Chapter Text
“Becky knows about us doesn’t she?” Damian asked, pulling Anya closer to him.
“I told her that we confessed. Not that we’re together. But she probably knows. She won’t tell anyone though.” Anya replied, placing her head on his arm, nose into his shoulder.
They were spending the last day of the winter break at Anya’s apartment, relaxing together. The couple were in her bed, having decided to watch a film on his phone and stay cozy.
“I don’t mind if she knows. Or tells anyone for that matter. I was just wondering how she’d react when we tell Ewen and Emile.” he laughed. He could only imagine their faces. They had known about Damian’s crush on Anya for years, and had easily noticed how close the two had gotten. But no one ever expected Damian to actually do anything about it.
“She’ll scream. And threaten you. And I know the boys will react in shock no matter how we tell them. I think everyone would react in shock. I don’t think anyone ever expected us to get together. I definitely remember hearing someone think that we would pine for each other forever.” Anya replied, a small smile on her face.
Anya’s parents were out - another joint mission. They had the apartment to themselves but they had confined themselves to the small bedroom, Bond lying at their feet. It was comforting. Something they would miss when they were back into the flow of eleventh year.
“Should we just not tell them? Make them figure it out themselves?” Damian pondered, a sneaky smile on his face.
Anya turned her head to look at him, questioning him. “What do you mean make them figure it out? You don’t want to just tell them at lunch on Monday?”
“It would be more fun to wait. To see what they notice has changed. Because you’ve always been touchy and chatty with me. So that hasn’t changed. I want to see what they pick up on.” Damian shrugged.
It did sound like a fun idea. And it would help them find out what they had to avoid to not raise suspicion with her parents. She knew that her mama and papa thought something was going on, but they didn’t know that they were together. And for Damian’s sake, she didn’t want them to know. He wouldn’t be allowed over as much, no more staying over, probably some threats over her safety too.
“Sure, let’s do it. I don’t mind waiting. It lets us live in this bubble longer anyway.” Anya sighed happily. This was the first day since they got together that they had spent time in person. Damian had been stuck at home for the break, with his parents and brother. Even their nightly calls had reduced because of his time there.
“What time are your parents supposed to get back?” Damian asked, placing a kiss on her forehead. She was so cute, he couldn’t not kiss her.
“In an hour or so. We should move to the living room in maybe half an hour, just in case they come home early. But we can cuddle there. I know that they don’t bat an eye at it anymore. But if they saw you in my bed, they’d probably freak out. I’d definitely be grounded again.” She laughed, but her voice was serious.
She had heard her father talking to her mother about setting new rules with Damian coming over more often. He just wanted to protect her. Yor had been hesitant but had ultimately agreed, saying they should discuss it when she was about to go back to school for the next semester.
“Oh yeah, I’d hate it if you got grounded again. We wouldn’t be able to go on any dates. And I know for a fact that Pops would be driving you to and from school to make sure you weren’t breaking the grounding.” Damian giggled as he leant into her soft hair.
He loved that he could finally do this with Anya, without worrying about making her uncomfortable. He could finally show her his love in a way that he tended to keep to himself. Even though they hugged and even napped together, he rarely instigated it. Only when Anya needed comfort. And even then, he hesitated.
It was new territory, openly expressing his affection. But Anya had no complaints. She understood that he wasn’t used to it, opposed to touch or affection from most people. Seeing him relax so easily, letting his hand run through her hair or being the one to tuck into her, it was nice.
“You’re still up for the date after school on Friday, right?” Anya asked, running one of her fingers over Damian’s clothed chest. She felt as he nodded, his head rubbing over hers. She let out a soft giggle when he placed a small kiss on the tip of her nose.
She had planned the date over the break. She had gotten them tickets to the Berlint Art Museum contemporary art exhibition unveiling. Two of only twenty five tickets. She had thanked her uncle Franky for weeks when he gave them to her. He hadn’t asked why she wanted them and hadn’t told Loid - saying it could be an extra christmas gift for her.
She felt giddy at the fact that she could do something. Usually she felt useless, unable to do as for Damian as he did for her. But she had managed to find something she knew he would love. He loved all kinds of art, but contemporary art was his favourite. The colours mesmerised him.
“Of course. Are you going to let anything slip yet? I know you’re good with secrets but you rarely manage to keep any from me.” Damian murmured, feeling himself get drowsy. They hadn’t even done anything that day, but he was so comfortable lying with Anya he could sleep right then and there.
“No, I’m not going to tell you. I’ll tell you the dress code and the address on Friday though. I’m glad that I’m the esper and not you.” she joked. She felt as Damian laughed along lightly, his breathing getting softer as if he were about to sleep.
Anya decided that there was no harm if he napped for a while. They still had time before her parents were due home, and she would wake him up in time. She wasn’t tired, just cold. And Damian’s warmth was enough.
When it etched closer to Loid and Yor’s arrival, Anya slinked out of Damian’s hold without disturbing him. He looked so peaceful, lying in her bed surrounded by the plushes she had collected over the years. It felt almost cruel to wake him up.
She stood over him, brushing his face lightly with her hand. “Damian, we’ve gotta get up and move. Mama and papa will be home soon.” Her voice was soft, like a marshmallow. Her hands were warm, welcomed.
Anya blushed as she heard his thoughts. It seemed he had less control over what he was thinking while he was still waking up. She opted to shake him by his shoulder, her gentleness not having worked.
“Hasi, we really do need to move. Go to the couch and you can fall back asleep. I’ll get us a blanket.” Anya said a little louder. Damian cracked open his eyes. His mind was racing. She had used a new nickname. She had only ever called him ‘Sy-on boy’ or his name. And she was also trying to get him to move. But he was so comfortable. Wait. When did she even get out of bed?
“Damian, just go to the couch and lie down. I’ll be there in a second.” Anya pulled him up. When he finally stumbled out of the room to the couch, she smiled. She made her bed, trying to get it as it had been that morning. She pulled a blanket from her closet and dragged it over to where Damian was waiting for her.
She turned the tv on, keeping it at a low volume. It was the evening news, but neither of them were interested. Anya threw the blanket over her boyfriend and let him lean into her, making him place his head on her shoulder, running her hand through his hair.
They sat like that until her parents came home, jolting Damian awake when they heard the keys enter the lock. He felt dazed, still tired. He saw Anya hide a laugh from him behind her hand, his messy hair from her thumbing through it.
“What are you laughing at, shrimp?” Damian asked, rubbing the remnants of sleep from his eyes. She didn’t answer, refusing to look him in his eyes. She jumped up from her seat, to greet her parents.
“Hello mama, papa. Damian’s here. He just woke up from a nap though so don’t be too harsh,” Anya giggled when the boy walked over and lightly whacked the back of her head.
“Hi Mr and Mrs Forger. How was work?” Damian asked, standing behind Anya. He was exhausted. He was wishing it away, trying to force himself awake. Loid’s light laughter was what broke him out of the daze.
“Damian, you can call us Loid and Yor. We tell you this every time. Did you sleep well? Have you been sleeping enough while at home? I don’t think you’ve ever fallen asleep here unless you were staying over or sick.” Loid asked, scanning over the pair.
“Sorry,” he rubbed the back of his neck, “I have been sleeping well at home. I’ve been pretty busy though, so being able to relax here must have sent my brain into total exhaustion.”
Being at home for the holiday meant having to support Demetrius and his father in some tasks. And now he was of a suitable age, he had been working as an intern for the political team. He rarely had time for himself, let alone for Anya. He felt immensely guilty for having to miss some of her calls.
“I can understand that. I used to be the same, when Anya was younger. You can stay over for tonight if you’d like? I wouldn’t want you to be travelling anywhere when you’re this tired.” Loid suggested, eyebrow raising when Anya immediately turned her back to him to look at Damian.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m due to get back to the dorms tonight. We’re all due back so we can settle tomorrow and be ready for Monday. Thank you though.” Damian said with a smile.
He looked down at Anya who was frowning. “Anya stop giving me that look,” he snorted. She was pouting, which was cute but not a response he needed.
Anya sighed and turned back to her parents with an innocent smile. Yor was looking at her lovingly while Loid was questioning her silently. “Did you two have a good day though?” Yor asked, pushing them all to the sitting area.
“We did mama! We watched a film, we spoke about an upcoming imperial scholar ball, and while Damian napped I managed to tidy my room a bit. How was work?” Anya replied sitting next to Damian, forcing herself to hold back from gripping onto his hand. She was working hard to not make her parents suspicious of them.
Yor made up a story about her day at City Hall, talking about Loid joining her for the walk home. Damian didn’t take note of how her story had some holes. His mind was instead full of wanting to reach out and interlace his hand with Anya’s or to snake his arm around her waist.
It was a simple night in, with the four people deciding to order pizza instead of cooking and watching a film that was being shown on the tv. It was nice. It really did feel more like home than the entire time he had spent with his brother and parents.
Anya
mama and papa said that they were worried about you
that you need to stop working so hard
but they were happy to see you
do you want to get coffee on monday morning?
Damian
Your parents are always so nice to me.
They don’t need to worry though. I have it under control.
And yes, let’s get coffee.
I’ll finish unpacking the stuff Jeeves dropped off and I’ll call you.
Anya
sounds good
Anya and Damian walked into the grounds of Eden College on the Monday morning acting as if nothing had changed. They were still bantering normally, Anya shoving him after a particularly crude joke.
They didn’t hug when they entered the classroom. They were too distracted.
“Do you want the rest of my coffee? I don’t want to waste it but I won’t finish it. If not, I’ll offer it to Becky.” Anya asked, holding out a half full coffee cup. Damian had ordered her a large when she really only wanted a small.
He shrugged and took it from her. “Thanks, Anya. See you at lunch?”
She nodded in response before walking to her seat where Becky was observing them. With the way she was staring, Anya was unsurprised at how busy her mind sounded.
“Morning Becky. Are you okay?” she tried to grab Becky’s attention from her boyfriend walking up the stairs to his seat. She had to admit that she also let her stare linger somewhat too long. She appreciated him, sue her.
“You’re wearing a new lip gloss. Why?” was all that Becky said when she finally looked back at Anya.
It was because he had bought it for her - a flavour that he preferred to strawberries. And what kind of girlfriend would she be if she didn’t wear the gift he bought her, even if for selfish reasons.
“I wanted a change. It’s orange flavoured!” Anya smiled, rifling through her bag to find the tube.
“You gave him your coffee. And he didn’t flinch at the lip gloss you left over the lid. And he didn’t react to the fact that it’s an indirect kiss. I know he would have at least blushed before the holiday.” Becky said, as if she were presenting research.
“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say, Becky.” Anya laughed, begging that her blush wouldn’t give her away. Unfortunately for her, the girl next to her just stared at her. And squealed. Which brought the entire room’s attention to them.
Anya could hear Damian laughing in his mind, knowingly. Becky had figured out, and this was exactly the way Anya had predicted she’d react. It took Anya everything to not look back and throw a killer look to her boyfriend.
“You kissed him!” Becky said loudly, forgetting where they were. Everyone had been staring at them already, but the room went silent when Becky said it.
“Becky! Shut up!” Anya whispered harshly, collapsing her head into her hands. “God, I knew you’d figure it out but do you have to tell everyone?”
She yelled at their classmates to get lost, staring down the ones that refused to stop looking at them. When the room had gone back to normal conversation, she looked back at Anya expecting answers.
“Yes. We kissed. Can we discuss this later? When there aren’t so many people looking and listening?” Anya begged, sighing in relief when Becky agreed to do so. They decided to talk about it at lunch, when the group was going to meet in the gardens.
At the back of the room, Damian was watching Anya and Becky intently. With the class back to normal chatter, he felt as if he could breathe somewhat easier. That was until Emile jammed his elbow between his ribs.
“Bossman, you’re staring. Jealousy, right? That you weren’t the one to kiss Forger?” he asked, laughing at Damian’s blush.
“Yeah, Damian. It must suck to know that the person you’ve loved for years kissed someone else.” Ewen joined in teasing his friend.
“I’m not jealous, guys.” he shrugged, finishing the coffee he had shared with the girl. His friends raised an eyebrow at him, urging him to continue. “Why would I be jealous when I actually was the one to kiss her.”
Emile just let out a laugh and rolled his eyes. “As if you’d kiss Forger. You’re such a liar bossman.”
“Wait Emile. Look at the coffee cup. It has Anya’s name on it. If he’s casual about indirectly kissing her, maybe he really did kiss her?” Ewen said, eyes flicking between the cup, Damian and Anya.
“He would have told us, Ewen. Everyone knows that if he kissed the shrimp, he would have freaked out and told everyone he has ever met. He’s too obsessed with her.” Emile was in denial. His best friend would have surely told them about such a big development.
The conversation was cut short when Mr Henderson walked in. Ewen and Emile shared a look, promising to talk about it later. When the lunch break arrived, the group met in the imperial scholar gardens as they had many times before. Becky and Anya arrived first, Anya begging the other to stop squealing so loud.
“Becky, it genuinely isn’t a big deal!” Anya was groaning, holding her head in her hands.
Damian walked over and patted the top of Anya’s head, as if for comfort. “You forget that it’s a big deal to her. She’s been waiting for it since you guys met, you know this.”
Emile and Ewen shared a look. They had no idea what Damian was talking about.
“Anya! He’s right. It is a big deal! Your first kiss! And now you’re telling me that you've planned a date where-” Becky was swiftly cut off by Anya’s hand slapped against her mouth.
“No! Anya! Let her continue.” Damian complained, unceremoniously flopping onto the floor next to her. The other two boys followed suit, sitting behind him. They were confused, left out of the conversation. But they were also humoured by seeing how eager Damian was to hear more, even though they didn’t understand why he wasn’t quite so jealous.
Anya shot daggers at Damian. “I have not done this much work for it to not be a surprise. No.” She then turned to her friend, “If you tell anyone, I will be so upset.”
Becky nodded. She could tell Anya was serious. And she could understand. From what she knew, it sounded like planning it had been exhausting and trying to make everything perfect was harder.
Damian poked Anya’s side and when she looked at him, he pouted. Anya rolled her eyes and went back to talking to Becky about one of their classes. Damian turned to his friends, questioning their puzzled looks.
“Why are you so interested in Forger’s date? Jealous, bossman?” Emile asked.
Damian scoffed. “Did you really not believe me about the kiss?” Both of the boys laughed and shook their heads.
Why would they believe him when they knew he would have chatted their ears off if it was true? Damian had always been awful at hiding his thoughts and feelings for Anya Forger, ever since their first day at Eden Academy so they didn’t think he would start now.
Damian tugged on Anya’s uniform, distracting her from her conversation. When she turned around to face him, he tilted her head and placed a delicate kiss on her lips. When he pulled away, she rolled her eyes again and barely contained a giggle when she looked at the boys.
Becky was for once, silent. Ewen and Emile were staring, jaws dropped. Their eyes were flitting between the couple, disbelieving.
“I thought you wanted for them to figure it out themselves?” Anya asked.
“I did. But they’re not the brightest bulbs. So I gave up.” Damian shrugged. Becky snorted and it broke the boys out of their trance.
“So… you’re together now? When did that happen?” Ewen asked.
“The day before the break. So only a few weeks. Years in the making though, huh Anya?” Damian replied with a smirk, earning a whack on the arm.
The boys just hammered through multiple questions, begging to know why their best friend hadn’t told them and pestering Becky for the details that he refused to give. It wasn’t exactly how Anya and Damian had expected it to go, but the fact that the dynamic within the group hadn’t changed was the best.