Hey guys! I'm so excited to be posting this chapter! After a very long wait, we're finally here! Please enjoy, and tell me what you think!
CW/TW: Non-sexual violence, non-sexual abuse
Chapter Twenty-Six: Sealight Night
Nine o'clock on the evening of Lulukoko's 70th annual Sealight Night Festival came both frighteningly fast and maddeningly slow.
In the hour leading up to when Ludus would have to leave to pick up Maya on time, he experienced a full range of emotions that began with panic and ended with numbing fear. He fussed over his clothes, his hair, his cologne, his breath, anything at all that he could criticize himself for, he did so with zeal. Thankfully, everyone else was too preoccupied with their own preparations to notice how jumpy he was.
Ludus was going on a date with Maya tonight.
The thought made the back of his neck tingle and his stomach knot with nervous energy. This was real, this was happening, and Ludus had no idea if he was ready for it. He tried to distract himself with some meaningless tasks, feeling like he'd passed at least half an hour when it'd only been five minutes. Then he blinked, and the clock jumped ahead to 8:45. Just like that, it was time to go.
The entire walk to Maya's farm left him feeling jittery and stiff. Goddess, had he ever been this nervous? Ludus wasn't exactly flirtatious, but he'd never been this unsettled about a date before. Then again, he'd never been on a date with someone he cared about as much as Maya.
Her house was dark when he arrived, except for the lone kitchen light that she always left on. Ludus knew she was home, he'd texted her that he was on his way before he left, but seeing the empty-looking building made him second guess himself. What if she wasn't home? What if she'd already realised that she was far too good for him and ran off before he arrived? Or what if she thought they were meeting at the beach? Maybe he should-
Ludus paused his step, forcing himself to relax. He needed to get his worries under control- he was overreacting to nothing, he knew that. Maya was waiting for him inside, just as she said she'd be.
Closing the distance between the main path and Maya's farmhouse, Ludus stole a shaking breath one last time before he reached the door. This was it. No more waiting.
His palms were itching with nervous sweat as he knocked, his knuckles trembling against the wood. When he heard the knob click, Ludus was ready to faint. And yet…
The door opened.
All of his fears evaporated when he finally saw Maya. It didn't matter anymore that this was their first date; it didn't feel like something monumental, some big change in their relationship that he both feared and desperately wanted. No, now that he was here, it was just him and Maya.
She stood in the dimly lit entryway of her porch, one hand on the newly opened door and the other fiddling nervously with the hem of her oversized sweater. It was burgundy, or maybe maroon, Ludus couldn't quite tell, and it brought out the subtle flecks of silver in her eyes. She was also wearing jeans, tight jeans that hugged her legs and showed off the curve of her hips. Her cheeks were rosy in the dark, her freckles just barely noticeable across her nose.
She was radiant.
"Hey," Maya greeted shyly, fighting the urge to fiddle with her curls. Her hair was very much the same as it always was, framing her face in a wavy mess that somehow looked intentional. Ludus was glad for it; Maya's hair was one of his favourite things about her.
"Wow," Ludus breathed, barely paying attention to what he was saying. He was so used to seeing Maya in work clothes or loungewear, it left him stunned to see her dressed up as if-
Well, as if she were on a date.
"Is this okay?" Maya glanced down at herself, turning around so Ludus could see the full outfit. She suddenly had déjà vu to the time Wayne had picked her up for a similar festival, but this wasn't the same. Not by a long shot. "I didn't know what people normally wear, so I just made a guess. I can change-"
"You look absolutely beautiful," Ludus assured her, reaching for her hand. She gave it to him, a blush sprouting on her cheeks, as he drew her closer. She was wearing perfume, something floral that Ludus didn't quite recognise, but it suited her. With a gentle smile, he laced their fingers together. "Are you ready to go?"
"Just need to lock the door," Maya promised, tugging the door shut behind her. She tested the knob, found it satisfactory, and followed Ludus into the night.
"I didn't even know you owned jeans," Maya giggled, squeezing Ludus's hand in hers. He grinned sheepishly, gesturing to his own outfit with a tinge of embarrassment.
"I never wear them," he explained, shaking his leg as if that would somehow prove his point. "They're not the easiest pants to work in. Siluka picked the whole thing out for me. She wouldn't let me leave the house in anything else."
"It suits you," Maya assured him, bumping him lightly with her shoulder. That was a bit of an understatement- Ludus's jeans were straight-legged and snug, making him look taller. His grey sweater was snug too, putting his smooth and considerable muscles on sharp display. Even the jacket fit him well, a far cry from the loose clothing Maya was used to seeing him in. Siluka knew what she was doing.
"I'm glad you think so," Ludus glanced up at the sky, making sure they weren't running late. They weren't, so he slowed his gait. He wanted to be alone with her for just a little while longer, before they joined the others. "Thank you for coming with me tonight."
"Thank you for inviting me," Maya bit her lip, trying her best not to fidget. She was a lot more nervous than she thought she'd be. "But, um, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, what is it?"
"No one has actually told me what Sealight Night is," she smirked, walking a little closer to him. Ludus's heartrate spiked. "What do we do?"
"Not much, if I'm being honest," Ludus shrugged, easing their pace a little more. Once they entered Lulukoko's beach area, he knew they'd be bombarded by at least a few select residents. Maybe they should've picked something a little less public for their first date. "It's not exactly an interactive festival, more of an observational one."
"And what are we observing?"
"Every year, the lightning bugs gather above the water," Ludus could just see the ocean from where they were, so he pointed it out to Maya. "We typically have this festival in Spring, since they're the most active then, but really you can see it a couple of times throughout the seasons. The bugs reflect off of the calm sea, and it's like the stars fell into the waves."
"It sounds beautiful," Maya smiled softly, gingerly placing her other palm on Ludus's forearm as they strolled. He glanced down at her, admiring the pink hue of her cheeks. "I can't wait to see it. Does everyone gather on the beach?"
"No, no," Ludus shook his head, "we go out in dories and-"
"Boats?"
Ludus stilled at the sudden panicked squeak in Maya's voice, the realisation of a very large problem crashing down on him all at once.
"Shit," he cursed, pushing his free hand through his hair. "My, I'm so sorry. I completely forgot."
"It's okay," Maya dismissed his apology swiftly, but Ludus could hear the tremor in her throat. He felt like an absolute idiot- how could he have forgotten her fear of water? "I'm sure I'll be fine. It's not like we're getting in the water or anything, right?"
"How about we stay on the pier with Nana?" Ludus suggested, reaching into his pocket to grab his phone. If he gave her a heads-up, then hopefully she wouldn't make a show of the fact that they weren't taking a boat. He didn't want Maya to feel any more uncomfortable than she already did. "Or we can just hang out on the beach. Or-"
"Ludus," Maya interrupted him, chuckling. She turned to look at him, reaching up and placing her hands on either side of his face. He froze. "Stop it. I'll be fine, I promise."
"You don't need to push yourself if you're not ready," he frowned, momentarily distracted by the feeling of her fingers gently grazing his skin. "This was my fault. If I'd realised before now, I never would've-"
"Never would've what?" Maya teased, "asked me out in the first place? Come on. I'll be okay. I want to do this. Besides,"
She balanced herself on tiptoe, encouraging him to bend down so she could place a chase kiss on his cheek.
"I'll be with you. That's the safest place I can possibly be."
Ludus almost didn't hear what she said, with the loud pounding of his heart in his ears drowning out everything else. Dark skin or not, he was sure he was as red as a beet after that. He cleared his throat.
"Promise me you'll tell me if you're scared, ok?" Ludus wrapped his arms around Maya's waist, pulling her closer to him. She smiled, resting her forehead against his. "I'll turn the boat around right away."
"I promise," Maya bumped her nose playfully against his, her eyes darting over to the beach. "We should go. Enough people are going to be taking jabs at us tonight, we don't need to give them any more ammo by being late."
"You're expecting that too?" Ludus sighed, straightening. Now he was really wishing they'd picked something less public. "Nana got most of her teasing out on me this morning, so that's one person we won't have to worry about."
"One out of… the whole village?" Maya joked, but she knew it was true. It seemed like everyone in Lulukoko, Westown, and Tsuyukusa were vying for them to get together. It would be pure ignorance for them to expect their first official date to fly neatly under the radar. "Come on, let's go get the initial hazing over with."
"It's not too late to ditch," Ludus offered half-heartedly. "Run away to Mineral Town or Oak Tree."
"Maya! Ludus!"
They both looked up to see Caolila summoning them, standing at the edge of a large group of people. Maya couldn't quite make out who they all were from this distance and with the low light, but she was pretty sure she saw the twins.
"We'll have to put running away on the back burner for now," Maya sighed good-naturedly, taking Ludus's hand again. He groaned in exaggerated disappointment, lacing their fingers together and guiding Maya over to where everyone else waited for them.
"Right on time," Zahau boomed, hovering behind his wife with an almost cartoonish grin. Maya always thought he reminded her of a professional wrestler, but she could never remember which one. "We were worried we were going to have to start without you."
"Aloha to you too," Ludus waved, coming to a stop next to Caolila. Zahau rumbled out a low laugh, one that reverberated through his chest. "Did we miss anything?"
"Only Nana running through 'boat safety' for the millionth time," Iluka rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest and shifting her weight to one hip. "I had no idea there were so many different ways to say 'don't tip over'. Hey Maya."
"Aloha," Maya smiled back at Iluka, taking a quick scan of the beach. "Are we missing anyone?"
"Not now that you're here," Caolila rested her hand on Ludus's shoulder, appraising him from head to foot, "and looking quite dashing, I might add. You definitely didn't pick this out yourself."
"That would be my doing," Siluka announced, lacing her fingers behind her back. She looked pleased, like she was presenting a project at a school fair. "I didn't want Maya to have to suffer through a first date with him dressed as a 75-year-old fisherman."
"Forty-five seconds," Ludus announced, checking his watch. "It took exactly forty-five seconds for this to turn into a Pick on Ludus Party. I think that's a new record."
"Oh, we've definitely started faster than that," Iluka smirked. "Turn around and come back, we'll try again for a better time."
"Leave him alone," Caolila chastised, absently taking a pointed stick from Shalk as he ran behind her. Maya was always surprised by a mother's instinct when dangerous objects were involved. "You're embarrassing him in front of his date. His very cute date, by the way."
"Thank you," Maya squeezed Ludus's hand, watching the exasperation growing in his expression. She decided to change the subject, trying to spare him. "You all look great, too! That's a gorgeous robe, Siluka. I don't think I've seen you wear it before?"
"It was a gift," Siluka twirled, showing off her new garment. It was long, made of silk, and dyed an array of beautiful shades of blue. Maya had seen robes of a similar style before, but only in Tsuyukusa. "I have a very thoughtful date this evening."
"You're too kind, Angel."
Maya and Ludus leaned back in time to see Yuzuki returning to the group, carting an impressive number of snacks in a wooden tray. He came to a stop next to Siluka, who put her arms out to take the tray from him.
"I didn't know you were getting snacks for everyone," she complained, "I would've helped."
"It wasn't too hard," Yuzuki promised, ignoring Siluka's extended arms and bringing the tray around the circle. He had piled it with a number of beach foods, including fruit kabobs, pretzels, popcorn, and veggie chips. "Help yourselves, I brought enough for everyone."
"I didn't know you two were dating," Maya gratefully took a fruit kabob, picking one with lots of melon. "When did that happen?"
"Oh, we've been dating for weeks now," Yuzuki grinned, a secretive quirk in his eyebrows. When Maya balked, his eyes darted to his date.
"We weren't trying to hide it," Siluka shrugged, clarifying, before taking a bag of pretzels and veggie chips from the tray. "It's just that no one asked."
Maya blinked, trying and failing to process that information, as the conversation moved on. Apparently, everyone else had already come to terms with that bit of local gossip. She glanced up at Ludus, who looked just as confused as she did. Caolila caught their exchange, leaning over conspiratorially as the rest of the group chatted about Tigre's recent competition entry.
"It's not just you," she informed them, snickering. "They just casually showed up together like everyone should already know about them. Even Iluka seemed surprised."
"Wow, you really miss a lot in a few days, huh?" Maya laughed, shaking her head. "Who's everyone else here with?"
"Haulani and Tototara are watching the kids so that Zahau and I can go out for once," Caolila discreetly pointed out everyone she named, carefully going through the crowd so she didn't miss anyone. "Yuzuki and Siluka, you two, obviously, and you'll never guess who Iluka is here with."
"I didn't even know she had a date," Maya whispered excitedly, "who is it?"
"Whoever they are, they deserve an award for putting up with Iluka for a full night," Ludus rolled his eyes, earning a disapproving glare from Caolila.
"I'm not saying a word," Caolila told them, holding her finger to her lips. "Trust me. It'll be much more exciting if you figure it out on your own."
"Everyone to the docks!"
Tototara's voice rang out through the still air, shattering conversations and pulling the crowd's attention to the awaiting boats.
"Looks like we're getting started," Caolila hummed, looping her arm through Zahau's. "Have fun you two! But not too much fun…"
She winked as Zahau led her away, leaving Ludus and Maya squirming uncomfortably in her wake. When they were alone, Ludus found his voice again.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" He prompted, nodding to the still waters in front of them. "We can just watch from here, skip the boats altogether."
"You invited me to the Sealight Night festival," Maya argued, planting her hand on her hip. "And that's just what I plan to do. Boats and all."
Ludus had heard that tone before. He knew Maya had made up her mind, and no amount of reasoning was going to talk her out of it. He shook his head, looping his arm around her waist and began walking in the direction of the pier.
"You really are impossible sometimes, you know that?"
Maya only smiled at him.
On their way to the pier where Ludus kept his dory, they passed Siluka and Yuzuki struggling to get their boat clear of the sand. Ludus offered to give them a hand, but Yuzuki insisted he wanted the full experience of his first Lulukoko festival, so they left them to it. Siluka watched on in amusement, not caring one bit if they actually managed to cast off.
Caolila and Zahau were out already, Zahau rowing to a spot right in the middle of the beach. Maya thought she could hear Caolila arguing with him about the best place to rest, but she couldn't quite make it out over the light lapping of the waves and the gentle breeze coming off the water.
Tototara and Haulani were at the base of the pier, directing everyone and making sure the festivities went according to plan. Tototara was focussed on the other villagers, while Haulani's attention was stuck with Tigre, Shalk, and Alma, who'd all decided that now was the perfect time to play hide and seek. Maya giggled, watching the old man scurry after the children with much more vigor than anyone his age should be capable of.
Just as they were coming to the post where Ludus secured his boat, Maya caught sight of Iluka. She paused, squinting at the person seated across from her in the dory.
"Ludus… is that-?"
"Lotus?"
Ludus blanched, reflecting Maya's own feelings, staring at Iluka and Lotus with wide eyes. Despite the dark, there was no doubt about it; Mithra's timid assistant was helping Iluka row into the open water.
"Well that's… unexpected." Maya began, choosing her words carefully. "I thought he and Mithra were…?"
"No, no," Ludus dismissed absently, his attention still caught on his sister. "They're just work partners. Still, how did…?"
He trailed off, the cogs in his brain working overtime to make sense of what he was seeing. His sister, Iluka, the most impatient person he'd ever met, was on a date with Lotus. For a moment, the world felt like it'd inverted itself.
When Siluka mentioned Iluka's mysterious date, Ludus's first thought had been that she'd gotten back together with Kasumi. Never in a million years would he have guessed that he was this far off the mark.
"I can actually answer that," Tototara announced suddenly, shuffling towards them across the sand. Maya hadn't even seen her leave the pier, but she was already within arm's length of them. "Don't look so surprised, Ludus. It's unbecoming."
"E kala mai, Nana," Ludus smiled apologetically, "but you have to admit. It's a bit of a shock."
"Not if you've been paying attention," Tototara waggled her finger knowingly. "Which you haven't, of course. Iluka and Lotus have been spending lots of time together. Every weekend now for the last three weeks."
"Why?" Maya interjected, still baffled but trying not to sound rude. "I mean, what prompted that?"
"Apparently," Tototara began slowly, "they're research has hit a bit of a stand-still, so Mithra's been rather insufferable lately-"
"Only lately?" Maya joked, making Ludus chuckle.
"Iluka came across them in the caves while she was out gathering berries for Siluka," Tototara continued, affording only a small smile to Maya's teasing. While she didn't outright laugh, Maya knew that look meant she appreciated the humour. It was eerily similar to one Ludus gave when she made a remark at his expense. "Mithra was screaming at him over something that he broke, but it was decidedly harsher than normal."
Maya had heard Mithra throw a tantrum at Lotus before; it wasn't pleasant to listen to on an average day, she could only imagine how much worse it had to be for Iluka to take note.
"She approached Lotus afterwards and told him that he should start standing up for himself. Lotus didn't even know where to begin, so Iluka offered to help him." Tototara nodded to the boat, a knowing smirk on her face. "And, now, here we are."
"That might be the biggest upset since Zahau accidentally broke the temple marlin statue," Ludus whistled, "and that was almost ten years ago."
Maya grinned; Ludus told her that story before and it was one of her favourites. His Nana was a bit less amused.
"The only upset you have to worry about," Tototara huffed, giving Ludus's shoulder a hard shove, "is the one I'm going to cause if you two don't hurry up and get out there. Enough gossiping about your sister, focus on your girlfriend."
"Nana-" Ludus felt his breath catch in his lungs, panic nearly choking him. "She's not- I mean we haven't-"
"Shoo, shoo!" Tototara ignored Ludus's quiet pleading and continued to push him towards the boat, Maya trailing after him with barely contained laughter. "I won't hear another word. Get going, go on now!"
Before Ludus could protest more, Tototara scurried off to where Haulani was struggling to keep track of Shalk and Tigre now that they'd decided to play tag. Alma wasn't interested in that game, choosing instead to take a nap on the steps of the pier.
"If I haven't said it before," Maya chirped, rocking back and forth on her heels, "I love your family."
"Thank Goddess for that," Ludus let the air out of his lungs in a gust, trying to ignore the lingering embarrassment his Nana left behind. All things considered, they'd avoided most of the teasing he'd been preparing for, but that didn't make it any less painful. "If they haven't scared you off yet, I might actually have a chance."
Ludus's boat was secured to a post near the base of the pier. He could jump into it from the shore if he waded into the water a bit, but he knew Maya wouldn't be able to do that. Instead, he hoisted himself onto the dock, holding his hand out to help her up after him.
"Last chance," he offered, gauging her face for a reaction. Maya stared pointedly back at him, giving him his answer.
"Alright, alright," Ludus caved, reaching for the mooring line to loosen it. "Hang on a second."
Ludus worked the ropes from memory, rearranging them until they were how he wanted them. Once the boat was nearly freed, he dropped gracefully onto one of the benches. It wasn't a large boat, barely big enough for three people, but Ludus built it himself and he knew every inch like the back of his hand. He'd never take anyone on a boat with him if he didn't trust it completely, doubly so if that person was Maya.
Maya watched him all the while, a tight knot forming in the pit of her stomach.
Turning around, Ludus looked up at her. She was definitely nervous; he could see it written plainly on her face. He could see the determination too, taking precedent over anything else. If Maya wanted to do this, and she'd certainly made that clear, then Ludus was going to make it as easy on her as he possibly could.
"Can you hold this for me?" Ludus shrugged out of his leather jacket, offering it to Maya. She took it, eying him curiously. He remembered what Siluka said to him that morning, adding in what he hoped was a casual tone, "You can wear it, if you want to."
To his surprise, and, admittedly, delight, Maya did just that. There was something about seeing her in his clothes that set Ludus's pulse racing, and he found himself wondering if Maya was feeling the same thing.
"Alright," Ludus coughed, covering the sudden shaking in his throat, "come a bit closer? And lean into me."
"Why? Oh-!"
Maya was overcome by a feeling of weightlessness as Ludus planted his hands on her waist, lifting her into the air and setting her down gently on the bench next to him. Her boots slid a little on the vinyl covered cushion, making her stomach do nauseating flip-flops.
"I've got you," Ludus promised, tightening his grip to reassure her. Maya nodded mutely, trying not to look too closely at the water around them and instead focusing on the feeling of Ludus's hold on her. "I'm going to step down first, then I'll help you, ok? I won't let go."
True to his word, Ludus kept his hands firmly in place as he stepped down off of the bench, not that she doubted him. Maya waited patiently until he got his footing under control, and then he steadied her as she stepped down next to him.
The boat swayed beneath them, making Maya's stomach lurch. She shut her eyes, doing her best to drown out her surroundings before she fainted- or worse. Ludus pulled her into a hug, soothing her until the waves settled.
"You okay?" Ludus checked, holding her securely against his chest. Maya gave him a shaky nod, but she didn't open her eyes yet- she couldn't, not with the waves bouncing them. Ludus bit his lip to stop a fond smile, he didn't think Maya would appreciate that right now, despite how cute she looked, and instead nudged her in the direction of the bench. "Here, the hard part's over now."
Maya's skeptical frown didn't inspire much confidence, but she sat down anyway. Once she had her hands planted firmly on the vinyl, fingers digging in to keep her steady, Ludus tugged the last line free and picked up the oars. He didn't plan to go far, but that wasn't just for Maya's sake. Ludus never followed the other boats on Sealight Night, he had his own spot.
The breeze was gentle but cool as they rowed along, easing the heat in Maya's cheeks. She wasn't sure if she was blushing or feverish with fear, but the sea air seemed to help either way. She knew this was going to be hard, even with Ludus sitting just across from her.
Even before Ludus told her that they'd be going out on the water, Maya was preparing herself to face her fear. She knew the festival was at least near the beach, and that always made her a bit queasy regardless of what she was doing. But she also knew Ludus would be there, and that gave her strength.
His jacket was warm and heavy on her shoulders, and that alone was making her feel better. The fabric smelled like Ludus's cologne, and each inhale eased some of the tension in Maya's spine; his presence was all around her, distracting her from the darkness below. If she kept her gaze away from the water, she could actually feel herself relaxing.
"Still doing okay?" Ludus asked, briefly checking over his shoulder to make sure he was still heading in the right direction. Satisfied with what he saw, he turned back to catch Maya timidly peering over the side of the boat. She didn't look for long, pulling back almost immediately, but it was far more than he thought she'd be capable of so soon.
Maya nodded in answer to his question, offering him a smile. She didn't trust herself to speak just yet; throwing up wasn't high on her list of musts for a first date.
The sounds of the other villagers chatting faded further and further away, until Maya couldn't hear them anymore. She risked a thorough scan of her surroundings, surveying the waves, only to find that they weren't on the open ocean at all.
"Where are we?" Maya sat up straighter, her fear momentarily taken over by her bubbling curiosity. "I thought we were-"
"Hey, I said I wanted to run away, didn't I?" Ludus teased, a playful twinkle in his eye. "You may have put that idea on the back burner, but I didn't."
Maya stared, both shocked and impressed, as Ludus guided the small boat into a tiny grove of rocks and vegetation just north of the docks. The inlet wasn't much bigger than an average parking lot in terms of area, shielded from the larger waves by thick outcroppings of stone and sand bars. Behind them, Maya could just make out the other boats drifting lazily on the open water.
"I come here every year," Ludus explained, locking the oars in place and stretching. A symphony of pops exploded down his spine. "It's quieter than the main beach, but you have to look out through the rocks to see the lightning bugs in all their glory. Most of them don't come in this far."
Nerves momentarily forgotten, Maya peered into the dark. The inky black sea was dotted with tiny slivers of crystal blue light, fluttering above the surface. If she followed the trail of them towards the horizon, she could make out the mass gatherings of shining bugs collecting on the ocean, like the night sky had fallen into the vastness.
"It's beautiful…" Maya breathed, her entire body rigid as she drank everything in. She didn't even notice the waves anymore, her attention completely transfixed on the sea lights. She'd never seen anything like it before.
"Is this okay?" Ludus leaned forward in his seat, doing his best to read Maya's face in the dimness. He wasn't sure if the smaller pool made her feel better or worse, and he couldn't tell from her expression. "I can bring us back out to the others if you want. If you'd rather get closer to the lights, I mean."
Maya shook her head, smiling brightly at him.
"This is perfect," she promised, pulling Ludus's jacket tighter around her shoulders. They weren't far from shore, but Maya barely noticed anymore. Maybe it was the lights, or maybe it was the company, but she didn't feel like she was on the water. Now, it was more like she was trapped in a fairy tale world, one where she felt safe and happy. She wasn't sure exactly how it'd happened, but for now, her fear was the last thing on her mind.
Ludus watched her carefully, searching her eyes for some hint that she wasn't comfortable with any of this, but he found none. A surge of relief and happiness coursed through him, making him grin like an idiot. He was sure Maya thought he was crazy, but he didn't care. Feeling encouraged, he reached behind him and pulled out what looked like a beach bag from underneath the bench.
"Nana lets everyone stay out for a couple of hours," Ludus told her, producing a number of soft, colourful objects from inside the bag. Maya couldn't quite make out what they were in the moonlight, but she guessed they were blankets. "I thought these benches might get a little uncomfortable."
"Does that line work on any of your other dates?" Maya quipped lightheartedly, watching with interest as Ludus laid out what looked like a tarp, to protect them from the damp wood of the dory, and then started piling things on top of it. She was right- Ludus fought with an armload of blankets and quilts, dumping them in the centre of the tarp before spreading them out with care, making sure they covered every hard surface in the bottom of the dory. Maya lifted her feet clear of his way, stifling a laugh as he struggled with a particularly tangled throw.
Finally, once everything was laid out to his liking, Ludus returned to the bag and produced a small variety of pillows. He had two big ones, which he leaned against the benches, and a couple of smaller ones which he dropped haphazardly around the edges of his work. When he was done, Maya was looking at a colourful makeshift bed nestled between the two bench seats.
"You'll feel the waves a little more from down here," Ludus lowered himself onto the mess of blankets, bracing his back with a pillow against the hard wood of the bench. "But the sides of the boat will block your immediate view of the water. For the most part, you'll only be able to see the horizon."
He trailed, realising he was probably over explaining himself. He couldn't help it though- Ludus was nervous.
This was the 'plan' that he discussed with the twins, this little oasis in the middle of the ocean. Admittedly, catering to Maya's fear of water was a happy accident; in his mind, Ludus pictured stargazing on a grassy hill, sprawled on a thick blanket and staring at the sky. His idea was to recreate that, and he thought he just might've succeeded. But that didn't matter much if his date didn't agree.
He waited, anxiously, for Maya's reaction.
At first, she gave him nothing. Her face was completely blank, tinged with a hint of surprise. Ludus's blood pressure skyrocketed, and then quickly fell as a wide smile overtook her. Without saying a word, she gingerly began to manoeuvre herself off of the bench.
Ludus caught her around the waist, helping her balance on the unsteady floor, until she was happily settled next to him. He'd put pillows on both sides of the boat, in case she didn't want to be this close, but Maya didn't seem to want any part of that. She shifted over to him readily, resting her shoulder against his.
Ludus smirked. He really shouldn't have been surprised.
As the night settled in around them, Ludus was reminded again at how amazing this all was. He was on a date with Maya, finally, after everything they'd been through, and now he could finally focus on that. They'd gotten through the small talk, made it past his family's teasing, and they'd even combatted Maya's fear of water and won. All that was left now, was them.
They chatted aimlessly for a while, pointing out interesting things in the trees or sky, watching the lightning bugs skitter across the waves, and slowly easing into the comfort of being with each other. Ludus barely paid attention to what he was saying- he was sure he'd muttered more than one stupid story, but he didn't care. He was too busy with other things; watching Maya's face light up with laughter out of the corner of his eye, feeling the buzzing electricity of her skin on his when their hands brushed, tugging her closer as the boat swayed.
He'd never had a date like this.
There'd been a few awkward moments between them, but he'd fully expected that. Despite how long they'd been friends, this was still their first date. First dates were destined to be awkward, no matter the circumstances. With Maya, Ludus felt awkward, but happy, and that was all he needed.
Silence fell upon them as the night wore on, until Ludus could hear the crickets chirping from the shore. Tototara usually allotted three hours for the boats to roam, but no matter how long that seemed, time always flew. He guessed they'd be called back soon, but he hoped he was wrong.
Maya stifled a yawn beside him, reminding him of how late it was for her.
"Here," Ludus slipped his arm around her, encouraging her to lean into him. "You can close your eyes for a bit, if you want to. I'll wake you when it's time to head home."
"What, no free ride this time?" Maya teased, blushing in spite of herself, and curled into Ludus's torso anyway. The ocean breeze was pleasant from the beach, but on the water, it was chilled and seeped through her clothes. She rested her head on his shoulder, watching the lights dance on the horizon. They were duller now than they were, but they were still beautiful. "I've got to hand it to your Nana. She came up with a pretty impressive date."
Ludus snorted, pulling her snugly against his side. Warmth enveloped her, surrounded by Ludus's strong arms. Maya's stomach flipped.
"Nana's idea stopped at the obviously fake letter," Ludus chuckled, tipping his head back to look at the stars. They were as bright as ever, casting the night air in a beautiful glow. "The last time she tried to set me up on a date, she thought it would be the most romantic thing in the world if we volunteered at a daycare together. The daycare had like 20 kids, so we barely saw each other all day."
"Does Tototara set you up on dates often?" Maya quirked an eyebrow, her attention momentarily taken from the waves.
"Only when the mood strikes her, which isn't much. It's happened maybe three times? Why?" Ludus's eyes found hers, alive with curiosity. "You're not jealous, are you?"
If he expected Maya to stammer and get embarrassed, he was very wrong.
"Absolutely," she declared, shifting until she could properly face him. She laid her hand on his chest, pouting cutely. From this position, Ludus could easily trace the lines of silver in her irises. "I don't think you understand just how long I've been waiting for you to ask me out. Now that we're here, I find out this isn't the first time your Nana has set you up? Why wouldn't I be jealous?"
Maya was teasing him, just a little, and Ludus knew it. He grinned abashedly, running his free hand through his loose hair.
"You have nothing to be jealous of," he chuckled, "trust me."
"Oh, I don't, don't I?" Maya's lips twisted into a half-smile, raising her eyebrow at him challengingly. "I'm not blind, Ludus. You've got this whole 'kind, funny, attractive big brother' schtick going, you're amazing with your hands, and you're single? Don't you dare try to tell me girls never throw themselves at you."
Ludus fought down a blush. He was no Wayne, but Maya was at least a little bit right. He'd had a few clients- young women, and a couple of men- offer to take him out for drinks after he'd finished a job for them, but it didn't happen as often as Maya seemed to be implying. Or, if it did, Ludus didn't notice.
When he struggled to answer her right away though, Maya laughed.
"I knew it," she playfully scrunched her nose at him, trying to keep her tone light, but a hint of uncertainty slipped into her next words. "You're an amazing person, Ludus. You could have anyone you wanted, so why would you ever pick me?"
It took him a moment to come up with an answer, maybe because the question took him by such complete surprise. Did she really not know? Was it even possible? Could she truly have no idea? It seemed outrageous, and yet her expression stayed vulnerable, unsure, and he had to believe that she was genuine.
"I didn't pick you," Ludus whispered. Maya's eyes widened in alarm, but he didn't let the sentiment sit long enough for her to panic. "It was never a choice, not for me."
Their eyes locked, Maya's lower lip caught between her teeth.
"Maya, you are…" Ludus breathed, anticipation fluttering in his chest. "I don't even have the words to describe what you are to me. I didn't ask you out before now because I'm an idiot, a scared, gutless idiot, and I spent way too long trying to convince myself that I shouldn't. That was a mistake, one that I can never take back."
His gaze dropped to her lips, just for a moment, just long enough for her to notice.
"I'm completely hopeless around you, My. I do ridiculous, stupid things and I can't stop myself. I don't think you understand what you do to me. You have an iron grip on my heart, and as long as you want it, it belongs to you."
Maya stared, unblinking, her throat tight.
"So, no," Ludus smirked, "you don't have anything to be jealous of."
The sporadic sounds of the lapping waves grew louder in the ensuing silence, echoing through the night air. Maya was frozen, rigid in Ludus's embrace, as the gravity of his confession weighed down on her.
She loved him.
Of course, she'd known that for a long time. Maya was in love with Ludus, but she didn't think he'd ever return her feelings. Now, alone with him on the water, she let herself believe for the first time that maybe, just maybe, everything would work out. Ludus was baring his feelings to her, and the honesty written across his face gave her hope.
Maya's eyes found his again, closer now than they'd been just seconds ago. She could feel his rapid heartbeat beneath her palm, hear the subtle catch in his breath as her gaze darted down to his mouth, just as his did.
"Ludus… I-"
"Time to bring it in, everyone!"
Tototara's amplified voice was followed by a piercing bell, shattering the air around them and annihilating the peace with it. Maya and Ludus both flinched, their faces mere inches apart, as they were met by the immediate sound of paddles swishing through the water.
The Sealight Night festival was over.
For a breathless minute, neither of them knew what to do. Maya's mind screamed at her to kiss him, to close the distance between them, but the world had other plans.
"We shouldn't stay out here too long," Ludus admitted, hating every word as it left his mouth. He didn't want to leave, not now, not when he could almost taste her lips on his. "Nana will get worried and come looking if we're late."
Maya nodded mutely, chewing the inside of her cheek. It took every ounce of strength she had left, but she was able to slowly disentangle herself from Ludus. He helped her up wordlessly, his hands on her back as she seated herself on the bench, lingering just a breath longer than he needed to.
The boat was quiet again, but it was different than before. The silence was heavy with words unsaid and, more importantly, things left undone.
Ludus felt cold. He wanted to say something, to grab that moment and hold on to it, bring it back to them. His skin ached where her body had left his, and he longed for just one second, just one more second, so he could kiss her.
Instead, he pulled himself up from the floor and began to row home.
.
The walk back to Maya's farm was as silent as their boat ride to the pier. The air was thick, like a humid summer night should be. It reached into Ludus's throat, suffocating him with regret.
He should've kissed her on the boat.
The twins were right- the timing was perfect. If only he'd ignored the return bell, delaying their departure for just a few minutes. His Nana surely wouldn't have noticed, so why didn't he?
Ludus already knew the answer. He was scared, and he chickened out. Whenever Maya was involved, he seemed to do a lot of that. Now, he had to figure out what he was going to do about it.
Maya stayed close to him as he walked her home, reassuring Ludus that he hadn't messed up completely at least. She wanted to be near him, so maybe he still had a chance. More than anything, Ludus wanted to go to bed tonight knowing that he'd bared his heart without reservation. He wanted to know that Maya understood how he felt about her, that there was no question in her mind how utterly devoted to her he was. He could still do that, he thought.
The night wasn't over yet, after all, they still had to say goodnight.
They arrived at Maya's farm sooner than either of them had hoped, slinking to a crawling pace as Maya's front porch came into view.
"I had a really good time tonight," Maya smiled, hesitating at her door. Ludus didn't want to let her hand go, unconsciously squeezing it tighter as they neared her house. He wasn't sure when they'd started holding hands exactly, but it felt more and more natural to him every time.
"Me too," Ludus agreed, his voice low in the still night air. He knew he'd have to go back soon- his Nana kept track of everyone who left the village on Sealight Night, making sure all came home safely. They were outside Maya's door, with what felt like nothing left to say between them.
"Thank you," Maya took a small step towards him, placing her free palm gently on his chest. Ludus's heart was beating painfully loudly- he wondered if she could feel it. "For everything, Ludus. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Maya's auburn curls bounced in the light breeze, floating around her face. Ludus reached out and tucked a strand behind her ear, his fingertips brushing her cheek. Her skin was cold and flushed, but her silver eyes were bright and glittering.
She was so beautiful.
Ludus's hand hovered against her hair for the briefest moment before he let it drop. He thought he saw her shiver, but he couldn't tell if he'd imagined it, or if it was simply from the chill in the breeze. She bit her lip, and then pulled herself up on tip-toe.
Using her hand on his chest to steady herself, Maya pressed a feather-light kiss to Ludus's cheek. She lingered for a moment, letting her breath tickle his skin, before she lowered herself back down to solid ground.
"I hope there'll be a second date," she murmured, still leaning towards him. They were barely a hands-width from each other, and Maya's gaze was decidedly on his lips. "If you-"
"We can go on as many dates as you want," Ludus interrupted, his voice hoarse. He held Maya's chin gently with his thumb and forefinger, gathering his courage. Maya stared back at him, blinking, until Ludus took a deep breath, and stepped over the edge.
He kissed her.
Their lips met, cautiously at first. Maya's eyes fluttered closed, the hand on his chest clenching until her fingers were twisted in his shirt. Ludus slipped his hand around to the nape of her neck, pulling her closer, their mouths moving together more urgently than before, but still with the trepidation of a first kiss.
Maya sighed, sinking into Ludus's embrace with the ease of taking a breath. He was so perfect, everything she'd imagined he'd be and more. Maya forgot everything- every worry, every hurt, every roadblock they'd overcome- it all washed away with the taste of his mouth on hers. In spite of it all, she was kissing him and he was kissing her and that was the only thing that mattered now.
Maya arched her back, pressing her body into him. Ludus sucked in a breath, his other hand appearing at her waist, feeling her shudder under his touch. The feelings coursing through him at that moment were utterly indescribable- excitement, happiness, triumph, desire, relief, everything swirled into a thick fog in his brain, blocking out all other thoughts. The only thing in focus was Maya, her body in his arms and her lips pressed hungrily against his.
Ludus stepped closer, throwing off Maya's balance and making her cling to him- not that he'd ever let her fall. He felt her teeth graze his lower lip, and the sensation both startled and aroused him. He grunted softly, breaking their kiss to catch his breath.
They parted, foreheads resting against one another. Maya's fingers pressed gently to Ludus's lower lip, tracing along the pink skin where she'd bitten him.
"Sorry," she giggled softly, cheeks blazing. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I just… wasn't expecting that."
"You didn't hurt me," Ludus promised, finally opening his eyes to look at her. They were still so close, and he could see the way her lips were parted, plump and inviting, and Ludus couldn't resist. "Don't… don't apologise for that. Never apologise for that."
Maya smiled, letting her fingers trace the line of his jaw. There was the briefest moment of anticipation sparking between them, and then they were kissing again.
This kiss was different than the first. It was like a firework had gone off, and suddenly they couldn't get close enough. In the back of his mind, Ludus knew they probably shouldn't be doing this outside, but he couldn't make himself care.
Ludus gathered Maya's small body in his arms, pushing aside his tangled thoughts and losing himself in the sensations overwhelming him. Who cares if anyone saw them? All Ludus could think about now was the feeling of Maya's arms wrapping around his neck, the contented sigh that escaped her throat as she fell against him.
Her lips were so soft and sweet, Ludus couldn't get enough. One of his hands crept up Maya's spine, twisting in her hair and securing her to him. The quietest whimper escaped her throat and she parted her lips, tracing Ludus's mouth with the tip of her tongue. The feeling summoned a bolt of desire that shot through him, setting his nerves ablaze with wanting.
Maya's back hit her front door, both of them too caught up in the whirlwind of a kiss to be concerned about much else. His tongue pressed hungrily against hers, tasting as much of her as he could. His name left her lips in a breathless murmur, repeated between kisses.
Ludus heard Maya begin to turn the doorknob behind her, at the same time that his phone buzzed furiously. They broke apart reluctantly, Maya's door clicking closed once again.
They stared at each other, chests heaving. Ludus's phone continued to buzz, and he knew that it was Tototara. It had to be. She was no doubt wondering where he was, and a quick glance at the 5 text messages flashing across his screen confirmed that.
"Would you like to come in for a while?" Maya offered, her voice breathy and soft in the stillness. Ludus felt his heart skip and his stomach tighten all at the same time, even knowing what his answer had to be.
"I really shouldn't," he admitted, brushing his thumb across her cheek. The disappointment in her eyes nearly broke him. "Nana will come looking for me if I don't show up soon."
Maya nodded, understanding dawning on her face. Still, Ludus couldn't leave it at that. He pressed his lips firmly against hers in another lingering kiss, rubbing his palm soothingly over Maya's arm. She sighed happily, returning his kiss with just enough suggestion to make his heart skip. Ludus blushed.
"I'll see you at the shop tomorrow?" He hated the thought of leaving her now, but he knew that his earlier reasoning was just. Tototara wouldn't hesitate to track him down, even knowing how awkward the situation could get.
"I'll be there," Maya promised with a decisive nod. "Bright and early."
Ludus stepped away, just one more thought buzzing through his mind. One more thing to get off of his chest.
"Hey, uh, My?"
"Yeah?"
He paused, the question weighing down on his tongue.
"Would you like to be my girlfriend?"
It sounded stupid, juvenile, leaving his lips. Ludus immediately felt childish, like he was asking his middle school crush to go with him to winter formal. And yet, despite the embarrassment staining his cheeks, the quiet following his question seemed to drag on for eternity.
"Of course," Maya smiled, folding her hands in front of her, "I thought you'd never ask."
His embarrassment evaporated with a grin.
Walking away from her in that moment proved to be the hardest thing Ludus had ever had to do. He backed away, facing her for as long as he could, until another buzz told him he had to get moving. With a wave, he turned and jogged back to Lulukoko, feeling lighter than air.
Maya watched him go, her heart soaring.
Only when he was out of sight, Maya opened her door and let herself inside. She didn't think she'd be able to sleep- not for hours- but maybe Lisette was still up. She could text her and tell her what had happened. It was pretty late though; she could very well be in bed.
Oh well, she'd give her something to read when she woke up.
Maya dropped her keys on the dining room table, phone prepped to send a very long string of texts to Lisette, when her eyes caught something foreign hanging off the back of one of her chairs.
It was a large, wide-brimmed hat.
No.
"Well howdy there, Miss Maya."
All of the colour drained from her face at once, her phone clattering to the floor.
No. No, no, no.
She didn't bother to turn. Maya knew that voice. Knew who was behind her, seated comfortably on her living room couch, hidden in the shadows of her home. The home she'd worked so hard to get.
"So," Dunhill grunted, heaving himself up. Maya listened, frozen in place, as his footsteps carried him to the kitchen. He came into view beside her, leaning against her countertop, the picture of ease. "This is how you've been spending all your time? A bit tasteless of you, don't you think, Maya Claire?"
She didn't answer, her fingers digging painfully into the supple skin of her palms. She drew blood, the warm liquid dripping onto the hardwood.
"A local handyman," Dunhill mused, inching his way over to where she stood. Maya closed her eyes, willing this to all be a dream, a horrible nightmare that she would wake up from. "Now, I don't suppose he's the reason I haven't been receiving my weekly payments, is he?"
"No," Maya whispered, shaking her head violently. A vision of Ludus, broken and beaten, flashed across her mind. No. She couldn't let Dunhill's target rest on him. Her voice cracked pathetically, angering her. "I'm just behind, Dunhill. I swear. I'll get it to you by the end of the month."
"That's the problem there, ain't it, Miss Maya?" Dunhill chuckled, jabbing her in the rib with something very sharp. Maya knew without looking that it was his hunting knife. "Our arrangement was weekly, not monthly, so I'm afraid we're going to have ourselves a little problem."
"I'll get your money," Maya ground out, gritting her teeth. "I promise! I just need more time-!"
As soon as the words left her lips, Dunhill's hand collided with her cheek.
Maya cried out in pain, flinching away from Dunhill with a panic that embarrassed her. She fell to the floor, her hand covering her stinging skin.
"You rotten little bitch," Dunhill spat, his drawl muddling the words as they left his lips. The toe of his boot collided with Maya's ribs, sending her tumbling away from him with an anguished scream.
"Did you think I wouldn't come this far?" His voice met Maya's ears through a thick fog of pain. She clutched at her stomach, panting hard now, but she couldn't get up. Getting up would only make it worse- she'd learned that lesson already.
Dunhill ignored her whimpering, reaching for the table and grabbing the nearest thing- a plate she'd forgotten to wash- and smashed it over her hip.
"Did you think a few extra miles would keep you safe?"
Dunhill crouched, grinding his heels into the floor.
"You owe me your life, little lady." Fear coursed through Maya's blood as the anger in his voice swelled. She never imagined it would come to this- not here. She'd gotten comfortable. She'd believed she was safe. She was wrong.
Dunhill's hand clamped around Maya's neck before she could react, flipping her onto her back and pressing her painfully into the floorboards.
"Now, I was nice about this whole thing for a damn long time," he breathed, squeezing his fingers. Maya gasped, clawing at his wrist as she felt her lungs begin to strain. "But you just had to make things difficult, didn't you?"
Dunhill pulled her head from the floor briefly, smashing it down again with a hard thwack. Maya began to cry, kicking furiously at anything her legs could reach.
"Unfortunately for you, I now have to change up the way I handle things." Another hard thwack. Maya's cries descended into desperate sobs. "From now on, every cent you make is going straight into my bank account. Any complaints and I break a limb for each protest I hear, understand?"
Another thwack. Maya nodded weakly, her legs falling limp.
"Good." Dunhill spat on the floor next to her cheek, releasing her at last. Maya gulped in as much air as she could, coughing uncontrollably. Each hack wreaked havoc on her ribs, pain shooting through her whole body. Dunhill paused above her, his eyes caught on something wrapped around her throat.
"And what do we have here?" he drawled, his fingers toying with Maya's pumpkin necklace. She tried to shake her head, but pain rocketed through her skull. "This might just do the trick, I reckon."
With a hard yank, Dunhill tore the necklace from Maya's throat.
"This should cover your payment for last week," he told her, pocketing the necklace. Silent tears streamed down Maya's face, mingling with the blood from a cut on her cheek. Dunhill straightened, wiping his hands clean in his tattered coat.
"I expect you'll remember this," he mused, lighting his cigarette. Maya flinched away from the flame, fearful that he would burn her. It wouldn't be the first time. "But if you don't, I'll just have to come back."
Dunhill retrieved his hat from the dining room chair, knocking it over in the process, before slipping it on over his head with a decisive shrug. Maya struggled to stop the flow of tears cascading down her cheeks, but the attempt was futile. The very sight of his ridiculous, outdated hat was enough to twist her stomach into a solid knot of terror.
He paused before taking another step, glancing back at Maya's nearly limp body with disdain.
"Clean that blood off the rug," he advised, taking a deep puff from his cigarette, "I might get some money for that someday."
Dunhill kicked back as he walked away, the heel of his boot colliding with Maya's skull, knocking her unconscious before she could yelp in pain.
Quick note here: Just to reiterate, I don't hate Dunhill, but I thought it would be fun to write him as a villain! Let me know what you think!
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