Loving Him Was Red

Flashbacks And Echoes

A/N Very Mature content at the end of this chapter so be warned! Italics indicate flashbacks!

The early evening sun seemed to hit harder than it had all summer. The islanders gathered under the canopy of the day beds to take refuge from its ferocity, and commiserate over the dumping in a few hours. Bobby approached the bed where Miriam was sitting and gestured toward the spot behind her. Thinking about him sitting so close made her feel queasy.

Earlier that morning they had a moment of truce, when he offered to help her make breakfast for everyone. They didn't speak, but they were able to smile and work together and it felt as though they would be able to get to a place of respect and maybe friendship.

Later that afternoon, River told her about his argument with Bobby in depth. She hadn't ever experienced that level of violation. Knowing that he'd watched them that night in the dressing room gave her a feeling of unease. This was the first time during her stay at the villa that she felt unsafe. But knowing that he used her moment of pain and vulnerability as leverage against someone she loved, was somehow worse. Now as he stood before her, she realized that wasn't something she was ready to forgive So she narrowed her eyes and he backed off.

Tracing the frayed edges of her white sarong she tried her hardest to hide her smile as River made his way towards the rest of the group. He'd decided to take a nap after the long emotional day they had, and although she tried to wake him up, it was pointless. She thought back to how easily he woke during those first nights they spent together, his lifelong fear of being violently woken since his childhood ingrained in his subconscious, keeping him from letting go and sleeping restfully. Over the course of the first year of their relationship he slowly began to feel safe and began sleeping peacefully. She liked to think her presence was what helped soothe him. Chelsea noticed the smile and clapped gleefully. River laughed and Miriam felt her face flush and heart flutter. She didn't flinch or pull away when he took the spot Bobby tried for moments earlier.

His large hands came to rest on her shoulders, giving them a firm squeeze. She smiled back at him and tuned back into a conversation she really didn't care about.

"Me and Noah may not be coupled up right now." Hope said, crossing her arms, and glaring at Jolene's hand resting on Noah's leg. "but we've been the strongest couple since day 1."

River snorted. Miriam slapped his thigh but hid her smirk behind her hand.

Hope whipped her head towards them, eyes narrowed. "What?"

Miri sighed."I guess I just don't get that. You fight nonstop. Hope, you like Lucas, why are you trying to hide it?" Miriam ticked off each point on her fingers, Hope's eyes narrowing with each word. "Noah had his head turned by Priya. You broke up. And neither of you seemed particularly upset by your new couples."

Hope rounded the daybed and stomped toward Miriam, but before Miri could process, River and Noah were on their feet and blocking Hope's path. "Hope settle down, please." Noah pleaded.

She took a step back, hand on her chest. "Calm down? She just verbally assaulted our relationship! Why aren't you defending me? Defending us?" Noah stood before Hope, staring unblinking back at her.

"What she's saying is wrong! Everyone knows we're the only day one couple and that makes us the strongest!" She tried to walk around the two but River mirrored her movements. Noah looked slightly panicked, as if he wasn't expecting the infuriated tattooed caveman beside him to escalate the situation.

"What are you gonna do? You gonna hit her? I'd rethink that shit if I were you, there's no way you're getting around me anyway." River rolled his shoulders while he spoke.