[P] cinderblock gardens

[Marisol]

the tree corrupt, and so the fruit;

The space that erupts between them when Theodosia steps away is abrupt and uncomfortable. Marisol watches the inches widen with a dull kind of disappointment, the soft frown on her lips speaking of regret - though if it is for the harshness of her words or the initial lapse in judgement that lead them to this, even she can’t tell. Everything that brought them here has slowly started to feel like a terrible idea. But what is there to do about it now?

Nothing, but watch and let it consume. The sparks fade from Marisol’s skin and the pulse of dread in her chest fades into silence. She sets her jaw.  May I be dismissed, Commander, asks Theodosia, and Marisol meets her eyes with a slate-gray gaze both sorry and sharp. She is not sure what to say. Forgive me? But she is not sorry. Stay? But she must go, or condemn them both to failure. There is no ending here. that does not involve something broken or hurt; Marisol should be used to that by now, but it still hasn’t quite tamed her.

Yes, she answers. The word is rough and low. It burns in her throat like she has swallowed something unsavory, pouring bile into the back of her mouth until it stings even in her nostrils. The darkness of the office is suddenly as oppressive as it is omniscient; it knows her - the traitorous heart, the bright dread in her veins, how every muscle begs to be released.

No one else has to, though. Thank you, finishes the Commander tightly, and with one last wary glance turns back to her papers.

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<3

aimless | kokovi