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 sighs. That. Wasn't what he'd expected. Not exactly. And not entirely true. Not the important parts.

"I do not see Talia or R'as when I look at you. Any more then I see myself. You are Damian, no one else." He says firmly.

There is more. So much more. It WILL be said. Later. For now they can start with this.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian folded his arms. "But you don't trust me," he accused. "You still blame me for them. I see the way you treat me and the other guests of the house."

[broodingbat]

"No, I don't blame you for them. I blame you for your own actions," he corrects, looking at the boy, watching how his words were taken.

"Whatever plans your mother or grandfather have, you alone make the choice of what you do and how you will behave. How you treat others, Damian."

[shahzadalghul]

Damian scowled. He knew he was treated differently, but short of calling his father a liar, he had little else to defend himself. "I will make myself a perfect heir to you. I will train, study, whatever you wish," he finally said, unsure where the conversation. "I know I made mistakes in my escape, but I will fix them. I will be more discreet, more aware. I will do better."

[broodingbat]

Oh. Oh boy.

Bruce dearly wants to pinch the bridge of his nose, but restrains himself from doing so.

"Damian, I don't want you to be anyone but yourself. However. I'm not sure YOU know who that is. As opposed to who your mother wants you be. Or who you think I want you to be."

And he wants to help the boy learn who he is. To grow as a person. He wants. To be part of that. Badly. A small part of Bruce will always loath Talia for hiding that she'd conceived, far all the years he'd missed with Damian.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian shrugged. He didn't understand what his father was talking about, but he just stared at him. "I don't understand, Father. I know what I want. I want to be Batman. I want to be powerful. I want to be feared. I want to be like you and Grandfather, men who change history. And I will be. I haven't wavered from that."

[broodingbat]

"Why do you want these things, Damian?" is the calm question. He needs to get the boy thinking, to get him digging into his own mind. He real wants.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian stared at his father. "That was the reason I was born. I was chosen from conception. I was selected, nurtured, made for the purpose of being your heir, the heir to the Al Ghul and the Wayne lines," he repeated mechanically. "It's why I exist."

[broodingbat]

"No. That's why your mother conceived. And HER wants for you." He carefully emphasizes the words, trying to make Damian understand the difference.

"I'm not asking what your mother wants."

[shahzadalghul]

Damian stared up at his father. "I don't know what you wish me to say," he finally said. He briefly considered everything, he didn't know why he wanted these things. Such introspection seemed too close to self doubt and Damian tried to avoid it at all costs. He didn't know what or why he wanted, no one had ever asked him.

"I...don't want my grandfather to take my body. I understand it is my duty to serve, but...I am not afraid to die. I merely don't wish it." He raised his chin, trying to seem in power.