Demon

chapter 83

"use the bedroom you were in last time" Damon told her once they arrived back at his place.

Clara couldn't help wonder why he seemed so closed off still. He had seemed okay in the hospital room but he now acted cold.

"Ok. Can we go to my place tommorow. I need stuff" she said.

"You can have one of my shirts to sleep in. I'll get you some brand new toiletries for tonight and I'll send someone to pick up your stuff. Presuming you were followed, I want to make sure your apartment is safe before allowing you back" he told her.

"Are you okay" she asked him since he seemed cold. There was no teasing like before.

"I'm fine" he replied.

"Why do you seem so distant" she asked, usually she wouldn't mind but everytime it was just them he was open.

"I apologize. I don't usually have guests and I don't particularly like them" he said.

"I can go" she suggested.

"No. I need you safe and rested" he replied.

"Ok but if it helps I will stay out your way"

Damon sighed. He didn't mean to make her feel like this. He just wasn't used to sharing his personal space.

"No it's okay. Come on let's go get you a shirt that you look good in" he told her.

"As long as it isn't stained with blood" she replied.

Damon smiled. He wasn't used to this but he slowly relaxed. It was just Clara after all. And she had stayed before.

"Wait here" he said. He wasn't about to let her into his bedroom just yet so she waited outside and he went inside his room. He pulled out a few different things.despite wearing suits the majority of the time he had a large variety of clothes. He took out a t-shirt, some joggers and a shirt . He didn't want her to feel uncomfortable in just a t- shirt and despite the joggers being too big he figured she could roll them over.

"Here you are" he handed her  all the stuff she needed and she gave him a thank you.

"I'll see you in the morning Clara" he told her seeing as it was late.

"Yeah" she agreed.

"Come find me if you need anything " he told her.

"I don't need anything don't worry" she said and went to the room she was in last time.

The bed looked so inviting but first she needed a shower. Thankfully he gave her new toiletries so she was okay.

After finishing up in the bathroom, she went and got in bed. She hated that she still had to wear the same underwear but it was better than nothing. She was especially greatful that despite her torn shirt, her bra still remained. It would have been mortifying for her if Damon had seen her without anything on. At first she tried to roll up the joggers but it was annoying how big they were. She appreciated the gesture but they were simply to big so she stuck to the t-shirt which fell to her mid thighs.

She laid in bed but couldn't sleep. Her mind went to the kidnapping and then it went to what Olivia had said.

Was Damon playing a long game so they could have sex and then he'd kick her to the curb?

He said he wasn't the relationship type, so why go to all this trouble for her.

She tried her hardest to fall asleep but just as she was close to sleeping, flashbacks from yesterday came to mind.

"Who is your boss" it was a different man this time.

"Not a clue what you're talking about" she replied.
The man started to choke her and just as she was about to pass out he let go. She glared at him as she caught her breath.

"I'm going to be sick. Please just untie me"

And the man fell for it. He didn't want to be the one cleaning sick up so he figured he'd throw her in the bathroom and she could use it and then she'd be tied back up.

He didn't count on her attacking him. He tried his best but ultimately she killed the man.

She had killed before but this time it was different. She didn't know why. Maybe it was because it could have been her who was killed. She was so close to loosing all oxygen that she could have died and that was scary.

She was used to being alone, no one having her back so she was suprised Damon rescued her.

  Her parents last words to her came to mind.

"We invited you for Christmas thinking you'd changed but you'll always be a fucked up criminal. We never want to see you again after today"

She always seemed to suffer and ultimately it was her decision to join this life. She had a happy childhood, her parents loved her. Until she fucked everything up.

Not being able to sleep, she figured she'd find something to eat. It was late and she didn't think Damon would be up.

As she passed the living room, she saw the light was on. She wanted to run back to her room.

"Come in Clara" he called out.

She knew it wasn't an order but she didn't want to anger him so she went in. She was feeling a little insecure since she did in fact have torn jeans on when he saved her.

Damon glanced at the bruises on her legs but didn't say anything. And despite their teasing, he knew that right now was not the time. In fact he couldn't bring himself to even think of anything to tease her since his biggest concern was her wellbeing.  A"Come sit with me?" He asked. He had been up catching up on work when he heard light footsteps. He figured she couldn't sleep so invited her in.

"I just don't understand why it was me" she whispered taking a seat next to him.

"Neither do I but Mason did inform me they were paid so whoever is behind this, I'll find them" he told her.

"Why did you look for me" she asked.

"You always answer your phone and when you didn't I was worried so I had to check you were okay. Clearly you wasn't"  he told her.

"Thank you. No one has ever done that before" she admitted. She found herself resting her head on his chest. And in turn Damon wrapped his arm around her.

"What do you mean" he asked.

"I went undercover in the gang you found me in. I was being tortured there too. But none of the members of my gang bothered to check in on me. Ive been undercover plenty of times where I needed help but no one helped me. When working in that bar, you helped when it turned into a shoot out" she explained.

Damon wanted to kill them all over again for treating her like that but all he could do was comfort her.

"I'll always come when you need help" he admitted.

"Can I stay with you a bit longer. I know your busy with work but I don't want to be alone right now"

"Go fetch a blanket then. I don't want you getting cold" he told her.

She was suprised he agreed and she went and grabbed a blanket from her bedroom before returning.

She found herself drifting off to sleep much easier than in her bed, she was curled up on the sofa, her head on Damon's chest almost, he gently played with her hair. His laptop still open with his work on but he didn't pay it any attention.

"We don't hate each other any more do we" she whispered as she drifted off.

"No we don't"