Damian, Bruce, Steph, Duke, and Jason, all sat on the Study's long couch.
Bruce stood behind Damian with a smile while Damian sat with his legs crossed between Jason and Duke while their pet dog (yes, they have a dog) rested his head on Damian's lap.
Steph sat on a separate purple cushion before Duke, hugging her legs for comfort.
Jason was invested in a book he was reading while listening to the conversation.
Steph looked at Damian, who was still thinking about how to make friends.
"Try finding common interests in people," Steph suggested. "I mean, what do you like?"
"Swords."
"Maybe something.... less..." Duke looked for words. "Stabby?"
"I've always been intrigued by world domination." said Lil' Damian very seriously, patting the dog like a mastermind.
Jason snorted.
Damian smirked with pride.
Bruce looked fed up.
While Duke and Steph exchanged nervous, disapproved glances to what would be known as 'We've got a long way to go'.
"What about animals?" Bruce suggested.
"Oh, yes, animals are nice." Damian patted the dog.
"Great!" Bruce said, happy with some progress. "Let's try that."
"How about joining a team or club?" Duke suggested.
"Tennis."
"I didn't know you liked tennis." Bruce sounding baffled.
Jason side-eyed Damian, unbelievably.
"Then why...?" Duke questioned, looking just as confused as Steph.
"A boy on the tennis team insulted father's honor." Damian said, a look of pride painted on his face while his hand was on his chest. "I have been training to destroy him on court."
"Honestly," said Steph, smirking with her arms crossed. "I respect it."
"Let's stay away from the tennis court, all right?" said Bruce, knowing how brutal Damian can be when he puts his mind to it. "I appreciate the thought, though."
"Jason? Do you have any suggestions for Damian?" Bruce inquired with hopeful eyes.
"I broke my best friend out of prison." Jason said with a straight face in pride.
"Not exactly helpful in the context." Bruce replied, both him and Damian giving the 'Really?' look.
"Whatever." looking a bit offended, Jason continued reading the book.
"Well, this has been singularly unhelpful." said Damian, frustrated.
"You're going to be fine, Damian." Bruce comforted. "Just trust your instincts."
Duke gave a concerned side glance.
'Oh boy, this'll be good.' Steph and Jason smirked.
Damian was not satisfied by the proposals.
~Mini-Theatre~
As Damian left the room with Ace, Bruce sighed. "He'll be fine, right? ..... Right?"
As he turned around he saw them huddled together making bets on how he's gonna make it while Duke shrugged, out of the gambling hustle, Bruce slapped his forehead out of exasperation.
"Chamomile tea, Master Bruce?" Alfred inquired.
"Yes, and thank you, Alfred."
Word Count: 447
End of Chapter II