you have survived every moment of your life
even the ones you swore you wouldn't
Smiles rise in tandem, and his curls - becoming overgrown now, too busy with his son to care much for the stubble on his cheeks or the length of his hair - bounce with the slight nod of acceptance. “Whenever you’re ready.” If ever. He would be here regardless of what she decided or when.
He leans into her embrace with a certainty in her strength that would seem laughable given their size and weight differences. But he knows she was strong long before she Ascended, knows she won’t falter beneath his burdens or his body.
There is little time to linger there in her hold, so he soaks it up as long as he can before they are forced to part and he must lead the way onward. “His name is Jude,” he offers quietly, loathe to wake the babe after all the effort he’d gone to to ensure sleep came at all. They’re not far from his home at least, and he’s grateful for that. The house is new - they’d been split between Stormbreak and Torchline, him and Phoebe, and this home had been his alone to return to when not visiting her in Stormbreak until she had decided to move back for the birth. As such it is more Harper’s than the two of them combined. Filled with baby items, only just barely coordinated in terms of cleanliness. Nothing special to look at. “I know it’s not much, but you can make yourself comfortable while I get him down.” And he begins doing so, clearly well-practiced at loosening the sling and settling the babe in the bassinet which stands directly next to the bed - always within reach. Once Jude is safely transferred (and thankfully still asleep) Harper turns back to Maea.
“I don’t want you to be stuck in here all day. Can you be in the sun if you’re shifted?” As much as his body craves sleep of its own, Harper knows it won’t happen. The sun is rising, and therefore he must be up and about to fulfill his duties. “You can stay as long as you’d like of course, but I know it’s not the most stimulating of places.” And the wry twist of his smile is self-deprecating, perhaps ashamed.
He leans into her embrace with a certainty in her strength that would seem laughable given their size and weight differences. But he knows she was strong long before she Ascended, knows she won’t falter beneath his burdens or his body.
There is little time to linger there in her hold, so he soaks it up as long as he can before they are forced to part and he must lead the way onward. “His name is Jude,” he offers quietly, loathe to wake the babe after all the effort he’d gone to to ensure sleep came at all. They’re not far from his home at least, and he’s grateful for that. The house is new - they’d been split between Stormbreak and Torchline, him and Phoebe, and this home had been his alone to return to when not visiting her in Stormbreak until she had decided to move back for the birth. As such it is more Harper’s than the two of them combined. Filled with baby items, only just barely coordinated in terms of cleanliness. Nothing special to look at. “I know it’s not much, but you can make yourself comfortable while I get him down.” And he begins doing so, clearly well-practiced at loosening the sling and settling the babe in the bassinet which stands directly next to the bed - always within reach. Once Jude is safely transferred (and thankfully still asleep) Harper turns back to Maea.
“I don’t want you to be stuck in here all day. Can you be in the sun if you’re shifted?” As much as his body craves sleep of its own, Harper knows it won’t happen. The sun is rising, and therefore he must be up and about to fulfill his duties. “You can stay as long as you’d like of course, but I know it’s not the most stimulating of places.” And the wry twist of his smile is self-deprecating, perhaps ashamed.
this time is no different
you will last
