afterthought || d. wayne (2)

THREE

WAYNE MANOR
MAY 31ST
4:13 A.M.

Damian feels disgusting: physically and mentally. His knuckles, while protected by gloves, were splattered with some low-life blood. Damian is exhausted, which was slightly alarming because he has done more strenuous things than this, but he's too tired to care.

First, he needs to shower. Second, he'll need to clean his uniform before Father can say anything, though it won't do much good. He's sure Father already knows about his activities from tonight. Still, the uniform wasn't going to clean itself. Third, Damian needs a nightmare-less sleep to make it through the next day.

He could sense his father's gaze the moment he stepped inside the mansion. The kitchen door was unlocked, ready for Damian for whenever he came home. It was an odd discovery because his father would never do something like that.

Damian locks the door behind him, making sure he leaves no trace of blood before beginning to start his little to-do list.

Father's gaze is still on him, he can feel it. But Damian can't physically see him. Either the vigilante is being dramatic with his hiding spot, or he's watching Damian through the cameras in the Bat Cave.

Damian deduced the latter after ten seconds pass without interaction.

Still keeping quiet.

Whatever. If Father can ignore Damian, then Damian can ignore Father. They don't need each other.

It doesn't take long for Damian to get to his room. Titus, who was asleep on his bed, sits up at the sound of Damian opening his door.

Titus immediately jumps off the bed, nearly toppling Damian over out of excitement. Damian gives a small smile and a reassuring pat before saying, "I need to shower first. Go back to sleep."

Like the loyal, obedient companion he is, Titus hops back on the bed. He takes a moment to get comfortable before watching the bathroom door.

He stayed in the shower long enough to diligently scrub his skin–despite no blood getting on it. He focused on his movements rather than his thoughts. Twenty minutes of silence (save for the shower stream) pass before he made himself get out. He still has laundry to do, especially since Alfred isn't here anymore.

Titus doesn't perk up again when he gets out of the bathroom—he must be as tired as Damian. Damian was quick to change into his sleepwear before grabbing the bloodied costume off the floor. He keeps the outfit tucked against him, using his free hand to check the time on his phone.

The photo of Noelle's smiling face greets him when he turns on his phone. He can't help but wince at the sight. She would be disappointed.

No, she'd involve herself and that would make everything worse. She deserves better than his burdens.

She's mentioned many times how she's willing to lessen the weight of my burdens.

It was a comforting reminder, even if he didn't necessarily agree with it. He suddenly wishes it wasn't so early (late?).

God, he's exhausted, but his nerves are fucking shot. He really doesn't feel like doing laundry at the moment. He isn't too eager to go to bed either. While his body needs rest, his mind craves a distraction. The sudden longing for his girlfriend's presence makes it difficult to accept his current sleeping situation.