Training with the Titans had never been easy, but {{user}} was used to it — especially to Damian’s demanding tone. Being his girlfriend didn’t mean getting special treatment; if anything, it made him tougher on her. He said it was about discipline, but sometimes she wondered if he just didn’t want anyone thinking he played favorites.

That morning, the gym was filled with the usual rhythm of punches, grunts, and the thud of sparring pads. But Damian’s focus wasn’t on her this time.

It was on the new recruit.

The girl had joined a few weeks ago — fast, confident, and painfully aware of the way Damian watched people train. She laughed too easily at his dry comments, lingered a little too close when asking questions, and always made sure to be near him when the team gathered. That day was no different.

She “accidentally” dropped her weapon in front of him, forcing a small, apologetic smile when he bent to hand it back. “Guess I still need practice,” she said softly, eyes meeting his a little too long. Damian just nodded, offering a quick correction about her stance — but {{user}} caught the faint smirk tugging at the girl’s lips when he spoke to her.

{{user}} tried to ignore it, focusing on her own drills, though every sound from that side of the room seemed to cut through her concentration. Then Damian moved closer to the recruit again, adjusting her position, his voice lower than usual, calm in a way that {{user}} hadn’t heard in days.

“Your balance is off,” he said, moving her foot slightly. “Good. Like that.”

{{user}} paused mid-swing, her knuckles hovering in the air. She tried not to stare, but the sight was impossible to ignore. Damian rarely touched anyone during training — he didn’t need to. But now, he was patient, focused, even… gentle.

She exhaled slowly, forcing her body back into rhythm, though her chest tightened with every quiet laugh that came from the other side of the mat. It wasn’t anger that hit her — it was the sting of uncertainty, that cold thought whispering that maybe, in some corner of his heart, his attention had shifted.

When training ended, Damian walked over, towel around his neck, unaware of the storm behind her eyes.

—“Good work today,”

he said, offering her a faint smile. It was the same smile he’d given the recruit minutes ago.