#thousxndviews

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Damien took a slow breath. On one hand, he wanted to respect their request. On the other hand, whatever it was was clearly bothering them. Ignoring that would not help matters, but forcing them to discuss a topic they wanted to avoid wouldn’t be much better either. Middle ground was needed.

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     “Look... I don’t know who you are,” spoke the spectral entity with a hint of frustration... “But it’d be better for both of us if you just turned around and went back the way you came. Okay?” He hovered slightly, scarlet eyes gleaming faintly in the darkness... But underneath the warnings and hostility, there was an edge of caution and apprehension.

The dragon takes a quick look of his surroundings, wanting to make sure no one was around. The last thing he wanted to do was accidentally harm someone. A mistake was easy to make when practicing with his breaths, just one simple turn of the head or even a sudden movement could make it all go wrong. It didn't help that he wasn't a natural fighter. Sure he had control over what he could do but if a situation that came up required more...precision, he doubts he'd be able to do what he needs to.

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... Oh yes. Damien had given one of those ‘I still care about you lectures’ last time he was in control. Wonderful. 

“Because, my dear District Attorney... While I admire your gall to stand up to me like this, do not think I won’t hesitate to return you back to that mirror. And maybe this time I’ll wipe your memories to keep you quiet.” Oddly, Dark hadn’t registered that he had understood Yen’s sign. “I know him far better than you ever will. He may claim to care.... But what does it matter? You are mine regardless.”

The game was over, and a rather drunk Damien was sprawled on the couch beside a rather tired assistant. The shot glass had been swapped for the tumbler, and said tumbler had been refilled twice.

"Never have I ever... Eveeer.... 'm a terrible friend..." Damien murmured, head lolling back. The assistant looked worried as she turned to him.

"No you aren't. You're a great friend," she tried to argue, but Damien sat up slowly. He looked very sorrowful right now.

"Noo no. I-I... I am. Iz m'fault Mark an' Will don't talk. Should've known somefin was wrong... Ahcould've stopped it..." Tears were starting to fall. Ever since he had mentioned the two in passing, it was nigh impossible for him to get them out of his head. It had been two years since he had gotten this wasted, and both his best friends were at his side. Now, neither talked to the other, and he was stranded in the middle, trying to remain friendly with both. "They... They could've talked. I could've saved everyfin..."

"Damien..." The assistant sighed as Damien dropped his head onto her shoulder. "It wasn't your fault. You didn't know what was going on at the time. You're a great friend." When she didn't get an answer, she decided to continue. "Like... You insisted Yen go to the doctor when they kept acting like nothing was wrong... You asked a complete stranger if you could mind his dog when they mentioned they had to work. Or remember how you forced Saria to take a break from her assignments?" Damien gave a weak nod and a sniff. "Let's see... You took extra time off while attending meetings out of town to check in on Riley; and you let a bunch of gangsters crash your party and agree to find you a partner when you finish your term. Then there was the time you told a bedridden Marion stories to keep their mind occupied after their leg injury... Oh, and don't forget how you let a snow elemental give the entire city a snow day, or how you and Reika kept sending each other cute photos of animals...." The assistant paused, peeking down to gauge Damien's reaction. Half-lidded eyes peered up at her. They were puffy and red.

"You think 'ey hate meh?" It was a genuine worry in his intoxicated mind.

"Of course they don't. I promise you they don't." She gently patted him on the head, before carefully pushing him back toward the couch. "You have a whole bunch of friends who think the world of you. That's only the tip of the iceberg, but it's nearly 2am and I really need to sleep." She glanced over her shoulder as Marion poked their head into the room.

"Get some sleep, you numpty."

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