Miss.SunFlower
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Thank you 
The Short Stories of Miss.SunFlower
- Thread starter Miss.SunFlower
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Miss.SunFlower
New member
I got yet another storm story, probably my last one.
(btw, remember Wild Child? I'm working on expanding it into a full novel sometime...)
(btw, remember Wild Child? I'm working on expanding it into a full novel sometime...)
Nightcrawler_Fan
New member
Kitty says "WOOT WOOT WOOT!"
She's excited about Wild Child novel. lol
She's excited about Wild Child novel. lol
Miss.SunFlower
New member
My last storm story... it's with Damo.
For all the trouble his last watch had gotten the small village in, it appeared Keith wanted Damian to take it again.
The last watch, his very first time keeping watch… he’d fallen asleep. It was without a doubt the most humiliating moment in his life. He’d been trying to prove to a whole lot of people that he was serious about things. That he could handle this. And he’d fallen asleep.
And, well, for him to fall asleep on a completely uneventful night would be too gracious of fate it seemed. So, no, he’d fallen asleep the night gypsies plotted to raid them. And raid them they did.
So, was he being given a second chance then? That seemed very unlikely especially from Keith. He had an interesting relationship with the blonde lad a few years his senior. As kids they’d been mates, and growing up they remained so, but the older they got the more gap there seemed to be in their ages. Soon Damian had found himself a little in his shadow, and always wanting to follow him.
At the same time, they fought often, still like mates. And Keith was always the first to let Damian know if he was overstepping his bounds for someone still only in his teens. Which ended in another fight.
And Keith was giving him another watch now… he couldn’t help but bring back some childish delight in that.
But it was not without teasing, that was asking far too much.
“Damo, do stay awake this time. I’m pretty sure if a repeat of last night happens again we aren’t gonna be as nice ‘bout it.” Keith laughed, as the two of them sat by the dead fire in the middle of the afternoon.
“And ye were nice before!?” He asked in wonder. He was pretty sure he and Paul had been far less than happy, and had made sure he never would forget that.
Keith shrugged, “We could have been harsher, but I guess it was kinda understandable and kinda me own fault as well… lettin’ you take the watch at yer age.”
“At. My. Age. Really?” Damian repeated slowly, trying to keep down a spout of anger. ‘At his age’ was late teens, not 5… but that didn’t stop people from treating him as such. He’d always be a baby to some of the older men of the small village. Even at 17.
Not just with the men to, but some of the women as well. Ruth, Joyce, Nicole, Meagan, even some younger girls closer to his age… no one really seemed to see that he had grown up a great deal and was no longer a child, he was years and years past that. It seemed the only person who really saw him for his age was Deirdre. Which was probably why he’d always liked her.
The low barely hidden anger only seemed to amuse the older lad, “Aye, at your age. Can’t blame some ineptness.”
He didn’t bother hiding the glare now, “And you were inept at 17 as well, I guess.” He said dryly.
“I’m pretty sure I wasn’t pushing to do watches at 17, to be honest. Enjoy your freedom from it.”
“I won’t be tonight,” He shrugged, “Why are you giving me your watch tonight anyways, if you’re so sure I can’t do it. At my age.”
Now Keith grinned a different grin, and Damian was certainly old enough to catch that. The lad wanted time with his new bride, the lovely redheaded Ruth. The wedding had only been days prior so it was only natural the lad wanted time with her.
He rolled his eyes, though, “Okay, well I get that at least…” So Keith thought he was old enough to know something like that, but not do a watch…. Really? Sometimes people confused him, “But why are you giving ME your watch? Couldn’t Paul, or even Neil take it?”
Keith shrugged again, no longer looking as teasing as before, “I guess, age aside, I do think you’re able to do a simple watch.” He clapped him on the back then, standing up, “Besides, think of it as your present – happy 18th.”
For all the trouble his last watch had gotten the small village in, it appeared Keith wanted Damian to take it again.
The last watch, his very first time keeping watch… he’d fallen asleep. It was without a doubt the most humiliating moment in his life. He’d been trying to prove to a whole lot of people that he was serious about things. That he could handle this. And he’d fallen asleep.
And, well, for him to fall asleep on a completely uneventful night would be too gracious of fate it seemed. So, no, he’d fallen asleep the night gypsies plotted to raid them. And raid them they did.
So, was he being given a second chance then? That seemed very unlikely especially from Keith. He had an interesting relationship with the blonde lad a few years his senior. As kids they’d been mates, and growing up they remained so, but the older they got the more gap there seemed to be in their ages. Soon Damian had found himself a little in his shadow, and always wanting to follow him.
At the same time, they fought often, still like mates. And Keith was always the first to let Damian know if he was overstepping his bounds for someone still only in his teens. Which ended in another fight.
And Keith was giving him another watch now… he couldn’t help but bring back some childish delight in that.
But it was not without teasing, that was asking far too much.
“Damo, do stay awake this time. I’m pretty sure if a repeat of last night happens again we aren’t gonna be as nice ‘bout it.” Keith laughed, as the two of them sat by the dead fire in the middle of the afternoon.
“And ye were nice before!?” He asked in wonder. He was pretty sure he and Paul had been far less than happy, and had made sure he never would forget that.
Keith shrugged, “We could have been harsher, but I guess it was kinda understandable and kinda me own fault as well… lettin’ you take the watch at yer age.”
“At. My. Age. Really?” Damian repeated slowly, trying to keep down a spout of anger. ‘At his age’ was late teens, not 5… but that didn’t stop people from treating him as such. He’d always be a baby to some of the older men of the small village. Even at 17.
Not just with the men to, but some of the women as well. Ruth, Joyce, Nicole, Meagan, even some younger girls closer to his age… no one really seemed to see that he had grown up a great deal and was no longer a child, he was years and years past that. It seemed the only person who really saw him for his age was Deirdre. Which was probably why he’d always liked her.
The low barely hidden anger only seemed to amuse the older lad, “Aye, at your age. Can’t blame some ineptness.”
He didn’t bother hiding the glare now, “And you were inept at 17 as well, I guess.” He said dryly.
“I’m pretty sure I wasn’t pushing to do watches at 17, to be honest. Enjoy your freedom from it.”
“I won’t be tonight,” He shrugged, “Why are you giving me your watch tonight anyways, if you’re so sure I can’t do it. At my age.”
Now Keith grinned a different grin, and Damian was certainly old enough to catch that. The lad wanted time with his new bride, the lovely redheaded Ruth. The wedding had only been days prior so it was only natural the lad wanted time with her.
He rolled his eyes, though, “Okay, well I get that at least…” So Keith thought he was old enough to know something like that, but not do a watch…. Really? Sometimes people confused him, “But why are you giving ME your watch? Couldn’t Paul, or even Neil take it?”
Keith shrugged again, no longer looking as teasing as before, “I guess, age aside, I do think you’re able to do a simple watch.” He clapped him on the back then, standing up, “Besides, think of it as your present – happy 18th.”
Nightcrawler_Fan
New member
Eep. I love it. More?
epicness, a Damian story, I love it
Miss.SunFlower
New member
Damian was euphoric and depressed, proud and disappointed, and most of all, exhausted. But he wasn’t closing his eyes. Not this time.
“What am I even watching for?” He muttered sleepily to himself. Talking to himself, crazy as it was did help him stay awake.
It used to, not long ago, be for gypsies who raided the port fairly regularly at the time. But recently, after they’d nearly killed a few captured gypsies they appeared to have gotten the message and hadn’t returned.
He wasn’t sure what to think of gypsies in general, either. Everyone in any rank at any village knew that they were dangerous thieves, not to be trusted but feared. But then, weeks and weeks ago he’d had his first real encounter with one. After the royal guards of the Princess Julianne had captured a few of them they’d told Paul, Damian, Keith and some of the other men to watch for others who would more than likely try and rescue their comrades.
Damian had expected a man, ready to fight and kill anyone in his way – and had been a bit scared to be totally honest. But the only rescuer that showed was a young woman, who once caught had put up no fight at all. In fact, he’d been rather sure she was crying. The idea that these unfeeling thieves were so loyal to their partners put a major dent in what he’d been taught.
Keith had apparently felt the same way, and it was enough for him to turn himself in as the thief the guards had actually been looking for. That had surprised Damian at first but not enough to damage his views of the lad. So in the end no one remained a captive and they had been bothered no more.
So what could he think about them? He tried not to in the end, because it only confused him. They were minding their own business now, and so nothing was wrong anymore. He’d ask Keith, but he often avoided the topic. Something he couldn’t hear ‘at his age’.
And that’s where his mind had wandered to, thinking about his age. He was 18 today. How much older did he have to get before people treated him like a grown-up, as he was?
“What can’t I understand?” He said aloud again, “I’m old enough to know as much as they do. In some cases I probably no more… but does anyone see that? Nooooo.”
Of course, complaining aloud as he was only made him sound more immature. So he normally kept that annoyance inside.
So this is where he was in his musings when it became clear to him that gypsies weren’t the only things to watch out for in a watch.
A very heavy sleeper, Damian had never really heard the sounds of things in the night. Such as the howling of a wolf right that second… well, he thought, that was unnerving. He wasn’t about to show that he was scared right then, though. Definitely not. And just because something was out there didn’t mean anything would attack.
He returned to absently mumbling to himself, no longer scared of falling asleep. The rush a couple of twigs cracking could give him was embarrassing, but at least he was awake now.
Another howl came louder and then a rather loud thud and silence. All this was garishly loud; it could only be feet away. What was he supposed to do if on his watch he actually encountered something? Keith had never told him what to do. No one had ever told him.
But the sound he heard now was not of something moving in the forest, much less a wolf or like animal. The sound was softer… breathing. Labored breathing. He thought of the wolf, of attacks. He got up to find the source of it.
He nearly stepped on the girl.
Without the fire’s glow, he wasn’t quite able to find his way into a forest. But the sound of fabric in place of leaves made him look down, to find himself standing at them of a dress. He squinted, and could vaguely see the form of a girl face down in the forest floor. She was breathing, roughly, but breathing. She had probably been chased, and had hoped to reach the village – and had almost made it, at that. He wondered if she had been injured, and if she would be all right.
Of course she wouldn’t be all right lying there, Damian thought at that. What would Keith, or anyone else, think waking up in the morning to him helping some abandoned injured girl he knew nothing about. He could think of many scenarios there, but none bad enough to stop him.
Scooping her thin form into his arms, he carried her back the foot or two into the village.
omg. a girl!
“What am I even watching for?” He muttered sleepily to himself. Talking to himself, crazy as it was did help him stay awake.
It used to, not long ago, be for gypsies who raided the port fairly regularly at the time. But recently, after they’d nearly killed a few captured gypsies they appeared to have gotten the message and hadn’t returned.
He wasn’t sure what to think of gypsies in general, either. Everyone in any rank at any village knew that they were dangerous thieves, not to be trusted but feared. But then, weeks and weeks ago he’d had his first real encounter with one. After the royal guards of the Princess Julianne had captured a few of them they’d told Paul, Damian, Keith and some of the other men to watch for others who would more than likely try and rescue their comrades.
Damian had expected a man, ready to fight and kill anyone in his way – and had been a bit scared to be totally honest. But the only rescuer that showed was a young woman, who once caught had put up no fight at all. In fact, he’d been rather sure she was crying. The idea that these unfeeling thieves were so loyal to their partners put a major dent in what he’d been taught.
Keith had apparently felt the same way, and it was enough for him to turn himself in as the thief the guards had actually been looking for. That had surprised Damian at first but not enough to damage his views of the lad. So in the end no one remained a captive and they had been bothered no more.
So what could he think about them? He tried not to in the end, because it only confused him. They were minding their own business now, and so nothing was wrong anymore. He’d ask Keith, but he often avoided the topic. Something he couldn’t hear ‘at his age’.
And that’s where his mind had wandered to, thinking about his age. He was 18 today. How much older did he have to get before people treated him like a grown-up, as he was?
“What can’t I understand?” He said aloud again, “I’m old enough to know as much as they do. In some cases I probably no more… but does anyone see that? Nooooo.”
Of course, complaining aloud as he was only made him sound more immature. So he normally kept that annoyance inside.
So this is where he was in his musings when it became clear to him that gypsies weren’t the only things to watch out for in a watch.
A very heavy sleeper, Damian had never really heard the sounds of things in the night. Such as the howling of a wolf right that second… well, he thought, that was unnerving. He wasn’t about to show that he was scared right then, though. Definitely not. And just because something was out there didn’t mean anything would attack.
He returned to absently mumbling to himself, no longer scared of falling asleep. The rush a couple of twigs cracking could give him was embarrassing, but at least he was awake now.
Another howl came louder and then a rather loud thud and silence. All this was garishly loud; it could only be feet away. What was he supposed to do if on his watch he actually encountered something? Keith had never told him what to do. No one had ever told him.
But the sound he heard now was not of something moving in the forest, much less a wolf or like animal. The sound was softer… breathing. Labored breathing. He thought of the wolf, of attacks. He got up to find the source of it.
He nearly stepped on the girl.
Without the fire’s glow, he wasn’t quite able to find his way into a forest. But the sound of fabric in place of leaves made him look down, to find himself standing at them of a dress. He squinted, and could vaguely see the form of a girl face down in the forest floor. She was breathing, roughly, but breathing. She had probably been chased, and had hoped to reach the village – and had almost made it, at that. He wondered if she had been injured, and if she would be all right.
Of course she wouldn’t be all right lying there, Damian thought at that. What would Keith, or anyone else, think waking up in the morning to him helping some abandoned injured girl he knew nothing about. He could think of many scenarios there, but none bad enough to stop him.
Scooping her thin form into his arms, he carried her back the foot or two into the village.
omg. a girl!
excitingI'm jealous of that girl
Miss.SunFlower
New member
Watching the unconscious young woman took over Damian’s watch completely from then on. Though, to be honest, he had no idea what to do with her. Laying her beside the crackling fire for warmth he tried to think of what else he could do to help her. Little came to mind.
But that didn’t keep him from watching her, making sure her breathing was steady and that she had no visible injuries that would call for dramatic care. That and just taking in the appearance of her… which he couldn’t see much of. She was small in size but something about her showed she wasn’t a child, he couldn’t say what it was though. Her eyes were obviously closed and hair looked dark – but everything here looked dark. She looked mysterious, and that was understandable though.
He wondered where she was from, whom she was running from, how old she was, and a million other things about this past out girl he had saved. He also wondered what the other lads would think. That would certainly spark some rather interesting questions when morning rolled around. Or rather, when Paul took watch over for him, any minute now.
He heard the sound of a door creak behind him. Well, here we go, he thought, taking a deep breath.
“Damian?”
That definitely wasn’t Paul.
The voice was female. Deirdre. He glanced away from the darkened face he’d be gazing at, to look at Deirdre’s shadowed form walking to him. She tilted her head, giving him a long look, and he could imagine she was trying to figure out what he was doing.
“Isn’t Paul supposed to have watch?” Damian asked, attempting to stay casual. Though having her walk in just then made him realize that he had been staring so very intently at this unknown young woman and it was more than a little embarrassing.
She shrugged that off, not thinking it important. “I wanted to try a watch sometime. He finally let me… course he was mostly asleep when I asked.” He imagined her grinning for a moment, but it went away when she saw the girl.
“Oh- oh my! Damian who- what happened!?”
He laughed a little, “I’m not entirely sure, to be honest.” He said slowly, “I heard something in the forest like a person, and a wolf. Went to check it out and found her. She’s unconscious.” The tale sounded much sillier out loud than it did in his head, and during its occurrence.
“I can see that.” Deirdre replied quickly, already sitting in front of the girl and laying a hand on her forehead, “And she’s burning up. She needs ice, soon. Why didn’t you wake someone up?”
That last question cut him like a stab in the heart. Now even Deirdre was treating him like a child. Instead of being grateful he’d saved the girl at all he was being chided for having not done this or that.
And especially because, well…“I hadn’t noticed…” He said softly. Smart, Damian thought glumly to himself. He thought himself so heroic just then, and he’d STILL done something wrong.
She looked up at him from the young feverish woman, “Didn’t notice? For heavens sake-“ She paused, tilting her head to look at him again, and Damian practically watched the irritation flow out of her, “I’m sorry… you don’t deserve this. You did just help her a great deal by bringing her back here, I guess I’m worried a bit about her, that’s all.”
He smiled hesitantly at her. He was happy she was apologizing but he could tell that didn’t mean her opinion had changed. Even Deirdre, Deirdre who was the only one who saw him as 18 – she didn’t trust his maturity now. Great.
“Will she be alright?”
“She’ll be fine. She’ll probably come to in a few hours. Still a warm bed would speed that up more than cold ground. You can put her in my old bed.” She moved from the girl to the usual watch spot, and grinned at him again. This was the expression he was used to, “And you get some sleep too. You’ve completed your first successful watch.” She clapped him on the back and winked.
‘His first successful watch?’ It was, wasn’t it? He’d made it through an entire watch without endangering anyone by stupidly falling asleep. He’d done it.
Damian was a bit happier as that fact hit him, though still somewhat disappointed about Deirdre, baffled about the young girl, and awkward about picking her up now in front of this other person. But he did just that, and with a nod and smile to his friend, went to give this mystery girl a safe place for the night.
But that didn’t keep him from watching her, making sure her breathing was steady and that she had no visible injuries that would call for dramatic care. That and just taking in the appearance of her… which he couldn’t see much of. She was small in size but something about her showed she wasn’t a child, he couldn’t say what it was though. Her eyes were obviously closed and hair looked dark – but everything here looked dark. She looked mysterious, and that was understandable though.
He wondered where she was from, whom she was running from, how old she was, and a million other things about this past out girl he had saved. He also wondered what the other lads would think. That would certainly spark some rather interesting questions when morning rolled around. Or rather, when Paul took watch over for him, any minute now.
He heard the sound of a door creak behind him. Well, here we go, he thought, taking a deep breath.
“Damian?”
That definitely wasn’t Paul.
The voice was female. Deirdre. He glanced away from the darkened face he’d be gazing at, to look at Deirdre’s shadowed form walking to him. She tilted her head, giving him a long look, and he could imagine she was trying to figure out what he was doing.
“Isn’t Paul supposed to have watch?” Damian asked, attempting to stay casual. Though having her walk in just then made him realize that he had been staring so very intently at this unknown young woman and it was more than a little embarrassing.
She shrugged that off, not thinking it important. “I wanted to try a watch sometime. He finally let me… course he was mostly asleep when I asked.” He imagined her grinning for a moment, but it went away when she saw the girl.
“Oh- oh my! Damian who- what happened!?”
He laughed a little, “I’m not entirely sure, to be honest.” He said slowly, “I heard something in the forest like a person, and a wolf. Went to check it out and found her. She’s unconscious.” The tale sounded much sillier out loud than it did in his head, and during its occurrence.
“I can see that.” Deirdre replied quickly, already sitting in front of the girl and laying a hand on her forehead, “And she’s burning up. She needs ice, soon. Why didn’t you wake someone up?”
That last question cut him like a stab in the heart. Now even Deirdre was treating him like a child. Instead of being grateful he’d saved the girl at all he was being chided for having not done this or that.
And especially because, well…“I hadn’t noticed…” He said softly. Smart, Damian thought glumly to himself. He thought himself so heroic just then, and he’d STILL done something wrong.
She looked up at him from the young feverish woman, “Didn’t notice? For heavens sake-“ She paused, tilting her head to look at him again, and Damian practically watched the irritation flow out of her, “I’m sorry… you don’t deserve this. You did just help her a great deal by bringing her back here, I guess I’m worried a bit about her, that’s all.”
He smiled hesitantly at her. He was happy she was apologizing but he could tell that didn’t mean her opinion had changed. Even Deirdre, Deirdre who was the only one who saw him as 18 – she didn’t trust his maturity now. Great.
“Will she be alright?”
“She’ll be fine. She’ll probably come to in a few hours. Still a warm bed would speed that up more than cold ground. You can put her in my old bed.” She moved from the girl to the usual watch spot, and grinned at him again. This was the expression he was used to, “And you get some sleep too. You’ve completed your first successful watch.” She clapped him on the back and winked.
‘His first successful watch?’ It was, wasn’t it? He’d made it through an entire watch without endangering anyone by stupidly falling asleep. He’d done it.
Damian was a bit happier as that fact hit him, though still somewhat disappointed about Deirdre, baffled about the young girl, and awkward about picking her up now in front of this other person. But he did just that, and with a nod and smile to his friend, went to give this mystery girl a safe place for the night.
awwwwww Damian's cute and I'm excited for more
and I'm excited for more
Miss.SunFlower
New member
I'm catching you up here... lol
“Hey hero, think you might be gettin’ out of bed anytime today?” Keith’s laughter filled voice penetrated Damian’s sleep.
“Mmmmmmmmm.” He groaned in reply, turning over hoping sleep would re-claim him. He was excited to boast to the older lad about making it through a whole watch, but not THAT excited.
More laughter, “I am willing to drag you out of bed you realize.”
He wouldn’t put that past him. Turning over he sat up groggily. “What d’ya want, Keith?” He mumbled, embarrassed suddenly by the pure sunlight seeping in the house. It was midday.
“Just making sure ya hadn’t died on us. 13 hours of sleep is a bit longer than we’re used to from ya.” The blonde grinned, and Damian colored slightly – he hadn’t thought he’d slept THAT much, “Besides, Deirdre thought you’d want to check on your girl.”
“On my what?”
Keith cocked his head, looking at him, “Someone is barely awake, I see.... You know, the girl you so heroically saved last night. After all, just getting through a watch awake wasn’t enough for you, was it? You had to one-up us all there.” He was laughing again.
Damian grinned now, happy with this kind of teasing. Besides, the idea of one-up-ing Keith was one he was pretty okay with, though he didn’t see carrying a girl a few steps into camp as very heroic.
But that was in the back of his mind. Most of it was concentrating on the remembering all of that. The memories he was over half a sleep for so it was easy to have mistaken it all for a dream. Knowing that it wasn’t made him particularly happy as well. He wanted to see her, make sure she was okay. Something about having brought her safely here made him feel something like an almost parental concern for her, to make sure she stayed safe.
“Is she alright?”
A shrug, “Dunno. The girls have all been taking turns looking over her. Haven’t said if she’s woken, spoke, or just slept. But if Deirdre wants you to go check on her, something’s probably improved.”
Damian was already up and dressed by the time Keith had reached that second sentence. Which was met with more laughter from his idol and friend. “What?” He asked.
“Nothing, Mr. Heroic. Go check on your damsel now.”
Making a face at that, Damian left to do just that.
Feeling mildly awkward about doing so he knocked lightly on the door of Deirdre’s old house, where he’d lay the girl the night before.
“Ruth?” Deirdre’s voice came out, cheerful but weary. Damian really began to wonder how this girl was doing.
He laughed, “No, it’s me.”
A pause, then she laughed, “Don’t come in!”
“What?” He wasn’t sure if she was serious, he began to push the door open.
“Don’t come in!!” She laughed harder.
“But – Keith-“ He pushed the door open a bit more and was about to stick his head in when he was whacked in the face with a pillow.
“Have some patience, will you!!” Deirdre was STILL laughing, “You can see her in a little bit!”
He obediently closed the door with a confused but polite apology, and wandered over to the dead fire again. He assumed right away that there must have been something like dressing going on in there, and wouldn’t take long, but didn’t know how patient he could be here, still having no idea how this poor girl was fairing. Deirdre was in good humor though, so that was a slight relief. And so, he waited.
The sound of footsteps behind him was sign enough. Expecting Deirdre he turned to find himself face to face with the girl, now in broad daylight – now really able to SEE her.
She was small. Smaller than a lot of the girls of the village, and it was clear in the way even petite Joyce’s village dress hung loosely on her, and a apron tied around her waist showed of how thin it was. Her hair, which had looked dark the night before now shown in lovely waterfalls of chestnut brown, hinted with red in the sunlight, darker than George’s daughters and lighter than Deirdre’s. Her features were appealing, but none so much as her eyes.
Those eyes were near impossible to describe. They were black, or so dark a brown that they looked as such. And knowing. While, judging only by her size and face, she looked to be a couple years younger than he, himself, those eyes gave her an air of knowledge. As though, she had seen more in those eyes than he could even think of. But then, simultaneously, they shone with lightness, with sweet softness to them. She had seen a lot but not enough to turn her into a dark introverted person. All this he could tell in here eyes, and they were beautiful.
It took him that long to take her in, and was a little embarrassed at that. He waited for her to speak but she was silent, smiling shyly at him.
Finally he coughed, “Um… Hello.” He said stupidly, taking a few steps to her.
The smile grew, lighting up her eyes. She remained silent.
Growing more awkward by the second Damian continued, “How are you feeling?”
A shrug was all he got for that, a generic ‘so-so’ gesture, but she stepped nearer as well.
“Well, I’m glad you’re o-“ He cut off, in complete surprise as she stepped one step closer and lightly kissed his cheek, then moved past him to something that must have caught her attention.
Face blood red and not sure what to think he focused now on Deirdre, leaning in the doorframe laughing so hard at his befuddled expression no sound came out. Finally she was able to gasp;
“I guess that’s a ‘thank you’.”
“Hey hero, think you might be gettin’ out of bed anytime today?” Keith’s laughter filled voice penetrated Damian’s sleep.
“Mmmmmmmmm.” He groaned in reply, turning over hoping sleep would re-claim him. He was excited to boast to the older lad about making it through a whole watch, but not THAT excited.
More laughter, “I am willing to drag you out of bed you realize.”
He wouldn’t put that past him. Turning over he sat up groggily. “What d’ya want, Keith?” He mumbled, embarrassed suddenly by the pure sunlight seeping in the house. It was midday.
“Just making sure ya hadn’t died on us. 13 hours of sleep is a bit longer than we’re used to from ya.” The blonde grinned, and Damian colored slightly – he hadn’t thought he’d slept THAT much, “Besides, Deirdre thought you’d want to check on your girl.”
“On my what?”
Keith cocked his head, looking at him, “Someone is barely awake, I see.... You know, the girl you so heroically saved last night. After all, just getting through a watch awake wasn’t enough for you, was it? You had to one-up us all there.” He was laughing again.
Damian grinned now, happy with this kind of teasing. Besides, the idea of one-up-ing Keith was one he was pretty okay with, though he didn’t see carrying a girl a few steps into camp as very heroic.
But that was in the back of his mind. Most of it was concentrating on the remembering all of that. The memories he was over half a sleep for so it was easy to have mistaken it all for a dream. Knowing that it wasn’t made him particularly happy as well. He wanted to see her, make sure she was okay. Something about having brought her safely here made him feel something like an almost parental concern for her, to make sure she stayed safe.
“Is she alright?”
A shrug, “Dunno. The girls have all been taking turns looking over her. Haven’t said if she’s woken, spoke, or just slept. But if Deirdre wants you to go check on her, something’s probably improved.”
Damian was already up and dressed by the time Keith had reached that second sentence. Which was met with more laughter from his idol and friend. “What?” He asked.
“Nothing, Mr. Heroic. Go check on your damsel now.”
Making a face at that, Damian left to do just that.
Feeling mildly awkward about doing so he knocked lightly on the door of Deirdre’s old house, where he’d lay the girl the night before.
“Ruth?” Deirdre’s voice came out, cheerful but weary. Damian really began to wonder how this girl was doing.
He laughed, “No, it’s me.”
A pause, then she laughed, “Don’t come in!”
“What?” He wasn’t sure if she was serious, he began to push the door open.
“Don’t come in!!” She laughed harder.
“But – Keith-“ He pushed the door open a bit more and was about to stick his head in when he was whacked in the face with a pillow.
“Have some patience, will you!!” Deirdre was STILL laughing, “You can see her in a little bit!”
He obediently closed the door with a confused but polite apology, and wandered over to the dead fire again. He assumed right away that there must have been something like dressing going on in there, and wouldn’t take long, but didn’t know how patient he could be here, still having no idea how this poor girl was fairing. Deirdre was in good humor though, so that was a slight relief. And so, he waited.
The sound of footsteps behind him was sign enough. Expecting Deirdre he turned to find himself face to face with the girl, now in broad daylight – now really able to SEE her.
She was small. Smaller than a lot of the girls of the village, and it was clear in the way even petite Joyce’s village dress hung loosely on her, and a apron tied around her waist showed of how thin it was. Her hair, which had looked dark the night before now shown in lovely waterfalls of chestnut brown, hinted with red in the sunlight, darker than George’s daughters and lighter than Deirdre’s. Her features were appealing, but none so much as her eyes.
Those eyes were near impossible to describe. They were black, or so dark a brown that they looked as such. And knowing. While, judging only by her size and face, she looked to be a couple years younger than he, himself, those eyes gave her an air of knowledge. As though, she had seen more in those eyes than he could even think of. But then, simultaneously, they shone with lightness, with sweet softness to them. She had seen a lot but not enough to turn her into a dark introverted person. All this he could tell in here eyes, and they were beautiful.
It took him that long to take her in, and was a little embarrassed at that. He waited for her to speak but she was silent, smiling shyly at him.
Finally he coughed, “Um… Hello.” He said stupidly, taking a few steps to her.
The smile grew, lighting up her eyes. She remained silent.
Growing more awkward by the second Damian continued, “How are you feeling?”
A shrug was all he got for that, a generic ‘so-so’ gesture, but she stepped nearer as well.
“Well, I’m glad you’re o-“ He cut off, in complete surprise as she stepped one step closer and lightly kissed his cheek, then moved past him to something that must have caught her attention.
Face blood red and not sure what to think he focused now on Deirdre, leaning in the doorframe laughing so hard at his befuddled expression no sound came out. Finally she was able to gasp;
“I guess that’s a ‘thank you’.”
Nightcrawler_Fan
New member
lol, Oh Damo. lol, Love it Maggie.
Shadow_Kitty
New member
HAHA! This is epic! I'm totally laughing so hard right now.
Miss.SunFlower
New member
Deirdre, thankfully, explained things in a bit better detail after that.
“She doesn’t… speak?” He repeated slowly when it was told to him, a bit speechless by the whole idea. Apparently the girl had said naught since she had first woken, and the conclusion had been made.
She nodded, “I can’t tell if she cannot or chooses not to. It’s hard. I’ve heard tales of people hurt by something who choose to never speak after words for trauma. I can’t exactly see a girl like her going through such, but it is possible. I wouldn’t want to ask, though.”
Damian could, however, see something traumatic leaving the girl in self induced silence. But her relaxed and cheerful personality made him wonder about that.
In the end he was embarrassingly disappointed. He had looked forward to asking her so many things, about who she was and her life before. And he would not be able to get an answer ever from her. He would probably never even know her name.
But her silence kept him captivated by her, within only a days stay. He wondered if she’d stay in the village forever, if she liked it here, if she had a family to return to, if she was an orphan like Deirdre, or abandoned, or a run-away. And the fact that he couldn’t ask her, and even if he could that she could not answer made him all the more enraptured by the silent girl every time he was near her.
She liked him, at least, as far as he could tell she did. When they ate out by the fire her first night she sat nearest to him right away, sending him that warm smile she already often gave him. His face flushed remembering the touch of her lips on his cheek, but she seemed to think little of it, so he tried to do the same.
“I feel bad not knowing her name…” Paul was muttering softly, over the crackling fire. Damian watched her smile fade the second she heard those words. She felt just as bad that she was unable to give them her name, it was clear.
Deirdre gave her fiancé a light whack on the shoulder, “She’s right there, don’t talk about her like she doesn’t exist.”
He colored and apologized, then looked the girl in the eye, “I feel really bad not knowing your name.”
The smile came back, though sadder, but she shook her head to say, ‘it’s fine.’ It was a strange feeling conversing with the girl without any words from her.
“We could give you one.” A younger village girl by the name of Sarah suggested.
Ruth laughed, “She’s a girl not a dog!”
But she’d tossed her head back now with her own silent laughter. Seeming delighted and not the least bit insulted.
“You fine with that?” Damian asked her skeptically. He couldn’t imagine liking anyone calling him something other than his real name.
She nodded, and then made a face. This was like a game; guess what she was trying to tell them.
But Keith spoke up, “I’m guessing you want to approve of the name, that’s kind of a given though.”
She turned and gave the blonde young man a charming and triumphant grin. Damian let out a sigh of relief, he supposed the more time they spent with her the easier the game would become. He still was not too fond of it – he longed to hear her speak.
There was a brief silence as no one really wanted to be the first to try out a name for her.
“Julianne.” Ruth said softly.
“The princess’s name.” Deirdre murmured dryly.
She grinned, “True.”
More guesses and ideas followed.
“Alex?”
“Marissa?”
“Ryanne?”
“Anna?”
“Haley?”
Her bright eyes lit up slightly in the fire at that last one, and then paused, and then nodded after that.
Joyce, who had suggested the name, hesitantly asked it again, “You like Haley?”
A more enthusiastic nod, the innocent and charming smile seemingly stuck on her face.
Damian tilted his head to look at her in the fire’s glow. Haley. It fit better than anything he could have thought of. Although he wasn’t sure he would be comfortable calling her a name that was not hers. Though, if she stayed long enough there, it may grow on him.
If she stayed… and almost subconsciously he really hoped she would.
“She doesn’t… speak?” He repeated slowly when it was told to him, a bit speechless by the whole idea. Apparently the girl had said naught since she had first woken, and the conclusion had been made.
She nodded, “I can’t tell if she cannot or chooses not to. It’s hard. I’ve heard tales of people hurt by something who choose to never speak after words for trauma. I can’t exactly see a girl like her going through such, but it is possible. I wouldn’t want to ask, though.”
Damian could, however, see something traumatic leaving the girl in self induced silence. But her relaxed and cheerful personality made him wonder about that.
In the end he was embarrassingly disappointed. He had looked forward to asking her so many things, about who she was and her life before. And he would not be able to get an answer ever from her. He would probably never even know her name.
But her silence kept him captivated by her, within only a days stay. He wondered if she’d stay in the village forever, if she liked it here, if she had a family to return to, if she was an orphan like Deirdre, or abandoned, or a run-away. And the fact that he couldn’t ask her, and even if he could that she could not answer made him all the more enraptured by the silent girl every time he was near her.
She liked him, at least, as far as he could tell she did. When they ate out by the fire her first night she sat nearest to him right away, sending him that warm smile she already often gave him. His face flushed remembering the touch of her lips on his cheek, but she seemed to think little of it, so he tried to do the same.
“I feel bad not knowing her name…” Paul was muttering softly, over the crackling fire. Damian watched her smile fade the second she heard those words. She felt just as bad that she was unable to give them her name, it was clear.
Deirdre gave her fiancé a light whack on the shoulder, “She’s right there, don’t talk about her like she doesn’t exist.”
He colored and apologized, then looked the girl in the eye, “I feel really bad not knowing your name.”
The smile came back, though sadder, but she shook her head to say, ‘it’s fine.’ It was a strange feeling conversing with the girl without any words from her.
“We could give you one.” A younger village girl by the name of Sarah suggested.
Ruth laughed, “She’s a girl not a dog!”
But she’d tossed her head back now with her own silent laughter. Seeming delighted and not the least bit insulted.
“You fine with that?” Damian asked her skeptically. He couldn’t imagine liking anyone calling him something other than his real name.
She nodded, and then made a face. This was like a game; guess what she was trying to tell them.
But Keith spoke up, “I’m guessing you want to approve of the name, that’s kind of a given though.”
She turned and gave the blonde young man a charming and triumphant grin. Damian let out a sigh of relief, he supposed the more time they spent with her the easier the game would become. He still was not too fond of it – he longed to hear her speak.
There was a brief silence as no one really wanted to be the first to try out a name for her.
“Julianne.” Ruth said softly.
“The princess’s name.” Deirdre murmured dryly.
She grinned, “True.”
More guesses and ideas followed.
“Alex?”
“Marissa?”
“Ryanne?”
“Anna?”
“Haley?”
Her bright eyes lit up slightly in the fire at that last one, and then paused, and then nodded after that.
Joyce, who had suggested the name, hesitantly asked it again, “You like Haley?”
A more enthusiastic nod, the innocent and charming smile seemingly stuck on her face.
Damian tilted his head to look at her in the fire’s glow. Haley. It fit better than anything he could have thought of. Although he wasn’t sure he would be comfortable calling her a name that was not hers. Though, if she stayed long enough there, it may grow on him.
If she stayed… and almost subconsciously he really hoped she would.
Nightcrawler_Fan
New member
Eep, love it Mags,
BTW, I don't know if you saw but I posted a CT fan fic.
BTW, I don't know if you saw but I posted a CT fan fic.
I wuv it
I love love love Keith and Damian, they're so great
I love love love Keith and Damian, they're so great
Nightcrawler_Fan
New member
Yep, I can't wait for the songs that they do together.
Miss.SunFlower
New member
By the end of her first week, Haley had subconsciously become part of Damian’s world.
Maybe it was her silence, though that irritated him more than he ever wanted to admit, especially to her. Or maybe it was her eyes that he caught himself concentrating on more than anything else about her. Same with her smile.
It might have been the idea that he had saved her. Something in thinking that she wouldn’t be around without him made him feel something for her he couldn’t quite put into words. And she liked him. She already saw him as a friend, and, in his imagination, her hero.
Which was, of course, absolutely and utterly ridiculous. And so he obviously said none of that aloud to anyone. Keith would have found it hilarious, as would Deirdre. The others would think it cute, like a first love.
Ridiculous. He cared for the girl but that didn’t mean he loved her. And if he did, who was to say she was his first love. He WAS 18 after all.
But through conversations with Keith, and with Paul, and their own relationships the advice for him was as clear as if they’d told him directly, which they sometimes did. Love was complicated, over-rated, often ended badly and if it ended well it wasn’t after a rather large amount of occasionally heartbreaking mishaps. And all-in-all not something Damian should be concentrating on at… of course… his age.
So, for the sake of not getting chided about the horrors of falling in love at 18, it was good that he was not in love with the silent and stunning young and mysterious Haley. Yet.
He still saw her everyday. And, more or less, spoke to her.
The more he did speak to Haley the more he began to realize that she was not mute. She may have still been struck silent by some event in her past, but he could tell in how she acted, she was not always like this, and if she really truly wanted to she could probably speak.
“Are you feeling better?” He asked her one evening around dusk – they sat in the stables after she had somehow convinced him to show her the horses, and take her riding. All without a word, and that was a little nerve wrecking; to be so influenced just by a couple smiles and two ebony eyes.
Face flushed and auburn hair askew, her appearance was really answer enough. Still she nodded and her smile dimpled. It was things like that that made him see her as younger sometimes. She was so… innocent. But yet she was mature, and almost eerily calm about everything. She really was a wonder.
He grinned back at her, “Well I hope you had fun…” He began, and Haley rolled her eyes to say ‘well of COURSE I did.’ And he laughed, continuing, “I’m glad the guys let me come out here without any one else…”
She cocked her head, the serious question gleaming in her dark eyes, ‘why wouldn’t they?’
The laughter lost it’s humor, “I guess,” He said slowly, “because they don’t trust me. I’m still, well, a child.”
Haley gave him a long look-over before meeting his eyes and raising her delicate eyebrows. That was easy to read; ‘A child? You?’
He couldn’t hide the way that flattered him. “Well you’ve only seen me, now. I wasn’t always- I mean- that is, these guys grew up with me. They don’t see how I am now so much yet. I’m still young and naïve and well, I’m still surprised they let me do anything at all.
“It doesn’t make much sense though, I can hardly imagine Keith was treated this way at 18 or any of the lads. For some reason it’s always me. With Keith especially, too, I’m always doing something wrong or something I’m too young for. It’s really insanely frustrating. I’m 18 not 8.”
Damian realized then that he was rambling, and blushed. But Haley’s expression was compassionate and even a little sad. Good lord, he’d never had something like a heart-to-heart with anyone… who’d have thought he’d have it with a girl who could say nothing in reply. He tried to bring the conversation back to her.
“You know how that is?” He asked softly. Her expression then was, for the first time, unreadable. Smiling still but serious thought going on behind her eyes. He had no clue what she was saying, if she was even speaking to him now. He thought to continue, but didn’t think much more as he asked, “I mean, how old are you?”
“…I- I don’t know.”
He grinned at her, “What do ya mean you don’t know? Everyone knows-“ It took him that many words to register what she’d said. What she’d SAID. “You spoke…” He said stupidly.
Haley tightened her lips together, as though she was as surprised as he was and not sure she was going to again. He couldn’t even imagine that. Something occurring that was enough to keep her silent, and shake her so badly when she broke it. But he wouldn’t make her, though inside he was so happy to have heard her speak.
“I’m sorry,” He said, even softer, at last, “Whatever happened that’s keeping you from talking… I mean, that is… I won’t make you talk if you don’t want to.”
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Damian could practically see her thinking something through. When her eyes opened they were serious, and sad.
“I don’t remember.” She said. Her voice was like a whisper or wind. He wasn’t all too sure he’d heard it.
“What?”
“What happened to me…” She elaborated, still in that tiny voice she was not used to using, “I don’t remember it. I don’t remember anything from before you found me.”
Maybe it was her silence, though that irritated him more than he ever wanted to admit, especially to her. Or maybe it was her eyes that he caught himself concentrating on more than anything else about her. Same with her smile.
It might have been the idea that he had saved her. Something in thinking that she wouldn’t be around without him made him feel something for her he couldn’t quite put into words. And she liked him. She already saw him as a friend, and, in his imagination, her hero.
Which was, of course, absolutely and utterly ridiculous. And so he obviously said none of that aloud to anyone. Keith would have found it hilarious, as would Deirdre. The others would think it cute, like a first love.
Ridiculous. He cared for the girl but that didn’t mean he loved her. And if he did, who was to say she was his first love. He WAS 18 after all.
But through conversations with Keith, and with Paul, and their own relationships the advice for him was as clear as if they’d told him directly, which they sometimes did. Love was complicated, over-rated, often ended badly and if it ended well it wasn’t after a rather large amount of occasionally heartbreaking mishaps. And all-in-all not something Damian should be concentrating on at… of course… his age.
So, for the sake of not getting chided about the horrors of falling in love at 18, it was good that he was not in love with the silent and stunning young and mysterious Haley. Yet.
He still saw her everyday. And, more or less, spoke to her.
The more he did speak to Haley the more he began to realize that she was not mute. She may have still been struck silent by some event in her past, but he could tell in how she acted, she was not always like this, and if she really truly wanted to she could probably speak.
“Are you feeling better?” He asked her one evening around dusk – they sat in the stables after she had somehow convinced him to show her the horses, and take her riding. All without a word, and that was a little nerve wrecking; to be so influenced just by a couple smiles and two ebony eyes.
Face flushed and auburn hair askew, her appearance was really answer enough. Still she nodded and her smile dimpled. It was things like that that made him see her as younger sometimes. She was so… innocent. But yet she was mature, and almost eerily calm about everything. She really was a wonder.
He grinned back at her, “Well I hope you had fun…” He began, and Haley rolled her eyes to say ‘well of COURSE I did.’ And he laughed, continuing, “I’m glad the guys let me come out here without any one else…”
She cocked her head, the serious question gleaming in her dark eyes, ‘why wouldn’t they?’
The laughter lost it’s humor, “I guess,” He said slowly, “because they don’t trust me. I’m still, well, a child.”
Haley gave him a long look-over before meeting his eyes and raising her delicate eyebrows. That was easy to read; ‘A child? You?’
He couldn’t hide the way that flattered him. “Well you’ve only seen me, now. I wasn’t always- I mean- that is, these guys grew up with me. They don’t see how I am now so much yet. I’m still young and naïve and well, I’m still surprised they let me do anything at all.
“It doesn’t make much sense though, I can hardly imagine Keith was treated this way at 18 or any of the lads. For some reason it’s always me. With Keith especially, too, I’m always doing something wrong or something I’m too young for. It’s really insanely frustrating. I’m 18 not 8.”
Damian realized then that he was rambling, and blushed. But Haley’s expression was compassionate and even a little sad. Good lord, he’d never had something like a heart-to-heart with anyone… who’d have thought he’d have it with a girl who could say nothing in reply. He tried to bring the conversation back to her.
“You know how that is?” He asked softly. Her expression then was, for the first time, unreadable. Smiling still but serious thought going on behind her eyes. He had no clue what she was saying, if she was even speaking to him now. He thought to continue, but didn’t think much more as he asked, “I mean, how old are you?”
“…I- I don’t know.”
He grinned at her, “What do ya mean you don’t know? Everyone knows-“ It took him that many words to register what she’d said. What she’d SAID. “You spoke…” He said stupidly.
Haley tightened her lips together, as though she was as surprised as he was and not sure she was going to again. He couldn’t even imagine that. Something occurring that was enough to keep her silent, and shake her so badly when she broke it. But he wouldn’t make her, though inside he was so happy to have heard her speak.
“I’m sorry,” He said, even softer, at last, “Whatever happened that’s keeping you from talking… I mean, that is… I won’t make you talk if you don’t want to.”
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Damian could practically see her thinking something through. When her eyes opened they were serious, and sad.
“I don’t remember.” She said. Her voice was like a whisper or wind. He wasn’t all too sure he’d heard it.
“What?”
“What happened to me…” She elaborated, still in that tiny voice she was not used to using, “I don’t remember it. I don’t remember anything from before you found me.”