Chapter 1: Dressed for Success
Notes:
For those that need to know the ages.
Dick-27
Jason-26
Tim-24
Damian-21
Jon-19
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
“Chin up just a little— yes, like that. Hold it.”
The camera flashes. The world sees the Prince of Gotham at his best.
Damian stands against a sleek, minimalist backdrop, dressed in an expensive all-black suit, tailored to perfection, chest open. The set is quiet except for the click of the camera and murmuring praises from the crew. The flash illuminated the space in stark, white light. Damian doesn’t blink. He doesn’t flinch.
“That’s it. Hold that. Perfect. Just like that, Damian.”
He doesn’t react to the words, compliments don’t hold weight when they’re expected. He knows how to be what they want. It’s muscle memory at this point. Every angle, every expression, was calculated. Flawless.
His beauty is unheard of. His features are more feminine than masculine. But, never less sharp. Face card never declines. They say he looks more like his mother than he does Bruce.
The final shot is taken, and the moment the camera stops, the world shifts.
“Alright, let’s switch it up. Lose the blazer, sleeves rolled. Let’s get something more effortless.”
Assistants rush in, adjusting his outfit, fixing stray hairs, murmuring to each other as they adjust the collar of his crisp white dress shirt.
The next set of shots flow seamlessly, Damian seated now, one arm draped over the chair, gaze lowered as if the world isn’t worth his attention. The pose is meant to be relaxed, but there’s tension in his shoulders, an unreadable composer. And the camera eats it up.
“That’s the look—” the photographer snaps his fingers. “Untouchable.”
‘Untouchable.’ That word stuck.
The next set ends. The crew began moving again, voicing more casual chatter, the energy melting into something ordinary. The illusion dissolves.
Damian barely listens. He’s too busy looking at his phone. No messages. Nothing from Jon. He turns off his phone, exhaling through his nose. He shouldn’t expect anything.
“Damian, darling, come with me. We must change to the next set.” A stylist perks up, ushering Damian to follow her. Damian composes himself, slipping back into his role. Back to perfection.
“Oh, Darling, are you alright? You look rather exhausted.”
“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” Damian continued, walking to the dressing rooms.
The crew is still talking, still praising, but the moment he steps off the set, he’s already gone.
Damian walks through the sleek hallways of the studio, past assistants carrying garments, bags, and other high-luxury items. Stylist chatting over racks of designer clothes. It’s all a blur to him.
The photoshoot lasted longer than expected–makeup, wardrobe changes, constant reshoots from lighting problems, and endless praise.
As he exits the building, the city greets him with its usual Gotham chaos. A car awaits by the curb, Alfred patiently holding open the car door for Damian to step inside and take his seat. The moment he’s inside, the noise is gone. The car is quiet and insulated, the tinted windows shielding him from the outside world.
The ride back home is quiet.
Damian sits in the back, elbow propped against the window, finally letting the weight of it all press down on him. He sank into the leather seat, his posture rigid despite the fatigue settling into his bones.
His phone is in his lap. Face down.
He hasn’t touched it since the photoshoot ended. Hasn’t checked it, not really. His fingers twitch, brushing the edge of his phone before pulling away. It was so easy back then, wasn’t it?
There was a time when Jon was always there. It started with consistent check-ups and pulling all-nighters with Damian on the phone.
A year. One whole year since they last spoke.
But Damian shouldn’t care. He tells himself that constantly, like a mantra. Jon is in college now. Busy with exams, journalism, with Jay Nakamura. Jay Nakamura was always close by.
Why would Jon be worried about Damian?
Damian knows why. He was always a difficult one. Too harsh. Too condescending. Too cold. Too hard to love. Jon’s life is moving forward, full of bright things.
Jon looks happy. With Jay.
Damian tells himself he should be happy for him. That the distance between them was bound to happen. That he has his own life to focus on, his path carved out before him in runways and magazine covers, where he’s meant to be someone else’s vision of perfection.
Yet, somehow, it still hurts.
“Master Damian?” Damian snapped out of his thoughts, looking up to meet Alfred's gaze in the mirror.
“Is everything alright?” Alfred's voice fills the silence.
“Everything fine. It’s just been a long day.”
Alfred gives Damian a gentle, knowing nod before his eyes go back to the road. Damian turns his head back to look out the car window. The city lights blur past in streaks of gold and white, casting long shadows inside the luxury vehicle.
The car continues down the empty road, the manor’s looming gates growing closer.
The car pulls into Wayne Manor. As both Damian and Alfred walk into the grand entrance of Wayne Manor, the sound of voices– loud voices– echo through the halls. Damian and Alfred waltz into the kitchen and see Jason stealing Tim’s food. Dick trying his best to mediate the situation.
Dick Grayson, the eldest, is the first to spot Damian as he walks into the kitchen. He grins, as always, flashing his signature smile. “Damian! How was the shoot?”
Damian barely glances at him, his exhaustion weighing heavy on his shoulders. “Business as usual.”
“Did you do the broody, smoldering look?” Tim chimed in as he struggled to reach for his plate.
“I do not smolder,” Damian said flatly.
“You say the same thing every time. Don’t you have that Milan thing happening tomorrow?” Jason asks as he fights off Tim from getting the food he technically stole.
Damian says nothing, trying to hide the exhaustion creeping up his spine. He doesn’t feel like engaging, not today. Dick notices Damian’s unresponsive attitude before snatching the plate of food from Jason.
“Here, want something to eat?”
“Hey! That was mine!” Jason and Tim exclaim, halting their fight as Dick offers Damian food.
“I appreciate the offer, Grayson. But I fear I’m on a constraint until Milan is over.” Damian said, softly pushing the plate back. Dieting is common in the fashion industry, but in Damian’s case, it’s something more concerning–he’s been refusing food ever since Jon left for college.
“Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat.” Dick places the plate ontop the island table, to which Jason and Tim go back and fight for it.
“You look like you need a break. Good thing it’s movie night.” Dick nudges Damian.
“It is?” Damian raises an eyebrow.
“It is now.” Jason shrugs, finishing off Tim’s half before they drag Damian to the living room and sit beside him on the couch.
“No documentaries. I swear to god, I will pass out.” Tim grabs the remote from the coffee table before leaning back against the couch and turning on the TV. Titus, Damian’s dog, joins them under their feet.
Damian leans back against the couch, not fully participating in the discussion but instead taking in the familiar sounds of his family. It felt oddly soothing to be in the middle of all this noise after the empty hours he spent at the photoshoot, alone with his thoughts as he posed for hours.
His brothers continue their banter as the movie starts, but Damian’s attention is less on the film.
Despite himself, Damian exhales, the tension in his shoulder easing, the warmth from his brothers surrounding him. He still feels the weight of everything–his career, his relationship with Jon, the upcoming trip to Milan–but for now, just for tonight, he lets himself sink into the warmth of his family.
The light from the TV screen flickers over his face as he stares blankly ahead. His eyes flutter closed just as the first few minutes of the movie began. He doesn’t try to fight; he’s exhausted, emotionally drained from the shoot, from everything. Before he knew it, Damian has drifted off to sleep, his head gently leaning towards Dick’s shoulder.
Dick gently smiles as he motions to Tim. Drake leaps off the couch, beelines for the closet, comes back with a blanket, and throws it across his brother’s lap. Tim joins the others under the blanket, glancing at Damian and then at Dick, both of thems silently acknownledging the way their younger brother has withdrawn. They’ve all seen the subtle shift in Damian since he started modeling and when Jon left for college. He’s quieter and more distant, and it’s clear to everyone but him that he’s not handling it well.
Bruce enters the living room after a long work day, his sharp eyes taking in the scene. His gaze lingers on Damian, his sleeping form as he leans against Dick while the others enjoy the movie. Bruce says nothing, but Alfred, standing nearby, catches the glance.
“How was he?” Bruce lowers his voice to Alfred.
“Tired. And distracted.”
Bruce sighs, taking note. He continues to stand in the doorway with Alfred as the movie continues to play.
Notes:
What do you think is each of the boys’ comfort movie to watch?
Anyway, this is the first story I’m posting on AO3. I’m not the best at these things, but I’ve always wanted to write a story with Damian being a model of some sort. Also, I didn’t plan that far ahead with this story, so if updates are slow, it’s most likely me racking my brain on what to do next.I’m not an expert when it comes to runway or the fashion industry. I’m just writing based on the surface knowledge that I know.
Chapter 2: The Devil's Deal
Summary:
Damian meets someone new, and he is something else.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
They say Milan Fashion Week is one of the most prestigious and influential fashion events, where models can showcase their hard work on the runway while making the designers shine with their collections.
The after-party is in full swing, the energy flows with conversations, laughter, and music. High-end cocktails clink in the air as models, designers, and other A-listers fill the venue. The flashes of cameras catch his face as he sips his drink. Damian finds himself sitting by a window, looking out at the city below, absolutely bored out of his mind. He sits, deciding if he should leave early without informing anyone. However, the moment he’s about to step off the bar stool…
“You’re sneaking out early, Wayne. How very unprofessional.” A new voice appears behind Damian.
“I wasn’t aware there were post-event obligations.” Damian turns his chair towards the voice.
“Oh, there aren’t. Just thought you’d be interested in a conversation that doesn’t involve business deals and brand endorsements.” He grabs two glasses of champagne from a passing staff member. “Or do Gotham’s finest models have a strict curfew?”
Damian was slightly offended by the man who took the seat in front of him. He was a tall, dark skinned man, and like the others, he wore a highly expensive suit. His eyes were light grey, and his hair was long and thick and flowed in braids.
Damian scoffed, but he accepted the drink.
“You assume I have interest in small talk. And you are?”
Leon grins. “My name is Leon Devereaux-Burciaga. And I will say, it’s not small talk if it’s interesting. Besides, I’d like to get to know the man wearing my collection.”
Damian blinked, surprised. That wasn’t something he expected. The clothes that Damian was wearing were a black blazer with forest green around the collar and sleeves as sliver embellishments created a flowy pattern. Underneath the blazer was a low-cut ruffle blouse that reached to Damian’s abdomen; accompanying it was a large pendant. The blouse ended in ruffles that reached mid-thigh. Lastly, the dress pants were sewn into a bell-bottom style and also held the same green flowy pattern at the ends.
“You designed this?”
“Every stitch.” Leon gestures at Damian’s sleek, tailored outfit. “And I must say, you wear it stunningly. Better than I imagined.”
Damian’s heart flutters. “I would hope so. It’s my job.”
Leon chuckled, tilting his head, placing the glass down on the table.
“And yet you don’t enjoy it.”
“It isn’t about enjoyment.”
“I see. So you throw yourself into work and call it discipline.”
Damian narrows his eyes. “You speak as if you know me.”
“I know the type.” Leon takes another sip before meeting Damian’s gaze. “And I also know that people like you don’t allow themselves to have fun unless someone drags them into it.”
Damian exhales sharply, somewhere between irritation and intrigue.
“And I suppose you think you’re that person?”
Leon shrugged. “No, but I can damn well try.” On that bead, he leaned in slightly. “There’s a trattoria in the city, rooftop, private, great view. No cameras and no crowds, just two people having a drink and talking about something other than work. No pressure, of course.”
Damian stared at him, expression unreadable. “You assume I need an escape,” he scoffs.
Leon smirks. “I assume you deserve one.”
There’s a long silence between them. Damian was considering his options. Should he walk away? He should be walking away. But there was something about the way Leon spoke to him. No expectations. No obligations. Just a moment of opportunity to be free of everything.
Damian finished off his drink. Then set the glass down and met Leon’s gaze with quiet resolve.
“.. Fine. But if it’s terrible, I’m leaving.”
Leon laughs, stepping aside, guiding Damian to the exit.
“That’s all I need.”
Ditching the formal setting for the dimly lit streets of Milan. Their late-night run away led to them to a hole in the wall trattoria only known by locals, located on the high rooftops. It’s a dimly lit area on a rooftop, upon a seemingly normal building. Damian and Leon sit at a rounded booth near the ledge, overlooking the beautiful lit city of Milan.
Their plates are mostly empty, and their glasses of wine half-finished when Damian brings up a new topic.
“How is it that I’ve only learned about you now? I would expect my staff would have informed me I would be modeling for your collection.” Damaian raised a brow, but his expression remained impassive.
Leon chuckles. “You know, things like why a guy like me is quite subjective. Let’s just say I decided to burn it all down and start over.”
“So, you self-destructed?” Damian took a sip of wine while keeping eye contact with Leon.
“‘Self-destructed’ is such a dramatic word. I like to think of it as… rewriting the script.” He took a sip of his wine, then set the glass down. “Have you ever looked at your life and realized none of it was yours?”
Damian didn’t answer right away, but something in the way his shoulders tensed told Leon that they had something in common.
“I had expectations.” Leon continued. “My family’s wealth was old, yes. But, legacy does not breed competence. In their eyes, fashion was a phase, as they say, an indulgence, not a career. They expected me to follow tradition, to uphold their name, not to create one of my own.” Leon exhaled, twirling the stem of the wine glass between his fingers.
“When I entered this industry, I was met with skepticism. A man in fashion? A name they recoginzed but did not respect? Absurd.”
Damian’s lips pressed into a thin line. A sentiment he understood well.
“So I did what they never expected. I worked. I studied. I built something from nothing.” Leon lets out a soft laugh. “When my first collection debuted, they finally stopped seeing me as just Devereaux-Burciaga. But, a Devereaux-Burciaga they had to respect.”
Damian studied Leon carefully, his mask of indifference intact. But Leon saw right through it. This silent understanding between the two men who had spent their whole lives proving their worth in a world that refused to give it freely.
“You understand,” Leon noted, watching Damian’s body language.
“To carve your place in the world. To be seen for what you build, to have the chance to finally-”
“Be free.” Damian finished the sentence.
Leon’s gaze was steady, his posture composed as he set his glass down.. “Then tell me, Damian,” He said, voice low, smooth and deliberate, his hand extending out to Damian’s, resting on the table idly. “What it that you are building?”
Damian looks at Leon, then at his hand, not moving it away. He focused only on Leon with piercing intensity.
“You don’t have to answer now,” Leon spoke, pulling away. “I imagine you prefer actions over words, anyway. But I have a feeling, whatever it is you’re building, you want to be the one holding the blueprint.”
Damian finally speaks. “Then let me ask you this: what do you think of me, Leon?”
Leon’s expression fills with amusement. “I think you and I have more in common than you realize. And I know what it’s like to carry the weight of a family name.” He sits up right, facing squared straight towards Damian.
“And-” Leon leans in, interwinning their hands together before placing a kiss atop Damian’s knuckles. “-you look breathtaking wearing my collection. They never lie about your beauty.”
Damian’s face flushes a soft pink. The feeling of soft lips pressing against his knuckles was like a jump start in his own heart. Has it really been this long since Damian has felt attraction towards anyone but Jonathan?
“Damian, I offer you a proposal.” Leons brings up suddenly.
Damian’s expression shifts back. “A proposal? I thought this dinner wasn't supposed to be about business."
“I don’t mean this out of malice or ill intent, but I believe this is something we both can benefit from,” Leon reassures as he releases his hand from Damain’s.
Damian eyes Leon in suspicion, and he retracks his hand to his lap. “Go on.”
“I would like your hand in marriage,” Leon says flatly, with a slight smile.
For the next few seconds, there was complete, utter silence between the two. Damian’s expression was completely unreadable. Damian’s expression was completely blank, with a hint of shock.
“I-I.. Excuse me?!” Damian responds in utter disbelief. “That is a bold statement.”
“Marriage. You and I.” Leon remains unfazed.
“Yes, I heard you. Don’t need to repeat it.” Damian still flabbergasted.
“It would be mutually beneficial.”
“You are suggesting that I-” He gestures vaguely between them.”-marry you. As a business strategy.”
“Precisiely.”
Damian inhales slowly, tilting his head to the side as he collects his thoughts together, as he stares at Leon like he just started speaking a foreign language.
“Leon.”
“Yes?”
“Are you.. Out of your goddamn mind?”
Leon doesn’t blink. “On the contrary, I believe this is to be the most rational decision either of us could make.”
“In what world?” Damian runs his hands down his face, inhaling sharply. Out of all the things that Damian has struggled and fought against, marriage was probably the most unhinged thing he had ever heard of.
“This marriage would help elevate yourself in the fashion industry. Having a bigger name like me designing all of your clothes and photoshoots would skyrocket your career. You’ve only been in this business for almost a year; coming to Milan is a big achievement. The combination of our presence would be unmatched. And I think-” Leon leans in, meeting Damian’s gaze. “-You like the idea of being with someone who isn’t intimidated by you.”
Damian’s breath catches for a brief moment. Leon smirks like he’s already won something.
Damian looks away, the city’s lights reflecting in his sharp green eyes. His mind is already racing with the possibilities. And damn it, Leon might just be right.
After his conversation with Leon, Damian finds himself alone in his hotel suite, staring out at the Milan skyline. The city glows below him, but his mind is elsewhere.
Damian sighed, running a hand through his hair.
Marriage.
Leon’s offer wasn’t a joke. Nor was it impulsive. It was calculated just like everything else about the man. Damian should have dismissed it outright, but instead, he let the words sink in.
But what about Jon?
His grip tightens on the edge of the balcony railing. He had spent the last year drowning in Jon’s absence, watching from afar as Jon built a new life, one that seemingly had no space left for him.
‘You like the idea of being with someone who isn’t intimidated by you.’
Damian scoffs under his breath. What an insufferable man.
But there was some truth in those words.
Leon was bold. Confident. He met Damian head-on; despite how the media saw Damian, Leon refused to treat him like something fragile or untouchable. He didn’t hesitate, didn’t run away. Maybe, just maybe, this is what Damian needs.
A distraction. A new purpose.
Damian pushes off the railing and steps back into the room. His phone sits on the bedside table. He hesitates before reaching for it, opening Jon’s social media.
He shouldn’t.
Jon’s smiling face beamed through every photo with Jay. Damian sets his phone down, his tears threatening to fall.
His mind is already made up.
“I despise the media,” Jason states, as he chills on a office chair, snacking.
“WHAT. IS. HAPPENING?!” Dick exclaims as he pulls up ten different news articles on his phone.
The Wayne household was currently in a panic as they surround the computer scrolling through a mutplitude of articles featuring Damian and this mystery fashion designer.
“I mean, the engagement headline is my favorite. Kid works fast.” Jason laughs.
“Jason, you’re not helping. Plus, I’m pretty sure half of this is fake. But I can’t tell which half.” Tim states, hacking into news servers.
Meanwhile, Bruce plans to erase Damian from the public eye forever.
“God, why did we let Damian go to Milan by himself?! I thought Alfred was supposed to accompany him while he was there.” Dick exclaimed, as he continued to scroll article to article, photos popping up from the very moment Leon approached Damian at the bar.
“Hold up, hold up, hold up. Would Damian marry a guy he just met?” Tim questions, ignoring the fact that said guy is, in fact, a guy.
“Oh, yeah, sure. Like Bruce is gonna let him be.” Jason interjects.
A beat of silence.
“We should call Stephanie.” Tim chimed.
“We should not call Stephanie.” The brothers reject.
“What do you mean, Stephanie knows more about this fashion stuff then we do. Maybe she can tell us who this guy is.” Tim counters.
“Why don’t we just Google this guy?” Jason suggests.
“Because when it comes to stuff like this, we need an expert. And that expert is Stephanie.” Tim proclaims.
Notes:
What do you guys think of Leon so far? Let me know if you like the story so far.
Chapter 3: Who's that Boy?
Summary:
Damian returns from Milan and has to face the backlash of his family on his recent engagement.
Chapter Text
The brothers gather around the kitchen island, with Dick holding Tim's ringing phone awaiting for Stephanie Brown to answer on the other end. Meanwhile, Tim furiously typed away at his laptop, continuing his investigation of Leon Devereaux-Burciaga.
The phone rang once. Twice. Finally, it picked up.
“Stephanie, thank god,” Tim said, relieved. “We need you. Big fashion emergency.”
“Fashion emergency?" Stephanie's voice comes through the phone, full of skepticism."Since when do you guys have fashion emergencies?” She huffs, playfully.
Jason rolls eyes, yanking at Dick's wrist to pull the phone towards him. "Ever since our baby brother started cozying up to some posh ass fashion designer in Milan."
“Oh, shit. Are you guys calling me because you heard about Damian and Leon Devereaux-Burciaga?” Stephanie gasped.
“Yes!” The brothers yelled in unison.
“Who the FUCK is he?” Jason demanded.
Stephanie chuckles on the other end. “Oh my god, you guys don’t know?”
The brothers exchange confused looks. It’s not uncommon to see any of Bruce’s children- except Jason- around high-profile individuals, especially Damian. Ever since he started modeling, he’s been surrounded by A-listers almost every single week, seeking for Damian to become their ambassador.
“Uh, no,” Tim said. “Should we know him?”
“Well, you should,” Stephanie responded, amused. “Leon Dexereaux does more than design clothes, he creates them. He runs Devereaux Atelier, one of the most exclusive fashion houses in the world. He's basically fashion royalty." There's a pause.
"Oh, and he’s also the same guy that designs all of your boyfriends' racing suits, Tim."
“Hold up, as in Conner’s racing suits?” Tim stops his rapid typing to look at Stephanie's contact photo.
"Yeah, Tim. The very same guy." Stephanie confirms. "You rave about your man's gear all the time, and you still don't recognize the name? I'm disappointed." Stephanie said sarcastically.
“Wait, so this is not just some random guy?” Jason scoffs.
“Nope.” Stephaine popped the 'p'. ’ “Damian might be a Wayne, but Leon is a PR machine. He’s got connections all over the world.”
Jason furrowed his brow. “So what? Damian’s just another piece of his PR puzzle?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised, but here's the thing. Leon doesn’t just work with anyone. He’s got an eye for talent, and if he’s seen something in Damian...” She trails off.
"Are you saying he sought out Damian?" Dick frowned.
Just as the tension thickened in the room, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallways. Damian enters the room, his expression unreadable.
“Damian,” Dick greeted. “We were just talking about-”
“I know,” Damian cuts in smoothly, tossing his belongings aside with Alfred following closely behind. “You’ve already heard about Leon Devereaux-Burciaga, haven’t you?”
Jason crosses his arms and straightens. “You could say that. But, what we’d like to know is what the hell is going on with you and him.”
Damian’s eyes briefly dart to the phone in Tim’s hand. Noticing Stephanie’s contact photo fill the screen. “Well, it’s simple,” he speaks calmly and deliberately. “I’m engaged.”
“WHAT?!” They all practically explode, overlapping their voices with Stephanie's distant shriek through the speaker phone.
“Hold up, Steph, we’ll call you back.” Tim hangs up the phone before Stephaine can say another word.
“I’ve accepted his proposal. I’ve agreed to marry Leon Devereaux-Burciaga.” Damian repeats his statement.
“Wait, so the engagement headline is real?!” Jason runs a hand through his hair. "This ain't just some PR stunt? "
“Damian, you can’t be serious,” Dick blurted out, disbelief pouring out of his words. "You've just met this guy. And now you're getting married?"
“I know what I’m doing.” Damian snapped, jaw tightened, “I don’t need a lecture from any of you.”
Tim gawked at the youngest Wayne, eyes wide. “No, you don't! Damian, this is crazy. You’re marrying him for what? To further his fashion empire? This isn’t you.”
“I’m doing this for me,” Damian shot back, his tone sharp. “For once, I’m making a decision that’s about me.
“This has to be some manipulation tactic,” Jason said with a stunned laugh.
“It’s not manipulation. This is my choice.” Damian insisted, his hands tightened into a fist.
“What about Bruce? You think he’ll let you get married out of nowhere?”
“I am 21 years old." Damian bit back. "I don't need his permission. Let alone yours, for that matter."
A pause settles in. Dick, ever so the peacemaker, softened his voice. “Damian, if this is really what you want, then we’ll support you. But are you sure about this? Have you thought this through?”
“I’ve thought it through. I’m getting engaged, and that’s final.”
"Come in," Bruce announces.
Damian enters Bruce's office before closing the door behind him. After leaving his concerned brothers downstairs, Damian is now to face what his father has to say about his unexpected engagement. He knew this conversation wasn't going to be easy.
"Father," Damian greets, standing straight with his hands behind his back.
Bruce exhales, carefully. "Sit."
Damian hesitates for a moment before stepping forward, lowering himself into the leather chair across from his father. The seat feels too big, the space between them too vast.
Bruce's hands were clasped together resting on the desk in a knowing gesture. "Is it true?"
Damian answers, his gaze steady. "It is."
Bruce then reaches for a newspaper that sits near his monitor, turning it towards Damian. The headline is in black bold letters and reads:
"RUNWAY BREAKING NEWS: DAMIAN WAYNE AND LEON Devereaux-Burciaga, FASHION'S NEWEST POWER COUPLE, ENGAGED?!"
Below the bold headline were candid photographs taken by locals from Milan. The photos were blurry as they showed Damian and Leon's late-night rendezvous and, lastly, Leon's lips pressed against Damian's knuckles. The media was in an absolute whirlwind of tea to spill.
"Explain."
Damian straightened his back. "Leon offered a deal. A business partnership through marriage. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement."
"And you accepted."
"Yes."
"Why?" The question was blunt, pressing. Bruce's stern gaze would make any normal person look away to avoid the chill.
"I believe Leon's influence will secure my place in the industry. His connections are benefactors. Aligning with him will secure longevity beyond mere novelty. And with it, I'll be a force to be reckoned with." Damian eludes.
Bruce leans back in his chair. "So you're using him."
"He's using me, too. It's business."
"So, what happens when it stops being just business?" Bruce questions. What does happen? Damian and Leon would have to fake to the media that their relationship is only romantic.
"You realize this is much more than a business deal. You are expected to be romantically involved with him. The media believes in the surface level of your relationship. You understand that, right, Damian?"
Damian crosses his arms, his expression impassive. "That's how the press works, father."
"Then you know they'll dig into every detail of your life. They'll want evidence. A narrative. It won't just be staged photos and a few public outings. People will expect something real," Bruce explains.
"Then I'll give them what they want."
"Tim and Conner thought the same thing."
This made Damian pause.
"When their relationship became public, it wasn't just about them anymore. Every move Conner made on the track, every business deal Tim closed. It all got analyzed through their relationship. Was Conner dating Tim for money? Was Tim using Conner? They didn't just prove themselves as individuals, they had to prove themselves as a couple."
Damian scoffed. "And yet, they survived it."
"Yes," Bruce agreed. "Because their relationship wasn't just for show."
Damian's jaw tightened. He pushed back his chair and stood; the scrape of the wood against the floor was louder than necessary. Sorry, Alfred. "I don't see how this concerns you."
Bruce's expression remained unreadable, but there was something in Bruce's eyes that made Damian's stomach twist. "It concerns me because I know you, Damian." His voice was quieter now, carefully treading the topic.
"You don't trust easily. So why him?"
Damian's throat felt tight. His fingers curled into fists at his sides. "Because I chose him."
Silence expanded between them. Bruce watched him carefully; the weight of his father's worry felt heavy.
Damian turns to leave, not wanting to continue this conversation. The air around Bruce is suffocating. Bruce's icy stare gives the notion that Bruce is judging him. No one had ever expected a Wayne on the runway, but Bruce never stood in his way. Yet it never felt like support. More like tolerance. Like everything Damian did was just wrong.Damian turns to leave, unwilling to continue this conversation. The air surrounding Bruce feels suffocating. Bruce's icy stare suggests that he is judging Damian. No one ever expected a Wayne on the runway, but Bruce never stood in his way. Still, it never felt like support—more like tolerance, as if everything Damian did was just wrong.
Being sent to Gotham was both the best and worst thing that happened to Damian.It was the best because he finally met his biological father after all the years he spent being an Al Ghul. He was finally free from his mother. However, being sent to the worst city on the planet, in the middle of bum fuck new jersey wasn't the best place to raise a ten-year-old boy.
Damian had spent his entire life being measured by what he could offer. Even when he thought that being away from his mother would grant him freedom, all it did was cage him to another parent's expectations. The constant comparisons to his brothers didn't help. Each of the others made a place for themselves in the family, they had a presence that demanded respect. But Damian?
He was a son his father never asked for.
During his first meeting with Leon, there were no demands for proof of worth. Leon never questioned Damian's value. The way he talks, his confidence, the way he carries himself. His voice is like silk wrapped around steel, persuasive but unyielding, commanding attention without asking for it. He simply embraced him, not as an heir or a Wayne, but as himself. As his.
Why would he have to justify it to anyone?
Jon left. Not out of malice or rejection, but because he had a life and a future that didn't revolve around Damian. Jon had been different. He wanted Damian once. He was the only one who made growing up in Gotham bearable anytime he came over.
Damian makes it to the door when Bruce speaks again.
"Damian."
Damian stops in his tracks, his hand hovering over the doorknob. He slowly looks over his shoulder, meeting Bruce's gaze once more.
"I want to meet him." Bruce's tone sharp.
"What?" Damian unsure.
"I wish to meet him." He repeated
Damian pressed his lips in a flat line. "Fine."
"The Charity Gala. This week. You are to invite him here." Bruce orders.
"You're making this into a big deal."
"This became a big deal the moment you accepted his proposal. I only wish to meet the man you are to marry."
A test.
"And if he is to not attend." Damian's hands finally meet the doorknob as he turns to face the door.
"Then I'll have my answer."
With that, Damian exits his father's office, gently closing the door behind him. The moment the door separates them, Damian puts his face in his hands, exhaling as all the stress in his shoulders eases out. He leans his back against the door, sliding down until he meets the floor.
A bark is echoed from down the hall, it's Titus. Titus approaches Damian, sensing his stress, and sits himself near Damian, laying his head on the young Wayne's lap. Titus has always been a good help in dealing with Damian's stress over the past few years.
"Hi, boy." Damian gently pets his head. "I'll be okay."
Titua lets out a sad whimper, his ears lay flat against his head.
Damian sits on the floor with Titus's breathing calming him down. Whilst his phone continuously rings with each new article mentioning his name with Leon. This charity gala couldn't come any sooner.
"I have to be."
Notes:
Feel free to tell me how you feel about the story so far or if you wanna see something in the future. I will do my best to update as often as I can.
Chapter 4: The Way He Wears It
Summary:
The Kents arrive in Gotham for the Charity event. Jon finally gets to reunite with Damian and meet Leon, his fiancee.
Notes:
Not proofread.
Also, parts of this chapter are inspired by xx_Katya_xx 's Finding Love (Right here). Please go read their story if you're interested.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Gotham Airport
"Conner!" Tim shouts, enthusiastically running over to greet his boyfriend.
"Tim!" Conner barely has time to react before Tim jumps on him, forcing him to drop his bags in favor of wrapping his arms around his boyfriend. Their embrace is tight and warm, and a feeling of longing. Tim starts landing quick pecks all over Connor's face before pressing a lingering kiss on his lips.
Tim pulls away, out of breath, with a grin. "God, I missed you so much," Tim confesses, his arms wrapped around Conner's neck.
Conner chuckles. "I missed you too, babe."
A solid cough interrupts their moment. "Hi, Tim." Clark greeted them with an amused tone to remind them they weren't alone. That's embarrassing.
The two men snap out of the moment. "Oh, Clark! Hi." Conner sets Tim down. "It's been a while." Tim is a bit flushed and smoothes out his shirt, realizing how public they are in the middle of an airport. Especially in front of Clark and Jon, no less.
"It sure has." Clark huffs. "Thanks again for inviting us this year. And thank you for allowing me to do an article on the Gala."
"Of course, Clark. You're kind of the only journalist we trust to do media with any of us." Tim smiled.
There was truth in Tim's statement. Over the years, Clark has essentially become the Wayne family's private journalist. Since Clark and Bruce go way back, Bruce only allows Clark to personally interview his family. Not all media outlets have good intentions with their interviews, always trying to skew the narrative about one of the Wayne children. Especially Jason and Damian, their articles are consistently negative. Fortunately, Jason isn't as actively online as the others; he'd be canceled in a heartbeat. The same could be said the same about Damian.
Clark then turns to face Jon. "Well, I'm assuming you can't wait to see Damian again, right, Jon? I can't believe it's already been a year. " Clark smiles.
"Hehe, yeah." Jon felt a bit guilty leaving Damian alone for an entire year to focus on college. But he'd figure Damian would understand that. Okay, maybe ignoring Damian wasn't the best thing Jon has done, but he swears it was never on purpose. Conner would always try to get updates from Tim to reassure him that Damian was doing just fine now that he was a model.
But, god, he missed having his best friend around. What if when Jon shows up at the gala, Damian would be mad at him and ignore him? Maybe he should text Damian that he was in town for the gala as a heads-up. No, Damian would probably leave him on read the same way Jon did to the young Wayne.
"How is he anyway? I know he's been busy, last I heard he was going to Milan." Jon asked, awkwardly fiddling with his fingers.
"Damian's…um." Tim trailed off, being reminded of the fact that his younger brother was engaged. He didn't even know if Jon was aware of the media talking about their recent engagement. The only person Tim told was Conner, and he was pretty sure that Clark did an article about it in the Daily Planet, but did they tell Jon?
"Ahem.." Tim cleared his throat. "Milan really set off his career, so I wouldn't say he's doing terrible."
There was a moment of awkwardness that Clark quickly cut short.
"Anyway, Tim. How's the family? Bruce?" Clark starts to clear the air. Well, not really.
"Workaholic as usual. Can never get away from the computer for more than a minute. He's lucky enough that I'm there to help out." Tim conversed, putting his hands on his hips. With a sudden change in mood, Tim joyfully hooks his arm under Conner's as the said man collects his belongings from the floor.
"Anyways, the cars waiting outside. You guys ready for Gotham?"
Clark lets out a knowing sigh. "As ready as we'll ever be."
Upon hearing he was invited to the Charity Gala, Leon immediately offered to donate a generous sum to the cause. But he didn’t stop there. In a grand gesture to mark their official debut as an engaged couple, he sent Damian the entire catalog of his latest collection, ensuring that Damian would have the perfect pieces to wear for their first public appearance together.
I can't wait to see you shine, cariño.
—Leon
Damian's eyes lingered on the words longer than he wanted them to. The simple message on the card was intimate. He scowled, shaking off the feeling as he shifted his gaze to the racks of luxury clothes waiting for him. Damian had just returned from a photo shoot to find racks and boxes of custom-tailored pieces waiting for him in his room,
Damian picks up a box from one of the many piles laid out and opens it. A tailored double-breasted jacket in a deep emerald hue accented with subtle embroidery reminiscent of a robin's wings over the backside. The feel of the smooth, luxurious fabric under his touch. Custom. Of course, Leon would go to these lengths.
A smaller box is neatly atop one of the garment racks. Drawn to it, Damian opens it. His breath hitched slightly at the contents inside. Nestled within, against a silk cushion, was a cuff bracelet. Minimalist, yet striking, polished in gold metal with an engraving along the inside.
Mi rey.
Damian inhaled sharply and shut the box with a click. His fingers flexed, unsure what to do with the warmth circling in his stomach. He was being ridiculous. This was Leon. This is business. It's only for show.
Damian fetches his phone from his pocket. His fingers tap away to unlock it. As he looks through more of the clothing items, he glances at his phone, making it to the phone app before tapping on Leon's contact.
Damian puts his phone up to his ear, hearing the phone ring twice before the other line answers.
"Hello, mi rey," Leon answers.
There goes that name again. Damian cleared his throat, maintaining his composure.
"W-was this necessary?" Damian shoves off the greeting, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I see you got my gifts. Seeing as you modeled my clothing so well in Milan, I figured you'd look good in anything I designed." Leon's voice bred confidence.
Damian eyes one of the clothing items before looking at his reflection in the mirror, modeling the piece over his clothes.
"It's excessive." Damian's eyes narrowed as he examined himself in the mirror.
"Would you rather I leave you with nothing to wear at all?" Leon teases.
Damian made a noise of irritation but set his phone down, putting Leon on speaker as he continued sorting through the boxes. "You do know I have clothes of my own, right?"
"I'm fully aware, but I couldn't possibly leave my future husband to wear nothing less than perfection." Leon dramatized. "My perfection."
Heat crept up Damian's face. "You're insufferable."
"Please picture with me," Leon continues his voice like silk. "You and I, side by side. The picture of elegance. Gotham elites will whisper. Tabloids will gossip, but most importantly." His voice dropped, turning almost adoring. "You will stand by my side as my equal."
Damian breathes hitches and looks at his phone. He hates theatrics. However, the way Leon said it made it sound… less suffocating.
"I swear if you make me look ridiculous-"
"Ridiculous?!" Leon exclaims, laughing. "I design art, not mockery. Trust me, you will look devastating."
Damian rolled his eyes but caught his reflection once more, his fingers grazing the label of the jacket.
"Wear my designs," Leon continued, his voice ever so persuasive. "And if you hate them… I'll let you pick my outfit next time."
Damian frowned, considering. A smirk ghosted across his lips.
"Fine. He agreed, "But if I hate it, you're wearing a garbage bag to the next event."
Leon's laugh was rich and full of amusement. "Oh, mi rey, you wound me. And… there's a next time?"
Damian huffed but didn't hang up. He ran his fingers over the closed box that held the bracelet. "Don't get ahead yourself, Habibi."
Damian puts down the jacket, sitting on the bed before flopping down on it, his weight making it jump from its spot.
There was a short silence from Leon. Possibly the affectionate name caught him by surprise. Is this relationship perhaps moving too quickly? Or was their chemistry just too good?
"Anything for you."
The venue was breathtaking—well, it was Wayne Manors' main hall. Crystal chandeliers, sleek marble floors, and high-profile people weaving through the crowd with champagne in their hands. This was a level of wealth that Jon could never get used to, no matter the number of times that Jon had been at the manor.
Conner went off with Tim to God knows where. Possibly sneaking off to an empty room or a nearby coat closet. Eh, you can't blame them, Conner just finished his season in time for the gala. It's amazing how even when their relationship turns long-distance their love is still strong.
Jon wandered around, circling the food table before making his way deeper into the crowd. As much as Jon was there to support the charity side of this gala, he was unbelievably bored. Jon would give any chance to text Jay, however, his boyfriend was in the middle of his mid-term. Turns out their mid-terms started at different times, which ultimately sucked. Upon reaching the large curved staircase, Jon glanced upwards to spot a figure of what he was sure was Damian. He stopped in his tracks to get a clear look and he was right.
Damian stood on the second floor, his arms crossed with a stoic expression on his face. Even from a distance, Jon could tell he was dressed to kill— a deep emerald green silk blazer that hung from Damian's shoulder, a black ruffled long-sleeve blouse underneath that showed Damian's chest as a long gold ribbon tied around his neck, to which the excess ribbon sat over his collar bones and chest, and high-corseted black pants that cinched his waist and elongated his legs. His hair was styled to perfection, freshly cut.
Jon made his way up the stairs, excitement in his guts as he got closer to Damian. God, it really has been a year. He surely doesn't remember Damian dressing so fancy and so… gorgeous, wait no- not gorgeous, let's stick with fancy.
"Damian!" Jon exclaims the moment he reaches the top of the staircase. Damian snaps his head to Jon's loud greeting, surprised.
"Jon..?" Damian was caught off guard. The young Wayne had been so focused on ensuring Leon's meeting with Bruce went smoothly that he had forgotten the Kents were also attending the Gala. So, upon seeing Jon the moment the Gala began gave the young Gotham Prince whiplash. Damian kept his composure as Jon made his way to him, with a bit of pep in his step.
"Wow, Dami, you look… amazing." Jon took a moment to scan over Damian's attire. His very luxurious attire.
"Thank you, Kent. It's good to see you," Damian smiled softly. Jon bit back at the use of his last name. Maybe, Jon expected too much if he thought Damian would forgive him for ghosting him for an entire year.
"I thought you didn't like flashy clothes. You always said they looked tacky to you." Jon teased.
Before Damian could respond, a smooth voice cut in.
"He's simply just been upgraded to finer things."
Jon turned his head, his brows furrowing as a sharply dressed Leon approached. Leon, as usual, exuded an effortless confidence that immediately set off Jon's 'who the hell is this guy?' radar. His suit was sleek and slender, the cuts and embroidery mirroring Damians, almost as if they were meant to match. His hair was braided and adorned with sliver charms and cuffs weaved into it.
Leon makes his way to Damian's side before proceeding to wrap his arm around Damian's waist. Jon cocked an eyebrow, glaring at Leon's hand that is on Damian's waist. Many alarms were being set off in Jon's head telling him that no matter how well-dressed this man was, there was something up about him.
And then- Jon saw it.
While eyeing both of the men's seemingly matching outfits, Jon's gaze dropped to Damian's left hand, where a sleek, elegant ring rested on his finger. Switching to Leon's left hand was that same ring.
Jon blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then, his brain finally caught up.
"Wait. Hold on." He pointed at the ring, then Leon, and then Damian. "Are you engaged?!"
Damian sighed. "Yes, Jon. I am."
Jon's mouth was on the floor before he picked it up. He narrowed his eyes, scanning Leon up and down like he was trying to assess a threat.
Leon smirked. "Jon, was it? I've heard so much about you."
"Funny," Jon shot back, tilting his head. "I've heard nothing about you."
Leon chuckled, his voice low and unimpressed. "I suppose that says more about you than it does about me."
Jon clenched his jaw.
"Let's not do this here, please." Damian let out a long sigh.
"But, mi rey, I'm just making conversation." Leon smiled, his tone rather playful.
"Yeah, Dami. It's just a conversation." Jon hissed, as the two locked eyes, silently glaring.
"Enough, both of you." Damian grabs Jon by the wrist, firmly. "You come with me." Before Jon could protest, Damian was already moving, dragging him through the hallways at a brisk pace. Jon could barely keep, stumbling slightly as Damian stopped at the library, shoved the duel doors open, and pulled Jon inside.
"Okay, what the hell—" Jon stated, but Damian was already on him.
"What is your problem?" Damian snapped, finally letting go of Jon's wrist. His posture was tense, his expression stern.
Jon threw up his hands. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's the fact that I'm hearing you're engaged to someone I didn't even know existed until five minutes ago?"
"Please, Jon." Damian pinches the bridge of his nose. "I've been lectured enough by my entire family about this."
"Dude, since when did you get engaged?" Jon exclaimed. "And who is he?"
"I would've assumed you'd know from the media." Damian addressed, cocking an eyebrow.
"No! I had mid-terms, the only thing I got was you going to Milan. I didn't know you went to Milan to get engaged." Jon bickered, still feeling high on emotions.
"And?" Damian's tone was eerily calm. "Jon, you haven't once contacted me since you've been at college. Not a text. Not a call. Nothing. And now, you think I'm just gonna forgive you and let you back into my life?"
Jon flinched. Guilt twisted in his chest.
"I know, it was a mistake." Jon's voice softened. "And I get it now. I shouldn't have left you alone. I should've talked to you."
"Jon, please, you have a boyfriend." Damian held a cold stare.
"What?" Jon's face turned to confusion.
"You never told me about Jay."
"I-" Jon froze. The words died on his tongue. He had completely forgotten about telling Damian about Jay. "I didn't mean to ghost you. I wanted to tell you, I swear. And I'm apologizing to you now. But, aren't you being a hypocrite for not telling me you were engaged?"
"Excuse me?! Jon, are you kidding me? The entire world knows about my engagement, hell, your dad is one out of thousands of outlets that have written about my engagement." Damian countered, in disbelief at Jon's behavior.
"So what if I got engaged?"
"I'm sorry, Dami. Y-you're right." Jon lowered his head, ashamed of himself. "I messed up first, I should've been more communicative. And this is very overwhelming for me right now, but I don't want our friendship to end this way. I want to be back in your life again, and I want to be in yours."
Damian sighed, "A single sorry won't make me forgive you…" He trailed. "But, I don't us to end either."
Jon frowned at Damian's saddened expression. "Let me make it up to you."
As Jon was about to continue, a gentle knock was heard from the door. The two snap their attention to find Leon at the doorway. "Sorry to interrupt but, your father is looking for us."
"Shit." Damian exhaled sharply, pulling out his phone to check the time.
"I'm sorry, Jon. I have to go." Damian pushed past Jon.
With that, Jon watched as Leon extended his hand to Damian, and without hesitation, Damian took it. Their fingers laced together naturally before the two turned the corner, walking out of the room, side by side.
Jon found himself standing at the food table again but now accompanied by Conner and Tim, who were currently feeding each other finger food.
"I can't believe this. Damian's engaged, and I didn't even know about it." Jon's arms crossed, pouting.
"Oh, good you found out," Conner spoke, unfazed.
Jon stared at him in disbelief. "You knew?!"
"You don't?! Everyone and their mother knows. It's all the world is talking about right now, Jon. Keep up." Conner teased as Tim fed him another of the creme cookies.
"You could've told me!"
"You were the one that said you had to focus on mid-terms. Why would I bother you when you're stressing for your life?" Conner countered. Fair, Jon hadn't touched social media in a good week. Essentially, he threw his phone in another room while he studied.
Conner, sensing Jon’s growing frustration, stepped in. "Look, man. I get it. It’s a lot to take in, but from what I've seen all night, Damian seems happy with him."
Jon pressed his lips in a thin line. Jon didn't believe it, as much as everyone else tonight had been telling him. He just met Leon and doesn't believe that he could've won Damian's heart and attention just like that. Maybe it's just him being concerned about his best friend being in a relationship with someone he doesn't know.
Before Jon could continue his thoughts the lights of the main hall dimmed down and a faint spotlight lit in the middle of the second-floor balcony. Bruce Wayne appeared in all his glory.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen to the annual Wayne Charity Gala." Bruce smiled, his presence effortlessly filling the room. The crowd below responded enthusiastically, a few whistled in excitement.
"I appreciate you all for once again lending your support as we continue to do this event each year. We've once again achieved our donation goal by a massive margin." The audience erupted in celebration throughout the hall.
"Now, I especially would like to welcome our esteemed guest, Leon Devereaux-Burciaga." Leon stepped forward, his presence alone seemed to attract the attention of every person below. Standing beside him was Damian, poised and composed, his skin glowing under the spotlight.
'Leon Dever- what now.' Jon voiced in his head, attempting to pronounce Leon's full name. He also realized that he never got Leon's name during their first meeting.
"Thank you, Mr. Wayne. I'm honored to be invited to such a distinguished and charitable event. And more than that," he glanced at Damian, his smile softening, "I've had the absolute pleasure of spending time with the person I adore."
"It's barely been a week since Milan," Tim grumbled, his mouth stuffed with food. Jon overheard Tim's comment. A week is so short. How could someone like Leon come so close to Damian in such a short period?
The cheers around them grew loud, the room practically buzzing with excitement over Gotham's newest power couple.
Jon's stomach twisted, though he couldn't exactly pinpoint why.
Notes:
Hope you enjoy this chapter. I'll keep doing my best to post chapters as fast as I can write them.
And please tell me what you think about this chapter.
Chapter 5: Talk That Talk
Summary:
The Charity Gala ends a little chaotic. Jon and Damian slowly try to repair their friendship with a good ol' fashion movie night at the manor. And afterward, things with Leon and Damian get... interesting.
Notes:
Not proofread.
I was really sick when I was writing this so please excuse any writing mistakes, I was so determined to get this chapter out today, please enjoy! 😊
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
As the event came to a close, Damian decided to send Leon off for the night. They stood outside the grand entrance of Wayne Manor, the night air crisp against their skin. Leon's chauffeur had already pulled up, the sleek black car idling patiently in the driveway.
Leon turned to Damian, a teasing glint in his eye. "I assume this is where you dramatically tell me to 'be safe' before disappearing into the shadows?"
Damian scoffed. "Tt. If you expect dramatics, you're speaking to the wrong Wayne."
Before Leon could respond, Dick's voice boomed from the doorway like a chaperone. "HEY! 5 FEET APART, YOU TWO!" Speak of the devil and he shall come.
Leon blinked. "Oh?"
Damian inhaled sharply. "Oh, for the love of—"
"GET IN YOUR VEHICLE AND PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, IMMEDIATELY!" Dick shouted.
"Are you serious right now?!" Damian demanded.
Jason stepped forward, leaning on the doorway with his arms crossed, radiating the full overprotective older brother vibe. "You heard him, demon brat, he's gotta go. It's bedtime."
"Since when do we have a bedtime?!" Damian challenged.
Leon chuckled, thoroughly entertained by the nonsense unfolding before him. "Your family is quite amusing. I hope to meet the rest of them."
"No, you don’t," Damian deadpaned, shaking his head.
"If you say so." Leon then took Damian's hand and gently pressed a kiss against his knuckles, completely unfazed by the brother's threats.
"HEY! WHAT DID I JUST SAY?!" Dick practically lunged forward. "FIVE FEET, MISTER!"
Damian yanked his hand back, his ears burning red. "Grayson, I swear to God!"
With swift action, Tim and Jason held Dick back by his arms. Satisfied with his stunt, Leon gave Damian a final wink before stepping into the car. When the vehicle pulled out of the driveway, Damian turned back to his brothers with a glare sharp enough to cut glass.
"Are you done?" Damian asked, his arms crossed.
Dick, who finally calmed down, composed himself. "For tonight."
"I'm putting in the new security perimeter tonight," Tim affirmed, tapping away on his tablet. The brothers in union walk back into the manor with Damian ultimately embarrassed of his brother's actions.
Bruce, who witnessed the scene from inside, sat in his armchair and took a sip from his mug. "Have kids, they said. It'll be fun, they said."
Hayseed: Damian, I know we got interrupted earlier but, I want to make it up to you. When are you available?
Dami: I'm free this week.
Hayseed: Great! How about an old fashion movie night?
Dami: Saturday. 7 PM. Don't be late.
Damian lounged on the plush leather couch in the manor's private theater room absentmindedly scrolling through movie selections. He was wrapped in a plush throw blanket, his legs tucked beneath it. The red oversized hoodie he wore with an embroidered gold robin symbol made him look smaller than usual. His makeup still intact as he had just returned from a cosmetic shoot and hadn't bothered to remove it after the long shoot, only just changing his clothes.
The massive screencast a dim glow across the dark room, the only other light coming from the faint glow of his phone screen, Leon's contact filling it.
"Carino," Leon's warm voice came through. "I've been considering setting up a studio here in Gotham."
That caught Damian's attention. His fingers stilled over the remote. "You don't have any business in Gotham." He raised an eyebrow.
"Not yet," Leon admitted. "But, it would be useful. New market, new opportunities. Plus, I'll be able to spend more time with you."
Damian's grip tightened slightly on the remote. He wasn't sure why those words made something twist in his chest.
"You don't wanna see me more?" Leon teased, noticing Damian's sudden silence.
"Dami!"
Jon's voice rang through the hallway.
On the other end of the call, Leon chuckled. "Your guest has arrived."
"Late, might I add," Damian muttered.
"I'll let you go now," Leon said, amused. "But think about it."
"… I will."
"Good night, mi rey."
"… Goodnight, Leon." Damian hung up the phone.
Jon busted into the manor's private theater room like a whirlwind, his energy not dimmed despite the late hour. "Dami!"
Damian, who had been curled up on the couch, deadpanned. "How in the hell are you still so gitty at night?" His voice was filled with exhaustion, but he still sat upright.
"What?" Jon laughed. "I'm excited." Jon plopped on the couch next to Damian, the weight making him jump slightly from his spot.
Damian sighed and pulled at the blanket before tossing the edge over Jon's lap.
"Wait, are you wearing makeup?" Jon questioned, his eyebrow lifted in wonder.
Damian sighed, rubbing his temples. "I didn't have time to take it off."
Jon hummed, tilting his head as he examined Damian's face. "You look good."
Damian scoffed, "Obviously." But the tips of his ears burned slightly at the offhanded compliment.
"Did you pick a movie already?" Jon pondered.
"I think this will suffice." Damian selects a random film from one of the family-friendly sections. The opening credits start rolling. Neither of them was watching. Jon sat back on the couch, stretching his legs out while Damian remained curled up in the blanket.
"So… this is nice." Jon started, glancing over. "Feel just like when we were kids."
"Expect you couldn't finish a movie without falling asleep," Damian smirked.
Jon held his hands up in defense. "Hey, no promises to that. Still might will."
They let the movie fill the silence between them. Damian sighs, crossing his arms. "One movie night isn't gonna magically fix things."
Jon's expression softened. "I know I messed up but I don't want us to feel like strangers. But I also don't know the best way to fix this."
" You should have." Damian snapped, his tone sharp but tired.
They weren't met to feel like strangers. They were supposed to stick together.
Damian exhaled through his nose, finally turning to look at him. "I don't know."
Jon frowned, then offered, "Maybe, we just… don't overthink it."
After the movie finished, Jon found Damian asleep with his head laid back against the couch. He looked peaceful but it probably wasn't good to leave that makeup on his face overnight.
Quietly, Jon turned off the theater screen and proceeded to carefully lift Damian in his arms princess style with the blanket still wrapped around him. Normally, Damian would've jolted awake from someone moving him. But tonight, he barely stirred.
As Jon exited the theater room, Alfred's footsteps were heard making their way down the hall. "If you would like I could take Master Damian to his room."
Jon shook his head. "That's okay, Alfred. I can take him."
"Very well. I assume you remember where his room is?"
"Sure, do," Jon affirmed. He was about to start walking but stopped for a moment. "Any chance you know where those makeup wipes are?"
"I believe Master Damian has some in his bathroom," Alfred confirmed.
"Thanks, Alfred." Jon smiled and made his way upstairs.
Jon carefully walked to Damian to his room, he thinks back to when they were kids. Damian was never one to let his guard down. Even at movie nights, it was always Damian who stayed up while Jon would be passed out on the couch. Even in the comfort and protection of his own home, he never let himself relax.
However, in just the past year, had softened in ways Jon never expected. He didn't fight Jon. He didn't tense in Jon's arms. Didn't bite back a snarky remark about being capable of walking on his own. He let Jon carry him.
Was this Leon's doing?
The thought crept into Jon's mind before he could stop it. Could Leon have softened up Damian in such a short time? Something about this didn't sit well with Jon.
Jon opened up Damian's room and carefully set him down on his neatly made bed. Damian's body shifts, wiggling in his blanket burrito when met with the soft pillow. Jon freezes not wanting to wake Damian. As soon as he was sure he didn't, Jon scans the room for the bathroom and turns on the lights inside. Crouching down and opening the cabinet to search for makeup wipes.
Jon may have not known much about makeup but he knows that it's not comfortable to keep makeup on while sleeping. With gentle care, he returned to Damian's side, sitting on the edge of the bed. He peeled a wipe from the pack and hesitated for a second.
Would Damian kill him for this? Damian would probably kill him if he let him sleep with makeup on. As he carefully wiped away the remnants of foundation and eyeliner, he found himself watching Damian's sleeping face. Peaceful. Open. Different.
Maybe change wasn't so bad.
As soon as he finished, Jon quietly closed Damian's bedroom door behind him. he let out a small sigh, running a hand through his hair. He and Damian talked, it was slow but it's progress nonetheless. The night had essentially gone better than he expected, but there was still weight in his chest that he couldn't shake.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him away from his thoughts.
Jay <3
Jon smiled as he answered. "Hey, babe."
"Hey, yourself." Jay's voice was light. "You didn't answer my text, so I thought I'd check in with you."
"Yeah, sorry about that," Jon reassured. "I'm heading back right now." he smiled as he made his way down the stairs
"Good. And here I thought you forgot about me." Jay teased.
"Never." Jon chuckled.
"Wait, so you're heading to his apartment?" Dick voiced with concern.
Damian kept his voice leveled. "Yes, Leon wanted my opinion on his new collection and asked if I would be willing to model the mockups before he finalizes them."
There was a brief silence as Dick raised an eyebrow in suspicion, folding his arms across his chest as he leaned against the doorframe. "You're not having sex are you?"
Damian's eyes widened, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment at the mere suggestion. "What?! No, we are doing none of the sort." He immediately regretted how defensive he sounded, but wasn't about to let Dick think the worst. This is only about work, nothing else.
"Yeah, right," Dick replied skeptically, a knowing smirk tugging his lips. "You two are spending time alone in his 'new' apartment. Come on, Damian. Don't think I'm dumb." He paused before adding, "Did you tell Bruce?"
Damian inhaled sharply, pointing his index finger to Dick. "This is strictly business only, Grayson. Nothing more. Father doesn't need to know. I'll be back before midnight."
Dick didn't let up though. He stepped closer, placing a hand on Damian's shoulder, his face serious now. "I'm just saying, you're not some kid anymore, but I'm still your older brother, and I'm gonna look out for you. I don't want you getting into something you're not ready for. Especially with your supposed 'fiancee'."
Damian stared at his brother, irritated but understanding the concern. "I can handle myself just fine," he reassured.
Dicks gaze softened, but there was still concern lingering in his eyes. "I know you can handle yourself. Just don't do anything stupid, okay?" Dick sighed. "Just this one time, I won't tell Bruce. And if you need anything, you know you can call me."
Damian didn't answer. Dick glanced over Damian's belongings and noticed a fancy-looking bag. "What this?"
"It's a housewarming gift," Damian answered.
"Looks a little expensive for a housewarming gift," Dick stated.
"I got something custom for him," Damian stated gently patting the bag's tissue paper.
"Aw, how romantic."
Damian shot Dick a flat look. "It's not romantic. It's a practical gift."
Dick hummed as if he didn't believe him. "Don't worry, little bird. I won't tell anyone. It's just adorable to see you try in this relationship."
"Don't you have a date tonight with West?" Damian forced the conversation over, putting a hand on his hip.
Dick narrowed his eyebrows in thought before he pulled out his phone to check the time.
"Oh, shit!" he bolted out of the room before skidding to a stop, spinning back around. "I mean it, Damian. Don't do anything stupid."
He made it halfway down the hall, before popping back in. "And don't let him do anything stupid to you. Or at least tell me if he does." he sped off.
Damian didn't answer, but the sentiment was clear. Dick cared. Maybe a bit too much, but it was a little comforting.
Upon arriving at Leon's apartment building in Gotham's downtown, Damian made his way up the elevator with bags in his hands.
The elevator doors slide open, and Damian steps out, scanning the hallway for the right apartment number. He stopped in front of Leon's door and pressed the buzzer.
A moment later, the door opened to reveal Leon with his hair tied up in a braided bun, with two braids loose in front of his face. He was wearing thick black-framed glasses, an effortless look that somehow made him appear even more put together. Especially for just casual wear.
"Please, excuse the mess. I haven't yet to unpack things." Leon apologized.
Damian scanned the room. It was a typical one-person apartment with a clean and minimalist design. Nothing fancy or big, but enough for one to live in. Well, at least for Gotham standards. Damian noticed that there were a few boxes scattered around the living area, all labeled with Leon's stuff.
"Come," Leon gestured to the kitchen. "I've set up a little workspace for us. My room currently doesn't have a desk so, this will have to do for now."
"That reminds me," Damian reached into his bag, "I brought this for you."
Damian reaches into his bag and pulls out the high-end bag from under his arm.
"You continue to surprise me, Carino." Leon opened it to reveal a wooden box of Japanese knives. They were professional hand-forged steel that created a distinctive swirly pattern on the blade and an incredibly sharp edge. They were an obvious pick as the best high-end option. And each blade had an engraving of Leon's name.
"It's a housewarming gift," Damian muttered. "It's practical too."
"Thank you, mi rey." Leon smiled warmly. "I'll make sure to put these to good use." He set them on the kitchen counter that was opposite from their workstation.
"Now," Damian said, forcing the conversation back on track. "Show me what you've been working on."
"Of course, mi amor," Leon smirked. "I have a few I would like you to try on. But, they are still mockups so apologies for the color choices." Leon picks up a piece from off the counter. "I was only able to take what I had on hand in my studio in France. Hopefully, I'll have my shipment before the end of the week."
Damian nods before shuffling off his jacket so that he was in more form-fitting clothing. Which consisted of a black sleeveless shirt with a high turtleneck.
"There's no need to change into anything else." Leon picked up a pile of fabric and set it in front of him. "I can simply drape the fabric over you, make some adjustments and we'll go from there."
Damian stood in stationary as Leon worked around him, draping fabric over his shoulders, pinning sections in place, and occasionally stepping back to assess the fit. The soft rustling fabric and the quiet clicks of Leon's measuring tape filled the apartment as they fell into an easy rhythm. Leon would murmur observations under his breath, adjusting the folds of the fabric and looking back at his paper sketches. Meanwhile, Damian stood still, offering the occasional critique.
"There's still something missing here," Leon comments, tilting his head.
Damian glanced at the sketch, his eyes narrowed, in thought. "May I?"
"Be my guest." Leon hands the sketch to Damian and fetches a pencil.
He began to sketch, his hand moving with fluid precision, lines flowing effortlessly as he built upon Leon's work. The slight adjustments, a sharper curve, and soon enough, the design began to feel more balanced, more cohesive.
"I think," Damian muttered as he worked, "this section needs more volume." He added a few more strokes before lifting the page to the light and viewing the full piece.
"You're quite the artist, Carino." Leon smiled, stepping closer to peer over his shoulder. "You should design more. You've got talent."
Damian exhaled, his pencil spinning between his fingers. "It's not something I've pursued seriously."
"Maybe you should." Leon took the sketch down in his hands. "You're so careful and precise. You made it subtle but powerful." His voice softened. "It suits you."
Damian felt a flutter in his chest, his fingers tightening slightly on his pencil. No one had ever encouraged him like this. Not in a way that felt natural, without expectations. It was… different.
Damian set down his pencil and crossed his arms, watching Leon's expression carefully. "I-I don't understand."
Leon tilted his head, letting out a small 'hm', confused.
"Our relationship is merely business, but you constantly show me romantic affection. Even when we're not in public." Damian's eyebrows furrowed slightly, the words coming out more accusing than he intended.
Leon chuckled, setting the sketch aside. "Would you rather I not?"
"Tt. That's not the point," Damian countered. "It doesn't make sense."
Leon exhaled, removing his glasses and setting them on the table. He took a step closer, his expression unreadable. "I would be lying if I said I wasn't attracted to you."
Damian's breath was caught in his throat, but he held his ground. "You knew this was just an arrangement."
"I did," Leon admitted. "And I walked into this fully aware. But I never said I wouldn't care for you in the process."
Damian swallowed, unsure of how to respond. His fingers curled slightly against his arms as he searched for the right words.
Leon watched Damian carefully. "You think too much, mi amor." His voice was gentle, teasing but not dismissive. "Let me ask you this. Do you hate my affection?"
Damian hesitated, his pulse steady but his mind racing.
No. He didn't hate it.
That was the problem.
"I wish to kiss you, mi rey."
Damian's body tensed, stepping back. "No."
Leon's lifted slightly, not offended, but out of curiosity. "Is there a reason you don't want me to kiss you?" Leon inquired. "I know we haven't done this before."
There was a short pause, as Damian's reason was more embarrassing than he thought it would be.
"I've… never been kissed before." Damian flushed, his hand covering his mouth.
"What- " Leon blinked. "I don't believe that for a second."
Damian shot him a look, the heat crept up his face. "I wouldn't lie about something like this, Leon."
"No, no, I believe you." Leon took Damian's hand to uncover his mouth. "But I don't believe the audacity of some people. How have you never been kissed? Excuse my language but, you're fucking handsome."
Damian scoffed, avoiding eye contact. "Tt. You're being dramatic."
"I'm being honest, Damian." Leon's lip curled into a small, knowing smile.
"You've wanted to kiss me?" Damian felt his face burn.
"I'm not going to lie and say I haven't thought about it." Leon leaned against the counter, his posture relaxed, his tone reassuring. "And thought about the best way to do it."
Was this real?
Damian wasn't naive. He knew attraction and understood the mechanics of desire in the general sense, but this was different. Their relationship wasn't meant to be romantic, Only shown to be romantic in the face of the media. Damian spends so long suppressing his emotions, building up his walls. Not to mention how long he questioned sexuality before accepting it. He convinced himself this marriage was just another strategic move. And yet, standing here, with Leon looking at him like this, speaking so openly about his desires, sent Daman's mind into a frenzy.
His lips parted, but no words came out. He should say something. But his mind raced thinking of how to assess the situation.
"How about this?" Leon grinned, breaking Damian out of his thoughts.
"I could just kiss you, and you can go, 'Gross, I never want to do this again,' and-" he lingered. "That's perfectly fine." Leon chuckled, pushing himself off the counter, and faced Damian, trapping the Wayne between himself and the counter, placing his hands on either side of the counter.
Leon cupped Damian's face lightly with one hand, his thumb tracing the edge of his cheekbone. He could feel the warmth of Leon's hand against his face. Damian glanced back at him. Leon was watching him patiently, looking for any sign of withdrawal.
Damian's throat felt dry. He didn't know what to say.
But for the first time, he wondered what it would be like.
To say yes.
To let himself want.
The moment their lips met, Damian felt his breath hitch. Leon's lips were warm, softer than he expected, pressing against his with a slow, deliberate intent. At first, Damian didn't know what to do.
His instinct was to pull away, not because he wanted to stop, but because he had never been in this position before. He didn't know what to do with his hands. Should he mirror Leon's movements? Should he be more assertive? Was he doing this right?
But, Leon never pushed. He let Damian take his time, to move at his pace.
Soon the tension in Damian's shoulders unraveled. Hesitantly, his hands lift, one settling against Leon's chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against the palm of his hand. The other found its way to Leon's forearm, acting as an anchor.
Encouraged, Leon deepened the kiss, just a bit. The hand at Damian's cheek slid back, fingers threading into his hair, stroking along his scalp in soothing motions. The touch sent a shiver down Damian's spine, something tight in his chest unfurling at the gentle care behind it.
Leon hummed against his lips, a pleased sound that sent warmth curling in Damian's stomach. He wraps his arm around Damian's waist, gently pressing their bodies together, as he continues to kiss Damian against the counter.
When Leon finally pulled away, he did so gradually, leaving enough space for their breaths to mingle. Damian's lips tingled, the sensation lingering after they parted.
"See? Nothing to be nervous about."
Damian swallowed, his heartbeat still unsteady. "It was… tolerable," he admitted, his voice softer than he intended.
Leon chuckled. "Tolerable, huh?" he brushed a thumb over Damian's bottom lip. "Guess I'll have to do it again until you find it exceptional."
Damian huffed, his throat tightened. There was no mistaking the warmth in Leon's voice. It was an open invitation. A challenge, almost. But before he could overthink it, Damian moved.
His fingers curled into the front of Leon's shirt as he leaned in, closing the distance between them with a sharp inhale. Their lips met again, this time by Damian's own doing. It was clumsy, hesitant, but real.
Leon made a sound, something between a hum and a chuckle, but he didn't hesitate. His hands steadied at Damian's waist, grounding him as he matched the kiss with ease. This kiss was different, Damian wasn't waiting, wasn't holding back. He was learning, feeling, trying to understand why his heart pounded with the want for more.
Leon let him lead at first, letting Damian dictate the pace. But, soon enough, Leon's lips parted slightly, deepening the kiss. The sensation made Damian shudder, his grip on Leon's shirt tightening.
Damian broke the kiss first, but only just. His breath was uneven as he pulled back a bit, his forehead brushing against Leon's. His fingers still curled into Leon's shirt as he caught his breath.
"You doing okay? You feel good?" Leon spoke as he started to pepper short kisses along Damian's jawline before moving behind his ear.
Damian's face was rather flushed as he subconsciously tilted his head back, allowing Leon more access to his neck. "I-I feel fine."
"You look like you feel good. You seem to be warming up to this, literally." Leon teased.
"Shut up," Damian exclaimed, embarrassed.
Leon laughed finding Damian expression quite adorable.
Safe to say they didn't get much done after that.
Hayseed: When's the next time we can meet up?
Dami: I have a photo shoot next week. Would you like to come see it?
Notes:
No, they didn't have sex yet. Ya'll gonna have to wait for that.
Anyway, what did you guys think of this chapter? Comment below.
Chapter 6: IT Boy
Summary:
Jon visits Damian at a photoshoot in Gotham. However, a problem arose, and now Jon may have caused him and Damian even more problems.
Chapter Text
The rumble of the engine echoed through the empty track as Conner leaned into the turn, his body moving instinctively with the bike. The offseason was supposed to be for fine-tuning his skills and building his body, but today felt like a casual ride rather than a serious training session.
Jon stood by the sidelines, arms crossed, eyes following his brother's movements. He was holding out a stopwatch, supposedly helping Conner time his laps, but he wasn't paying attention. His mind was elsewhere.
Conner skidded to a smooth stop in front of him, dust kicking up around the tire.
Conner pulled off his helmet, shaking out his sweat-filled hair before smirking up at Jon. "How's my time?"
Jon barely reacts, letting the stopwatch run.
Conner frowned, setting the helmet down on the seat of the bike. "Alright, spit it out."
Jon blinked. "What?"
"Don't 'what' me," Conner said bluntly, wiping sweat off his forehead. "Ever since the charity gala, you've been in and out. You're standing here like a statue. Not timing my laps. Not yelling at me to adjust my lean. And don't say it's nothing, because I know this ain't nothing."
Jon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's not- ugh, I don't know, man. I just-" He cut himself off, lowering his head in frustration at being unable to form a sentence.
Conner gave him a look before getting off his bike, walking over to a cooler, and tossing Jon a water bottle. "Drink. Then try again."
Jon caught the bottle and took a sip.
Conner sat on a crate, arms resting on his knees. "Let me guess. Relationship stuff?"
Jon exhaled through his nose. "Sort of."
"Jay?"
Jon hesitated. "More like… Damian."
Conner snorted. "Man, I haven't heard you say his name in a while." He tilted his head. "Is this about the whole engagement thing?"
"Yes… No… I don't know how to explain it." Jon ran a hand through his hair. He genuinely didn't know how to voice his thoughts.
"You don't still-"
"I don't have feelings for him." Jon snapped before softening his expression. "It's just seeing him, being around him again. It's messing with my head." He sets down his water bottle. "Seeing his new life and the whole model thing. And Leon- it's given me whiplash."
Conner hummed in understanding, leading back on his hands. "So, you're not jealous, but you're jealous."
Jon shot him a glare. "I am not jealous."
"Look, you and Damian used to be two peas in a pod. And now you're realizing maybe, you might not be his person anymore." Conner spoke.
Jon's chest tightened at the words. They hit harder than he expected. He looked up sharply. "That's not-"
"But-" Conner cut him off before he could spiral. "It doesn't mean that you two can't be just friends."
Jon stared at the ground, mulling it over.
"But I think you need to keep in mind that this stays out of your relationship with Jay. Jay finds out you're all over Damian, he's gonna assume things." Conner warns. He clapped a firm hand on Jon's shoulder.
"So, I'm not supposed to tell Jay?" Jon looked at Conner, raising an eyebrow.
"Not what I'm saying. You don't have to figure this out overnight but don't ignore it. Otherwise, you're gonna wake up one day and realize you lost both of them because you couldn't be honest with yourself." Conner advised. "Talk to Jay. Talk to Damian. Don't keep it all bottled up."
"When did you get so wise?" Jon deadpanned.
"I've had enough concussions to know. And a few arguments with Tim throughout our relationship." Conner rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
Tim taught Conner a lot about not letting his ego get in the way and listening when someone is upset rather than trying to fix things by himself.
Back when Conner met Tim at his first race, Conner was cocky and thought he could sweep Tim off his feet first try. But Tim wasn't impressed; he saw right through Conner's bravado. Conner would try everything in the book to win over Tim. He was so smitten with Tim that he'd always wink at him before any race.
It didn't help that Tim was dating Bernard at that time. Bernard was a nice guy, conventionally attractive, and had a career that didn't involve potentially getting killed by motorcycles. But, damm, it didn't stop Conner from pursuing Tim.
All it took was Conner getting into a bad crash during a race for Tim to notice him for once. Turns out Tim did care for Conner and stayed with him throughout his recovery at the hospital. When Conner woke up, Tim confessed to Conner that he had broken up with Bernard after a huge fight, which involved Tim's growing feelings for Conner. They shared their very first kiss that day.
Jon scoffed. "You mean Tim trained you to behave."
"Basically," Conner admitted, grinning. "And look at me now, housebroken and everything."
In their cozy but slightly cluttered dorm in Metropolis, Jay and Jon sat together on the bed, each absorbed in their work. Jay was typing away at his laptop, trying to finish a paper before the deadline, while Jon was supposed to be working on a journalism assignment.
However, Jon's fingers lingered over the keyboard, hardly moving. He couldn't stop thinking about his conversation with Conner, the words his brother had said echoing in his mind, unsettling him.
"Hey, Jay?" Jon finally said, his voice a bit unsure.
Jay replied with a hum, still focused on his screen. "Mm?" His fingers didn't miss a beat.
"I'm planning to visit Damian at a photoshoot on Friday," Jon mentioned, being cautious with his delivery.
That caught Jay's attention. His typing slowed, but he remained glued to his screen. "Okay?" he responded flatly. "And?"
"Nothing just wanted to keep you in the loop," Jon quickly added.
Now, Jay looked up. He studied Jon for a moment before leaning back against the headboard. "Jon," he said, his voice patient yet firm, "you don't need my permission to see your best friend."
Jon rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, I know. I just… wanted to be honest about it."
Jay offered a small smile, though there was a hint of something uneasy in his expression. "I appreciate that. But again, you don't need to ask for permission."
Jay found it difficult to admit, even to himself, that a seed of doubt lingered in the back of his mind, and it had been there for some time.
Their relationship had begun like a scene from a romantic comedy. The coffee shop encounter—Jon had bumped into him, spilling hot coffee on Jay's hoodie, then floundering and apologizing while offering to buy him another drink. Jay had laughed it off, enchanted by Jon's awkward sincerity. It had felt easy and natural.
As time went on, however, certain details began to stand out.
Damian.
Damian this. Damian that.
Jon didn't even realize how often he mentioned his childhood best friend. Countless times, he would start with phrases like, "Back when Damian and I…" or "Damian used to do this…"
Initially, Jay hadn't thought much of it. Of course, Jon would talk about his best friend; they had grown up together, and that was understandable.
Jon often reminisced about him. However, Jon never compared the two of them, even when Jay felt that he competed with someone he had never actually met. It felt like Jay might as well know Damian. He likely knew more about Damian than he did about Jon. He told himself he wasn't jealous, or at least that's what he believed. But sometimes, he couldn’t help but wonder:
Would it ever just be about him and Jon?
Jon had never seen Damian in this environment before.
The moment he stepped into the building, it was like walking into an entirely different universe. Photographers shouted over editors, stylists swarmed models like a pit crew at Formula 1 racing, and assistants darted around, balancing coffee cups and garment bags with the speed of trained professionals. The air smelled of hairspray, fresh fabric, and the distinct crispness of money well spent.
Jon felt out of place in a style sense with his simple T-shirt and flannel combo, with his favorite pair of jeans to complete the look. What was a farm boy to do in a city scene like this? Well, he lived in Metropolis, but Gotham's city scene was on another level. He tried to stay low and blend in, but his clothes seemed to make him stand out more, which could be an insult or a compliment. That was here nor there. You could spot him in the middle of the sea of black attire.
Bright white light reflected off every polished surface from the bounce lights. Jon felt like he would be blinded by how fast they flashed them.
And in the middle of it all, Damian stood like he belonged there.
Jon had expected Damian to be out of place, to look stiff or uncomfortable in an industry built on aesthetics and presence, just like him. But he didn't. The flashing lights didn't bend, and it made him flinch.
The center was all him. Damian stood on the raised set, his presence undeniable. Wearing a delicate yet striking dress shirt, featuring two rows of cascading ruffles down the front, cinched vertically with oversized, elegant bows. The fabric drapes effortlessly, adding a touch of drama and sophistication.
The dress shirt was tucked into a pair of black, high-waisted trousers with thin white stripes that swept the floor. Covering the corset laces was a thick white fabric tied around Damian's waist and finished in a pretty bow at the back. His dark hair was slicked back just enough to keep it out of his face, and his makeup was subtle but flawless, accentuating his sharp cheekbones and piercing green eyes.
Jon had always known Damian had a commanding presence, but this? This was something entirely new.
Leon, standing off to the side with the photographers, was watching intently. He was in full creative mode, dressed effortlessly in a light gray blazer and pants with the dress shirt unbuttoned to show off his chest, and his tie was used as a giant messy bow around his neck. His fingers tapped against his forearm, his sharp gaze scanning Damian like a sculptor assessing a marble statue.
"Chin up, mi rey." Leon directed, his voice smooth but firm. "Don't move your head, but put your eyes here." He lifted his hand to the left of the photographer.
Damian tilted his chin, adjusting his posture. His eyes switched to aim for Leon's hand, and his expression turned regal. The photographer snapped a few shots, the shutter clicking rapidly.
"Perfect," Leon murmured to himself.
Jon, watching for who knows how long, couldn't help but be stunned. This wasn't the Damian he had grown up with, the one who used to scowl at affection and roll his eyes at anything remotely sentimental. This Damian was different. He wasn't just confident, he was magnetic.
"Enjoying the show?" Leon asked, shoving his hands in his pockets as he appeared behind Jon.
Jon blinked, startled for a moment. "Uh..yeah… I didn't expect…" He gestured vaguely towards Damian. "All of this."
"He wears it well, doesn't he?" Leon questioned Jon.
"Y-yeah. He looks good. You guys did a good job." Jon complimented, fiddling with his fingers as he attempted to keep the conversation moving.
Now that he was standing next to Leon, Jon realized, 'Wow', Leon was incredibly attractive. It's no wonder the media goes crazy over the newly engaged couple. Leon was much taller than him, possibly by a few centimeters. Although, his height wasn't what made him so imposing. His posture and the way he carried himself was effortless.
Jon found himself tugging on the edge of his shirt, suddenly aware of his posture. Feeling as if he were inadequate.
"Take five, everyone!" Leon announced, clapping his hands.
"Well?" Damian asked, walking over to the two men as he was handed a bottle of water.
Leon grinned, stepping forward to make a small adjustment to the bow of the dress shirt, straightening it. His fingers seemed to linger for a bit too long on it. "Flawless, as always."
A staff member walks over, "Mister, Burgica. I've been informed that our second model won't be able to make it, unfortunately."
Leon pinched the bridge of his nose, inhaling sharply. "You've got to be kidding me." Then, suddenly, the gears in his head start turning. Then, the lightbulb lit. "Jonathan?" Leon turned to Jon. "Have you ever modeled before?"
"No, not at all."
Leon hummed, taking in Jon's appearance. Jon has a naturally strong, athletic build, thanks to his father. It was also clear that he maintained this physique well as he often helped Conner train during the off-season. Motorcycle racing isn't easy to do without the right physique. Thinking back to all the core training they do makes Jon want to vomit from how much he hates doing core.
"Carino, how would you feel with Jonathan joining you on this next set?" Leon suggested.
"What?" Damian questioned, surprised by Leon's sudden request.
"What? Me? No way. I'm not a model." Jon rejected. "There's no way I could do that."
"I'm just saying, I see a vision." Leon sidestepped to Damian's side. "And well, you're already here, and we're running behind schedule."
"No, seriously, I don't know anything about modeling." Jon chuckled nervously.
"Why not step in yourself, Leon?" Damian, who'd been silent up until this point, raised an eyebrow. "You're the one running this show. Why throw Jon into it?"
Leon's lips curled into a small smile. "Trust me, mi Rey, I'd love to. But I'm the creative director for this shoot. I can't be behind the camera and the subject at the same time."
"Look, Jonathan," Leon continued, sensing Jon's hesitation, "this is just one shoot. I'm not asking you to change your life. You don't even have to do anything crazy. But we do really need someone to fill in on short notice." Leon said, leaning an arm on Damian's shoulder.
Jon took a deep breath. He wanted to say no, to keep the peace with himself and avoid this whole spectacle. But the longer he stood there, the little boy scout in him that told he should at least help, started eating at him.
Jon exhaled sharply as the words left his mouth. "I can do it."
Leon immediately clapped his hands together with a grin. "Perfect. No time to waste." He snapped his fingers, cueing a few stylists over. "Get him into the dressing room. We've got five minutes before the next set."
Jon tried to object, but the stylist carried him away faster than he could protest.
"Why would you want to pull Jon into something like this?" Damian questioned.
"Not my best moment, but, I fear that we are on a time constraint. So, yes, I had to pull Jonathan into this." Leon puts up his hands in defense. "Will you forgive me, mi rey?"
Damian sighed. "I don't think my forgiveness is what you're looking for."
Damian was concerned about putting Jon into the spotlight like this. When this cover is released, the media will want to dig into everything about Jon. He's not a model, he has no media training besides being a journalist.
And the moment Jay finds out it would be chaos. What if he thinks Jon is cheating and somehow convinces Damian to get in on the shoot?
Jon came back. He was styled in a backless white blouse, where the neckpiece was tied in a neat bow. The cut in the back was connected with pearly chains that laid on Jon's back. He was also dressed in flared pants with a half skirt on top and a large silver belt buckle that tied it together.
"Is this how you're supposed to wear it?"
"It's how I designed it," Leon confirmed.
"Jon," Damian held his forearm. "Just follow my lead. If the photographer or Leon asks for anything, just follow through. Don't be nervous. They know what they're doing and all you need to do is listen." Damian reassured.
"Got it." Jon nodded. "I got this." He reassured himself as he followed Damian onto the set.
The Daily Planet was going to work as usual. Clark was at his desk, drinking a cup of coffee while skimming through a few emails he had received that morning. That was until he stumbled upon something unexpected.
Clark furrowed his brows, adjusting his glasses as he clicked on the email to enlarge the image. There, clear as day, was his son, Jon, on the cover of a high-end Gotham fashion magazine, standing next to none other than Damian Wayne.
Clark blinked. Once. Twice.
He had to be imagining things. Right?
Clark leaned back in his chair, processing what he was seeing in front of him. There was no way that his son, the same son who used to come home covered in dirt from farm work, whose fashion sense only consisted of flannel and jeans, was now published on an editorial spread, like a professional.
Clark took a slow sip of his coffee, mostly to buy himself a moment to continue processing. But that moment didn't help. Instead, it leads him to more questions.
Jon had told him he was visiting Damian in Gotham. But did he tell him he was there to model? Since when did Jon model? No, he's in college; there is no time to model.
Clark swiftly pulled out his phone and called the following contact. "Jon, please tell me this isn't real."
"Um," Jon said, taking a moment to respond. "What's not real?"
"Jon," Clark sharply inhaled, "the fact you're on the cover of a fashion magazine with Damian."
"Ah. Yeah, so… I can explain." Jon started, sounding guilty.
"Jon," Clark repeated, "do you understand the position this puts you in?" Jon clearly didn't. The media is about to have a field day. Once the media finds out that Jon is the son of the top two journalists in Metropolis, shit is gonna hit the fan.
Not to mention, he's also the brother of a motorcycle racer. It would portray Jon as even more of a nepo-baby than ever. Notably, wasn't Damian also considered a nepo-baby. At the same time, Damian never had the support of Wayne Enterprises or Bruce behind him when he entered the modeling industry.
So, perhaps, the media would understand that Jon isn't meant to be a model and this was a one-off thing.
"Dad, it's not a big deal. It's just a photo shoot." Jon attempted to de-escalate the situation. "Damian needed a replacement model, and Leon's team asked me to step in."
"And you said yes?" Clark responded, running a hand down his face.
"I panicked. They were all looking at me." Jon exclaimed.
"Jesus Christ, your mother is going to freak out." Clark lifted his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose.
"You don't think mom already knows?" Jon deadpanned.
Did Lois know? Clark and her work in the same department, how wouldn't she have known that her son is on the cover of a exclusive fashion magazine with his own spread with Damian. No, Lois absolutely knew. There was no way she wouldn't have known. In fact, Clark should have realized that the moment he saw the email. As it was sent by Lois herself.
Hayseed: Hey, I was wondering if you and Leon would be up to having a double date with me and Jay?
Dami: What's the occasion?
Hayseed: I thought you'd want to finally meet Jay. And he could meet Leon. It would be a good opportunity for all of us to connect.
Dami: It's not necessary to meet him.
Hayseed: Come on, Dami. It wouldn't make sense to have Jay never meet you when I talk about you all the time.
Dami: Fine. It'll have to be in Gotham. I'll pay for your plane tickets.
Hayseed: Wait, you don't have to do that.
Dami: It's already done.
Hayseed: At least let me pay you back!!
Dami: Jon, I make more than you do in a year. I will pay.
"I believe you've already seen it?" Bruce's voice came through the phone, it was low and sharp as usual.
"First thing this morning," Clark confirmed. "Not very reassuring with the tabloids calling my son a country bumpkin that shouldn't even be in the same room as Damian." Clark narrowed his brows at the comment.
Was that comment false? Not exactly.
On the contrary, not being able to stand in the same room as Damian- now that's just plain mean. This was quite unusual for the media to say, though. Oftentimes, they would gang up on Damian rather than the opposing side. Perhaps it was the announcement of the engagement that had people seeing the young prince of Gotham differently.
"The gossip columns here have been spewing idiotic rhetoric about this as a cheating scandal," Bruce chided. "They assume Damian initiated it."
Now, that article, in particular, was absurd. Never mind the possibility that Gotham might have taken Damian's side for once. It had only been around maybe a month since the engagement announcement. Subsequently, a sudden cheating scandal isn't uncommon in a Wayne child's career. As matter a fact, Dick had a multitude of cheating scandals back when he first started dating Wally West that were all proven to be false. Obviously, how could you ever make false accusations about Dick when he's a cop. Shame on you.
At the same time, the cheating scandals came with rather creative stories. Unfortunately for them, they never would have assumed Dick was in a happy relationship with a man. Case closed. Apologizes to all the women that came out with allegations and fake proof.
"God, I'm sorry, Bruce." Clark apologized, feeling ashamed of himself.
"It's already been done. There's not much we can do about it besides handle the media." Bruce sighed; there was a hint of exhaustion in his voice.
The call between them became silent, neither of the two hanging up. Until Clark spoke up.
"Bruce?"
"Yes?"
"Are you busy?"
"No. I'm not busy."
"Would you like to go out with me tonight?" Clark asked, anxiously waiting for Bruce's response.
It had been a few years since Clark and Lois had divorced. Of course, the kids were heartbroken by the news, but after a while, they accepted that their parents were better off apart. Clark and Lois had raised them to be thoughtful and empathetic. So, when the marriage ended, it wasn't shocking- just a quiet confirmation of what had been slowly unraveling over the years.
The two journalists felt that marriage didn't exactly enhance their relationship. It was built on admiration, shared goals, and a deep-rooted friendship forged from their joint careers. They were always side by side, raised two good sons, and tried their best to build a home together. But the kind of love that makes your chest ache always felt out of reach.
Lois had known before Clark did about his unrequited feelings for Bruce.
Bruce had always been an enigma- sharp, stoic, and impossible to pin down. Literally. There had been fleeting moments during the years they worked together when Clark wondered if the feelings were mutual.
Their relationship remains uncertain- not quite friends, not quite lovers. Since the divorce, they had grown closer again, with calls evolving into visits and visits into late nights spent beside each other. They hadn't made it official; neither was the type to take the first step.
Back then, Dick was just a kid when Clark and Bruce began working together. For the past two decades, he hadn't stopped urging Bruce to pursue a relationship with Clark. Bruce always brushed off Dick's comments about his love life. With some questionable ex-lovers like Talia and Selena, things got a little intense. Dick, being the romantic he is, would side-eye him each time he ignored his feelings.
"Yeah," Bruce muttered into the phone, his voice low. "Let's go out tonight." It wasn't visible to Clark, but he could sense the small smile from Bruce on the other end of the call.
"Mind picking me up after work?" Clark said with a chuckle.
"Only if you finish writing up that article for me." Bruce challenged. "Maybe then, I'll give you a reward after."
Notes:
Hope you like this chapter! Comment what you thought about this chapter or what you want to see potentially happen.
I apologize for slow updates. I was actually working on three different chapters (including this one) at the same time as I wanted a way to connect the chapters to each other in a easier way. It was easier for me to write this way, as if I got writer's block on one chapter, I'd just switch chapters. I'm so excited for future chapters. AGH!
I swear to you, Grammarly was about to explode with the number of spelling mistakes I made. The downside of being a fast typist. You can't spell. If there are spelling mistakes or other mistakes in general, I apologize.
Chapter 7: Item #: Doubt
Summary:
Jay is unhappy with Jon's sudden debut with Damian in a fashion magazine. Jon wants Jay to meet Damian on a double date, and things get a little hectic for the couple.
Chapter Text
Upon arriving late at night from the airport, Jon opens the door to his shared dorm with Jay. Expecting to see the room lights off, he's surprised to find a small lamp lit in the center of the room. The strong glow illuminates Jay's tense figure.
"Jon," Jay said, standing in their shared housing with crossed arms. His posture was rigid, shoulders pulled tight beneath his college sweatshirt. He looked uncomfortable, eyes fixed on Jon as he put his belongings down.
"Babe," Jon gently smiled, hope flickering in his expression. After the hectic day in Gotham, Jon had been looking forward to seeing Jay, but the atmosphere in the room was uncomfortable to say the least.
"Would you care to explain this?" Jay threw down a copy of the Gotham Times onto the dining table with enough force that it slid across the surface. The sheen cover page revealed the recent photo shoot. Jon looked impossibly polished beside Damian, both of them style to the nines under professional lights.
Jon gulped. "It was a one-time thing. They just needed a replacement, and I was the only one available," Jon explained, his voice uneasy. He hadn't anticipated Jay to be upset about something that had seemed so innocent in the moment.
"But Jon, you're not a model. Why didn't you say no?" Jay's voice carried an edge of something beyond simple curiosity. Perhaps hurt, or something deeper that Jon couldn't guess.
"I know, I know, but they were all looking at me. I couldn't just not help." Jon ran his hand through his hair, a nervous habit he'd developed over the years during uncomfortable conversations.
"So, you were pressured into it," Jay questioned, eyes narrowed as he scanned Jon's face for any trace of deception.
"What-no, I mean- maybe, I know I'm not model material, but Damian's my best friend; of course I would help out," Jon stated, his posture straightened, defensively.
"God, Jon, don't you understand?" Jay ran a hand down his face, exhaustion evident in the gesture. It was currently the middle of the night when Jon landed back in Metropolis. The dark circles under Jay's eyes made it clear that he had completed his finals.
"I don't understand what the problem is. I'm telling you what happened with all honesty." Jon's palms turned upward in surrender, genuine confusion in his expression.
"Jon, you are on the front page of the biggest fashion magazine in Gotham. And an addition to that, with the Damian Wayne." When Jay recited the name, it tasted bitter in his mouth. He'd heard stories about Damian for months. The childhood friend who somehow always found his way into their conversations.
Jon glances back at the magazine that lies between them on the table. If you were any other person, you would think Jon was also a public figure, posed beside Gotham's elite, looking like he belonged there.
"Why is that such an issue?" Jon questioned, frowning slightly.
"Because he's a nepo-baby! He made you look like a nepo-baby!" Jay exclaimed, his face flushed red with frustration. His voice reverberated slightly in their dorm room.
Jon looked taken aback at Jay's comment, furrowing his brows. The words seemed to physically hit him, his shoulders stiffening. "He's my best friend. Not a nepo-baby." He spoke gently.
Jay instantly regretted his words, and the anger in his face quickly diminished. He'd never seen Jon look so upset at him. The silence that followed was heavy with regret.
Damian was always heavily criticized for his status as a Wayne. However, no one ever understands the hardships he went through when breaking into the fashion scene as inexperienced as he was a year ago.
Jon understood this clearly. Having the two most credited reporters from the Daily Planet as your parents holds a lot of weight. Their opinions mattered. And with the addition of a powerhouse of a motorcycle racer for a brother.
It's never made them nepo-babies in the slightest when both worked tooth and nail to get what they wanted. Which made Jay's statement feel absolutely disrespectful to Jon's hard work.
"I planned a double date for us with Damian and his fiancé." Jon started, sighing. His shoulders slumped slightly, exhaustion finally hitting him. "I want you to meet Damian. And I want you two to get along."
"You want me to get along with him?" Jay's tone had softened, guilt filled in his words.
"Please, Jay. All I want is for my two favorite people to finally meet." Jon assured, taking a tentative step forward, closing the physical gap between them. "And who knows, maybe you two will hit it off."
The tension in the room shifted, not entirely dissipated, but was manageable. Jay crossed his arms loosely, his expression softened at the sincerity in Jon's eyes.
"I just-" Jay began, then stopped himself. "I sometimes wonder where I fit in your world, especially when that world includes people like the Wayne's."
Jon's eyes widened at the unexpected confession. "Jay, you're not just part of my world," he said. "You are my world." He reached out, gently taking Jay's hand in his own. "Damian might be a part of my childhood, but you're the one I come home to."
"I want to believe that," Jay muttered, then pulled Jon closer by their joined hands and kissed him deeply, as if trying to anchor Jon to this promise.
Jon melted into the kiss, meeting Jay's intensity with his own. Their kiss deepened as Jon backed Jay toward the couch, neither willing to break contact. The two stumbled their way onto the couch, landing with a soft thud.
Jay's hands found their way under Jon's shirt, fingers tracing across warm skin. The argument faded into the background as they lost themselves in each other, the lamp casting long shadows across their entangled forms.
The magazine's glossy pages were forgotten on the table as they momentarily reconnect. The cover presented the moment of perfection between Jon and Damian that Jay could never hope to understand or replicate.
"Father?" Damian waltzed into the kitchen to find Bruce standing near the kitchen island. The man was in a red silk robe, reading a book while drinking from his mug.
"Damian, how was your shoot?" Bruce started, wanting to be calm for the upcoming conversation.
"It was… decent," Damian responded. "Is there a reason why you're up this late?" Damian made his way to the cupboard. Grabbing a mug for himself and reached for the water pitcher. His back faced Bruce as he poured.
"I did want to talk to you about something," Bruce announced. Damian nodded slowly, unsure of the conversation's direction. It felt like Damian was walking on eggshells. Unsure of what kind of mood Bruce was gonna be in. Afraid he had done something wrong again.
"I don't want you staying overnight at Leon's anytime soon," Bruce announced, taking off his glasses and setting down his book on the table. This took Damian by surprise. He never told Bruce that he had already visited Leon once. Did Dick rat him out?
"Have you forgotten I'm an adult?" Damian spoke, his voice dangerously controlled. He set the water pitcher down with a bit of force. "I don't need your permission to sleep with my fiancé." Should've worded that differently.
"But, you still live under this roof," Bruce countered, crossing his arms. "And please don't say it like that…" he muttered, catching the double-meaning.
"I live here by choice, not necessity," Damian turned to face his father. "Leon and I are engaged. It would be more believable that I spend more time with him."
"I only want what's best for you." Bruce finally said, his voice softening slightly. "You are already in this whole mess of an engagement that you went and got yourself into. The last thing I want is for you to make a mistake." That statement came out harsher than Bruce thought. But, truth be told, it came as quite the shock when he heard his youngest got engaged in Milan after sending him there alone for Fashion Week.
"Then trust my judgment," Damian replied, his gaze stern.
"I do trust you, Damian," Bruce responded swiftly. "But, there is more to experience than a 'business' relationship."
Admittedly, Bruce truly wanted all of his kids to be happy. And that goes for their relationships, too. Sure, it wasn't easy the first few times around. Especially with Tim and Conner, two big names, dating was bound to send the media into a frenzy. But, their relationship would have never prepared him for what Damian had going on.
Not to mention the mess that was Jason and Roy. You could say that they were roommates. Dick and Wally were probably the least the Bruce had to worry about but, it was astonishing how the two turned their brains off when paired together. Apparently, they shared the same singular brain cell, rather than using their existing ones.
"Tt." Damian scoffed. "How juvenile.."
"Damian, please understand that this engagement isn't something you need," Bruce states. "I want to you to experience a normal relationship. And actually be in love for once. I understand you're an adult now, and I trust that you can make the right decisions."
"So, trust that I know what I'm doing." Damian exclaimed. "With my career. With my life. With Leon."
Bruce could only frown as Damian grabbed his mug off the table and exited the kitchen in swift quickness. There is always so much tension between them. It was obvious from an outside perspective that the two were devoted to each other as father and son. However, like father, like son, neither could ever express how one cared for the other.
Jay and Jon walked into the restaurant and were greeted by a hostess. She politely greets them and guides them to their table, where Damian and Leon have already arrived. The restaurant was decorated lavishly, emitting an old-money theme.
Although Jon initiated the double date, Damian placed the reservation and paid for their flights. And upon seeing them for the first time, Jay was floored by the fashionable couple sitting before him. They looked untouchable, Leon in a tailored beige suit that accentuated his lean frame, Damian in a deep emerald that made his eyes appear almost luminous under the restaurant lighting.
Jay's throat felt dry.
The tension between the two was intimate. Their seats were placed close together. So close. Their chairs were angled, slightly facing each other, knees brushed, and shoulders aligned. Jay noticed they seemed to be looking at something on Leon's phone, a shared comment, before a soft chuckle came from Damian. Leon looks up, smiling softly, to give Damian a small kiss on the cheek.
It wasn't dramatic. It wasn't showy. It felt natural.
And Jay felt like he had just been punched.
Damian and Leon's relationship felt so comfortable. It was the relationship that Jay wished for. He and Jon may have started that way, too, but it felt more like it was about Damian. The effortless chemistry was something Jay wanted from Jon.
"Jon, are you sure we aren't under dressed for this?" Jay muttered to the taller male, tugging self-consciously at his sleeve.
"That's just them," Jon reassured, though his eyes lingered a moment too long on Damian. "We're fine. Don't worry." He then intertwined his hand with Jay's and slowly walked them towards their table.
They were not fine. Maybe for the restaurant's standards, but not whatever Damian and Leon occupied. The couple's absolute presence was so enormous that it made Jay want to turn back around and head home.
The seated couple soon noticed Jay and Jon's arrival and faced square toward them.
"Damian, this is Jay Nakamura." Jon introduced his boyfriend with a proud smile. "Jay, this is Damian Wayne."
"It's nice to meet you, Damian! Jon has told me so much about you," Jay grinned, forced but calm.
"A pleasure," Damian replied, his voice calm and collected. His gaze assessed Jay with analytical precision. "I assumed you know of my fiancé." Damian gestured to Leon with subtle pride.
"Leon, a pleasure to meet you." Leon showed a friendly smile as he shook Jay's hand.
The couple made themselves comfortable at their table, unfolding the napkins to place on their laps. A waiter comes by and takes their orders. As they waited, they exchanged pleasantries, the conversation flowing more easily than Jay had anticipated.
When their food arrived, the conversation shifted.
"So, Leon, I've noticed you speak Spanish, but you're from France. Is Spanish possibly your first language?" Jay questioned, taking a sip from his glass.
"You're correct." Leon softly smiled. "My mother was from Colombia, and she mostly spoke Spanish, which is where I learned it. But I was born in France since my mother immigrated from Colombia to marry my father."
"Ah, so you're mixed," Jay remarked, his phrasing rather incorrect.
"Yes, you could say that," Leon replied evenly.
"Do you still keep in contact with your parents?" Damian inquired, his tone gentler than Jay's. However, he already knew the answer.
"No." Leon's expression fell, his focus turning to his plate. "I broke off contact with my parents years ago."
A weighted silence descended on the table. Jay shifted uncomfortably, searching for something, anything, to break the tension. His insecurities, heightened by the evening and crept up into a careless remark.
"Ya'know, I never knew the prince of Gotham could be tamed," Jay commented with force, attempting an off-handed joke that was about to explode the conversation.
Damian's breath hitched at the comment.
Tamed? Is that how they see him?
"Excuse me?" Damian's voice dropped dangerously low, and the room suddenly felt cold.
"Jay?!" Jon exclaimed, his face paling.
"I-It's just a rumor." Jay stammered, raising his hands defensively. "The media published this headline a few days ago, saying that." This flimsy explanation withered under Damian's piercing gaze.
However, Leon beat him to the punch.
"Tch. I'm not taming him." Leon scoffed, his accent thickening with emotion. He reached across the small table, his fingers gently intertwined with Damian in reassurance. "I'm with him because he's extraordinary. Why would I want anything less?"
"Tamed? Hardly." Damian added, his voice regaining its composure, though his eyes remained cold. "There's nothing domesticated about mutual respect."
Even as the dinner continued as normal, Jay's comment seemed to trigger something deeply rooted in Damian. A seed of doubt.
Was this marriage of 'convenience', Leon putting up with him out of pity? Damian latches onto the implication. Leon's puts up with him? Like he's a burden? Was he that difficult to love? No, Leon defended him. He admitted to being attracted to Damian. But shouldn't Damian speak for himself?
From anyone's perspective, Jay has inadvertently transferred his own insecurity onto Damian. Something the young Wayne couldn't seem to shake as dinner progressed. Damian's breathing was beginning to become unsteady and his leg anxiously bounced under the table.
Maybe it was true. 'A fashion designer from overseas sees a depressed model wanting to push his career. Why not use the Wayne name to gain money and power?'
Leon noticed how tense and distracted Damian was from the grip he held on his hand, still intertwined. He figured it was best to sooth him by gently squeezing Damian's hand to snap him out of his thoughts.
Damian caught on and glanced to Leon, his breathing slowing down. Leon let out a small smile reassuring him that he was okay.
Jon looking at the interaction before him was eager to change the subject.
"Anyway, Damian, I was wondering if you still have Alfred's cookie recipe? I really do miss getting a chance to eat them." Jon broke the silence.
Damian breathed steadily as he looked up from his plate. "If you'd like I could ask Pennyworth to make a batch for you."
"But, that's no fun. I'd rather learn from Alfred." Jon grinned.
"You wanna try that again, Hayseed? Or did you forget the last time you tried baking at the manor." Damian teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Hey, we don't take about that." Jon pouted, pointing his fork at Damian.
"I didn't know you baked, mi rey." Leon entered the conversation, taking a sip from his glass.
"Only when Pennyworth is supervising." Damian answered. "None of us are allowed to cook in the kitchen after the 'incident'." He gestured in air quotes.
There was a time when Damian was still a child. Alfred and Bruce were gone from the house, leaving the brothers unsupervised for four whole hours. Anyhow, Dick got the bright idea to cook dinner for everyone before the only two adults got home.
And with the help of the others they were determined to make the best meal imaginable. Spoiler alert: it didn't end well. None of them knew how to cook.
"I still have that photo of you covered in flour." Jon countered. A sly smirk on his face as he waved his phone.
Damian's eyes narrowed as they were suddenly fixated at the phone and then back at Jon. "You told me you deleted that photo."
"Ah…" Jon paused. "I lied." he smirked mischievously.
"Jon," Damian inhaled sharply. "I swear to god."
"I'm not going post it or anything." Jon exclaimed, defensively.
Jay felt sick to his stomach. That was his boyfriend. It felt as though the two were having their own personal date rather than the double date. As the two continued their childish banter, he took a glance at Leon. Wondering if he was experiencing the same thing that Jay felt.
Jay's eyes widened slightly. He found something unexpected. There was a smile on Leon's face, almost similar to childlike wonder. He seemed so engaged and intrigued in the childhood friend's conversation.
How could Leon watch this? And his finacé no less. Was Leon that comfortable in his relationship with Damian to let this slide? Jay's insecurity increased, his mind running a mile a minute trying to understand why he felt so repulsed by the scene in front of him.
What Jay didn't take into account was the fact that Leon was still holding Damian's hand on the table.
The sound of the car engine fills the silence, purring softly as they drove through Gotham's midnight streets.
"Stocks and profits have risen in the last week," Leon said, his voice calm and measured. "We're also expecting a new shipment of the new collection next week to release in London."
Damian remained silent as he tapped on his phone.
Leon grips the steering wheel higher, eyes fixated on Damian's expression. "Is there something you're not telling me?"
Damian doesn't respond, staring blankly at his phone as Leon drives. His silence stretches between them. Inside his mind, Jay's irritating comment replays like a broken record.
"Did Jay's comment bother you?" Leon inquires, maintaining his composure, though concerns fill his voice.
"It's none of your concern," Damian snaps, the words sharp. He shut off his phone and places it on his lap.
"I beg to differ." Leon glanced over as they waited at a light, his expression carefully neutral. "Your well-being directly affects our partnership."
"It's just a gossip post," Damian reassured. "It's all nonsense."
"Yet, you've been silent since we left the restaurant," Leon observes. "That suggests otherwise."
Damian shifts in his seat as his crosses his arms, glancing outside the window. "I do not appreciate the implication that I require domestication."
"The media consistently mischaracterizes our relationship," Leon replies. "This is to be expected. Their narratives hold no validity."
"Their words carry weight within the public," Damian counters. "Perception becomes reality."
Damian was referring to the headline that he was allegedly cheating on Leon with Jon during the photo shoot the week prior.
"Not between us," Leon states firmly. "We define our relationship on our own terms."
The traffic light turns green. They continue in silence, the Wayne Manor gates appearing in the distance. As they approached the entrance, there was a mutual understanding that the conversation wasn't finished.
Leon parks the car in front of the driveway. Before exiting, he turns to Damian. "Tabloid headlines do not determine your worth, carino."
Damian meets his gaze, his eyes reflect a rare sense of vulnerability visible only to Leon. "Nevertheless, they shape how the world sees us."
"Then let them see what we choose to show," Leon responds in a low and smooth voice. Damian felt a small feeling of excitement that arose in his chest.
The two stare into each other's eyes, tension lingers between them. They both lean over the console to connect. Damian wraps his hands around Leon's neck to pull him closer. Leon's hands dart to Damian's waist, gripping gently as Damian's waist felt so small compared to his own hands.
God, Damian could never have deserved someone like Leon, to the point where the bar was in hell.
Every conversation with Leon felt so simple. He made everything sound so easy. Leon always let Damian set the pace and followed through to the 'T'.
Although the space in the car was limited, Leon pushed up into Damian's side of the car, to which Damian twisted his entire body to face Leon, his shoes on the seat. Leon practically crawled over, settling himself in between Damian's legs.
"Gods…" Damian breathed in between kisses. "I really… I really like you."
Leon smiled into the kiss. "Feelings mutual." he takes the opportunity to shift his weight to his upper body and places his hand above Damian's head on the car window, caging him in on one side. "You're so beautiful."
Leon's long locks swung over them, as if they were attempting to cover their kiss.
His other hand stayed on Damian's waist, each caressing motion causing Damian's abdominal muscles to flex and flinch from the touch.
Damian's blazer fell to the car floor. He had taken it off before entering the car only to reveal a tight form fitting turtle neck that showed every line of muscle even underneath the dark fabric.
Suddenly, a deafening siren blares from the manor, startling them apart.
"What the—?" Damian's eyes narrow dangerously. "That's the alarm for the perimeter fence."
He turned to take a glance at the manor before he realized it. Damian's face transformed from shock to murderous rage in seconds.
"Drake," He hisses. Damian hopped out of the car, Leon following suite behind him, much more calm compared to his lover. Damian eyes trail up the steps of the manor to find his brothers waiting outside of the front door.
"Sorry, baby bat, it's for your own good," Jason said, leaning on a pillar with his arms crossed loosely.
"Twenty minutes past curfew, lovebirds!" Dick shouted, tapping on his invisible wristwatch. "What do you have to say for yourselves!"
"We don't have a curfew, Grayson!" Damian yelled back.
"If this went on any longer, we'd have had to hose down the car." Tim is referring to the couple's make out session in the car. Damian saw he had his tablet in hand, clearly controlling the security system.
Notes:
To anyone who needed to Google the word Domesticated:
"Means to tame and keep as a pet or on a farm."
Segments were inspired by xx_Katya_xx's "Find love(Right Here)", go check them out.
Writing this chapter took me longer than it was supposed to. I had like a thought and a half and had to write like hell. As I continue to write, I'm slowly improving on my commentary. I really want to put my best work forward for you guys so that you enjoy this story.
I've always loved the concept of Damian's character development or arc being about finding his self-worth and identity in the world, which is something I think a lot of comics tend to ignore about him, or write it completely wrong or backwards. Which was sort of the reason I started this story, besides Damian being a fashion model.
I got really busy between this chapter and the last due to school, which got hectic.
Again, please tell me if you liked this chapter and what you want to see next time. Put any comments, questions, or concerns in the comments. I'll try to respond the best I can.
Chapter 8: Body Talk
Summary:
After dinner, Jon and Jay get into an argument, which doesn’t end well. To distract himself, Jon goes to Wayne Manor to observe another of Damian’s shoot. Expected this time, it’s a little different.
Notes:
Not proof read. There is a bit of Spanish stuff in this chapter, so translations at the bottom. I’m trying to get more comfortable with more spicy writing but it’s not too explicit this chapter. Also we got a few surprises about Leon this chapter 🤭.
The notes at the end are long if you wanna read them.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
After Damian and Leon had driven off into the Gotham night, Jay and Jon stood near the restaurant entrance, waiting for their cab to arrive to take them back to the hotel for the night.
"You okay, Jay?" Jon inquired while holding his boyfriend's hand, puzzled by the silence that had fallen between them. The Gotham nighttime air was thick with tension that Jon couldn't place.
"Am I okay?" Jay repeated, yanking his hand away from Jon's. His voice started low, but rose with each word. "Am I okay? No, Jon. I am absolutely not okay."
"What's wrong? I thought dinner went—"
"What's up with me?! What's up with you?!" Jay countered, months of bottled-up frustration erupting all at once. "You drag me all the way to Gotham to have a double date with your childhood 'best friend', and his finacé and I spend the entire night being the fourth wheel."
"I was just trying to—"Jon attempted to reason.
"Trying to what?" Jay cut him off once again. "Because what I saw tonight made it crystal clear."
"What? We were just catching up," Jon explained, attempting to de-escalate the situation.
"Oh don't give me that bullshit!" Jay cursed, his eyebrows narrowed. "Is it so wrong that for once I want to show off my boyfriend, myself?!" Jay exclaimed, tears in his eyes. "Is it so wrong that for once, the conversation wasn't about the Damian fucking Wayne?"
"Jay—" Jon was cut off.
"No, no, no! I am so done with you, Jonathan Samuel Kent." Jay shot as Jon looked absolutely heartbroken. "I am so done being second best."
"Jay don't say that. Damian is just my best friend." Jon reasoned, the statement was getting ever so stale the more Jon repeated it.
"Is that what you're calling this?" Jay countered, fuming. "You keep repeating that, yet, how long are you gonna realize that's the problem?"
Jon stared back, confusion evident on his face. "What do you mean?"
"That's exactly what I'm talking about," Jay said, throwing his hands up in frustration. "You can't even see it. Do you have any idea how it feels to watch my boyfriend talk about his 'best friend' with more passion than he's ever shown talking about me?"
Jon flinched. "That's not fair—"
"Oh, but isn't it?" Jay laughed, but there was no humor in it. "If you loved me so much, you would've chosen me, right here, right now."
"Jay, I can't do that to Damian," Jon objected, finally being able to get a word in. "And that isn't fair to me either."
"That's what I thought," Jay concluded quietly. "I'll see you back at the hotel, Jon." Jay waves his hand, flagging down a cab, and hops in. The cab speeds off into the night, leaving Jon to wait at the restaurant.
"I'm sorry."
Hayseed: Are you busy tomorrow? I was thinking we'd hang out for the extra day I'm here in Gotham.
Dami: I have a shoot tomorrow. Sorry.
Hayseed: Oh? What is it this time?
Dami: Swimwear. Summer collection. The heat will be disgusting.
Hayseed: I like the heat. Winter is too cold for me.
Dami: You're welcome to come.
Dami: You can bring Jay.
Hayseed: about that….
Hayseed: Jay and I had a fight last night.
Dami: Oh, I see….
Dami: That's…. unfortunate.
Dami: You are still welcome to come.
Hayseed: Yeah, I'll be there. It'll be a good distraction.
Jon pulled up to the Gotham Manor at around noon. His duffle bag swung over his shoulder. Alfred was the one to pick him up from the hotel and drive him to the manor, as last night's cab situation ended with Jon waiting an entire hour until the cab arrived.
"Master Damian is expecting in the pool area. You may use the side entrance to get there." Alfred held the car door open.
"Oh, thanks, Alfred." Jon thanked, slightly bowing. "And thank you for the ride, too."
"Of course, Master Jonathan." Alfred bowed, closing the car door.
Jon made his way to the side entrance, waltzing through the indoor sector before reaching the pool area outside. The poolside was surrounded by crew and cameras. They were still setting up their equipment as Damian was nowhere to be found at the moment.
Jon gripped the strap of his duffle bag, feeling rather anxious with the number of people present. And without Damian, there was no one to comfort him.
As Jon stepped deeper onto the set, a hand suddenly touched his shoulder. Jon jolted, letting out a shriek, and whipped his body around to find Damian in a thin white robe.
"What are you getting all jumpy for? It's not a horror shoot." Damian spoke, as if he didn't just scare the living daylights out of Jon.
"I wasn't scared." Jon played it off. "I forgot you could do that." Jon referred to the Batfamily's constant disappearing and reappearing acts, always getting the jump on people. And multiple mini heart attacks.
"I'm sorry to hear what happened with Jay," Damian spoke softly, his arms crossed.
"It's not your fault," Jon explained, exhaling. "I planned the double date, and it didn't end well. You shouldn't have to apologize for anything."
"Still, I rather not see you mop around like a sad puppy." Damian responded, tilting his head to the side.
There was a beat of silence as the two stood behind the river of people roaming around the pool.
"Is it just you today?" Jon questioned, his eyes scanning around the set.
"No, Leon will be shooting with me today," Damian answered.
"He's not directing this one?" Jon raised an eyebrow, swinging his duffle bag to the other shoulder to close the distance between them, standing.
"This shoot is for my agency, so Leon has no directive here for their collection," Damian responded, crossing his arms.
"Where is he anyway?" Jon scanned around the pool, searching for the tall man.
"With the stylists." Damian pointed behind him, referring to Leon was inside the manor. "They had me here early to start solo shoots before we move to the actual shoot."
Jon hummed in confirmation, his anxiety slowly drifting away as he spoke more to Damian.
"Sorry, if this shoot isn't as entertaining as the last one you attended." Damian apologized.
"No, it's okay. It's a good excuse to get out of the hotel, ya'know?" Jon rubbed his neck sheepishly. The hotel last night was deadly quiet as he and Jay avoided each other; Jay even considered sleeping on the small couch that was provided in the room.
"I suppose you're right." Damian pondered, adjusting his robe to wrap around his torso.
Jon noticed Damian's slightly disturbed posture. "You doing alright?"
"I'm perfectly fine." Damian verified.
"Have you done a shoot like this before, Dami?" Jon inquired, concerned.
"It's not my usual shoot, but I'm willing to get out of my comfort zone," Damian claimed, straightening his back.
Jon nodded, still concerned. He then scanned his eyes around the set, noticing some of the camera setups were not particularly made for photography.
"What's with that camera?" Jon pointed to a camera set up on a dolly.
"I forgot to specify, this is a commercial shoot," Damian said, his hands on his hips.
"Commercial shoot? As in video?" Jon tilted his head in confusion. "For swimwear?"
"Ever heard of a perfume ad, Hayseed?" Damian teased. Before Jon could even think, the director called out to Damian.
"Damian! We're ready for you." The director exclaimed from his chair.
"That's my cue." Damian pats Jon on the shoulder as he walks away.
Jon stood there, thinking of what in the world a perfume ad was, besides being about perfume.
Damian walked onto set in front of the cameras. The stylist gently guided him to his spot. They placed him across the pool, seated on the edge of the water.
The Wayne Manor's pool wasn't too big, average as they say, as it was located far on the edge of the mountain, looking over the water. Alfred prides himself on his gardening skills, so Bruce never bothered to put anything larger than would disturb Alfred's work. In the distance, you could see the silhouette of Gotham City.
Damian shrugged off his robe to reveal sun-kissed skin that glowed. He wore a form fitting white sheer sleeveless zip-up as his cover-up, the zipper only about a quarter zipped. It was paired with a pair of low-waisted hunter green swim shorts that were lined in a nice off-white. Jon noticed that the shorts were already starting to ride up Damian's ass which prompted him to look away. God, those were way too low.
The defined muscles of his abdomen disappeared tantalizingly into those low-riding shorts, while powerful thighs hinted beneath their smooth surface. Years of discipline training created a silhouette that commanded attention, with broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist.
Jon realizes what Damian meant by this being similar to a perfume ad. Those ads always had an air of sensuality that makes you wonder how they got the green light. And those pieces of clothing were designed with the purpose of showing off the male physique.
"Perfect. That should do for your solo shoot for now." The photographer announced as he finished off the shots. "Damian, take five while we wait for Leon."
And speak of the devil, Leon finally came out of the hands of the stylist. And by God, this man was jaw-dropping. As of now, no one has ever seen Leon in any less clothing besides pants and long sleeves. But underneath all that was something even more alluring.
Leon's body was toned, his muscles defined, making it evident that he took good care of his body and exercised often. His long, braided hair was scooped up in a low ponytail, with gold beading and cuffs decorated along each braid. Leon wore the same low-waisted swim shorts, except they were in a clean beige with the same off-white lining. And oh, that ass. That's a lot of ass. Not more than Dick though.
How is it possible for a man to hide this physique under any type of clothes?
But that wasn't the unexpected part; the real showstoppers were Leon's tattoos. The low-waisted shorts revealed an impressive collection. His most impressive piece was sprawled across his entire right thigh, an intricate neotribal design that ran beneath the hem of his shorts, leaving the rest to imagination. And the stars of the show were the symmetrical tattoos that were positioned precisely along his V-line. If they were any closer to the center, it would be qualified as a womb tattoo.
Even Jon couldn't deny how attractive Leon was, the Colombian man's physique making him gulp.
Damian, upon seeing Leon for the first time that afternoon, turned completely red. You could tell he stuttered for a second before fixing his posture. Leon waltzed his way on set, confident in his walk.
"I didn't know you had tattoos," Damian spoke calmly and controlled, remaining poised and composed. Hiding his internal panic beneath.
"Oh, these. They're not that interesting." Leon glanced down at his old ink, instinctively flexing his thighs to get a better look. Damian gulped at the sight of the muscles bulging.
"I got them when I was still attending high school." Leon shrugged as if his tattoos were nothing but ink. "Ya'know, stupid teenage decisions. Parents were hella mad about them."
"No," Damian stood from the edge, eyeing the large thigh piece before his sight trailed up to Leon's face. "Not stupid at all," he took Leon's hands into his own.
Leon huffed out a chuckle before bending down, "Kiss?"
Damian was still shy about showing PDA, so he glanced around before he landed a soft peck on the side of Leon's lips.
The director soon spoke with the couple shortly, explaining the details of the commercial and gesturing to the pool, then to the camera, and then to the couple themselves. Leon and Damian both nodded in agreement, understanding what was expected to come.
The director gives them a thumbs up before heading back to his chair.
Jon watched observantly, curious about what the next move would be.
The couple faced each other, where Leon opened up his arms wide. With a gentle 'up' followed by a quiet count down, He signaled to Damian, who instinctively jumped into his embrace. Damian wrapped his arms around Leon's neck and locked his legs around his waist in one fluid motion, like it was second nature. Leon held him secure, his hands clasped firmly beneath Damian's thighs, supporting his weight as their bodies pressed together.
Leon then slowly walked down the pool steps into the water and made his way to the middle. The director announced the call, and the camera started rolling. It was a dolly system, making it rather easy to maneuver around the pool.
Jon could only stare from a distance as he sat on one of the poolside chairs. The heat that crept up his face was unavoidable. Maybe it was just the sun that was making him sweat.
The director had them pressed up against each other. The water drips from their toned muscles. In other shots, it was just Damian and Leon sitting poolside, looking lovingly into each other's eyes, before a wide shot was filmed from a bird-eye view of the entire manor pool.
Some shots showed slow kisses in the water. Nothing too explicit, but it held the mood of romance and sensuality to the audience. The chemistry between them was impeccable as they portrayed the picture-perfect couple.
Jon felt like he was intruding on something intimate that he shouldn't be witnessing. He opted to look away as he was rather embarrassed. Jon could feel his face flush red as he attempted not to make it apparent in his expression.
How could the two of them ever show so much PDA in front of a camera? It took some skill not to be flustered under the eyes of strangers and cameras.
However, while Jon was looking away, suddenly….
SPLASH
"CUT!"
"LEON, you dolt! I could've drowned!" Damian gasped as he emerged from the water, wiping the water from his eyes.
"Qué pena, bebé." Leon apologized. "I told you to stop moving, mi vida," he laughed wholeheartedly, pulling his lover to sit back in his arms. To apologize further, Leon leaned in for a kiss.
"No, don't you dare." Damian shoved the palm of his hand towards Leon's face, pushing it away.
"I just wanna kiss you." Leon teased.
"No!" Damian exclaimed. "You lost those privileges when you dropped me!"
"¡Ay, pobrecito!" Leon smiled mockingly as he swayed Damian gently side to side. The sound of small waves swishes from the movement while Damian cursed at him in Arabic.
"TAKE FIVE!" The director shouted, trying to de-escalate the situation before Damian drowns Leon.
After getting out of the pool, the stylists rushed in to fix up Damian's makeup after being dunked into the pool accidentally.
As they waited, Leon approached Jon, holding two bottles of water, and offered one to Jon. Jon accepts, thanking him as Leon settles next to him on the pool chairs.
However, Jon doesn't immediately open the water bottle and fiddles with it as he's lost in thought.
"How can you two be so close to each other?" Jon speaks up, staring out at the pool.
"What do you mean?" Leon pondered, glancing at Jon. "I'm as close to him as you are."
"I mean like," Jon turns to face Leon. "Physically, like in front of all these people. With all these cameras. Doesn't it get a bit uncomfortable?" Jon gestures to the crew who were constantly roaming the poolside.
"I don't know about you," Leon appealed. "But, your best friend has lived under a camera his entire life. It's expected to be used to it."
"You mean desensitized?" Jon pondered.
"With all honesty, yeah. We're desensitized to it." Leon shrugged, halfheartedly. "I thought you, of all people, would understand that."
"What?" Jon cocked an eyebrow. The statement puzzled him.
"Your parents are reporters and journalists," Leon stated before listing off Jon's life. "Your brother is a motocross racer. You're even majoring in journalism. Who's to say you haven't lived under a camera your entire life?"
"I never thought about that." Jon frowns, feeling guilty for his ignorance.
"That's because you don't see what goes on our side of the camera," Leon explains, taking another sip of his water.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude." Jon apologized, his hand fidgeting with the bottle cap.
Leon chuckled, "Don't beat yourself up over it. It's best that I told you, or else you would've had to learn the hard way."
The two sat in silence for a minute, enjoying the scenery. Leon took a glance at Jon, who seemed to be distracted by something. Or someone. He followed Jon's gaze and found himself looking in Damian's direction, where he was sitting on a chair as the stylist went ham on his makeup. Witnessing this, Leon pulls the trigger.
"Do you have feelings for him?" Leon said offhandedly.
"What?!" Jon exclaimed, surprised.
"Do you—"
"You don't have to repeat it!" Jon shot his hands up to cover Leon's mouth, restricting him. Jon scanned around the area, making sure Damian wasn't in earshot to hear their conversation.
Leon was stunned for a second before Jon realized his actions. He yanked his hands away with a quick release.
"I'm so sorry." Jon pulled his hands up in the air defensively. "I didn't mean to touch you like that!"
"I'm not going to sue you, Jonathan." Leon chuckled, quite unbothered by Jon's physical reaction. "But I guess that answers my question."
"But I didn't say anything." Jon's shoulders slumped as he dropped his hands.
"You didn't," Leon reassured. "But, you're face says everything."
Jon's face was flushed red in embarrassment. His heart sped up like crazy as his breathing became rapid.
"Don't feel guilty, Jonathan. Our relationship is strictly….." Leon trails. "Professional."
"Professional?" Jon queried. "I doubt that."
"Well, it started professionally," Leon claimed, closing the lid on his water bottle. "Then I guess I got lost… in him."
"Yeah," Jon said, his glance turned from Leon to Damian, who was still getting his makeup touched. "He really is something."
There was a beat of silence before a single light bulb lit in Leon's head.
"Stand for me." Leon placed his water bottle down and stood up.
"Okay…" Jon spoke suspiciously as he set his water down and stood as Leon requested, unsure of what to do.
"Good, now stand here." Leon took Jon by the shoulders and placed him right in front of the pool.
"Um.. what's happening?" Jon inquired, a note of confusion in his voice as he found himself positioned at the pool's edge.
Leon got dangerously close to Jon, their bodies almost pressed up against each other. Leon's hand hovered over Jon's chest. Jon could feel the heat raising up his chest to his face, as his heart rate spiked. Leon's breathe tickled him as he whispered in Jon's ear. "Just doing you a little favor."
"Wait, what—" Before Jon could finish his sentence, Leon pushed him into the pool. Jon comedically fell into the pool, resulting in a loud splash that grabbed everyone's attention, especially Damian's. Upon seeing his best friend somehow ending up in the pool, he rushed over.
He pushed past the stylists and ran to Leon's side.
"Jon?!" Damian exclaimed, concerned for his best friend's well-being. "Leon, what happened?"
"Jonathan said he was getting hot, so he jumped in to cool off." Leon lied, a sly little smile on his face.
Damian didn't know what to say, worried that his best friend might've over heated in the Gotham sun. He glanced down at the pool, and his eyes widened at what surfaced from the water.
At that moment, time seemed to slow as Jon emerged from the pool, water cascading from his shoulders, his white t-shirt now translucent and clinging to every contour of his chest. Jon pushed his soaked hair from his forehead with trembling fingers, his expression caught between shock and embarrassment. Droplets dripped down his throat, traveling south to his defined collarbones.
Damian forgot how to breathe, his gaze stilled on Jon as he lost his train of thought. The face of his best friend, suddenly coated in water, created a new angle of sharpness on Jon's face.
The vulnerability in Jon's current position struck Damian with an unexpected force. Throughout the entire shoot, Damian and Leon were the center of attention, and now ironically, Jon had become the "wet and attractive" one.
"You okay, Jonathan?" Leon played up. "You feeling refreshed?"
"Huh?" Jon, upon hearing Leon's words, followed with Damian's flushed and stunned expression, "Y-yeah, I'm good now," he played along, embarrassed.
Jon gripped the edge of the pool, muscles tensing from the extra water weight as he pulled himself out. Water spilled from his body in waves. A production assistant rushed over with a towel, which Jon accepted gratefully, though he only made the effort to dry off his face.
Damian still stood stunned.
Leon watched the silent exchange with barely concealed satisfaction, his plan working better than even he had anticipated.
"Maybe we should help him get dried off, mi rey," he suggested, his tone innocent. "We still have that last set to shoot."
Damian nodded mechanically, as if in a trance. "You better not get a heat stroke out here, Hayseed." he managed to tear his gaze away, but the image of Jon rising from the water had already burned itself into his memory.
The evening had ended with the camera crew packing up, and Jon was sent off for the night back to his hotel. Alfred handed the Metropolitan man a dry set of clothes before he left, and offered to clean his drenched clothing.
The rest of the family members weren't expected to be back until later that evening, giving Leon and Damian a rare moment of privacy.
They had changed out of the damp swimwear and into more 'comfortable' clothes. Although that term was beginning to be irrelevant to them. With the presence of Leon's hands underneath, Damian's sweatshirt had bunched up to his chest.
Damian sinks further into the plush love seat as Leon deepens their heated kiss. Damian runs his hand up Leon's neck and grips onto his hair, gently, as to not ruin his neatly braided locks.
Leon breaks the kiss and starts a hot path down Damian's neck, to which Damian responds by tipping his head back, gasping out a moan.
"You were down right gorgeous today, carino." Leon praised, his hands trailing up and down Damian's waist.
However, Damian couldn't respond, all he could think was 'don't fuck it up.' Despite last night's antics, this marked unfamiliar territory. A moment more than simple make-out sessions.
Leon, being Damian's first ever relationship, carried the weight of many firsts. The pressure that Damian put on himself was immense, to be good enough, experienced enough, worthy for someone like Leon, who surely had been with people more confident then him in these situations.
Despite that, he mustered up a whimper as a response.
Leon takes a free hand to slide up Damian's thigh, hooking it up to his hip, pulling the Wayne heir closer. This resulted in Damian settling against Leon with his legs on either side of Leon's hips.
The whimpers and moans that came from the Wayne heir were savory. Leon placed open-mouth kisses all along Damian's abdomen, keeping eye contact with the man below him, looking for any sign of discomfort.
"Oh my— Leon." Damian's back arched up into Leon's body, the two now flushed together. Leon continues his heated assault on Damian's skin, hoping to leave marks behind. Marks that were raw and left the man below exposed, and it sent a flush of heat across Damian's cheeks.
However, unbeknownst to the two, a dynamic duo had returned to the manor a bit earlier than they expected. And the sight they were bout to witness was bound to result in trauma.
"Hey, baby bat, what you up ToOoOOOO— AHHH!!!" When Dick peeped his head in the living room, his eyes widened like giant saucers as he saw the two on the couch, with Damian almost half-naked.
Damian's appearance was messy, and his lips were swollen and red. Their position was less then innocent to Dick's eyes. His baby brother was engaging in unholy things.
The two broke apart, startled, as Damian yanked his sweatshirt down to cover his chest. Unfortunately, Dick had already witnessed the act and his overprotective brother instincts kicked in.
"FIVE FUCKING FEET MISTER!" Dick exclaim springing into action, flipping in the air to attack. His acrobatics days not far behind. "GET OFF MY BABY!"
"Grayson!" Damian exclaimed, jumping off to counter Dick's attack.
Dick landed back on his feet and yelled to the door. "Jason, he touched our baby!"
"He what?!" Jason exclaimed from down the hall, who was busy untying his combat boots. "Oh, hell no!"
Damian was so close to killing his brothers.
Notes:
Translation stuff:
Que pena, bebé. = What a shame, babe OR I'm sorry, babe
¡Ay, pobrecito! = Ay, poor thing OR Ay, poor baby
I did a bit of research and digging on specifically Colombian Spanish and not just grabbing a random word from Mexican or Spain Spanish as I remember that Spanish comes in different dialects (Thank you, Spanish class.)
So, here's what I understand from the phrase above, along with the different ways of saying "I'm sorry".
"Lo siento" is generally more appropriate for a sincere apology, translating to "I'm sorry. It's apologizing for your own actions or mistakes.
"Que pena" can be for shame(in the embarrassing way), which expresses sympathy or regret for an unfortunate situation.
I chose to use "Que pena", as my research tells me it's a phrase most common among Colombian Spanish speakers for the phrase "I'm sorry". And it made more sense to me as Leon was expressing sympathy for the misfortune of Damian falling in the water, as it wasn't entirely Leon's fault.
I also debated using "Perdón", but I wasn't too confident in using it. I also don't know if these are the formal or the informal versions for "I'm sorry", it's just what I understand on a surface level.
Tell me what you think. Did I choose the most appropriate phrase? If I didn't, I'm happy to change it.
As for the phrase "Pobrecito", I learned this phrase when I was a kid. I've always heard it in the context of a little child who is hurt, the adults would respond with "Pobrecito". But nowadays, I often hear it as a form of mocking or teasing from other peers. For my Spanish speakers, is this the same for you?
Hope you liked this chapter. The next few chapters are gonna be a little tense and long so illl take a while to write it. This is probably my longest chapter as I wanted to put more commentary to things and what not.
Chapter 9: Cursed, Not Cute
Summary:
Damian gets drunk with Jason and they have therapy session together. Jon is also receiving relationship advice but, Conner is gonna give it to him straight.
Notes:
PLZ READ!
TW: Not sure how to tag this trigger warning, but the warning exists.
I had a bit of trouble writing this chapter as I wasn’t sure how to approach with a this certain topic and wanted to be gentle with it.
But, this warning is here for you even if I don’t know what this warning belongs to.
This chapter is also not proof read so any spelling mistakes will possibly appear.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Damian didn't feel like heading back to the Manor that evening. His mind was fogged and needed a change in setting. And that setting was Jason's apartment. Calling up Jason to pick him up on his motorcycle rather than Alfred being his chauffeur.
Damian's agency was really pushing him to the max when it came to his summer release, with the announcement of his recent engagement it resulted in more chatter among the public. More eyes meant more money to pull in.
Damian however, was exhausted out of his mind. Having to listen to his manger and directors every hours of the day was mind numbing.
The two brothers arrive at Jason's little apartment in crime alley, why he still lives there? You're guess is as good as his. Jason parks his motorcycle in the alleyway of his apartment building and pulls a black tarp over to blend it in with the rest of the alleyway.
"When's the last time we've hung out?" Jason asked, laying down his belongings by the door.
"Charity Gala. About two months ago." Damian answered, setting his bag alongside Jason's, kicking off his shoes, and making his way to the small living area. He sits cross-legged at the coffee table.
"Then we should just relax. I got a fresh bottle of bourbon." Jason grinned, pulling out a full bottle from the cabinet. "We haven't gotten to celebrate your first glass of alcohol since your birthday."
"I don't drink, Todd." Damian grimaced at the glass placed in front of him, lightly shoving it away.
"Hey," Jason reassured. "This is a safe space. I'm here, you're here. If you need to back out or throw up, bathrooms are right there." Jason pointed in the direction of the bathroom, the next room over. He sets the bottle of alcohol down on the table along with his glass.
Damian stared at the glass in front of him for quite a while as Jason settled himself in a comfortable position across from Damian. Then suddenly, Damian yanks the glass off the table and downs the shot in a single movement.
"I wish to receive relationship advice from you." Damian started, slamming his glass down.
"Why not ask Dick this stuff?" Jason inquired, pouring out a glass for himself.
"After the 'incident'," Damian gestured in air quotes. "I'd rather not." he turned away, recalling the evening of when the brothers had found the couple entangled on the love seat, after the commercial shoot.
"Hey, I was there too," Jason recalled. "I would've knocked Leon on his ass if you hadn't stopped me." he huffed.
"I would've kicked yours if you did, Todd," Damian spoke through his teeth.
Jason laughed at the comment, taking his first shot. "So you haven't had sex with him?"
Damian hesitated to answer before opening his mouth. "No."
Jason snorted playfully. "Ha!"
"Shut up, Todd." Damian huffed.
"There's nothing to be ashamed about, Dami." Jason cackled, waving a hand to reassure he wasn't mocking Damian.
Jason's track record of relationships begs to differ. He wasn't the most positive influence when it came to romance. With his on-and-off relationship with Roy, you'd think to ask someone else.
The two have been circling each other for years, calling it 'friendship', denying anything more, only to end up in each other's beds once things got boring. You should've seen them in high school, it was even worse.
It's not to mention that Roy has a kid of his own, Lian Harper. That Jason was practically co-parenting with Roy. They're basically married, but Jason refuses to bring Roy over for family dinners.
"Roy and I didn't start hooking up until he had a kid." Jason brought up.
"Please, don't talk about Lian like that," Damian muttered, his face scrunched up in disdain.
"Please, Damian." Jason deadpanned. "It's pretty normal to wait a bit before you start doing stuff."
"But… I don't know how to do this," Damian finally admitted, his voice unusually quiet. "Not just the physical part, though that's… concerning. But all of it."
Jason observed his little brother, the usual mockery absent from his expression. "All of what?"
"Letting someone in." Damian traced the rim of his glass with his fingertips. "Leon sees parts of me I've never shown anyone. It's… unsettling."
"Expect Jon." Jason was quick to respond.
Damian's head snapped up. "What?"
"Jon's seen all those parts of you. Has for years." Jason pointed out.
Damian opened his mouth to argue, then closed it. Jason wasn't entirely wrong. "That's different."
"Is it?" Jason leaned forward, crossing his arms on the table. "Or are you just used to it with him?"
The question lingered as Damian took another sip, welcoming the burn down his throat. "With Jon… it happened gradually. We were kids. I never made the conscious decision to be vulnerable with him."
"And with Leon. You did." Jason pointed out.
Damian looks down, nodding as if ashamed of his admission. "It's just business…. but, when we're together… I feel like I'm standing on the edge of something dangerous. Like I might fall and never recover."
"That's called feelings, Demon Spawn." Jason's tone was gentler than his words. "Scary, aren't they?"
"I wasn't raised to have them," Damian muttered.
"None of us were." Jason refilled their glasses. "Doesn't mean we don't."
Damian once again stared at his glass before running his hands through his hair, furiously grunting, the carefully styled look from the photo shoot long since ruined. He then unexpectedly dropped his head on the table with a loud thud. Looks like the alcohol was kicking in.
The impact caused the glasses to jump, and Jason caught them swiftly and reflexively.
"When he touches me," Damian started, his face smushed against the table. "I-I can't think straight. I lose control. And when Grayson walked in on us.." He exhaled sharply. "I've never felt so exposed. And not just physically."
"And that scares the hell out of you." Jason finished.
Now, that wasn't a question. Damian shot his head up and downed his shot rather than answer.
"Okay, okay, slow down." Jason reached for Damian's glass to pull it out of his hands and back down on the table, holding it there. "What if, hear me out, what if you stop overthinking everything and just let yourself want what you want?"
Damian fell silent, looking at Jason as if he had grown a third head. Everything that Damian did in his entire life was to be perfect and in control. That was the perfectionist in him.
His entire engagement with Leon from the very beginning was never meant to escalate further then just business. A publicity stunt. However, now what was Damian to do? He doesn't want to disappoint Leon, making him think that their relationship is a waste of time.
Damian desperately wishes to prove that he is worthy in the relationship. Even if Leon never asked for it.
"Is that what you do with Harper?" Damian deadpanned, calling out Jason's hypocrisy.
Jason's expression shifted, something raw and honest.
"Sometimes. On good days," he downed a shot. "On bad days, we blow it all to hell and start over. But at least we keep trying."
Damian considered this. The idea of trying and failing together in a relationship, but that concept was foreign to him. But perhaps that was the point of a relationship.
"What if he compares me to past experiences?" Damian asked quietly, voicing another fear that had been lurking since the commercial shoot. The level of openness that Damian presented was only ever achieved through alcohol.
Damian strives to be perfect, to get it right on the first try. Never wanting to disappoint anyone. Never wanting to let down anyone, not like how he did with Bruce.
"He's bound to have had past relationships." Damian states, leaning on the palm of his hand.
"If he does, then he's an asshole and I'll throw him in a ditch," Jason said flatly to the first point, pointing his glass towards Damian. "And if he did, it'd be on the background check Tim did."
"You're a terrible influence." Damian held a hand to his head.
"And yet, you came to me," Jason smirks, teasingly. "And, deep down, you knew Dickie is gonna give you the whole birds and the bees talk. But I'm gonna tell you to stop being a coward and get back on that horse. Or in this case, man."
Damian nearly choked on his drink. "You're disgusting."
"Hey, you brought it up," Jason laughed, amused. "And let me tell you, I've never seen Dick's face as red as it was that day."
Despite himself, Damian felt a smile tugging at his lips. "It was rather amusing to see Grayson so provoked."
"See? Silver lining." Jason refilled their glasses once more. "Now, are we getting properly drunk, or are you going to keep moping about your fashionista husband?"
"He's not officially my husband."
"Semantics," Jason dismissed with a wave of his hand. "Now drink up. Jason's relationship therapy session is over, time to relax."
Damian rolled his eyes, but raised his glass anyway. "Your approach to problems is concerning."
"And yet you're still here," Jason countered. "Bottoms up, baby bat."
The two clink their glasses together and down their shots. Damian felt the burn of the alcohol sting in his throat once more, exhaling to relive it. Perhaps, talking with Jason wasn't as bad as he thought, despite the number of relationship issues that the man had with Roy.
However, what about Jon? Damian hadn't even confronted his feelings for Jon. It's like he shoved it down once he got with Leon. And it wasn't until the day he witnessed Jon, soaked in water, that it had been reawakened in him.
Maybe he could allow himself to fail.
Damian found himself sitting outside on Jason's balcony, looking out into the Gotham night sky. The fresh crisp air filled his lungs as he leaned on the railing.
The alcohol had finally set in his system as the cold breeze ran through Damian's already messy hair. At some point, Damian had taken out his phone and opened it to his contacts. Clicking on the first name that appeared. He began rapidly texting without a thought behind what he was doing.
Sending the text, Damian leaned back on the outdoor chair, continuing to look over the city of Gotham as if it were the most beautiful thing in the world. Damian's mind fogged up and his vision became blurry as he simply enjoyed himself in the cool breeze.
There was a sudden sound of a door opening inside the apartment. The sound of voices echoed through the room behind him. To Damian it all just sounded muffled to him, background noise as they call it.
As Damian began to close his eyes, a smooth voice tickled at his ear.
"Mi rey," It was Leon. "It's time to go."
The young Wayne looked up lazily, his eyelids struggling to be kept open. Damian grumbled as Leon picked him up with ease. "I'll take it from here. I'll be sure to get him back safely."
"You better!" Jason drunkenly exclaimed, "Or else you're gonna find yourself in a ditch!"
Just go to sleep Jason. Someone call Roy and tell him to get his big baby.
Kicking the door open to his apartment, Leon carries Damian bridal style.
"Do you have to hold me like this? It's demeaning." Damian slurred as he hooked his arms around Leon's neck, contradicting his words.
The taller man found Damian curled up in his body adorable. Leon kicks off his shoes before walking toward the sofa. He gently lays Damian down and takes his shoes off.
"Stay here. I'm going to get you water." Leon spoke.
Damian hums drunkenly as he rolls onto his side.
Leon comes back with a glass of water, but upon approaching the couch, Damian grabs his dress shirt and straight up body throws Leon on the sofa. Leon was stunned at how easily Damian was able to throw someone weighing more than his body weight, especially while intoxicated. Then again, the man knows martial arts, and Leon has witnessed Damian counter Dick in a fight.
The glass of water goes flying, water spills into the air before hitting the ground with a splash. Luckily, the living room was covered by a rug, so the glass didn't shatter on impact. Leon lands on his back with a soft thud, his eyes closed upon impact. He opens his eyes to see Damian on top of him, straddling him.
Before Leon could speak, Damian's lips were on his. The kiss was assertive and hungry, as if Damian was longing for Leon's touch all day. Communicating 'to hell with it' to his fiancée. The smell of alcohol filled Leon's nostrils. But that was besides the point. Damian wasn't in the right mindset right now.
Leon gently pushed Damian away, holding him by his shoulders.
"Carino, we can't-" Leon was cut off.
"I want to have sex with you." Damian breathed, his chest heaving heavily.
"No," Leon spoke firmly, yet kept his voice leveled. "You're wasted."
"Please," Damian countered, slurring his words. "I want to. You're my fiancé. We're supposed to do things like that, right?"
In Damian's drunken mind, physical closeness was equal to proof of love. It was the only way he could be satisfied with himself. And that was finding solitude in Leon's approval.
"That's not how this works," Leon stated, his eyebrows furrowed in a concerned expression.
"Why are you stopping?" Damian questioned.
"Because you're drunk."
"Am I not enough?" Damian kept up.
Leon's expression saddened.
"No, you are," Leon spoke softly and gently. "But you're not in the right mindset right now. You need to rest."
Damian's expression relaxed, but his eyes held sadness. The little glitter of light in his eyes went away in that moment. He lowered himself and lay his head in the curve of Leon's neck.
"Why are you so perfect?" Damian's voice was muffled from his face being covered by the sofa.
"Carino, I'm not perfect." Leon slowly raised his hand to caress Damian's hair.
"You are…" Damian spoke softly, and his voice trembled. "You're talented, successful, kind, good. You fit into all of this. Into life. Like, you were made for it. And then there's me."
"Damian…" Was that the first time Damian ever heard Leon say his name?
"Why would you choose me?" Damian interjected.
"Because you're exactly those same things." Leon raised Damian's head, his hand caressing Damian's cheek.
"I'm jealous of you," Leon admitted, still softly running his fingers through Damian's messy hair.
Damian's eyes widened, and he pulled away from Leon, sitting up right, still straddling the man below him.
"Of me?!" Damian exclaimed in disbelief. "Why?"
Leon shifts his weight up to sit up right. Damian drunkenly follows along, moving off Leon's lap and sitting cross-legged on the sofa, still facing Leon.
"You're just so-" Leon stopped himself there to look at Damian. The Wayne's expression was lucid, his eyelids dropping as if they were struggling to keep up. Would Damian be able to remember this in the morning?
"Let's get you to bed." Leon wrapped his arms around Damian and swiftly picked him up bridal-style.
"No, wait!" Damian retaliates, whining, "Finish what you were gonna say."
"Maybe another day. When you're not drunk out of your mind." Leon smiles, gently carrying Damian to the bedroom as the Wayne continuously pleaded to Leon to finish his sentence.
Shifting Damian onto one arm, Leon lifted the blanket to uncover the bed and lowered Damian onto the plush mattress.
"Conjtio, I'm gonna sleep on the couch, okay?" Leon tucked the young Wayne in, placing a peck on Damian's forehead. He stood up to walk out before he was stopped. Damian's hand grasped Leon's wrist.
"Stay…" Damian breathed out. "Just.. stay with me."
Leon stood for a moment before answering with a gentle 'okay'. He settles himself on the bed beside his lover, waiting for Damian to fall asleep before he can drift off into his dreams.
The sun rose over the Kent family farm. The warmth seeping into Jon's room fills the area of Jon's bed. It had been about a week or so since his big fight with Jay.
The summer had started, and Clark had gathered his sons to visit Ma and Pa at the farm and help out for the summer. This left no chance for Jon and Jay to meet face-to-face to talk about their issues.
Staring up at the ceiling, Jon lay in bed thinking to himself. So much happened that night that he was still trying to process it. The entire thing felt surreal, like his fight with Jay had come out of nowhere. Swiping Jon off his feet and onto his ass.
There was a sudden knock at the door. "Jon? Are you awake?" It was his dad. "It's time to work."
Ah, Jon had promised he'd help out with the morning chores alongside Conner and his dad. The animals needed a lot of tending to in the morning, and Jon needed to get ready for the day.
"I'm coming, Dad!" Jon responded, throwing the covers off his body and jumping out of bed. He searched through his closet to get dressed for the day, putting on one of his many plaid button-down shirts to wear over his undershirt.
Jon walked out of his room to find his father and Conner sitting at the kitchen island, his older brother scrolling away on his phone. Clark, noticing Jon's appearance, beamed up.
"Already, boys. Ready for a long day?" Clark questioned his sons as he pulled on a pair of thick gloves.
"Yes, sir!" They exclaimed enthusiastically.
They worked out in the sun from the morning 'til a bit after noon. Spending the majority of the time tending to the animals and watering all the crops and grass. Clark himself focused on moving the hay into the barn for storage and so it wouldn't spoil, for they needed it for feeding. Jon found himself inside, leaning on the kitchen island, sipping on a glass of orange juice to ease the heat from his body.
Jon's face was flushed red with warmth, his body threatening to overheat. The sweat made his clothes stick to his body, raising a level of discomfort. His plaid button-up was now wrapped and tied around his waist, leaving him in his white undershirt.
Jon looked like you'd find him in on the cover of one of those sexy man calendars. Cowboys were often fan favorites for some reason. But you wouldn't catch Jon in one of those calendars, his parents would probably have another heart attack. After the iccident of appearing on Gotham Times, never again would step onto set.
You would also think Jon would be used to the heat by now, after all the years he's been working on the farm. But no, the heat never fails to get him. Not that Jon hates the heat. He loves it when the warm sun hits his skin at the beach or when he rushes out of that cold death trap of a college classroom to feel the warmth wake him.
But, something about overheating doesn't sound as fun. Not to mention the sun made it so bright, it was hard to see.
Jon spaced out into the living room as his father walked in, noticing his son's blanked out expression as he swirled his orange juice around in the glass cup.
"Hey, son," Clark said. "You doing okay?"
Jon snapped out of his trance and looked up at his dad. Clark was always a tall fellow, constantly slouching so he wouldn't look so intimidating to his co-workers.
Bad for his back, though. Often took time out of work to fix his posture so he wouldn't have back problems later. Reminds him of Bruce, the man who did quite the opposite of his father, always standing straight with his shoulders back and embodied confidence. It's probably where all the Wayne children get it from.
"Yeah, I'm good. Just hot." Jon replied, lightly fanning himself with his undershirt.
Clark chuckled. "Don't go working yourself too hard out here. But the sun does feel nice after spending all that time in the city."
Jon took a final sip of his drink, "Yeah, nice change of scenery. How's Conner?"
"Working hard. Hardly working. Really thinking he should do more conditioning before the season starts." Clark sighed, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"Heard Tim's been pretty hard on him. Saying something about his core strength being as weak as paper." Jon huffed out a chuckle.
Clark let out a whole-hearted laugh as he poured himself a glass of cool water to drink. "Those two, always causing a ruckus. Kind of reminds me of back when you and Damian would fool around with Dick and Jason."
The last thing on Jon's mind was Damian. He had been trying to distract himself from Jay this whole time, so he didn't think to just take a blast to the past with Damian.
Now that he was thinking of it, that day during the commercial shoot was interesting. Was Leon doing a favor for him by pushing him into the pool? Sure, it was rather refreshing, but ouch, falling backwards into water isn't the most pleasant feeling.
However, that face that Damian made. It was new. Unexpected. It lit something in him that day. A spark.
This must've been what Jay was feeling. The lack of a spark in their relationship. The illusion that everything was fine when in reality, they were just compartmentalizing their relationship.
Avoiding conflict by pretending it never existed. But it was always there. God, that's really messed up.
"Hey, Dad," Jon started, cautiously. Clark turned his head to face his son.
"Before you and Mom got divorced, how did you guys solve arguments?" Jon fiddled with his almost empty glass.
Clark exhaled, his expression full of thought as he leaned on the kitchen island beside Jon. Placing his glass on the counter, and folded his arms.
"Your mother and I didn't have a lot of arguments, but when we did, they weren't always pretty." He spoke. "What's wrong?"
Jon hesitated for a moment. His gaze drifted off, away from his father's.
"I think I messed up… really bad."
Clark's expression softened with concen as he studies his son's face.
"What happened?" Clark asked, gently with sympathy evident in his eyes.
Jon took a shaky breath, his glaze still not meeting his father's eyes. "I don't think I've been treating Jay the best lately." His voice cracked slightly. "We had this huge fight, and now he won't even talk to me."
"Is this about the double date you guys had?" Clark questioned.
"Yeah." Jon spoke in a hushed tone, lowering his glaze even more.
The kitchen door swung open and Conner walked in, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge. He paused when he noticed the serious air happening between his father and little brother.
"Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt," Conner apologized, but when noticing Jon's expression he stayed. "Everything okay?
Jon looked between his father and brother, then sighed. " Just… relationship sutff."
Conner put down his drink and leaned against the counter, his expression shifting to something more knowing. "It happened didn't it?"
Jon's head snapped up, surprised. "How did you—"
"Dude, we literally had this talk months ago." Conner said with a slight shake of his head.
"But, it's not like that. Damian and I are just—"
"Friends? Yeah, you keep saying that." Conner cut him off once again, not unkindly but firmly. "Jon, you talk about Damian the way people talk about their crushes. You might not see it, but everyone else does. "He glanced at Clark, then back at Jon. "That question is, you do you actually know how you feel about either of them?"
Clark watched the exchange, seeing how Conner's directness was cutting through Jon's defenses in a way his gentler approach hadn't quite managed to. It reminded him vaguely of Lois and how she'd crack down on an interview in minutes. Must be all the media training they both had to endure.
"That's not… I love Jay." Jon proteseted but his voice lacked conviction.
The morning after was terrible. Damian woke up with a hangover and was super groggy. He should've taken up on Leon's offer for water last night. The sun shone inside the apartment, shining on his face.
The smell of fresh coffee and eggs seemed to wake him. His eyes flutter open, and Damian finds himself in Leon's bedroom. In Leon's bed, he was neatly tucked under the sheets and magically changed into a set of pajamas.
The pajamas had a nice cotton feel to them, good quality. The fabric itself was a continuous pattern of different dog breeds. Quite cute.
Damian shuffles his way out of the blankets and waltzes out of the bedroom. He sees Leon near the stove, holding a cup of coffee in his hand.
Leon perks up at the sound of Damian's footsteps and turns to greet him. "Ah, good morning, mi amor." He puts down his cup. "How are you feeling?"
"Like shit," Damian said, bluntly as he pulled himself onto one of the island bar stool.
Leon chuckled. "Remember anything from last night?" he asked as he set a plate down for Damian. Simple avocado toast. How childish. But he'll eat it anyway.
"I was drinking with Todd. Then you showed up." Damian thought, his eyes scanning over the entire apartment as if he had just realized he wasn't home. "Why am I not back at the manor?"
"Well," Leon sipped his coffee. "My apartment is closer to Jason's than it is to the manor. And I promised Jason I would take good care of you."
Damian listened carefully as Leon continued to cook. His head was pounding with a headache. He was currently using all of his brain power to recall what had happened the night before. That was when suddenly the memory came back to him.
The vision of Damian on top of Leon, kissing him aggressively, hit him like a brick.
"I… I-I assaulted you." Damian raises his hand to his mouth, trembling.
Damian's body began to freeze, his eyebrows knitted together in disbelief. His body and mind have disconnected as Damian's mind started spiraling. This overwhelming feeling began to consume him.
He was no better than his mother. The things she did to Bruce. To his father. He did the same thing to Leon. Guess the apple didn't fall far from the tree.
Quickly realizing the situation, Leon rushes to Damian's side, dropping the spatula from his hand and replacing it with Damian's.
"Carino, it's okay."
"No, it's not." Damian yanked his hands away. The tremble in his voice was evident.
"Hey, stop!" Leon gripped Damian's wrist to ground him.
Damian couldn't control himself anymore, and the tears started welling up in the corner of his eyes. "I could have-"
"You didn't," Leon reassured, cupping Damian's face, feeling the tears drip down his hand. "Please take a breath for a second."
Damian's body refused to calm down, his breathing rapidly sped up as his vision blurred in and out.
Leon's expression filled with concern as he grounded Damian with his words, "Look, I know it's scary right now, but I remember. I remember it all. And I'm telling you, nothing happened." there was a pause, "You're okay," he breathed out.
The room fell silent, however, Damian's rapid breathing was clear as day. In an attempt to ease the situation, Damian mimicked Leon's breathing. Effectively calming his mind as Leon held eye contact with him.
His throat felt dry. And the tears were slowly trailing down his face as he continued breathing.
As Damian slowly calmed down, Leon gently moved Damian against his body, placing his head near his heart. Just hearing Leon's heart pound from his chest was instantly soothing.
However, all Damian could do was cry into Leon's shirt. Soft sobs filled the apartment.
"I'm sorry…"
Notes:
I finally got this chapter out. Since it is summer break for me I should have more time to write but, it’s also my senior year, which meant I had to turn in the laptop I was using to write these chapters. This really effected the pacing in which I was writing these chapters, so I’m way behind if what I was writing and had to push certain parts of this chapter to later chapters. I apologize for not updating in a month but hopefully I’ll get back into this fast and write with a little more pep in my step.
Again, tell me what you thought of this chapter and leave any comments down below on you’d like to see in future chapters.
Chapter 10: That Boy Is Posion
Summary:
Damian returns to the manor and has a talk with Bruce.
Jay returns to Gotham for an interview with Leon.
Notes:
TW: Sexual Assualt. The action does not occur in this chapter but it is talked about. More about this trigger warning at the bottom, 'cause I will be discussing this topic.
Not profread.
THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN SLIGHTLY EDITED. Grammar is still not checked.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The drive back to the manor was silent to say the least. None of them speaking or looking in the other's direction the whole car ride over. Their moment in Leon's apartment was filled with sorrow and solem. Tension filled the air as Leon pulled up to the manor later that morning, the car felt cramped and stuffy. The tension only disapaneding when Damian opened the door to exit.
Alfred greeted the young prince as usual, opening the door for him to walk inside.
Tim was inside, settled on the couch with his laptop propped up on his lap as he had a cup of coffee set on the table. The older brother glanced over to his little brother coming in with a neutral expression.
He cocked an eyebrow since usually when Damian would come home he had his head held high but, now Damian's gaze was slightly lower then level and his shoulders were tensed out.
He already knew Bruce was in a not so good mood. With no indication of Damian's whereabouts the night before. Not to say that a disappearing Wayne child is not uncommon but with Damian's sudden asbent and no notifcation of his nighttime plans from when he left his agency, it lead Bruce to only one conclusion.
Tim decided not to greet Damian, resuming to his work as he didn't want to interfer with what ever thoughts his younger brother was potentially having at the moment. Anything he'd say would probably send Damian spiraling.
Step by step, up the manor stairs felt heavy. Damian's legs barely pulling their weight to carry him up the steps to the second floor towards his father's study.
He soon arrived at the tall wooden doors that separated his father and himself. Whatever lied behind the door was waiting to punch him in the face for sure.
Taking a quick breath to calm his nerves, Damian knocked on the door awaiting Bruce's authorization to come in.
"Come in," Bruce said. The door creaks open as Damian walked in, approaching Bruce's desk and standing before him. Not wanting to sit down unless Bruce permitted him.
"I thought I told you, you weren't allowed to stay over at Leon's." Bruce started, not looking up from his work. Flipping through page after page as his gaze shifted from the paper to his monitor.
"I was at Todd's. We were drinking." Damian held his hands tightly behind his back, his figure felt small and his shoulders slouched forward subconisiously. "I texted Leon to pick me up."
"And Leon took you back to his apartment?" Bruce cocked an eyebrow, glancing up at his son. "Why didn't he take you back to Manor?"
"He informed me that driving to the manor would take too long as his apartment was closer to Todd's." Damian's glaze refused to meet his father's.
Bruce, noticing Damian's unusual body language, sets down his work and brings up a new inquiry.
"What happened?" Bruce voiced, prounoucing every word with an easy pace but held a stern tone.
Damian licked his lips, anxiously, searching to find the right words. It felt almost as if there was a lump in his throat that he couldn't swallow.
"I-I asked him to have intercourse with me… I was drunk…. I wasn't thinking clearly." Damian stuttered out, something that was quite unusual with the Prince of Gotham.
There was a moment of silence that made the room feel even smaller. The tension rose as Bruce took off his glasses and set them down, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I thought I raised you to be better than this." He spoke harshly with an exasperated sigh.
Damian swallows. The pit in his stomach grew as Bruce's silent demeanor burned a hole through him. Bruce was visibly angry, his silence was worse than any sort of shouting or lexturing Damian had ever received.
Bruce remembered the first time he met Damian. He was only ten years old, he was an exact copy of Bruce. From his hair to his face, it was like looking in a mirror of a child version of himself.
Some part of Bruce held pride knowing that Damian looked like him. It's not to mistake that Bruce nevertheless loved Damian.
But Bruce realized that as Damian grew older, he inherited the same features as his mother.
Exactly like Taila.
With all that baby fat gone, Damian's facial features became more feminine and dominating. A male version of a femme fatale. This presence is something that Bruce tried so hard to keep Damian away from when he was raising him. It all reminded him of Talia. Bruce never wanted Damian to end up like his mother.
A woman he thought he loved and cherished, only to have taken advantage of.
Now, it's come back to him, only it was Damian who caused it.
"If Leon hadn't stopped you…. would you have?" Bruce questioned him.
Damian's eyes widened, and his head shot up to lock eyes with Bruce. "No, never." He exclaimed, in absolute horror.
Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're lucky enough that Leon knew where to draw the line."
"I was drunk. I wasn't thinking." Damian attempted to reason.
"That's not an excuse!" Bruce snapped, louder than he meant it. Damian flinched.
Bruce ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm the storm that was in his chest. Breathing deeply but, it wasn't helping. "I don't even know what's going on with you sometimes."
"I apologized to Leon-" Damian spoke weakly before being cut off.
"Oh, how I wish 'sorry' was enough right now." Bruce grimaced, cutting Damian off.
That sentence was like a knife. The words struck Damian, and he flinched. He looked away, his jaw tight, swallowing the lump in his throat. Sorry wasn't enough. Of course it wasn't. Nothing Damian did was ever enough.
"Get out of my sight." Bruce sighed, lowering his gaze back to his work.
Damian didn't hesitate to leave the room, not wanting Bruce to somehow change his mind and give him a bigger publishment.
As Damian makes his way to the door, it opens to reveal Dick walking in. Damian too caught up in his emotions, shoves past Dick, shoulder checking him.
Dick is surprised and observes Damian as he walks away. The tension in his shoulders was reflected in the curled-up fists. Something happened.
Dick turns back to face Bruce. "What just happened?"
"It's not of your concern, Dick." Bruce put on his glasses and returned to work as if his dispute with Damian never happened.
"Uh, I just watched my little brother walk out like he got punched in the gut." Dick pointed out. "So yeah, it's my concern."
Bruce refuses to answer, only focusing on his work in front of him. Dick only narrowing his eyes in question.
"Is this about Leon?"
Dick failed at getting a word out of Bruce, so he figured he'd go right to the source.
Speeding his way towards Damian's room before slowly stopping at his door. Dick placed his right hand on the door knob and with his left, he raised it up to knock.
"Damian?" Dick calls out, putting his ear to the door hoping to hear his little brothers voice. With no answer, Dick begins to worry.
"I'm coming in." He declared, slowly opening the door.
There was Damian, sitting out on the balcony in one of the chairs. His knees are close to his chest as the wind blows through his hair. Titus laid on the ground, curled up to Damian's side looking like a long loaf of bread. The scene was rather tranquil but the mood wasn't so soothing.
"Hey, baby bat," Dick approached the balcony with a soft smile, pulling up a chair. Titus perked up at Dick, starring at him with his big boba eyes as the older male sat down next to his owner. "How are you feeling?"
Damian still didn't respond. Dick's smile fell. It wasn't the first time Damian had avoided conversation, but it hurt knowing how much he had bottled it up.
They both sat in silence, letting the day past by for what felt like forever. The only sound that surrounded them was the wisp of leafs rustling against each other.
"I didn't want to do it." Damian finally spoke, almost muttering.
"Hmm?" Dick turned to face Damian. Was his little brother forced into something?
"That night," Damian shifted his gaze. "I didn't want to have…. sex. I just thought I was supposed to."
"Why would you think?" Dick tilted his head in confusion. At this moment, Dick was given absolutely zero context of Damian's situation. However, he patiently listens to see where this goes while Damian assumes Bruce has outted him.
"During dinner with Jay and Jon, Jay said something that irked me." Damian shifted his gaze, his face scrunched up in disdain. "To summarize his statement, 'Leon tamed me.' " Damian gestures with his hands in air quotes.
"Why would Jay say that?" Dick raised an eyebrow.
"It's what the media thinks." Damian answers, quickly.
"Dami," Dick scoffed, leaning back on the chair. "You already know how wrong they are most of the time," Dick reassured. The media doesn't usually bother Damian, Dick thought. Maybe it was the fact it came from Jay. Someone close to Jon, who had the same opinion as the media. But this was to be expected, no?
"Leon said the same thing," Damian recalled. "Then with Todd, he told me I should be allowed to want in a relationship. Whether it was business or romance, I could want it."
"He's not wrong." Dick responded, carefully.
"Then it hit me," Damian paused a breath, "I'm always the person someone has to put up with. To tolerate."
"That's not true." Dick's eyebrows furrowed in disbelief.
"Isn't it?" Damian snapped his head to Dick. "You were the first. Father adopted you because he wanted you. He wanted every single one of you. But, I was dumped on his lap like a bad joke."
Dick opened his mouth to speak but couldn't find the words to reassure Damian's role in the family. There was so much Dick could describe about Damian but, when it came to Bruce's feelings about his own blood son, not easy.
"Everything I do is never enough for Father," Damian exclaimed, tearing his gaze away from Dick.
"But Damian, you are enough," Dick reassured, placing a gentle hand on Damian's shoulder. "Hell, you do so much."
Why would Damian ever have to question his place in this family, anyway? Sure, he had to rough start when settling in Gotham, but everyone always thought Damian was his own person.
Damian was artistically gifted in every aspect. No matter what he did, he always saw things differently and made it better. Sure, modeling wasn't something Damian had ever thought to pursue, but to have the chance to show a side of himself he wanted others to view as positive. He took it.
Animal shelters, volunteering at the hospital during high school, and advocating for animal rights. Everything Damian did was on his own good will. Hell, he majored in veterinary medience for a good while until he debuted as a model. Damian could've been a doctor.
When he was only a pre-teen, the title that held him in high regard was from his parents. A Wayne and an Al Ghul, all in one child.
The entirety of Damian's life was always determined by someone else. The heir to the Al Ghul family. The only blood son of Bruce Wayne. And even when Damian wanted to pursue something on his own. The media would skew any narrative that would put him in a bad light.
Nothing was ever enough for them. Damian still didn't know who he wanted to be in his own life. But having a say in it was enough for him.
"They all hate me." Damian narrowed his eyes into the field of glistening grass below him.
"How do you know?" Dick tilted his head in curiousity.
"Father won't even look at me now." Damian hugged his knees tightly. "I messed up."
When Dick was first introduced to Damian, he saw himself. Like Damian, Dick grew up as a small angry boy. And throughout Damian's time at the manor, he's given Dick a lot of shit, including his other family members. And Dick thinks of all the times he did the same. Where it made Bruce's life harder, just as Damian was at this very moment.
However, every time Damian learned something new or showed him one of his finished art pieces, the smile that he saw on this young boy just made his heart explode. Dick thought 'oh god is this how Bruce felt about me?'
Dick felt he played a part in helping raise Damian. Constantly pushing him to be better and do things that he wanted. Attempting to make friends and build relationships with other kids his age. Damian succeeded at one point but, ulitmately everyone went their own ways after high school. Especially Jon.
"Leon should be hating me after what I did." Damian buried his head in his hands, breathing deep.
"I don't think Leon would think that low of you," Dick assured, still unaware of what had happened the night before. The older male plants a gentle hand on Damian's shoulder, pulling their chairs closer together.
"What about Drake? He surely hates me." Damian countered.
"No, he doesn't. And you know that." Dick scoffed. "It's just sibling rivalry."
Tim and Damian's relationship has always been on the rocks. That's how family worked. All the brothers look up to each other in some way or another. However, Damian towards Tim was compeition. To be better and prove to his father that he was just as good as the rest of them.
The two were close in age, which made tension ease in closer each time they had a family gathering.
"Dami, your brothers. Not compeition." Dick nudged Damian closer to him by the shoulder, repeating the sentiment.
"Tell Drake that."
"Maybe, you should talk to Tim about it." Dick suggested. "Right?"
Damian grimanced at the idea, turning his head away. To be honest, he never hated Tim, but he saw him as another wall between him and his father. Constantly pushing and shoving just to get past him.
"Leon… I hurt him. And I hurt Father the same way Mother did." Damian teared up.
"Then why did you even get engaged to Leon? You didn't have to accept his proposal." Dick questioned.
"Because it's the only thing that makes me feel like I'm worth something!"
The statement echoed into the empty Gotham sky. The silence was almost deafening.
"He made me feel like I'm worth something…" Damian reapeated in a more hushed tone. He dropped his head as if he was ashamed for declaring his desire for vaildation.
Dick kept that saddened look on his face. Almost as if he were sharing Damian's pain.
"Did you like him, Dami?" Dick approached gently. "Even though you knew it was only business."
"God, Grayson, I liked him so much. I really did." Damian buried his face in his hands, hidding all his frustration and sorrow. "And now, I fucked it up." Damian's tears soaked into his hands. "I ruined it."
"How could you have ruined it?"
"I always ruin things."
"That's not true."
"I sexually assaulted him!"
Damian's expression was filled with regret and disdain. Disdain for his own actions as he finally turned face to face with his older brother.
Dicks expression fell. Bruce didn't tell him this. Dick's mind started to race, the dots struggling to connect in his head. There is no way in hell his little 'baby' brother could have ever sexually assaulted someone.
As sad as it is true, the majority of the brothers have had an experience of sexual assault on the receiving end, and that includes Bruce. With the media constantly framing their situations as less then just because they were men. Quoting that 'they can take it' because they were men. It wasn't fair to them.
But having one of their own being the person of origin doesn't sit right.
Damian remembered the day he came to Gotham very vividly. It's itched into his brain. He fought his way through to prove to his mother so he could meet his father. And when he was given the chance to make Bruce proud, he ruined it. The look on his father's face said it all. He saw a demon.
"I was drunk," Damian's tears were already falling off his face in droplets, "I never meant to hurt him. I didn't want to."
"What did Leon do?" Dick questioned, softly.
"He stopped me." Damian looked out into the garden, attempting to control his breathing. "Talked me out of it. I knocked out before I did anything else."
"See Dami, what you did was," Dick paused for a moment, "A mistake. But, you stopped when he said no. That matters, Dami."
Dick wrapped his arm around Damian's shoulder, rubbing it gently, comfortingly.
"You listened to him."
Damian starred at his older brother, sniffling and started to sob. Ducking his head into Dick's chest, wrapping his arms around Dick tightly. The scene was saddening under of the bright sun shining down on them. Dick felt like he was back in past. Back in time, when he used to comfort Damian all those nights when he was a small boy.
Desperately holding onto his big brother like a vice. They stayed there for what felt like the entire morning. Letting Damian cry his feelings away as Dick sat there shielding him as he unsure of how to move forward with the situation.
Dick was supposed to be the eldest sibling, the older brother, and protect his younger siblings but, even things like this are out of his control. Jason couldn't have predicted this either. Hell, he was probaly hungover in his apartment getting princess treatment from Roy while this is happening.
And although Dick can reassure Damian as much as he possibly can, what will the next interaction with Leon go? Dick doesn't even know how Leon reacted to Damian in this state.
What else was he to do? And what the hell did Bruce tell him?
Jay once again found himself in Gotham. In a very luxurious hotel lobby with high ceilings and chandleirs that drop down into gorgeous crystal droplets. The staff and residents staying were seen all over the ground floor. Conversing, walking, and showing off their old money life style.
Jay doesn't remember the last time he had ever been in this type of scenery. He scanned around the lobby area until he found the man he was looking for.
In the distance, Leon was sitting on a plush car near the windows, sipping on some coffee and what seemed to be an open sketchbook in his other hand. Leon eyes were focused on the sketchbook, jotting down certain notes as his expression held serious thought. His pen taking generous strokes up and down the page.
The clothes Leon wore blended in with the old money style, almost as he lived among the residentals at the hotel. A striped blue dress shirt with a red tie that had diagonal stripes going down it, along with his thick framed glasses sitting in the shirt pocket. The dress shirt was tucked into a pair of wide legged dress pants and fitted with a black belt.
His matching trench coat hung neatly on the back of the chair. His long hair was styled in twists and was put up in a half-up half-down style.
This man never failed to make Jay feel like he was way underdressed everytime they meet. Jay felt he should've done a 180 and go change his clothes but, he was already here, might as well run with it.
"It's good to see you again, Leon." Jay approached the man and stuck his hand out to iniate a hand shake.
"Of course, Mr. Nakamura." Leon replied, looking up as he took Jay's hand in for a firm handshake. The two settle in their chairs to begin the interview.
Jay had landed an interview with Leon a few weeks prior to their first interaction during dinner, wanting to finally get a big break in his career as a journalist.
Leon pleasantly accepted at the time, assuming his relation with Jon would propose a positive interaction and interview to the American media. However, this interview was about to head south.
"Oh, you don't have to be formal with me. You can just call me Jay." Jay responded, with a slightly forced smile.
"I beg to differ, this is an interview." Leon shot back. "We should be more professional. It's expected."
"But—"
"You will adddress me by my surname." Leon's voice became dangerous, a sudden icy glare shot across the room, freezing the atmosphere.
Jay flinched in his seat, straightening his posture.
"Um… yes, right."
Jay proceeded to set up his equipment. Hooking himself and Leon with wireless mics that cliped on the collars of their shirts.
"Alright, We will begin." Jay lapped his hands together. "Please state your name for the record."
"I am Leon Deverux-Burciaga." Leon spoke calm and controlled, his body language screaming laid back as he leaned back on his chair with his legs crossed and his hands placesd gently on his lap.
"Thank you for taking the time out of your day to join me today, Mr. Deverux." Jay smiled. "You've been relatively quiet publicly since the engagement announcement, so we're exicted to hear what you've been up to during your time here in Gotham."
"Of course, I'd be happy to share some of the things I've been working on." Leon answered with a slight smile.
"The media has had a debate about this for the past few weeks. Do you think your finance is potentially cheating on you?" Jay posed a question. A pretty invaise question.
"How absurd." Leon laughed off half-heartedly, hoping this question was a one off thing. "However, my personl relationships aren't up for public debate. I'm here to dicuss my future works, not tabloid gossip."
"Would he pursue a farm boy over you?" Jay pressed on, ignoring Leon's diverison.
"A 'farm boy'? My, your bias is showing Mr. Nakamura." Leon's voice suddenly filled with venom. "And it's not attractive."
"I'm just asking what the public wants to know." Jay doubled down, as if each of Leon's comments were passing through one ear and out the other.
"Your viewers…" Leon repeated slowly, as if tasting something unpleasant. "Are you suggesting that my worth is based on my ability to keep someone? How very… small-minded of you."
Leon's smile flattered, leaning in to create some pressure. The young man has had his fair share of rude journalist and reporters banging at his door step but no one like Jay has ever dug this deep before. And Leon was slowly losing patientance.
"I didn't mean to imply—" Jay attempted to backtracked but, Leon cuts him off mid defense.
"You might think this is your big break. Your first major article. But I assure you, you will fail." Leon spoke dangerously low, his mouth making a scowl as he glared at Jay. "And I don't enjoy you prying into our relationship like this. It's quite disrespectful."
"I'm only trying to get a story out, Mr. Deverux." Jay was sweating, his gaze dropped but he still felt like holes were being burned into his temple.
"I think you're out of your lane here, Mr. Nakamura." Leon huffed, leaning back into his chair. His face remained stoic and unwavering. Leon lifted his glass of water up to his lips. "I suggest you choose your next few words wisely."
Jay gulped nervously. "We have some sources saying when Damian and Jon had their photoshoot together might have started the rumors. Could you provide some insght on that since you were present during that?"
"This interview is over." Leon rips the mic off his collar and throws it on the table with the remaining fucks he could give.
"The staff will show you way out."
Jay attempted to retaliate but was stopped when two men in black suits waltzed in to lead him to the exit. Jay gathered his belongings and followed the men out, his tail between his legs.
Leon sighs as he leans back into his seat, exhausted by the interview.
Who knew he would have to deal with such a nitwitt of a journalist. Quite upsetting.
As Leon starred off out the window he was rememebered of that certain night. The night Damian got drunk was engraved in his head. Like a constant headache that wouldn't go away no matter how much medicine he took.
The look on his lover's face was heartbreaking. Thinking that Damian had to offer his own body to satisfy Leon held a bad taste in his mouth.
He didn't know how to feel. But it made him scowl. This 'assualt' was actually an insecurity that Damian had been masking for so long. Damian didn't even need to say it out loud for Leon to understand. That drunken night was enough for Leon to know that this wasn't something normal to Damian.
He then wondered if Jay's comment during dinner might have set off Damain in a bad way.
However, it was also including the fact that physical intimaticy or sexual intercourse, was such a cautionary thing to Damian that the only way he'd ever consent to it was if he was drunk. Yeah, that awful taste still hasn't left Leon's mouth.
This engagement was business at first glance but, he held Damian very close to his heart. So close in fact, he believes he has fallen in love with the Wayne heir. Which was never the plan.
Leon pursued Damian as a way to get out of a slump. The designer was majorly depressed himself back in France. Media praised him day and night with his collections but Leon was slowly losing his spark. His motivation to create for himself.
However, when Leon heard that the Damian Wayne had debuted as a model, it peaked his interest. Someone like Damian held lots of potential in the fashion industry.
And that he did. The media was in an uproar with articles publishing day and night with every single movement the prince made. Whether it was good or bad, they couldn't stop talking about Damian.
It wasn't until the casting call for Milan Fashion week came.
Damian.
There was no doubt that this man was beauitful just from looking at his headshot. Ethereal. Sharp face framed by the cleaned up surf cut.
The young Wayne dressed in light layers consisting of black slacks and a fitted black long sleeve. The casting requested no logos, wanting raw looks from their models.
Damian's skin was a flawless matte compared to his usually morning dewy shine.
His walk was fluid and effortless. His clothes flowing perfectly with his body, moving as they were tailored fit. The way he held his head up was steady. Reaching the end of the walkway was precise yet powerful. His presence filled the room endlessly.
It made Leon straigthen up in his seat, and he was supposed to be the one to judge.
Leon doesn't even think Damian remebered him from the casting call as he was wearing a hat and mask that day. But, how could Leon ever forget such a powerfull being like Damian.
An equally high profiile figure that waltzed right through the industry like it was nothing. Each dynamic pose that was stricken made Damian shine even brighter. So bright that it reached Leon. However, Leon could tell Damian was only doing this for the media's attention. Not for himself. A chance to finally be seen in the limelight as an individual. Not as a Wayne. Not as an Al Ghul. Just as Damian.
He figured if two depressed looking celebrities were to get together it would be beneficial for both. They didn't have to act like a real couple, but they'd both be able to get back on their feet using each other. Find their own spark again.
But, when Leon slowly spent more time with Damian, it lit.
This ingniting of a brand new spark blew a new experience. Time seemed to slow down for Leon, a moment of peace that he hadn't felt in a long time.
Leon's family situation wasn't always great. His parents never truly had a happy marriage. Agruing all day and all night, there was never a moment of peace.
The moment Leon revealed he wanted to pursue fashion, for the first time in his life his parents agreed with each other. Thinking his dream was a waste of time, money, and not very manly of him.
Leon wasn't allowed to continue his little 'hobby". So, like any angst teenager that had strict parents, he rebelled. Spending his time at sewing workshops after school to work on his skills and create entire collections with the help of the shop staff. Lied his way through late nights with excuses that he was just out with friends partying like any teenager would. And in the meanwhile, pissing off his parents anyway he could.
He never wanted to stop creating for himself. To heal his soul on the inside. And seeing what limits he could push with his parents. Constantly altering his school uniform which resulted in him getting dresscoded everyday.
Beacause who ever wanted to live a boring life wearing boring clothes? Not Leon. He desparately wanted to share his fashion with everyone. His pasion to spread this feeling of indivdiuality and the ability to create things out of nothing.
Once Leon became of legal age, he cut off his parents instantly. Moving out with a sewing machine and a dream. Granted Leon was happy enough to get out of his parents lives and live his own for once.
Sitting in the lobby, the chatter of voice and clacking of heel faded out into meaningless noise. Leon remeisnced through the moments as he stared his own reflection through the hotel windows. He didn't want Damian to lose his spark over a situation like this. Constantly thinking how long Damian had been holding his pain inside.
The hotel lobby's air conditioning suddenly felt suffocating. And now all Leon could ever think of to do in this moment was to drive all the back to the Wayne Manor and shower his lover with as much love as he could give.
Hayseed
I need to talk to you.
Notes:
The amount of times Dick's name was autocorrected to 'Duck' was so getting on my nerves while writing this, it's kind of funny.
I'm currenlty learning how to use HTML text to make texting portions of his story look a lot neater compared to the simple stuff so I'll probably update those text portions with the HTML text.
Also theres so many other story ideas I have in my brain but, then I remeber, I HAVE TO WRITE THEM.
Heres some I have in drafts or in concept at the moment:
Night Shift: Damian (Veterinary) and Jon (Firefighter) meet on a dating app, looking to hook up due to their busy schdeules not giving them time to actually date.
Stragety: Boarding School AU, Damian is a Figure Skater while Jon is a Hockey player. Enemies to Lovers.
Tell which ones you'd like to see in future projects!
Anyway, ON A HEAVIER NOTE: I know this topic is sensitive but I feel this isn't talked about enough in the actual DC Comics. And I hate the intention that these characters are MEN and sexual assualt doesn't matter JUST because they're MEN. And the innuendo that they can "TAKE IT" because they're MEN is also not an excuse! The most masculine men can also be SA victims, such as Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson but, that shouldn't excuse the fact they were still SA'd.
I will never understand people that invalidate AMAB or Transmasc SA victims. Sexual assualt victims no matter the gender should not be treated as less than valid. And the way the media glamorizes male SA victims as men that "wanted it" absolutely disgusts me.
This goes the same for women that are SA victims but, I mainly wanted to focus on the men in this.
I literally did an entire art piece based on this topic. Unfortunately, I can't show it as I'm in the process of moving and my shit is everywhere.
Back to a lighter note, ya'll now get to know Leon's intentions with Damian. Please tell me what you thought about this chapter and comment down what you'd like to see in future chapters!
Chapter 11: Cure Your Diease
Summary:
Problems EVERYWHERE
Notes:
Sorry, this took a bit to write. I was out of the country for a bit and didn't have my laptop to write.
ENJOY!
Not proofread.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
By the time Dick had left Damian's room that afternoon, the young Wayne had fallen asleep after crying his heart out to his older brother.
Dick quietly and carefully shut the down to Damian's room, being sure to not cause the door to creek, afraid the sound would wake the slumbering.
Once the door had clicked shut he bolted down the hallway in classic speed walking fashion towards Bruce's study.
Decelerating from his pent up fury, Dick takes a breath before barging into the study with that exact same energy.
"We need to talk!"
"Dick, please don't yell in the house." Bruce shifts his gaze between work papers.
Dick taken aback at Bruce's unfazed response yells, "Bruce! Are you insane?"
"I don't find my discussion with Damian as insane." Bruce reasoned, his gaze still glued to his work.
"He's not going to sudden become Talia." Dick pointed out in a firm tone, gesturing his hands in a opening motion. As if to convey the ridiculousness of Bruce's logic.
Dick for years has known Damian's constant struggles with being associated with his mother's wrong doings. To the point where, not even when Bruce got full custody and placed a restraining order on Taila, her name always held weight in her son's reputation.
"He won't." Bruce agreed. "And he can't. It's best he doesn't go out in the public for awhile."
"For fuck's sake, Bruce, he's 22!" Dick swore, his eyebrow knitted together tightly. "You can't just control when he gets to go out like when he was ten!"
"I can't let it happen again!" Bruce lashed out, standing from his chair and slamming his hands on the table. Dick was taken aback at the sudden out burst, but held his gaze. Bruce being upset was understandable but, this was ultimately affecting his son's well-being. And Dick couldn't stand for that.
"You can't just pick and choose when to treat Damian like a kid, and when to treat him like an adult." Dick countered back, as if speaking from experience. He gritted his teeth as he spoke, his hands balled up in fist. Resisting his frustration with adopted father.
Bruce sighed, sitting back down defeated.
"You know that once those two get married, Damian's gonna want to move out of this house." Dick mentioned.
Bruce paused. A detail that he completely missed on.
Dick brought up a good point. At this age, was there a reason to even live with Bruce, besides saving money? Granted each member of the family made more then enough to support themselves and more.
Hell, Damian made millions just for showing up on a magazine cover and has enough promotional material to keep him in relevancy when he's on hiatus.
On the contrary, Damian has been suffocating in this house since he was only ten years old. Being stuck in an empty manor without a reason to move out. There was free housing, free cooking provided by Alfred, and Damian finally was able to live with his biological father. Who would ever want to leave a life like that. Well, his older siblings would like to differ.
However, by this miracle, Damian could leave the Wayne Manor without hurting Bruce's feelings. With Leon. That was all the convincing Damian needed.
"And there's no reason to come back…" Bruce mumbled, realization hitting him like a solid brick. And it wasn't kissed.
"Ya'think?! The only reason I even come to visit anymore is for Dami."
Harsh but, true. Dick had moved all the way to Blüdhaven to get away from the life that was Bruce Wayne. And it helped that his husband, Wally, was there to support the entire move and now they live happily ever after.
But, Dick despite being a bit wary of Damian at first got overprotective through the years. He watched this little boy grow up to become a thriving public figure and become his own person for once.
This still concerned Dick as while he moved to Blüdhaven, Damian was still living under Bruce's roof.
Even Jason didn't want to stick around the manor. However, setting your new location to Crime Alley seems like a worse choice. But, Jason always countered it with, "better then Bruce,". Again. Harsh.
They try and schedule family dinners every month but, Jason just flat out refuses. Preferring to stay at home with Roy and Lian.
The only one besides Damian that stayed in the manor was Tim. But, Tim was quite content with living in the manor since he and Bruce basically worked in the same place.
And Conner was always going places to compete in motor crossing so asking Tim to travel with him was a no go. Tim couldn't bear to leave Wayne Enterprises all up to Bruce to take care of just so he could be with his boyfriend.
Unfortunately, now Damian was in an even worse situation then when he was 10 plus years ago. Having been cradled in Dick's arms as he sobbed and hiccuped like he just had the messiest teenage breakup ever.
In moments like this, Damian doesn't need Brucie, the playboy, or Bruce Wayne, the millionarie. No. He needed his father.
'Cause this house sure as hell ain't a home.
Jon sat out on the porch steps, his elbows on his knees as his hands were intertwined together. His expression still held that troubled gaze from when he was conversing with his father and Conner.
The fresh country side wing blew through the weaves of tall grazz in the distance, creating waves.
He hears Conner walking up to him from behind. "Hey."
Jon mumbled back a faint 'hey' to Conner as the older brother sat down beside Jon on the steps.
The two fell in silence as they both stared into the distance. You see the old family barn in the distance, housing whatever farm animals they decided to keep. The area surrounding was mowed down to make space to freely move between barn and tall grass.
Both boys grew up on the same farm, but never at the same time. The age gap between the two always made their relationship a bit rocky. Plus the divorce of their parents created a bit of shift. Well, one parent.
It was awkward to say the least.
The continue to soak into the crisp country side air until Jon perks up. "Go ahead."
Conner hummed, seemingly confused. "What?"
"Tell me 'I told you so'." Jon pouts.
"Tell him you want to meet up and talk." Conner suggested, a slight smirk at his lips.
"Okay, okay. I'll do it after chores." Jon stood up to get back to work but, Conner gripped his little brother's shoulder and forcefully sat him back down.
"Nuh uh, I want to see you send it to him with my own eyes. Right now." Conner demanded, practically planting Jon back onto the porch steps.
Jon sighed before reaching into his pockets and pulling out his phone, almost as if he was dreading this action. Turning it on to see the wallpaper, showing Jon and Jay on a cute little coffee date. Each holding their desired cup of coffee in front of their faces.
You couldn't see their smiles but the slight sparkle in each others eyes as they faced the camera felt genuine and heartwarming.
This image made Conner furrow his brows even further into that disappointed older brother look. An expression not often used.
Jon tapped away on his phone before hitting send to Damian. Once he did, he showed Conner with the phone brightness fully up.
Conner did that squint their dad would do every time they would show him a meme, to get a better look at the text. God, they reallly are his kids.
"Really, that's all you sent?" Conner said with a deadpanned expression.
"What?!" Jon snapped his head to Conner in an exagreated manner. "What did you want me to send?"
"Not, 'I need to talk to you,' you're making it sound way too serious." Conner pointed out,
"I thought this was serious." Jon spat back, taken aback at the comment.
"This sounds like you're gonna break up with him when you're not even dating him." Conner furrowed his brows. "God, I have an idiot for a brother." Dragging his sweat filled hand, from the heat, down his face.
"Well, I already sent it, so you're gonna have to deal with it." Jon sassed, jabbing his phone at Conner.
"Ugh, at least you're taking some sort of action." Conner muttered to himself. "But, also you suck at this!" Swatting Jon on the back of the head with his hand, loosely.
"Ow!" Jon yelped, holding his head.
Damian couldn't fall back to sleep. Crying for who nows how long had drained all of his energy but, that lack of energy somehow didn't tell his body he needed to sleep. He shifted onto his side when he noticed a shiny piece on his wrist.
It was the golden metal cuff bracelet that wrapped around his slender wrist. The bracelet that was gifted to him by Leon during the charity gala. Staring at it with a saddened gaze.
Mi Rey
That pet name still looking freshly engraved into the metal as Damian fidgeted with it. Seeing the shine of the metal shift as he moved it around under the dim room lighting.
He didn't deserve this bracelet, but then again, he didn't have the strength to take it off. As he felt it was a break in his loyalty to Leon even though he was sure he had already broken it that night.
He only had himself to blame.
As Damian continued to reminisce about his time with Leon, Titus let out a whine. The Great Dane had been sleeping at Damian's feet when he senses some distress. Titus lifts up his paw lightly hitting Damian at his ankle, continuously.
Titus had been trained to be Damian's service dog for years - well Damian trained him. He was meant to help Damian emotionally after his first few years of moving to Gotham in order to heal from his past with his mother.
Living with his mother -where affection didn't exist- had a long lasting effect on Damian. Never to be hugged, to be praised, or told that he was loved. It was such a forgiven concept to him.
One to be considered a weakness that the moment he moved to Gotham, was showered with affection, he felt lost.
Dick was the first. Subconsciously always putting an arm around Damian and petting him on the head. It just how Dick was as the most physically affectionate out of the entire family. Damian didn't know how to respond.
Of course, Dick never pushed it. Always letting Damian figure it out for himself. Doing small gestures like draping blankets over the small boy during late night art projects, or when Damian announced he was veteran, Dick made sure to stock up the fridge on food products that didn't include any meat.
Dick even bought some for his own ouse in Blühaven in case Damian were to visit unexpectedly.
It eventually grew on Damian. It was kind of comforting having a person be there for him after every bad day.
This level of affection was such a foreign concept to Damian that he didn't know how much he actually needed it. It felt nice knowing that Dick never gave up on him.
Bruce was a different story. With the amount of children he's raised in the past you'd think he'd be better at it and not make the same mistakes. But, no. Bruce isn't the perfect father then again not the worst.
He always tried his best but, wasn't the best when it came to emotional stability.
That's just apart of parenting, you're always learning from your own kids. With Damian there was always an underlying fear that his youngest would go down a dark path and never come back.
Or that one day he would go back to his mother.
That fear was subdued when Damian was gifted Titus on his birthday. His youngest cherished Titus very much, and eventually decided to enroll Titus to start training as a service animal to help him with his mental health. It wasn't like Damian was raised to have healthy coping mechanisms. Either was the rest of family for that matter.
But, Damian would never admit this to anyone that wasn't in the family.
To put it into retrospective, Damian had never taken Titus out as a service dog despite being certificated.
Every time the paparazzi would take photos of Damian out and about with Titus by his side, Titus never once wore his vest. The young Wayne was not ready to be that vulnerable with the public that he would need to address he needed a service dog in order to live properly.
He hadn't even mustered up the strength to tell Leon about Titus.
Dick always suggested that showing the public that Titus was in fact a certfied service dog, they would go easier on Damian and value his health and vulnerability.
On the contrary, Damian countered that they would view him as weak instead. Not being able to handle that public is a flaw as a public figure. You needed thick skin to survive in this game.
"Titus, stop." Damian commanded as Titus was continuously poking at Damian's ankle to grab his attention.
Titus let out a long, keening whine following by a pouting look. Placing his paws fully onto Damian's ankle, pleading.
Damian sighed, unable to resist the puppy dog eyes and turned his body to lay on his back. "Okay, come here."
Titus's ear perked up as he rose to approach Damian, the bed slightly dipping with each step. He then laid his head on Damian's chest, feeling it rise and fall to ground his owner.
Damian stared down at the great dane, his eyes following the motion of his chest rising Titus's head as he breathed. It forced him to breathe a little deeper to see how high he could make him go.
Making him forget all about his situation. The weight on his chest was comforting and made Damian's head feel a little lighter.
"Thank you, Titus." Damian lazily stroked Titus's short fur.
Titus's tail thumped against the bed lightly, delighted that he was able to distract his owner from whatever was bothering him.
Jon couldn't believe he had found himself back at Damian's agency and still sticking out like a sore thumb with his country side style. He felt awkward as Damian was no where to be found to guide him this time.
And the rush of people made it even more awkward and uninviting.
Jon stood awkwardly in the main lobby for what felt like an entirely, unsure if he should just turn back around and walk out.
"Jonathan." A familiar honey smooth voice called behind the Metropolitan man.
Jon turned around and sees Leon standing at the other end with a clip board tucked under his arm and a stoic expression on his face.
"Ah, Leon." Jon instantly relaxed his shoulders.
"What brings you here?" Leon inquires, picking up his glasses back to the peak of his nose bridge as he approaches Jon.
"I was actually here to see Damian." Jon admits, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Ah, he's actually in a meeting at the moment." Leon confirmed. "If you'd like you can sit in my office until he's done."
"Oh, no. I wouldn't want to intrude." Jon raised his hands, waving them.
"Not at all. Come, it won't take long." Leon motions his hand for Jon to follow him.
Jon not wanting to be disrespectful follows Leon through the moving traffic of stylish employees running around the place carrying who knows what in their hands.
It's impressive to see so many of them running in heels, Jon thought. He now wonders if Damian ever had to wear heels for any of his photoshoots.
"I didn't know you had an office already." Jon commented.
"It's only temporary. It's currently up in the air if I'll move offices to Gotham." Leon answered. "Although, I'll keep offices open over in France if I do move."
Leon opens the clear glass door to his office and holds it open for Jon.
"Please, make yourself at home."
Jon thanked Leon and walked in. The office was quite spacious, a nice view over looking Gotham
"You may sit while you wait. I'll be working at my desk if you need me." Leon mentioned.
"Ah, right." Jon cautiously sat down on the spacious couch. It was one of those nice couches. Not the leather ones that stick to your skin or the ones that make you sink all the way to the base. But, it was surprising comfortable and plush. It was a firm type of plush with a nice royal purple velvet to cover it.
For the next couple of minutes, the two sat in silence as Leon worked on his sketches and Jon fiddled with the hem of his jacket as he continued to hear the continuous clacking of Leon's keyboard.
The silence led Jon to start thinking to himself. He continuously shifts his eyes to a different object in the room, forming a small mental note before moving on.
A few shelves filled to the brim with books and binders of previous collections and clothing patterns stored inside. Others held swatches and patches of different fabrics, labeled by type and organized by color.
Leon, himself seemed really engrossed into his work at the moment. That clipboard he was holding seemed to be his current sketch pad. The sound of constant pencil scratching across the parchment filled the room.
Was he working on something new?
Jon's eyes then landed on the huge plastic bulletin board that stood on the left side to Leon's desk.
It looked like one of those boards you'd find in a detective movie with the numerous red strings tied to push pins and hanging photos of suspected killers. In this case, it was holding up early drafts and sketches of Damian's summer collection.
Looked like Leon took a lot of his time browsing through copious amounts of swim trunks and shorts to even get a final design down.
Was swimwear not his wheelhouse?
But, then again, the swimwear actually came out better good. And quite… scandalous. So fitted it left nothing to the imagination. Jon could feel his face heating up.
Suddenly, a memory hit Jon like a brick. Leon had pushed Jon into the pool that day of shooting the commercial. Jon had still no idea why Leon even did that. All Jon could do was play along in that moment.
Should Jon ask Leon? He's right there. Maybe no, wouldn't want to bother him while he worked.
The thought started to eat at Jon. His curiosity grew as the minutes flew by. Jon throwing eager side eyes at Leon contemplating if he should bring it up or not.
Well, you're not going to to get your answering without asking in the first place, so here it goes-
"Hey, Leon?" Jon called out.
Leon looked up from his work to look in Jon's direction. "Yes?"
"Could I ask you something?" Jon awkwardly asked.
Leon paused for a moment from his work, looking up to study Jon's expression. Jon had this look that just screamed for advice.
A chance for transparency.
Leon stood up from his chair and made his way over to the couch, sitting on the opposite side, facing Jon. He crossed his right leg over the other and placed his hands gently on his lap.
"What's going on?" Leon asked, tilting his head.
"Why-" Jon hesitated for a moment. "Why did you shove me in the pool during the shoot?"
Leon blinked at the unexpected question. "Why?"
"Yeah…" Jon instantly feeling self conscious leaned back into the couch, sliding ever so slightly downward.
"I was doing you a favor." Leon answered, quickly this time.
Jon pressed his lips in a straight line. "A favor? How was that a favor?"
Leon pondered for a moment, leaning back and crossing a leg over the other.
"Well, maybe it wasn't quite the favor if you're upset by it."
"No, I mean," Jon inhaled, "Not that I think you were doing it out of ill intent but, at the same time what kind of favor were you doing for me?"
"You're quite humorous, Jonathan." Leon chuckled lightly, catching Jon off guard. "Don't think I don't know."
Jon shifts his gaze away for a second. "Know what?"
"You're attracted to Damian, of course." Leon spoke with a straight face to Jon. No sign of jealously or anger in his expression. Straight poker face.
"I'm sorry, I know you two are engaged and everything-"
Leon cut him off by raising a hand, signaling Jon to pause.
"I understand your concern but, I have reason to believe that he is also attracted to you." Leon spoke, lifting his glasses once more.
From their past childhood history to their personal contact names on their phones, Leon had reason to believe that something in the past was going on between the two. However, with the two being awkward and frustrating teenagers the two never spoke about their true feelings.
And college created an even greater divide as Jon slowly separated himself from Damian and the rest of the Waynes' just to be with Jay.
Not 'til Leon arrived on the scene. Damian and him immediately cozying up with each other and their chemistry jumping off the walls practically made their relationship smooth sailing.
However, with the current bump in the road of Damian not talking to Leon at the moment has put things on pause.
Furthermore, Leon has never doubted that the two childhood friends had unexpressed feelings toward each other. There was small doubt in Leon's mind of if Damian would fall back to the past and run towards Jon once again.
"He does?" Jon exclaimed in disbelief. "How do you know?"
Leon huffs out a laugh, "Jonathan, I won't lie when I say, you're quite attractive. Hot, even."
Jon blushed. Leon thought he was attractive, and hot nonetheless.
Eyeing Leon for a second, the Columbian man was leaning back on the sofa with one arm up on the back and an opposite leg crossed over the other. The pose was not just one action but, the lifted arm caused Leon's open dress shirt to stretch outward, exposing Leon's glowing dark skin.
What caught Jon's eye was the reflective golden necklace that hung from Leon's neck and curved with his chest all the way down to the middle of his chest. At the end of it was his initials.
L.D
The gray waistcoat escalated the mans waist dramatically. The fabric tugging from the buttons as his body perfected filled it out.
This was a dangerous sight.
Jon could hear himself swallow hard and shifted his eyes away fro the man's chest area.
"You have that nice southern charm for a city boy." He took a pause, "And a respectful journalist unlike your lover."
"Jay?" Jon perked up his eyebrows then furrowed, slightly insulted, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Ah, so he didn't tell you. Your lover invited me to an interview with him." Leon explained. "Turns out that interview was only ended up being gossip hour for him."
"Gossip? Don't tell me he was talking about all those articles slandering Dami for cheating." Jon exclaimed.
Leon doesn't answer, only sighing in disappointment.
"No," Jon's expression saddened, "I-I'm so sorry." His shoulders slumped, guilt weighing heavy.
"Don't." Leon raised his hand up, his palm facing away. "Don't apologize for him."
Jon dropped his head in embarrassment.
"What's wrong, Jonathan?" Leon questioned.
"I don't know, I haven't been very honest with myself these past few months." Jon averted his gaze, holding his head down.
"I believe that." Leon agreed. "To be honest, we haven't been very honest with you either."
Jon cocked an eyebrow.
Leon began to explain their entire engagement. Giving every single detail from the moment he saw Damian, and even their midnight date on the rooftop.
"Wait, hold up." Jon raised his hands up to gesture a pause. "This whole marriage proposal thing is a PR stunt?"
"It started it off that way, yes."
"So you don't actually have feelings for Damian?" Jon's chest felt tight. Somehow hoping for a 'no' from Leon.
"Ha!" Leon let out a laugh, his head tilted back. "Of course, I do. You think I did this to treat him like a trophy?" Leon sit up, leaning forward with his forearms placed on his knees.
His gaze cut the air not letting his gaze break from Jon's more anxious look.
"No." Leon said, firmly. "He is my everything."
Jon's eyes widened at the proclamation of love. Leon was being genuine ad his eyes said it all. For the past few days, all Leon could think of was how he would be able to approach his lover after the incident.
His gaze lingered on him in silent admiration. How could such a person have such confidence to shamelessly say these words with a straight face.
"However, would you believe that Damian truly is someone to be treasured?" Leon's gaze never left Jon's wide eyed puppy dog eyes.
A snake staring down a puppy while they subconsciously fight for a cat.
"Yeah, he is."
"Well, then if you intend to confess your feelings and loyalty to him…" Leon's voice became dangerously low, a warning. "You're going to have to work for it."
Jon gulped.
Damian finally got out of that god awful meeting. The marketing team were having a quarrel about what to push for promotion. However, the team was mixed with two different generations which ended up with the two age groups aguing what format to post on for the past hour.
Ever since that night with Leon, Damian had been not just avoiding Leon but, his whole family. Jason sent a health check on Damian after he got over his hangover that same afternoon. But, the young Wayne didn't leave much of a response and ultimately left him on read.
Dick was reluctant to leave Damian by myself at the manor, even though Damian wasn't technically home alone. Seeing his youngest brother who had loved and cherished for all these years break down in front of him left Dick worried.
And as much as Damian would deny and reason with his older brother that he was fine. In reality, Damian felt worthless. Like dirt.
He felt guilt and shame over his actions and that bottled up into anxiety as he got ready this morning. And it was eating at him. So much that his hands were shaking when he was checking himself in the mirror. Making sure the dark eyes bags weren't as apparent.
It was all so nerve-wrecking just to walk down the manor stairs and potentially run into Bruce.
'I thought I raised you better then this.'
Damian let those words sink in, pursing his lips gently. His shoulders were tense and his breathing was deep as he clutched his work binder to his chest.
Damian rubbed his forehead as he made his way to his office. In order to do so, he had to pass by Leon's office. Which he'd rather avoid but, who's fault was it to have your fiancee's office on the way to your own.
This was unfortunately inevitable. As Damian approached Leon's open door, he took a glance inside to see if Leon had arrived in office yet but, was met with another face.
He stiffened.
"Jon?" Damian called out.
The two men in the room raised their heads to meet Damian at the door.
"Oh, Dami!" Jon beamed. "Are you done with your meeting?"
"Um, yes,"' Damian replied, composing himself and coming into realization. He had completely forgotten that Jon wanted to speak with him today. But that whole headache of a marketing meeting absolutely threw his brain in for a loop.
"You said you wanted to talk to me?"
"Yeah, I was just hanging with Leon until you were done." Jon stood up, brushing off his jeans. "Do you want to move this to your office?"
"We shall," Damian shifted his eyes to Leon, who hadn't spoken since he appeared. "Good morning." he simply greeted, trying hard not to stutter his words. His mind absolutely running a mile a minute, overthinking to himself that Leon wouldn't respond to him.
But, surprisingly…
"Morning." Leon greeted back. Part of that greeting hurt Damian for some reason. Was it the fact that Leon only said one word? Was it the fact he didn't call Damian any of his loving pet names? That shining smile that would always lift Damian's spirits when the Monday blues would kick in, never came.
Shit, was Leon holding a grudge?
"Jon, follow me." Damian tilted his head to the direction of his office and Jon followed. He held his breath as he walked, eager to just run off to his office alone.
"See you later, Leon," Jon gently waved good-bye.
Leon only nodded.
"Apologizes, I'd forgotten that you were visiting." Damian opened up the door to his office. Holding it open so that Jon would walk in first.
"It's okay, Dami. I know you're busy with work."
"Now, what did you want to discuss?" Damian sat down on the other side of the table.
The moment has finally come. A thousand thoughts raced around in in Jon's mind at once, possibly overthinking this situation. But, this was his chance to finally relieve himself of these bottled up problems.
Jon gathered all the courage he had and the words flew out of his mouth. "I have feelings for you."
"And I haven't been the most honest and open with you Dami." Jon confessed.
Damian was stunned, he wasn't expecting this sort of conversation to come so soon.
"Jon… " Damian hesitated, his mouth twisted as he stumbled on trying to find the correct words. Composing himself he looked up to Jon.
"I don't think you should sacrifice your relationship for me."
"What?!" Jon furrowed his brows. "What are you talking about?"
"Jon, you have a life." Damian looked up. "You have friends and unlike myself, your getting a degree."
Damian perviously majored in Med-school, getting so close to graduating before dropping out to pursue modeling. Even though he was doing something that was potentially helping society as a whole, he still wasn't happy.
Not with himself or what he was doing. So he dropped everything and started over.
Only finding peace and solitude when visiting the animal shelter.
"Dami, you're apart of my life." Jon eyes filled with disbelief and sorrow, placing a hand to his chest.
"But, you're happier with him." Damian comments.
"How could I be happy with Jay when he and I aren't even on speaking terms right now." Jon blurts as he shot out of his seat.
"I haven't seen my own boyfriend for…" Jon attempted to muster up a number, waving his hands in a circular motion. "I don't even know!" he threw his hands in the air.
"Jon, you're over here confessing your feelings to me, when you haven't even broken up with your current boyfriend." Damian narrowed his eyes. "You're emotionally cheating on him."
"And you're basically marrying a man you just meet." Jon shot out.
"Just meet?" Damian fired back. "Aren't you being hypocritical? Dating a man you never bothered to tell me about."
"I-" Jon stopped himself. His mouth fell agape, unsure how to continue to the conversation. His eyes running around the room trying to find some sort of stability in his voice.
"Kent." There it is. Back to last names.
Jon snapped at the mention of his last name to look straight at Damian.
"Until you deal with your situation with Jay, don't talk to me." Damian stabbed his index finger into Jon's chest.
A knock came from the open office door.
"Mi rey?"
Something in Damian made his heart flutter hearing that pet name again. A single shot of relief came to him and he slightly relaxed his shoulders. Jon had left a few moments ago, leaving Damian alone with his thoughts once more.
That's when he saw them. Those shiny black leather dress shoes in front of him. Damian's glaze snapped upwards.
"I heard yelling. Is everything alright?" Leon stood at the door frame cautiously not wanting to cross into the room.
Damian took a deep breathe, holding a hand to his head. "Yeah, I'm fine."
He then instinctively turns around not wanting Leon to see him in such a distress state, even though Leon had already witnessed before hand.
"Do you need a break? I'll take care of the rest of the meetings for you." Leon offered, coming into the room, keeping a relative distance between the two of them.
Damian waved his hand in dismay, "No, no, I can keep working."
Attempting to rush out of the room only to be stopped by Leon and pushed against his own desk. His heeled shoes hitting the desk with a thud, echoing in the office.
"Don't run from me." Leon spoke dangerously close to Damian's ear. His breath tickling the shell of his ear. So close that Leon's necklace dangled close, grazing Damian's neck.
Each time Damian leaned back on the desk, Leon pushed forward, not letting the gap widen between them.
"Hold on." Damian pleaded. "Wait a second!"
Pushing hard on Leon's exposed skin to stop their gradually motion backwards. His deep green eyes looking up at hazel ones with guilt.
"Are you not upset with me?" Damian inquires.
"How could I ever be mad at you?" Leon's brows drew together, his shoulders slumped.
Leon doesn't budge and keeps Damian trapped against the desk. His hands stood close against the sides of Damian's hips, the young wayne struggling to keep eye contact with the taller male.
"Hey, look at me." Leon gently gripped Damian's chin to force him to look at the Leon. "You can talk to me."
Damian's expression was filled with guilt as every part of his body was telling him to look away from the man in front of him.
"You're not doing this alone." Leon muttered, attempting to close the gap this time.
Damian eyed Leon's lips as they came closer. The space between the desk was no more.
The young Wayne's grip tightened on Leon's open shirt. The kiss was soft and slow. Leon's hand drifted from Damian's chin to the back of his neck, pulling him deeper towards him. Although, deeper didn't mean rougher. It was still gentle.
His hands were always warm. Not in the way where it was an uncomfortable heat but, it always felt like a safe heaven. Warm as the summer breeze, holding Damian like it was second nature.
The two serparate to take a breath, theirs foreheads pressed together.
"I'm sorry." Damian mumbled.
"Why are you apologizing?" Leon keep his eyes closed.
"Because…" Damian felt a lump in his throat, "I did something unforgivable to you."
"And, I forgave you."
"Well, you shouldn't have." Damian pushed back.
Leon proposed a question, "You know why?", then placing both his soft hands ontop of Damian's. Damian's hands were now just as warm as Leon's.
Damian thought for a second before shaking his head.
"It's because I trust you." Leon admits, before playfully shaking Damian's hands up and down.
The young Wayne released their hands in favor of reaching up to link his fingers behind Leon's neck, creating a natural sense of closeness.
Leon suddenly, out of no where picks up Damian by the back of his thighs and raises his lover up onto the desk. Damian let out a small yelp which cause him to grip his hands tighter around his lover's neck.
"Jonathan told me he had feelings for you." Leon spoke without a second fo hesitantion.
Damian chest tightened.
"Are you… upset?" Damian cautiously asked.
Leon tilts his head up and slightly pouts. "No."
"You are." Damian showed a slight smile, spotting a chance to joke.
"If I tell you the truth, will you keep that smile on your face?" Leon hummed, slowly stroking a hand on the side Damian's thigh, playfully.
Damian huffed out a laugh, "You don't need to make such bribes to make me smile."
The air of comfort swallowing them in Damian's dull office. The weight lifting from their shoulders as their domestic antics take over.
The two giggle at each others antics, lingering for a moment in each others presence until Leon spoke.
"Let's keep it slow for now. Until you're comfortable again." Leon leaned up to kiss Damian ontop his hairline. "We could go to dinner tomorrow."
"Dinner, huh?" Damian thought to himself, before remebering his talk with Bruce. His smile flattered, dropping his arms from Leon's neck.
"We should probably not go out for a bit."
Leon's brows knitted together in disappointment, but he held a look of knowing and understanding. They were just barely getting over this huge hump in their relationship.
Quiet silence crept up on them as Leon backed away a step or two from Damian.
Until, Damian's secretary walked in, knocking on the door. The two jump that the knock and quickly composing themselves.
"Mr. Wayne, Mr. Devereaux. We have a situation." The secretary claimed from the door.
Notes:
OMG, I'm so excited for the new Avatar(James Cameron) Movie!!!
I got into Avatar so late, like I never grew up watching the Avatar movies and I really thought it was kind of weird but, gosh darn is Jake Sully a FINE ass man. Especially in 'The Way Of Way', I don't CARE what you say about his hair, I still love him.
Ya'll can skip this A/N is you don't wanna hear me rant about Avatar, I'm just so hyped for this movie!
And I literally made my parents watch both Avatar movies with me and I think I got them hooked too. Yeah, I didn't grow up with a lot of western media but, Avatar was definiely one of those movies that always had me curious since so many kids around my age would talk about how amazing it was.
Also… NETEYAM!!
Anyway, enough of me ranting. I'm sorry this took a bit to write, I kept going back and forth with what I wanted to write in this chapter. This was probably one of the harder chapters for me to write as I didn't want Damian and Leon to get back together so fast with their reltionship. Ya'know SLOWBURN. Baby steps.
But, I didn't want to leave them not talking to each other for a long time. There were mutilpes times where I had an idea and decided to move it to a different chapter cuz, I thought it would work better somewhere else and ended up not writing this chapter.
COMPUTER, HOW DO I WRITE FASTER!? FASTEST ROUTE! NO FREEWAYS!
Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and if you'd like to see something in the future don't be afraid to comment. I always love seeing ya'll's comments.
EDIT(PLEASE READ): I'm currently putting this fic on hiatus as I've been feeling really lost with the plot. I know this story has any flaws and plot holes and I just don't know how to proceed. So until then, I won't be updating this fic.
It's not abandoned or anything, it will still be here but, no updates for now.
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