[closed] tale as old as time

[neverbatman]

[After their near disaster of a gala, Damian knew he had to make it up to Midii. Christmas was the best possible way to make it up, he figured. Gifts were a normal part of the holiday season, and he'd gone out of his way to shower his friends with material goods, whether they wanted it or not.

Some of his friends had resigned themselves to the inevitable and asked for reasonable gifts - Jai, for example, got season tickets for the local basketball team, and Iris got one of those fancy Fitbits that could (reasonably) calculate a speedster's rate.

Midii, though, needed something better. After much deliberation and arguing with a local calligrapher + screen printer, Damian ordered two things: one, for Midii to come meet him on the second floor of a coffee shop that his family owned, and two, a set of custom-printed Arabic calligraphy t-shirts. Nothing religious, for the Muslims who might cry cultural appropriation, but cultural sayings & shapes.

He's not expecting her super early, but he's looking a little nervous as he stares down at the gift bag he'd wrapped the latter in. Just once, he wishes the coffee shop could sell boosts of confidence with their lattes. He'd buy their entire stock out.]

Comments

[neverbatman]

Uh-huh. [ He doesn't flinch as he hears Nightwing's boots; in fact, he steps aside so the hero can do his work. Nightwing is probably giving him a Look. Damian also doesn't care enough to check. ] He was gonna hurt you.

They should know what happens if they're stupid enough to try.

[ Though now eyes are on him, and he takes a moment to compose himself in front of a real live Superhero. Spoiler is stifling a laugh behind her mask (ugh) and at that, Damian rolls his eyes.

He Should play the part of a good Gotham boy, so he loudly says - ] Thank you for saving us!

[uneforgettable]

[She knew the approaching figures were watching, and she knew that they would most likely be teased for it later, but...]

[Just before they reached them, Midii leaned forward and placed a kiss on his cheek.]

Thank you.

[With that, she stepped back and noticed Spoiler first. The woman was absolutely holding back her amusement, and Midii was 200% positive her little display of affection had not helped the situation. Nor did Damian's sudden outburst, and even though Midii knew it was part of the act he put on in public...she still turned to give him an odd look for a moment before turning back and nodding her agreement.]

Do you think the police will let us leave? Or do we have to stay and talk to them?

[Because she hated being interviewed.]

[neverbatman]

[ He blinks back genuine surprise at the kiss. An actual, honest-to-goodness public display of affection. Grayson and Brown are gonna heckle him forever for it, but honestly - Damon's grinning too much to care.

He'd pump his fist if, you know, he weren't in the middle of this whole crime scene being wrapped up. ]

Let me talk to them. [ If there was one thing Damian could rely on, it was the corrupt nature of Gotham cops - and his ability to schmooze the ones he couldn't. ] Knowing them, they'll probably be fine if I give them a formal statement.

[ There's a pause, since even though he knows she hates being interviewed, he also knows she's capable. But he worries, especially after their movie theater being held hostage. ]

You wanna see if Spoiler or Nightwing can escort you back?

[uneforgettable]

[Her first instinct was to refuse. To insist that she stay with him. She didn't like being interviewed, but she had gotten through it before. Several times before. Especially when she was younger...]

[On second thought, if the offer to avoid yet another Gotham inquisition was being made, she just might take it.]

If...it's not too much trouble. [She looked to either of the two heroes hesitantly. Expecting nothing and well aware of the fact that they almost certainly had more pressing matters than catching their little bro's girlfriend alone escorting an unharmed hostage.] Are you sure you'll be alright?

[With her leaving. She knew he would be fine dealing with police. And they could meet up again later.]

[neverbatman]

Yeah, of course. [ He nods, for once forgoing his instinct to protect and shield Midii. Damian's seen first-hand what she can do, and he trusts Nightwing and Spoiler with his life.

Also, honestly... he tries not to ask his family for help unless he absolutely, positively needs it. So he swallows his pride, or what remains of it, and tries to meet Spoiler's eyes. ]

You'll be in good hands. I've got nothing to worry about.

[ Spoiler gives him two giant thumbs-up, already abandoning whatever duties she had been doing. Her very important, superhero duties.

And in that moment, Damian realizes as he freezes in place like a deer in headlights, just what emotional torture would be waiting for him at home whenever he finished giving his statements. ]

[uneforgettable]

[She nodded, clearly trusting his judgement on the matter. If Damian wasn't worried, then she wouldn't worry about it, either.]

I'll call you later. When I'm home.

[To reassure him she'd gotten home safe...but also so she could check in on how the interview went. Much as she hated being a direct part of the process, she was still curious about several aspects. What kind of questions were asked. If any further information on what actually happened would be released. Whether or not their names would be involved later on.]

[One last faint smile his way--he'd already gotten his kiss--and she turned back to Spoiler. Who looked a little too pleased for her liking, but what could she do?]

I'm ready.

[...probably.]

[Though she felt a little less sure as the woman began guiding her out through one of the back doors, and Damian would be able to hear the distant echo of a long "soooo..." make it back just as they vanished from sight.]

[In time to match with the eyebrow raise Nightwing was now sending his way.]