Three weeks had passed since Damien had saved Taylor Swift's life. This evening, he was a happy man. The hospital in Milwaukee where he worked had transferred him, at his request, to Andrew F. Anderson in Providence so that he could be closer to his parents, who were in the process of moving to Rhode Island. Taylor, when he'd told her, was ecstatic. She'd replied that she wanted to see him, so here he was, in front of her house. He walked to the door and when it opened, his face fell.
"Taylor…" he said softly, "you… you've been crying."
She was wearing a simple black sleeveless dress, and barefoot. Obviously, there were no Swifties here to impress. Her hair was lightly teased.
"They… some idiots on the Internet. They posted this whole video speculating about my… my love life. You know how many exes… exes I've had."
"I… I do, but I'm not going to bring up bad memories."
They sat on a loveseat, and Taylor sighed shakily.
"What's wrong with me, Damien? Because it's… all I want is to be loved… I want to be someone's wife, and have kids with him but… but I guess I just…"
Damien gently dried the tears glistening on Taylor's cheeks. "They don't know who they lost."
"Or did I lose them? Damien I'm famous, and rich, and live in this big house. But my three cats and I are the only ones in it. It's a big lonely house and it feels so empty…"
"Let me tell you something," said Damien. "That night, when I saved you… I knew who you were. I knew exactly who you were. But I didn't care. I didn't see Taylor Swift. I saw someone who needed help, so I helped her."
"Damien…"
"You're not a status symbol… you're not some trophy chick… you're not a singing, acting drone whose only purpose is to be admired." He stroked her hair. "You… are… a person. You are a strong, smart, special, amazing person. And your name is Taylor Swift."
"I've put you through so much," said Taylor, her tears flowing now.
"No, Taylor… no, honey." He held her hands. "I chose to go through it. Voluntarily. And I will continue to go through it."
"I dream of my wedding some nights. I'm walking down the aisle and… I see the groom standing there, but… but I can't see his face, and it's just so sad. I'm so afraid of dying alone, and… and sometimes I think… I'm not worth it. I can't be loved, because I'm just some celebrity. I… what's the point of having all this stuff if I have no one to enjoy it with?"
Damien took Taylor in his arms, feeling his heart shatter like glass as Taylor's frame shook with heartbreaking sobs.
"Taylor…"
"Just hold me… I….I really just need to be held right now!"
She buried her head in his chest after a few minutes. "It's all my fault!" She sobbed. "It's my fault that I can't be loved! Why do you even help me when it's my fault those guys want me dead?!"
Damien smiled. "Same reason I couldn't flirt with those girls at the party," he said simply. "I know this is the worst timing ever. And I know you want to take things slow. But… I need to lay it out there."
Taylor sniffled as Damien wiped her tears again.
"Taylor," he said very gently as he looked into her eyes…. He sighed. "I love you."
Taylor smiled gently. "I… I can't explain it. Because… I said I wanted to take it slow. I know… what I said, but… Okay. So, I admit… your looks… certainly help. But that's not the main…". She sighed. "I feel like you… you like me for me. You don't care that I'm famous." Her smile grew. "You want to know what special is? You want to know what amazing is? Go look in a mirror. You really are going through a lot for me. Literally none of me exes… well… okay, let me take that back… one of my exes, would do what you're doing."
"Tom Hiddleston?"
"Yeah." She nodded. "He's really cool. But listen." She stroked his hair. "I look forward to seeing you… more than anything in the world. When you call before a concert to wish me luck, or after one to tell me how great I was out there… my heart smiles. When you give me that special smile… that one… I know everything's gonna be okay. I just know it. I feel safer around you that anywhere else, Damien." She cuddled into him as he held her again and rocked her gently. "I don't want to go public with it just yet… but I love you too."
Damien smiled, kissing Taylor gently and stroking her hair.
Taylor hummed and deepened the kiss, gasping as Damien kissed her neck. "Oh my God…" she shuddered through parted lips.
He caressed her thigh as he trailed kissed her shoulders. "Mmm… Taylor…" whispered. "God you're hot…"
"God, Damien," she moaned as he squeezed her foot and kissed her neck again. "Damien, you're incredible! You're so amazing and I love you!"
A few moments later, they held each other, breathing heavily.
"God I'm lucky…" said Damien. "Pity I can't tell anybody I'm dating Taylor Swift. You and your boyfriend the Army Ranger."
Taylor giggled. "Nobody's gonna pick on me at school." She gasped. "What's that?!"
A man was running to an idling car and driving away.
"Come on…" Taylor groaned. "Stupid paparazzi…"
"Guess your secret's out… at least according to the toilet paper rolls."
"Hmmm?"
"Toilet paper rolls. It's what I call the tabloids."
Taylor laughed. "I'm gonna use that!"
"I should get back to my uncle's."
"If you stay, I'll cook for you."
Damien laughed softly. "Deal."