Chapter Text
The water from the faucet had been running for about two minutes already, just wasting down the drain, while Damian tried to get his emotions together.
The mirror showed a young teenage boy that had obviously spent too many nights without proper eating or sleep. His cheeks were sunken and he wished the eyebags under his eyes were just the product of studying too hard. But in reality, the decay of his usually handsome face was the product of two excruciating weeks spent at the Desmond manor with all his family together.
It was a very rare occasion for Melinda, Donovan, Demetrius and Damian Desmond to be staying at the manor all at the same time. But just before Christmas vacation, a famous magazine published a report on how supposedly the Donovan clan hated one another and Damian's mother hadn't been in the same room as his father in the last three years. That could have really ruined the image of the perfect family Donovan Desmond needed for his political career, so in a surprising turn of events, Damian was asked to cancel his trip to Emile's lake house and go visit the family for the holidays.
If this had happened when he was still an elementary student, he would have been ecstatic at the thought of spending time with the father and brother he adored and admired so much. Just learning from them, maybe even receiving a compliment from his father. And the thought of his mother tucking him into bed or making his favorite desserts, like any mother who hadn't seen his son in months would do.
That bubble had burst some years ago though. It had taken some time, but slowly the childish glaze that covered Damian's interpretation of his family had faded away.
It became obvious how much his mother despised his father, and resented both of her sons. How little his father cared about all of this or any of them, and how much this had taken a toll on his older brother, who seemed like an empty cocoon who only did what was expected of him.
He was glad he could escape to the stables or the pool most of the day, but when dinner came, it was mandatory for every Desmond to be sat at the table and spend “quality family time”.
Tonight he had excused himself, claiming to have a stomachache. If he had spent another second between the death glares and the dead empty eyes of his family, he would have gone insane. Now, more than ever, he missed his life at Eden.
He missed the constant support of his two friends, he missed the watchful eye of Master Henderson, like a stern but caring grandfather, he even missed bickering with Becky Blackbell, who despite everything, always had his back and was the only girl who wasn't sucking up to him just of who his dad was.
Well, her and Anya Forger.
But he had promised himself not to think about her during these two weeks, or else the wait would be ten times worse. She was the one he missed the most. Her incomprehensibly positive attitude, followed by bursts of dramatic pessimism, with drops to the floor included. Her easy laugh and sparkling eyes. And of course, the ease with which she always read him, like his mind was an open book to her.
He would give half his Stellas to see her during this holiday vacation.
Suddenly, an idea came to his mind. Not only would that mean he could see Anya, it could also mean the mood in the manor could significantly improve if he got away with it.
He closed the faucet, went back to dinner and ate with a hunger he hadn't had in days. After everyone had finished, he waited for his opportunity.
Later that night, he found his mother sitting at the library, reading an old book of hers, one she had probably read ten times already.
“Umm, mom…”
“Hi sweety, is everything ok?”
He had chosen his time correctly, she was in a good mood right now. Her eyes didn't seem to say if it weren't for you, I would be anywhere else but here .
“Mom, I was wondering. The manor feels a little big and empty don't you think?” He waited a second for her to reply, but since she just nodded, he kept going, “So, I was thinking, maybe we could invite the Forger family to spend a few days with us? I know you really like Mrs. Forger, and Anya is a friend of mine, I mean I would invite Ewen or Emile, but I know they're at the lake, but the Forgers are poor so they're probably at their home, and I could show them the horses or you could play volleyball with Mrs. Forger and I guess Mr. Forger is alright too… would that be… ok?”
He had spoken all that in less than a minute, just saying word after word, praying she would stop him at some point to give him permission, but the silence that followed was so awkward, Damian was now sure she would say no.
“Or maybe it was just a dumb idea, sorry I interrupted you mother.” He turned around, ready to face another week of boredom and solitude, but then his mother spoke.
“Actually sweetie, I think that's a wonderful idea! This house needs some fresh energy. And you're right, I think Yor said they didn't have any plans this year. I will call her tomorrow and ask her if they wish to come.”
There was some mischief in her smile, but Damian didn't have the time to even consider what it meant. He just rushed towards her and hugged her.
“Thanks, mom”. He said to her chest.
Many kilometers away from the Desmond Manor, the Forger house received a call.
“Loid, Anya, that was Melinda Desmond on the phone just now.”
“Is everything ok?” Loid asked casually, but Anya could see all his spy gears turning around inside his mind.
“Yes! She just invited us to spend the rest of the holidays at the family manor. Apparently her two sons and husband are also there. That means you can reunite with your friend, Anya! She said that…”
Anya couldn't even hear the rest of what her mom was saying. The screams of euphoria inside her father's head were just too loud to ignore.