Dwayne's POV
Dwayne silently cursed the one who made Mariam feel this way about herself, he knew in that moment he would dedicate his life to changing her view of herself, no matter what it would take. He didn't know why he felt this way about a girl he'd just met he only knew he couldn't live without her now, he knew that she had to be his, there really was no doubt about it. As he and Mariam walked coolly over to his brothers he tapped into their thoughts, cautioning them to be on their best behaviour, Mariam was fragile.
'Guys, you need to be cool with this chick man, she's on the defensive, thinks one of you bet me to take her out, making a joke out of the fat girl. I don't know why I feel like this about this girl, fuck I don't even know her, but I know what I want, I want to be with her, please help me not to fuck this up.'
'Don't worry brother, we got you' David replied with a smirk, Paul and Marko nodded in understanding in his direction, smiles plastered on their faces.
"Heyyyy Mariam, good to see you again girl." Marko enthused slapping her playfully on the shoulder.
"Good to see you too Marko, same to you David, Paul." She smiled at them in turn.
"Yo Mariam, you got a nickname huh girl? I feel like Mariam is a lot for me to remember, ya know, I like to keep things easy…" Paul laughed.
"Um no I don't? You got one in mind?" She replied.
"Hmmm… let's see… what about… mizz?! Yeahhh I like mizz very rock and roll girl." Paul cheered as he jumped excitedly up and down.
"I guess mizz is kinda cool. Sure mizz it is." Mariam shrugged in conformity.
"Right on." Paul exclaimed giving her an enthusiastic high five. Dwayne smiled at his brothers, grinning down at Mariam, he wanted his brothers to like her their opinion was important to him, he also wanted her to like them too. Starr was all over David, playfully slapping his arm, touching his chest at every opportunity which presented itself, Dwayne could tell his brother liked it, maybe he felt the same way about Starr that he did about Mariam, otherwise let's face it, she'd be dead by now. Mariam was enjoying some banter with Marko and Paul singing along to 'Living on a Prayer' as the band rocked the stage, throwing their hands in the air with every 'Woahhhh we're half way there', nevertheless Dwayne felt jealous, this was supposed to be his time to get to know her and his brothers were stealing the show as usual. He spun her round so she was facing him, a smirk playing at his lips as she looked up at him goofily,
"Mariam, would you like to take a walk on the beach with me?" Dwayne asked over the music.
"Sure, catch you later guys" Mariam said waving to his brothers as they walked in the direction of the beach.
"Laters lil sis" Paul hollered.
They descended the wooden stairs down onto the beach, Dwayne gently took Mariam's hand in his, the moment their hands connected Dwayne felt an electric shock branch down his arm straight to his crotch, judging by the look on Mariam's face he guessed she felt it too. They walked slowly hand in hand across the beach, Dwayne firing questions at her every chance he got, Mariam was more than willing to reverse his questions back at him. Time flew by, before he knew it he sensed it was around 3am, the concert long since over, it only felt like a few minutes with her. He knew the sun would be up soon, to his dismay the night had to end.
"As much as I'd love to stay and talk to you forever, it's not far off sun rise and you need to rest up for your shift tomorrow. Let me walk you home" Dwayne offered.
"Wow, it's really that late? Damn, you're right, I should go home, get some beauty sleep" She replied.
"You don't need beauty sleep, you're already beautiful" Dwayne whispered as he placed his arm around her waist, gently guiding her back in the direction of the boardwalk. They reached Mariam's flat above the coffee shop, Dwayne knew his time was running out, it wouldn't be long before the sun would be up, he needed to go but he honestly didn't want to say goodbye.
"I had a great time Dwayne, your brothers are fun too. Thank you for walking me home, I guess this is good night?" She smiled dreamily.
"My brothers are assholes" Dwayne laughed, "It's my pleasure baby, I need to keep you safe, I really enjoyed spending time with you tonight, I want to see you again tomorrow. When do you finish?"
"Well I work until ten Monday – Thursday, eleven on Fridays, I'm free weekends" Dwayne smiled, knowing that she hoped as much as he did that she would be seeing him more than just tomorrow.
"Sweet, I'll see you after work tomorrow. Sleep well baby, good night." He beamed.
"Night." She replied, returning his smile.
Dwayne slowly ran his hand down her cheek, her skin was so soft and warm beneath his touch, his fingers softly traced her lips which to him felt like padded velvet. He wanted to kiss her so badly, but he didn't want to scare her away by moving too fast, he removed his hand, tucking it into the pocket of his jeans and smiled, waiting until she'd locked the door until he left. Dwayne made it back to the cave with about 15 minutes to spare, David was waiting for him, sat in his trademark wheelchair, Paul and Marko had already retired to their sleeping chambers.
"Good night?" David enquired with a sly smirk. "I can smell your desire from here" He chuckled, picking at an invisible stray thread at the hem of his jacket.
"Man, David, tonight was, fuck… it was the best night of my life. What's happening to me man? Why do I feel like this?" Dwayne asked his brother sincerely freaking out.
"Fucking hell Dwayne, I feel the same way about Starr, I think my brother that we've found our mates. Meaning we're well and truly fucked from now till eternity, we will do anything for these girl, it's in our nature" he shrugged. "I hope Paul and Marko want sisters because I think they're gunna gain some if things go how I see them going" David sighed, running his hands through his hair.
"You wanna turn them? Fuck dude, they don't know what we are, who we are, what if they don't want that life? In fact, what if Max refuses?" Dwayne panicked
Max being their 'father figure', they generally answered to him, he ultimately had the final say in any matter, Max was the only one who was allowed to turn anyone, Dwayne realised it would come to telling Max about him and Mariam, David would have to do the same with Starr, they just had to keep their balls crossed that he would accept it because Dwayne felt like he'd die of heartbreak if he were to lose Mariam.
"Ah shit brother, let's talk about this more tomorrow, it's almost sun rise, we need to sleep. See you tomorrow Dwayne" David said, walking towards his chambers, Dwayne not too far behind.
