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

Comments

[broodingbat]

Bruce raises an eyebrow. "Your mother has a very active imagination," he says mildly. Of course Talia has everything wrong.The truth is that Bruce doesn't do casual sex. With or without money being exchanged. Not that Damian needs to know that.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian was wondering if this was a test. His father had asked cryptic, meaningless questions, expected an answer and when Damian supplied one, seemed to be talking in a different language. He was getting even more nervous now, he had never spoken to anyone as long as this. "Father, I don't understand what you wish of me," he finally said, a note of frustration creeping into his voice. "Do you mean enjoy your wealth?"

[broodingbat]

Indeed. What DID he want? Well to talk to boy, to get to know him. But more then that, except that he can't define that "more." Not just yet.

The question catches him off-guard. It's really not something he ever thought about. The money was always just THERE, in the background, to be used as needed.

"I. Suppose. Perhaps it's more accurate to say that I enjoy what it lets me do," he muses thoughtfully. Of course much of that is Mission related and if he's honest with himself there is something very satisfying about helping people and closing cases. There is also something very satisfying about being able to go where the police can't.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian nodded, finally understanding. "The power you have over people. Money grants influence, grants prestige. You can fire people, hire them, you can build places or destroy them, you can manipulate events to your favor," he said, with a rare tight lipped smirk of happiness. He was finally getting what his father wanted.

[broodingbat]

Bruce blinks. That wasn't. What he'd meant, not at all.

"The power that I enjoy most," he says, carefully choosing his words, "is a power no one will ever know about."

[shahzadalghul]

And again, Damian didn't understand, but he just wanted to please his father by understanding, and so he nodded, trying to comprehend. "Will you tell me?" he whispered. What secrets would his father share with him, him alone, his true heir? "Your son?"

[broodingbat]

Bruce nods. "And show you. When you're ready."

And he knows it's cheesy beyond words. That perhaps Damian would not appreciate it, possibly even see it as demeaning. But the boy is still a child. And some things are universal to children.

The man reaches out to brush the short hair by the boy's temple. He reaches behind Damian's ear and.

Pulls back his hand, show the little mini-bat token he "found" behind the boy's ear.

He had been saving that for a while now. Years actually. There is a small jar of those in the cave. They had been practise for his crafting skills back when he was just getting started.

Once he'd toyed with the idea of keeping them in his belt, to give to the traumatized children he some times encountered. Like policemen who had teddy-bears in their squad cars. But Alfred had disabused him of that idea in his usual rational and very sardonic manner.

So Damian is the one and only recipient of the token.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian stiffened as his father touched him, he had never been comfortable with being touched by family (servants didn't count) and his father was a strange and incredible godly figure to him. Mother had sometimes stroked his hair, but that was usually before telling him terrible news or telling him to be quiet. He stared down at the symbol of the bat and looked at his father with confusion.

The ability to be Batman. Yes, of course but that was too simple. "Thank you," he whispered confusedly, taking the approach of respect.

[broodingbat]

That "thank you" means a lot to him. There is a slight smile on Bruce's lips for it. But now. He has no idea how to wrap this conversation up.

"I. Do you have more questions. Damian?"

[shahzadalghul]

Damian shook his head. His father was smiling slightly, which showed he was pleased. He didn't want to hurt the good will he had finally achieved. He had no idea what just happened, but questioning it seemed foolish. He had a thousand questions, but none seemed appropriate.

[broodingbat]

Bruce nods, accepting that. "Alright. But if you do think of something, you can come and find me." He stands up to leave but. "You still need to write a proper letter of apology to the Commissioner, Damian." then he's out the the door.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian lay back on his bed, completely confused at what just happened.

His father was a god among men, but a confusing one.

He would have to avoid the letter. Going to school, no snake, he'd have to put his foot down somewhere or he'd be spoiling his family.