Tidal Waves

18. Ambivalent

Despite Emiko kissing him earlier, Damian still couldn't shake off the strange feeling he had felt from the other girl. No, this wasn't good. He needed a distraction.

"You've never been here before?"

Emiko shook her head as they walked side by side down the paved road. "I've only heard of him being here from my... family. If you can call them that."

Damian nodded, understanding. "Where should we look first?"

"Let's ask around," Emiko decided, pulling her mask up to cover the lower half of her face. "Inns and taverns would be our best bet."

Her small hand reached out and grabbed Damain's, pulling him behind her as they walked through the crowded street.

—

After walking into a dozen hotels and bars, they finally got an answer.

"You two have some nerve storming in here like that."

Red Arrow glanced at the man, her eyebrows furrowed. "Do you know where he is?"

The man at the table scoffed. "Green Arrow? Sure. That doesn't mean I'll tell you where he is."

"It's important," Red Arrow said, slamming her gloved hands on the table. The other men sitting with him started to stand up. Damian withdrew his sword from its holster in anticipation. "My partner here doesn't play around."

The man took in Damian's aggressive expression. "Captain al Ghul. I've heard of you. Not very impressed."

Damian narrowed his eye, gritting his teeth in annoyance as he grabbed the man by the collar of his shirt, using his sword to intimidate him. His patience was wearing thin, and rage was beginning to overcome him. "Can I cut his hands off now?"

"I'll talk," the man groaned as he was raised to his feet, the blade of Damian's sword inches from his throat. "Just put me down, kid."

Reluctantly Damian released the man, letting Red Arrow approach him. "Go on."

"He lives in the largest house at the north-side docks. Hard to miss."

A grin pulled at Red Arrow's masked lips. "Thanks," was all she said before gesturing for Damian to follow her, brutally shoving by the man as they left.

—

After successfully finding her brother, Emiko and Damian decided to part ways.

"Thank you," Emiko spoke as she pulled her red mask off. "For everything. I wouldn't have made it this far without you."

"It was nothing," Damian assured her. "I hope you two get along well."

"Me too," Emiko replied and let her lips slip into a smile. "Maybe one day I'll have to join your crew again. It's been... fun."

Silence filled the air as the two of them shared a glance. Damian swallowed nervously and leaned down, placing a hand on her cheek as he mimicked the gesture from before and pressed his callow lips to her own. He loosely rested his other hand on her hip, pulling her closer.

Despite what he expected, the kiss left a bland taste in his mouth. When they parted, she gave him a perplexed expression.

"Why did you do that?" Emiko curiously questioned, meeting his intent gaze.

Damian cleared his throat as he retreated his hands. "Just returning the gesture."

"Well, thank you." Emiko let out a lighthearted laugh, before adding, "But... you didn't have to do that. You should save that for someone else."