My dear, we're slow dancing in a burning room
His admission brings her back into the moment, a breath pushing past her lips as her shoulders slump slightly, "I know, Jata. I'm sorry. I just don't want things to get mixed up because of a misunderstanding." She murmurs, pursing her lips before her expression softens again, turning to look at him once more. She's been honest with him about that night, telling him the truth of everything she knew, only keeping her meeting with Hotaru the following morning to herself. It didn't matter for this. Not when the woman hadn't confirmed anything and chose to cut ties with the Madame, leaving her to focus on her life here and move on without her, not giving her another choice in the matter.
"I'd offer to give you something for your throat, but I'm sure Nate is taking care of it." Maeve reaches over slowly, placing her hand on his arm, thumb swiping across the scales there in what is meant to be a comforting gesture before she withdraws. It's not her job to care. It never really was, but she always will despite herself. Since he's been back he's been more closed off than ever. Paranoid, defensive, quick to snap and lash out. It somehow seems even worse when Nate is around and Nate is always around. How much has changed since Nate got back? How much tighter is his hold on Sunjata? It worries her to no end, but she doesn't dare voice it.
Aidon slips from Maeve's side, slinking between the two of them and curiously sniffing at Sunjata, straining his neck to peer up at him with glowing orange eyes. Then in a move that might be considered odd, the dragon places a clawed foot on Sunjata's arm much like his bonded had moments ago, clearly mimicking the attempt at comfort. He trills softly, head cocking to the side as he remains there, not moving besides the gentle puffs of air he releases.
Their gazes meet, seaglass green locking with steel gray, flames dancing in their irises as the light flickers over their skin to cast them in a warm glow. This moment isn't warm. It isn't two friends coming back together after time apart. It's cold, tense, and closed off. Nothing like all the times they shared before. "I am too... Locke cut up his hands pretty badly trying to get inside, but no one inside suffered. The Voice put out the fire."
"I'd offer to give you something for your throat, but I'm sure Nate is taking care of it." Maeve reaches over slowly, placing her hand on his arm, thumb swiping across the scales there in what is meant to be a comforting gesture before she withdraws. It's not her job to care. It never really was, but she always will despite herself. Since he's been back he's been more closed off than ever. Paranoid, defensive, quick to snap and lash out. It somehow seems even worse when Nate is around and Nate is always around. How much has changed since Nate got back? How much tighter is his hold on Sunjata? It worries her to no end, but she doesn't dare voice it.
Aidon slips from Maeve's side, slinking between the two of them and curiously sniffing at Sunjata, straining his neck to peer up at him with glowing orange eyes. Then in a move that might be considered odd, the dragon places a clawed foot on Sunjata's arm much like his bonded had moments ago, clearly mimicking the attempt at comfort. He trills softly, head cocking to the side as he remains there, not moving besides the gentle puffs of air he releases.
Their gazes meet, seaglass green locking with steel gray, flames dancing in their irises as the light flickers over their skin to cast them in a warm glow. This moment isn't warm. It isn't two friends coming back together after time apart. It's cold, tense, and closed off. Nothing like all the times they shared before. "I am too... Locke cut up his hands pretty badly trying to get inside, but no one inside suffered. The Voice put out the fire."
Maeve
