Edited by: D6KTA
All persons depicted in this story are over the legal age of 18.
*****
The night she had waited for had come at last. It had been a long time since that first fateful meeting. A meaningless joke mistaken for an insult, turned strangers into battling enemies. It did not last long. Both sides argued their piece, letting their opinions be known with passion. Though once the other had heard what each of them had to say, things settled down into a gentle tone.
Months passed but the girl continued to watch as that man controlled his surroundings. His aura was almost magical. Whenever he was near, she felt herself brighten no matter the mood she was in. It was odd, this feeling. She had recently decided that things were over for her and would never again allow another to harm her as she had been harmed before. Yet, she found that this man called to her. His strength and sureness causing her to crave his presence when before it had only terrified her. She started watching him more from afar, clinging to each word when he spoke. His voice becoming a melody that rang so clearly in her head, even when she was alone.
And... he listened to her. Nothing seemed to be off-limits. She could talk about her work at school, her dreams, her fears. He would listen to her words and respond. He would listen, and remember. He would listen, and give her the sense that he cared. At first, it was a mind blowing. She had waited on pins and needles, waiting for the moment that he would laugh at her, or ridicule her. It never happened.
It was then that she started to realize things were changing for her. She noticed a small bit of envy for the one he held preciously in his arms which before had been non-existent. She felt rage for any that tried to approach him with ulterior motives, her vision bleeding red at the thought of another being near or hurting him. Still, she said nothing. Stayed back in the shadows and let the happens around her take place.
He soon started to call her "Doe". For her frightful nature and wide eye wonderment of the world around her. She treasured the nickname and felt her chest bloom whenever he smiled and said it. It had been so long since she had felt so free. So long since she felt so cherished.
He left for some time. Months passed as he dealt with a family that caused him troubles. The girl and the treasured one became friends, each other's confidants in their blissful emotions. When he returned, it was as if the sky had opened up for the girl once more. The dark clouds that hung over her disappearing as if they never had existed. She found herself clinging more to the words of the man who had come to mean so much. She refused even still to step from her shadows, not wanting to seem like the others around him. But the man, he had changed too.
Before, the man had treated her as a friend, someone who he could laugh with but not much more. Upon his return, it seemed as if he saw the girl in a newer light. It was simple at first. The group of friends were out for the night at a local bar, liquid never staying in cups for long. He had joined her on the dance floor, their bodies working against one another in what could only be described as a seductive way. She however, thought nothing more of it. The song had called for those kinds of movement and his treasured one had left the floor some time before.
He took her hand and pulled her back to the table where the rest of the group sat huddled in their booth. The treasured one smiled brightly as the man pulled the girl down onto his lap. The girl blushed enough to light the darkened room. Neither the treasured one, nor any of the others made comment. Instead they carried on without notice as she settled where she had been placed. Her skirt short that night, showing off her toned pale legs to roaming eyes.
As the group spoke, she felt his warm hand traveling around her thigh. She had worn fishnet stockings as to add to the appeal of the outfit. She couldn't hold back the little yelp that came past her lips when the man popped the elastic against her skin. The other man in their group only smiled at the antics of the two, while the women continued on their conversations.
After that, she found herself the receiver of his touch, much more often than not. A few stolen kisses, a soft caress in passing. A laugh that would turn into a gentle touch, or a sorrowful tale made better by a long and tender hug.
She found herself falling deeper and deeper for the man with each passing day. She spoke more confidently as time went on, even though she still wondered what it was she should do. The treasured one and the girl spoke about the feeling that had taken root so deeply. The friend's answer at face value, simple and sincere. Tell him. Let him know how you feel for him. See where it takes you.
And so she did.
It started off as a simple conversation, their work, their activities, their friends. She remembered clearly how the conversation had turned from an easy observation of themselves and those closest to them, into something deeper.
She spoke about herself and her current standing. She confessed to what had been growing throughout her during the year prior.