ι мαкє тнєм gσσ∂ gιяℓѕ gσ вα∂

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Daemon was silent for a few seconds. He kept expecting her to just get up and leave, but she didn't. "I'm not going to apologize for before." He narrowed his eyes, watching her face. "You've done nothing but jerk me around. I can't figure out what the hell you want."

[assassinrue]

Felicity sighed. She didn't know either. Sometimes she wanted to die alone and sometimes she wanted someone like Daemon to make her life more than it was. "I don't mean to. I'm scared and angry and sometimes I don't know if the effort a relationship would take is worth it."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"What makes life worthwhile if you don't take risks?" Daemon asked. He'd never really thought about it, but then again he'd never been afraid of risk-taking. He always did what he wanted, whatever the consequences. "Hiding in a hole isn't living."

[assassinrue]

"Being in eternal pain isn't living either." Felicity sighed.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Daemon raised his eyebrows. "Are you telling me hiding takes the pain away?"

[assassinrue]

Felicity snorted. "No. But hiding helps me avoid the things that cause pain."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Sometimes happiness makes it worth the pain," Daemon said. God, who was he, spouting this shit? He wasn't Dr. Phil. Then again, he believed every word he said. He wasn't afraid of falling and getting in trouble, though perhaps that was because his father always bailed him out.

[assassinrue]

Felicity laughed, it wasn't a humorous laugh though. "I find that hard it believe."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Maybe because you've never experienced it," he said. He leaned away from the wall, his arms resting on his knees. "Maybe you should give it a try."

[assassinrue]

Felicity snorted. "Yeah right. Who wouldn't hurt me like he did? Better yet, who would even want me?" She motioned at herself with both hands. "I'm a loser and a wreck."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"While the 'loser' part is a matter of opinion, I have to agree with the latter," Daemon said. He pushed himself to his feet and took a small step forward, his eyes intent as he waited for her reaction. "But that doesn't mean no one would want you."

[assassinrue]

Felicity stared at him in complete disbelief. "Are you kidding? He was the only person to flirt with me in my entire life up until you and you're just a player and he's a man w****. So neither of you even counts. Even if he hadn't destroyed me, no one would want me." She stood up quickly and angrily. "I'm better off not being around anyone. Alone is better than rejection." She snapped then started to walk away.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Damn it, Felicity!" Daemon swore. He grabbed her arm and spun her around, his face taut. "Would you please stop doing that for five seconds? It's really starting to piss me off. You don't have to be so goddamn self-pitying. Get over yourself."

[assassinrue]

"I am over myself." Felicity said darkly. "Let go."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Daemon growled in frustration. He felt like banging his head against the wall. This woman was impossible. He did let go of her arm, but he caught her face in his hands instead. "Felicity, look at me. I'm not that guy. I'm not claiming I'm a good guy, but I'm not like him. I won't hurt you."

[assassinrue]

Felicity's head jerked back a little but stayed within Daemon's hands. "So then what?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I don't know," Daemon admitted softly. He brushed one thumb gently across her cheekbone. "But right now you can let me kiss you."

[assassinrue]

Felicity's lips parted in a near silent gasp. Her head twitched as if to free itself from his hands but she did not move. "What?" She breathed.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Daemon's lips twitched into a brief smile and then he kissed her gently. It wasn't like when she'd kissed him before, and honestly it wasn't like most of the times he'd kissed girls. He wanted to shove her against the wall, but knew he was walking a fine edge here. Instead, he kissed her softly, her face still cupped in his hands.

[assassinrue]

Felicity trembled she wanted to run and she wanted to stay. She wanted more and she wished he would stop. She reached up and curled her fingers hard into his wrist, she could feel her nails digging into his skin but she couldn't comprehend it.