Chapter Text
Pomi sighed happily, laying down on the beach and digging her bare feet into the warm sand. She was appreciating the costume change for this adventure. She would never be able to get the grit out of her everyday jester attire if she was forced to wear it. She traced the bright blue stripes on her top with her finger and picked at the nylon stitching on her solid blue boardshorts. She noted the familiar slick texture of her swimwear. Pomni combed her fingers through the sand with her other hand, and watched it part under her touch in a natural pattern. A breeze gently blew through the air, carrying a subtle scent of sunblock. Pomni could even taste a hint of salt on the back of her tongue when she breathed in. She was impressed by the details Caine had put into the map. He himself had claimed this was simply a lazy day at the beach. Pomni gazed at the landscape, spotting the rest of the cast. Everyone was in various stages of relaxation in their beach outfits. Ragatha was sunning herself nearby, lounging on her stomach. Kinger was joyfully building a rather impressive sandcastle, humming to himself. Zooble and Gangle were ankle deep just off shore, laughing and skipping rocks across the surface of the water.
There was only one character she couldn’t find.
Jax.
Pomni shifted uncomfortably on her towel. It had been over a week since their fallout before the awards show. His behavior had been fairly normal, making cruel jokes and playing hateful pranks on everyone. Everyone except for her. He hadn’t made any effort to interact with her since. Everytime she tried to catch his eye, he would look away. That signature fake smile plastered on his face. He ignored every word she said.
Her stomach twisted, remembering the last thing he’d said to her.
After a few days of him snubbing her, she couldn’t take it anymore. She finally managed to find him alone and cornered him. She desperately tried to apologize, and plead for things to return to normal. His pupils widened, that meanspirited grin spreading wide across his mouth, tuning her out in his head. She had shouted at him, demanding an explanation for his behavior. His smile disappeared. His eyes narrowed. His voice cut low. It was cold and calm.
I meant what I said. We aren’t friends, and we won’t ever be. I don’t care about anyone in this circus. Especially you.
He’d turned on his heels, strolling away like he hadn’t just gutted her with his sharp tongue. She stood there, raw and wounded, tears silently dripping down her cheeks.
Pomni shook her head roughly, trying to rattle out the hurtful memory. She turned her attention back to the peaceful scene in front of her. She continued to scan the beach, her eyes catching on a beach chair in the far distance.
There he was.
Stifly laid on the red and white pinstriped lounger, partially camouflaged by shade provided by a comically large beach umbrella. He was still in his peach overalls, his arms crossed over his chest, his facial expression unreadable due to the distance.
Suddenly she saw his ears shoot up, and his head snap in her direction. She’d been caught. Embarrassed, she averted her eyes. Heat crawled up her neck as she inconspicuously pushed herself into a sitting position, hugging her knees and staring hard at the horizon as sweat dripped down her back. Anxiety bubbled into her chest and caused her pulse to pick up. She could feel his eyes on her. His gaze was sharp. It felt like it was digging between her ribs and causing her breath to hitch. She inhaled shakily, attempting to calm herself down. She could feel tears stinging the back of her eyes. Frustrated, she huffed, hastily getting to her feet. This was ridiculous. HE was the asshole! He was the one who refused to let her in. He was the one who denied any attempt of hers to make amends. There was no reason for her to be upset. It’s not like he was her friend or anything… right? She subtlety scrubbed the beginnings of her tears from her eyes, deciding a walk down the beach would help clear her head. She turned in the opposite direction of Jax, still feeling his gaze on her back. She dusted the sand off her skin, hoping to also brush off the feeling of Jax’s pricing gaze. She made her way down the coastline.
Pomni strolled down the beach, looking up at the digital sky. The pixelated clouds scrolled by. She couldn’t shake the discomfort she felt in the pit of her stomach. She didn’t want to be angry with him. She wanted to talk it out, to figure out why he was so guarded. She thought about what Kinger had said to her during her second adventure. During his rare moments of clarity in the dark, he’d mentioned that making someone feel unwanted was the worst thing you could do to someone here. She knew for a fact that Jax wasn't close to anyone. Her chest squeezed thinking about him… Sure he was a bully. That doesn't mean he deserves to be alone and unwanted. She couldn't help but notice his moments of vulnerability. When the mask fell, he said something oddly compassionate about another character. When he would stop and stare off into the distance for a brief moment while wandering certain hallways in the big top. There was more to Jax than he wanted to admit. She just had to work her way through the cracks. She looked over her shoulder, finding her footprints in the sand.
She needed to try again.
She was the only one who would.
Pomni turned and marched her way back to him.
The whole way she meant to think of a clever argument. Her confidence was limited at best. She couldn't imagine a scenario in which he actually listened to her without cutting her down. Before she realized it, her feet landed on her beach towel. Startled, she looked up, wondering if Jax was even still around.
Sure enough, he was still resting on the lounger. Like no time had passed. Her eyes darted around, thankful that the rest of the cast was nowhere around. She drew in a deep breath for courage.
She tentatively stepped towards him, still unsure of what to say. Her foot crunched a shell that caused his ears to perk up as he rolled himself over in her direction. He met her gaze. Progress she supposed…
“H-hey!” her voice cracked, small and unprepared. A blush flashing across her cheeks as she tried to clear her throat. He continued to stare, his head tilting slightly, his expression blank and unreadable.
“Um… I don’t really know what to say…” she admitted, shrinking into herself and shifting her eyes to the fine sand at her feet.
She heard a small chuckle slip out of his mouth. Too brief for her to interpret. She cautiously peeked up at him. His eyes were softer. His mouth in a weak smirk. He blinked a few times, splashing his normal facade back on. He flourished his feet onto the sand, laced his hands together and rested his elbows on his knees. His cheshire smile glinted in the sun as he placed his chin on his fingers and leaned towards her
“Then why don’t you just shut up and mind your business?” he purred, batting his eyelashes in a meanspirited fashion.
A new heat flashed across her, rage.
“Well excuse me for giving a f*$k about you!” Pomni snarled. His eyes shifted and his smile evaporated. She didn’t notice.
“You act like an uncaring a#$hole, but I don’t buy it! I care about you, and I know you care about me too! This!” she gestured wildly between them “IS my business! I’m sorry about our fight, but I meant what I said too! You’re my friend, and I’m not going to give up on you!” her breath came heavily
“So… when you’re ready to make up… we’ll talk. But…but until then…I’ll still be around” she sniffed, turning away and storming off in an attempt to hide her shameful tears. She’d made it to the edge of the water before finally breaking into a sob. She hadn’t meant to yell at him! Her true feelings just burst from her chest and out of her mouth. He looked at her, really looked at her, the whole time she chewed him out.
He didn’t interrupt or turn away… maybe something she said stuck. Hopefully it stuck in a good way.
She dragged her hands down her face. Drained from the emotional rollercoaster, she padded into the lake, letting the simulated water lap over her feet to ground her.
“Pomni! Come out and play with us!” a cheerful voice called to her, breaking her concentration. It was Ragatha. She held a large beach ball several yards away, the water up around her waist. Her and the rest of the gang appeared to be playing volleyball. Pomni smiled, grateful for the distraction. She started to wade deeper, stopping at her knees, arms open wide. She was still several feet away for even an Olympic volleyball player to be able to reach her. Ragatha laughed “You have to come closer, silly! There’s no way I’d reach you from that far!” Pomni stiffened, not comfortable going any farther. She wasn’t the strongest swimmer by any means. She laughed awkwardly “Yeah… I think I’m okay just watching!” she managed with a forced smile. The others joined in, egging her on and trying to force her deeper
“It’s not even that deep!”
“The water is better out farther!”
“Come on! Don’t be a chicken!”
Pomni wasn’t sure what triggered her to march towards the group, but her feet seemed to move on their own. A hidden drop off sunk her up to her chest. Instinct stopped her in her tracks. She shrieked, swirling around, trying to find higher ground.
A rogue wave crashed into the back of her, dragging her under the surface.
All sense of composure left her the second her head went under.
Panic ripped through her body, disorienting her. The remaining breath in her lungs left her as limbs flailed hopelessly in the water.
This was it.
She was going to drown.
The fear was replaced with fatigue, her vision darkening around the edges. Cold seeped into her core.
.
..
…
Pomni vaguely felt her body being jerked out of the water and a firm, repeating pressure rapped between her shoulders. Her body was flipped like a pancake and practically thrown to the ground. The same sensation started in the center of her chest.
Pomni…
She heard her name, like a distant echo.
Breathe…
Her chest ballooned, filling with hot air that she didn’t remember drawing in.
…….
Was she dead?
The startling realization caused her eyes to snap open, coughing and sputtering on the remaining water that saturated her lungs. Dazed and confused, she blinked, how did she get back on dry land?
The group encircled her, stunned into silence and wide eyed with terror.
Jax was knelt next to her, panting and dripping wet, tear tracks streaked down his cheeks.
What the f*$^k happened?
The circle relaxed upon noticing her condition, responses ranged from tearful apologies to nervous laughter. She didn't really pay attention to them. Her eyes were on Jax. His ears were pinned back, hackles raised, eyes frightened and wild. She was pulled her upright by her forearms and pinned against his chest for a brief moment before he yanked her away
“CHRIST, POMNI!” He shouted, but there wasn't any hatred in it., frantically scanning her body. His hands lingered on her, trembling.
“You're ok… you're ok…” he whispered, seemingly to reassure himself mostly. Pomni coughed again, wincing at a stabbing pain in her chest. She rubbed at the tender spot, wondering why it was so sore.
“What…happened…?” Pomni managed, her voice hoarse.
Jax rested back on his knees, wringing the excess water from his ears
“Did you just forget you're only like three feet tall, Short Stack?” He snickered, his golden eyes locked on her.
Pomni scowled. What a dickhead. I nearly died and he’s making jokes!?” She thought to herself bitterly.
He stood stiffly, swiping the wet sand from his legs
“Stay on dry land. There will be no more heroics from this rabbit today” He huffed, tossing a beach towel at her.
Stunned, Pomni stared at the towel.
Heroics?
Her head followed him as he swaggered off.
The remaining cast members took the opportunity to crowd her. Their voices a mix of fear and joy as multiple sets of hands traced parts of her body, searching for injuries. Pomni unknowingly tuned it all out, eyes fixed on him as he left the beach. Had he really been the one that pulled her out of the water? Was he the reason she was still alive?
Abruptly, Caine popped into existence. A puff of glitter and smoke floated around him. His voice was boisterous, booming over Pomni and her friends. He excitedly chatted about how perfect and complete the map was, rapidly questioning the group about how relaxed they all were. He ignored the outraged comments over Pomni’s incident. His stare vacant and cold. Caine blinked and verbalized this experience as a marked success. With a snap of his fingers, the environment crumbled around them, dissolving into the main tent. The group was roughly dropped to the tiled floor.