Regarding...

[demon_brat]

Does it not occur to you that it may be for the better? I would prove beyond the shadow of a doubt what I chose and what matters to me, and there won't be anyone who can undo it. No more questions.

Just... peace.

Comments

[demon_brat]

>Tt.<

In the end, it doesn't matter what anyone says, does it.

[andaway]

What you say matters.

[demon_brat]

[SIGH. KENT.]

Not to what will happen to me, is what I mean.

[andaway]

It will matter to those of us that will remember you.

[demon_brat]

Ah.

[Quieter.]

What I do should be enough.

[andaway]

I know what you do. For once I want to know what you have to say, what you feel and want.

[demon_brat]

Hah. [Not even a glint of humor in that.] It's all been whims that I can do without and things I've had to do without, anyway. I gave up on wanting... a while back.

[After Talia dismissed the one thing he actually asked of her.]

I feel - anger. The acute awareness that even if I am the best, that's just not good enough. The rest, I don't even want to think about... feeling.

And as to speaking... I rarely have concealed what I had to say. Far more rarely than people actually listened.

[You asked, Clark, and Damian's already on edge. For all the words sound jaded and unfair and definitely not those of a kid, his voice is close to chocked up, because. Who would truly be all right with all this? Accepting that he may have to die, as compared to the rest of the options, is one thing. Liking it - no. He doesn't.]

[andaway]

[Damian might think he's pushing Clark away with his words and anger, but this is actually what he was hoping for. Everyone is treating Damian like he might break about this whole thing- but he has to break to actually start to be able to fix himself.]

Anger is normal in this situation, Damian... I was angry when I died as well. Angry at myself for not finding a better solution, angry at Doomsday for- for existing, as well. But I also felt lonely.

[demon_brat]

You assume I am angry about this. I am always angry. This? One more time I was insufficiently skilled. One more time my Mother turned against me.

Not the first time.

And feeling lonely is the norm with me, anyway. Too.

[andaway]

Tell me why you're angry then, tell me why you're lonely. I have the thick-skull of steel son, I'm not giving up that easily.

[demon_brat]

[Damian starts to answer, but checks himself in the last possible instant, changing the words to,]

Why do you want to know?

[andaway]

Because I worry. [The 'you doofus' isn't said, but it's clearly implied in the tone of voice..]

[demon_brat]

[... not like the number of people who he knows do can com up to the number of fingers. On one hand.]

I'm angry because I was allowed and encouraged to be angry. Anger gives strength, and I was supposed to be strong, perfect, so I was angry until there wasn't anything else.

I'm lonely because, other than tutors and masters, there didn't use to be anyone else. Because nobody understands and nobody can understand. Which is probably for the better.

[andaway]

Anger isn't the only thing that makes you strong. And you were encouraged, past tense. You aren't now. We want you to be happy Damian, not angry.

[He crouches in front of him.] You don't have to be lonely or angry, but I'm not telling you anything you don't know already. If you have to do what you have to do at least do it with a smile on your lips.

[demon_brat]

I know about the past tense. And I am... learning about other ways to be strong, though they don't yet make much sense to me.

[Happy. That one makes him draw a shuddering breath, then let it out. Because he did not know what it was, let alone how to get there.] If I say that I am trying to work on it, will that be enough for you?

[Though this. Coming down to his level? Damian nods his head slowly, even as his eyes remain shaded.] I'll try.

[No. It's begging his mother, the woman he'd said was dead to him, to stop it. It's alone, and killed by and killing his own clone-brother. It's not even a worthy death.]