This one takes place before the evens of Jak 1. Enjoy.
Sandover Village can be calm and quiet almost all the time for days if not weeks. Everyone from the mayor, to the sculptor, even that smelly fisherman kept the village safe. Lurkers were pushed back to the far side of the Sentinel Beach and deep in the Forbidden Jungle thanks to the aid of the sages. Even though Samos warned them that venturing outside the village was still dangerous,
Running out of his uncle's hut, Jak rushed to meet his friend Daxter. The two planned on exploring the Forbidden Jungle this afternoon. Jak saw Daxter over by Samos' hut, likely trying to flirt with their friend Keira again, and started towards the hut. Jak remembered the last time his loud-mouthed buddy tried 'sweet talking' her, only to ended up washing grease and oil off his cloths for days.
As he walked up to the door Daxter and Keira turned and continued whatever they were discussing.
"C'mon who knows what kinda precursor crap we could find out there. Just let us borrow your dads staff." Daxter begged as Keira sighed while shaking her head.
"Daxter for the last time no! First, my father went to the blue sage's hut to help with his research and won't be back for a while. Second, even if he was here he'd yell at you for even asked. And third, we don't need his staff since Jak can channel eco." The mechanic girl pointed to behind Daxter before walking over to her work bench. "Besides if there is anything you two can't figure out I can." Keira grabbed a backpack likely fill with supplies she made herself.
"Wait what! Who said you could come. In case you forgot we are going deep into the jungle were all kind of Lurkers and killer things are! Plus, you never wanted to go on our adventures before!" Jak shoot a frown at Daxter for the harshness of his words, but he had to admit, there was some truth to them.
"So what better time than now. I have enough gear and gadgets for any situation. So I'm going and that's finally." Though she didn't shout, Keira's tone said that there was no room for argument. Leaving Daxter to groan with his head hung and Jak to question how any of this happened as they headed for the Forbidden Jungle while he occasionally snuck glances at her before blushing and focusing ahead.
X~X~X
Keira was starting to have mixed feelings about exploring the jungle. On one hand it was quite amazing compared to the beach or village. On the other she wasn't a fan all the snakes, frogs, and Lurkers roaming about. Even though Jak did most of the fighting bare-handed, her and Daxter didn't just hide and watch. Will Daxter sometimes.
Keira made an experimental weapon which would be able to fire yellow eco from special eco canisters loaded into it. It was still a prototype, but it worked well enough for dispatching whatever stood in their way.
Daxter, who decided to lead them now that the danger was gone, pushed aside branches while leading them off the main path.
"You sure this is a good idea?" Keira asked.
Jak turned to her and made several gestures with his hands which she read easily thanks to learning sign language. "Best to explore were nobody's been yet." Jak sighed while offering a reassuring smile. Which caused heart face to heat up a bit.
"Don't worry about it. There's no way we'll get lost." Daxter promised not even looking around as he walked confidently forward.
X~X~X
It took the sun setting for Daxter to finally admitted he got them lost. "Real job Daxter. Were lost in the jungle, tired, alone, and with who knows how many Lurkers wandering the area!" Keira fumed as Daxter hid behind Jak for safety. Daxter pleaded that it wasn't his fault, but Keira was too upset to care. She took her backpack off to grab her compass.
"Okay the village is to the south of here so we should go this way." Keira set out leaving the boys to follow at a safe distance from the angry girl.
As they walked on exhaustion and nightfall forced them to stop and make camp. As Jak made a fire, Daxter was already fast asleep leaving Jak to take the first watch while Keira tinkered with her 'Eco Blaster' as Daxter called it.
The silence between the two was fine if it wasn't for the constant glances taken by each other. Keira finally decided to start a conversation, if only to break the uncomfortable quiet. "Jak?" The boy looked over to see Keira patting a spot next to her, signaling for him to join her by the fire, which he complied with. "So what were you guys hoping to find. Precursor orbs, Power cells, or maybe some treasure chest deep in a cave?" Keira giggled a little.
Jak gave a silent chuckle as he signed. "Kinda but I just wanted to see what was out here."
"I'm starting to wonder if you just like making father lecture you. But I see the appeal. Fighting Lurkers, looking for new things, and just having fun is great." Keira scooted a bit closer to Jak.
"It is fun but tiring to." Jak scooted closer to Keira as well. "You did great though. That blaster is amazing." Keira blushed and hoped that the light of the flames hid it from sight.
They continued to talk about Jak and Daxter's past adventures and Keira's experiments, all the while without realizing how close they were until Jak rested his hand on her hand. The two kids quickly looked at their hands only to bump their heads against each other.
Jak grabbed his head while Keira rubbed her forehead. Looking at each other, they couldn't help but laugh at their combined clumsiness. Whatever awkwardness they had earlier was long gone now.
X~X~X
Daxter woke up with a loud yawn and stretching his back. "That is the last time I sleep on anything other than a soft bed. Right Jak." Daxter looked over to see something that surprised him.
Keira asleep with her head resting on Jak's shoulder and his head on top of hers. Their hands held firmly together. Daxter wished he could catch this moment only to later mess with them and tease the hell out of them. But for now he'd let them sleep awhile longer.