Chapter Text
Damian didn't know when he started living with the Forgers, but he assumed it happened some time between when he started walking Anya home and when his stuff started appearing in their guest room.
Damian started walking home with her by accident. They were in 4th grade and way too engrossed with whatever they were bickering about one day, that he somehow walked her all the way to her house.
It was pretty late by the time they arrived at her apartment and her parents were very worried when she didn't come home on the bus or with Becky.
It wasn't the first time he had been to her home. He’d been there various times over the years for projects and other school related assignments. Nothing more than that. So, he was not shocked when a big, white dog nearly toppled Anya as she stepped through the door.
He remembered a sinking feeling pool in his stomach when her parents ran to hug her the moment she stepped through the door. His father and mother had never and probably would never do that. Maybe if it was Demetrius, they might have cared. Maybe if he had achieved as much as Demetrius, they would have cared.
“Oh Damian, dear. It's awfully late for you to go back to the dorms alone. Would you like to stay over? Or we could call you a cab?” Mrs. Forger fussed over Anya, while still keeping him in mind. It was odd. Why did she care? He wasn't even her son.
“No, just a cab, please.” Damian replied.
“Well, why don't you stay for dinner at least? You must have missed dinner at Eden by now.” Mr. Forger offered.
It was past 6 already, and he was hungry from all the walking. Surely Housemaster Henderson wouldn't mind as long as he got back before curfew, right?
“I suppose I could stay.” Damian said, while his cheeks reddened at the sight of Anya’s smirk.
“If you wanted to stay, you could have just asked, Sy-on boy.” Much to Damian’s distress, (It could have been pleasure if he wasn't Damian Desmond), Anya’s face was way too close to his.
“As if!” Damian retorted, scoffing, despite knowing full-well that she could hear his thoughts.
Yor giggled, delighted that Anya had made such wonderful friends.
“Oh, I suppose I should call the school to inform them of your whereabouts. We wouldn't want them to get worried.”
Yor asked Damian to help her dial the school’s number while Anya went to “help” her dad cook. (She actually just wanted to sneak in a few peanuts before dinner.)
Dinner at the Forgers was nothing grand, but Damian grew to love it. Damian sat beside Anya across from Loid and Yor at their small dinner table. Anya was sitting close enough that her knees sometimes bumped into his. Loid’s cooking wasn't anything short of great, but it wasn't like the 5-star meals at Eden. It had more feeling and less fancy garnishes. The more intimate conversation contrasted the loud, idle chatter of the dining hall. But everything was nice.
It felt weird when Mrs. Forger asked how his day was. It felt even weirder when she complimented him on even the smallest achievement. It felt weird when Mr. Forger was genuinely interested in him, rather than just his father. It felt weird when Anya talked energetically about her day, but only the insignificant details.
It felt weird, but…it felt like a family.
He would regret leaving that evening.
Just when the cab arrived, Damian was in the middle of watching Spy Wars with Anya, while sitting on the floor in front of their television. He didn't understand her fixation on the show and definitely did not like the way she left peanut shells everywhere around her. But, he did like being there.
Anya gave him a hug before he got in the car. It wasn't a common occurrence, but he had gotten more and more hugs over the years.
Damian didn't want to let her go, but he also didn't want her to know that. So begrudgingly, he pulled away and went back to the dorms.
Ewen and Emile were admittedly a little too worried about him and if Anya wasn't Mr. Henderson's favourite student, he definitely wouldn't have gotten away scot-free.
His bed felt a little colder than usual that night.