(SE) when the nighttime comes, say yes

SUNJATA

i'm drowning in all these voices in the sea
and meeting all my vices in the ring

She tells him it’s nothing, and he doesn’t believe her for a second. He wonders if it’s the teasing, the easy flirtations that slip from his tongue of years of it becoming almost a currency – if that is what’s caused her distraction, the toss of the basket into the water far away. Still, she tries again, and he keeps his gaze on her, not minding the red color to her cheeks as Haai drifts up to settle along Maea’s shoulders.

Still, he doesn’t comment on it. Regardless of whether he wants to or not, and he lifts a pale scar flecked up enough to prop his arm onto while he watches her lean forward to try and get the basket to capture the sun once more. But she’s going about it in a difficult manner, an awkward position, and he can’t help the quirk to his lips as he watches her. “You know, it might be easier if you got in. Keep you cooler too.” He shrugs lightly, looking out over the rippling of the water.

“And you don’t need to worry about drifting away, I’d get you.” His gaze returns to her, noticing then that she’s leaned slightly away from him. He doesn’t inch closer, but he doesn’t move away from her either, instead, he waits expectant of her to either get in with him or refuse. He wouldn’t mind if she did deign to join him though.

so step inside, i ain't afraid to bleed
there ain't a casket strong enough for me