Chapter Text
Jon was on the floor of his room, half curled into himself. His head was laying on Krypto’s flank, and he was petting Ranger’s face, which was resting on the side of his knee.
He was supposed to be in bed. Heck, he was supposed to be grounded, for the recent antics with Robin, despite the fact he hadn’t even wanted to go. But he was too miserable, and his bed was too small to fit both of his dogs, so this was good enough.
At least, until he heard knocking on his window.
And he didn’t jump this time, or get scared. He had a feeling he already knew who it was, if the persistency of the knocks was any indication.
He frowned as he sat up, looked across his mattress. Found Damian once again sitting on the tree branch outside his window. Once again dressed to the teeth in his Robin uniform.
Batman had made it quite clear that Damian was grounded too.
Damian saw him looking, and made a motion for him to hurry up and open the window.
Ranger gave a whine, and Jon sighed, rubbing at his head. “I’m only opening it to tell him to go away. I promise.”
He slowly rose from the floor, carefully climbed across his bed and shoved the windowpane upwards.
“Hopefully Papa Supes wasn’t too strict about punishment.” Damian hummed with a smirk. “I just got word about a-”
“No.” Jon cut off. “Damian, I want you to go away.”
Damian blinked. “Look, Batman doesn’t know I left the house yet, so if we move fast-”
“I don’t care.” Jon snapped. “I don’t care if you got in trouble, or if Batman knows where you are, or any of that. Go away.”
Damian frowned. “What the hell’s wrong with y-”
And there was something wrong. There was something gnawing at Jon’s brain. Had been for weeks, since he’d found out, but even more so since the last time Damian showed up at his window. But he didn’t want to talk about it now – it was already stupid enough.
“I said go away, Damian!” Jon hissed, shoving harshly at Damian’s shoulder. And before he could stop himself: “Go away and never talk to me again!”
Damian blinked again, and reared back like he’d been punched.
“I mean it.” Jon threatened, and he was surprised how much it hurt him to say these things. But he’d started now, and it seemed like he just…couldn’t stop. “You have ten seconds to get out of here or I’m…I’m gonna break the branch you’re sitting on.”
Damian just stared for a moment, looking almost hurt, before his face set into its typical neutral scowl.
“I mean, what’s even the point? Why do you keep showing up at my house wanting to drag me on some case?” Jon rambled. Damian let him. “Any time I see you, you’re just a giant jerk. Do you only show up here because you think I’m an easy target? That I’m easier to push around just because I’m still nice to you?”
“…No.” Damian murmured, turning away. “But forget it. Forget I was even here.”
He silently jumped from the tree, landing nimbly before walking towards the bike Jon could see parked at the side of the barn.
And Jon should have stopped – after all, he’d just demanded Damian to. But his annoyance and frustration was still simmering right underneath the surface. And his exhaustion had taken charge over his brain. He could hear Ranger and Krypto whining behind him in concern, but he paid them no mind, and slammed his fist on the windowsill anyway.
“I mean, if you wanted to hang out with me so bad, why didn’t you invite me to the Teen Titans?!”
Damian froze midstep, and Jon immediately wished he hadn’t opened his mouth.
If Damian didn’t make fun of him before, surely he was going to now. After all, it was childish, and stupid. Just because he wasn’t invited to some club out in San Francisco? Jealous of all the people Damian did invite to be a Titan? He didn’t even know any of them!
Damian glanced over his shoulder, his face cool and impassive. “I thought you just said you weren’t talking to me anymore.”
“I…I’m not.” Jon tried to sound tough. “Just answer that and we’re done.”
Damian kept watching him, and…was it just Jon, or did his eyes look almost…sad?
“…You don’t need to know that.” Damian responded carefully. “Goodbye Jonathan.”
“No, that’s not fair!” Jon called after him. “Before, you said it was because I wasn’t a teen. Well, Dad told me you joined the Titans the first time when you were only ten, too! So what’s the real reason?”
“It’s not important.” Damian looked away once more, taking another step. “Go to bed, kid. It’s past your bedtime.”
“If it’s so unimportant than just tell me.” Jon countered.
“No.”
“Fine, then I’ll guess.” Jon snapped. “What, am I not cool enough? Not strong enough? Would I ‘cramp your style’ in the Titans?”
He saw Damian’s fists tighten.
“Or is it that your team would like me better than you? That I’d be competition to your…your status?” Damian’s fists started shaking. “That I’d undermine your authority, or whatever you think you-”
“It’s because I’m trying to protect you, Jon!” Damian screamed, whirling around to stare up at him.
Now it was Jon’s turn to jerk back.
“Because Titans’ missions are almost League-level dangerous. We can barely handle them. Inviting you to the team would be like walking you to your death and I refuse to do that.” Damian hissed. “But I knew you’d find out, and I knew you’d be upset, so I invited you on these cases with me not only for your help but so you wouldn’t feel left out. I can protect you easier one-on-one than inside a team of hormonal pubescents.”
Jon was floored. He could barely breathe.
“I…” He tried. “I can…”
“Protect yourself, yes, I know. My eldest brother constantly says the same, and look what happens to him. I thought I could stop that cycle for another young hero, so what happens to my family doesn’t happen to yours.” Damian rolled his eyes. “But since we’re clearing the air, for the record? I didn’t come here tonight to drag you onto another case. I came here to apologize for my actions and treat you to food. Your mother informed me you liked…pies. I know a place in Bludhaven that won awards for theirs, and asked if I could take you there. She had allowed it.”
Jon could only gape.
“But like I said – forget it.” Damian sighed sadly. Slowly, he turned back towards the barn. “Stay safe, Jonathan.”
“Wha…Damian!” Jon called. Damian didn’t stop this time, just continued to walk away. “Damian, wait!”
But he didn’t. Just walked to his bike. Ran his hand carefully down the muzzle of a horse standing nearby as he passed it. Threw on his helmet and took off down the driveway in a cloud of dust.
Jon could only watch, leaning his head miserably against his arms on the windowsill. Nice, Damian was trying to be nice. Trying to make amends. Trying to protect him, like a real friend would. And Jon had just practically spit in his face.
Now who was the giant jerk?