Chapter 10: Steps

Damian leaned back, placing his palette on a nearby stand, he looked at the painting before him, resting on his easel.

The painting consisted of two silhouettes holding hands, one painted in warm orange with an amber core, the other a cold gray with an icy blue core, running along a cobblestone path, one dragging the other onto its side.

The painting had two sides, one for the silhouette dragging and one for the silhouette being dragged. The side of the first silhouette reflected its warm color, painted in technicolor, a bright display of colors danced on the canvas. Street lamps dotted its side, giving of light, the water on the on ground reflecting the lights creating an elegant display.

The other silhouette was already partially on the side of the first, its arm and part of its torso, which were already on the other side, had taken a tinge matching that of the first, its core having hints of amber contrasting the blue. Arrows dotted its back, giving the only warm color on that side, the warm crimson of blood; the rest was painted in a chillingly dull state. Broken windows dotted its side, what could be made out as arms reaching through them, trying to reach the silhouette of gray.

Damian let out a sigh, crossing his arms over his chest, one hand still holding onto the brush.

"TT. That should be.. adequate enough to serve it purpose." He said, standing up and placing he brush down on the palette.

Leaving his painting to dry, he made his way out of his room, walking through the ornately decorated hallways of Wayne Manor he walked to the kitchen where a certain butler was currently fixing dinner.

Damian stood at the doorway, watching the trusted butler, expertly cook a four course meal.

"Master Damian." Alfred said, not facing him, almost startling the youngest wayne.

"Pennyworth." Damian said, uncrossing his arms and stepping into the kitchen.

"Is there something I could help you with, sir?" Alfred said, turning around to face the current boy wonder.

"Pennyworth, I need chocolates." Damian said bluntly.

"Chocolates, sir?" Alfred asked, raising a brow. "Would young master Kent happen to be visiting?" He asked.

"TT. What? No." Damian said, almost defensively.

"Ah. Yes, I see." Alfred said, placing down the chef knife he was using to mince some spices.

"Might I suggest baking something instead, sir?" Alfred asked, as he made his way to one of the cupboards.

"What? Why?" Damian asked.

"Because," Alfred began, as he pulled out some chocolate boxes. "Sir, it's... 'sweeter'?" Alfred said, eyeing the boy in the corner of his eye.

"What do you mean, 'sweeter'?" Damian asked

"Well, seeing as you're about to begin the ritual of 'proper' courtship, I thought you'd like to make something more.. heartfelt for young master Kent." Alfred said, rather bluntly; causing Damian's eyes to go wide.

"C-c-courtship?" Damian swallowed, a tint of red forming on his cheeks.

"Yes, courtship." Alfred raised a brow "would I be wrong to assume that you've begun the process of attempting to.. court young master Kent into a loving-" Damian cut him off.

"How.. how could you possibly know that?" Damian asked in utter disbelief.

"Master Damian, who do you think picks up after you two? Do you think the trays of food and bowls of ice cream and popcorn just vanish?" Alfred asked

"Well- no, but- I-" Alfred interrupted him.

"And, might I add that seeing one wrapped in the warm embrace of the other into the wee hours of the morning is more than enough evidence to suggest that you wanted Master Kent and yourself to be.. more than just friends?" Alfred continued.

Damian stood defeated, a deep blush on his cheeks. "....does father know?" Damian asked.

"Absolutely not, sir. I would never dare intrude like that." Alfred said, watching as the younger male relaxed slightly.

Damian sighed and attempted to smile "alright, Pennyworth. How does one.. bake?"

Alfred and Damian proceeded to create a chocolate cake, with thrice as much chocolate as said in the recipe due to Jon's sweet tooth and love for the food.

"Alright, that looks.. adequate." Damian said, staring at the delectably ornate chocolate cake he and his pseudo grandfather/butler made together.

"Hmmn. Yes. Quite." Alfred said, the tantalizing scent of chocolate filling the room, placing a hand on Damian's shoulder before the younger male began to wrap to cake.

"Oh, and Master Damian?" Alfred called out, just as Damian was about to leave, cake in hand.

Damian turned around to look.

"Do try to not get the.. 'spunk' onto the furniture sir; frankly it's quite difficult to get teen spirit out of Upholstery Fabric." Alfred said, a hint of a smirk tugging at the old butler's lips.

Damian's eyes went wide, his cheeks once more flushed a shade of red.

"Y-yeah.." he said as he awkwardly left the room.

Damian returned to his room, gently placing the cake next to the easel. He decided he'd get the flowers in the morning, to ensure they won't wilt.

"Alright, with that all set.." Damian said, collapsing in bed, just being thankful today and tomorrow are the superson's do nothing days.

"I.. think I'm going to sleep now." He said, wrapping his arms around a pillow "Goodnight Jo-" damian paused letting out a sigh, wishing he was hugging his best friend instead of his pillow. "Mmmn.. soon."

A/N: Heyo, Jason here. Sorry if this chap is sub-par compared to the other chapters, also sorry if its shorter than the others but think of this as a mini-chapter I guess, anyway. I hope you guys liked this chapter, I'll try to update the next one early to make up for this. Anywho, I hope you're having a great day, night or whatever time of day it is where you're reading this. -Jason

P.S if I didn't mention it this story is going the fluff route

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