I carry your heart [for Isaiah]

[aoife_coombs]

 It didn't matter where Aoife was right now, as long as she wasn't at the big event or at the family manor. 

Even though it's late and pretty dark out, she ends up on the boardwalk, letting the waves take over her thoughts. It was true, she felt better because of cutting Moira out of her life, but it was such an alien feeling that she wondered if she was doing the right thing. 

There were just so many questions in her life right now.

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[isaiahward]

It's not a surprise to find her near the water after what he witnessed the other day, and he's pleasantly surprised when he spots her on the boardwalk, her hair free in the wind and a peaceful smile on her face.

"You didn't give me your number, so I couldn't call," he says with a bright smile as he heads towards her. "But I wanted to."

[aoife_coombs]

"You did?"

Somehow it doesn't even surprise Aoife, him finding her. Maybe it's his thing, his sixth sense. That reminds her of leaving her ear rings behind and nervves creep up for a second, but she ignores them. She really wants to trust Isaiah, completely.

[isaiahward]

She always seems so surprised by his interest, it's incredible. He wants to kiss her hello, but he's not sure if he's allowed to do that yet, so he settles for a polite kiss on the cheek. It's a struggle.

"Of course I did."

[aoife_coombs]

She turns, but she's too late to catch his kiss. "Eh, I don't have my cellphone on me, but I know the number by heart so .."

[isaiahward]

"Excellent." He hands his own phone over to her to put her number in. It occurs to him briefly that this feels a little juvenile but it's worth it. "Now you'll never be able to escape me." He means it jokingly, hopes she doesn't think he's a stalker.

[aoife_coombs]

She meets his eyes. "Oh God, Isaiah. You don't want that."

No, don't cry. Not again. At least she knows enough to not stumble through something as simple as putting her number in his phone. "I'll try to remember to carry my phone around more often. It'll probably make communication easier."

[isaiahward]

"Good." He notes that he can feel her - her earrings are gone - and at the same time, he registers a sadness and somehow an almost relief coming from her. "Is everything okay?"

[aoife_coombs]

"Oh God, don't say that."

Aoife gives him a shaky smile. "I can't think of anything that's okay right now, but I came here to ..not think at all, right now. But -" She moves a little closer. "How are you, didn't you want to go to the auction?"

[isaiahward]

"Nothing at all?" He asks with a wry smile, remembering. "And no. I'm still working on being able to afford a place to live, let alone a fancy auction."

[aoife_coombs]

"The food is probably for free. And the drinks."

His body heat next to her brings her down a little again. "It's just - it's all too much, and I want someone to just - I've been already crying in public this week, there's no need for more. Sorry for the dramatics."

[isaiahward]

He encircles her in a hug before he even has time to think about it, pulling her close. "I'm sorry," he says into her hair, feeling the sadness pouring off her. He wants to send her calm, wants to ease it, but he holds back, worried that she'll run from him. "I want to help," he says softly instead.

[aoife_coombs]

"I told my oldest sister that she doesn't exist for me anymore. It doesn't even - of course it matters that that Thornton guy got her with child but it's - she turned in everything that's awful about us and she was supposed to be the smart, intelligent one."

She clings to his shirt. "Our family is falling apart and I can't help anyone because I'm just - I don't know anything, there was always someone else to step in."

"And like I need it, I'm so confused about you and why I just can't keep my cool like I always do because men just get bored with me after a while because I'm not sexy or funny or smart, just an empty doll but you just ..keep coming back."

Aoife wipes her eyes. "I told you this was a bad idea."

[isaiahward]

His heart aches for her, and without really planning to, he emnantes comfort, stroking her hair and trying to make it better.

"I'm sorry about your family. Things have a way of working out with family, though. I wouldn't write them all off yet," he says. "As for me... I like you, Aoife. A lot. It doesn't have to be any more complicated than that. I can stop coming back, but I'd kind of hoped you like me, too."

[aoife_coombs]

Aoife feels relief flood her and it's very probably nothing more than Isaiah's powers, but why wouldn't she accept those?

"But I'm really not.. there's not much to like, you fool." She looks at him. "I'm bad habits in a pretty shape. I just don't understand why you would."
Now she looks away. "But I like it almost too much."

[isaiahward]

He shrugs and offers her a smile. "I'm not asking you to understand it, though I think you're crazy to not. You're more than you give yourself credit for, you know."

[aoife_coombs]

"That's hormones talking. Or something, of that other one. Endorphins? Biology was really interesting, but my moth-"

She looks up at the night sky. "At least I'm keeping it dry this time."

[isaiahward]

If she's going to keep rebuffing his words, he figures he'll show her. He projects his attraction, how much he wants to hold her and be with her, how he's wanted to since he met her even with all the Coombs bullshit that comes with her. He sends it hesitantly, but he sends it all the same.

"It's not."

[aoife_coombs]

His need and fondness and oh dear I don't want to recognize that other one engulf her and she feels heat rise in her cheeks.

"Th- that's impressive." She gives him a quick kiss, changes her mind and really kisses him. "Don't tell me you that with everyone."

[isaiahward]

He grins and kisses her back. "No. Only you and Lara know that I can do that at all."

[aoife_coombs]

"Lara."

"Did you already talk to her about the other things of siren-ness? I mean .." She licks her lips. "You have to know. For yourself, what you are and what you can be and do. And also because I don't want to -" wake up next to something scaly - "have you discover it in some painful way."

[isaiahward]

Isaiah shakes his head. He hadn't asked, and he's not sure he's ready to ask. He wants to know, and she's right, he should probably know more about it seeing as it's his own life, but at the same time he can't help the feeling that it's a rabbit hole he'll never be able to climb out of if he falls down.

"Not really. I try not to give it too much thought, mostly." He's going to be working with her now though, and maybe he should ask for... Lessons? Do you get lessons? At least just a conversation may be in order when she gets home.

[aoife_coombs]

"This is a strange town, Isaiah. No-one knows what happens in the day when waking up."

She takes his hand, squeezes it, relieved that she can be a cheerleader again instead of the eternal victim. "And how would you explain fangs to your land lady if you don't even understand where they came from?"

"I mean - I think all sirens have those, in their other state. I'm not scaring you, am I?"

[isaiahward]

Fangs, Jesus.

"Are you serious? I've never seen or felt myself with fangs. Then again, I've never had... Another state."

[aoife_coombs]

She giggles. "Sorry!"

"I never saw a siren in real life before, just pictures. The matriarch has like Medusa hair and a tail and fangs and claws, scales all over. Maybe with the lesser ones it's just ..scales? Do you love to swim?" Aoife kisses him, wants to share the feelings he just sent her. But she's also feeling a bit cheeky. "Seafood or sushi?"

[isaiahward]

"Not more than any other person, I suppose." He laughs and kisses her again, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Seafood. Though now it's like I'm eating my brethren," he laughs.

[aoife_coombs]

"That's like .." He's so close to her and it's so easy right now that it makes it hard to think. "Cannibalism, or something? I don't know if I can allow you to touch me again with that mouth now."

[isaiahward]

He kisses her cheek anyway, because he can. "Oh?" He teases. He can feel her flush and knows that if they wanted to play that game, she'd lose despite her stubbornness.

[aoife_coombs]

"Isaiah!"

All of this is silly and shallow but really, isn't Aoife allowed to like that? There's no-one around to tell her what to like, for once. "You do this often, walk the boardwalk to find some girls? Or did you have a goal?"

[isaiahward]

He laughs and shakes his head. "Nah. Just you." He watches the sea with his head on her shoulder and his arms around her waist and smiles. This is nice, nicer than anything or anyone he ever expected to find in this town. "Unless you'd rather I had a goal."

[aoife_coombs]

"I think you should. I don't think that 'just' floating is good for anyone, only for those that can't do anything else."

Even though Aoife is close to believing that if he wouldn't hold her like this, she'd float away right now, she feels so bubbly and light. "I'm glad you didn't get a cold from my raining outburst."

[isaiahward]

"I meant just now, but you make a good point." He still doesn't really know what he's supposed to do in this town now, whether he's meant to have some grand plan beyond working at Watersong and annoying Aoife. "No cold. I don't get sick often."

[aoife_coombs]

"Thank you." She covers his hands with hers. "That's not something I hear often. Is that a siren thing, do you think? If you are a siren, the rest of your family might be as well. And none of them know? How's that possible."

"Not. Not calling you and your family dumb, of course. I know this town is weird for everyone knowing and being in control and stuff. Well, most of them."

[isaiahward]

He shrugs, because he's not entirely sure that Hamish didn't know. "Maybe they just never told me. I think Dad knew. Not sure about my sisters... It's a weird thing to call and ask about."

[aoife_coombs]

"But why wouldn't they? That's like ..not sharing that someone is adopted, or something. Just make an appointment with Lara, I think you'll like knowing what you a- what you can do."

Aoife wishes she could build a cocoon around them right now. "I'd be okay with the world stopping, right now. It's less stressful than anything else."