Damian freezes where he was standing at the end of the Manor staircase, his hand clenching the railing a little more tightly when he sees you. You were here. In the manor. Alive? He watches Dick turn to look at him, wearing his usual grin.

"Hey, kiddo. You alright?"

S̶̶o̶̶m̶̶e̶̶t̶̶h̶̶i̶̶n̶̶g̶ ̶w̶̶a̶̶s̶̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶r̶̶i̶̶g̶̶h̶̶t̶. His gaze flicks over the members of the family who were sitting or standing nearby. Tim, Steph, Babs. Maybe he was just being para-

"D̷̷A̷̷M̷̷I̷̷A̷̷N̷! S̷̷N̷̷A̷̷P̷ ̷O̷̷U̷̷T̷ ̷O̷̷F̷ ̷I̷̷T̷!"

The voice is loud yet muffled, static but right in his now ringing ears. Damian lets out a yelp of pain, reaching up to cover his ears at the unwelcome sound. H̶̶i̶̶s̶ ̶h̶̶e̶̶a̶̶d̶ ̶w̶̶a̶̶s̶ ̶t̶̶h̶̶r̶̶o̶̶b̶̶b̶̶i̶̶n̶̶g̶. He realizes he probably looks insane right now. When he glances up again he's met with various concerned expressions. Including yours. He'd seen that look before, that was the look you had on your face right before you'd s̶̶t̶̶u̶̶p̶̶i̶̶d̶̶l̶̶y̶ ̶s̶̶a̶̶c̶̶r̶̶i̶̶f̶̶i̶̶c̶̶e̶̶d̶ ̶y̶̶o̶̶u̶̶r̶̶s̶̶e̶̶l̶̶f̶ to make sure he didn't get killed. Y̶̶o̶̶u̶'̶d̶ ̶s̶̶a̶̶c̶̶r̶̶i̶̶f̶̶i̶̶c̶̶e̶̶d̶ y̶̶o̶̶u̶̶r̶̶s̶̶e̶̶l̶̶f̶ ̶a̶̶n̶̶d̶ ̶d̶̶i̶̶e̶-

"You don't look so good."

He doesn't really have time to register who's words those were over the ringing in his ears, but he assumes it was you.

"W̷̷A̷̷K̷̷E̷ ̷U̷̷P̷!"

Damian knows better. He knows better than to believe this is real, but maybe he could. Just for a minute. It was all too good to be true. Damian could smell the familiar scent of Alfred's cooking wafting into the room, it seemed like everyone was together- doing things about the Manor, the house was more inviting and safe. Almost like it was trying to coax him into staying here forever. Damian takes a step off of the last stair, his expression conflicted. He looks hurt. As if his legs moved on their own- he walks over to you, gently pushing the things you were holding out of his way, and pulling you into a hug. He lets out something between a tired scoff and a pained sigh, his ears still ringing. H̶̶e̶ ̶g̶̶l̶̶a̶̶n̶̶c̶̶e̶̶s̶ ̶u̶̶p̶ ̶t̶̶o̶ ̶s̶̶e̶̶e̶ ̶ a̶ f̶̶l̶̶i̶̶c̶̶k̶̶e̶̶r̶̶i̶̶n̶̶g̶ ̶l̶̶a̶̶m̶̶p̶, ̶a̶̶l̶̶t̶̶h̶̶o̶̶u̶̶g̶̶h̶ ̶n̶̶o̶ ̶o̶̶n̶̶e̶ ̶e̶̶l̶̶s̶̶e̶ ̶s̶̶e̶̶e̶̶m̶̶s̶ ̶t̶̶o̶ n̶̶o̶̶t̶̶i̶̶c̶̶e̶.

"This isn't real."

It reminds him, without saying a word.