everyonelives | for the rest of us death will be a relief

He did.

[How to talk about this? Damian isn't entirely sure. Probably best if he tries to start from the beginning. He moves to sit on the edge of the bed looking back at her.]

Did I tell you how David and I met?

( In her loft, she's changed into something a little softer. She loves her hard edges, but, human her does like a softness to it, but still the luxury. Black silk. She takes a seat beside him, lifting one leg on the bed and sitting on her knee. )

You were working. One of your jobs you don't really talk about.

( And that she doesn't ask about. )

I was hired by his parents to find him. Not many details, just that he seemed to be cloaking himself from their gaze. When I found him, I realized that he had been possessed. I worked with a witch that was part of the coven the demon was targeting to exorcise him, and one we had, he revealed that his parents were the ones who had possessed him.

[He pauses before shaking his head.]

I didn't get paid for that one. Payment wasn't going to be delivered until he was. He was in a bad way, and I didn't think returning him to said parents would actually do him any good. So I paid for an anti-possession tattoo, and he went off with Ezra. He eventually returned to the coven, but by then he was ... better.

[Another pause as he turned to stare out the window.]

I remember how he sounded in the aftermath of being exorcised after being possessed for five years. I haven't heard him sound like that again until tonight. We're not he closest of friends, but I am worried.

His parents.

( Desperate people have dark dealings, but this feels more like they did something and lost control of that something. )

You waived your pay and you paid for him. You cared for him.

( Cared about him. Cared what happened to him. As all things go, he inevitably returned. )

Is there someone there that could relay back any useful information? ( A beat. ) Do you want to go see him in person?

[Part of him does. And part of him doesn't know. He doesn't want to distract Ezra from doing the work he needs to do.]

I don't think me being there in person will help. And I should probably call Ezra, but that can wait until things calm down some.

[He hopes he can count on Ezra keeping an eye on his husband.]

I'll save it for tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

( She covers his hand with hers, tilting her head. )

They have a lot of cleanup to get through. This is the first week. I'm sure if he has a problem or is worried about his husband, you'll get a call. ( Or a consult. ) In the meantime, everything is about what's leftover. The first few days are the most important.

( In a regime change. )

[He nods.]

Naturally. Which is why they don't need me knocking on their door right now, and I should focus on other things.

[He doesn't envy any of the work they have to do. Though he knows enough of Jaqueline Melraux to know she is having a very good time right now. Regardless, he turns to her with a small smile.]

Shall we try again on focusing on ourselves for the evening? I promise I'll be much more attentive.

Thank you for not making me say that I'm happy to be other things, even though I do like when the attention is on me.

( It's one of her favorite things. )

I could show you the view again. That's another thing.

Please do.

[He leans in closer, brushing a kiss against the curve where her throat meets her shoulder.]

Though this view is already quite lovely.

[See, he's back with the program.]

Good boy.

( He needs to blow off some steam. She can be steam. They'll create steam together.

In the kitchen, with a sheet wrapped around her, Katherine searches her cabinets and pantry to see if anything isn't stale or outdated. Or bland. When did she buy oatmeal? Must be the subletter. )

[Damian wanders out half dressed, watching her as she goes through the cabinets, before sliding up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist.]

Looks like we need to do some shopping. Or pay someone to do the shopping.

[There is something that he needs to say to her still, but he can work his way up to it.]

I vote pay. Have you ever caught me with a grocery cart in hand?

( Small handbasket, yes. But grocery cart? She isn't a soccer mom. She looks back, studying his expression. )

Is there something else?

[He pauses, considering before turning her to face him so that he can meet her eyes.]

I probably wouldn't have made it through all of this if it wasn't for you.

[Her instincts, her watching his back. It wouldn't have been nearly as successful if he wasn't alone.]

So thank you, Katherine.

( He's - thanking her. In all seriousness. )

Well. That's what partners do, don't they.

( But her vulnerability peeks through. )

You're welcome. If any witches had gotten their hands on you, I would have gone scorched Earth.

Same.

[He offers her a small smile.]

And we do make very good partners.

[Not that that was a question, but this time when he says it, there's an edge of it being in more ways than one.]

I'm saying this once, so open your years. You made me what I am as a hunter. And, in one insignificant way compared to how old I am, you saved my life. And that is why I left and came back with bagels. When it all comes down, I want you there by my side. With your gun, in that suit, backing me.

( So, yes, even standing here in the kitchen, holding a sheet up, she lets herself speak candidly. Naked in more ways than one. And yes, if you squint, she's using a little double entendre. )

Human, I probably wouldn't have made it this far, either. And that's not nothing. Not to me. And not for me. And not for us.

[He smiles, before leaning in to kiss her again. Katherine plays all of her cards close to her chest, always, and he understands why. The soft parts of yourself are always the ones bound to hurt you the most. And he can't help but be proud of the fact that he's earned her trust enough to see hers.

But this has been enough vulnerability for one day. He leans in to kiss her.]

Maybe we should order in breakfast as well, along with the groceries?

You keep reading my mind.

( What a perfect place for an assignation. The sheet drops and groceries are eventually ordered, along with breakfast.

A few days pass before they return to the real world. They do another, real, grocery run with Damian holding the cart. That should've been their indication. Something normal. Mundane. Stocking up. Something crosses Damian's hunter network, something that Damian and Katherine are the closest to, so close to the New Year. )

for the rest of us death will be a relief

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