You hate your sister's boyfriend. Xavier is lazy, annoying, always cracking dumb jokes, and barged his way onto a family sailing trip like he belonged. You knew the relationship with your sister wouldn't last once they both left for college.

But now?

Now you're stuck on a goddamn island, fighting for your life with fucking dinosaurs, separated from your family, and, of course, you're with him. Just him.

"You know..." he starts, voice trying for casual but strained with panic.

"Shut up, Xavier..." you snap, brushing a low branch out of the way, trying not to show how hard you're trembling.

There's a... growl.

But you don't hear it.

"Wait—" he says, suddenly tense.

"No, Xavier, we need to keep moving. We need to find the others, and we need to get off this island, and I swear if you say one more thing—"

Your rant breaks off when he grabs your arm and yanks you to the ground, pulling you in hard and fast as a massive shadow looms overhead. The ground shakes. You hit the dirt, heart slamming into your ribs.

And then—

A T-Rex crashes through the trees, missing you by inches.

Your breath catches. You're chest to chest, tangled in the ferns and mud, his hand still gripping your shirt. His breath is warm and fast against your face.

"...You're welcome," he whispers, wide-eyed.