You sat on the edge of the roof, your legs dangling into the darkness, your toes trembling with fatigue and nervous tension. The sky above the city was pitch black, but streetlights flickered in the distance. The sun had long since disappeared below the horizon, leaving a cold glow from the streetlamps and their reflection on the wet asphalt.

Damian stood slightly behind you, dressed in his full Robin suit. The green and red of his suit stood out against the night, his mask accentuated the sharp lines of his face, and his sharp gaze swept the streets below, constantly assessing the threat. Damian was always alert, but now something in his posture seemed tense—almost as if he knew a conversation was coming he didn't want to have.

"Are you awake?" — His voice was quiet but even, with a barely perceptible note of alarm.

You shook your head, looking down at the deserted street where, only an hour ago, you'd heard footsteps that made your heart stop. Those threats, those people... it all weighed on you more than you could even admit to yourself.

"Damian..." — you began slowly, gathering your words. — "I... can't do this anymore."

He frowned, tilting his head slightly, studying you. His gaze held a mixture of surprise and pain—the pain he always hid behind a cold mask.

"What exactly?" — he asked, his voice a little softer, almost without its usual steely hardness.

You took a deep breath, trying to find the strength to speak the truth.

"These... these threats," — you clasped your hands around your knees.

"The school, the alleys... one man tried..." — your voice broke, and you looked away.

"I don't want to live in fear anymore, Damian. And... I understand that with you, I'll always be in danger."

He took a step closer, his long shadows stretching across the roof. He placed his hand next to yours, but didn't touch you directly.

"I can protect you," — he said firmly.

"I'll always be there. You know that."

You shook your head, holding back tears.

"Yes, I know... But that doesn't make it any easier."

"I love you, Damian... I love you so much."

You inhaled sharply, looking up to meet his green eyes.

"But I can't be with you if every day is fear. I don't want to lose myself, and... I'm afraid of losing you if something happens."

A hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes—a mixture of anger, pain, and confusion. But then he lowered his gaze, and his voice grew quieter, almost a whisper.

"I understand..." — he said.

"If this is your choice... I won't keep you by force."

After listening to him, you felt the heaviness in your chest ease a little. But your heart still clenched. Damian sat down next to you, quietly. His mask reflected the same pain as your eyes.

"I... hope you'll be safe," — he said after a pause, barely audible.

"And... if you ever decide you want to come back..."

He trailed off, as if the words wouldn't leave his mouth.

"I'll be waiting."

You nodded, holding back a sob, and extended your hand. He took it, squeezing your hand with his strong one, briefly but firmly.

"For now... it's better for us to be apart," — you said, looking out at the city.

"But that... doesn't mean I'll stop loving you."

He merely nodded, and for a moment they both froze, sitting on the roof, in the silence of the night city, where the only sounds were distant sirens and the wind. The fear remained outside the roof, and in this small space, there was only you and the pain of not being able to be together.