Nova stared at the bright pink nail varnish on her toes as she walked behind Yoa. She managed to fit in an appointment on her lunch break days before her planned trip with Chad to Isla de Tayun. Nova wasn't really a 'pink' fan, but on her toenails, it was agreeable, especially after her skin would tan.
Now, her feet were dirty with leaves and mud beneath them as they crinkled and crunched under her skin. Unlike Yoa's feet, hers were smooth and soft but she'd been tiptoeing a lot, avoiding what would surely hurt her delicate skin or stepping into Yoa's footprints. When she wasn't watching his back muscles or hair, she was mostly watching her feet and secretly scolding herself for denying Yoa his help in carrying her.
Although Nova had been careful, she couldn't avoid the inevitable of not wearing anything on her soft soles. She winced a few times as the soft skin was cut from stones. Hidden twigs or other foliage crunched under them, digging into her feet.
Yoa halted suddenly, and Nova almost bumped into him and winced again as she couldn't avoid the pebble slotted between her toe and slicing her skin. Yoa's head whipped back around, and his gaze lowered to her feet, nostrils flaring. He smelt blood.
In one swift move, quicker than Nova's eyes could keep up, he knelt by her feet and lifted her foot up, holding her by the waist so she didn't lose her balance and inspected her feet. His chest rumbled in annoyance, and eyes flashed, glaring at her before lifting her into his arms.
"Yoa! I'm fine! Really!" Nova complained immediately.
Yoa's grip on her thighs tightened. "Stubborn mouse," he growled, his face close to hers now as those thick brows were tugged together, his eyes more stormy like water doused on flames and only the embers were left.
"Not stubborn-"
"Do men from where you are from let their women suffer in silence?" He snapped, eyes gleaming, his chest growing and falling from a large inhale. "Tell me when you need help. I can smell your blood. Fortunately, we are close, and the only predators nearby will be the eagles, but they won't pick up this scent."
Nova released a long breath and, at the same time, apologised. She didn't think that far ahead. "I only wanted to make things easier for you. I know I'm a bother already-"
"Stop," Yoa grunted as he ventured through the trail, effortlessly carrying her. "You are troublesome for such a little mouse, but I accepted that when I agreed to help you."
Nova's cheeks heated, and she couldn't hold back her small chuckle. He really wasn't one to hold back his thoughts. She really was trouble for him. For that reason alone, she decided to let the use of that nickname slide.
"Alright, then I suppose I will let you carry me as you seem to love doing it so much," Nova teased, watching his expression and enjoying the growing smirk on his lips.
"Finally, you understand," he smirked, watching her with glittering fiery eyes; his grip on her legs briefly tightened in response, then relaxed. Like before, he carried her like some sort of teddy. Her backside sat on his forearm, and she was cradled to his chest. Such a damned giant. She honestly wouldn't complain, especially with her feet now a little wounded.
Yoa carried her and their silence was comfortable, only occasionally interrupted by Nova's curiosity, asking him random things about the forest, a plant, a flower, what that noise was. It didn't take long before his long strides slowed.
"That way," Yoa grunted, pointing his head in the direction of the resort. He didn't say much, but she understood his words. She was almost there, almost to the finish line now.
Nova stared at the trees looming over them, looking through them like she could already see the resort. "Thank you, Yoa." She looked up at him, her throat feeling a little thick with emotion she didn't think was possible after such a short time together with this jungle man.
Yet, it was possible. This man had helped her through what will be a story of a lifetime, a story of how she miraculously survived on this strange island. If it wasn't for Yoa, she would most likely be dead by now.
Yoa's gaze moved back to her and stilled when she spontaneously lifted her head and pressed her lips to the side of Yoa's cheek. "What was that?" His eyes zoned in on her face, his own unreadable.
"A kiss?" Nova squeaked. Jeez, why did she suddenly sound like that? No wonder he kept calling her a mouse.
Yoa's eyebrows rose. "You wish to mate with me?"
Nova froze and her eyes bugged out in shock, her lips opened and shut like a dying fish and her heartrate skyrocketed. Yoa snorted and ruffled her hair. "The look on your face…" His words settled her tense muscles though there was a part of her that was somewhat disappointed and a little embarrassed. Wait what?
Yoa lowered her to the ground and kept his face close to hers so her eyes were locked in molten gold and burning orange and red. "Many would beg to be mine." He cups her face. "But a Queen never grovels."
Nova was pretty sure she was looking like that dying fish again. Why did that make her heart flutter, and could he hear her heart? Did this beastly man know that he was a little bit of a charmer? How cheeky.
Yoa's gaze lowered to her lips, and he gently pushed her chin up, closing her mouth and her eyes glittering like a sunset's reflection on rippling water. Those eyes looked longingly at Nova, mirroring her own expression, heart racing as she caressed along that strong jawline, eyes roaming over his features, memorising them. She would never forget this man. Never. Those eyes were so intense, always focused on her, like every word she spoke, every little detail was listened to, and what she said was truly important.
Those eyes burned into her skin now, taking in every detail of Nova's face. The smudged black paint along her eyes made those blue eyes pop, reminding him of the tropical ocean. Even if Nova didn't have eyes of tropical waters, Yoa would feel this oddness he hadn't quite shaken since meeting her. There was something entirely captivating about this weak woman with wavy sun-kissed hair and a tiny figure with the stubbornness of one of the Crocs.
With a shaky breath, Nova took a step back, feeling the short distance between them like there were already oceans between them. She frowned at herself. She could scold herself for feeling so strongly about Yoa, a man she hadn't known for long, and yes, he was a man like none other before, but the days she'd spent here felt more like a week. Her muscles yearned for comfort, and her frazzled mind yearned for everything to make sense again.
Nova accepted how she felt because everything was in such disarray anyway. With another sigh, she took another step, watching Yoa with longing. Stop it. Don't make this harder. I'll return to civilisation, to the busy streets of city life, and to designing people's homes. Yoa will continue climbing and swinging from vines, hunting, and probably protecting some other damsels in distress.
That's a lie; she's been the only damsel, and she'd never thought of herself that way before until she was on this island. This island stripped her back to the very core, and she'd been an utter mess.
Nova looked him over again, her heart squeezing then she took a few more steps, aware of his commanding presence behind her. "Thank you again," she said, her voice sounding so lost and quiet. She was thankful her back was to him as she slowly composed herself.
Just a few more steps and she would be back at the resort, back to reality. Back to-
Yoa's hand enveloped hers and tugged her back before she could finish her thoughts. Nova blinked up at him as she spun around, her hair whipping across her face in the process. She watched as he took her hand, stepped closer, and placed it against his chest, over his heart, holding it there as he placed his hand over Nova's chest, above her beating heart. His eyes glowed brightly, imprisoning her in that ethereal gaze.
Nova's chest rose and fell quicker from the phantom touch of his large hand and the shiver running down her spine. This felt so much more intimate, yet Yoa's eyes were unreadable—feral-looking, perhaps? They were so bright and enchanting that Nova instinctively leaned closer to him.
"Yoa?" She whispered, her voice unlike her own, confused, unsure.
Their hearts beat as one. One rhythm. Yoa listened to it as he stared deeply into her eyes. "It is how we say goodbye." He said, his voice hoarse, a low rumble in his chest as those eyes flashed so quickly with emotion, she missed how to interpret it.
His face was close to hers again, the tension crackling in the air as their breaths coiled together. She couldn't look away from his eyes even if she tried. His hand was so warm, and the feeling of his heart beating calmed her own. It offered her solace and comfort, just like those burning eyes of golden-red sunsets.
Yoa shouldn't have touched her like this. It was foolish. But his beast couldn't help it. He couldn't watch her walk away without leaving his mark on her soul.
"Maybe…" Nova breathed out, her voice thick with emotion. She cleared it, surprised by how much this was affecting her. "I'll return one day… See how you are."
"Don't," Yoa clipped harshly, his voice devoid of emotion, those eyes hard.
Nova inhaled sharply, her head pulling back like she'd been slapped. It stung to hear him say that to her. "Was I that much trouble you don't want to see me-"
"Don't want to see your corpse," Yoa interrupted darkly. His eyes, which were always so bright and warm, hard at times, had grown dark, shaded like the very thought of her return would mean her death.
Duly noted. Yoa was most likely right. Nova barely survived this time. She wiped away a stray tear from the corner of her eye, so confused by the depth of these feelings. She wouldn't ever see this wild beast again.
With a deep inhale, Nova composed herself once more as they simultaneously stepped back from each other, their hands lowering. She turned away from Yoa, giving him one last look, seeing those Godly features shaded in darkness, eyes luminous and feral before she faced the leaves.
Yoa watched her part from him, his beast clawing at his chest, rumbling and watching each of her tiny steps. Protect her. His instincts wanted to take her back and let no other come near her again. This was for the best. This wasn't her world. He waited there until Nova's tiny frame was swallowed whole by the giant green leaves of the forest.
Yoa could still hear her footfall, as small as they may be. He knew her gait to the tiniest detail, and she was getting further and further away from him, the sound muffling.
Nova released a long breath as she felt the soft breeze of the sea and the salty air kiss her lips. Bitterness followed the taste, and she squeezed her eyes shut, aware there had to be only fifty meters between them now. But that wasn't the reason why she stopped.
The trees fell away, revealing the beach and the beach alone. Nova had walked the last bit of the forest to the beach. She looked one way and the other, searching the white sandy beach. It was empty.
The beach was entirely empty.
She stepped further along the heated sand, the granules stinging her tiny cuts but she ignored it. This was where the resort should be. SHOULD BE.