The soft light of dawn filtered through the trees, casting golden rays over the shelter. Rachel stirred first, her head still resting on Finn's chest. His steady heartbeat was a soothing rhythm, and for a moment, she allowed herself to stay still, soaking in the warmth and comfort of the moment.
But reality crept in, as it always did. She lifted her head slightly, watching as Finn's face remained peaceful in sleep. His arm was draped loosely around her waist, and the memory of the night before brought a soft blush to her cheeks.
Coconut's curious chittering broke the silence, and Rachel turned to see the little monkey perched on a nearby branch, watching them with what could only be described as amused interest.
"Good morning to you, too," Rachel whispered, careful not to wake Finn.
Finn stirred then, his eyes fluttering open. For a moment, he seemed disoriented, but when his gaze landed on Rachel, a slow, sleepy smile spread across his face.
"Hey," he said, his voice still rough from sleep. "You're still here."
Rachel chuckled softly. "Where else would I be?"
He shrugged, his smile turning playful. "I don't know. Maybe you'd decide to take off into the jungle or something."
Rachel shook her head, her hand resting lightly on his chest. "Not without you."
Finn's smile softened, and he reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "Good. Because I'm not going anywhere, either."
After a quick breakfast, they decided to start the day by revisiting the markers they'd found near the lake. Coconut followed closely, darting between trees as they walked hand in hand, the easy intimacy of the night before carrying over into the morning.
Rachel glanced up at Finn, her brow furrowing slightly. "Are you… okay with what happened last night?"
Finn looked down at her, surprised. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"I don't know," Rachel admitted, biting her lip. "I just… I didn't want it to feel like… a mistake."
Finn stopped walking, turning to face her. "Rachel, look at me."
She hesitated, but his warm, steady gaze drew her in.
"That wasn't a mistake," he said firmly. "Not for me, and I hope not for you."
"It wasn't," Rachel said quickly, her cheeks flushing. "I just needed to be sure."
Finn grinned, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "You don't have to worry about that. I'm in this, Rachel. With you."
Her heart swelled, and she squeezed his hand. "Me too."
As they reached the markers, Rachel's focus shifted to the task at hand. She studied the carvings closely, tracing the symbols with her fingers. Finn stood nearby, keeping watch as Coconut busied himself climbing a nearby tree.
"These markings," Rachel said, her voice thoughtful. "They're more than just a record. I think they're a guide."
"A guide to what?" Finn asked, stepping closer.
"I'm not sure yet," Rachel admitted, her brow furrowed. "But they're leading somewhere. Maybe another structure, or a part of the island we haven't explored yet."
Finn nodded, his expression serious. "Then we follow them."
Rachel smiled, her determination renewed. "Exactly."
They spent the rest of the day following the trail of markers, each one leading them deeper into the jungle. Along the way, they found more signs of the civilization that had once thrived here—fragments of pottery, carved stones, even what appeared to be the remains of an ancient fire pit.
As the sun began to set, they returned to their camp, tired but hopeful. Rachel added their discoveries to the map, her hands steady despite the growing shadows.
"We're getting closer," she said, glancing at Finn. "I can feel it."
Finn sat beside her, his arm resting casually around her shoulders. "You're amazing, you know that?"
Rachel looked at him, her cheeks flushing. "I'm just… doing what I can."
"You're doing more than that," Finn said, his voice soft. "You're figuring this place out. And you're keeping us moving forward."
Rachel smiled, leaning into him. "I couldn't do it without you."
He kissed her on the cheek, his voice steady and sure. "Good thing you don't have to."