Work Text:
Life was good as Jon Kent, alright?
He walked into school and there were people fawning over him, groups of his peers who demanded his attention. Sure, schoolwork was there, but it could wait. Besides, who needed school when they weren’t going anywhere, anyways?
His brother Kon had gone into high school with the same ideas, and came out passing everything with fairly decent grades, surely he could too, and have even more time.
He was wrong, evidently, as his latest report card had him failing nearly every one of his classes.
And that was when fate decided to drop one very aggravating, very hot boy in his lap.
He wouldn’t lie, he had seen Damian around some time, but had never gotten a full glimpse of him. It was always just his hand going up in class or his clothes with varying shades of green sweep around the corner.
Now that he knew him, and his family’s history with teens like him. He was determined to not be another sucker.
No offense, Kon.
Besides, he was so annoying, with his smug smirks and stupid remarks and his pretty eyes and there was NO WAY he was falling for it.
However, now that he knew who he was, and put a name to the face in a way, Damian was everywhere .
In his AP class, bumping into him in the hallways, seeing him at lunch. Damian never acknowledged him farther than a “Excuse me,” when he bumped into him and moved to get by.
It was infuriating, frankly, because now that he knew that he existed, a foolish part of him wanted to be seen. Would a hello kill him?
He asked just that as they collided in the halls, sending Damian’s books and papers flying all over the hallway.
“What’s your problem, dude?” The girl Damian was walking with scowled at him, helping Damian pick up his stuff. If he remembered correctly, her name was Maya.
“It was an accident.” Jon bit back, picking up the book that landed in front of him, but not adding it to the stack the other boy had in his arms.
“Accident, my ass.” Maya scoffed, Damian reaching a hand in front of her to stop her movement.
“It’s alright. You can head up without me, I'll be there as soon as I collect the rest of my items.”
She nodded and left, but not before a glare sent Jon’s way.
“The book, please, Kent.” Damian held a hand out, waiting.
“Oh, so now you acknowledge my existence.”
“I’m sorry, I was unaware we were friends.” Damian raised an eyebrow at his seemingly offended tone.
“We are not! ” Jon sputtered. “But it would be nice to be said hi every now and then by the person i am in forced socialization with on weekends.”
“I was under the impression that you hated me?” His calm air rubbed at Jon's heighted one the wrong way and he glowered at the shorter boy.
“I do hate you!”
“Feeling is mutual. Now, my book?”
They faced off, staring at each other. Jon slowly raised the book up above his head, watching the distaste spread across his face.
“I cannot believe you. Truly, you put the juvenile in juvenile delinquent.” Damian eyed the book above him, gaze calculating.
“That may be, but let’s think about this, short-stack, how high are you going to have to jump to get what you want?”
Damian seemed bored, and completely unfazed. “I am not a trick dog. Besides, how do you know that one is even important to me? Let’s see, my next class is Advanced Algebra ll, if that isn’t my math book then you can very well keep it.”
Jon brought it down to eye level to read the title, “This is for Englis- HEY!”
As soon as it was lowered, Damian snatched it out of his hands. “Pleasure doing business with you, Kent.”
He watched as the other sashayed past him, an annoying little laugh escaping him.
“I hate you.” Jon seethed to himself, definitely not watching him leave, before turning on his heel and going the opposite direction.
Honestly, what was this guy’s problem?
Damian minded his own business, went along with his day, and ignored him. Obviously if you didn’t like someone at all, you would never demand their attention!
But now, coming down the hall with the newly reclaimed book in his hand, he asked himself exactly why Jonathan Kent seemed so insistent on getting his attention, only to use it to mock him.
He was certainly feeling similar to how the delinquent said he felt, although hate was a bit strong.
Insane dislike? That was closer.
Much more like an annoying prick in his side, or a constantly probing pain. Something that in theory, could be brushed away, but kept coming back.
An untrained puppy?
No, no, Jonathan wasn’t cute enough to be a puppy. Not that he wasn’t attractive. Not that he was attractive to begin with.
Ugh.
None of this was going to fit, so it was much easier to file him away with the label of “annoyance.”
Surely, this too would pass.
Damian shuffled through the day as usual, answering questions and avoiding all contact with Jon if possible. He did not need something to distract him from his studies, nor convince him to divide his attention.
The final bell rang and he gathered his books, shoving what he could in his bag, but only ones that wouldn’t smush the papers in the carefully color-coded folders.
He hauled the rest out and wrinkled his nose as the cold air hit him. It was unusually chilly for the day, and little droplets of water began to fall in a slowly scattered shower.
It would be a pain to make the walk outside all the way to the vast pick up area where one of his older brothers was sure to be waiting with the car.
He gathered up the last of his stretcher and hugged his books to his chest, so as not to destroy the ones that wouldn’t fit in his bag.
Damian had made it halfway when a warm weight draped across his shivering form and he looked up.
Jonathan was holding his jacket over him and placing it on his shoulders.
“Gimme your books.” He demanded in a less than friendly tone. Damian stared at the taller boy, wondering slightly if he’d hit his head by accident.
“ Oh for God’s sake -” The boy muttered, yanking them out of his grip and moving him forwards.
“What the hell are you doing?” He found his voice somewhere between then and where they were rounding the building to the parking lot.
“I’m carrying your stupid books, what does it look like?” Jon’s voice was irritated, ushering him along quicker.
Damian quirked an eyebrow. “Careful, I might just start thinking you don’t hate me after all.”
Jon scoffed. “Can’t have Mr. Perfect ruining his spotless attendance with a sick day, can we? Don’t think this means we’re friends or anything, I just don’t want your demise on my hands.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Damian muttered, tightening the borrowed leather jacket around himself.
They reached the car and Jon handed him his books, Damian trying to offer him the sweater back.
“Keep it, it’s already infested with your good boy cooties.”
“What are you, five?”
“And a half!” Jon smirked, trotting off. “Keep your stupid face out of the rain.”
“Ass.” Damian muttered, sliding into the backseat of the car.
Dick was the driver today and he looked in the rear-view mirror, smiling.
“Who’s your friend, lil D?”
“He’s not my friend, he’s the most annoying human being to ever grace my presence.”
“Well, looked pretty friendly to me, carrying your books. I don’t think that’s your jacket either, is it now?” Dick tapped his finger on the steering wheel, keeping his eyes on the road and a knowing smirk on his face.
“Just shut up and drive, dick. ” Damian hissed, subconsciously burrowing into the warmth the borrowed jacket offered.
“That felt more targeted than my actual name.” Dick pouted. “I’m just trying to bond with my baby brother!”
“I am not a baby, Richard. ”
“Mhm.” They switched lanes and made their way home, Damian grumbling all the while.
The leather jacket stayed on, and ended up folded over his desk chair for the next few days.
What they don’t know, won’t hurt them.