i'm way too sleep-deprived to write anything of substance, so have half-formed thoughts about Vessel being little-spooned by II
it's pretty early in their relationship with II, and Vessel is always quick to cradle II in a warm embrace and hold him close, murmuring reassurances and promises into his hair and skin. II feels right to hold, it's like Vessel's arms were made to wrap around him and II adores it, he feels safe and loved, but he notices when Vessel's hold is particularly tight, when he rubs his cheeks against II's hair, when his legs fidget and Vessel pulls them back so he's not bothering II with his movements
so when one day Vessel looks particularly lost as they're watching TV on the couch and Vessel has an arm around II's shoulder, II slips out of his hold and he thinks II wants to get up, but II eases his hand behind Vessel's back and lays them both down, pulling a surprised Vessel with him, turning him around so they are facing each other, II's arms wrapping around Vessel so he can bring him closer. Vessel just makes a small "Ngh" sound when II hauls him to his chest with Vessel's head in the crook of his neck and tangles their legs together
when II starts carding his fingers through Vessel's hair, his mouth opens in a silent, surprised "Oh" and he starts blinking as his eyes begin to water
II knows he needs to hear it, too and he wants to soothe him with words like Vessel does, "It's okay, darling, I've got you. You're safe. I'm here." Vessel starts trembling and for a second II thinks he wants out of the embrace, that he doesn't like it, but Vessel simply shuffles closer and nuzzles II's shirt and deeply inhales the familiar scent of his other, rubbing his cheek against the material. soon, his tears start to soak it and he's sniffling so he doesn't stain it, only with his tears
"You know, love, you don't have to be the big spoon all the time. I can protect you, too." and that breaks Vessel, just a little, cause he wants to be brave and strong for II, he would do anything to protect him, and he knows II loves him and feels equally protective, but he didn't realize he needed to be held this bad. so when II cradles his head and keeps it tucked to his collarbone, and rubs his socked feet against Vessel's (he's basically cricketing him), Vessel breaks out into a sob, and his nose is running, but II practically presses his shirt into his face, so Vessel lets himself stain it, lets some of his worry seep out
and Vessel feels insecure about his need to be held, because in the past he was the big spoon, the one to shelter the other person, mostly due to his frame, and the fact that he's tall and all loving limbs. but he realizes that half the time when he cuddles with II, he wants to tuck himself into the other's chest and hide a little, but he doesn't want to appear weak. and II has to tell him that it's not weak to want to be protected, to want to feel safe in the arms of someone. to not have to appear strong all the time. Vessel has to learn to give up control sometimes and let himself be held, let himself relax and melt against II as he holds his other so gently, keeps him safe, watches his back, and lets tender touches lull Vessel to sleep
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Welcome to chapter five! Sorry it’s been a minute! Hope you enjoy!
Damian sat at the kitchen counter, quietly observing the trio as they began to cook.
“Okay!” Sam began, “the cauliflower needs to be roasted for the sauce, potatoes need to be peeled and boiled for the gnocchi.”
Danny surveyed the kitchen like a battlefield with what looked like, from what Damian could glean, instinctual observance. As if he expected the fruit to sprout teeth and bite him.
Danny seemed to notice his gaze.
“Uh, I can prepare a spice mix for the cauliflower!” Danny offered.
“Cool” Sam said as she cut the cauliflower into quarters. “What about you short stack?”
Damian bristled at the nickname.
“I am not short, I am the ideal size for stealth.” Damian added a sniff to add to the validity and aloofness of his statement.
To his dismay however he was met with a chorus of laughter and awwws.
“Okay then what should we call you? My name’s Sam!”
“I’m Tucker!”
“And I assume you know my name since you held a knife to my throat lol”
This was not ideal. The goal of this was to scope out Daniel’s allies while instilling fear so that he stops his snooping.
That was the goal.
Not to eat food that sounded delicious.
“My name is Damian Wayne. The blood son of Bruce Wayne and protector of the Wayne family name.”
“…”
“…”
“How very intense.” Danny remarked.
Damian smirked at this acknowledgment, not catching the amusement in Danny’s tone.
“Well Mr protector of the Wayne family name, can you peel potatoes?” Sam asked.
“Yes of course.”
Damian has never peeled potatoes in his life. He’s seen Alfred do it though so how hard could it be?
By the third potato Clark had run out of bandages. Despite his determination to finish his duty was confiscated.
“At this rate the dish won’t be vegan anymore!” Sam teased as she expertly peeled the remaining potatoes.
“Don’t worry man you’ll get a handle on your knife skills!” Tucker said in an attempt to soften the blow.
This comment did quite the contrary.
“My knife skills are superb! My own mother practically trained me since birth to wield a blade! Grayson also complimented my proficiency after I nearly beat him in a sparring match! How dare you imply a lack of skill!”
Damian’s outburst was met with silence and he immediately realized he had said too much.
“Trained since birth?” Sam echoed with concern etched in her face.
“You had to fight Grayson? Like Dick Grayson?” Danny said slowly approaching the boy.
Damian’s face began to resemble a tomato. His temper had gotten the better of him! What about these people made him forget all his interrogation training?
“I… no!” He said shielding his face from their prying gazes.
“That was a lie! I have never held a sword!”
“THEY GAVE YOU SWORDS?!?” They all asked in unison.
“NO!”
The silence hung thick in the air. The only thing that cut through it was Damian’s stomach growling.
This was beyond embarrassing.
“We should just finish this. Damian signed up for gnocchi not an interrogation.” Sam said, causing the boy to sigh with relief.
They returned to their work and the previously easy tone. Complaining about the five page essay they had to write the class of one Mr. Lancer.
“Dude I cannot even begin to understand what he means by ‘the wallpaper represents Amelia’ it’s wallpaper!” Danny began.
“That I understood.” Sam began. “During the time this was written green wallpaper was colored with arsenic. Specifically this was the time where people knew it was poisonous but still used it anyway.”
“What does that have to do with Amelia purposefully destroying all of her relationships?” Tucker said incredulously.
“…”
“…”
“Oh.”
Todd would have gotten a kick out of this conversation.
They finished rather quickly. Setting the table with six place settings.
Damian looked at them quizzically until the front door opened.
“SURPRISE!”
“Oh!” Clark exclaimed startling back into the doorframe.
Damian knew that was a fake reaction. Kent could smell cookies baking in Utah from L.A.
“These are my friends Tucker and Sam! Also we made a thank you dinner for being so nice and welcoming to me and my sister.” Danny finished his sentence rather sheepishly.
“Awww! Thank you so so much! I’m sure it will be great!” Clark said with one of the brightest smiles Damian had seen in his whole life.
Damian had made a very good decision about staying. The meal was very good. Maybe because he felt pride in being a part of making it.
He yawned. No good. His guard was far too low. At this rate he will never intimidate Daniel. He blinked for perhaps a bit to long for the next moment he found himself in his own bed at the manor.
Father must have come to get him.
Curses!
Next time Daniel.
You will rue…
The day…
His eyelids slid shut once more.
@bushbees
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