I don't want to steal your freedom
you don't have to change your mind
Part of the reason he avoids the few people who make a point to see him is because he knows it must make them uncomfortable to see him this way, especially when he never indulged even to the point of being tipsy in the past. His current state prevents him from being shrewd enough to appreciate Maea’s faith in him, but he’s able to tell when the liquor disagrees with her, plucking it back from her hands with a deep warm chuckle.
Free of inhibitions or second thoughts, Harper gently turns her hand over as she continues to talk, tracing the lines in her palm with a calloused finger. When he runs out, he pauses and lays his palm against hers; not quite holding hands, but something similarly companionable. “What do you miss most about it, aside from the feeling? I still have your ring. We could go walking, or swimming?” As he offers it, he knows it won’t compare, that the loss might be felt internally where his hands can’t reach to piece together the broken bits. It doesn’t mean he won’t try.
“My oldest son, Edmund, became Ancient after the war. I haven’t met her myself, but I know more than most.” Enough to trust sending her to Dygra at all. His thumb curls around the side of her hand, squeezing gently, hazy eyes understanding and filled with dark shadows. “I’ll come with you, if you want. To either of their shrines.” His smile is lopsided and sad, but Harper has never been able to stop smiling, even in his darkest moments. “I’m just as lost as you are. My faith in Safrin is broken. I don’t know where to turn now.” They can be two peas in a sad little pod, visiting whichever god she chose.
Free of inhibitions or second thoughts, Harper gently turns her hand over as she continues to talk, tracing the lines in her palm with a calloused finger. When he runs out, he pauses and lays his palm against hers; not quite holding hands, but something similarly companionable. “What do you miss most about it, aside from the feeling? I still have your ring. We could go walking, or swimming?” As he offers it, he knows it won’t compare, that the loss might be felt internally where his hands can’t reach to piece together the broken bits. It doesn’t mean he won’t try.
“My oldest son, Edmund, became Ancient after the war. I haven’t met her myself, but I know more than most.” Enough to trust sending her to Dygra at all. His thumb curls around the side of her hand, squeezing gently, hazy eyes understanding and filled with dark shadows. “I’ll come with you, if you want. To either of their shrines.” His smile is lopsided and sad, but Harper has never been able to stop smiling, even in his darkest moments. “I’m just as lost as you are. My faith in Safrin is broken. I don’t know where to turn now.” They can be two peas in a sad little pod, visiting whichever god she chose.
I just want to make you love me
so please let me take my time
HARPER
