EUPHORIA

Coffee

Damian sat at the edge of the training room, his focus entirely on the rigorous exercise routine he had developed for himself. Despite the typical hum of activity surrounding Titans Tower, an unusual silence lingered in their shared apartment. The sun began to set outside, casting long shadows across the floor, and a gnawing worry began to stir within him.

Raven hadn’t emerged from her room all day. He’d checked on her multiple times, but each knock on her door had gone unanswered. His instincts screamed that something was wrong. He was about to go back again when he forced himself to concentrate on his training.

Hours passed, and just as he was perfecting his stance, he felt a soft warmth wrap around his waist from behind. Startled, he turned to find Raven standing there, her face beaming with an energy he hadn't seen from her in a while.

“Hey, sleepyhead,” he said, relief washing over him.

“Damian!” she exclaimed, almost too cheerfully. “Guess who finally decided to wake up?”

He arched an eyebrow. “You’re surprisingly energetic for someone who slept all day.”

“Coffee! I think I might have had, like, twenty cups.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and before he could react, she began scaling a nearby wall, her agility on full display.

“Raven, be careful!” he called, but she only giggled, clearly enjoying herself. It was a side of her he loved to see, a rare glimpse of playfulness that often lay buried beneath her serious demeanor.

She jumped from the wall to a training apparatus, narrowly avoiding a fall as she leaped effortlessly from one piece of equipment to another. Damian watched with a mix of admiration and anxiety. It was entertaining but reckless.

“Stop showing off!” he shouted, a half-smile on his lips.

“Catch me if you can!” she taunted, her laughter echoing in the vastness of the training room. She leaped again, and in that split second, Damian’s instincts kicked in. He lunged forward, catching her by the waist as she landed, pulling her safely against him.

“You’re too reckless for your own good,” he said, his heart racing not just from the exercise but from the thrill of holding her close.

Before he could process what he was doing, he hoisted her over his shoulder, ignoring her surprised squeal. “Damian, put me down!” she protested, though the laughter in her voice told him she was enjoying it.

“Not a chance,” he replied, a smirk on his face as he made his way to the foam pit.

With a playful toss, he threw her into the pit, and she landed with a splash of colorful foam, erupting into a fit of giggles. He watched her flail for a moment before she resurfaced, a look of mock indignation mixed with delight plastered on her face.

“You think you can just throw me around?” she challenged, still grinning as she flopped back against the foam.

Damian chuckled, leaning against the edge of the pit. “If it keeps you from climbing on walls and jumping around like a lunatic, then yes.”

She narrowed her eyes, the playful energy still radiating from her. “Oh, just wait until I get out of here.”

“Do your worst,” he dared her, enjoying the playful banter.

Raven shot up, the foam cascading off her as she leaped toward him, ready to tackle him back into the pit. He sidestepped, narrowly avoiding her grasp, and the two of them burst into laughter, the evening turning into a playful dance of agility and laughter.

It felt good to see her this way, vibrant and full of life, and he couldn't help but smile at the sight of her joy. She had finally returned to him, and for that, he was grateful.