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 listens, not interrupting. But his eyes brows do go up on occasion. There is so much in those words. And he wonders how much of it is Talia's doing verses Damian's on lack of understanding.

"Do you know now the American legal system works, Damian?" It's a very open ended question s there are so very many aspects to the system he fights to protect, but which lets the people down time and again.

"In regards to detaining individuals?" He clarifies. Start there. He can examine why Damian thought he had to lie about being Bruce's son later.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian nodded. The best way to stay on the wrong side of the law was to know it. "According to the Gotham Penal code, as I was not under arrest, I had no obligation to answer any of their questions. They had no reasonable suspicion that I had violated the law, so they had no right to detain me. I wanted to leave, but they would not let me go. That blasted bugger Gordon quoted section 9, subsection J, paragraph two, the police can hold a suspect in custody without formal charges for no more than forty-eight hours." He paused for a moment and considered his next words

[broodingbat]

"Yes, you could have waited it out. And should have," Bruce confirms. "Also, the Commissioner--who you will address with respect--could not have brought any charges against you. That would have been my job, since I was the supposed "victim." In the case of a runaway or a kidnap victim, you would have been put into the social services system while they figured out who you are. Meaning a group home, which would have been much easier to escape from," he explains patiently. It's a long speech and is delivered in much the same way the sex talk was, clinical, just facts; information to keep him safe.

Something else occurs to him. "Do you not trust me?"

[shahzadalghul]

Damian shrugged, bristling at the thought of respecting that idiot. He hadn't seen it that way, and it only proved that he needed to be here and perfect himself with his father. "Understood. I will study the American system further."

The second question made him start. "I don't understand your question, Father." What did that mean, trust? He didn't trust his mother, he obeyed her. Trust was something fools did.

His own mother had allowed him to be blown up the first time he had met his father. His father had replaced him with street rats. His ninjas obeyed him because they believed Grandfather to be a Messiah. Grandfather would happily use him for a new body. He...trusted Grayson a little. "I trust in what I know of my parents." It was as good a lie as he could say.

[broodingbat]

"Do you think I would have left you there? Denied you?" In some way's it's an unfair question and he recognizes that. Yet it's a very important one. One that needs an honest answer.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian got to his feet. "I did what I thought best under the circumstances. I don't know what you would have done," he snapped. "Mother does what she needs to. You do what you need to do. And I do what I need to do. That is all."

[broodingbat]

"Not if you want to be part of my family, Damian." It's not a threat. it's not. It's. Reality. A reality that he needs to remind himself about.

"I. Am not the best example. Sometimes I'm not good with people and think that I need to shut myself away. But I know that doesn't work. I've seen the damage it does. Not just to me or those I care about. But to the city as well.

"We can't live in isolation, Damian."

[shahzadalghul]

Damian stung under the insult. Why should he trust anyone when he wasn't part of the family? He was replaceable, to his father who should have treasured. "I would ask you if you trust me, but I know the answer." he snapped. No, he didn't want to hear this. "I don't wish to discuss this anymore." His own father had just made it clear he needed to earn his way into a family of street rats.

[broodingbat]

"This is not a choice Damian. I needs to be discussed." What did Damian think he knew of Bruce's feelings? "Tell me."

[shahzadalghul]

Damian shrugged bitterly. "Tell you what? You already know, Father. You don't trust me. I'm an Al Ghul, my grandfather and mother are your enemies. You referred to me as Mother's little guided missile. You look at me and you see my mother and my grandfather. I see it and I don't care. I merely want to be your successor and prove myself worthy to be Batman. I don't need your trust. I need your training."