Young Justice: College AU | Complete

Chapter 64

Life was rough, tortuous even for some people. Today was another one of those nights for the poor kid as he tossed and turned in that large empty bed of his. It was late - by the looks of it already past midnight. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I promise to do it right." he whispered, his fingers curled into the sheets in a sort of death grip. It was like those blankets were the only thing tethering him to reality.

Sometimes while he was asleep he would scratch at his skin so hard it would draw blood. "Please don't, I'm sorry." he pleaded quietly before beginning to thrash around underneath the covers. When his eyes shot open he sat up breathing heavily as he wearily looked around. The large room was dark and devoid of anyone who would wish to hurt him. The window to her bedroom opened as the weight on the bed shifted.

Her eyes fluttered open as she sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. It was early, too early to be awake. Although she was in an apartment building the boy sitting on the edge of her bed found ways inside. "Damian?" she whispered as her eyes tried to focus in the dark. Everyone was different, she knew from first-hand experience, but Damian was something else.

There was a mystery to him that she couldn't quite ever figure out. When she reached out to tap his shoulder he flinched causing her to pull her hand back. Her parent's were in bed so she couldn't be too loud. Instead she climbed out from under the warm covers and crawled over to sit next to the boy. They sat in silence for the longest time just listening to the city roaring outside of the open window. Mar'i still had no idea how he managed to get in through there.

Finally, he managed to speak a few words, "Promise me you'll never leave me." he whispered in a stuffy voice. It sounded like he had been crying. A small smile managed to form against her lips as she grabbed his hand. "I can't leave you, just like you can't leave me. We're going to be together forever." she whispered before giggling sweetly.

Mar'i Grayson definitely was a treasure and for the first time in a long time he trusted her. She would've asked him why he was crying but she knew to avoid that subject. Damian was quite defensive when it came to anything that involved his own vulnerability. "Do you - do you trust me?" he asked turning his head to meet her tired gaze.

"Of course I do Damian, I love you, you're my best friend." she said in a hushed voice before pulling him into a side hug.

Some children experience the worst of the worst and it's horrible. Damian knew just how cruel the world could really be. People like the girl hugging him were one of the rare specialties. You either find them when you're at your lowest or they come to you later in life to help mend what is still healing. "I'm pretty sure Dad won't mind you staying over." she said as he nodded beginning to climb off of her bed.

"Where are you going? Clearly you had a bad dream and when I have a bad dream I head to my mum and dad's room. So you're going to stay right here." she said grabbing his hand and tugging him back onto the bed.

By the next morning when Zatanna came to wake her daughter up she saw the two kids fast asleep on opposite end's of the bed. The young woman simply smiled to herself and closed the door behind her.

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Today was the day of the track team tryouts and like hell he was going to miss it. Artemis was already in the kitchen sipping a mug of coffee when he woke up. "Ready lover boy?" she asked in a teasing tone as he groaned and shuffled into the kitchen. A tired kiss was pressed to the side of her head before he grabbed the mug of coffee resting on the counter. It was still warm when he took a sip of the liquid energy.

After the mug of coffee was finished - the bitter yet satisfying taste lingering in his mouth - he pulled on his running shoes and whispered some encouraging words to himself. The track team in high school was simple and it seemed like a millennia ago. There was no doubt that the best of the best were trying out now. Surely he wouldn't get a spot on the team. "You worry too much" Artemis said, a smile gracing her lips as she pressed a kiss to his cheek.