The silence rings in her ears. Clair doesn't say anything. It's been too long for Clair to say nothing. Shay is almost afraid to look at Clair when she notices her gaze drifting. Someone so aware of everything they were doing didn't drift like that.
Shay watches. She sees it, that first tear. Clair doesn't say anything, doesn't react in her normal dismissive way. Does not ignore the show of vulnerability, doesn't incorrectly call it weakness.
Something finally cracked.
There's no thought in Shay's actions. A languid pace to not startle her as she approaches almost silently in the pool. A hand brushes her face, palm finding rest against her cheek while a thumb wipes away a few tears. Her name spoken with such shuddering breath brings her closer, ignoring how inappropriate it might be. Shay did not care about that, the Elders could scream at her until the sun burned out.
Clair finally realized what Shay had been seeing, what she had always been so worried about, and she said it. It was as equally a relief as it was an agony to see someone Shay had known for so long be in such a state. Clair needed this. She needed this moment of freedom and clarity.
'I know.' Shay wants to stay, but something else comes forth instead: a nickname Clair might scold her for using that Shay had not spoken of since those days.
Voice barely above a whisper, Shay takes her arms and pulls Clair in against her chest. Arms around both of her shoulders. Head on top of hers, almost protectively from the outside world. A silent promise that if this moment was taken from the other woman, Shay would retaliate as viciously as she was serene right then and there.
The hug was equally tight and soft: supportive and caring, with the freedom to choose whenever Clair wanted to leave. A steady heartbeat to listen to, to calm her nerves. Let Clair weep, scream, whatever she wanted to do. Above everything else, Shay was going to make sure of one thing: Clair was safe.
Giving the other her time, Shay speaks again, with a gentle softness usually unheard from her. "I always worried about... even after everything..." despite stumbling, she continues. "I know that... I wasn't always who you wanted to see. I challenged them because... I never thought it was fair. I always gave you help even if you yelled at me... because it felt right. Maybe if I kept being a nuisance to them... then they would treat you how you should have. Traditions and history are to be shared, just as their burdens are. That's what makes them ours."
Idle fingers brush over her shoulder, keeping Clair grounded. Giving her something to listen to, to remember she was here, and she was okay.
"We are... both rising dragons of Blackthorn. You? You are... a force of nature, Clair, and even those have their resting days, are imperfect... You weren't meant to be some echo in history. You're human, a person with ambitions and spirit of your own. You have always deserved that freedom to choose. I've always wanted you to have that. It might not feel like you can, or that you might betray something if you do... but whatever you decide, I'll be with you."
Even after you told her to leave, she always was. You were always Clair to Shay, and your titles and responsibilities were second to you as a person.
Shay reassures again, giving her a gentle squeeze. She's talked long enough, perhaps even rambled too many thoughts out loud. It was Clair's time to speak.