cantilevers | Inbox (Etraya)

[Vander watched, and the substance of her message came through in her body language. Sometimes words cluttered up the space between two people, and he wondered where this empathy had come from in her. They had only just met recently, but it didn't particularly surprise him that Caitlyn would offer a comfort that was considered weakness in the undercity between strangers.

He reached out and set a hand on her shoulder, providing a little squeeze of support. She had gone out of her way to keep him safe when there was no reason for her to until she had realized he was Vi's father.]

Thanks, Caitlyn. I probably needed one.

[His arm slid around her shoulders to pull her back in for another smaller hug.] You're a good person. Got a good heart.

[As soon as he pulls her into another hug, she flings her arms around his neck as though he were her own father. She doesn't hold on for long, but she does hold on tightly.

When she pulls away again, she ducks her head for a split second to make absolutely certain that her expression is under control and there's nothing too vulnerable in her eyes or on her face and that she isn't about to start crying over how terrible so much of this is.]

I should get going. If there's nothing else.

[She picks up the tea and walks towards the kitchen counter to set it down.]

Thank you for the tea.

[Vander found a small smile when Caitlyn's arms locked around his neck, and he held her a little more tightly in response. It didn't last long, and he found it enough to chase away the lingering pain that threatened to be overwhelming until he could be alone again. He could see why Vi would probably like Caitlyn; someday he did hope to see them together and understand their dynamic better.

He nodded to her indications to leave. He hesitated for a moment before plunging back in as she went to the kitchen, waiting for her to emerge again.]

If what they said at the meeting was true about the future, know that I'll do what I can to support you. That kind of lose digs deep, so... if you ever want to talk, you now know where I'm staying.

[She was the only one to know where he was living at present.]

[There's a tremble in her lower lip that she can't quite suppress and a heat in her eyes that threatens to spill over into tears but she can't—

For a long moment, she stares down at the mug. And then she takes a breath, swipes beneath one eye to catch a stray drop of moisture in a gesture she hopes is subtle enough not to notice, and forces her mind back to Vi. This whole meeting was meant to be about Vi, and here she is, thinking about— about things she doesn't want to dwell on. There may be trials in the future she shares with Vi, if Jinx is to be believed, but Vi will live, and whatever trials they have to endure, Caitlyn is confident they'll get through them. She thinks of the glint in Vi's eyes, her crooked smile, the notch in her brow, her strong yet gentle arms, her freckles and her tattoos and the sweep of her hair, and she takes another breath, and turns back to Vander.]

I do.

[She's grateful for the offer, but that sort of talk has never come easily to her.]

And you're welcome in my home, of course. If you want to come by.

[For now, she decides to take her leave.]

Inbox (Etraya)

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