That laugh is nearly a heartbreaking sound coming from Nathaniel, and Damian forces himself to pull back so he can meet the lilac gaze.

"You are invited to sleep in the basement with me if you want to prolong the inevitable," he offers seriously, following it with what little humour he could manage. "It's the one place she won't look for you, after all."

Damian was straight as an arrow as far as Anita knew.