Safe - Damian Wayne x Reader (Heartlines Soulmates AU)
You mouthed along to the music in your headphones as you started to stock the books onto the shelves. The bookstore was quiet, especially on a weekday afternoon like today, and the work was calm and methodical. As you moved in tune with your music, you felt a light tap on your shoulder. Startled, you turned and pulled your headphones off, suddenly face to face with a handsome young man. He was taller than you, but not by much, with dark hair and shocking green eyes. He chuckled a bit.
“Sorry to scare you,” he said, “do you work here?” You breathed out a relieved sigh and chuckled along with him.
“Yeah, I do. Did you need something?” you answered. He nodded.
“I was just wondering where I could find some texts about animal care.” You thought for a second before answering.
“Domestic or exotic?” He smiled a bit.
“Alright. I’ll show you the section, right this way.” As he followed behind you, you felt some butterflies growing in your stomach. The thought crossed your mind that you were suddenly relieved you couldn’t see the heartlines, knowing you’d be upset by the sight of his leading undoubtedly away from you. Once you’d showed him where to find the right books, he thanked you. He had an indescribable look in his eyes.
“What was your name?” he asked.
“Y/N,” you replied. He looked almost puzzled, but after a second, smiled slightly.
“I’m Damian. I’m sure we’ll be getting better acquainted.”
Damian didn’t necessarily want to call Drake, but given that Grayson didn’t answer and Todd was out on a mission, he felt obligated to tell someone. Tim answered on the first ring.
“Damian?” he said, obvious confusion in his voice.
“Hello to you too, Drake.”
“Is something wrong? You normally don’t call.” Damian sighed, unsure whether he should just hang up and keep it to himself.
“No, nothing is wrong. I… met my soulmate today.” The words took a weight off of his chest. There were a few seconds of stunned silence.
“You… met your soulmate? Wow, Dami, that’s really good news! What’s their name? When can I meet them?”
“Her name’s Y/N. But you can’t meet her,” Damian answered carefully.
“What do you mean, I can’t meet her? Why not?” The confusion was evident in Tim’s tone. “Did you not tell her?” Damian remained silent.
“So let me get this straight. You saw the person your heartline is connected to, but didn’t mention it to her? You just left?” Damian sighed.
“She’s a really sweet girl, Drake. She’s beautiful and kind. The last thing she needs is an assassin coming into her life and putting her in danger.” The words pained him to say. “She’s better off without me. You don’t need your soulmate to fall in love. She’ll find someone normal, someone safe.”
“I think we both know you don’t really think that. Or maybe you do. All I know is that she, that you, will never love as deeply as you could with your soulmate. You can be happy, but something will always be missing. And if I know you at all, Damian, I know that you’re determined to a fault. Nothing has ever stopped you from getting what you wanted. So what makes you think that anything can stop you from keeping her safe?”
The slight jingle of bells on the door alerted you that someone had entered the store. You turned, hopeful, but tried to hide your disappointment when you saw it wasn’t Damian. He’d come back a few times since you first met a month prior, and to say you were developing a crush on him would be an understatement. His handsome face seemed to rest in a scowl, giving him an almost intimidating appearance, but his smile was absolutely dazzling. He was stuck in your head, working his way into your daydreams more than anyone you’d met. You didn’t know what about him made you feel this way, but his visits to the bookshop had become highlights of your workweek. You put your headphones in again, beginning to take inventory. After a while, you made your way through the shelves, straightening the books and putting them in order. Upon finishing a row, you turned to head back to the front of the store, startled when you found yourself once again face-to-face with Damian. You let out a relieved sigh, putting your head over your heart and taking off your headphones, your stomach filling with butterflies when Damian laughed lightly.
“You know,” he said, “you should stop wearing headphones while you work. It makes you unobservant.” You rolled your eyes.
“Noted. So did you need anything, or are you just here to say hi?” He stopped smirking, once again serious. If anything, he looked nervous, something you wouldn’t have expected from a guy like him.
“Neither,” he said. “I am here to tell you something.” With that, you, too, were nervous. You raised an eyebrow, trying to hide the twisting in your gut.
“Oh? Go for it,” you responded.
“I haven’t been entirely honest with you, Y/N. I know this might sound strange, but I thought you might be better off not knowing me. I think later you’ll come to understand that my life isn’t quite… normal, and it can be dangerous at times. I thought you would have a better shot at being happy without me,” he started. You looked up at him, utterly lost.
“I’m not understanding, Damian. I’d be better off without you? Where are you going with this?” He took a deep breath.
“You’re my soulmate, Y/N. I can see the heartlines.” Your head swam as you started to understand his words.
“I’m sorry,” he continued, “I realize now that I should have told you. You deserve to know.”
“I’m your soulmate?” you repeated in disbelief. He nodded, trying to read your expression.
“Yes, beloved. You are.” The confirmation, as well as the pet name, made you melt. He continued. “All I’m asking is that you give me a chance. To prove myself worthy to you, to keep you safe.” You didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Yes.” You reached your hand out to him, and he took it, squeezing your fingers tightly. You grinned, the bliss you felt easily overcoming any of your confusion and uncertainty. “Of course.”
Tagging: @chibi-liz05 (I would once again like to thank you for inspiring me to write! You’re almost single-handedly fueling this blog and I appreciate you) @the-crime-fighting-spider @iknowrocknroll567
