Trust

A simple word but holds the magnitude to destroy. Duke hadn't trusted anyone truly in so long other than Rick. No one had his back so why have theirs. He has been scorn one too many times to just allow someone to continue hurting him. It was morbid but the truth. Survival instincts kick any time he becomes close to someone. You give someone trust and you are giving them the power to break you. 

However...

Lying here on the couch, feeling pain like never before... his eyes meet her. The soft delicate brown doe eyes that he has found himself practically falling into on more than once occasion. It didn't go unnoticed how she was still hesitant around him however her urge to help out weighed all other senses.

He didn't hesitate in his answer for first time in years. 

"Yes"

She nodded her head before she began easing him back into a lying position. His muscles welcoming it from the pain previously emitted. A sigh of content escaped as he found himself relaxing into the couch. His eyes slowly closing before feeling soft cool fingers brushing through his hair momentarily. He relished feeling her touch on him. It brought about a sort of comfort that he secretly longed for. 

Just as quickly as he felt it, it vanished. His eyes opening to find her walking around the couch back to the kitchen area. His eyes intently following her every move. She first moved the chair close to the table. His muscles begin going stiff as she slowly begins moving Rick. Her eyes intently watching how she moves him. He can see how concentrated she is to make sure to not joggle him more than necessary. 

She manages to move his body into the chair before tilt it back so his body doesn't hunch forward. She now his him doing a willy which would normally make Duke laugh but right now left him holding his breath. She looked at him for a split second giving him a tight smile before beginning to roll him away. He only looses sight of her when she goes down the hallway before turning into a door to the side. 

He listens to sounds hearing her grunt for a split second. His ears straining to hear anything over the howling wind outside. Duke finally gives up and keeps his trained on the hallway waiting for her to remerge from wherever she had went. Noticing movement in the corner of his eye, his gaze turns to find the husky that earlier growled at him stalking closer to him. Unlike earlier, the dog appears to be curious, not dangerous. 

"Hello Bear"

His voice low to not startle the dog. The husky tilts his head as if understanding his name. Duke's lip twitches as he slowly reaches out his hand palm up allowing the dog to feed his curiosity. He holds his breath as the dog nears his hand sniffing it before beginning to lick it. Duke chuckles lowly before turning his hand so he may pet the dog. Bear closes his eyes enjoying the scratch he was receiving. The dog's ears perk and he swiftly turns his head making Duke follow his gaze. It was then he realized she had emerged from the back rooms. Her eyes looking softly to her dog. Bear leaving his side without hesitation going to sit at her feet. She cups his cheeks speaking lowly to him as she kisses his head. 

She stands back up coming to sit in the chair she had previously vacated. Her eyes meeting his, "He is okay. I have moved him to my bed. He should be more comfortable and not have to be moved again until he regains consciousness."

"Wait, where will you sleep?" Duke says finally realizing her words. She bites her lip shrugging one shoulder seeing very timid in her answer. "Do you have spare rooms?"

"I have one other bedroom however it doesn't have a bed." She states but her tone had hidden meaning behind it. Her voice telling him she didn't want him asking questions about it further. 

He couldn't help but admire her. It wasn't just her outer beauty that was drawling him in however how she carried herself and her personality that made him feel so intent on getting to know her more. 

"You know, this is the first time in I can't tell you how long I have felt so relaxed." Duke said truthfully. 

Her eyes snap to his as she tilts her head slightly, "It's the drugs."

He couldn't help but laugh at her response. A small smile playing on her own lips keeps his grin intact. He settles shaking his head slightly, "I'm sure they are a good portion of it but I mean... the company."

She falls silent studying him carefully for a moment. "I typically do not veer well with others as well."

Her words were a whisper in the room but Duke understood they held a deeper meaning as did his own. He felt a slight pride within that knowledge that she was allowing him some insight. "I apologize for sounding boastful but do recognize me?"

Her eyes brows scrunched once again as she answered slowly, "No... You've asked me this twice now."

A low chuckle escaped him as he shook his head feeling relieved. It means she doesn't know of all the stories, all the truths that lie within them. He didn't have to worry about the judgement from his life choices. "Most people who believe they know me have so much to say about me."

"Well you're lucky then Duke.." his eyes meet hers. She props her chin on her hand gazing at him thoughtfully. "There are very few things I seem to know about you."

He smirked at her, "Enlighten me, what have you've learned."

She drops his gaze gulping down before she fiddles with her fingers. He waits patiently to see what all she has to say about him. "You are a very built man, muscles are very define showing tedious regiment."

Her cheeks begin to turn a light shade of pink make his smirk turn to a grin. He was aware that he was still attractive however never felt such pride from hearing the compliments prior. His ego boasting ten folds but her next words made his grin vanish. 

"You smell of alcohol... It seems to be thoroughly soaked in your skin."

He gulped down dropping his gaze to his lap as well. He had heard the stories, the words from Rick and other people he would hang with. None of them seemed to pierce him as much as that statement just did. He felt a squeezing in his chest that he wasn't expecting. His jaw clenching and the urge for something to drink coming back. 

A soft touch to his hand makes his head snap to her. She flinches at his expression of irritation but doesn't pull away. She squares her shoulders to him  while squeezing his hand. Her eyes set in his own. 

"I see a man that is battling himself and still trying to find his way through. A man that cares deeply for his friend, and is willing to give his last moments to be by his side. An honorable man..."

Duke couldn't look away from her if he tried. His eyes welling up with moisture he dares not to let fall. He pulls her hand making the small beauty fall over his torso. She goes stiff momentarily not expecting such movement. She goes to move away but he squeezes her, "Please."

Just like that, her body relaxes against him and hugs him the best way she could in the position she was in. He continued holding her but began rotating his body slightly. He had to grind his teeth as the numbing medication was wearing off. "Duke wait, you shouldn't-"

"I need you more"

He didn't even realize what he had said until he had settled them so he was laying on his side with her pinned to his chest also laying down on the couch. He could feel her heartbeat practically beating out of her chest. The speed seemed to fast for his liking. His arm that was under her head began running through her dark locks willing her to relax more. Her head tucked right below his chin. He closed his eyes and unconsciously kissed her hairline. She released a breath against his neck showing her resolve to him. 

"I am no honorable man Tala but I will try..."

She didn't say anything further nor did he. The silence of the room only enveloped by the wind whistling outside, the crackle of the fireplace. It was only early afternoon however he felt exhausted. The warmth of the home blanketing him in comfort as well as the woman who resided within his arms. 

His thoughts wandering to the fact that he hadn't really thought much about drinking up until the moment she said something about it. Just as quick as the urge came, her words set his mind free once again from the need. His arms squeezed her closer to him feeling like a life line had been sent to him in more ways than one. His eyes drooped and he feel asleep feeling her hand on his back slowly brushing him gently. 

His dreams had brought him back to the plane. A feeling of anxiety gripping in his chest. He looked around frantically. The captain was still piloting the plane, Rick was sitting in his chair texting his wife. He looked down realizing he was holding an empty crystal glass. His other hand holding the top of the amber liquid he had previously drank. He felt suffocated, his breathing coming out in short breaths trying to grasp any oxygen into his lungs. 

"Duke"

His gaze flickering to Rick who had not moved but he knew he heard it. 

"Duke, listen to me.. You are okay"

Duke tried to focus on the voice, making it will his lungs to work properly. 

"That's it Duke... It's just a dream, it isn't real."

His breathing returned to normal but he wanted to escape this dream. He began yelling but nothing came out. He was silently still stuck in the dream. He was not aware that lying on the couch, he had screamed his lungs out startling Tala. She tried coaxing him but he seemed to be stuck. She cupped his face once again drawing her face to be aligned with his. 

"You are safe Duke, you are here."

He began to hyperventilate again feeling no escape. A feel of warmth seeped into him making him close his eyes tightly. When he began to open them did he realize what was happening. Soft lips were pressed to his rooting him back to reality. He closed his eyes inhaling sharply through his nose as he began moving his lips against hers. Too soon for his liking did she draw back cupping his face again. Her eyes full of worry as they look into his own. She appeared to be asking if he was okay. He nodded his head feeling his breathing return to him but all he really wanted to do was feel her soft lips on his own once again. However this wasn't the time so he drew her back into his chest holding her for dear life. 

"Thank you," his voice was hoarse but he could feel her head move up and down nodding in agreement. 

She continued to grip the back of his shirt while trying to bring him comfort from his damaging thoughts. It was clear at that moment that he wouldn't be getting passed this so easily. His heart rate began to slow down but a groaning pulled Tala back from his hold. He finally realized that it was coming from a elsewhere in the home. He released her as she began to pull back before standing up and jogging off into the other room. He took a deep breath in rubbing his hand down his face trying to fight his nightmares before his eyes casted outside. The storm had slowed down considerably as it began to darken outside. Clearly he had slept longer than he thought. 

A loud bark brought his attention to Bear taking off into the hallway. He wanted to get up but was worried about tearing his stitching again. A yelp made his head snap back to the hallway. 

"Tala?" He said loudly but what followed didn't comfort him in the least. He heard a loud thump. "TALA!"

Forgetting about his leg or the chances of causing damages, he swings it once again off the couch. Cursing lowly, he wobbles to find his steps using everything near by to get him to his destination. He makes it in the doorway of the room he presumed she disappeared to. He leans against the doorframe to look inside. His breath freezing at the sight before him.