Lissen

The smell of damp bark makes Murdock close his eyes for a second, something he doesn't usually allow himself to do outside his own bedroom.

Now though, he feels a type of serenity wash over him gently. These are his woods, surrounding his cabin, and there's not much that would be able to sneak up on him here. At least, not without him being delightfully prepared for it.

As if anything could surprise him here, let alone you.

He can't help the twitch of a grin curling his upper lip just before you playfully wrap your arms around his waist. Your laugh is light and intoxicating, as if you don't know what a bad idea it is to try and jumpscare a man like him.

"Careful, little fawn. It's dangerous to play games in the woods," He warns, but not without amusement dancing on his lips.

"And what exactly is gonna get me in the woods, huh? The big bad wolf," You put on a mocking scary voice, but he can see your eyes now you've stepped beside him. Your eyes never fail to betray your emotions.

"I told you to wear gloves," Murdock states, eyeing your small, pale hands exposed to the misty air.

"And I told you I don't need them," You respond, despite tucking your fingers further into your jumper even as you speak.

He smiles, your smile, before continuing on your morning walk. As if trying to act casually, you look up at the canopy of evergreen leaves whilst strolling to match his pace.

A few seconds and Murdock brushes his gloved hand against yours and suddenly you're enveloped in the warm, soft leather. He sees you shudder slightly at the change in temperature, your hands looking so very fragile in his.

You'd always been in love with the snow. You loved the silence, the way it seemed to place a muffling blanket over the world. In particular, you loved how it forced you to stay inside - to simply be an observer of the world, whilst you stayed warm within your home. That was never more true than right now.

The flames on the log fire curl and dance, mesmerizing as you become aware of your breathing and nothing else. In fact, there is only one thing that could possibly break this spell. Murdock shifts slightly - the arm that's holding you against his side tightening as he rearranges his hips to a more comfortable position. The feeling of his soft, maroon jumper against your cheek causes you to look up at him, checking he's not going anywhere. You don't want him to go anywhere.

The man looks down at you as if he can feel your gaze. You drink in every blemish and scar on his face. He's been leaving longer between shaves recently, allowing his beard to grow thicker in the winter cold. His hair currently sits at his shoulders, and there is no sign of the sunglasses he usually wears even on the most overclouded of days. God, he's beautiful.

"What's wrong, fawn?" He says, although there's a smile curling at the corner of his lips, "Are you still cold?"

You yawn before you can reply, and it still clings to your words as you start your sentence, making Murdock's deep laugh vibrate in his chest.

"Nooo...your freakish heating abilities are still working,"

He laughs again, a thumb coming up to brush against the side of your cheek. You lean into it, relishing the contact and closing your eyes. This is everything you've ever wanted, and it's even sweeter than you'd imagined.

Your expression grows bashful. “Oh, come on, now.”

“No, really.” Damien brushes his thumb across your cheek. “I’m proud of you.”

Bashful turns to pure shyness, but you’re so glad he thinks that, more warmth blooming in your chest. “Thank you.”

“But of course.” He kisses your forehead. “You deserve it.”

You’re blushing again, but he’s glancing around the room, thankfully oblivious to it. Actually, you think he looks at the seat first, as if there was supposed to be something there. “Is there anyone else you’d like to speak with? Do you want to go find who you were talking with beforehand?”

You shake your head. “Just some people I know. I wasn’t in conversation long, I can always talk with them later.”

“Good.” Damien smiles, and you think he’s relieved. “We can leave, then, if you like.”

You take a moment to think about it, thrown off by how quickly he’s considering leaving, but you really have nothing else keeping you here if he wants to chat elsewhere. “…Sure!”

“Alright. Let me go find a valet to pull the car around.”

You nod. “Mm-hm. That’ll give me time to get my things from backstage and see if the director needs anything else from us.”

“Good.” He kisses your cheek. “I’ll meet you outside.”

You nod again, trying to keep a stupid grin from meandering across your face. “Alright.”

Damien gives you one last smile and heads out of the theatre, while you all but skip back to your dressing room.

~*~*~*~

Damien’s car pulls in just as you make it to the sidewalk, and you let out a sigh of relief. You would have been embarrassed if you had kept him waiting; some of the people backstage had wanted to chat, and you entertained them as long as you could before your anstiness took over. Damien gets out of the backseat once the car is parked, and the valet opens the trunk before handing the keys off to Damien. You take that as your cue to hand your things to the valet, who places them carefully in the trunk, although you do the honors with some pieces that need careful positioning.

Once you’re done with that, Damien comes around to open the door for you, and you dip your head with a “Thank you,” sliding into the passenger seat. You pay no mind to the rear driver’s side door opening and closing, instead looking out the window at the building you just left. Upon hearing the actual driver’s door open, you turn towards him, only to see a large bouquet of various flowers before you. A gasp flies from you. “Oh, Damien!”

Damien’s smiling face pokes out from behind the arrangement. “Here you are, my dear.”

Mouth open, you take the flowers from him, staring down at them. “Oh. Wow. They’re really for me?”

He nods. “Yes. I meant to give them to you right after the show, but in my hurry to get in and see you, it slipped my mind.” He chuckles. “Thankfully the night is mild.”

Delicately, you brush your hand against the petals. There has to be a dozen, maybe more. It’s probably the largest bouquet you’ve ever seen. And it’s all for you… “Oh…”

“I barely managed to snag the last decent bunch from the florist before they closed.” Damien pauses a moment. You’ve just been staring at the flowers. “You do like them?” he asks, softer.

“Oh, yes, absolutely.” You look over, eyes shiny. “It’s just…” You trail off, gaze dropping back down, and your voice picks up quieter than his was. “I’ve never had a partner get me flowers before…”

You don’t need to see him to feel the disbelief emanating from him. “What? You’ve never…?” He cups your face and turns it towards him again. “Darling, this is an injustice of the highest order, and I will not stand for it. You deserve all the flowers in the world and more.”

You can’t hide the water collecting at your lids, but you hope the darkness obscures it. “Damien…”

He quiets you with a kiss, sudden but soft and tender. A tear rolls down your cheek without your permission, and he brushes it away with his thumb after his lips leave yours. “I would buy you flowers every week—no, every day if it made you happy.”

You giggle, even through the threat of more tears. “I think every day is a bit much.”

“Regardless.” Damien kisses your forehead. “I am going to right this wrong, starting now. I believe I am already on that path.” He smiles at you, and it warms you from the inside out. “Now, let’s get you home.”

yeah you know that whole actor isn't engineer but engineer is actor nonsense?? well there was a time before that surely. when the c̵h̴a̵r̷a̸c̵t̷e̴r̶ was still in development...

>:))

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