#damain wayne

You looked at Damian and scoffed.

"Ahh... so you're saying we're in the 'calf love' phase and it's distracting you a lot?" you asked, looking him up and down with an unimpressed expression. You swear you were this close to grabbing the broom sitting so innocently in the corner of the now-empty classroom and whacking him with it.

"Yeah" he admitted, his expression remaining completely straight.

"Pathetic." You scoffed, glaring at him.

"Fine! I don't even like you- especially your attitude!"

"You're just ridiculously good-looking!" you shouted before storming out of the classroom, leaving Damian standing there in silence.

⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄

You woke up from that dream as if you'd just experienced the creepiest thing imaginable.

Unfortunately, it wasn't just a dream.

It was a memory years ago.

Apparently, you'd gotten dumped for the first time in your life that day.

You were well known for your good looks and charming personality, so it had always been one of two things- you either dumped them first or rejected them before things could even get serious.

You'd never been the one getting rejected.

Never been the one left wondering what you did wrong.

Until Damian Wayne happened.

And ever since that day, you'd somehow lost the confidence you'd once carried so effortlessly.

You groaned and buried your face into your pillow for a few seconds, silently wishing you could erase the entire memory from existence.

It was embarrassing.

Worse, it was Damian.

Of all people.

You finally dragged yourself out of bed and started your morning routine like usual. After washing up, fixing your hair, and throwing on something comfortable, you grabbed a quick snack- a slice of bread- because you were lazy to make any special breakfast today.

You were halfway through taking a bite when your phone suddenly buzzed against the table.

You glanced down at the notification.

And froze.

Your eyebrows slowly knitted together as you stared at the notification appearing on your screen.

⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄

⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄

You stared at the message in confusion, brows furrowing as you reread it for what felt like the fifth time.

You were sure the last time you bought something online was weeks ago, and you'd already received everything you'd ordered.

So... what parcel were they talking about?

Curiosity getting the better of you, you grabbed your key cards and headed down to the apartment's parcel room to check for yourself.

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You stared at the opened parcel in complete confusion.

Inside was a pair of daggers.

Real daggers.

You blinked several times, hoping that somehow you'd misread what you were looking at.

"Who the hell orders this online?"

Still confused, you picked up the parcel and looked at the shipping label again.

Floor 4, Unit 405.

Your eyes narrowed.

That was your unit number.

Except... you lived on the fifth floor.

"Wait."

You checked the label again just to make sure.

Same unit.

Different floor.

Then your eyes drifted toward the recipient's name.

'D. Al Ghul.'

You stared at it for a few seconds.

You didn't know anyone by that name.

And frankly, you weren't sure what kind of person casually ordered a pair of daggers to their apartment.

"Who even buys this?"

You sighed, carefully putting the daggers back into the parcel before taking out your phone.

There was a phone number printed beneath the recipient's name.

Well... if this wasn't yours, the least you could do was contact whoever it belonged to.

You saved the number temporarily and opened your messaging app.

Your thumb hovered over the keyboard for a moment before you finally typed.

⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄

⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄

When he told you he'd come by in a few minutes, you immediately panicked.

You quickly rushed to your room, threw on some light makeup, changed into something cute, and spent an embarrassingly long time fixing your hair.

Be for real.

Who wouldn't?

Despite the weirdness of him purchasing daggers online, you'd taken the liberty of looking up the name on the parcel.

And after finding D. Al Ghul's profile picture, you couldn't exactly blame yourself.

The shirtless photo alone was enough to make you stare at your phone for a few seconds too long.

"Okay... wow."

You quickly locked your phone and shook your head.

Come on.

You've been single for quite a while now.

You were allowed to enjoy yourself a little.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with appreciating a ridiculously attractive man who might just be your new neighbour.

You weren't doing anything wrong.

You were simply being... observant.

Very observant.

Besides, you had already made a mental ranking of the hottest neighbours in your apartment building.

And judging from the profile picture alone, D. Al Ghul was definitely taking the number one spot.

You were still fixing the last few strands of your hair when you suddenly heard a soft ring from your doorbell.

Your eyes widened.

Oh.

He's here.

You quickly checked yourself in the mirror one last time before rushing toward the door.

Your heart was beating a little faster than it should have.

Probably because you were excited to finally meet your mysterious, ridiculously attractive neighbour.

You pulled the door open with a smile.

And there he was.

Black shirt.

Dark hair.

Broad shoulders.

And... oh shit.

He's tan.

Better.

Your eyes slowly travelled upward, already preparing yourself to greet the hottest man you'd seen in your apartment complex.

But then you looked at his face.

And froze.

The excitement vanished almost instantly, replaced by the most horrible combination of nervousness and awkwardness you'dy experienced in a long time.

You knew that face.

Unfortunately, you'd know it anywhere.

"...(Your Name) ?" he muttered, his eyes widening slightly as he stared at you.

"Damian?"

You stared at him in disbelief.

Silence.

For a few painfully long seconds, neither of you said anything.

Okay.

Let's be honest here.

He was hotter than he used to be.

Much hotter.

And, unfortunately, your prediction had been completely correct.

He was, without a doubt, the hottest neighbour.

The plot twist, however, was absolutely insane.

You had just spent the last twenty minutes getting ready for your ex-boyfriend.

Your ex-boyfriend who had dumped you.

Your ex-boyfriend who had been living on the fourth floor this entire time.

Your ex-boyfriend who apparently bought daggers online.

"Didn't expect—" Damian began, a small amused smile tugging at his lips.

Before he could finish, you slammed the door directly in his face.

"Rude" he chuckled

You immediately grabbed the parcel sitting beside the door, opened it just enough to reach inside, and pulled out the box.

You opened the door again for exactly two seconds.

"Here."

You threw the parcel directly at his chest.

Damian caught it with ease, staring at you with an expression that was somewhere between amusement and disbelief.

You immediately slammed the door shut again.

Click.

You locked it.

Then locked it again.

And stood there with your back pressed against the door, staring into absolutely nothing.

"...Fuck."

From the other side of the door came a quiet chuckle.

"You haven't changed at all."

You covered your face with both hands.

Of all the neighbours.

Of all the apartments.

Of all the people in the world.

It had to be Damian Wayne.

And somehow, that was still not even the worst part.

You'd dressed up for him.

You'd actually dressed up for him.

You slowly slid down against the door until you were sitting on the floor.

"I need to move."

A pause.

"Preferably to another country."

Outside, Damian chuckled again.

"You look nice, by the way."

Your eyes widened.

You immediately covered your face harder then quickly run to your room.

⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄

Ever since then he would find a way to actually annoys you. EVERY SINGLE DAYS EVEN THROUGH MESSAGES.

⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄

⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄

⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄

⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄

Dick: No. Damian, why are you so eager to leave? This is your home; I thought you’d want to look around a little.

Damian (tapping his foot): I already walked down memory lane when we got here. I’m over it! We have to go!

Jason chuckled.

Jason (correctly guessing): I’m pretty sure he’s worried Talia will spot him.

Damian bit his fingernail, scanning for a secret escape route.

Dick: That makes sense. I did feel a chill in the air.

Damian: That's not funny, Grayson. We have to go! Unless she's closing in... There is no way she's close— The footsteps of a terrifying spirit are approaching.

The sound of heels echoed through the halls, growing closer like a dinosaur searching for its prey or a mother about to smother her son with hugs and kisses.

Suddenly, the door to the room was kicked in. Thinking quickly, Damian used Tim as a shield, standing behind him like a pillar to avoid being spotted.

Talia (eager): Damian! Habibi, give your mother a hug! Where is he?

Talia strode into the room, shoving Dick aside as she searched behind him.

Talia (attitude): Grayson, where did you hide my son?

Dick (waving): Hi, Talia! Good to see you.

Talia: Don’t ignore what I asked.

Dick: I didn’t, it’s just customary to greet someone, not assault them.

Talia: Oh please, that was barely an assault. You're just as weak as I’ve told others.

Dick (calmly pointing at Talia's nose): You have a booger sticking out of your nose. It’s pretty noticeable.

Talia covered her nose, blushing slightly. Recovering, she pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her nose while scanning the room.

Talia: Where is my baby? I must hug my child!

Dick (feigning innocence): He’s not here. At all.

Jason was unable to respond, too busy laughing at the absurdity of it all. As Talia scanned the room, Damian turned Tim’s body to keep himself hidden. Balling up her handkerchief, Talia tossed it at Dick.

Talia: Hold this, since you noticed, ass-man.

Dick dodged, but being a good brother, he stood in front of her to block her path.

Talia (holding out her arms): Usfour, come out of your hiding spot! I just want to hug you and shower you with affection. It’s what a good mother does, and I’m at least semi-okay. Grayson, my foot will be making contact with your little dick if you don’t move.

Dick: If you kick me, I'm telling my dad.

Talia: You would do that! You have never matured.

Dick: Honey, you have?

Dick and Talia bickered as Jason texted on his phone, while Damian stayed hidden behind Tim.

Damian (whispering): Don’t tell her where I am.

Tim (lying): I got your back.

Tim raised his hand in a mock gesture of surrender.

Tim: He’s over here, Talia!

He stepped aside and playfully shoved Damian forward. As soon as Talia spotted him, she squealed.

Talia (shoving Dick out of her way): Move, ass-man!

Damian (angrily to Tim): You mother—

Talia rushed over and enveloped her son in a tight hug, causing him to squirm and gasp for air. She moaned happily, snuggling him with a wide smile.

Damian (glaring at a grinning Tim): Drake, I will make you pay for this.

Tim (indifferent): Totally worth it for now.

Talia: And I appreciate you for that, Drake. I knew I had a reason to dislike you less! You’re smart, unlike the adult brats who try to deprive me of my time with my usfour.

Jason: In my defense, I raised him for eight years, and this is all funny.

Dick: And I loathe you.

Talia: Glad our feelings are mutual then, Grayson. Now, Damian, I’ve missed you so much! You’re still so adorable! Oh, those cheeks are still so soft. Let me give you some kisses!

She kissed Damian on the forehead and then nuzzled her nose against his cheek while humming. He kicked his feet, trying to escape, but her grip was like that of a python wrapping around its prey.

Damian (whining): Mother, you’re embarrassing me! And you smell too much like lavender!

Talia: Shush, let me love you! I love you!

Talia kissed Damian again on the forehead.

Talia: I love, love you, my baby! And I know you love me too.

Damian: Can you go back to being mean and insane? I miss that!

Damian groaned as he heard his amused brothers mocking him, deepening his frustration.

Damian (suppressed rage): The moment we get home, I’m going to deal with all of you. Mother, we need to leave—

Talia: You can take care of whatever it is in a few minutes. Let’s go see Grandpa! I know he tried to hurry you and your brothers out of the castle, but I convinced him to see how much you’ve grown. He has a gift for you too.

Damian: I don’t wanna!

Talia: It’ll be quick. I swear! Ever since I’ve been striving to be a better mama, I feel so much lighter. My mind is clearer, my fighting is more agile, and I still have my rivalry with Grayson. My sworn enemy, and the reason I’m not with Bruce.

Dick: Your therapist is either lying to you, or you’re not listening.

Jason: Dude, stop! I’m going to die from laughter.

Talia: Ignoring you both. Let’s go, Dami!

Talia giggled, dropping Damian and grabbing his leg instead, preventing his escape.

Damian (screaming): No, no! He smells like mothballs! Mother, please!

Talia ignored his protests and dragged him away from his brothers. As Damian's screams echoed through the halls, the brothers were left in the room, processing what they had just witnessed.

Tim (perplexed): That was clingy… and adorable. Do I miss my mom that much?

Dick and Jason (relating): Yeah.

Tim: Hm, I accept that. Talia is like a villain, but not an evil mother anymore. What changed?

Jason: From what I remember Ra's telling me, after Nyssa kept killing Talia and putting her in a different Lazarus Pit, driving her insane, he put her dead body in his pit. When she woke up, she was the same but different. She had an epiphany, like she met her "maker." They told her not to be a bad person to her child, to be a better mom, or the pits of hell would welcome her and never let her go.

Dick (speculating): Why is she still an asshole, though?

Jason and Tim: Because neither of you like each other.

Dick (prideful): Yeah, the balance of the universe would unravel if we liked each other. At least I'm glad she replaced her violence with smothering love for Damian.

Tim: You think the "maker" was her own mom?

Jason (agreeing): In this mad world? Probably. But that was entertaining at least.

Tim nodded, but wondered about a missing person in their group.

Tim: Why isn't Bruce here?

Dick: Ra despises him, and he feels the same way about Ra.

Jason: Right, and Ra's made it clear they’d fight to the death if Bruce set foot in here, and not just toss him into the pit. Bruce said he'd break every bone in Ra's body and make him wish he was dead. There was a lot of tension after Talia went murder hobo insane. Just our usual family dynamics.

Tim: Cool, I get that. Want to check out his skull collection?

Dick: Sure, I’m down.

Jason: Did he update it?

Tim: Yep! He’s added the spines of his enemies too. One of the maids here can give us apple fritters she made as well.

With that, the brothers quietly slipped away as Damian's protests faded into the distance, still audible as Talia hugged him. Ra, the eccentric grandpa, was about to launch into another tangent about the world’s problems.

usfour- little bird