#sim: maika

[7simz]

nathan: it was YOU......... ur a m maika: haha oh yeah i didnt mention that? :) nathan:

[7simz]

It took some doing, but the pair eventually found their way to Selvadorada. Nathan was awestruck. It was amazing. And it didn’t look deserted! With what little money he’d been able to scrounge up, he was able to rent a place to stay for a couple days. A real house... with a real bed. 

“It might be harder to leave than I thought,” Nathan chuckled, but Maika was already headed inside. Nathan barely even noticed, he was so taken by the scenery.

“Hey,” he heard Maika say behind him, causing him to look back. He blinked, blinked again. Oh my god. He sure did find some clothes. He looked like a mess, a ridiculous, sexy mess. Nathan laughed, and he couldn’t tell if he was blushing or if the humidity was getting to him. But with the way Maika smiled at him, he figured he was probably blushing.

Raindrops started to fall, a drizzle at first, but soon came down in sheets. The pair rushed inside, though Maika didn’t seem to mind it all that much.

“There’s a bar in town, why don’t we go once the rain lets up?” Maika suggested. He seemed to be rather amused with Nathan’s disgruntlement with the rain.

“Oh! Um, s-sure. That sounds nice,” he managed a smile as he moved to the kitchen, once again amazed by having actual appliances. “Are you hungry? ‘Cause I could really eat somethin’ other than fish,” he grinned, and set to making a real meal. It was simple, but probably the best thing Nathan had ever tasted.

[7simz]

“I don’t really... know,” Nathan chuckled sheepishly, “But I figured there has to be something around, right? Maybe even people, if we’re lucky.” He paused with a hum, falling silent in thought until Maika piped up.

“What about the jungle?” Maika suggested, “I don’t think it’s too far from here... There’s probably places to stay there, too.” 

Nathan stared for a moment. “Why couldn’t I have washed up there?” He pouts, resting his cheek in his hand. He’s probably trying to figure out just how this would work.

“This place isn’t so bad, though, right? I mean, you met me,” Maika teased, and Nathan wrinkled his nose in amused protest. He was right, though. He felt like he owed his life to Maika already.

“A vacation, then? I think I’d like a break from... this,” he huffed a small sigh, “Maybe I’ll find some perspective and come back with more positivity, eh? I mean, you seem fine, and you... live here? Live somewhere?” 

“I live with you, now,” Maika proclaimed, and Nathan couldn’t help but smile a little.

[7simz]

He looked so familiar.

Those eyes. It was hard not to keep staring.

He barely even noticed Maika had kept talking.

[7simz]

It didn’t take long for Nathan to warm up to this mysterious guy. He was cute! And Nathan was glad to have some company. 

At some point, he’d gotten his hands on some water balloons. Don’t ask me how--buy mode gods, I guess. It’d felt like ages since he last had some real good fun. 

He had Maika in his sights, and a water balloon ripe and ready for hurling. He threw it...! And he missed! Maika seemed startled by the splash, but not displeased. He blinked at the spot the balloon landed for a moment or two before grinning and scooping up some ammunition of his own.

Nathan, unfortunately, was caught off guard. Maika’s blow splashed him right in the head. He stood there, shocked, for a moment before letting out some giggles and taking more watery shots of his own.

Maika seemed to be thoroughly enjoying getting splashed. Every so often, it almost seemed like he sparkled gold in the sun. But that distraction only got Nate more face fulls of water balloon. 

Their Ultimate Showdown went on for a good while, but eventually they were both drenched and tired of running around. Maika joined Nathan at the fire, and they took some time to just talk and roast the fish Nathan had begrudgingly caught.

[7simz]

He kept thinking about it. That day he found a boy on the beach. He couldn’t help but wonder what would’ve happened if he’d stayed. The mer were well enough company, of course. But they were all so... hardened. Years of pollution and mistreatment had them grow jaded enough to avoid humans, or even kill them.

But that boy... he looked so soft. 

More and more he lingered on land, slinking around in the shadows as he watched him. He was surviving, but he looked so scared. Something about it made him long to get closer, to help him. It couldn’t hurt, right? After all... He’d seen him cleaning the beaches.

But he couldn’t be sure. Nothing was ever sure about humans.

Ukupanipo had obviously noticed, but played coy in their conversations. Idly, he splashed at the reflection of the moon in the water as his friend spoke to him, “There’s a castaway campin’ out by the volcano, did ya see him?” A click of his tongue and a light snicker, “He looks so easy. Can hardly even catch a fish without hurling.”

He looked towards the looming mountain, trying to hide his displeasure with his fellow mer’s words. “You’ve got your eye on him, don’t ya?” Ukupanipo continued, swimming circles around him in an almost taunting manner, “You’d best get on with it, then—Hey,” he’s suddenly splashed, forcibly snapped out of his thoughts. He frowned at Ukupanipo, who just laughs at him.

“He’s a human, remember, Maika. Don’t be an idiot,” Red scales flashed in the moonlight and he was left alone. He heard the distant trill of Kalamainu’u’s laughter before it was silent, nothing but the sound of waves crashing against rocks.

He was an idiot. But he wasn’t going to let that boy get killed.

[7simz]

“That depends on what you mean by ‘okay’,” Nathan mumbled, his nose wrinkling, “If stranded on a deserted island with not even memories to rely on, then yeah! I’m okay,” he gave a wry smile.

Maika, however, frowned—obvious worry in his expression, “Do... you need help?” He rubbed the back of his neck and Nathan’s eyes were drawn down to the odd, scar like marks on his stomach. He quickly snapped his gaze back up to Maika’s face, who continued speaking—none the wiser of Nathan’s trailing focus, “I don’t really have anywhere to be, um, ever. I could stay here with you?” 

Nathan blinked, unsure how to react properly to such a proposal, “O- Of course!” That’s about right, I guess. “I mean, I’d probably die here on my own—have you seen the volcano?” He threw his hands up, exasperated. Maika wasn’t looking at him, though. The other man was looking out towards the ocean, a pensive—almost spiteful frown on his face. “M-Maika?” He murmured awkwardly, forgetting the nudity of the situation and nearly reaching out to tap his shoulder. He cleared his throat and quickly dropped his hand.

“I won’t let you die,” Maika said once he met Nathan’s eyes, his expression earnest. Nathan was taken aback by his sincerity, but he couldn’t tear his gaze away from those eyes. He eventually just nodded.

The more he stared, the more his memory of that day on the beach seemed to resurface. He couldn’t deny the resemblance between Maika and the person who found him on the beach. But something was... different.

[7simz]

he’s a singin’ juice thief...