dimples, james "sawyer" ford

twenty nine

as the small boat finally hit the shores of the main island, sawyer, kate, lana, and karl stumbled onto the beach, exhausted but relieved. the sun had begun to set, casting an orange glow across the sand. kate immediately suggested they head toward the castaway's camp to regroup with everyone.

"we should get moving now before it gets dark," kate urged, her eyes scanning the thick jungle ahead.

sawyer shook his head, standing firm. "we just escaped from hell, freckles. we need to rest, get our heads straight. no point running straight into more trouble."

lana couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the nickname. freckles? she knew the man had a tendency for nicknames, but it struck her as odd hearing him use such a personal term for kate.

"i just don't think we should waste any time," kate shot back, frustration flaring.

sawyer rolled his eyes and lana cut in. "i get that we all want to get back, but we're no good to anyone if we're running on empty. let's set up here for the night and figure out a plan tomorrow."

kate hesitated but eventually nodded, her tension easing slightly. "fine. just for the night."

with the decision made, they set up a small makeshift camp, gathering driftwood and leaves to start a fire.

as the flames crackled to life, the orange glow danced across their faces. lana, finally having a moment to breathe, took the chance to properly introduce herself to kate.

"i'm lana, by the way," she said, offering kate a small smile. "i guess this is the first time we're meeting properly."

kate gave a tired but genuine smile back. "i know, sawyers's mentioned you. a lot, actually."

lana smiled, her gaze briefly flicking over to sawyer. "nice to meet you." she spoke as kate gave her a genuine nod.

as the makeshift fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows over their faces, lana and sawyer found themselves sitting closer, the warmth of the flames a welcome comfort after the long day. she glanced at him as he poked the fire with a stick, his usual smirk replaced by a look of calm for once.

"so... freckles?" lana teased lightly, nudging him with her shoulder.

sawyer chuckled, a low sound in his throat. "oh, that? just a nickname i gave her. she's got those freckles, you know?" he gestured lightly with his hand, his tone casual but aware of lana's curiosity. "didn't mean nothin' by it."

lana nodded, understanding. there was a slight twang of jealousy in her. "i guess i'm just trying to figure out where we all stand," she said softly, her voice almost lost in the crackling of the fire.

sawyer's gaze softened as he reached out, his rough fingers tracing gently along her cheek, the glow of the flames reflecting in his eyes. "you're where you've always been, darlin'." his voice was steady, sincere.

lana felt her heart swell at his words, and for a moment, they sat in a comfortable silence. she leaned her head onto his shoulder, letting herself be warmed from his body heat as well as the fire.

"should i call you sawyer now?" she then asked, her tone light.

sawyer paused, looking into the flames as he considered her question. he thought about how everyone else on this island knew him by that name, how it had become a mask for the man he'd tried to be—but with lana, it was different.

a soft smile played on his lips. "you can call me whatever you want," he said quietly. "but to you, i'll always be james."

lana smiled at that, "okay." she said softly.

they stayed like that for a while, their faces illuminated by the gentle glow of the fire, content in the quiet connection they shared.

sawyer traced the contours of lana's face as if committing every detail to memory, before tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. it was a rare moment of peace.