black bird.
It shouldn't be a surprise whenever his hands bear her new gifts, but somehow she always finds reason to smile.
Those hands give Miranda everything she wants. Jewels from diamonds, expensive trinkets, clothes, anything fancy, frivolous. How her eyes still light up when he gives her a smile that means nothing at face value. Falters when hands wrap around his for that moment when she takes what be gives. His voice lightly warning her to be careful, and how and agrees, but there's something in her voice that knows what he means.
Showing up when she fails him.
Less than perfect, and those gifts are taken from Miranda as soon as they come. Like a carpet pulled from under her feet. Shut off from anything else, and needing a moment to take it all in, realizing that it's gone. When a voice asks why, high pitched from crying, how that same hand comes down to rustle her hair.
"You agreed that this wasn't yours."
The confusion that follows when she can't remember that part. How it transfers to guilt, then to anger. All at herself, how could she be so stupid? When that head hangs in shame, looking at polished shoes, a finger lifts her chin, and she sees that smile again: worthless underneath a lie.
"Do better next time. And act like a man."
