to heal a wound, you need to stop touching it
"And broken promises will lead to a lot of broken trust. It's not all lost, but it can take a lot of time to build that trust back up again. Nate isn't gone, though. Maybe even Hotaru will come back, once she's had enough time to get her head around all that's happened." Vai doesn't know, of course. But neither does Sunjata, and that's sort of the point. Things might be a lot better or a lot worse than either of them can anticipate at present. Reaching out with the hand not clasped in his, Vai gives his cheek a gentle pinch.
"What if the Aumakua's light goes out and the whole of Torchline falls into the sea? What if the Apopo blows up again and covers the whole place in lava. What if," and here Vai lowers her voice, scooting a bit closer, "Nate takes all the time he needs, comes back to you happier and stronger and feeling safer, and things are better between you than they have ever been?"
She smiles to him. "It's okay, not to be okay. But try not to give up on yourself."
"What if the Aumakua's light goes out and the whole of Torchline falls into the sea? What if the Apopo blows up again and covers the whole place in lava. What if," and here Vai lowers her voice, scooting a bit closer, "Nate takes all the time he needs, comes back to you happier and stronger and feeling safer, and things are better between you than they have ever been?"
She smiles to him. "It's okay, not to be okay. But try not to give up on yourself."
Vervain
