"Do you like them?"

I sit on the living room floor of my apartment. It's dark and snowing outside, Christmas only two weeks away.

In front of me sits two, small, chubby Rottweiler puppies. Jason bought me one, the girl, and I bought myself the male one.

Damian's questions lingers in the air for a moment. "I love them. They'll be protecting me and my house for a long time," I tell him.

"Have you named them?"

It had taken promises and wine and I still refused Jason's request. Only when Bruce asked did I cave.

They wanted Dami to have a female role model. Bruce's on/off girlfriend by the name of Selina is unsuitable for reasons I found when I read her file.

His mother is a million miles away, Steph is too young, Barbra can't stand him and Ginger's a slut. So, lucky me. Saturday night with a kid.

"I've named the boy Levi. The girl however is yet to be named. Do you have a suggestion?" I ask.

"No. It is not my dog," he says, standing up from the carpet. He is extremely cold and has no interest in creating any sort of friendship.

At least, that's what someone without my degrees would say.

This kid is screaming for someone to love him. I doubt Bruce shows him much attention. I don't know what his mother is like... but I feel sorry for him.

"How about Cinnamon? It's what my favourite character on my favourite show names his dog."

Damian washes his plate in the sink and shakes his head. "It does not suit her," he says.

I watch as Levi yawns softly, before rolling onto his back with a squeak. His legs remain pointed up to the ceiling. I myself want to squeal.

Keep it together Meadow.

"I am bored." Little shit.

"What would you like to do? I have you for one more hour."

"I would like to train." I resist the urge to facepalm or glare at him. I major and minor in psychological areas. I should be able to figure him out.

Ah, an idea.

"Come with me," I say, picking up Levi and unnamed female. I place them in their basket on the couch and wrap them up.

Damian follows me out onto the balcony. "What is the point of this, Meadow? It is cold," he complains. I don't say anything as I switch the light on and step out.

My balcony is closed off to protect my garden from the weather. Damian spends a moment observing all of the different plants.

"With my job, there is a mountain and a half of stress. People expect a lot of me, because of my predecessors," I say. "I bet you understand that, more than anyone."

He blinks at me, something flickering in his eyes. "So you garden as stress reliever." That, and sex with Jason I nearly say. Lucky I remember who I am talking to.

"Yes," I say, reaching out and patting down some stray soil. "And you? What things do you enjoy? Other than training and killing and treating Tim cruelly."

He frowns, "Who told you?"

"Jason of course, but we'll get to that later. Now, tell me." I sit down on the outdoor sofa and pat the spot next to me. He looks skeptical, but drops beside me slowly.

"I enjoy walking," he says robotically.

"And?"

"...Reading."

I stare at him for a moment. "They're all boring things. A façade. The things people will automatically answer. A calming walk to clear one's mind. A page dry step into another world. A book. You're not being honest. What is it that really calms you?"

He looks down at his lap. Oh my God please tell me it's not something wrong.

"Drawing," he answers softly. Oh.

"Okay. Drawing is usually something people do when they have a lot bottled up without the mind to express it."

"Ridiculous."

"You got any degrees that validate your opinion? 'Cause I do," I say back. Obviously when dealing with him you need to have speedy comebacks.

"Degrees mean nothing. You have not yet proven you are worthy of your title."

My fists tighten as a release of anger. What an absolute brat. This kid needs to be taken down a couple of pegs.

"I know who you are, really," I begin slowly. I'll assess him. He won't like that at all. "A little boy with daddy issues and an inferiority complex. Struggles with daily basic life due to a disturbing upbringing. Dislikes male figures do to the lack of one growing up. Distances himself from female figures due to fear or confusion over one during development. Let me guess, mother?...Yes, mother. How were you treated? What makes you fear her? Discomfort, anger, twitch, dilation..." I freeze, understanding what that means. "Lack of love as a child."

He grew up with no one to love him. I sigh, suddenly feeling bad.

Damian's looking away from me, obviously tense. He has probably observed the way Bruce treats Tim. With a little more love, because Tim does not kill.

"Your accusation is...false."

"You don't believe that," I fire back. Now I'm seeing him as he really is. What I should have seen from the start; he's just a boy. "How about we go back in and try to name the female puppy?"

He is expressionless, staring at the floor now, but nods slowly.

I bet he's never had the chance to be a real kid. He was raised as an assassin. Probably owned very few toys, probably never been to a fair, probably never learnt to ride a bike.

He sits beside the pups as I slide the balcony doors closed. I cautiously sit on the other side of the basket.

"Can I ask you something?" He begins quietly in his neglectful, bored tone. I smile slightly at the simple innocence in his eyes despite everything else about him.

"Of course," I say.

"What is it you see in Todd?"

I raise my eyebrows at the question. Why the hell does he want to know that?

"A lot of things. I like that he's both sweet and caring yet badass and dangerous. I like the way he looks at the world despite everything he's been through. I guess I just...see him for who he really is and who he really is, is what I really want."

Does that even make sense?

"But he's...not-....You know he slept with my mom, right?"

"How did that make you feel?"

"Sick."

I laugh slightly, "Well, if it didn't that would be a problem," I admit.

"So it's okay to find it gross?"

"It's natural. I'd find it gross if my mom, despite never meeting her, slept with someone twenty years her junior. Especially if that person was my adoptive brother... But I see where your going with this. You find it hard to get along with Jay because of that. With Tim it's because he was your previous predecessor. It's why you like Richard the most."

"-Tt, I do not enjoy his company."

"Is it my sister?" I smile. His cheeks begin reddening.

"Perhaps," he replies quietly. I nod. He looks down at the puppies as they try to climb out of their beds. He reaches down and gently lifts the girl into his arms. "I think you should name her Kira," he suddenly suggests.

"Levi and Kira..." I test slowly, before deciding I like it. "It suits them perfectly," I smile. Damian pats Kira's head softly.

The bell rings from downstairs. I look at the time. "That will be Alfred, coming to get you," I say, standing up. Damian sighs softly and stands up.

I walk over to the kitchen and grab his backpack.

"Do I have to go?" He suddenly murmurs from behind me. I glance at the wall, then turn around to face him.

"Unfortunately," I smile, feeling heartened that he was sad to leave. Probably because of the puppies, and if he went home he'd have to see Tim. "What are you doing Friday next week?"

"Nothing, I believe. Why?"

"The Gotham fair is on. I can take you, if you'd like," I smile. He blinks in surprise, before the tiniest of smiles builds itself on his features.

"I'd like that, Meadow." Definitely got to work on that.

I hand him his bag and open the lift. He steps in. I suddenly remember what I wanted to ask.

"Just- Just quickly. You speak Arabic; what does Ana Bahebek mean?" I say, dropping my voice just incase certain people were listening.

"It means 'I love you'...Why?" He replies, frowning.

"No reason," I wave off. The bell rings again.

"Well, Damian. I'll see you next time," I grin. I tentatively reach out and pat his head. "You're a good kid."

I step back and the lift begins closing.

"Thanks," he blushes. "Venus."

~

Fam moments :')

Just wanted to remind you guys of the competition for this book. Chapter 39 is where it ends. I'll most likely take a bit of hiatus on this story (A week to three) to plan out what's happening. Can't WAIT to see your reactions xD

If you want information on the competition read the part between chapters 26 and 27!

Sorry for the lack of Jayjay here ^_^

Love you all,

Stay magical!

Be safe.

-Kaido Xx

Reminder; tomorrow I start my 72 chapters in two weeks thing. TSATS is in the category receiving eight chapters. 72 chapters, 14 days, 11 stories.

mmm v_v

Add me on Snapchat to find out which 5/6 stories are receiving an update on that day. My username is kaidokurahana