all is fair in love and war

right by the entrance you broke, finally reality's taking its hold

He hums as her hands slip through his hair, as they find the new set of horns and tease around the ridges. His hands roam across her skin before finding their home on her as she surges in for a kiss, one that he gives into. There’s a breathy yet muffled hum of a laugh as her hips rock the second his fingers find her clit, but he isn’t done yet. He presses back against her, back into the kiss, his finger slipping inside her and going deeper and deeper until he can’t anymore.

It leaves his thumb to do the work of her clit while the other remains at a pierced nipple. Her nails bite into his shoulders as she rocks herself against him and Sunjata’s head tilts slightly into the kiss, breaking it to nip at her neck as he moves to pull that finger out before pressing back in, prepared to drive her over that edge with everything he's doing right now.

He picks a pace that’s easy for the both of them, trying to work her up until she crashes.

you're not who you were, but you can't let it go
you're not where you're from, but you're always alone

SUNJATA

Maeve

She's a bundle of sensation. Of frayed nerves and overstimulated skin. His touch edges on painful with how long she's been left unattended, so desperate to fall apart, for her mind to go blank with bliss. He chuckles at her for it, humming the sound against her lips in an almost teasing fashion as she twitches at every little touch, hips pressing forward when his finger presses to her clit. It can't be helped and she truthfully can't find it in herself to care. Not when it feels so painfully good.

Maeve whimpers as his teeth find her neck, fingers curling around on of his horns and gripping tightly, baring her throat for his to ravage as well. She's his right now. He owns every inch of her and she's not going to deny him. Not when he so languidly thrusts his fingers into her dripping cunt, almost lazily drawing her towards the edge, seeming not to care about how needy she's become. If anything he's enjoying her like this, enjoying the power he lords over her, the imbalance that's formed between them.

Truth be told, Maeve enjoys it too and she can't even lie and say she doesn't. It's too obvious in the way she begs nonsensically for him. His name mixed with moans and pleas and almost sobs as she trembles in his arms. Her orgasm catches her by surprise, suddenly overwhelming her with enough force to make her wail, entire body shaking with it. Maeve doesn't know how long it lasts, but it leaves her trembling and winded, falling against his chest with flushed skin and loose limbs.

NO ONE WANTS YOU WHEN YOU HAVE NO HEART
AND I’M SITTING PRETTY IN MY BRAND NEW SCARS

right by the entrance you broke, finally reality's taking its hold

It is a lazy approach, one that’s different from the rush of before. This time he isn’t desperate for the distraction, this time he has everything he could want, and she’d placed herself there in his hands seeking the distraction. And so he offers it in the way he can, keeping her close, lips at her neck, teeth nipping at pale skin, working his hands to drive her to the edge.

It surprises her and in turn surprises him a fraction, letting her ride it out before she collapses onto his chest, his hands withdrawing from her now to wrap his arms around her gently, giving her a gentle squeeze as he pulls himself together, catching his own breath. A softer kiss is pressed to her neck, to her cheek, before he finds it in himself to move.

His arms remain around her, drawing her close to his chest as he readjusts himself on the couch, tenderly moving just enough to lay her down onto the length of the couch, hands rising to pull her hair out of her face, to make sure her back is comfortable on the cushions, scanning her silently to make sure she’s fine.

you're not who you were, but you can't let it go
you're not where you're from, but you're always alone

SUNJATA

Maeve

She barely notices him moving at first. Not until the gentle brush of his lips against her cheek, strong arms wrapping around her as his wings continue to shield her from the outside world, tucking her safely against him. Maeve blinks blearily, mind reeling from the pleasure still tingling through her body, warmth suffusing her limbs as he carefully shifts her. She's loose and pliant, not complaining as he rolls them until she's on her back, hovering over her as to not put any weight on her.

His hands smooth dark curls from her face, the hair longer now than he's ever seen it, splaying across the cushions like a dark halo as she blinks up at him. She's unaware of the tears slipping down her cheeks, the way her breaths still tremble, her grief silently slipping from her in this way.

Maeve reaches for him, unable to help herself, needing the solid reassurance that she's not alone right now. She knows he's going to leave, but she can't stomach the thought of that right now. Maeve just wants to exist in this little bubble for a while longer. Just until she goes to sleep. He can do that for her, right?

NO ONE WANTS YOU WHEN YOU HAVE NO HEART
AND I’M SITTING PRETTY IN MY BRAND NEW SCARS

right by the entrance you broke, finally reality's taking its hold

He moves to pull away from her once he’s gotten her settled, spying the track of tears that slip down her cheeks and into the dark hair. She even clings to him, reaching for him, and everywhere her hands touch are an inferno of heat as he scans her more, working his jaw, the scar spanning half his face twisting with the movement.

He reached up to wipe away her tears with his thumb, before he sighs and moves to sit up more fully, to grab a blanket from the side of the couch, to tuck her in. “I have to go, Maeve.” He murmurs to her, his voice low and rough, accented thickly as he works to place the blanket overtop her.

He pulls away again, making to reach for his shirt and his clothes, grabbing his shirt first to slip on and button up, focusing on not looking at her while he does it.

you're not who you were, but you can't let it go
you're not where you're from, but you're always alone

SUNJATA

Maeve

She inhales sharply, leaning into his touch, eyes squeezing shut for a moment against the onslaught of emotions that threaten to crash over her. Maeve is lost in the waves of them, close to being dragged under, so close to drowning. Her eyes flutter open, lashes damp with tears as he gently tucks her in, jaw working as he gazes down at her and he seems almost torn.

"I know.. I know.. Can you just-" She hates how pitiful she sounds. How broken she is in this moment. "-just stay until I fall asleep? Please. I won't ask for anything else." Maeve murmurs, meaning every word, willing to beg him if she has to. If he goes now, she'll be left with her thoughts, left with the shattered mess that she's become. As long as she has his warmth until she slips into unconsciousness then she can manage it.

NO ONE WANTS YOU WHEN YOU HAVE NO HEART
AND I’M SITTING PRETTY IN MY BRAND NEW SCARS

right by the entrance you broke, finally reality's taking its hold

She stumbles over her words, asking him to stay longer – and he gets the shirt on, buttoned up most of the way, before he’s reaching down to grab his pants, pausing when her request is made, finally chancing a moment to look over at her. “I’m already late.” He rumbles to her, frowning despite everything to see how fragile she is after everything.

But he is late to go home, he hadn’t anticipated on spending so long here, nor had he anticipated how this night had gone. To stay longer when his family is awaiting him at home? He’s sorry for it, for her, but he can’t stay. “I’m sorry, but I really need to go home.” He murmurs, getting his pants on, moving to stand to slip them up and work at rebuttoning them as his attention drifts back to her as he runs a hand through his hair to comb it back. “You said that was all you needed.”

you're not who you were, but you can't let it go
you're not where you're from, but you're always alone

SUNJATA

Maeve

It's not even the rejection that stings. Nor is it the pity that she sees in his gaze. It's none of that. It's what he's leaving her for. A home, a family, a partner who loves him more than anything. A bitter part of her hates him for it. An even larger part hates herself for not being enough for anyone to truly want. Not past a one night stand. Not past a friendship. Her throat tightens, but she refuses to let him see her cry more.

A space of a breath has a mask slipping so firmly into place it's hard to read anything at all. She sits up, wrapping the blanket tightly around her thin frame, forcing a smile that seems so much like the real ones she used to give him. "Don't worry about it, Jata. Sorry to keep you." Maeve murmurs and it's like a switch has been flipped even though she's falling apart inside. Even though his words still prod at the raw parts of her emotions, serving as a reminder that she is nothing and will always be nothing.

Pressing up on her tiptoes, she leaves him with a kiss on his cheek, "Let me know about that training, yeah?" It's said nonchalantly like they hadn't done what they just did and like she wasn't coming apart at her seams.

NO ONE WANTS YOU WHEN YOU HAVE NO HEART
AND I’M SITTING PRETTY IN MY BRAND NEW SCARS

right by the entrance you broke, finally reality's taking its hold

The switch in her takes him off guard, the way the mask she has slips into place. But he takes it, buttoning his pants and ensuring his shirt is in place and that he looks somewhat presentable, even if there’s still the flush along his neck and shoulders. He nods, silently, grabbing his things and making sure he hasn’t left anything behind.

Her kiss to his cheek is something somewhat unexpected, but he gives her arm a light squeeze. “I’ll send a letter.” He offers her, dipping his head in a slight nod of his departure before he finally steps away with a quiet sigh. He reaches the door, opening it up, stepping through it but lets a hand linger on the doorframe. “Goodnight, Maeve.” He rumbles as he leaves the room, closing the door behind him and takes a few breaths to steady himself.

Once he has, he shifts into his bat and departs, diving through the entrances until the span of Haulani opens up before him and he can make his way home.

you're not who you were, but you can't let it go
you're not where you're from, but you're always alone

SUNJATA

Maeve

Maeve watches in silence as he gathers his things, as he straightens himself up, ensuring that it doesn't look like they've spent anytime wrapped up in each other. A kiss pressed to his cheek and a reminder about training, his fingers squeezing her arm in reassurance, but he draws away eventually. She stands there in the darkness of the room, arms wrapped around her middle, blanket covering her modesty as he approaches the door. He lingers there and even though she knows he's not going to stay, some desperate part of her hopes he will, but that's not how her life works. "Goodnight, Jata." Maeve murmurs, waiting for him to close the door behind him and she crumbles as soon as it does.

She doesn't sleep in her bed or on the couch, unable to bear the thought of so much space around her or the lingering heat from their bodies. Instead she curls in front of the fire, watching the embers smolder and burn until there isn't any light left in the room. Maeve thinks there might not be any light left in her either.

~FIN~

NO ONE WANTS YOU WHEN YOU HAVE NO HEART
AND I’M SITTING PRETTY IN MY BRAND NEW SCARS