darker_london | Renee / Damien - bonding

There was technically no need for Damien to ask permission to enter Renee's room during social hours, but he knocked on the open door anyway. Renee looked up at the younger boy and smiled. "Come in."

Damien smiled back and took a seat at the table, becoming more comfortable in her room now that they'd had time to get to know each other. "Orright, Renee?"

"I'm alright," she replied, sitting down across from him. "And you, Damien?" She knew it wasn't his real name, but she was used to it, and he liked it better. She had to admit Damien was more interesting than John.

"Yeah, I'm orright," Damien nodded. "What's this?" he asked, picking up her stack of 'home-made' Tarot cards. "Tarot," he added, knowing exactly what they were once he got a look at them.

"I can barely remember drawing them. And I don't know why I did, either."

Damien gave Renee a concerned look before turning back to the cards. "Your meds must be really fucking with you. These drawings are pretty rough. I recognise some of the people, though. They're your friends, right?"

Renee nodded. "I'm not very good at drawing, anyway."

"Mmm." Damien held up the Devil card. "Isn't this your girlfriend?"

"Yes, it is."

"Why the Devil?" Damien asked, giving her an odd look.

"The Devil isn't all bad," Renee responded enigmatically.

It seemed enough for Damien. "Pan, then, not Satan?"

"Pan," Renee nodded. She hadn't given much thought to which of the Devils Deirdre represented, but Pan made sense. All-encompassing, and one who drew others to him. Just like Deirdre, the one thing that held so many of them to each other. Where would they be without her?

"Is this helping you?" Damien asked after a moment, indicating the deck.

"I don't know yet," Renee replied honestly. "I feel like there is a reason for it. I just need to discover what that reason is."

Damien nodded. "Don't be too long about it. Everyone says you did really well on the day they let you out. You shouldn't be in here. It's fucked up."

"Thank you," Renee said with a small smile. "I'll be okay. I know I'm almost there. I feel like there's a... breakthrough, soon? It sounds so corny," she sighed. "But I think it's true."

"Good," Damien smiled. "This place sucks. 'sides, you're too pretty to be in here."

Renee grinned. "Thank you, Damien. I'll try to get out soon for the sake of my prettiness."

Damien grinned back and rose from the table. "Orright, Renee. Stay cool. And say hi to your cousin for me. She's a fuckin' corker."

"I will," Renee laughed. "Take care, Damien."

"You too."

As Damien left, Renee turned back to her Tarot cards, trying to figure out what it all meant. It was right there, taunting her mind with its closeness. She just didn't know what the Hell was missing.