Damian climbed the stairs slowly, knocking various jumpers and shirts off the banister as he passed them. He bent down to picked up a book, before continuing on his way. Usually, he would get angry or cross about the mess but right now he lacked the energy to care. All he could do was try to remember to clean up later and, rewarm tonight's dinner tomorrow.
At the top, he turned left and flicked the switch; plunging the hallway into darkness. He continued on down that hallway, eyes focused on the light streaming from a bedroom door.
It wasn't closed, so Damian pushed it open gently, a smile gracing his tired features. He held the book closely in one hand, as he pushed the door open further. His eyes, as usual trailed over the familiar scene. Complete and utter chaos that can only mean a child's room and a child's inability to clean up their own mess.
Without a word, Damian walked over to the bookshelf and placed the book away. His fingers trailed over the well-worn spines of various books, landing on a volume of fairytales. His blue eyes softened at the sight, remembering reading the book religiously every night. He turned back to the room, fingers pulling away from the book and hand dropping to his side.
He moved forward and sat down on the edge of the bed, which housed the most adorable little girl. She grinned up from under the covers, her black hair tied back in one long plait. Damian smiled and leant forward to kiss her cheek, making the bundle giggle slightly. His fingers shot towards her then, to tickle her middle. She giggled louder than, wriggling under the thick sheet; trying to escape his merciless fingers.
"Daddy!" She laughed loudly, sounding slightly out of breath.
Damian pulled back, his grin almost as large as hers, "Yes Amber?"
"I'd like a story," She replied confidently, keeping her large eyes trained on his fingers.
Damian couldn't help but chuckle and shifted slightly, knowing how long these stories could take. Along with actually having to tell the stories, Amber would always have a stream of questions that had to be answered. Usually, she would have to know the answer right then and there; something he couldn't help but adore.
"A story hm?" Damian mused, grinning wickedly, "Aren't you a bit to old for stories?"
She was, maybe but Damian would ultimately never refuse her anything. A story, a hug or a treat; he would do anything for her. She shook her head, making him want to hug her desperately but she was no one for being smothered with affection. One day, Damian knew she would not want to hear stories; especially when she got into High School but he didn't try to dwell on it too much.
"Please?" She added sweetly, eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Oh," Damian sighed dramatically, "I suppose you can have one, what story would you like?"
She thought for a moment, sitting up and settling back against her pillow. Absently, she reached for her stuffed pig; pulling it to her chest tightly. Damian bit his lip, waiting for her to reach a choice. She pulled at her bottom lip, in between her teeth. A behavior she had leant, a behavior that made Damian's heart ache sometimes.
"One about Dad please," She asked, somewhat politely.
Her eyes were shinning with excitement, as she stared up at Damian with wonder. Damian tried not to recoil at her question because, sometimes he hated talking about this but he would do it. He couldn't deny her, not this. She deserved to hear stories about her father; it was the only thing Damian could offer her.
"What story sweetheart?" Damian asked, tried to keep his voice even.
"When you met him and how you knew he loved you," She smiled brightly, patting the small space beside her.
Damian chuckled and obliged, moving to sit next to Amber and allowing the child to lean against his side. Damian closed his eyes for a moment, recalling the warm memories that were so long ago. It wasn't really, in reality it was only eight years ago when Cameron walked into Damian's life and refused to worm his way out of Damian's heart.
Damian leaned back against the sofa, shaking his head in dismay; unable to believe the sheer audacity of his actions. He closed his eyes, trying to control his emotions and push away his sheer exhaustion. Being in The Glee Project was nothing like Damian had ever experienced before and, as much as he loved it; he was beginning to wonder if it would be the death of him.
He was exhausted from the hours of dance practice, something he had never been skilled in but also, the new friendships he had formed. Friendships, the word made him cringe because he felt like a liar. Damian sighed and opened his eyes, lips twisting in amusement at the messy nature of the house. He wasn't a messy person by nature, but lately he had fallen into the pattern of not cleaning things up; like so many of his housemates.
Already they had lost four members of their informal family, making them feel incomplete in a way. It shocked Damian, how the months had flown by so smoothly. He felt the affects of homesickness but whenever it came on, Cameron was there to make him laugh or listen to Damian's musings. Cameron was a good listener and never got sick of Damian speaking about Ireland, his attention never wavered.
The blonde boy, appeared through the door; almost like he had read Damian's thought. Damain watched as Cameron grinned, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he made his way over to Damian. He sat down next to his friend, nudging Damian's shoulder with his own bony one. Damian grinned and nudged him back, trying to pull his eyes away from Cameron's enchanting ones.
"Hey Damian," Cameron said quietly.
Damian's grin only faltered slightly, before answering with forced ease, "Yes Cameron?"
Cameron bit his lips for a moment, before staring Damian right in the eye, "I've been noticing you staring at me and you have this look…"
Cameron trailed off, not looking away from his new best friend. Damian swallowed heavily and slapped his hands against the leather couch, feeling them shake with nerves. How had he been that obvious? The minute the Irish lad had noticed his slightly non-platonic feelings towards his new friend, he had distanced himself suitably. Not enough to worry the blonde boy of course but enough to make their friendship easier, especially for Damian.
Damian swallowed again, "I have, I mean- I," He breathed out heavily, "I have been looking,"
"Staring, Damian," Cameron teased lightly, "I said staring,"
Damian flushed hotly, muttering, "Maybe I have been staring then,"
Cameron grinned for a moment, before his brow furrowed in confusion for a moment. He nudged Damian's shoulder again, capturing the boy's attention one more. Damian nodded, showing that it was okay for Cameron to say whatever he needed to. Cameron smiled and leant forward slightly, his voice dipping into a whisper. Like he was sharing a secret, a secret just for the two of them.
"I can't help but think and I know I shouldn't say this but," Cameron whispered deliciously, "I think you're in love with me,"
"Dad really said that?" Amber grinned, looking up at Damian in disbelief.
"I was shocked too love," Damian chuckled, "But yes, Dad did. He knew me better than I knew myself, I think"
Amber smiled softly, "You really loved him didn't you?"
"No sweetheart," Damian corrected softly, "I do love him, more than I've ever loved another human being. You however, are the girl I love most in the world. My only girl,"
Amber grinned brightly and shifted eagerly, "Daddy can I have another story?"
Damian pursed his lips, eyes darting to the white clock that hung on her wall. After a moment, he shook his head sadly. He knew full well that two would turn into four and eventually, he would spend the whole night telling stories about the man he loved with his whole heart.
"Another night," Damian promised, as soon as he saw her begin to pout.
Amber chewed on her lip for another moment or two, before nodding slowly. Damian leant forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, smoothing her hair down under his hand. She shifted back under the covers, allowing Damian to tuck the sheets up under her chin.
"You brushed your teeth?" Damian checked, leaning over her now.
"Yes Daddy," She replied quietly, closing her eyes.
"And said your prayers?" Damian asked, raising an eyebrow.
She cracked one eye open, "Of course Daddy," She almost sounded horrified by the idea.
Damian laughed, knowing she would eventually grow out of her compliance; probably when he was a teenager. Lord help him then but for now, Damian just smiled. His walked over to the door and flicked off the light, staring at his beautiful daughter. He watched her figure move with steady breaths, wished her pleasant dreams and closed the door quietly.
Damian drifted down to his own bedroom, one he had not shared for five years. Damian sat down on the bed, the left side and sighed heavily. Even though he was blessed with a daughter, who kept him alive and on his toes; Damian couldn't deny that life did terrible things to people.