“Kawe,” I poked my head out of my back door, and he smiled down at me from the roof, “What in the world are you doing up there?”

“Half of the panels are loose. Things will start leaking when the storms start. I don’t want you to have buckets everywhere. Is my hammering bothering you?”

“I couldn’t hear it until a little bit ago. I usually take hearing breaks when I’m working. Can you do me a favor?”

“Anything,” he nodded, wiping his face on his shirt, the small layer of hair on his stomach exposing itself and making my cheeks warm.

“Nikau is delivering a bunch of packages to the hotel and can’t pick up my delivery today. Is there any way you can drive it to the post office for me? I’ll make you lunch in return.”

“I could really go for something fresh. If it’s not too much to ask. Nikau made steak last night, we rarely eat it, and it’s killing my stomach. Too much butter.”

“Sure,” I laughed softly, and he climbed down the ladder, stretching as he did, “chopped salmon salad. I already grilled it last night for dinner. I can use the leftovers, so it doesn’t go to waste.”

“Man, I should have come here! That would have been so much better,” Kawe whined, fixing his bun and leaving it lopsided.

“Your hair is so long that you can’t keep it on top of your head,” I snorted, reaching up to fix it and Kawe gently gripped my upper arms, watching me, “I’ve known you for four months now, and have never once heard you talk about getting a haircut.”

“Because, in my family, you only cut your hair a few times. Once when you’re a year old, then again after you marry. Anytime a close member of your family passes. The last time is when your children are born.”

“Oh, is that why Arona’s is as long as Kamaka’s?”

“Mhm. They’ll both cut theirs again when they’re grandparents for the first time.”

“I love that. It’s romantic,” I whispered, my hands resting against the nape of his neck, “I just like mine short. When it gets too long, I feel too close to who I was before.”

“It’s weird to see you in sweats,” Kawe laughed softly, his honey eyes glowing in the light of the afternoon sun, “Did you take your meds?”

“You never let me forget. I was doing the final floor seal in the little bathroom. I think we’re done with the interior. The only thing now is to finish the roof and the deck railing.”

“Hm,” Kawe nodded, “Well…”

“It doesn’t mean you can’t come spend time with me, silly. You don’t need to use fixing up my house as an excuse. We’re friends. Come over whenever you want to.”

“Really?” He lit up, a small bounce in his movements, and I giggled.

“Duh. Now go on, deliver the 10 boxes by my front door, and I’ll have a nice lunch waiting for you on the back deck. Oh! I made homemade papaya lemonade. Would you like some?”

“Absolutely,” he whispered, running his hands along my arms before moving away, “Be careful, but remember I’m one call away.”

“Mhm. I know.”

Kawe left after loading my deliveries into the passenger seat of his ute, and I moved to the kitchen, Simon sleeping in his cat tower near my back door. I began making the salad, music playing gently from speakers Kawe had installed in the corners of my living room that I hummed along to. This was my favorite salad, simply a bed of lettuce with cooked salmon, red onion, cucumber, avocado, capsicum, salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice. It was one I had learned from Rio that I ate a few times a week, as it left me full without that feeling of discomfort I often had when I ate.

Kawe returned thirty minutes later, now wearing black shorts and a white shirt, his hair loose around his back and a bit damp. He let himself in as I had the doors open and had informed Kawe he was welcome to come and go as I trusted him entirely.

“You showered,” I snorted, laying out two bowls on my patio table, glasses of lemonade next to them, “I feel lazy now.”

“I was on your roof for a long time, sweating as if I had run a marathon. It seemed rude to enjoy lunch with you smelling bad,” he shrugged, taking a sip of lemonade, “I would never have thought to mix it with papaya. This is wonderful. Thank you, Ash.”

“Of course. Thank you for fixing everything around here. I wouldn’t be able to do it without you.”

“God, remember that flood in your bathroom?” He laughed softly, making me giggle.

“The pipes were broken. How in the world do you know how to fix all this stuff?”

“I learned it from my Matua. Before he ran the stores, he was in charge of maintenance and repair for the hotel. It’s been in my family since the island was open to visitors. That’s how my parents met. Running around the hotel together as children. They fell in love.”

“Oh, that’s so cute! I’m jealous.”

“My brother is single. Nikau is a good man,” Kawe shrugged, “He thinks you’re cute.”

“Everyone thinks I’m cute. Thank you, though. I’ll meet someone, I’m more worried about you.”

“Eh… don’t be.”

“Kawe,” I sighed softly, and he smiled, “You’re amazing. It’s not fair that you’re single. Anyone would be lucky to have you.”

“We’ve had this conversation every day for months. I’m okay, Asher. Please, don’t worry about me.”

“I can’t promise that, but I’ll try.”

We continued our lunch, commenting on the weather as the sky had taken a nasty turn, and the water suddenly became choppy. I kept my gaze on the graying clouds when there was a bright flash of lightning, followed by the crack of thunder. Kawe jumped up and ran to the side of my house, and I rushed after as best I could, following his gaze to find black smoke starting to billow from the village center.

“Sh-shit,” I gasped, “Go!”

“Asher, stay inside,” Kawe nodded, running to his ute.

“Be careful!” I yelled after him, my heart sinking as I remembered Kawe was formally a firefighter, even if he spent most days fixing things, “God let him be safe,” I clenched my fingers around my cane, waiting until he was out of sight to clean up and go into the house.

I called Kamaka, grateful to find that they were safe, but it was the primary school that had been struck; the few children on the island were safely evacuated. Kawe and the other firefighters had gone inside to ensure the building was clear, Kamaka watching from the hotel in fear that matched mine. We ended the call when she told me that everyone was safely out of the building and currently doing their best to stop the fire from spreading further than one of the rooms at the school.

“Kawe,” I whispered to myself, staring at my fireplace as I waited for any word that he was okay.

My phone vibrated on the coffee table, and I snatched it up, annoyed to find that it was a text from Koa.

-K: You didn’t check in this week. Are things well?

-A: I’m fine. Just spent it with Kawe and his family. There’s a massive storm coming in, and lightning just struck the schoolhouse. Hoping that Kawe is safe, he’s a firefighter after all. Hoping I don’t lose power.

-K: It’s a cyclone. Shouldn’t make landfall, but it might cause damage from water and wind. Board things up if it gets too bad. You won’t be able to leave the island unfortunately, ships and planes can’t get through a storm this strong. Just stay inside and bunk down. You’ll be okay.

-A: I know. I love you, Matua.

-K: I love you, too. Keep me updated so I know you’re safe.

-A: I will.

I laid my phone down and went around the house, ensuring the windows were locked. I knew a lock wouldn’t be enough to stop a storm, but it brought me peace. A heavy knock hit my front door as I was in the middle of checking the master bedroom, and I went as quickly as I could to open it. Aata was waiting on the other side, his hair a mess from the suddenly growing winds, and I gripped my cane in fear.

“We need to head to the center of the village. Get anything together you need, including your cat. The cyclone is coming from the east. You and Kawe are right in the line of damage. I’ll take you, okay? Come on.”

Aata helped me gather the things I needed, double-checking with me that I had my medications and mobile batteries for my receivers. Once I was packed and Simon was safe in his carrier, Aata loaded the trunk of his SUV, and I climbed into the backseat, surprised to find Noemh waiting for me.

“Hey,” she waved, “My parents are in a bunker under the hotel. That’s where we’re going. The safest place in the village right now. Nikau and Kawe will meet us soon.”

“Kawe is safe?”

“Yes. I swear,” she patted my arm, and I took a deep breath, finally feeling relief, “Oh.”

“Hm?”

“Nothing,” Noemh shook her head as Aata pulled away, the wind chasing us.

The hotel came into view, and we all headed inside, following Aata down a set of stairs. I was the slowest, struggling to stay balanced, and Noemh guided me carefully until we reached the bottom. There were beds everywhere, shelves with food storage, and toiletries in case we were stuck here for more than a night. Kamaka rushed over as soon as she saw me, crushing me in a tight hug, and I rubbed her back with a smile.

“You’re safe. Thank goodness,” she cradled my face, making me laugh, “Your house is always in the line of fire when it comes to storms. We haven’t had one this bad in twenty years. I was terrified. The bed in the back left is for you. Keep Simon in his carrier for his safety. We have cat food and water for him, though. There’s a litter box in the bathroom if he has to go, it’s the door back there,” she pointed behind me, and I nodded, “We’re waiting for Kawe and Nikau before we shut the power off and lock things down. It’ll only be the nine of us down here. Everyone else has their own shelters in their homes.”

“We like to stay together,” Noemh called from a bed she was flopped on, her hair wild, “it’s better this way.”

“I agree,” I smiled, taking a seat on my bed, “I would have been scared to be alone. Where are Nikau and Kawe?”

“I’m here,” Nikau called, jumping down the stairs, “Kawe should be here soon. I think he’s guiding the children home. Half the school is gone. Damn fire chief, always willing to put himself in danger.”

“I’m gonna kill him,” I muttered, resting my chin on my knees, “Better hurry up before I go up there and drag him to safety.”

“You couldn’t if you tried,” Kawe came down the staircase, locking the doors behind him and finally sealing off the staircase and turning on a panel near the door, cool air rushing through the bunker, “Not strong enough.”

“If you get yourself killed being a hero, I will never forgive you,” I glared.

“Yeah. I can accept that,” Kawe smiled, giving me a wink before sitting on the bed next to mine and kicking his boots off, “A radio report from the stations in Christchurch told us to bunker down for two days. Storm should pass by then. We can assess the island after.”

“Just glad you’re safe,” Arona nodded, patting Kawe on the shoulder before moving to the other side of the room with Kamaka, Mika, and Aata.

“Asher?” Kawe called and I narrowed his eyes, “You knew I was a firefighter. Part of my job is to ensure the safety of the citizens. I had to do a patrol before I came here to make sure everyone was huddled down. I have a radio,” he pointed to his hip, “that way if anyone needs me I can leave. I put myself in danger to make sure no one else is.”

“Yeah. I know. Fire chief Kawe,” I grumbled, “Promise me. That if you have to leave, you’ll come back here safely.”

“That’s not a promise I can honestly make,” he squatted down in front of me, his chin on the side of the bed, “I wouldn’t promise that. Because it wouldn’t be fair of me.”

“Then lie to me.”

“No,” he shook his head, and I ran my fingers through the loose bits of his hair, “I can’t do that either. I promise you that I will always do my best to come back safely. But I can’t say I always will. That would hurt more.”

“Fine. I can accept that. You have to tell me, though. Don’t leave me in the dark.”

“Whenever there is an emergency, you’ll be the first person I see after.”

“Okay. Thank you,” I whispered, rubbing his cheek with my thumb, grateful to find that we were hidden a bit from everyone due to the shelves, “You terrified me.”

“It’s how things are. I will always be in danger. But I will always try and find my way back.”

“You better.”

“Or what?” he teased, making me smile as a tear rolled down my cheek.

“I’ll learn voodoo or hoodoo or necromancy. Whatever I have to do to bring you back to life.”

“You’re ridiculous,” Kawe laughed softly, wiping my tears away, “you were really that scared?”

“You’re my best friend. Of course, I was. It’s scary being in this bunker, not knowing what’s happening up top. I want to know that everyone is okay.”

“I’ll keep my radio nearby. You can listen when I get calls, and if it’s a code, I’ll tell you what it means.”

“Promise?”

“Yep. That’s a promise I can keep.”

We settled in for the night, Kawe joining me on my bed as we watched a movie on my tablet, sharing a bag of pretzels. His radio went off once, a code 10-42 along with a 10-51, and I looked over to find Kawe sighing.

“Well, of course, idiots,” he muttered, meeting my gaze, “downed trees blocking the road and suspension of outside activities. Basically telling everyone to do what we’re already doing.”

“Don’t be so grumpy,” I smiled, laying my head on his arm, “they’re doing the job you’re all trained to do.”

“True. I was just enjoying the quiet with you.”

“Oi,” Nikau sighed, and Kawe tilted his head to look at him, “no, not you. Ash, wanna share a drink?”

“Oh, uh. No thanks. We’re nearly done with our movie, I’d rather finish it. I have to know how things end, or I get annoyed. But I appreciate the offer,” I smiled at Nikau, and he nodded, turning his back to me.

“I told you, he likes you,” Kawe whispered, “Go have a drink with him.”

“No. I want to spend time with you.”

“You’re going to give me the wrong idea.”

“I’m definitely trying to,” I muttered before gasping, “Wait, no. Forget I said that.”

“Um. Sure,” Kawe nodded, studying my face, “I’ll try.”