Getting out of the airport, they stood together for a moment, taking in the familiar air of LA.
Damon looked at his friends, a smile spreading across his face. "Alright, before I go running off to Vic, I'm going to see my mom. Haven't seen her in more than a month," he said, scratching the back of his head, a touch of emotion slipping through. He really had missed her.
The others nodded in understanding. They each had their own things to take care of now that they were back.
Even Joey, who looked both relieved and a little stressed, had to face the mountain of work waiting for him at college.
Ash clapped Damon on the back. "Go see her, man. We'll catch up later."
Svetlana smiled softly. "Give her a hug from all of us," she said, her eyes warm.
Damon agreed, feeling very thankful for the friends who had turned into family.
He climbed into an Uber of his own, feeling a bit guilty as Ash once again stepped up to cover the fare.
cough It was undeniable, having wealthy friends had its perks, but Damon couldn't shake the feeling of embarrassment.
He scratched the back of his neck, muttering a quiet, "Thanks, man," to Ash, who just waved him off with a grin.
"Don't mention it," Ash replied, leaning back with a casual shrug. "Consider it a gift for your win."
Damon managed a sheepish smile as the car pulled away from the curb.
He promised himself that one day, he'd pay Ash back, somehow.
But for now, he let the ride carry him home, his thoughts shifting to the reunion waiting for him.
As Damon's Uber began to pull away from the curb, he could still hear the familiar voices of his friends through the open window.
"You gonna pay for our rides too?" Joey called out, a hopeful grin on his face.
Ash turned to look at him, his voice carrying over as the car rolled away. "Fuck no," Ash shot back, shaking his head. "Svetlana's just as rich as me and my sister, so she's good. And you… since you're dating my sister now, there's no way I'm spending a cent on you," he added, his tone half-joking, half-serious.
Damon chuckled to himself as he heard Joey's dramatic groan and the laughter that followed.
As the car came to a stop in front of the familiar flat building, Damon thanked the driver and stepped out.
He stood there for a moment, taking in the sight of the place he called home.
He walked up to the entrance, pushing open the doors and stepping into the lobby.
The staff there greeted him warmly, a few familiar faces smiling at him as he passed by.
"Welcome back, Damon," one of the security guards called, giving him a nod.
Damon returned the greeting with a friendly wave and a smile. "Good to be back," he replied, making his way to the elevator.
Damon stepped into the elevator, the guard's words still echoing in his mind.
It seemed everyone in the building had noticed he'd been away for a while.
Then again, this was Victor's building, and everyone here probably kept tabs on each other in one way or another.
Oh well, he thought with a small shrug. It's just how it is.
He leaned against the wall of the elevator and felt his heart beat faster with excitement.
The ride up felt both endless and too short, and when the elevator finally dinged, he took a steadying breath.
The doors slid open, revealing the familiar hallway that led to his and his mother's apartment.
Damon walked slowly to the door, his feet feeling heavier with every step. He stopped in front of it, hesitating.
He hadn't knocked yet, just standing there, taking in the moment.
He hadn't seen his mother in over a month. It made his chest tight to think about seeing her again, but he was ready.
Finally, he reached out and knocked.
He stood there, heart pounding, as he heard a familiar voice call out from inside. "I'm coming!"
A moment later, the door swung open, and before he could even get a word out, he was pulled into a tight, warm embrace.
His mother wrapped her arms around him, holding him close, and he could feel the weight of every missed day in that hug.
"Damon!" she exclaimed, and her voice was full of love and relief. He let go of the stress he didn't even know he was carrying and reached out to hug her back.
It was a moment of pure, overwhelming comfort, and he found himself smiling as he held on tight, savoring being home again.
She pulled him into the apartment, her hands still clasped around his arms as she stepped back to look at him. Her eyes sparkled with pride and emotion, and a wide smile spread across her face.
"Damon," she said, her voice full of awe, "I watched every second of that match. You were incredible. I can't believe how strong and confident you looked out there… You did it!" Her eyes misted over, and she reached up to touch his face gently, as if to make sure he was really standing in front of her.
Damon's smile widened, a warmth blooming in his chest. "Thanks, Mom," he said, his voice soft but steady. "It's been a wild ride, but I made it. I'm officially in the UFA."
She laughed, which was a sound that was both happy and joyful. She said, "I knew you could do it," and her voice broke with emotion. "And now, look at you... back home, my champion."
Damon laughed, the sound filling the cozy apartment. "I'm not a champion yet," he teased, shaking his head.
Aoife waved her hand dismissively, a playful but heartfelt smile on her face. "I said my champion," she corrected, her eyes shining with pride and love. "You'll always be a champion to me, no matter what."