[He knows she's trying her best to make him feel better. Damin doesn't want to think any more on it. The back of his throat still burns and his head is still foggy. He's only managing to focus because Kate needs someone to help look after her.]
I didn't know what else to do.
[His voice is quiet and tight, as if it's been squeezed into a hole.]
[Kate knows how that feels, the sheer animal panic when someone you care about might be dead. She's learned to cope with it, mostly, to keep her head straight, but she wouldn't expect that of him. After a second, she leans forward to rest her forehead against his shoulder, closing her eyes against the pounding in her skull.]
I'm okay. Just a bump on the head.
[Probably.]
He wasn't... moving right. You were just defending us.
[The light weight of her head is comforting. Kate's hand is still warm. It means she's still alive. He must have done something right to have kept both of them safe, but none of her reassurances take root. Damin always told himself he didn't care if he fought. Yet...]
You could've done better.
[It comes out hushed, almost angry. As if he's berating himself.]
You're used to handling bad guys. I always act like I know what to do, but-- I don't know anything, Kate.
[The motion's welcome. Kate's physical presence, warm and inviting, reminds him that she's still all right. Damin moves his arm so he can envelop her in a half-hug.]
Out of sight, out of mind. That's what I'm trying to do.
[Kate laughs again, trying to sound nonchalant and just missing. It might even sound just a bit hysterical if he's listening for it, and she shivers, wrapping her arms around him tightly. She hates being this freaked out. More than that, she hates that it's so obvious.]
Right. Let's just hide in here all night. A couch is better than the floor.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
But it annoys you.
no subject
[She's teasing, trying to make him feel a little better. And then, softer and more sincere:]
You probably saved my life.
[Not that she wants to think about how he did it, but. Details.]
no subject
I didn't know what else to do.
[His voice is quiet and tight, as if it's been squeezed into a hole.]
I couldn't stop myself when I saw you like that--
no subject
I'm okay. Just a bump on the head.
[Probably.]
He wasn't... moving right. You were just defending us.
no subject
You could've done better.
[It comes out hushed, almost angry. As if he's berating himself.]
You're used to handling bad guys. I always act like I know what to do, but-- I don't know anything, Kate.
[His hand squeezes tighter.]
I was scared as hell, princess.
no subject
I don't know what to do half the time, either.
[Not here, at least.]
I was right there, and you were the one saving my ass. You know enough.
no subject
[Damin drops his hand so he can curl it behind the small of her back.]
I don't know how you do it.
no subject
[Probably more the latter. Kate shifts closer, trying to soak in as much comfort and warmth from him as possible.]
God, I wish we didn't have to stay here tonight.
no subject
Out of sight, out of mind. That's what I'm trying to do.
no subject
Right. Let's just hide in here all night. A couch is better than the floor.