Author’s Note: A quick little ficlet I did today because I was in a Damien mood. I hope you enjoy!
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“Well aren’t you two a barrel of fun.” Damien sniggered as his two female companions cut their eyes to him. He cleared his throat. “Sorry, I wasn’t trying to- “
Camille cut him off. “Damien, not now. I don’t think we’re quite ready for the ‘I told you so / there’s no such thing as a perfect match’ speech yet.” Camille took a long swig of her beer before setting the glass down firmly and looking him point-blank in the eyes. “Besides there’s nothing wrong with taking a chance to find that someone special in your life. Unfortunately . . . “ she glanced apologetically to Nadia “this time our gamble failed. Miserably.” Nadia sat in silence, staring at the glass of wine in front of her while twirling the wine glass in place by the stem.
It had been three days since the events of their break-in at Eros. Three days since they’d found out the truth. That both Camille and Nadia had been duped into caring for their own perfect matches . . . their own personalized robo-boyfriends, specially programmed just for them. While the reality had shocked Camille, the more she pondered her relationship with Hayden Young the more she began to acknowledge the deception that had been right in front of her eyes the whole time. Hayden had been so perfect for her . . . the kind of perfection that felt too good to be. Because, of course, it wasn’t true . . . it was a science experiment in matchmaking. But despite Hayden’s perfect credentials, Camille now reflected that there was always something missing between them . . . the spark, the chemistry, the raw human desire you feel when you’re falling for someone.
Nadia, on the other, was still wallowing with her broken heart over Steve. Or Gary? Or whatever his name was now . . . Regardless, she was not taking the harsh reality lightly. She still sat there in a daze as if she hadn’t heard a word Camille had said.
Camille rubbed Nadia’s shoulder. “Nadia, it’s going to be okay. Just be glad we found out before things got more serious.”
Nadia looked up at Camille, tears welling in her eyes. “What, you mean before I fell in love with Steve?!?! Before I asked him to move in with me?!?!?” She wiped the tears beginning to fall down her cheeks. “You may have found out in time Camille, but I didn’t. And now . . . . now I’m just worried I will never be able to trust my judgement with a man again. I mean, I fell in love with a robot for Christ’s sake!!!” Nadia let the tears fall as she glanced back and forth between her companions.
Damien reached across the table and grasped both of Nadia’s hands in his. He peered into her eyes, a serious but sincere expression on his face. “You can’t think like that Nadia. Steve was literally programmed to make you fall in love with him. You couldn’t help it.” He rubbed his thumb across her knuckles. “And when you meet the right guy, you’re going to just know. Not because he’s perfect, but because he’s flawed but perfect to you anyway. That’s the real thing.” His face softened with a slight smile as Nadia began slowly nodding her head in acknowledgement. Damien’s eye flickered to Camille before he quickly pulled his hands back and straightened in his chair. He grasped the beer bottle nervously and fidgeted with it before bringing it to his lips.
Nadia wiped her eyes gingerly with a tissue and sniffled as she regained composure. “Thanks guys. Thanks for trying to cheer me up. I think I just kinda want to go home though.”
Camille rubbed Nadia’s back comfortingly. “It’s fine, Sweetie. We understand. I should probably get going too, let us walk you out.” She looked suggestively to Damien, who quickly took the hint and stood up to close out their bar tab.
The three friends exited the bar and Camille pulled Nadia into a big bear hug. “You hang in there, Cuz. You know, in 5 years we’ll look back at this and laugh.” She smiled reassuringly at Nadia, who chuckled softly.
“I sure hope so. Or else I’m doomed.” Nadia laughed awkwardly, not quite sure if the situation was humorous or just plain pathetic anymore. “Alright, thanks again you two. I’ll talk to you soon.” She gave Camille another quick hug before turning to Damien and pulling him into a deep embrace. “And thanks for the pep talk, D. I think it actually helped a lot.” She smiled as she stepped back and starting walking away towards her apartment.
Camille and Damien stood there in silence for a few moments, watching Nadia fade into the distance. “Ahem . . . yeah, so that pep talk . . . I was surprised to hear that coming from you.” Camille quirked her eyebrow at him, a mischevious smirk spread across her lips. She always enjoyed the playful banter she and Damien exchanged.
“What’s that supposed to mean, Cami? You don’t think I have a deep side?” He pointed to his chest, his face mocking an pained expression.
“It’s hard to tell between your smart-ass comments and general grumpiness.”
“Ooooh, ouch. You went below the belt on that one.” Damien’s deep laugh echoed in the night air. His laughter died, leaving only a small smile behind. He put his hands in his jacket pockets and dropped his gaze to the ground. “You know, there is more to me than just being the macho funny guy.” His eyes met hers, twinkling in the darkness questioningly.
Camille’s breath hitched. All of her normal sarcastic comebacks escaped her mind. Her stomach fluttered, almost a feeling of . . . nervousness? Suddenly the silence was deafening. “I know.” She stammered, catching her breath before repeating. “I know, D.”
Damien grinned warmly, a look of reassurance on his face. “Good.” He kept her gaze a moment longer before asking “You gonna be okay? Do you you need me to walk you home?”
“Heh, I’m a big girl. I’ll be fine. Thanks though.” Camille was suddenly acutely aware of Damien’s close proximity as she admired his wavy hair swaying softly in the wind.
“Okay, just be safe.” Damien leaned down to give her a quick peck on the cheek. “G’night.” He beamed as he turned slowly and sauntered away into the chilly evening alone.
Camille stood there frozen, her entire body buzzing with electricity as she watched him walk away.
END