#whereas the others expect certain things from Damian - Dick just lets Damian be Damian

[danny-chase]

[Image ID: The first image is a closeup of Damian's masked eyes. Dick says "Happy Birthday." From off panel. The second image shows Damian holding with a black bar in it, engraved with the words "Versus the world". Damian holds it up in front of his face, looking at the bar. "Versus the world?" He asks, confused. Dick's masked face is in the next panel. Dick: "When I was leaving for college, Alfred told me that he knew I could take on the world." The next panel shows a young Dick Grayson happily swinging from a trapeze - the bar is behind his knees, his torso arced up on the end of a swing, he's smiling with his arms behind him. Dick: "It's made from a trapeze bar in my family's act. Alfred got it and painted it black for me." Dick stands explaining, an arm raised in the next panel. Dick: "It helped me remember that I came from 2 worlds. But I think you need this more than I do now. Alfred knew I struggled with my past, present, and future. And any time I needed reminding of who I was, I'd think of that gift..." Damian takes off his mask, his eyes glistening. Dick (off panel): "Damian?" End ID]

Robin (2021) #5

I love this so much, I'm going to break down why I appreciate this moment.

Damian in Batman and Robin (2011) proved his love/empathy was there by presenting Bruce with a meaningful gift - one of his mother's pearls - so for me this moment carries the same weight, Dick showing Damian he cares in a way Damian has used to show his love before.

All the Robins have some connection to Dick's history - Robin is family - this connection completes that. Tim and Jason both have scenes where they visit Dick's show, Steph as Batgirl took the same oath that Dick took (in the same spot, the wax from candlelight dripping in the same spot), and now we have Dick gifting a trapeze bar to Damian. The thing is - Dick had no control over the other additions, he chose Damian and this calls back to that decision. Not just to make Damian Robin, but to welcome him into his family.

Dick acknowledging Damian comes from two worlds is just 😭. So often in fandom and canon, Damian is seen as an irredeemable killing machine, brainwashed by the league - by his own family members. He has a past that he struggles with, and Dick acknowledges that without getting stuck on it, and puts equal weight on Damian's present and future, understanding that Damian's a human - someone with value - someone who's proved they're more than what they were born to be - someone who cares more than they're giving credit for.

Damian being willing to stop the chase for Dick. He's willing to show Dick that side of himself - show him he actually does care - show him not all is lost. He doesn't want to go home, but his willingness to be vulnerable in front of Dick is something they've earned over time and something Damian doesn't give out easily. This really cemented them as idk what to call their relationship other than Batman and Robin. Damian let Dick catch up - he was willing to risk being sent home (which he doesn't want to do yet) over being able to spend quality with him. Dick gives the gift, but Damian is the one who accepts it and allowed him to give it - is what I'm trying to get at here.

The gift itself. Dick giving Damian something that helped him as a child really resonates with me. I have younger siblings and this is exactly the way I wish I could be for them. It's established in canon Dick doesn't keep a lot of stuff with him (or leaves it all packed up) and generally the things he keeps has sentimental value - which for me this places additional weight on this scene - because he has less it's worth that much more. The gift originally coming from Alfred is a nice touch - even though Dick and Damian haven't talked (though he probably remembers going to the funeral as Ric) he already understands how much Alfred dying hurt Damian, and gave him something to remember him by. That - to me - speaks volumes. On the flip side - Dick giving this precious gift to Damian demonstrates the trust he has in Damian to take care of it. And Dick's trust isn't something freely given - Damian worked for that, he earned it.

"Versus the world" - Alfred believed Dick could take on the world, and similarly Dick believes Damian can too. Not for the worse, but for the better. Also sorry but the line "painted it black" makes me think of this song and well, isn't that fitting 😂 and i have no idea if it's a reference or not

Anyways i count this as a solid win for Dick and Damian fans (myself included), and I'm happy they both finally got to talk after everything that's happened.

[chronicbatfictioner]

Exchanges and Compromises - Chapter 20

The dinner was just as Jason expected, bland, dull, a lot of formalities in which Bane was visibly struggling with and did not even bother to pretend to know the difference between steak or salad forks. Jason, Dick, and Tim managed to keep the conversation alive and light, somehow without offending the formality of the dinner. Good thing, Jason thought, that The League had taught him of formal dinner etiquette and whatnot, otherwise he would have been slurping the baiwang with the soup spoon instead of the Chinese soup spoon provided by Alfred - like Bane.

Dick, for all of his lack of etiquette education, won in the manners division - regardless of the fact that Tim was helping him by pointing out which cutlery should be used for what. At the very least, he was not beneath asking what he wasn't sure of. 

The day after was a little duller. Alfred merely informed them that the police were there along with the District Attorney, Harvey Dent, to arrest Bane on several counts of murder. Bane was arrested nearly without a fight - he had been purged of his venom strength and knew that he had no chance against some of the cops who were ready to taser him.

Jason was... frankly, a little disappointed.

"Would've been nice if there was a brawl or something," Dick voiced Jason's thought out loud just as he walked outside.

"Oh, goodness, I'm just glad this is over," Bruce commented, glaring apprehensively at Dick's back as the latter walked away with Damian. There was a good long silence before he added, "I presume now that Bane is out of this house, Damian will no longer need you two? I mean, he has me now - and his grandparents." he pointed out.

"I have vowed to guard Damian until he is an adult," Jason replied simply. Ignoring Bruce's sudden change of expression. "it is my order."

"Well, Talia... no offense. But Talia won't-- is no longer around to hold you accountable." Bruce argued.

"No, she's not. But Damian is." Jason looked at the child, sitting under one of the Manor's massive trees with a thick sketchbook before him. Dick, Jason knew, was on the tree. Even with Bane arrested, Oracle had warned that as long as he's not fully incarcerated in a maximum-security facility, he could still either get out and hurt the Waynes - including Damian. Therefore Jason asked Dick to remain with them for a little while longer. Thankfully, Dick didn't mind.

"He's a child. Children adapt well with changes of environments," Bruce said. "and if you're afraid that Bane would come back, I can hire some bodyguards for him."

Jason managed to hold back his smirk. People always thought that he was there to protect Damian; not realizing that he was protecting others from Damian's temper. Instead, he smarted, "like you protected your parents by sending them overseas."

"Oh, now, that's not fair." Bruce protested. "It was... we all thought that... at least mother and I..." he didn't finish his sentence as he exhaled exasperatedly. "His DNA check is back," he continued after a few moments of silence.

"Obviously, he hasn't a drop of Wayne blood in him," Jason suggested, a little dryly. "Something anyone with knowledge of the molecular structure of DNA would have known right away. You accepted Damian right away because you saw he has your mother's ears, in spite of his green eyes. Yet you doubted your father's denial in spite of the fact that there is nothing on Bane that resembled any of you - including about all of the portraits of your ancestors.

"And then there's something else I realized. Bane came with nothing; whereas Damian came with the Al Ghul wealth. You were more accepting because Damian would not equal splitting the Wayne wealth..."

"That is not true!" Bruce growled. "I would not have turned Damian away even if he was not Talia's child. He is my child, and I know that he is!"

"Then we're back to my initial point: You were unable to defend your parents because you did not have 100% faith in their virtues. The Al Ghuls are known leaders of the League of Assassins, to which the leadership shall now be Damian's. What will be your argument, when he decides to take over the League fully? 'Oh, I can't be associated with criminals, even if said crimes were just allegation and not a video recording of someone snapping off another person's neck'?" Jason sneered. "Now, Mister Wayne. I also would like to remind you, that I have Damian's legal custody. If you insist I should leave, I shall bring him along."

"You can't do that," Bruce scowled. "He's my biological child..."

"You have studied your country's laws, Mister Wayne. But you forgot the one crucial thing: Damian is not your country's boy by any means other than your claim." Jason mentally realized that he has placed one of his ace cards onto the table. But he honestly prefers this kind of conversation not to be had when Damian is present. And from the looks of it, he has packed his sketching materials and was making his way back indoors. "Do not try to deny Damian's access to me, or the League, Mr Wayne. He is not yours to manipulate," he added softly while Damian was still out of range.

"Hey guys, Damian and I are hungry," Dick announced as they went past the door. "Think Alfred would let us have cookies?"

"He's the one who is hungry, Todd," Damian told Jason. "I shall wait until tea time for the cookies. It is only a mere hour away."

"Why don't you scrub up a little? Tea should be ready by the time you're done." Bruce suggested.

Damian's scowl could have killed a cobra. "While I am planning on refreshing myself, father, it would be kind of you to cease directing me as if I am an imbecile," he stated, and for the second time in less than 10 minutes, Jason bit the inside of his cheek to stop a snicker.

Bruce, however, was not amused at Damian. "Well! That is not what a child should say to his father!" he admonished.

"Todd," Damian glared at Jason. "Did you not inform Mr Wayne here that I merely referred to him as 'father' due to common societal practices?" he asked with air quotes around the word 'father'.

"I have informed him that, Damian," Jason assured him.

"Do remind him on a daily basis that I am not obliged to remain here beyond what is demanded by his country's societal norms." Damian continued.

"I shall, Damian," Jason replied.

"Very well, I shall be in my quarters until tea time. You might consider feeding Grayson here, Todd," Damian said dismissively.

"I actually have some matters to discuss with you, Damian, if you don't mind. I think Grayson can fend for himself just fine," Jason told him.

"I don't mind. Let us, then." Damian said, leading the way back to his room.

Jason nodded politely to Bruce and motioned Dick to join him. "Mr Wayne, Grayson."

As they left Bruce, still standing in confusion - probably - Dick remarked, "ouch," softly.

"Go on and get your own cookies, Grayson," Jason remarked.

"I need to discuss something with you, too. You two, actually, somewhere safe." Dick said. Both Jason and Damian paused their steps. "Yeah, and we might need to call upon a certain bird for backup," Dick added, almost nonchalantly. It was not until then that Jason noticed the tenseness on his shoulders. He remembered that Dick, too, was trained to keep an eye out for danger.

"You go on ahead with Damian, I'll ask Alfred if he may have tea in his quarters." Jason decided. Damian nodded, realizing the urgency in Dick's posture, and stepped a little closer to Dick as Jason turned the other way.

Whatever it is Dick has to say, Jason could be certain now that besides himself, Dick would protect Damian fiercely. And/or protect other, possibly innocent people, from Damian's tempers.

He was just wondering why did it seem that Bruce Wayne was so intent on removing him.

And why Dr and Mrs Wayne would suddenly take a trip to Europe right after they were proverbially and literally freed from Bane.

Alfred, as usual, was in the kitchen preparing for tea time. In spite of being Americans, the Waynes seemed to like the habit of afternoon tea time.

Jason told Alfred of Damian's request, and Alfred nodded slowly. "Is Master Bruce still in the sun-room, then?" he asked.

"Last time I saw him, yeah."

"Ah, then... young Jason, may an old man request something from you and your vast knowledge of herbs?" Alfred's face was as impassive as ever when he said that, just a shade before he returned to his task of preparing some small sandwiches. But Jason was a little confused. Why would Alfred ask him for herbs? As far as Jason could tell, he was as healthy as... well, someone Jason's age, which has got to be at least a third of Alfred's; half at most. Jason didn't think that Alfred was any older than mid- to late-40s.

"Sure, how can I help?" he answered, anyway.

"Oh, I was wondering if there is any method you may suggest to... how do I put it... Chafe off surgical remains within oneself? I have had work done for my nose, you see, on a whim as a young lad; and I do not believe it looks becoming on me as I age. I feel as if it makes me look like another person is inhabiting my body, as Master Bruce was wont to say."

Jason blinked, and partially wished Dick was there to confirm his thoughts. In spite of being the exact same height as Jason, Alfred was bowing his head a little as he spoke; and Jason knew that there was a surveillance camera that would be able to record their conversation in the kitchen. His shoulders were tenser than the task of cutting bread would have required.

"Well, wow... okay. I'll need to actually search my books. You know some of the ladies back then would apply something to their skin for scars or bruises. But I'm not sure if it'll work on surgical stuff. I'll let you know?" Jason replied carefully.

"Thank you, Jason, for considering. While it shames me for being vain, it is... rather crucial." Alfred smiled at him.

"No problem, Alf," Jason patted him on the shoulder and made his way back to Damian's room - where each and every surveillance device has been disabled and/or misdirected by the combination of Tim, Barbara, and Damian's own skills.

Once Jason walked in and closed the doors of Damian's room behind him, he was greeted by both Damian and Dick's voices.

"That man is not my father, Todd! I believe my grandparents may still be in danger!" Damian exclaimed as Dick stormed over and announced 'There was an increase of drone activities outside, that's why I brought Damian in!' - followed by Damian and Dick glaring at each other, and Damian said, "Todd, we might need to acquire some new exit strategy!" at the same time as Dick saying, 'I've sent a text to Tim, but he hasn't answered. I've texted Babs, though!'

Jason cringed at them. "Whoa! Hold up! If this is how you two kids report, nobody would need surveillance equipment to hear you from Gotham Harbor!" he snarled. The two promptly stopped and glared at each other again, as if they both were hoping to have Superman's laser vision or something. "Okay, I've heard you both, and I'm upping the ante. Alfred just asked me practically for a method to dissolve foreign objects inside someone's body and allude that someone in the house is not who they seemed. And said someone might be Bruce."

Damian threw his fist to the air, stating, "I knew it!"

Dick's eyes were wide as saucers. "Okay... I would... I've wanted to say the same thing since we got in. But I was kinda scared I might be wrong. What makes you sure?"

"Alfred referred to Bruce in the past tense when talking to me," Jason said. "You? --wait, no, Damian first."

"He looked and behaved differently than the videos mother had shown me," Damian replied.

"I second Damian on this. Well, dude... we need to communicate better, don't we?" Dick said, telling the last bit toward Damian. "I've only met him once, way back when-- when my parents were... you know. But like I've told you, I remember everything from that day as if it has just happened. I remember Bruce Wayne was there with a blonde girl wearing chinchilla fur, a 50s hairdo, and an actual pearl pin. But when my parents... right after, I saw him directing traffic of people out of the tent calmly. His presence then was literally calming, like, everyone was looking at him for direction. This Bruce... generally, looked too nervous on everything; if that makes sense."

Jason thought a moment. Dick was really good at reading people's body language - even the most stoic Alfred. Before Bane was removed, Dick's assessment of Alfred was that he was uncomfortable with Bane, yet very welcoming of Damian. Thus his immediate trust in Alfred. However, since Bane was arrested and proven to not have been a Wayne; Jason hasn't got the chance to ask Dick to re-assess Alfred.

"Okay, I'll retrieve the video footage of your dad from 10 years ago from the League's servers. We'll cross-check. We'll tell the Birds once we're sure, yeah?" Jason suggested.

"Agreed," Damian nodded slowly.

"I'll have Tim keeping an eye on the Doc and Missus while we're at it, though. I mean, you know, precautions and all." Dick suggested.

"Okay, call Tim. If he doesn't answer, call Babs or his mom. I'd like this whole thing settled quickly before Bruce can do anything to harm Damian." Jason huffed a breath slowly, wondering what the hell is it with the Waynes that seemed to run on endless conspiracy theories, anyway.

[iwritethat]

Jason Todd: Guests

A/N: Imagine living with Jason and his family getting suspicious about his mysterious roomie. It's not what they expected.

Warnings: Maybe 2 swear words.

>>>>————————>

It was a bizarre phenomenon, Jason returning to the same place over and over again. Usually he'd rotate between safe houses or rented accommodation but not this. The family weren't tracking him exactly but they looked out for their own - this situation peaking their curiosity enough for them to check it out.

.

You were lazing on the sofa having arrived home before your partner in crime fighting until you heard the window click. At first you assumed it was him, but you'd grown accustomed to his movements, how he did things just as he'd adjusted to your behaviours and this most definitely was not Jason entering your lovely shared quarters. You were certain it wasn't Roy either, nothing had smashed yet...

Silently you'd grasped your katana from the floor, finger instinctively running across the golden rimmed hilt and swiftly swivelled the perfectly balanced blade as you stood to place a foot on the back of your couch smirking at your intruder.

"You picked the wrong window sweetheart~"

.

The stranger froze, immediately stumbling to a halt rather surprised that he'd been discovered so quickly and held his hands up in surrender.

"Uh sorry... I -" The male didn't get a chance to explain when Red Hood swung through the window with a boot to the intruders back which sent him to the ground only for him to flip back up seconds later.

Before you could move to attack, Jason patted your thigh which urged you to step over the couch and join his side. "Dick is no threat, trust me."

The man in question offered a sheepish wave once your suspicious gaze fell upon him and so you walked over eerily calm, the tip of your sword placed under his chin and used to tilt his head upwards.

"You are lucky Jay trusts you intruder, now would you like tea or coffee?" You gave an unreadable expression but one that stirred an answer.

"Coffee... please..."

You kindly smiled, sheathing your blade to lean against the counter whilst you prepared beverages.

.

Dick took the time to look around the nicely sized space, one that you presumably shared with his brother considering it was a 2 bedroom apartment. It explained the cultural decor and selection of blades decorating the back wall in designer fashion - obviously they were not 'decorations', they were sharpened weapons you and Jason regularly alternated between on the field. Although one thing caught his eye, a jar full of money on the side.

"A swear jar? Really?"

"Don't be ridiculous, it'd take more than that to stop Jason's foul mouth. This is more fitting for the both of us - in fact it pays the bills." You laughed, placing the warm mug into his hands before spinning the glass to reveal the label that read 'Talked Shit about my Mentor'.

Jason nodded in agreement with a prideful smirk whereas Dick pulled out a few dollars with a haphazard shrug.

"I get it, I've said 'fuck Batman' at least once." Now you and Jason mocked shock with over dramatic gestures and you held onto one another for support during your laughter whilst Dick sighed at your childish antics, although it was endearing to see Jason so free around someone. Another interruption via the front door concerned the three of you so once unlocking it you were greeted with two young men of whom you'd never met but when glancing back to a sighing Jason you instantly knew to let them in.

"Told you knocking like a normal person was the best option Grayson." Damian wore a smug grin, obviously witness to Jason hitting him through the window earlier.

"For once... ugh... I agree with the demon spawn." Tim sighed, emphasising his distaste on the matter - you knew of his family and were aware that these two had a rocky relationship at times.

.

You could tell the youngest took the time to admire the widely decorated interior, Jason's cultural taste intriguing him in particular.

"Your lover brings out the most in you Todd, you are truly yourself around them."

At that point, everyone snapped to the two of you due to your uncharacteristic silence - the reaction being two intimidating vigilantes with crossed arms staring them down supposedly unimpressed by Damians accusations.

"Ya hear that babe? They think we're dating." Snark surrounded his cocky tone, but their assumption deserved such a blunt response considering you’d only just met.

"Well Batman fails at training adequate detectives then." Along with your own sarcasm came a playful elbow to your ribs courtesy of Jason causing you to release a giggling groan.

"Firstly, he trained me and I'm amazing, secondly pay up (Y/n)."

"I find it hard to believe that you would choose to consistently come back to someone with no feelings being involved, it's out of character. You hate letting people in." Tim suspiciously commented, yourself paying your due to the jar with a concerned expression even though Batman wasn't your mentor (if Jason insulted your mentor then he'd put money into the jar as well).

"There's a lot of components to our relationship that I'm not willing to discuss with any of you. And I hate that you know me that well Timbers."

"Well I like your family Jason, they're good people. Like you said."

"Hah! Knew you appreciated us Jason!" Tim proudly confirmed, finger pointed at his predecessor in some form of triumph.

"Uh whatever - time to go! Get out of our apartment, we're going to bed!" Jason's walls were ever prominent, extinguishing any outer emotion for the Batfam like usual despite it being common knowledge he viewed them as allies at the very least.

"It's been a busy night but feel free to drop by again some time, you're all very welcome here." You made sure to intercede, somewhat grateful for their impromptu visit even if Jason displayed a polar opinion.

"Do not drop by, you're not welcome, (Y/n) is lying to be nice. Now go." Your partner corrected, emphasising disagreement at every chance he could get leaving you to openly defend yourself.

"I'm not lying." You sniggered, raising a brow at your partner’s antics.

"For the sake of getting rid, please don't encourage them." Jason mock begged you, urging you over to his side out of sheer desperation for his solitude that only you were often included in.

Dick glanced between you two admiring the subconscious connection, the way you looked at one another as well as the playfully challenging comebacks you exhibited - Jason was happy. "Looks like a couples dispute, we'll leave you to it. See you next week, thanks for the coffee (Y/n)~" The eldest finished knowingly, understanding that there’d be more time for bonding later on as it became apparent that you were not parting from Jason in the near future.

"You will not see us next week, I'll lock the doors and windows." Jason briskly countered, sending a pointed look to a sheepish Dick who rubbed the back of his neck when recalling his previous entrance.

"TT, I only plan to see (L/n)." Damian was nonchalant about that fact, not even sparing Jason a glance.

"Fuck off Demon Spawn!"

"Make me T-mfph." Dick took the opportunity to silence the youngest Wayne and usher him out followed by an amused Tim and accompanied by a flurry of varying goodbyes.

.

It left you and Jason to bask in the silence of your own company and time to digest the recent bustling activity.

"So they really don't know huh?" Your voice was more solemn than before, lacking its usual playful glint to it. Jason knew you were serious about this one.

"...I thought about telling them, but then I got distracted and honestly, I like this. Just us. For now anyway." You’d been around long enough to detect his sincerity, the wistfulness lacing his voice as he presumably got lost in thought of the future - specifically how they’d react when they knew.

"Mhm, for the record - my brothers in law aren't that bad y’know." A shrug followed your words, gaze flicking to the golden wedding band beautifully crafted into the hilt of your signature katana, Jasons' ring located on the handle of his favoured knife of which accompanied him everywhere - it was unorthodox but suited the two of you perfectly.

"Heh, wait 'til you meet the so called 'Father'. He's a dick but can't be worse than your mentor." Your partner proudly stated, opting to make you a drink before bed.

"Jar." Your voice was smug yet contrastingly stern, and Jason could only whine in defence.

"Oh come on, we both know I've said worse!"

"Nu-uh, still counts babe. In fact that's two in one, so pay up!"

How this marriage of yours had worked continued to stifle each other, but you were grateful to have fallen in love with Jason Todd - almost as grateful as he was to have met you that fateful night.

Almost.