Hey lovely people! Here is the next chapter! (FINALLY)
Read on my lovelies!
The morning sun had kissed him awake. Slivers of light peeped through the drawn blinds, casting thin golden stripes across his sculpted face. Maui opens his eyes slowly, a lopsided smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He had slept soundly that night, with one arm behind his head, while the other was wrapped around the slender waist of the unconscious body of the young woman lying next to him, head rested amongst the beef of his pectoral. He tilts his gaze to look down at her, her curls were soft against his bare chest, her arm was wrapped around his stomach and the flesh of her bare breasts were warm against his own skin. Their naked bodies were latched together like puzzle pieces after having shared yet another passionate intimate interlude with one another upon their arrival home from last night.
He only wished he could lay like this forever, but that would be asking for too much. And plus, he suddenly remembered the few errands that needed to be done. So after he leans down to place a tender kiss to her forehead, he gently lifts Moana's head off his chest, lays it down on the pillow and quietly rises from the mattress and slips his feet onto the carpeted floor. He reaches for his briefs that had somehow ended up hanging from the foot of the bed and slips it on, suddenly beginning to feel self-conscious at the thought of standing naked in the sunlight streaming through the blinds to his bedroom. He takes a moment to admire the sleeping beauty resting peacefully amongst the bed, the cover only covering half of her naked body, leaving her bare back exposed to the heated air around them and her legs poked out from underneath the covers.
Then Maui gazes around the room, suddenly remembering their clothes that were scattered in puddles on the floor. He chuckles softly, recalling just how eager they were to share another round love-making once they arrived home from their little date. He would worry about the discarded clothing later. Instead, he leans down and gently pulls the covers up over her back and shoulders. She shifts quietly, a soft little moan gurgles in the back of her throat, and Maui smiles as he gently strokes the curls from her eyes and tucks it behind her ear. He places another kiss to her temple, whispers a soft "Get some rest" and quietly makes his way to the bathroom, closing the door shut.
It doesn't take him very long to brush his teeth and wash his face. Nor does it take him that long to bathe in the shower, washing his hair and scrubbing himself clean with care and step out in the span of fifteen minutes. But then again, it usually never takes him more than fifteen minutes to shower and rinse. Twenty minutes being his max. Once he steps out of the shower, changes into a new set of clothing, shuts off the light and steps out of the bathroom, he's grateful to find that Moana was still sound asleep, buried in the cocoon of blankets. Not even the sound of the faucet running was enough to wake her. But he wasn't complaining about that at all.
He takes a moment to admire the beauty laying before him. His mouth suddenly going dry as his gaze trails over every curve of her body outlined underneath the shin covers. Then he remembers the passionate love that they had made almost immediately upon their arrival home. It was amazing, like it usually was. If not, even better than the previous times they've had sex. Maui was sure that he had taken her to a whole other level of intimacy. Way more than what she had been given in the past. And he couldn't help but feel somewhat proud that he had been able to give that to her.
And he would keep giving that to her for as long she needed.
Possibly even until the day she-
-he shakes his head. Now's not the time for those thoughts!
He presses his lips together, suddenly returning to reality. He draws in a deep breath, then slowly turns his head to chance a look over towards the corner of the room. He holds it, taking in the two suitcases that were still empty, though they would soon need to be packed and ready to go.
He slowly lets the breath go, and hope immediately beads his skin like dew on a spring grass. There's a part of him that's questioning whether or not this would be a good idea. Then almost instantly, the hope he's feeling on the inside radiates in to soothe his blood. He takes another look at her sleeping form, and then gazes one last time at the suitcases. It was in that moment that Maui himself couldn't know for sure that today will be better than yesterday, or if this is the time for them, but there was a part of him that's feeling optimistic. And that was the best he could come up with.
He just hoped that she wouldn't get the wrong impression. But he would discover that part later.
He checks his watch.
8:10am.
He was pressed for time, and he needed to step out quickly and be back before she wakes up.
So without a second thought, he slowly makes his way towards her and leans down to place a soft kiss to the back of her head.
"Be back soon, Curly."
And with that, he quietly slips out of the room and closes the door shut. Then he makes his way down the stairs, slips on his shoes, grabs his keys and steps out the front door.
It was a good thing that Metro grocery store was only a ten minute drive. But it was an even better thing that the list he had made only required a few items. So when he's scanning the aisles of the grocery store, his basket is pretty much full. Whole wheat spaghetti noodles, a carton of twelve eggs (for him) and a small box of egg whites, chicken breasts, almond and coconut milk, mangos and oranges to make some freshly squeezed juice that reminded him of what being back home in Savi'i felt like.
And of course, he couldn't resist combing through the baking aisle and picking up a box of chocolate icing so that they could make some brownies. He knew she would definitely have his head for this. But at the same time, it was a good addition to the 'healthy' foods that he needed to purchase.
So as he finally throws his last item into the basket and is about to head over to the checkout line, he manages to flick his wrist and check his watch.
8:40am.
'Moana should be waking up any minute…'
"Maui?"
The voice that had called his name forces him to freeze in his tracks. Cocking a brow, he slowly turns. He expected it to be someone whom he was less familiar with. But when his brows raise, his face white as chalk, and his eyes and mouth frozen wide open with an expression of stunned surprise, well, let's just say that the person who was standing in front of him was someone whom he wished to never see again.
"Maui." The person smiles. "I knew it was you."
"…D-Diana?"
Her smile grows wider. "The one and only."
He blinks rapidly, unable to find the words to speak. All he could do was stare as if the woman (Diana) herself had just produced a rhinoceros from her pocket, looking like one of those pop-eyed toys from those claw-machines at the fun fair. And judging by those melodic giggles that were spilling out of her lips – those full, luscious lips that he once fell for – to her, this whole thing seemed comical.
Only it wasn't comical for him.
"So what?" She places a hand on her curvy hip and smirks. "No hug for an old friend?"
He presses his lips into a grim line. "Diana…" His expression tightens. "What…what are you doing here?"
She snorts. "Well…" She looks around. "This is a grocery store."
"No, I mean…" He sighs. "What are you doing here…in Vancouver?"
She grins. "Well if you must know, I'm here for business."
"Oh?"
"Yup." Then she flips her hair over her shoulder and tilts her chin upwards. "You're looking at the new executive assistant at the Bank of Nova Scotia."
"Is that so?"
"Of course." Another smirk. "I mean come on, Maui. What do you take me for? A mediocre financial advisor?" She chuckles and rolls her eyes. "Definitely notcut out for that kind of job."
'Of course not…'
"I must say…" He gulps as a sly smile tugs at the corners of her mouth, eyeing him slowly up and down. "I wasn't expecting to find you here."
Now he snorts. "Well, like you said…" He motions with his hands. "It is a grocery store after all."
She giggles. Normally, the sound of her laugh was something that he always found incredibly sexy on her. But this time, there was something about it that was beginning to make his skin crawl.
"You always had a great sense of humor, Maui." Her lips curve into a grin. "That was one of the things I loved most about you…"
He blinks once, and then another. "I gotta go."
"Whoa! Hey, wait!" He turns, but she manages to step right in front of him, blocking his path so that she's looking right up at him with a smile. "What's the rush?"
"I have somewhere I need to be."
She cocks a brow. "Oh?"
He says nothing, but nods instead.
"Well...that's too bad." She puts on a little pout. "I was hoping you'd stay for a little while and…" Her eyes slowly graze every single part of muscle on his body, "chat for a bit." They finally rest on his own, and the smile reappears.
"Move, Diana."
"Aww come on, Maui." Her smile grows wider. "Don't be like that."
"Like what exactly?" He grinds his teeth.
"Like you hate me or something!" She chuckles. "Besides, you of all people could never hate me."
He swallows.
"You know I'm always right, Maui." A sly grin as she takes another step closer – a little too close. "You could never hate a woman like myself, can you?"
Yes! It was an easy question, but speaking the answer proved to be a challenge. And for once in his life, he couldn't understand why. His heart hammers inside his chest in sync with the beep beep of the scanners from the checkout line. And for some reason, he was unable to take his eyes off the woman standing before him. Truth be told, if it wasn't for those big brown eyes that were staring deep into his soul, he probably would've disagreed with his conscience.
But he knew his answer.
And he just knew that she was a woman that was not to be trusted.
And then he remembered Moana.
"Please move, Diana."
He steps to his side, but she's just as quick and blocks his path once again, chuckling while doing so. He finds himself having to resist the urge to punch a hole in the wall.
"Oh Maui, you know you can't-"
"Diana get out of my way!"
His tone rises slightly higher than usual. It was enough to catch the attention of other curious shoppers that happened to be passing by them. And apparently it was enough to startle her, noting the way how that devious smile slowly disappears from her features.
"Look," He goes to pinch the bridge of his nose, takes a deep breath, "I really don't want to do this right now, alright?"
Then his eyes meet hers. She stares at him. Blinking.
"It's over between us." He growls as he takes a threatening step closer towards her. "Done. Over. You got that?"
Her eyes were narrowed. Rigid. Cold. Hard. And frankly, he remembered seeing those eyes. Remembered how the way she looked while they were standing in that parking lot eleven years ago. And right now, she mirrored that look exactly right in this very moment.
"You ended things with me." He grimaces. "Do you remember that? You were the one that wanted absolutely nothing to do with me. So right now, I'm telling you like it is."
She stares, patiently waiting for his next words.
"You and I," He motions between the two of them, "We are done. Are we clear?"
He finds himself trying not to squirm as she squints at him through hardened eyes that once had been his salvation. Only now, they brought the immediate unfounded accusations of what looked like to be a jealous lover. Every muscle in those round cheekbones of hers was now tense. Eyes were now chilling. Her nostrils flared just the slightest bit, but Maui caught it.
But it was the way how the corner of her mouth curls slightly upward. A smirk as her eyes narrowed.
"Crystal." She answers.
"Good." He stands tall. "Now move."
"As you wish."
Relief finally washes over him as she steps out of his way and allows him the opportunity to make his way towards the destination of the checkout line. He stands in line, places his basket on the bell and begins to unpack the small amount of groceries.
"Oh and Maui?"
He rolls his eyes and stubbornly forces himself to turn and look over his shoulder. And right away, the smile that was now on her face lit up her features in the wrong sort of way. One that was running on cold malice instead of any genuine form of affection. A smile that made his skin crawl.
"I just wanted to say…congratulations."
He cocks a brow.
"I hear that you're now a world-class traveling financial advisor." Her eyes crinkle. "One of the best out there, that is."
Of course she would know…
A swallow grates his chest.
"So…I will be seeing you around."
And with that, she turns on her heel and leaves. Purposely swaying her hips with each step she took, knowing that it would drive him crazy. He presses his lips into a thin line, inhales sharply through his nose and releases it. He shakes his head, wondering what on earth had just happened. He didn't know what she meant, but he knew that judging by how the way she was walking, that she was up to no good.
And then he suddenly remembers that a certain person is waiting for him back at home.
He quickly piles all of his purchases onto the bell and fishes for his wallet to pay for his order.
He was still unable to wrap his head on the events that took place at the grocery store. His mind unable to stop the images from fluttering about inside his brain on his drive home.
It had been years since the last time they saw each other. Sure, Maui would admit that he's been forced to deal with many unpleasant things in his lifetime. Heck, even dealing with his toxic family was something that seemed like he could handle in a jiffy. But much to his dismay, running into his ex-girlfriend after all these years was something that he definitely could not seem to handle.
But right now, Diana was the last person whom he wanted to be thinking about. She was in the past. And now, it was time for him to start focusing on the future.
And that future required spending his time with a certain someone.
He places the grocery bags on the counter in the kitchen when he returns. Though he slightly shocked to see that the kitchen itself remained empty, with no signs of tampering of any sort. He furrows his brow, checks the time on the stove.
9:15am.
Which was weird because even he knew that Moana would usually be awake by now. 'Maybe she's in the shower?' But the sound of the faucet running was nowhere to be heard. So when he makes his way up the stairs and returns to his bedroom, a soft smile creeps on his features as his gaze lands on the beauty that was still cocooned in the warm depths of the blankets. She was still sleeping, her luscious long curls spilling all around the pillows, looking so peaceful and so content, wondering again what on earth he had done to have gotten so lucky to have her in his life.
Then he looks towards the empty suitcases laying open in the corner. There was that part of him that was convinced that something like this was much needed. Considering all the chaos that they –well, mainly she's – had to go through, a little last minute getaway was long overdue. Especially in her case. After all, she was on a mandatory sick leave (thanks to Helen), and maybe, just maybe, a trip away from home was exactly the kind of medicine she needed.
So in the end, what was there to worry about?
He silently hoped that this would make her happy. Because really and truly, only the Gods know that she deserved all the happiness that this world had to offer.
He slowly walks around the bed to her side and carefully shifts his weight onto the mattress. His weight sinking in the mattress causes a small murmur to slip past those full lips of hers, and Maui finds himself chuckling. A lock of her curl had fallen astray and he reaches his hand out to gently tuck the hair behind her ear. He keeps his hand near her face, his thumb stroking her cheek so softly, a slight shiver shakes her body and her lips curve upward into a tiny smile.
"Hey Curly?"
He whispers delicately as he leans down to replace his hand with his lips. He places sweet kisses on her cheek. She murmurs incoherent words as her body shifts. Another low chuckle from him.
"Curly?"
His hand rests on the small of her back, rubbing small circles. She stops shifting and just lays still. Her eyes are still closed, but he knows that she's no longer sleeping. Her actions proved to be intentional, and it was up to Maui to continue playing along. A grin creeps onto his lips.
"Hey Curly? You gonna wake up for me?" He kisses the tip of her ear, her shoulders scrunch upward, the smile growing slightly wider on her lips. A chuckle.
"I'd really like to see that beautiful face of yours."
Then he pushes her hair aside, the back of her neck on full display for him. A golden opportunity. So he places kisses on it and nibbles softly at her skin, knowing full well it would drive her crazy. It was the victory for him as soft giggles spill from her lips. So he takes this as another opportunity to continue his teasing. Nipping and kisses at the skin of her neck.
"Maui…" A breathy giggle laced with a small moan. "S-stop."
He chuckles. "Wakey, wakey, Sleeping Beauty."
She mumbles into the pillows but finally forces herself to wake with a bigger smile forming on her face. Every muscle, every inch of her body soaking in the contentment, and Maui finds himself unable to take his eyes off her, wanting nothing more to explore her body and lose himself in it over and over again. With a soft, purring sort of moan, a yawn escapes as she turns over and rubs the sleep from her eyes. She opens her eyes and is immediately greeted by the familiar God of a man that she's come to love.
"Hey Princess."
She giggles at the nickname and reaches up to place her hands on his cheeks and pulls him down for a kiss. She places a kiss to his nose, his cheek and finally, to his forehead.
"Good morning to you too, Big guy." She stokes his cheeks with her thumb. "What time is it?"
"Eh, it's only 9:17."
Her eyes widen slightly. "9:17? I slept for that long?"
"Yup." He chuckles and places a kiss to her forehead. "No big deal."
"Wow…I haven't slept past 7:00am in such a long time."
"Ah, don't sweat it." He kisses her lips. "It's not a bad thing. Your body needs as much rest as it can get."
She sighs. "I guess so." Then she furrows her brows as she notices his wardrobe. "You're up pretty early though."
He shrugs. "Wanted to do a few errands. So I didn't wanna wake you."
"Errands?"
"Yup."
"For?"
"Ah…stuff."
She lifts a brow. "What kind of stuff?"
He hesitates, choosing his words carefully. Truth be told, if he'd rehearsed this conversation once, he only had enough time to rehearse it only two or three more times. Sooner or later, he would have to tell her. Though he strongly convinced himself to opt for later, there was a part of him that felt that telling her sooner would be a much better option. The sooner he could get it out in the open, the better it would be for not just him, but mainly for the both of them.
He hefts a sigh, and is about to open his mouth to speak, but she manages to beat him to it.
"How come the suitcases are out?" She questions with furrowed brows as she lifts herself up to sit into a seated position, grasping the sheet to cover her exposed body. Then she looks at him. "Are you…are you going somewhere?"
There's a slight clench in her throat when she asks the question. And he immediately feels guilty with the worried expression that's on her face. But he knew what she was thinking, and he quickly places a kiss on her forehead. He rests both their foreheads together, and he takes a deep breath, before he exhales slowly and lets it go.
"You should get ready."
"Get ready?" She pulls away and looks at him. "For…what exactly?"
"It's…a surprise."
"A surprise?" There's a slight apprehension in her tone. "What surprise? Maui, I-"
He pulls her close to him, hugging her to his chest. He places a kiss on the crown of her head, and she's immediately embraced by the warmth and calamity of it all. She closes her eyes, breathing in his beautiful scent, comforted by the feel of him wrapped around her like a mother hugging her babe. It was in moments like this where she knew she could trust him, and there needn't be anything she had to worry about.
"Do you trust me?" He asks her softly.
She breathes a sigh, content sigh. "Of course." Then he gently pushes her back and places a kiss to her lips.
"We are going on a little trip." He smiles. "You and me."
"W-we are?"
"Yes."
She gulps. "T-to where exactly?"
"I'll tell you about it later." Then he takes her hand and kisses her knuckle. "Just trust me. Okay?"
She chews on her lower lip. "Okay."
He kisses her again. "Let's go get you changed, and then we can start packing."
She nods. And when he wraps her body in the sheet and carries her in bridal style towards the bathroom, Moana can't shake the feeling of exactly what Maui has planned up his sleeve. She knew she could trust him, and she knew she would just have to be patient to find out exactly where it was that he was planning to take her.
Moana hadn't been sure what to expect. Sure, she was convincing herself to just trust that he knew exactly what it was he was doing. But there was a part of her that was still feeling very apprehensive about this whole thing.
When he had come to wake her and helped her get changed and ready to go, she hadn't expected that it was because he had been planning to take her on a mini getaway. Especially judging by the suitcases that were now packed and ready to go. While he had sponged her body in the bathtub and dried her off, a million questions had been fluttering about inside her brain. Where exactly is he wanting to take me? Why do I deserve this? Why is he insisting on taking me away from home? Those were the three main questions that she couldn't seem to find an answer to. And after they had officially packed their suitcases, and with Moana unable to allow the opportunity to let Maui surprise her, that's when he finally decided to tell her.
But her reaction was something that he hadn't expected.
Moana sits hunched in the front of his car, eyes staring out the window as she watched the blur of the trees passing by, brows pinched. Forcing herself to focus on anything else but him. They'd been driving for half an hour, and that half hour was filled with nothing but silence. It wasn't anything that was filled with contentment, but it an uncomfortable void that was pressing down on them, weighing on their shoulders like a boulder crushing down on a building. Neither of them knowing what words or syllables to say to one another. Maui himself decided to keep his eyes on the road in front of them, stealing glances over at the young woman sitting next to him every so often. His lips are pressed into a thin line, his grip tightens and unclenches on the steering wheel, and he was certain he could feel his palms producing perspiration.
Now, he had to wonder if maybe this little getaway was such a good idea after all.
"Hey Curly?" The title was said hesitantly, anxious. "…You okay?"
She closes her eyes and inhales sharply through her nose. She doesn't look at him, focusing on the landmarks that were so familiar to her. Because the truth was, she wasn't sure if she was okay. In all honesty, she wasn't exactly sure how to feel in this moment.
"Yea." There's iron to her tone. "I'm fine."
He wanted to believe her. And he did so badly. But there was a part of him that was convinced that she wasn't. So when he gently lifts his foot of the gas pedal to come down to a slower drive, he breathes out a sigh.
"Are you sure?"
Her brows dent. "Yea. Why?"
"Because…you've been quiet for the past half hour." He turns to glance at her, then focuses back on the road. "You haven't said a word to me since we left."
"I'm fine, Maui."
He would've believed her, but it was the tone in her voice that said otherwise. Truth be told, her tone sounded way too familiar. He experienced it before, and unfortunately, it was the last very thing he ever wanted to encounter again. They unfortunately come to a slow stop as they were approaching traffic. Wavy lines rose from the scorched drab cement that lay out countless miles ahead, a ribbon stretched out along the cracked earth, held in place by the weight of the metal behemoths that slowly trudged along. He breathes a shallow breath and then reluctantly finds a way to release it. Because he knew. He just knew that he wasn't off the hook with this one.
"You're not fine, Moana."
His words are calm. Well thought out. Because if he had said anything else, then that would be opening up a whole new can of worms that, for their sake, he desperately wanted to avoid. They sit in traffic, much to both their dismay. She presses her lips into a thin line, refusing to look in his direction. Because the truth was, he was right. He knew that, and unfortunately, she knew that too.
He sighs. "…We should talk about it."
"There's nothing to talk about."
Because he just knew. "You're mad."
Her eyebrows knit tightly together, and she shifts awkwardly in her seat. Varied colored cocoons surrounding them are filled with people whose frustration with the pace simmered like the air outside, kept it check by the frosty breeze flowing from the vents.
"You're angry with me." This time, he turns to look at her, a guilty look in his eyes. "…I know you are."
She says nothing, fingers itching for something to do.
"Moana," He begins softly, "If I screwed up again, I'm sorry."
His words are apologetic, very much so. And part of her feels guilty for unintentionally giving him the cold shoulder.
"I wasn't trying to make you upset." His voice cracks. "I just…wanted to do something special for you." He confesses. "Because, Moana, I care so much about you."
She takes in the quiet confessional, allowing his words to marinate in her skin. Though a small glare was still masked on her features, her shoulders slump, giving him the opportunity to invite him back in. Because really and truly, he did care about her. She knows that. And he didn't just say the words randomly, but his words were proven by his actions.
"Again, if you're upset with me…" He solemnly turns to focus his gaze back on the line-up of vehicles sitting before him, slowly easing his foot against the gas pedal. "…I'm sorry. I just…wanted to make you happy."
She heaves a deep sigh. "I'm not mad."
He looks at her with raised brows. "You're not?"
A small shake of her head. "No."
"Then…how come you've been so quiet?"
Another sigh. "I don't know."
"…Are you sad then?"
"Not really."
"Hey." He says softly. And this time, for what seemed like eternity, she blows out a breath and slowly turns to look at him. Their gazes finally meeting. "Talk to me?"
She stares at him, searching his person. "I…" She begins, but then she turns away and casts her gaze downward. "I guess…I'm just confused."
"Confused?" He furrows his brows. "What are you confused about?"
She picks at the small hole in her old cardigan, plucking the frayed ends like dying guitar strings. Her mind instantly becoming a surging perplexity. Truth be told, her mind was lost and confused, yet there was a small part that was happy and certain. But there didn't seem to be a single feeling she could pinpoint only one emotion on. The parts that are untangled are available, useable; though the rest was a still in a jumble, useless until it is untied.
"Moana," Her name is like a soft melody on his tongue, "if you don't want to do this, then I'll take you back home."
"No." She says finally. "You don't have to do that."
"Moana, look, I-"
"Maui," She sighs, "I…just wish you told me about this earlier." She looks at him. "That you were planning to take me back to visit my Vaiala."
"So that's what you're worried about."
"I'm not...worried."
"But you are though."
She blinks once, another, and then she wraps her arms around herself as she sinks lower into her seat. "…Maybe."
He lets out another sigh. A longer one. Suddenly feeling like the 'World's Dumbest Fool' on the planet. At this point, he was ready to accept his golden medal and just be walk off the stage with his head bowed down in shame. With what little dignity he had left, he reaches over the console and gently grabs hold of her hand. Surprised that she let him, but grateful at the thought of her tiny hand enveloped in his.
"Talk to me." He says softly. "Why are you worried?"
Moana keeps her gaze downward, her brows creased and face solemn. She closes her eyes and inhales sharply through her nose. "I haven't been to my Vaiala in eight years." She begins quietly. "My whole family is gone...I just couldn't bring myself to go back there."
He says nothing, but feels his chest tighten.
"I…I miss them." She croaks, then slowly opens her eyes. "I miss them so much." A breathy sigh as she chews on her lower lip. "Going back there…it's just not the same as it used to be."
He let out another sigh, easing his foot slowly on the gas pedal. "Are you scared?" Because he knows.
She hesitates, and then lets out another breath. "…I am."
"Why are you?"
Her bottom lip quivers slightly, but she uses her teeth to sink into the flesh and prevent it from being noticeable. She never understood exactly why this particular feeling always came about. But deep down, there was a part of that knew exactly why that was. She'd never shared this with anyone, but maybe now was the time to break down all barriers and just admit the truth. So when she sucks in another breath and then lets it go slowly, she finally gathers up to the courage to speak.
"…I'm scared of being alone in that place."
He looks at her. Blinks.
"It's bad enough that I have to wake up alone in that big house." She whispers. "Waking up in that place, knowing that they're never coming back…" A pregnant pause. "…I-I can't do it."
"Hey." He rubs his thumb over her knuckles. "You're not going to be alone."
She looks up at him, gaze pleading.
"We are going to have a great time together." He tells her. "I'm going to be there with you every step of the way."
She chews on her lower lip. "Yea?"
"Of course." He gives her hand a light squeeze. "Everything is going to be okay. I promise."
As always, she knew she could trust him. In the short amount of time that she's known Maui, Moana was certain that he always knew more than he let on. It was moments like this where she guessed he could see her more clearly as a person rather than a problem creating a dependent. And every time she looked into his eyes, there was that sense of warmth and security that she always longed for. He was everything she needed.
In return, a small smile appears on her face. "Thank you Maui." She squeezes his hand. "For everything."
He smiles. "Any time." Then he looks back at the traffic sitting in front of them. "So…you ready for our vacation?"
A small chuckle. "Yes. I am."
"Good."
They manage to escape the traffic after an hour. Thankfully they found their way on the dry roads, passing by beautiful evergreen forests and lakes that doesn't even compared to downtown Vancouver. They only had an hour left until they arrived at their destination. Once Moana was able to relax, they spent their drive talking and laughing, bringing up old memories of their childhood, and even going as far as even sharing some embarrassing moments that neither of them wanted to remember. But as long as those stories in particular were kept between them, then there was nothing to worry about.
After a while, it didn't take long for Moana to lean forward and start fiddling with the radio system. Switching from one station after the next. She managed to find a Jazz Station that played nothing but Bossa Novas, Swing and ballads. Sure, the music was beautiful and relaxing to listen to, but she scrunches up her nose, while Maui does the same, and she manages to switch to another station.
"Oh!" She gasps at the song that fills that car. "Hounddog!" She squeals as she cranks up the volume. "I love this song!"
Maui beams at this. "You like Elvis Presley?"
"Of course!" She giggles. "He's like…one of my all-time favorites!"
"Get out!" Maui laughs. "He's mine too."
Moana giggles as she turns to Maui, noting how he began gently smacking his hands on the steering wheel as he followed the beat to the music. Moana beams at this and decides to join with him, tapping her hands against her thigh as they were both in sync with the beat. Soon their voices entered into the picture.
"You ain't nothin' but a Hounddog!" Moana's light, but agile voice fills the car. "Cryin' all the time!"
"You ain't nothin' but a Hounddog!" Maui's deep, bassy baritone voice is rich with just the right amount of rasp. "Cryin' all the time!"
"Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine!" They sang together in unison.
They spend the rest of the car ride singing and harmonizing to Elvis Presley's classic. Their voices blending in together effortlessly, complimenting one another. Maui's voice was smooth and clear, yet powerful, soothing in a way. While Moana's voice rolled over the hills in luscious waves, swells of power rising up in her throat. Moana couldn't remember that last time that she ever had fun like this, but as she and Maui just sang along to various different tracks, the more she was beginning to believe that this could possibly be the start of something new.
Meh, not my best! I know the chapter is a bit shorter than expected, but I figured I'd save the juicy parts for the upcoming chapters! Stay tuned y'all! Mwah!*
~Demi