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Damian was many things.
A well-trained assassin and heir to the LOA? Indeed, a highly regarded achievement under his belt.
A vigilante and rightful heir to the mantle known as Batman—Gotham’s greatest protector? The only correct outcome given he is the only birth son out of all of his…siblings.
But a child? Now that was something he was not. Nor would he stoop to those levels.
And as such he was most definitely not currently interrupting a Justice League meeting whilst wearing pajamas that definitely were not taken from the closest of Jason—أخ أصغر(younger brother)—nor was he holding the stuffed elephant that Grayson—Tati—had given him as a gift for Christmas which he was reluctant yet polite enough to accept.
No, the Great Damian would never be caught dead in such a situation!
…
Ok maybe he would be.
—
Admittedly, it wasn’t a ‘world ending’ type of meeting. Honestly, it was just quarterly reviews and if he were any other hero, he could have found some reason to not attend but he was Batman. He had to be here even if he didn’t want to.
Ra was in Gotham for a still unknown reason so the family was placed on mandatory lockdown at home. No one to go out on patrol unless in pairs, always keep comms open and to make sure to check in if they do leave the manor, the usual protocol. Fortunately, tonight was a night that everyone would be in Gotham—even Jason and Cassandra—so yes, the one place he would love to be now was home but unfortunately Bruce was Batman and Batman couldn’t miss league meetings.
The first up to give their quarterly review was Superman—which surprisingly was not about Lex Luthor.
Bruce—mentally absent Bruce—glanced over to Green Lantern and Flash, who couldn’t make it ever more obvious that they weren’t paying attention. The former making silly faces causing the other to make a sorry attempt at keeping a straight face.
He truly wished at these times some alarm would go off and he would have an excuse to disappear. Sigh.
“Is there a problem Batman?” Diana probed, pulling Bruce out of his inner thoughts.
As he mentally returned to the meeting, he realized that all of the attention was inadvertently on him. Some either staring or others trying to avoid his gaze.
“Hn. No.” Bruce grunted in response.
“Hmm. Since the start of the meeting, you have been quite distracted. You even let out a rather heavy sigh just a moment ago, I hope you are alright.” She continued, concern evident in her voice.
A few murmurs of Batman being ‘unwell’ like it was some foreign concept rippled through a few members, much to Bruce’s displeasure.
“Unnecessary…but the concern is…appreciated.” He huffed. He had his opinions on many leaguers but Wonder Woman was one member he held in high admiration—translation: the kids like her too much so he couldn’t even dream of being mean to her.
(「No Wonder Woman slander allowed in this household」as Stephanie and Jason would chant.)
Wonder Woman—Diana—hummed contently before ushering everyone to turn their attention back to Superman. A few stray glances followed before the atmosphere slightly relaxed back to normal.
Ever so often, Bruce would check everyone’s vitals on his tablet under the table or listen in on the manor’s comms. The sounds of bickering from the children and Alfred’s occasional warnings left a reassuring feeling that they were alright and begrudgingly he returned his attention to the meeting.
—
~Many reviews later~
Watchtower receiving transport.
Unauthorized access detected…
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The entire room froze. Every hero that was supposed to be here was here—minus the ones that sent their report via email due to their own circumstances.
“Unauthorized access? That can happen???” Green Arrow quietly shot out while staring at Cyborg.
The man looked as confused as him, quickly pulling up the zeta schematics on his tablet.
A few members shot a few glances to the Big 3 whilst conversing amongst themselves.
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Zeta Override Accepted.
Recognized: B-07 Robin
…B?
The whole room froze over a second time. It was Lantern who shot up in shock. “Override?!”
“You can override the system???”
“Isn’t ‘B’ Batman’s callsign, why would it be unauthorized? I wasn’t the only one that heard that right-”
“Who in the hell is Robin!?”
“Comrades.” J’onn—to the surprise of many—voiced, everyone’s chatter coming to a halt.
“An unknown individual has made it into our base. I believe it would be much more productive to prepare for a battle as opposed to fussing in nonsensical speculation of the situation.” He continued, a matter-of-fact tone falling in place as he turned to the door.
In a few minutes, everyone—minus Batman and…Wonder Woman?—were prepared for whatever foe might walk through those doors.
From the moment the name was called, Bruce was mentally stressing through the vast majority of reasons as to why Robin—out of all of his flock—would be here and the princess was merely giddy at the idea of finally meeting the young boy.
Eventually,the door opened. A small figure walked in, pajamas and domino mask on, a stuffed elephant in hand. A very menacingly cute boy stared at the now confused and frightened league.
The young one levels a glare almost rivaling the bat which—admittedly so—sends shivers down a few members' spines.
Cough cough Flash, Lantern and Arrow…
The young one makes an all too familiar grunting noise before walking over and standing in…impeccable form in front of the dark knight.
Most of the league, with their confusion and fear behind them, worry for the little one’s safety, with Superman about to hover over and usher him over to the more…sociable members before an even more surprising sight beholds them.
Like seeing a glaring child in dominos and pajamas wasn’t surprising enough??
Batman ruffles the kid’s hair before gently—he knows how to be gentle???—picking him up and straddling him.
Bruce is almost certain he sees Barry and Hal clutch their metaphorical pearls whilst Oliver faints into his chair. Not to count the new members who he recalls having bets about him being a cryptid devoid of emotion. Idiots.
He gives them not a second thought before turning back to little Damian.
“What’s wrong chum?” He asks, his voice missing the modulated gruff that most associated with the cowl and instead being replaced with a more softer and calming sound, his usual comfort tone whenever the kids seemed out of sorts.
A multitude of gasps could be heard. Hal was silently repeating the word ‘chum’ like it was some weird curse, Dinah’s—Black Canary—confused expression was replaced with one of fondness, alongside Diana and J’onn. Oliver further plunged into his own mental turmoil and Superman…was just hovering?
The little one wears his own expression—mixed with hesitation and discomfort before relaxing a bit in Bruce’s lap. He takes a short breath before letting the flood gates loose. (As Hal would recall it)
”خرجت تاتي والآخرون في دورية. حتى غوردون وألفريد ذهبا معهم لأن جدي وصل إلى غوثام، وكما تُصرّين دائمًا، لا ينبغي لأحد منا أن يبقى وحيدًا في مثل هذه الظروف. لذلك فكرتُ أنه بما أنني الوحيدة المتبقية في القصر، فمن المنطقي أن آتي إلى هنا وأبقى معكِ، لأنكِ الشخص الوحيد الآخر الذي ليس معه أحد.”
/Tati and the others went out on patrol. Even Gordon and Alfred went with them because of my grandfather’s arrival in Gotham, and as you always insist, none of us should be alone in such circumstances. So I figured that since I was the only one left at the mansion, it made sense for me to come here and stay with you, since you're the only other person who isn't accompanied by anyone./
Bruce paused for a moment before chuckling a bit. It took the family a lot of effort to get Damian comfortable enough to be vulnerable with them, especially with him. Dick and Jason were usually the closest to him and Bruce had accepted that. Having his son was all that mattered.
“That is very logical reasoning.” He hummed. “Seeing as you’ve located me, would you prefer we stay in the tower or return to the manor.”
A few beats passed, “I believe…we should return to the manor.” He whispered, his grip tightening slightly on the crevices in between Bruce’s chest plates.
The man could do no better than nod. If his son wished to go home, then it would be a crime against humanity to deny him that.
Bruce slowly stood up, making sure to position Damian in the all too familiar ways he grew used too after many nightmare filled nights with the older lot of his brood.
A very sharp huff(? Comeback to this)paused him before he even attempted to raise his foot to leave—as if sensing his intentions to ignore the gobsmacked members in all their confusion.
He could only sigh before turning around to face a rather confused sea of faces, an intrigued Diana and a sad set of puppy dog eyes from Superman.
How a grown man could look so much like a kicked puppy still remained a mystery to Bruce even after all these years as coworkers.
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“...You all have 1 question each.” He grunted after a bit of awkward silence.
Flash—Barry—was the first to speak, “Who’s the kid? Did you pick him off Gotham streets? He looks a lot like you actually! Has your Bat Glare and everything…?”
He was already regretting not taking his chance to leave…
“He is my son Flash. Yes. Biologically my son. No, I did not give birth to him. I am and have always been a non meta,” He quipped while eyeing a few members.
Quite a few hands lowered and many more avoided the man's stare—some mumbles about the bet were heard and quickly quieted when the man's stare turned to those voices instead.
“Next question.” He grunted.
Cyborg—one of the few not involved in the bet—was next, “Not to be offensive or anything but he looks like he’s 8, how’d he override the zeta system? How can the system even be overridden??”
A few hums in agreement were voiced but before Bruce could answer, Damian turned his head.
“Tt, With the help of Drake’s computer that was but a simple feat. He did of course help build the system so it is only obvious that he is able to override it Robot.” He scoffed, adding the signature scowl cause why not.
Cyborg deflatedly lowered his hand with a low, “Oh…Wait who?!”
“Ehm.” Bruce quickly coughed, having the league learn about one child would be enough for today.
“What would you like to ask Wonder Woman?” He grimaced slightly.
The heroine smiled before stepping forward, “Is this young warrior the one Jason speaks so fondly of?” She asked with a cheery voice while looking at Damian.
“Jason?” Hal whispered puzzledly at Barry and Oliver.
Bruce chuckled—again!!—and nodded his head at her question.
A wonderful smile made its way on her face before she stepped forward.
Still unknown why but when they first stood, a kind of line was drawn that separated Bruce’s side from the rest of the league…The man was just that scary.
“Hello! It is a pleasure to finally meet you young warrior! I’ve heard many great things about you from your brother!”
Her praise earned a pleased huff from Damian. “Likewise, Brown and my Akh Asghar /younger brother/ continue to sing your praises.” He replied curtly.
“I’m honored.” She smiled. “I would love to spar with you if your father would allow it?” She probed while glancing up at Bruce.
Again, before he could even fathom a reply, Damian nodded with what seemed like a pleased smirk—or an evil one, many leaguers (cough cough Barry, Hal, Oliver, Cyborg etc. etc. The boy just looks so much like Batman or at least from what they could see of his face that it was scary!!!) to refused to believe he wasn't planning something nefarious with a face like that.
“I would also look forward to crossing swords with you in the near future. I believe Father can set a date whenever it is viable for you.” He concurred. A subtle glance was thrown Bruce's way, which the man returned with a curt nod.
The heroine brightened even more, “Wonderful!” she exclaimed.
[A/n: I love calling Wonder Woman a heroine heheh]
Bruce was…Well, Bruce was very happy! He was happy to see Damian, he was happy feeling it in real time as the tension left the boy’s body. He was happy seeing him relax with him, not because Dick or the others initiated it but because Damian sought him out first. Though the cause that prompted the situation was…less than preferred, he was not one to forsake a good thing. Truly he wondered—having your son ,who was not all that warmed up to you, nuzzled into your chest whilst planning a spar with one of the more dependable leaguers? What more could a father ask for?!
“If there are no more questions, then we'll be on our way” Bruce continuedーyes he was ignoring the hands that were still up.
“Now Batman, not everyoneー” Superman huffed before Bruce paused him.
“Any remaining questions may be sent via text and I'll choose if I wish to answer you. That will be all on the matter.” He finished and with a quick flick of his cape, he was gone.
…
(Insert pregnant pause as some members pick their figurative pearls off the floor)
“Are- did he actually walk out?” Oliver sputtered while gawking at the now empty spot.
“He's Batman mate…” was the response he got from his best mate Green Lantern. “The real issue is that bet. I lost so much…” He groaned while falling back into seat.
A few other members groaned at that revelation. The winners were in much better spirits!
“Bets aside. Diana you knew of Batman's child—erm…children?” Black Canary brought up.
“Yea Wonder Woman, what was that about? And who's Jason!? Another one of his kids?” Barry prattled off.
All they received was a cheeky smile from the heroine before she also walked off. Whatever wind that materialized and made her walk seem more dramatic than usual was assumed to be a collective case of mass hallucination.
—
~In the cave~
“So, food before we go nap or we nap and wait for Alfred to return.” Bruce probed while walking out of the zeta.
“You are still banned from the kitchen father so let's er—wait on Alfred instead.” Damian curtly replied.
If he curled more into Bruce, no one would know but them…and maybe Babs if she rewatched the security cameras.
“Duly noted. Nap it is.” He nodded before heading up to the manor.
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Fin