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The bats all stand on a roof, silence enveloping them and they decide who is going in to gather intel first.
“I just think that Hood is going to be the best option– he’s done this the most and it’s his territory,” Nightwing points out. Red Hood lets out an agreeing grunt, much akin to Batman’s usual form of communication, although Red Hood would probably dislike Robin if he dares to point that out.
“I also think I’m the best option, but that’s just ‘cause I’m better than you.” Red Hood says, and they all can tell that he’s smirking under his helmet. Robin huffs indignantly.
“I can do it.” He states proudly. Nightwing purses his lips.
“No, baby bat, let’s let Hood do it, he’s the obvious option here.” Nightwing tries to explain, his voice going soft in a way that makes Robin feel like he’s being talked down to. He feels angry, much more angry than he has any right to be, but he feels like there’s a buzzing under his skin and everything just feels too much and he clenches his jaw before responding.
“I can do it! I’m not some irresponsible child, so stop treating me like one!” He exclaims, throwing his hands up in frustration.
“He wasn’t saying that you couldn’t handle it, just that Hood is a better choice.” Red Robin defends.
“Hey, now, let’s not talk down to him, that’s not gonna help anyone,” Nightwing turns to Red Robin to say. Red Robin scoffs, crossing his arms and looking away.
“You were literally doing the same thing, but okay.” Nightwing ignores Red Robin and turns back to the youngest bat.
“I just don’t see why you won’t let me do it!” Robin grinds his teeth together, annoyed for seemingly no valid reason, but he can’t seem to get himself to not be annoyed. Nightwing sighs, frustrated as he tried to formulate an answer.
“It’s not that, its just Hood’s territory!” Nightwing tries to reason, but Robin lets out a strangled scream before running off, Nightwing taking too long to process what just happened to be able to track him down, letting Red Robin find Robin instead.
Robin finds himself in an unfamiliar alleyway, his breathing rapid as tears well in his eyes. He hears someone land on the ground beside him, but he can’t find it within himself to figure out who it is, only that it’s a safe person.
“I can do it I swear!” Robin hiccups, his quick breaths turning to hyperventilating before he can process it. The other person hums.
“I know, but I need you to breath right now.” Robin shakes his head.
“I am breathing!! I am, I am, I am,” he repeats, mostly to himself to try and convince himself that it’s true. A hand reaches out, stopping within his view but not touching him.
“Can I take your hand, just for a moment?” The man asks. Robin nods his head after a moment of consideration. The man readjusts Robin’s hands from his hair to the man’s chest, right over his heart, and he keeps the hand there. “Breath with me, baby bat, take a deep breath for me.” The man soothes. Robin follows the man’s gentle counting, slowly returning his breathing back to normal. As his vision clears, he sees the man to be Red Robin, a concerned look on his face that Robin can’t help but feel guilty for causing.
“I’m sorry.” Robin whispers, his voice breaking. Red Robin shakes his head.
“No reason to be sorry, we just want to make sure that you’re alright.” Red Robin smiles gently. Robin looks to the ground.
“Do I have to go back to the cave?” Robin asks as he tunes in to the chatter coming from his comm. Red Robin nods sadly.
“We don’t want you getting hurt, especially because it’ll get pretty tough in there if thinks go south.” Red Robin explains. Robin huffs
“I can do it… I can do it!” He hits his fist against the ground, frustration bubbling up in his chest once more when Red Robin gives him a sad smile.
“Look at me, dead in the eyes, and tell me that you feel fine, fine enough that you can fight ‘till you can’t anymore, and I’ll let you go back out there, but only if you really think you can handle it.” Robin opens his mouth to do just that, but then he focuses on the tightness in his chest, and the stinging in his eyes, and the exhaustion that weighs heavily on his limbs, the way it always does when something like this happens, and he nods.
“I’ll go home.” He finally relents, getting up and stabilizing himself against the wall, even as his legs shake.
~~~
Damian sits in the Batcave as the rumble of the Batmobile’s engine fills the space. Damian stares at the sleek, black car while it drives in, parking in its usual spot while the other bats tumble out in waves, chatter filling the silence. Tim pauses when he spots Damian, his lips pursing worriedly.
“How was the mission?” Damian asks quietly, his siblings freezing at the sound of his voice. Damian casts his gaze to the ground, shame colouring his cheeks.
“It went well. How are you feeling?” Bruce asks awkwardly. Damian’s breath stutters.
“I am… okay. I’m sorry for how I acted earlier, it was unbecoming and I apologize for that.” Damian replies curtly. Bruce sighs.
“I’m glad you are okay, but you can’t let a bad day affect you when you are in your suit.” Bruce hypocritically scolds. Damian grits his teeth.
“Okay, let’s talk about this in the morning; let everyone have a while to cool off.” Tim placates, speaking before either of them can dissolve the conversation into a fight. Damian looks at Bruce, who tersely nods before walking away. The rest of the room stands still, silence once again spreading throughout the cave. Jason is the first to move, sparking life in the rest of them after a few moments. Tim glances at Damian, an unreadable look decorating his expression before he, too, beelines for the locker room. Jason, on the other hand, nears Damian.
“You were missed tonight, baby brother.” Jason says with a dramatic sigh, ruffling the younger’s hair. Damian squawks in indignation, glaring at his older brother.
“Don’t call me that.” Damian states, puffing his chest up with annoyance. Jason laughs, but removes his hand from Damian’s hair and walks away, nonetheless. The others follow suit, not saying anything to Damian other than a small goodnight, and Damian takes that as his cue to go to bed for the night, falling asleep as soon as his tired body settles in the sheets.