"Survival and adaptation are the keys to our own evolution, not just from a millennium, but how we as a species must in this day and age have to unlearn old habits and relearn newer and most beneficial traits to ensure our own survival." Eric shrugged, "But that's just my opinion, I'm not trying to contradict anything."

The students and teacher of the science class stared at the nonchalant boy in exasperation and awe at how they boy gave his analytical opinion about evolution.

"Huh, I must say that I can't argue with that concept. Well done. Moving on." The science professor said with an impressed tone to his top student in Biology.

It was just another day at Eden where Eric goes about his routine and is immensely enjoying this particular lesson since it involves change and evolution in species. After class with a short break in between, Eric had to visit the little boys room.

The little blonde sighed in relief as he washed his hands under running water. The door opened and a familiar voice met his ears, "Oh great, you're here too."

"Hm, and it's good to see you as well Desi." Eric calmly responded as Damian approached one of the urinals.

"Ugh, I share enough classes with you already. It's annoying that it has to be in here as well." Damian grumbled as he did his business.

Eric rinsed his hands, "These facilities are open and available to all who come to this building as it is most needed for the human bodily functions to relieve itself of undigested sustenance lest we risk bacteria elsewhere." He explained to Damian before he pulled a paper towel to dry his hands, "I can gladly describe how the digestive tract works for you to understand why it exits your body and the best kinds of foods to help you push out a long satisfying-"

"I DON'T NEED TO KNOW!" Damian was red in the face in embarrassment as he seethed at Eric who looked all to ready to give him a graphic description of bathroom habits.

"I thought it would help you." Eric shrugged as he faced his rival, enjoying the rise he got out of the arrogant brat.

Damian zipped up his pants and began to furiously wash his hands. "You really are a smug know-it-all, and that pisses me off." He growled as he squirted soap into his hands.

Eric hummed, "I prefer to share my most basic knowledge of bodily functions to those who have yet to grasp the concepts. There's no shame in learning about how the body works while you're in front of a urinal."

"That is hardly the point. But what can you expect from a commoner. You lack wealth and status, so you try to compensate by thinking you're smarter than everyone." Damian snidely said to his rival in the hopes of angering him.

Eric scoffed, "You think being a commoner is an insult. Pitiful. It is because of how and where I started that I am able to survive up to this point. A seed needs the dirt for it to grow towards the sky. A little lesson for you Desi, those born in the dirt grow strong and learn from the ground up how to learn, adept and survive as they climb the ranks. You, however, were born in a station that never truly fosters these traits. For example, if I were to fall back into the dirt, I'll have no problem getting back up because I already went through the ringer, but if you fall from your high standing, you'll die screaming for someone to help you. There are no servants in the dirt, just bugs waiting to feast on your corpse. You lack the mindset of adaptation; you wouldn't survive in my world."

Damian felt as though he had been punched in the gut, this is just like that first time they met. Eric unveiling all his faults, pointing out the painful absence of both of his parents on the most important day of his life. This is what he hates most about Eric, he makes him feel weak no matter how much Damian tries to push down that emotion. Eric hardly cares about the station he was born in as he uses it as a weapon instead. For him to point out the possibility of Damian's fall and how he will not survive made something within him snap.

"Okay, fine. If that's how you see it, then I'll prove you wrong." Damian declared as he pointed his finger at his rival, "I'll stay at your house this weekend!"

Eric blinked at Damian for a moment before slapping a hand on his mouth to lock his laughter down. "Please, don't make me laugh, I'm already having a hard time digesting my mother's food." He spoke between his fingers as he struggled not to guffaw at Damian.

Damian went red in the face, "You think I can't last a day at your house?"

"No, I believe you can't last an hour." Eric's body shook as he hunched over in his effort to maintain his composure. "But don't waste your breath. It's not gonna happen. You lack adaptation."

Damian gritted his teeth at Eric before he smirked, "Or maybe you're afraid I'll prove you wrong."

Eric turned to Damian with a serious expression, "Don't flatter yourself. I'd be impressed if you made it through two hours. An entire weekend though? That raises the stakes pretty high, even for you."

Damian glared at Eric, "If that's the case, then let's have a little wager. If I can last the whole weekend with you and your family, then I win." A smirk crawled onto his face, "You, as the loser, will have to wear that frilly dress from the costume department in front of the whole class."

Eric leaned on one foot as he contemplated the wager, "Sounds risky." The corner of his mouth quirked up, "Very well then, however, should you turn tail and run back to the dorms between the end of school on Friday and the beginning of class on Monday, then you have to wear the dress."

Damian's mouth gaped open at the very thought of wearing something girly in front of the students.

"The wager goes both ways Desi, but if you're worried, we don't have to, and we can preserve both our prides." Eric shrugged as he prepared himself to leave the boys' room.

"Fine then, the loser wears the dress. This Friday I go to your house after school. The bet starts then and ends on Monday morning at school. It should give you plenty of time to change into that dress." Damian grinned in a challenging way.

Eric returned his smirk with his own on his normally stoic face, "Looks like the wager is set." He held his hand out to his rival who shook it, sealing their deal. "And don't count your chickens before they hatch Desi. 'Cause I'm not gonna wear that dress."

"Don't get too confident." Damian gripped Eric's hand.

"Oh no, it's not that, it's just red's not a good color on me. If I lose and look like a girl, I at least wanna wear something with green or blue. Those are my colors." Eric stated, remembering that red frilly from the costume department. He never did look good in that color.

Damian deadpanned, "That's your issue?"

"Red clashes with my complexion."

"What? You invited Damian Desmond over this weekend?" Loid Forger exclaimed as he dropped his fork at the dinner table one evening.

Eric nodded, "Technically he invited himself. Long story short, we had an argument and told him he wouldn't last a day with my lifestyle then we ended up making a bet on him lasting the entire weekend with us. If he makes it, then I have to wear a dress from the theatrical costumes. If he doesn't, then he has to wear the dress." He explained to his gaping father while his mother and sister stared at him with wide eyes.

"Big brother in a dress." Anya muttered to herself as she imagined Eric in a frilly dress complete with a bonnet and parasol and twin tails hanging below his ears. "Pretty."

"Stop imagining me." Eric grumbled at his sister who looked excited at the idea.

"What was the fight about this time?" Yor asked, sitting diagonal from her son.

Eric sighed, "Oh, just the usual, two little brats trying to one up against the other. I made an explanation on how he lacks the ability to adapt to anything for survival's sake due to how he was raised in a sheltered environment. He looked ticked and made a bold declaration on how he'll prove me wrong by spending time with us." Eric chuckled under his breath, "He's got guts, but I don't think that pampered palace brat will last the first hour."

"Actually, this will be a good thing for both of you." Loid stated from his seat beside Eric. "You two live in completely different worlds. While you are able to get a sense of how the elite function, Damian has yet to see other lifestyles outside of his circle. This will help broaden his horizons and help you understand each other." He explained as he saw an opportunity to foster some friendship between his children and Damian. He kept Plan B on the backburner for months now, he can't let this one pass.

Eric gave his father a deadpanned expression, "If you're expecting us to be best friends, forget it."

"Maybe not, but I do expect you to treat him accordingly as he will be a guest in our home. Don't scare him off while he's with us." Loid warned Eric, knowing his son will make Damian uncomfortable.

"That takes the fun out of it." Eric turned away with a sulking expression. Though if he's being honest, he wants to prove to Damian how life as a commoner is more fun than the suffocation of being an elite.

By the time Friday came and school ended, Damian carried an overnight bag with him and walked down the stairs to meet with Eric and Anya at the bus.

His minions watched him leave, waving goodbye as though he was off to war.

"Got everything you need?" Eric asked as he held Anya's hand when he saw Damian approach them.

"Yeah."

Anya bounced on her heels in excitement. "Don't be afraid, you're gonna have a great time at our house. Papa and Mama are very nice and fun to be around."

"Um, okay." Damian said as the girl watched him with sparkly eyes.

"And don't worry, we made sure Mama won't be on cooking duty while you're with us." Anya added with a relieved smile.

Eric nodded, "Mmhm."

Damian raised an eyebrow, "Just how bad is your mom's cooking?"

Eric groaned as he held his stomach, "Well, I haven't crapped in three days."

Damian had a look of fear and discomfort. That sounds scary.

The bus to the Forger residence pulled up.

"Here it is, once you get on this bus, there's no turning back." Eric turned to Damian, "Last chance to back out if you're not ready."

Damian glared before he moved past the Forgers and got on the bus.

Eric smirked lightly as he helped Anya onto the step then followed after. He had to respect Damian's guts for venturing into the unknown.

They disembarked when the bus reached their address.

"Here we are, Mom and Dad are inside waiting for us." Eric announced as he led the way into the apartment building.

Anya turned to Damian, "So, what did your papa say when you told him you were staying with us?"

Damian flinched before he quickly answered, "He was...okay with it." Though truthfully, when he called his father, his assistant answered instead, saying Donovon was busy but will update the man about his son's whereabouts this weekend.

Anya read his mind and patted his back, "I'm sure the next time you call him, you'll tell him all the great things that happened with us."

Damian blushed a little and looked away, "Um, yeah, sure."

They made it to the Forger Residence where Eric opened the door, "We're home."

All three children entered the apartment. But Damian was unprepared for the white fluff barreling toward them.

"Gyahh!" Damian dodged as it pounced on a squealing Anya.

"Bond that tickles!" Anya said between slobbering kisses.

"Why is there a polar bear in this building?" Damian exclaimed, taken by surprise by the massive beast.

Eric picked up Honey Ninja and held her to his chest. "You know, I thought the same thing when I first saw him."

Bond mercifully got off of Anya then turned to Damian who froze when he made eye contact with the dog.

Bond padded towards the new boy and sniffed at his clothes.

"Relax, he won't eat you. You're too skinny." Eric assured Damian before Bond walked away.

Damian breathed a sigh of relief, "That was a big dog."

"He's super fluffy." Anya said then took Damian's hand and led him further into the apartment.

Damian took in his new surroundings, it wasn't as big as the dorm room, but it wasn't too small like he was expecting. The style wasn't extravagant, neither was it in poor taste.

"You must be Damian Desmond."

Damian turned and saw a beautiful woman with long black hair and crimson red eyes. Beside her was a man who was a much older version of Eric minus the green eyes and emotionless stare. He glanced between the parents, noting the minimal resemblance between the females when he remembered how this woman is the second wife and the siblings' adoptive mother.

"Dad, I thought you were working until evening today." Eric stated as he held his purring cat.

"They let me off early. Besides, I wanted to meet this classmate who will be staying with us for a bit." Loid said with a welcoming smile. 'When I told the Handler about Damian's weekend with us, she pushed any side missions onto the other agents since this one is more important.'

Anya smiled as she listened to Loid's thoughts. This little mission is a go for them.

Loid turned his attention to Damian, "Welcome to our home Damian. I'm Dr. Loid Forger. This is my wife, Yor Forger."

Damian tensed up but remembered his manners as he bowed at the waist, "Thank you for having me over." He said before he straightened himself back up.

Loid knelt down on one knee so he was eye-level with the child, "Eric told us about the bet. Don't worry, we're not taking sides. This is a new experience for all of us actually. It's the first time Eric brought someone over. I know this isn't like the dorms or your house, it's not fancy but I hope you'll be comfortable. If you need help with anything let us know." He said as he maintained eye-contact with the boy, hoping this moment of reassurance will endear him enough to open up to Loid in the future.

Damian nodded, "Um, yes sir."

Eric laid a hand on his shoulder, "C'mon, I'll show you where you'll be bunking." He said as he led Damian through the apartment, making sure to show him the bathroom, his parents' and Anya's rooms, until they reached Eric's.

"Here's where you'll be sleeping." Eric informed Damian as he showed him his room. It was normal by commoner standards with all the basic furniture and personal decor around the interior.

"Wow, it's bigger than I expected." Damian stated as he walked further into the room.

"Sorry it's not a shack, but it's comfortable. Luckily the bed is big enough for two kids." Eric said as he set his book bag onto the desk.

Damian's eyes widened, "What? We have to sleep beside each other?"

Eric turned to him as he unbuttoned his uniform, "Yeah, it's normal for us. Anya and I slept in the same bed for years, and she comes in here when she has a nightmare. Why, is that a problem for you?"

Damian opened his mouth to complain, but restrained himself as this bet requires him to adapt to his new environment. Which meant he has to stomach this new sleeping arrangement. Swallowing his pride, he calmed down, "No, it's just something I'm not used to." It still stings how he has to sleep next to Eric of all people.

Eric hummed as he changed into his casual clothes, "Don't worry I won't cuddle you against your will."

Damian blushed, "That's not what I was worried about!"

"Take a joke." Eric deadpanned, "Also, change out of your uniform, you don't want food on it when we go back to school."

Damian grumbled as he opened his bag and pulled out his normal clothes. His hazel eyes caught something in the corner of Eric's room.

"Is that a sword?" Damian asked as Eric dressed himself into a beige sweater and pants.

"Yeah, I've taken up fencing at the community center." Eric said as he went over to his gear and picked up his rapier and held it horizontally before Damian, "I did tell you before how I've found a sport. Soccer and dodgeball are nice and all, but, and I don't mean to sound like Professor Henderson, there is a certain elegance when wielding a blade like this." He said as he took the position with one arm behind his back and the other extended outward as he thrusted the sword through the air.

Eric turned to Damian, "You wanna try?" He asked as he held the hilt of the fencing sword out for the boy.

Damian was surprised by the offer, "Uh, sure." He said as he carefully took the sword from Eric's hand. He felt the weight under his fingers as he turned it this way and that.

"Whoa, it's heavier than I thought." Damian said as he copied Eric's position, though it wasn't perfect.

"It becomes lighter the more you use it." Eric said as Damian gave the sword back to him, "I practice every day when I come home."

"Did you just start fencing?" Damian asked as Eric placed the sword gently back in its place among his gear.

"Yeah, I was hesitant to ask my father if I could try it out. Then he surprises me by bringing the whole family to the center. " Eric smiled softly, "Dad had a hard time trying to find a gift for my Stella Star accomplishment, so fencing seemed like an appropriate present."

Damian felt that familiar twinge of jealousy when he described how he got into the sport, how his father gave him something he was too shy to ask for. He stomped that feeling back into its box.

"So, when do you usually go to the center?" Damian asked, wanting to distract himself.

Eric turned to Damian, "My family go there every Saturday at 2:00pm. Since you're stuck with us, you'll be joining as well."

Damian shrugged, "Sure."

A knock on the door made the boys look up to see Loid standing in the entryway, "Sorry to interrupt, but have you both done your homework?"

"We were about to get started on it." Eric rummaged through his book bag and pulled out the math book, "But I have problems understanding the equations on this one."

Loid patted his head, "Not a problem, I'll help you."

All three children sat around the coffee table with their homework open. Damian felt strange sitting on the floor like this on a very low table. The only ones sitting in the chairs were Anya and Loid. Eric had very little problem as he sat with his legs crossed underneath him as he concentrated on his work while following his father's guidance. Loid provided an example for his son to follow which helped the boy a great deal.

Damian peeked over at the example without being too obvious as he tried to solve the math problems on his own. But some of the equations were difficult for him as he struggled to figure them out. He would normally ask a tutor for help, but right now he didn't want to look foolish in front of the Forgers. The last thing he wants is to come off as unintelligent before those of commoner status. He's a Desmond, he can't ask for help from lower status. But this problem is very hard!

Anya watched Damian with a confused expression before she poked her brother beside her and tilted her head to Damian.

Eric looked up and watched the steam come off Damian's head as he struggled. "Do you need help?"

Damian jumped and shook his head, "I'm fine, this is nothing."

Eric deadpanned, "Just ask for help. Your brain steam polluting the air right now."

Damian glared at Eric, "It is not, and I don't need help!"

"Damian." Loid called his name in a reprimanding tone, making the boy freeze.

Damian bowed, "Sorry."

Loid glanced at the math problem Damian was stuck on before taking a blank sheet of paper out. After a few seconds, he showed the paper to Damian.

"This template should help you."

Damian took the paper and analyzed the impressive penmanship and easy to understand instruction. "Wow, your calligraphy is scary good." Damian stated as he stared at the artistic lettering.

Loid smiled, "Thank you Damian." 'Though I mainly use that skill for forgery purposes on missions.'

"Um and thank you for the help. Even though you didn't have to." Damian muttered to himself.

"Papa doesn't play favorites. He's just super cool." Anya exclaimed to Damian as she gave her father a smile of admiration.

"Oh yeah?"

Anya nodded, "And he's super-fast and strong like Bondman. When we went out on an ooting, we saw this thief push down a granny and stole her purse. Papa, Mama, brother and I chased him, we almost lost him in the crowd, but Papa spotted him and jumped onto his back! WHOOSH POW! Then Papa says, 'That's the foulest meal for you!'" Anya finished as she made grand gestures to exaggerate the story.

Loid blushed at how his daughter imitated him, "I can't believe you still remember that."

"The only reason why you caught that stupid thief is because of Anya's sweet tooth when she pointed at the cake shop he was walking by. I'm surprised you haven't killed him considering that crater you made when you landed on him." Eric said with an impressed smile as he remembered that moment he gained a sense of respect for his father.

"Some things you learn in the army just stay with you." Loid said to his children, "And I say this as your father not to copy what I did."

"But why?" Anya asked, hardly deterred by her father.

"It's...something only grownups should do." Loid said as he struggled to come up with the best answer, so his children don't put themselves in danger.

Damian watched the patriarch of the Forger family in awe and surprise. This man is very humble, brave and patient. He has a background in the army and is insanely attentive to his patients and children. He is even kind to him, a child he barely knew and just met. Offering him help just for the sake of it. That feeling of longing returned as he watched the Forger siblings interact with their father. For a moment he imagined himself in Eric's place and his father in Loid's, smiling with pride and affection towards his child.

Damian set the pencil down and stood up, "Um, I'll be right back, I need to use the restroom." He announced as he quickly walked away from the common area.

Anya watched Damian leave, her eyes filled with sadness when she saw the image inside Damian's head.

Damian locked the door behind him and gripped the edge of the sink. He began to hyperventilate. Tears gathered in his eyes as he clenched them shut. 'Damnit. Stop crying! Stop crying!' He cursed himself as those feelings returned, the jealousy towards Eric, and that longing for his father's attention. He tried very hard to remember the last time his father smiled at him, told him he loved him. But all he got was that large shadow falling over him, the man's face unseen as he told his son not to besmirch the Desmond name.

Damian furiously wiped his eyes with his sleeves before splashing his face with water, 'I need to get more Stella Stars quickly. But how?' He thought to himself, that image of what he wants more than anything still in his mind.

Once he deemed himself presentable, he left the bathroom and returned to the coffee table to finish his homework. With Loid's guidance and the template, Damian was able to finish his math equations alongside Eric.

As the two Eden Students moved on to Classical Language, Loid began dinner while Yor set up the table and Anya watched Spy Wars.

Damian groaned at the background noise of the TV, finding it distracting. He faced Eric who sat across from him, "How can you work like this?"

Eric hardly seemed phased by the TV as he kept his eyes glued to his paper, "Easy, I learned to tune them out. That's one of the perks of having a younger sibling, you can just roll with it."

"And if that doesn't work?"

"I threaten to eat all her peanut snacks."

Anya turned and gave her brother a wicked threatening look, "If you eat my precious peanuts, I'll eat all your chocolate."

"I was joking." Eric held a hand up at the intense aura she's letting out then mouthed to Damian, "Mostly."

Damian frowned as he tried very hard to concentrate on his work, "I don't get why she loves that show."

"It mainly has something to do with how Dad and Bondman are physically similar to each other. But even I have a hard time understanding her fixation on anything spy related." Eric said with a sigh, "But then again, it's difficult to understand other people's taste in shows and stories. I mean, personally I like documentary shows about biology and nature. Some call it boring, I like how it soothes my nerves. I tried introducing Becky to it to help her with the subject, but she prefers Berlint in Love."

"Hold on, that's for mature audiences. What's a first grader doing watching something inappropriate?" Damian exclaimed as he heard of the show from Jeeves.

Eric deadpanned and pointed at his sister, "What's a four-year-old doing watching a cartoon character commit violence?"

Damian had no way to retaliate as he groaned, "Guess we all have our tastes."

"What about you? Do you have a favorite show?" Eric asked him while they were on topic.

Damian frowned and looked away, "I don't really have a favorite. My family has a strict rule about watching too much television. Too distracting and it plants bad ideas into people's heads."

Eric frowned, "That's gotta suck. I may not watch TV shows the way Becky and Anya do, but even I can't think unless I hear TV or radio in the background."

"That's why you don't complain, it helps you study?"

Eric smiled slightly, "In a way, it does. By the way, that word on the third line need an 'i' not an 'e'." He pointed the eraser end of his pencil at Damian's paper.

Damian blushed at his mistake before he fixed it.

As they finished up their Classical Language assignment, Loid called them over for dinner. Damian sat at the table on one side while Yor and Anya were seated together on his left and Eric and Loid sat on his right.

"Smells so good!" Anya said after inhaling the freshly prepared food as Yor filled her plate and set it down in front of her. She did the same for Damian while Loid helped Eric as their arms weren't long enough.

As Damian ate, he couldn't help but shiver at the taste.

"What's wrong, does it taste bad?" Loid asked when he caught the boy's shiver.

"No, it's really tasty. You cooked this all by yourself?" Damian said in amazement as he swallowed the food.

Loid smiled at the compliment as he cut into his meat, "It's nothing fancy, but it's something I learned to pay for my tuition while I studied. Plus, I thoroughly enjoy cooking."

"I'm pretty sure that's how you got Mom to marry you. Ladies love a man who know their way around a kitchen. At least that's what Becky told me." Eric shrugged as he ate his food.

Yor looked sheepish, "Well, I was never taught growing up. But cleaning has always been my greatest strength."

'So that's why it's so fresh and clean here.' Damian thought to himself as he listened to the grownups talking.

"Mama is getting better at cooking though, that stew you made was yummy." Anya stated as she remembered that tasty stew that warmed her belly.

Yor smiled, "It was something my mother made when me and Yuri were children."

Damian glanced at Eric who quickly explained, "Yuri is her younger brother. Mine and Anya's uncle."

"Oh, okay."

Damian's face was turned by Yor who reached over with a napkin and wiped the corner of his mouth. "You had a little bit of sauce on your cheek."

Damian blushed at the shameful and messy display. Oh, the disgrace to the Desmond name!

"Anya, you got cheese on your nose." Eric pointed out when he saw something on his sister.

Anya went cross-eyed as she spotted the cheese. She stuck her tongue out and tried to extend it upward to catch it.

Yor giggled as she reached over to wipe her daughter's face. "I got you."

Seeing that actually made Damian feel a little better with his mishap.

As the dinner bled out into more conversation, Damian felt relaxed. Normally dinner with his family would be spent in silence as they ate their meal at the large dining table. While the meal would be gourmet and fancy, there was always this coldness that would settle within the pit of his stomach. Even when there was a conversation, it was always about school or politics. Always cordial, polite and empty. But sitting here with the Forgers at a small dining table, there was warmth and closeness. Most of all, they were all smiling with each other, completely unbothered by what the world thinks.

That peaceful content he experienced was accompanied by guilt. He feels like he's betraying his family name by enjoying something so common. But is it so wrong to actually talk and find enjoyment during dinner?

When everyone was finished eating, Eric helped his mother wash the dishes. Standing on the chair he scrutinized every plate before confirming their cleanliness and handing it to his mother to dry.

Damian watched from the couch at how Eric concentrated on his task.

"Brother's a bit of neat freak when it comes to cleaning." Anya said as she sat in front of the television with Bond beside her. There was a cartoon show featuring a polar bear, penguin elephant and a rabbit.

"Oh yeah, I never would've guessed. But then again, he is organized with his stuff." Damian noted as Eric came over to join his rival on the couch as they stared at the TV.

"What are we watching?" Eric frowned as he stared at the screen.

"I have no idea." Damian shrugged.

"Anya, Eric, Damian, time to brush your teeth and go to bed." Loid called to the children since it's already bedtime.

"Okee!" Anya said, hardly moving from her spot.

Eric rolled his shoulder and hopped off the couch with Damian, "Got your toothbrush?"

Damian froze and berated himself, "I forgot."

"Don't worry, we anticipated something like this. We bought an extra one." Eric assured Damian who sighed in relief. He does not want to lose his teeth at all.

"Look Bond, the polar bear kinda looks like you." Anya pointed at the cartoon character.

Bond 'borfed' before gunshots made the two flinch as they watched the penguin die in the polar bear's arms.

"How is this a children's cartoon show?" Damian said in exasperation as he and Eric watched the scene.

"Got me. Whatever the creators are trying to convey is not my cup of tea." Eric deadpanned as Anya cried over the penguin.

Loid appeared and picked a weeping Anya up by the back of her shirt like a misbehaving puppy. "Hey, I told you to go to bed. And why is this cartoon so dark."

"We don't know." Eric and Damian said at the same time before they slinked off to the bathroom to brush their teeth.

Damian opened his new toothbrush and saw a star engraved on the back.

"Anya picked that one out for you. She thought you might like it." Eric said with his toothbrush in his mouth.

Damian blushed at Anya's thoughtfulness before he furiously brushed his teeth.

With their teeth cleaned, the boys dressed for bed.

Damian flopped onto the bed with a sigh realizing just how tired he was after everything this afternoon. He glanced at the penguin clock on Eric's bedside and saw it was already eight. He lasted the first five hours with the Forgers, and it wasn't even bad.

Something hopped onto the bed, drawing Damian's attention to the black cat with golden eyes meowing at him.

Eric appeared by the bed and plucked the kitty off the covers and held her close for cuddles, "I haven't formally introduced you to my cat. This is Honey Ninja. Honey, this is Damian."

"Huh, you call it 'Honey'? That's a nickname you a give to a girlfriend." Damian deadpanned as he sat up against the wall.

Eric smiled fondly at his furry companion as he scratched beneath her chin. "Her eyes are golden like honey, and her black fur combined with her sneakiness make her seem like a ninja." He looked up at Damian, "She also has this knack for finding me with no problem."

Damian stared at the kitty, "Somehow that actually makes sense. When did you even get her?"

Eric sat on the bed with Honey Ninja in his lap, "I got her at the same time Anya got Bond. He's her reward for becoming a part-timer while Honey became mine for my first Stella Star. I find her presence most comforting when I stress out."

"So she was gift from your parents as well?" Damian asked as he looked around the room, "What else do they give you when you accomplish something?"

"Nothing fancy. You see that penguin clock. Dad bought it for me as a surprise while we were at the aquarium together. This was after I got accepted into Eden." Eric laughed softly to himself, "Dad had to carry me back home when I saw the results because I fainted."

Damian's eyes widened, "So that time when you saw your test scores wasn't the first time?"

"I get sleep anxiety while waiting for test results." Eric said as he climbed under the covers. Damian followed, keeping close to the wall so he doesn't accidentally touch Eric.

"I have to say, you're actually doing well on your first night with the Forgers. Was it really so awful?" Eric asked as he set Honey Ninja on his stomach.

Damian made a small sound in his throat and turned his head to face the wall, "It wasn't bad."

"Just not what you were expecting." Eric stated as he stared at the back of Damian's head.

"Your parents...they're very nice."

"I think most parents are." Eric agreed as he looked up at the ceiling.

"Your dad wasn't what I expected. I thought he'd be strict and scary." Damian mused as he thought of the kind and gentle moments he spent with the man.

Eric smiled softly, "Oh, you're not wrong. He has his moments where he looks like the world is about to end anytime his kids leave his sight. He also tends to hover over me whenever I ignore my health. We actually argued over me being sick and not telling him. He was pretty mad that day."

Damian turned his head to face Eric who had a look of fondness on his face, "Do you like your dad?" Damian could not help but ask as Eric hummed.

"I do actually. I didn't always spend time with him before. When my first mom died, he became a single parent. Honestly, I found him pretty clumsy for a time while taking care of us." Eric said with a small smile as he remembered how he and Anya came into Loid's care. The man had zero clue how to be a father to one, let alone two kids. "But despite his struggles, he learned how to be a parent. There are moments where he misunderstands his own children, but he's still really cool."

Damian frowned as his envy returned. Dr. Forger obviously put in a lot of effort into being a father compared to his. Eric seems comfortable enough to accept Dr. Forger for all his flaws.

"We grow because we struggle, we learn and overcome." Eric suddenly said, confusing Damian before he explained, "A quote I read from one of Dad's books. I find it quite inspiring."

"Why tell me this?"

Eric gave Damian a nearly unnoticeable smile, "Something to help you get through the next two days with us." He faced the ceiling again and closed his eyes, "Well, goodnight."

Damian stared at him for a moment then quietly said, "Goodnight."

Damian didn't fall asleep yet, he was trying to get accustomed to sharing a bed with another person. It was strange and foreign to him, being next to someone while sleeping. He never did that with his parents or brother. But this was normal for Eric who grew up with a younger sibling.

'It's so warm here.' Damian thought to himself as he experienced a strange comfort lying next to someone. As though to reassure him he's not alone.

Damian's eye lids became heavy as he slowly succumbed to sleep, a peaceful expression falling over his face.

And that's it for Part 1 of Weekend at Forgers. I originally wanted to make this into one long chapter, but I didn't want to wait. Honestly, I have been dying to write this sequence for a long time. I just needed to bridge several gaps to get to this point. I enjoy writing the dynamics between Eric and Damian, it's just too funny and their personalities clash.