Chapter Text
"Yes, I can read people’s minds."
Damian stared at her in amazement for a second, before recovering: "but such a thing is impossible. You watch too many cartoons."
"It’s true," Anya replied with confidence.
But reading the mind is something that only exists in children’s books or cartoons. As usual Forger was teasing him, she had probably heard him telling the story of the pond to Ewen or Emile. Although he couldn’t remember when it was the last time he told that story to anyone. Or probably it was his mother who told that to Mrs Forger, if it was true they were so close...
"It's true. It’s my biggest secret and no one knows," Anya said after a few minutes of silence and some awkward steps.
Right. Like the monsters you faced on that cruise. "Then why did you tell me?" Damian said pretending to play along. Part of him wanted to believe her. The confidence she was showing made the fantasy convincing.
Anya remained quiet for a while, before saying, "because you love your papa very much."
"That's stupid... And you can't understand. You don't even know Father."
They continued to bicker as usual until the end of the dance, when they separated. Anya was on her way back to Becky’s when Damian stopped her calling her by name.
Anya turned, curious, expecting one of his usual meanie comments. But Damian didn’t have any at the time, "I... I think if you have a secret, you should tell your father first. Whether you think you can read minds or whatever... if you have a secret, you should share it. Especially with your parents."
Anya stared at him with that vaguely questioning air that she had held for much of the evening. Then she extended her little arms around her as if to protect herself. Maybe she really could read his mind, maybe she really was seeing something inside of him and then she knew...
"And you can’t understand my papa."