutitude of types of Lei'o'manō (sharktooth weapons) for a Lurelin weaponry. As well as stuff like an Ulimasao (paddle-club used to end wars & usher in peace) & an Aufana (bow). Not to mention fishing & hunting spears too.

Likewise, the Coastal Rito will have invented a wooden double-limbed bow called a Pālua Lima Pana. It is a high-performance bow with a lot of power behind it & was inspired by the bow used by Karina, the Goddess of Love & Passion. Who the Faronites refer to as Kalina.

Either way, I feel like they'd eventually become a fishing & port town.

LoZ Cultural Masterlist

[salutanisorkonus]

New video! Cover of Windfall Island from Zelda Wind Waker!

[weepingtalecowboy]

I have already talked about just how unsettlingly gullible Wind was

Fanfic prompt : But somehow I found even worse stuff about wind

A thing that constantly happens is just how utterly powerless Wind is in comparison to the adults in his Hyrule

Tetra could have had killed him ,hurt him or just straight up kidnapped him when he was on the ship with her

It’s not like anyone would disagree with their captain (also the fact that it is still debatable whether tetra is an adult makes her crew mate's crush so much worse)

He is at her mercy

And the only reason why nothing happened was because she was a decent human being (she wasn’t even a good person because she has no problems committing crimes)

Later after the heist failed he gets picked up by the king of red lions

What makes it somehow even worse is the fact that Daphnes was not only aware of Wind not being the chosen hero

But he could have taken anyone else

Like a strong man for example

And he chose a child who was desperate enough to do anything to save his sister

Again Wind was at an adult’s mercy ,he was in a bad position and the king manipulated him into helping him

Daphnes has used a child of all things

Because no adult would have went with him

He was overpowered by the king and had no control over the situation

And the fact that Wind defended the kings of Hyrule is the only time he has spoken against another adult (with it being wild) shows how much of an impact he had on him

What somehow upped the stakes is tingles's brother who had Wind at his mercy and while most things with the other adults went relatively smoothly

He actually forced Wind to commit a crime by releasing his brother from prison

And theoretically he could have continued adding more conditions for wind to buy the sail

Because Wind couldn’t even say no , refuse or even go look somewhere else

That could have ended badly if tingle's brother decided to not hold the bargain

Again Wind was at the mercy of a morally gray adult

Tingle is right next he also was a key part of progressing

And he was scamming Wind by using his position to gain actual control over Wind

He could ask for much much worse things

And Wind would have just have to comply with it

Even the people of windfall island are assholes because Wind has to go to an auction to get important items and if he fails he can just try again later

But the fact that those people don’t take the items and just want to make him spend rupees on it

Theoretically they could keep raising the price and Wind would have to comply

AGAIN ADULTS HAVE ABSOLUTE POWER OVER A SMALL KID

And it doesn’t even end with Wind waker

In phantom hourglass the exact same scenario happens

Linebeck is in control of the ship and wind can’t do anything about it but ask him to follow a route he wrote down

It gets even worse because Linebeck was taking advantage of Wind's position by trying to take the treasure of the Ghost ship and making him fight his ex

Oshu wants Wind to clean up the islands and that is by far the most unbalanced relationship in the entire series because Wind genuinely can’t get tetra back or leave if Oshu doesn’t let him

All he can do is AGAIN hope that an adult keeps his promise and doesn’t scam him

It’s not like he can actually do anything about it if it does happen

He can’t even talk back at the adults like you can always complain in a Zelda game but not in his games

And BEEDLE'S FUCKING COMPLITARY ID in phantom hourglass literally forces Wind to compliment him (like WTF BEEDLE)

Wind has to literally suck it up and tell a degenerate that he looks pretty (like holy SHIT)

Like that is BEYOND CREEPY and the one in Wind waker is literally the opposite which is somehow even worse because a much older man is complimenting a small child who can’t even back out because you can’t skip the cutscene

If We take Hyrule warriors too it just adds another adult who has a sort of power over him (because Captain link is the highest ranking general and wind is not even able to go home if Lana doesn’t make a portal for everyone to leave)

Like Wars isn’t evil but the power between both of them is something that is not fairy distributed

And in linked universe i

the fact that Wind defended the kings of Hyrule is the only time he has spoken against another adult (with it being wild) should be a big warning sign

Because realistically a kid in such a situation would be hesitant to speak against adults because his perception of a relationship with one is beyond messed up

He would be used to such a relationship because of how often it happens

Like that are authority issues in the making

It’s even worse because the entire chain is traveling back and forth between times

And wind has to be close by at all times

Like he probably would not see anything wrong with the dynamic

But the chain probably has to go beat up a king, a scammer, tingles's entire family and definitely beedle

(Like WTF was that complimentary ID stunt)

Because such issues are extremely hard to kick out

Like Windwaker is such a realistic take on the child hero trope that it is disturbing

A child would be so vulnerable and easy to control and manipulate the fact that the toon link series has two games in a whimsical art style with disturbing implications is mind blowing

Like Wind's perception of relationships was groomed by the adults he met (even if it was on accident or not the result most adults wanted their behavior still changed and twisted wind's perception of relationships especially with adults)

[zahnffxiv]

hrothtober day 3: sanctuary!!

one of the best things of my home sweet hideaway is being able to enjoy the rain from the comfort of my bed!!

[geek-fashionista]

*forces my corpse into a sitting position* This devotional I’ve been following along with all year be like “What is your purpose in life?” and part of me squints at it and asks if this is a trick question, but most of me is like heck if I know. Why are you grilling me at 5am? I’m pretty happy when I’m not asking myself why I, specifically, was put on this planet.

But not having a purpose doesn’t mean I don’t have goals. This year I want to turn myself into the kind of mother my future kids can rely on and will remember fondly. That one resolution encapsulates all the others: reading more, successful writer, physical fitness, doing more for my husband, conquering my anxiety, getting better at math, stronger spiritually and emotionally, being a more interesting and well-rounded person, etc.

This year I started reading leadership books because I’ve never considered myself a leader, but if someday I were to accidentally end up in a leadership position, I want to be competent enough to do well at it.

*the vacant stare of someone enduring a cramp* The way my uterus literally waited until the day we were supposed to head out to Puerto Rico… is pure evil. Sorry, family. I’ll try again in six months.

Anyway, those are my resolutions. Maybe I’ll find some grand purpose in the process, but I ain’t too worried about it. My purpose is to do what I can with what I got. Doesn’t have to be deeper than that.

[the-carnival-of-time]

The Legend of Zelda -> The Wind Waker HD

[uncleskyrule]

there's something about Wind Waker Link going from island to island that reminds me of the Little Prince visiting the different planets

[fourswords]

in the same way that makar's prayer is a remix of the main title theme of wind waker that dances around the main melody, windfall island is a remix of kakariko village (oot's version specifically) that dances around its main melody. and post

[jl-11037]

Drinking age

All of the links eras have different ages for when you can legally drink.

Warriors hyrule has the highest, with a drinking age of 21. But people tend to look the other way when it's underage soldiers drinking

Time's hyrule has a drinking age of 20. But it's common for 18/19 year old's to drink in their own home and isn't frowned upon

Legend's hyrule has a drinking age of 19. For Lorule it's 18. 19 for Labrynna and Holodrum. And 20 for Hytopia.

Sky's hyrule has a drinking age of 19 and it's frowned upon for anyone under the age to drink

Twilight's hyrule has a drinking age of 19 and it's frowned upon for people under 17 to drink (not many people care if a 17/18 year old drinks).

Wild's hyrule has a drinking age of 19. Except for the Zora, it's the Zoran equivalent of a 20 year old

Four's hyrule has a drinking age of 18 and people don't care if a 16/17 year old drinks as long as they are responsible about it.

Wind's hyrule it varies island to island. On Outset the drinking age is 18 and on Windfall it's 19. On Wind's private island it doesn't matter for Wind's age he can drink when he likes because it's his island (for everyone else it's 16 and up, except for Tetra's pirate crew)

Hyrule's hyrule has the lowest with a drinking age of 15. And it's greatly frowned upon for anyone under 15 to drink (unless it is very very heavily watered down)

If anyone has their own ideas for this feel free to share

[katlimeart]

Made in 2023

If you've seen this anywhere else, I posted it back on my deviantArt when it was made.

Mario girls cosplaying as NPCs from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Medli

2 + 3. Maggie

4. Link & Aryll's Grandma

5. Linda

6. Joanna

7. Missy

8. Minenco

9. Pompie

[greatsharklamia]

Summary: Step siblings since you were 16, it’s the first time you’ve seen Rafe since he left home for college. And now adults, your relationship is changing, helped along by Rafes four year old daughter.

Tags: Step-Siblings, Adulthood, Dad Rafe, Single Parent

Warnings: Step-sibling relationship, slight talk of being horny

Growing up in the cut, you’d known that you were poor. But you’d never realised how poor. Not until your mother started dating, and then later married, Ward Cameron.

It was like a whole other world opened up.

Sure, there were issues. You were 15 when they started dating, and 16 when they married. Old enough that you didn’t want new siblings. Not that they were siblings. They were comrades, trapped into this farce alongside you.

When your friends learned that Rafe Cameron was set to be your step-brother, they’d demanded a movie night. On show: step sibling love stories. From Mia Culpa, Clueless and snippets of Disney's Life with Derek, to the more risque movies.

Okay, so calling them movies was a stretch. It was straight up porn. Now at least you all knew what the guys meant when they joked ‘help me step-bro I’m stuck.’

The only issue with watching step siblings fall in love, was that it was sometimes hard to push it from your mind when Rafe was around. Thankfully you didn’t see each other a lot. Unlike with Sarah and Wheezie, with whom you’d become sort of friends with, Rafe had never tried to get along with you.

It was fine though, you didn’t need his shitty attitude in your life. He was off in his first year of college anyway, and soon would likely return to Kildare to move into his own mcmansion.

In the meantime, you worked hard. Having refused to move to the posh Figure 8 school had disappointed your mom, but she couldn’t argue that you were happier in the cut.

Time flew, and before you knew it you were returning home to celebrate your mom and Wards ten year anniversary. You’d kept in touch with Sarah and Wheezie, and though hadn’t been home in a while, still managed to call or text them most weeks. Communication with your step-brother had been non existent however. For all you knew he could be dead.

That was an exaggeration. You would have been invited to his funeral if that had happened. If only to console his sisters.

You were looking forward to returning to the outer banks though, some of your best friends from High School had remained on the island. And the biggest surprise of all was the amazing windfall for four (turned six). All Kie had told you was that they’d stumbled across some treasure, and that was that.

Honestly, their new status as Kooks was the least interesting thing about them.

JJ and Kie had married a couple of years back in a small wedding, with only friends in attendance. Since then they’d had one child, and according to sources (Sarah), JJ the stay at home dad was hoping Kies job allowed time for another baby soon.

Pope and Cleo were getting married next year, your invite was pinned to the fridge in your apartment. And a couple of months back, during a group facetime, Cleo had let slip that they were thinking about fostering. With their massive house and the retirement of Popes folks, it was something they were really excited about.

Sarah and John B, married since Highschool, were pregnant. And so excited. Having married so young and so abruptly you knew that a lot of people had expected them to have kids immediately, a rumor that the Camerons had worked to dispel. Your step sister was going to be an amazing mother, you just knew it.

But aside from other friends, it was Rafe that you were most interested in seeing. If only because of your curiosity.

After Uni he hadn’t moved back to Kildare, as expected. Instead, he had gotten a highpaying office job in New York, and there he met her.

From what the other woman in your family had told you, she was a snake through and through. But she had gifted Rafe with the most amazing thing. A little girl. Immediately after giving birth her mother had disappeared intio the night, never to be seen from again. She’d signed over her rights to her baby, and swindled a large chunk of cash from Rafe.

Now his baby girl was four, and very very cute. Or so everyone told you. And she had made the Rafe of your teen years disappear. According to everyone, while still a conceited jerk a lot of the time, he had mellowed, and no longer made it his mission to piss everyone off.

It was going to be so bizarre being home.

When you pulled into the long circular driveway, you could tell that everyone was there already. Being last didn’t phase you though, and you didn’t waste any time exiting the rental car, and hustling for the front door. You’d get your bags later, right now it was hot as hell outside and the aircon inside was calling your name.

You’d barley made in in the front door when you were being attacked by Wheezie. For a Uni student living on noodles and cheap vodka she was really strong, practically lifting you off your feet in a hug.

Over her shoulder you could see the rest of the family relaxing in the living room. Ward deigned to nod at you, which you returned with a polite smile. Your mother and Sarah however came hurrying over, joining the hug. And then a small body hit your hip. Looking down you saw the cutest little face ever.

Clearly she’d had never met a stranger, because she immediately started requesting ‘up.’ One look at Rafe showed he didn’t care, so you pulled back from the hug and bent to sweep her into your arms. Playfully making a show of nibbling on her hand which had come to rest on your cheek.

She squealed with laughter, and you couldn’t help the smile that took over your face as you brought her into the group hug.

Rafe had never really cared to think about you. Yeah you were hot in highschool, but you were a Pouge. It didn’t matter if you’re mom had married his dad, you were never going to be a kook.

But seeing you here, now? He couldn’t deny that you were stunning. And his daughter was clearly smitten with you.

She’d not let go of you since the group hug over an hour ago, resting in your lap and playing with the gold chain around your neck. While normally Rafe might have been jealous of anyone else holding his daughters attention for that long, he couldn’t bring himself to care now. Not when it was you.

He’d decided then and there, by the end of the trip you were going to be his.

It didn’t take long for you to realise that Rafe really was different.

While his relationship with Wheezie had always been sweet, he and Sarah had hated each other. That was gone now. Sarah sat to the left of him, playfully making fun of the drink he had in his hand. Something about it being for old men. But it was seeing how he reacted to John B that really showed the changes in him.

They seemed to be…friendly.

It wasn’t worth dwelling on, everyone was happy, and surprises aside it was shaping up to being a nice trip home.

Now if only you didn’t feel so lonely. It was hard seeing everyone from your teen years settled and happy, while all you had to show for your life was a failed engagement and crushing student debt.

Life wasn’t all bad though. You had an amazing group of friends, a flat you loved and a job that not only provided well, but was a great stepping stone to your dream job.

It was the heavy thoughts that led to you knocking back too many drinks. You’d tried not to at first, due to Rafes daughter, Amelia. But the sweet girl had toddled off an hour ago for a nap, and you were free to imbibe as you pleased.

That did backfire though, as halfway through your 6th drink Amelia was back from her nap and wanting a cuddle. You were happy to do so, but first you told the little girl you needed the bathroom, and passed her off to her Aunt Sarah.

It hadn’t been a complete lie. You did need to go, but you also needed to talk to Rafe first.

He was sat at the other end of the lounge, almost right across from you, but far enough that you couldn’t talk to him without going over there. So, gathering your courage you went up to your stepbrother, who you hadn’t spoken to in years and asked him to follow you.

Rafe hadn’t expected you to come to him first. In fact, he had expected to have to work hard for your attention. This might have been a small disappointment, but that disappeared quickly at getting a moment alone with you.

No one else noticed as you led him into the kitchen. “Hi Rafe,” you said, jumping up to sit on the bench so you were closer to his height.

“Hi Y/N,” he replied, stepping closer. “What can I do for you.” There was a flirtatious tone to his voice. It was ignored.

“Your daughter’s stunning, and the absolute sweetest,” You started, and he had to quickly hide his smug joy. She was.

“And I’m loving hanging out with her,” you continued,“ but I've drunk quite a lot.”

He knew that. He’d watched as you had been served every one of those drinks. It wasn’t a surprise that you were feeling the effects. It was clear up close too; the alcohol had created a rosy flush across your cheeks, and the top of your chest.

Rafe didn’t know where you were going with this.

“Are you okay with me hanging out with her while I’m drunk?” you finally blurted out.

He was stunned. He hadn't expected that, but it was actually a good question. One he wouldn’t have thought about.

“How about you come and sit next to me with her,” Rafe suggested, using the opportunity presented to him.

Your eyes met his, and you held the eye contact for a long moment before nodding.

“I’m popping to the bathroom but then I’ll be back,” you said, shimmying forward to ready the jump from the counter, but Rafe placed his hands on your waist and lifted you off first.

The smell of his cologne filled your nose, and combined with the move he’d just pulled, warmth pooled low in your belly.

It wasn’t the time to be horny though, you’d brought one of your faithful toys and could get the job done later. Right now your libido needed to piss off so you could enjoy family time.

“Thanks,” you said, looking up at him and hoping that you were exuding calm and unflustered. Confident you hadn’t made a dick out of yourself, you excused yourself.

By the time you got back to the living room Rafe had settled back into the couch, and had his daughter held in his lap.

It was clear that he had told her you would be coming to join them, because the moment he caught sight of you, he pointed at you and the little girl was off like a rocket. Once again she found your hip with a force that was surprising.

Your bathroom break had shown that you were about as drunk as you thought you were, but being back in the air conditioned room was doing wonders to sober you up. For that reason, you had no qualms picking the girl up and settling her onto your hip for the small journey across the room.

Ignoring the confused looks from almost everyone else in the room, you settled easily onto the couch next to Rafe. You weren't expecting him to interact with you, but Rafe was quick to wave over a server and ask you what you wanted to drink. Child in lap, it seemed that orange juice was the safest bet, and over the course of the next couple of hours Rafe proved to be easy, attentive company and a doting father.

After dinner you were ready to brave the outside world. Chances to swim were few and far between where you lived, and the feeling of weightlessness that came from swimming in the ocean was your greatest want right now.

You let yourself out of the house. A small part of you thought that maybe this wasn’t the best idea. You were still a little tipsy from your earlier drinks. But you pushed it away, throwing your towel over your shoulder and strolling down the path to the beach.

Behind you, there was a noise and then a voice called out to you. A shirtless Rafe, Amelia slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, fell into step beside you.

“Hi,” you squeaked out, waving like an idiot. Thankfully, and not known to you, Rafe thought you were adorable.

“Going to the beach too?” he asked.

“Yes!” you were so excited, “I’m so excited.” You punctuated this with two small claps, which Amelia was quick to follow to both yours and Rafes amusement.

“You are just the cutest thing,” you said, running a hand over the girls head. She giggled and leaned toward you with arms outstretched, clearly wanting to be carried by you.

You took a moment to look at Rafe for permission, but he was already handing his daughter over. She was quick to steal all of your attention with her rambling, happy chatter. Not that Rafe could be mad.

No, now he could pay attention to you, and if caught, well his daughter made a great scapegoat. Your towel was pulled off your shoulder after a moment, and when you turned Rafe just waved you away. No arguments from you.

The walk to the beach was passed in the same way the day had passed. You focused on Amelia, and Rafe focused on the two of you. Even going so far as to ask if you wanted him to rub sun cream into your back when you got to the beach.

His large hands massaging the cool cream into your warm back felt glorious. And Rafe was in agreement, stretching the moment out as long as he could. He’d not expected you to slide behind him and return the favour, jumping slightly, but he was not turning down the offer, even sitting on the towel he’d laid out, when you tugged lightly on his arm.

You ran your hands down the strong muscles of Rafes back, pulling faces at Amelia all the while. She was cute as a button as she pouted, mad at having to wait a couple of minutes before getting in the water. And her dad was almost as cute.

You finished rubbing the sunblock into his back and neck, but decided a little bit was needed on the tops of his ears. For some reason, this small action stole the breath from Rafe.

Standing from your seated position, the only way you could possibly get sunblock on Rafes back and ears without a step stool, you stole Amelia from the ground and jogged down the beach toward the waves.

It wasn’t until your laughter reached his ears that Rafe realized he should be following you, but it didn’t take long to catch up. His long stride ate up the distance in seconds, and when you hit the water he was beside you, reaching a hand out to steady you when a wave knocked low in your calves.

“Since Amelias so small for her age, I don’t normally let her go at the beach. She can swim in the pool with her floaties, but here I carry her the whole time.” Rafe explained lowly in your ear. You could understand. Without already knowing her age, you probably would have pegged her as a little younger.

“That works for us Step-bro,” you said. Your words were a deliberate attempt to cut some space between you and Rafe. His attention and care made you feel a bit like you were stepping into their little family, rather than hanging out with your estranged step sibling and his daughter.

It had the opposite effect on Rafe though, and if he wasn't already over waist deep in the water, it would have been obvious.

From that day forward, everywhere you went, Amelia and Rafe were close behind.