Chapter Text
7:09am , Phalanx base .They both awkwardly sat down , Damian on the floor , and Bev on his bed .
“ So .. - “
Damian started .
“ - haha , I'm so glad we could hang out together !! your .. your .. room is pretty !! “
His speech was slower , he was seemingly trying to take more time thinking about what he's saying , rather than just speaking . They'd both been here for a little while , Damian had begged for hang out days in the past , but that was more when his head was far gone and Bev was still both mentally and physically recovering from space .
Bev replied with a short nod and a low voice .
“ Yeah , it's nice of them . “
He didn't know how to feel about the fidgety man below him . He was still .. him . But , he'd changed , he'd done some bad things to people . Things that he couldn't really help , he was brainwashed after all , sympathy was important ; yet , he wasn't really .. Damian . He looked like him , he spoke like him , but his true love , his true baby , was lost a while back . This whole rehabilitation program had helped him , helped them both really , but he was still somewhat lost .
“ Bevvy , I-I mean Bev !! Bev . Ray , Ray said you'd like Bev more . “
“ Either is fine . Don't overthink it . “
“ Are .. are you mad at me ? “
His eyes sunk into Bev's head .
Was he mad with him ?
There were lots of things that he wanted to say . So , yes , he was a little mad .
Why are you overthinking it all ?
Why were you so attached to Guy , were you just scared ?
Why did you leave me .
“ No . Why would I be mad . “
“ Well .. well I don't know .. ?? I-I just .. just felt like I'm being clingy to you and .. and - when we worked together .. I .. - “
He laughed a little , it was just the nerves getting to him . He fidgeted with his thumbs .
“ - I didn't tell you that I was leaving .. and , I've seen how I acted then and I'm just sorry . “
“ It wasn't your fault , Damian . You didn't know any better . “
“ I'm sorry you'll never truly have me back . “
They both just .. stared at each other . They knew it was true . He'd never be the same , no amount of help would change that . They'd both have to come to terms with that . They both were trying .
His laughter got louder , until it was clearly unwanted . There were tears dripping down his face while he snickered and rocked back and forth on the cold concrete .
“ Oh .. oh shoot - “
Bev grabbed his arms , trying to stop him from worrying and further escalating the situation .
“ - you're alright , don't panic ?? There's nothing to worry about . “
He just kind of .. stroked his arm , trying to provide some comfort ; it clearly worked , as his chuckles died down , he lay in Bev's arms .
“ I .. I'm sorry about .. about that - “
Attempting to catch his breath , he spoke .
“ - just uh .. the drugs are still in there .. !! ha .. ha !! “
He pointed to his head , indicating his brain .
“ Yeah .. “
“ I-I'm sorry , am I boring you ? and I am being annoying ? “
“ No , no , you're alright , man . “
“ I've just been more uh .. conscious !! that's the word .. , since I started thinking more .. kind of , normally . I mean , I-I am feeling a little .. empty at times !! But , it's better than the sanctuary !! Ha !! “
“ Don't we all .. “
Bev sighed , he was still getting used to everything , space was so perfect . And now .. it's .. eugh . The Phalanx rehabilitation unit wasn't bad ; Ray was great , and so was Arthur , but it was still dirty and loud and , overall , rather overwhelming .
“ Uh , yes !! Hah !! I think .. !! “
“ Yep .. - “
Welp , it's a tad awkward .
Bev sighed , you know what .. yes , he was angry . He stood up .
“ - Damian , I want you to leave . I don't want you here any longer . “
“ Oh !! Oh , why ?? Have I .. did I .. do something ? “
“ No , but I want to be alone . I still don't know what to think of you . “
It fell silent .
“ Oh .. , ha , n-no I get it !! I-I understand , Ray said you .. you might've been like this !! “
His voice was breaking , he sounded on the verge of tears .
Bev sighed .
“ Please don't cry , it isn't anything personal . You're just different , I need to adjust . I need to adjust to all of this , not just you . “
“ Mhm - !! “
Of course he was crying , who wouldn't ? Being told to leave by a man you'd pleaded to see for days .
“ - I-I'll see myself out !! Mhm !! Mhm .. - !! “
He gripped the door handle , feeling a lot of emotions at once . The sadness from being left alone again , the frustration from Bev not seeing his desperation and the whatever was left from the sanctuary .
Despite Damian's assumptions , Bev saw all of this .
He spun on his heel .
“ - Y-You know what , Beverly .. , I-I am trying so .. so hard for you to like me again . So .. SO hard . all I want is for us .. us to be normal again !! hey , even .. even best friends .. !! If t-that’s what we were .. ? We were , right ? I was your .. your best friend !! Ray had to tell me .. , I-I couldn't remember us .. , but I want to make new memories !! And , Bev , I can't .. I'm sorry for walking out on you .. , but I was depressed . I was .. I was falling apart . I've read my old .. OLD diary . Please don't be mad at me , I was trying .. “
He shut the door behind him , Bev could hear wailing and stomping through the halls . The noise died down , as Damian got further .. and further .. away .