Mr. Coward


"Knock, knock." Moana tapped on the tree with her knuckles as she announced herself.

"Oh, hey! Didn't expect to see you around today." Maui straightened as Moana moved closer. "What can I do for Chief Messy Locks today?"

"I wanted to check the progress on the boats. I heard the sennit is going a little faster than we calculated." Moana stated proudly.

"They are actually. Soon they will be soft enough to braid."

"Wonderful! We'll be wayfinding again in no time." She rocked herself back and forth on her heels as she squealed.

"Excited are we?"

"Oh yes! Very." She touched the smooth surfaced of a recently polished hull. Her imagination brought images of villagers sailing in brand new canoes beyond the reef.

Maui chuckled and gave her a moment to savor the future memories. "So, now that you're here… I wanted to ask you something."

"Sure." Still entranced by the boat, she stepped on the tip of the prow and held the mast behind her as if imagining the wind on her face.

"Aka has been acting pretty funny. Care to tell me what's that about?"

As the mention of her friend's name, a memory crossed her mind in a flash.

Look, if you really not interested, then let me go after him.

Her grip on the mast slipped and she ended face flat on the sand.

"Whoa! You ok there?" Maui offered his hand but Moana got back on her feet in a jolt, spitting sand in the process.

"Funny? Funny how? What do you mean? I mean, she's a funny person but I guess you don't know her that well and maybe she seems funny to you as in weird but it's actually her normal self and not as-"

Maui covered her mouth which actually covered her whole face considering his large hands.

"Stop talking. I mean funny as in she is giving me presents out of the blue and "accidently" bumping into me every now and then. She's also getting touchy. I'm not an idiot. I know she's flirting with me and who can blame her?" He winked. "But why now? We haven't spoken since you introduced us months ago."

Moana poked his hand on top of her face to let him know she couldn't speak… or breathe.

Maui removed his hand as if her face was hot iron. "Oh, right! Sorry."

Free to talk again, she actually was speechless. She decided to act as if she didn't care. Because she didn't! Right? Pretending to be interested on the boat again, she turned her back on him.

"Oh. That. Well, she did mention that...um… she likes you."

Maui blinked. "She likes me? I'm not surprised by that..." He made his pecs dance making Moana roll her eyes. "but um... she does know I'm immortal right? I'm not exactly made to be a husband."

Thank you! Someone gets it!

"Um… she's not exactly looking for a husband, if you know what I mean."

Maui raised his eyebrows in understanding. "Oh." Then his eyes went as plates and a smiled appeared on his lips. "Oh! Wow, you humans are becoming more open minded by the millennia!"

Maui rubbed his hands as if plotting something.

"Tempting... but I'll pass. Let her know that I'm not interested, 'kay?"

Moana crossed her arms. "Uh… 'let her know'? If you're going to reject her, do it yourself."

"Um.. you see. Since I was a traveler and didn't stay for long anywhere, I've never broken up with anyone. I just left."

"Who's 'they'?"

When Maui was about to answer Moana raised her hand to stop him.

"You know what? Doesn't matter. Don't say it outloud."

The demigod kept quiet as requested.

Moana fidgeted with her hair as she gathered courage to ask another question.

"Why are you not interested in Aka? If you don't mind me asking. She's pretty and nice"

Maui's voice took a more serious note. "Because this time I am staying. I'm not sneaking away during the night or something like that. I don't want to ruin or complicate things here in Motonui."

"But.. are you sure you want to… um… you know…?" Moana's embarrassment was incredibly amusing. She brought the topic up and deserved to be mocked for putting herself in such situation. However, he bit his tongue and laughed internally.

"What? Stay celibate? Don't worry, Chief. I spent a thousand years secluded in a rocky island by myself. I think I can handle it."

Moana's face got as red as Heihei's comb.

"Oh, ok. Um… I think I've stayed here for too long. The boats are doing great! So, uh.. keep up the good work. Um… ok, bye!" She quickly started back the way she came from.

"Bye, Princess." The man sang at her disappearing form.

Maui shook his head as he got back to what he was doing before she appeared when the Chief's distant voice reached him.

"And talk to Aka, you coward!"

He sighed.

Darn it.