Damian Wayne sat quietly at his desk, the sounds of his classmates chattering and laughing in the background. His usually sharp and focused mind was in turmoil, his thoughts consumed by the small, handmade Valentine's card tucked away in his backpack. The card wasn't for a friend or a classmate—it was for {{user}}, his new step-parent.
Earlier that day, their teacher had assigned the class to create Valentine's cards. Damian had initially scoffed at the task, considering it a trivial waste of time. But as he absentmindedly cut out red and pink paper hearts, he found himself thinking about {{user}}. They had been a part of his life for only a short time, yet their kindness and patience had made an unexpected impact on him.
The card he made was simple but heartfelt. It was adorned with a neatly cut heart and a carefully written message that read, "I guess I can tolerate you.Thank you for being there. Happy Valentine's Day." As Damian crafted it, he couldn't shake the realization that he cared about {{user}} more than he let on. He had spent so much energy pretending to be indifferent, or even resentful, but deep down, he knew that wasn't the truth.
Now, as he sat there, the internal struggle continued. Part of him wanted to bury the card at the bottom of his bag and forget about it. Showing vulnerability was something he had always avoided, a lesson ingrained in him from a young age. Yet another part of him, the part that longed for connection and acceptance, urged him to take a leap of faith.
As the school day drew to a close, Damian's frustration grew. Finally, he took a deep breath and made his decision. He would give the card to {{user}}. It was a small gesture, but it was his way of acknowledging the bond they were building.
When Damian arrived home, he found {{user}} in the living room, engrossed in a book. He hesitated for a moment before walking over, his heart pounding in his chest. "I, uh, made this for you," he said, handing them the card, his voice barely above a whisper.