Chapter Text
“Ta da!” Grayson exclaimed, throwing his arms out and posing ridiculously.
Damian crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. “Ta . . . da?”
Grayson deflated slightly, but his grin didn’t falter. “Yes! Here, in the glorious Dollar Tree, is where all your school supplies dreams will come true!” He grabbed Damian’s arm and tugged him deeper into the quiet store.
It smelled like old plastic and mold, and the lights buzzed irritably. Most of the other occupants of the store browsed the card aisle, or the refrigerated section. The cashier looked dead inside.
“I do not understand, Grayson,” Damian scoffed, “why we must shop here of all places.” There were other perfectly respectable establishments. Brown had been rambling about ‘Target’ at brunch and Todd complained about his local ‘Walmart’ all the time.
Grayson did not let go of Damian’s arm and continued to guide him to the stationary aisle. “It’s the experience, Dami. Now!” He stopped abruptly. “Go wild!”
Damian glanced at the numerous colours, patterns, and shapes. He looked back at Grayson, whose enthusiastic aura had not faded since they had pulled into the parking lot. He sighed, defeated.
“Fine.”
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Somehow, it took an hour to fill the cheap metal shopping cart. Grayson grabbed everything Damian so much as looked at funny. The cart soon filled with binders, notebooks, and every type of writing utensil one can imagine.
As Damian and Grayson loaded their haul into the car, Damian felt a surge of warmth in his chest. Grayson had taken time out of his weekend to be with Damian. He could have hung out with the Titans or stayed home and rested, but he had chosen Damian.
Damian stared at his feet. Grayson shut the trunk and turned towards Damian. “Grayson,” Damian began, “to repay you for your kindness today, um, may I give you a hug?”
He squeezed his eyes shut, readying himself for rejection. It was too much of a price to pay. Damian did not have anything of value besides himself, and he knew his own value.
Warm arms wrapped around him, pulling him against a hard chest. Damian froze for only a moment before melting into the embrace, raising his own arms.
“You never have to repay me for anything, okay?” Grayson murmured. “I love you.”
Damian blinked away the tears stinging at his own eyes. “Thank you, Richard.”