(Authors message: Still got major feels from the vaanu ending and wanted to not only continue the story, but also illustrate the change in the lives of our fellow catalysts since their last visit to the island. Also wanted to capture a relationship for MC that didn't focus on Jake, and felt like my mans Sean was the next best choice.)
(Note: This story contains more mature themes and is more of a slow burner than the actual endless summer books. Hope you all enjoy!)
(All original characters/story/artwork belong to Pixelberry. I do not own, nor am trying to profit off of any part of this fanfiction.)
Even five years later, the massive island of La Huerta still slept peacefully under a night sky studded with stars. The merciless ocean waves crashed above the sands along the shoreline, over and over again, the crescent peaks illuminated under the moonlight. Like a towering beacon, the enormous Mount Atropo stood high and mighty in the island's center, the volcano still dormant since its last Earth-shattering explosion.
From afar, the lush beaches and wildlife presented a vision of the ideal vacation getaway; a tropical paradise worthy of kings. No one would ever suspect that the island was once cause for a cataclysmic apocalypse via a destructive fracture in time. After nearly bringing about the end of the world, La Huerta seemed to have finally reached an eternal state of peace at last.
A shout suddenly rang through the night air, disrupting the fragile tranquility.
"Happy reunion, everyone!" Diego grinned as he lifted his bottle of moscato into the air, his old companions seated around a massive bonfire. His heart fluttered with joy. "Here's to five years!"
Everyone raised their bottles in response. The reunion was finally underway.
"Chyeah, boi!" Craig bellowed out.
Zahra smirked. "It's about damn time. Dealing with Rambo here has been killing my brain cells."
"Well, you two certainly are cute together," said Quinn with a slight giggle. A small gasp escaped her as Zahra elbowed her in the ribs.
"Gotta say, odd squad, it's been real." Jake nostalgically glanced around the group, strands of his sandy hair blowing in the breeze. Although he would never admit it, he severely missed the thrill of trying to save the world, the joy of dealing with all of their dysfunctional quirks. Their adventures together had always given him a purpose: escape the danger, run for survival, and live to fight another day. But after Lundgren had fallen in the final battle and he had been legally declared a free man in the states, there was no more conflict to prepare for, nothing left to run away from.
Still, the most difficult part of all had to have been his meeting with Rebecca, something even more difficult for him than surviving the island or the madness of Rourke. It had felt like seeing a stranger from a different life; he couldn't recognize the beautiful women she had grown into, and she didn't seem to know who her older brother was anymore.
The apology itself had been excruciating; an eternity comprised of cold sweat, stammering, and numerous attempts to verbalize the weight of his remorse. Although she eventually understood and forgave him, he'd already known back then and there that he didn't deserve it. Just the guilt of seeing her in person had been enough to nearly eat him alive.
Ignoring his sister's plea to come back, to stay, he had packed all his bags that same night and flown off to the Caribbean without further notice. Any connections prior to La Huerta continued to be reminders of his past, a burning jab to the heart that brought back the emotions he was scared to face again - the traumatic loss of Mike, the shame of abandoning his family. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew that he never would be able to truly move on.
He blinked, snapping out of his reverie, before glancing over at Michelle. "Heard Maybelline here finally got her official doctor's degree", he commented. A grin was starting to spread across his face. "Does this mean you give people, y'know...physical exams?"
Michelle's eyes widened. "How did you kn-"
He raised a hand, cutting her off.
"Oh, I got my sources. Gotta keep myself updated on y'all so I know you lot ain't dying on me." He couldn't stop himself from chuckling when Michelle glared back.
"How reassuring." Estela's tone was as dry as ever. "Dunno how we could ever repay you."
Jake's smile only grew in size. "Yeah, exactly. You couldn't."
"Is it really true?" asked Grace, her mouth open in awe. "Michelle, you never told me you were officially a doctor now!"
"That's because I wanted it to be a surprise,'' said Michelle, still fixed angrily on Jake's goofy grin. "But since Mr. Pompous Ass here had to spill everything…"
She pulled out her old stethoscope like a badge of pride. "You're looking at Dr. Michelle Nguyen, certified clinician!"
"Damn, Meech!" said Raj. He reached across the bonfire to give her a high-five. "Does this mean you can prescribe me some ish for my throat? Gotta say, all those nights up drinking has been killer to me."
Aleister rolled his eyes, as judgmental as ever. "Raj, you are already in your mid-twenties. How do you still manage to make questionable decisions on a near daily basis?"
The chef held up his hands in innocence. "Hey dude, you only live young once!," he answered. "Liver's still workin', so there's more parties to be livin'! Now am I right, or am I RIGHT?"
"Chyeah you are!" exclaimed Craig, leaping up from his seat. "I get so HYPE when you talk like that!"
He pumped his fist in the air, glancing around expectedly before awkwardly lowering his arm in the following silence. Off to the side, Zahra couldn't help but snicker.
"Actually, Raj…" Estela smiled playfully as she tossed another log into the bonfire. "My tio always said that 'alcohol livens the heart, but poisons the soul'. So you might not be living for much longer."
"Aw, shit, really?" Raj's mouth began to droop at the corners. "That means I can't get wasted on 'Bhandarkar Fills Bellies' next month! I was gonna down a full handle and explore the night market drunk!"
Zahra smirked. "So...nothing new then?"
The group broke into laughter as they continued on well into the night, sharing stories of years gone by. The fire began to die down as the hours slipped away, the trees by the jungle swaying more and more gently.
Michelle made an effort to sit back, stretching upwards as far as she could.
"Ugh, this entire week has been killing my back," she groaned. "Seriously, my job is great and all, but a clinician's life can be such hell. You wouldn't even imagine how many patients I've had to keep up with."
"Sounds like you need a massage, Maybelline,'' commented Jake. He took one last swig before flipping the bottle upside down, only to find it empty. Bitterly muttering under his breath as he tossed it aside, he gave Sean a cheerful clap on the shoulder.
"Heard you got some magic hands down there, QB. Maybe you can help her out."
Sean said nothing. His expression was grim as he stared into the dying fire.
"Sean?" Michelle gently called out. Her voice became tinged with worry. "Hey, Sean, you alright?"
She pushed herself to her feet and walked around to his side, placing a hand on his shoulder. His hands were flexing in his lap, the fingers closing and opening uncontrollably.
Quinn placed her hand on his other shoulder. "Sean...you look like you've been out of it all night." Though she tried her best to hide it, her concern was undeniable. "I know what it's like to feel like there's nobody to understand you. Please, talk to us."
The silence continued on for what seemed like ages. At last, he spoke in a hushed tone, nearly inaudible. Most of them had to lean forward, straining themselves to hear.
"He should've been here with us."
Within the span of seconds, the lighthearted atmosphere immediately gave way to something far heavier; deep down, they all knew it would come to this.
Each of them slowly lowered their heads.
"Sean…" mumbled Diego. "We're so sorry."
Jake reached out to grip Sean's hand, clasping tightly.
"We all miss him, big guy. He saved all of our lives, and in more ways than one."
With effort, Jake bit down on his lip. As soon as the words left his mouth, he could feel it all rushing back. The wrenching guilt that tore him apart for days, weeks, even months after Taylor had left them. Memories of his first weeks back, drinking himself into oblivion every night until he saw Taylor standing by the doorway, leaving him sobbing and begging for forgiveness.
Let it go, Mackenzie, he thought to himself furiously. Don't ruin their night like this. Don't be that asshole.
But it was already too late. He could feel himself starting to grit his teeth. His grip on Sean grew tighter as the memories threatened to bubble back to the surface.
Unable to control himself, he suddenly slammed the sand with his fist, making Grace recoil in fright.
"Dammit!" he cried out. "Why couldn't it have been me? If it weren't for Boy Scout, none of us would be sittin' here. We'd be long dead, and for good reason. He was the only one who had his head on straight and got us to live. But here I am - a nobody - acting like I gotta reason to be here while he's gone forever."
Jake began to shake in agony, tears streaming down his cheeks. Though he said nothing, Sean gave Jake's hand a reassuring squeeze. Both Michelle and Quinn tenderly reached out, embracing the two together as the others could only watch on in sorrow.
Sean slowly glanced down at his hands, one gripping Jakes and the other still flexing. With a sigh, he forced his fingers to gradually extend to normal before pulling out a bright purple flower from his pocket, caught in full bloom and preserved in resin.
The words from their handfasting play back in his head, as clearly as if he had heard them yesterday.
I'm yours. Now and forever.
Estela managed to see the flower in Sean's hand. "Sean...you've held onto it?" she asked, her voice betraying her surprise. "After all this time?"
Sean gazed around the group, resolute.
"Being back here without him just isn't right", he said quietly, his face crumbling in anguish. "I'm sorry, everyone. I just - I loved Taylor. I ain't never gonna love another guy like him."
He slowly leaned back, trying to remember every detail of his betrothed. His bright smile, his clever jokes at the worst possible times, his overflowing charisma and bravery. But what he missed most of all was Taylor's heart for moral justice, for doing the right thing. It was the reason Sean had continuously fallen for him, time and time again, every time he'd looked into Taylor's eyes.
The weeks following Taylor's sacrifice had left Sean with a crippling emptiness. He had promised Taylor a future during their few nights together, whispering tales of how the rest of their lives would play out. How all of this would have been theirs to enjoy. And at last, right when they finally had their whole lives ahead of them, just like Sean had promised, Taylor had disappeared forever.
He had forced himself to pour his time into his career, praying the adrenaline and training would push away his thoughts. The love from his friends and family eventually brought back his smile, but he'd never been able to stop feeling like some part of him was missing. Soon enough, every other day felt the same. He woke up, alone. He went to bed, missing Taylor's warmth and smile. It was as if Taylor had taken a piece of his heart, and he would never be whole again.
With a small start, Sean finally snapped back to his senses. Trying to muster up the strength, he cleared his throat.
"Sorry, guys," he apologized once more. Though he tried his best to sound confident, the shaking in his voice said otherwise. "I didn't mean to bring you all down like-"
Michelle only tightened her hug around him, burying her face into his shoulder. "Don't apologize, Sean,'' she said, her voice muffled by his Team Condos T-shirt. "Taylor...we all loved him."
Across from them, Estela stared blankly into the dying embers. She bit her lip and nodded.
"All of us,'' she mumbled.
As another mournful silence fell, Diego reached down to grab the last of his moscato, his expression mixed with grief and determination. Finally, he got to his feet, gazing at each of his friends in turn before speaking.
"And to Taylor."
At his cue, Michelle and Quinn returned to their places in the circle. For what felt like the longest time, no one said a word. For once, they all seemed at a loss for words.
Jake released a groan as he forced himself up to reach for his empty bottle, his vision bleary from alcohol and tears.
"Here's to Boy Scout." His voice was hoarse and cracked.
The others began to follow his lead. One by one, they each began to stand up in turn.
"Here's to Taylor,'' said Raj, his eyes filled with sadness.
"To Taylor," whispered Quinn, on the brink of tears.
"To our friend,'' said Estela as she looked away.
"To our best friend," Grace emphasized, whimpering.
"To my man, Taylor," mumbled Craig.
"To the one who got us here," Michelle said, also averting her eyes.
"And to the one who saved us all," finished Aleister, his voice hollow.
Sean was the only one left. He glanced down at his beer, still corked. He raised it into the air.
"To Taylor," he began slowly, before breaking into a tragic smile. "The one I love, now and forever."
Their bottles clinked together as they took one last drink. Without another word, they gathered closer to collectively watch the fire die out, riding out the waves of emotion.
All aside from one person, who remained in place.
"Zahra, you're not going to join us?" asked Diego, trying and ultimately failing to hide his disappointment. "I thought Taylor meant a lot to you..."
"Yeah, what the hell, Z!" Craig yelled out, his shoulders tense with anger. "I mean, it's not like you and I would even be togeth-"
Zahra raised a hand to cut him off, unfazed.
"First of all, babe, you're drunk. You need to chill some." She pointedly ignored Craig's stuttering indignation, turning to the rest of the group. A smirk crossed her face. "And you guys should see the look on your faces right now."
Sean could feel his temper quickly flaring up. He clenched his hands into fists, scowling. "We're trying to mourn our friend, Zahra. If you can't even understand that-"
But before he could get any further, Michelle grabbed his shoulder. She gave him a light squeeze.
"Sean, please…", she whispered in his ear. "Not tonight. Not like this."
Sean had to bite his tongue before nodding, waiting for his emotions to fade. He gazed back at Zahra with contempt, though the latter was unimpressed. She gave Michelle a nod of appreciation.
"Nice to see some of us still have some common sense,'' she said. Before Sean could release another outburst, she quickly continued on.
"I was gonna tell you all this after we our so-called night rager, but seeing as how the pity party is already underway…"
Raj glanced around. "Uh, dudes?"he asked curiously. "Anyone of y'all know what the hell she on about?" He looked to Craig for an answer, but the latter simply shrugged.
Zahra suddenly smiled, a sharp glint visible in her eye. "Can't say it's much, but there might be a way to find Taylor after all," she said. "We might be able to bring him back home."