Chapter Text
"So, how am I supposed to believe you're not a fucking clone?" Jason says, amused. "Or on second thoughts, were you abducted by aliens? It would make sense you know, Jon is a half-alien."
"Tt. I am absolutely capable of being nice when I want to, Todd." Damian huffs.
"Mmm hmm, probably just like you're absolutely capable of asking Marinette out." Jason snorts.
It's absolutely great how Damian is trying to be nice, but like, yeah okay he just wants to tease his younger brother. I mean who would've thought Damian could bag pretty women? He was more the type to break their bones!
"Tt. I did not 'ask her out'. Why does everyone keep believing that?" Damian huffs again, glaring.
"Because you did! Also same question, Jason, because Damian actually was kind enough to get me coffee, and that too, the way I like it? I mean, how? Did the sun rise, like, from the west?"
Damian looks up. There's Tim, holding his coffee, smiling.
Well, look! He made Tim smile! That too, a genuine smile!
"Tt. You needed the coffee. And I am observant after all." He says, a hint of pride seeping into his voice.
Jason snorts. "So we're over denial?"
Damian's head snaps to Jason. "Todd, you're on thin ice." He grits his teeth.
"He's right, though." Tim chuckles.
"Yeah, she likes you already, and you like her too anyway, why don't y'all just smoo–" At Damian's impending glower, Jason falters. "Okay, okay, I'll back off."
"I hope you shut the hell up before I cause you to die a second time." Damian growls. "For the last time, I do not like her!"
Okay, that little voice in his head does have a point about him calling her angel, but Damian chooses to ignore that. After all, ignorance is bliss.
"Seriously though, Dames," Tim says, after a pause. "Thanks for this. I really needed it."
Damian's heart warms just the tiniest bit, and he forgets how these were the very same imbeciles who even dared to hint that they believed he was in love with... someone (granted, someone heavenly beautiful and very, very capable, but still, how dare they!).
"...You're welcome." He really doesn't know what to say when thanked, does he?
A beat of awkward silence passes.
"Okay, well sorry for teasing you I guess? And thanks for this too. Like, I'm really really glad you got this for me, so glad I won't even ask what shady methods you used to acquire it. Thank you." Jason says.
"Tt. My methods weren't shady! I got it from a classmate in exchange for a katana!" Damian protested. "
When he looks up, Jason is gawking at him. (In exchange for a what?)
"...You have weird classmates." Tim says, after a moment, with a very similar expression.
Damian shrugs.
"Tt. Anyway, if you can excuse me, I've got work to do. I've got to give Richard his present."
"Hmm... what will you give him?" Tim asks, thoughtfully.
"Tt. Of course you would want to ask. I'll be giving him..." Damian pauses. "I haven't thought of that yet. There's nothing I can give him that he doesn't already have!"
"Well, no offence, but maybe you can give him less trouble by being less difficult for a while?" Tim says, thoughtfully.
"Tt. I suppose, though I am not usually difficult. You are the ones who keep acting uncivilized."
Both Jason and Tim burst out laughing at that.
"You're still the same kid we got from the league. Some things never change." Jason said playfully.
Damian scowls.
"Oh, Chloeeee!!!!! What do I weeeeeeaaaaar!!!!" Marinette wailed, trying to decide her outfit for the 'totally not-a-date'.
"Oh, I don't know," Chloé laughs, looking at her phone. "You're the fashion designer."
"Pleeeaaasee!! I don't want to seem like a pick-me!!!!" Marinette wailed again, clearly distressed.
"Ugh. Fine." Chloé puts her phone on the bed. "But for the record, you wouldn't be able to seem like a pick-me even if you wanted to." She walks over to Marinette's suitcase.
"Chloé, really, I want to make a good first impression!" Marinette says, pleadingly.
"Of course you want to, he's your future husband isn't he?" Chloé chuckles. "Also, you have, like, four whole hours to decide."
"Supposed-to-be-future-husband." Marinette corrects, but blushes at the thought of it being true.
(Nuh uh, no, she is totally not thinking about how soft his absolutely kissable lips would feel dominating her own. Nope. Not at all.)
"Whatever. Same difference." Chloé smirks. After a pause, she says, "Ridiculous. Don't you have anything that's NOT pink or blue or black?"
"Yes, Chloé I know, it's Utterly Ridiculous." Marinette chuckles good-naturedly.
Chloé scoffs.