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As we drove away from the exhibition, the tension in the car was palpable. Damien’s hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white against the leather. The cool night air outside contrasted sharply with the storm brewing within him. I could see his jaw working, his eyes fixed intently on the road.
“Damien,” I ventured softly, trying to pierce through the silence. “Are you okay?”
His response was slow, as if he was wrestling with his thoughts. “I wanted to go back there,” he admitted finally, his voice tight. “I wanted to... deal with those guys. I should have done more.”
I could sense the raw anger in his tone, the frustration he felt about not being able to protect me in the way he wanted. I reached out, placing a calming hand on his arm. “It’s okay,” I said gently. “They didn’t hurt me. We got out of there, and that’s what matters.”
Damien’s grip on the wheel tightened even further. “I know, but—”
I cut him off softly, “I dealt with these kinds of situations a lot when I was living alone. It’s not new to me. I’ve learned to handle it.”
His eyes flickered toward me, a mix of concern and frustration still evident. “It shouldn’t be like that. No one should have to go through that.”
I squeezed his arm reassuringly. “And I appreciate your concern, truly. But we can’t change the past or the way things are. What matters is that you were there for me when it counted. And you showed me you care.”
He seemed to settle a bit, though his tension was still palpable. As we arrived at his apartment, the atmosphere between us remained heavy.
Once inside the apartment, Damien headed to the kitchen to make drinks, while I took a moment to look around the cozy, well-kept space. When he returned, I joined him on the couch. The soft lighting and familiar setting created a more relaxed environment.
“How about we watch a movie?” Damien suggested, trying to break the lingering tension.
After 30 minutes of begging me to tell his favorite movie he finally surendered. The movie, to my supeise was a animated childrens film *Inside Out*.
As the movie started, Damien looked at me with a hint of uncertainty. “I hope you’re ready for an emotional rollercoaster.”
I chuckled. “Oh, I’m sure I’ll survive. I mean, how emotional can a cartoon about emotions be?”
Damien raised an eyebrow. “You’d be surprised. This movie might make you cry.”
I grinned. “Is that a challenge? Because I can take it. Besides, if this movie doesn’t make me cry, then what does that say about you?”
Damien’s face lit up with a playful smirk. “Are you questioning my taste in movies?”
“Maybe,” I teased. “I’m just wondering if you’re trying to make me cry as a bonding experience.”
He laughed softly. “You think I’m that cruel? Maybe I just have a soft spot for animated psychology.”
We watched as Joy and Sadness navigated Riley's emotions, and Damien seemed genuinely invested. I glanced at him. “So, which one of the characters do you identify with the most? Joy or Sadness?”
Damien looked thoughtful. “I like to think of myself as a mix. Sometimes Joy, sometimes a little bit of Disgust, depending on the day.”
I nudged him playfully. “Disgust? Really? What are you, a high-maintenance diva?”
Damien pretended to be offended. “Hey, I have standards. And I’m not the one who tried to convince me this movie would be a walk in the park.”
I laughed, leaning closer. “Well, now that you mention it, I might start judging you based on how well you handle this movie’s emotional punches.”
As the movie reached its emotional peak, I noticed Damien wiping a stray tear. I turned to him with a smirk. “I see someone’s emotions are catching up with them.”
Damien looked at me, mock defensive. “What can I say? It’s a touching film.”
I grinned, reaching for the remote. “I’ll remember that when I’m selecting the next movie. No more tearjerkers.”
He leaned in, his eyes soft. “Deal. But you better prepare yourself for my next favorite: a superhero movie. Just as a heads-up.”
I laughed, settling into his side as the movie’s end credits rolled. “Sounds like a plan. Let’s enjoy the rest of this movie night.”
As the lights came up and we were left with a comfortable silence, Damien’s playful teasing had eased the evening’s earlier tension. In that moment, the shared laughter and warmth created a perfect ending to a challenging night.
His midnight blue eyes met mine, as they start to lower just stoping on my lips
he leaned in and kissed me. It was a short just a peak, but enough to get my heart racing When we pulled back, Damien’s expression was one of both relief and affection. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, then gave a small, apologetic smile. “I’m really tired,” he said softly. “I think I’m going to turn in for the night.”
I nodded, embarrassed “Oh yeah, okay, Me too.”
Damien stood and stretched, then gave me one last, warm look before heading toward his bedroom. I watched him go, feeling a mix of emotions. The kiss had been sweet, but the abrupt end to our time together left me feeling a little alone.
As he disappeared down the hallway, I remained on the couch, reflecting on the evening. The movie had been a pleasant distraction, but now I was left with my thoughts. The night had been chaotic, and Damien’s gesture of affection had been both comforting and unexpected.
I took a deep breath, allowing myself to unwind in the quiet of the living room. The soft hum of the city outside and the gentle glow of the lamp created a soothing atmosphere. Despite the earlier tension, there was a sense of calm that settled over me.
As I sank deeper into the couch, I felt a quiet sense of contentment. The night had been unpredictable, but in its own way, it had brought us closer. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the calm of the apartment envelop me, and hoped that the future would bring more moments like this, where the chaos of the world seemed to melt away in the comfort of shared silence.
