"Sometimes you can't explain what you see in a person. It's just the way they take you to a place where no one else can."
-Unknown
⚜️
Damian cradled her gently and carried her outside the sun room. Her eyes had snapped shut and her hands clutched his shirt. She must be in so much pain. He kicked open a door.
Em felt herself being lowered down a soft bed, Damian pulled away but she held unto his shirt.
"What's the matter?" He asked.
Em slowly opened her eyes, the nausea was gone. Her breath was slowly going back to normal. She found herself staring into Damian's blue eyes.
"I, uh..."
"Em? Are you alright?"
Her eyes widened, he did remembered her!" You...er, my lord.. I am quite fine now."
Damian sighed with relief and gave her a polite smile, "Will you let me look at those scratches?"
"It's alright. Please, do not trouble yourself." Em pulled her sleeves down to hide her bruised elbow. Her eyes staring down on her lap.
"I'm merely concerned, Em. Can't you let me see them at least?"
Stubborn as always, she thought. Might as well let him see it then, it's not like he'd know how to treat bruises anyway.
Em pushed the sleeves up and carefully folded her elbow. Damian gently touched and examined it.
"The skin's torn but it's not deep," he let her elbow go and went to his duffel bag, he came back with a small bottle, "we'll have to clean it then cover it with gauze."
He poured a small amount of alcohol into his handkerchief and dabbed the cloth into her elbow. Em winced as the pain tore through her skin, Damian grabbed her, she pulled back but he was stronger.
"Be still or you'll only hurt yourself."
Em stilled, there was something in his voice that she did not recognize. Perhaps, he did changed a lot?
Damian cleaned her elbow throughly and took a strip of clean cloth, he wrapped it around just tight enough that she can still move. When it was done, he pulled her sleeves back into place.
"There. Can't say good as new but in a few days, that ought to close itself out."
Em flexed her arm and found that she no longer felt the pain, the makeshift gauze felt snug but comfortable.
"Thank you...my lord.."
"Now, that isn't the way to greet an old friend. Is that right?"
Em blushed. Not only did he remember her name, he remembered their past as well.
"W-welcome home, Lord Damian.." she said, head still bowed.
Damian placed the alcohol bottle back into his duffel bag and sat next to Emelia, only then did she realized that they were in his room. She scooted a little close to the pillar of the bed.
"Are you trying to make fun of me Em?"
"N-no...my lord."
"God, I've been gone for five years and you treat me like I'm a stranger."
What was she supposed to say? Hello my love, I missed you? Like that would work.
Damian tilted his head to her side and sighed, "Have I changed so much Em? Don't you recognize me anymore?" When she remained quiet he added, "I can't help but notice how much you've grown. You look beautiful." His hand reached out and touched her cheek.
The simple gesture made her blush even more, a small gasp escaped her. She felt the bed shift to one side, Damian had leaned in close to her.
"I missed you, Em." He whispered.
Oh dear lord. She missed him too. Those five years had been the longest and loneliest times of her life. She missed their talks, their picnics and even just the touch of his hand. And now that he's back she wanted to tell him a lot of things, things she had practiced she will say once he got back.
Damian's breath felt warm against her face, she turned to him to ask what he was doing. But Damian pressed his lips to hers, cutting off her words.
His lips were still soft and plump, but more pronounced. He caught her face in his hand so she can't turn away. He kissed her gently, nibbling at her inexperienced lips. She was caught unprepared, careful not to scare her away, Damian pulled her body against his.
Emelia began to feel light headed. Damian had claimed her lips once more, but this time, the kiss wasn't light. It was ignited with passion. They were no longer the kids who touched lips, this, this was a real kiss.
Damian's arms came around her, her hands found his shirt again. His mouth moved slowly, coaxing her to respond. She mimicked his movements and soon found a rhythm. She heard a soft moan escaped her.
He tilted his head to one side for better access, Em was leaning against him and he needed to brace them both. Damian held unto the pillar but Em kept pushing herself against his chest. If it this continues, they would fall into his bed.
"Em..." he breathed against her mouth, "someone's coming."
"W-hat?" She said but her lips kept coming back to his.
Oh damnation. She tasted so good.
He could hear footsteps along the hallway, he didn't imagined it. He claimed her mouth one more time and sucked on her lips before tearing her away from him. She gasped for air as if she had been drowning.
"Damian?" There was a knock outside his door.
It was Lydia.
Em froze. She knew the voice as well. She stared at Damian, not knowing what to do.
"Stay quiet.." he whispered.
Em nodded and walked away from the bed. She sought refuge against the wall, fearing her knees would buckle, she leaned all her strength and prayed for an escape.
Damian opened the door but only a little, he peered outside and met Lydia's gaze. "Yes, Lady Warrick?" His tone was none too friendly.
Lydia blanched at his greetings, just home and he's now showing his true colors. "I'm sorry, have I caught you at a bad time?"
"Honestly, yes."
Her chest heaved, can you be so obviously rude?
"Well, I...I apologize. I just thought we could talk.. but, I guess it can wait later." Her eyes strayed into his bed, the sheets looked rumpled and Damian's shirt was missing a button. Had she caught him with his mistress? "I'll be in my room, My Lord."
He nodded, "Rest for now My Lady. The journey has been long."
"Yes, it has."
When she didn't budge he lost all patience.
"Any reason why you're still here?"
Rage rose to her face, she counted up to ten before responding. "I was thinking wether you are hiding your mistress in there."
Damian nearly spilled the door open, caught totally unprepared. "What?!"
Em made a panicked noise and Lydia heard it. Her face twisted into mixed emotions, "I will not stop you from seeing your mistress, Lord Davensport. But remember this, once we are married I will not condone any mistresses moving forward."
It was Damian's turn to be mad, "You do not make the decisions for me, my lady."
Lydia puffed her chest, "And you do not have the manners worthy of a gentleman! This may be your house but I am still a Lady. Your behaviour is inexcusable. But I shall leave you now, my lord" she used the same sarcastic tone, "pray tell I do not seek the driver to take me home." And she fled.
Damian slammed the door almost breaking the hinges. What an impossible Lady! She dared talk to him like that? In his own house? Does she think she can manipulate him? And she threatened to leave? Well, she can bloody return to her hometown. He didn't care one bit!