"It's important to know how to swim," he says, like it's anything to do with what Credence likes. "I took swimming at school, that makes it educational, so fit it into your nerdy-agenda." Nerdy means as much to Credence as half the things Credence says do to Kira, but he's wading in up to his knees as he speaks, in little mood to explain.

When he looks back though, Credence is looking at him--not in the way Credence is almost always looking at him, whenever he's in Credence's orbit. It's something important, the kind of look that makes Kira miss the ability to know.

Especially with a question like that. "Why would I laugh," he asks. Why would it even matter, if he had a reason? He's knee deep in a strangled river wearing faded black shorts he hemmed with a knife, bitten and bruised and little muscle to speak of. He's always tried to lead Credence by example, but he doesn't know how to explain--if he doesn't care about himself, it's because he doesn't care at all how anyone looks with their shirt off. "I promise, Credence--it's fine."