Thunder booms in the distance. Jay's head snaps up from where it was resting on Nya's shoulder. "Whoa. Is that...?"
"Yeah, it's thunder." Nya pulls the picnic blanket tighter around their shoulders. "This beach is in the open, and there's nothing to shelter us. I think we're gonna have to run for it."
"Aww, really? But it's so comfy." Jay snuggles into Nya's warmth. "Let's stay here a bit longer. We'll be fine."
A few drops of water fall on their heads. Jay looks up, and suddenly the rain begins pouring.
"Okay, maybe we won't." He lets Nya take the picnic basket as he grabs the blanket and runs for cover.
"Jay, wait!"
"What?"
"Let's dance." Nya drops the basket and offers him a hand. "You can't come to an island like this and not dance in the rain. It's against the rules. Besides, I'm not afraid of a little rain, and you're not afraid of little bit of lightning, right?"
He grins at her, all sparkle and sunshine. "Okay. Sure."
They take hands and spin around in the rain, dancing to the rhythm of the thunder. Their feet splash through the wet sand and their hair whips wildly in the wind. Nya laughs as Jay lifts her up and spins her around.
Lightning flashes closer as the thunder booms. Nya points at the sea. "Look!"
"Woah! It's beautiful!"
Lightning strikes the ocean in a jagged line, illuminating the crashing waves. For a split second, the entire world is tinged blue-white, and their faces are cast in sharp contrasts of light and shadow. The lightning is gone in the next second, but the afterimage lingers on the back of Jay's eyelids.
Nya kisses him. "That was gorgeous."
"Yeah. Beautiful."
They stare out at the ocean for a while, enjoying the rain as it patters on their heads and soaks their clothes.
Nya rests her head on Jay's shoulder and closes her eyes. She breathes deep and savors the scent of the rain. It smells fresh and new and a little bit like home.
Lightning strikes again, this time closer, but Nya isn't scared. She knows Jay will protect her from the violent display of nature's power.
As the storm moves in, she wonders if the sky is crying because they are having too much fun. Or maybe it is because she and Jay are together.
Whatever the reason, she hopes the sky will not cry forever. She wants to see the sun again, so she and Jay can play under its bright rays.
The rain is a nice reprieve, though. Nya likes to dance, and she especially likes to dance with Jay. She could stay here in his arms forever.
"We should go back to the hotel." Jay says.
"But why? It's not that bad."
"The lightning is getting closer, and I don't want to waste all my energy deflecting strikes."
"But-"
"Nya."
She pouts. "Fine. You're no fun."
"Hey, I can be fun!" Jay picks her up and spins her around again. He's not sure how it's supposed to prove his point, but he does it anyway, because Nya's laughing and he can't resist making her smile.
When he sets her down, Nya kisses him. Jay melts into her embrace and kisses back, slow and languid. The storm around them is raging, but it's nothing compared to the heat inside his chest.
Nya takes his hand and leads him away. Jay smiles and follows.
"Come on, you big sap. Let's get out of the rain."
They grab their now soaked picnic supplies and make a mad dash toward the hotel, splashing and laughing and kissing as they go.
It's a long way to the hotel, but they don't care. As long as they are together, Jay and Nya can make any storm seem like a walk in the park.
