Operation: Threads of Connection

Communicate

Damian's POV:

My mind was swirling with emotions as Anya pressed further, pushing me back on her bed. Her lips were so soft as she kissed me like I was going to disappear. I know this is dangerous, but God how long did I dream for this moment to happen again. To have her back in my arms...

I grabbed onto her cheek, brushing away the faint tears that lingered, as I kissed her back, my emotions finally broke through, taking over my body before I could stop myself. Anya leaned further in wrapping her arms around my neck as she sat closer towards me, her legs on either side of my hips. I pulled away slightly, pressing my forehead against hers as we tried to steady our breathing. Her face was bright red, as she looked at me with so much emotions. Her lips were slightly puffy, I couldn't help but run my thumb against them as I already began missing her touch.

"Damian," she began gently as her small hand reached towards mine. " I may not remember a lot of things, including our past...But I know you loved me, and if I know the old Anya, I know she loved you as well," She said softly. She then took my hand and placed it flat directly on her heart, smiling she continued.

"Though I am not her, I can assure you, I will love you more than she ever did," Anya replied, I could feel her heartbeat through my hand almost as if it proof of her word towards me.

"Anya..." I began as I moved my hand towards her face, gently pushing away her soft strands of hair and placing it behind her ear. Her green eyes shimmered as her cheeks had a slight flush to them. She was so beautiful... how could I leave her when all I wanted was to be back by her side.

"I've never stopped loving you and I will continue to love you till the day I die," I whispered softly as I leaned in to capture her lips once more. She eagerly returned the kiss lacing her fingers through my hair, she began leading me down, as her head hit the pillow, she pulled me closer, so I was hovering over her. She laid below me, her lips swollen and slightly open, her cheeks flushed, her shirt was slightly lifted-I could see her figure, just inches away, I bent down to give her stomach a small peck.

She giggled shyly and I couldn't help the smile that formed on my lips as I made my way back placing small kisses all around her, I had to fight the urge to keep going, she was so intoxicating,and god was she was tempting me... At some point she removed my shirt, throwing it to the ground. What is happening? Damian control yourself...

"Anya..." I knew I was being watched and I knew that meant they were watching Anya. Before I could let it escalate any further, I pressed a small kiss behind her ear,

"We have to stop peanut," I whispered in her ear. She looked at me with sad eyes. Anya... You're killing me...

"Why?" she asked disappointed as she pouted her bottom lip. I couldn't help but chuckle at how cute she looked, I proceeded to give her a quick peck on the cheek before pulling her into my arms.

"Because I just got you back and I'm going to cherish you. There's no need to rush things, there will be a time and place for this," I replied. I can't say I have very much self-restraint, but her parents were literally a room away. Besides that there were a ton of military men watching us, the timing was just not right.

"Okay, but you have to promise me you won't leave me again," she replied, looking at me with her big green eyes. I smiled, pressing a small peck on her forehead. As I was about to reply, I felt a vibration come from my pocket, it was the black phone.

"Time is ticking Damian, you have 18 hours left" the message read. I sighed, putting the phone away in my pocket. What am I going to do? I looked down at Anya who looked at me curiously. There's absolutely no way I can leave her again. But what am I going to do about Reed? Is there any way I can tell her without other people finding out? Suddenly I heard a faint knock coming from the door.

"Anya, are you awake? Can we talk" I heard Mr. Forger say outside the door. Anya looked at me for a moment, she shook her head and motioned me to stay quiet.

"Anya honey, we just want to apologize for not telling you the truth about Damian... We... we just wanted to protect you because we love you," Mrs. Forger said softly.

"....We'll be here whenever you're ready," Mr. Forger said as they began walking away from the door. I looked down at Anya, tears streaming down her cheeks. I pulled her into my arms, running my hand through her hair as she cried in my arms.

"Anya, you can't stay mad at your parents. You have to understand it wasn't just their doing. I spent months besides you not telling you about our past relationship. If you need to be mad at someone,it should be me," I replied, wiping her tears away. She shook her head and grabbed my hand in the process.

"I'm not mad at them or anyone, I'm more hurt at the fact that you had to deal with this everyday knowing our past, but you had to suffer in silence... I'm really sorry," She replied, looking down at our intertwined hands. I shook my head, as I placed a small kiss on her hand.

"I don't care Anya, as long as I was with you, that was more than enough for me," I replied smiling. "Why don't we go talk to them, I bet they're really worried about you and I think it would also ease their mind to see I'm okay," I said reassuringly. Anya nodded in agreement as she began standing up to get ready. I proceeded to grab my shirt and other belongings from the ground as I made my way back to her window.

"Where are you going?!" She asked hurriedly, I couldn't help but chuckle at her innocence.

"I'm coming from the front door. I don't think your parents would be too happy with a teenage boy sneaking in through your window," I replied chuckling. Anya's worried expression softened, a small smile tugging at her lips. It was that look that always made my heart feel lighter, even when everything else was crumbling around us. I wanted to protect that smile, to make sure she'd never have to worry about anything dangerous or painful ever again.

"Okay," she said, wiping away the last of her tears. "But hurry. I don't want to face them alone."

I nodded, giving her hand one last squeeze before I slipped out of her room. As I climbed down from her window, I couldn't shake the thoughts of Reed's ultimatum and that black phone's message. Eighteen hours. The seconds ticked away, and I still had no clear plan to keep her safe or figure out how to deal with Reed's demands.

By the time I reached the front door, my thoughts were racing. But I forced a calm expression, knocking lightly. Moments later, the door opened, and I was met by Mr. Forger. His usual cold gaze was replaced almost immediately with a worried expression as he scanned me. He quickly pulled me into his arms, embracing me in a manner I couldn't quite explain. Why did I feel so guilty?

"Damian. Thank God you're safe," He said

My throat tightened as I stood there, frozen in his embrace. Loid Forger, the man I'd been raised to distrust, was treating me like his own. I could feel the weight of Reed's demands pressing on me, suffocating any resolve I thought I'd had. How could I betray him? How could I betray this family that had given Anya, and even me, a sense of warmth I never thought I'd find?

Loid pulled back, his gaze scanning my face with an intensity that told me he knew there was more going on. "Damian," he began quietly, "I know there are things you might not be able to talk about, but just know... you don't have to handle everything on your own. Whatever is happening, you're not alone."

His words hit me harder than I'd anticipated, a reminder of all I was risking if I followed Reed's orders. Could I really sacrifice this—Anya's family, her happiness, her safety?

But the black phone in my pocket weighed heavily, the threat Reed held over me looming in every second that passed. I had to respond, find a way to protect them all without falling into Reed's trap.