2 Days had passed since that awkward incident between me and Don. Ever since he has been nothing but considerate of me; it was quite the shock. Even though I liked this change; He was acting so different from his usual macho man personality that it was concerning.
"Don are you alright? You have been so sweet to me that I think you must have fallen deathly ill." This elicited a laugh from Don and he smiled brilliantly back at me; surprisingly causing my heart to skip a beat. Wow he should smile like that more often! It suited his face so well it was almost criminal.
"Well, to put it simply when I'm with you I feel like I can relax. I don't have to be the hero all the time." He lowered his voice before he continued.
" besides we're friends now, I have no reason to keep you at arms length." It was then that I realized Don never acted the way a hero should around me. He always had his guard up sure but he was also childish, mean, and teasing whenever he got the chance; These were not the traits of Hero. But after we officially became friends he has been nothing but kind, considerate, and helpful. So did that mean this is what he is really like? I felt myself blush having gotten to see something that most people probably hadn't.
" W-well as long as you are alright." I smiled wearily and continued with my drawings. I hadn't seen Amos at all these passed few days; it made me slightly nervous. Why did I think of him so much? He was cruel but it was like there was something else there just below his eccentric personality. I slowed my hands as I softened the features of the drawing; I found myself drawing Amos more often than I liked. What was he doing right now? Had he lost interest? That thought froze me completely. I realized then I didn't want him to lose interest; this revelation shook me to my core. Why?! I put down the pencil and note pad and stared off into space pondering this question. I didn't like him right; That I was sure of so why?
"Are you alright Eva?" Asked Don breaking my train of thought. I nodded and replied.
" Just thinking about something." He raised a charming eye brow as he looked back at me.
"Want to talk about it?" I tensed imagining how a conversation about my new found want would go; And shook my head fervently; there was no way that would end well.
"No no it's alright I-" he cut me off his voice mocking hurt.
" You don't trust me? And here I thought we were friends." I knew he was faking it but that didn't stop me from feeling slightly guilty.
"Ugh no, it's not like that I just don't want to cause anymore trouble." That was apparently a bad choice of words. Don's expression became serious; he eyed me and said.
" What thoughts could be so problematic that you dare not speak them?" His voice was so commanding and absolute I shivered with pleasure. I don't know when I became like this but it was a problem I didn't have the knowledge to fix.
"Uh no, Don don't worry about it." I said in a small voice unable to meet his eyes; I could feel the force of his gaze as it weighed down on me. Finally he sighed letting go of the subject. I relaxed feeling and unprecedented amount of relief. Usually he'd force the answer out of me wanting to know everything; but now he let it be. Maybe he felt I'd tell him on my own and is just respecting my privacy; Somehow that made me feel a bit disappointed. I blushed with shame and hid my face with my note pad; Did I enjoy being dominated?! Oh goodness all these years of being treated like utter trash must have warped my senses; I closed my eyes trying to calm myself. Does this make me a closet pervert?!
"We're almost there; Do you wanna stay at the upcoming village or camp out?" Don asked; once again unwittingly coming to my rescue.
" We can camp out; But let's at least get some supplies. We still have 2 more days before we reach Durum and I'm sure the oxen will be to hungry by then." Don nodded in agreement still facing away from me; and I wondered briefly what he was thinking.
What did a man who killed myths and created legends think about?
" Don what are you thinking of?" I asked before I could stop myself;
He laughed cynically.
" let's make a trade. If I tell you what I'm thinking you have to tell me what you were thinking about earlier?" I winched. If Don knew about my strange disposition and mental turmoil over Amos would he still want to be friends with me? Honestly I didn't have anyone I could call a friend besides Don; the thought of suddenly losing him made me very uneasy.
"Stakes to high for you?" He said mockingly; I coughed uncomfortably.
" Yes, anything that would risk me loosing you as a friend is definitely to high a risk to take." He didn't say anything after that; He simply nodded and we sat in silence the rest of the way to the village. Good going Eva you killed the mood.