((*wheeze*

I have officially become one of those writers that is very slow with updates and I apologize
This chapter feels really awkward for some reason sorry guys :'P
(also holy crap one of my IRL friends (MY SUPER-SKILLED AUTHOR FRIEND NONETHELESS) found out about this and is reading it and i'M DYING OH MY GOD CHLOE IF YOU'RE STILL READING THIS I AM STILL SO SORRY FOR MY AWKWARD AF WRITING)

"Hey Fab, why didn't you just have the ocean take them back like last time?"
"becAUSE I DIDN'T THINK MY DECISIONS THROUGH UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE OKAY *sobs*"))

((Also sorry if I haven't responded to some reviews lately, my inbox/outbox/notification system has been acting weird. But just know that I appreciate all your reviews, thank you so much!))

While getting the Kakamora ship from Motunui back to the Lalotai entrance island was far from an easy feat, it wasn't impossible for a demigod and master wayfinder such as Maui.

Well… Maybe it would be more accurate to say "stealing" rather than "getting". Making his presence known to the villagers right now did not feel correct. Not without Moana there. An explanation would be better with both of them present, that's for sure…

The wind and sea were on the demigod's side, it would seem, as the they made sure that his return to pick up Moana and Tamatoa was both figuratively and literally a breeze.

The trip back was much easier, still, now that Moana was around to assist. This wasn't exactly a 'one-person' ship, after all. A crew would be preferable, but hey, they'll make do with what they can.

Exhaustion seems to have rapidly caught up with Tamatoa, hitting him like a truck, as the crab took to sleeping mere moments after their craft left the entrance island's shores. Considering his apprehension towards the deep sea, that must be saying something.

And by some happy miraculous miracle, Nafiira hadn't yet stirred.

With both monsters unconscious, Maui and Moana had the the whole way back to themselves, sailing along the ocean with nothing but each other's company just like their first trip to Te Fiti. (Granted, Heihei was there that time. But hey, a minor detail.)

… Buuut the crippling tension of recent, obvious events seems to have crept its way on board, as the pair were uncharacteristically quiet for quite some time.

A Heihei would be nice right now, actually. Perfect tension-reliever. But alas, no drumstick this time 'round.

Manning the ship kept them busy enough, anyway. But Moana couldn't help but notice the demigod casting the occasional conflicted glance Tamatoa's way.

"… I… It'll be okay… We'll work this out…"

Weak words. They both knew it.

Lives have been lost. That's not something that can be "worked out".

Still, the shapeshifter gave her a slight nod, if only to acknowledge her statement. His gaze was now firmly set on the crustacean. Moana's frown deepened.

"… It was that Mana'aihue guy's fault… You know that, right…?"

"You don't get it, Moana." Maui snapped in response – not so much out of anger, but rather exasperated frustration with himself. "There I was, thinking nothing in the world would make me turn on him like that again, and I…" With an annoyed sigh, the demigod let working the sail take his attention. His voice was now nothing more than a barely-audible mumble. "And there I was, ready to take off another leg."

Moana slowly drew her oar out of the water, setting it down on the deck as she started towards Maui. She could understand why he would be taking this particularly badly, considering his history with the crab… To him, he must feel like he was on the verge of repeating millennium-old mistakes. But what more reassurance could she give that hasn't been said already…? Tamatoa said himself that he doesn't blame them for this. Could understand it, even…

… But it's doubtful that that alone would magically lift all the weight of this stress off Maui's shoulders, of course.

That's the thing about being the therapist friend. You can see why everyone's upset, and also when certain issues are going to be particularly difficult to work through… Hnngh. Problems.

Rather than opening with words again, Moana moved in for a gentle hug.

Now that seemed to catch Maui off guard. The demigod stared down at her with a look of surprise at first, before tentatively returning the hug, slowly but surely giving in to her warmth.

"… Don't give the monster what he wants, Maui." Moana said softly. "We can't let him break us down. Even if he knows where to hit, where our weakest spots and most fragile memories are… We will not let him win." She gazed up at him, the fiery determination lighting her eyes being a bit of a contrast to the quiet gentleness of her voice. "Right?"

He was quiet for a short while, just taking a moment to stare at this remarkably strong-willed divinity of a human. How one mortal could be so incredibly inspirational through even the hardest of times he would never know. "Right." He repeated, mustering up a smile.

They both jumped at the next voice to pipe up.

"Sooo…" Came Tamatoa's lighthearted drawl, one eye half-open to lazily stare at the pair. "Who's steerin' this thing, exactly?"

At that, both of the bipeds immediately went back to their posts, Moana making sure they were still on course before flashing a sheepish grin at the crustacean. "Sorry for waking you."

Her grin was returned with a tired one of his own. "Didn't wake me, babe. Y're fine," was his low-pitched response.

Moana and Maui exchanged glances. How much of their conversation he had heard was uncertain, but Tamatoa certainly made no attempt to confirm or deny their unspoken inquiries.

Rather, he slowly rose to his feet with a sleepy chitter, glancing over his shell to check on their unconscious captive before returning his attention to his friends. "Need any help handlin' the boat?"

It's not like he could offer much, what with his claws not being the friendliest for human-sized sailwork, but might as well offer nonetheless.

"I think we'll be okay, thank you," Moana replied with a polite smile. "It'd be best if you get some more sleep." Before we reach Motunui, she may have added. But she doubted anyone needed the reminder of their destination.

The crab's eyes drifted between different parts of the boat before returning to Moana. "… Ya sure?"

At her nod, Tamatoa shrugged and turned to settle down again with a passing glance Maui's way. The demigod hadn't said anything, nor did he need to.

Must've heard more of their conversation than he let on, because the crab settled himself rather close to the shapeshifter, as if very aware of his friend's uncertainties right now…

Maui gave a subtle look to the crustacean as he dozed off again, expression unreadable. Whether or not the other's gesture was meant as some kind of display of trust or comfort, Maui couldn't help but feel a little touched. A hint of that showed in his face for just a moment.

Watching from her position near the edge of the ship, another smile crept along Moana's features. It's wonderful what can be communicated without words.

She then turned her attention to the horizon, expression becoming more serious upon seeing the island gradually becoming visible in the distance.

Let's just hope the explanation to the villagers goes as smoothly as this boat ride.