Chapter Text
One Friday morning, Damian was having a very quiet day until he ran into Anya in the hallway on the way to class. It was just the two of them.
The girl looked at Damian with a determined look and a proud smile.
-So Sy-on Boy, you've met my parents. They're the coolest, aren't they?
The boy grimaced as he remembered the Forgers and thought of all the love they had for their daughter.
-Yeah, they're... nice.
-Would you like them to be your parents?- Anya's smug smile widened.
Damian clenched his jaw and fists in anger and pain. He wanted to scream at her until she cried, but he didn't say anything. If he opened his mouth, it wouldn't be a scream but a cry, because that was the truth: he wanted loving parents too.
The young Desmond glared at his classmate, thinking, "Why do you always have to say things that make me feel bad?"
-How dare you? ... You-. Damian hissed, trying to hold back the small tears that were welling up in his eyes.
Anya tilted her head and then smiled. That made Damian's anger flare at all her mockery, but before he could do anything else, she spoke.
-I have the perfect solution! Sy-on Boy, I can lend you my parents!- Anya exclaimed excitedly.
-What?- Damian's anger evaporated, turning into complete confusion.
-You can be part of the Forger family. If you like my parents so much, I can lend them to you for a few days. You'll live in my house, sleep on the couch, and play with my dog, Bond. By the way, don't eat anything Mama cooks, or you'll die.
-Are you crazy? Are you stupid, or what?- Damian continued to process what he just heard.
-But it's a good idea. You can go to my house with my parents, and I can go to your house with your family so they don't feel alone while you're gone.- "And help Dad's mission," Anya thought.
-That's not possible, and besides, you obviously don't understand the importance of the Desmond name, which I wouldn't trade for a family of commoners!
-Are last names that important?- Anya is confused.
-Yes, they are, they represent prestige and legacy.
He knew that families couldn't be exchanged or chosen; everyone was born into the family they belonged to, that's all.
-But wouldn't you like to have another last name for a few days? Think about it. You wouldn't want to be Damian Forger, it sounds great, and I wouldn't mind being Anya Desmond for a while.- Anya was trying her best to convince him.
The boy felt his heartbeat faster when he heard the combination of their names and remembered that the only way to be part of another family was when someone got married... but that would never happen between them, definitely not.
Damian's face turned red, and he shook his head to clear the thought.
"You could never be part of my family. You don't have what it takes. Besides, why do you want us to change families so much? Don't you love yours?"
That's what infuriated him the most: thinking that Anya had such wonderful parents and she didn't appreciate them.
-It's not like that. I love them very much. Without them, I'd be lonely and bored.
-Well, I'm not lonely or bored, so I don't want to be part of your stupid little family.
Now Anya is angry; no one spoke ill of her family.
-Well, I don't want your stupid last name.
-Take it back.
-No.
-That's enough.
The two children turned around and saw Becky.
-Anya, go to the classroom before it gets late.
The girl left without saying anything and without looking at Damian; she was already tired of talking to him.
-And you, Desmond? What was all that about?
-What was what? Were you spying on us?
-I wasn't spying, I was just watching because Anya is my best friend and I have to take care of her. Besides, you two are more entertaining than soap operas, but seriously, you're an idiot, she offered you to be part of her family in a clear attempt to give you her love, and you just rejected her. How cruel you are.
-Please, she wasn't serious. Who offers their family to someone else?- Damian said, embarrassed by those statements.
-Anya would do it because, to her, her family is the most precious thing she has, and because you matter to her, I've heard her say, 'Sy-on Boy is important,' although I honestly don't understand why after how badly you always treat her.
Damian blushed even more intensely.
-You would be very lucky to be part of the Forger family, and if you ever want to achieve that, you'd better apologize to Anya.
The girl left, leaving Damian alone in the hallway. All he could think about was what it would be like to be part of a family that felt real.
At the end of the day, Damian watched Anya head toward the bus stop to go home, and then he approached her.
Damian's pride prevented him from bowing his head, but with the most solemn expression on his face, he began to speak.
-I'm sorry for what I said before... your family is nice and... also amazing in so many ways. You're so lucky to have them as parents.
Knowing he was sincere, Anya nodded, accepting his apology.
-We can still swap parents for a weekend if you want someday. - Anya was very persistent.
Not wanting to argue again, Damian just sighed and turned to walk back to the school. Anya continued her way.
After walking a few steps Damian turned to see Anya leaving on the bus, while he thought about what she had said, he thinks that her family was something special, but in the end he could never be part of the Forgers, he would never be impressive enough to belong with them, but still he thought "Maybe, one day, a family like them."