It's a feeling we always chase

Maea

And time it waits for no one
It heals them when you die

His reply was long in the coming, his voice drawled out from someplace far away. It sounded like a simple and rather lonely thing to do. Possibly she was a little saddened that he would go to Amalia for the pie, and not her, but... Deva's was the best bakery. Maea still hadn't found an equal, in Halo or Torchline. So it did make sense.

"Would you mind terribly if I wanted to make something a little different for you?" she asked, a little tentative. "I... might've had some plans... to make it a surprise. But the way things are, I thought... maybe it was best to check. What you would prefer."

Should she keep away, take her hands off? Or did he want her to care, to keep threads tied to his life, be a presence - not just in his bed on occasion, but as a friend too? It was really a matter of whether he wanted to call the shots on when and where they met, or if she could seek him out as well.

A topic for another time, really. But Leafchange wouldn't last forever, and this was a simple enough matter. Birthday party. Yay or nay?

And soon you are forgotten
A whisper within a sigh

SUNJATA

the flood

anyway, you say you're too busy
saving everybody else to save yourself

She does capture his attention a bit more with the question that reaches him. Something different? A brow lifts in quiet question, not sure what she means by it. The idea of a surprise something, what he would prefer about it. And he’s not exactly sure what to say with it. So he focuses on what kind of things it could be – a party? A gathering of friends (somehow he tries to filter through who was still his friend and who wasn’t) or something else?

His thumb strokes her ribs a bit more in idle consideration. “What kind of plans?” He asks, gaze lifting to search her face again, some clarity returning to the steel of his eyes. “Like… A party of sorts or something?” He wonders if he’s on the money with that question, and he mulls it over in his mind thoughtfully while trying to decide what it could be like. What did people do at birthday parties? Usually how it went in Korofi when his mother would have it made, she’d sneak into his room with a fork for the two of them. A quiet time, talking and spending time with one another over a pie.

He figures he should probably give her a bit more information about it and so he settles a bit, chewing at the inside of his lower lip as he mulls it over. “I’ve never had one before.” He explains, searching her face with some hint of confusion, hoping she could fill him in.

and you don't want no help, oh well
that's the story to tell

Maea

And time it waits for no one
It heals them when you die

He perked up a bit, attention clearly caught, and Maea bit her lip, both glad and sad that she had to give up the idea of arranging it in secret. The revelation that he'd never had a party did shock her though, because even she had been granted one. When she came of age, and turned sixteen.

"Yes, a party," she confirmed. "Something small... with your family, and friends invited. There would be good food, and music, and time spent together. Maybe some games, if you'd want, or we could just hang. Here at the house, or at the boxing ring, or by the beach." That was worth thinking about. Another reason to ask, so she didn't assume things and place things in the wrong locale.

"Maybe someone might bring a present for you, if they had one..." She grew a bit lofty there, trailing off without specifying anything. Wanting to keep something from him at least, even though it might not be too hard to guess that she might be one of those who had something for him.

She brushed soft knuckles down his cheek, able to picture it clearly. Melita would be there, and Loren. Maea too, and Weaver, and whomever else he might want to invite. Ronin perhaps. Remi too, since they clearly were a pair...

"What do you think?" Maea rubbed her cheek gently over his forehead, enjoying the warmth that radiated from him. She needed no blankets with his arms around her, with his fingers stroking her ribs.

And soon you are forgotten
A whisper within a sigh

SUNJATA

the flood

anyway, you say you're too busy
saving everybody else to save yourself

His thumb continues its stroking, slower now as he focuses on her words, trying to imagine something like that. Family? Melita, more than likely. Friends? Confusion settles deep within him, and if she were Attuned she might feel that coursing through the bond. As it stands right now, she only gets a contemplative look while he considers it. He continues to chew at the inside of his lip, pausing only when she says someone might bring a present for him. A quiet snort leaving him at that, chin resting along her shoulder as he shifts a small amount to focus on her better.

“Presents?” An amused raise of his brow. But it fades when she strokes her knuckles along his cheek, gaze shuttering slightly with the sensation before she leans forward and rubs her cheek along his forehead and he settles in again – sharing his warmth with her, sharing his attention with her. But he wonders how it might end up, if they’re on this break of theirs and someone shows up like Nate, flirtatious in nature and comments get made.

He figures it shouldn’t matter too much in the long run if it’s all in jest. So he nestles his head back down onto her shoulder, cheek pressed against the bone of her shoulder. “I think it sounds nice. Could host it here if you wanted to? Bring some drinks from the VlamVloed or something… I don't really know how it all works.” He trails off a small amount, continuing the idle stroke of his hand, the gnawing on his lip.

and you don't want no help, oh well
that's the story to tell

Maea

And time it waits for no one
It heals them when you die

At least he didn't reject the idea. Maea merely smiled mysteriously when he reacted to the mention of presents, not going to answer. Her fingers traveled back up into his hair, combing through the locks above his temple in long, soothing strokes. Couldn't quite keep herself from touching him, very much enjoying this. The closeness, the way they so casually spun plans... maybe it was foolish, when they weren't technically a pair anymore - ah, it felt strange to think that when she lay here with him in her arms, still very much in love - but it felt good too. Because it meant they weren't over. Not done, not a story left unfinished.

"I can take care of the details," she offered. "If you get the house in order, and give me a list of people to invite, all you have to do is be here to let them in. And enjoy yourself, have fun." Her arms tigthened around him, hugging him a little closer for a moment. "All things considered... I think you need it. Deserve it. A reminder that you're not alone."

Because he wasn't. Maea was always there for him, whenever he would let her, but she was far from his only friend and ally. Let the likes of Phoebe, Deimos and Jigano mutter and brood in the Grounds, let those who didn't know anything think what they wanted of the Flood. His friends knew who he really was, and kept staying regardless of what the world threw at him of pain and challenges.

"Besides. I really want to do something nice for you. It would make me happy too." Maea smiled a little lopsided, not sure it made any difference.

And soon you are forgotten
A whisper within a sigh

SUNJATA

the flood

anyway, you say you're too busy
saving everybody else to save yourself

Her fingers find his hair again, traveling through the curls and a soft sound emits from his throat, somewhat feline in nature — as if the panther form is showing through with the tender touches she gives him. But he listens to her words, pausing in the strokes on her ribs to consider what she says, a hum of amusement slipping from his throat. “Alright.” He hums before she's squeezing him, and commenting that he deserves it.

Somewhere deep down he severely doubts it, but he lifts his head to press a kiss to her collarbone, lifting his gaze to meet hers again with a quiet smile. “If you say so.” The reminder he’s not alone sparks some stirring within, but he stuffs it down to focus on her and the way she seems content to simply do something to make him happy.

“You often do nice things for me, Maea.” There's some seriousness within the smile he gives her, unsure of what more she could do. But he won’t argue with her.

and you don't want no help, oh well
that's the story to tell

Maea

And time it waits for no one
It heals them when you die

He agreed, and Maea was filled with a quiet elation, her heartbeat picking up slightly with excitement as her mind whirred into action. Party planning, logistics and expenses, from hiring of musicians to the acquiring of food - because she didn't trust herself to cook well enough for so many - and invitations to make and send... it would be so much fun.

She didn't push it when he seemed less than convinced by her argument that he deserved to be happy. Similarly, Maea had to pause and think when he returned the sentiment, saying she was already doing nice things for him. And honestly? Aside from the dinner tonight, and the times they had sex, she couldn't think of anything. Her mind reached back, and found only instances of Sunjata caring for her, accommodating her, being nice to her.

"If... if you say so," she replied, stealing his phrase, but sounded very hesitant. Smiled, but only to show she chose to trust his word for it. "Still think there's room for more of it though." She doubted it had come to any point where what she did for him made him feel stifled and unable to return the favor. At least she didn't hope so.

Closing her eyes, Maea shifted her legs a little closer, to tangle them with hers. A deep breath had her relax beneath him, happy with the weight of him against her, with the warmth and affection she felt. She could say 'I love you' until her tongue was worn down and the words lost meaning, and it would never be enough to convey the depth of the feeling. If she had been Attuned, perhaps he could have sensed it... but her mind remained closed off from him, and the softness of her hands on him was the only tell she had.

And soon you are forgotten
A whisper within a sigh

SUNJATA

the flood

anyway, you say you're too busy
saving everybody else to save yourself

She returns his phrase to him, and he snorts in response. But she’s hesitant with it, and whether she thinks she has or not, she has. She’d given him a distraction while he was married — training sessions that gave him something else to think about rather than those spirals he was so prone to. She’d made him beautiful blue daggers that he kept sharp and ready for any kind of fight he might find himself in. She’d given him the idea that he could find a place in Torchline, make it his, follow that dream of a house by the ocean.

She’d given him an outlet for his secrets, things buried so far below and left to fester for so long that it had been a relief to share them, to have her love him completely as he was with every mistake. So really, all he can do is just hum with some amusement back to her, nestling into her shoulder lightly. “There’s always room for more.” He agrees, shifting when she does a small amount.

But she relaxes and he does too, leaning into the touch a bit, keeping the gentle strokes along her ribs, feeling the exhaustion start to come in waves.

and you don't want no help, oh well
that's the story to tell

Maea

And I hope that you don't suffer
But take the pain

So let there be room. For kindness. For compassion. For understanding and patience, and love. Always love. In the times when words ran dry, when thoughts ground to a halt, and all that remained was the simple things. A heart beating next to hers. The gentle strokes of a hand over ribs that stood out a little too much under milk-white skin. The warm comfort of a body nestled against her, of a soul curled up against her heart. Close as close could be.

Sleep was so close. Promising dreams that were sweet and full of hope. Maea let herself go, set her mind free to drift as it wished. But they never strayed far. Returned time and again to Sunjata, to the plans they had made, this quiet moment of stolen bliss. Ah, if this was the last thing she ever knew, Maea would be content. It was good, it was enough, it...

Ah, but who was she kidding? It would never be enough, would it. Because there would be tomorrow too, and the day after that, all full of him, of all she wanted and wished for and dared to crave. And as she lost herself in the quiet of the night, in peaceful sleep within his arms, she let herself pretend. That this was not the last night, but the first of many more to come.

It was the most beautiful dream she'd ever had.

Hope if everybody runs
You choose to stay

SUNJATA

the flood

anyway, you say you're too busy
saving everybody else to save yourself

Of course, he doesn’t know that this will be the last time they truly get to spend with one another. If he did, maybe things would be different, maybe he would have acted different – maybe he would have given her a new bow to replace the old one. Maybe he would have convinced her not to go back to Halo and spend time away when she could spend her time here, with him, with whatever sort of strange arrangement they could make.

But he doesn’t know.

So instead, he can’t help it when the exhaustion sets in, when she drifts off and his slow and steady tracing of her pale skin beneath bronze and scarred hands begins to stop once sleep overtakes him too. Content, finally, warm and surprised with how easy the conversation had been tonight. Where usually he would toss and turn beneath the furs and blankets of his lonesome in a bed far too big, he finds he doesn’t have to. Not with her as his pillow, not with the warmth and space she takes up – even if its minimal in comparison the amount he takes up.

He finds as he falls asleep he doesn’t want it to truly end, but can’t bring himself to give into it. So it’s good enough for tonight.

- FIN <3

and you don't want no help, oh well
that's the story to tell