Chapter Text
"Please tell me you have an umbrella."
Maps shivered at the thought of getting wet. Being an adventurous person, one would think Maps would love the rain. Nope. Not at all. Maps hated it. It's loud, muddy, and wet. Damian sighed.
"Yeah, I do. But I've only got one," he admitted. Maps felt her cheeks starting to get hot. She buried her face in her sweater hoping Damian wouldn't notice.
"We'll share," she mumbled.
"No."
Maps stared at him. "What do you mean 'no'?"
"I mean no. You want me to say it in arabic? Raqm."
Maps gave him a puzzled look. She's almost sure he's crazy at this point. Crazy kid that gave her a batarang.
"We'll wait for my butler and-"
Maps sneezed. She couldn't get any more pink than she already is. God, why does it have to be so hard.
"Bless you."
Maps took a deep breath. "Thanks for accompanying me by the way."
"Sorry?"
"I am pretty sure you're a busy kid. Kid of money. Equals. Busy," she explained sheepishly. "Yet, you still took time out of your day to accompany me to buy the new Legend of Zelda game."
"Yeah," he mumbled. "I mean it was no problem. I don't mind."
Maps smiled. Maybe that was this kid's way of saying he liked hanging out. He didn't say it specifically but she can believe what she wants.
Maps looked up at him. His green eyes reflected the rain like emeralds. His slightly wet hair made it tame and not as spiky as usual. She's gotta admit he doesn't look half bad. Maybe even…
"You look pretty in the rain." Maps blurted.
"What?"
What?
Damian was now staring at her. She stared back. Oh now, she’s done it.
She watched Damian's cheek gain a tint of pink. She must admit, he looked cute.
"I um... I thank you for the compliment." He attempted to thank her. Though with his tone it sounded more like a question than a reply. He cleared his throat and looked away.
A car's beep suddenly intervened. Right on time.
Maps was about to make a run for it until Damian suddenly placed his jacket on top of her so she wouldn't get wet. The sudden gesture surprised her, to say the least.
He held a grip on her shoulders and whispered, "Let's go."
They both ran to the car, Damian still holding her, making sure she didn't get even a droplet of water.
Damian opened the car's door and when they'd both sat inside, he slammed it shut. Maps shuddered in surprise.
"Let's go pennyworth."
"Feeling hasty today, aren't we master Damian?"
Damian grunts in reply. Maps believed he attempted to be cool about it. He's failing very badly. It doesn't take a Batman level detective skills to deduce that Damian is feeling shy. Maps actually find it quite endearing.
When they arrive at Gotham Academy, Damian offers to escort her back to her room. Though it was less of an offer and more of an ‘I will’. Maps tried refusing but you’d know better than to argue with Damian freaking Wayne next time.
Walking up the steps to her dorm, their wet shoes echoed through the building. Everyone must still be out today. Or if they weren’t they were probably fast asleep. Students really appreciate the holidays as much as they can. If you didn’t have eyebags at the end of every month, either you’re a delinquent who sleeps or skips class, or you’re god. Maps would be asleep as well if it weren’t for the new video game releasing.
They’d reached her dorm room without talking much. Damian just followed behind her as their steps started to sync up, until Maps’ stopped.
“We’re uh… here.”
Damian nods. “Listen, Maps, before I leave I need to tell you something.”
That’s new. “Okay? What is it?”
“I uh…” Damian stops and thinks. Maps started to form a smile. Damian is at a loss for words. Now that’s astounding.
Damian inhales as if he’s preparing for something. Maps stepped closer, confused. Is this guy getting an aneurysm or what? When Maps looked up at him, he quickly gave maps a quick peck on the cheek. “You’re pretty too,” he whispered.
He smiled, and ran down. Her heart was either not beating anymore meaning she’s becoming a zombie or it’s beating so fast for excitement? Confusion? Love, even? Well whatever it was beating so fast for, she’s starting to lean into the zombie idea.