Dinner

Keoni wasn't nervous… Not really anyway. Okay yes he was nervous. It was the first time he was having dinner with his sister, Moana and her parents all together. And it was soon before Moana and Keoni were to become the next chief's of Motunui. So this dinner meant a lot. Plus not to mention, it would give Keoni a better chance to talk more with Tui and Sina, helping their relationship grow as he would soon be their son in law.

He and Huihana entered the chief's fala. Keoni had gotten his unruly hair cut, so now it looked clean and freshened up. His back was still a little sore from his new back tattoo. With a smile, he took a seat next to Moana. Moana sat next to her father on his left, and to Tai's right, was Sina, and next to Sina was Huihana. They all sat together in a circle so they all faced each other. As mackarel filets, ginger slices, shrimp and mussels among other dishes were being passed around, Keoni couldn't help but let his mind wander to outside. It was a beautiful evening, the sunset was of vibrant purples, oranges and pinks. The dark blue veil of night began to fall over with diamond like stars twinkling overhead. Little lightning bugs flew around, giving the village a fanstastical atmosphere. It was absolutely lovely.

Huihana and Sina found themselves immersed in conversation, mostly about Huihana preparing for her future child or children, as she was pregnant; about three months along. Huihana was absolutely thrilled, she was a joyful expectant mother. She and Sina had grown close, so Keoni was happy for his sister.

Despite being hungry, and with his plate full of food, Keoni for some reason couldn't bring himself to eat. It'd been a long time since he'd had such a filling meal. Back on his old island, he'd survived on nothing but meager roots, coconuts, maybe even some boar meat if he could get some. He knew how to fish at least, so he didn't totally starve.

He blinked when he felt Moana nudge his arm. He glanced over at her and she gave him a supportive smile, "You alright?" She asked him.

"Yeah… Just… I can't bring myself to eat for some reason." He murmured to her. He felt ashamed to say it aloud in front of Tui and Sina, he didn't want them to feel bad for him or for giving him a hearty meal. She kissed him on the cheek, receiving a clearing throat from Tui. They looked over at him and he appeared to try to start a conversation.

"So, Keoni. Since we have this time, is there anything you'd like to share with us? Anything interesting about yourself?" Although hesitant at first, Keoni began to tell all sorts of things that happened before, during and after the events on his island that eventually lead him and Moana to meeting. As he told his story, he finally began to eat, and Keoni noticed Sina smiling at him, and he couldn't help but smile back. Everyone else noticeably became happier once Keoni cleared his plate, and it amused Moana when he asked for more.

Once dinner was over, Moana and Keoni stayed behind to help clean up. As they did so, Keoni snacked a bit more.

"Slow down Keoni, you just had a full meal, you don't wanna get sick."

"I know I know… I'm just- It makes me so relieved to have full meals again. I want to constantly eat, which… Is not usually like me." Moana chuckled.

"You look happier that's for sure." He grinned and crossed his arms, leaning against a wooden post and overlooking the view of the village, the reef, and the deep blue ocean that was streaked with silver moonlight. Fireflies still lit up the night like tiny fires. It gave a romantic atmosphere, Moana came up next to him and bumped her hip playfully against his, making the both of them laugh. He wrapped an arm around Moana's waist and kissed her on the top of her head.

"Aloha wau iā ʻoe." Moana looked up at him slightly surprise, but with a huge smile.

"… You mean that?" He smiled back at her, wrapping both his arms around her waist and pressing his forehead to hers, gazing into her eyes, admiring the play of light within her eyes, bringing out the coppery brown within them, and the faint golden around her pupils. They were beautiful things, and Moana knew that Keoni liked to gaze into her eyes. And she loved gazing into his.

"Got any ideas of what we should do now?" Moana shrugged.

"No idea..." She trailed off as she traced the lines of Keoni's tattoo on his arm, noticing him shiver at the touch. The two made their way to their fala that they shared currently until they would move to the chief's fala. They actually had some decent privacy. After getting dressed into some more comfortable attire, they decided to go take a walk on the moonlit beach.

"It's beautiful out here." Moana commented dreamily, clasping his hand tightly. The moon cast silver shadows across the land, it was beautiful. The ocean water lapped around their feet. Keoni then stopped, swept Moana off her feet, carrying her bridal style in his arms and pecked her on the lips. As they walked together (Keoni mostly) they chatted about their future together. They were excited but a little scared too.

Aloha wau iā ʻoe ~ "I love you" in Hawaiian