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       #Post#: 406796--------------------------------------------------
       Damien and Johnah 
       By: Pandora Date: May 23, 2016, 11:35 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Damien stared at his watch, the din of this bar breaking his
       concentration on it. He was beginning to think Johnah wasn't
       going to show up. At first, it was totally that she was late
       getting ready. As time slouched along though, Damien couldn't
       help but think he was wrong. Maybe her taxi was stuck in
       traffic? Maybe. Or, maybe, she was just ducking him. He sighed
       into his beer, barely touched, the foam parting ever slightly
       from the orange hued glass. He figured if she wasn't here within
       the next hour, he would leave. It was probably for the best that
       way. She could call and explain. And he could call her. He
       really probably should have called her, but he already called
       once, and he didn't want her to think he'd gotten clingy or
       possessive all these years but--
       'But shut up, Damien', he told himself. 'She'll be here. And
       probably soon. Stop overthinking this.' He ran a hand through
       his brown hair, green eyes still holding fast on the wood grain
       of the bar. He took a sip of his beer. Maybe the outfit was a
       bad choice. It was normal at least, his black jeans, and the
       mottled gray shirt; he could have been wearing so much worse. He
       could have still been in the suit from the funeral. He'd look
       like the typical stiff then. Johnah would probably show up in
       something fantastic, blow him away with the perfect hair and
       perfect makeup and perfect outfit. Perfect everything. 'Please
       let it be a little slinky', he thought. 'I like slinky.' Gently,
       he shook his head, forcing his eyes up to stare at the football
       game currently playing on the bar television. Not that he was
       much into it. It was just a little something to take his mind
       off of everything. Off of her. He could only think, 'If she
       would just show up'. He wasn't even drunk yet. But there was so
       much on his mind. So much they really needed to talk about that
       coffee wouldn't help to get out. Just an excuse to get close to
       her again. He hadn't been this nervous around anyone since...
       Since they were kids. God, let it end. Let the stupid anxiety
       end.
       Damien exhaled and chugged down the beer he'd been drinking,
       scooting off his bar stool, and heading back towards the patio.
       At least the music was kicking out here still. The song just
       didn't help his mood. He stared up at the darkening sky. It was
       only about 6. But the rain clouds threatened to open up and pour
       on him. He squinted and glared up at them as he pulled a
       cigarette and his lighter. He slid the filter between his lips
       and lit it. Inhaling, he watched as the tip turned it's electric
       orange and then plucked it away between his fingers, exhaling
       the cloud of grey smoke. Who'd have thought that goody two shoes
       Damien Collins would be so debaucherous when he grew up?
       Also, what he's currently listening to:
  HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpOSxM0rNPM
  HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpOSxM0rNPM
       #Post#: 406797--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Damien and Johnah 
       By: Scout Date: May 23, 2016, 11:59 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Johnah rushed into the bar, it looked like it would rain any
       minute and she sure as hell wouldn’t want to be caught out in
       it.  It would ruin her hair.  Pulling down the bottom of her
       dress, which was completely fitted to her body and, of course,
       black – she was still mourning after all – Joh scanned the bar
       for the all too familiar face.  It had been years since they
       last talked but he still looked the same and still made her feel
       the same way.  A frown threatened to tilt her lips when she came
       up empty.  Where was he?  Maybe she didn’t look hard enough.
       Long, glistening legs carried her to the bar with confident
       strides, each step clicking loudly against the wood floors.  All
       eyes were on her, but she only wanted the attention of one man.
       Who apparently wasn’t there.  Of course.  She treated him so
       badly, she didn’t blame him for leaving her hanging.  Joh took a
       seat on a stool that was slightly warm, and as she wondered
       whose ass was planted there before hers, the bartender came
       over, eyes greedily drinking in all they could.
       Flashing him a smile that did a poor job in covering up her
       discomfort, Johnah asked for the cheapest beer they had.  Once
       she paid and the drink was in her hand, she stood up and looked
       around for Damien again.  She realized on the way to the bar
       that her phone was dead, so calling him wasn’t really an option.
       Just as she was about to give up, she spotted him out on the
       patio.  Johnah quickly made her way over to him, skin prickling
       the second the cool outside air touched it.  “Hey, Damien, I’ve
       been looking for you.”  Taking the spot next to him, Joh glanced
       over his features.  Just like her, he had dark circles under his
       eyes, but thanks to the power of makeup she looked just as
       perfect as always.  “Sorry I was late.  I got caught up in
       traffic and my phone was dead.  I didn’t mean to keep you
       waiting.”
       #Post#: 406804--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Damien and Johnah 
       By: Pandora Date: May 23, 2016, 1:05 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. Damien had already finished half
       of his cigarette by the time Johnah had arrived. He'd been
       leaning with his shoulder against the wall, back to the door. He
       could hear the clicking of heels behind him, and his heart
       started pounding. 'I've been looking for you.' Joh? He turned to
       see the familiar face, the furrowed brow from the anxiety
       replaced by a grin. "I could say the same for you." He stared
       her up and down, the dress clinging to every curve and stopping
       just at her thighs. Slinky, and short. He was in for one hell of
       a night. She was teasing and she knew it. Little miss fashion
       magnate, all dressed up with a beer in her hand instead of a
       cocktail. Priceless. Upon hearing the explanation for her
       tardiness, he felt a little better. "I figured something was up.
       I didn't think you would just ditch me, really."
       Damien leaned his back against the stone wall of the patio as he
       stared at her, taking one long drag of the cigarette before
       tossing it away. He turned his head away to exhale out of her
       space. All without taking an eye off of her. Did he kiss her, or
       no? Would that be proper? He did earlier, and she seemed to be
       fine with it. Would she be fine with it now? He didn't really
       have much to lose. Besides her. Again. To hell with it. He
       pushed himself away from the wall gently towards her, metering
       her face as he inched closer until he was just an inch away from
       her face. Closing his eyes, he pressed his lips ever so gently
       to hers for just a moment, but it felt so much longer than that.
       When he pulled away, Damien looked her eyes over again, as if he
       were searching for a specific set of stars in the night sky.
       He leaned back against the wall, having also taken the beer
       she'd ordered from her hand. He took a sip, not realizing that
       he looked a little like the tough guy he was trying to channel
       right now. He may have looked the part, but deep down, he was
       still the same scared, nervous kid he was years ago. It all just
       carried over, especially around Johnah. Handing the beer back to
       her, he glanced over at the bar, where a few seats in a row had
       opened up, a couple in the secluded corner of the bar. How
       convenient. "We probably should go ahead and get back in there.
       I feel like there's a lot more catching up to do than we did
       earlier." He extended his hand in her direction, waiting for her
       to maybe take it. Either way, he was definitely taking the
       secluded spot in that bar.
       #Post#: 406814--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Damien and Johnah 
       By: Scout Date: May 24, 2016, 7:35 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Her own smile grew at the sight of his.  A suggestive brow rose
       as she made her way closer to him, but she kept her distance,
       still unsure of their limits.  So much time had passed, even
       their talk over coffee seemed like it happened years ago.  “Well
       I’m glad I didn’t let you down.”  Again.  Her voice was a
       seductive purr, eyes clearly taking note of his current state.
       He changed out of the suit since the funeral – which was just as
       swoon-worthy as his current attire.  Damien was always the
       casual kind of guy.  He looked good in a suit, but he didn’t
       belong in one.  Jeans and a shirt was all he needed.  Smoking,
       however, was something new.  He pulled off the bad boy look
       perfectly – he made smoking look hot.
       His hesitation was obvious, he didn’t know what to do.  Neither
       did Johnah, but she covered it up beautifully.  A leg bent and
       her hip popped up, accentuating the curves of her body even
       more.  She was teasing, he knew it.  It wasn’t long before
       temptation got the best of him and he was making his way over to
       her.  Her eyes closed just after his and she met him in the
       middle, lips pressing together in a chaste kiss that was very
       much unlike the kisses Johnah normally gave to men.  Her eyes
       immediately found his after they pulled apart, gauging his
       reaction even though he was the one who initiated it.  Being
       that close to him allowed her to see just how tired he really
       was.  Stubble covered his sharp jaw, his skin was pale, and his
       hair was messier than it normally was.  Still swoon-worthy.
       She hadn’t realized the beer in her hand was missing until he
       took a drink from it.  A smirk was immediately on her face.
       After the glass was back in her hand she took her own drink from
       it.  Johnah nodded her head.  “Let’s go then,” She purred
       quickly, grabbing his outstretched hand and leading the way back
       inside the building.  Having the same thoughts, Joh took one of
       the two spots in the secluded corner.  A smooth leg crossed over
       the other, causing her already short dress to rise up even more.
       Another drink from her beer before setting it on the table,
       sultry eyes settling on Damien.  “So, let’s catch up.  I can see
       you’ve been doing… well.”  Her eyes trailed over him before
       reaching his own eyes, an innocent smile on her face.
       #Post#: 406816--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Damien and Johnah 
       By: Pandora Date: May 24, 2016, 11:49 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Damien took his seat beside Johnah only a few seconds after her,
       but it nearly stopped him in his tracks when he caught the
       glimpse of her skirt riding up even more. She was definitely
       testing him. This was so mean. The first time he's seeing her in
       years; easily 4 or 5, and yet here she was in her typical
       fashion. If he could have, he would have just taken her home
       earlier. But nooooo. He had to be proper about this. Typical. He
       was staring so intently that he almost didn't hear the words she
       was saying. Maybe it wasn't so great that it had been a while.
       "Uh, yeah. Yeah I have. I bought a house In Stamford so I could
       commute to New York. I thought about getting a place in
       Manhattan, to cut out some of the time for travel, but I like
       Stamford. It's quiet. I don't have to worry about anything
       really."
       Damien stared at Johnah for a quick second, glancing away only
       to cue the bartender it was time for another drink; a Jack and
       Coke this time. He watched as the bartender poured it. As much
       as he liked, nay, loved being around Johnah, he still got
       uncontrollably nervous. And if they were going to catch up, he
       needed this. "I ended up buying the place with my inheritance.
       Lose your parents, and it turns out everything goes into a
       kitschy little nest egg. Pros: you have enough in the bank to
       get you by and then some. Cons: You don't have your parents.
       Believe it or not, I still get shit for being an orphan. I've
       stopped telling people." As the bartender set down his drink,
       Damien immediately picked it up and took a decently sized swig.
       "I finished at Yale and essentially just bought that house. Got
       a job teaching music on the side. But that's only certain days.
       Every other day I'm in New York producing music or playing with
       my band. So I guess I'm doing okay. I mostly just need to keep
       busy to forget about everything else." Damien shrugged as  he
       took another sip of his jack and coke, as though everything he
       said was just nothing. Ever humble. He knew that everything he
       did wasn't what made him.
       Damien glanced back over at Johnah, his hands cradled around his
       glass, turning it and spindling it between his palms ever so
       slightly. "What about you, fashion magnate? How have you been
       doing? No boyfriend, I'm sure you're making bank, and knowing
       you, you probably have this fancy apartment in Manhattan with a
       walk in closet for all the shoes you own. But... Feel free to
       correct me if I'm wrong." He gave her the smirk of the
       smart-ass. It was too easy for him to peg Johnah. Although he
       was sure that living around her for years was bound to do that.
       Even when he just thought she was a spoiled trust fund brat, and
       she totally was, it was still so easy for him to pin her. "You
       always did have the biggest room in the orphanage. Besides me.
       But then again, no one wanted to share with me. Except you a
       couple times." He chuckled at the sly joke he made. Grandma
       would have had a shit fit if she ever figured that one out.
       #Post#: 406825--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Damien and Johnah 
       By: Scout Date: May 28, 2016, 8:15 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       All the while he was talking, a wide smile was on Joh’s face.
       His success made her heart burst and her panties wet -
       metaphorically, of course.  “That’s really great, Damien,” She
       said in a gentle voice, placing a hand on his bicep.  Swoon.  HE
       was really close, within an hour of her.  The thought was almost
       comforting if it weren’t for the underlying guilt she had –
       gosh, she needed a stronger drink.  As he finished talking, she
       finished off her beer, eventually getting the attention of the
       bartender tog et a second, stronger drink.  Once the bartender
       finished and left the two to their own, eyes lingering far too
       long on Johnah, Joh continued the conversation.
       “Well, you’re not wrong, but I got everything on my own.” A
       joking look of annoyance was sent his way.  She wasn’t lying.
       Her parents had left her high and dry the second they found out
       her little secret.  The only one to help her was Carrie, and she
       was gone.  The thought would’ve brought tears to Johnah’s eyes
       if she wasn’t so stubborn.  She didn’t need to tell Damien that
       she told people she was an orphan because it was easier than
       telling them her parents had disowned her, or that she had been
       mugged at least twice during her time in New York.  “I got my
       bachelor’s in journalism just last year, despite already being a
       successful journalist.  I’m pretty independent right now,
       working on my own projects – though Vogue is showing great
       interest.  I get jobs here and there to write articles or
       conduct interviews.  I’ve been on television a couple of times
       for interviews and stuff, you know.  It’s pretty boring.”
       Johnah shrugged, not really going deep enough for him to catch
       any hint of her struggles.  Those weren’t something he needed to
       know.
       “My place is in Manhattan.  Walk-in clost for all my precious
       shoes, just like you said.” Johanh playfully knocked her
       shoulder against his, resting there for a moment as she tucked
       some hair behind her ear.  “Honestly, work kind of runs my life,
       but I enjoy it.”  There was something about the isolation Johnah
       has cultivated for herself that was almost relieving.  Growing
       up, she’d always tried so hard to not let her parents down.  Now
       that they were out of her life, it was easier to be herself.
       Without any friends, the only expectations of her were the ones
       she held for herself.  And when she needed intimacy, it was easy
       to find a good looking guy to satisfy her with no strings
       attached.  “So, now that we know I’m a workaholic and too busy
       to have a personal life, what’s your excuse for not being in a
       relationship?  You’re a great guy, Damien, I find it hard to
       believe that no one has tried to get with you.”  A manicured
       finger ran along the rim of her glass several times before
       bringing it up to her lips for a long drink.
       #Post#: 406848--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Damien and Johnah 
       By: Pandora Date: June 1, 2016, 10:39 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Damien looked down as Johnah put her hand on his arm. Every
       little touch she had was just comforting. And every glance of
       annoyance just made him want to pull her closer. Yeah, he saw
       that. And he knew her too well. "I'm sure you did make it all
       yourself. I'm proud of you for that. But you really were a
       spoiled sh it at the orphanage. Bursting in my room half of the
       time to boss me around."  He took a sip of his drink before
       looking back to her. "I don't think you really understood at the
       time that you were just like us. And really, I think you're
       better for it. Yeah, it sucks not being with your parents, but
       had you stayed with your mom and stepdad, you'd be like them.
       Probably worse." He knew she hated talking about her parents.
       And he knew she hated having to think about them. But honestly,
       she probably would have been worse off had they kept her with
       them.
       He listened to her talk about what she did as though it was so
       boring, so awful, and so... nothing. He nudged her gently with
       his elbow, a smile on his face as he reached out to rub her
       shoulder blades gently. "Johnah, that's not boring. That's
       fantastic. You're doing what you always wanted to do. And I'm
       sure you're fighting tooth and nail to get there. Just keep it
       up. I mean, I'm not huge on fashion, obviously, but I know
       Vogue, and I know it's huge, and I know that you probably belong
       there." Even if she was working for smaller stuff right now, in
       New York, it was a huge accomplishment to get even where she was
       going. There were people who probably tried for years to get
       where she's at and yet here she was.
       He listened as she talked about Manhattan, about her personal
       life, hunched over with his elbows on the bar and his drink in
       his hand as he sipped it. She was doing so well. Maybe even a
       little better than he was. Though, she caught him off guard when
       she asked why he was single. He almost choked on the sip of his
       drink currently in his mouth, and blushed so brightly it was
       obvious. Maybe he could blame it on something else. Except, when
       he opened his mouth to make an excuse, all the came out was a
       stutter. "Uh... Well... Maybe because I'm a workaholic, just
       like you. Maybe because I'm socially awkward and don't know how
       to act around girls since I've had a total of like.. 3
       girlfriends in my entire life, including you. I don't know. Why
       am I single?" It was hard to tell her that really, he never got
       over her. Obviously. Here he was still sitting in a bar, madly
       in love with her. She had to have some inkling, right? And from
       what she had made obvious today, maybe she still was too. But
       how creepy would it be to say that there hadn't really been
       anyone else for him but her and he'd been inadvertently holding
       out for the chance? Or would it be romantic to say that? This is
       why he didn't have a f u cking girlfriend.
       #Post#: 406873--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Damien and Johnah 
       By: Scout Date: June 5, 2016, 5:32 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Johnah listened with Damien with her eyes burning holes into the
       wood of the table.  One hand on the table holding her drink
       while the other was nestled in her lap, clenched into a fist.
       As much as his words hurt, he was right.  The thoughts pushed
       away in the dark corners of her mind immediately took advantage
       of the weakness she showed.  She was just like them.  Young,
       naïve Johnah didn’t realize that she was just as much as an
       orphan as everyone else in Willow-Run.  Young, naïve Johnah
       didn’t see it, but grown-up Johnah did.  The similarities were
       striking.  And even then, even without her parents in the
       picture, she still wanted to please them – to be like them and
       live up to their expectations and impress them.  And doing so
       lead poor, young, naïve Johnah to end a life.
       The shine in her eyes had all but vanished, however she made
       sure to keep Damien ignorant of the battling thoughts inside her
       head.  He didn’t need to know – he couldn’t know.  It would
       break him more than it broke her.  Johnah accepted that she was
       a monster, she didn’t want to see how Damien would react.
       His reaction to her question brought a ghost of a smile to her
       face.  She took a quick sip of her drink, hoping he didn’t
       notice the sudden change in her demeanor, as well, hoping he
       wouldn’t question her about it if he did.  Stuttering Damien was
       the Damien Johnah knew.  It made her chest clench knowing that
       he hadn’t changed that much.  He was so… innocent.  “Well, if I
       were to guess…  Being so obsessed with your work keeps you
       distracted.  You’d rather work than think about the things you
       don’t want to think about.  You know your thoughts are dark, but
       to actually acknowledge them would make them a reality, so you
       don’t.  You fill your time with anything and everything – odd
       jobs, extra courses because you don’t mind extending your
       schooling because heaven forbid you actually think.  And in
       doing that for so long you become good at running from your real
       problems, so you run towards success or to any man who buys you
       a drink or to any pill bottle that promises a full night of
       sleep and to take the pain away.  But it’s okay, your future is
       bright.  It’s the image that you want – that you need – because
       being yourself just sucks.”  She’d gotten carried away.  Her
       eyes were wide, mouth slack.  But then she got a hold of
       herself.  A beautiful smile tilted the corners of her lips, eyes
       adopting an innocent light as she looked to Damien.  “Or maybe
       that’s just me.”  A shrug.  Johnah stood up, pulling the bottom
       of her dress down.  She’d give anything to be in a pair of
       sweatpants, curled up in her bed under Grandma’s quilt.  “I have
       to go to the bathroom.  Don’t spike my drink while I’m gone.”
       She quickly removed herself from the situation, tears pooling in
       her eyes as she stepped into a bathroom stall.
       Johnah leaned against the stall door, heaving a sigh and trying
       her best not to cry.  It would ruin her makeup, the stuff’s
       expensive.  She contemplated leaving.  Who even faces their
       problems nowadays anyways?  But something was making her stay,
       and that something was the man waiting out there for her.
       Damien was the best and worst thing to ever happen to her.  He
       deserved an explanation.  At least that way she didn’t have to
       keep running from him, he’d want to run away from her himself.
       #Post#: 406889--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Damien and Johnah 
       By: Pandora Date: June 12, 2016, 11:23 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Damien stared at Johnah as she ranted on, insulting every
       sensibility he had. Except, she wasn't necessarily insulting
       him, he realized. She was insulting and describing herself.
       Obviously, he had set her off, ruined the evening entirely and
       put them both in bad moods. He could tell by the look in her
       eyes, the venom in her words. Maybe it really had been a bad
       idea for both of them to catch up. He stared at her, concern in
       his furrowed brow as she spoke. And then she realized exactly
       what she was saying, and Damien knew it. He could see the abrupt
       stop, the wide eyes, and the slack jaw. She was searching for an
       exit. "Joh-" Interrupted by the new development that she was
       making her way to the bathroom, Damien sighed, unable to really
       stop her since she was already halfway there. He really had
       screwed this up. Again.
       Damien cradled his drink in his hands, finishing off the rest of
       the glass, which was roughly half full. He called for another
       while he waited for Johnah. Slowly sipping that one too. Keeping
       an eye on her drink, he kept his head down ever so slightly,
       hoping that maybe he'd catch a glimpse and she'd come back.
       Minutes and sips of alcohol had passed, and Damien realized;
       Johnah didn't go to the bathroom because she had to. She went
       because she wanted to. She wasn't happy. Was it because of what
       he said? Or was it something else that set her off? She must
       have thought that he'd be oblivious. She must have forgot how
       much time they'd spent around each other. He could read her like
       an open book.
       When, after a multitude of minutes she still hadn't come back,
       Damien placed the money for both of their drinks on the bar,
       just in case the spot was taken by the time he made it back,
       scooped both of their drinks into his hands, and slid off of the
       barstool. He made his way through the now semi crowded bar (When
       in hell did it get so crowded?), towards the women's bathroom
       entrance making sure nothing had happened to either of their
       drinks. He leaned up against the wall, just before the
       doorframe. Luckily, no one else had gone in there yet. It was
       empty right there. And it was quiet. He knew Johnah had either
       gone, or was still quietly in there, avoiding the world. He
       layed his forehead against the wood of the doorframe, the rest
       of his body still resting up against the wall. And he sighed.
       "Johnah?" he probed, hoping maybe he would get an answer or an
       appearance. He was sure this probably looked weird to some
       people, but he didn't give a shit. "Johnah, if you're in there
       can you at least give me some kind of signal?" He knew she
       probably wouldn't, and maybe she wasn't in there at all, but he
       continued anyway. "Look, I know you're not actually going to the
       bathroom, because you've been gone at least ten minutes, and I
       know you're upset about something. And if I said something and
       made you upset, I'm sorry. But please come back out and tell me
       what's wrong. Because you're really bad at hiding things." He
       waited there at the door, drinks in hand and stress equipped on
       his face. He would probably be waiting a while.
       #Post#: 406909--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Damien and Johnah 
       By: Scout Date: June 23, 2016, 9:32 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Timing was key.  She couldn’t just walk out there and blurt the
       whole thing out.  Or could she.  Johnah had only ever used such
       tact in anything that involved business – anything that would
       better her career.  She could sweet talk any employer to get
       exactly what she wanted, but this was different.  This situation
       was intimate, and normally Johnah was the type to suck, fuc.k,
       or duck out of intimate situations.  Those weren’t her strong
       suit and she’d rather not get stuck in them.
       She’d expected Damien to give up on her.  At least, that was
       what most men did after realizing she was hiding from them in
       the ladies room.  Only the creepy obsessive ones stayed.  To say
       she was surprised when she heard Damien’s voice break through
       her frantic thoughts was an understatement.  Something in her
       metaphorical heart clenched, and she had no doubt it was the bit
       of love she always had for him.  In the midst of her thoughts
       crashing through her head like heavy waves, Damien was light
       that led her to shore – that inspired some sort of hope within
       her that she could make it out alive.  The reality of the
       situation was Johnah didn’t have any paddles.  Damien was as
       unattainable as ever, even without her parents in the mix.
       With a sigh, Johnah let herself out of the stall she hid in and
       stepped up to the mirror.  Thankfully, she hadn’t cried.  Her
       makeup was safe, so she still looked killer – her winged
       eyeliner could cut a bit.ch it was so sharp.  She combed a hand
       through her hair, ruffling it up a bit before dipping her hands
       under the faucet.  She may not have actually gone to the
       bathroom, but bathrooms were still gross.  After successfully
       managing to swing open the door with the towel used to dry her
       hands and tossing it into the nearest trash bin, Johnah stood
       face to face with Damien.  Ducking out of the situation wasn’t
       an option, Damien wouldn’t allow it.  And there were only two
       other options.
       Her eyes looked to his, briefly dropping down to his lips before
       returning back up.  As much as she hated to admit to herself,
       Damien wasn’t the type she could have for a night and be done
       with.  He was the type to fill her up slowly, the type she could
       spend the rest of her years with and not get tired of.  Even
       back at the orphanage Johnah never got over how his kisses made
       her feel, or how tenderly his hands touched her skin.  She
       wasn’t deserving of him, that much she knew.  “We need to talk,”
       She said in a quiet voice, finally taking her eyes away from his
       and settling on the drink he had in his hand.  Her own quickly
       took hold of the glass that was hers, bringing it up to her lips
       to down the rest.  If she was going to say anything, she needed
       to be drunk, that way her thoughts wouldn’t take her over the
       edge again.
       Johnah led the way to the patio they’d met at, but not without
       stopping at the bar to get refills first.  It was getting late,
       people wanted to be inside where other people were if they
       wanted to score anything.  Of course Johnah would be a
       professional at that kind of math.  The equations were all but
       engraved in her soul by now.  Just as she expected, the patio
       was empty.  It was also significantly cooler than it was when
       she first arrived, making her suppress the shiver than ran down
       her spine.  It wasn’t like she had to remember that kind of
       thing before.  Normally she’d be leaving with a posh suit jacket
       over her shoulders and a dapper looking man hanging off of every
       word she said.  Painfully ironic, it was, to see the difference
       between Joh talking with some rando at the bar and Joh talking
       with Damien.  His very presence unseated her confidence and
       intensified the guilt.
       “You know, when my parents weren’t there – which was basically
       the whole time – Grandma would take care of me.  That orphanage
       was my home since I was five.”  Joh trailed off as she took a
       drink, brows furrowed thoughtfully.  “She gave it to me.
       Willow-Run is mine.”  The orphanage was still running, and has
       been running the past few years with Carrie bed-ridden and
       unable to help at the place herself like she had before.  The
       staff, however, was still the same.  Johnah stopped talking
       there, a small part of her hoping Damien would think that the
       orphanage was what made her so frantic earlier and not some
       other moral dilemma.
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