for Leah

[tooktheblack]

When the island changed back after a moon of dusty, dry desert, Jon was relieved. He was much happier with what he knew, after all, even if it wasn't the snow and ice that he would have preferred. He decided the best thing to do would be to head to the jungle to hunt once more, Ghost at his side.

It was much easier to bag game when he left Ghost to his own devices and, as such, Jon stripped down to swim in the pool beneath the waterfall while Ghost roamed the jungle. Usual game was monkeys and boar, occasional snakes and birds, and Jon fully expected him to show back up with a muzzle darkened with blood.

Until then, he was content to swim.

Comments

[genetic_deadend]

Leah huffed a mirthless laugh and dropped her hand, a grateful smile flickering across her face, there and gone just as quickly. Whatever his reason for being willing to share something that personal, it made her feel a little less like an idiot for babbling on about her sucky love life.

"She sounds like a complete and utter bitch, and if she had any damned spine she'd have kicked her husband's ass instead of treating you like shit." She blew out a breath, glad to have some unknown women to unleash some of her venom on. "It follows you, though, doesn't it? That feeling of being less."

[tooktheblack]

"It does. It's followed me my whole life," Jon admitted quietly. "And I suppose your first love and his new love follow you, or did. Here is a place for a brand new start. The island is incredibly good at providing that to people."

[genetic_deadend]

Leah nodded absently; that was what everyone kept saying, and maybe it was true. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing, to stop resisting and give it a chance.

"You know most people would've completely given up on trying to talk to me by now," she remarked with a wry smirk. "You're either stubborn as hell or a glutton for punishment. Or both."

[tooktheblack]

"My brother tends to say both," Jon said, laughing. "Come on, then. No more melancholy. Let's have another swim, instead?"

He nodded toward the water. "I could always toss you in."

[genetic_deadend]

Leah was more than happy to leave the heavier things behind. She scoffed softly and rolled her eyes at him, though her smile warmed considerably for a moment.

"It's cute, how you think you're big enough to do that," she drawled, then looked up and jerked her chin towards the cliff. "Or we could jump."