Chapter Text
Moana watched as her people carved their spears, carefully examining the stone spearheads. She lifted one and looked at it from all angles, running a finger along the edges. She nodded, satisfied with the craftsmanship.
“You’ve got quite a talent for weaponry, Kalei,” she praised her fiancé. The man smiled at the Chief.
“Thank you Moana. Maui has been a great help, teaching me this,” Kalei said, turning his head to watch the demigod, who had his hair in a bun, tongue sticking out between his lips as he worked.
Moana beamed. “It’s been great having him back. I can’t say I’m not angry with him for disappearing for five years but... I’m glad he’s back, all the same,” she admitted, a hand on Kalei’s tattooed shoulder.
She rubbed her thumb on his skin, testing herself. She was surprisingly... comfortable with him, thinking of him as her mate, not just as a friend. Still, she was furious with her parents for deciding on this for her, when she was wasn’t ready for marriage. And the same night, Maui shows up again.
The muscular demigod looked up as he felt Moana’s eyes burning into his skin. He saw her hand on Kalei’s shoulder, the pit of jealousy deepened itself in his stomach. He did his best not to show it. He was a demigod. She, a mortal. But if the dream was true... If she really is who the gods in his dream say she is...
Moana cleared her throat, hands on her hips as she bent over to look at Maui’s work. “Howzit, oh great demigod of the wind and sea?” She asked, teasing him.
He rolled his eyes. “Would be better if you stopped tryin with that fisherman boy,” he muttered.
Moana raised an eyebrow, shock spreading across her face. “Is me being married going to be an issue for us?” She asked. She pulled Maui out of earshot of the other villagers.
Maui rocked on his feet. “Ya see... I really meant it when I said I’d marry you. You can make your parents happy, and still be free, right? I’m not gonna hold you back, kid.”
Moana’s jaw dropped. She looked him up and down, seeing how nervous he was. “Are you...?” She began. The thought trailed off, leaving her staring at him through narrowed eyes.
“Oh my gods, Maui. Do you... like me?” Moana gasped.
Maui laughed, thought she wasn’t convinced he was joking. “No way, Curly! I’m thousands of years old, and you’re what? 25?” he said, wiping a fake tear from his eye.
“This is the second time you’ve brought up marrying you! You wouldn’t do that unless something was in it for you, demigod,” she retorted.
She had been denying her feelings for him, arguing with herself since the day he left. Did she... love him? Is that why her past suitors had broken it off? Because they knew? Moana stole a look at the man once more. Was certainly was attractive. He understood her better than anyone, except maybe Gramma Tala. But did he... really feel the same?
Suddenly the realization hit her. She did love him. The entire time he was gone, she denied it. Kalei had helped her search every island they landed on for Maui. Why didn’t he say something?!
She met Maui’s eyes and sighed. “You’re such a pain in my ass, Maui,” she said, smiling. “Let’s get back to work. These spears aren’t gonna make themselves!”
Kalei watched as Moana returned, smiling brightly at her. “Demigod troubles? He make a bad spear?” He asked, nudging her playfully.
Moana sat next to her fiancé. “I... I think I love him,” she whispered.
Kalei frowned. “You’ve been in love with him for years, Moana. He’s a demigod. You can’t be with him, Mo,” he said firmly.
“But... There’s a chance I could be. The ocean chose me. The gods must have chosen me too...” she muttered, mostly to herself.
Kalei’s eyebrows stitched together. “You’ve it lost Moana. Are you feeling well?” He asked, placing a hand on her forehead.
Moana pulled from his touch. “Kalei... I’m sorry.”
Kalei watched as she turned and walked to her parents’ hut. He looked back to his pile of spearheads, sighing as he returned to work. He had known she’d realize her feelings for the demigod at some point, but he had hoped that was a long way off.
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Moana closed her eyes as she felt the water caress her ankles, breathing a sigh of relief at the warm water on her skin. On this secluded beach, she was free to be alone with her thoughts. A gentle breeze seemed to urge her deeper into the water, mid calf. A ray carefully circled her, brushing her gently with the tip of its fin. Moana knew this ray.
“Hello, Gramma,” she smiled, running her hand along the top of the ray. “I knew you’d come,” she whispered. The ray changed direction, circling her clockwise now. Moana closed her eyes, enjoying the peace the ocean brought her.
A hand found her shoulder and she opened her eyes, turning her head to face its owner. Gramma Tala stood beside her, her spirit glowing softly. Tala smiled warmly and greeted Moana with a hongi.
“I’ll always come for you, dear. No matter where the ocean guides you,” Tala whispered. She rested her hands on her cane after pulling from the embrace. She searched her granddaughter’s face, smiling broadly when she figured it out.
“Ah, Moana. You’ve finally realized how you feel,” Tala announced, now dancing as she had on the beach many years ago. Moana joined her, allowing herself to unwind.
“Everyone seemed to know… Except me, Gramma,” Moana spoke, breaking the silence. Tala glanced sideways at the Chief, continuing to dance with the water. Moana’s brows knit themselves together.
The two women ended their dance, Tala watching as Moana relaxed, feeling calmed by the graceful movements. Tala offered her arm to Moana. The older woman’s spirit guided the Chief to the sand, settling down under the shade of a coconut palm. They remained silent for some time, Moana idly tracing her fingers along the band of the bracelet on her wrist. Tala simply sat with her eyes closed, relishing in the sounds of the village a little ways away.
Moana spoke at last. “Gramma, Maui had a dream, perhaps a prophecy, about a danger to our people. We’re learning to fight and defend.”
Tala nodded once, eyes still closed. “Speak, child,” she said, swaying with the island breeze. Moana blinked, not realizing she had trailed off.
“He told me the gods had sent the ocean to me. They brought the heart to me,” she continued, frowning as she recalled their conversation. Tala’s eyes met Moana’s. “The gods chose me, and somehow, other islands and their people know. They new, because like Maui’s story, the one you used to tell us as children… He thinks they have one about a girl who saved the world, chosen by the gods to do so… He mentioned immorality, magic… Gramma, he thinks the gods have given me some sort of gift,” she sighed, casting her gaze to the horizon.
Tala nodded. “The gift you carry has been with you since that day,” she said, tapping the shell necklace around Moana’s neck that had previously held Te Fiti’s heart.
Moana looked confused. “But the necklace was yours,” she stated. Tala shook her head, opening her arm, gesturing to the wide expanse of water that was the sea.
Moana followed, taking in the beauty of the ocean. A swell rose from the water, tilting its ‘head’ at her. Moana looked shocked. “The ocean… is my gift?” She asked, walking toward the water once more. Her toes touched the water, and the ocean drew back, revealing a sodden wooden chest. Moana looked questionly at Tala.
“Go on,” Tala urged. “Open it,” she said, eyes wide.
Moana sucked in a breath and reached a tentative hand toward the box before her. Summoning the courage, she lifted the lid, revealing a carefully carved bone staff.
Moana furrowed her brow, lifting the staff and inspecting it. “Gramma, what is thi-“ she asked, turning to face her grandmother. The spirit was gone, but her voice lingered. “Demigoddess of the Sea,” the voice whispered.
Moana looked at the staff in her hands, confused and alarmed. The weight was just right, as was the height. The leather strip that wrapped around the staff’s grip cradled her palm and fingers just right. She frowned. A demigoddess? How does this even make sense? she thought to herself.
Her contemplation was interrupted when a loud whistle cut through the air. She turned, staff still in her hand.
Maui stood in the path that led to the beach, eyes wide. His fish hook was gripped tightly in his fist as he spoke. “Did not see that coming.”