Work Text:
Damian has just emerged from showering and changing after patrol when Grayson intercepts him. He’s holding something and looks rather excited. “Dami! I got you an advent calendar” Grayson proclaims, handing the Damian a small cardboard box with an image of a Santa in a sleigh being pulled by reindeer printed on it.
“A what?” Damian asks, confused, there were no advent calendars on Nanda Parabat.
“It’s to count down to Christmas. You open the little door with the corresponding number to the date for each day from the 1st to the 24th of December. There’s chocolate underneath each door” Grayson explains.
“For what purpose?” Damian responds, still somewhat confused “I already have a calendar to keep track of the date.”
“It’s fun!” Grayson says cheerfully, though his expression is tinged with pity “Look, I have one too. You can count down the days until Christmas and eat chocolate.”
Damian shrugs, still not really understanding the concept, but he supposes he will partake in this “advent calendar” since Grayson seems so keen on it.
A few days later Damian concludes that Grayson was right, the advent calendar is fun. He has taken to opening his daily door and eating the small Christmas shaped piece of chocolate after patrol, along with Grayson. His mother would find it childish and unbecoming, but Grayson appears delighted by their new ritual of opening their advent calendars together after patrol. Damian will admit to himself that he rather likes it too, and he looks forward to the little treat after working hard on patrol.
That is until he messes up on patrol. Batman and Robin are busting a gang meet up and Damian, thinking the goon at his feet is thoroughly secured, turns around to ask Grayson what their next steps are. It turns out the gangster is not down for the count, and evidently uses Damian looking away from him to make a quick exit. Damian curses his oversight, and curses himself for getting so used to their little “advent calendar” rituals, that have clearly made him complacent. He certainly won’t be doing that tonight, he doesn’t deserve it, and Damian hates that that makes him sad. His mother would scold him for getting soft.
When Batman and Robin arrive back at the Manor, Damian heads to his room, not wanting to face the inevitable disappointment over his mistake. Grayson stops him as he walks past and Damian sighs, he should’ve known he couldn’t escape the scolding. He shouldn’t want to anyway, he knows he deserves it. “Don’t you want to open our advent calendars together before you head to your room?” Grayson asks, shocking Damian.
“But I messed up” Damian bursts out, unable to stop himself in his surprise, “I let the goon get away, I don’t deserve it.” Grayson looks incredibly sad for a moment, and then takes a breath and starts talking.
“Damian” Grayson says softly, “The advent calendar was a gift; it’s not a reward that you have to earn. I gave it to you because I love you and I thought that you would you like it. You deserve to have nice things in your life that you don’t need to do anything to earn. I love Robin, but I love Damian even more.”
“Plus” Grayson added smiling a little wryly, “Goons get away sometimes, that’s part of the job. Batman may strive for perfection but that doesn’t mean he achieves it. Bruce messed up plenty too, even if he wouldn’t admit it. You’re a very competent Robin, but everyone makes mistakes.” Damian just stares at Grayson for a second, shocked into silence. He wasn’t expecting this reaction; he’s not used to being allowed to make mistakes. Mother and Grandfather certainly didn’t allow it, and Father didn’t like it either. Damian long ago accepted his role as heir to the Demon’s Head, which then turned into Robin, heir to Batman, a warrior is all he is. Of course he must be perfect, but Grayson is saying that warriors make mistakes too, and that he, Damian can be more than a warrior.
“Dami, are you okay” Grayson asks, looking a little worried. Damian realises he must have been sitting in silence staring at Grayson for too long.
“Yes” Damian responds carefully, “Thank you... Richard.”
Damian hears a choked off sob from Richard before he pulls Damian into a hug. For once Damian lets him and even tentatively hugs back. Mother would call it weakness, but Richard wouldn’t and for once Damian doesn’t much care what his mother would think.