Real/Safe Deleted Scenes

Chivalry

Oh wow, an actual story. Huh.
I like to think this takes place when they first started going to school and getting comfortable, but honestly it works for whenever they're in school.

Damian's pov:

"I can carry your bag." I offer. Cora shrugs, continuing to keep a firm grip on her shoulder strap.

"It's not too heavy. I got it." She says easily. And yet her shoulders are drooping with the added weight. I am well aware of the absurd amount of textbooks and binders we carry.

"It would be no trouble." I try to prompt gently. She cuts me a raised eyebrow.

"And it's no trouble for me either. I can carry my own bag, babe." She chuckles lightly. I frown.

"I would like to insist I carry it." I state blandly. She gives me a long look. Long enough to make me think she might give in as she stands still.

"Nope. You've already got your bag, and mine is just fine where it is." She says, continuing to walk. I sigh.

"Holding your bag is simply the chivalrous thing to do, it's not an insult to your strength, Beloved." I try. She shakes her head.

"I don't really need chivalry, as appreciated as it is. It's just a bag. A bag which I can carry just fine." She shrugs again. I find myself getting frustrated.

She continues walking casually, completely unbothered aside from the weight of her bag. It's just a little irritating.

"Is chivalry such a bad thing?" I ask. She keeps her eyes focused on the school hallway in front of us.

"Not at all. It can be nice, and sweet. But, well, you really don't need to do anything for me. I'm happy without any of that kind of stuff.

"Please, let me take the bag." I try not to grit out. She pauses again.

"My dearest of sweethearts, why is this so important to you?" Cora questions. I keep my glare in check, but she doesn't flinch at the scowl on my face.

"It is the proper thing to do. And I am nothing if not a gentleman." I huff. She offers me a soft smile.

"Alright, alright. I fold." She sighs, removing her bag. "But, I get to open my own door." She compromises. I nod.

"I can allow that." I state, taking her bag with ease. It's heavier than mine.

"Why thank you." She says, a bit of sarcasm in her tone.

I note that her hands fidget awkwardly with her skirt and the bottom of her blazer. She still holds herself more hunched than usual, even without her heavy bag...

She uses her bag to keep her hands occupied, because she feels awkward in this setting. Well, that explains the desire to carry her own bag.

I frown at this new development, but if I handed her bag back now she might become more awkward and suspicious. I decide to simply hold her hand with the one I have free. She swings it a little between us.

She does indeed open the doors for us, and with a mock bow that makes me scoff. Still, she's grinning. I suppose I can live with that.

"Oh my gosh, she makes him carry her bag. Priss." A girl whispers to her friend. Cora straightens her posture but her eyes sink to the floor.

I open my mouth to shout at the harlot that spoke, but a tight squeeze of my hand stops me. Cora gives me a weak smile and a shrug.

"Right? Like, he's not your slave, girl." The harlot's friend snickers back. I clench my jaw tighter. Cora takes an extremely shaky breath.

"Thank you so much for carrying my bag." She says brightly, and loudly, looking directly at me. "If it's too heavy I can take it back." She offers.

"It is my pleasure. I insist on keeping it." I smirk at her. She smiles at me with a playful roll of her eyes.

"Ah, well. Since you insist." She hums easily. I nod, and then I have to keep from letting out an indignant scoff.

She gently slides my own bag off of my shoulder, over our held hands that she has my fingers locked in, and onto her own shoulder in a fluid motion. She grins at me with a gleam in her eyes that has me blushing.

"You don't like to lose, do you?" I ask, trying to reign in my amusement. She shakes her head.

"Not particularly, no." She agrees.

I hear a whispered 'holy shit' from behind us, but I'm much too content to watch Cora practically strutting down the hallway confidently to care. She looks so proud of herself, I'm not even offended.

She casts a glance behind us after we turn the corner, and promptly sighs into a relaxed stance. She looks at me apologetically.

"Sorry. I just, couldn't let them think I treat you badly. Was it too much?" She asks worriedly.

"Not at all. For lack of better expression, that was the hottest thing you've ever done." I state, trying to keep a neutral expression. Cora on the other hand, blushes furiously.

"Oh my god, you can't say things like that." She hides her face with her free hand. I raise a brow. Perhaps I should stop listening to Grayson.

"And why not?" I ask. She laughs lightly.

"Because we are at school and I cannot keep myself from turning into an actual tomato." She says in a half-whine. I chuckle.

"You look adorable when you blush." I state.

"Stop that." She says, bumping out shoulders lightly. I smirk maliciously.

"I can't call you adorable? Then how about Gorgeous?" I flirt shamelessly. I was taught by the best.

"Noooo." She groans, her hand going to her mouth to cover her smile. Even her ears are red by now.

"But it suits you so well, Beautiful." I say.

She takes a breath and looks me exactly in my eyes, before she grabs my tie and pulls me down just enough for her to kiss me. Now it's my turn to blush, and she knows it.

"I said stop, Handsome." She fires back in a smirk. Her cheeks are still very red.

She then smooths down my blazer and continues pulling me along the now dead quiet hallway. I am all to happy to be lead.