My Only Love

Not strong enough

Damian had been unusually closed off one morning. One would think that he would be in high spirits due to his and Raven's wedding plans going ahead. They were planning a lot even after 3 days, he was in full excitement for the whole time, same as her. Until the fourth day.

He awoke that morning feeling bitter, like something just wasn't right. A realisation had occurred. His mind instantly went to his fight with Akai Shi. The fear he felt during it, the look of his beaming red eyes on him. It was unsettling and shook him to his core. Never had he been so terrified in his life.

Damian finally realised what was going on. He went to his gym which he used to be in a lot. However, since Raven was there now he was using it less. Instead he spent time with her. She occasionally joined him in there for a few workouts but, it was not exactly common.

He began to hit the punching bag with brutal speed and ferocity. It was loud, he hoped Raven, who was still in bed, couldn't hear him. She did have sharp ears though.

He knew. He wasn't strong enough to protect Raven. If Akai Shi wanted to he could kill her in an instant if he was close. Damian would be powerless to stop him. He could've done it in that fight.

Having realised what was going on, Damian had a long gym session. He woke up at 4am and was still in there punching, running and lifting weights until 7am. It was insane. He was sweating enough to flood the room.

He showed no signs of stopping before Raven came in. She had heard him near the end and had a feeling she knew what was going on. She honestly felt empathic or something at times, it was weird. She didn't care what kind of mood he was on; she was going to help him get through this. She could relate, she wasn't a fighter at all. She could box a little at best. Even so she wanted to protect Damian as he was trying to do for her.

"You should wear gloves when doing that." Damian heard Raven say. He didn't want to wake her. She should be resting. Then so should he. They should rest but no. Damian needs more convincing, he needs to get stronger after all.

"My opponent isn't getting off with gloves so why should the bag?" Damian asked. It was rhetorical and Raven noticed his bad mood. She took note to make sure she didn't do anything to seriously piss him off. Raven discovered, during their time as just friends, that his anger was immense and not to be taken lightly.

"Maybe, but, you're fighting the bag right now and you're just hurting yourself." Raven took careful steps towards him and prepared to treat his hands. They were actually bleeding profusely and Damian hadn't even noticed.

"Wait... what? I-I haven't even..." Damian struggled to get with the fact that he had severely hurt his hand. He was protecting no one with those hands.

"See? Come here." Raven said as she pulled him towards her. She began to bandage his hands and she gave him a look that implied she didn't want him doing that again. Damian looked down at their hands together and intertwined their fingers. Raven smiled and looked at him happily.

"You gonna tell me what's wrong?" Raven silently asked.

"You know already don't you?"

"Tell me." Raven said seriously with a flat stare.

"I'm not strong enough to keep you safe."

"Neither am I... I can't protect you."

"You don't need to protect me." Damian tried defending her, pointlessly.

"Oh I do. A relationship and love is protecting each other, remember?" Raven asked before kissing him slowly. He leaned in and let his mind finally settle.

"Then... let's get stronger together." Damian replied. A sincere smile on his face that Raven copied herself.

"How long have you been in here?"

"A few hours."

"Yeah, you're insane." Raven responded with a laugh. Damian also laughed.

He went to have a shower and didn't expect Raven to come in and join him. Nevertheless he definitely enjoyed it.

"Let's get stronger and protect each other, Dami, Love."

"Yes, Habibti."

They started their day normally after that and began to go the gym a lot more.