RAN ALONG WITH

Wilona's P.O.V

"I am," I confirm as she hands me back the envelops, casting her gaze back to her computer and ending the conversation in a single sweep.

I stand idly for a moment longer, wanting the issue to be explained and dealt with for me. When she raises her head once more, I slip out of my dazed state to make my way to the elevator and away from her angered gaze. With the rest of my mail under my arm and the unknown delivery in my right hand, I make my way up to my floor before stepping off the lift.

Walking to my room, I slow as I look to Damon's shut door. Standing still, I watch it foolishly, fingers curling with the urge to knock as I stare at it, willing it to swing open. But it didn't and I wasn't brave enough to knock first, so instead, I open my own door and close it behind me.

I slip my shoes off, resting my bag on the floor before making my way to my kitchen. I let the mail and the unknown package slide onto my breakfast table where it would wait until I got something in my stomach.

I pull my two fridge doors open and sigh sadly when I find it practically empty, I hadn't made a grocery run since the last time I went and discovered it was a lot less fun than it was with Damon. It wasn't really excited to pay the place another visit after standing in front of the rack of spices for twenty minutes, unable to do much of anything besides remembering.

So it seemed like I'd be ordering in, yet again.

I let the doors shut, encapsulating the chilled air as I slip my phone from my pocket. I click on the microphone icon and part my lips to speak, only to come short of words when my eyes trail over the blurred, brown envelope which sat on top of the rest of my mail.

I set my phone down, studying it for only a moment more before I allow my grappling curiosity to take me hostage. Grabbing a small knife from one of the draws, I pick up the small package on my way to my record player, cutting open the sealed package with a small knife, pulling out a vinyl record as I expected.

There were no graphics in the center for me to try at guessing at an artist or album, it was just a bold red that made me smile a little.

I place the record I'd been playing this morning into its case and slip the unknown product into place, gently resting the tonearm into place. I turn up the volume and take a few steps back waiting for it to begin.

"Hey Will, it's me, Damon," My entire body goes absolutely rigid at the sound of Damon's voice. "I know this may seem a little strange and sudden, but this seemed like the best way for me to talk to you. You said you needed some time apart and I-I get that, so you can stop this and listen to it whenever you're ready. But I thought if I put it like this, then... I don't know... I just hope you give it a chance."

I take slow steps towards the innocent machine as if it was Damon himself but I knew it wasn't. Heart racing and blood pumping at the sound of his voice after being apart for too long. My skin tightens over my skin as I sink onto the arm of my couch, the force of just how much I'd truly missed him, locking me in place with no other choice but to listen.

"There are just some things I want to explain to you Will and others I want to apologize for, hopefully, you get this and listen to what I have to say. I know I don't deserve to ask that much of you, but I hope you'll give me a chance here.

Well um, first of all, I want to say sorry." He says before releasing an audible breath. "That day... that day I let you down and I'm sorry Will, Goddess I messed up on so many accounts. I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to hide you, h-honest, I just had a... a bad moment when the things I left behind came back and it surprised me. I know you think it was me rejecting what we were, what we are, but it's not. I promise you it's not. I have two dads and, there's no reason for me to reject who I am with you because it's who I am. But I did, in a way, and I-I'm sorry."

A few moments of silence pass as if he was allowing time for me to take in his words while he gathered more to follows.

"I'm also sorry for leaving you alone, for letting you leave on your own. I know it was your choice to go, but I shouldn't have let you. Not when I knew about your challenges at night, not with the memory of the first night, I should've known better. You may not think I need to apologize for that, but I do. I was the one who brought you out and then I wasn't there when you needed me... so I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not being there for you when you needed me, I-I wish... I wish I hadn't hurt you the way I did. I didn't mean to and I'm so sorry that I did."

I let his words sink in, the apology too honest to ignore or call it anything other than what it was. It should've made me feel better but it only made me feel more guilt, hearing him so distressed making my own hurt seem inadequate in comparison to the raw hurt so clear in his voice.

My fingers claw over the fabric of the couch, gripping it for strength which seemed to be spilling from my body with every passing moment. My breaths come out shaky and strained as I listen on, eyes shut to filter everything else out and just listen to Damon's sweet voice and the words that ran along with it.

"I said I'd explain some things and I will, to the best of my ability here. There some things I'd rather tell you in person, some things I want to tell you to your face... if you ever let me."