Father of mine (After Timmy and Damian stop talking)

[shahzadalghul]

Of course, Damian's good mood faded as soon as he found a note in his father’s handwriting waiting on his desk. “An apology letter to Comissionor Gordon.” He reminded himself that Fake Drake had said his father loved him, but he was still stung by the treatment.  He had nothing to apologize for. Well, perhaps the fire but he wasn't going to admit

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[broodingbat]

Bruce stands before the door silently and debates what to do. he should knock. He will knock. But should he give the boy more time? Was he rushing it? or had he waited too long already.

Damian is nothing like Dick. Or even Jason, of course he hadn't known Jason at this age. He wasn't even going to think about comparing the boy to Tim, though there is a smile trying to make his lips twitch.

He smooths his expression and knocks quietly.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian was annoyed to realize he couldn't detect by the footsteps who it was. He was not becoming soft only a few days from leaving. "Enter," he said, not looking up from his work.

[broodingbat]

Bruce pushes the door open. "You found my note?" He asks calmly, watching the boy. He's trying to pay attention, to see that which the boy will not say.

This is one of the times he's very envious of Cassandra. Perhaps he should ask her to spend some time with the boy.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian felt his spine stiffen as his father stepped inside. Having him around was like having a celebrity living nearby, he had to act properly and yet also pretend they were a regular family. "Yes. I wrote two notes," he answered. "If you wish, just inform me what to write and I'll transcribe it." He would try to be a model son, and impress him.

[broodingbat]

Bruce looks at the boy. The child is a puzzle that he must unravel. Somehow.

"May I see what you wrote?" The large man asks calmly. Sometimes Damian will only respond to anger and force, but that's how Bruce wants their relationship to be.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian handed his father the notes. He wasn't foolish, he knew his father would disapprove. But he wouldn't apologize for something he did not regret. He stared at his father. This was someone he had dreamed of meeting, one of the only people in the world he respected, and he didn't understand him at all. It was so confusing, and he just wanted Father to chase away everyone else (well, perhaps allow the fake Drake to remain) and just focus on making him the perfect heir. Was that so much to ask? "It was all I could think to say." He had been perfected genetically, perfected in training and he had no idea what to do.

[broodingbat]

Bruce reads them carefully. And then again. He frowns.

"You don't think you did anything wrong."

It's not an accusation, just a statement of fact. A disturbing, but not surprising, fact. Bruce sighs a little. He has a feeling that this is going to be a very long month. Year? Years?

He walks over to the boy's bed and sits. The man motions for Damian to join him.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian wishes his father would rage. He knew how to deal with anger. He didn't know how to deal with this emotionless mask, giving him no clues. He could read body language decently for a fight, but this was talking. "I did what I had to," Damian said, unsure what to do. With Mother, he would be called into her chambers, stand there in awe, be given commands and dismissed. He knew what to do. After considering it for a moment, he sits down next to his father on the bed, trying to figure what what his father would do next. "In the future, I will be better informed to knowing your wishes, if my time here is spent working with you more." There was that. Would that help?

[broodingbat]

"Tell me why you felt that you needed to set fire to the police station," he says in that patient, even tone.

This is going to take a while. But he will take the time. MAKE the time if needed. Time and again he's made his family suffer in favour of the Mission. But they are PART of the Mission. And if he could just. Make time. Just be there for them. Then there will be more of them to fight the endless battle. It would be BETTER for the Mission.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian had considered this question. "Because it was what must be done when one is trapped. Get an exit by any means. I could not escape that room in another way. The air vents were nailed in. I couldn't break the glass. The door was locked and although I could have picked the lock, two officers were on the other side. Even if I got past them, which I could have, I would have likely triggered an alarm and had the entire building alerted. A fire took the attention off me and allowed me the chance for freedom."

"If you were not going to acknowledge me, I had to make sure I got out. I did not have time to prepare an identity and had to tell the truth, which will not happen in the future. I will do better." He had failed there and he was displeased with himself.