"Whoa, whoa, easy, Maeve." Theo takes a step back, palms up, trying to calm her down.
Maeve looks at Theo like she might swallow him whole. But with Theo wearing the face of a fragile young woman, it's hard for her anger to hold. She exhales sharply.
"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, Thea. I— I snapped."
Her shoulders drop, the fire draining out of her as she looks down again, defeated.
Theo steps closer. "Hey. It's okay to feel stressed and overwhelmed. Let's take a few deep breaths, alright? Let's calm down together."
He deliberately takes a loud, slow breath.
Maeve follows.
One breath.
Two.
Three.
By the fourth, the tightness in her chest eases. She opens her eyes and gives Theo an awkward smile. "I feel much better now. I really am sorry I snapped at you."
Theo smiles back. "It's fine. I know how stressful this is. Now… is there anything I can do to help?"
"You can blast them all to oblivion!"
Claudia's voice comes from behind them, sharp and furious.
