//------------------------------//
// Wallflower Blush Swims With The Fishes 
// Story: Accidentally In Yeet 
// by Gay For Gadot 
//------------------------------//

To celebrate their high school graduation, Sunset and Wallflower ventured out to a lake on the edge of the town. The weather was picture perfect—sunny with a slight summer breeze, not a cloud in sight. The pair had packed a picnic lunch, beach chairs, and campfire supplies for a fun day on the water.

As she drove the Blush family station wagon down the winding forest roads, Sunset couldn't help but only half-listen to her girlfriend chatter excitedly about their date. The other half of her mind was continuously engaged in a war between reason and intuition… one that had only grown louder since the "toaster strudel" incident.

I still need to be on guard, Sunset thought, stealing a glance at Wallflower. Just because we've graduated, doesn't mean that everything is fine now. The transition from high school to college can be even more stressful for anyone, let alone—

"—Ooh, ooh, there it is!" Wallflower pointed out the window towards the crystal clear blue lake looming over the horizon. She clapped her hands and giggled. "Oh, this is gonna be fun! I love this place! My family and I used to come here late every summer!"

"Used to?" Before Wallflower could answer, Sunset turned to face her. "Do you not go to the lake with them anymore because of some extremely tragic, traumatic, possibly abusive event and/or events that happened between you and your family?" Sunset asked, her voice growing louder and more emphatic with every word.

"Nah, it's just not that late in the summer yet," Wallflower replied with a shrug. She playfully slapped Sunset on the shoulder. "C'mon, Sunset, it's not even July!"

As she parked the car, Sunset muttered, "R-right." Realizing how unsteady she sounded, she busied herself with gathering their supplies from the trunk. Focus, Sunset, focus!

"It's so pretty out here!" Wallflower gushed, her eyes sparkling. 

In spite of her worries, Sunset couldn't help but agree. A forest of grand conifers gave way to a sandy shore and calm waters waiting for them down below. On top of the stunning view and beautiful weather, they had the place to themselves. Other than a few birds singing above, the couple were left to enjoy the lake in serenity.

"It sure is," Sunset finally replied, walking beside Wallflower as they left the car. Wallflower led the way, pointing out various features of the lake and its geography as they made their way to the shore.

Though she smiled, Sunset again found it difficult to truly immerse herself in the experience. Somehow, something still didn't feel right.

" —Oh, and that's the spot where Dad caught the biggest bass I've ever seen! It was sooooo tasty, I could have sworn it was— "

Maybe I'm overreacting, Sunset admitted to herself. Wallflower was grinning from ear to ear; other than the myriad of cat—er, "cat"—scratches all over her arms, she seemed fine. Maybe even… happy?

Once they'd found a spot to settle down, Sunset let herself breathe. Maybe I should just take it easy today, she thought as they unfolded their chairs. She glanced over to see Wallflower unpacking their picnic lunch with glee, sneaking a few treats when she thought Sunset wasn't looking. Maybe today is a "good" day for Wally, and I shouldn't push it.

Or maybe… Sunset's stomach twisted as she looked over the waves lapping at the shore. Maybe I shouldn't let my guard down.

"Hey, Wally?"

Quickly gulping down a piece of chocolate, Wallflower spun to face her. "Y-yes, Sunny? What's up?"

Sunset plastered a smile. "I'll be right back. I… forgot something in the car." 

If Wallflower noticed, she didn't comment on it. "Okay!" she chirped, before turning back to the picnic basket, stealing a strawberry next.

Sorry to lie to you, Wally, but I just need to be sure. Sunset trudged back to the car, worries and fears swirling in her mind all the while.

I need to be careful. What if something happens? After all, this is Wallflower Blush we're talking about; there's no way she's not suicidally depressed!

With that rational thought echoing through her ears, Sunset grabbed the first aid kit from the trunk of the station wagon. After making sure that it was fully supplied with bandages and sutures, Sunset tucked it under her arm, closed the trunk, and made her way back to their spot.

To find herself…

Alone.

"Wally?"

At their spot on the shore lay their two beach chairs, their picnic basket, their blanket, even the box of firewood… but no Wallflower Blush.

The first aid kit fell to the ground.

"Wally?!"

Spinning around, Sunset looked from one end to of the shore to the other. Rocks, sand, water. Nothing. No one.

Pure adrenaline bolted through Sunset's veins as she called out in increasing panic, "Wallflower? Wally? Hon?! Where are you?!"

As if whispered into her ear from above, something compelled Sunset to check the trees.

Her eyes darted to the canopy. Treetops of pine and fir stared back down at her. Thick, tall trees, with trunks and branches resilient enough to weather years of snow and sun, frost and rain, strong and mighty, able to lift and hold and possess far beyond what any would guess capable from the flimsy needles that fell from their branches to the ground below— 

Where they would sometimes be suspended, in mid-air, hanging on a summer breeze— 

Hanging—

Something was hanging from the trees.

"Wally, NO!"

Sunset sprinted into the forest.

A dark figure swung from a rope near the edge of the thicket of trees. With every last remaining ounce of strength, Sunset ran towards it. For the first time ever, she wished she'd brought a knife. Her hands would have to do. She'd tear through the rope. Rip and tear and shred and— 

—Tire?!

Sunset's eyes widened.

Tire.

It was a tire swing. Covered in moss.

Tire.

"B-but… Then…" Sunset gasped, her lungs burning hotter than her head could swim. Her eyes darted between forest and shore. "Wh-where—where is— "

Then, from the corner of her eye, she saw it.

Bubbles.

Bubbles coming from the center of the lake.

All at once, Sunset's strength and breath and resolve returned. Sand kicking beneath her feet, she ran to the edge of the shore, then dove in, jeans and shoes and cell phone in all. 

None of that mattered. Nothing mattered. Nothing other than how fast she could swim.

Through the cool waters, Sunset swam, her lungs and heart and skin and soul on fire. When the bubbles stopped, she redoubled her efforts, stroking and kicking and willing herself to reach Wallflower in time.

When Sunset reached her, Wallflower was face-first in the water, her body bobbing in time the rhythm of the waves. Only the top of her head remained visible; the rest of her had been swallowed by the lake. 

Wrapping her arms around Wallflower's waist, Sunset yanked her to the surface as hard as she could. The added weight almost sent them both back beneath, but Sunset gritted her teeth, ignoring the pain in her arms.

"I've got you, Wally," Sunset wheezed, swimming with one arm and holding her above the water with the other. "I've got you!"

Stroke after stroke, motion after motion, Sunset—assisted at times by the providence of the lake's gentle waves—finally brought them to shore. By the time she crawled onto the sand after Wallflower, she was struggling for her own breath, her chest heaving, her eyes blurred by both tears and exertion.

Through the haze, she inched over to Wallflower… who lay, unmoving, on the beach, her face towards the sky.

"Wally—" Sunset coughed, then sputtered, "W-W-Wally!"

Guided by her lifeguard training the summer prior, Sunset started CPR.

One and two and three and four and—compressions—and one and two and three and four and—pinch the nose, tilt the head back—two rescue breaths—one and two and three and four and—

"Wally! Wally, please!" Sunset sobbed, pressing harder on her girlfriend's sternum. "Please, please wake up! Please! Talk to me!" Sunset cut herself off to give another breath, then leaned down. "Y-you don't have to do this!" Another breath. "W-w-we can get through it, together!" Compressions. Another breath. Sunset pressed her nose against's Wallflower's as she wailed, "Whatever made you do this, p-please, please don't—" 

Two hands grabbed the back of Sunset's head and drew her forward.

Wet lips pressed against her own. 

When Sunset froze, they pressed again, almost hungrily—before tearing away as suddenly as they'd came.

"Mmmmm..." Wallflower murmured between coughs, "Now that's a kiss, Sunny."

"... Buh," Sunset replied.

"Although…" After spitting some lakewater from her mouth, Wallflower wiped her lips dry. "Maybe less pushing on my chest?" Her cheeks tinged pink. "I mean, um, i-if that's okay. I'm not really into the rough stuff. Sorry."

Sunset gaped, then pulled her hands away from Wallflower's chest… only to wrap them around her in a crushing hug.

"S-Sunny!" Wallflower gasped. "Can't… breathe… again!"

"Wally!" Though she loosened her grip, Sunset continued to hug her. Burying her head in Wallflower's shoulder, she choked out between tears, "W-why, Wally?! Why?!"

"Um, well," Wallflower said between strained breaths, "there was this really cool rock, and— "

Sunset pulled away to look Wallflower in the eyes. "Y-you know what?"

"Wha—"

"It doesn't matter!" Sunset cried, mustering all her inner strength and determination as she looked in Wallflower's panicked eyes. "I-it doesn't matter why, Wally!

"But Sunny, there really was a— "

"I'm here for you now, no matter what!"

"Uh, thanks? But I—"

Cradling Wallflower's head in the crook of her neck, Sunset held her tight. "We're going to get through this, okay?! Together!"

Wallflower mumbled, "That's great, but I lost the rock."

"Yes, but I still love you—" Sunset paused. "Wait, what?"

"The rock." Looking up at Sunset, Wallflower flashed an apologetic smile. "The really cool rock I mentioned? I lost it."

Sunset started to reply, but Wallflower cut in, "See, right after you went back to the car, I found this awesome skipping rock! Like, the most perfect skipping rock I'd ever seen!" Wallflower's eyes brightened. "It was smooth and small and, like, perfectly flat! And I threw it across the lake, and it skipped seven times!"

When Sunset just stared at her in response, Wallflower continued, "Seven times, Sunset! I know that seems impossible, but it's true! It was so cool! And I really wanted to show it to you, but of course the rock fell into the lake!" Wallflower pointed to the spot where Sunset had found her. "So I dived in to go find it, but it's really dark down there!" Crossing her arms, Wallflower huffed, "I tried and tried, but I just couldn't find it! And it was kinda hard to see, and I'm…" She blushed. "Kind of a bad swimmer."

Sunset could only blink in reply, the words swimming through her head with just about as much skill as Wallflower through the lake.

"... Wait a minute." Wallflower's eyes widened. "Did… did you say you loved me?"

"Buh!" All at once, every last bit of blood rushed to Sunset's head. "Um! I-I, uh, I-I-I mean—"

Wallflower gave her a soft kiss, then snuggled against her shoulder with a happy sigh. "I love you too, Sunny."

Sunset could only sigh, cuddle her back… and try not to think about everything else that just happened.

For now.