Falling Into His Arms

"Turn right at the next fork," Kurt called from the backseat as he squinted at the torn and tattered map spread across his lap. "I think. This thing has seen better days. It's got some big-ass holes in it."

"You think?" Selina raised an eyebrow, glancing at him through the rearview mirror. "Don't you have a newer map, one that's not missing pieces?"

"Trust me, princess. I know where we're going... mostly," he grinned, earning an eye roll from Liam. "Hey, we need shitty old maps to get to shitty old spots that people forgot about."

Marina bounced excitedly in her seat, her red hair catching the afternoon sun. "This is perfect! We can work on controlling your abilities without any interruptions. The way you connected with Kurt's wolf during the fight was incredible, Selina. And that force field was so damn cool!"

"I still don't know how I did that," Selina admitted, gripping the steering wheel. "It just... happened. I've never done anything like that before."

"That's why we need to practice," Marina insisted, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. "Both of you have such unique gifts. Liam, your natural shielding ability could be just as powerful as Selina's force fields if you learn to control it. And your protection ability, I wonder what it can do. I know you have it; I can feel it when you release your aura."

Liam leaned forward between the front seats. "But how long will that take? We don't exactly have the luxury of time here."

"Left at that big-ass oak!" Kurt interrupted, then added with a smirk, "Unless you want to drive straight into the lake."

"Well, a swim would be nice after all morning in the car," Selina chuckled as she turned.

Marina turned in her seat to face them. "Look, I know you're worried about time, but I've studied wolf abilities my whole life. Well, watched as my delusional father studied them," she clarified, as her voice dropped to a near whisper. "I can help guide you both. If you haven't noticed, I do have brilliant observation skills and a brilliant analytical mind! It'll be like... like learning to ride a bike. Once you get it, you'll never forget."

"I was never interested in riding bikes; I preferred running," Liam said dryly.

"The lookout should be just ahead. See that clearing?" Kurt said as he leaned across the back of the front seat, pointing straight ahead.

"At least try to be excited," Marina pleaded. "This is going to be amazing!"

"We are excited," Selina assured her, managing a small smile. "Maybe also terrified, just a bit."

"Terrified is good," Kurt chimed in cheerfully. "Keeps you on your damn toes. Park behind those trees - we're here!"

As they navigated the dirt path on foot, the landscape opened up to reveal an area overtaken by overgrown grass and weeds. A rickety, dilapidated lookout tower stood in the distance. Its wooden structure leaned precariously. Beyond it, a sandy beach stretched out, leading to the brilliant blue expanse of Lunar Lake. The early afternoon sun reflected on the calm surface of the water.

Selina and Marina exchanged excited glances before racing toward the weathered wooden lookout.

"Come on!" Selina called over her shoulder, her indigo eyes bright with anticipation. "I want to see everything from up there."

Marina laughed, her fire-orange hair streaming behind her as she followed. "I'm right behind you!"

As they began their ascent, the old ladder creaked beneath their weight as dust and sand billowed around them, making them cough. A small chunk of wood crumbled away beneath Selina's grip, sending her heart racing.

"Careful," Marina warned, her amber eyes widening as she watched another piece of railing break free and tumble to the ground below. "This thing is falling apart."

"We've faced worse than splinters," Selina replied with a determined grin as she paused and steadied herself.

When they finally reached the platform at the top, both women fell silent. The vista before them was breathtaking. The lake spread out like a sheet of liquid sapphire, its surface rippling with gentle waves that caught the sunlight and transformed it into thousands of dancing diamonds. Beyond the water, emerald forests rolled toward distant mountains that faded to purple on the horizon.

"It's beautiful," Marina whispered, her voice filled with awe. "I've never seen anything like it."

Selina nodded, feeling the knot of tension she'd been carrying begin to unravel. "It makes everything else seem so small, doesn't it? All our problems, all our fears..." She drew in a deep breath of the clean, fresh air. "Up here, my doubts and worries just melt away," Selina said before drawing in a deep breath.

Marina's shoulders visibly relaxed as she leaned against the railing, careful not to put too much weight on it. "For the first time since we left, I feel... peaceful." Her amber eyes scanned across the horizon.

They stood in companionable silence for several minutes, letting the tranquility of the scene wash over them.

"We should probably head back down before the guys start worrying," Selina finally said, reluctantly turning away from the view.

"Right behind you," Marina replied, carefully beginning her descent.

They were halfway down when it happened. Marina reached for the next rung of the ladder, but the cracked wood gave way with a loud crack. Time seemed to slow as her body jerked backward, her eyes widening in shock and terror.

"Marina!" Selina screamed, lunging forward but narrowly missing Marina's outstretched hands.

Marina's terrified scream tore through the peaceful afternoon as she plummeted backward, her body twisting in the air, arms flailing desperately for something, anything to grab onto. The ground rushed up toward her.

"No!" Selina cried out, her heart hammering against her ribs as she watched her friend fall, helpless to stop it.

In that moment of pure horror, a blur of movement caught Selina's eye. Kurt appeared from nowhere, racing toward the falling woman with his arms outstretched. Oddly, a large grin spread across his face as he positioned himself directly beneath Marina's plummeting form.

"Kurt!" Marina gasped as she fell into his waiting arms. The impact drove him to one knee, but his grip remained firm, his ocean-blue eyes gazing down at her in his arms.

"I've got you," he breathed. "I've got you, Mare."

Marina's body trembled as the adrenaline coursed through her. "How did you—thank you!" she blurted out with a shaky breath as she hugged his neck.

"Good thing I'm quick on my feet, huh?" Kurt lowered his head until she could feel his warm breath on her ears. Instantly, the panic and fear were gone, and her body was electrified with the tingles from his touch coursing through her. "The hero always gets a reward, I have a few suggestions," he whispered.

"Is that so?" Marina's voice was breathless as she fought the urge to pull his head down and taste his lips. Marina blushed, a soft pink coloring her cheeks. She tried to suppress the smile that threatened to tug up the corners of her lips, but it was a losing battle.

"Absolutely," he replied, his voice dropping to a low rumble that made Marina want to lose herself in his touch.

Marina's blush deepened, and she ducked her head, her fire-orange hair creating a curtain between them. "And what kind of reward would that be?" she inquired, her tone teasing.

Kurt chuckled, the sound rich and full of promise. "I think you know the answer to that, Mare," he said, his fingers gently tilting her chin up so their eyes met. "But I'm more than happy to whisper a few suggestions in your ear."

Marina's breath caught in her throat as she found herself caught in his gaze. She swallowed hard, her heart racing with excitement. "I... I think I'd like that," she admitted, her voice barely louder than her breath.

Kurt's grin widened, and he leaned in, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear as he spoke. "Then let's just say that my reward involves a secluded spot, a moonlit sky, a fiery redhead," Kurt paused, admiring the darkening blush spreading across Marina's face and increasing pulse.

"Kurt..." she began, her voice a soft whimper of longing.

He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, his own filled with a burning intensity. "Say the word, Mare," he said, his voice filled with desire. "Say the word, and I'm all yours."

Marina was caught up in the promise of what could be. Then, with a shy nod, she gave him the answer he was waiting for. "Yes," she whispered hesitantly. "Yes, Kurt. I want that too."

Kurt responded with a low growl of satisfaction as he tightened his arms around her while placing her back on her feet.

Selina scrambled down the remaining rungs of the ladder, her hands shaking so badly she nearly lost her own grip twice. When her feet finally touched solid ground, she rushed to her friends.

"Are you okay," Selina paused as she noticed Marina's blush and the atmosphere between Kurt and Marina. Selina snickered as she caught sight of Liam covering his eyes and shaking his head.

"Thank God, you're down Lina," Liam groaned. "I thought they might get naked right here. I couldn't leave until you were down too."

"That bullshit lookout is officially off-limits," Kurt declared, his usual playfulness returning as he placed an arm around Marina's waist. "Next time you two want to sightsee, just ask. I'll carry you both up a damn mountain just to keep you safe!"

Marina's laugh was sarcastic with just a touch of sincerity. "My hero," she whispered, leaning into his side. Without warning, Marina pulled out of Kurt's grasp and began detailing Liam would be first on the ability list.