Guess Who? (Larry AU)

Chapter 17

*Five weeks ago... right after the 'incident'*

Damien P.O.V. -

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Earlier this evening, I had beaten up that creep known as Harry's boyfriend. Peering around the corner of my doorway, I saw my mom close her bedroom door which meant she was going to sleep. I had woken up on the couch and dragged myself to my bedroom to clean up. Luckily for me Louis hadn't put up much of a fight so I didn't require any foundation to cover any bruises.

I flashed on my phone to check the time, 11:12p.m., Kiersa would be meeting me in our spot in less than ten minutes. I crept over to the window and slid it open. Carefully, I climbed down the steps carved into the tree. It was quite convenient how Harry and Dad had built this so Harry could sneak out his girlfriends when he got older. I sniggered at the thought. What would he think of his son today?

"Kiersa?" I called as I sat on top of the wall that overlooked the neighborhood lake. A grunt was audible to my ears. I turned to the side and smiled as I saw her climbing to sit next to me. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and pressed her into me. Her head fit perfectly into the crook of my neck, just as it always had. Inhaling deeply, I took in her scent. She always smelled like citrus with a hint of something...floral? Is that the right word?

"Hey baby, how are ya doin'?" I asked.

"I'm wonderful. How have you been? You know... with Harry and Louis and everything?"

I removed my arm from her shoulder causing her to sit up and give me that look. "Damien, what's wrong?" she nudged gently with her voice.

"Nothing," I said harshly trying to deter her. Kiersa scoffed and stared at me with folded arms.

"I know you better than that. What is it, baby?"

"It's just... tonight. I don't want to tell you. You're going to think it's awful and horrifying, and y-you might hate me for it," I responded honestly.

"We've been through this. I know what Harry and Louis are doing to you. It's wrong and unnatural. I wish I could take the pain away for you, but I can't. If there was anything I could do it would be done. Now, take a deep breath and spit it out on the count of three, yeah?"

I let myself get lost in her deep, blue eyes. The more adrift I was, the easier it would be to confess. "I-I woke up and I was in bed... but so was Louis and it seems as though... well you catch my drift. Of course I couldn't let that happen. I flipped out and pushed him off the bed. Taking that moment, I clothed myself before proceeding to beat the shit out of the little fa*. He needed to be taught a lesson. It seems he has ended up in the hospital because well... his heart stopped." I swallowed the guilt thickly.

Kiersa stared at me without saying a word. Still in silence she reached for my hand and scooted as close to me as possible.

"Oh my god, are you okay?" she asked as she clung to my hand. Was I okay? Being "okay" was such a fine line. For as long as I could remember, I had always been walking the fine line of redemption and unforgivable. I had never given two shits to anyone's opinion. Drinking? Sure. Gambling? Count me in. Flirting? It's an art I'm passionate about. Rules? Nope. I'd beat up plenty of people in my days, but never before had I landed them in the hospital because they fucking died. Don't get me wrong I hate the kid, but for some strange reason I couldn't shake this undeniable feeling of...of...of guilt.

"No," I finally decided. Turning to face her, I spoke. "No, I'm not okay. I hate the lad that's true, but goddamn I almost killed him, Kiersa! I-I never meant to take it that far. You know that right? I'm not a murderer or anything. Just a bit of a badass. I don't want you to leave me. You're the only thing that keeps me sane; you're my only reason to be good. I'm better for you, that's all.