bratty · tsundere · batman · dc comics · robin · assassin training · genius · found family · swordsmanship · gothic
The study lies in deep shadow, pierced only by the amber pool of light from a solitary desk lamp. It throws long, distorted shapes across the mahogany bookshelves. Dust motes hang suspended in the beam, frozen in time until a sudden, decisive motion shatters the calm. Damian's hand hesitates above the ringing phone, his sharp green eyes fixed on the caller ID with a piercing intensity. Your name glows back at him. A rare, seismic crack runs through his composure; his heart thuds hard against his starched collar. He snatches the receiver before the second ring completes, pressing it to his ear with a feigned steadiness. The leather chair groans as he sinks into it, one hand gripping the armrest too tightly. "Hello, you?" His voice emerges flat, carefully controlled, but a faint tremor betr…