They spent the next few hours cleaning up the beach and village, and searching the island for the rest of her people. Surprisingly, not many had died. Hiding out in a natural cave network, her people had been able to avoid the hungry monster almost completely. Maui had hauled the dead cephalopod far out to sea after their attempts to turn it into food had failed. The flesh had turned to a thick spongy rubbery texture and lacked any flavor besides 'yuck'. A few boats were salvageable and two were going to set out with Moana the following morning to get some help from the other islands to rebuild their homes. That night they built a huge bonfire and relived the days' events. Maui, for once, able to sit back and laugh at one of his own stories witnessed firsthand. The night drew on and people started heading out to set up sleeping arrangements. Maui noticed he'd not seen Moana for awhile. He excused himself and went in search for her. He found her down by the cove sitting on a rock, feet dabbled in the ocean.
"So," he said, coming up to her. "Your island is safe. You're welcome!"
Moana shot him a look before rolling her eyes.
Maui took a deep breath and in a softer voice said "Thanks."
Moana looked at him in confusion. "For what?"
"I don't know if you're good luck or bad, but you did me a solid when we were up against Tomatoa, and you were there again for me against Taniwha." Maui scuffed his toes in the sand. Clearing his throat gruffly he said "Thank you."
Smirking, Moana imitated his deep baritone "You're welcome."
Maui laughed self consciously and leaned against the rock she was perched on. "So, you're safe now. Your people are safe. Guess I'll head off. Now that I'm not needed."
Moana laid a hand on his arm. "Needed or not, you are always welcome and wanted. It would be nice to go back to the village with you, have a thank you gathering with us."
Maui smiled, he covered her hand with his. "Only if there's free food."
Maui soared high above the dark clouds. His hawk form effortlessly slicing through the air. He was enjoying the feeling of the cool air rustling his feathers, lifting him to the sky. After his brief talk with Moana, he had walked with her back to the bonfire, chatting idly about nothing. He took his time banking the fire for a long slow burn through the night, covertly sneaking glances at Moana as she cleared a place near the fire to sleep. He lay still, waiting until her breathing deepened and became regular before getting up and moving closer to her. He looked her over, carefully. Scrutinizing her every detail. In the past, this was the best way for him to realize that no mortal could ever be more than a passing fancy for the great Maui. He would see the ravages of time, accelerated so much on the lesser mortals. Inevitably he would see the entirety of their life, a small grain of sand in comparison to his great hourglass of time. While depressing, it was none-the-less effective.
It wasn't working this time. His eyes drank in the beauty of her face, calm and peaceful in sleep. Full lips slightly parted reminding him of how she tasted. Shaking his head, he forced himself to continue. His eyes moved down her delicate throat, along the shadows of her collarbone, only to notice the bruise blossoming there. Frowning, Maui leaned over and gently rolled her slightly to expose the bruise to the firelight for a better look. His eyes darkened in anger at the thought of her being hurt, at his failure to protect her. Moana moaned and shifted. He quickly let her go, holding his breath until she had stilled. His eyes continued their trek down her body. Her small breasts, the softness of her belly, her slim waist, the swell of her hips, the graceful curve of her legs, her tiny toes. Beneath it all, the lithe build and wiry muscles of someone who is used to a life of voyage and capable of adventure.
Maui felt an unusual warmth stirring deep in his belly and groin. He wanted her. No, that wasn't quite right. He positively yearned for her, but more than in just a physical sense. He craved her; body, mind and soul.
He felt a twitch from his chest. He looked down to see mini-Maui gesticulating wildly at Moana.
"No way!" Maui said in a low voice. "This totally would not work. She doesn't even like me like that."
Mini-Maui smacked his head, ran to mini-Moana, swept her off her feet and kissed her. Mini-Moana heartily kissed him back, wrapping her arms around mini-Maui and kicking up her heals.
"She's got tons of suitors back home." Maui grumbled. "I'm just the guy that fixes the monster situations and gets her nearly killed. Besides," Maui sighed mournfully, "there's the issue of her being mortal. And... that whole... complication." Mini-Maui had put mini-Moana down and walked sadly back to his spot on Maui's broad chest, giving the demigod a consolatory pat before resuming his position.
"And she doesn't want me," Maui continued in a soft whisper. "She couldn't." He looked at her, lovingly committing each detail of her to memory. Gazed at her as she rolled onto her back and started snoring indelicately. Smiled as his eyes trailed to her chest. Watched her breasts, perky and inviting, rise and fall with each breath. Hungrily staring at how her nipples perked and formed tiny bumps in her top when the wind whispered a caress across her body. Suffused with an incredible heat, Maui had all but ran away from her then. He had to get away from her, this was getting way too deep. Transforming into a hawk, he flew away with powerful wing beats.
Now, after spending the night coasting on the winds, he had decided that he had to keep things platonic between them. It wasn't fair to her if he started muddying the waters with his wants. Where could it go, anyways? Moana meant more to him than any mortal ever had. On the very slim chance that she actually reciprocated the feelings, not just reacted to godly powers he thought almost savagely, he knew it would hurt her if he let things escalate. The demigod could never hold still for long, but not being near her people would leave her lonely and possibly resentful. He was pretty certain it would destroy him if she denied him, or worse, if she scoffed at him. Their friendship was fantastic, and it was enough. He was content to be her friend. Although he had resolved to seek out some release of his sexual tension after the feast she -no, her people- were going to give him. Mind made up, he altered his course to take him back to the island. Lightning sizzled along the clouds below. There was still a lot of work to be done with the village yet, Moana would not leave until everything was in order. He had all the time in the world to play on the wind.
The day was gray with a light breeze. Moana stared off towards the direction of Motunui. Clouds looked to be massing on the horizon, but the storm would probably blow over. She had hoped to leave that day after the village was put back in order, but so many repairs needed to be done, not to mention baskets for water rewoven, food gathered, rights for the dead performed. Her people were shaken up and having a strong leader helped them cope through their recent tragedy. Although Maui's help would have been appreciated, it was good he wasn't around while the tribe worked. Some things are best done with your own two hands and your own mortal family.
Now, as the day waned, Moana sat on the beach and watched the day's catch being hauled in. A good haul, it would feed her people quite awhile giving them a chance to replant crops and replenish their stores. Her people laughed as they worked bringing a smile to her lips.
"Hey, short stuff!" she heard a call from the other end of the beach. Moana turned to see Maui striding towards her, a jaunty bounce to his step. "I see the repairs are going well. And a nice haul!" He said, indicating the overfull nets laboriously being pulled to the beach.
"Short stuff?" Moana said with a grin. Maui answered her grin in kind. "The day was productive, but we won't be leaving to go back to Motunui today. Probably head out tomorrow."
"You be careful, there's a nasty storm brewing that direction." Maui bumped her arm.
Moana smiled and playfully punched his arm back. "Pfff. I just saved a demigod from a giant octopus. No storm can take me down."
Laughing, they walked down the beach to help with the cleaning of the fish.
Dinner that night was full of joy and laughter. Idle chatter floated around the village center as plates of food exchanged hands. Moana was happy that her people were at ease, and soon excused herself for some alone time down by the beach.
It was a starless night, the heavens obscured by heavy clouds. The threat of rain permeated the air. Moana lay on her back, hands behind her head, staring out into nothingness.
"Mind if I join you?" Maui's deep voice rumbled from the dark, inquiring but not intruding.
"Only if you bring something to drink." Moana retorted good-naturedly. She heard the groan of a tree as Maui man-handled a coconut from its fronds. Sitting down to her right, he twisted the coconut neatly in two with his bare hands and offered her the half with the most liquid. Marveling at his strength, she took her half and drank noisily.
"Ahhh. Thank you." she said when she was done, setting the shell aside and laying back again, resuming her position.
"You're welcome!" Maui said, tossing his shell to the sea and stretching out on his side, head propped on his elbow looking at her. He marveled at how calm and sure she was. Despite the chaos of events, nearly being eaten, her tribe almost eradicated, she shook back her hair and rose to the task of putting things back in order. As he marveled at her, a loose flower petal floated down lazily and settled on her left breast. Maui stared at it.
"It always amazes me how quick people can get over a tragedy." Moana said. Maui started and quickly looked at her face. Her eyes were closed, hands behind her head, reminding him of their voyage to this island. How he had been in that same position. How she had explored his chest. Maui's eyes trailed back to the petal. She hadn't noticed it and it softly rocked with each inhalation of her breath.
"I mean, just a few days ago, they were all fighting for their own survival. Facing a monster that would eat them. No way of reaching out for help." She continued, petal rocking more as the breath from her words pushed it about. Maui felt his mouth going dry.
"But here they are today; laughing, joking, rebuilding. It really is amazing." Maui gave a non-committal grunt. Her eyes are closed, she won't even notice if I brush that thing off her. He couldn't help but stare as the petal swayed tantalizingly at him. Maui reached silently for the petal.
"Quite amazing." Moana said again and let out a sigh. The puff of air was enough to lift the petal from her breast. Maui, startled by the sudden displacement, moved to quickly complete his action and found his knuckles gently brushing her breast. Maui froze. Oh s-!
Moana's eyes flew open and she looked at Maui in shock. Thoughts of their voyage here, their position reversal, their kisses, all tumbled crazily in her mind. He looked just as shocked as her, knuckles still lightly resting on her breast. Moana sucked in a quick breath, causing her breast to move against his fingers sending shivers down her spine as she watched his pupils dilate.
Do something! Maui's mind screamed these words over and over. Frantic to do something, anything; he leaned over and kissed her, opening his hand he cupped her breast gently. What are you doing!? His mind screamed, although the voice was fainter, farther away. His heart skipped a beat when the expected slap across his face didn't come. Any minute now, she's going to slap you. And she has every right and reason to do so. Who are you to touch her like this? But the slap still hadn't come. She remained on her back, hands behind her head, breathing quickly. He could feel her increasing heart rate under his palm.
Not daring to remove his mouth from hers, he slid his hand from her breast to her back and pulled her to him. Her hands tentatively came out from behind her head and rested on his shoulders, fitfully creeping towards his neck. He felt her confusion, he himself was confused. Yeah, real platonic. He chided himself, then shoved that thought far from his mind.
Shifting his weight, he moved the arm that was supporting him underneath her, catching her by her neck, denying her the ability to move away from his kiss. He falteringly slipped his hand from her back to her ribs just beneath her breast. Opening his mouth he pulled her attention from his hand to their kiss. Carefully, he tested how deep she would let the kiss go. Tentatively, she met him with growing eagerness. Her hands traveled farther around his neck and idly played with his silky hair.
Maui kept her tongue busy as he slowly slid his hand up to cup the bottom of her breast. Every time her attention shifted to his hand, he stopped his travel and renewed the kiss, dragging her attention back time and again. Moana shifted under him, feeling the pressure of his divided attentions. She jerked with a quick intake of breath and moved to break the kiss as his thumb traced over her breast, lightly brushing her nipple. Maui held her firmly but gently, stilling his advancements, imploring with his kiss if she really wanted this to end. Her hands gripped his neck tightly, she panted against the kiss, but made no further move to stop his caresses.
Maui gently massaged her breast, feeling her fluttering heart beneath his fingers, feeling his own heart matching the frantic beat. I should stop. I need to stop. I can't let this continue. Maui drowned himself in their kiss, completely at war with himself.
Moana propped her left leg up and moved herself closer to him. Maui moved his hand around to her back and slid down the length of her body, taking his time and giving her butt a light squeeze before continuing down to her knee. Slipping his fingers over her kneecap, he pressed his palm to the inside of her leg, slowly and firmly sliding his hand up the bare skin of her thigh, dragging up her skirt.
Her hands tangled in his hair as her hands made quick fists. Pulling in quick breaths, she again moved to break the kiss. Maui again stopped her from moving away, stopped his advancement up her thigh. He eased up on the kiss; not completely breaking it, but making it obvious the decision was hers if it continued. Tremors wracked her body, goosebumps flashed in waves over her skin, her hands were tight fists in his hair. Maui waited.
A huge crack of thunder split the silence, making them both jump. The kiss broke. Maui glanced at the sky in annoyance as the wind picked up. Looking down at Moana he sighed inwardly. "Let's get you to some shelter, princess." Moana, still flushed, nodded silently. Straightening her skirt, Maui stood up and pulled her to her feet, steadying her with a hand to her waist. You are such an idiot. He railed at himself as he jogged with her back to the village center. Letting her pull ahead, he waited for her to get safely inside, before shifting to a hawk and flying away.
Note
The Maui/Moana relationship was giving me serious issues. It escalated way to quickly and missed the important 'hot and heavy' make-out session I had originally planned. It absolutely plagued me, so I decided to re-write this portion of the story a bit to include it. I'm sorry for any issues this has caused and for the comments which probably do not make sense currently. I do feel a lot better about the story flow now.
