Wayne Manor, Damian's Room
11:51p.m.

{Damian}

           It's official... I'm extremely exhausted.
           Right after Raven left, I proceeded to clean my room such as making the bed and keeping the books back on the shelf. Jon's bag remained on the single sofa to which I'll return it when I see him tomorrow. I would return his bag today if there was something important in it but there were only a few of his clothes and his phone... nope, not important for him. I should know. The small table next to the sofa was where my phone rests. I almost forgot about my phone's existence. I pick it up to see many unseen notifications and unread junk messages. Other than social media, I didn't miss a thing from my phone. The battery had only one percent left which I plug the charger and kept it back on the table.
           I then head back to my desk and pulled out the pouch from my pocket. I kept the ruby necklace, along with the balance ruby and amethyst on the desk so I'll remember to bring it along with me when I see Jon tomorrow.
           Then I head on to take a bath. God, after being a siren, the shower felt so much different when it rains on me. It didn't take me long to start daydreaming of my time in the sea. It feels good to use soap and shampoo again. After days of soaking in saltwater, my skin could definitely use some lavender-scented body wash.
           After taking my time in the shower, I wiped myself dry and put on some clothes of my own from the closet. While putting them on, my stomach starts to rumble which reminded me about what Raven mentioned earlier that Alfred was preparing dinner. After getting ready, -- by getting ready, I mean putting on a simple black t-shirt and shorts -- I took my phone, slide it down my pocket and made my way out of the room, heading down to the kitchen.
           When I reached the kitchen, my heart skipped a beat when so many crackers exploded towards my direction, landing on me. "WELCOME BACK, DAMIAN!" Everyone in the kitchen shouted while clapping. Kori, Beast Boy, Beetle, Raven, Selina, Harley, Dick, Jason, Alfred, Tim, and father. Many of them are here but... the one person I truly want to see isn't. Where is Jon? I thought maybe he would attend this dinner since social gathering is his thing.
           Then I started thinking. Hasn't he gotten the news that I'm back? Surely someone must have spread the news like Zatanna, Dick, Raven, or even Monica. Or, maybe he just doesn't want to see me.
           No, that's just stupid. I've never seen him for nearly a month... there's no reason for him not to come and see me... or am I forgetting something?
           Anyways, I kept on a brave proud face and joined the others. Alfred prepared a feast. There are mac and cheese, pizza, fried goods, onigiri, tofu, ribs, and many more. Apparently, he requested everyone who's invited to suggest one of their favorite food. This way, everyone in the kitchen could have a good time with good food... and also explore other foods.
           That's nice of him huh?
           The dinner ended roughly after 3 hours because everyone and I mean, everyone... was bugging me to talk about my siren experience. So, after dinner was storytime, Siren Damian edition. Alfred bought sparkling juice and wine for everyone to sip while listening to my story.
           When I finished telling the story in a paraphrased version, it came to the end of tonight's celebration. Everyone left for their respective homes. Only then I asked Alfred about Jon. According to him, Jon left the manor yesterday noon and never returned. He had a strong belief as Raven that Jon has returned home since the other half of Metropolis was halfway done.
           But it still doesn't explain the fact why isn't he here? Or whether or not he knows that I'm back?
           I thanked Alfred for the information and also apologized for I'm way too tired to stay back and helped clean up the kitchen. But it's alright because father and my brother will help him out. I went back to my room, took a quick bath, put on some comfortable clothes, and just crash on the bed.
           Until now.
           It's past 10 pm. There's a full moon shining over Gotham City today.

I'm supposed to be asleep but I'm still awake, staring at the ceiling in the dark. I thought maybe listening to some songs would help me fall asleep but no, it made me more active because I kept singing and humming along with the song. I really missed listening to music that I can't help but sing along.

{Narative View}

             Damian still wasn't able to sleep. He kept turning around, covering his legs under the blanket and uncovering them, hugging a pillow and tossing aside the pillow.
             He had enough.
             He got up and sat on the edge of the bed with his legs hanging. He took his phone, wanted to watch something on Netflix but then he kept it away again. He didn't have the mood to watch anything now.
             The room wasn't all dark because the moon was shining down very brightly that it lit up his balcony which also lit up his room just a slight.
             He lifted his legs and surrounds his arms around them and rest his chin on his knee, staring at the balcony and the vague view of lights from the city.
             Suddenly, his eyes widened when he saw someone landed on the balcony. The figure casually opened the sliding door to which made Damian stand on his feet and prepares himself if there is a need to attack. The room wasn't dark but it wasn't bright to see its face either.
             "Ah! There's my bag." The person said softly as he walks over to the single sofa and picks up Jonathan's bag. Apparently, the figure didn't realize Damian was in the room... until Damian moved towards the light switch and hit on.
             One foot had already stepped out to the balcony and that's when the figure froze.
             "Jon?" Damian calls the figure when he realized who it was judging from the sound of his voice.
             Jon.
             Jon's body jolted when he heard Damian's voice. He refused to turn back and kept convincing himself in his mind that he was hearing things. But he slowly turns around, wanting to confirm it. Before Jon could fully turn around, his eyes had already seen Damian.
             His eyes enlarged as tears began forming around them. The backpack fell out his hand as he got off his feet and slowly flew towards Damian.
             "Damian?" He flew closer, still thinking he's seeing a mirage. He landed in front of Damian and lightly cup his right cheek with his palm. He looked straight into those emerald green eyes. The tears in his own eyes overflowed when he felt the warmth on his cheek. "Please tell me, I'm not dreaming." He said.
             Soon Damian's eyes started brimming with tears as he smiles and lifts his hand up to wipe his lover's tears away. "I'm back, J." He said as a single tear from his eyes rolled down his cheek.
             Jon started breathing heavily as his hands started feeling Damian's hair, arms, back, and the legs, wanting to confirm even more. Only then, he finally believed it was real life and his lover is indeed home.
             He immediately threw his arms around his lover and buried his face in his shoulders and let out his happy tears. Damian did the same. "You're back!" Jon said with his face buried in Damian's shoulder. "Oh, Rao!!! You're back!!!" He said, his tears getting out of control. They were too happy that they got on their knees and still never let each other go, hugging each other tightly.
             "I really missed you, J!" Damian said with his tears began rolling down, even more, soaking Jon's shoulder. He laid a gentle kiss on his neck before lifting one of his hands to stroke the back of Jon's head. "God I missed you so much."

An Hour Later...

1:01a.m.
{Damian}

               The question of Jon's disappearance during dinner was solved. It's true that he left the manor yesterday... but he didn't go home. Instead, he flew to Lake Superior and camped there for two days and one night stay. To prove it, he bought souvenirs. A t-shirt and a photograph of him standing near the shores, which other tourists helped to capture the photo of him.
               It surprises me that he didn't take his phone along with him during those days to provide some entertainment or be a source of communication since he was all alone. I asked him and he said that he wanted to clear his mind from everything that's been going on.
               In a way, I understand what he meant so I didn't ask more questions and just believed his words.
               Jon left all his camping supplies at his house and flew over here just to get his bag back. Little did he know that I was already here. So of course I told him to stay.
               I asked if we could stay over at his place because he's always staying over at mine... and I never got a chance to stay at his. Mostly just to visit. But he insisted that we stay at my place because his room isn't... guest-ready. Which I said I really don't mind because he literally slept in my room during my siren days and my room wasn't guest-ready either.
               But it's alright. Other than the room being clean, he doesn't have the confidence to let me stay over yet. That's something he'll have to find himself, I can only accompany him along the way. When the day comes, where he's confident to anything, so many things will change for the better... and I can't way to see him emotionally strong.
               He updated me on what has happened while I was at sea such as he stayed here almost the entire time I was gone, he went to Hawaii and got bitten by a shark -- which obviously I knew who caused that -- then he's been skipping school and so on. Was that everything? I don't think so. I was waiting for him to mention Tucker but he didn't.
               He took a shower and I borrowed him some of my clothes because the clothes in his backpack were dirty laundry -- expected --. I wanted to bring him some snacks or something for him to eat but he didn't want any. Only then I realized something different about him.
               Jon's gotten thinner.
               Even while I was hugging him earlier, I felt his spine a little more obvious than before but ignored it, thinking I was just imagining stuff. But eventually, I've got more proof that I wasn't. When he came out of the shower, I was stunned to see his ribcage standing out a slight. His wrist seemed extra small... and when he turned around, his spine was sticking out even more than before... just like I guessed. He looked like an anorexic person.
               He put on the clothes and flew on the bed. "Rao I'm exhausted." He releases a tired sigh as he took a pillow and squeezes it. I sat leaning against the bed frame, next to him and lightly lift him closer to me. His arms circled my body and his cheek pressed against my chest.
               "You're very thin, J," I said, tracing his spine bone with my finger. "What happened?"
               He shrugged. "Didn't have the appetite to eat properly." He said.
               "That's no reason for you to skip meals, J," I said. "Starting tomorrow, I'll make sure you get enough food in your system even if I have to follow you all day and everywhere."
               "I just got back and the last thing I need is for you to end up in Metropolis hospital again."
               "Alright alright, dad." He said as he covered his mouth and let out a tired yawn. God that's cute! He lifted his head and reached for the necklace around my neck. "I'm surprised." He said. "You actually wore it when I dropped it in the ocean right after you left."
               "Why wouldn't I?" I ask. "I saw you from below, I just kept a distance for your safety."
               "Believe or not, it kept me safe the entire time."
               "Good... very good." He released the necklace. "Keep it... not as a symbol but as a sign of hope that it'll always lead you back home."
               "You sure?" I ask. "Your parents won't kill you if they suspect their gift to you is gone?"
               He scoffs. "I'll think of something if the time comes." He said.
               "In that case..." I left my sentence hanging as I got up and walked over to my desk. The timing couldn't be more perfect to give him his gift. I picked up the necklace and head back. I sat back next to him and handed him the necklace. "Tell them that you've replaced it with this."
               He carefully studied the necklace... from the gem to the chain. "Fancy..." He asks. "... and heavy!"
               "Long story short, I went down the Mariana Trench and brought back a ruby gemstone for you," I said. "It was a big chu--
               "The Mariana Trench?!?!" He asked surprisingly. "The deepest part of the ocean?!"
               "One... of the deepest part of the ocean." I corrected him. "It was scary down there but hey... I made it out alive."
               "Still!" He was about to scold but instead released a sigh. "I'll lecture you tomorrow because now I'm still surprised by this gift."
               "I asked Selina to help shape the gem into a necklace," I said. "The chain is made from white gold so take care of it properly."
               "I asked her to use just a small piece of the gem for the necklace so there's a big chunk of it left for your parents to sell or do whatever with it."
               He didn't respond. I look down to see his eyes tearing and that he had a smile on his face. "Not only you brought back a gift for me but also for my parents... an expensive gift that is." He said as he wipes away the tears. "You truly are something, Damian Wayne."
               "I take it you like it?" I ask as I fasten it around his neck.
               "Love it." He said, studying the ruby. "But please... don't label me as a gold digger because I am not."
               "Why would I?" I ask. Shortly after I knew why he would say that. Tucker and his gang of assholes had labeled him as a gold digger because they know about us. "I know you, J... and a gold digger ain't you."
               "I just wished you told me sooner."
               "About?" He asks.
               "What Tucker and his gang had done to you over the years," I replied, looking into his eyes, showing that I'm serious. "That he took your allowance, destroyed your borrowed library book, spilled paint on you, and the rest I'm sure you know."
               He took his arms and sat up leaning against the bed frame, next to me, avoiding eye contact. He stayed silent.
               "Why didn't you tell me? Or anyone?" I ask, looking at him.
               "For ones, I'm trying to handle life with my own strength." He said. "Mom, dad, Raven, you... many of you are constantly helping me when things get rough and I'm tired of that, D."
               "For ones I'm trying to stand on my own feet and defend myself. If I can't, I'll take the hit."
               "Standing on your own feet and being stupid are two different things," I said. 'Remember, there comes a point in life where you have to realize that you can't do everything by yourself... especially when you have people who love you."
               "I learned that the hard way... and I don't want you to do the same."
               "If you keep silent and get hurt, how do you think I'll feel? Or your parents?"
               "How did you find out in the first place?" He asks, facing me.
               "A little fish told me," I replied with a smirk.
               "Who--
               "Don't bother asking who or what because I'm not gonna say." I cut him off.
               "I'll figure it out someday." He said.
               "Good luck," I replied. "Now come here."
               I pulled him back and lay him next to me just like before with his arms surrounding my body. I lightly kissed his head and rest my cheek on it afterward. It's comforting to ones again breathe in the smell of his shampoo... or his smell.
               "You know, I met your mother recently." He said. "I'm afraid she didn't like me."
               That bitch......
               "Don't let that bother you," I said. "If she doesn't approve of us, she doesn't need to."
               "But don't you think--
               "Jon... I don't care what she says about you... or whether or not she approves of our relationship." I said sternly. "In the end, it's my life, and it's my decision."
               "Thank you." He squeezed me tightly. "Talia knows about us... it's only a matter of time before my parents or Batman finds out."
               "We've been together for more than six years now and the world's greatest detective hasn't got a clue... let alone your dad." I said. "I think we'll be okay."
               "But if the time comes, we'll be ready."
               "Hopefully..." He mumbled.
               "We will," I said. "Now sleep, J."
               "It's been a long day for you and a long month for me."
              "No." He said. "I forgot to ask an important question."
              He look up to meet my eyes. "Did you meet Spongebob?" He asks with a fanboy smile.
               ......
               Was that even a question to ask??? Honestly, I don't know whether to laugh or to slap his childish behavior out of his mind. But then again, that's one of the unique things that makes Jon... well, Jon.
              "I'll tell you tomorrow," I said, holding in my urge to chuckle. "Sleep, Jon."
               He took his eyes back and lay his cheek against my stomach. I place my palm on his head. Shortly, I felt him squeezing me tightly. "Please... please don't fade away when I wake up in the morning." He started sniffling.
               I reach down and gave a good long kiss on his forehead. "I won't," I said, looking into his ocean eyes.
              "I'll be right here beside you when you wake up."