#fordmaj

[mcnstercus]

closed starter - ford & maj ( @maj-araxie )

Ford smiled, holding out a small plate full of hors d'oeuvres to Maj with two hands, focusing hard to keep the plate from shaking too much. "Got you favorite," he said with a small smile, taking a seat next to her. "Are you doing alright?" Ford checked in, unsure of how she was feeling considering the last thing that happened here.

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"No, I do, I was a really shitty person, even shittier boyfriend after my accident. I didn't... I didn't know how to feel, or fix it, or help myself. Sometimes I still struggle with my temper from it too. You deserved better than that."

When Ford said he’d been well, Maj nodded. Something seemed a little off about his words though. It was true. It had been years since they were together and they were also together long enough for Maj to be able to tell when he wasn’t telling the truth. It probably meant that Ford could tell when she was lying too. She couldn’t expect him to be honest when she isn’t being honest herself. Maj was shocked when he apologized though. It wasn’t something she was expecting. “Ford,” she paused, “You’re good, really. No need to apologize. I mean, thank you but really, you’re good.”

[mcnstercus]

closed starter - ford & maj ( @maj-araxie )

When Ford heard of everything, he knew Maj was at the wedding. While their relationship ended a while back, Ford couldn't help but feel that fear of something happening to Maj still there. He still cared. Before he could even think about it, he found himself grabbing his keys to go and find her, make sure she was alright. When he opened the door, there she was, standing there, and he found himself surprised that she even thought to come here. Without even saying anything, he moved and instantly wrapped his arms around her.

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"I mean, I think it's about time that it's my turn not to bail," he said. "God knows I've done that enough over the last few years. Just giving you the same grace that you gave me all those years ago, even if it's more than a little late."

Maj’s eyes flickered from the plate to Ford’s steady hands, her expression a careful mask. She plucked a bite off the plate, her fingers brushing his hand for a fleeting second. "You remembered," she said, her voice soft but tinged with a wry smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She took a bite, chewing slowly as her gaze drifted to the dance floor, its polished surfaces hiding the blood-stained memories of the last time she was here.

"Alright? Yeah. I’m fine." A hollow laugh escaped her, quick and brittle like a seashell cracking beneath careless steps. She leaned back in her chair, letting her shoulders relax just enough to feign ease. "It’s just... weird, you know? Like dancing on a grave but with better snacks." Her fingers twisted the hem of her dress absently, her thoughts caught in the undertow of darker places, but she forced herself to look at Ford, grounding herself in his presence. "I’m glad you’re here, though. Would’ve bailed halfway through if you weren’t."

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"You saw your cousin?" Ford asked. "Like hallucinated them?" That statement slightly concerned him, but he understood that she just went through something traumatic that it's possible that it was how her brain dealt with it. Ford nodded at her request and guided her over to the couch to sit down. Running a hand through her hair, a habit he developed a long time ago that seemed to stick, something that felt right right now.

Maj clung to Ford, her sobs muffled against his shoulder. She nodded, her voice barely a whisper, "Tea would be nice..." She pulled back slightly to meet his eyes; her gaze weary. "I don't know how I ended up here but I shouldn't be alone right now. I saw things... my cousin... and... I don't even know if it was real. I just need... some time to breathe." she said, her fingers tightened around his arm as she stepped inside; grateful for the familiar warmth and the promise of a moment's peace. "Can you just... sit with me, please?"

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"I've got you, I've got you," Ford said, grateful that she was alright. He was never good with big feeling like this, and he hoped that just holding her was what she needed. "Do you want to come in? I can make you something to eat, or some tea?"

Everything was fuzzy... Maybe she was still in shock? After being checked out by a paramedic and determined that she was okay, Maj slipped out of the chaos happening outside of Town Hall. It was too much; people were being transported to the hospital by ambulance and others were being brought out of the building in body bags. She wasn't thinking, walking the streets of Northknot alone right after an attack. She wasn't even sure where she was headed. It surprised her when she realized she had come to a stop in front of Ford's house. Maj didn't usually seek out help or comfort; this was completely new to her. However, Ford was someone she had been very intimate with for three years; her first real relationship since Eda. It wasn't that strange, considering everything that happened at the wedding, that she'd go to him in a time of need. Before Maj was able to reach up and knock on his door, it swung open, revealing Ford on the other side. When he pulled her into a hug, it all hit her. Tears she didn't even realize she was holding back started to fall as she broke down in his arms.

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Ford knew that he shouldn't have just let her go, pushed her away, and part of him wanted to apologize, but he wasn't sure if that was even okay because it had been so long. Years, like she said. "I'm uh, I'm good," he lied, though Maj wouldn't want to know about everything going on with him, out of everyone she probably would be the one he told, but she didn't deserve all his baggage, and maybe that's why he pushed her away. "Yeah, it's been long, huh?" He paused, and finally gave into the long overdue apology. "I'm sorry, Maj, really."

Standing face-to-face with him now, memories of their relationship flooded through her mind. It was good, so good, in the beginning. Maj used to think that they were endgame... until his accident. She sat at his bedside for weeks but when he woke up, he wasn't the same Ford that she fell in love with. He had become really irritable but Maj stayed with him, thinking they could get past this. Eventually Ford had pushed her away so much that they ended things and she hadn't seen him since. Rocking on her heels, she thought about getting high right now. She had already taken a couple of pills earlier but it wasn't enough. "I'm doing good," she lied through her teeth. "Like really good. How are you?" She wanted to ask about his hand, if he ever got over his tremors but she thought against asking him. "I haven't seen you in years."

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Ford did not think he was going to see Maj out here, and part of him knew that he may not have come out here if he knew he would. While he love their relationship, at the time of their breakup, Ford has just been injured, and part of him was ashamed for how he had pushed her away among his pain. Ford caught her eye and he knew that he couldn't pretend he didn't. He gave a soft smile, "Hi Maj," he said. "Uh, how are you?" She looked different, and Ford wondered if it was because she had grown since their breakup or if there was something that was going on.

Maj was walking along the shore when she saw him. She couldn't believe after all this time they'd finally run into each other. It wasn't like she was actively avoiding him. She was in the beginning but their paths just didn't cross after that. Seeing him now, Maj wanted to turn and walk the other way but he had already saw her. She tried her hardest to look confident and not like a nervous wreck. When they got closer to each other, Maj stopped and waved, "Hey, Ford." @mcnstercus