Ambervale Island
She started leaving, but before she could walk a step, Blaze wrapped his arms around her from behind.
The suddenness of the embrace took her by surprise. She tensed, instinctively trying to pull away, but his grip was firm yet gentle. Savannah's mind raced; confusion and warmth battled within her.
"Savannah, wait," Blaze murmured, his voice low and earnest. "Just listen."
She froze, torn between the desire to escape and the magnetic pull of his presence. Slowly, she settled back against him, the tension in her shoulders easing just a fraction.
"I've been thinking about this a lot," he continued, his breath warm against her neck. "About us. I know I haven't been clear, but... I care about you more than I've let on."
Savannah's heart pounded. Was he really saying this? She felt a rush of hope mixed with disbelief.
"I've been scared," he admitted, his voice trembling slightly. "Scared of what it means to be vulnerable, to open up. But I can't keep pretending that I don't feel something deeper for you. You make me want to be better."
She remained still, listening intently as he spoke, every word pulling at the threads of her heart.
"I've watched you shine in your own light, and I realize I want to be a part of that. I want to support you, be there for you, in whatever way you need."
Tears pricked at the corners of Savannah's eyes. She had longed for this moment, but the reality of it felt overwhelming. "Blaze, I-" she began, but he gently squeezed her tighter.
"Please, let me finish," he said softly. "I know it's complicated, and I don't have all the answers. But I'm willing to figure it out with you if you'll let me." He added "I need some time to sort out things."
Savannah closed her eyes, taking in his words, feeling the warmth of his body against hers. It was as if the world had narrowed down to just the two of them, suspended in this moment of honesty.
When he finished, a smile crept onto her face, warmth spreading through her. She wanted to share her own feelings, to connect with him, but a part of her hesitated. She didn't want to burden him with the weight of her own worries and thoughts. So she freed herself from his grip and faced him.
"It's fine, really," she said, her voice steady. "I appreciate you telling me how you feel." She turned to face him, her smile faltering slightly as she continued, "But you should leave the island. It's getting late, plus it's dangerous up here. You won't survive well if you stay too long."
Blaze's expression shifted, a mix of concern and confusion flickering in his eyes. "What do you mean? I don't want to just leave you here alone."
Savannah shook her head gently. "I'll be okay. I need to help people. But you this place isn't safe, and I don't want you to get caught in something you didn't sign up for."
He took a deep breath, his expression softening but still resolute. "I'm not leaving you. Not like this."
Savannah's heart sank. His refusal ignited a mixture of frustration and affection within her. "Why not? You don't have to put yourself at risk for me."
"Because I care about you, Savannah. I won't just walk away when you need time. I want to be here for you." His eyes held a sincerity that sent her heart racing.
"But it's dangerous!" she insisted, her voice rising slightly. "You don't understand-"
"I understand more than you think," he interrupted, stepping closer, his presence a comforting weight. "I won't abandon you. Not now."
Savannah felt a rush of emotions-gratitude, frustration, and something deeper that made her chest tighten. She wanted to argue, to push him away for his own good, but as she looked into his eyes, the resolve there made her hesitate.
"Blaze," she said softly, her voice trembling, "I just don't want you to regret this."
He smiled slightly, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "I won't. But I can't leave without knowing you're okay. So let's face this together."
Savannah felt her defenses begin to crumble. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn't the burden she feared it would be. With a sigh, she nodded, allowing a small smile to break through. "Alright, but let's be careful." Which looked to unreal.
He smiled, relief washing over his face. "Together, then."
And as they stood side by side, the vastness of the island before them. Maybe this was the best for both of them.
Next Morning
Blaze walked along the sandy path of the island, the morning sun casting a warm glow over the landscape. The air was crisp, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore provided a soothing backdrop. Beside him, Arthur flipped through his notes, ready to share what he had learned about the new volunteer, Alex.
"Have you found enough information about Alex?" Blaze asked, keeping his tone casual despite the tension simmering beneath the surface.
"Yes, I did," Arthur replied, adjusting his glasses as he scanned his notes. "From what I gathered, Alex has a strong background in volunteer work, particularly in environmental initiatives. He's worked with several organizations focused on sustainable practices."
Blaze nodded, but a frown tugged at his lips. "And what about his demeanor? How does he interact with others?"
Arthur looked up, sensing Blaze's unease. "He's well-liked among his peers and has a reputation for being charismatic. People say he's easy to talk to and can rally volunteers effectively."
"Charismatic, huh?" Blaze's voice was laced with skepticism. "What about his motivations? Why does he want to join us?"
"He mentioned a passion for community-driven change and wanting to make a difference in underrepresented areas," Arthur explained. "He seems genuinely committed."
Blaze's jaw tightened as he recalled the way Alex had looked at Savannah during their last meeting. That gaze-confident and lingering-had stirred something dark inside him. "Did you get any sense of how he views women in general?"
Arthur furrowed his brow. "Not specifically, but he's described as respectful by most. Why do you ask?"
"I just... I don't like the way he looked at Savannah. It felt too... familiar," Blaze admitted, frustration creeping into his tone.
Arthur raised an eyebrow, surprised by Blaze's intensity. "I didn't get that impression, but I'll keep an eye on it. Maybe it's just a matter of perception?"
"Maybe," Blaze muttered, trying to shake off the feeling of jealousy. He didn't want to let personal feelings cloud his judgment, but the thought of Alex's gaze lingering on Savannah made his stomach churn.
Later That Day
Blaze spotted Savannah from a distance, her hair catching the sunlight as she organized equipment for the day's volunteer work. The sight of her, focused and determined, always stirred something in him. He felt an urge to approach her, to connect before she headed out.
As he approached her, he called out, "Where are you headed?"
She turned, her face brightening with a smile that made his heart race. "I'm going door-to- door to help people in the community," she said, adjusting the straps on her backpack. "Just some outreach and support."
"Sounds great," Blaze replied, trying to keep his tone light despite the slight knot forming in his stomach. Just as he was about to ask if she needed help, Alex appeared out of nowhere, sliding in next to Savannah with an effortless smile.
"Hey, Savannah! Ready for today's activities?" he said, his tone overly enthusiastic.
Blaze's heart sank a little. He had never liked the way Alex seemed to effortlessly charm everyone, especially Savannah. "So, are you two going together?" Blaze asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Yep!" Savannah said, her enthusiasm palpable. "Alex has a lot to learn, so it'll be nice to have him along."
Blaze felt a flicker of confusion and irritation. Just as Savannah was about to say goodbye, he found himself interrupting. "I want to join you too."
Savannah turned, surprise etched on her features. "Blaze, you don't have to. It's not really your thing you'll get tired."
"I can handle it," he insisted, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "I want to be there for you."
"It's really not necessary," she said gently but firmly. "I don't want you to overexert yourself. This is a lot of walking and talking."
Blaze could feel his determination solidifying. "But I want to help. I'd rather be with you than sitting around."
Arthur, standing a few paces back, watched the exchange unfold with a small, amused smile. He could see the tension radiating from Blaze, and he found it oddly endearing. It was clear that Blaze's feelings for Savannah ran deeper.
Savannah hesitated, glancing at Blaze.. "Okay," she finally relented, though her expression was still cautious. "But promise me you'll take breaks if you need to. I don't want you to push yourself."
"I promise," Blaze said, relief flooding through him. Blaze had some doubts about this guy, there was something off with him, and if his instinct is saying so it's not wrong, he wouldnt let Savannah be danger.
As they began to walk away together, Blaze couldn't help but feel protectiveness. He was determined to show Savannah just how much he cared, and he wouldn't let anyone- especially not Alex-distract him from that goal.
After 4 hours
Blaze walked alongside Savannah as they moved from door to door, the sun casting a warm glow on the community. She was in her element, speaking with residents, her laughter ringing out like music. He watched her with a mix of admiration and something darker, an undercurrent of jealousy that he tried to suppress.
Alex was always close by, grinning and chatting with Savannah as if they were old friends. Blaze couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Alex's easy demeanor. Every time Savannah smiled back at him, it felt like a knife twisting in Blaze's gut. The way Alex looked at her-like she was the only person in the world-made Blaze's blood boil.
As they finished a particularly challenging block, Savannah stepped away to speak with a group of children who had come to watch. Blaze saw his opportunity. He found Alex standing alone, leaning casually against a fence, a wide grin still plastered on his face.
"Can we talk?" Blaze said, his tone sharper than intended.
Alex raised an eyebrow but nodded, intrigued. "Sure, what's up?"
Blaze took a step closer, lowering his voice. "What's your motive here? Why are you so interested in Savannah?"
Alex's smile faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. "I'm just trying to help. She's passionate about this work, and I respect that."
"Respect?" Blaze scoffed. "You're practically glowing every time you look at her. What are you really after?"
"Come on, man," Alex said, shrugging it off. "We're just volunteering together. There's nothing wrong with being friendly."
"Friendly?" Blaze leaned in, feeling his temper rise. "That's not how you look at someone you're just 'being friendly' with. You have this this way of looking at her like she's the only thing that matters."
Alex met Blaze's gaze, his expression shifting. "She's your fiance, don't you believe yourself?"
"You don't know what you're dealing with," Blaze snapped. "I just want to know what your intentions are. Why her? What do you want from Savannah?"
Alex paused, studying Blaze closely. "I want to help her, just like you. She's a great person, and she deserves support."
"Support?" Blaze said, barely containing his frustration. "Is that what you call it? Because it looks more like you're trying to win her over."
Alex frowned, the playful air between them evaporating. "I'm not trying to 'win her over.' She's capable of making her own choices, and if she enjoys working with me, that's her decision."
"Enjoying your company is one thing, but I see how you look at her. It's like you're trying to get something from her," he added "Or are you after something more?" Blaze pressed, feeling the heat rise in his chest.
"Maybe you're just seeing what you want to see," Alex replied, crossing his arms. "But if you're that concerned, maybe you should talk to her about it instead of confronting me."
Blaze felt a surge of anger. "Maybe I should just rip your eyes out for looking at her like that."
Alex's expression hardened, but he held his ground. "You know that won't solve anything. If you care about her, you need to be honest with her about how you feel."
Blaze shot back, his pulse quickening. "I can see you're masking something. There's an agenda behind that smile. Why are you really here?"
Alex crossed his arms, a hardened expression on his face. "And what if I am? It's not your business."
"Everything about Savannah is my business," Blaze replied, his voice firm. "I won't let you manipulate her."
"Manipulate her?" Alex scoffed. "You think I'm some kind of threat? If you're so worried about her, maybe you should step up instead of lurking in the shadows."
"You're playing with a dangerous thing let me tell you" As Blaze stared into Alex's eyes He sensed that something was deeply off about him, something hidden beneath the surface. Blaze felt a fierce urgency to uncover whatever secrets Alex was guarding-before it was too late for Savannah.
With a final glare, Blaze stepped back, determined. He would keep his distance from Alex but stay close to Savannah. He needed to protect her from whatever shadows lurked in Alex's demoure. He would uncover him all sooner.
Author's Note :
Happy reading<3
Add it to your libraries I'd appreciate it :)
Stay hydrated and happy:)
Have a good day/night <3<3