sanctuary || d. wayne

TEN

He looks over at her, worried something might be wrong only to see why. She wasn't upset, she was content.

Only the top half of the light-brown woman was shown. She was naked, but her arm covered her breasts. The other arm was rested under her head so the woman could sleep comfortably. The only thing she was wearing was a flower crown made of dahlias and astilbes, the colors to be determined. Her hair was let down, black tight curls that made it just past her shoulders. She was sleeping, looking comfortable under the sunset sky.

"I want to give her natural makeup," Noelle says, turning his attention from the painting. She noticed him staring. "I still have to contour certain parts and paint the crown. Afterward, I'll start the outlining."

He looks back at the painting, almost entranced by the work. It was calming, serene. Damian felt calm just looking at it. The music she played helps as well, but still.

She's good, he couldn't help but think to himself.

Noelle looks at her lap awkwardly as her legs dangle from the barstool she dragged from the kitchen. "Do you...like it?" She questions, not bothering to look at him. "I wouldn't mind some critique—"

"It's beautiful," he simply says, making her look up at him. For some reason, the smile she gave managed to make his heart skip a beat. He couldn't figure out why, especially since he'd seen that smile so many times. "You're good."

Noelle's cheeks warm at the compliment. She ignores it by saying, "I think that's the first time I've heard a compliment from you."

He gives a small smile, another rare thing for Noelle to see. She nods her head at the canvas. "I know you haven't began painting yet, but can I see what you sketched?"

He gives a small smirk, turning the canvas away from her to hide it. "You'll just have to wait and see, won't you?"

Noelle punches the body armored covered arm before flinching in regret. "Using my own words against me," she muses, "cute. Couldn't think of your own retort?"

He shrugs. "Thought it'd be more fitting to use yours."

She points to his canvas. "So you're actually not gonna let me see it?"

"I've barely started, I'm not gonna let you see a few lines," he retorts.

"Aw come on, HomeWrecker!" She pleads, only for his expression to not change. She shrugs. "I'll just see it when you leave. It's not like you're gonna take it with you."

"True," he admits, pointing the pencil at her, "but I planned on hiding it."

Noelle scoffs. "Where? In my apartment?" She rolls her eyes. "I'll easily find it."

"Hey you've asked multiple times where I hide when someone walks in." He shrugs. The way he worded it made Noelle's cheeks burn in surprise. "It won't be too hard to hide something a fourth of my size."

She rolls her eyes again. "You're insufferable." She frowns before putting the paint brush in a cup of water. "Hey, did you guys ever find that thief that paralyzed you?"

"She got away," he answers vaguely with a shrug. "If I were there, she—"

"Would've paralyzed you again?" Noelle interrupts with a singular brow raised. "I can see why Batman decided to bench you."

He rolls his eyes, though she can't tell. "I was out of it last time. Now I know not to fight hand-to-hand with her."

Noelle nods before leaning away from her canvas, scared she might accidentally touch the wet paint. "You have to get close for her to hurt you?"

"Whatever toxin she carries is placed on her lips," he says casually, making Noelle's cheeks burn at the thought. She doesn't notice how inflamed his neck got after admitting that.

"Like Poison Ivy?"

He shakes his head. "The toxin she uses isn't self-produced. She either created it or stole it, most likely the latter."

"So she chose that as her shtick?" Noelle questions for clarification, "That's not exactly the best method when fighting the good guys."

His hands rest in between his legs dangling from the barstool. "I think it's her last method," he theorizes, "her escape depends on her reflexes to dodge punches rather than throw them. She can't fight."

Noelle shrugs. "Or," she proposes, "she doesn't want to."

"Perhaps," he admits. The two sit in silence for a few more moments. Noelle looks down, thinking to herself for a few moments before asking the question she'd been pondering since Saturday.

"So..." she begins, looking up at him, "how are you, by the way?" Despite not being able to see his complete face, she's learned when he's surprised and confused. Right now, it's a bit of both. "Saturday was a little..."

"I'm fine," he answers, not bothering to look her in the eye.

She notes the quick answer, almost practiced. "Are you sure?" She questions, making him look up. "You can talk to me...if you need too." He flinches when she puts her hand on his armored shoulder. "I'm sure my discreetness has been proven."

"You have," he admits, not bothering to remove her hand. He couldn't help but wish his armor wasn't on so he could feel the warmth of her hand on his shoulder. "Your "discreetness" is appreciated."

She could sense the avoidance. He was hiding something and it wasn't just his secret identity. Noelle gives a reassuring smile, thinking it would encourage him. She removes her hand before beginning to gather her art supplies.

"Noelle?" He questions, surprising her. I think that's the first time he's said my name, she thinks to herself.
She turns around, not bothering to hide her surprise. "Do not offer your pity like that again."

"I wasn't offering my pity," she retorts gently, "I was offering my friendship." She pats his back before gesturing to her digital watch. "Leo comes home early on Fridays. You've got three minutes."

6/24/20