Bright? Shiny? Fuck, stop seeing him so much. That knowledge, that he could be seen so much, it makes him nervous. And yet also hopeful. Less for himself and more for Damien. Maybe, maybe with Empathy, Damien can grow a bit on his own. Come to understand other people more. Come to fucking care about their feelings.

Like he seemed to have at first with Mark. Before he got pushy. Back when he was still more patient.

Fuck he missed it. Oh how he'd longed for it, back when he'd seen Damien as his knight in shining armor, which was stupid.