afterthought || d. wayne (2)

PROLOGUE

ALFRED J. PENNYWORTH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
MAY 19TH - six months after the gala
18:15 PM

It was a beautiful building with a beautiful statue.

What wasn't beautiful, however, was the reason everyone was gathered.

Alfred Pennyworth met his demise at the hands of Bane nearly a month ago. The idea of that was tragic enough on its own. Noelle knew of his importance to not only the Waynes but the entire Batfamily.

Bruce Wayne gave the practiced speech with Barbara Gordon, Dick Grayson, and, of course, Damian Wayne standing right behind him.

Everyone important was sorrowed. The reporters and other people were respectful and recognized the mournful atmosphere, but they could hardly empathize. No one knew what Alfred meant to them.

Noelle had spotted Tim leaning against a pillar on one side. She spotted a poorly disguised Jason on the other. Rather than offering her condolences immediately, she made sure to keep herself in Damian's line of vision.

She knew how hard Alfred's death hit him. After all, he was the only one there to see it.

Alfred's death happened nearly a month ago. Noelle doesn't know all of the details, but it was a dark time for Gotham. All she knows is that Damian was miserable and there wasn't much she could do to help.

Still, she tried to provide comfort just as he had for her all those months ago.

The ceremony was finished within thirty minutes. Guests spent the rest of the time expressing condolences or finding a way to network with each other.

No one had to say it, but Noelle knew this was the closest thing to a funeral Alfred would get. She wasn't sure why, but it wasn't her place to question it.

"Good to see you, kid."

Noelle recognized that gruff voice, despite only hearing it a few times. She supposes she would end up talking to everyone sometime tonight, but she didn't expect it to be this soon.

"Hey, Jason," she greets softly before turning to offer a small smile. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"My loss, huh?" Jason scoffs. His eyes are hidden behind round sunglasses. "Bruce doesn't think so. He banned me from coming."

"Like that's ever stopped you before."

"Clearly." He gestures to the surrounding space. No one near them paid any attention to either of them. They were too focused on offering forced condolences to the rest of the family. "How's everyone holding up?"

"I can't speak for everyone," Noelle reminds. She rests one hand over the other, keeping to herself. "But Damian...he isn't doing well."

"Because he's the reason Alfred's dead."

Noelle snaps her head at him, eyes narrowing and brows furrowing. Her hands clench into fists. "Don't say that," she snaps. "I don't know all the details, but I know it's not his fault."

"Maybe if you did know the details, you wouldn't be thinking that."

"Is that why you're talking to me? To tell me the details?" Noelle takes a step back. "I don't want to hear them, Jason. I thought you cared about Damian just as much as I do."

"I did," Jason huffs out, "until Demon Head over there disobeyed orders and got Alfred killed."

Noelle has to stop herself from screaming at him. "I understand you're grieving too, but do not tell Damian it's his fault. It will only make everything worse for the both of you."

Before either can say anything else, someone taps Noelle's shoulder, making her briefly look away from Jason. Her glare softens at the sight of emerald green eyes staring at her.

"Damian," she lets out before giving a small smile. "Hey." She glances back, only to see an empty space where Jason stood. "What are you...?"

"Let's leave," he suggests. Well, it sounded more like a command, but it wasn't one Noelle wanted to argue with.

"We're not staying?"

"No," he answers, already reaching for her hand. "I'm meeting the family at the mansion in an hour. But for now...I don't want to be near any of these people."

Damian is a good actor, Noelle's always known this. When it comes to romance or liking, it's harder to hide only because he'd rarely felt it. That practiced look of stoicism is the only thing keeping him together right now.

He's sorrowful and guilty for something that wasn't his fault. While he keeps the stoic look, Noelle knew better than to think it was just that.

"Okay," she agrees, squeezing his hand. "We can step out."

"Are your parents here?"

"Just my mother. She's expressing her condolences."

Damian nods but says nothing about it. He maneuvers through the crowd with Noelle in tow, ignoring all of the adults trying to stop him. It would seem rude if this was any other evening.

Finally, they make it outside.

Of course, it was raining, but Noelle ignored the thoughts about her hair in favor of following Damian. They don't walk far, just to the nearest alleyway. If she weren't going with Damian, she'd be a little worried.

"Are you okay?" She asks softly once realizing they weren't going any further. She leans against the building's wall.

"Please don't," Damian says instead, leaning against the wall in the spot beside her. "I don't want to talk about that right now."

Noelle nods empathetically. "Okay. Is there anything you do want to talk about?"

The rain was cold and soaked their clothes, but Noelle doesn't express any discomfort. Damian needs something right now, and if she could provide it she would. His hair was already flat due to the rain.

"Not really," he admits, squeezing her hand. Message received.

"Okay." She reciprocates the squeeze. "I'm here to listen whenever you need me to." She leans her head on his shoulder.

The two stand in silence, listening to the rain patter around them.