Wanderlust ✧ (Milo Thatch)

eleven

Evening fell upon the city of Atlantis. Kida, Milo, and Challis crossed the moss-covered stone as they walked along the forest's edge. The outsiders were led by the princess to a house shaped like an intricate lantern. Giggling, two young boys jumped a wall and ran past. The youngest was picked up by Milo and placed on his shoulders as the eldest ran across the wooden bridge into his father's arms. The remaining explorers, who were waiting for dinner to be served, greeted the trio once they entered the house.

"Y'all have been gone all day. What have you been up to, hm?" Sweet queried. "Exploring the highs and lows. You know, making the most of the time we have here," said Challis, "What about you?"

The doctor's eye twitched. "Cookie got his ass stuck between two posts and Packard pursued a married man until his wife chased us away. Trust me, it has not been pleasant," Sweet grumbled. Challis snickered at the thought of it. Kida tapped Milo's arm as the hosts began to serve the guests dinner, trying to understand the crew's dynamic.

"Cookies are sweet but yours is not. Sweet is kindly, but that is not his name. Audrey is sweet, but she is not your doctor, and the little digging animal called Mole...he is your pet?" she quizzed. "Close enough," Milo chuckled. Everyone had tucked into their food, everybody with the exception of Challis. It wasn't her intention to be impolite however she didn't have any idea what her food was...or why it was still alive, wriggling in her bowl. Nonetheless, she still expressed gratitude to the hosts for their hospitality.

Milo tried to eat his food with the utensils but it was proving to be rather difficult. He gave up on his manners and messily dug his hands into his bowl, stuffing his face and gulping the remaining meal down after accidentally dropping some on the floor.

"Oh, don't forget to eat the head," Sweet ripped his food apart with his mouth, "that's where all the nutrients are," he said to Vinny, who was staring repulsively at his food with a matchstick in his mouth. As for Mole, he swallowed his food in one gulp before releasing a burp that made Vinny and Sweet shift backwards with wide eyes.

While the explorers and the Atlantean villagers interacted in unity, trouble was brewing elsewhere. Gas masks disguised the identities of the armed soldiers who were preparing themselves with weapons that had been transported in crates, due to the explicit orders they were given.

Once dinner was finished, Kida, Milo and Challis headed out into the twilight and the princess led them to a waterfall alcove where fireflies were gliding in the air harmoniously. "I simply adore this city. It's so peaceful," Challis leaned against a tree, taking in the scenery of nature.

"You know Kida, the most we ever hoped to find was some crumbling buildings, maybe some broken pottery," Milo caught a firefly in his hands. "Instead, we find a living, thriving society," he chuckled softly, "these guys are kinda cute when they're not, you know, formed into a fiery column of death" Milo walked over to Kida and placed the firefly into a lamp.

"We are not thriving. True, our people live but our culture is dying. We are like a stone the ocean beats against. With each passing year, a little more of us is worn away," Kida lamented. "I wish there was something we could do," Milo replied softly. "I have brought you to this place to ask you for your help. There is a mural here with writing all around the pictures," the princess disclosed. 

"Yeah well, you came to the right guy," Milo took the lamp from her and began examining the rock behind him. "Okay, let me see. Let's start with this column right here. Uh, well this...this uh," he babbled, unaware that Kida was peeling her garments off until Challis nudged his side. "Uh Kida," Milo laughed nervously with wide eyes, "what are you doin'?" 

"You do swim, do you not?" 

"Oh, I swim pretty girl. Pr-pretty good! Pretty good. Good, swim good. Pretty good. I swim pretty good." At Milo's blundering flirtation, Challis' lips curled upward into an amused grin.

"Good. It is a fair distance to where we are going."

Milo began undressing. Challis couldn't help but stare at him. She had seen him in his underwear many times before but now, it felt different. A brazen thought of his body against hers flashed in her mind and she sharply turned away although that didn't stop her deepest desire from intruding.

Milo and Kida glanced at Challis who had not moved a muscle as they got ready to leave. "Are you not going to join us?" Milo inquired. "Goodness, not this time" she responded, "I think it'll be best if I wait here while the two of you figure out the mural because I won't be able to offer any assistance," Kida understood her reasoning and nodded. Milo insisted, "We'll be back as soon as we can." Even if it made sense, he really did not want to leave her alone.

"Can you hold your breath long enough?" Challis was slightly concerned. "Hey, you are talking to the belly flop champ at Camp Runamuck," Milo smiled softly as he cradled her face in his warm hands. Challis laughed. They first met there. When Milo kissed her forehead before diving into the water, it sent her heart racing.

She and Kida laughed when his underwear inflated. Before waving to Challis, Milo deflated them with a mocking chuckle. He dipped his body into the water and said, "Come on, we're...we're wasting time," only to come back up a second later. "Why don't you lead the way because I have no idea where we're going." Kida playfully rolled her eyes at his over-eagerness. 

Inhaling deeply, Milo and Kida went under the water together, Challis waved back, and then everything quieted down peacefully. She sat down on the massive stone steps, cradling her head in her hands and resting her arms on her thighs, recalling the first time she had ever met Milo Thatch.