A Second Chance

Secrets Unveiled

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                                                      2 Days Later

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Rae wondered not for the first time what she had gotten herself into as she sat across from the blue-eyed, dirty blonde-haired boy.

Damon isn't a boy, she reminded herself tersely, though compared to Tomak, he was. Stop that, she commanded with sheer frustration in herself, having already broken her inner oath to not think of the burly yautja.

Besides, if she was being fair, Damon was practically the same age as her, so she tried to at least give him that much respect. And he was being much more gentleman-like than she gave him credit for. But she was not about to deny that there were times when he became extra goofy, and she was trying to decide whether that was an endearing quality or not.

"Alright, we still have some important stuff to get out of the way first," blue eyes stared back at her with a fake seriousness.

"The important stuff?" Rae arched a suspecting eyebrow. "Did we not cover those yesterday?"

"We did," he leaned forward on his elbows, causing the almost huggy material of his white tee to cling attractively around his biceps. "But," he nodded for emphasis, "there is another important topic I would like to discuss with you."

Knots began to build in her stomach as she tried to not fidget in her seat. "Okay."

His eyes betrayed him as he smiled. "Favorite color."

She let out a breath, and laughed, relieving some of that anxious pressure that had built up in her chest. He was such a dork. "Of course, that is serious," she played along, before turning it on him. "What's yours?"

Damon shrugged subtly, "I think I've always been an orange kind of guy."

"Orange, the color of enthusiasm." Now didn't that come as a surprise?

He chuckled, "Well... yeah," he scratched his head, "it's um, not as flashy or as outgoing as red or as bright as yellow, but it's the perfect middle ground, you know?"

It was a struggle not to outright smirk at his almost, but not quite philosophical reply. Almost, though he did try. But as she stared, she was able to read right through him. "You like the fruit, don't you," she put it plainly, a small smile only the precursor.

He laughed, sitting back with his arms folded. He shook his head at her and laid down his cards. "Fine, fine, I really enjoy orange flavored things, okay?"

"I knew it!" she laughed.

"Hey, you can laugh all you want hotshot, but I still have yet to hear your favorite color."

He leaned forward then, staring at her as if he were trying to read her mind. "Let me guess, pink?" his eyes flashed mischievously.

Rae rolled her eyes. Looking out the window, she took a moment to think about it. What was her favorite color?

White reminded her of the slopes, a pure color.

Red was a strong choice as it was her father's favorite.

Blue made her picture the ocean and all those beautiful moments with him.

Orange was reminiscent of the sunrises she woke up to.

Green reminded her of the forest, the sounds of the birds, and the smell of freedom.

Yellow, she could picture one thing, Tomak's eyes, the way they glowed when he was pleased with her or when they flashed in warning. It brought a certain warmth to her, but was it her favorite color? Were any of them?