037. Turbulence.
Victorique stares in excitement at the yacht. It is Kujo's honeymoon present to her. Not the yacht itself, just a few days cruise on the yacht, but even so she is immensely pleased by it. It means that Kujo didn't forget his promise to see the ocean with her again.
Kujo sees the faint smile on Victorique's lips and is content. It is all he has ever tried to do for Victorique, make her happy. Encouragingly he holds out and arm for her to grab hold to. "Shall we?"
Victorique nods, too eager to speak.
The instant they have boarded, she races to the railing of the yacht, grasping on and exploring the horizon excitedly with her eyes.
Kujo comes and stands next to her. Smiling contentedly. Casually he places a hand over hers.
They stay that way, peacefully watching the water, not needing words to perfect the moment, until the ships departs.
Kujo holds Victorique close, sleeping peacefully. Victorique, however, quivers her eyes wide with fright. The yacht is lurching and tossing beneath them in an unexpected storm. It reminds her of when she was riding the sea without Kujo, and if it weren't for his arms around her, she would have thought she had somehow slipped back to that time.
She doesn't want to wake Kujo, doesn't want to admit that the storm is terrifying her, but she knows if she can't get her shakes and shudders under control he will most likely awaken anyways. She closes her eyes and tries to force her breathing to be smooth and even.
The ship continues swaying and jolting which doesn't make it easy for her to concentrate on her breathing. All she wants to do is hyperventilate, not that it would truly help, but it feels the more natural thing for her to start doing.
Victorique squeezes her eyes shut more tightly. She won't let herself succumb to her panic. She is going to make it through this.
Almost absently, she begins stroking the arm that Kujo has wrapped around her. The motion and the activity of touching him, help calm her nerves slightly. Kujo is always capable of bringing some extra level of comfort to her, even if he doesn't know it.
Under her touch Kujo stirs slightly. "Victorique," He murmurs under his breath.
"Sleep, Kujo." Victorique commands, rather amazed that her voice doesn't quiver as she speaks.
At that moment the ship rolls violently, tossing them against the wall of the room. Kujo grunts as Victorique's small form is pressed against him. "Are you okay Victorique?" He asks, clearly only meaning the recent jostling of the ship, but Victorique knows she could answer truthfully now that he is awake.
She opens her mouth to speak and can't find the words to answer him, with a lie or the truth. Her breath catches in her throat and she begins to cry. She takes loud gulping breaths unable to issue any sort of control that might quiet herself.
"Victorique," She hates that his tone is so tainted with concern. She loves Kujo, but she isn't used to anyone, even now she's married, caring for her as much as Kujo does.
Kujo's grip around her squeezes gently. "Victorique," He repeats her name gently. She can feel his breath in her hair.
For some reason this makes her smile.
One of his hands begins gently stroking her hair. "It's alright Victorique, just like the storm that separated us, this storm will end too."
Her tears truly cease now. This gentle reminder about the storms of life is enough to soothe her panic and anguish at the storm that is still thrashing against the boat.
"Never leave me again Kujo." She demands softly.
"Of course not." Kujo responds promptly and she can hear the smile in his voice.