Damian closed the door of Professor Henderson 's office behind him with a tired

sigh.

'How 'd it go? '

'GAH! ' Damian jolted, and immediately wheezed from the strain on his voice. His hand flew to his throat, once again struck by just how

painful

it was, from seemingly no effort at all.

Ewen and Emile stared at Damian, and his gut sank to see the worried looks on their faces. Not that he had any idea how to reassure them. He had no idea they were even waiting for him.

This clearly wasn 't their first time seeing Damian after the

incident

- but it was Damian 's first time seeing them. That he could remember. He watched them both carefully, looking for any clues in how to act with them, wondering just how much he should expect them to hate him, or be afraid of him.

'Well? ' Ewen prompted, while Emile looked on expectantly, with his arms crossed.

Damian tensed, unintentionally crumpling the paper in his hand with a small