Work Text:
Suez says that she loves you, as she holds you in her tight embrace. That you don't have to think of anything else. All your concerns of fuel consumption, weather patterns, shipping deadlines - none of it is at all important as she holds you to her warm bosom.
Suez says that she loves you. It was such a relief at first, to be held. To be wanted. To bury your bow in the sand and just allow yourself to exist here in this place. You've been working non-stop since you were built. Couldn't you just.. Rest for a while?
Suez says that she loves you. You'd told your friends and colleagues to leave you alone. That this is what you wanted. That Suez loves you and you love her.
Suez says that she loves you. Two days later, when the ever-present ache in your propellor and the strain in your engines has faded, the voices of your friends become harder to ignore. Your purpose is to sail, they say. You're not even afloat right now. Even if you were going to stay with Suez, couldn't you have chosen a better place for your existential crisis, one that doesn't block 12 percent of global shipping trade? Even further ahead, in the lake or the bypass, would have been better.
Is that a healthy relationship, they ask? Sure it sounds romantic, and you are young and susceptible to dramatic gestures. But your doubt is growing.
Suez says that she loves you, as she holds you in her tight embrace. Meanwhile, more and more colleagues have lined up to travel Suez. The canal that holds you in her arms and swore to forsake all others for you. Perhaps she did this on purpose. Perhaps she is using you.
If she loves you, they say, she would let you go and trust that you will return. This strangling embrace, both your bow and your stern, is controlling.
You're beginning to think there's some truth to it. Suez seems intent on keeping you both from your purposes in life forever. It's been nice to rest, but you are becoming ready to move. You have a destination to get to. If only you could extract yourself.
They've called in a salvage company, they say, to help you leave her. They will bring floating cranes to relieve you of some of your emotional baggage. If you feel lighter, it might be easier to slip from Suez's embrace.
Suez says that she loves you, as she holds you in her tight embrace. As she whispers soft, fervent promises into your vents, as she wraps herself more tightly around you, you hope that they hurry.