afterthought || d. wayne (2)

TEN

CORTO MALTESE ISLAND
JUNE 16TH
1:03 A.M.

The sun will rise in a few hours. He only has so much time left before the tournament officially starts, but he can't seem to get off this god-forsaken island.

First, he had to ditch his grandfather after a long day of "healing." It took an hour or so to avoid his family. He's grateful Dick let him go. If any of the others had caught him, they probably would've tranquilized him. Now, in the midst of his investigation, some idiot sent ninjas to stop him.

He'd ask for a break if solving this case wasn't the break.

To top it off, his best friend (though he wouldn't tell him that) came for an impromptu visit.

Damian genuinely enjoys seeing his friend. Despite the adjustment period they had to go through after Jon's aging, they remained close. They are, after all, still the Super Sons. While he is annoyed that practically everyone knows where he is when he's supposed to be off-grid, he feels more honored that Jon sought him out for advice.

They had a good talk and Damian could tell it made Jon feel more at ease with his situation.

"Thanks, Damian." Jon smiles, looking down at Damian. The height difference wasn't too new. Jon always had him by an inch. "You always know what to say." Damian rolls his eyes at the sentiment.

"I merely use common sense, Kent." Both knew he wasn't actually being rude. It was only to cover Damian's embarrassment over the compliment.

"I met her, by the way."

Damian stares ahead, trying to not react too visibly. He doesn't have to ask Jon about who he's talking about. He only spoke to Dick about her a day or so ago. They're walking up the steps, abandoning the pile of ninjas Damian left behind.

Jon, used to Damian's attempts at avoiding vulnerability, continues, "She asked me to give you this." Damian offers his hand but refuses eye contact even when the folded paper is placed in his hand.

There's a note on the front, formed by Noelle's neat handwriting. It's brief, but it gets the point across.

Come home safe, Homewrecker
— King

Damian's eyes scan the message through his mask. The corner of his lips tilt upward, a hint of a smile. He unfolds the paper and turns it to see the sketch.

His smile fully forms at the hastily sketched view from Noelle's apartment. It's not much, just a few buildings, but she brought light to it with the small details. Vague outlines of people and objects you can see clearly from her living room. He understands the sketch clearly, having seen it numerous times.

She depicted the view from his sanctuary.

It's a nice gesture and it makes him miss her even more.

Just a little longer, he promises before folding the sketch and stashing it in his utility belt. Folding it had bothered him, but there was nothing he could do to preserve it right now.

"Awwww," Jon coos in his ear, earning an elbow to his side. The action bothered Damian's elbow more than Jon's side, but the point was made. "Damian, I've never seen you smile for so long!"