( it was batman's duty first. batman who took on the role of gotham's proctor, of vengeance and justice. it was batman who his mother had fallen for, batman who created a legacy that many have tried to follow.
but. )
You're young. ( not as young as damian, but he isn't counting in years. ) Can you handle shouldering the rest of them, too? Grayson, Gordon, Todd, Drake, Cain, and Brown. They're all too reckless. Gordon and Cain are less of a concern, but the rest of them can't be trusted on their own. They need to be watched over.
( some he's only seen in the sketches damian had provided him with. the older dick is... around at the manor. at times. the other dick β the one who had helped with the whole martha deal... he has his own place he's staying. sometimes comes and goes. it's nothing bruce holds against him or any of them. they don't want to overwhelm you damian had said. and yet, there has been one constant since he's been here. one person who has always been there at his side, even when he hasn't wanted him there. )
( he's the current robin, but not the last child his father has taken in. damian began their relationship by fighting with drake, trying to prove robin was his rightful title rather than it belonging to one of his nonblood related children. he fought with grayson, with todd, with everyone to prove himself. knows now that it's unnecessary, but not having the golden boy, the fallen soldier, the boy his grandfather respects as barriers between them is - different.
damian would have given everything to not feel like he was fighting for the title of son when his mother had first introduced them. now? he dislikes it. )
I have you and all of them to keep watch over. ( his lips press tight together for a moment, taking the time to carefully formulate his thoughts, ) I don't consider it a burden. You are all my family. But I can't let go when I have all of them to protect. Grayson will leap in front of bullets to protect anyone, Drake cannot take care of himself. Todd is a timebomb waiting for the wrong time to go off. Batman and Robin are a team and they are Robins, too.
( with a roll of his eyes, as he shoves his cheek down against bruce's shoulder. he recommended damian rest, this is clearly resting. )
I should trust them to look out for each other despite them all being idiots. I should just trust if I close my eyes for a moment, none of them will end up dead, despite numerous historical events proving elsewise.
( not anymore. not now. with all of them somewhere else, with all the unknowns that come along with being displaced. he keeps his earpiece on him or close by in case of calls, keeps an eye on drake in the cottage he has been staying in, watches out for grayson. stays close to bruce, just in case. )
( words he offers softly, that arm that had dropped away from damian, coming up to gently press against his back then. a silent reassurance to accompany his statement. )
( even if he is wrapping around damian and trying to be reassuring. he can't promise it, because, )
You'll do what Grayson did and sacrifice yourself trying to save others. You'll die, or you'll disappear, or get thrown back through time. You will hurt yourself repeatedly to avoid anyone else getting harmed. You'll leave if you think it will help. If your departure would lessen harm or risk for someone else. You already told me to go once.
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but. )
You're young. ( not as young as damian, but he isn't counting in years. ) Can you handle shouldering the rest of them, too? Grayson, Gordon, Todd, Drake, Cain, and Brown. They're all too reckless. Gordon and Cain are less of a concern, but the rest of them can't be trusted on their own. They need to be watched over.
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( some he's only seen in the sketches damian had provided him with. the older dick is... around at the manor. at times. the other dick β the one who had helped with the whole martha deal... he has his own place he's staying. sometimes comes and goes. it's nothing bruce holds against him or any of them. they don't want to overwhelm you damian had said. and yet, there has been one constant since he's been here. one person who has always been there at his side, even when he hasn't wanted him there. )
I just have you.
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damian would have given everything to not feel like he was fighting for the title of son when his mother had first introduced them. now? he dislikes it. )
I have you and all of them to keep watch over. ( his lips press tight together for a moment, taking the time to carefully formulate his thoughts, ) I don't consider it a burden. You are all my family. But I can't let go when I have all of them to protect. Grayson will leap in front of bullets to protect anyone, Drake cannot take care of himself. Todd is a timebomb waiting for the wrong time to go off. Batman and Robin are a team and they are Robins, too.
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( all of them, he means. not him.
laying back more against the bed, he sighs. lets his eyes fall shut. )
Just a suggestion.
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( with a roll of his eyes, as he shoves his cheek down against bruce's shoulder. he recommended damian rest, this is clearly resting. )
I should trust them to look out for each other despite them all being idiots. I should just trust if I close my eyes for a moment, none of them will end up dead, despite numerous historical events proving elsewise.
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( because damian has ended up dead. as he'd been told. and now he has to live with knowing that. )
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( not anymore. not now. with all of them somewhere else, with all the unknowns that come along with being displaced. he keeps his earpiece on him or close by in case of calls, keeps an eye on drake in the cottage he has been staying in, watches out for grayson. stays close to bruce, just in case. )
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( words he offers softly, that arm that had dropped away from damian, coming up to gently press against his back then. a silent reassurance to accompany his statement. )
I'm right here.
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( even if he is wrapping around damian and trying to be reassuring. he can't promise it, because, )
You'll do what Grayson did and sacrifice yourself trying to save others. You'll die, or you'll disappear, or get thrown back through time. You will hurt yourself repeatedly to avoid anyone else getting harmed. You'll leave if you think it will help. If your departure would lessen harm or risk for someone else. You already told me to go once.
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( if even for a little while. because, contrary to what either of them might say or believe, they both need it. again, just for a little while. )
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I'll try.