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A laboratory. The stench of chemicals. The veins in his brain pulled taut.
Everything felt familiar. Only, this time, he was the subject.
The ambient hum of murmuring voices... He was no different from canned goods packed away in a shipping container.
Complete darkness and solitude, but at certain moments, a dazzling light, and the sensation of being moved somewhere.
A few times, it felt as though they were deliberately taking the long way around, just to keep him from guessing where they were headed.
And then, what revealed itself was...
"Did you play hide-and-seek, Adler...?"
A man with a distinct, peculiar tone spoke to him.
As Adler's eyes adjusted to the light, Stitch stared at his prize in sheer admiration.
"Peekaboo."
Soon, as his vision cleared enough to take in the man's full appearance, Adler shuddered at the memory of his past. That exact sensation when a sharp blade had helplessly sliced around Stitch's eye as he lay bound. To Adler, that memory was a blade of vengeance, but at the same time, a faint, metallic trace of euphoria oddly lingered within it.
"We always give and take, Adler," Stitch's voice sounded somewhat amused, almost excited.
"As you can see, I suppose it's my turn this time. But this time, it comes with a little extra problem. If there's nothing wrong with your memory, do you remember? That entity... who used to be your 'Bell'?"
The more Stitch ran his mouth, the deeper the creases on Adler's brow became. It was the existence he had been trying to forget for a while, but could never truly erase... the one he had lost in a single split second.
...Bell.
Adler instinctively hurled a curse at Stitch. Perhaps out of a sense of self-defense. It was because a flood of memories from his brief time with Bell came rushing in all at once.
Certainly, those weren't pleasant memories.
He had to mold a completely independent individual with entirely different ideals into a docile, loyal puppet.
The greatest, and worst, project in his history.
"Don't act like you don't know me..." Adler took a moment to catch his breath, his demeanor making it perfectly clear that he had already seen right through Stitch's intentions.
And they both knew, implicitly, that Stitch was just like him... someone capable of absolutely anything.
Stitch let out a short laugh, slowly pacing around Adler like a predator circling its prey. "If we wanted to make things even 'formally,' I suppose I could give you another pretty scar on your face. Just like mine." His tone was casual, as if he were merely going out for a light stroll.
Stitch turned a bottle of chemicals sitting on a nearby table, making sure the label faced forward. Catching sight of the label for a brief second, Adler felt a sudden bitter taste coat the inside of his mouth the moment he recognized it.
...Because the eyes of Bell, who had looked up at him right before that very drug was injected, flashed back into his mind.
"But I'm going to take it a step further. For this to work, it's much better if your eyes stay intact. ...You're going to end up helping us after all, Adler."
[Creator's Note]
It's been a while since I've doodled Stitch so I just wanted to draw him again.
I was gifted, as part of Secret Santa, this absolutely beautiful piece of art by @sleepyconfusedpotato and I cannot express my thanks enough. It captures Frank and Jodie exceptionally well and they would have themselves a little dance next to firelight and the Christmas Tree.
Sleepy, this is brilliant, I don’t think I can explain any more than I have just how much I love this and it was a wonderful surprise for Christmas 💖
Pretty sure I only made excited noises when I first saw it 😂
ANYWAY, my many thanks and Christmas wishes to you Sleepy, and everyone this year!!
Hybrid anime art of my girl. I drew this about a month ago? I wanted to play with some old school anime style and colors. I may do more we'll see. It was fun.
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— in which he drowns, in her presence and in her absence
CONTENT WARNING:
graphic, vivid descriptions. adler's pov / 3rd person limited. mentions of a toxic co-dependency between him and fem!bell/reader (think of hannigram sort of dynamic?).
author's note: he really can't win, no matter what. and good. may he suffer. i love making adler suffer, gods. the song i listened to is Tonight (demo) by Amira Elfeky for this piece.
———
It doesn’t feel right.
Something engulfs his flesh, fills his spongy organs with a clinging film that smothers his every breath. Something fills every cavity in his body, and all he can smell is her, her, her—
Yet the scent he is soused in is fading.
This is…wrong. Just wrong.
A staccato exhale slips from his lips, and there’s a slight tremor in his hands as he watches on with a clenched jaw, how she converses with Hudson not too far from the aircraft hangar. The cigarette between his fingers burns on, sifting into ashes on the asphalt, until it burns dangerously close to his skin.
He stares at her.
Slung over her shoulder are her bags, in her hand the duffel she keeps her small amount of belongings in. Not far off from where they stand is the aircraft ready to ferry her across the country to D.C..
Frustration builds in him, clawing at the inner linings of his throat until the flesh burns from torn layers of the epidermis. It sets off a deeply uncomfortable sear in his chest, but all he can do is stand there, drowning in his air of bitterness.
She stands there, gaze so emotionless and cold and dead, like how she once was back in ‘82. The death he tried so dearly to resuscitate her from triumphs and looms over his conscience like a taunt. A slap, even. Like a rude awakening that he never once had truly been what he thought he was to her — a presence to replace her Death, her once-companion.
It shouldn’t sting, yet it does. The frustration that burned his throat now settles into something akin to sharp stings of disappointment.
“Russ,” Hudson calls. Flickering away the cooled ashes from his fingertips, he steps closer.
It’s a standard debrief. He can’t focus, not when his eyes are drawn to the stoic soldier that stands by his side, whose presence he will soon lose.
“Are you really going?”
The question leaves his lips before he can stop himself, as she’s hitching the bags on her shoulder. He’d asked if she required help, to which her expected answer of ‘no’ had come. Part of him wants to grab her shoulders and shake her until he gets his points across. Yet even that, he fears, is not enough.
His jaw is clenched, his teeth gritted. Each word leaving his lips is something he’s spat out like it’s utterly distasteful to even think about. It tastes bitter, and off, and so utterly full of despair. He hates it. Perhaps his reluctance is petulant and child-like. He can’t give a damn. Not when she drowns him with each stifling moment of her silence, when she refuses to turn around and face him. Like the damned coward she is at times—
He’s bitter. He sees it now.
She straightens up, facing him fully.
Oh.
A part of him curdles at how he is acting. The moment she turns, the slight modicum of her attention on him is enough to quell the bubbling, rising spats that crowds his throat.
“Where else would I go?” She asks, in her usual detached tone.
It sickens him. She used to smile. He’s seen her smile. He’s seen every inch of her, he’s tasted her, his hands memorised every part of her.
Why has she changed? What has changed? Why does it warrant her change?
She bared herself to him. They carved and etched viscera and their hands were stained. Yet now he is left alone with this visceral, bloody thing they had between them— Did this mean nothing to her?
He hesitates. A grimace curls on his face. “I’m sure there's stuff on the market you’ll like.” A pause. “I’ll figure something out.”
Something for us. The unspoken words linger.
Oh he might as well have been on his knees begging until his legs grew raw and sore from kneeling on the harsh asphalt. But for her, he would have, he could…
His fingers itch by his side. Itching to reach out, itching to grab her arm, her shoulders. To relish the feeling of the warmth of her flesh against his hands once more at the very least. To know her embers, the spark in her eyes (when she laughed at his banter, oh her smiles…) he witnessed were not a mirage but in fact the god-honest truth. To know he had fulfilled what he had once vowed to do, and to know he still holds a goddamn chance because he just needs a chance, a slim possibility—
He can’t do this. Not without her. Not anymore.
Not when he’s already tasted the salty tang of the ichor. Not when he’s already fallen down her depths and embraced her as Death once did. Not when he vowed to replace the constant companion Death she once held so dearly, and he thought, he thought he had managed to.
Ah.
As he stares at her, through the shield of his shades, his heart plummets. She knows.
Of course she knows.
“I’m not interested.”
He just needs to reach out, he just needs to pull her closer to him, to ask her to reconsider. He needs to know, just know what all of that meant to her, if they even meant anything to her as they did for him. He needs to know, he fights the urge to claw at his chest to dig out his heart and place its beating, pulsating form in her hands where it belongs, where it can beat freely. It pulses far too suffocatingly in his thoracic cavity, he can’t take it, he can’t take it anymore—
He stays.
Staring as she leaves.
———
fin. | do not plagarize, steal, modify or translate my works without my explicit permission.
Arthur’s Note: Talofa everyone! Today, I would like to share this one shot that is about my OC’s birthday today! Which is Koa “Hunter” Nikau’s birthday! And I had already asked permission with my dearest friend @efingart if I could borrow her Bell OC named Mila! About these two, it wasn’t an easy start for the both of them since Mila is actually not that much of an open book to strangers. So she doesn’t trust much with this new guy in the team (which is Koa). But after going on some missions together. She saw how Koa is very reliable and kind to others. So they are friends now and I’ll let you guys read the rest of it here for you! Hope you enjoy it!
Words: 5266
West Berlin, Safehouse
March 5th, 1981
6:00AM
The Safehouse was a bit slow today and everyone in there was just doing their own thing. Just to pass the time until they are called for another mission.
Larz was just punching the punching bag at the corner while Sims was just cheering him and hyping him up. As he was tinkering his own things on his desk. Fixing something for Adler.
While somewhere at the board stood Park and Hudson. Who were just talking about some random things about whatever on the board. Some CIA stuff like.
And Adler was outside of the safe house giving a smoke. As he always does during his spare time.
While lastly, at the van from the entry of the door of the garage. Stood Frank, Alex and Koa. Frank is sitting in the back of the van with Alex standing next to him. And Koa was standing in front of the two as they were just talking.
“Hey, I heard today is your birthday.” Frank said as he was looking at the Māori man. Leaning in forward while placing his forearm on one of his legs and his other hand on his hips. “Gonna take a day off today, Gorilla?"
Koa perked at Frank’s words as he was wondering how he found out about his birth date. But he just let it slide as he shrugged. “I don’t think Adler would let me. You could imagine he might say, ‘We got work to do. THAT would be your birthday gift from me.’”
Frank started to laugh while Alex chuckled at Koa, intimidating as their boss.
“Hahaha! Yeah, he might say that. But I’m sure someone wouldn’t let you celebrate HERE. We should head out sometimes to do so but it's too bad that we’re a bit busy.” Frank started to look around to see everyone was doing their own thing. “Well…sort of.”
Alex then started to suggest something as he looked at Koa. “Hey, maybe we can go out then. To celebrate your special day! We’ll try to ask Adler to let us loose for a bit since we have nothing else better to do.”
The Māori man had thought for a bit but shook his head in response before speaking. “Nah. It’s okay. I don’t mind sticking my ass around here. And I…usually celebrate my birthday on my own.”
“Huh? Why? Don’t you celebrate with someone?”
Alex nudged Frank on the arm as he was telling him to stop asking.
Koa just smiled a bit as he didn't mind Frank asking him that. “I used to. But not anymore. Since…well…it’s a bit difficult.”
Alex nodded at Koa’s response before taking a few steps forward and placed his hand on his shoulder. “It’s alright, Koa. We understand. RIGHT, Frank?”
The gruffly man just rolled his eyes at his buddy’s words before groaning. “Yeah yeah. Whatever. Mysterious shits ain’t my business.”
Koa chuckled a bit while Alex was just shaking his head.
As the three of them continue talking. Mila, who is also known as Bell, walked in with a small box in hand. She started to look around before her eyes had caught Koa who was talking with the two boys. She smiled a bit before placing the box in her bag as she started walking.
Alex took notice of seeing Mila approaching and was about to say hi. But just paused when he saw her placing her finger on her lips. Telling him to be quiet. He smiled and started to talk to Koa to distract him for a bit longer.
Even Frank could see Mila sneaking up on Koa and just grinned as he kept quiet. Watching his girl going to mess around with the big man.
While the Captain was too busy to notice Bell was sneaking up on him. He suddenly felt a light tap on his right shoulder from behind. He turned his head to see that there’s no one. “Huh? Who-”
Koa was suddenly interrupted by another tap on his other shoulder. So he turned his head and saw that there was no one still. “What the…?” This had made Koa very confused. So he made a full turn around and turned the other side after. And he still can’t see who it is without realizing that Mila was behind all of this.
As she was LITERALLY behind him.
These little charades had made the two boys snickered and doing their best NOT to laugh. While watching Mila avoid every turn from being seen by Koa. She even kept poking him from here and there. Making this poor Captain tired and annoyed.
“The fuck?! Do you guys know who kept poking me?!” Koa yelled out as he looked at Alex and Frank. Seeing if THEY saw anyone who kept poking his body.
Frank wouldn’t dare to answer since he was trying his best to hold his laughter. Alex was also having a hard time holding it in as well.
He shook his head and tried his best to answer. “N-No. We saw NO ONE, Koa.”
“Bullshits. You two are LAUGHING.”
Frank kept his laughter on hold as there were chuckled through his throat. “Nah! We’re not! We’re just trying to breathe the AIR!”
As Koa was about to say more, he felt another tap as he groaned and turned before he saw Mila was standing there. Smiling at him as she gently booped his nose.
“Happy birthday big guy.” She said with a cooing tone. Teasing him as she actually got him from all that poking.
“Wha- Mila?” He was most definitely surprised to see her. As he chuckled to himself and stood back before rubbing his temple. “Damn. I thought you were someone else who always gets on my nerves.”
The woman just giggled a bit as she gently hugged his arm and tried to pull him away. “Come on, let’s go!”
The man looked confused to see her pulling him. “Um…go where?”
“It’s a surprise! Don’t want to spoil it on your Birthday!”
“But what about Adler? We might get in trouble.”
Alex put his hand on Koa’s back and gave a gentle pat. “Don’t worry about him. Frank and I will cover for you two.”
Frank who just stood up from his comfy spot and gave himself a good stretch as he looked at Koa. “Yeah. We’ll keep that bastard busy until you two come back. And besides, you don’t want to reject the lady’s invitation for working ALL night to plan this for ya.” He said with a wink before smiling at Mila.
Koa perked at Frank’s words about Mila planning all night as he looked down at the woman. Seeing her smiling up at him.
“Please, Koa?” She asked as she gave those hopeful looks. Hoping that Koa would accept this.
The Māori man saw her expression and gave a thought before sighing in defeat. Smiling at her. “Alright, as long as Adler doesn’t bother us. I could catch a break from him anyway.”
“Oh I’m sure you’ll catch a break from him alright. Right boys?”
Alex gave a nod while Frank gave a thumbs up.
“Just make sure you don’t have TOO much fun with her, Nikau.” Frank pointed at him as he gave him that warning look.
Koa just chuckled before pulling his arm out of Mila’s hands and placed it around her shoulder. Pulling her close. “Oh don’t worry, Woods. I won’t~” He gave that man a teasing grin. Before snickering to see his glareful eyes on him.
Mila, knowing of what Koa was doing, had leaned onto him and also shared that teasing grin on Frank. “But I don’t mind though~ It goes to show of how much he care for our FRIENDSHIP~”
“Bullshits! Don’t even THINK about it!”
Alex started to laugh hearing Frank was really unliking this. And even seeing these two are teasing him is MORE hilarious than ever.
Mila just giggled before letting Koa remove his arm as she walked up to Frank. Holding his hand and giving that warm smile that she knows he loved. Showing her shining eyes. “We’ll be back. WITHOUT doing what you think we’re going to do. I promise.”
Frank could see that she was giving him those puppy eyes. His ONLY weakness from HER.
He just blushed a little as he gaze his eyes somewhere else. So he doesn’t have to see those tempting eyes. “Yeah yeah yeah. Alright. Just get out of here already.”
Mila just smiled before giving a quick kiss on his cheek and walked back to Koa. Took his hand and pulled him out of the safehouse. “We’ll be back tonight! Just keep Adler out of our business!”
Frank just sighed but smiled a little as he watched the two walking out. While Alex was slowly sliding in next to him. And smirked at him teasingly.
Mila had started to take Koa all over the city. From one place to another. And she started to see Koa was looking amazed by this place. “You don’t usually come out here much don’t you? Ever since you came?”
He perked at Mila’s question as he rubbed behind his head. “Not…really. I’m not quite familiar with this city. And I don’t want to get lost so I decided to stay inside.”
“Ah. I see. Well, good thing I know it. Since Frank usually takes me out around this place.” She winked at him before giving him a nudge on the arm. “So I shall be your map for today.”
He chuckled a bit and kept walking with her.
“Since I know you’re the kind of person who can’t choose when someone offers you where to eat. So I tried to find a good place that goes with your liking.” She then took his hand again and pulled him through some people, crossing the streets and passing to see some objects or artifacts that were displaying on the windows. Which Koa finds quite fascinating to look at.
Until he saw that they had stopped right in front of a restaurant. A restaurant that is swarming with people. It looks pretty crowded.
“Um…are you sure we should be here, Mil?”
“Yes! I’ve already got our reservation!”
“Wait, you did? Woah!” He got pulled in again by her as they entered the door.
Mila was looking around before seeing a waiter walking up to them. She smiled at him before telling him about the reservation.
This man had caught Koa’s attention that he looks like a New Zealander. Recognizing the face, the skin tone, the looks, everything.
“Of course, ma’am. Right this way.” The waiter said with an accent that is like Koa’s. He led the two to their table where it was close to the window. Showing a great view to see a nice building right across. And even saw some nice flowers that were displaying against the windows. For the people from outside and even inside to see their beautiful color. “Here you go. A table for two, next to this window showing a beautiful view and even have some flowers here that was from the beautiful island called New Zealand. Some lupins and some roses. Will this do?”
Mila smiled at the set up that they had provided and nodded at the waiter. “This will do very pleasantly. Thank you!”
The waiter smiled as he was pleased to hear that and started to pull the chair back. Mila sat down and he started to push it in after she did.
Koa took his seat and sat down before seeing Mila pulling out some money from her pocket and handing it to this waiter.
“A tip for you being so nice.” She smiled at him.
The waiter was a bit surprised as he accepted the money and said his thanks to her. “So, shall I get you two some refreshing drinks?”
She took a good look on the menu where the refreshing section is at. Before her eyes glimmer with delight to see something that she really likes. “I would like to take a strawberry milkshake please.”
The waiter nodded with a smile and looked at Koa. “And you, sir?”
“Oh. Um…Ka mau ahau i te punch tropical.” He ordered before looking up at the waiter.
The waiter looks surprised to hear this from him. So he smiled and started to ask him a question. “He tangata no Aotearoa ano koe?”
Koa nodded as he smiled back at the Waiter. As he felt quite proud to hear this from another New Zealander. “Ae. Ko ahau.”
He could see the waiter’s smile soften before he nodded at them both. “Alright, I’ll get your drinks ready. Please, take your time to look throughout our menu.” And after that, he left.
Mila and Koa started to look through the menu while talking for a bit.
“Where did you even get this money?” Koa asked as he glanced up from his menu to look at his dear friend.
Mila didn’t look at him as she was still looking through these food choices. “Oh. I just asked Frank if I could borrow some cash. And I also stole some from Adler’s desk.” She looked up from her menu to see Koa was looking quite surprised before she grinned at him. “I’m kidding. Frank gave some to me.”
Koa chuckled at her jokes. “I wonder how you convinced him to give you THAT much cash.”
“I have my ways~” The woman gave him a playful wink before looking back at the menu.
After a few minutes, the waiter came back with their drinks and started to take their food order. Mila can’t even decide and wants to have the whole menu. Which made Koa laugh a bit before helping her by giving his suggestions of the food. Even the waiter had other options for Mila’s likings.
And soon the two had already done their order and let the Waiter take it to the kitchen.
“Feeling alright, Koa?” Mila asked before taking her strawberry milkshake and took a few sips.
Koa took his tropical punch and nodded at her with a small smile. “I’m good. And don’t you think that you should be having desserts AFTER lunch?”
“Don’t tell me when to drink my favorite ones. And I’M paying for it.”
“Heh. Okay okay. I’m sorry. Enjoy.” He took a few sips from his drink while continuing on their conversation.
After a while, the two had got their food and started to dig in. Mila had started to tell Koa of her other plans of where to go next after. And when they were done eating and were about to head out. Mila had given another tip for the waiter.
“Mauruuru koe mo to mahi.” She said to him in the Māori language. With that PERFECT accent that she did.
Which really impressed both the waiter and Koa.
“A ka mihi ki a koe mo te pai ki ta matou wharekai miss.” The waiter responded back with a genuine smile and nodded at her as he watched the two walk out.
Koa looked at Mila with an impressive expression on his face. “Your Māori are spot on, Mil.”
The woman giggled at the compliment before smiling at him. “I learned from the best.”
The two shared a soft laugh before Mila took Koa’s arm and pulled him to the store that sells some swimming products and clothes.
“Uh, Mila? Why are we here?” Koa asked before he saw her looking through the men's swimming clothes section.
“Well, I was also planning on taking you for a SWIM!” She said as she took one of the swimming trunks out. Showing a blue and white color with dolphins design. “So go ahead and pick one before I’ll pick it FOR you!”
The man just rolled his eyes with a small smile showing on the corner of his lips. As he started to search for a swimming trunk. “We could’ve at least packed some clothes back at the Safehouse? So you know, you don't have to waste money here?”
“Shoosh. Like I said, my money to pay for you to enjoy on your special day. So it’s either you accept this and BUY any swimming trunks or I’ll buy THIS one for you since it’s CHEAPER.” Mila showed a black speedo as she gave him that teasing smirk.
Koa's eyes widened before his face blushed a bit as he quickly snatched the speedo from her and put it back. And gave a heavy defeated sigh before glaring at this wicked woman. “Such a BOLD move, Mil.”
She just shrugged before walking away to the women section to find HER swimsuit. “Better PICK one, Nikau.”
Koa just sighed as he chuckled to himself and continued to look for one.
Only for 10 minutes of searching and looking around. The two had gotten their swimsuits and walked their way to the lake. It was a bit crowded but it’s not THAT wild. It took Koa by surprise to see so many people.
“Wow. This lake is…quite full.”
“Damn. Yeah. Never knew it could be THIS crowded.” She said in a surprising tone before looking up at him. “Sorry about this, Koa. Do…you want to come back some other time?”
He looked down at Mila as he smiled a little. He knows that she worked hard to prepare all of this and he doesn’t blame her for not knowing about these people coming here. So he decided to continue on with this plan as he started looking around for some spot.
Until his eyes saw an empty open on the beach where the trees are at. “How about in front of that tree? We can sit there in some shades.”
Mila saw the open spot and smiled as she nodded. “Let’s get it before someone ELSE does!”
The two of them quickly ran over to claim that spot and put their things down.
“FINALLY! You got some good eyes, Koa.” Mila said tiredly before laying her beach blanket on the sand before grabbing the swim suit from the bag. “I’ll go change first. Keep an eye on our stuff.”
“Aye aye, Captain.” Koa said it as he saluted her. Grinning to see her shaking her head before she left.
After Mila was done changing, it was Koa’s turn to change. And it doesn’t take that long. But when he came back from the restroom. Koa had seen two men surrounding Mila when she was about to settle herself down. Trying to tan herself.
He could see that annoying expression on her face, knowing that these men were trying to take a hit on her. So he started to make his way there ASAP.
“I already told you that I’m not interested. And I already have a boyfriend.” Mila said in an annoying tone. Giving that glare onto these men.
One of the men, who looked like in his 30s and is only about 6ft with a brunette short hairstyle, was just standing in front of her. While his other friend, who also looked like in his 30s as well and has the same height as the main man but only has long blonde hair that is in a ponytail, was just standing behind Mila and looked too close against her back.
“Oh really? Well, I don’t see him around. Are you sure that you’re not alone sweet cheeks?~” The brunette guy was taking a step closer before touching her chin with his fingers. With that big smirk on his face as he started to use that soothing voice on her. “Come on~ Just a few minutes of your time~ That’s a-AH!” Before the man could finish his sentences. He was cut off by Mila’s fast movement when she grabbed his hand that was touching her chin and twisted it.
“DON’T. TOUCH ME.” She gave him a warning glare before hearing the other man behind her.
“You BITCH!” The blonde guy was about to grab her until he suddenly jolted to see Koa was blocking his way. His body froze when he gulped to see this man was taller than himself.
Koa, trying to hold back from punching this man, gave him that look of disgust and annoyance. “You better respect this woman’s boundaries, friend. She is TAKEN and she doesn’t want to deal with ANY of you two’s shitty ass problems.” He crossed his arms and was giving that intimidating look. As his brown eyes were filled with anger. Trying to tell this blonde man to choose his next move WISELY. “So you two better go. NOW.”
Mila had let go of the other man’s hand and gave him the middle finger as he walked away. With his friend who was trembling a bit as he catched up.
As soon as the two men were out of sight. Koa turned his head to look at Mila with a concerned expression.
“You alright, Mil?”
She looked up at Koa, giving him a reassuring smile to let him know that she is indeed alright. “I could handle these guys, Koa. But thanks.”
“Well I have to step in before you make a scene in front of everybody. Or maybe you just want to show-off?”
“Heh. Maybe~”
“I figured. Wanna dip in the water with me?”
“Yeah. I’m coming. But only for a few minutes because I want to get myself some tan.”
“I thought you looked dark enough for it. You sure you don’t want to make yourself look crispy like an old woman?” Koa grinned at Mila at that last comment before laughing at her trying to hit him. But he dodged it as ran towards the water with Mila chasing after him.
“I’LL SHOW YOU CRISPY, NIKAU!”
Koa just kept laughing as he already got into the water while Mila dived in to get him. And continue to swim with him.
When the sun slowly started to set and most of the people started to pack up and leave. Koa had already changed from his wet clothes before smiling to see Mila was sitting on her beach towel. Watching the sun setting as her smile was softly shown on her face.
It has been a while that Koa has seen that smile ever since from the mission they took together. He slowly walked over while drying his hair with his towel and sat down next to her.
“Wanna stay here for a bit longer?” He asked as he put his towel down next to her. And looked at the distance, watching the sun setting down slowly.
Mila hummed a bit as she kept staring at the beautiful mixed color of red, pink and orange color in the sky. “Yeah…unless you wanted to go?”
“Nah. We can still sit here.”
She glanced at him as she showed a small smile on the corner of her lips. And continue watching the sun sets.
“And…thank you, Mila. This is the best Birthday you could ever give me. It’s nice to step out of the safe house for once in a while.” Koa said before he slowly leaned back a bit and placed both of his hands on the sand behind him.
She nodded at him before she remembered something. And started to dig through something from the bag. “Oh! I almost forgot! Close your eyes, will ya?”
The Māori raised an eyebrow to see his friend digging through something in that bag. “Um…I’m not gonna get killed, am I?”
“Just closed them, you gorilla man.”
He chuckled before closing his eyes and waited for her to tell him to open them. Until he felt something was putting around his neck. Which made him curious about what Mila was doing.
“Okay…you can open them now.”
Koa had opened his eyes and gazed down to see a seashell necklace. He was silenced when he saw this. And seeing a memory had flashed into his mind in seconds. He slowly touched the necklace and examined it a bit.
Mila was watching Koa examining his gift as she felt a bit nervous about this. Since she doesn’t know if he liked it or she’s offending him. So she made a quick response to explain. “I remember you told me that you threw your father’s necklace away. Because of how angry you were when he was gone from war for a VERY long time. And told me that you regretted it. Thinking that he’s disappointed in you for being a bad son for doing that.” She then glanced away while rubbing her hands together very anxiously. “I-I know you’re not like that. Not anymore. And I…felt bad that you kept telling yourself that so…I asked Frank to help me to find a seashell necklace for you. It took us a while to find it. Since I want to find the best seashell that I KNOW will make you feel like your father is still part of you.”
She then looked back at Koa and gently reached out to touch his hand where he was holding the seashell.
As the Māori man looked at her. He could see those kindness in her eyes and see her caring smile. Before she looked at the seashell.
“Until…this one somehow called out to me. Saying to me that this is the one.” Mila said it so softly as she kept holding onto his hand tightly and closed it with the seashell inside. And looked back at her dearest friend. “I guess…it might be your father.”
Koa was still silent. As he has no words to say. Except feeling his tears filling up his eyes as his head lowered down.
Mila suddenly felt his hand was shaken which worried her a bit. “K-Koa? Koa are you okay? I-I’m so-”
“Thank you…”
She suddenly paused to hear those words. “W-What?”
And she watched him carefully lifting up his head. Seeing his expression of sadness but with joy in his eyes. Mila could feel that this man has been holding onto this pain for SO long that she had finally broken his wall down.
“Th-Thank you…Mil…I…I think this shell also…call out to me…” He sniffed as he tried to wipe his tears away. “Thank you. Thank you so much.” He then started to cry while hugging the seashell close to his chest.
Mila had never seen Koa being like this. As she had always seen him as being strong, independent and reliable. And also being a great leader. But this?
Seeing this big strong man had become so small and fragile of the memories that had come back to him. And she thought that she was a mess. But now…she knows that she’s not the only one.
So she gently hugged Koa. Making sure that her embrace was surrounding him. As she softly spoke to him. “You’re welcome, Koa. Your father AND your mother would be so proud. As much as I am.” She could feel her own tears coming down as she kept on hugging him.
Hearing the music and the sound of laughter from inside the house showed that they are celebrating. Something very special.
An old man’s 91st birthday party has been quite a fun time for them. But not for the birthday guy.
Meanwhile, where the oceanfront terrace was at. There stood an old man, leaning against the wall as he was watching the ocean waves pass by. While holding a seashell necklace in his hand.
He could hear everyone was having a fun time there. And he enjoys seeing them doing so. But in his time, he wanted to relax by listening to the ocean and watching the night sky view.
Until he heard a door open from behind as he could hear the music blasting. Before it became silent again, with a bit of muffled noises, when they closed the door.
“Thought I find you here.” A male voice had said.
Koa, who is an old man, smiled a bit as he turned his head to see his Great-Grandson. Stood right next to him, having two cold beers in hand.
“Grandpa Kai was looking for you. Wanting you to meet our other guests.” The man said before handing him a bottle.
Koa shook his head to reject the drink offer before sighing. “I apologize. I just want to be alone for a bit.”
The Grandson nodded as he put the bottle on the wall between them. Before opening the other one. “I figured. Even I wanted to get away from there.”
The old man chuckled softly as he looked at him drinking the beer. “Like getting away from women?”
The grandson almost choked on his own drink before coughing a bit. “N-No! I’m not! I just…need some fresh air.”
“Oh my dear boy, Tama. You can’t run away from love forever. Sometimes you have to face it and later on embrace it.” Koa said with a hearty laugh as he shook his head.
“E mohio ana ahau, koroua…” Tama, the Great-Grandson, sighed as he saw something in his hand. “Grandpa. What’s that?” He asked as he pointed at it.
The grandfather looked at his hand as he was deeply silenced. But he smiled a little as he opened up his palm to show the seashell necklace.
Tama looked at it as he was curious as to why he had it.
“This seashell necklace was found and had been given to me from a dear friend.” Koa answered.
The grandson could see a small smile from the side as his grandfather was staring at it. He can tell that seashell that he is holding; must be VERY special to him.
“A friend who knows about my past relationship with your Great-Great-Grandfather.”
“Oh?”
Koa nodded as he looked at him. Showing his small tears in his eyes.
Tama saw it and felt concerned once he saw that expression on his Great-Grandfather’s face. “Grandpa?”
“I couldn’t save her…and this is all I have left from her. All I have left from her AND my father. I have lost BOTH, Tama.” Koa’s voice started to feel weak and sounded like a whisper. As his wrinkled skinny hands started to shake so much. “L-Lost the people who I cared for SO much…it PAINS me…I bet they’re being upset with me right now. Ehehe…”
The grandson felt his heart ache for his grandfather as he put his beer down. And quickly gave him a tight hug. It had caught Koa by surprise.
“They’re not, grandpa. They NEVER are. I know that deep in my heart. Even though I don’t know them as much as you do. They are PROUD of you.” Tama said softly against his ear as he kept hugging him. “So proud of how far you’ve gone. And they’re also happy that you get to share THEIR story. Without you…their legacy won’t be told. To many of your generations.”
“T-Tama…?” Koa felt his grandson hugging him tighter.
Tama smiled as his own tears came out. “And I would gladly and be honored to share their story with yours as well…koroua. To let them know that you have fought so much to protect the ones who you love. And I will do the same.”
After hearing those words…Koa had felt his heart was feeling great joy and relief to hear this from him. So he hugged him back and let his tears flow down on his cheeks. As the two share each other's embrace.
