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“Isn’t this exciting?”
Damian looked at his friend Skylar. The little red headed girl was at his desk holding her books.
“Skylar, I don’t think Metropolis’s Zoo is very different from the Gotham’s.”
The girl pouted. “Dami, don’t be like that. It’s going to be exciting! And maybe if we have time we could draw animals together.”
Damian nodded. Colin, his other red headed friend, met them at his desk. “Ms. Macpherson said she needed two parents to come with us.”
Skylar nodded. “I’ll ask my mom. She loves coming on field trips and she’s okay with me drawing, unlike my dad.”
The little red headed boy looked at Damian. “Didn’t one of your dads come from Metropolis?”
Damian frowned. “Clark’s a reporter in Metropolis, but he’s from Kansas originally.”
“He could come with us. Maybe he knows the zoo.”
“Maybe.” Damian bit his lip. The field trip could give him an opportunity to talk to Clark alone. “I’ll ask him tonight.”
Skylar clapped her hands. “That’s cool. And boys don’t forget your permission slips!”
The two boys rolled their eyes with a smile. “Yes, Sky!”
Damian and his two friends exited Gotham Academy. Alfred was already waiting for him. He waved at his friends and went to the butler.
“Good afternoon Master Damian. How was your day?”
“The usual. Ms. Macpherson told us we were going to the zoo next week. It’ll be the Metropolis one.”
“That’s wonderful, young sir.”
Damian buckled his belt. “Are we picking up Timothy too?”
“No, young sir. Master Tim is staying at school to study with his friend Bernard.”
“Jason said they weren’t really studying.” Damian frowned. “I wonder what they do instead. Do you think they play video games?”
Alfred gave a coy smile. “Maybe they do.”
Damian whispered. “I knew it.”
The drive home was calm. When they got back Damian followed Alfred to the kitchen.
“Master Damian, you can have some snacks, but leave some so that Master Tim has some when he gets home.”
“Okay, Alfred. Thank you for the snacks.”
“You’re welcome, young sir. And, if you want, I believe Master Bruce is in his office.”
“Okay, great.” Damian finished his apple slices with peanut butter and went to see his father. He also took the permission slip for the field trip with him.
———
Bruce was working on a report when he heard a knock.
“Hello, Damian. How was your day?”
“It was fine.” The eight-year-old handed him the paper. “It’s a permission slip for a field trip to the Metropolis Zoo next week. Can you sign it, please?”
“Of course, sweetie.” Bruce read the paper and signed it. “Here. And when Clark gets home you can give it to him, too.”
“Okay. Thank you, Father.” Once he was at the door the boy stopped. “Father, do you think Clark would agree to come as a chaperone? Ms. Macpherson said she needed some volunteers.”
Bruce raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know, Dami. I think he has a big deadline for an article, but you should ask him to check. I’m sure Clark will be happy to come if he can.”
“Thank you Father.” Damian left with his paper for his bedroom.
Bruce smiled. He couldn’t wait to see his husband’s face once Damian asked him.
———
Clark arrived before dinner. He had given his article to Perry on time, but Lois wanted to grab a drink to catch up.
“Hi, Alfred.”
“Hello, Master Clark. How was your day? Did you enjoy your time with Miss Lane?”
“It was fine. Perry’s complaining about everything, so nothing unusual, and Lois is fine. What about you?”
“I took care of Ms. Martha’s rose garden. Unfortunately I think some roots are sick. Tomorrow I’ll go to the garden center to buy some supplies.”
“Oh, that’s sad. I know I’m not too good at gardening, but if you want you can give me the list and I’ll go buy the products you need.”
Alfred smiled. “Thank you, Master Clark, but I can handle it.”
“If you prefer I can pick up the kids tomorrow so you can take your time at the store.”
“That would be wonderful, Sir.”
“Great. I’m gonna check on Bruce. He’s in his office right?”
“Yes, and Master Damian is in his room. Master Tim isn’t home yet.”
Clark frowned “Really? His study sessions with Bernard are really instance.”
Alfred smiled and before he could respond they heard someone shout “I’m home!”
Clark went to the main hallway. “Hey, kiddo, was everything fine with Bernard? You came home pretty late.”
Tim’s face was red, his hair was messy, and he definitely had a hickey on his neck. He faced his papa and blushed. “Yep, everything’s fine.”
“You sure?”
“So,” the teen mumbled, “I’m going to my room! See you at dinner.”
Tim practically ran to his room.
Clark looked at Alfred. “They’re definitely not studying, right?”
Alfred chuckled.
The meta sighed. “Great, now I owe Bruce twenty bucks. Wonderful.’’
———
Dinner was calm. Everyone was talking except for Damian.
Clark looked at his second son. “So, Jay, how was your day?”
“Fine, papa, it’s been a long time since I’ve caught up with Kyle and Kara cause of college. It was cool to see them again.”
“That reminds me, I have to call my cousin.”
Bruce took a sip of his glass. “What about you, Cass?”
“Great!” Cass signed, “we learned a new dance move for the spring ballet next month.”
“That great, Cassie. I can’t wait to see it!”
Jason looked at his brother. “What about you, Timbo, did your study session with Bernard go fine?”
Tim stopped eating.“Yeah. Why?”
“Nothing, just curious.” Jason smirked. “Just wondering when we’re gonna meet Prince Charming.”
Damian saw his brother blush, clearly uncomfortable, and decided to take the attention away from him.
“Clark?”
The reporter turned his head and looked at the eight-year-old. “Yes, Damian?”
“Next week we’re going on a field trip as a class. Father already signed the permission slip, but you need to sign it too.”
“Oh, okay.” Clark hummed. “Sure, after dinner, show me the paper and I’ll sign it.”
Damian shifted on his chair and looked at his plate. “Ms. Macpherson also said she needed some adults to chaperone too. And since the zoo’s in Metropolis I thought you could come with us, if you’re not busy, of course. Skylar’s mom will be there too.”
It Clark took some time to register what Damian said. Jason gave him a small nudge with his elbow
“Sure, Damian, no problem.”
The little boy frowned. “You don’t even know what day the trip is.”
“No matter the day I promise I’ll be available.”
“You sure?” Bruce smirked “You were telling me about a big deadline yesterday, Darling.”
Clark looked at his husband with a smile. “Yes, but if you had really listened you’d know that the deadline was today, Love.”
The kids burst out laugh. Even Damian chuckled, and Clark took that as a win.
“Don’t worry, Damian. I’ll be here.”
———
“Dames is right, though, you promise to be there, but you don’t even know the date.”
Bruce was sitting on the bed watching his husband getting ready.
“I know but, like I said, I’ll be there no matter what. Damian has been with us for a year, and this is the first time he’s asked me to be there for him. I’m not going to let my chance pass.” Clark sighed. “It’s hard for him, to be separated from his mom after he spent seven years just with her. He doesn’t quite trust me yet, and I understand that. Damian made a step toward me by asking me to be there. I’m not letting him down, no matter what. I just hope that everything will be fine.”
Bruce smiled at his husband. “I’m sure everything is going to be okay.” He kissed him. “And don’t forget my twenty bucks, Boy Scout.”
Clark rolled his eyes. “You’re literally a billionaire, Love. Billionaire. With a capital b.”
“Yep. But a bet is a bet, Darling.”
———
The next day Alfred drove the kids to school. Tim’s high school was next to Gotham Academy.
“Master Damian don’t forget about giving your permission slip to your teacher. This afternoon it’s Master Clark who will pick you and Master Tim up. Have a good day, Master Damian.”
“Yes, Alfred. Have a good day too.”
When Damian arrived at his class, Colin and Skylar were talking at his desk, waiting for him.
“My mom agreed to come on the trip!”
“Clark accepted too.”
“That’s great. Ms. Macpherson said they need to sign another paper. You should tell her once you give her your permission slip.”
Damian nodded.
Colin smiled. “I’m sure the trip will be great. Do you think they’ll let us be together since both of your parents are coming?”
Skylar frowned. “I don’t see why not. I know it won’t bother my mom if I’m not with her so we could go with Clark? What do think, Dami?”
“I would prefer to stay with Clark if that’s okay.”
“Sure, no problem.”
At the end of the day Damian’s teacher gave him the paper Clark needed to sign to come on the trip. He and his friends got outside, and Damian spotted the Kryptonian immediately. Colin left them to go with his uncle.
“Hi Clark.”
“Hello Damian, how was your day?”
“Good.”
“Hello, Mister Clark!” Skylar smiled.
Clark smiled to the little girl. “Hello to you too, Skylar. How was your day?”
“Very well Sir. Dami told you were coming to the field trip too, just like my mom.”
“Exactly.”
“Clark?”
The co-leader of the League turned his look back to Damian. “Yes?”
“You’ll need to sign a paper for yourself. I have it in my bag.”
“No problem, I’ll sign it at home. So, Skylar, is one of your parents here already or do you need a ride home?”
“No thank you, Mister Clark, my dad should arrive soon.” The little girl turned her head. “See, my dad just arrived.”
“That’s great. See you on the trip, Skylar.”
“See you too, Mister Clark, and see you tomorrow Dami!” The red head waved at Damian, and he waved back.
The eight-year-old opened the back door as Clark went to the front.
“Timothy? I didn’t know you were there.”
“Papa picked me up first.”
Clark smiled “Yes, I needed to have a little talk with your brother alone, and I had the pleasure to meet Bernard.”
Tim blushed. Damian really didn’t know why his brother was so embarrassed about playing video games with his friend.
—————
Today was the big day. Damian got up and start preparing. When he went to the kitchen Alfred, Bruce and Clark were already there.
“Morning Dami.”
“Good morning Father. Good morning Clark.”
“Good morning kiddo.”
“Good morning Master Damian. There’s your backpack with your sandwich. There’s also a couple of snacks for you and your friends.”
“Good morning Alfred. And thank you.” Damian took his Batman themed backpack and sat at the table.
His baba gave him his plate. “Here, buddy. So what are you the most excited about?”
“I would say the elephants.”
“The elephants? I though you liked the tigers and snakes.”
“I do, but it’s Richard’s birthday next month and I wanted to draw him the elephants as a gift.”
Bruce smiled. “That’s very sweet of you.” He ruffled his younger son’s hair. “I’m sure he’ll love it. Don’t forget to check if you took everything you need to draw.”
Damian nodded with a smile and finished his plate. His baba accompanied him and Clark to the car.
“Have a good day, Dami.” Bruce kissed his son’s forehead and then his husband lips. “You too, Darling.”
“Have a good day too, father.”
Damian waved and got in the car. When they arrived Ms. Macpherson talked with Clark and Skylar’s mom and gave them some information before they all went to the bus.
Forty minutes later Damian’s class arrived at the school. The class was divided into three group. One was with Ms. Macpherson, another one with Skylar’s mom, and one with Clark. Damian, Skylar, and Colin went with Clark. He hoped his friends would give him a moment alone with the adult. Damian needed to talk to his father’s husband alone.
Damian waited an hour to put his plan into action. Clark was sitting on a bench, and he came closer to him.
“Is everything alright Dami?”
“Yes. I would like to talk with you.”
“Okay.” Clark frowned.
Damian sat next to the hero. “I found a report on the computer downstairs. It’s about Father being missing for a month eight years ago.”
Clark tensed.
“It said that it was my grandfather who took him.” Damian took a deep breath “Did Grandfather kidnap Father because of me? I know you and Father were already married for five years when Mother got me. Did father cheat on you when he was taken away? Or he was forced?”
Clark thought he was ready to face anything on the field trip. Apparently not.
“It’s a bit more complicated than that.”
Damian put his hands on his knees. “I’m listening.”
“First of all your father and I didn’t want to hide anything from you. We just wanted to wait for you to be a bit older before we talked about it with you. And honestly I would have preferred if we were home to have this conversation.”
Damian sighed. “I knew you would avoid the topic.”
Clark put his hand on the little boy’s shoulder. “I’m not avoiding anything. It’s just that I know Bruce would have prefer to be here. So—”
“So he could lie and tell me what he thought I wanted to hear?”
“No, so we could be together as a family.”
“I’m family? Father didn’t want me. You didn’t choose me like you choose the others. Mother forced you to keep me!”
“No, Damian, your mother didn’t force us to do anything. And I can swear to you that Bruce and I love you so much. We love you like we love your siblings. I know we don’t share the same blood but, Damian, I love you. You’re my son, too.”
Damian looked into Clark’s eyes and sighed. “You’re lying.”
“What? No! Damian!” Damian had already left the reporter by himself. Clark took his phone and send a quick text to his husband telling him that Damian apparently knew everything.
We have a problem.
What kind of problem?
Do I need the Batplane?
No. Damian told me that he read a report from
when you went missing eight years ago.
I thought it was encrypted.
It was. Maybe he cracked it.
None of the kids would have told him.
They know how important it is.
What did Damian say?
He asked me questions.
I told him to wait until we got home so
we could talk together.
He didn’t react well.
Okay. Good luck on the rest of the trip.
Love you darling.
Thanks!
Love you too.
Clark put his phone back in his pocket. He kept an eye on Damian and his friends. The red headed boy was showing Damian the elephants. He and Skylar sat on the grass and started drawing.
Colin beamed at the animals. “They’re so big!”
“There are three different elephant species, and you can tell them apart by their ears.” Damian hoped his big brother would love his gifts.
Colin widened his eyes. “Really?”
Damian hummed. “There are African Savanna Elephants, African Forest Elephants, and Asian Elephants. The ears of African elephants are much larger than the Asian ones and are shaped like Africa, while the ears of Asian elephants are shaped like India.”
“That so cool!”
“And an elephant never forgets because the elephant's temporal lobe, the memory part of the brain, is larger and denser than human.”
Skylar frowned. “How do you know that? I’m pretty sure they didn’t tell us that at school.”
Damian smiled. “My brother Richard told me everything. He knows a lot about elephants. He grew up in the circus with elephants before my father and Clark adopted him.”
Skylar’s eyes got as big as saucers.“That’s so cool!”
“It’s so so cool!” Colin nodded.
The little girl tilted her head. “Can we meet him?”
Damian frowned. “I think he’ll be home Sunday with his boyfriend Wallace. I could ask my father and Clark if you can come.”
Skylar clapped her hands. “That would be so great! Do you have any other siblings?”
Damian nodded. “You both already know Timothy. I have another brother, Jason, and a sister, Cassandra. Jason is in college studying English literature and Cassandra dances ballet. They should be home on Sunday today.”
Colin had stars in his eyes. “They’re so cool! I can’t wait to meet them!”
“Me too,” Skylar nodded.
———
At the lunch break Damian went to eat with his friends. He hadn’t said a word to Clark since their discussion. Clark and the kids went to one of the lunch areas of the zoo.
“Everyone have their lunch?”
All the kids nodded. Damian took his sandwich and found a note in his backpack.
“Hope you have good day. XO Father.”
Damian smiled at the note and put it carefully with his elephant drawings. He sent a look at Colin’s lunch. The little red headed boy didn’t have much. Damian took the snacks Alfred prepared and gave half to him and the other half to Skylar. Colin was about to refuse, but Damian cut him off.
“Alfred made them for you.”
“You’re sure? I don’t want to take your food, Dami.”
The eight-year-old nodded. “I’m sure. Take it, Colin.”
Colin start eating the two little cucumber sandwiches. “Can you thank him for me? I’ll do it again on Sunday, I promise.”
“Me too, Dames.” Skylar loved the sandwiches.
Damian nodded again, happy to see his first two friends happy.
———
Three hour later the class took the bus back to Gotham. After Damian said his goodbyes to his friends he followed Clark to the car. On the way home neither of them talked.
Once they arrived, Clark look at Damian. “Your father is waiting for us in the den.”
“Okay. I’m putting my backpack in my room and then I’ll be there.”
“Okay.”
Clark and Damian got out of the car and entered the manor. Damian went to his room to put away his backpack and jacket. He also pulled out his drawing and put them on his desk. When he went to the den Clark was sitting next to his father. Damian sat on the couch next to them.
Bruce smiled. “So, Dami, how was your trip?”
The eight-year-old frowned. “The zoo was fine, father, but I’m sure that you don’t want to talk about that.”
“Right. Clark told me about your conversation.”
“I saw the report. I read it. I know already.”
“Okay, first of all, how did you read the report? It’s encrypted. And second, I don’t think you know everything.”
“Father, your code is pretty simple. It’s a combination of me and my siblings’ birthdays. And I know you went missing because of Grandfather.’’
“You’re right. A year after Jason nearly got kidnapped, Ra’s captured me. It took Clark and the League a month to find me. I was drugged and undernourished. I don’t remember anything of my captivity.” Bruce took a deep breath. “When Talia arrived with you last year she told me that Ra’s forced her to have a baby with me. He wanted an heir so badly that he did whatever was needed.”
Damian frowned. “He forced Mother?”
“Yes. He threatened to hurt your Aunt Nyssa. Your mother had no choice.”
“You didn’t have a choice either.”
Bruce nodded. “Ra’s drugged me so much that I can’t remember anything.”
“So I wasn’t wanted by either of my parents.” Damian clenched his fists. He couldn’t cry in front of them.
Bruce stood up and sat down next to his son. “At the beginning, yes, but Talia and I are so grateful to have you.” He brushed Damian’s hair. “It’s not your fault either, Damian.”
The little boy frowned. “Mother didn’t tell you about me before the day we met. Why?”
“Because she had no choice Dami. Like I said, Ra’s threatened her with your Aunt Nyssa. And you remember when I said that a year before I went missing, Jason nearly got kidnapped?”
Damian nodded.
“Ra’s told the kidnapper where Jason’s school was and what to say to him. He wanted to prove to your mom that he could do anything he wanted and that he didn’t matter that I’m Batman or that Clark’s Superman.” Bruce cupped his son’s face “Your mom isn’t a bad person. She just had no choice. And believe me, she loves you very much.”
“And do you? Do you love me even if you didn’t want me?”
Bruce took Damian in his arms. “I love you so much, Dami. So, so, much. You’re my little baby.”
“But you didn’t want me.”
“I want you now, Damian. I’ve wanted you since the day I saw you.” Bruce kissed the top of his son’s hair. “Like I said, you’re my son. No matter what.”
Damian looked at Clark. “You said at the zoo that you loved me.”
“I did.”
“Why?”
Clark sat down next to Damian and took his hands. “Because you’re my son, too, just like your siblings. I’m so happy to have you here with us.”
Damian smiled a bit. “I’m happy to be here, too.”
———
Bruce laid down in his bed, happy to finally be home from patrol. Clark was already in bed, sending emails.
“Today had been very stressful.”
Clark raised an eyebrow. “Yeah. Because you were the one who had to handle ten kids at the zoo today.”
Bruce pouted. “I got very stressed with your stressful texts, okay.”
“Between you and me, I think I was the most stressed. Damian can be scary sometimes.”
The bat snorted. “Superman is scared of an eight-year-old?”
“Yes, and you were too, Love.”
“True.”
Clark sighed. “I wonder if Dami is okay.”
“He was sleeping when I checked after I came back.”
“How was your patrol?” The meta put his glasses on his nightstand.
“Fine. I have two bruised ribs because of the fight I had with Croc, but Jay helped me a lot. Tim and Cass stopped Penguin’s attack with Steph.”
“That reminds me that we have to invite Steph for Sunday brunch.”
Bruce kissed his husband. “I think Cass and Tim did, but it would be good to double check.’’
Clark hummed. “And I heard Damian wanted to invite Skylar and Colin too.”
“Really? I’ll ask him tomorrow.” Bruce kissed his husband. “Night, Darling.”
“Night, Love.”
Three hours after the couple fall asleep, Clark woke up to a tiny knock on their door. It was Damian, who opened the door holding Zitka tightly.
“Baba?”
Clark elbowed his husband. Bruce growled and cracked an eye open. “I’m up.”
Damian went to the right side of the bed. “Baba!”
“I’m here, Dami, it’s okay.”
Bruce picked up his son and put him in the middle of the bed.
“What happened, baby?”
“I had a nightmare. I dreamt Grandfather came and took me away. And that you didn’t do anything.”
“Oh, kiddo, it’s okay. I promise Ra’s isn’t here. He’d have to fight me to touch a single hair on your head.” Bruce kissed his son’s forehead. “And even if I wasn’t here, Clark would protect you, too.”
Damian looked at the Kryptonian. “You promise?”
“I’ll always protect you.”
“Thank you,” the eight-year-old frowned, “Clark, can I call you papa like my siblings?”
Clark, who was half-awake, jolted up. “Only if you want to, kiddo.”
Damian bit his lip. “I think I want to.”
“If you want, we can try. If you don’t like it you can call me Clark again.”
“Okay, papa.” Damian turned his head back to Bruce. “Baba, can we call Mother tomorrow. I have to tell her about the zoo.”
Bruce brushed a lock of his son’s hair. “Of course, baby. And if you want, Skylar and Colin can come on Sunday afternoon.”
Damian smiled. “Thank you, baba. Do you think I could show the drawings I made at the zoo?”
“You siblings would love to see them. What did you draw?”
“I drew the elephants for Richard’s birthday, a tiger, two snakes, and five robins.”
Bruce raised an eyebrow. “Five robins? And you didn’t draw a bat?”
“There weren’t any bats at the zoo.” Damian pouted “That’s why I prefer the Gotham Zoo.”
The couple chuckled and the Damian yawned.
Bruce smiled at him. “Come on, little bat, it’s time for sleep.”
The child nodded, already half asleep. Damian spent a night without nightmares and with the answers he needed. Now Damian knew he was wanted and loved by all of his parents.