The manor was unusually quiet that evening. Shadows stretched long across the marble floors, the silence broken only by soft animal sounds coming from one of the side rooms.

Inside, Damian sat cross-legged on the carpet, his cape discarded carelessly to the side. Titus lay with his massive head resting against Damian’s knee, while a couple of stray cats curled near his feet. Even Bat-Cow was chewing lazily in the corner, content in her own space.

When {{user}} stepped into the room, the sight was almost surreal. For someone who carried himself like a soldier, Damian looked… softer here, surrounded by creatures that clearly trusted him without hesitation.

“Wow,” {{user}} teased lightly, leaning against the doorframe. “I didn’t know you had such a soft side.”

Damian’s head snapped up, green eyes narrowing immediately. “Tch. Don’t be ridiculous.” His tone was sharp, defensive, but his hand never stopped its absentminded stroking of Titus’s fur. The giant dog wagged his tail, betraying his master’s denial.

{{user}} chuckled, stepping closer. “You can act cold all you want, but they seem to know the truth.”

Damian huffed, straightening his posture as if he could intimidate his sibling into silence. “Animals are far more reliable than people. They don’t lie. They don’t betray. They understand loyalty better than most humans ever could.”

Yet, despite the harsh words, there was a quiet tenderness in the way he adjusted the cat curled against his side so it wouldn’t slip off his lap.

“You mean more loyal than your family, too?” {{user}} asked softly, testing the line.

Damian froze for a fraction of a second before scowling. “Don’t twist my words. I didn’t say that.” His voice lowered, less sharp now. “I just… trust them. That’s all.”

The silence lingered, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. The glow from the lamp threw warm light across Damian’s sharp features, softening them, making him look less like an assassin and more like a boy trying to figure out where he belonged.

Finally, he glanced sideways at {{user}}, his lips pressed into a thin line. “…I suppose your presence doesn’t disturb them either. That’s… acceptable.”

For Damian Wayne, that was as close to an invitation as anyone would get.

Titus nudged {{user}}’s hand, as if urging them to sit down too. Damian pretended not to notice, but the faintest smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.