Okay, that's not fair. You're like infinitely smarter than me, so how does that prove being more of an adult when it's really just proof that you would kick my ass in chess in a matter of seconds?
[but prompto's letting this conversation go, by way of letting his camera dangle from the strap around his neck, pulling instead something from his back pocket. it's a satchel, containing gloves, and he forcibly hands them over. tsuntsuntsun (he always loses at competition so he always gets a bit salty for like a hot minute).]
Damian's dour expression flickers into one of surprise. He takes it, about to protest - to remind Prompto he hadn't wanted anyone to celebrate to consider it. But...
He doesn't expect anything for his birthday, ever. Or for anyone to remember it - his father sure as hell never did, and Talia only celebrated it until he stopped being her obedient little toy. He doesn't spread it around, doesn't bother looking forward to it. It's hard to when your life has been a trainwreck for so long you've forgotten what it feels like to be happy.
[prompto rubs at the back of his neck, somewhat embarrassed, kicking at the ground with his boots and looking elsewhere.]
I mean, it's not a big deal. It wasn't supposed t'be. I didn't get you a present cuz I thought you had a shitty childhood, it's just -- nice to be remembered, especially on your birthday, right? Even if it isn't technically your birthday anymore...
[he's twisting himself around in his own words.]
So now I know you had a shitty childhood, or none at all, and that makes me, [shrugs] feel sad? But - not that you're sad cuz of it! I just... [with a pause, he seems to finally land onto a more calm aspect of speaking, without the exaggerated inflections or the quick speech] I get it. I never got to celebrate my birthday until I met people who really cared about me and went out of their way to find out about it, when I was sixteen. Even if it's stupid or childish, I don't want others to feel like they don't matter due to no one recognizing them on their birthdays.
It's not often that Damian is left genuinely speechless. He needs a minute, his expression carefully schooled into something more neutral. ]
When you first arrived here I thought you were going to need someone to look after you. [ It's... not a nice thing to say. He doesn't know how to respond to raw emotional honesty but offering it in kind. And admitting he was... wrong is something he's not good at. ] I was... wrong.
I underestimated more than just your capabilities in combat.
I dunno about you, but I'm definitely taking that as a compliment.
[he's not someone who gets easily offended, or who is quick to ire. years of solitude and doubting his own worth has made him someone who is rather resilient, patient, perceptive of his surroundings.]
[prompto, who cares hopelessly for his friends, who threw himself into an adventure way out of his comfort zone--where he was definitely not ready to tackle everything he saw and went through. and yet here he is, warm as a person, willing to be the heart of the team without even intending it.]
[he bumps at damian's arm with a closed fist, companionable.]
[ He doesn't know how to respond to that. That much is clear. There's the barest of tensing, something reflexive and instinctive rather than perceiving a real threat - but he relaxes.
And so, awkwardly, carefully he returns the gesture. It doesn't come as easily as it does with Jason or Dick, or even Vic. He still feels like he should be keeping his distance, hands off and emotions closed.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[this is making prompto's anxiety leave him. thank you, damian]
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[ DON'T SASS ME ARGENTUM. ]
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[listen, he's always been the baby. let him have this.]
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I took care of myself as a kid and managed?
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Have you done your taxes?
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I did the books for my family's company for a year.
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[but prompto's letting this conversation go, by way of letting his camera dangle from the strap around his neck, pulling instead something from his back pocket. it's a satchel, containing gloves, and he forcibly hands them over. tsuntsuntsun (he always loses at competition so he always gets a bit salty for like a hot minute).]
Happy late birthday anyway.
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Damian's dour expression flickers into one of surprise. He takes it, about to protest - to remind Prompto he hadn't wanted anyone to celebrate to consider it. But...
He doesn't expect anything for his birthday, ever. Or for anyone to remember it - his father sure as hell never did, and Talia only celebrated it until he stopped being her obedient little toy. He doesn't spread it around, doesn't bother looking forward to it. It's hard to when your life has been a trainwreck for so long you've forgotten what it feels like to be happy.
But this?
This... feels pretty close to happy. ]
... Thanks.
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I mean, it's not a big deal. It wasn't supposed t'be. I didn't get you a present cuz I thought you had a shitty childhood, it's just -- nice to be remembered, especially on your birthday, right? Even if it isn't technically your birthday anymore...
[he's twisting himself around in his own words.]
So now I know you had a shitty childhood, or none at all, and that makes me, [shrugs] feel sad? But - not that you're sad cuz of it! I just... [with a pause, he seems to finally land onto a more calm aspect of speaking, without the exaggerated inflections or the quick speech] I get it. I never got to celebrate my birthday until I met people who really cared about me and went out of their way to find out about it, when I was sixteen. Even if it's stupid or childish, I don't want others to feel like they don't matter due to no one recognizing them on their birthdays.
[#feelings]
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It's not often that Damian is left genuinely speechless. He needs a minute, his expression carefully schooled into something more neutral. ]
When you first arrived here I thought you were going to need someone to look after you. [ It's... not a nice thing to say. He doesn't know how to respond to raw emotional honesty but offering it in kind. And admitting he was... wrong is something he's not good at. ] I was... wrong.
I underestimated more than just your capabilities in combat.
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I dunno about you, but I'm definitely taking that as a compliment.
[he's not someone who gets easily offended, or who is quick to ire. years of solitude and doubting his own worth has made him someone who is rather resilient, patient, perceptive of his surroundings.]
[prompto, who cares hopelessly for his friends, who threw himself into an adventure way out of his comfort zone--where he was definitely not ready to tackle everything he saw and went through. and yet here he is, warm as a person, willing to be the heart of the team without even intending it.]
[he bumps at damian's arm with a closed fist, companionable.]
I probably really need lookin' after though.
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And so, awkwardly, carefully he returns the gesture. It doesn't come as easily as it does with Jason or Dick, or even Vic. He still feels like he should be keeping his distance, hands off and emotions closed.
He's getting soft. ]
We'll get you self-sufficient eventually.
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[he trails off, pushing up onto a railing to keep his balance between actual pavement and the edge of the canal]
I'll have to rely on you guys and hope that my sense of self-preservation is enough to keep me afloat!
[and he jumps off before he actually loses his balance, onto a bench, and snapping shots of the skyline above.]