The Devil's Daughter (Damirae)

Chapter 12

Damian's Journal:

"Not funny, Grayson." I said curtly. I couldn't believe him, making fun of me when I came and asked for his advice.

"It wasn't a joke, Wayne." He said, mimicking my curt tone but keeping that annoying Dick-Grayson-grin on his face.

Could it be...?

No. No, no, he was obviously mistaken. There was no way that could ever happen to me. It is completely impossible.

Now he spoke in his own voice, very serious. "Damian, I've suspected that you've liked her for a while now. I've seen you guys do things that few people ever do.  You guys freaking cuddled together, when she had a nightmare! Besides, you two would be adorable together."

"Shut up, Grayson. I don't-"

"Yes you do. Everyone else can see it. I'm willing to bet she's seen it too."

I looked at the ground, head swirling with confusion. Deep down, I knew that he was right, he had to be; there was just no other explanation. But I didn't know what to do about a feeling such as this.

"What should I do?"

"Well, that's a stupid question." He said, now grinning again.

I stared at him in confusion. What the hell was that supposed to mean?

He looked annoyed, as though the answer was evident. "Go ask her out."

I continued to stare, and cocked my head in incertitude. He said it with an annoyed face, not a grin, implying he was being earnest, even as though the answer was obvious. Yet what he said was so patently ludicrous and absurd that it had to be a joke.

"Dick, take this seriously..."

"I am, Damian. You two would go great together. Seriously, go ask her out. I know it's scary, but I promise it'll work out well in the end."

This bastard thought I was just nervous! He didn't understand the full gravity of the situation! I mentally noted the irony of the world's greatest acrobat not understanding gravity before continuing the conversation.

"Grayson, I'm not nervous. Romantic attraction is a liabi-"

"Damian! Will you stop being so serious for two damned seconds?!? Not everything involving feelings is a liability!"

"Grayson, my biggest problem is that I can't control my rage. I can't keep a level head. Don't even pretend that love makes you able to control yourself better!" I was snapping at this point. I was infuriated.

"Calm down. I don't want to wake anyone." He looked up, as though expected to hear people shouting: of course, no one was. Then he looked at me. "Look, you wanted to talk, we talked, you now know what this feeling is. I need to get to bed."

"Yes, yes. Go on, then." He got up and began to walk out. Then I realized that it was his turn to be embarrassed.

"Yes, or Kori might just drink all of that champagne and start "sleeping" by herself. After all, we all know when someone sneaks champagne to bed at eight-thirty, they're simply going to sleep."

He looked at me, angry. "Good night, Damian."

I waved him off. I was soon too perturbed to care all that much about him. "Liking" Raven was going to be a tough challenge to overcome, especially since I couldn't exactly ghost her, otherwise she would figure out something was wrong. Besides, I enjoyed my time with her too much.

God, I really was over the top about her.

Fortunately, there was a new threat to focus on. Hopefully it could distract me until I figured out what approach to take in this... situation.

I am focused, I told myself. I have a task to focus on, and I will not rest until this new threat is neutralized. The new League will fall, and I'll deal with my feelings when it's all over.

This is going to work.