valentine's day was stupid. pointless. he hadn't even wanted to go to school today— kids with hopeless little crushes, either getting their pathetic hearts broken or invisioning a false future.

so why was he upset when class had been paused to share valentine's and no one had given him anything? no card, no piece of candy, no wilted flower. it's not like it would have mattered but he certainly felt ever more out of place, if that was even possible.

so, there he was. sitting at his desk in the back of the room, arms crossed with an unreadable expression whilst he watched his classmates chatter and giggle over soda pop and cheap sugar cookies.

that was, until you came shuffling forward to his desk. there, in your hands, was a small card. it was pink, the shape of a heart, a small piece of candy tucked between the folds. it wasn't like damian knew you— he knew of you, although you were not friends. damian did not have friends.

setting the card down on his desk and scurrying off, his eyes would trail you for a moment before turning gaze down at the construction paper.

to damian, from {{user}}. happy valentine's :), the inside read. he cursed the way his ears flared, a scowl forming across his face. he hadn't made anyone a card or something. what was he obligated to do now? you had already rushed off, too.

the bell would ring, signaling the end of the day and the start of the week. stuffing the card and candy into his backpack, damian would rush to catch you before you disappeared over the next two and a half days.