[VarietyJay Fanfiction] Life's Loops

Life's Loops

Dnk. The wooden oars clunked against the oak sides of the narrow rowboat as they pushed through the water. Each of Jay's strokes came with an exhale, misty with condensation in the cold air. Sunboku was sitting opposite to Jay at the front of the boat, staring at the branched white trees facing the quiet stream. A light gray blanket of clouds covered the afternoon sky, a thin flutter of snow filling the air.

Sunboku stole a glance at Jay, whose golden hair was littered with bits of snow. Their cheeks were pink with cold. Jay noticed Sunboku looking at him and smiled softly. Sunboku smiled back.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Jay asked. He kept rowing forwards slowly.

"Yeah, it is." Sunboku replied. "It's almost been a whole year, hasn't it?"

"Mhm," Jay looked down and smiled. Then he straightened his mouth and looked up at the sky. "The snow came early this year."

Sunboku looked towards the river bank, which was dotted with trees and leafless branches. "Who knows? Maybe it just happened by chance, just like...that."

"I don't think so, Sun. If you ask me we were bound—whoa!" the rowboat suddenly shook violently. Water splashed the side of the boat, drops flecking onto Jay's and Sunboku's face.

Sunboku, startled, quickly turned around to look at the river ahead. Streaming whitewater rapids filled the section of river ahead. The boat entered the turbulent waters, and began to rock more and more.

"Wah!" Sunboku exclaimed. He was shaken by a sudden jolt and grasped the cold sides of the boat. "We might tip over!"

"Don't worry! Just keep sitting and hang on!" Jay grasped the oars and rowed firmly through the water. His hands shook as he fought for control of the boat against the rough cascades of white water. Sunboku regained his balance and tried to steady the boat, but the water resisted firmly.

Just then, a spec of gray appeared looming behind Jay's shoulder. Sunboku peeked around Jay's figure and jolted. He saw a tall boulder sticking out above the water, cutting through the streaming rapids. The wooden boat was approaching it fast, and at this rate they would crash.

Sunboku opened his mouth to speak, but the words that came out sputtered and crackled. ¨Th-there behind us–¨ The dark gray rock loomed closer and closer, almost standing in the way of Sunboku's voice.

However, Jay understood. He looked into Sunboku's eyes with a steadfast assurance, his light blue eyes gleaming through the snow. Then, Jay mustered a wide stroke that made the rowboat point slightly to the left, away from the small boulder. Jay vigorously rowed the oars to turn the boat, causing it to tip back and forth over the foamy water until it gave a sudden lurch.

"Guh!" Jay exclaimed. He lost his balance and tipped towards the side of the boat, but a sure hand caught his side and steadied him.

Jay looked forward and saw Sunboku, leaning forwards out of his seat. Sunboku smiled reassuringly. "Jay, if you're in trouble you can count on me. So keep going, don't stop!"

Jay smiled back. "Alright!" Jay started rowing vigorously, propelling the boat forwards to the side of the rock. The wet gray obstacle grew closer, and closer, and closer, until...

Skrrrk. The edge of the wooden boat briefly scraped against the rock, groaning dully. The boat shook, throwing Jay off balance again. Once again Sunboku was there to steady Jay's shoulder with a sure arm.

"Phew," panted Jay. He and Sunboku both exhaled as the boat stabilized, leaving the rapids behind. The stream ahead flowed silently, calm and smooth.

Jay released the oars and sat back in his seat. "Pretty wild ride, eh? I wonder if anything else is gonna happen," he said.

"I've got something," Sunboku grinned. "I think you'll like it."

Sunboku took a thin black case leaning against the plywood bar connecting the sides of the rowboat. He unzipped it from the seam and took out a red guitar. Jay stopped rowing, and Sunboku closed his eyes and started playing. The waterfall of notes and chords penetrated the silence of the forest, reverberating through the snow-covered trees and silent water.

"It almost sounds like we're on a yacht, cruisin' around the bay. This winter all around us, though," Jay mused.

Sunboku's lips formed a slight smile. He continued playing amidst the snowfall, which would eventually give way to calm night.