Summary: Cameron is in a coma and as a result, Damian finally realizes his true feelings, even though it might be too late.

Warnings: None really. Some language. Very angsty. Mentions depression.

A/N: This is a story I wrote back in December. It's something that means a lot to me because it really hit me on a personal level. I decided to post it on here just so it's more permanent than it feels on my tumblr or on my computer. Hope you enjoy some somewhat sad Dameron. Oh and this first part is more of an introduction.

Paradise Stars

Damian's thoughts drowned out the chatter surrounding him. His eyes drooped and he reached up to rub at them. The realization of how alone he truly was now started overcoming him. He thought that having dinner at his lonely apartment was a good idea, that it would get him out of his deep depression. But as Lindsay laughed at his right, her smooth hand placed casually on his knee in a friendly way, Damian could only feel emptiness. He should have been able to face the fact that Cameron probably wasn't coming back. Not ever. But he just couldn't do it. And it kept him trapped.

Hannah patted his shoulder and he looked blankly into her light blue eyes. They reminded him of Cameron's and he felt a shot of pain through his chest. "You okay, Damo?" Damian just nodded robotically and went back to staring at the floor. Hannah sent Lindsay a worried look. Lindsay sighed and stood up, motioning for Hannah to follow her into the kitchen where Samuel and Bryce stood talking. She figured Damian needed a minute to himself.

Damian felt a tear leak out of his tired eyes. Tears used to be strangers to him. Now they were what woke him in the morning and put him to bed at night. Seeing everyone together again was harder than he had anticipated. Nothing was the same without Cameron's bright smile lighting up the room or his random awkward dancing that would scuff up the hardwood floor. Damian almost swore he could hear the tinkling laugh ringing from the kitchen and smiled a bit through his tears from the memory. He glanced at the picture of his best friend that stood on the coffee table next to a candle.

Damian swiped a tear off his cheek and stood up abruptly, grabbing his coat off the armrest. Lindsay heard movement and ran out of the kitchen to see what Damian was doing. She saw him pulling on his leather jacket and ran towards him. "No! Damian, don't do this to your-" the door slammed in her face.