𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄, damiano david

━━𝟒𝟒.𝐏𝐨𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

The sun had long set, everyone was drunk and in a good mood. I was leaning against Damiano's chest and had closed my eyes to listen to the waves, but the voices of the others and the music drowned out the sound of the sea.

"I think I'll go for a walk along the beach," I murmured and wanted to get up, but Damiano held me back, "Why, is something wrong?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine, I just want to hear the sea," I said and only then realised how stupid that sounded. I laughed nervously, "Uh yeah-", I said.

In the darkness I recognised Damiano's grin, he stood up and helped me up too, his hand was intertwined with mine.

"Let's go together," he then said and I tilted my head, "Don't you trust me?", I asked, "Do you think I'm putting myself in some life-threatening situation again?".

"Since we met again, you've probably been in more dangerous situations than in the previous four years together, so I'd better be careful," he released his hand from mine only to wrap his arm around my body and pull me closer to him.

I smirked, "That's very chivalrous of you," I said amusedly and he snorted.

We walked along the beach, close to the water, at some point I accidentally stepped in the sea water and my trainers got soaked, I cursed and Damiano laughed at me.

The waves were crashing louder than last night, probably because the wind was stronger today, my hair kept flying in my face but the cool air was pleasant on my skin.

Damiano and I spoke little for a while, concentrating on the sounds of nature, the fading voices of our friends, the smell of the salt water and the feel of his body against mine.

At some point we stopped at an elevated spot, even in the darkness I could make out the sea in front of us.

Damiano took me in his arms from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder.

"It's really serious about Sophia and Ethan, isn't it?" asked Damiano and I nodded slightly, "You should have seen them when we were in London, I've rarely seen them so crushed," I said.
"They are both incredibly great and valuable people, kind and sincere, they fit together well," Damiano murmured.

Ethan and Sophia were really a great couple, "Yes, I think so too. It's nice to see them so happy."
"And Vic is really not interested in Matteo? It would be nice if she had someone too," I said then, "Same with Thomas."

"You don't know Vic like I know her. She's happiest with her friends, she dates a lot but she's waiting to meet the right person, she can't get involved with someone long term if she's not sure it's the right one."

"That's nice, not many people think like that," I said quietly. Damiano hugged me closer and I breathed in his scent.

We were silent for a while.

"Look at the moon," he pointed to the sky with his finger and pointed to the full moon that illuminated the earth. It was reflected in the water, making it sparkle and shine.
"Beautiful," I murmured as he pressed a kiss to my neck.

I looked again at the spot where the moon's rays broke on the water and contemplated it thoughtfully.

"Why is the sea inside of me, Damiano?" I asked spontaneously, I had already asked myself this question several times.

Damiano seemed to think carefully about what he wanted to say for a moment before he spoke, "The sea is unpredictable, just like you. You are happy and joyful, then suddenly you are sad and introverted. You settle every argument but when you are angry nothing can stop you. You promise to stay forever and the next day you disappear," I swallowed hard, the words were like a slap in the face.

"Is that how you see me?" I asked in a raspy voice."Yes, that's how I see you. I see you with all your beauty but also the broken inside that you are.
"It was frightening how well he saw through me, how well he knew me, "And yet you love me?", I asked cautiously.

"Of course I love you, Coraline. I wonder how anyone could not love you. You're perfect for me," he whispered and goose bumps went all over my body.

"I'll be what you breathe, I'll understand what's inside of you," I murmured the lines from the song about me, "That's what you are and that's what you do, actually it's scary how well we both fit together."

"You think it's scary?" he asked, I could feel his smirk against my ear.
"Not scary, that was a stupid thing to say, but it's incredible that we found each other, don't you think?", I asked, "We found each other twice."

"Yes, yes it is, it's really incredible. The first time it could have been coincidence, but the second time it was fate."
"You believe in fate."
"I'm a poet", I smiled when he said that, "That's right, you are. You write the most beautiful and profound lyrics I've ever heard," I murmured.

"And you say I'm a charmer," Damiano laughed softly.
"No, I'm serious, your lyrics are incredible, I don't think you even know what an outstanding talent you have," I said firmly and turned around so that I could look at him.

"I love you so much, Coraline," Damiano whispered and kissed my temple, "I thought I loved you more than I should have back then, but every day we spend together I love you more," he made me speechless. "I don't think anyone has ever loved anyone as much as I love you," he said then and it sounded so convincing that a shiver ran through my body. I had to blink to keep the tears out of my eyes, "You can't just say something like that," I said then and my voice sounded tearful.

Damiano smirked, "Why not, love?" he stroked the skin on my neck and placed a kiss on it, I couldn't breathe.

"That's not fair. You say these amazing words and I can't breathe, my heartbeat is sprinting and everything in my body is tingling, why can't I get used to this?", I asked quietly and a little frustrated.

"I'd be disappointed if you got used to it," Damiano said and his grin was visible in the darkness.

"Oh, shut up," I said, then I wanted to say something else but he locked my lips with his and cut my words off.

I let myself fall into the kiss, the rushing waves behind us grew louder as if they were playing the melody of my heart, which was pounding faster and faster.

And maybe the sea is inside of her

I couldn't help thinking of a poem I had once read.

❝ My bounty is as bountless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have; for both are infinite. ❞

I wanted to give Damiano all my love for the rest of the time we would both live in this world and beyond.

When our lips parted, I was breathless, speechless. Damiano took me in his arms again, held me close and we listened to the sound of the sea.

I knew that I was exactly where I belonged, everything was as it was meant to be. Damiano and I were together and our love was boundless, but I feared the storms that would brew over us and reach us sooner or later.