[h2]Esme (Collab with Duke)[/h2]
While Esme continued to look over at Duke, Dean, and Mika, and she zoned out. At first, her mind was blank, and she looked as if she was staring out into space, but then everything that had hit her outside flooded her mind. Before the thoughts could overtake her too much, Duke had come over and pulled her arms from her body, and held her hands as he spoke to her. His voice sounded distant, and she didn’t know he was next to her until she felt his touch. Esme was pulled back with a slight sharp intake of breath. Feeling Duke’s eyes on her, she turned her eyes up to his face just as he spoke again. She sighed softly, knowing she must be extremely pale and look as if she would collapse at any moment. Before she could form words to reply to him, his hand came up and brushed through her hair, her eyes closed briefly at the action. When Duke cradled her cheek, she leaned into his touch and sighed softly as his thumb brushed over her cheek. Esme almost laughed at his remark about having to kidnap Mika to talk to her. It seemed very true at that moment.

“I wish I could tell you I was alright.” she said softly, finally finding her words. “But I feel like I could sleep for a month of Sundays. Sarah is the only thing keeping me standing upright right now. And you’re right, it’s quite shocking. I’m still trying to process that it really did happen.” Bringing her hand up, she placed it on the back of his, turning her head slightly and closing her eyes, she softly kissed his palm. “I know I must be as pale as a ghost right now. That comes with the territory of being overwhelmed with every emotion, every person here felt.” Opening her eyes, she looked up into Duke’s face. “I can’t fight against so many emotions bearing down on me at once on top of my own.” she confessed. “It’s just too hard.”




Duke frowned when Esme stated that she definitely wasn't okay. He had a feeling that was the case. She looked completely washed out and miserable. He kept his eyes on her, watching every facial expression and movement as if he could will her to feel better. Watching the simple show of affection, as she turned her head to kiss his palm, he smirked and shrugged his shoulders, "I wouldn't say that. You still have a little color in those cheeks."

He cut himself off from teasing more and just watched her face as she explained why she felt so terrible, not that he didn't already know.

"Alright. Here's what we're gonna do. I'm gonna stay real close..." Duke spoke softly, bringing his other hand up to pinch her chin, but he didn't move his good hand from her cheek. He watched her face, once again wishing that he could just will her brain into silence, "And you're gonna take a really deep breath with me. Close your eyes and pretend...it's just you and me."




Esme managed a tired smile at Duke’s teasing. Even if he hadn’t been teasing, she doubted she had any color in her face at all with how horrible she felt. In fact, she felt a little sick at that moment. She looked into Duke’s eyes, trying to concentrate on him and not the sick feeling deep in her stomach. On his face, she could see how strongly he wanted her to feel better. It was as if, if he wanted it hard enough, he could will it to happen. Oh, how she wished it would or could work that way. 

As Duke spoke again, Esme’s eyes moved between his as she took his words and actions. Her tired smile grew slightly when he pinched her chin. She wasn’t quite sure why, but it always brought a smile to her lips. Giving a small nod, she brought her free hand up and placed it on his chest to feel him breathe with her as he said he wanted her to breathe with him, then closed her eyes as he asked. The moment the words ‘it’s just you and me’ left his lips, everything she felt vanished. Esme almost gasped at how sudden it was, and she didn’t quite believe it happened. “Say it again.” she said softly, her eyes still closed. 




Duke frowned with a bit of confusion at Esme asking him to repeat himself, brushing his thumb over her cheek before leaning a little closer to touch his forehead to hers. He took a deep breath, following her breathing, and with a small smile, he repeated himself.

“It’s just me and you, darlin’.”




Esme knew that asking him to repeat himself would confuse him, it wasn't like she couldn't hear him with how close they were. But she had to be sure what she thought happened, actually happened just by Duke saying those five simple words. The moment she felt his thumb brush over her cheek, and his forehead rested against hers, she almost held her breath waiting to hear the words again. As soon as they left his lips, she felt as if she had been thrown into a void. Esme felt at ease and like she could finally breathe. She felt nothing from the others in the room and was only aware of herself, Duke, and Sarah. 

Taking a deep breath, she slowly let it out, relaxing into Duke’s touch. It had been so long since she had felt practically nothing but her own emotions. A warm, tired smile rested on her lips, even though her body felt as if it had become lead. “It worked.” she breathed, slowly opening her eyes. “It’s almost strange how nice this feels. It’s like someone hit the mute button on everything around me.” She sighed heavily once again, truly feeling a peace. “You need to remember this little trick.” she added with a light laugh. Esme then moved her hands from his hand and chest, and put them around him. As she pulled him closer to her, Sarah slowly moved out from between them. 


Duke could see Esme physically relax as soon as the words left his lips. His smile widened a bit, and he simply watched her take a big and deep breath. All was currently right in the world, but honestly, he wasn't sure why things were suddenly good with Esme. He had questions, but also didn't want to jinx the strange run of good that had happened.

Then she opened her eyes with 'it worked' and Duke tilted his head, ready to ask her what she meant. Then she cleared it up even more, and he tilted his head even further, echoing her laugh with a confused one of his own.

"You mean it actually got quiet in that noggin of yours? And all I had to do was say...concentrate? Well..." Duke chuckled, dropping his arms to wrap them around Esme's waist, "I will definitely have to remember that. And, as soon as I'm sure that all this is permanent...we can get somewhere where I don't have to sweet talk your brain into quietin' down."


Esme pulled back a bit from Duke, just enough so that she could see his face and stay in his arms. The smile still hadn't left her lips, as she was still enjoying the peace of not feeling everyone's emotions. As nice as it was, she was still getting used to it being so peaceful; it felt quite odd, especially with how many years she had struggled to learn how to control her empathic abilities. The silence was almost deafening in a way. With Sarah, everything slowly faded away, and a few things made it through her barrier, but just Duke saying five simple words brought instant silence. Why or how, she didn’t know at the moment, and she was too tired mentally and physically to even try to find the answer in her mind. “Yes, it actually got everything to go quiet. And you know damn well, it wasn’t you saying concentrate.” she said, hitting him lightly on the back. “I’d also like to know if all of this is permanent. It’s so strange, even with everything we deal with. But once we figure it out, I’d love to run off somewhere with you so we can relax for a while.”