I'm not sure if this counts as a double update, but here❤

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William's P.O.V

I shuffle around the store in a frenzy, somehow managing to help people all while manning the register, a more challenging task than it had any right being.

Since it was the weekend, the place was basically overflowing with curious teens and reminiscing oldies.

It was a compact situation which called for my bitchiest side to make an appearance, yet... I was nothing but smiles and attentive to everyone. It was weird, even scared me a little but I didn't push it away.

I knew by now to not push away the good days but to lie in the glory of their glow, because the brightest days were always followed by the darkest nights.

So I was enjoying Nice William for as long as he was available.

Nice William seemed to be nauseatingly jubilant, all kindness and weariless. He was also very light on his toes, fucker got around despite being disabled. Nice William was blind just like normal Will, confirming that smiles didn't solve everything. 

Nice William was also obsessed with asking Siri the time because Nice William wasn't afraid to admit that he couldn't wait for it to be three. He knew just like I did, that three meant a certain, neighbor of mine may stroll in and make the smiles even bigger.

We both liked that neighbor. I really liked that neighbor.

I lean forward and rest my face in my hands, my chair swirling beneath me as I stare impatiently at the door.

The grin on my lips refusing the leave or lessen even a fraction, which was super annoying because it was only twelve, Damon may not even come and I was already way more excited than I should be.

I'd sworn off people. Sworn off their company, their lies hidden behind false promises and their need to be wicked.

I'd solemnly sworn off people and meant it, determined to keep myself safe and alive, even if that meant I was barely living at all. 

But things were different with Damon.

Damon was nice and funny, he was kind too. He didn't question my strange tendencies, he didn't even blink twice, just accepted it with metaphorical open arms I wished were real.

He was different and that made things change, it made me change. Given that reality scared me a little, but the fear was nothing besides the joy it brought with it.

It'd been nothing but lonely silence before I met Damon. Lonely silence blipped with brief glimpses at the world outside me, the cage of my own making both protective and abusive. It was pain and mistrust before Damon.

Things were different with Damon, better, things were better when Damon was around.

I hadn't cried in weeks, not since the night that Damon found me. Since that night, it'd been nothing but laughing and warmth, two things I hadn't felt for so long it almost hurt to have them again. 

Then we touched and everything fell away, all the hurts and blemishes faded until I was so light that I felt like I was floating... and it was perfect. It was blissful, soft and patient, the feeling was everything I never knew I needed until it happened and it left me craving it ever since.

He left me craving him ever since. 

Those blue eyes were crowned jewels in disguise, the appeal only lengthening when I saw him. Saw all of him, his strong features I'd barely brushed before and his hidden quirks I quickly grew to admire.

He had tattoos which I'd barely guessed at before, his arms scattered with a few like an unfinished canvas, a large one to his inner thigh was I silently wanted to explore in every way I could.

Damon was quite honestly and undeniably perfect. His company an intoxicating, precious thing to be around.

"What are you smiling about?" Blue asks as he steps out of the backroom, Sassy bumping against his leg with built enthusiasm. "You're smiling like the God damn Cheshire cat."

She'd taken a quick liking to the man who provided her with somewhere to stretch her legs and it only grew when he took the time some days to throw her a ball. She never went for it when I tried, too refined to show me her more playful side.

"It's a good day," I reply while slipping off the chair for him to sit but he only snarls angrily my way.

The gesture offending him like any action did that was triggered by his age rather than him. I ignore it, petting Sassy's furry head while standing against the wall, leaving the chair empty until he gave up and took it.

"It's always a good day but you never smile like that." Blue retorts while he shifts on the chair, seeking a comfortable position which seemed determined to illude him. "What's got you showing all your teeth? Or should I ask, who?"

"No one." I dismiss with a wave, letting Sassy wander away and following her lead to escape Blue's scrutinizing gaze.

I advertise myself as falsely busy, shifting things around in the shelves that didn't need to be shifted, all the while avoiding Blue's intent gaze that stuck to me.

"I'll let you off this time, but I will find out," Blue promises and I sag immediately, relief climbing onto me.

"I don't doubt it." I retort through a nod.

I wouldn't tell Blue it was because for Damon, because for one, there was nothing to tell. Damon was a friend I was taking a liking too, in a way I didn't want to but couldn't fight no matter how hard I tried.

Plus, Damon was a guy. I'd be a fool to share that fact with Blue, no matter how sweet he may be.
There was always the chance that it was an act, people may appear to be all accepting and loving these days but they weren't. They were indulging that's all. They were keeping up appearances while screaming words of disgust when no one could hear. 

I'd learnt my lesson about trust and it was one I didn't need to retake ever again.

I wince slightly at the loud thump of the wood beneath the book I'd shoved into its space, Nice William fading with the memories quickly rippling over. I glance up at Blue to apologize but he was already preoccupied with a loving Sassy.

I let my lips tug at the sight, grabbing onto Nice William for just a moment longer.

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I wait a moment longer outside the shop, cursing myself the entire time as I glanced around as if I could tell anyone of the people in the area apart from one another.

It was stupid and honestly, pitiful to be as disappointed as I felt when I began walking, looking at Sassy trod in front of me.

Sassy was getting bigger, so big that things had to be placed on higher shelves because her tail had a tendency to wack things down.

She'd gotten a bigger bed, one that made her look tiny in it but would fit her perfectly when she grew into it. She was a happy dog when she wasn't being a little stuck up.

She was attentive and quick to take her second form as a living barrier when it was necessary. She formed a habit of separating me from anyone she didn't favor by using her body as a wall. I loved her for it, it'd knocked down the probability of me touching someone.

"Pick up your phone William." My phone blares with Francis' deep voice. "I'll keep calling until you do. Pick up your phone William. I'll keep calling until you do."

"Hey," I answer the moment the phone reaches my ears, feet stopping at the first traffic light.

"William." Francis greets, his hard tone softening for me. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. Just as fine as I was yesterday and the day before." I reply, glancing across the road a few times before crossing. Francis knew that despite my teasing, I was eternally grateful for his every day phone calls.

"Well, you do sound a little bit more 'fine' than you did the day before." He retorts, his teasing making me snort helplessly. "Are things still going well with Blue's? He's not taking advantage of you is he?"

"No Francis." I dismiss quickly. "I'm working okay hours and he's been nothing but helpful. He's started back his evening shares now that he's convinced his wife, Madeline, is okay."

"Just making sure," Francis grumbles, his doubt casting bright. "And Sassy?"

"Just as Sassy as always," I reply through a laugh which he picks up on his end. "They giving you trouble home, you just tell me and I'll deal with it."

"I'm doing absolutely fine Sir." Francis replies with dissolve, using 'Sir' like he did when he felt it was important to remind me we weren't only friends but that he still worked for my family. "I'm just as fine as I was yesterday."

"Haha, Francis," I counter dully. "You're humor is seriously unmatchable."

"You're mother's approaching," Francis warns, voice deepening as he hardens himself. "Call if you need anything, I will answer William."

"Thanks, Francis," I reply before hanging up and tucking the phone back into my pocket.

My smile doesn't falter despite how brief the interaction was, it may have been short but it was just as important to me as it always was. Sometimes we spoke for hours, sometimes only a minute to just say hi. Either way, Francis always a point to check in on me every day, even though he didn't have to.

It was one of the kindest acts I'd ever witnessed from another person, so pure and natural that it gave me hope in this fucked up world.

Francis was happily married and had two daughters who absolutely adored him, he had a life and a home. He didn't need to call, he didn't have to check in with me like he would his child, but he did. 

He took me in as his own, in a weird yet perfect relationship that I wouldn't give up for anything in the world.

"Will!" I stop immediately at the sound of the familiar voice I was growing to love. 

I turn to find blue eyes swirling as Damon ran to catch up to me. He slows as he gets closer, blurry whites showing to hint at a smile. I return it without thinking, he brushes his tousled hair back from his face as he pants breathlessly.

"Sorry, I got distracted." He apologizes, bringing himself close enough to touch but he didn't. Damon never touched me, he always left that discussion to me and never argued with either choice I made.

"There's nothing to be sorry for," I reply with a small laugh, stifling my wanting response in favor of a more normal one. 

I press myself up on my toes, raising a hand to brush away the black strands which had fallen back into his face. My fingers brush against his forehead, clearing the blurry image of him to make room for the more favorable one. I search his sparkling eyes, catching the way they seem to glow and flicker with a need all too similar to the one which flooded my veins.

I let my gaze linger for a moment longer before settling back down to my lower level, taking my hand away and turn back to my path. Content with the brief glimpse of him that I'd seen, my smile only widens when Damon rushes to slip into step beside me.

I look to the ground in efforts of hiding it, following my feet instead of the will of my thumping heart.

"So, what did you get distracted by?" I ask when I've collected myself enough to formulate words.

"A book," He replies, lifting one in his hand for me to see. "I went to the bookstore, thought I'd try one. I haven't really read anything just for fun in years."

"Why not?" I question, eyes tracking him as we walked in sync.

"Banshee." He replies slowly as if saying the word hurt him like the cause seemed to. I drop my shortlived investigation into that route and try another.

"What book did you get?" 

"The Name of the Wind." He fills in, his voice no longer strained with memories. "It's a fantasy."

"I would've pegged you more for a horror type of guy," I reply with a raised brow, surprise not even beginning to cover it. "Fantasy would have never crossed my mind."

"They're not realistic enough." He replies, his answer only furthering my confusion. "Nothing really is unless it's a true story. So, I drift towards the complete opposite, I know it's not realistic so it's tolerable."

"I didn't get a single word of that so I'm just going to nod, smile and act as if I do," I reply before proceeding to do just that. This makes Damon laugh a little as he glances at me with a smile I wanted to keep there. 

"I like the new worlds they create, there's no room for judgment because it's fabricated." He says in a valiant, second effort to explain once more. "This one is good so far."

"Well, that's all that matters," I reply while pressing up on my toes in a stretch and sigh. "What do you want to cook tonight?"

We'd fallen into an easy routine of spending our evenings together, cooking or ordering in and just talking. Getting to know one another as much as we could, within the refines of 'banshee' and self-control on my side. That last part was only getting harder the better I got to know Damon.

"I was thinking," Damon starts, his steps faltering for a moment as he pauses on his words. "Maybe, we could eat out today, if you want to."

My steps falter in a similar rhythm to his, his words stunning me for a moment. Was he asking me out? Could he be asking me out? Is this a date?! Can this please be a date?! Wait, no. Calm down William, friends eating out does not equal date.

Plus, Damon's sexuality was still unconfirmed though it tipped closer to the gay side each day. Damon didn't really seem gay at all, not that there was a way to guess or that I had a working gaydar. It was more those little moments that passed between us, the little touches which grew with each visit. The easy vibe between us, the need in his eyes I knew9 I mirrored in my own. He may not be gay, but he was, maybe...hopefully, a little interested in me.

"Are you asking me out, Damon?" I ask before I can stop myself.

Both of us freeze at that moment, Sassy pulling against my leash which I stared at completely horrified. My head turns stiffly to look at Damon, finding an expression I couldn't read no matter how hard I tried to. I didn't know if to be grateful or angry that I couldn't see it.

My heart beats against my chest, desperate to escape this horrible situation of my own making, but I wouldn't let it, we'd suffer together.

"Ignore me. I-Ignore what I just said." I scramble, determined to fix my ultimate fuck-up before I lost a friendship I needed more than I could say. "I was being stupid a-and said that without thinking. J-Just forget it, please."

Damon stares at me, his blue swirls larger than usual but I couldn't get much beyond that. As if sensing it, he offers his palm. I glance down, hesitance paralyzing me as my mind reeled with indecision. The need to run and escape, loud but the need to stay and take his hand was much too overbearing.

I let my fingers slip over his hard palm until my softer skin is sliding over his rougher one, my fingers wrap around the back of his hand as he does mine.
I look at him, relief cascading through me when I don't find disgust in his eyes or anywhere on his face.

I prayed harshly that it wasn't hidden deeper where I couldn't find it.

He looked anything other than repulsed. He looked surprised, pensive and a little hopeful too. The look making my worries quell alongside the feeling of his warm palm holding me tight.

"I'll answer that question before the night ends," Damon promises, his eyes light and features relaxed enough to relax me as well. "So, do you want to eat out?"

I nod. My mind bare of words, tongue reluctant to make a fool of myself again. But I nod, wanting to know the answer to my question more than anything else right now.

Damon smiles again then, beginning the remainder of our journey home once more. I follow behind him, eyes staring down at our joined hands, mine lax in his but his grip was tight.

I feel the anxiety build with the familiar fear, I look around at our surrounding, the usual blur blocking me from seeing any hateful expressions leaving me vulnerable to them.
I force myself not to pull my hand from Damon's grasp, despite the way my stomach coiled with pure anguish and torment.

I pull my eyes back to our joined hands, following the trail up his muscular to settle on Damon. Keeping my sight locked on the faded hair at the back of his head, his height towering over my own like a protective barrier. I let my mantra ring in my head, needing to calm myself before I fell apart right here in front of Damon.

I didn't want him to see me like that again, didn't want him to see how weak I was when he wasn't around.

I am safe. I am safe. I am safe.

I'm not in San Francisco.

I'm no longer there.

I am safe. I am safe. I am safe.

I have Sassy and Damon right here.
I'm not alone.

I am safe. I am safe.

Damon wouldn't hurt me.

Damon wouldn't let me get hurt.

I am safe. 

Damon tugs at my hand, pulling me forward and next to him instead of slightly behind. Our bodies brush in the most tantalizing manner as we walk side by side, my head on reaching his shoulder as I looked up to him to meet his already waiting gaze. His eyes were kind and supportive as he squeezed my hand gently and I heard the unsaid words through his gaze.

I've got you.

I let my fingers slowly coil around his, feel my heart slow with his supportive frame brushing mine.

The presence only bringing comfort, not the usual pain human contact brought. Slowly I melt into his warmth as I do his comfort, my mantra silencing with Damon filling the space.

I am safe with Damon.

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AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry... but DATE NIGHT!!! Maybe...

Thoughts????

I know this may have come as a surprise to some, but I mean it was inevitable and I'm just glad William is the blunt bitch he is to call it out for what it was. Damon was not ready though, lmfao.

Hope you guys enjoyed this update. I LOVED IT!! One of my favs so far. So vote up and comment if you did, love hearing for you guys.

Until next time,
Byeeeeeeee Humanssssssssss