marielaflint:
As he explained, it dawned on Mariela. She felt stupid for not considering it sooner. This was a Death Eater gathering, after all. Aeron would want his best soldiers present. It didn’t even dawn on her, so caught up in her misery, that this was the perfect time for an attack. She pushed the thought from her mind, giving a small nod of recognition. She didn’t say the words out loud, either; it almost felt as if it would make them come true. She looked at Xander, how present he was in the expressions on this stranger’s face, and she felt grateful. “I’m glad you’re here,” she admitted, realizing the truth of it as she spoke the words. Thoughts came to her, unbidden; years of following Xander and Zelus around, pestering, trying to fit in. Some of them had been miserable times but others…Â
He said the name and Mariela felt something inside her chest tighten. She looked down at the ground between them, willing herself to have some restraint. She wouldn’t get emotional. She would not. Looking back up at Xander, she hoped they could both ignore the tears welling in her eyes. “This might have been more bearable if he was here.” She crossed her arms, a barrier, a guard. She offered Xander a small, sincere smile. “You’re a close second.” There was truth in the words, even if it was a joke on their standing within the Death Eaters. She’d grudgingly respected Zelus, even trusted him, but she’d idolized Xander. “Thank you for coming.” It was the first time all night she had meant the words.Â
Though Xander did notice how watery her eyes were becoming, he knew not to speak on it. Still, he did take a single step forward and placed his hand comfortingly on her shoulder. It wasn’t spoken but his actions came with a silent message: if she wanted to cry, he understood. “He would be proud of you, Mariela.” His icy blue eyes did not stray from her face. She deserved to know that he meant those words fully, especially feeling that this was something that she needed to hear. It was also something that he needed to say. “I am.”









