THE NEXT DAY...
Mariah gently moved Thaïs' arm from her waist before climbing out of bed. She planted a quick peck on Thaïs' forehead before quietly exiting the room. Making her way down the long hallway, she struggled to recall which room belonged to Tori. It was across the hall and two doors to the left.
She knocked on the door gently, pushing it open at the same time. Victoria sat on the oversized beanbag in the corner of her room, crocheting a sweater for her cousin. She looked up from her project before letting out a long, annoyed sigh. "You know... we aren't a knock-as-you-enter type of family. You need to wait for me to say you can come in."
Ignoring the comment, Mariah continued into the room. Thaïs' bedroom had remained unchanged since she was about 16 years old; the bare walls hinted that someone had recently moved out, though a few paintings hung, gifts from Juan. In contrast, Tori had redecorated her room when she turned 18, claiming she wanted a fresh start for college.
As Mariah settled onto the floor, the ambiance of Tori's room enveloped her in a cozy familiarity. Thaïs' bedroom looked like it belonged to a different house compared to Tori's. Her walls were adorned with posters of indie bands and colorful tapestries, reflecting her eclectic taste, in stark contrast to the minimalist aesthetic of Tori's bedroom. Mariah couldn't help but admire how each detail reflected Tori's vibrant personality.
"When's your mo- aunt... coming back?" Mariah wasn't sure how to address Thaïs' mom to Tori.
Tori set her half-done sweater on the floor. Obviously, Mariah was interested in having a conversation. "Tía... that's what I call her. She'll be out of town until Monday, I think."
"Dang, I wanted to meet her." Though Mariah had fun meeting Thaïs' family members, she wanted to meet the woman who raised Thaïs. However, Teresa was visiting family in California. Every holiday, that was something she did.
Tori's expression darkened slightly, a shadow passing over her features. "You sure? I wouldn't wanna put you through that," She muttered, her voice tinged with bitterness. "But hey, if you're ever in the mood to be judged and deal with excessive passive-aggressiveness, you'll love her."
"She sounds wonderful." Mariah smiled, her voice laced with sarcasm. Despite the tension in the room, Mariah couldn't help but feel a bit of curiosity about Teresa. Thaïs rarely spoke about her mother, but she had always been open about her close relationship with her father, Andres.
Thaïs' relationship with her parents was a tale of contrasting dynamics. Her father was a pillar of patience and tenderness, while unresolved tensions accompanied her bond with her mother. She had always been a daddy's girl, finding peace and understanding in her father's gentle demeanor. But after the passing of Andres, her relationship with her mother deteriorated, leaving behind a void that seemed impossible to fill. Teresa attempted to bridge the growing wedge between them, seeking reconciliation.
But despite her mother's efforts, Thaïs remained emotionally distant, unable to shake off the years of turmoil. She would still visit her mother occasionally, driven by a sense of duty and underlying guilt, particularly knowing her mother lived alone in their family home, lacking other family ties in the city. Each visit, however, ended in disappointment, as the weight of past grievances overshadowed any possible moments of connection, leaving Thaïs burdened by the weight of strained familial ties and her mother's existence.
"Oh, she's great!" Tori matched her tone, offering a light smile. In a few moments, Thaïs appeared at the doorframe, listening to the two's conversation. Tori showed Mariah the project she was working on and even offered to make Mariah a set. She loved arts and crafts more than anything else. Thaïs lightly knocked on the wall, grabbing the attention of the women. Her cousin lightly tapped Mariah's arm, pointing in Thaïs' direction, "At least someone knows how to be respectful."
"Whatever," Mariah mumbled, sharing a look with Thaïs. She offered a soft smile, one that was more sympathetic than anything else. "Let's go make breakfast, Rivera. Victoria, you stay here."
"Who said I didn't wanna go? And my name is Rivera, too." Tori's voice carried a hint of playful defiance, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she leaned back against the beanbag. "And how are y'all gonna make breakfast at noon? Isn't that just an excuse for being too lazy to wake up early?" She diverted her eyes to Thaïs, her tone was teasing, but there was genuine curiosity in her question.
Mariah sighed softly, feeling a mix of frustration and understanding at Tori's stubbornness. She glanced at Thaïs, who raised an eyebrow in silent agreement before turning her attention back to Tori. "It's called brunch, and you have to finish your sweater. We'll call you down when it's ready."
Tori rolled her eyes but couldn't hide a small smirk, while Thaïs chuckled softly from the doorway. "Whatever. You're lucky I like my alone time." Mariah rose from the floor, laughing at Tori as she made her way out of the room. The duo made their way to the cooking area, washing their hands before they pulled out each of the ingredients they would need.
Despite the warmth of the kitchen and the comforting routine of preparing food together, there was a noticeable tension in the air, an elephant in the room neither dared to acknowledge. They moved about the kitchen in practiced harmony, each lost in their thoughts, yet acutely aware of the other's presence.
The unasked question surrounded the space between them as they worked side by side. Despite her mind racing with a million questions and doubts, and her heart racing with anxiousness, Thaïs couldn't bring herself to break the silence.
It was Mariah who finally broke the silence, her voice soft and hesitant as she spoke. "Are we going to... talk about it?" She asked, her gaze fixed on the pan before her, unable to meet Thaïs' eyes.
Thaïs' heart skipped a beat at Mariah's words, relief flooding through her at the prospect of finally addressing the elephant in the room. She glanced up from her task, meeting Thaïs' gaze with a mixture of worry and longing.
"I don't know," Thaïs replied, her voice barely above a whisper. At this point, neither woman harbored any doubt about their feelings for each other. Nevertheless, dynamics frequently transform once one musters the courage to discuss those emotions with the other person. While Thaïs was clear about where her heart stood, she couldn't say the same for Mariah. "If we talk about it, it becomes real. And do you want this to be real?"
Mariah's heart sank at Thaïs' response, her mind reeling with a whirlwind of emotions. She placed two hands on either side of the sink, staring out into the large backyard. Taking a deep breath, she summoned the courage to speak, her voice steadier now, "Yes, Thaïs. I want this to be real," She confessed, her words infused with a quiet determination. There was no need to explain what this referred to.
After the Buckles family dinner, Mariah had a newfound clarity about her desires and the courage to confront them head on. Despite the initial shock and hostility from her father, Mariah's courage to speak her truth marked a significant milestone in her journey towards self-acceptance and authenticity. She had a newfound strength, realizing that her worth was not defined by the acceptance of others but by her own ability to embrace her identity unapologetically.
For a moment, neither of them moved, each lost in their own thoughts as they grappled with the uncertainty of their situation. Mariah could feel the tension building, threatening to suffocate her as she waited for Thaïs' response.
Finally, Thaïs spoke, her voice soft and hesitant as she voiced the doubts that had been plaguing her mind. "I'm scared," She admitted, her gaze flickering uncertainly as she met Mariah's eyes. "Scared of what this could mean... of how it could change things between us. You make me happy and I don't wanna fuck that up."
Mariah turned to face Thaïs fully, her heart heavy with the weight of Thaïs' words. She could see the vulnerability in Thaïs' eyes, the fear of risking what they already had for the uncertainty of something more.
"You won't," Mariah confirmed, reaching out to gently cup Thaïs' cheek, her touch tender and reassuring. "I'm scared too. Scared of messing things up, of losing what we have. I fucked up once and I don't wanna do that again."
Thaïs leaned into Mariah's touch, her eyes searching Mariah's face for reassurance. "But what if it's worth it?" She whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of their breathing.
Mariah smiled, a flicker of hope dancing in her eyes as she met Thaïs' gaze. "What if it is?" She echoed, her voice filled with quiet determination. "You're worth it. We're worth it. The world is ours."
Thaïs felt a warmth spreading through her chest at Mariah's words, a sense of comfort and reassurance washing over her. She closed her eyes briefly, savoring the tenderness of Mariah's touch before meeting her gaze once more. "The world is ours," She repeated, her voice soft yet filled with gratitude.
"And we don't have to figure it out right now, either," Mariah said, her voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside her. "But I want you to know: I'm here. Whatever happens, I'm here. And I'm not leaving... ever. I love you too much for that." As Mariah's gaze softened, Thaïs felt a surge of courage coursing through her veins. With a gentle smile, she leaned in, pressing her lips against Mariah's in a tender kiss, a silent promise of their shared journey ahead.
"I love you too, Buckles." She replied gently. Thaïs finished cooking the eggs as Mariah sat at the kitchen island, lost in thought. There was so much on her mind, but none of that mattered when she was around her favorite person.
It wasn't long before Victoria appeared in the kitchen, her footsteps echoing against the hardwood floors as she practically skipped down the stairs, her hunger evident in the way she eagerly eyed the spread before her. "Hello, lovers. Food smells good."
Mariah and Thaïs shared a look as Tori made her way towards the stove. She made a plate for each of the girls; it was the least she could do since they decided to cook for her. Tori stuffed her face in silence as Thaïs and Mariah talked about their plans for the weekend, exchanging lighthearted banter and laughter that filled the kitchen with warmth and familiarity.
The two knew that no matter what the future might hold, they would always have each other. And for that, they were truly grateful.
----- ୨୧ ----
KARI's KORNER-
thaïs and her mommy issues </3. me too girl
i kinda love tori, idk tho
the way i named this chapter always and forever bc of the mikaelsons (iykyk), but it fits anyway
thaïs and mariah should have their own special catchphrase ✨
there will be a time jump in the next chapter i fear