Liam
I just want one more chance
If Maea shifted back, would Liam have the words to explain what had brought him so low? Perhaps his shame was in the fact that he was still haunted, all these years later, in ways that he couldn’t even begin to describe. He was not so heartless as to believe that he should be fully recovered, living as though his family had never existed, but he did rather think that this kind of reaction to the nightmares that sometimes plagued him might, in retrospect, be a little much.
It didn’t happen often, it was true, so perhaps that was why it affected him so when it did. He’d do just about anything to sear the memories of their lifeless faces from his brain. Including, it seemed, making terrible choices and then having to bear the consequences.
Any doubt in the back of his mind that this was Maea disappeared the moment she turned into the feirwe. It was his favorite of her shifts, and somehow that made things worse. In this form, Maea seemed so… innocent? He wasn’t sure if that was right, given that he’d just watched her rip out an elk’s innards, but it was the only word that came to mind. And just now, he felt anything but.
Still, as she nudged gently at him, he swallowed hard, raising his gaze to look at her. He could practically feel the concern that radiated off of her, or so he imagined, and he was struck by the realization that he didn’t deserve her. Here he was, an absolute mess, and yet she cared enough to stay by his side. To offer her shoulder to lean on. In silence, he slipped an arm over her withers, releasing his hold on the tree in favor of her. She was warm against his side, comforting in a way that he had not expected, and for a moment, he dared to hope that she wouldn’t be too angry with him.
It didn’t happen often, it was true, so perhaps that was why it affected him so when it did. He’d do just about anything to sear the memories of their lifeless faces from his brain. Including, it seemed, making terrible choices and then having to bear the consequences.
Any doubt in the back of his mind that this was Maea disappeared the moment she turned into the feirwe. It was his favorite of her shifts, and somehow that made things worse. In this form, Maea seemed so… innocent? He wasn’t sure if that was right, given that he’d just watched her rip out an elk’s innards, but it was the only word that came to mind. And just now, he felt anything but.
Still, as she nudged gently at him, he swallowed hard, raising his gaze to look at her. He could practically feel the concern that radiated off of her, or so he imagined, and he was struck by the realization that he didn’t deserve her. Here he was, an absolute mess, and yet she cared enough to stay by his side. To offer her shoulder to lean on. In silence, he slipped an arm over her withers, releasing his hold on the tree in favor of her. She was warm against his side, comforting in a way that he had not expected, and for a moment, he dared to hope that she wouldn’t be too angry with him.
To put my arms in fragile hands
Table inspired by the lovely Skylark <3
