Chapter Text
Damian slammed the door closed. Afternoon rays filtered through the tinted window, and the scent of vanilla and coffee filled in the car as Nate took a long sip from his cup.
Damian started the engine and leaned back in the driver's seat, his hands behind his head. They had just finished investigating the case of Mr. Andrew.
Damian yawned as he shifted comfortably in his seat, gazing at Nate's profile. "I swear, that old man's making us grind till our brains turn to mush."
Nate smiled softly, "I'm sure ours already are."
"I can tell."
Nate, sitting in the car behind the truck, peered at the cat resting underneath it. The cat seemed adorably tranquil in its slumber. Its ears twitched every now and then.
For a moment, everything felt… quiet. Normal.
“I think I'm in love with you, Nate."
Nate turned his head to Damian, his eyes widened but his expression remained unreadable.
Damian froze—he felt his heart beating against his ribs, as if his heart wanted to run away from Nate's gaze.
The space in the car suddenly felt smaller as the atmosphere shifted abruptly.
Damian cleared his throat loudly, "Sorry, I-"
Nate let out a short breath that almost sounded like a laugh. "Wow, Damian. You almost got me there!" He furrowed his brows slightly, letting out a shaky and nervous laugh
It’s supposed to be a joke
It almost is.
But it fell apart halfway through.
Nate ran his fingers through his hair and looked away, avoiding Damian’s eyes.
"You don't have to say anything, Nate."
Nate paused. He glanced quickly at the dashboard, as if the answer was written there before looking back at Damian.
"...That's the problem." Nate muttered.
Damian's breath hitched, his cheeks reddened faintly.
"That's the problem, Damian." He repeated, softer than before—like it slipped out before he even caught it.
Damian's hands from behind his head found the steering wheel as his eyes flickered away from Nate to the road. "Anyway—Kwan's Diner?"
"...Yeah. Okay." Nate said before taking another sip.