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

[wholenewstory]

Used to think that.

Better - that I'm gone. No...risks. No mistakes. No more - nightmares. Or guilt.

It would be...fair.

[demon_brat]

I don't...

Hnn.

I don't have nightmares, I don't fear risks, or guilt. It just seems the least damaging option from the ones I see. And sometimes, it all just stops making sense, trying.

[wholenewstory]

No.

[Cass steps closer, and kneels to his level.]

You are...a son. A friend. A...brother. Losing that is...damage.

And you are...a hero. Losing you means - losing people - you could have saved.

[demon_brat]

[It's not often than Damian ever feels vulnerable, but her words - these words, in a mix with his own thoughts - peel back his defenses without stabbing him when he's down and that. His eyes are far more clear and open and - true than even usual.]

[He stares at her wide-eyed for a long moment, before looking down and nodding.]

I'll try not to.

[wholenewstory]

[Cass smiles, small and sad but real.]

Good.

[She raises her hands, and gently clasps his shoulders.]

We...love you. And - so does Gotham.

[demon_brat]

[... or maybe she does stab, because that actually hurts. Especially the parts of it that he can't, yet, believe. And yet he also does. And it's. He has no idea how to answer that.]

[None.]

[But there may be tears in his eyes, unshed, but present, as he tries to divert the topic a little.]

I do not want to become the future Father saw.

[wholenewstory]

[She can see the hurt, but she can also see the belief, warring with the doubt, and it gives her hope. She squeezes his shoulders.]

Won't let you.

[demon_brat]

[He leans a little into the touch, squeezing his eyes shut, his voice small and sincere.]

Please.

[wholenewstory]

[Cass pulls him into a hug, holding him close.]

Promise.

[demon_brat]

[Yeah, this hug... is one he can take. And he takes a shaky breath - the one sign that he actually is upset or unhappy about any of this, beyond his usual grumpiness - and relaxes into it a little.]

Thank you.