Chapter Text
FANFICTION
Spy X FAMILY
Unhoped for
Part I: Loneliness
Demetrius Desmond woke up groggy. He took a deep breath. It was almost painful, how air rattled his chest to shake him awake. As if each morning, he came back to life and had to go through this atrocious hurt that signified he was, somehow, still alive.
He blinked at the cream and burgundy painted ceiling.
Another breathing echoed to his and he turned his head to see the body of a young woman laying next to him, deeply asleep, nestled in pillows and covers. All he could see were the waves of brown hair falling off her shoulders and onto the pillows.
Whatever peace he had had for the few seconds following his awakening crashed into nothingness at the sight. He grew annoyed and frustrated so suddenly that he pushed off the covers and immediately started shaking the woman’s shoulder. She woke up in a start and rolled around, frowning. Her hair was a mess, her makeup was smudged, she looked terribly confused about the place she was in but the moment she saw him, a huge smile stretched across her lips.
“Oh, good morn–”
“I had ordered you to leave the room immediately once we were done,” he interrupted without any sympathy.
She blinked at him, visibly surprised by his coldness.
He didn’t wait for her reply, grabbing his underwear and trousers which had been neatly folded on a velvety chair. He stood up and walked away to the nearest window, watching the pale sky lightning up as the sun rose on the horizon, still too weak to show.
Knowing that her presence was no longer desired, the woman didn’t bother with her seductive look and play-along she had flitted at him the previous night. She took her sweet time stretching on the bed, glancing occasionally at him to see if he’d bother turning to look at her. He didn’t, filling a glass with fresh water he drunk to finish waking himself up.
“While I’m still here… don’t you want to go for another round, darling? You were quite the beast last night, I’m sore all over…”
She rolled around, showing her curves, her slender shoulders and butt, but Demetrius was cold as a statue as he looked at her face.
“You should have left last night the moment it was finished. Now get out.”
She pouted, visibly annoyed by his lack of charm, but she nevertheless started gathering her clothes, not minding her nudity.
Demetrius cursed silently to himself. He must have been far more frustrated and tired if he had fallen asleep next to a woman. Worse, fallen asleep without making sure she had gone first.
“Can I at least use the bathroom?” she whined.
He nodded curtly to the door of the facilities across the bedroom, and she went there. He grabbed a cigarette and lit it, leaning against the table covered in chocolates, flowers, and various sexual accessories he hadn’t bothered with.
For years now, he had passed out his frustration, sexual and emotional, with one-night stands with women he paid generously to keep quiet. He didn’t want anyone finding out about Demetrius Desmond’s debauchery, although there were probably politicians with worse secrets than that.
He always planned those sessions meticulously. He booked this luxurious hotel room which kept their customers’ identity secret for a big fee. He went to different nightclubs, still of a certain quality with customers from a rich background, obviously, he wouldn’t want to meddle with the populace, after all, especially not for such activities – he’d pick one girl, promised her enough money to convince her to leave for the night and he’d take her to the prebooked hotel room. There he’d share his conditions with the woman, made her sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement that, he suspected, for the most part, they didn’t understand much. He’d have his session. Then, once he was done and she was satisfied (if she was interested in being satisfied, that is; he always asked them, preferring the women to be dull and let him have his way than pretend to be enjoying such an act when they obviously weren’t) he’d dismiss her and sleep the rest of the night. The next morning, he’d shower and, wearing his immaculate suit as usual, he’d leave from the underground parking and passage where his car stayed discreetly overnight, and be back at his headquarters (his penthouse apartment, really, but it served more as his workplace than an accommodation) in time for breakfast and read the early newspapers.
Sometimes, when he’d be in a particular mood, he’d choose two women. Or a man and a woman. He never had the same partner twice. It would probably bore him. Or worse, make him grow caring.
The woman exited the bathroom. She smiled at him, but he turned away coldly, letting out a puff of cigarette smoke. He didn’t bother looking at her expression. She huffed annoyingly as she took a step towards the door.
“Here,” he called, taking out a big pile of bills from his wallet, handing it to her.
“You already paid me last night,” she replied in a surprising burst of honesty he hadn’t expected from her.
“For breakfast.”
She took the money and left without another word. He would never see her again anyway.
He drew another breath of the cigarette, trying to relish in the warmth it spread through his body… but it was as illusionary as smoke and mirrors.
Later that day, once he had returned to his office and started working diligently, his phone rang. His butler, Jason, answered, as usual, then came into his office:
“Mr Manz over the phone, sir,” the butler announced.
Demetrius simply nodded, not looking up from his paperwork. He held back a sigh when the butler walked out to leave him alone. Demetrius picked up the phone.
“Marley,” he greeted.
“Deme! Guess what’s happening right this moment!” his Eden friend, one of the few he cared about still, exclaimed over the phone.
“I told you a thousand times not to call me that, it’s ridiculous,” he scolded, frowning, “And please, enlighten me, I have no time for riddles.”
“What a surprise. What is happening is wonderful! Adele has organized a picnic at her estate, next weekend, I am inviting you and you WILL say yes and join us!”
“Why would I do that?” Demetrius mumbled, not realizing how distant he sounded.
There was a small pause over the phone, which made Demetrius glance at it. A heavy sigh followed.
“You need to get out of your office, you know…” Marley continued, “You’re not a vampire, you’re not going to burst into flames if you breathe fresh air or go into the sun.”
“I’m busy.”
“That’s all you always say! I haven’t even seen you in five months, and we live in the same city! Come on, join us have some fun, enjoy spring! They’re forecasting an amazing weather next weekend!”
“I have an important dinner on Monday–”
“Which gives you more than two days of freedom before!” he continued impatiently, “What’s gotten into you? You don’t get out anymore, you’re always working! You’ve never been the star of the party to begin with, but you were at least hanging out with us… You’re not doing this anymore.”
I can’t see people knowing everything I have to do to fix my father’s horrors, Demetrius thought to himself, a twinge of something he couldn’t identify hollowed his heart.
“Look, I really like Adele and I want it to work between us. She’s asked to meet you for weeks now and I can’t keep telling her that my best friend is busy with work. She’s starting to suspect that I don’t have a best friend–”
“That’s ridiculous, you’re the friendliest person I’ve ever met. If she can’t see it, then she’s a fool and doesn’t deserve you. Break up with her and find someone more suitable.”
A terrible sigh echoed in his ear.
“See? That’s your issue, Deme. You’re judging her without having met her! Don’t you understand that it’s weird that my best friend has decided to be an absentee for every party, dinner, and reunion I’ve thrown? It’s not just me you’re refusing to meet, but Aaron and Tobias as well and… to be entirely honest, they don’t want to bother with you anymore.”
Demetrius swallowed hard but didn’t say anything.
“If you keep this up, you’ll be left alone and miserable and I don’t want that for you. You’ve been through enough, old sport.”
Once more, Demetrius kept silence, leaving Marley pondering if he wanted to give him another chance or not.
“Whatever we did to piss you off…”
“You didn’t do anything,” he quickly added, frowning to himself.
“Then come with us. Have some fun. I won’t even ask you to look at the girls Adele is bringing because I know you won’t be interested in dating, like always. But just… come to prove you’re not dying from some fatal disease or something…”
“Nothing quite so dramatic…” Demetrius sighed, “I’ll… consider it.”
There was a small sigh, hopeful and short from Marley’s side.
“Good. Nice! I’ll tell all the details to Jason so he can pass it on to you! Saturday, we’re meeting directly at Adele’s place! Around ten o’clock! The lands are beautiful, you’ll love it! It’s even prettier than the Desmond Estate!”
“You should have started with that. I would have said I’d come just to prove you wrong,” Demetrius answered with a smirk.
“Ah? Did I strike your ego? Are you coming then?” Marley asked excitedly.
Demetrius sighed deeply, rolling his eyes.
“I will come… if only so you can stop bugging me every three days about going out again.”
“Great! See you on Saturday!”
He didn’t have to say goodbye to his friend that Marley had already hung up the phone. Probably to call the rest of their group of friends in sheer eagerness to share the news. Demetrius Desmond was still alive and, oh miracle, he would socialize with his friends for one day.
***
“Come ooooooon, Diana!” Adele whined, leaning heavily onto her best friend’s shoulder, through the duvet and covers she was hiding into, “Come with us! It’s going to be fun!”
“I don’t wannaaaaa!” she mumbled, voice smothered under the layers of covers, “I don’t feel good, I probably have a cold or a flu or–”
“Or heartache! Which can only be fixed by going out with one’s friends! Or better yet! Find another man, better than the last!!”
Diana made a whiny, protesting sound, and Adele quickly pulled off the covers from her friend. Her hair was messy and tangled, her eyes still red and puffy from all her crying. Diana rolled over, trying to hide her face into her pillow, kicking her feet into the mattress.
“Please, leave me alone! I am done with men! They’re all pathetic!”
“Which is what you say every single time,” Adele replied, giving her a stern expression.
“I hate them! I mean it, this time!”
“Which is another thing you say every single time,” Adele mumbled to herself, rolling her eyes, “Please, come out of here! It’s been two weeks since you broke up with Ulrich!”
Diana sat up suddenly, eyes wide and glaring at her friend.
“I didn’t break up with him! I fractured him into a thousand tiny pieces!! He cheated on me, with my cousin!!”
“Your cousin is a bitch, she’s had her eyes on him the moment you introduced him to your family…”
“I really thought he was the one…” Diana whined, tearing up again.
She covered her face with her hands, falling backwards into the pillows. Feeling bad because Adele had been the one to force her new sweetheart, Marley, to introduce Ulrich to Diana, she lied down next to her, hugging her tightly.
“I’m sorry it didn’t turn out how you had hoped… I’m sure the next one will be good to you…” Adele murmured, kissing the top of her friend’s head.
“…That’s what you say every single time…” Diana mumbled, echoing her friend’s words.
“Then, don’t date anyone else! But come have fun with us… We’ll go horse-riding!”
Despite her heartbreak, Diana’s eyes shone. She glanced up at her friend.
“Really?”
“Why else would I invite everyone at my estate otherwise, if not for my best friend the champion to show off?”
Diana’s lips tilted up a little. She was still red-eyed, and she still wanted to bury herself under covers with a lot of chocolate ice cream… but she nodded.
“I’ll go… only if you swear that there won’t be a single man interested in me. I can’t promise I won’t send my horse into them otherwise.”
“If anyone even looks at you, I’ll punch them myself! I swear it!” Adele exclaimed.
Diana chortled at the thought of her delicate, princess-like friend even trying to punch anyone.
***
Saturday rolled in and Diana was beyond grateful for her friend for having forced her to come. She was already feeling much better, and Ulrich was just an old and bitter memory. Diana took a deep breath, spreading her arms wide as she took in the brilliant sun shining down on them.
“Do you mind if I go ahead?” Diana asked Adele, whipping around suddenly.
“Um, I don’t mind but… it’s only eight o’clock… no one will arrive for a while still,” she answered worriedly, “Won’t you get bored? Or lost?”
“Me? Bored? On horseback? Please!”
Adele smiled, shoulders relaxing, as she nodded.
“You can do anything you want. Do you remember the meeting point for the picnic?”
“The old oak tree, I remember,” Diana answered, kissing her friend’s cheek before hopping out of the lovely mansion.
The time she spent horse-riding was always a moment of pure joy and freedom. Her trainer had been away for holiday just as she had broken up with Ulrich, so she had been stuck without horse-riding, only light exercising, such as crying and sobbing in bed and screaming over the phone at her mother because of her cousin.
For three hours, Diana lost herself on the back of Melody, the lovely mare she had borrowed from Adele’s incredible stables – she came from an old noble family, half-forgotten by anyone who wasn’t Ostania’s upper-class, but they had gathered their wealth with a business of horse breeding and training. Most of Diana’s own horses came from Adele’s family. They were beautiful, incredible, docile, and powerful beasts that always gave her good luck for her competitions.
She found the site of the picnic a while after everyone else had arrived. She hit her mare’s sides to send her galloping, not really looking at what might stand in her way.
***
Demetrius had arrived right on time, like always, stepping out of his personal car with sharp elegance. He straightened up the hem of his sleeves, looking up at the pretty but unimpressive house.
“Welcome! You must be Demetrius!”
He looked up, recognizing Adele, Marley’s new conquest, hurrying down the stairs, with her partner a few steps behind.
“What a pleasure to finally meet you! Marley told me so much about you!” she exclaimed, hugging him quickly.
Demetrius almost chocked, freezing at the gesture but she didn’t seem to notice, turning towards Marley when he arrived. He had noticed his friend’s reaction and he winced a little, holding out his hand.
“I’m glad you made it… I’m sure you’ll be in one piece by the end of the day,” Marley continued, bringing an arm around the much taller man’s shoulders.
“I am deeply uncomfortable by displays of affection,” Demetrius mumbled as Marley dragged him to the house.
“She was just greeting you, relax, old sport!”
Demetrius huffed annoyingly, finding himself stressed and unmotivated for socialization. Thank goodness, besides Marley, Aaron and Tobias were also there, along with far too many women to his taste. He sent a harsh glare at Marley who ignored him, introducing him to the other people present.
“That’s Rebecca, you remember her, right–”
“He’d better remember my Eden sweetheart,” Aaron mumbled with a harsh smirk.
“Of course, I remember,” Demetrius replied with a frown.
“Tobias is single, again–”
“Hey!!”
“And this is Victoria, Beatrice, Eva, Isolde, Caroline, Linda, Laura, and this is Beatrice’s brother, Gerald!”
“You didn’t tell there’d be so many women today,” Demetrius hissed in Marley’s ears.
He shrugged helplessly.
“It’s Adele’s friends, it’s her party and place, I couldn’t say anything–”
“Demetrius, right?” Victoria asked, approaching the two young men.
“Are you the Demetrius Desmond?” Caroline continued.
“You’re so much taller than I thought!” Linda cooed.
“Your suit looks so refined!”
“How handsome you are!”
Marley tapped Demetrius’ shoulders, slipping away as, like always, his friend was faced with the many women interested in his name, wealth, and power. Demetrius sent him a terrible glare.
It didn’t take long for Marley to convince Adele to start moving everyone. There were enough horses for all guests, and they all knew how to ride a horse, even though most would be out of practice, like Demetrius, but the women were all eager to show their figures to one of the most powerful men of Ostania… who didn’t even glance their ways as he kicked the horse’s sides to get as far away as possible from them.
“Demetrius, wait! It’s the old oak! You have to meet us at the old oak!” Marley cried out.
“He’ll be fine, we can’t miss the old oak,” Adele answered as the rest of the group moved much slower.
“I’m more worried he’s never going to reappear or answer my phone calls,” he replied, rolling his eyes.
Demetrius kept riding, quickly falling back into the old habits of horse riding, even though he was aware he had lost some of his ability. He had never had the innate gift his brother had at horse-riding.
He quickly tired and, after making sure no one would catch up to him, he slowed down and let the horse relax. It wasn’t difficult to find the old oak Marley had screamed about, especially with the house staff displaying covers and enough food for a fine restaurant, rather than a casual picnic between friends. Demetrius kept riding, going over the hill to look at the lands.
Hills of green rolled in waves, moving under the spring breeze as the sun shimmered in the glowing blue sky. And yet, Demetrius wasn’t moved by the simple beauty of this place.
He caught sight of a figure on horseback coming quickly towards the old oak. He narrowed his eyes at the wild riding. It couldn’t be someone of their group as they were still behind. Even from afar, he could only admire the elongated figure and perfect stance on horseback. Tall, proud, leaning a little forward, standing just enough, the wind blowing in that woman’s hair. The blond shone like gold under the sunlight.
“Sir, would you like a refreshment?” a waiter asked, standing a little afar from the animal.
“I’ll be here soon,” he answered, pulling on the reins to turn the horse around.
He went next to the oak tree, stepping down and caressing the animal’s neck. He heard vivid galloping, and several waiters and butlers greeted the new arrival. Curiously, he looked from above the horse’s back to see the blond woman arriving, a little out of breath.
“I see no one has arrived yet!” she exclaimed, laughing cheerfully.
Demetrius stepped out from behind the horse to greet her and before anyone could warn the woman of his presence, she swung off her own mare. Her movement was swift and agile. Demetrius didn’t have time to admire her long legs that he was met with a strong kick in his jaw.
He blacked out and saw stars.
Diana, who had just arrived and had been far too joyful, feeling like champagne, didn’t think twice about the other horse standing there, when she went off her own ride. She threw her leg over to the ground.
“Miss–”
“Watch out!”
She hit something hard that let out a heavy grunt. She froze, glancing over her shoulder only to see a figure crumple to the ground.
She jumped down, crying out.
“OH NO! Oh no! I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry I didn’t see you!! I’m so sorry!!”
She fell, kneeling next to the poor man she had blindly kicked in the face. His eyes were closed, and he was on the grass, a red mark on his face. His horse shuffled aside, unbothered by the chaos that unfolded.
“Bring some ice! Quick!”
“Someone call a medic!”
One of the waiters brought some ice that Diana snatched from his hands, pressing it against the man’s face. He immediately jerked awake, grabbing her wrists harshly.
“What–”
“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to kick you!!” she exclaimed, not minding his confused look.
He stared at her with wide eyes, slowly catching up on what had happened. Anger flashed in his eyes. He breathed hard, evidently holding back from screaming. Then, he just stared and stared and stared at her, dumb, numb, and frozen under her angel eyes.
Diana teared up, mumbling an endless flow of apologies which seemed to surprise him as much as annoy him.
“I’m fine–” he grumbled, a sharp pain shooting in his jaw.
“I’m so sorry!” she cried out, pressing the ice closer.
He winced, sitting up, grabbing her hand more firmly. For a moment, he closed his eyes, clenching his teeth. When he opened his eyes again, the sun caught his gaze and lit them up.
They would have looked dark to anyone else, but Diana saw the various shades of brown in them. Deep as the earth, soft as caramel, shining as gold, it all glowed as he beheld her.
His eyes widened when he took in the wide, beautiful blue eyes, blue as a summer sky that looked into his. His fingertips tightened a little and all Diana could think of were the long, warm fingers wrapped around her wrist and hand.
Time stopped and the whole universe held its breath to witness this moment.
“Oh dear! What happened!”
Diana and Demetrius moved away just as Adele, Marley and the rest of the group arrived. They jumped off their horses and ran to the two of them.
“What happened to you?!” Marley exclaimed.
“This young woman accosted me with the loveliest greeting I’ve ever experienced in my life,” the man replied with a sarcastic tone and the sternest face she had ever seen.
Diana turned wide eyes to him, surprised by his words. She would have expected him to sound much angrier than that. Or even to start crying in pain, but he just smirked, turning his dark eyes to her.
They were black. Pitch black eyes that looked like velvet. Looking into them, something stung in her heart, but she couldn’t identify this feeling.
“I kicked your face,” she stammered.
“You WHAT!” Adele exclaimed, looking horrified.
“I am aware of that fact,” he mumbled, bringing the ice back on his cheek, “It was an incredible kick. Almost as strong as an elephant.”
Diana just watched him as Marley helped him up, checking on his face. She stood up as well, ignoring the mud that had accumulated over her trousers during her horse-riding. The man looked her up and down, taking in her dishevelled appearance. The slightest frown creased his brows, and he quickly arranged his black hair, slicked backwards far too meticulously for him not to be some sort of weirdo, perhaps even a sociopath, with her usual luck…
“I can’t help but admire your strength, miss…”
He glanced quickly at her, a half-recognition flashing in his eyes. She quickly pushed away her hair from her face, holding out her hand to him.
“Diana.”
“Diana Blum,” Adele corrected quickly, “I’m so sorry, Demetrius– she’s my best friend, she’s heartbroken, and I didn’t think she’d hate men enough to kick the first one in sight!”
Two things happened in the same time: Diana recoiled at the name ‘Demetrius’ – there weren’t that many people with such a name, after all, and she suddenly recognised the Demetrius Desmond. It left a sinking, slightly worried feeling in the pit of her stomach. The second thing was that her best friend betrayed her by revealing to the whole world how utterly distraught she was after Ulrich’s cheating!
Diana’s lips fell open in shock and she slowly turned her head to glare at her friend.
Demetrius didn’t seem shaken by any of it as he simply took her hand in his. Diana snapped back to him when, instead of shaking it like a normal human being, he brought it to his lips. He kissed the back of her hand, leaving her strangling on the breath she held.
He let go of her hand, nodding quickly.
“We’ve started off the wrong foot… but I’m enchanted to make your acquaintance, Miss Blum,” he said with a serious look on his face.
His eyes were dark and lovely as the deepest night. They were distant and scary as the worst nightmare. But she recognized that feeling she had found earlier…
He was the loneliest soul she had ever encountered.
His kiss, featherlight and quick, left a lingering warmth on the back of her hand.
Embarrassment filled her and her lips trembled, an unexpected chuckle escaped her.
“The pleasure is mine, I think… although, I feel like I need to make up for that kick somehow.”
“It’s all forgotten already. How could I not with such a concussion, after all?”
He sounded so harsh, she swallowed hard, but Marley laughed good-heartedly, tapping Demetrius’ shoulder.
Diana realised with a jolt that Demetrius Desmond had made a joke.
“Come on, sit down before I have to drag you back to Berlint unconscious. Your mother would kill me!” Marley exclaimed, dragging Demetrius away.
Adele leaned towards her, hissing in her ear:
“What were you thinking, kicking Demetrius Desmond in the face?! Marley has been missing him terribly and he’ll never see him again after today!”
“…Adele, did he just kiss my hand as greeting?” Diana asked absentmindedly.
“I, uh, yes, why–”
“What century does he come from?”
“Diana! Do you realise what you’ve done?! He’s one of the most powerful men of Ostania! Don’t irritate him or Marley will never forgive me!”
“For such a brilliant man, he wasn’t that impressive after I kicked him,” she joked with a smirk.
“Diana!!”
“Alright! Alright, I’ll properly apologise to him later!”
And when Diana chuckled, she was surprised to notice Demetrius tilting his head slightly at the sound.
He didn’t look at her, not then, and not for most of the picnic, unless she was talking, in which case, his entire undivided attention was on her. It unnerved her, how intense he looked at her, but she buried very carefully any burning sensation he might cause in her.
She was embarrassed and awkward after the terrible display of elephant kick in his face… It was all there was to his stern look and distant gaze.
After the long picnic, they all returned to the estate to spend the evening and night there. Diana, being the muddiest of all, went to take a quick shower and change clothes before returning to join everyone, but she only found Marley, Aaron and Tobias laughing loudly. They were sitting next to Demetrius on couches and comfortable seats, with Adele, Rebecca, and Caroline on the other couch in front of the men.
Realising it was an Eden catch-up, Diana almost turned around when Demetrius caught sight of her in the doorway. That drew everyone’s attention, and she forced a smile.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she started awkwardly.
“Not at all! We were looking at old pictures of Eden!” Adele exclaimed, bringing up some pictures.
“We found you too, Diana!” Tobias added with a laugh, bringing up a photograph.
“Oh no,” she whispered in exaggerated horror.
She went to them and sat next to Adele, taking Tobias’ picture from his fingers. She immediately started laughing, looking at her former self.
“Oh no! How old were we?!”
“I think fifteen, or sixteen? We had started high-school, you had your Imperial Scholar!” Adele exclaimed.
“You were an Imperial Scholar?” Demetrius suddenly asked, lowering the teacup away from his lips, “I don’t recall you… although I do remember hearing of your many victories in horse-riding competition. You won the silver medal last summer, for the Olympians, didn’t you? I ought to congratulate you.”
“Thank you…” Diana answered, grimacing heavily, “You might not remember me from Eden because I looked like a clown.”
She turned the picture around, provoking another row of laughter from the boys, except Demetrius who simply looked at the old version of Diana.
Back at Eden, she had been wearing pigtails until the very end, with braces and thick glasses. Something akin to amusement shone in Demetrius’ eyes but he hid the change of expression by taking a sip of tea. Diana watched him, finding him a surprisingly calm person in the middle of their loud friends.
“I’ve never been gladder to be over with puberty,” she mumbled, making Tobias double over.
“Look! It’s Deme!” Marley exclaimed victoriously, after turning a few pages to find his friend.
He pushed it under Demetrius’ nose, but the man simply huffed, rolling slightly his eyes. That made Diana’s lips tremble, holding back her smile. Marley turned the picture book to the ladies who chuckled, but to be entirely honest, Demetrius hadn’t changed much. He was taller, broader, and his face had a sharper bone structure, but his expression was still one of absolute boredom.
“Cold and taciturn as always,” Tobias remarked teasingly.
“I am not that terrible to spend time with,” Demetrius said, frowning lightly.
“How did you all meet?” Diana asked curiously.
The four men glanced at each other, smiling a little. Even Demetrius’ lips titled a millimetre up, which was worth celebrating in Diana’s humble opinion.
“We were all on the same soccer team. I honestly don’t know how we ended up friends, but it just happened!” Marley answered with a shrug.
“Demetrius was the tactician who told us how to beat the other team–” Aaron started.
“Aaron was the ruffian who ran through them, mistaking soccer for bowling,” Demetrius remarked, raising an eyebrow, which made Diana smile a little wider.
“Marley was the one who motivated us–” Aaron continued stubbornly, ignoring his friend’s words, “And Tobias was our joker card who only functioned for thirty seconds in the last minute of the game, but he always got us a point! I, obviously, was the absolute star and sweetheart of our team!”
He raised his arms to the sky, as if expecting cheers and praise.
“You’re such a dumbass,” Rebecca said, rolling her eyes.
“Maybe, but I’m your dumbass,” he continued with a wink.
She chortled, shaking her head. He reached out for her over the table, bringing her with a loud scream until she was straddled over his laps. He kissed her cheek loudly, making Tobias and Marley whine. Rebecca only laughed louder.
Diana caught sight of Demetrius firmly looking down, his entire body tense, as if recoiling from the display of love and joy.
“I miss our time at Eden, we were so innocent back then,” Marley continued, looking at more pictures Adele had gathered earlier, “Isn’t your brother entering high school soon, Deme?”
Demetrius glanced sharply at him, but he didn’t say anything.
“You have a brother?” Diana asked, “My two younger sisters are at Eden too!”
“My little brother is turning sixteen years old soon, he’s finishing middle-school,” Demetrius nodded.
“Then, he’s the same age as Frida!”
“Isn’t he an Imperial Scholar too?”
“Yes,” Demetrius continued, “Damian is the youngest Imperial Scholar in Eden’s history. He keeps surprising me with his constant improvement. His grades are all perfect and he also plays soccer. He’s recently won a tournament. He also kept playing the piano on Saturdays and he loves horse-riding.”
Diana lit up with a smile.
“You’re so very proud of him, that’s so sweet!” she exclaimed.
Demetrius immediately stiffened, looking at her suspiciously.
“Make him talk about his brother and Demetrius doesn’t shut up!” Tobias added, leaning backwards in his seat to be more comfortable.
“He’s his greatest pride and joy!”
A lovely shade of pink tinged Demetrius’ cheeks as he straightened up in embarrassment.
“Oh, by the way! What about his little sweetheart?” Marley continued.
“His what?”
“Didn’t your little brother get punched into the stratosphere on his first day of school, by a girl from his class? We all talked about them for weeks afterwards!”
“Oh, I remember! That was your brother, Demetrius?” Diana continued, recalling the weeks following that schoolyear. They had all tried to catch sight of the little Desmond and the girl who had punched him into, what they had assumed, puppy love.
He frowned, bringing his teacup to his lips.
“I’m not close to my brother. I don’t know anything about that,” he answered curtly, gaze lost into loneliness again.
Marley chuckled awkwardly and changed topic, but Diana didn’t stop staring at Demetrius, catching the little clues about his feelings and emotions. But he remained quiet for most of the evening, even through dinner and the couple hours they spent playing billiard, drinking whiskey and other strong drinks.
Diana was surprisingly curious about Demetrius, and she tried several times to ask him how his jaw was doing – he had a bruise forming now – but the other women flitted around him like bees to honey. She ended up watching from afar, laughing and having fun every time she played another round until she got bored.
She watched him some more, every move of his slow and calculated, his gaze focused intensely on the game at play. He had thrown off his jacket at some point, down to only a buttoned-up shirt and waistcoat and… oh, shocking! No tie. She could only admire the way the fabric embraced his muscles that trembled at every movement.
It was a good hour later that Diana noticed that Demetrius was gone, along with a couple of his lady-fans, probably enjoying their attentions in private. She swallowed hard and took a quick swing of her glass of whiskey. It burnt the back of her throat, and she hardened her jaw when her head spun a little.
“I’ll go to bed,” she told Adele, standing up quickly.
“Have a good night,” she answered her.
She must have drunk a little more than she had thought, because she felt the need to take some fresh air. She splashed cold water on her face on her way out, finding the way to the huge garden decorated in a classical French style. Diana was humming, twirling around a bit, enjoying the fresh night air and beautiful rose bushes, stepping further and further away from the warm lights of the house.
She was so busy admiring the landscape, lost in her own thoughts, that when something suddenly moved at her feet, she jumped away with a scream. Her cry went on and on as she startled the poor creature who had been lying down.
“Are you okay?!” Demetrius Desmond suddenly asked, standing up.
Diana watched him with wide eyes, hands over her mouth. Her scream tuned into an embarrassed moan, then a loud, rowdy laughter. She bent over to lean on her knees, hair falling over her head.
“Oh dear! You scared me!” she exclaimed, standing up again.
Her head swam but she ignored it, focusing on the way the house’s lanterns’ light made Demetrius’ eyes shine like a faraway golden star lost in his dark gaze.
“I’m sorry, I heard you come closer, but I didn’t realise you would be so close when I moved my legs out of your way…” he continued, looking a little sheepish, “And I didn’t think you’d scream my head off in the process.”
She chuckled again, a snort escaping her that she quickly tried to smother.
He just watched her, lips falling open a little at her blatant display of relaxation – or maybe he had guessed she was tipsy and thought her foolish.
“I definitely need to be more careful around you, I wouldn’t want to accidentally kill you…”
“Kicking me, making me deaf… you’re on the right path of doing just that.”
She smiled, amused, and she was surprised to find his lips tilting up. He seemed to realise it as well because he blinked, losing his smile.
“I thought you were with Caroline and that Linda who kept clinging on you all evening… What were you doing on the ground anyway? Please tell me you didn’t pass out in the aftermath of the concussion I gave you…”
He looked away from her and she finally noticed the blanket he must have dragged all the way there.
“I was looking at the stars,” he admitted, sounding embarrassed.
Diana’s heart jolted. She had found him endearing when he had talked about his brother, but this was the sweetest thing anyone had ever said.
She looked up, almost losing her balance in the process, before catching herself. A huff and a chuckle escaped her.
“It’s beautiful! I never noticed how beautiful it is!!” she exclaimed, a huge smile spreading on her face.
He followed her gaze upwards, an almost-smile gracing his lips. She stared at him and finally noticed how close they were. Close enough that his hand was holding onto her elbow, stabilising her so she wouldn’t fall over. She slowly observed him, the two of them far too close for comfort, but she didn’t mind the way it made her blood heat up. She stared at his chest and looked up, up, at this impossibly tall and intimidating man. Who was looking up at the stars. A smile trembled over her lips as her gaze travelled his neck, his Adam’s apple, his sharp jaw, and cheekbones. Had she been drunker than that, she could have easily traced his traits with her fingers, brushing his thin lips that looked impossibly soft with hers.
The light, almost impossibly light touch around her elbow tightened. It sent shivers down her spine. Demetrius looked back at her and, mistaking the cause of her tremble, took off his jacket. Very elegantly, he put it over her shoulders, not even brushing an inch of her skin, not pressing any closer than any other man would have done.
She was once again aware of the kiss he had left on her hand and how it still seemed to linger on her skin, hours, hours, and hours later. She glanced at him over her shoulder as he stepped away.
She wanted to ignore the way her heart sped up, but it was impossible. No man had ever treated her like that. An indifferent gaze, but reverent gestures. Stern, yet charming.
“You’re very handsome,” her drunken state thought wise to share.
She immediately blushed in embarrassment as he looked down at her, visibly surprised by her sudden statement.
“I… wouldn’t claim such a thing for myself… but thank you,” he answered quietly, honestly, as he focused his intense gaze on her and only her, “You… you are radiant.”
Oh, she thought, swallowing hard when she teared up out of sheer confusion. She had sworn she’d forsake all men, that they were all piteous and pathetic and too much trouble to be worth it – and here this perfect gentleman showed up in her life! And he didn’t even look even remotely interested in her!
Not that she was interested in him, duh.
She shook lightly her head and grabbed his wrist, a little too hard, and she plopped down on the blanket. He almost lost his balance until he sat next to her. She lied down, taking a deep breath and finding the sweet scent of roses and humid earth invading her senses, along with Demetrius Desmond’s cologne. Demetrius hesitated before lying down as well, finding again his position before she had interrupted his contemplation of the night sky.
She became dizzy from how magnificent it looked. She held her breathe. So many stars shone and twinkled in the night, far away enough from any city to escape night pollution.
“Marley said this place was more beautiful than the Desmond Estate, and I disagree. The lands had nothing particularly enticing… but the sky… the night sky is more beautiful,” Demetrius murmured.
Diana turned her head towards him, taking in his determined look. He had a nice profile, sharp and impressive like everything else about him. But there was something incredibly lonely, incredibly fragile, incredibly hopeful in his gaze that looked as dark as the night, as soft as a rose petal, and as beautiful as the starry night.
“I’d love to see the Desmond Estate,” she admitted, bashful, “I’ve heard how beautiful it is, and the gallery of art displayed there is one of the finest in the country.”
Demetrius’ eyes widened a little, as if he had forgotten her presence. He nodded silently.
She looked back at the night sky, looking for whatever it was he seemed to be searching for.
She couldn’t find it and it somehow disappointed her.
It was so easy to find peace with this man. Anyone else would have been nervous, especially with someone of that status and power, but for some reason… Diana enjoyed lying next to him, in the grass, looking up at the stars. His constant calm and unexpected humour were warmer than his cold and distant gaze let guess.
He must have sensed her intense gaze because he looked at her. She held her breath. His eyes were velvety as they passed, slowly, painfully slowly, over her face, as if engraving her every trait to his mind. His lips trembled when his gaze lingered on her mouth.
“You should visit someday…” he started absentmindedly; gaze still locked on her lips.
“The Desmond Estate…?” she hesitated, entranced by the movement of his mouth every time he talked.
“It has been a long time since the others have come by…”
“Oh. Oh, yes, you meant… everyone…”
He locked gaze with hers.
The stars, far away above their heads, stopped their slow, long dance across the globe, to witness them.
Demetrius suddenly looked away, panting a little.
“We should… return…” he blabbered out of the blue.
“R-right…”
He stood up so swiftly, Diana could only watch him. She swallowed hard and stood up as well. He took her hand to help her, his fingers tightening. They were so long, so warm, so sweet as he gathered the blanket and offered his arm. She blinked, swept up once again into his unexpected charm as he walked her to the house. Their steps were slow, measured, every moment lingering in one another’s presence, a moment of divine grace.
He walked her to her bedroom and for a short moment, she mistook the entire evening and her heart beat wildly as she hoped he’d walk in the room with her, but instead, he took her hand again. Leisurely, he brought it to his lips, leaving a long, tender, warm kiss on the back of her knuckles that left her breathless. She stared at his hand around hers, at his family signet ring on his little finger.
“Miss Blum…” he whispered, his hot breath meeting her trembling hand, “It was a pleasure making your acquaintance.”
He glanced up at her and a nervous smile appeared on her face.
“Even if I gave you a concussion?” she asked in a low voice.
“Shall we meet again, I’ll hope it’ll be in sweeter circumstances,” he answered with a smile on his face.
It was a small, shy smile, but it crinkled his eyes and lit them up all the same. His fingers still held hers up. He gave a small nod, then turned around and walked away in long, confident steps.
Diana watched him go until he was gone then she stumbled into her bedroom, leaning against the door with a silly smile on her face. She pressed her hand against her beating heart, her head falling against the wooden door.
Unbeknownst to her, Demetrius went into his own bedroom, closing the door behind him and breathing hard. He closed his eyes tightly, leaning backwards until he met an obstacle that held him upwards and standing.
Every time he closed his eyes, he could only see Diana’s sweet face, looking at him, illuminated by the golden light of the house and twinkling from the hopeful glow of stars. Her beautiful, inviting, heart-shaped lips had been smiling. Smiling at him, smiling for him and her eyes… her eyes had lit like the summer sky, wide, blue, and full of life.
“Fuck…” he muttered to himself in the dark.