HARD TO NOT CLAIM

Damon's P.O.V

To make them as happy as possible.

But Will seemed just as surprised by this sentiment as my family did, it made me wonder if I was strange to practice it.

Maybe, things wouldn't have gone so badly if I didn't. Maybe I would be able to pick up my phone and not just stare at it when all the lights were off. Maybe I'd be stronger, strong enough to face the ones I loved the most.

Maybe things would go back to normal.

"Damon Calderon," Will says as she shifts closer to me, letting her soft fingers trace my face. I close my eyes and sink into the comforting touch of her hand knowing she could see how it delighted me. When I open my eyes, Will is smiling softly at me, her small palm cupping my cheek. "You are too good for this world."

I cling onto those words for the rest of the night. Holding them tight as Will and I fall into a blissful state of peace with one another, laughing and smiling, arguing and deliberating. When the food came, the words still circled in my mind, they made it just that slight bit easier to breathe.

We ate slowly, both of us silently swelling the time we had together for as long as we possibly could. We shared the platters Wilona ordered, eating the food in the light and company of one another. She educated me about what was before me, urging me to try things despite the way my nose rejected some of it. There was some I loved and others I hated, either reaction made Will happy.

Wilona relaxed into the space as the night went on, relaxed into me, letting herself expose brief glimpses into the parts of her which she kept buried deep inside. She spoke about her job, her love for music and her love for Sassy. She kept her hand on some part of me whenever she could, vital to keep her sight of me in check while unconsciously feeding my need to feel her.

By the time dessert came around, we were pliant in another's company. Will leaned against me freely, her head resting on my shoulder as she rubbed her stomach through her red, knitted yarn with a groan.

"I don't think I can eat anymore." She grumbles when the waitress sets the food down, bowing before promptly leaving.

"You're the one who demanded the chocolate stones and sundae." I remind as she sits up and leans over the plate of her own choosing.

"That was before, this is now." Will protests. "Present Wilona can not live up to Past Wilona's expectations." She explains.

Then she glances at me with a look that could send me over a clifftop in a heartbeat. Any argument left in me, faded away as I pulled the plate to me and began eating slowly. Sensing her victory, Will retook her position against me, both of her arms wrapped around my left one as she curled into me, her knees pressing gently against my thighs.

It seemed that in this space, with only the two of us and no prying eyes, Will let herself go. Shed all her worries and ripped down her cautious tape, knowing she could trust me. With that, her body caved into mine in the manner it was supposed to, her mannerisms boosted by comfort. But not her mental state, she still kept that locked up and I knew that would require a lot more work, work I would gladly put in.

It was a feeble state I made sure to handle with care, knowing by tomorrow, it may be gone.

Will's small hand wraps around my wrist, stopping me from bringing a spoonful of ice cream to my lips. I watch as she pulls my hand down until the spoon reaches her parted lips, she swallows the spoonful with a hum of satisfaction before letting it pull from her mouth. She sweeps her tongue over her lips, releasing my hand and lifts her eyes to meet my own.

The only sound I can hear is the loud thumping of my heart perfectly in tune with her own as we stared at one another. Want and need pulsing through me, my eyes helplessly darting between her lips and her eyes. Her beautiful, beautiful eyes that never ceased to amaze me.

Will's eyes dart down to my lips, her breath hitching as she draws herself closer. I lean down the same moment she does, catching the moment her eyes flutter shut with acceptance.

Then there's a knock on the door, one that pulls us apart just as quickly as we came together.

I feel my canines drop with anger as Will withdraws slowly before calling for the waitress to enter. I lift my eyes to hers, letting her see the pure rage in my gaze and the will to kill her for destroying something I didn't realize I wanted so badly.

She avoids me, handing Will the bill before scurrying outside. I try not to growl as Will withdraws to sit up. She sends me a sympathetic smile before taking the spoon from fingers, she scoops up the last bit of the sundae before offering it to me. I open my lips enough for her to feed me, but the look of anger doesn't dissipate.

Will laughs but doesn't say anything else. Simply reaches for her wallet, prepared to pay. I grab the bill from her grasp and simply smile when she frowns with displeasure.

"I'm paying," I say clearly, leaving no room for argument.

"We can split it at the very least." She retorts but I shake my head, placing my card between the leather flaps and closing them. "Damon."

"My treat, enjoy it," I reply, pressing the button to call the waitress back.

She comes back and takes the holder from me with shaking hands, her eyes refusing to meet my still furious ones.

Will simply pouts her disapproval but doesn't argue any further, I place enough spoonful of the sundae that remained to her lips to bring back her smile as she eats it with happy eyes.

Will didn't struggle as much to leave as she did to enter, possibly because there were fewer people or because she was still smiling as we walked together. She kept close to me all the way to the car and kept a hand to mine the entire drive home.

We didn't speak the entire way, not for lack of words but because of no need for any. It was nice. Just being and existing in such an easy manner, I wanted to always be this happy, to always have Will with me.

Will kept both hands wrapped around mine as we walked through the garage of our building, leaned against me as we went up with the elevator and kept her grasp tight as we walked down our familiar hallway. When we reached our doors, I turned and tugged gently for Will to face me, she obliged without protesting.

Her eyes search mine as my thumb brushes over her soft skin, a small smile still resting on her lips as she swayed a little.

"Did you have a good time?" I ask hopefully, needing to know that she was truly happy.

"The best time." She promises as her swaying slows, her hand still tight in mine. "This has been the most comfortable I've felt with... anyone, in months."

The confession takes me by surprise. It both amped me up with pride but agony with knowing she'd been suffering for so long. Will doesn't let me contemplate her words for too long as her smile stretches playfully.

"It's the end of the night." She whispers in the form of a reminder, her eyes glowing with need as she stepped a little closer.

I smile back at her and pull one of my hands from her to hold touch her face. She doesn't flee from the touch but accepts it as she sucks in a small breath. I caress her face, being gentle with my newfound treasure before leaning down to bring my lips to her ears. I let my fingers trail down to the dip in her neck and settle there.

Will stiffens as I invade her space but quickly relaxes, her body vibrating at the proximity as mine did. A dangerous shiver raking down my spine to pull me closer to her. I let my lips hover for a moment, taking in how strong her scent was here and loving it.

"It was a date," I whisper finally and catch the moment she trembles against me.

I pull back only slightly, giving her enough time to push me away, but when she doesn't I press my lips gently to her cheek. I savor the feel of this velvety skin, closing my eyes as Will's hand holds onto my shoulder for support, tight and needing. I let the kiss linger for a moment longer before pulling myself back.

I wanted to place that kiss to her lips but Wilona was a complex creature. I knew by now not to push, to let her take things at her own pace and respond accordingly. My needs came after her and I had to remember that, no matter how hard it was to not claim her.