I get them all worked up and down on their knees, you see
Maeve waits with baited breath, brows drawn and throat tight as he determines how the rest of this will go. Her heartbeat seems to thunder in her ears, drowning out all other sounds. If it wasn't for the way her eyes stayed locked on him, she likely wouldn't have even known that sighed, but the clear rise and fall of his shoulders gives it away as he draws in that heavy breath. Their eyes meet, but that usual warmth she's used to when he gazes on her is gone and Maeve knows that they won't likely ever have that again. Just something else she's going to have to accept.
Her head bobs in a slight nod and whatever remaining anger she held for him melts. Is it always going to be like this? Is she always going to be helpless against his soft spoken words? "Okay.." It's really all she can manage in response to him. They weren't his words. They were Nate's. Nate didn't speak for him. Sunjata knew her. He appreciated her. He still wanted her to be his friend. He still wanted her in some way. It was enough for now. It was something to build on.
Of course they can't just end it there. That would be too easy and nothing in Maeve's life is easy. It never has been. When Sunjata admits that he doesn't blame Nate, using a voice that's gentle and soothing as if she's a cornered animal willing to lash out at the littlest thing, it's all Maeve can do to fight against the bitterness coating her tongue. It isn't a surprise. Deep down Maeve knew that he'd side with Nate one way or the other. No matter how unjustified the reaction might have been. "No, I can't blame him for that, but I also can't understand how I'm a threat if you let me into your home and around your daughter in the first place. You told him about me. You told him everything. Does he not trust your judgement? It doesn't make sense to me, Jata." There isn't any heat in her voice. No accusation or fight. If anything she's fairly calm. The words even and soft as she looks at him across the short distance that separates them.
"They didn't have room for me." She shrugs her shoulders, dropping her eyes for a moment, bottom lip finding its way between her teeth. "And when we last talked... I guess I was just under the impression that the invitation still stood. Suppose that was my own naivete." Maeve sighs heavily, wiping the last of her tears away and finally meeting his eyes, icy green searching steel grey. "It doesn't matter now anyway. I'm not welcome anywhere near your home. I'm sure that extends to Kamaria as well if Nate has anything to do about it."
Her head bobs in a slight nod and whatever remaining anger she held for him melts. Is it always going to be like this? Is she always going to be helpless against his soft spoken words? "Okay.." It's really all she can manage in response to him. They weren't his words. They were Nate's. Nate didn't speak for him. Sunjata knew her. He appreciated her. He still wanted her to be his friend. He still wanted her in some way. It was enough for now. It was something to build on.
Of course they can't just end it there. That would be too easy and nothing in Maeve's life is easy. It never has been. When Sunjata admits that he doesn't blame Nate, using a voice that's gentle and soothing as if she's a cornered animal willing to lash out at the littlest thing, it's all Maeve can do to fight against the bitterness coating her tongue. It isn't a surprise. Deep down Maeve knew that he'd side with Nate one way or the other. No matter how unjustified the reaction might have been. "No, I can't blame him for that, but I also can't understand how I'm a threat if you let me into your home and around your daughter in the first place. You told him about me. You told him everything. Does he not trust your judgement? It doesn't make sense to me, Jata." There isn't any heat in her voice. No accusation or fight. If anything she's fairly calm. The words even and soft as she looks at him across the short distance that separates them.
"They didn't have room for me." She shrugs her shoulders, dropping her eyes for a moment, bottom lip finding its way between her teeth. "And when we last talked... I guess I was just under the impression that the invitation still stood. Suppose that was my own naivete." Maeve sighs heavily, wiping the last of her tears away and finally meeting his eyes, icy green searching steel grey. "It doesn't matter now anyway. I'm not welcome anywhere near your home. I'm sure that extends to Kamaria as well if Nate has anything to do about it."
They take my fingers in their mouths like it's poetry
Maeve
