#xperhapsonedayx

she had been staying in this place for a couple of days, enjoying the time spent calmly instead of running. it seemed that she was always running, every which way. the Wild Hunt were on her trail and yet for right now she can breathe. she can look at the world around her and really study it, be alright with it, try to be happy and try to relax. she’s running to save the entirety of the world, to see that the strings remain attached and that people remain alive. they’ll be alive, they’ll survive.

the one thing she wasn’t expecting however was a kind of a shot from the past. she couldn’t remember the last time she had been tossed into something that reminded her so much of her old life. a young girl, heir to a kingdom, the lion cub of cintra. this girl reminded her of all that. of a time before the running and Bonhart and the Elves and the blasted Wild Hunt. so she sought her out in the kitchens. the only thing was that she was confused as to why the girl was standing there doing a servant’s chores when she was anything but.

there's a small smile as damon watches her run up to him. he hadn't been forgotten, that was a good start -- one part of his fear was gone. lia clearly wasn't going to reject him, which he was glad about given everything they've fought to be together. her arms wrapped around him, and he gave in to it ever so easily -- no matter who was looking, gryffindors, slytherins, even merlin himself could be there that damon wouldn't give a damn about it. a whole year went by, a year he didn't see her, a year that could've ruined everything he accomplished by her side -- it wasn't fair in any way.

the slytherin pulled back just slightly, his eyes scanning her features. it was just like he remembered, she was just like he remembered. there was the smallest of frowns in his features; he'd hurt her too, he felt it. her eyes always gave him the answers she didn't want to pronounce. damon had an awful lot to make up for, but first was telling her the truth: show her what his father had done to him, the unwanted tattoo he had to remove from his skin one way or another before anyone saw it, but couldn't use magic for -- shit. not giving a damn about it for that moment being, his hands cupped her face and damon leaned in for a kiss.

He shrugged, looking out into the water, his hands by his side as he sighed, shaking his head. It was only a moment that passed before she added the next sentence, and he laughed, looking down at the water that gently lapped over his feet. “And what say you if I did mean love?” He questioned, looking over at her, an amused smile on his features. 

“You were to be my betrothed, after all.” He stated, before looking back out to the sea. “You’re tellin me you don’t believe in love?” He inquired a moment later. He couldn’t believe that. She would have never given up on love- not the girl he’d known. Of course, she wasn’t the same girl, not really. Twenty years was a lifetime, and a lifetime really did change people.

He’d been given a new lease on life, and he was considering turning a new leaf. He pondered the thought over a beer at some dive bar in whatever town he’d came back to. There was a juke box playing some terrible country song, and you could see the pool tables through the smoky air. He had been watching the games, one more closely than the others; this girl was hustling two guys. He’d seen the whole thing play out with an amused look on his face, as he sat in the back corner to himself She played the first game, twirling her hair and looking otherwise nonthreatening She lost, losing a twenty, before betting she could beat him if they played again. Double or nothing. She won.  

Of course this upset him. He saw the smirk grow on her lips as she said if he was that upset they could do a triple or nothing, and both men could play against her. Cocky. He liked it. He watched with bewilderment as she finished the game and walked away with close to three hundred dollars. Normally he wouldn’t have been paying so much attention to someone after they seemed to be leaving, but the disgruntled men seemed to be plotting something unsavory for the girl. 

Kai followed a moment later, hearing someone struggle. He quickened his pace, making it to the nearest ally way. One man was holding her arms while the other dug through her pockets, and purse. “Excuse me,” Kai spoke, his voice booming against the quiet night. “You should really let her go.” He warned. The mans response, was not a wise one. “Fuck off or you’ll be face down in a gutter.” The man yelled at him, as he continued to dig through the woman’s belongings. Kai sighed and cracked his neck. 

This whole turning a new leaf thing was going to be harder than he thought. “Okay.” Kai spoke quickly raising his hand. “Motus.” He spoke, flicking his hand toward the brick wall, the mans body flinging into it. Suddenly, and to no surprise the man who had been restraining her let go, eyes wide and in shock. “You.” Kai spoke approaching him. “Empty your pockets. Give her all of your cash.” He spoke, and the man blindly started listening to him. “Now stay right here.” He continued the compulsion as he walked over to the man laying up against the wall. 

Kai crouched down in front of him, and saw the girl was still standing there watching. He didn’t register the emotion that was playing out across her face. “You owe her an apology.”  The man grunted at him, and Kai’s blood boiled. “Tell her you’re sorry.” He compelled him. Two for one; a special. “I’m sorry.” The man blurted out to her. “Like you mean it.” Kai spoke more forcibly. “I’m really sorry.” Kai sighed, standing back up. “You too, give her your cash, and anything you took from her.” He demanded.