Who We Were, What We Became

Can't We Resolve This Amicably?

A/N- Damien was my favorite character, but admittedly, he was mostly on the sidelines when it came to the heart of the matter. Still, a bit of backstory doesn't ever hurt. Also, the picture mentioned is the left-most one shown when we enter Mark's master bedroom with the detective. I'm sure you'd know that already though.

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"Another toast! To our fine and dashing new mayor." Mark raised his glass, smirking between then three friends with mirth. "May he still find time in his busy new schedule to remember those who care about him for more than his title."

Damien shook his head good-naturedly, chuckling as he followed Mark and William in perhaps the sixth toast of the day. They tipped back their glasses and drank with great fervor. As one, they swallowed the spirits and shot each other amused glances when the burn hit their stomachs.

"I promise to think of you fondly when I raise your taxes." Damien joked, starting another bout of laughter.

It was late into the evening, and there was nowhere else he'd rather be than right here, enjoying a good time with his very dearest friends. The city election had been far and away a victory for Damien, and he was in good spirits. That morning he'd been sworn into office, getting used to the feel of the city hall and it's many offices. He'd met countless council members and important figures of the community. Tomorrow the true work would begin, but he'd spent the time that day to familiarize himself with the expectations of his new duties.

Mark, of course, had invited them all over to his manor. The man was always looking for a reason to celebrate and his friend's promotion was a rather important occasion after all. Not that it was a surprise to any of the three.

Damien had been working for years to try improving the community, focusing primarily on the corrupt politicians that had a grip over the local court houses. Judges were being paid off to give lighter sentences or pardons for favors, and the man hadn't rested until he'd uncovered all the scandals to the public.

Of course, his exposure of the corruption hadn't made him a popular figure among most of the wealthy. They'd been the ones with their hands deep in the judges' pockets, but he was something of a small-time hero for the people. No one wanted the dangerous criminals back into society any sooner than what was fairly decided by the community, and Damien had been the one to ensure that.

When he'd decided that running for mayor would be the best use of his skills to improve his friends' lives, the people had readily rallied around his cause, making for a rather uneventful and easy race.

The mayor smiled warmly at his two friends, listening to Mark tell a story of when they were younger, only half listening. Of course, he wouldn't have made it this far without his two biggest supports. Mark had always pressed him to take the big risks, to expose the money-hungry judges for what they were. And William would never let him forget that he was doing the right thing. Even when the pressure for him to back away had risen to a dangerous degree, Will had been there to keep him steady.

These two were the dearest friends Damien could have hoped for, and he wouldn't trade them for the world. More like brothers than anything. William and Mark had always been closer, but he felt honored just to be included in the first place. His adolescent days had been filled with many a great adventure thanks to the two older boys.

"Well, Damien?" William asked, drawing the his attention away from his pleasant and wandering thoughts. He raised his brows, waiting for the Colonel to continue. "What do you think your first decree as mayor will be?"

"Hmm, I hadn't thought about it, actually." He answered truthfully. His main focus had been getting to this position in the first place. Then, grinning with delight, he held up his glass in a mock salute. "My first decree will be...more whiskey!"