Chapter Text
Drip. Drip. Drip.
“Do you have any history with STDs? Any diseases we should know about? Anything contagious?”
“Unkie!”
“If he’s going to be around you we might as well be careful.”
Damian knew spitting the tea out in front of her family would not make a good impression. But god, it was so hard to swallow after a question like that.
24 hours ago…
Drip. Drip. Drip.
The kitchen tap had been dripping all day. And the sound only amplified the tension in the air.
Sitting at the table in the Forger apartment were – Loid and Yor Forger on one side. Their only relatives, Yuri and Chloe Briar. And at the end sitting was their daughter, Anya Forger—who was the reason today’s impromptu family meeting was called.
“NO!” Yuri slammed his hands on the wooden surface so hard the teacups rattled. “I don’t accept this. She is still so young. Lottie!” He raised a finger at his (now accepted) brother-in-law, “That’s your daughter. How could you let this happen?”
It hadn’t even been two whole hours since his sister had told him the news. and Yuri had sprinted across Berlint as if a missile strike was imminent. Chloe had been forced to hurry after him, if only to ensure her husband didn't commit a felony before dessert.
Chloe placed a hand over his, “Calm down. Anya is 16. She’s old enough to date.”
“No she isn’t.”
Yuri started grinding his teeth against each other.
I wasn’t around for Yor and she ended up marrying Loi-Loi behind my back. I’ll be damned if I let the same thing happen to Chihuahua.
Yor attempted to calm her brother down, “Yuri, there’s really no need to yell. And besides, we know Damian, he’s a good kid. Right Loid?”
Internally, Thorn princess schemed, And if anything ever happens then I'll tear his limbs off myself.
Loid Forger hadn’t said a single word the whole time. His mind was playing the interaction he had today over and over.
“Tail the Desmonds?” Sylvia’s usually sharp voice had a hint of bewilderment. “Operation Strix is over Agent Twilight. The Desmonds are not a threat anymore.”
“I have reasons to suspect that the Desmonds might be running covert operations underground.”
“Covert operations?”
“Yes.”
“Underground?”
“Precisely.” he continued, “They might be trying to infiltrate our bases through… unconventional means.”
“Unconventional means, huh?” Sylvia had pinched the bridge of her nose beneath the brim of her wide hat. “Twilight, if you’re going to make up excuses, at least live up to your name. WISE is not going to track and a wiretap a teenage boy just because he asked your daughter out.”
And this was one of the moments the man of many faces was at a loss for words.
Sensing his silence, Handler had pressed her advantage.–“I know everything Agent Twilight. And even if we do appoint someone to keep an eye on Desmond, are you going to fund it out of your pocket? WISE doesn’t have budget for you to snoop on your daughter.”
Tch. It’s not snooping. He thought. It’s called responsible parenting.
“Loid?” his wife’s voice snapped him back to reality.
“Ah, yes?”
“Won’t you say anything in the matter?”
“What would he say?” Yuri yelled from the other side, “That he’s fine with everything?”
Loid Forger was thinking of a diplomatic stance to take. Twilight was trying to be rational (if you can call that rational), when Yuri started again, this time glaring at Anya.
“Chihuahua!” Anya flinched.
"Be honest with me," Yuri narrowed his eyes into slits, glaring into her soul. "Is that brat blackmailing you?"
Anya felt the weight of everyone’s gaze on her. It was suffocating. “N-No.” she answered.
“Why did you stutter?” Yuri narrowed his vision, his blood-red eyes staring straight into her soul.
“No.” she said again, firmer this time.
“Did he manipulate you?”
“No–”
“Did he defile you?”
Everyone’s inner voices seemed to cease at that exact moment. That question filled the room with a murderous aura.
Internally, Loid was glad Yuri decided to ask the questions on behalf of him. Now he just needed the answers.
"WHAT?! NO!" Anya shook her head frantically, her cheeks flushing bright red. "Unkie, what are you even saying?!"
“Something very reasonable. Did he try anything? Did he do something to you? Don’t try to protect him Chihuahua.”
“No, he didn’t do anything. And I’m not protecting anyone.”
Chloe tried to ease the tension in the air, “"Yuri, why don't you actually meet the boy before once?”
Yor’s face lit up immediately. "Oh, that’s a wonderful idea! You’ll really like him once you talk to him, Yuri!"
Yuri folded his arms, dark shadows falling over his face as he glowered into the middle distance.
"We’ll see," he growled, narrowing his eyes. "We'll see."
"Dinner?" Damian adjusted the collar of his uniform, attempting to look unbothered. "At your house?"
"Yeah," Anya said, fidgeting with the hem of her cape.
Well, we are officially dating now, meeting her family is the proper, gentlemanly thing to do. Damian reasoned, his cheeks warming at said thought.
“Yeah, alright.” He agreed.
Anya faced him and with a hesitant breath spoke, “J-Just the thing is that–”
Damian softened his eyes at her, taken by her blushing figure. She’s nervous. The thought seemed to amuse him.
“Yes?” he cooed.
“It’s just that, m-my family is a bit overprotective.” Anya blurted out, her green eyes wide with genuine anxiety. "They might seem... a little strange to you at first. But I promise they're actually really nice!"
Damian offered a reassuring smile. "Hey, it’s okay. I can handle it. I had to meet your family eventually."
Besides, he thought, what’s the worst that can happen?