Wilona's P.O.V
My steps falter in a similar rhythm to his, his words stunning me for a moment. Was he asking me out? Could he be asking me out? Is this a date?! Can this please be a date?! Wait, no. Calm down Wilona, friends eating out does not equal date.
Plus, Damon's interrested was still unconfirmed though it tipped closer to the side each day. Damon didn't really seem interested like me at all, not that there was a way to guess or that I had a working radar. It was more those little moments that passed between us, the little touches which grew with each visit. The easy vibe between us, the need in his eyes I knew I mirrored in my own. He may not be like md, but he was, maybe...hopefully, a little interested in me.
"Are you asking me out, Damon?" I ask before I can stop myself.
Both of us freeze at that moment, Sassy pulling against my leash which I stared at completely horrified. My head turns stiffly to look at Damon, finding an expression I couldn't read no matter how hard I tried to. I didn't know if to be grateful or angry that I couldn't see it.
My heart beats against my chest, desperate to escape this horrible situation of my own making, but I wouldn't let it, we'd suffer together.
"Ignore me. I-Ignore what I just said." I scramble, determined to fix my ultimate fuck-up before I lost a friendship I needed more than I could say. "I was being stupid a-and said that without thinking. J-Just forget it, please."
Damon stares at me, his blue swirls larger than usual but I couldn't get much beyond that. As if sensing it, he offers his palm. I glance down, hesitance paralyzing me as my mind reeled with indecision. The need to run and escape, loud but the need to stay and take his hand was much too overbearing.
I let my fingers slip over his hard palm until my softer skin is sliding over his rougher one, my fingers wrap around the back of his hand as he does mine.
I look at him, relief cascading through me when I don't find disgust in his eyes or anywhere on his face.
I prayed harshly that it wasn't hidden deeper where I couldn't find it.
He looked anything other than repulsed. He looked surprised, pensive and a little hopeful too. The look making my worries quell alongside the feeling of his warm palm holding me tight.
"I'll answer that question before the night ends," Damon promises, his eyes light and features relaxed enough to relax me as well. "So, do you want to eat out?"
I nod. My mind bare of words, tongue reluctant to make a fool of myself again. But I nod, wanting to know the answer to my question more than anything else right now.
Damon smiles again then, beginning the remainder of our journey home once more. I follow behind him, eyes staring down at our joined hands, mine lax in his but his grip was tight.
I feel the anxiety build with the familiar fear, I look around at our surrounding, the usual blur blocking me from seeing any hateful expressions leaving me vulnerable to them.
I force myself not to pull my hand from Damon's grasp, despite the way my stomach coiled with pure anguish and torment.
I pull my eyes back to our joined hands, following the trail up his muscular to settle on Damon. Keeping my sight locked on the faded hair at the back of his head, his height towering over my own like a protective barrier. I let my mantra ring in my head, needing to calm myself before I fell apart right here in front of Damon.
I didn't want him to see me like that again, didn't want him to see how weak I was when he wasn't around.
I am safe. I am safe. I am safe.
I'm not in San Francisco.
I'm no longer there.
I am safe. I am safe. I am safe.
I have Sassy and Damon right here.
I'm not alone.
I am safe. I am safe.
Damon wouldn't hurt me.
Damon wouldn't let me get hurt.
I am safe.
Damon tugs at my hand, pulling me forward and next to him instead of slightly behind. Our bodies brush in the most tantalizing manner as we walk side by side, my head on reaching his shoulder as I looked up to him to meet his already waiting gaze. His eyes were kind and supportive as he squeezed my hand gently and I heard the unsaid words through his gaze.
I've got you.
I let my fingers slowly coil around his, feel my heart slow with his supportive frame brushing mine.
The presence only bringing comfort, not the usual pain human contact brought. Slowly I melt into his warmth as I do his comfort, my mantra silencing with Damon filling the space.
I am safe with Damon.
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Damon's P.O.V
I am going on a date with my mate.
I sink my teeth into my wrist to stifle my groan of joy that slips past my lips. I close my eyes, letting my head rest against my door as my chest thumps uncontrollably within my chest.
I look down when I feel something heavy on my foot, smiling easily when I see that it's Blaze. I bend down, sweeping him up in my grasp before moving further into my apartment, my movements sliding from side to side as I wiggle him in my hands.
"I'm going on a date," I tell Blaze who's ears immediately perk up at my words. "It's a date, I promise." Blaze's eyes widen as if feeling equal joy at the prospect of it.
I set Blaze down on my bed and struggle to strip with speed. The second my boxers hit the floor, I'm in the shower and letting the cold water drown me in its chill.
I didn't really need to take a shower since I had this morning, but it wouldn't hurt to make sure I was perfectly clean. Will may not have a thing for scents like wolves, but I still prided myself on always smelling presentable.
I still couldn't believe we were going on a date. When Will called me out on my shitty attempt to be subtle, I basically swallowed my tongue in surprise. I thought I heard wrong or imagined it, but I hadn't and that shit almost took me out.
It wasn't that I didn't want to go out with Will, I was the one who brought it up. It was more that my body couldn't take the possibility of transitioning from a friendly relationship to a more involved one. It was a mixture of happiness and terror if I was being honest.
For one, every inch of me was more than pleased to take a step closer to strengthen our bond as mates. It meant I could, with time and her permission, follow my urges and stop spending most of my time trying to fight it. It meant we could deepen what we were meant to be, the thought alone brought irreplaceable pleasure pumping its way through my veins.
But on the other side, in deepening shit meant that I found myself deeper in shit I wasn't prepared for. I still shivered uncomfortably at the thought of human's, still felt misplaced when considering mating her. I was cool with kissing her, or thinking about it. But I wanted to, I knew that much. I just needed a bit more time, for us to keep taking things slow like we've been doing.
I hope.
I don't waste any time finishing up on my shower, drying myself briefly before wrapping a towel loosely around my waist. I run through the small space, hair still dripping wet as I looked at the clock for the time. I still had twenty minutes before Will and I would meet like we'd agreed earlier.
I pick up my unpacked duffles and dump them on my bed, burying Blaze in his own little makeshift version of heaven I knew he loved. I pick up various shirts, looking at them before throwing them down with disapproval.
That plaid one always looks nice on you - Theo peeps up when I hold the black and grey shirt up, I growl at it and throw it down. Or not...
It's not usually this hard - I complain, confused at my mind's inability to make a simple decision like what shirt I'd wear.
You don't usually care - Theo offers, the smile clear to his voice but I could hear a spec of pride as well.
Well nobody was ever Will - I reply in agreement.
It made sense in an obvious way that I wanted to please Will, even with something so mundane.
Everything is black or grey in here, Will does better with bright colors. I complain angrily, rage building pointed in Mekhi's direction for packing all my favorite clothes.
Dear Goddess, help this poor, adorable pup - Theo whines making me frown deeply before I can reply a knock rattles against the door.