For makesudothings

[so_far_fallen]

Aria was exhausted - he had a full shelter and had even given up his own bedroom to guests. He was currently catching any sleep he could on the sofa in the small room he'd turned into his office to do his accounts in. He'd been cooking and cleaning and supporting those staying with him since he'd taken in his first few people almost a year ago, but since then his little charity had grown and he'd even bought another property. He recieved donations from those who could afford to give, those who knew of people who had been left with nothing due to the Priest laws.

It was late when Aria was heading back from the town, he'd gone to buy food for his guests. The air was chilly and he was tired and a little down hearted. He decided to stop for a while to catch his breath, settling himself under a tree he closed his eyes a moment and rested his aching limbs.

Comments

[makesudothings.livejournal.com]

"...You have extremely low standards. I have always thought this."

First that Fool.. and now..

He didn't anticipate this. Aria still loving him.. dreams were one thing, but...

"I have missed you, also. And worried for you. Your safety. Checking in was.. something I wanted to do out of duty at first.. and then.." he smiled as his gaze lowered. "Because I wished thus."

[so-far-fallen.livejournal.com]

"You're not off the hook yet," Aria warned. "If you're coming back into my life it must be with the promise that from now on you will be completely and entirely honest with me at all times, do you understand? I won't be played anymore, my heart can't take it, one more lie or betrayal and it will shatter beyond repair."

[makesudothings.livejournal.com]

Damon just gave him a blank look. How assuming... did he give the impression he had returned to his life at all? Not that he hadn't considered it, however --

[so-far-fallen.livejournal.com]

Aria had assumed - why else would Damon have approached him? And if he had loved him as much as he made him believe then such a passion wouldn't have just disappeared.

Unless....


"...Unless there's someone else in your life..."

He felt suddenly very foolish for his assumption that Damon had come back to him.

[makesudothings.livejournal.com]

"Now you really.." he smiled as he approached him at last, like he wanted to, hand lifting to touch his face. And it's warm, and.. everything he had imagined Aria's real touch to be. "- are being rediculous."

There was no one. Damon tipped his forehead to Aria's slightly, soft affection. "Mm. Only you.. since I left."

His other hand lifted, both to frame his face, "no more lies. If you can... be sure it's what you want. If it is me."

[so-far-fallen.livejournal.com]

Aria looked at him, "Do you honestly think I would have stayed in this city for any other reason than the hope that you'd one day return?"

[makesudothings.livejournal.com]

Damon smiled softly, "I may be exceptionally intelligent, pet.. but hope is something I avoid."

[so-far-fallen.livejournal.com]

"Then... you'll stay? You'll have me back despite how vile I was to you?"

[makesudothings.livejournal.com]

"Yes, if you want me." He nods quietly. "And you were not.. no more apologies for that when I did lie to you first.. it's forgotten and I did deserve it."

[so-far-fallen.livejournal.com]

Aria sighed. "I wish this hadn't taken so long. It seems silly..."

He took a step closer to Damon but didn't embrace him just yet, still just the tiniest bit wary.

[makesudothings.livejournal.com]

He tilted his head slightly, but ventured nothing more. Smiling faintly towards him. So strong now.

[so-far-fallen.livejournal.com]

Aria wanted to cry.
He didn't, but he wanted to.

"... Damon...? ... Put your arms around me? Like you used to?"

The stern facade was melting quickly and the old Aria was becoming quickly more recognisable.

[makesudothings.livejournal.com]

He moved forwards a little more when bidden, arms lifting slowly to envelop him into a warm, tight embrace. His nose barely glancing into his hair as he brushed his lips to his forehead soothingly. Giving him what he wanted... impression of more, whatever he asked...