[ Chuck doesn't mean it like an accusation but part of it still feels that way to Mako. If that ulterior motive had existed, it's one that she hadn't come to terms yet within herself so to hear it offered up by Chuck so plainly hits hard like a blunt blow to the sternum, winding her. Catching her breath, she swallows whatever noise might follow and squares her weight between her feet in an attempt to steady herself.
He isn't here. Such a simple sentence, just three words; but in those words, the silent weight of finality. It through the armor of Mako's reserve and threaten to reopen the wounds she'd sutured closed the moment she'd awoken on the platform. They prickle at the back of her eyes like the threat of tears but she doesn't allow them, she beats them back like a ship beating back the hurricane that would otherwise threaten to drown it.
Briefly, very briefly, her eyes flash something vulnerable and raw but it's gone the moment Mako blinks and she steps forward, closer to Chuck, forcing her neck to crane a little further in order to keep his gaze. ]
I wanted— [ Mako repeats, her breath forcing her to pause mid-sentence. ] —to see you.
[ No matter how far gone they might be, how different they'd become from the children they once were, Mako knows that has to mean something to Chuck. Even if he refuses to acknowledges it, it still has to. ]
no subject
He isn't here. Such a simple sentence, just three words; but in those words, the silent weight of finality. It through the armor of Mako's reserve and threaten to reopen the wounds she'd sutured closed the moment she'd awoken on the platform. They prickle at the back of her eyes like the threat of tears but she doesn't allow them, she beats them back like a ship beating back the hurricane that would otherwise threaten to drown it.
Briefly, very briefly, her eyes flash something vulnerable and raw but it's gone the moment Mako blinks and she steps forward, closer to Chuck, forcing her neck to crane a little further in order to keep his gaze. ]
I wanted— [ Mako repeats, her breath forcing her to pause mid-sentence. ] —to see you.
[ No matter how far gone they might be, how different they'd become from the children they once were, Mako knows that has to mean something to Chuck. Even if he refuses to acknowledges it, it still has to. ]