I want something just like this

In every way a person can be

"Do you think you could wait to plan our breakup until we're actually in a relationship?" Damien interrupted, his tone dry but amused.

You blinked at him, caught off guard by the humor in his voice. "Well, can you blame me? Every relationship I've ever been in, has led to a breakup!"

"You know, that's true for all single people." He stepped closer, his smile softening. "But I get it. You're scared. That's okay. What do you need"

You bit your lip, glancing away before looking back at him. "I have a list of five things I need to know before I'm ready to decide what this is and tell people."

"Five things, huh?" He chuckled, but there was no mockery in it—just that familiar, easy warmth. "All right, lay them on me."

You straightened your shoulders, trying to channel some confidence. "One: We need to be able to hang out with our friends and be normal."

Damien nodded, his expression calm but attentive. "Easy. What's next?"

"Two: We need to be able to hang out alone and as friends." You hesitated for a moment, the words tasting heavier than they should as they left your mouth.

"Sure. That's what we've been doing for years we should be good at it as this point," he said, his voice steady but soft, like he didn't want to spook you.

You hesitated, feeling the weight of his eyes on you. They weren't just looking—they were seeing. 

"Three." You shifted your weight, your hands fidgeting slightly at your sides. "We need to test the waters with Shayne and Angela. You know, make sure they're cool with... us."

Damien's smile grew warmer, his gaze flicking briefly to your hands before returning to your face. His expression softened, a quiet patience in the way his head tilted slightly, like he was giving you all the time you needed. "Okay. I'm with you so far. What else?"

You swallowed, trying to focus on the list, but the way his eyes lingered made it nearly impossible. It wasn't just that he was looking at you—it was the way he looked at you. His gaze dropped momentarily, tracing the line of your lips, before meeting your eyes again.

Your cheeks flushed, your heart racing as your thoughts scrambled to keep up with your list. "Four: You can't look at me like that."

His eyebrows lifted in mock surprise, though the mischievous glint in his eyes deepened. "Like what?"

"Like..." You gestured vaguely toward his face, feeling your resolve crumble under the weight of his expression. "Like that!"

"Sorry," he said, though the grin that lingered on his face made it abundantly clear he wasn't.

Your breath hitched as you closed the remaining distance between you, unable to shake the way he was watching you like you were everything. "And five." Your voice softened, the vulnerability slipping through as your chest tightened. "You need to kiss me now."

Damien's grin softened as he stepped closer, closing the remaining distance between you.

His hands rose, warm and steady, as they framed your face. The calluses on his fingertips brushed your skin, as his eyes searched yours for the briefest of moments.

And then he kissed you again.

It was deliberate, slow, and full of everything you'd been aching for. His lips pressed against yours with a tenderness that left no doubt. His thumbs brushed over your cheeks as if to reassure himself you were really there.