Wilona's P.O.V
"Do they now?" I question and he nods seriously. "Well, I'm happy I picked the only smart animal you've encountered," I reply, propping an elbow on my chair armrest to lean against.
My smirk grows with the way Damon scrutinizes me, I couldn't see his eyes too well but they were bright enough for me to know they were on me.
"Funny." He says blandly and I offer him a shrug. "Seriously, she's the first animal I've ever met that hates me and I don't understand why. She's harder to understand than humans."
She is a dog...
"Well you have insulted her on numerous occasions and I've been with her long enough to know that animals understand more than they give on," I reply, letting the chair sway teasingly from side to side. "Plus, I'm finding it hard to believe that she's the first to not lick your face with joy on sight."
"I'm telling you, give me any other animal and you'll see." He argues as he shifts slightly, making himself more comfortable while moving a little closer to me.
"Whatever you say, Damon," I reply before I let my gaze carry from his body and back to his face, afraid it would linger for too long. "You know... you don't have to wait with me, I could just meet you back at the complex."
"I'd rather walk back with you." He says making my heart stutter as he leaned his upper weigh on his arms, drawing him just that little bit closer.
"Why?" I ask, afraid it was because of my sight. Maybe he thought he had to babysit me now, that I couldn't do anything without help.
"Because," He slurs in a sultry way that makes my skin pull around my tightening muscles. "I enjoy spending time with you. I've told you before, you don't piss me off nearly as much as people usually do."
My eyes remain locked on the small blue oculus that seemed to glow in this moment. The swirls of blue appearing to pulse, as if alive within himself. Damon pulls back first, turning his head and taking the magical elements with him. His hands laid at his side, gripping the counter as he looked around the empty shop.
"I doubt anyone else is coming today, I'll lock up early," I announce after shaking my head to wash away the need and stand, hoping I didn't upset Damon in some manner.
"Need help?" Damon asks, quelling my worries despite the slight strain to his voice, his head still facing away.
"If you could get Sassy on her leash and ready, that'd be great," I say while digging under the mess of thrown items to pull free her leash. I circle Damon and offer it to him. He grabs hold of tough, leather just beneath my hand, the space between our fingers minimal. "Good luck with the one animal who despises you." I tease before letting my hold of the leash drop, the metal clips clunking as it fell against his knuckles.
I make my way to the front of the store, to lock the door and turn the sign, smiling to myself at the deep rumble of chuckles which echo behind me from the guy who seemed to be breaking me down, brick by brick.
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I tug aggressively at the old door to slam it into place, clasping the locks shut over all the loops before backing away. I turn with my one hand wrapped with Sassy's leash and look up at Damon, slightly stunned for a moment to find another presence for my walk home.
"Ready?" I ask and he nods, stuffing his hands in his pockets to ward off the afternoon chill before slipping into steps beside me with Sassy trotting between us.
"So, I know you probably don't want to talk about it, but could you explain a little more about the way you see?" Damon asks hesitantly. The sudden question directed to my eyes taking me by surprise. He carries on quickly before any discomfort can build. "Just so I don't make any stupid assumptions or mistakes in the future and know anything I should to make things easier for you."
I keep my eyes focused on the path before us, scanning for one of my usual landmarks while I battle with my own conscious. It was a reasonable request, completely harmless and well-intended. If I wanted the friendship we were building, the friendship I so desperately needed, then I would have to push away my worries.
"You know when you rub your eyes too much or open them after sleeping and there's a split second when everything is stretched weirdly and mixed together?" I ask glancing up to catch his quick nod. "It's like that a little. Nothing has edges, they're blurred clumps of color I had to learn to adjust to. Things I'm familiar with aren't trouble, things like people and trees, cars and birds in the sky. But things I don't know or haven't seen before are could be anything to me."
"If you know me, then why didn't you recognize me earlier?" He asks with no signs of evil intent in his tone.
"Well lit areas also help and Blue's isn't really bright inside," I explain as I fumble the following words before speaking them. "I don't really know what you look like, I've only seen you in areas which are too dark for me to try and get a better glimpse. Direct sunlight is the best option but that's not always the easiest option, so a lot of lamps and light in rooms help.
Silence dangles between us as our steps come to a stop in front of one of the road's crossings. I lean over to push the button before glancing up to Damon, he was looking straight ahead, thinking on my words. I gnaw at my lip in wait, letting my eyes drop in worry that I may have overloaded him a little.
The system beeps while the red light on the opposite side turns green. Sassy trots ahead of us and we follow, Damon seeming to be in a thoughtful daze as he walked in step silently. He only spoke when we reached the other side of the road.
"So what do you see when you look at me?" He asks tentatively, his tone hinting to curiosity and slight hurt that didn't make sense. His steps slowed until he stopped walking, forcing me to stop as well. I turn to face him and look up, the afternoon sky doing little to help me as he peered down at me.
"Blue eyes." I start, my own eyes immediately drawn to them. "I see bright, blue eyes that are deeper than any I've ever seen before. You have a strong jaw, sharp like if someone molded them to be so. Black, kind of short kind of long hair that seems to be tousled differently every time I see you." Damon's lips tug at that comment. "That's all I can see."
Damon smile falters, fading for a brief, pitiful moment before it stretches back with full force.
"Shame, I'm quite a sight." He whispers before he continues walking.
My mind blanks for a moment, electricity racing through my veins at the way his words seemed to caress the edges of my ear like a ready tongue. Sassy tugs at her leash, forcing me to continue behind the two despite the annoying heat running up my neck. I sneak a glance at Damon, heart racing when I catch the ready smirk there.
"So the brighter and closer the better?" He asks, awaiting confirmation.
"Basically." I manage after clearing my narrowing throat.
"I guess I should start wearing neon." He mumbles pulling a laugh from me.
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I unlock my front door and take a breath before pushing the door open, stepping inside and leaving the space open for Damon to follow.
I set the keys down and throw my bag by the door, turning to try and gauge Damon's reaction to my small space. It was the same as his, both in furniture and lack of personal artifacts. The only thing that made this place mine was Sassy's things and the products in my bathroom.
"Feels weird being in the exact opposite of my place." He comments, head shifting as he scanned bashfully.
"What kind of pizza do you want? I'll order." I say before slipping my phone from my pocket.
I open my phone, ears waiting for a response that never comes. I glance up to find Damon in the same spot, blue swirls focused on me.
"Damon?"
"Did you want to order because of your eyes?" He forces out while his small grocery bag dangles from his right hand. "Is it hard to cook?"
"Well, yes and no," I answer, phone sitting in wait within my palm. "It's not hard to cook, just takes longer and I thought that would be annoying for you, so pizza seemed like a good compromise."