"Teach me."

Tarzan blinked. "What?"

Brook huffed, placing her hands on her hips looking at him. It was time for dinner and Brook wanted to go with him and because he couldn't say no to her cute pout. Tarzan grabbed his spear and threw it back, staring intently at the pile of fruits.

Brook grew quiet as he instantly threw it perfectly, striking the fruits at center. The fruits were high above them and he managed to throw it like nothing. As he climbed onto the tree, Brook couldn't help but admire his strength and agility.

After the storm, she felt vulnerable. She was weak. Hell, excuse her language, after that night, she still felt weak. She couldn't protect her parents and because of her, they were gone.

She didn't need Jane to tell her what happened to them. She knows they're...that they're...

But if she's going to live in the jungle, she knew that she can't always rely on Tarzan for everything. As much as she loves him dearly, she wants to learn things on her own. Starting by asking for his guidance once more.

Tarzan dropped to the ground, the ten fruits impaled at the spear. He grinned as he turned to Brook, who would usually smile widely at the fruits and his strength but her expression on the other hand didn't show that. She was deep in thought and when she does that, she would be gone for who knows how long.

He walked up to her, tilting his head. "Brook?"

Brook snapped out of her thoughts and turn to her beloved. She stopped as she stared at his muscles and scars on his chest and arms as the sunset sun gleamed at his figure.

New determination filled her as she looked up at him. "Teach me."

He blinked. Teach her what?

Knowing that he was confused, she pointed to his spear. "Teach me how to do that."

He looked down at the spear and at her. "Why?"

"I want to learn. You have been teaching me how to speak gorilla for a few months now, I would like to learn to do that too."

He frowned. What's with the sudden interest? He can tell the fire was suddenly burning in her eyes with determination but he couldn't help but worry about her reason.

"Brook?"

She sighed, "It's just...you have done so much for me and..."

'I don't want to be a burden,' she thought.

"And?" he neared closer to her.

"And...I want to learn how to get food on my own," she made it up.

He didn't believe her but just ignored it, continuing the conversation, "Tarzan here. Brook doesn't have to do that."

"Yeah, I know that," she lazily played with the grass with her toes. "It looks fun, and I want to do other couple stuff with you?"

He looked at her amusedly nearing his face close to hers, noses touching. She has hardly been able to hold back a blush as he squinted his eyes at her playfully. She didn't want to give him the benefit of doubt but she lost it as he playfully stuck his tongue out and licked the corner of her lips.

She squealed, face burning as she took a step back and turned around. She wasn't used to the small sneak attacks and affection from him. It always makes her feel giddy and embarrassed. Hearing Tarzan's laugh behind her made her blush more.

Brook huffed walking back to the treehouse, "If you're not taking me seriously, I'm leaving."

She could still hear him laughing behind her getting closer as she was lifted from the ground. She pouts as she lightly smacked his chest as he ran back to their home.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Finishing up dinner with the last of the candle Brook found on the chests, she started cleaning up as Tarzan left to check on his troop.

She hummed as she wiped the stains on the table. Nodding to the now clean room, she walked past the fixed window and stopped as she found one of Tarzan's spears on the entrance.

She shook her head and headed straight to her room...dusting off the covers, she walked to the spear and held it with both hands.

Her eyes widened at the weight of the rock attached to the staff. Brook looked around, seeing that Tarzan was not around yet, and mischievously bit her lip.

She stood in the middle of the room and admired the spear. How perfectly sculpted with a purpose to be sharp.

With some struggle, she had it with one hand and closed an eye. She stopped as she took notice of warmth on her back and stiffened. She nervously laughed as Tarzan gently took the spear from her hands.

Like being scolded, she looked down worriedly until Tarzan lifted her chin with his knuckles. The look in his eyes told her to speak to him and she sighed.

"I don't want to be a burden. I...I-I want to help too with anything or at least not be trouble for you to protect me all the time. Who will protect you?"

His eyes softened at her confession and rubbed her cheek with his nose. He pulled her waist to him and looked at her softly.

"You're not a burden. Brook helped me understand more of you and your home. Tarzan now helps you with my home. You by my side, I feel stronger than I ever had."

She sighed, nodding dejectedly. She knew that his words mean well to her, but she still can't help but want to protect him.

Seeing through her, he looked down at his spear. He frowned. He shook his head and lead her to their bedroom.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Thwoop!

Thwoop!

Thwoop!

Brook groaned as she woke up with the obnoxious sounds. Knowing Tarzan woke up early, she groggily stood up and walked outside. Walking up the deck, she spotted Tarzan on the ground. Biting her lip, she reached over and grabbed a vine.

Tarzan stopped as Brook swung down to meet him. He smiled lovingly at her as she stood next to him.

"What are you doing?" she yawned.

He chuckled at her and handed her what he was working on. She sleepily stared at the carved bow.

She furrowed her brows staring at the perfectly carved wood. It was smooth at the hilt, a long strong string attached on the ends.

"It's beautiful," she murmured, admiring it.

"It's yours."

She stopped, looking at him. He smiled in confirmation. Her eyes widened, looking down at the bow. "Mine?"

He nodded, standing behind her. "If there comes to a moment I am not there, you can protect yourself with this. I will teach you, but you must be careful. It is dangerous–"

Brook jumped on him, her arms wrapped around his shoulders giving him a long kiss. Snapping out of his shock, he kissed her back holding her small waist.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," she grinned.

She looked down to the bow and played with the string. It was strong. She turned to Tarzan who smiled at her.

"Thank you, love."

She blinked as she felt a small bite on her cheek. She flushed as she placed a hand where Tarzan bit her. She could still feel the warm breath on her skin and turned to him.

Tarzan walked back to where he was working and grabbed the arrows he made. He stopped as he felt a bite on his cheek.

Brook giggled at his shocked expression, "I like this love bite."

As Tarzan was about to hug her a loud booming sound echoed the jungle. Tarzan stiffened but Brook immediately knew what that was. They ran back to the treehouse to get a better view, and there it was.

A ship sailed towards the jungle.

A/N: I made drawings of the chapter!!! I hope they're good...took me four days to do them 🥲 I usually do them in a day but with problems at home, it took me a while and I'm exhausted 🥱

I used this reference below ⬇️ (Got it from Pinterest)

I did the drawing from the roots and so far, I'm so proud 🐶

Thanks for sticking around! See ya later! 👋🏽

Published: March 7, 2022

Word Count: 1458