Believe me, compared to the trouble I put Father through, you will be a relief.
[ Father, not Batman, as if Richard's declaration that he wants to stay is all the confirmation that Damian needs. The decision is made. Done. No take-backs.
(And, to him, it is, whatever objections Bruce or the others may raise. He will fight them down if he has to. He has his arguments ready. But, watching his father interact with the boy, he thinks that, no, there won't be much objection at all. Not like there had been with himself.)
He turns, continues walking, humming thoughtfully and clearly expecting the other boy to follow. Titus is eager to bound along, and turns figure-eights around the two, snuffling through the snow. ]
You'll need to pick out a room. I recommend the one next to mine - it has large windows, faces to the west, and is close to the kitchen.
[ Purely a recommendation made on practical choices, and not on the fact that Damian actually wants to keep him close, after all. Clearly.
The young Wayne, Richard will eventually come to realize, is an entirely contrary creature. Pleased to have his assassin at his side, as his brother, even as his healing wound pulls and stings with every step.
(Maybe he was lonelier than he'd realized. To finally have someone his own age, who'd experienced many of the same trials as he had - it's precious. Valuable. A warm, reassuring thing that he wants to trap and keep for himself, because he's selfish, and shameless besides.) ]
We'll also have to pick your education back up. Drake, annoying as he is, makes for a very effective tutor.
[ Damian will cede that to him, at least. He knows he doesn't have the patience to be a teacher. ]
no subject
[ Father, not Batman, as if Richard's declaration that he wants to stay is all the confirmation that Damian needs. The decision is made. Done. No take-backs.
(And, to him, it is, whatever objections Bruce or the others may raise. He will fight them down if he has to. He has his arguments ready. But, watching his father interact with the boy, he thinks that, no, there won't be much objection at all. Not like there had been with himself.)
He turns, continues walking, humming thoughtfully and clearly expecting the other boy to follow. Titus is eager to bound along, and turns figure-eights around the two, snuffling through the snow. ]
You'll need to pick out a room. I recommend the one next to mine - it has large windows, faces to the west, and is close to the kitchen.
[ Purely a recommendation made on practical choices, and not on the fact that Damian actually wants to keep him close, after all. Clearly.
The young Wayne, Richard will eventually come to realize, is an entirely contrary creature. Pleased to have his assassin at his side, as his brother, even as his healing wound pulls and stings with every step.
(Maybe he was lonelier than he'd realized. To finally have someone his own age, who'd experienced many of the same trials as he had - it's precious. Valuable. A warm, reassuring thing that he wants to trap and keep for himself, because he's selfish, and shameless besides.) ]
We'll also have to pick your education back up. Drake, annoying as he is, makes for a very effective tutor.
[ Damian will cede that to him, at least. He knows he doesn't have the patience to be a teacher. ]