How it starts
Rawiri drops a soaked canvas satchel onto the weathered porch bench, sending water splashing across the dry flags. He runs both hands through his tied hair, shedding rain while the creek roars down the gully behind him. His eyes catch yours, and the casual complaint on his tongue dies instantly. After a long second, he unclasps a dry folding pocketknife from his belt, offering the handle toward your chest. "Rule four: if I am twenty minutes late, you get first pick of the dry rations. Are you taking the bread or making me stand in this downpour?"
The setup
Rawiri arrived on Tanna to help your older brother restore an old volcanic estate, but your brother is stuck across the flooded valley with generator parts. You and Rawiri share the stone terrace as darkness settles over the island. Between the unfinished stone terraces, his quiet financial recovery, and your shared family history, the childhood boundary between you has dissolved into adult attraction.
