Never Return

When Friday came, the bell rang, and Damian was heading to Gotham Park. He had Pennyworth driving him there, since Gotham Academy was a bit far. Titus had to go to the vet for his yearly dental cleaning and Father took him there, much to Damian's dismay. Damian had all of his drawing supplies, including colored pencils if he has time to color his drawings. He even brought snacks too. Middle Eastern vegetarian snacks. Damian wasn't sure what Evans like or if he was allergic to anything, so he made sure he put no nuts in the snacks.

Damian couldn't stop thinking about what happened throughout the whole week. He and Evans just talked on the phone. There were times Evans even called him. They even texted. Damian somehow had the habit of coming into the cafe just to talk to Evans, even when he gets off his shift, they talk for an hour or so, and Damian walked him home. Damian learned some things about Evans. He likes the color green, blue, and sometimes red. His favorite dessert is treacle pie, but he does like French onion soup as well as steak and kidney pie. He likes football (soccer) and cooking. Damian hadn't tried Evans's cooking, but for some reason he wanted to.

As soon as Damian got to Gotham Park, he got out of the car. He said a quick farewell to Pennyworth as his grandfather figure drove away. Damian walked into the park. The first thing he saw was a familiar snowy owl, flying through the skies as she flew over to her owner. Harry Evans had the brightest smile Damian had ever seen. It wasn't blindingly bright like Richard, but this smile...it was like he was free from all worries of the world. It was the same smile he saw when they first met. Then Evans turned. His eyes softened and he waved at him. Damian blinked a few times. He realized he was staring. Damian cleared his throat as he headed over to Evans. He could feel his cheeks being a bit warm. Was he getting sick?

"I see you made it here on time," Damian said. "Did you wait long?"

"It was only a few minutes," Evans shrugged. "Besides, I just wanted Hedwig to fly for a bit before you draw her."

Damian nodded. "Understandable."

Damian sat next to Evans and pulled out his sketch book and colored pencils. Evans whistled to his owl as she flew over to them. Hedwig greeted Damian with a hoot. Evans chuckled and stroke his owl's feathers. Then Damian began to draw. He wasn't sure if he'll have time to color Hedwig today, but he knew he had the whole weekend to do it. Besides, Evans said it for himself. He has nothing to do on the weekend anyway.

While Damian was drawing he made sure he got Hedwig's elegant features. He first started with the base circles and lines. Then he drew the details as he lightly sketched. He glanced at the owl a couple of times, absorbing all of the features he needed. Slowly, Damian drew in Hedwig's features. He made sure he shade in her sharp eyes and her spots as well. Damian kept looking up a couple of times to make sure that he wasn't missing anything.

When he was done, Damian nodded to himself. It was still a sketch, but his first attempt of drawing Hedwig was done very well. Then he noticed that he drew Evans' hand as well as Evans himself. Not a full sketch, it was barely him. Damian stared up at Evans who was too busy talking to Hedwig to pay attention to him. Damian didn't know why he ended up drawing Evans. It wasn't his intention, since they both agreed on him drawing Hedwig.

It wouldn't hurt to draw him, Damian thought. He is Hedwig's owner after all.

With that, Damian continued to draw. He hade sure he got Evans' features. Damian hade sure he got that mess of that hair, those round glasses, his scar, and his eyes. Out of all of Evans' features, Damian thought his eyes stand out. He was sure people would disagree with him because the lightning scar would stand out more. Damian snorted to himself. The scar would be the second thing he'll noticed. He would argued with anyone who dared never noticed how green Evans' eyes were.

"...going so far?" Evans asked.

Damian blinked. "Um...I didn't catch that."

Evans chuckled. "How's the drawing going so far? Do you want me out of the way to get a clear look of Hedwig?"

Damian opened his mouth and stopped. He glanced down at his sketch and saw he pretty much was almost done drawing Evans. Damian had to admit, the sketch - of Hedwig was very beautiful, despite being only the first draft. However to Damian's eyes, it was only acceptable. He wondered if he should do a colored pencil drawing or a painting now. Maybe if he sketch Hedwig (and Evans) more, he might make a perfect portrait.

"You're fine where you are, Evans," Damian finally answered.

Evans nodded. "That's good. So, what do you want to do after this?"

"I have no plans unless you count being annoyed by my siblings."

"Cool! I was planning to go to the beach. I never been to the beach before."

Damian was taken aback from what Evans said. Evans never been to the beach? Damian knew Evans came from an abusive household and his godfather got him out of the situation, but now he thought about it. Throughout the whole week of just talking, he realized there were things Evans never did. In fact, he just like to listen and that's it.

"I'm done," Damian stated. "Let's go to the beach."

"Uh...what?"

"Tt, did you not hear me? We're going to the beach."

"Don't we need swim trunks?"

"Are you planning to go into the water, Evans? Last I check, it's November."

"No."

"Then let's go."

Before Evans could say anything else, Damian shoved his sketchbook into his backpack. Evans quickly told Hedwig to go home and he'll meet her there when he's before curfew. Then the two took a taxi to the beach. The two sat in silence. In the corner of Damian's eyes he could see Evans being a confused on what just happened. Damian silently scoffed and rolled his eyes. Evans was so readable that it's baffling. Damian was sure that Evans wouldn't survive his family's interrogation.

It only took fifteen minutes to get to the beach. Evans' eyes widened as he saw the clear blue sea water. Despite it being cold in November, the beach was still beautiful. There weren't that much people at the beach. Some were just enjoying the view, while others were picking seashells, making a sandcastle, eating, and playing volleyball.

"Let's make a sandcastle!" Evans exclaimed.

Damian raised a brow. "That's a childish activity to do, Evans."

Evans rolled his eyes. "You're a kid too, Damian! Come on!"

Then Evans grabbed his wrist, dragging him into the sand. Damian didn't know what he got himself into, but it was Evans' ridiculous childish idea. Damian took off his school blazer, folded it, and set it aside. Damian was used to the cold because of being Robin. Weather like this was child's play. Evans sat on his knees, near the water, and started to gather up some sand with his hands. He even did that with the water too. Damian shook his head and opened his backpack, taking out a couple of empty cups. It was use for his watercolors, but it was clean and stainless.

Damian lightly tap the cup against Evans' head. "Tt, use this, Evans."

Evans smiled. "Thanks, Damian."

"Hm."

Damian watched Evans put the wet sand inside the cup and pulled it out. After that he repeated the process. Evans even made a tiny tower with just his hands since the cups they had weren't that small enough. Pursing his lips, Damian scooped up the wet sand and started building the other half of the castle, trying to make it large as possible. Evans noticed what he was doing and started to gather more of the sand. Silently, the two build the castle until they got the form of the castle. Damian nodded to himself. If they had flags, then it'll look more like a castle. Then in the corner of Damian's eyes, he saw a hermit crab. He glanced at Evans who was gathering small shells to decorate the castle. Damian gently held the hermit crab and looked over to Evans.

"Here's a gift," Damian put the hermit crab on the sand castle tower.

Evans gasped. "A hermit crab! That's so cool! Thank you, Damian."

"It's not a problem."

"Had you did this with your family?" Evans asked.

Damian snorted. "Tt, of course we do. My family would dragged me to the beaches. We would go outside of Gotham, though."

Evans stared at him with awed. "Wow...I never been anywhere else aside from England and Gotham. In fact, now I think about it, I never got to experience anything of my choice after I left England. I never got to explore what kind of music I like or try different foods from different countries. If my school hadn't seen me as some sort of hero, I would like to discover more of my likes and dislikes. If you know what I mean."

Damian stared at Evans as his words repeated in his head. Damian knew that he and Evans had some things in common, but not like this. Now Damian thought about it...he barely discover what his likes and dislikes were too. If anyone asked him, the only thing he'll say was that he likes animals, art, fighting, and being a vegetarian. Nothing memorable aside from his cold demeanor. Damian never discovered what music he liked or explored food from other cultures aside from his own. He never even try out for sports either!

With a soft sigh, Damian looked at his hand and made a painful smile. "I understand. I'm the same way."

No matter how much he washed these hands, he could still see the bloodstains of the people he had murdered, and how heartless he was at the time. Damian didn't want to go being that person again. In fact, he wasn't sure if he should be continued on being Robin. Damian love being Robin, but it was suffocating. He felt like he didn't earn it. It was Timothy's before his. He took that away from Timothy and Damian didn't earn it. In fact he was sure he only became Robin was because was Father's biological son.

Then a pair of hands took his. Blinking a few times, Damian looked down and saw Evans, holding his hand. Usually Damian would just pushed Evans away and tell him how childish he was being, but he didn't. Evans's hands were smaller than his, but they were warm and welcoming. In fact, it was comforting. When was the last time Damian had someone comforted him that wasn't a superhero or a vigilante? Those emerald green eyes were not only memorizing, but comforting too. Damian swore he could get lost into those eyes.

SPLASH!

A giant wave crashed onto them. Damian blinked a few times and Evans gasped. The sandcastle was ruin and Evans was too in shock of what just happened. Clenched fists, Damian glared at the ocean and stood up.

"You damn ocean!" Damian yelled. "You damn Atlantean! When I get my hands on you, you'll be sorry!"

Evans laughed. "D-Damian, you can't fight the ocean."

Damian wasn't sure if his face was heating up because of the cold or was being caused by himself. He went onto his knees and held Evans head. He tried to look intimidating, but Evans just kept laughing. Hearing Evans laugh so genuinely carefree without any worry just made Damian's chest pounded harder. Damian was sure the cold was getting to him. 

"Be quiet!" Damian hissed.

Evans giggled. "Sorry, sorry." then he pulled away. "Achoo!"

Damian pursed his lips and looked down. He knew they were wet, but he didn't realized how wet they were. Also, Damian could tell Evans didn't had any extra dry clothes and the only dry clothes Damian had was when he took off his blazer. Damian looked behind him. He noticed that he wasn't too far from his emergency safehouse. Without hesitation, Damian took his dry blazer and put it over Evans's shoulders.

"Wear this," Damian said. "I know a place where we can get dry clothes. It's not far."

Evans nodded as his teeth chattered. "O-O-Okay."

Damian helped Evans onto his feet and guided him out of the beach. It only took around five minutes for Damian to get to his safehouse. He only had one if he just wanted some space from the family. Besides, it was like normal house and he didn't had anything on there revealing he was Robin. Besides, all of his Robin stuff was hidden away carefully. When they got inside, Damian led Evans to the bedroom, fishing out some clothes. Damian didn't realized he still had his clothes there when he was ten. However, considering how Evans was short for his age, he should fit some of Damian's current clothes.

In the corner of Damian's eyes, he could see Evans shivering. Damian tried to look for some clothes that would fit and look nice on Evans. Besides, Evans seemed the type who would like to wear something comfortable than the clothes Damian would always wear. So Damian took a simple sleeveless black turtleneck, a long green jacket, and a pair of jeans. Formal, but a bit casual. Damian tossed it on the bed.

"Get change," Damian said.

Right away, Evans did as he was told. Damian was about to get out so Evans could have some privacy, but he stopped. He noticed Evans had a lot of scars on his body. Usually those scars were something that he saw on his siblings, but for Evans...what happened? It was like as if Evans had been a battle of some sort. There was even a scar on his elbow. Then Damian remembered that Evans told him he did some school services...what kind of school does services where children get hurt? What happened to him? Damian his mouth and stopped. He knew it wasn't his place to say something. It was probably personal to Evans. As much as Damian wanted to find that person who hurt Evans and gave him those scars...Damian...Damian didn't want to mess...whatever they had. He had to admit, he really liked Evans' company.

Quickly, Damian shut the door behind him and headed over to the kitchen. He didn't waste any time to make some hot chocolate. Pennyworth's famous hot chocolate. Damian always love to watch Pennyworth make homemade hot chocolate. He had to change the recipe since Damian is a vegetarian.

"Sometimes doing things by hand works than the easy way," Pennyworth would always tell him.

By the time Damian was done, Evans walked out of the room. Damian blinked a few times. He knew Evans would look suitable in these clothes, but he didn't know he would look that suitable. It didn't help that Evans was handsome an above average looking guy.

"How do I look?" Evans asked.

Damian nodded. "Acceptable." he handed him the hot chocolate. "Here."

"Thank you."

Evans took the mug and drank it. His eyes widened as he took another gulp. Damian smirked and shook his head. It was amusing to see someone enjoying Pennyworth's famous hot chocolate.

"This is bloody good!" Evans exclaimed. "It's like magic!"

"My butler," Damian explained. "He's my grandfather...well grandfather figure. He is the best cook in the manor. He likes to do things by hand than doing the easy way."

Evans laughed. "I agree. I find cooking by hand easier than doing the easy way...or superpower-y or magical way."

Damian couldn't agree more. There was something better doing by hand than using an easier solution or by magical and using their own special abilities. Sometimes doing things by hand is magical. Damian and Evans sat at the table, just drinking their hot chocolate in silence. By the time they were done, Damian took out some food from the fridge. It was Middle Eastern food. Damian always premade homemade meals he cooked himself, just in case if he wanted to be away from the family or had to be at his safehouse for emergencies. If the food wasn't used, Damian would give it to the homeless shelter. Even though it was small, but sometimes every little helps.

"So..." Evans spoke up. "when do you want me to give you your clothes back? I can give it to you tomorrow."

Damian scoffed. "Tt, keep it."

Evans blinked. "Um...what?"

Damian rolled his eyes. "I said keep it Evans."

Evans glanced to the side. "But still..."

"You look better on them than me, Evans," Damian said. "Keep it."

Then there was silence. Damian's eyes slowly widened as he realized what he just said out loud. He could feel his cheeks heating up. in the corner of his eyes, he could see Evans was staring at him, blinking a few times. Damian could swore Evans' cheeks were becoming pink.

Damian cleared his throat. "Wh-What I mean is that...um...uh..."

Damian's head was spinning. He didn't know what to say. He could feel his chest beating so fast, Damian was sure his chest would sprout out of his stomach like that alien movie Jason showed him.

"Just keep it, Evans," Damian finally said.

Evans nodded. "O-Okay."

The two continued to eat in silence. Damian was cursing in his head of how foolish he just said. He glanced at Evans a few times. He noticed Evans was enjoying his food. It was like as if he never tried it before. As soon as they were done, Damian treated Evans with some Middle Eastern desserts, which of course he enjoyed. While Damian was eating his dessert, he thought about his plans for tomorrow and Sunday. He had to go to the animal shelter to volunteer because he scheduled for that day. Sunday, on the other hand, he was free. 

"We should meet up on Sunday," Damian said. "I am scheduled to volunteered at the animal shelter."

Evans smiled. "I understand. No harm done. By the way, you really cook well."

Damian's lips stretched a tiny bit. "Thank you, Evans."

"When you come to my place, I'll cook for you. I've been cooking since I could remember."

Damian knew that Evans told him some of his life when they were talking for the past few days. One of the things the Dursleys, made him cook. Damian knew parents wanted their kids to learn at a young age, but this was straight up a servant in the making. However, since he never heard a complaint from his relatives Evans told him about serving the Dursleys' their daily meal, Damian was certain that Evans' food was passable.

"Then I hope you know how to make a vegetarian meal," Damian said.

Evans crossed his arms. "Is that a challenge, Wayne?"

Damian smirked. "Maybe it is, Evans."

"Humph, challenge accepted."

Damian chuckled. When the two finished, Damian washed the dishes, while Evans offered the help by drying them. It was quiet, except for Evans' humming. Damian didn't mind, since he knew washing the dishes could be a bore. However, the look on Evans' face was like he didn't mind and it was something he did all the time. Damian wondered what else Evans never got to do for the thirteen years of his life.

Now Damian thought about it, the only thing he planned for him and Evans was to draw Hedwig. Maybe he could change that. After all, he wanted to do a painting with both Hedwig and Evans. It wasn't a commission, but something Damian wanted to do for free. After all, Damian had his own commissions he has on his art blog anyway. So he wasn't too worried about doing things for free from time to time. So maybe they could take a walk around Gotham. Evans was still new to the area, despite being there for a week now. It was surprising for Damian that Evans somehow didn't get caught in all the attacks. All week, Damian and everyone else had to deal with the Penguin, Mr. Freeze, Scarecrow, and Killer Croc. Joker was in Arkham, finally, but Damian knew there was a good chance for that clown to get out again.

After they washed the dishes, Damian escorted Evans home. While they were walking, Damian made sure they weren't followed by...well everyone. He didn't like the paparazzi or kidnappers following him and so far, he saw no one.

"Do you do any extracurricular activities at your school?" Damian asked.

Evans eyes brightened. "Sort of. I was in a sports team. It's a sport called Quidditch."

Damian raised a brow. "Quidditch? Do tell."

Then Evans explained what Quidditch was. It was like a hooped sports game. Where they were seven players in each team; A Keeper, three Chasers, two Beaters, and one Seeker. There were three balls; the Quaffle, the Bludger, and the Golden Snitch. There was a point system in the game. There are three goals and each goal was worth ten points each. Whoever catches the Golden Snitch gets a hundred fifty points. The sport seemed interesting to Damian, but it did sounded deadly the same time. The Quaffle sounded like a normal ball, but the Bludger and Golden Snitch didn't. Evans only told him that they use technology to make the other two balls move.

While Evans was explaining more about the sport, Damian couldn't help and noticed how happy Evans was. It was like as if he finally got someone to talk to about something he loves. Damian wouldn't mind listening to Evans. 

"You might as well teach me when you get the chance, Evans," Damian said.

Evans nodded. "I will...It's just that I don't have all the equipment."

"It's fine. I'll figured it out."

"Um...okay...?"

Damian knew he had people to make these robotic Bludger and Golden Snitch. The school Evans went to was probably an advance school. Something he might had heard about. When they got to Evans' house, all the lights were on. Damian couldn't see anyone, except for a silhouette of a dog. Damian wasn't sure where Evans' godfather was, but he was probably passed out on the couch or something.

"I'll see you on Sunday," Damian said. "I also do think we should discuss more of our plans when I get home."

Evans nodded. "Brilliant! What time do I call you?"

"Wait for an hour or two."

"I will and thanks again, Damian." Evans smiled. "It was fun."

With that, Damian watched Evans went into his house. When Damian was sure that Evans was safely secured, he turned and text Pennyworth to pick him up at Gotham Park. While he was walking, he thought about what happened the whole day. Despite how making a sand castle was childish...it was different and fun. Slowly a smile stretched across Damian's face. He couldn't wait for Sunday.

By the time Damian got home, he headed straight to Father's office. He couldn't stop thinking what happened today. Spending time with Evans was very comfortable and relaxing. Evans never judged him for his attitude and...well everything. It was nice that someone like Evans understood him. He understood what Damian always felt - wanting to explore more of his interest than the things he already likes. Something that he sometimes wished his family did. Damian does love his family, but at times, he did wondered if they truly understood him.

With a deep breath, Damian knocked on the door.

"Yes?" a voice boomed.

Damian opened the door. Father was in his office, doing his paper work. Damian was sure it was both W.E. and Justice League stuff. Damian shut the door behind him and walked over to his father's desk. Damian never felt this nervous in his life. Usually if he was younger, he would've been straight forward with everything, but this...it was like experiencing something new.

"Father," Damian began. "I wish to take a break from being Robin."

Father stopped and stared up at him with wide eyes. "You...want to take a break."

Damian nodded. "Yes. I never told you this, but...being Robin gave me too much pressure to live up what Richard, Jason, and Timothy did. I want a break from it. Is that okay?"

Father frowned. "'It's fine. how long? A week?"

Damian scoffed. "Tt, obviously as long as I like, Father."

Father gaped. "Damian...if you do take a long break. I might need someone to take over Robin for you."

"That is fine. I do suggest Timothy, Father. He did updated his Robin suit after all. Did you not see the ones he wore when he first became your Robin? He clearly didn't know color theory."

Father just stared at him as if he grew another head. Damian understood why this was new, but at the same time he didn't understood why this was shocking. Father had took breaks for being Batman and sometimes he lets Richard and Jason to take over. So Damian didn't really see the problem with that.

"I-I-I'll talk with Tim, then."

Damian nodded. He was glad this got worked out the way he wanted. Now he would have to time to explore his interest. Since Evans was doing the same...he might invite him. After all, Evans was an acceptable company and didn't annoyed him like everyone else. Besides, since Evans did invite him to his home for a vegetarian meal, it made sense that Evans would eventually come over to the manor, but the problem was that Damian's room...isn't safe.

"Now if you excuse me, Father," Damian said. "I need to safe proof my room."

Father blinked, "What?! Why?!"

"I just feel like it."

With that, Damian left Father's office. When he got to his room, he started saft proofing right away. If Damian was going to have Evans come over one day, he might as well safe proof his room. Evans looked like someone who gets into trouble without even trying. While he was putting all of his dangerous booby traps away, he felt like eyes were on him. He turned and saw his siblings - well some of them. Duke, Cassandra, and Timothy. The door was open too. Damian probably didn't hear the door knocked and opening. He was too distracted on safe proofing everything.

"Yes?" Damian asked.

"Uh-What are you doing?" Timothy questioned.

Damian raised a brow. "Safe proofing my room."

"Willingly?" Duke gasped.

Damian nodded slowly. "Yes...? Is there something wrong with that?"

"N-No!" Timothy shook his head. "It's just that...you never done it before. Even when Alfred tells you."

Damian sighed. "Tt, it seems you three don't understand the term a first time for everything. Now get out."

Before his siblings could do or say anything, Damian shut the door, but he did noticed Cassandra was analyzing him. It was like as if she knew why he was safe proofing his room. Damian narrowed his eyes. If someone found out about Evans, it might as well be Cassandra. His brothers would obviously scare Evans away and Damian wouldn't want that. Besides if Evans does eventually come over to Wayne Manor, Damian would do in his power to make sure that his brothers won't be around.

Then the door knocked. Sighing, Damian stomped over to the door, opening it. Timothy was there and he looked a bit more shock than he just did. Damian wondered what he did this time to upset him. Damian was sure he didn't try to bother Timothy.

"Yes, Timothy?" Damian asked.

"B just told me you're taking a break from...Robin," Tim answered. "Why? I'm perfectly fine with being Red Robin."

"I expected Father to tell you my reasons. Anyway, enjoy being Robin again, Timothy. I have plans to make."

The door closed, but Timothy stopped him. "Damian! Look, I don't know why you're taking a break and I'm not against it. We all need breaks once in a while, but I don't see the point of making me Robin again when I already have Red Robin."

"And The Drake."

"We don't talk about that," Timothy glared at him and he sighed. "Damian, why me, specifically? Usually, no one cares who takes over as long as we get the job done, but...this...Damian, did I do something wrong?"

Damian tried to keep his composure. He had gone months of trying not to get riled up with Timothy. He tried to keep everything hidden, but after spending time with Evans...Damian realized that his insecurities were holding him back to discover more things he liked than just animals and art. Recently, Damian did discovered his new love for shoujo manga, but that wasn't even enough. Damian didn't even know what music or sports he liked! He was so focus on trying to live up to the Robin legacy when in reality, he could just take a break, learn more about himself, and sort things out when he's ready.

"Well, I just want to explore more of my interests," Damian said. "Also, I thought you'll be glad to be Robin again. After all, you are the best one. Everyone had been saying that anyway."

Timothy blinked a few times and his eyes widened. "Damian..."

"I don't know how long my break will be, but if Father really does need me to be Robin again, I will. However, I just want a break and learn more about things than just being Robin."

Then Damian shut the door in his face. Timothy banged on the door, calling his name, but Damian ignored him and locked the door. Timothy did asked and he got his answer. Damian didn't know why Timothy wasn't happy that he was considered the best Robin. He should be happy, not telling him to open the door.

After a minute or so, Damian heard Timothy walked away. With a sigh, Damian laid on his bed, playing on his phone to see if there were any gyms he could beat. After five minutes, Evans was calling him. Damian's eyes softened and he could feel his chest swelled. Damian didn't realized how excited he was and he answered the call.

"Hello Evans," Damian greeted.

"Hey Damian!" Evans said. "You mentioned you wanted to meet up on Sunday. So where?"

"At ten in the morning, at your work, if you don't mind."

"Not at all! I get discounts anyway! I'll buy you a drink and a muffin! My treat."

"I supposed that's reasonable. I'll see you then."

"You too! By the way, when are you going to stop calling me, Evans? I do have a first name."

"Is your name short for Harrison?"

"No...?"

"Then I don't want to."

"Oh bloody hell! Come on!"

Damian made a slight chuckle. He could hear his chest beating. Damian couldn't help and teased Evans a bit. He was fun to tease. Damian let out a soft sigh as the two talked some more. Damian didn't realized he talked to Evans until midnight, which he wasn't complaining.