make them happy (open)

Locke

im all for compassion

He mulls over her words for a long moment, trying to figure out what she means exactly. He thinks he gets it. He's never wanted to be loved like that really, not until recently. The slow, cold, creeping of wanting to maybe settle down and not spill his guts on the sand. Maybe he's always wanted it, shoving it down into the corners of his mind. He doesn't deserve stuff like that though. Being safe is enough for him. And he's not sure he'll ever get that.

He looks at her, holding her gaze as he lays out the cards. He's got a flush, not royal but none the less. He slides the rest of the cards towards her. "Play a bit, if you can beat me honestly next time, I'll give you something extra special." Except he doesn't ever plan on coming back. He's been too open, too vulnerable. It makes him feel weird and skittish. Admittedly a lot of things do.

Locke pushes himself up from his chair, "Thanks for your time Maeve. Should let you go. Pretty sure that guy over there has been eyeing you and he looks like he's dripping in jewels. Should go tend to him." He just wants to leave. Maybe he'll go to Slagveld.. Punch someone for a bit until he forgets about the way her teeth bite into her lip.

but not on my dime