Chapter Text
A teenage boy needs sleep. It was not up for negotiation. His early life training with the League of Assassins could only do so much. He was still human after all the shit he’s been through. (Somehow). He had become aware that he was coming to the end of his resources to counterbalance sleep, but he wasn’t his father. Yet. He couldn’t get 3 days wroth of sleep in 3 hours. (That sounded more like magic to him.) Damn him if caffeine became his blood source like it has with Drake. Who the hell knew what Todd fed off of to avoid sleep deprivation? Grayson was Grayson.
Damian was smaller than most 13 year olds. He believed he was a late bloomer, like Alfred kept reassuring him. Yet a part of him thought it might have something to do with the abuse and deadly training he received since the age of 0. He knew a lack of sleep would only worse the delay. He wanted to grow.
That’s why when his father called him after another long day out with the Titans, to come home and assist him on parole, he had to shamefully decline. He could barely stay awake during the call.
“I…apologize, Father, but I cannot assist you. I need sleep.” He felt dizzy as he spoke.
How could he have let his sleep deprivation get this bad? Mother would have punished him for this.
“Of course. Get some sleep.”
“Father!” Damian called before he could cut the transmission.
Batman stared at him waiting.
“Can..Can you ask Alfred to come pick me up? I do not believe I can drive myself home.” His voice was low. This was embarrassing.
His father paused. The silence held an emotion. Damian wanted the pause to hold concern, but this way the man who purposely missed his son’s 13th birthday to parole the streets of Gotham.
“Of course, son. I’ll send Alfred your way.” The transmission was cut before Damian could give his thanks.
Damian didn’t want to fall asleep while waiting for Alfred, so he occupied his time with writing the report for today’s mission and texting Drake to see if he could lead the Titian’s tomorrow in case he couldn't lead them. Drake jumped at the offer. Damian wasn’t surprised the replacement didn’t have anything else to do. Damian ignored his text of worry, asking him if he was okay.
Drake didn’t need to know about his life.
By the time Alfred got to the Titan Tower, it was dark. Damian had managed to keep his eyes open and converse with his teammates about the mission and if they wanted to included anything in the report perfectly. Now that his chance of sleep had arrived, he found it very difficult to keep them open.
He couldn’t remember the words he exchanged with Alfred as he got into the car.
The car had been moving but he wasn’t sure for how long. They were out of the city. That was obvious by the amount of trees and flat land and no buildings. He lad his head against the widow, which wasn’t comfortable but his mind didn’t care. He looked up to the night sky and saw the stars and full moon.
The moon began to glitch. That was not a good sign, but in a world riddled with superheroes, it was hardly his concern.