Metropolis Hospital
8:55a.m.

[DAMIAN'S POV]

While Monica checks on Jon's conditions, I got on my feet and walked towards the window, looking through it. The sky is still pouring, thunder roaring, leaves from trees are dancing with the wind, and people walking in and out of the hospital. I rest my elbows on the windowsill and my chin in my palms as I replay flashbacks of the times me and Jon spent.

5 minutes later.

Monica: Damian?

Damian: ...

Monica: Damian...

Monica pulled me back to reality. I realised my eyes were burning because I haven't blinked for a while. After pulling myself together, I turned to my right to see Monica standing in the same position as me. Her elbows were resting on the windowsill, but her hands were gripping her arms. Her glossy lips smiling and her dark eyes staring into mine.

Monica: Gloomy weather huh...

Me: (turned his head back to look outside) usually I love these kind of weather. But right now, it doesn't feel the same.

Monica: I know sweetie.. I know.. (looking outside and sighed).. so, whatca thinking?

Me: Nothing, just flashbacks of the two of us.

Monica: (smiling) Huh... well, are they happy ones?

Me: Maybe.. Depends on the person's point of view. Mine, I don't know...

Monica: I'd love to hear one of them...

Me: (silent)

Monica: it's alright, if you don't want to...

I planned on just keeping silent.. but then I remembered an advise Raven once told me. She said it's good to talk to someone when I'm feeling angry, or hurt. It helps to ease up the feeling I'm containing in me. During that time, I thought it was bullsh!t... but these days, it couldn't be more true. I took a deep breath and begin telling her a flashback of mine.

Me: There was that one time where we took a trip to Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Bat and Superman family were all excited to go on that trip. We left from Gotham around 7 in the morning, and were expected to arrive at our destination within 2 hours. But it turns out, it took longer than that due to the heavy traffic between Starling City and Central City. Me, Jon, Batman, and Nightwing took a car of our own. The others did the same too. I felt bored because there was nothing to do... Jon was sleeping since the time he got in the car, Nightwing was using his Ipod and father was too focused on traffic.

Monica: Don't you play games in your phone?

Me: I played it for almost an hour... it soon became really boring.

Monica: I see... then what you did?

Me: Nothing. I didn't want to wake Jon up or disturb my father and brother so, I just kept staring outside the window. After minutes of staring, I felt arms wrapped around my waist. It was Jon's arms, and he was still asleep. He was hugging me like I'm some sort of bolster... by looking at him, I decided to sleep too.. since I've got nothing to do. I took my phone and plugged in my earphone. I placed one earbud in my ears and the other in his. I played some peaceful music to block out the traffic noises from outside. In no time, I began dozing off..

Monica: awww! that's so precious.... (giggling)

Me: (sigh)

Monica: oh I'm sorry, did I say something wrong??

Me: No no... it's not you.. I'm just,........ (sigh)
Can I, ask you something...?

Monica: (looking at Damian) sure baby.. Fire away.

Me: Have you been in, love, before?

Monica: umm, yeah, why...?

Me: (sigh) What is it like? I mean... what is love?

Monica: Love is, many things, Damian. One things for sure that it ain't just a feeling. It’s the way people behave towards each other every day. It is also, all the things we do to show how much we care about one another. Like a hug.. hugging someone means, you love them... kissing. When we kiss someone on their cheek, lips, nose, or forehead, that also shows we love them. Another one is, giving someone a gift. Nothing says I love you like giving someone a special gift..
Do you get it now?

Me: Yeah.. but is it, nice...?? To have love in your life?

Monica: Nice?? It's wonderful, Damian. Life is so much better when we have love in us. It keeps us going every day. It makes us smile even on our worst days. It makes us do the right thing even when our heart is aching in pain or anger.... (sigh)

I've never really thought about love that way. I always thought love was just something people do and it wasn't a big deal. But the way Monica explains it seems like it's something really special.

Me: Oh, okay...

Monica: (studying Damians face) Why do you ask that?

Me: I've never understood what love is because, I've never had or felt it...

Monica: Don't you have parents that love you?

Me: (giggling bitterly) my parents? My father isn't good at expressing his feelings... neither showing them.. and my mother? I can say without a doubt that she doesn't love me... even if I were to die, she wouldn't give a sh!t about it. She has my DNA so she'll just create a clone version of me in S.T.A.R labs.

Monica: Dang... That woman's messed up.

Me: Tell me about it...

Monica: Ok then? So other than your parents, don't you have friends? Siblings? Or relatives?

Me: Siblings? I have siblings, but only one who truly cares for me. Nightwing. But unfortunately, even he too isn't good at expressing his feelings.. maybe not to me. But to his girlfriend? He's an expert at it. (Eyes rolled) Relatives? I'm not close with any of them. Not even a bit.

Monica: Hmm, I get that. Trust me. I too am not close with my relatives. They could be really uptight and annoying.

Me: As for friends? I have many acquaintances, and team mates... but very few friends. And only one best friend.

Monica: I'm guessing your best friend is Jonathan...

Me: Yeah... Honestly, for some time now, I don't know why but, I felt like he was more than just a friend to me... he was always there for me whether I want or didn't want anyone around.

Me: He showed me that I was loved no matter how bad my past was.

Me: he did so, so... much. (tears welling up) and for the first time in so long, I've never been so, afraid.

Monica: afraid of, what?

Me: ... Losing him... if he doesn't make it, he'll never know just how much he means to me... and I will have to live with that guilt till my last breath. (Tears rolling down)

Monica: (her arms on Damians shoulder and squeezing it) oh honey... I'm sure you'll get the chance to tell him because he is, going to make it.

Me: You don't know that...

Monica: you're right, I don't... but, I have, faith. And you should too. Because I believe that faith, is one of the most, powerful thing anyone could have. (Releasing her arm)

Faith...? Sure, I can have that.... i think.... (sigh) oh who am I kidding... trying to have faith is like trying to sleep on a bed of cactus. But nevertheless, I will try... I have to...
   I stood straight, released a yawn and rubbed my face with my hands. Monica turned around and place her hand on my shoulder.

Monica: Get some rest sweetie... those bags under your eyes ain't a good look for you. (Chuckling)

Monica took her hand back and walked towards a hazel brown leather lounging chair just a little farther from Jon's bed.

She patted it, giving me a sign to lie on it. I walk over to the chair and took a seat. She then walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a large white comforter and two Queen size pillows. She brought them over to where I'm sitting. She placed one of the pillow behind my head, and the other for me to hug. She then spread open the comforter over my legs. The pillows and comforter were rose scented.. When she was done, she stood next to me.

Monica: there you go sweetie. (Fluffing the pilliw) Now you rest for as long as you want ok... don't worry about the time, your phone, nothing. If you're feeling hungry, come on down to the cafeteria.. there are many goodies over there. (Smiling)

Me: Okay... thanks..

Monica: Oh.. (walked over to Jon's bed and held a remote) if there's an emergency, to you or to Jonathan, press the "Call" button. (Light patting on the call button) It'll alert the doctors and they'll come running in here.

Me: alright.