Author's Notes: Good welcome, all! Here's a little something that's (somewhat) outside of my standard fare, but I've grown to quite like Coral Island so I figured, why not make a story as tribute to it?

Of course, the other motivation for this is due to a void created by the devs. Namely, the lack of any formal romances involving Raina, the Pufferfish secretary and a pretty popular character if online discussion is to be believed. Someone might mod that material in someday, but I figured, why wait? I'll take a run at it myself and see where it goes.

Standard disclaimers apply, many thanks to Firion for his insight and help on this and my other projects, and the name of the fic stems from chemistry. Covalent bonds are formed by the sharing of electrons between two atoms, no equalities or instabilities to offset them or weaken them, and they're some of the strongest bonds that can be found in nature, only breakable through the introduction of enzymes. How does this apply to the story? Or to Coral Island as a whole? Who can say?

With that, enjoy!

Chapter 1

It was raining outside.

Aaron thought that he felt drops on his fingers, not for the first time, but he remembered that the smooth something he was feeling was his wedding ring turning between them. Two years together, three years married, four months in hawk to pay the rings off, and this was all he had to show for it.

The ring slipped and hit the floor. Again. He picked it up. Again.

He wasn't sure how long he'd been here, sitting in the dark of his apartment. The rent was good until the end of the month. The divorce papers had been signed, sent and received. The deed was as done as his marriage, and yet here he was, sitting in the cold ashes of the last half decade like…

Like what? Why was he here? He could go anywhere, do anything, so why didn't he? Why couldn't he?

His smirk grated like broken glass. He knew why, but now even his subconscious was asking him rhetorical questions. Surely there was a game show he should be on right now, or a couch he should be lying on.

But with the freedom to go anywhere came the stark realization that he didn't have anywhere to go. He hadn't thought that way in longer than he wanted to admit. Instead of the drive to get up and go, he was inclined to sit back and stay, kept company by the sense of the clock running outside of his ability to stop it. The world moved around him while he was glued to the floor.

It tasted like stagnation with a chaser of ennui, disillusionment clogging his throat as he struggled to breathe past the gray uncertainty that coated his lungs like dust.

As if his lungs needed any more problems.

The ring fell from his fingers again, and this time he couldn't even be bothered to pick it up.

Coal nudged him. His closest – and now only – friend and a purchase that his ex resented, the Belgian Sheepdog was his crutch. As black as his name from nose to toes, he had been at Aaron's side right from the day he'd come to this new home, and as Aaron's marriage imploded that was worth more and more. Aaron knew how smart the breed was and he'd been able to say with confidence that it was more that Coal had taken him in, regardless of which of them actually made the money.

Aaron failed to stop an old bad habit, something he could thank her for – he pulled out his wallet. Everything that needed to be there was, but his eyes caught on the picture of him and Grams and Gramps back when he'd been a kid. Faded and worn at the edges, it was his keepsake. He took it out to look at, the washed-out colors were the only change in hue from the gray of that winter afternoon. The sunny island in the background, the green of palm trees and gleaming gold of sand, the anchor of his life after his parents died.

It reminded him of the offer Gramps had made just before everything went up like the Hindenburg. Go back home to a farm on the island, a place that could be his and only his. Something she couldn't get at, didn't know about.

Coal picked right then to nudge him, and the timing wasn't a coincidence.

Aaron looked over and ruffled the dog's ears. "What, you want to go there? A new place with strangers and hard work? Bugs and hot temperatures? Who knows what it'll be like–"

His chest seized. Before he could quell the impulse, he inhaled wrong and was grabbed by a harsh coughing fit. Jagged pain constricted his lungs and it was several long minutes before he could just breathe raggedly.

He caught a whiff of pollution from the cars below. The smog had set him off yet again.

Coal woofed and leaned into his side, stared at him with those dark eyes that always conveyed meaning without needing words.

"Yeah, can't be worse than this place, right?" Aaron conceded hoarsely. "All right, let's talk to Gramps and see where it gets us." He pushed himself to his feet, each movement protested by his stiff muscles and sore joints. He'd been there for longer than he thought, and when he tried to measure how long that was, he found he couldn't place when he'd sat down. That meant it was too long. He rose on resisting, creaky limbs, but pushed through the malaise and got to work. He packed up what he needed and made a list of what he'd get moved after, then he left with Coal at his side.

It was hours later when he remembered that he'd left his ring on the floor. Not once did he think of going back to get it.

People always said that a change in weather or scenery was 'exactly what they needed,' but when Aaron thought it on the boat to Coral Island, he really meant it. He'd spent more than a week with his family to clear his head, and the more he heard about the place the more he liked it. He cashed in his assets, cut out everyone from his old life he didn't need, took the plunge and left his urban life completely behind. Four days later, he was traveling face first toward his new home.

He moved with the motions of the boat while Coal stood at the prow, barking with the wind ruffling his fur. It seemed like a natural fit for him to be there. The further Aaron got from the city, the easier each mile became, and he smiled at how much of a difference one step could lead to.

They navigated the rocks on approach and soon they had come up to the pier. There was clear evidence of an oil spill and twisted garbage as the approached, and that would need an explanation at some point. Mr. Wataru, the boat's captain, steered her in easily and tied up with the smooth motions of long experience. Coal jumped to the planks and Aaron followed. Waiting for them was the town mayor, Connor.

"Aaron!" The large man greeted him with a hearty handshake. "Welcome back! It's been, what, twenty years?"

"Thereabouts, Mr. Mayor." The term slipped out from childhood habit.

Connor laughed. "You always were polite, even back then. Let me look at you. Yes, I can see Clive in you. A chip off the old block."

Aaron tried not to wince. "Thanks."

Connor scratched the back of his neck. "I really am sorry about him and your mom. They were wonderful people."

"You made the trip for the funeral. That means a lot."

"I'm surprised you remember that. You were just a child back then."

Aaron would probably never forget that day, sunny and blue as though to mock the gravity of him being orphaned by a speeder running a red light. He didn't remember anyone who had attended, but Grams had shown him the signature book before he got on the boat. Easier for him to get reacquainted with the old names, she'd said.

"It's good to be back," he said.

Coal barked in emphasis.

Connor nodded, his usual smile returning. "And it's good to have you back. Come on, I'll show you around."

Starlet Town both had changed and hadn't. Aaron remembered the Coral Inn and the honey-blond twins who were now its owners. He remembered the beach and the main drag, the community center and the shops, but everything was more modern and seemed smaller than it had been in his childhood. "That will happen," he noted to himself. Some of the locals he remembered came to welcome him back. Alice had hugged him almost before he recognized her, and her ex in-laws, the blacksmith brothers Rafael and Pablo, were open with handshakes and slaps to the back. Coal liked Rafael in particular as the big man went quiet, going over to nudge his hand for scratches. Then there were other newcomers to the island who Aaron didn't know, like Eva the bubbly baker and Macy the personable photographer, but Connor was quick with a quip and happy to make introductions.

The people were all welcoming and even seemed eager to have him here. Some of the leftover tension in Aaron's shoulders left him. It was nice to be wanted, and this was starting to feel like home already.

Then Connor led them to the farm that had been left to Gramps in the will of Nicholas, his older brother and Aaron's great uncle. Aaron had been nine and in the city when the deed came down, and the demands of Gramps looking after his family took precedence and the place had been vacant ever since.

As Aaron followed the trail he appreciated how much damage vacancy could do to a structure, and then to an entire property. Saying it was in a sorry state of disrepair was understating just how little anything had been tended to, with wild shrubs and trees growing everywhere and even piles of frozen trash towering where they'd been left.

"It needs a little attention," Connor admitted.

What an understatement.

The local carpenters came to greet them with smiles and handshakes, introducing themselves as Joko and Dinda, showing Aaron what they'd done so far. The structure had been patched up but would still need some work, the furniture was rough and the inside of the house was drafty, but it was still a bed, a table, a fireplace and a roof over his head. It would need some work if Aaron didn't want to make his lungs even worse, especially with all the garbage around the property, but that just meant he had a goal to achieve right away. "This will work," he noted. In the corners were the boxes Gramps had sent ahead of him, books and notes on agriculture to build on what Aaron had already learned on his own. The rest of his possessions would be along soon.

The mayor cleared his throat. "You're sure? This probably isn't what you imagined when you decided to take it over. I won't lie, a lot of work will need to go into it."

"It's fine. That's what I need."

Connor looked over for an explanation. When one didn't come, he nodded. "Well, I'll let you get settled in. I might stop by when I get the chance."

"I appreciate that, Mr. Mayor."

Joko and Dinda left with an offer to patch things up more if he got the raw materials. Aaron would remember that.

Connor looked out over the stretch of untamed land and trash piles. "It'll be spring in a while. A new year. A lot of people are interested in seeing what you do here – a local source of goods would be a huge thing for the town. I'm not trying to pressure you, but…"

"I get it. I'll be ready when things thaw out."

"I believe that, and I'm looking forward to it." At Aaron's silence, the big man sighed. "You're different, you know. Quieter than the little squirt who chased us adults around and played with Alice and Suki. You taking this place on came out of nowhere. Are you all right?"

"I will be." Aaron grimaced. "I'm not trying to be secretive, but things happened in the city that I'd rather not think about. It's nothing illegal, nothing that'll put you guys in hot water, but I'm still working it out. If I'm quiet, that's why."

Connor looked offended. "I'd never think you'd break the law, Aaron. That's not who you are."

Aaron smiled bleakly. "That's what everyone says, even if reality shows otherwise."

"Still, that wouldn't be on the list where you're concerned. But I understand about wanting your space. You'll get a lot of that here. But don't lock yourself away, all right? It won't do you any good to turn into a hermit."

Aaron smiled. "You'd come and drag me out if I did, wouldn't you? Don't worry, I won't."

"Good. If you ever need anything, even just to talk, let me know."

"I will, Mr. Mayor."

Connor left. Aaron let out a white breath, taking in his surroundings. The quiet was loud after so many years in the city, the open space around him felt like it would swallow him whole, and the crisp, clean air stung to breathe. It was the kind of pain he could live with, though. The kind that made him feel alive.

Coal stepped up to his side and sat, wagging his tail.

Aaron scratched him behind the ears, getting a thumping of a hind leg in return. "This is it, huh?" It hit him then, what was in front of him. Hard work and raw possibility, the chance to fly or fail and it all came down to him, alone with no one to help him except his dog. It was frightening with the abyss right behind him, waiting for him to slip, but with that fear came an exhilaration that warmed him right up. Already his mind was concocting ideas of what he could turn this into, what he might make and where it could go. and the possibilities were a rush in his veins. It had been a long time since he'd felt this on, his lungs clear and his head free of city problems and the fog of meds. His face split in half with a grin.

"Come on," he told Coal. "Let's get to work."

Raina finished the report, sent it off and stretched. She was ahead of schedule, so she treated herself to a chance to work the kinks out. She got up from her desk and went to her window, stepping into the warm spring sunlight pouring through. Residents of Starlet Town went about their business outside, but very few looked in the direction of where she worked. Those who did were distrustful and Raina knew not to take it personally. People had their reservations about big names that set up shop in their stretch of the woods, particularly when that name was in the oil industry, but there had just been a big spill involving someone else so that was to be expected. It would take time, that was all. She was sure that Pufferfish could earn their trust, make a difference and help them.

Raina heard barking and children laughing outside. She looked out her window and saw the kids from the local school in the street, pointing at a racing black blur on four legs. A dog, but not one she recognized. It chased a red KONG toy, caught it in mid-air on a bounce, then whirled and ran back out of sight. A moment or two later, the toy sailed through the air again, and the dog bolted by again in furious pursuit. The children stood to the side and cheered as he caught his toy once again.

A man Raina didn't know walked into view, broad shoulders supporting the straps of a tall pair of overalls. At a whistle the dog ran to him and leapt up. The man caught him under the hind legs and carried him one-handed, his other hand full with sacks of what looked like, of all things, metal ore. The dog perched on his owner's shoulder, head back and tongue out on the side as though he were laughing at being given a ride.

Raina chuckled, enjoying seeing the dog enjoy himself so much.

The man set his friend down outside the blacksmith's shop and went inside. The children maintained a respectful distance and turned to Randy Barnes, the local teacher with the prosthetic arm, and pointed at the dog. His toy was still in his mouth, but he didn't move from where he sat, and while Raina couldn't hear the discussion, it was easy enough to imagine the nature of their queries. Mr. Barnes made a placating gesture, awaiting the owner.

He returned a few minutes later, saw the children and, after hearing their requests, nodded. He called the canine over, retrieved the toy, put a steadying hand on his back and then welcomed the children over.

Raina watched him appraisingly. She'd seen her share of bad pet owners and good ones, and this guy was one of the good ones. In control of his dog, giving instruction on how to approach, and offering comforting strokes to make it a positive experience, it all told her he knew his stuff. In particular, the glossy black coat the dog sported spoke of care and attention.

A girl in a dress was the first one to come forward. Raina remembered meeting her before, what was her name? Valerie? No, Valentina, that was it, the daughter of one of the owners of Coral Inn. The girl held her hand out for the dog to sniff. He did, and then moved forward and licked her face. She burst out laughing, backing away but not really trying to escape, as children often did. The other kids approached carefully at the owner's direction and the dog gave licks and got pets in equal measure.

Raina smiled at the sight. She didn't know this person, but she'd have to take the time to meet him. More connections and goodwill among the locals could only be a positive thing.

But first, she had to grab lunch before getting back to work. She stretched again and went back to her desk.

It was quitting time before she knew it. Another productive day, another one she could polish off with a smile. She was packed up and getting ready to leave when Derek from the infrastructure department turned the corner to her desk. "Hey Raina. We're going for a bite, want to join us?"

"Where do you have in mind?"

"Fishensips, that place down by the beach."

Normally her evening would consist of exercise in her small dwelling, a reheated meal and some reading before bed. This sounded far more appealing. "Yes. Sure, let's go."

She got her coat and purse and joined him along with another woman and two other guys. They probably looked like a collective media team for Pufferfish, but Raina knew her coworkers well. Derek was engaged to his high school sweetheart and saving up for a ring; Zakaria from PR had a son and was finally dating again after his wife died of sudden renal failure; Bernard in finances was married to a beautiful deaf woman, the mother of his two kids; Vina out of receiving was married, supporting her dad after a bad workplace accident, and had confided one week prior that she was pregnant.

Raina was happy to spend her time with her coworkers and friends, but considering their various statuses of relationships made her own bachelorettehood a nagging thorn in her side. She tried not to think about it as they walked the streets of Starlet Town, chatting about this and that.

"Like I was saying," Bernard put in, "I've never had carrots like that. He gave me a piece and it was like nothing you'd get at the store."

"Fresh produce is like that," Derek replied. "There's a big difference in how old it is when it gets to the shelf versus something fresh off the farm."

"No kidding. And it was big, too, not the scraggly stuff they import from the mainland. I'm not sure I've had anything that big or good even back home."

"Are you becoming an expert in vegetables?" Zak asked.

Bernard shrugged. "I might, if I can get stuff that good here. Even the kids liked it and now they're asking me to bring more home; you know how rare that is?"

Raina pointed out, "You've been to the store here before, though. What changed?"

"There's a newcomer at the farm west of town," Derek told her. "He's been there for a few months, but he hasn't really branched out yet so you don't see his stuff on the shelves. I've met him. Kind of quiet, but he's been growing a lot of stuff in a short stretch of time. He handed out samples when he came by a few days back and Bernard's right, it's great."

"He should be selling it wholesale if it's that good," Raina noted. Her uncle and cousins ran an advertising company and were big into small businesses and family-run enterprises. She'd always found that side of things enjoyable to get into, seeing start-ups make it.

"I said that. Apparently he's getting the resources together to expand." Derek smiled. "Smart guy, too. Once he knew we wanted more he said he was out of freebies."

"And even then we bought all he had and he hasn't been back since," Bernard groaned.

Raina laughed.

They were at the bar by the beach a short time later, but the place was already rocking and there were people laughing and cheering inside. A look through the door indicated that it was standing room only. Raina flagged down a waitress and asked her what the big event was.

"Kind of a full house," was the answer. "Two birthdays going on the same day. We might have some tables open up later, but I can't say when."

"We can sit out here if that's easier," she offered, indicating the outdoor tables, half of which were occupied already.

"It is, but there aren't many here, either."

"I can share mine," someone said from nearby, the voice a low thrum that struck a chord through her.

Raina turned and met two pine-green eyes. He was tall even while sitting, his shoulders broad and his hair brown and possessing a sharp jaw that she quite liked. His build was familiar, and a moment later a distinct lupine black head poked up next to him, dark canine eyes assessing her.

"So long as you don't mind some extra company," he added.

Vina nudged her forward as she and the others went to a different table.

Raina glanced at them, then decided to roll with it. She nodded to the dog. "I saw him earlier today with the kids. I wouldn't mind at all."

"Sounds good." He got up and pulled her chair out for her, sporting neither a flirty smile nor a smug leer like what she'd expect at a bar. It looked like this was a natural thing for him, so she took her seat and let him be the gentleman. That was rare enough among the men she dated that she wasn't going to turn the invitation down.

"Thank you." She waited until he took his own seat before extending a hand. "I'm Raina."

He took it in a grip that was firm but not crushing and quite warm. "I'm Aaron, and this is Coal. With an A, not an E. Nice to meet you."

"You too."

"Care for a drink? I haven't been here too long myself – they got started early with the festivities."

"Sure. Is a party like that not your thing?"

He shrugged. "I don't mind them, but I haven't been here long enough to really reconnect with people. The guys in there – Antonio and Paul – it's their night."

The waitress swept by and Raina ordered a sprightly cocktail with mint and lime.

"That sounds interesting," Aaron noted. "I'll have the same."

The waitress left. Raina listened to the chatter around them and coming from inside, then remarked to Aaron, "You sound like you're from the city."

"Technically I was born here, but I lived there for almost twenty years."

"Pokyo?"

"You got it."

"I was born and raised there. Being out here is… well, it's different, but not in a bad way."

"I never thought much about this place until I came back. Now I'm finding a lot of reasons to like it." Their drinks came, they ordered dinner, and he observed, "If you saw Coal earlier today, then it was when we were visiting Pablo and Rafael, right?"

"The Sanchez brothers, yes."

He nodded. "What do you do for Pufferfish?"

The question was asked casually and without judgment or preconceptions. Smart, quick and polite. She was liking this so far. "Reports and admin. Nothing exciting, but I enjoy it."

"That's the important part, and writing a good report takes skill. It's not just about stringing words together like some people think."

She nodded at the compliment. "And you're the farmer my coworkers were talking about, right?"

"Newly, yes. I did reports of my own before, but for a research company. And now I'm here."

"How did you go from that to this?"

He chuckled. "That's a bit of a story. The cliff notes version is that I always liked biochemistry. When I was a kid my favorite toys were a book of Latin terminology and a copy of the periodic table, and I learned to balance chemical equations before I even learned algebra. To see the math work in real life, like how protein chains change from variable environmental factors, that was the stuff I loved."

His eyes lit up as he spoke, and Raina commented, "I can tell. Why are you here then if you love it that much? You should be teaching at a university or working breakthroughs in a lab somewhere."

Aaron shrugged. "Loving something and making money at it are two different things. I learned that the hard way. Not only are there a lot of places that want to pigeonhole you, but the work was very contained and sterile. Nothing applied, no experimenting, just do what they tell you, get paid and go home."

"You wanted to do things your own way," she concluded.

"Pretty much."

"Enough that you moved out here?"

Aaron looked to the side. "Not exactly. There were other reasons. I… guess you could say I needed a change and this was the best option."

Raina got the feeling there was something personal under the surface there. She steered the conversation back onto safe ground, saying, "It sounds like you're doing well at it. The farming, I mean."

He recovered and took her opening. "I seem to be. I read up on some ideas and ran with a few of my own and so far it's been a success. It kind of surprised me how well it turned out – I didn't expect things to grow as fast as they have here. People have been really good about the whole thing."

"They are the supportive sort. Even I've noticed that, despite their reservations about Pufferfish."

Their food arrived. The smells suited the scent of the sea nearby, and Raina enjoyed each bite. Aaron did the same while sneaking a few morsels to Coal, who devoured them and then curled up in his chair.

"You've got a good attitude about that situation," he remarked. "I mean that as a compliment."

Raina shrugged. "Some people won't come around, and they have their reasons. Some people will, and see above. I wouldn't work for the company if I thought they were just in it to take places over and trash them on the way out. The jobs we offer and the money we make, those can be good opportunities for people."

He smiled indulgently. "You're not wrong, but the way people were introduced to Pufferfish could have used… more tact."

Raina sighed. "I won't argue that. Miss Karen was in a rough spot that day, and once words have been said they can't be taken back. That's one of the reasons we like to come here on our time off or for dinner, to show people that we're human like they are."

"You've got a good head on your shoulders." He took a drink of his cocktail and added, "And you have good taste in booze, too. This is really nice."

"Thank you. You live here too, so what's your opinion on my place of work?"

He shrugged. "I haven't been here long enough to comment. I know that the money and jobs you're talking about can be a big deal to somewhere as remote as this, giving kids the chance to be more than farmers or fishermen. I've also seen companies shape those kids or eat them whole because they didn't realize what the larger world is like. I left it behind, others might not. It isn't my place to say."

"You're practical."

"Sometimes."

"Well, you're at least good with dogs. Coal's comfortable around you, and I know how hard that can be with an intelligent pet."

Aaron scratched behind the dog's ears, getting a thump of the tail in return. "Yeah, he's pretty good. My best friend a lot of the time."

"Don't you have anyone back in Pokyo?"

His smile was pained. "Just my grandparents." The cloud cleared after a moment. "How about you? Family? Friends or anything like that?"

"Yes, my–" She froze, nearly mentioning her mother. She swallowed, then started again. "My dad, my older sister Asih and Kusuma, my younger brother." Thoughts of her family, the state they'd been in the last time she'd seen them, made her rush forward. "He bought a dog when he moved out and didn't do his research, so the poor thing 'entertained' himself by chewing on all the furniture in the apartment. All of it."

If Aaron caught her hesitation, he didn't mention it. "That can happen. Actually, moving here was a turn for the better for that reason. Coal didn't like being cooped up in a small place, so now he has all the space he could ask for."

Raina held her hand out to the dog, letting him smell her, before she stroked his nose. "He's a good boy."

Coal gave a quiet bark in reply.

She continued, "He's a shepherd, isn't he?"

"Yes. A Groenendael, to be specific, or just a Belgian Sheepdog to most people."

"You don't see many in this part of the world. Was he a rescue or an educated purchase?"

He smiled. "As opposed to an uneducated purchase? That I bought him because of his colors or because the name of the breed sounds exotic?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that."

"It's fine, I'm just kidding. There are plenty of those out there, so it's a natural assumption to make. In my case, my grandpa sold him to me. He and Grams breed them and raise them, and they do a lot of training for therapy dogs, placements into families where someone is disabled, obedience trials and field work, that sort of thing. Their kennel puts out some pretty versatile dogs, and Coal was pick male from one of the litters. That was a few years ago, and the rest is history."

Raina scratched Coal behind the ears, getting a content canine groan in reply. "A very good boy."

The conversation meandered after that, shifting between the familiar places in the city they'd been to the local history and people to old ghost stories, of all things. They finished their food and drinks and the waitress came by with the bills. Before she could get her purse, Aaron had already put some cash on the table.

She nudged the money back to him. "I can pay for myself, thanks."

He went red and looked to the side. "Right, right. Sorry, force of habit." He covered his part and she paid for hers, and the conversation stalled. After a quiet minute, Aaron looked out over the ocean and sniffed. "Rain's coming."

"Yes, the forecast says it will be here later tonight."

"Sooner than that."

"You can tell?"

"It seems so. I haven't done it for a long time, but it seems it's still there. If you don't want to get wet, you should get going pretty soon. We can walk you back if you like."

"Partway, but sure. Thank you."

Aaron and Coal got up and walked with her, and once the small Pufferfish bungalows where the on-island employees lived came into sight she told him, "This will do. Thanks again."

"You're welcome. You know, you seem like you're interested in the goings-on of the island. If you like, the Cherry Blossom Festival is coming up. It might be a good chance to network."

"I heard about that. It sounds lovely but unfortunately I'm working that day."

"Ah. Well, this was fun. Hopefully we'll see each other again sometime."

"I'd like that. Goodnight, and to you too, Coal."

Aaron nodded and they left. Just before she lost sight of them, he tapped the dog and they broke into a run. A few minutes later the rain started, a gentle but steady patter on the roof lulling her as she worked out, read a chapter of her book and got ready for bed.

Before she was pulled under into slumber, she thought of the interesting pair. The baritone thrum of Aaron's voice and Coal's steadiness, she hadn't expected to encounter such a colorful pair when she got up this morning. But she had no complaints about how the day turned out.

She nodded off mid-thought, dreams adrift to the sound of the warm spring rain.