Raphael walked into Damian’s study, finding his brother seated behind his desk with a cup of coffee. Damian looked up, surprised to see Raphael approaching with a serious expression. He leaned back in his chair, setting the cup down.
“Well, this is unexpected,” Damian said, gesturing for Raphael to sit. “What brings you here? You look like you have something on your mind.”
Raphael didn’t sit. Instead, he stood near the desk, his hands in his pockets. “I need to talk to you about something important,” he said, his tone firm.
Damian raised an eyebrow. “Go on. I’m listening.”
Raphael hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I want you to free Luna,” he said directly, his eyes locked on Damian’s.
Damian tilted his head, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Free Luna?” he repeated, leaning forward slightly. “That’s a bold request. Why the sudden interest, Raphael?”
“It’s not sudden,” Raphael said, his voice steady. “I’ve been watching her, and… she deserves better. She’s been through enough.”
Damian chuckled softly, shaking his head. “So, my little brother has a soft spot for Luna now? Interesting. Tell me, Raphael, what’s changed? Why her?”
Raphael shifted uncomfortably, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “There’s something about her. She’s… different.”
Damian raised an eyebrow, his smile growing wider. “Different how?”
“She’s innocent,” Raphael said, his voice softening. “She’s been through hell, yet she hasn’t lost her kindness. She’s strong in her own way, and she doesn’t even realize it.”
Damian nodded slowly, his eyes studying Raphael. “You sound… fascinated,” he said, a hint of amusement in his tone.
“I am,” Raphael admitted, meeting his brother’s gaze. “She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met. And I don’t want her to feel trapped anymore.”
Damian leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. “You’ve never been one to care about anyone else’s freedom, Raphael,” he said, his tone teasing. “What’s really going on here? You’re not the type to get attached.”
Raphael frowned, his jaw tightening. “Maybe I’m not,” he said. “But I want to try. Luna… she makes me want to try.”
Damian’s smile softened, and he nodded. “Fair enough,” he said. “If you want me to free her, I will. But you have to be honest with me, Raphael. What are your intentions with her?”
Raphael hesitated, his eyes dropping to the floor for a moment before looking back at Damian. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But I want to figure it out. I want to know her, to understand her. She deserves someone who sees her for who she is.”
Damian studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he sighed and nodded. “Fine,” he said. “If that’s what you want, I’ll free her.”
Raphael’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. “You will?” he asked.
Damian chuckled. “Why not? I don’t own people, Raphael. I might have kept her here out of habit, but if letting her go makes you happy, then so be it.”
Raphael let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “Thank you,” he said sincerely.
Damian waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t thank me yet,” he said. “There’s still the matter of Luna herself. Have you talked to her about this? What if she doesn’t feel the same way about you?”
Raphael stiffened slightly, his mind racing. “I haven’t told her in the love-love manner,” he admitted. “I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. But I’ll talk to her… when the time is right.”
Damian smirked. “Careful, Raphael,” he said. “You’re starting to sound like a man in love.”
Raphael’s face turned slightly red, but he shook his head. “I’m not in love,” he said quickly. “I just… I care about her.”
“Sure,” Damian said, his tone teasing. “But I’ll warn you, little brother: caring about someone is dangerous. It makes you vulnerable.”
“I can handle it,” Raphael said firmly.
Damian studied him for another moment before nodding. “All right,” he said. “I’ll handle the paperwork and make it official. Luna will be free. But Raphael… don’t screw this up. She’s been through enough.”
Raphael nodded. “I won’t,” he said.
Damian stood, walking around the desk to clap a hand on Raphael’s shoulder. “Good luck, brother,” he said. “You’re going to need it.”
Raphael smiled faintly, the weight in his chest lifting slightly. He turned to leave but paused at the door. “Damian,” he said, glancing back.
“Yeah?” Damian replied.
“Thanks,” Raphael said simply.
Damian nodded, his expression softening. “Anytime.”
As Raphael left the study, Damian sat back down, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Innocent, strong, and kind,” he murmured to himself. “You’ve got your work cut out for you, Raphael.”
He picked up his coffee cup, a faint smile lingering on his lips as he thought about his brother’s unexpected change of heart. It seemed Luna had made an impression on more than just him.