All the shards we keep stepping on

There was a distance that yawned between them despite their proximity. Maea was so close that he might reach out to touch her, and yet she’d never felt quite so far away. It was a far cry from their usual easy camaraderie, and it didn’t go unnoticed - but it would be fine, Liam was sure, if only he could convince Maea to join him as a Friend of the Family. ”She is,” Liam confirmed. ”She brought me to Dahlia, I think.” Liam softened, remembering what Maea had told him of Thalassa. ”I know things are… complicated, between the two of you, but… she helped me, when she didn’t have to.” It didn’t mean that the soldier thought of her with any particular affection, but he could see her now as a friend. As for what happened next… Liam watched Maea, his face uncharacteristic unreadable. ”I think that’s up to you, Maea,” he said softly. ”You need time to think, and I understand. I’ll wait for you.” He reached for her then, brushing his fingers against her arm. ”And when you’ve decided, I hope that we can move forward together.” Liam I am the patron saint of lost causes