waiting for your return

I thought you said forever over and over

Perhaps it would have been better if there was an outlet for the rage that simmered beneath the surface, so unlike Liam that later he would wonder where it had come from. But it all went back to previous losses, and the fear of losing Maea, too, the terrifying possibility that he was simply cursed to lose everyone he'd ever loved to some tragic fate or other. He hadn't been able to protect his wife or children - but gods be damned if he wasn't going to protect Maea with everything he had to offer. And maybe that was what it all boiled down to in the end: he wasn't angry with Maea, or Noah, or even Thalassa. He was angry that he was never enough to keep those he loved safe.

Maea's hand covered his, her head turning so that she could brush her lips against his palm, and just like that, the fight left Liam. All he wanted to do now was to make sure that Maea was alright - or as close to alright as she could be. Whatever it took, he would help her, care for her, until that haunted look in her eye left and his Maea returned.

"I... won't blame Thal," he said begrudgingly, his voice gruff but genuine. His thumb stroked Maea's cheek. She looked like she could use a rest, what with her tattered outfit and the way exhaustion lined her body. "Do you want to come inside? Or would you rather go to the treehouse?"

A sleepless night becomes bitter oblivion

Liam