"WE'LL SETTLE AT Wayne Manor for a few days first," Remiel announced on the car, glancing up from her phone. Dick was driving, and Odile was in the back seat. "Get your place in order. And then I'll move in with Dick at Bludhaven."

"Is my place already furnished?"

"Yep." Dick gave a nod. "Don't worry about it. And Damian's living right next to you. You'll be neighbours."

Odile blinked. This was getting out of hand very quickly. "Damian's not living in Wayne Manor anymore?"

"He moved out last year," Dick said with a shrug. "He's twenty-one. Needs his own space. Not like Bruce is going to be lonely with all of us coming in and out anyways. We all need our own privacy."

"Does he know I'm moving in next to him?

"Yeah. He's been helping decorate your place and everything. If you run into any issues in Gotham, just ask him to give you a hand. You've known each other for so long anyways."

Odile wasn't quite sure what to think. Things had already gone a very different way than she'd imagined. She'd expected Damian to want nothing to do with her, to avoid her at all costs. Too many bad memories. Well, it wasn't even bad memories. It was just a bit... awkward.

Extremely awkward.

And now, apparently, she was moving in right next to him and he was just alright with that. He was even helping out.

Maybe there's a chance?

No, he was probably just being friendly. It would be awkward if he said no.

But he doesn't have to go this far to help you. He does care about you, Odile, he's known you since you were little children.

But after what happened...

Odile shook her head, banishing those thoughts from her head. She liked to live in the moment. No point worrying about it until she actually saw him. She could, at least, allow herself to enjoy this reunion with Dick, be happy with the way Remiel was grinning from ear to ear, and admire the scenery they were passing by, trying to commit it all to memory.

She'd picked up painting a few years ago. Remiel had pointed out numerous times it was probably smarter to take a picture of things she found beautiful to use as reference, but Odile always thought things were more... personal if it was taken right out of her brain. The reality of the world meets her mind. She usually drew objects, scenery, but rarely people. It felt strange to draw people. Even when she did, she kept them hidden. It felt too personal, showing people the way she saw them.

She'd prefer keeping that to herself.

She never got rid of them, though. It was interesting, looking through portraits of people she'd done over the years. It was like reading her own diary, a trip through time. Oh, I used to admire this person. Oh, I used to think this person was irritating. It was always weird, looking at the person they'd all been.

And realising how far they'd come.

That always made her feel nostalgic for the old days.

Dick was playing some old songs on the speaker, and he and Remiel were alternating between laughing and singing. Odile tilted her head, leaning on the window and staring outside. It reminded her of that first car journey all those years ago. When she'd first been brought to Hong Kong. Except Damian had been here then, instead of her alone in the backseat.

She'd learnt a lot about the world on that first car journey.

Truthfully, she didn't think Gotham City was as bad as a lot of people thought. There were good parts of it, and most of it was funded by corruption and bribery, but there was a beauty in everything. It was artistic, this city. The way it was cleaved in half. The way rich met poor, good met evil, hope met desperation. She'd already made it clear to Remiel that she was interested in charity. She was extremely interested in charity in Gotham City.

There were so many kids out there. Kids who could use her help. Kids just like her in the old days, left to their own devices, left to fend for their own. She'd been lucky. She'd had help. Now, she'd pass on the favour.

After all, she couldn't spend all her time going around, saving lives. She needed some type of job. Quite frankly, she didn't need to work for money. So she might as well do something charitable. Something useful for the world, make some contributions. She wasn't idealistic to think she could change the world by herself, so she'd at least... push it in the right direction.

Was that too optimistic?

Sometimes she found it difficult, talking to Remiel, who was realistic to a point. She wasn't a pessimist by any chance, but she was also the furthest thing from a dreamer. That was one thing the two of them could never agree on. Was it a waste of time, hoping and aiming for things that had so little chance of becoming true?

Maybe that was why Odile had always been the more creative soul. The painter, the artist, the imaginer. Remiel was the one who grounded her. They made a good pair. While Remiel had legally adopted Odile a few years back (she was one of the closest living relatives Odile had remaining), they'd always felt more like sisters. They were too close in age to feel like mother and daughter, and Remiel never treated her as such.

Perhaps she'd learnt her lesson from the way Bruce and Dick had fallen out those years ago. Learned to loosen her grip, allow Odile to do her thing and find her own individuality.

It hadn't exactly stopped Odile's rebellious phases, but it had certainly shortened it.

They pulled up at Wayne Manor after an hour's drive. Remiel let out a whoop. "We're back! Been a while, eh, Odile?"

"Three years," she replied with a grin, climbing out of Dick's vehicle. "I was sixteen last time I was here."

"That was the summer Jon was here, yeah?" Dick tilted his head. "You'll see him soon."

"He's still friends with Damian?"

"Of course." Dick was helping move their suitcases out of the boot. "They work together a lot. Damian's not needed in Gotham all the time, with all of us hanging around, so he spends a lot of time travelling around with Jon."

"That's quite nice, actually."

"Maybe you can join them. You three got along quite well back then, I remember."

They had. She'd first properly met Jon Kent the summer she was fifteen. She'd heard of him before, caught some fleeting glimpses of him when he occasionally came to visit Damian, but their first interaction had been at fifteen. She got along with him immediately. They were... similar. They believed in hope. They saw things the same way.

But somehow, he'd never quite had the hold on her Damian did. Maybe opposites did attract. Even if it was completely one-sided on her end.

"They were a little trio," Remiel sighed. "Remember when it was me, you and Babs?"

"Those were the days." Dick shook his head, handing Odile her duffel bag. They'd packed a lot. They were moving permanently, after all. Between her arts supply, skincare, makeup, costumes, gear and everything else in between, Remiel and Odile shared a whooping four suitcases with two handcarries each. Duffel bags, so really, it felt more like six suitcases.

Because they were smart with packing, most of the things they needed for their stay in Wayne Manor were packed in one suitcase to minimise the packing and unpacking. They probably weren't going to be here for more than a week anyways. Maybe less. Most likely yes.

She loved Wayne Manor. But there were too many people sometimes, even in such a big house. And they came in at all irregular hours of the night.

And sometimes, staring out at the dark grounds after night, it reminded her a bit too much of those few years in the Yuannan Mountain. Those weren't miserable times, but they were lonely.

She preferred cities.

Which was funny, because she also loved her peach blossom woods. But if she had to sit down and choose between the two, it would be the city.

She liked the bustle, the excitement. She wasn't necessarily an extrovert—she still loved her alone time, but it was nice to just have people around. And not be by herself for miles upon miles. To have someone she could run to if she had anything to say.

She supposed she'd still be alone once she moved out. She had Damian, she supposed. And maybe she'd meet new friends. Some civilian friends would be really nice. If she got into charity, surely she'd meet some.

Alfred received them at the door. "Miss Remiel, Miss Odile."

"Alfred!" Odile practically sprinted towards him. "Remiel and I got you tea leaves and biscuits. We'll give it to you once we're unpacked."

Alfred just smiled back. "Thank you, Miss Odile. Master Bruce is in the Cave. He's rather busy right now and sends his apologies for not being able to receive you. Master Damian is in the kitchen enjoying his lunch."

"No one else in today?"

"I'm afraid not. Master Tim headed off for the marina around an hour ago. I believe it's Master Todd patrolling tonight."

"Cassandra?" Remiel raised a brow. She lived in Wayne Manor when in Gotham. Though she'd be moving to Hong Kong soon.

"Enjoying her day off in the city." Alfred gave a nod. "Would you all enjoy some lunch?"

"We'd love that." Odile beamed. "We'll just move our belongings up first."

Remiel glanced at her. "Just the suitcase you need. Don't bother with the others."

"I know, I know." Odile waved her off. She'd done this a million times.

Odile had stayed in the same bedroom in Wayne Manor every summer she'd been here. It was beside Remiel's, and she'd taken the time to add her own little pieces. Like the pink porcelain vase in the shape of a swan. The painting she'd drawn of the Gotham skyline, having replaced all the black and blue with different shades of pastel, hanging on the wall above her bed. Or perhaps the sheets. She'd brought her own a few summers ago, the pattern on the fabric having reminded her of the peach blossom forest she'd lived in. She wasn't particularly surprised to see her bed fitted with them. Alfred had always had an eye for details.

Her hands skimmed over it. God. Looking at all this had the same effect as looking at her paintings. She'd bring these blankets to her new home.

Someone cleared their throat behind her, and she twirled around. "Damian!"

In the flesh. He stood, leaning against her door frame, arms crossed before his chest. "Alfred said you guys had arrived."

"Here I am." She gave him a little wink. "I was going to join you for lunch after I was done here. Unless you've already finished?"

"I have. But it's fine. Dick and Remiel were already downstairs, so I was wondering what was taking you so long."

Three years. Three years since she'd last seen him in person. She'd done a phenomenal job of avoiding him and making it seem normal.

He'd grown even taller. His features had grown a little more like Bruce's, though his skin was still a few shades darker. Odile had seen her fair share of Wasian boys in the past few years, but none of them ever topped Damian. Damian wasn't bulky in the way Bruce was. His muscles were a bit more... hidden. When he had his clothes on, you almost couldn't tell how built he actually was. It was deceptive. She'd watched him grow at an astonishing height in the past few years, and he now stood a full head taller than her. When they'd met at eleven, she'd been taller.

She was hardly short. He was just too tall.

And now his green eyes tracked her around the room as she fidgeted with her duffel bag. He was observing her. Taking her in.

She'd changed a bit too. Nowhere as much as him, having hit puberty far earlier, but she'd grown around a centimetre in the past three years. Which wasn't much, but he'd clock it. She'd let her hair grow long, and she'd had it permed before getting on the plane, so now it sat in soft waves. She hadn't bothered with makeup on the flight, so her face was bare. She'd always struggled a bit with eyebags, but she'd done her best to get rid of them with an abundance of steamed eye masks on the flight.

Odile was pretty. She knew that. Remiel said she was beautiful. She thought that might be a bit overkill. She had large eyes that always seemed to be smiling. A tall nose. Small lips with ends always tilted upwards. Closer inspection showed that her nose was a bit crooked from an... accident a few years ago. She sometimes felt like her eyes were a little bit too big, especially when she was thinner—she'd put on a bit of weight recently, so it wasn't as obvious now.

"I'm done now," she told him. "What's for lunch?"

"Just ham and cheese sandwiches, I'm afraid."

"Toasted?"

"Of course, we're not barbarians."

Odile let out a light laugh, strolling past him. He followed behind her. "So having cold sandwiches is barbaric?"

"In my head, yes."

She tilted her head as they began to walk down the stairs. "Heard we'll be neighbours soon."

"It's a good place in town. Twenty minute drive on a normal car, less than that on one of... ours. And the building's Wayne Enterprises owned. Private lift for the two of us. Base in the basement. Afraid we're sharing that, though. Would a motorcycle be enough for you?"

"Absolutely." Sharing a base with Damian... Damn. This just got more complicated. But a part of her was secretly glad. Glad that she'd be getting so many chances to be close to him. If she couldn't have him, at least let her be near him. At least let her watch him.

She'd be satisfied with that.

"You know," she joked, "I asked for a normal apartment."

"I know." Damian cocked his head. "I thought you deserved a bit better than that. And I was getting lonely up in my penthouse."

"Maybe you should have moved somewhere else, then," she laughed. "But don't worry, I'll keep you company."

He didn't seem interested in mentioning what happened the last time they'd met. She would follow him on that course of action. If they pretended their last meeting didn't exist, then perhaps they could get along after all.

If he wanted to be old pals, then she'd joke with him, tease him, laugh about the old days with him. She would let everything else stay in the closet. No skeletons needed to be dug up and exposed to the world.

They were nearing the kitchen. Dick and Remiel were inside, enjoying their sandwiches, along with cups of hot coffee. Odile grinned at Alfred as she slipped into a seat.

Damian slipped into the seat beside hers, running his fingers through his hair. Odile did her best not to stare at him. She'd be lying if she said part of her attraction to Damian wasn't due to physical appearance. It was more than that, of course, but that did play a massive factor. It was how she'd first fallen, she was almost certain.

Staring at him among the peach blossoms.

He'd taken a bit of her heart that very day. She must have been insufferable back then. She'd used every excuse possible to cling onto him, to follow him around. He hadn't seemed to mind too much, thank god, and she had learnt a lot from him in those weeks back in the mountains.

"Damian can take you out to your penthouse this afternoon," Dick was saying. "You can take one of your suitcases first. Unpack a bit if you want. It's fine if you're too tired, though."

"Yeah, that works for me." Odile tied her hair into a ponytail with her scrunchie. "After lunch, then?"

"Sounds good." Damian tilted his head. "I'll drive you back afterwards."

Odile shook her head. "I can drive myself back. We can take one of Bruce's cars, if any are available."

"Nah, it's fine." He leaned back. "I have nothing else to do anyways."

With the way he was acting, it was very difficult for Odile to not gain false hope. Even though she knew he was doing this because she was an old friend, a dear friend, and that it meant nothing else.

A girl could dream.

She turned to the sandwich Alfred had laid before her, muttering her thanks before diving in. Just as she remembered. So simple, yet so utterly delicious, the melted cheese, the lightly toasted bread, the salty ham in between.

She didn't despise "white people cuisine" (as Remiel dubbed it), though some of it was... bland. But stuff like this? This was good.

Maybe it was just Alfred's cooking.

Damian sipped on a cup of coffee. Things had gotten a little nicer for all of them in the past few years, as their ranks expanded. Odile had watched the patrol schedule turn from two to three nights per person per week into just around one, though it didn't stop them from heading into the night whenever they felt like it. Besides, they were always still on alert in case whoever was on patrol needed extra help.

But it meant they were all a little less exhausted. Got a little more rest. Which was always good. And now Remiel and Odile were here too, though Cassandra was going to be off in a few weeks.

She couldn't wait to see Cassandra, actually. The two girls were the same age. Cassandra had arrived in Gotham two years ago, and Bruce had sent her to Hong Kong last year to visit them, since they'd already been planning to move. He'd wanted to make sure Cassandra got along with Daniel, who was staying in Hong Kong as her information broker. Odile had gotten along with her immediately, even if the other girl couldn't speak.

They'd spent a month running around Hong Kong, dealing with whoever and whatever came their way. They made a formidable team.

But the two girls had never been together in Gotham before, and with Cassandra leaving soon, they wouldn't have much time.

"Are you two going to stop by Bludhaven today?" Odile glanced at Remiel. "Drop a suitcase off?"

"Think so." Remiel pursed her lips. "We'll see. I might just do it all in one go in a couple day's time. I want to stay in the Manor for a day or two, you know? I'll go the day you move out, Odile."

She grinned. "Aww, that's so sweet."

Remiel reached over and ruffled her hair. "Can't leave you all alone in this big, bad Manor. You'll get lost in it."

"I've been here every summer from eleven to sixteen."

"Haven't been back in three years. What if you've forgotten everything? Can't let you go off by yourself."

"You just don't want to move away from me." Odile rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "You'll miss me, won't you?"

"I will, I will." Remiel sighed, glancing at Dick. "Look at them. Can you imagine? They were just babies back then. Kids. And now they're both full-blown adults, moving out of the house."

"Got to let the birds out of the nest eventually," Dick teased. "But hey, you're moving in with me. I won't let you languish in your loneliness."

Remiel rolled her eyes, shaking her head in laughter. 

flashbacks are lowkey so weird to write LOL you'll see in the next chapter... but i'll figure it out... somehow.