Chapter Text
Damien couldn't exactly remember his first meeting with his Akhi. His ‘brother'.
He just remembered him always being there. Well, maybe not always- but mostly. When Talia wasn't there or Ra or anybody else.
His brother was there.
He didn't speak much in the beginning, Damien remembers that much. The silence was nice, but sometimes it was unbearable. Still, he was his brother and Damian did appreciate the company, even if he'd never admit it. (Especially to him).
He had a feeling he was at the right place when he noticed small traps along the hallway. Alarms. Triggers. Hidden weapons.
Damien knew he was at the right place when he spotted the red painted pistol in the corner. Settled on the coffee table and it seemed to have been recently cleaned if the brownish red stained towel next to it said anything.
Damien snuck into a room, his brother's bedroom. He was asleep, head pressed into the pillow and hair messy. Damien walked over, no longer caring if he ‘accidentally’ woke him.
Damien took one step forward and the floorboards creaked, a buzz sounded from his brother's bed and his eyes opened immediately.
Bright green eyes stared at him, Damien almost panicked- maybe he should have called ahead? Maybe-
But then, the green subsided, turning into a bright shade of blue.
Jason grinned, wide and excited.
“Well hello there, Damien.’’
“Akhi.’’ Damien greeted, hiding his panic. Jason was different, always in tune with other people's emotions.
Jason got up from bed, pressing a button on a.. TV remote? Damien heard gears turning and the click of a safety on a gun then a ding of conformation. The traps were disabled.
“What the hell are you doing here?’’ Jason asked, stepping forward and wrapping Damien in a hug. Only reserved for when they were completely alone.
But usually, Jason had a shirt on.
Damien pushed him away but to no avail as once Jason had his mind put to it, nothing could stop him. Damien was pressed tightly against his brother's bare and scarred chest. A few new ones had risen, though they had yet to heal fully they were clearly not bothering him anymore as Jason spun him around in a hug.
“I have simply come to inform you that I have arrived in Gotham.’’ Jason put him down and grabbed a shirt from the desk chair in the corner, putting it on.
“Yeah? And whatcha doing in Gotham?’’ Jason asked and Damien crossed his arms a little.. defensive. Mother had given him the address to some of Jason's safe houses for.. ‘emergencies’. This was less of an emergency and more.. ‘I don't know what I'm doing’.
“If you must know, I have come to train with Father.’’
“With Bats?’’ Jason asked, looking to be thinking for a second, then looked back at Damien, staring for a second.
“and your.. luggage?’’
“will be sent to father when mother finds the time too.’’ Damien told him honestly. That is what mother told him. Then he was pushed onto a plane with a fake passport and off he went.
“Okay... And the last time you ate?’’ Damien thought about it for a second, which was a bad sign Jason seemed to immediately pick up on.
“yesterday morning.’’
Jason sighed, then waved for Damien to follow him through the small apartment. Jason headed for the kitchen, which seemed well stocked with spices and herbs and food. Pots and pans stowed away in their respective places and an array of different knives were on a magnetic board on the kitchen wall above the counter.
Damien followed him, Damien had trusted Jason with his life on multiple occasions and so far Jason had lived up too and raised to each occasion. Proving himself.
Now that Damien was in the city of Gotham, Jason’s home, maybe he could be given a chance to do the same..
Jason grabbed a frying pan while Damien sat up on the bar stool. Watching as Jason cooked. It was strange, watching Jason Cook. Damien had never seen him cook. Only kill and train and sit together in silence with the occasional mission together from when he was much younger.
He had once said that he very much enjoyed cooking, when the washroom was empty save for just them two. Jason had been punished in Damien's stead. Jason had his mask then- Damien had yet to figure out they were brothers- Jason also didn't speak much. Damien was angry and asked if The Hood's favourite thing to do was take people's punishments.
He had said his favourite thing to do was to cook pancakes because it was his older brother's favourite. It made Damien fall silent, and that silence had been long and a little uncomfortable.
But as Damien sat there, watching Jason cook, he felt at peace.
The calmness of the kitchen, the muffled sound of cars and shouts from the streets below did not affect him. It was noisy in the city. Different from the league. The league was always quiet. Always. While walking, there was no conversation. Only silence. All information was on a need to know basis and Damien had rarely ever needed to know. Just to do.
But this silence was peaceful, louder than what he was used to but he could see himself getting used to it. Quite easily actually.
Jason set a plate down in front of him. Two pancakes with some icing sugar on top and some blueberries. Jason had made the same for himself. They smelled good. Damien bets they taste just as good as they smell, maybe better.
“How healthy are these pancakes? They don't look to be a filling meal.’’ Damien observed. They looked more like a dessert.
Jason huffed, “well I added protein powder to them, these guys are a new recipe my secretary found. Mike’s wife has a habit of finding the strangest of recipes. So, they are quite healthy.’’
Damien nodded and took a bite. They were a little bland, but with the added Icing sugar and berries, they were perfect.
“How did you get Bruce to let you out of the house and all the way down here? Or did you sneak out?’’ Jason asked while Damien was mid-bite.
He put his fork down and looked down at the plate.
“I.. haven't gone yet.’’ Jason paused in his movements.
“What?’’
“I haven't-’’
“Yes, I heard you, but why? Why come to me first? I live in Crime alley? That's the furthest you could possibly get from the airport. And your Father.’’ Jason argued.
“Well, I'll have you know that it is quite normal to meet with allies before going into potential conflict.’’ Damien defended.
“Habibi..’’ Jasom sighed. “you can't avoid your Dad forever.’’
“He's your Dad too!’’
Jason winced at that proclamation. Damien did not mean to cause that sort of reaction. Jason lived in Gotham… he thought-
“It's complicated.’’ Jason sighed, eyes a shimmering blueish-green. “his rules are.. different.’’
Damien looked up, confused.
“How so?’’
Jason sighed.
“There's something you need to know first. Bruce has one rule that everyone under his care must follow.’’
Damien nodded, leaning forward in his chair, the delicious pancakes forgotten for the moment.
“No killing.’’
“What?’’
“No matter who they are. Or where they came from. Or what they did, the Bats don't kill.’’ Jason explained, Damien was suddenly incredibly glad he'd come here first.
“Then how does he ensure order in the city?’’
“That you'll have to learn for yourself, Habibi. He will teach you.’’ Jason sighed, finishing his pancake easily. Damien looked down at his, confused.
“I don't abide by this rule.’’
Jason finally said with a sigh.
“Is that why your here and not with him?’’ Damien asked, Jason frowned again.
“it's more for.. personal reasons. You know I died. Batman knows but.. he doesn't know I came back.’’
Oh. That to Damien sounded like what Jason would call a.. sensitive topic.
Damien was slow when it came to reading others emotions. Especially complicated ones.
Damien decided to drop the topic after seeing a hint more green than blue in his brother's eyes. Damien finished his pancakes and helped dry the dishes and put them back.
“I'm going to take you shopping.’’ Jason said suddenly, grabbing his gun and hiding it under a layer of new clothing as he changed.
Jason walked back out of the room and handed over a knife.
“I already have one.’’ Damien said, did Jason really expect him to come that ill-prepared?
“it's a gift.’’ Jason said with a sigh. “Was gonna give it to you next time I see ya’ since I missed your birthday.’’
Damien stared at the knife. Then he took it gently. The sheath was made of leather, dyed a dark green. The blade itself had been sharpened to a high quality. The handle itself looked immensely expensive, but it was practical. Not overly decorated. A simple gift,
‘D’ was carved into the blade. It was small writing. Tiny. But it was perfect.
A birthday gift.
It made Damien acutely aware that his last birthday had been over six months ago. Damien would be lying if he said he wasn't thankful. And that he missed his brother during his time away.
“This is an adequate gift.’’ Damien claimed, tucking it into his sleeve. “But why are we going shopping?’’
“Because you need more clothes. ToothBrush, toothpaste. Pyjamas. Everything. I'll get it all for you. And as payment you have to call me every week. At least once so I know not to burn the mansion down looking for you.’’ Jason said casually as he stepped towards the door.
It made Damien pause in his steps. Damien had no doubts in his mind that Jason would burn down a mansion for Damien. He had killed people for Damien. Why not burn down a house to protect him?
“Fine. But I request a hot drink on the way.’’ Damien said, following after Jason quickly.
《♡》
Damien never got his hot drink, instead Jason gave him a tour of the city. Damien was surprised with how busy the place had gotten just in a few hours. The airport had been busy but the main streets were much busier.
Jason showed him exactly where the hospital was, different shortcuts through the city. How to use the tram line and trains and then told him to never under any circumstances take the buses in Gotham anywhere(except school buses but Damien doubts he needs to go to school here). Jason bought him everything he could potentially need and small things that Jason deemed appropriate for Damien to possess.
Like a stuffed animal plushie.
“Pick one.’’ Jason told him, it was a small toy shop, but the walls were covered with shelves filled with stuffed animals. Each one in various shapes.
Damien frowned.
“I'm not a child. I don't need a Toy.’’
“Do you have a pillow? Of any kind?’’ Jason asked.
Damien decided to give in and picked out a medium sized cow plushie that was coloured red and black.
Jason bought it for him, and that made up for the lack of a hot drink.
《♡》
“Is there anything else I should know about my father?’’ Damien asked, trying to get more information on why. Jason was good. Mother had called Jason soft and that was something he heard father liked in people.
“Hm.. maybe not Bats but about the others.’’ Jason began as they walked through the park. That isn't what Damien meant but he'd take it. Jason was carrying Damien's bag full of supplies with the head of the cow plush peeking out.
“Ah yes.’’ Damien said, he had forgotten about the other variables. Nightwing. Robin. And the butler Jason spoke so highly of.
“What are they like? Is Nightwing as powerful as you?’’
“Don't know, haven't fought him in a long time. Probably before the pit.’’ Jason began. “The Robin's name is Tim. He's deadly smart. But he's too careful in combat. Doesn't like taking chances. Dick however-’’
“Dick?’’
“I know. Horrific name.’’
“Who's name.’’ Damien demanded.
A slow grin spread across Jason's face. Mischievous and cruel but also.. childlike.
“Nightwing's real name is Dick. Now, lemme tell you how to really get under his skin.’’
Damien listened. Very intently. By the end, Jason was explaining how Dick hates nothing more than wet socks on his feet and How Damien should never under any circumstances mess with the Butler.
“But he's the butler.’’ Damien had said, incredibly confused. “He is paid to serve. He should not be bothering himself in such matters that do not concern him.’’
“But they do.’’ Jason answered. “Batman's actions affect him. Nightwings, Robin's and soon yours. Alfred may be kind, but he is far above Batman at the end of the day. He could order Bruce around with a single look. Do not. And I repeat, do not. Mess with the Butler.’’
His serious tone had Damien wondering if Jason was simply messing with him.
“I will not be able to help you if you get on his bad side. Bats I can handle. Dick? New Robin? No problem. But Alfred? Nah. You're on your own.’’
That's when Damien knew Jason couldn't possibly be telling the truth.
“Sure. I swear not to try and upset the Butler.’’ Damien relented, just to make Jason happy.
“Good.’’ Jason said and then stopped walking, handing Damien his bags. “This is as far as I go.’’
“What?’’ Damien looked around, realising they were no longer in the park, but incredibly close to the Wayne residence.
“But-..’’ Damien bit his tongue. No. He should do this on his own. He's walked into multiple unfamiliar territories before. Has been surrounded by unfamiliar people his whole life. This is nothing.
Right?
“Oh, here.’’ Jason said, handing over a peice of paper. “It's my phone number. You promised to call. Remember? Also, my safe houses are for emergencies, unless you tell me in advance. I'll be watching from Crime Alley. Okay?’’
Damien felt a little better. But not by a whole lot. After all, this was enemy territory. What does he do? The only familiar face he has is Jason's and he can't even go with him. (He was kinda banking on Jason being by his side the whole time but that clearly isn't going to happen.)
“Hey. You'll be fine.’’ Jason assured, “you got the knife?’’
Damien nodded with a scoff and with as much fake confidence he could muster.
“Of course.’’
“Good. I trust you'll use it well. Yes?’’ Jason asked and to that Damien nodded.
“Duh.’’
“Then you've nothing else to worry about. If you feel threatened just use it. If Bruce yells at you for stabbing people, say it was self defence. Works every time.’’ Jason promised.
Damien could feel the knife hidden in his sleeve. The reassurance it brought with it. The comfort of the leather sheath and wooden handle.
“Okay.’’ Damien nodded. “Your advice.. is welcomed, Todd’’
“Sure thing. Anything for you, Damian.”
Damien smiled at that. He knew Jason's words earlier were a lie. Jason is his brother. And his brother wouldn't abandon him.
Damien walked towards the mansion's daunting gates. Dark and black like the city of Gotham itself.