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[aldhani]

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[aldhani]

[when it's all done, hanging in the air, he doesn't know what happens next. she could be furious with him, more than she has been, and she'd have every right to be; he'd managed to not only move straight past her feelings, disregarding what he'd known she hadn't wanted him to do, but also step all over them in the process. if she wants space, he'll respect that, for as long as she wants it.

that's not what happens, though.

her soft voice might as well be a shot to the chest, for its impact. it twinges there, and tightens in his throat, as he looks at her, and she looks back at him, with a sadness that only adds to the ache.

(it's not the first time he's seen it, from her, before her. in another life, more times than he can count, that look had been bix watching him from across the salyard whenever he'd stumbled back to ferrix after an absence, with visible bruises and blood, had been in brasso's eyes as he'd helped him patch up yet another injury and figure out yet another cover story, had followed him home to maarva — and, years after that, had formed his last memory of wilmon. and —)

he nods. says an equally soft:] I know. [that's all he can do in the face of that. nod — and remember this; his life means something, just like hers means everything to him. her life and her happiness.

his next steps, for this moment, are clear. when she comes closer, he does the same, until there's no distance between them anymore. he wraps her in his arms and holds her close to his chest, tucking her into him and resting his cheek against the top of her head.]

I love you. [it's thick, around the lump that's formed in his throat. tears sting in his own eyes.] I don't want to lose you, either. In any way.

[revvedup]

[ she closes her eyes, letting him enfold her in his arms, and breathes out against his skin, her face tucked against his neck. it feels like the first time she’s been able to breathe since the ‘gift’ had been discovered. since he’d posted to the network, even. they’re still not out of danger, but he’s not set on refusing her help or facing it alone. a few tears keep spilling forward as she breathes in and out shakily for a few minutes.

she hadn’t quite realized how scared she’s been. for herself, for him. and now for grace. ]

I’m scared. [ if he’s coming clean, she should, too. ] I don’t know what he’s going to do and I don’t want any of us hurt. Or worse.

[aldhani]

[what she puts a voice to isn't something he doesn't already know. but it's one thing to know it, and another to actually hear it, especially alongside her shaky breaths and tears that he can feel against his neck; it's not easy to scare max, and it's even more difficult to get her to admit to that fear. it grips him anew, a cold edge to the warmth of their embrace.

tomorrow is less certain than ever. but tonight —

his arms circle around her just a little tighter, a support, even if a shield isn't possible. one hand moves over her back, a soft repeated (and hopefully grounding) motion, while he stays quiet for a time.]

I would've felt better if Grace had stayed with us, but I understand why she didn't want to, [he says, finally.] We have people to talk to. Faith knows his patterns, and maybe she can help us figure this one out before he does something. Buffy, too. Tomorrow, we can reach out.

[revvedup]

[ he clings to her a little tighter after she admits what she's been feeling and trying to suppress, up until it wasn't just them he was threatening. it's not like she hadn't been worried about them before, but it's different when it's not just them who's being targeted. especially when grace is innocent and has already been through so much.

but he's right. they have faith. they have alia. buffy's here, even if she doesn't know her anymore. they aren't fighting him alone, if it comes to that. ]

Okay. [ she nods against him, pulling back a little to kiss him lightly, craving the comfort. ] Tomorrow.

[aldhani]

[tomorrow, he says, and tomorrow, she agrees. like this, holding her, pulling back just enough to kiss, he's almost convinced he can put it off for both of them. almost.

the moment, in and of itself, has a limit, but he stretches the comfort as long as possible, kissing her gently until he's forced to come up for air. he stays close, touching his forehead to hers.

and, eventually, murmurs,] We should eat something.