The Fallen Stars

Chapter 25 Esme

"Pan wants to come see you." Damião says in the darkness.

It's nighttime, and all the lanterns are out. Damião is in his bed, and I'm in mine.
It's been a week since we started sailing... and I'm in love with the gentle rocking of the ocean... it's relaxing.
And the sound of water that surrounds you.
We had dinner a few hours ago... everyone is alseep.

"Oh? When?" I ask.
Few beats of silence.
"Tomorrow... afternoon." He answers nonchalantly.

Tomorrow. Okay.

"Okay." I squeak.
More silence.
"Can I ask you something?" He asks softly.
"Sure." I say, bitting my lip.

"What's it like? In the other world?" He asks... like he's a small boy who is scared yet curious about everything.
I smile to myself.

"I mean besides the crappy foster family, social media, wars, broken governments, and poverty... I'd say it was alright..." I joked.

He was quiet.

"Sorry... that world is just not for me.. I mean, there are a lot of silver linings there. But I just want a simple life... like a life here in Mer y Tierra." I explain honestly.

"Then you definitely haven't been in Mer y Tierra long enough to know that you don't have anything near to a simple life." He answers calmly, with his deep voice with a slight spanish accent.

"I know that... but I'm free here. I wasn't there." I say sadly.

I hear him getting out of his bed and walking around the room. I look in his direction even though I can't see a thing because of this darkness. But that soon changed after he lit a small lantern. He's standing by the map table.

He's shirtless... his hair messy.
His body is covered in scars.

There was faint small scars scattered on his smooth yet soft looking tanned skin. But there is a long thick white scar that starts from his right shoulder and end at his left hip.

I let go of a small gasp, too small for him to hear it... I hope.

I sit up.

He turns to look at me.
His dark brown eyes... even from afar, they move me in some unexplainable way.

"Do you fancy my cousin?" He asks out of the blue.

What did he just ask?
Was it that obvious that I liked Theo?
I mean I do like Theo... much not that much... it's I don't know.

"What?" I ask, confused.

"Do you like my cousin... Theo?" He asks again... but he clenches his jaw.
I frown.
"Um... well, yeah, I guess... he's a nice guy." I answer.

Please.... I hope that wasn't a clarification!

He looks a bit hurt?... but as fast as that emotion came to his face, it vanished again.

"Right... I just want to warn you... he might hurt you... he's a loyal friend but lover? I have my dooubts." He says scrambling for the words.

He thinks I'm in love with Theo??

Oh dear...

"Um.. okay, I'll keep that in mind then." I say, smiling with a frown.

He looked very uncomfortable and unsure at this stage... it was adorable.

"Okay." He whispers.

Now... it might be tiredness... but

"Can I ask a question?" I ask with a small grin.

He nods.

"Do you have someone? A lover... back home?" I ask... scared of the answer.

Scared??? Why the hell am I scared? It would make sense if he does. I'm just curious!!!