Not really my best work, but I wanted to get it out there. Suggestions are welcome and much appreciated! Hope you enjoy!
"Thank you for being you. For sharing your love with me, for inspiring me to see the unique beauty in imperfection, for showing me that love is something you do; something not just to be said, but also to be shown"
~ Steve Marshall
Maui was rather mindful of two things. One of those things being that he was indeed as much farther away from the island as he had anticipated. For one as he surveyed his surroundings, the misted sheets of dark land loomed above, the crystal stars glittering in the dusky above, smiling and winking down at its curious humans below. The glossy ocean that surrounded him was calm, even it too needed its rest from creating its luscious waves during the daylight hours. His gaze venturing to the sail of the canoe, blowing delicately in the gentle wind. Yup. He was definitely in the middle of nowhere at this point. But the bright side was that it beat having him to steer his way back to the island where he needed to travel to.
But that could wait. Even for a demi god, his body needed rest. As much as demi gods don't often need to rest due to their high stamina and godly advantages, sleep was still a privilege when one craved it. After all, he had been steering for pretty much the entire four days he's been out at sea.
Well, not just him entirely.
Immediately, his thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of the soft shuffling alerting that the presence of another figure still lingered. He wasn't by his lonesome of course. He looks down to where the figure was laying, and soft chuckle erupts out of him, rolling his eyes in the process.
The second thing he had been aware of, was the fact that he had a small body curled up in his lap. The sounds of her soft breathing brought a sense of solace to his insides. His gaze never left her person, watching intently at the small little grin that crept up her lips, but Maui just it with a grain of salt that she was just content with where she was. Or maybe it was the fact that she had won the victory over her demanding that she sleeps on his lap, for he was like a cushion, which made him the perfect thing to cuddle with at night while falling into a peaceful slumber. So he once again, fell victim to her trap and allowed her the privilege to do so. Knowing that there was no way he could escape from this one.
After all, she was Moana of Motuinui. Technically meaning that it was in fact her boat that he was boarding. Future Chief to her people, meaning that he technically had to follow her duties of whatever she requested. There was absolutely no denying the chief whatsoever. Even if he was a demi god. Demi gods still had orders to obey and tasks to complete.
And yet, ironically, here was the future chief of Motuinui, curled in fetal position on his lap, sleeping like a baby. So immersed in her sleep that she barely inched one bit. Not even a subtle flinch. Proof that she was indeed comfortable with her sleeping arrangements.
So Maui was quite aware of two things.
One being that he was out on the ocean on a canoe in the middle of nowhere in the night.
And two being that he had a rascal of a mortal sleeping on his lap.
The little runt.
Well, he didn't mean runt in a bad way.
More like, she was his runt.
A runt that he trapped in his prison of a cave while he attempted to steal her canoe only to save himself as opposed to restoring the heart of Te Fiti. The same runt that had saved him from the vicious claws of the bottom feeder, Tamatoa who vindictively used his brief loss of powers as his weakness, and then had tried to kill him in the process. That same runt that had nearly cost not only hers, but his life after she had declined to turn back from the brutal attack from the raging lavas of Te Ka. His hook suffered minor contusions as a result. That same runt who almost sacrificed herself under the hands of Te Ka, only to summon her by the ocean and eventually restore her heart, bringing the luscious life of Te Fiti back to life, where she shared her nature and beauty and health and restoration with the rest of the world.
And that same runt who he was dangerously and irrevocably grew an incredible adoration for.
Of course, he appreciate when mortals loved him. Heck, he loved it when mortals would praise him for his incredible gifts and his awesome ability to pull islands from the seas, lift the skies above, rattled snakes and demons and gave them and endless supply of fresh coconuts and other fruits that mortals adored.
He had a job. He had a duty. And both that job and duty was to protect every single mortal on the planet. He was a demi god after all.
Demi God of the Wind and Sea. Hero to all.
He was a guardian. Which wasn't a particularly easy job to have. Everyone had expectations of him. Big expectations. But he always kept his word and met those requests that were needed of him.
He had already ventured to various parts of the earth. Pulling up islands from the Sea. Visiting different islands. He came and did what he needed to do. Everyone showed their love and appreciation for him. And just like that, he would be off onto new adventures and fulfilling new tasks. He met and encountered different mortals from here and there, but it was obvious that there was never really a place for him to belong permanently.
So he left.
Seeking out new trips and in search for a new scene.
Bottom line, he was Maui. Maui. Shape Shifter. Demi God of the Wind and Sea. Hero to All.
He could come and go as he pleases and not have to look back. Nor did he feel the need to grow too attached to anyone.
And then out of nowhere, this curly haired little spit ball of fire shows up on the island where he was held captive. Oar in hand and demanding that he journey across the sea to undue his mistakes and restore the Heart of Te Fiti.
Moana of Motuinui had casually strolled into his life without as much of a warning.
And just like that, he had been ready to dismiss her completely. After all, to him, she was a just mortal. Mortals were always so fickle and so unpredictable. Sure, she would deliver Maui across the sea to bring the heart back. But it was only a matter of time before her deed was done, and she would rid him forever just like the rest of the mortals did after they got what they wanted and never once look back.
He had tried not to get attached. He even tried to shut her out when she inquired about his tattoos. That same memory etched onto on his skin, a constant reminder of his mortal parents who decided they did not want him. A constant reminder that caused feelings of rejection and shame to make a home in his bones. A constant reminder that he did not want to remember. But it seemed to trail his every step.
And for the first time in his life, someone cared.
It was Moana that reminded him that he was found by the Gods for a reason. He was worth saving. He was more than just a Demi God.
He was Maui.
Demi God or not. He was still and always will be Maui.
It was her faith in him that made him realize that he had what it takes to defeat the wrath of Te Ka. Her strong belief in him was what made him see him for him.
Most of all, it was her love.
Moana was the most grossly affectionate mortal he has ever met. And she never had any shame in showing it.
She was especially very loving and affectionate with him.
Maui would be lying if he said that didn't appreciate the love and attention she would give him on a regular basis. She was definitely more loving than any mortal he's ever met. Usually, stuff like this would gross him out and eventually scare him off.
But Moana, she was different. So different.
Different in a good way that is. A great way actually.
Sure, he's taught many others the ways of wayfinding and sailed with others on the seas before. But that's pretty much about it. He was the one in charge while they listened obediently. It was like a teacher/student relationship. Strictly professional.
Moana was a fast learner.
But not only that, she was an eager learner.
She was like a sponge that just loved absorbing as much water as she could grasp onto. Not once did she argue, nor put up a fuss about wanting to do things her way. She was obedient. She listened. She watched and observed and took it upon herself to follow the exact instructions that were given.
Moana was definitely irreplaceable.
She had a heart of gold. A Heart that was as massive as his ego, and yet she made sure to shower all of her loved ones – including him – with the love that they needed. Especially with the love that he needed.
Maui had come to that conclusion. And he could hardly believe that he was admitting that whole heartedly.
He chanced another look down at her sleeping form, shifting ever so slightly in his lap as she snuggled closer towards him. His hand going to pet her hair, gentle and soft, just like how she liked it. And he was certain of the small smile that snuck its way to her lips. Even watching her sleep so soundly caused a tender smile of his own to appear. She was adorable when she slept. So innocent and pure. Maui silently wished that she could only stay that way forever.
Looking out at the ocean, he allowed his mind to ponder.
Drowning in his own thoughts, many questions filling his brain and littering amongst his skull, but there was one question in particular that stood out from the rest. One question that he constantly asked and still could not come up with some sort of answer.
'Why me?'
"Sometimes," He began softly, so soft. "I wonder what I ever did to deserve you, Curly."
Seriously. What did he do to deserve her? What was it about him in particular that made her want to shower him with her continuous love and affection?
"I was….never enough for my own parents." He sighs. A wheezy sigh. "How is it that…..I could mean so much to you?"
He looks out at the ocean, hoping for some sort of help to answer this inquiry. And as if on cue, the blob of the glossy water gently rises from its peak and stares at him. Tilting its froth to the side, as if the question itself was of no match for it.
"Do you know?"
He suddenly feels ridiculous. Like he's losing his mind. He was talking to the ocean. Asking advice from the ocean for crying out loud. But it was clearly no doubt that ocean had a mind of its own. And sometimes it freaked Maui to know how dangerously human the ocean was.
But when the ocean itself shook its own head (I guess head seemed appropriate), Maui huffed and shook rolled his eyes. Frowning at the waves rippling before him. "You're a big help."
The ocean foamed back at him, looking as if it was personally offended. Well, at least I tried! Yup. It was definitely far too smug in its own ocean of sass for a natural being.
Maui let out another sigh. Watching as the ocean shifted back into its cocoon of the waves back into its own peaceful slumber. He takes a quick look down at the sleeping form, hand tenderly stroking her curly hair and then chances a look at the night sky above. Inhaling a deep breath, and exhaling.
Closing his eyes, he whispers, "If only I knew what makes me so worthy of your time, Curly."
"Who're talkin' to?"
Maui's eyes popped open, looking down toward the direction where the small voice came from. No doubt that it came from the mortal laying in his lap, eyes still closed but clearly awake.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping?"
Maui could've sworn he saw a grin creep on her lips. "I should be….." She stifles a yawn, "askin' you….the same thing…"
He frowned at her sass. "Go back to sleep, Moana."
She rubs the sleep from her eyes and shifts so that she's fully face him, still curled in his lap. "But I can't fall back asleep." She tries for a firm gesture, but it comes out sounding more like a whine.
He smirks. "You were sleeping fine just a minute ago."
"Exactly, so that means I'm well rested to sail again." She gives a hopeful smile. The smile that she knew he for some reason just couldn't exist. "Can I please sail for a bit? Pleeaase?"
"You've been sailing for four days. You need to rest, Curly."
"But I'm fine now!" And suddenly her eyes are a portrait of those adorable puppy dog eyes. "Pleeaase?"
He strokes her hair, looking into those big brown eyes and chuckles. "No, Moana. You need to sleep."
She crosses her arms over her chest and frowns at him. "Fine." She huffs. "Only on one condition."
He rolls his eyes and scoffs. "I was afraid of that."
"You tell me who you were talking to."
"What?"
"You heard me."
Another sigh slips past his lips. "Moana-"
"Come on Maui! Pleeaasse?" She untangled herself from his lap and rises so that they're both sitting face to face. "If you won't let me sail, can you at least tell me what you were mumbling about?"
"Are you always this stubborn?"
She frowned and stuck out her tongue. "Pretty please?"
Immediately, he was brought back to that night on the canoe. That same night where she was pestering him to tell her how he earned that tattoo of being abandoned by his parents. He grunted, running a hand through his hair and avoided any sort of eye contact with her whatsoever.
"I wasn't mumbling about anything." He says, plain and simple.
She fixes him with a cock of her brow and her lip tilting upwards. "Yes you were. I could hear you while I was sleeping."
"You were probably just hearing things, Curly."
"No I wasn't." She shook her head. "I know what I heard. You were definitely talking about something."
He felt his face heat up. Clenching his jaw and keeping his gaze plastered on the nightly view of the ocean sitting in front of him. Now this was exactly déjà vu all over again. That night on the canoe. The tattoo. The memories. Him even throwing her off the boat when she threatened to get too close. And he knew that she was very mindful at the fact of how he got when it came to approaching the subject of sharing feelings and opening up.
"Come on, Maui!" She lightly slapped his arm. "Are you gonna tell me what you were talking about? Or who you were talking to?"
And suddenly, his face slips into a more serious expression. Though he's careful not to let the feelings of sudden discomfort show too much on his features. It wasn't like he was at all looking to repeat the same events of that night on the canoe that had previously occurred before. No, he wasn't going to throw her off the boat like he did. But it was her pestering. Her stubbornness that was beginning to cause an unsettled feeling to form in his stomach.
He didn't like that feeling.
"Maui?" The small smile that she offered glinted in her eyes. Proof that she was no wide awake than ever. "C'mon you big softie! You know you can tell me anything, right?"
But he was silent. Refusing to budge. And his gaze left the ocean and instead focus on his hands that were no curled up in his lap.
"Maui?"
It didn't take long for his eye to finally meet hers for what seemed like eternity. Her gaze was so soft and reassuring, the smile she offered brought a sense of warmth and security that he admired about her so much. While his said otherwise. There was pain behind those big brown eyes, a sense of loss and hopelessness, and it didn't take Moana long to figure out the sudden shift in his mood. The portrait on his features spoke for itself.
Then her smile slowly faded. Remorse and sadness now took over. He hated that look.
"Are you okay?" She asks. Her voice so soft. "What's wrong?"
He opens his mouth. He's wanting to speak, begging the words to come. But they don't. And he closes his mouth and shuts his eyes and accepting for his gaze to settle back on his folded hands.
"Did I…" She pauses. "Was it something I said?"
He shakes his head.
"Are you sure? Cause if it was, then-"
"It wasn't anything you said."
She blinks. "Then, what is-"
"Moana, it's just…." He puffs out another sigh, going to scratch the back of his neck. "You know that I'm not…..good with this kind of stuff…."
"What do you mean?"
"The….expressing your feelings kind of stuff." He replied, not yet ready to meet her curious gaze just yet. "I'm still not good with….talking about those things just yet."
Now it's her turn to remain quiet. She swallowed. Staring at him with intent.
"It's just….." He closes his eyes once again. "Something that….I have to work on."
And that was all it took to shut her up. Refusing to pester him with any more questions than he's able to handle out a time. Sometime she genuinely forgot how private he was when it came to his personal feelings. He may be all big and mighty on the outside, and his inflated ego is usually there to cover up the inner bruises and pain.
But on the inside, he was fragile.
So fragile that once you got too close for his comfort, he would snap and have no regrets about shutting you out just like that.
It had been selfish on her part. Maybe a bit too selfish that for the amount of time that she's known him, she still fails to recognize that this is one of his many traits that sticks out to her the most. But she hadn't meant to come across as being selfish. That wasn't her intention at all.
In fact, she only did it because she cared. She cared about him so much and she just wanted him to see that she did. Which she was sure he could see that. Truthfully, he could. But with an ego as big as Maui's, she could understand why it might be rather difficult for someone like him to unmask his true and genuine feelings.
He had a vulnerable side. And she was the only person that he had allowed to see that side of him. Her only. No one else.
She herself focuses her own gaze on her hands, sucks in a deep breath and says –
"I heard what you said."
-and there it was.
His back stiffens and his body stills. Eyes remained closed as he inhaled a sharp intake of breath. Of course he knew it was too good to be true. She may still be a kid, but she definitely had the ears of rabbit and eyes like a hawk. Nothing could get by her, no matter how hard he tried, or how much he wanted to deny those accusations. He couldn't worm his way out of this one. He had been caught red handed.
"I heard everything, Maui." She says, and he could feel her gaze burning a hole through him. "About you…being unworthy." She twiddles her fingers. "And…even when you said….what you've done to deserve my time."
For crying out loud! It definitely seemed like it was nearly impossible for anything to get by her. Her providing the evidence needed was making his accusations seem false.
"You weren't supposed to hear that." And he slowly opens his eyes, though they don't meet hers. "Any of it, actually."
"But I did."
"You were supposed to be asleep."
"Maui-"
"I knew this was going to happen." His tone was soft, but had a hint of stone to it. "I should've just…kept my mouth shut."
"Maui, listen-"
"Forget I said anything."
There was silence. He refused to meet her gaze, though hers still lingered on his. His insides began to twist and turn. He almost immediately regretted everything. Regretted this. Regretted giving in to her wisdom and encouraging words. Maybe things would have been different if he had just gone through with stealing her boat and leaving her abandoned on that deserted island.
Maybe he should've just given up with helping her restore the heart of Te Fiti. None of this would've happened if they had just gone their separate ways and not dare look back.
Just completely forget that the other even existed. Move on with their own lives.
She shifts slightly, so that now she is sitting right next to him. His breath hitched in his throat as the feel of her skin meeting his, her shoulder brushing his bicep. Her gaze was fixed on the glossy ocean. She chewed on her bottom lip, and spoke.
"You are, Maui."
He's quiet.
"Worthy, that is."
His brows merge to a frown and his stare is planted on the view of sky.
"I see it." She says, looking at him. "I've always seen it. And I still do."
He doesn't speak.
"Everyone sees it." Her voice is soft, so soft. "My parents do. And so the rest of my people."
He takes another breath. The dent in his brow still present.
"Why is it that….you can't see that yourself?"
It was an odd question. So odd. Different. Challenging in a way. And Maui would be lying if he said that he was so prepared to answer this question. And truth be told, he wished it was an easy question to answer. He was tempted to just say what he had to say, and just shut this down and be rid of these feelings forever.
Only he couldn't.
"You are worthy, Maui." She tells him in a firm yet soft tone. "You are meant to be here for a reason." And he winces slightly when he feels her tender hand finding purchase on his massive bicep. "Everyone truly loves and adores you. I….love and adore you."
He swallows. Hard and lumpy.
"I just….I just wish you could see that."
But he refuses to say another word. Truth was, he couldn't find any words to argue against that. Because deep down, he knew that she was right. And her words had triggered him. I love and adore you. It's been ages since he's heard those words before that it begins to seem foreign to him.
"You know, back home on Motuinui," She begins softly, "Some of the women, including myself and even my mother, we would gather around in a circle together and join hands. And then, we'd each take turns telling the other person what we honored about them."
Honor?
"It was how we showed our sincerest appreciation for that person."
He's staring at the ocean. His gaze softening at the words that he just come from her mouth. If this was another one of those mushy 'you tell me your feelings and I'll tell you mine' moments, then truth be told, as tempted as the offer sounded, he didn't have the means to participate. Not that he didn't want to.
He just hasn't quite yet warmed up to the idea of sharing his own feelings. Even if she was his best friend, the only genuine friend that he's had in forever, he still hasn't exactly reached that sort of level just yet.
"It's part of our tradition." She explains. "And especially for us women, it's important that we band together and help take care of our people, and our families for the sake of our island."
Finally for what seemed like eternity, he lets a loose smirk tease his lips. "It does sound like a girl thing though."
And this earned a smack on his arm. "I'm serious!" She says through a chuckle. "It's become an important tradition. Not just for women in particular, but for everyone." She looks at him. "Even for the men too."
And then he goes quiet once again. Unable to find the words to retort back.
"How about….we try it?"
He cocks a brow. "Try what?"
"Telling each other what we honor about the other." She smiles. "I think this would be good for us."
Now it was definitely too good to be true. Of course she would suggest that they partake in yet another competition of 'my feelings are your feelings'. That was probably the only downside of having a best friend who was not only mortal, but a female mortal.
"Pleeaasee?"
And he huffs a sigh. "Did anyone ever tell you that you're incredibly stubborn?" He grumbles. "Not to mention, nosey too?"
Another smack to his arm.
"Okay, okay, fine." He holds up his hands in surrender. "You win this time, Curly."
She smiles in triumph. "Good." And shift closer to him so that her head is resting on his bicep. "I'll go first."
He rolls his eyes. Though a chuckle finds its way out of his mouth. "Fine."
"Maui. Shape Shifter. Demi God of the Wind and Sea. Hero to All." She begins. "I, Moana of Motuinui, honor you for your strength and bravery."
He shrugs. "Can't argue with that."
She frowns up at him. "As I was saying," She continues, "without your hard work, and dedication to us mortals, we wouldn't have our islands. And without our islands, the people of Motuinui wouldn't have been able to continue voyaging."
He paused at the last sentence. Unable to find the correct words to say back. She had been right about the strength and bravery. But it was something different about how she said it. Something about it just sounded so….genuine.
Truly and incredibly genuine.
A clear of her throat pulled him from his thoughts. Chancing a look down at the curly haired mortal resting on his arms, her gaze curious. Patient. Almost as if she had been waiting for something to arrive.
"Uh…." He uses his other hand to scratch the back of his neck. "Is this the part where I'm….supposed to say something nice about you?"
And she fixes with him with a 'are you being serious right now?' stare. "You don't have to necessarily…."
He sigh with relief.
"Buuut…it would be nice if you did."
Of course.
He rolls his eyes, and chances another look down at her with a frown. "Really, Curly?"
"Well, I'm just saying…." She rolls her own eyes, and then finds a small smile creeping on her lips. "It would be nice….."
Yup. She definitely wasn't giving up any time soon.
"Fine!" He huffs. "But just this once."
And she nods excitedly.
Another sigh, and then he speaks. "Moana of Motuinui." He begins. "I, Maui. Shape Shifter. Demi God of the Wind and Sea. Hero to All, honor you for your…"
He pauses, hesitates. And when a frown makes it way on her face, he's quick to think of the first thing that comes to mind.
"Courage and determination." Nice save. And then he speaks again. "If it hadn't have been…..for your stubbornness…your lack of knowledge about wayfinding-"
"Hey! That's not-"
"And for that time when you nearly caused me to lose my hook-"
"Maui! That's not fair-"
"And, for your determination," He continues. "Your driven personality, and your loyalty to your people," He looks down at her, smirking at how her gaze became soft, "Then, Motuinui would still be suffering."
She blinks, and a small smirk was finding its way on her features.
"Without the immense love that you have for your people, Te Fiti's heart wouldn't have been successfully restored."
Her smirk turns into a soft small and she nudges him a little. "That's actually the sweetest thing you've ever said to me, Maui." Her smile still present. "See? Now was that so hard?"
He has to resist the urge not to roll his eyes, but settles for a loose smirk instead. "Eh, I guess not."
"Good! Cause now it's my turn to go again!"
He sighs again. "Curly-"
"Don't you 'Curly' me mister!" She gives playful pout. "It's my turn again whether you like it or not!"
"Seriously, Moana, you don't have to-"
"But I want to." Her voice is firmer this time, but softer. "Besides, I'm sure mine will be beat yours." She finishes with a sly smile.
He flashes her a grin, amused. "You think so?"
"You bet!"
"Alright, Curly," He lets out a chuckle. "Challenge accepted. Show me what you got."
And she gives an enthusiastic nod, and speaks. "Maui. Shape Shifter. Demi God of the Wind and Sea. Here to All." She wraps her arm around his bicep, chin resting on the meat of his arm. "I, Moana of Motuinui, honor you for your confidence."
He cocks a brow at this.
"As much of an egotistic maniac you can be-"
"Watch it, Curly."
She gives a soft giggle. "Sorry. Was just kidding." She smiles. "But, sometimes I….envy you in a way."
He gives her a questionable look.
"You make friends with everyone you meet. Even with strangers. It's no wonder why my people love you so much."
He gives a soft chuckle. "Ah," He gives the back of his neck a scratch, "I guess I'm just…..a really friendly person."
"That's what I mean." She tells him in a soft voice. "You are a very friendly person, Maui. I mean, even when you tell your stories to the villagers, you do it in such a way that's just so…..engaging."
Engaging?
He was silent after that. Not sure whether if he should respond to that, or if he shouldn't. Just how was he supposed to respond to that? He didn't know. And truth be told, he probably would never know. To him, it seemed off hearing that statement come from her of all people. If anything, it was merely the opposite.
"You're not only a friendly person." She continues. "But, you're a very loving person, Maui."
Loving? Not a chance.
"I'm not a loving person." He says, shaking his and slowly closing his eyes. "I'm the last person on earth…..who would know what love is."
"That's not true, Maui."
"If that was the case, then would my parents have thrown me into the ocean?" He didn't mean to snap, and with the look on her face, it only reminded him of the error his tone portrayed. "They threw me away, Moana!"
"Maui-"
"They threw me away like I was….!" He paused. "Like I was nothing!"
"You are not nothing." Her tone is caring. "Believe me Maui, you-"
"Stop saying that."
"Saying what?"
"That I'm worth something." She winces at the bitterness in his tone. "I don't need the pity party."
"Maui, stop-"
"I said stop, Moana!"
Silence, long and punishing. She numbly pulls away from him, looking down at her fingers that were now entwined together. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh, guilt beginning to push its way from his chest. He screwed up. She pushed too hard. They both screwed up. They both knew what this was going to lead to. Every time she would try to get close, he would shut her out and push her away. Even if it did hurt her in the process. Which only made the feeling of guilt to ebb more inside of him.
He hated when he hurt her. He hated when he would make her feel like she was terrible friend to him. From the corner of his eye, he could see her head bowed, curls curtaining her face, and the way how her body slightly hunched over you would think that she had done the most horrific thing that mankind would forever blame her for.
She had been wrong.
He wasn't a loving person. Not even close.
If Maui was being honest with himself, sometimes he truly did hate the person he was, the one that persistently continued to cause more harm and damage than good. The one who could easily maneuver himself out of the gloomiest places and slay the most terrifying demons that threatened the lives of others. It was a reminder that he never needed to depend on anyone. He didn't need anyone.
But he did need someone.
And that someone he needed…..he continuously pushes her away every time she tries to get closer.
"You are worthy."
Her tone was gentle, and so soft. And he winced slightly at how her voice broke through his thoughts.
"I'm not-"
"Maui, look!"
She finds herself perched in his lap, and she places her tiny hand on the beef of his chest. He looks down to the spot of his left pectoral, where her very own inked version of herself is waving happily on her canoe. The one that formed on his chest when they had gone their separate ways that time. Then for what seemed like eternity, his gaze finally met hers.
"Do you see that?" She whispers. "Do you know who that is?"
He hesitates, and then whispers, "It's you."
"Yes." She gives a small smile. "If you weren't a loving person, then would you have earned this tattoo?"
"Moana-"
"And what about all your other tattoos?" She cuts him off. "Those signify something, right?"
"I earned them, Moana."
"I know that." She places a hand to his cheek. "But, if you weren't as dedicated to giving us mortals what we want, and what we needed, would you still have your tattoos?"
His slip into a thin line. "That's not the same."
"Yes it is!"
"It isn't."
"Yes, Maui! It is!" Now her voice had raise a semitone higher than she anticipated. "Everything that you've done for us, was out of love."
"Moana, just stop-"
He was cut off again. But this time her arms found their way around his neck, holding him close and resting her head on his shoulder, with tears threatening to escape any second.
"Everything you did for us…." She sniffles. "Was out of love, Maui."
"I'm not-"
"Everything you did for us was out of love!" She hugs him tighter, choking on a sob. "Everything you've done for me was out of love!"
He inhales sharply through his nose and his arms loosely find their way around her tiny waist. Though he doesn't return the gesture as fully just yet.
"You were saved by the ocean for a reason, Maui." She mumbles into his shoulder. "The Gods found you for a reason."
And he's quiet at this. Chewing on his bottom lip.
"You are worthy, Maui." He could feel the hot tears sticking to his skin. "And….it just hurts me to see….that you can't see that."
She didn't let him go. Refused to let him go. She only hung on tighter. She was never going to let him go. And he knew that. He felt it. And it only took all of his willpower for him to blubber like a baby just now. But he could feel the saliva burning through his throat, hot and thick. He tried to blink back the tears, but found he was too late in doing so. Sliding down his cheek one by one, he responded to her statement by tightening his grasp on her waist, and he held her close.
And guess what? He wasn't going to let her go either.
He couldn't let her go. Wouldn't let her go.
Of course his actions hurt her. Even they weren't directed towards her as their target, she still hurt. She was his best friend. His only friend that he's had in over a thousand years. Of course she was going to hurt with him. Or even for him. She cared about him. And most importantly, she loved him. She loved him like her own flesh and blood. She loved him like her big brother. Like her family.
The family he's never had.
The family he's always wanted. And the family he's always needed.
And sometimes he just couldn't see how fortunate he was to have found that in a mortal who was a quarter century half his age.
He slowly pulls her from him so he can get a better look at her. Her face was stained with tears, as was his. He used his thick thumb to reach over and wipe the tears from her eyes, his lip pressed into a thin line to prevent more tears from falling down his face.
"I….." He croaks. "I wasn't…..good enough…for my own parents…"
"Maui….."
"And sometimes….." His voice wavers in pitch. "I feel like…..that I'm not good enough…..for anyone else."
And this time, her small hand goes to wipe the tears from his cheek. "You're good enough for me." She whispers, voice croaky. "You're my best friend. You are important to me. And you are worthy."
More tears fall from his eyes.
"And I, Moana of Motuinui," She begins in soft tone, "Honor you, Maui. Shape Shifter. Demi God of the Wind and Sea. Hero to All, for being you."
He bows his head. Suddenly feeling like the biggest idiot for crying in front of a mortal. But it was a mortal who was his best friend. A mortal who loved and cherished him. A mortal who would never stop showering him with the love, affection, admiration and friendship that he needed.
She's crying with him. And she clings onto him once again, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his shoulder. His large hands finding purchase around her waist, and he holds her close. So close.
Close enough where his heart was mere seconds from overflowing with the immense love that was leaking off of her and flowing straight through his body. And that's how they stayed for the rest of the night. With two best friends clinging to each other for dear, and soaking whatever love one was giving to the other.
Pretty soon, they fell asleep.
He was leaning against the mast, while she lay on his lap. He fell asleep stroking her hair, the two content. She was half asleep, before she opened her mouth to whisper;
"Maui?"
And he found himself stirring slightly at the sound of her voice. He murmured something under his breath, and that was enough for him to acknowledge that the young mortal had still not fully abided in her slumber.
"Meh?" He asks. Though it meant to sound like a "Yes?"
She snuggles to his side, and whispers, "Love you."
He finds a small smile tugging his lips, and he manages to whisper back, "Love you too."
So...my intention was for this one shot to be much shorter than this, but as always, I guess my creative mind just took over. 4,000 words over...but I hope you guys enjoy either way! If you have any suggestions what you want to see happen between these two, feel free to throw them at me! Suggestions are welcome!
Stayed tuned for more!