System malfunction || DC

Chapter Eighteen

-----------------------

A Ghoul

-----------------------

Damian Wayne isn't a coward. He doesn't back down from a challenge. He stands tall, his head held high, and a confident smirk on his lips. He strives to overcome all hurdles with dignity and honour. Never give up. Never acknowledge defeat at the hands of your adversary.

Today, though, served as a reminder of how weak humans are when confronted with their true feelings.

Regardless of how strong someone is No matter how long you've developed your abilities and surpassed your objectives, In the end, if your mind and emotions are persuaded by outside influences, you may succumb to internal strife.

Don't understand?

Consider yourself the smartest person in your class, if not the greatest in the world. You practise and study hard in order to achieve the grades you desire. However, one negative test result might knock you off your game. The major examinations are approaching, and you're suddenly doubting your skills and continuing to make blunders.

Stuck in a spiral of uneasiness and uncertainty. The mind is spiralling out of control, taking you down a dark path that you can't get out of. A mind afflicted with no hope of recovery. Do you honestly believe you'll be able to move on and restore your confidence that quickly?

Not for Damian.

He began looking for a purpose in life after becoming conscious of his own existence. To make his mother proud, to serve his family and clan, to surpass his father, to be the finest Robin there is. To take on the mantel of strength and power

Then he met her. A chance encounter that altered the path of his life

He had a huge admiration for Jocelyn. Her courage and skill put others at ease. I always understand how to help others relax their guard and welcome them, no matter who or what they are.

She never questioned him in the same way that other Gotham elites do. She viewed him as Damian, a young man with a lot to learn. Certainly not the next heir to the Wayne fortune. Not the next Robin with high anticipation. Not a child born with the intention of pursuing greed.

As an extraterrestrial, she recognised him as a human in need of patience and care. She teased him and laughed with him, wiping the wine from his lips when he spilled half of it down his face. From anyone's perspective, she wasn't the finest influence. Not when alcohol is involved.

But she was entertaining and energising. He felt alive when he was watching her. The way she moved and spoke, using her keen senses to discover what people desired and strived to make them happy. If someone from another planet could learn to adapt and prosper, he certainly could.

However, when confronted with contradictory feelings and the pressure of the pack, he turned his back and followed the mob. He could see she was unique. He simply didn't realise to what extent.

Did he anticipate that the reveal would be messy?

Yes

Did he expect it to hurt his ego that much?

Nope

Did her moment of death make him realize his feelings?

Fuck yeah

Will he own up to them and approach her?

Hell no

Would Tim have encountered the blue-haired girl and thereby introduced the others into her spider's web if he hadn't stopped to examine her?