@croccin-champagne
"Oh?" Catori looked down at him, confused.
"Oh?" Catori looked down at him, confused.
Damian reluctantly pulled himself away from Catori, sighing quietly. “I suppose you deserve the truth.” He murmured, steeling himself before speaking up. “I’m uh… I’m half demon. Which sounds a bit insane… but I Can mostly control the demon half. You shouldn’t worry about it.”
"I'm not worrying." Catori stated calmly, raising an eyebrow.
“You aren’t going to panic?” Damian stared at her, stunned.
"And why exactly would I do that?" Catori asked, rolling her eyes.
“Because I’m half demon? I’ve lost control before, Catori. The wreckage was… awful.” Damian snuggled back up against Catori, this time seeking comfort.
Catori wrapped her arms around him, letting him nestle against her. "Hey, I trust you, alright?"
“Promise me you won’t try to stop me if it happens. Just run.” Damian replied, clearly trying to squash his sudden emotions.
"Alright." It was a lie, evidently. Catori didn't actually say the word promise, something she would have normally done, and her hand twitched in a tell.
Damian, distracted by vision of the past, took her word without question, nuzzling close to his heat source. His usually sharp eyes were slightly clouded, as though the murky claws of his darkest memories were blinding him to reality. He shivered suddenly, goosebumps racing across his skin.
Catori sighed and pressed a kiss to his hair, arms tightening around him. She began to hum softly, a lullaby her mother would sing her when she had nightmares.
Damian calmed slowly, his breathing evening out. “Thank you.” He whispered quietly, reaching for her hand and squeezing it.
"It's nothing." She replied, squeezing back. Her voice was soft, and just a bit sad.
Jasper peaked into the tent to make sure they both were awake. “Dinner’s ready.” He called softly, smiling at the sight of Damian and Catori cuddled up together. “It can wait if you need it to.”
"Damian?" Catori looked down at him for input, fine with whatever.
“Hungry, but I don’t want to move.” He frowned, looking over at Jasper, half asleep.
“So am I bringing food in here?” Jasper looked at Catori just to double check.
Catori nodded, smiling sweetly at him. "Could you?"
Jasper nodded, returning several minutes later with two skewers of roasted carrots and asparagus along with hardtack. He set several cloths on the ground as napkins, handing each member their share. “I’ll be right outside if you need me.” He quickly fled the scene.
Catori watched him go with an amused smile. "He's a bit scared of you."
“A little fear is healthy.” Damian smiled faintly, munching on a piece of roasted carrot.
"Be careful with how much fear though. Many a king has fallen because his people feared him, and turned on him." Catori said, an arm still wrapped around him.
Damian chuckled. “I might need some help with that.” He eyed Jasper, leaning to the side to spy on his servant.
"Establish trust, show that you care, be open to advice and willing to give it yourself when the time comes." She counted on her fingers. "There's more, but it's a lot of loose ideas and wisdom that comes with time, and experience."
Damian fake scoffed. “Ugh, benevolence.” He wrinkled up his nose. “I suppose I’ll try.”
Catori rolled her eyes, nudging him. "You want to be a good king, listen when someone tries to help. I'm not even charging you my usual advice rates." She joked light heartedly.
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