The Pursuit

Nineteen

⬻Maggie⤖

Maggie felt her lips and instantly felt the loss of warmth that Damien had brought her with that kiss. What a kiss, she thought. I want more, she whined to herself.

Damien looked at her with an air of cockiness. He's teasing you and it is going to fucking ruin you, she fumed inwardly. She had loved that kiss and felt the lightning that shot through her entire body. No one had ever made her feel like that, ever. She felt her black hole close more with the pressure from his soft lips. She looked at him and watched him search her for a reaction.

"I think it's time we talk about why you're here and whatever predicament that's going on", Damien said stoically. Easier said than done dude.

Maggie looked at her hands and played with her fingers. Damien put his hand on her knee cap and the warmth steadied her. She looked back at him and then to her wine glass. "Sober", he said and she looked back at him.  How does he read me like that?

She took a deep breath and thought for a moment, It's good to talk about it with others, it's part of the process. Just tell him and then when it's done he'll leave you alone for the rest of the time here. They all leave at some point.

"Maggie, I know it's hard, I could see it all over your face. I could feel the tension in your body. I know you aren't the woman you were. Something happened to you to change you. I know the emotional state  you're in."

"In?" she asked perplexed.

"You've lost someone haven't you?" he asked already having an inkling into her suffering.

"How is it so easy for you to see me and expose me when I just met you. I swear you read me better than my dad and lord knows I was great at hiding from him", she asked Damien and met his blue stare.

"I've been in your boat, that "I have loved and I have lost, party of one". Been there, done that", he admitted.

"You don't know anything about me", she said with a curl in her lip.

"Then please, make me less ignorant", he said to her kindly. His hand still held her grounded.

"Fine", she huffed. Armor up.

Maggie took another breath and began to tell him. She started with that day in October and how she had found her mother in the basement. Damien's hand on her knee caressed her as she began to feel her chest heave and the air get locked in her throat. She had to stop and close her eyes. You can't do this, she said to herself.

"You can do this, you are doing this", Damien's deep voice whispered in her ear. She could feel him next to her, his scent surrounding her. Like the ocean and cotton wrapped together. She inhaled him and he whispered in her ear again, "Take your time, I'll be right here".

She opened her eyes, the tears escaping and she wiped them away. She continued telling him everything, about Sam and Meredith.  Damien's hand left her knee and his hands came around her face. His thumbs wiped her tears as they fell. He held her face there and let them fall to find her hands. She gripped onto his hands.  What if he leaves when he knows the burden you bring.

As if he could read her panic, "Don't hold back", he said sturdier than she thought he needed to.

"It's just too hard", she admitted. "I can't do this", she stood but he grabbed her gently. She felt herself collapse in his arms. He pulled her closer and held her in an embrace. Why does he feel safe?

"The only thing holding you back is yourself", he said calmly to her. His hands ran up her arms consoling her.  "I know what this feels like", he choked out and she looked into his eyes. "I promise you that when you finish telling me about you I will tell you all about me", he paused. "Deal?"

She felt his arms stop as she sat right next to him. She nodded and continued. She filled him in on Sarah and Abby and the  threat on her life because of the curse. She could feel herself getting winded. Damien listened to her, and didn't judge her or try to back away from her.

When she finished she looked at him and he didn't have the look of pity that others always had for her. He didn't try to console her again, or tell her everything would be okay. He didn't fill her with false hope or empty promises. He didn't try to control her or the situation. Maggie looked at him as his gaze took all of her in with understanding. They shared a common ground, a loss.