a/n: for rueskatniss
Demons by Imagine Dragons
I wanna hide the truth
I wanna shelter you
But with the beast inside
There's nowhere we can hide
No matter what we breed
We still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come
This is my kingdom come
…
When they first started dating, Clive was scared. He couldn't hold Katarina too close for too long. His kisses lasted a few seconds at best and could only be seen as teasing. It had gotten to the point where every date they ever went on was confined to either her flat or the professor's because he was afraid to see how people would react to him. It was bad enough that people spat insults him or refused to let him eat at certain restaurants. He couldn't let her go through with that.
It was an afternoon like other when she finally coaxed him to come with her on her trips to the local libraries. Being in the business of restoring and collecting books, it was an everyday thing for her, but to him, it was terrifying.
"I'll be right back. I just need to talk with the librarian for a few minutes and then I'll be back. Is that okay?" She tilted her head to the side, glancing up at him.
He managed a smile and nodded. "Of course. I'll be fine. You don't have to worry; I'm not a little kid."
She still seemed concerned, but Katarina soon left. He watched her leave for a little bit before and turning and strolling through the bookshelves. He found a few he was rather interested in as he plopped down against the bookshelf and read quietly.
Out of the corner of his eye, Clive noticed one of the other visitors was giving him the evil eye. He wasn't going to start anything. No, a gentleman, even a fallen one, would start a fight.
"You killed people, ya know that? I don't think ya should be roamin' the streets."
He didn't say anything, focusing on the pictures on the book. It would be best to ignore him.
"People like you deserve to be locked up before they hurt anyone else."
His shoulders tensed as he got up, shoving the book back on the shelf. Tears started to blur his vision as he turned to leave, the man's disproving gaze following his back. Mutterings could be heard, yet he ignored them.
Katarina ran straight into him, almost dropping the stack of books in her hands. She didn't seem bothered by that at all and more by the fact that her boyfriend was on the verge of tears.
She did something that surprised him. Her hands wrapped around his neck as she pulled him down and kissed him right on the lips. It was brief, but it was bold enough to shock the man heckling him.
"Do you want to get coffee?" She smiled as she pulled away, holding his hand in hers.
Clive nearly burst into laughter. "I'd love to."
…
When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Don't get too close
It's dark inside
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide