Work Text:
Carina knew.
Every since they left the office, she knew. When they got in the car and Andy asked them what they wanted to do, Carina knew by Maya’s tone and quick answer that she was not okay even if she insisted her best friend to go back to their party.
Carina knew as Maya entered the Polish restaurant and brushed what had happened under the carpet –or rug, whatever–, claiming no one could steal their joy. But it had already been stolen.
Carina also knew that everyone around them, Maya’s friends, her family –and now her family too–, were just going along with her, out of sympathy or pity, she didn’t want to know. They would dance and laugh with Maya, with their former captain, trying to distract her from what had just happened. They wouldn’t succeed, though, as Carina was well versed in reading Maya like an open book by now and she could tell by the way her smile faltered just for a fraction of a second and by the way her eyes were shinier, not by tears of joy but the exact opposite, that she was not okay. And she wouldn’t be for a while.
And as the music changed from loud tunes to slow ones and they were left alone to dance again, she knew. Carina knew by the way Maya’s grip on her hips was tighter and by her short, controlled breaths as they rested their foreheads against the other, noses brushing. Maya’s eyes were closed but it was written all over her features, Carina could see the brokenness in her wife.
So she tried to sooth her as she knew best, by touch, gently caressing her neck and jaw until Maya finally locked eyes with her. Her beautiful blue eyes were red and flooding with unshed tears and Carina felt her heart break for her wife.
Just with a barely there nod, Maya let her know she was right, told Carina that everything she was thinking was true. And she was also telling Carina she needed her more than ever.
And still not uttering a word, Carina told Maya she was there. She was not leaving. And then, Maya looked up and Carina knew she had reached her breaking point. Maya couldn’t keep her brave facade anymore but Carina was there to gather the pieces of her broken heart.
And so, with a hand behind Maya’s head, Carina guided her to her shoulder, having to suppress a sob on her own as she felt Maya cling to her as if her life dependent on her, as she felt her shoulders shaking and as she felt her wife’s tears on her bare skin.
Maya had been strong for her when Andrea died and it was now Carina’s turn to be Maya’s rock, it was her turn to keep her afloat and not let her sink. Not only because they signed to do exactly that just a few hours ago but because every bone in her body ached to comfort the blonde. And so she did, she held Maya for who knows how long, still swaying on the now empty dancefloor as no words were needed.
But Carina also knew that Maya would be alright. Not tonight, not tomorrow, but eventually she would be alright. They would be alright. There was no doubt about that.