Chapter Text
Receiving a summon to the Batcave was just another Thursday for any member of the Wayne household. When it happened mid brush stroke, ruining his latest work that held four days worth of labor, it sadly was still just another day for Damian. No matter how many years he lived with his family, he still routinely threatened their demise. Despite or perhaps because each threat was met with a laugh or grin, he simply cleaned his paint brush, grabbed a mask, and made his way to the cave.
It was hard to miss the way Batman stood alone looking at the scrolling information on the large screen. His jaw was set in a way that spoke of his desperate desire to punch something. Damian tended to think it was those moments that he questioned his own "No killing" rule after his father got his hands on Morgan "NoBody" Ducard with that look. That was back when he was still killing however, back when he first saw his father as the mortal he was. To this day he could still feel No Body's hands breaking his fingers and pressed to his chest ready to liquify his organs and smell the acid eating flesh. Pushing away the memory with a deep breath he focused on his father. It had always been rare to that look in his father's stance so of course it was a surprise to see it as he glanced over the passing data. It only stayed on screen long enough for him to process the foreign language was French with the images of unfamiliar heroes.
"Father, I-"
"Robin," he murmured, soft voice weighing heavily on the quiet. He had barely heard him over the bats chattering above and his own thoughts. Thoughts that Damian attempted to push away knowing the wild theories in his head that were likely further from the truth. Only earlier Bruce was smiling at plans to some event Damian would have been required to attend and the details of escorting Selina despite her still criminal status. Perhaps he would no longer be Robin. Maybe his mother had survived after all. Batman took a breath and Damian mimicked him, trying to focus on his next words.
"When most your brothers came to a certain age they started taking leadership roles. You're almost sixteen now, but I have a particular mission for you that's much more important. It would put you overseas out of the League's immediate aid and away from the Titans. You would essentially be on your own and it would be dangerous." Damian remained quiet as Batman leaned back in his seat. He had yet to look at him and Damian was getting nervous. His next words did little to sooth him. "I want to be clear. If I didn't think you could handle it I wouldn't be suggesting you, but if you don't think you can I need to know now. Do you want this?"
It took him only a moment to realize exactly what he was being offered. A silent thrill mingled with his nerves. He finally had the opportunity he had been waiting for to truly place himself in the ranks of the family and League. No more warring with his "brothers" to ensure he still represented the Robin legacy or the fact he was owed his spot in the family. Batman knew from the beginning he wanted this. His father knew he would never turn such a thing down. Not when he had fought and waited for something more than the Titans so long. Yes, he was proud to be one but- as with most the other Robins- he wanted out of the shadows. He wanted to prove he was ready for his father's mantle and had indeed out grown all of his grandfather's influence.
"What's the mission Father?"
His smile was grime as if he had expected the cold acceptance. He hid his resignation poorly as he pulled up a video file.
Two young faces filled the screen, probably no more than thirteen or fourteen. They were the same heroes from before, a blond cat themed boy and a red and black spotted girl. The boy spoke accented English to introduce himself and his partner, Chat Noir and Ladybug. He noted the petulant glare Ladybug had aimed away from the camera and the way the boy's smile was beseeching. He explained in vague terms their situation. A butterfly themed villain after artifacts called the Miraculous, the wish that could be cast and the devastation that could follow.
Superman's voice answered them with a politeness only he and his son could manage in telling them to only call for serious complaints and not jokes. Ladybug turned away from the camera and just as the call was ending she bit out in bitter French. "I told you the Americans wouldn't take this seriously."
Batman closed the video and instead once more pulled up the scrolling data from before. "Since receiving this transmission almost three years ago I have taken it upon myself to keep an eye on Paris." Damian tried to ignore the scarce and likely unreliable information he saw. "It was much more difficult than expected with the mayor and government putting a filter on all international news outlets. There are two online sources with varying levels of authenticity and the Twitter trends Uniquement à Paris, Montre coccinelle, and chasse aux papillons."
Batman pulled up examples. Damian was for once grateful he was pushed into downloading social media. That being the only reason he even understood the format of the coming info.
"#Onlyinparis is an akuma a better excuse than a doctor's note."
"Saw our lady step in front of a knife last night. She fights more than akuma. #onlyinparis #ladybugwatch"
"Potential akuma spotted going south west of Notre-Dame. #Butterflyhunt #Ladybugwatch"
There were many more detailing "Akuma" movements and the feats and patrols of Ladybug. Less often were mentions of her supposed partner Chat Noir. It seemed their dynamics were poorly matched with one being a bullet shield and specializing in media while the other was the obvious leader responsible for making plans, cleansing akuma, and overall keeping them alive in battle. There did seem to be a small collection of other animal themed heroes but most of the responsibility still fell on Ladybug. He didn't like it.
"Ladybug is very good at hiding who she is. There was a blog that detailed their earlier fights and achievements but around the time a girl named Lila Rossi started giving interviews Ladybug cut ties with the blog. She publicly refused interviews and denounced the owner saying she only trusted reporters that checked sources. Ladybug supposedly started her own online platform that I haven't been able to find a source for. This website is filled with self defense videos, safety precautions, akuma information, meditation guides, collaborations with local influencers that also emphasize safety, and the occasional vlog to address public concerns."
"So is this real?"
"I believe so. Last week she. Found a way to reach out to me via a secure line and requested I stop investigating Paris. She insisted that her and her team had everything under control and JL interference would cause more harm than good. She also insisted that Akuma battles were reserved for her Miraculous users and normal heroes, especially supers would be a liability. I was willing to concede until another video surfaced."
Damian swallowed his horror as a monochrome woman put a hand to a man's chest. His skin rippled like water when her hand entered and removed something with a twist. The man dropped like a doll when she put his heart in the bag at her hip. She had turned slowly, only color being the red of her lips and the garnet choker, before gliding to the one holding the camera. Batman paused the video.
"People are dying Damian." He started at the use of his name. "She knows it too."
A blog post of Ladybug in the arms of a snake themed hero trying to hide her tears filled the screen next. There were dragon and bee heroines as well as a fox hero all trying to hide her and glaring at the person who would dare try to capture such a private moment. Chat on the other hand was against a wall staring at his hands with glazed eyes.
"It was a rough day for our heroes. Show them your support on the LadyBlog!" Was the caption.
"Apparently she has a gift that can return the lives lost and the damage done. Very few people remember the pain if she has the strength to cast the spell properly."
He blanched at the insinuation with memories of his own death still in his mind. Absently he rubbed his abdomen but reaffirmed his answer. "I'll go. I will do whatever is required of me."
"I figured you would." He closed to screens and for the first time, turned to fully face him. "I'm sure you already realized, but you will not be able to be Robin in Paris. She has already made it clear she does not welcome our help. You will either need a new identity or, better yet, find a way onto her team be it as a civilian or finding a way to get one of the Miraculous. You need to help them find and stop Hawkmoth. I have a feeling someday there will be an akuma that's too much and Ladybug might just break..."
"Yes Father, I'll start packing immediately. I'm assuming you've already set everything up to place me in Paris."
"You have yourself. As far as the public will know, Damian Wayne finally decided to take up the Wayne family business and as your father I'm sending you to a school in Paris with an advanced curriculum that will set you on the path of taking over. While you are there, try to find Ladybug as a civilian so we can contact her privately."
Damian nodded sharply turning on his heel to prepare but paused at the hand on his shoulder.
"I also need you to take care of yourself there. This villian preys on emotions and makes people do things they regret. It will be dangerous in regards to you getting caught in an attack, but also with the possibility that you'll be the one attacking."
He looked up at the worried blue eyes and fought to keep his expression blank. Six years ago Damian would have called it weakness, manipulation, and pathetic. Now Damian fought daily to come to terms with the worry and love his father showed him. As a Wayne he was cared for. As a Wayne he was part of something close to what a family should have been.
"I will Father. You know I'll never revert to what I was. I can handle this. I will find Ladybug and expose Papillon so he can face the consequences of his actions." He hesitated just a moment, casting his gaze away so he would not see his father's reaction. "I will make you proud, Father."
"I already am." He could hear the smile but didn't dare turn, Damian's face was much too warm for that. Instead he rushed out of the cave to prepare for the journey.