Ocean Kisses

Wreckage

Tango pov:

With the help of my new friend, we managed to build something more sturdy than I ever thought possible. Using the wreckage from the plane, we fashioned a shelter from scraps of metal, welded together by my Blazeborn abilities. His strange, unspoken powers with water—something I hadn’t expected—came in handy to cool down the metal as I worked, making the process smoother and safer. We were total opposites, him controlling water with ease while I harnessed fire, but somehow, it worked. Maybe it was because we both knew how to survive, or maybe it was just the quiet understanding between us.

He seemed genuinely content, more so than I’d expected for someone in his situation. Every time I’d finish up a task or explain how something worked, his eyes would light up, and he’d ask more questions, eager to learn. Sometimes I’d find myself talking about things I’d never really thought to share—stories from my past, random facts, little lessons I’d picked up along the way. He hung on every word, and there was a joy in his curiosity, an innocence that made it impossible not to smile.

It wasn’t just the way he asked questions, though; it was the way he listened. There was no rush, no interruption, just a gentle enthusiasm that made everything feel like an adventure. I found myself telling him more than I ever thought I would, feeling like maybe he really did need someone to confide in, even if it was just about simple things like how to make the best campfire or what kind of animals lived in different places.

He was full of energy, bounding from one topic to the next. His laughter was infectious, and his easygoing nature seemed to erase any doubts I’d had about this whole situation. It was like being around him made the island less lonely, less strange. There was an innocence to him that I couldn’t ignore. Every so often, he’d do something so utterly adorable it would catch me off guard, like when he tried to mimic my guitar playing, clumsily strumming it with both hands, and then grinning up at me when he made a sound that was only vaguely musical.

It was funny—how, without even trying, he made everything seem a little lighter, a little easier. Maybe he hadn’t figured everything out yet, and maybe I didn’t have all the answers, but we were figuring things out together. And that made all the difference.

He seemed to genuinely go on and on about things underwater, his voice full of excitement as he described the creatures, the colors, and the way the ocean moved. I was intrigued, more than I thought I’d be. I had no idea someone could talk so passionately about something so foreign to me. He would describe these schools of fish that shimmered in the sunlight, massive creatures that floated effortlessly beneath the waves, and strange, glowing things that lived in the deep. It was like I was hearing stories from another world, one that was both mysterious and beautiful.

We spent hours talking, trading stories from our pasts. My own tales were filled with the fire of cities, adventures on distant lands, and the warmth of days spent under the sun. He had his own, too, but they were tales of deep currents and ancient underwater ruins, of storms that could swallow whole ships and creatures that could sing songs so beautiful they could calm the fiercest of tempests. I could see in his eyes that every story was a piece of him, something he cherished from a time he couldn’t even fully remember.

I didn’t even realize how tired I was by the end of the day, my body worn from the work, the conversation, and the heat of the sun. I leaned against one of the metal walls of our shelter, exhausted but strangely content. My eyes fluttered closed for just a moment, and in that small instant, I lost track of time. I could’ve fallen asleep right there, right then, but before I knew it, he was gone.

It wasn’t long before he returned, though, carrying a bundle in his arms. He didn’t say anything at first, just knelt down in front of me and set down a small pile of food and water. I looked at him, slightly surprised.

“You’ve been talking non-stop for hours,” he said softly, his tone gentle. “Figured you could use a break.” He gave me a shy smile, his horns tilting slightly as he fidgeted with his hands.

I chuckled, reaching for the food. “Yeah, I didn’t even realize how much I needed it. But your stories, man… they’re something else.”

He looked at me with a playful grin. “You think so? I could talk about the ocean all day.”

“I could listen all day, if I’m being honest,” I admitted, taking a sip of the water. “It’s just… it’s so different from what I know. But I’m glad you’re sharing it with me.”

He seemed pleased by that, sitting down beside me with his own share of food. “Well, there’s a lot to learn, I guess. Maybe someday, you’ll get to see it all for yourself.”

I paused for a moment, considering the idea. It seemed impossible, surreal even, but the thought of it didn’t scare me. Maybe it was because of the way he spoke about it—like it was a place of wonder, not danger. Like it was something I could understand, too, with the right kind of guidance.

“Maybe someday,” I agreed, feeling a warmth in my chest. “Maybe someday I’ll see it all.”

We sat in silence for a while, eating and listening to the distant sound of the waves crashing on the shore. It was peaceful, comforting, and for the first time since the crash, I felt like maybe this strange, unexpected turn of events wasn’t as bad as I thought. Maybe I’d even come to appreciate it.