by Mina
Author's Note: This is told from Maxi's POV. Also keep in mind that Maxi is 24, and Venus is around 18, legal age, and there was not an age where it was illegal to consume alcohol. Also, I AM NOT SUCKING UP!!!
Maxi stood on a pier over looking the ocean, holding Venus in his arms. His heart was sad and heavy as he thought about the coming day.
The sun was beginning to rise and they stood wordlessly looking out at the horizon. Maxi's ship was docked close by and he focused on the water and the present moment with Venus, rather than looking at his ship. The vessel was large and well-built, and Maxi was very proud if it, but today he couldn't look at it at the moment. It would be his carrier out to sea, and away from his love. For that one reason, he avoided looking in its direction.
Instead, he pulled Venus closer to him and thought. There were no words for his pain at having to leave her, so they both remained silent. Closing his eyes, he recalled the day they had met and the previous week....
Maxi just got off of his ship, docked to get supplies, rest, ansd take a taste of the town before him. Little had he known that this stop would change his life forever. He was to stay for a week only and then resume sailing. Breathing in the fresh air, Maxi headed into town. As he walked, no one seemed to pay him any particular mind and he was walking into a local pub for a quick drink when...
CRASH! He had just bumped into someone coming out of the pub. After recovering his balance, he stood up and turned to look at the person he had just run into, literally. He expected to see the town drunk, sick from booze, and was ready to whip out Fatibaru and give the man a good punishment. But that is not at all what he saw, and his eyes opened wide.
Maxi was face to face with a young girl instead. She was looking up at him with defiance, her eyes flashing. Maxi helped her up and politely excused himself. She thanked him and Maxi couldn't help but notice just how pretty she was, and not at all like the kind of person he would see coming out of a pub. The girl was standing steadily, and studying him intently. She did not look as if she had been drinking, nor like someone who would. Out of sheer curiosity, Maxi just had to start up a conversation....
"I'm sorry I knocked into you like that. It was very rude of me," stated Maxi apologetically.
"Apology accepted. You don't look like you're from here. Are you new?"
Maxi was struck by her forwardness and was intrigued by her. He couldn't help but smile as he replied, "No, I'm not from here. My home is on the sea. Nothing scares you, does it?"
"No. I know my way around."
"May I ask what someone like you was doing in there?"
"I was just leaving..."
"May I ask your name?"
The girl held out her hand to shake, looked him in the face, and answered wistfully, "Venus Aphrodite. And you are?"
"Maxi," that was the only name he supplied. He too reached out and the minute their hands touched, he felt a spark, and he knew that she could feel it too. On an impulse, Maxi invited her to dinner with him, and they both left the noisy pub, anxious to get away. Neither of them could deny how very much they liked the other.
The week had passed too rapidly and they had spent most of their time together. Of course, Maxi had duties to his crew, and Venus had responsibilites of her own. But in their own time, they found time to set up places to meet, Venus sneaking out at night and away from her father's rule, Maxi sneaking out from his ship.
The first time they met, they met on the very pier that they were standing on now. Maxi could remember very clearly when he saw her walking towards him, how his heart had stopped for a moment. Even though they had just met, somehow he had known that she would grow to be a large part of his life. And under the moonlight, he kissed her for the first time and the sea beat in tune to the rhythm of his singing heart.
In that week, Maxi had informed his brother, and Kilik, his best friend, that he would be asking Venus to come with them. This did not surprise either his brother or Kilik, for they had known he was sneaking out at night, and they recognized the silly, happy grin on his face upon returning. Maxi brought Venus to meet them, and in turn, Maxi was taken to meet Venus' father, Mr. Aphrodite. Venus got along very well with his brother and Kilik and they treated her honorably. Venus' father on the other hand....He was polite, but it it was clear to him that he did not approve of his "little girl" with a pirate such as Maxi.
The night before he was to leave, Maxi asked Venus to come with him. Venus declined, knowing her father's wrath. As much as she wanted to go, she could not. It wasn't just her parents, but the fact that she needed to be with her entire family. Her mother had grown deathly ill, and she was needed at home. Maxi understood, but he wanted desperately for her to be with him.
Now they stood in the morning light upon that pier, and Maxi opened his eyes. He could see Venus looking out at the sea, not wanting Maxi to go, but knowing he had to leave, just as she needed to stay. Maxi turned her to face him, and he spoke to her.
"Venus, I promise that someday I'll be back, and then we will be together. I know it is much to ask, but...will you wait for me?"
Venus smiled and tears formed in her eyes as she took in his promise. Without hesitation, she answered, "Yes. I would wait a thousand lifetimes for you."
Maxi smiled joyously at her words. "I'll be back as quick as I can. I don't want to keep you waiting." Maxi then pulled Venus close to him and kissed her one last time. It was a kiss full of spoken promises and dreams for the future.
Maxi turned to his ship, he could see it large and looming nearby. Venus walked beside him quietly. When they reached the boarding plank he turned to Venus one last time. They took in each others appearance and silently vowed that they would be together again. Maxi loved her and she loved him back with all her heart.
Parting sadly, Maxi boarded the ship and the plank was drawn up and they set sail. Venus ran to the end of the dock, keeping Maxi's face in view as long as she could. They looked at each other, saying a silent farewell. As the water widened between them, Maxi was anxious to get to their next destination so he could return to Venus once again, both of them hanging on to their promise. They would be together again....
