He Is She

Victor’s POV

The sensation of water filling my lungs jolted me awake. I coughed violently, spitting out the saltwater that nearly choked me. Blinking against the blinding sunlight, I sat up, feeling the gritty sand clinging to my wet clothes. For a moment, I was disoriented, my head pounding as I took in the scene of nothing but ocean and the desolate island before me.

Where the hell was I?

I forced myself to my feet, every muscle aching from the explosion and the battle against the waves. My gaze swept across the beach, scanning for any signs of life or wreckage. Just as hopelessness began to creep in, I saw it—a figure bobbing in the water, lifeless.

I trudged through the surf, my legs heavy as I reached the body. It was my bodyguard, his face obscured by the ever-present mask. “Tf does he manage to keep it on all the time"

“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath, dragging him onto the shore. He wasn’t breathing. Without thinking, I slammed my hands against his chest, trying to force the water out of his lungs.

It wasn't working

I leaned over to remove his mask, intending to give him mouth-to-mouth. But before I could even touch his face, he jolted upright, coughing and gasping for air. Startled, I pulled back as he pushed himself onto his knees.

“I wasn’t going to kiss you, I'm totally straight” I said dryly, raising my hands in mock surrender. “Just making sure you didn’t die on me.”

He glared at me, his breathing still ragged. “Where are we?” he asked, his voice trembling as he took in the island. Then his eyes widened, and he said, “The explosion. The ship—what happened?”

His panic was contagious, but I refused to show it.

“Someone wanted us dead, that’s what happened.” The thought was enough to ignite a cold fury in me. “Camilla…” I muttered, the realization hitting me. “Well, at least that makes my life a whole lot easier.”

His head snapped toward me, his eyes narrowing behind the mask. “How can you say that? What in the world did she ever do to you for you to despise her so much.”

“She could be dead and you don't even give two fucks!"

Why did I sense a hinch of pain as he spoke

I stared at him, biting back my irritation. “That’s none of your business.” Turning away from him, I gestured toward the dense jungle ahead. “We need to find food and shelter before we figure out how to get off this island.”

Without waiting for his response, I pushed into the jungle, using my hands to break through the thick bamboo stalks. The air was humid and stifling, but I pressed on, determined to find a suitable spot to set up camp.

After what felt like hours, I found a small clearing. “This will do,” I said, glancing back at him. “You gather wood. I’ll find something to eat.”

He didn’t argue, just gave me a curt nod before disappearing into the trees.

When I returned with two decent-sized fish in hand, I was greeted by the sight of a tent already set up and a fire crackling in the center of the camp. He was crouched by the fire, coaxing the flames higher with the leftover wood he’d gathered.

I stopped in my tracks, genuinely impressed. “Not bad,” I said, tossing him the fish. “I found a hot spring nearby, too, if you’re interested.”

He didn’t respond, simply skewered the fish and set them over the fire to roast.

That night, I couldn’t sleep. The events of the day replayed in my mind—the explosion, waking up on this deserted island, the possibility of Camilla actually being dead, the chilling realization that someone wanted me dead as well. Frustrated, I stepped out of the tent and found him sitting by the fire, his mask still on. He didn’t look up as I approached, but I could tell he was lost in thought.

“How did you know I’d be in trouble on the ship?” I asked, breaking the silence.

He flinched, his shoulders tensing. “It’s my job to know,” he replied curtly.

I smirked. “You take your bodyguard duties seriously, don’t you?”

He didn’t respond, I changed the subject quickly, hoping to get some kind of reaction. “Do you have a girlfriend? Maybe family you care about?” I asked, leaning against a nearby tree. “You got all worked up earlier when I mentioned Camilla.”

He stiffened, and for a moment, I thought he wouldn’t answer. Then, he said, “No. Everyone I’ve ever loved was killed. Killed by a monster.”

There was something in his voice—a quiet anger, a pain buried deep. I studied him, curiosity piqued. “Do you know who this monster is?”

He nodded. “Yes.” Not once looking at me

“If it were me,” I said, “I’d make his life a living hell. Does he have kids?”

He hesitated before answering. “He has a son.”

“Then I’d make sure to kill the son first, and make him watch” I said with a smirk, “No matter what, I'd make him pay"

He smiled faintly, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “If you knew who it was, you might think otherwise.” He stood and headed toward his tent.

“Goodnight, Sir.”

**************

The next morning, I woke to the sound of wood snapping. Stepping out of the tent, I saw my bodyguard crouched on the ground, crafting a spear.

“What’s that for?” I asked, intrigued.

“Hunting,” he said simply, not looking up.

We ventured into the jungle together, the spear in his hands as we searched for food. After some time, we spotted a small wild pig. He crept forward, creating a bit of distance between us, his movements deliberate and silent. But just as he raised the spear, he let out a scream and bolted back toward me.

“What’s wrong?” I started to ask, but then I saw it—a much larger pig barreling toward him. “Run!” I shouted, turning to flee with him.

We ended up cornered, no escape in sight. He stepped in front of me, holding the spear defensively. I wanted to stop him, but before I could, the pig charged, knocking the spear from his hands.

“Crap!"

Without thinking, I lunged forward, taking the brunt of the attack. Pain exploded across my side as the pig’s tusks grazed me. I collapsed to the ground, clutching my side as the pig retreated with its prize.

He knelt beside me, his voice sharp with anger. “What were you thinking?”

“Huh? I think you mean thanks for saving my life! ” I muttered, wincing in pain.

“I didn’t ask you to!” he snapped, storming off toward the camp.

************

Back at the camp, I retreated to my tent, the pain in my side making it impossible to sleep, yet somehow I found myself dozing off.

When I woke, he was sitting beside me, a plate of fish and wild grapes in his hands.

He handed it to me without a word, and for a brief moment, their was nothing between us but a deafening silence.

“I’m sorry.” he said, breaking the silence

I looked at him, surprised.

“Thank you for saving my life,” he said quietly. “I’ve been on my own for so long, doing whatever it takes to survive. I don’t know how to rely on anyone.”

I nodded, taking a bite of the fish. “I get it,” I said after a moment. “My mom died right there in the hospital while giving birth to me. My dad was in so much debt then, no one would help him. Not even his own family, He got himself into some real deep shit with some bad people and has been doing whatever it takes to survive since then.”

"Trying to live up to his expectations isn’t easy.” I hesitated before adding, “When you’re in my shoe, it’s hard to tell who’s real and who just wants something from you.”

“I never knew" He said

His gaze softened, and for the first time, I felt a strange sense of connection between us. He leaned closer, cleaning the wound on my side with surprising gentleness.

“Let's get this cleaned off, it isn't much but it'll keep the wound from being infected before we get back to the city" he said as he cleaned the wound

He rushed out to get a hot coal and pressed it against the wound, I bit back a groan of pain, my fists clenching.

He lifted my chin, his gloved hand wiping the dirt from my face. “No one’s ever cared for me like this,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes met mine—that was the only part of his face not concealed by the mask, and for a moment, I thought I saw something in them, almost like he was trying to hide something. “I’m here to keep you safe,” he said softly.

I grabbed his wrist, my grip firm. “Who’s keeping you safe?” I asked with a smirk on my face, my voice low. “I don’t even know your name or what you look like.”

Immediately, I reached for his mask, wanting to know the face behind these hands, but something in his eyes stopped me. I let go, muttering an apology as he retreated to his tent.

I fell back down to the ground, staring at my hand, “I almost kissed him" I buried my face in my hands.

“Tf!"

*************

The next morning, I woke up early, determined to apologize, but he wasn’t there. Following the sound of running water, I went towards the hot spring. My breath caught when I saw him, his mask and clothes discarded on the rocks. He turned, and I froze.

He's a she?

“You’re a woman?” I said, the realization hitting me like a punch.

She looked at me, her eyes wide with shock.

Without thinking, I stepped into the water, moving fast towards her.

“Victor I can exp—"

I didn't let her finish, I grabbed unto her wet naked ass and pulled her in as my lips crashed against hers.