[h2]Esme[/h2]
 When Esme told Duke she was fine, she knew he wouldn’t like it. She didn’t really like it, knowing she shouldn’t be with how hard she was hit in the back of the head by a demon in the asylum. But she wondered if it would come into play after a while after she had entirely let herself relax and pushed the day out of her mind. Esme couldn’t let herself think about that. She couldn’t let herself think about the possibility of going to sleep and not waking up in the morning next to Duke. She couldn’t let herself think about how that would affect Duke, or the look on his face. Esme had to keep her thoughts positive, even if it was hard. That was one reason why she brought Duke’s arms around her before telling him she wouldn’t complain about him saving her during their future hunts. Which she knew he knew she would never say back in the day. Esme honestly meant what she said. She wouldn’t complain about him stepping in to save her, even though she didn’t need it, unless he got seriously hurt, which could easily happen with his track record.

When Duke sighed through his nose and pressed his lips to the top of her head from her hug, it made her feel a bit better, especially when he smiled into her hair at her words. It made her smile more into his chest. She could also feel him calming as he took a deep breath against her hair, not knowing she was actually radiating some calm onto him. Esme’s smile faded when Duke’s fingers found the stitches on her head from brushing his fingers through her hair, causing her to wince at the touch and close her eyes as he started to talk. She was nervous he would ask how it happened, and she wasn’t ready to tell him, but when he didn’t and said he wouldn’t go there, Esme silently sighed in relief. She then softly kissed Duke’s chest as a silent thank you for not continuing about her head. The smile returned to her lips when he asked if she needed help making her head look more presentable and that he thought he still remembered how to do a loose braid from their slumber parties. A little laugh escaped her lips as she pulled her head away from Duke’s chest and looked up at him. 

“It would surprise me if you didn’t remember how to do that loose braid after how many times I showed you how.” she lightly laughed. But yes, I could use your help if you're offering.” She smiled warmly. A memory flashed quickly through her mind of one of their slumber parties, talking and her showing him how to do a braid with her hair. The memory warmed her heart greatly. She was pulled from it by Duke’s arms tightening around her, trailing his hand to her lower back and rubbing his thumbs gently there. His words, the shrugging of his shoulders, and his laugh caused her to laugh as well. “That sounds like a wonderful idea if you’re really up for it.” she replied with a laugh in her tone. “Something tells me you’d also like to hold me hostage here in the RV and just take care of me.” Which she wouldn’t mind if he did that, she just wanted to do something with him, just the two of them together.