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[color=gray][sub]Sometime after school
Collab with [@Universorum]
[color=6174ff][b]Joy[/b][/color] & [color=309b75][b]Damian[/b][/color]
Ft. [b][color=f26522]Rocket[/color][/b], [color=008967][b]Lil' Boss[/b][/color], & [color=008b8b][b]Uncle JJ[/b][/color][/sub][/color][/center]

[indent][i]Dingggg![/i]

Damian smashed the button, and listened to it ring throughout the house. He’d been here a lot, way back in the day. Sometimes in recent years, but not as often as he’d like. He was very happy to see that Joy had been telling the truth: Jude and Ender were gone, their cars weren’t out front. He ran a hand through his hair quickly and grabbed the ring that hung on a necklace chain around his neck, and stuffed it down his shirt. He didn’t think Joy really needed to see that…

Damian was dressed comfortably, in a pair of loose fitting jeans and a shirt that was designed to show off his chest muscles and his biceps. Damian knew why he was here, and the tight muscle shirt was proof that said pretty clearly: We’re gonna bang. Damian was confident they would and this time? No fucking booze, so he wouldn’t get puked on…

There was no Mitty pep talk beforehand. No, everything that has transpired after the party was entirely on Joy’s own accord. She wasn’t dumb, far from it. She knew why she invited Damian over. He made her feel things that night that she wanted to explore. Was this going to be a friends with benefits thing? She had no idea. She didn’t even know if that lifestyle was for her, but she did know her body craved him. He was someone she never could have, not like she cared. They were from from two different worlds. Stereotypical jock and nerd. If there was one thing Joy was too busy to think about, it was feelings, love, and sex. At least until recently. Closing the guest room door room behind her, which was designed for her babysitting needs, Lil’ Boss was now asleep and she could hear the doorbell ringing. 

[b][color=f26522]"WOOF!"[/color][/b]

From outside, Rocket, the family’s rottweiler, was leashed to a tree, staring at the boy, whose visits became sparse as the years went on. He didn’t trust him! It didn’t matter if he use to be over every day when Joy was tiny. His scent may be the same, but he was a stranger! STRANGER. The [b]big[/b] master and mistress weren’t here. It was only his best friend in the WORLD and the cutest, little boy ever. Lil’ Boss. His friend. This boy, however, Mister [b]Big[/b] Muscle Guy, needed to leave. Right now. The [b]big[/b] dog growled and gave the ex-jock an unpleasant glare.

Oh, shit. Damian had kinda forgot about the dog. This might end to be a bit of a problem… Damian stared back at the dog, thinking to himself. How do I deal with a dog? None of the other girls he hooked up with had dogs. Especially not big, muscular, Rottweiler dogs… Damian had to think fast. What did dogs like? Peanut butter, right?

Damian took a knee and gestured for the dog to come over. At least he knew his name; Ender talked about Rocket a lot. [color=309b75][b]“Hey, Rocket. I got something for you.”[/b][/color] Damian pulled out of his pocket, a peanut butter protein bar. He tore a piece of it off, and held it out as an offering. This either worked, or he got bit by the dog.

Hopefully, Joy would tell the world his story: Damian O’Connor did it all for the nookie.

Rocket cautiously prowled closer, keeping his eyes on the boy’s face. Something smelled real good. He couldn’t deny whatever this boy had was something worth eating. A temporary truce. For food. And the boy remembered his NAME. This was important in the Rocket judgement process. The big dog approached the stupid, handsome boy and chomed the food out of his hand. Oh this was really good. Okay. This boy gets points. He knows how to treat a dog. Rocket’s attention immediately turned to the open door and the dog started wagging his tiny tail and bouncing around the lawn. Joy! Joy! Joy!

[b][color=f26522]"WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!"[/color][/b]

The small redhead was wearing a [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/10/06/5f/10065f8b713d77765ea8df37a6ba01ec.jpg]small tank and shorts[/url] since she was comfortable in her skin and this is how she dressed in her own home. She came up beside Damian and knelt down, giving her Rocket pets, and rubbing his belly. [color=6174ff][b]“Thanks for getting him quiet. He would of woken up Bartimaeus.”[/b][/color] Rocket was so lovable! She would be so sad if she ever lost him. 

Rocket rolled off the ground and licked his mistress’ face, then he gave Damian a challenging look that read: she loves me more. Once he made his message clear, he pranced on her. Joy couldn’t help but giggle. 

Damian was just happy to be alive. That dog was a big motherfucker. So was Damian, but dogs had a much higher bite force than humans, and Damian was willing to give up one of his protein bars to make himself more likely to live. He looked over at Joy, finally giving himself a chance to take in what she was wearing, He nodded, more to himself than to her, but he smiled. [color=309b75][b]“Yeah, no problem. Is Bartimaeus the kid you’re babysitting? That’s a very… unique name.”[/b][/color] Damian said. He wisely chose, however, not to get involved with the dog giving Joy love. Instead of pulling her away, or trying to tug the dog out of the way so he could get a kiss, Damian had a better idea. He unwrapped the rest of the protein bar, and tossed it off to the side, in an effort to get Rocket to shoo, without offending him.

Pets were important. Sure, none of the girls he’d hooked up with before had [i]dogs[/i]. But they’d had cats, and he already knew that if a pet hated you, their owner would. So he had to play it safe with Rocket. He wanted to have at least some good faith with the dog. [color=309b75][b]“So what’s the plan for the night?”[/b][/color]

Wiping her face of the dog slobber, Joy watched Rocket prance off excitedly before turning her attention toward her friend. [color=6174ff][b]“Bartimaeus is named after Mr. Locke himself, father to our lovely ‘Queen’ and your boy, Henry. My uncle is like best friend’s with the dude. I call him Lil’ Boss because it has a nice ring to it and his actual name is a mouthful.”[/b][/color] Joy had a warm glow of confidence emitting from her and a smile that were like a ray of sunshine as she led Damian inside.  [color=6174ff][b]“I was thinking we watch something. I don’t want anything too loud. There’s a little kid sleeping upstairs.”[/b][/color] The nerd shrugged, turning on her heel to face her childhood friend. Teasingly, she batted her eyelashes, [color=6174ff][b]“Unless you had something else in mind?”[/b][/color] 

Damian watched as the dog walked away, and smiled to himself. That was a success, as far as he was concerned! He stood up to his full height as Joy did, and he listened to what she had to say. Yeah, ‘Bartimaeus’ was a bit of a mouthful, Damian had to agree. When she mentioned not being too loud, Damian almost (though he didn’t) made a dissatisfied face. He shut the door quietly behind himself, and when she suggested that he might have ‘something else’ in mind, Damian looked surprised, and touched his chest in a way designed to show off his biceps, and he spoke in shocked tones. [color=309b75][b]“Me? Never.”[/b][/color] Then his face burst into a huge smile and he gestured toward the interior of the home. [color=309b75][b]“Lead the way.”[/b][/color]

[color=6174ff][b]“How about the basement? We have a nice home theater setup.”[/b][/color] Along with comfy loveseats,  the atmosphere downstairs felt just right. It made you want to cuddle. What should they even watch? Joy walked ahead, leading them downstairs. Hooked on her pants was the baby monitor, in case the toddler woke up. 
 
Damian could work with basements. Basements were private and chilly, which led to easy cuddling. Plus, if he knew Ender (and he did), then there would be a pretty dope setup down there. Ender had a thing for bigger, more cinematic movies, and that was sure to lead to a nice stereo system, BUT, that didn’t really matter. Unless they were watching something so mind numbingly good that it distracted Damian from his goal. [color=309b75][b]“What are we watching?”[/b][/color]

Shrugging to his question, Joy grabbed the remote and leaned on one of the chairs, her butt being nicely displayed. Turning the television on, her eyes brightened. Her mother left her reruns playing for American Wrestling Entertainment. Both her and Damian would know this like they knew the back of their palms. Their parents were major fans of the show and well, his dad was Morgana’s cousin. This would be a good 
thing to leave on! They could have it as background noise and get straight to business. But she probably should be a good hostess first. Turning her body to face him, she tilted her head and asked, [color=6174ff][b]“Do you want anything to eat? Drink?”[/b][/color]

Oh, right on. Damian had been staring at the butt that was being displayed to him like an offering, but then… wrestling was on, and Damian’s eyes moved toward the TV. He found his way to the loveseat and plopped down, before glancing at her and responding to her question. [color=309b75][b]“Huh? Uh, I like orange juice. And popcorn. But… not together. Maybe just the popcorn?”[/b][/color] Which episode was this? He should know this stuff, this was golden era AWE.

For some reason, Joy had a sudden bad feeling about this but she shrugged it off and let him do his thing. Luckily, there was a small kitchenette down here, by the bar, so providing popcorn in less than five minutes was no problem. She would hold off eating until after her pursuit, which honestly, she had no idea what she was doing, she was simply going off articles she’s read online. In time, Joy placed the popcorn on the side stand beside Damian and then boldly went on top of him, wrapping her arms around his neck and saying, [color=6174ff][b]“So are we going to do this or what?”[/b][/color] Man, if her parents heard the words coming out of her mouth.... Joy hoped Damian didn’t get upset with this move — he seemed to like sexual advances when it came to girls touching him. And this was pretty sexual. She was practically riding him. 

As Joy walked off to make popcorn, it slowly dawned on Damian what episode was unfolding before them. This was the one where Caiden Winters attacked Roddy Quinn. And it still, to this day, looked real as far as Damian was concerned. There was no way that was a rigged window, right? Roddy bled after getting his head thrown into it! That meant it was real, right? Damian leaned closer to the TV.

Then, Joy threw herself at him, and Damian had to slightly move his neck to see the TV. Whoops, losing sight of the end game here, Damian. He turned his attention back to Joy, [color=309b75][b]“Yeah, Joy. Totally gonna do this.”[/b][/color] Damian reached his hands around her and grabbed at her butt, simultaneously moving his neck again to confirm… yeah, commercial break. We’re good.

The butt grab caused her to flinch a little and give out a little yelp. Okay. It was time. You got this, Joy. Part of her wanted to admit she was kind of scared, but another part of her wanted to follow the excitement. Kylie did make this seem like the best thing the world had to offer. She gently leaned in and kissed his warm lips. Unlike the kisses before, the one at the library, the make out sessions at the party, this one was softer, kinder, as if Joy was recognizing the situation she was in and wanted to ease into things.

Damian recognized the speed Joy was going and what she wanted. Almost as if to signify that he got it, and was going to take it slowly, Damian slid his hands off of her butt. He let her guide the way at first, and when the time was right, Damian would swoop in and handle business. For now, he kept the kiss light and slow, keeping his hands away from her more delicate areas.

Their breaths mingled, as she ran her fingers through his hair. Leaning in closer, giving them no space in between, Joy could feel it was time to crank it up a notch. As such, she slipped a surprise in his mouth and grew in heat and intensity.  She couldn’t ponder over anything else besides making this kiss worth his time. Was she even good at this? Joy was locked in the present and she hoped Damian was too. 

And Damian was into it. He was totally into it, and his hands had slid back down to their original place, to pull her closer, before one of them slid around her waist and to her stomach, gliding up underneath her camis, before Damian’s eye caught the show clicking back on. He pulled himself away from her and twisted around to watch the screen, [color=309b75][b]“Hold on, Joy. Just oneeee second, this is the best part.”[/b][/color]

Ouch.

Yeah, there was the bad feeling again. Joy, still very much straddling him, stared at the boy who needed to see this part, even if he’s probably saw this scene countless times. Her heart sunk and she didn’t necessarily understand why. The feeling was strange. The excitement that was inside of her gulped into something… dark? The fire in her eyes were dowsed with ice water. She wasn’t crying, but her stare did grow distant. What was she doing? Why was she trying so hard to lose her virginity? With a childhood friend too…

Joy could get up and end things right here and now. Or she could wait. Maybe the feeling would pass. She didn’t know what to do, so she did the one thing that made sense. She turned her body around, to where her bottom sat on his lap, rested her head on his chest, and watched the screen in silence.  

Damian had a feeling he’d done something wrong. It wasn’t hard to see the light in her eyes go out, and he felt bad as she turned away from him. She snuggled against him, though, so there was at least that. He silently wrapped his arms around her, and did focus on the TV, watching as the part he’d waited the whole show for popped on: Caiden Winters’s interview with Joy Ryder.

This was where he beat up an old man! Nice.

[hider=Optional read: AWE, Better Than The Best segment][indent]In the massive garage, where the TV trucks resided, Joy Ryder grasped tightly on her mic and took a deep breath in. Caiden hadn’t come out yet, but it was her job to stir him emotionally. Kevin, one of the writers of AWE, had brought her aside moments ago to make sure that she focused the interview on Caiden’s questionable morals and his threat (or more like, his promise) toward Roddy Quinn, the chairman of AWE. As much as she didn’t want to pressure him, it was her job and the moment he came in the scene, they would go live… in the ring and on many people's television screens. 

Her twin, Chance, met her gaze and gave her a nod. He was ready to film one of the best scenes this show would present to all their wrestling fans. Turning her head to the right, she saw the backdoor open. It was time.

Indeed it was. Flying out of the backdoor was a man on a mission to bring his message to everyone who would dare listen to him: Caiden Winters. With a chip on his shoulder and a vendetta against damn near everyone in this company, he froze when he saw Joy standing there [i]waiting[/i] for him, like she alway seemed to be doing. [color=0f4891][b]“What do you want? I’m busy.”[/b][/color]

[color=9966cc][b]“Caiden Winters!”[/b][/color] More of an informal interview introduction, but it fit the moment. Joy rushed toward him to make sure he didn’t get too far because she knew better. She knew he was a man on a mission, always. The camera followed her and then shifted from her face to his,  [color=9966cc][b]“There seems to be some backlash with your threat at Shock N AWE Chicago for Roddy Quinn. Some people think you’re stepping out of line and need to know your place, that all you’re doing is ruining the image [i]he[/i] helped build for you. Do you have anything to say about this?”[/b][/color] Might as well hit him hard from the get go. 

[color=0f4891][b]“Let’s me and you get one thing straight right here and right [i]now[/i]. You think Roderick Quinn built [i]my[/i] image? I’ve been doing this since I was fourteen years old. You think he came to a boy in Canada who could barely speak English and built him up? What do you think I was doing my whole life when I wasn’t here? I was in a [i]real[/i] company, led by a [i]real[/i] man: Misawa Baba, who helped me from [i]day fucking one,[/i] when I arrived in Japan and he trained me and he helped me become the man I am today. Because of him, I’ve headlined the Tokyo Dome, I’ve won the Grand Prix, I’ve won the Battle of Los Angeles. Me and your brother held eight different tag titles at once — did Roddy build his image too, Joy? Idiot.”[/b][/color] Caiden spoke with such apprehension, such anger… unbridled emotion flowed with each of his words — as always. The consummate professional, he never took the condescending looking out of his face; how [i]dare[/i] she claim such a thing.

He’d apologize later.

Of course, Joy would rather ask other questions, but for the sake of entertainment and at Kevin’s request, she would keep egging Caiden along. Her heart did drop when he called her an idiot, but she knew better… it was all an act. Right? [color=9966cc][b]“Then why are you here?! In HIS empire? You want to be great. You say you are great. And yet, you allow your anger to influence your actions and all the people can see is you not keeping it under control and having a downright tantrum.”[/b][/color] There was visible frustration and focus in Joy’s expression and her voice rose with every word. Did she agree with what she was saying? Not entirely. Many people, especially his fans, knew he was great, no, the best, and he had the whole package. But she’d play devil’s advocate if that meant he’d get more attention and… stay.    

[color=0f4891][b]“I don’t say I’m the great, I say that I’m the best. That I’m better than the best. And Joy? I came here to bring the pain.”[/b][/color] Behind them, a long stretch limo rolled up, and Caiden shifted his footing as it came to a stop. [color=0f4891][b]“You remember, two weeks ago. You asked me how I was gonna get the old man’s attention? Watch.”[/b][/color] And then, as soon as the door to the limo opened, and Roddy stepped out of it, Caiden was on him in a flash, clubbing the old man with an elbow and then throwing him against the wall. 

The old man never had a chance, as he was manhandled by the angry wrestler. Caiden threw Roderick Quinn into a random car, and when the true king of AWE slumped against the door to the car, Caiden picked him up by his shirt so they were face to face, and Caiden spoke. [color=0f4891][b]“I’m done with you wasting my time.”[/b][/color] He growled at him, before he took his boss’s head and smashed out the driver side window with it, slamming Roddy’s face through the glass.

When Roddy slumped down out of the car and down to the ground, his face was dripping with the proverbial crimson mask, bleeding like a stuffed pig. Caiden turned, and walked directly toward the camera, heading toward the gorilla area, and when he passed Chance, he shoulder checked him, the camera shaking in response. What? Gotta play up the character.

Although Joy wasn’t seen on camera and Chance had focused in on Roddy’s face, the audience could hear her surprised and frantic voice, [color=9966cc][b]“Don’t let him pass out! Someone call the paramedics!”[/b][/color] As calm as her voice tried to sound, it was obvious that Joy Ryder was completely shook. Her brown strands came into frame as she rushed to her boss’ side and then the camera cut to the inside of AWE, the stage camera, that aimed towards the ramp. 

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvzL1S59i6o]The music hit[/url], and apparently Roddy had done a good job creating a hated persona for him, because even after the vicious attack on his boss, Caiden Winter’s reaction was loud and powerful cheers. Everyone wanted to hear what he had to say, and why wouldn’t they? He’d just went off on the only person that had supported him through this, other than the fans. He made his way to the ring slowly and with purpose; he didn’t have a match and to be honest, he didn’t give a damn if he did waste their time. This was his fucking show.

He rolled under the bottom rope and walked to the other side of the ring and held his hand out for a microphone — and, maybe out of fear, a mic was quickly supplied. Caiden, stomping around the ring as he spoke, his hand shaking slightly — he was hyped — began to spit the eternal fire. [color=0f4891][b]“Whoops, guess I beat down Morgana’s daddy; I better watch my damn back, that bitch has got daddy issues.”[/b][/color] Snickering slightly, Caiden continued his monologue, [color=0f4891][b]“I’m only going to say this once, and I’m going to make it nice and clear: I hate him. I hate Roderick Quinn, and I hate everything he stands for. Now, hate is… hate’s a strong word, but I [i]mean it[/i]. I hate him so much. And you know why I hate him? Because there’s one thing that I can’t stand, that makes my blood boil and that’s being ignored. And being ignored even when I yell AND SCREAM! For something that’s not going to happen, THAT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, and that’s an AWE title match… because someone back there knows that I am better than anything he has ever created, that his best creation — Drayden — could [i]barely[/i] put me away when I had a dislocated shoulder, and mark my words, Drayden will never beat me again. Because I’m an indestructible wrestling machine, and I know every move in his book, I know counters to his counter’s counters. That’s fine, because Roddy Quinn can just sit backstage and watch me be better than anything or anyone that will ever step foot in this company.”[/b][/color] 

Caiden paused and let out a long breath. He closed his eyes and let himself calm down for a few seconds while the crowd cheered loudly.  [color=0f4891][b]“There may never be another time that Caiden Winters steps into the ring at an AWE event and fights, but if there ever is, then it should be a good match; shake hands. Friendly competition between two great athletes… but it won’t be. Because, I hate everyone back there. I hate them, as shallow as it might be, because their bank statements look a [i]lot[/i] better than mine after two years of being wasted potential here. Listen to me, I can only spend so many nights sleeping in my car, spill so many pints of blood, I can only go to the hospital and use a fake name because I can’t afford health insurance before I start thinking ‘you know, I don’t really wanna be so nice to people who have what I think… belongs to me.”[/b][/color]

Another pause and this time Caiden was very suddenly fired up again. [color=0f4891][b]“I’M GONNA BEAT THE TRASH OUT OF WHOEVER STEPS FOOT IN THIS RING WITH ME NEXT! Because I’m hungry and I’m angry and I don’t… care, about anything. Right now, Roddy Quinn is being dragged back to the trainer’s room and he’s being examined to make sure yours truly didn’t do too much of a number on him, and he has [i]no idea[/i] what he’s signed his company up for. Reality is going to give Roderick Quinn and all of the AWE a cold. Hard. SLAP! in the face.”[/b][/color] 

With that, Caiden Winters dropped the mic, and rolled out of the ring, heading back up the ramp.

He had to apologize to Joy.[/indent]
[/hider]
This was a really good part for AWE, she’d admit and the woman that shared her name was phenomenal at her job. Her mother told her that no one prepared Joy Ryder for this interview. She had no idea and so all her expressions when Caiden started to beat Roddy up were genuine and purely in the moment. Caiden was such a beast too. He truly changed things up for AWE, for the better. Those were the best days for the show and her parents still mark out to this day. Her mom is surprisingly a huge wrestling fan, thanks to Grandma and Grandpa. It was tradition at the Darling house to invite family over and host AWE PPV viewings. 

The feeling was still there but it could be worse. Joy Darling had AWE to keep her mind busy, not thinking of things like did she bore him? What did she do that he didn’t like? How could she do better? If anything, that was all her emotions talking. What even were emotions? The rational side of her brain knew that the O’Connors loved this show just as much as her family did. Damian’s current distracted self had nothing to do with the lust that had transpired a few minutes okay. She did nothing wrong… but then why was her brain being dumb? She felt dumb. Not good enough. This was so dumb. 

After the segment was over, Damian was much more interested in Joy. He pulled his shirt off, and picked her up, turning her around so they were once again facing and she was straddling him once more. It was easy for him to lift her up — Damian was real jacked. And now, he was shirtless; and this time she wasn’t too drunk to not appreciate him. [color=309b75][b]“Where were we?”[/b][/color] He asked, kissing her lips softly.

This was sudden and unexpected. Her mind was completely frazzled with him moving her with no effort at all. And for the first time in their teen lives, Joy had a good glimpse of his body. He was swelling with muscle and strength and wow. He was [i]huge[/i]. His skin was so tempting to touch and like the curious person she naturally was, she let her soft, delicate hands that held the innocence of a young girl explore his broad shoulders, his arms, his chest… was this even real life? He was chiseled to perfection like some greek demigod or something. 

Okay, she needed to stop admiring his body and get to work. Nuzzling his neck with delicate kisses, they felt like whispers, she could feel herself trembling with anticipation once more.  

Yeah, that worked. Damian could tell she was already back into it, and he smiled as she felt him up, giving her a nod that seemed to almost encourage it. See, Snake? The work out before hand helped. It tightened the muscles and made them harder without him flexing. It was hot, the internet told him so. As she peppered him with kisses against his neck, Damian again slid his hands up her shirt. This time, for sure, they’d get somewhere.

It tickled. His touch caused her to squirm a little, but she was focused on the project at hand. Warmth spread out through her entire body, as she took in his scent and continued to give his neck attention. A kiss was one of the most strangest things that led to even more stranger things. Things that were beyond her but she kind of liked it. After taking a deep breath in, she started to suck his neck… they call this online a hickey. 

Damian was focused now, using his hands to carefully grope her. So focused, in fact, that he forgot about the TV, and… well, most of what was behind them. This led to him not noticing when the door opened, and the kid that Joy was babysitting stood there, totally focused on Joy and this new guy [i]wrestling[/i] while they [i]watched wrestling![/i]

Bartimaeus was jealous and he totally wanted in. And the new guy didn’t have a shirt on! He didn’t want a shirt on! The kid ripped his shirt off and screamed a battle cry, [color=008967][b]“HIYAAAA!”[/b][/color] While he charged the pair of them, jumping up onto the couch and punching the new guy — play punches, of course. Daddy had taught him well.

Oh shit. Joy instinctively hopped off of Damian and allowed Lil’ Boss to spar with her… visitor. Play it up like you weren’t just going to go for his… [color=6174ff][b]“Lil’ Boss, showing an immense amount of confidence here in the beginning of this match! What an [i]explosive[/i] start. Can you hear the crowd go wild? Big Dog doesn’t stand a chance!”[/b][/color] Tyty was far too young to be corrupted by her, so she’d play it off like she was the Wade Palmer of this show.  

Damian looked up as Joy jumped off of him, turning to face the source of the punches he was receiving, just in time to get one right to the face. He leaned back, holding up his hands, [color=309b75][b]“Wait, wait, wait! Time out.”[/b][/color] He protested, and the little dude stopped, his eyes wide. He’d just busted Joy’s friend in the face… Oops. [color=309b75][b]“We can wrestle, if that’s uh, what you’re going for… do you want me to try hard?”[/b][/color]

[color=008967][b]“Yeah! Try your hardest!”[/b][/color] The little dude replied, and Damian shrugged, getting down on his knees on the carpet, gesturing for the little guy to try again. Steadying himself this time, Damian watched as the little guy went back to the doorway, and sprinted at him again, with his seemingly customary battle cry, [color=008967][b]“HIYAAAAA!”[/b][/color] The little guy jumped in the air to karate kick Damian in the face, only this time, Damian caught him.

Damian caught the little guy by the leg and spun him around, before tossing him up into the air. The little guy’s eyes went wide — he had never been this high up before — but before he could truly enjoy it, he came back down! And Damian caught him again, holding him in a full nelson. The little guy struggled, but there was nothing he could do to break the big guy’s grasp.

After almost two entire minutes of struggling, the Lil Boss stopped and panted, [color=008967][b]“Okay, I think I’m done now. Wanna play Mario Karts? I get to be DK.”[/b][/color] Damian dropped him down, and shrugged.

[color=309b75][b]“Sure, why not?”[/b][/color]

Joy couldn’t help but smile at the display. Quietly, she let the boys set up the game and she went upstairs to the kitchen to get Bartimaeus juice and apple slices, with peanut butter on the side. Jericho would be home soon to pick him up.

After a few minutes of set up, the two boys were racing Mario Karts. Both of them were notably still shirtless, and Damian was lying on his belly on the carpet, with Bartimaeus sitting on his back, straddling him in a far less lewd way than Joy had before, with his juice cup by his side, and his plate of apple slices on Damian’s head. They raced a few times (Damian even let him win once or twice, but they mostly did team races), before Damian announced that it was time for him to take off. He gave Joy a kiss, and a promise to do it again — soon. The little dude demanded a hug, and was given one, before Damian slipped off, after reluctantly pulling his shirt back on.

The little guy allowed himself to be redressed by Joy, before his father pulled up to the house and knocked on the door. After being handed over, Bartimaeus eagerly told his father about his night, unintentionally spilling the beans for Joy. [color=008967][b]“I got to wrestle! Cuz I came downstairs to the basement and Joy and this guy were wrestling, and I think she was winnin’ cuz she was on top and he had his shirt off and I think that’s means he’s losing! But I dunno and I just really love Joy and want her to win cuz she’s best but anyway after they stopped wrestling, I wanted to wrestle him and I lost cuz he’s really big and strong, but then we played Mario Kart and I beat him cuz I’m real good at Mario Kart.”[/b][/color]

Jericho listened to everything his son had to say, before taking a chance to look at Joy, raising an eyebrow as he spoke, asking the little guy a question, [color=008b8b][b]“Wrestling, huh? That’s cool, I’m glad you had fun!”[/b][/color] He kissed Bartimaeus’s forehead, before again turning his gaze onto Joy. [color=008b8b][b]“What was his name, buddy?”[/b][/color]

[color=008967][b]“Damian!”[/b][/color]

[color=008b8b][b]“Damian? Uh-huh. Well, let’s agree to not tell mommy about this, sound good?”[/b][/color]

[color=008967][b]“Yeah huh!”[/b][/color]

Jericho took this chance to give Joy a chance to respond.

Joy’s cheeks were scorching red, like her hair, as she mumbled, [color=6174ff][b]“...keep it a secret, for now. My parents don’t need to know what I tried to do today, under their roof.”[/b][/color] She couldn’t look her uncle in the eyes, that’s how embarrassed she was. Joy never got this emotionally worked up about anything unless she was watching Star Wars or something. Her attention went to Lil’ Boss. as she twinkled with an adoring smile, [color=6174ff][b]“I love you too, Lil’ Boss. Next time. I’m sure you’ll take him down.”[/b][/color] Wait, there was going to be a next time? Joy wasn’t helping her case, at all.   

[color=008b8b][b]“I won’t tell ‘em anything. And when you [i]do[/i] do the [i]do[/i], let me know. I’ll run defense and help with the explanations. Just… just make sure he wears a… rubber… mask. Or, something. I dunno. I trust you.”[/b][/color] While Jericho talked, the lil guy snuggled up against his father. Bartimaeus was sleepy. [color=008b8b][b]“Alright, I gotta get him home. Amie will be mad if he’s asleep when I get him inside. If you need help, you can call me. With this stuff, I mean.”[/b][/color] Jericho waved, his farewell, and got inside the car, after loading Bartimaeus in the backseat.

[color=6174ff][b]“Uh, okay… bye Uncle JJ.”[/b][/color] Joy watched the man take his leave. Her heart somehow returned to that hopeless feeling from earlier. She wanted to try again, but what if the repercussions were horrible? 

What was this feeling…[/indent]