CARDEN

The bus reeked of Gothamites as it tumbled with it's wheels over the constantly winding roads, you sat squashed between Oliver and Isla their arm pressing through your uniform sleeves, chatting with them without processing anything— one, you were just too tired, and second, they started talking about your brothers.

Or, rather their vigilante personas. Isla fan-girl-ing over Red Hood and Oliver with Nightwing.

It was hard to escape the vigilantes with how prominent they were in Gotham, fans around every corner. And hiding from them at home wasn't a choice.

"Hey! Red Hood is so much better than Nightwing! Don't get me started Oli!" The other students joined in, it was a normal occurrence now how many times they argued in the morning bus rides. You were pretty sure they were well-known for starting little spats now.

You winced at the sight of Gotham academy coming into view, praying to make it through the day having been able to avoid any interaction with Tim. Duke on the other hand was fine, Damian is the problem— good thing you're in different year groups otherwise you would've had to share classes with him.

Scurrying off the crowded bus, you checked your timetable on your phone before comparing it with Isla and Oliver's.

And of course, you're all alone for the first two periods.

"Sorry.." Oli said as he lowered his phone to slide it back into his coat pocket.

"Literally not your fault, you don't make the schedule." You said before putting away your own device as the three of you walked into school, trying to avoid getting shouldered by the crowds.

Surprisingly though, you spotted someone leaning against one of the inside walls— it was Duke, idly looking around the wandering students with one of his legs bent to raise the bottom half of it, pressing his foot to the wall. Bored looking almost.

"Duke?" you said, walking up to him, Isla followed you quickly while Oli waved and shouted goodbye as his class was across the school and he hated being late.

Hearing you speak, he looked in your direction and smiled, "Oh hey, just waiting for the bell to ring, what's up?"

"Nothing." You shrugged.

His eyes narrowed, crinkling on the sides as he smiled, "Nothing doesn't make Damian murderous on a Sunday."

You deadpanned, "He's always murderous."

"More murderous than usual which you know is worse." He replied while Isla began to look increasingly more nervous with the information.

"Should I be worried for you—?" She said, poking into the conversation.

You shook your head and put on a reassuring expression, "Everything's fine Isla, swear, we should be getting to class anyways. What class do you have Duke?"

"Science, you?"

"Same— oh finally, at least I won't be alone." Isla patted your shoulder sympathetically at your relief, then letting her hand slide away.

Duke smiled at you, "Awesome, should we go?"

You nodded, bidding Isla a goodbye and before going your separate ways.

Both you didn't talk much besides basic pleasantries but there was something about Duke that made him easier to talk to.

In class he sat next to you, letting you borrow a sharpener when your pencil lead snapped, he laughed about you not having a sharpener of your own— you insisted you did, but that was a lie as you rummaged through your bag for the apparent invisible pencil sharpener.

At lunch he, for the first time, joined you and your friends out by the courtyard. Courtesy of Oliver who saw him with you and offered him a seat at the table.

─── ´ˎ˗

"Wait so you guys always eat out here?"

Oliver nodded, opening his small bag of chips, "Yeah, only when it's warm though, if it's cold we sit in a classroom."

"I thought the classrooms were closed during breaks so the teachers can prep?" Duke questioned, before taking a bite of his lunch.

You swallowed your reheated masala dosa— it lacked the crisp from last night but it still tasted good— "ahem, yeah, we're pretty good students and the teachers like us so—"

"—special privileges!" Isla cut in, pushing herself against you before leaning back away and eating her own leftovers.

Duke pressed his mouth together and tensed the corners of his upper lip, straightening his mouth into a line but it tipped downward a little, looking like an upside down smile.

"Oh, Duke—" you said, taking another bite and swallowing it before speaking, "—We're going back to metropolis on Wednesday, every Wednesday for this week and the two after, just saying so I don't get in trouble."

"Again." Isla said with her deadest voice, eyes semi-glaring at him but it was lighthearted.

He gulped down air and forced his smile up, "Right, I'll tell the group chat—"

The masala dosa that raised to your mouth paused, you let your arms drop with the food still in hand. Slowly looking up at him as the sun disappeared behind the moving clouds, Oliver froze and Isla's gaze frosted into something colder. Her mocking glare becoming realer by the second.

".. There's a group chat?" Your voice wavered slightly, eyes scrunching into slits as you looked at him.

The loud courtyard shrank to the existence of you, Isla, Oliver and Duke.

A slight constriction in his pupils told you everything, you put down your masala dosa onto your lap. Free hands now tapping against the ground as you sucked at your teeth and smiled, "It's a family group chat, isn't it?"

Duke bit the inside of his lip before nodding, wiping his hands on his uniform, "shit.. I'm so sorry, it just flew over my head—it wasn't intentional"

"Y'know everyone is real sorry lately but they seem to keep fucking it up." You grabbed your stuff harshly, and shoved it into your bag, trying your best not to squeeze anything too tightly as you pushed yourself up off the ground and walked off as Isla and Oliver followed right after you.

Duke tried to follow but he was intercepted by a random teacher who needed to talk to him. Isla looked back, disdain clear on the wrinkles of her features as she ran back after you, leaving Duke to try and look around the teacher blocking him, "Okay, for the record— I really hate your family again."

"Same page.." Oli said in agreement with Isla as he kept taking glances at your face, gauging how you were feeling. The only readable part of your face was your eyes, they seemed to shake unsteadily, further accentuated with the changing light above.

Inside your head there was a little bit of sadness, but you were used to that. By this point you were just fucking mad.

How was everyone in your family so stupid? Tripping over their own feet to make it up to you while simultaneously forgetting to tie their laces, messing everything up.

Your fist clenched around the strap of your bag, walking hastily through the halls and trying your best to weave through the crowds.

Somewhere in the midst of everyone, you lost Isla and Oliver but you were distracted by the entrance doors upon approaching it you shoved open the doors and stumbled outside.

You took in a breath of air and forced it back out as you ran to the bus stop, hiding in the corner to avoid the schools security, though even if they caught you, who cares?

The bus took only a few minutes to arrive in which you paid the driver ten dollars and they didn't ask any questions.

Walking past a few of the people, you took your place at the back of the bus, looking out the window before realizing your phone was buzzing. Taking it out of your pocket, there was a flurry of worried texts from your friends.

ISLA: where are u??

OLIVER: did you leave?

ISLA: I would've ditched with you

OLIVER: Same

ISLA: Just tell us where you are pls

[ME]: I'm fine, stay at school, need time away

ISLA: yeah that was rlly weird, we hung out and he never told u abt that gc?

OLIVER: we can get the next bus, just tell us where you're going

[ME]: don't, I don't want you guys to get missed attendance, just go to class

You watched their replies come in, but just kept repeating that they needed to learn something before putting your phone away. Gotham's landscape flew across your sight as the bus moved.

And inside you stirred the annoyance and hurt that you'd been cultivating for years.

─── ´ˎ˗

Bruce sat in a boardroom meeting with an expression of un-interest, not his usual one, but his Brucie Wayne one. Where he was bored because business was boring for someone who usually spent his time as a playboy—this time around though, everyone around him happened to be rather annoying as well.

His mind was occupied with the conversation he had with Damian, he knew the boy wouldn't drop it, but he didn't know how to fix it, and the yammering of stocks and deals didn't help when he already knew what path he chose. But listened for the sake of brevity.

Suddenly his phone buzzed, he lazily took it out, tapping the side of his phone with his pointer finger and letting his eyes glaze over the room before looking at the screen. His brows raised at the called ID, it was Gotham academy, instantly he thought about Damian.

He put on a smile and looked at the rest of the table, "Sorry, gotta take this!"

Quickly stepping out of the room and into the hallway, he pressed accept with his thumb, "Hello, this is Bruce Wayne."

"Hi mister Wayne! We were just calling to discuss one of your children and their absence."

He sighed, before stopping himself, "Absence?" he said, a fight or missed assignment was what he expected, but none of his kids skipped school often if at all, even if they were reticent to going, "Who—?"

The voice on the other end of the line said your name, startled for a moment he composed himself briskly.

"They're absent? Why wasn't I notified earlier?"

"I apologize mister Wayne, but they did attend the morning classes. It seems they left the premises without notifying anyone."

His hand rubbed at his face with his left hand before nodding to the screen and the empty space around him, "I understand, thank you for telling me."

"Of course Mister Wayne." The person said, he hung up right after that, not caring even if there was another word to be said. Striding back into the room, taking his coat as it swung on the bag of his chair, and draping it over one shoulder.

He grinned brightly, a touch ditzy in the way it lifted on one side like a tilted scale, "I have to go, one of my kids, my associates have this handled!"

Someone tried to speak up but he ignored them and left, the door clicked behind him, almost drowned out by the sounds of his steps. Cumbersome and heavy.

No time wasted, he lifted his phone back up with his right hand and dialed Alfred's familiar number as it tolled three times until he picked up, "Master Bruce?"

"Alfred, I need a lift."

"Understood."

The call ended in seconds, the 'rate your call' screen showing the duration of only seven seconds. To anyone else it seems abrupt, to them, it was efficiency.

─── ´ˎ˗

"Here you go kid, skipping school?"

"Mind your own business ice cream man, just make the ice cream man." You said playfully to the man with the silly hat that said 'scoop troop,' a silly, ridiculous name for an ice cream place but it didn't matter.

You took the ice cream over to a nearby bench, taking a seat to overlook one of the Gotham piers with the polluted water.

Was it safe for you to be here? Likely not, and the ice cream man might potentially an undercover gangster. But the ice cream was pretty good, Isla and Oliver let up a little while ago, but even in class they sent a couple of texts to make sure you were okay.

It was better that way, you were mad at your family, and since the whole thing with Isla and Dick the day before, you weren't gunning to include them in anymore family drama.

The coldness of the ice cream tingled at the nerves of your mouth, anxiety pooled in your stomach. After this you weren't sure what to do.

Going to Isla's house was out of the question, her mom was home. And the manor was out for obvious reasons.

Seemed like your only refuge was the city of Gotham itself which is hardly a place for such a thing in the first place.

You'd been a Gothamite, born and raised before your mom passed. No villain attack, just an unchecked illness and fatigue of being a single mother, she passed as unnoticeable as the day she was born.

A civilian, just like you.

Bruce was an accidental one night stand, she didn't tell you anything about him and you didn't ask. No clue for why she didn't but it wasn't important to you, afterall, you had her until you didn't.

And then you had him, when you first met him, you just figured she didn't talk about him because he was mean, and cold.

You later realized it was just because she didn't know anything about him.

No one did.

He was Batman first, Bruce Wayne second, and your father last. To the others like Dick and Cassandra, Bruce Wayne and Batman were their mentor— a dad to them even, they got that part of him, you didn't have the same parent they did.

Lost in your thoughts, the ice cream became bland, the flavor faded until the treat wasn't anything more than just cold that you ingested to cool down that feeling in your organs that throbbed with uncertainty.

Standing up, you tossed it into the nearest bin. The splat of the it hitting the rest of it's fellow trash contrasted to the sounds of the pier, empty for the most part besides the few workers and rippling water being disturbed by the breeze.

You walked away from the pier to the bus stop, taking your phone out in hopes to use it as a way to pass the time and distract yourself. And distracted you were, feeling the ice cream rise up with bile as your screen showed one new message.

BRUCE: You left school, we need to talk, make the trip home.

Loudly— you groaned and hit your head on the street signs pole catching the attention of a couple walking by who quickened their pace at your action.

'Great now strangers think I'm crazy..' you thought, blinking and rolling your eyes a couple of times.

If this wasn't clear, your family was really annoying.

─── ´ˎ˗

Bruce watched as the small 'read' appeared below his texts. There wasn't any other messages in the chat, this was the first time it was ever used which was telling.

The bubbles appeared on your half of the screen, floating one by one before falling down and fading into gray like a cycle, soon they disappeared and didn't reappear.

Pushing back the gray strands in his hair, Bruce sighed, looking the passenger window in a weak attempt to ignore Alfred's disappointed gaze in the rearview mirror.

"Alfred, don't look at me like that." He said with a rumble.

"Master Bruce.." Alfred began, "I've raised you, and I admit that I have flaws. But I'd expect the Dark Knight of Gotham, to understand his child."

"No need for the lecture Alfred, I know how wrong I am." Bruce replied, putting his upper body weight onto his elbow, hand semi-closed into a fist as it held up his head.

"Master Bruce, you cannot brush off every concern I have as an lecture."

"Don't treat me like a child—"

"If you'd stop behaving like one-" Alfred started but didn't get to finish as they were both caught off guard by the sound of Bruce's phone ringing.

Upon the first round of rings, he just assumed it was his colleagues from the meeting and answered without a look at the screen, "Hello?"

"Hey" he sat up, jolting forward and placing the hand that originally propped him up on the back of the front seat to ground himself, it was you.

".. Apologies, I didn't realize—"

"Pick me up, I talk, you listen." The called ended, and only seconds after that you sent your location.

By the pier, one of the shadier sides of Gotham.

"Master Bruce?"

"The pier." The car shifted as Alfred changed gears.

"Understood Master Bruce."

─── ´ˎ˗

You sat on the curb side, hugging your bag to your side as you waited for the car to appear.

Already regretting the choice you made to call him.

The reason behind it was confusing, it was irritation, anger, annoyance, and maybe there was a small part that wanted to see if such a smart man would stay ignorant.

Duke had since texted you a handful of times.

DUKE: It never occurred to be you weren't even a part of the gc, I'm so sorry

DUKE: Your friends are worried, they came up and yelled at me

DUKE: or Isla did, Oliver just looked worried

DUKE: just let me know you're okay.

You pondered over the idea of texting him back, a little sad that you missed seeing Isla go off on him but you moved on, deciding to reply just so there wasn't any unnecessary trouble later.

[ME]: I'm fine, just skipping, dont reply

Rolling your eyes, you let your body lose a bit of it's tension. Still waiting idly for a car— way too fancy for this side of Gotham— to round the corner.

You didn't know where they were or how long he'd be, minutes passed by slower as you waited.

There was a sudden blur— the color blue in the corner of your eye, your head snapped in the direction it disappeared, an alley maybe fifty feet away from where you sat. But before you could investigate, or do the smart thing and ignore it, a car came around the corner and slowed as it came into park right beside you.

As your attention was drawn away, the quiet rumble of the car faded and the door opened.

Looking up, the shadow of Bruce Wayne cast down on you.

".. Hey dad."

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Another chapter finished, I have ideas for the next one, so expect it maybe within a week or so.

People have been so kind, I appreciate everyone so much 🩶

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

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-> thank you for supporting this series 🩶

♫ NOTES: taglist is open.

Damian watched from his perch upon one of the buildings near Isla's apartment, watching through the clear glass of the balcony as Dick sat across from your little friend, his body language indicating that he was desperate to get something across.

You stood beside the girl, but from where he was, Damian couldn't see your expression, all he could tell was you were supervising. And from your body language, you weren't happy with Dick, arms crossed with your fingers flexing to grip your upper arm.

"Tt… what nonsense.." he said to himself, watching the three of you, at the dingy little table that seemed to wobble when someone leaned too far on its right side.

If this is where you usually spent your days, then Damian couldn't help but think of how ungrateful you are. You'd rather be here, instead of at the manor with family?

Suddenly your friend stood up, he watched as she ran around the table to hug Dick, shaking him slightly with watery looking eyes before she ran out of view. He then watched you walk over to Dick and place your hand on his shoulder before playfully pushing him back and walking away.

Dick turned his head to look out the balcony— downwards, thankfully because he probably would've seen Damian otherwise.

He looked content, tired, most definitely. But also relieved, looking at the small amounts of people that walked across the streets in front of the old apartments.

Damian couldn't put the pieces together. Not knowing made him irritated, so he left soon after watching Dick just wasting his time idly for minutes.

─── ´ˎ˗

Dick didn't know what he was doing here with you, in front of an apartment complex that he remembered patrolling around back when he was Robin. The area overtime has gotten safer, but it's still Gotham, if you spent a lot of time here, he's just worrying about the fact that you might get hurt.

But beside him stood you— who seemed bored— looking through your bag for something before taking out a key he didn't recognize. You inserted it into the entrance door and rotated it onto its side as the lock clicked, you spun it back and took it out, pushing open the door and walking in.

Dick followed after you, if you had a spare key then this had to be a really close friend of yours, had you mentioned them around him? There wasn't any memory of you doing so, it made him feel upset because you were definitely attached to whoever this Isla was.

He instinctively walked toward the elevator in view but stopped when he was you headed up the stairs, you looked back and sighed, "don't know why there's no sign, but this place hasn't had a working elevator in like.. two years?"

"Why wouldn't they put up a sign?" He asked, walking up the steps to chase after you already rounding the corner.

"I don't know, maybe they did put one up and it kept coming off so they gave up." You replied before moving into the pattern of putting one foot up and boosting up to the next step with it.

It was a ways up, but Dick didn't complain and just followed you silently when you finally stopped at floor and turned to look at him.

"Look, Isla isn't usually the type to get all panicky like this so you have to make it right—"

"I know- I will, I swear I'm not the type of person who-"

"I told her that, but she only knows that I don't like you very much, so in turn, she doesn't like you very much. Sorry not sorry about that.. anyways, just do your thing, be charismatic and assure her you're not the kind of asshole who sues over nothing."

He opened his mouth to speak but you raised your hand in front of his face, the weak light above casting a pale handprint shadow over his face as your head shook side to side, "no, I don't need a reply, just do it."

Without another word, you spun around and walked to one of the doors, pressing it open as the light streamed through the windows of the apartment, taking off your shoes and putting them on the rack beside the doorway.

Isla sat on her sofa with her foot tapping incessantly as she looked up at the sound of the door opening. In followed Dick, his own shoes sliding off his feet as he put them aside, a warm, soft smile on his face.

"I- sir, I'm so sorry about that" she said, looking at the blooming bruise on his cheek, but he smiled brightly and shook his head.

"Please, I get it, swear." He said, looking over at the table by the balcony and using his thumb to indicate at it. "Should we move this over there?"

Isla nodded, pushing herself up as she walked to sit at the table, Dick sitting opposite while you stood by her side. There was silence before you spoke, "So, Isla, Dick is just here to say.." you gestured your hand for him to takeover.

He sat upright, "Right, I promise you, I'm not gonna press charges or anything, no reason to, it was just a little conflict."

She hesitated in her chair, ".. Swear you're not gonna sue?"

"I won't! Swear it, I've gotten worse bruises from my— our" he quickly corrected, "brothers, hell even my sisters got hits on me, it's not a big deal."

But even with his words, but of you felt the uncertainty radiating off of Isla as she kept her eyes down onto her lap. The room grew strained with the growing silence, just as soon as you were going to speak and reassure Isla, Dick spoke.

He leaned onto the table, it wobbled a little but he didn't let that stop him as Isla relaxed at the familiar waver, glancing up a little.

".. y'know, back when Damian first got into the manor, he was aggressive with everyone—" you were going to point out how you were aware and had scars from that time, but didn't.

"— there was this one time right, he threw a baton at my head and I stumbled back, almost broke my neck too if it wasn't for the flip I did!" You winced, remembering that day because Bruce was pretty upset at the potential risk Dick was put in.

Dick noticed, a glint of mischief in his eyes. But he focused on Isla, she chuckled slightly and let herself loose a little, resting her forearms on the table with her beads rolling against it. It gave the room a layer of noise that was desperately needed.

"I still had to get checked though since it hit my head pretty hard for a baton that's usually light. Damian felt really bad about it to, except he didn't apologize right away, he locked himself in his room and eventually got the strength to apologize."

You didn't know that part of the story, having been apart from the vigilantism and all. But it made Damian seem a little more human to you instead of the boy who came into your house with the only intention of making you miserable. It wasn't that you thought he was all bad, you knew better than that to assume, still though, you were younger at the time.

"You're sort've the same, I think that you really didn't mean it, just like him, though you were much quicker to apologize than he was." He added, smiling that stupidly ardent grin, the one that made the manor home when you first got there before it became false.

"So I mean it, just a little knock of the head that I probably deserved, a lot." He finished with a glance to you, your eyes faltered to look at the ground.

Because this was one of the first times you ever got to personally hear about the endeavors and situations they'd been in. From big to small, it was always— 'later' 'don't wanna talk' 'busy' and markedly you never experienced them personally.

It was a sacrifice you didn't know you'd be making a couple years ago, the string that ties the family together. It's not name, not blood, not the manor everyone lived in at different times, it's the things you go through together.

Damian was right about the fact that you weren't a part of that, it made them closer than you ever think you could be to them. He was wrong about everything else though, you were sure about that.

You watched as Isla finally let out a breath, the kind that releases every anxiety you had inside your chest. The soft smile on her face that hit you with familiarity as she looked him in the eyes, "thank you.. please stay for dinner, I'm sure my mom won't mind."

Dick smiled, one side of the smile stretched a little more than the other, "I'd be honored."

Isla chuckled, "I'll go call my mom before she gets home, tell her we have another guest" she said, before standing up and leaving to her room.

You looked down at him as he stared at you, "not bad?"

There was a huff from you as you gently pushed his shoulder, "yeah, not bad Grayson."

"Grayson? Not even on a first name basis?" He said with a mimicry of a panicked voice.

"Not even first name! Make sure to text Alfred that we'll be staying here a little later, I forgot to tell him we left." You said before walking away.

"Got it!" He said, arm waved a little before lowering. It was the first time in a long time that you bantered like that, even if it was short.

Glancing out the window, he was ready to enjoy the rest of his night when out of the corner of his eye there was a little figure perched on the corner of a building. Didn't take a genius to figure out who it was.

But instead of making a big deal out of it, Dick pushed aside the task and looked at the streets below him as people bustled through the late day. After a couple of minutes, he looked back and noticed Damian had left.

At the same time, the front door opened to reveal a woman around Bruce's age, he watched as Isla ran out of her room and hugged the woman tightly. "Amma! This is Richard Grayson, he's the guest I told you about."

"Pleasure to meet you, do you enjoy masala dosa?" Before Dick could answer you replied for him.

"He'll eat whatever aunty, don't mind us."

You felt his eyes look at you when the word aunty left your mouth, keeping your eyes on Isla's mom, she grinned and gave you a side hug before walking to the kitchen. Isla took the time to drag you over to the couch where you had to gesture for Dick to come.

It was funny seeing the man who usually moved around so freely become tense in one of the warmest environments you knew. He sat on the farthest edge of the sofa, just shy of Oli's usual spot as Isla stuck close to you, her arms wrapped around yours to bring both of you into a hug.

You didn't mend your relationship entirely that night, but you shared a meal, a few laughs, some stories— like how you, Isla, and Oliver once got chased around the school library by a rat, or how he got Tim to sleep once by giving him warm milk instead of coffee, and how when Tim woke up he was 'so betrayed'.

And for once, he was a piece of the puzzle to your life, he fit into the life you'd made for yourself. As scary as that was, it was gratifying too.

─── ´ˎ˗

Damian stabbed at his food, refusing to answer anyone who asked about why he was so mad. Stephanie just laughed it off, Cass kept staring, Duke definitely stayed quiet after the last time he got a knife thrown at him, Tim was catching up on sleep thanks to Bruce's orders, and Bruce himself sat at the head of the table, minding his own business.

But Bruce wasn't going to ignore it any longer, so he chose to talk to Damian after dinner so no one else got involved like before.

He sat in the study, waiting for Damian to arrive having sent Alfred to get him. The fire crackled in front of him as he sat on the leather couch, one arm draped across the back of it.

Since that night he had stepped away, buried himself in one of the newest cases that wrapped up the night before— thanks to Tim working overtime which was why he forced him to sleep.

Suddenly the door creaked open, Damian appeared in the doorway as his figure took shape from the shadows. Bruce looked over at him before taking his arm off the back of the leather and patting the cushion beside him.

Damian slowly approached as he sat down with his arms crossed tightly to his chest. Eyes staring down into the crackling wood as it split in the fire, flakes of ash swirling amongst the flames.

The sound of the fireplace snipped at the silence in the room before Bruce cleared his throat, eyes now looking at his son, the controlled inferno contrasting against his skin, glowing.

".. Damian, tell me what's upset you so much."

"Father, that's a stupid question."

Bruce chuckled deeply before leaning forward to rest his forearms on his thighs, the heat tickling his face. "Humor me then."

Damian hesitated for a moment, then he raised his eyes to look up above the fireplaces mantle.

".. I don't like them very much." It didn't take a genius to know who he meant— though Bruce was one anyways. He let Damian continue without interruption.

"You're one of the most capable people I've ever met, someone who my mother considers worthy enough. That means leagues beyond any other standard! Your offspring should be the same, but instead of having a child that is as capable as you.. they're just—" he stopped to huff out annoyingly.

"They don't know what it's like to sacrifice so much. They're ungrateful, they have you as a father, us as a family, we are busy and they complain about how we didn't reach out, degrading us that night! It was insubordination!" He shouted, voice rising even hotter at the end with anger.

"We make them feel isolated, they cause a panic— it's their fault!"

"Damian." Bruce cut him off, he sighed and rubbed his face with his calloused hand, feeling the touch of his palms scratched against his skin. "It isn't anyone's fault, except mine."

"Father? How could you say such a thing?!"

"It's true Damian, I won't get into it but I'm still a father. I haven't been acting like it, you shouldn't fight with them over this."

Bruce, he knew a lot of what he had done wrong in the past, what he doesn't know, someone else has to tell him because they see what he hasn't. Truthfully, the only person who could help him fix things with you was, well— you.

"But-"

"Damian. Stop." Bruce's voice was heavy, the words like a gavel that left no room for arguments as it wordlessly slammed down.

".. yes father" he said, fist clenching into his sleeves before his arms fell to his side, Bruce nodded, eyes shutting for a few seconds before opening.

"Thank you.. now go to bed, you have school tomorrow and patrol after that." He said, his son stood up and shook his head forward before leaving, there was a tenseness radiating off of the boy, but he didn't know how to shed it.

Bruce partially collapsed against the couch and he rubbed at his face, fingers focused on pressing into his shut eyes. Taking a few peeks through his lids at the ceiling, he messed up with you, he messed up with his kids before, and he hated it every time.

─── ´ˎ˗

Dick left earlier, offering to take you home but you told him you'd still be staying with Isla. He was reluctant but agreed because there was no changing your mind as he walked out of the building, keys jingling in his pocket while you watched him fade into the now darkened streets of Gotham.

Isla hung on your shoulder, one foot off the ground as she used you as a support, watching Dick disappear. She hummed before pulling away, "y'know, I don't think I hate him as much anymore."

"Swear it? No more punching him?" You joked, both of you walking up the stairs, she punched your arm with zero strength and laughed.

"No promises! If he messes up again it's back to square one, okay!?" She pointed her finger in your face to further push her point while you snickered.

"Yeah yeah, I got it!" You replied as she pulled you up along up story by story, there was a weird feeling as you thought vaguely about the afternoon and evening. You got to know Dick as your brother for once, it was endearing, and there was a fraction of you that became tender for him.

No way would you forgive him yet, not after he was so ignorant to the way he hurt you in the past. But ignorance is a much of a sin as it is a mistake, and you aren't the kind of person to hold someone against a mistake.

But Damian? Tim? The things people choose to say and not accidentally do? It's different, you aren't family, you're throwing a tantrum— the thought made you want to punch a wall.

Yet you pushed it back, because as Isla led you into her apartment, home felt closer than before.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

I’ve been stress writing a little bit which is why this chapter is out so quickly. Just things in my personal life, they shouldn’t hinder or delay any chapters unless I happen to get writers block.

Thank you for reading, this likely has quite a few errors but as of posting this it is relatively late, will look over and edit later, thank you once again 🩶

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

T A G L I S T

@maradcrs @pennyisangstyhelp-blog @eveeevelyn @yoruuuen @artsukin @mariana11zx2 @princesslang @princesscosmo @sarah-luz @izukusbiggestfan @itsangelic @pearlyribbons @sunnyboysignal @j-kianab @alephless @dxbriaskibdio @uivira @iamthegreatergood @red-hood132 @junevtv @kohaiyuki @ninininini08 @mewmew222 @rxi-pop @analogicthought @stormnightingale @yoyogirl67 @the-midnight-king-of-poets @roxanne-likes-randomly @anidiots @v10l3tst4tqc @losingmybrain @dreamndestiny @cookiepersona @batt-z @marzi-pan-dulce @kekeanna266 @rho-229 @corach4n @rad4bean @husbandofmihawk @herdarlin @notxxvidya @leahgokam @thypplover @oscarquokka @1chaerry @leilakeila @fire126 @applesodie

-> thank you for the support! 🩶

♫ NOTES: taglist is open

＊ NEGLECTED!READER IDEAS:

-> Neglected!Reader who adopts a someone and basically is Bruce but better, as in they don’t ignore them. (Low bar.)

-> Reader who wastes no time emancipating from Bruce because they don't want to depend on him (works for neglected and non-neglected reader, as reader may just want to be independent.)

-> Neglected!Reader who was presumed dead after they ran away (without anyone knowing) only to be found years later— may make a good series but I’m not sure if I’d be up to write another one yet.

＊ PLATONIC X READER (not neglected):

-> Vigilante!Reader who kept their identity hidden from their family after declining in the first place for fun.

-> Unconventional Therapist!Reader who makes sure the family doesn't combust.

-> Time traveler!Reader who travels back in time as a teenager (or an adult) to bat family (works for both neglected and non-neglected reader, but I imagine it as a somewhat silly fic either way.)

-> Meta!Reader who runs away because they think their dad wouldn't want them. (Oneshot fluff idea)

-> Loser!Reader who can't bring themselves to join the family fully ever (also leads to fluff)

-> Depressed!Reader with Bat family (not neglected / self indulgent ideas / comfort fic)

-> Reader except they become Alfred's ward instead of Bruce's (can work for neglected reader, but also works for non-neglected which is what I’m leaning towards, sometimes younger people just get attached to certain parental figures like teachers or caretakers.)

＊ ROMANIC X READER IDEAS:

-> Damian Wayne x digital artist!reader

-> Damian Wayne x Chill Loser!reader

-> Damian Wayne or Jason Todd x blacksmith!reader

-> Jason Todd x favourite author!reader

-> Stephanie Brown x reader (fluff oneshot)

-> Cassandra x quiet!reader (matching love languages: quality time / acts of service)

-> Dick Grayson x reader (fluff oneshot)

＊ META!READER IDEAS:

-> Meta!Crystal gem!Reader, basically Steven Universe inspired though it is different which is why it isn’t under crossovers.

-> Meta!Reader who can predict the future but doesn't know it, and simply thinks they're vivid dreams.

-> Meta!Reader who controls people's senses, only one at a time, like sight, touch, hearing, (inspired by shax lead from wtdsik)

＊ CROSSOVER IDEAS:

-> Neglected!Reader x Obey Me because I find the idea of reader not being a vigilante and seemed weak, only to disappear for a year and later come back with the ability to use magic as an official sorcerer, have pacts with the seven avatars of hell, and also technically being related to an angel like a fun time.

I’m open to requests after this series is over, but these are ideas I currently have— there are a handful more, but they’re not too refined yet. I lean more towards writing for comfort, so keep that in mind if you do plan to request, I’m fine to answer questions if anyone has any regarding anything.

Your fingers twitched as rage entered every empty inch of your skin, compressing itself and ready to explode at any minute if you'd just so chose to let it.

He was talking, but you weren't listening. His arms swung out to emphasize whatever point he was making, the bag he was holding fell to the ground but nothing spilled out, stopping just before they rolled out.

Isla meanwhile took up screaming back at him, her words also blurring in your mind, he said it, earlier.

"can we just talk this out?" he said right after saying hi.

Just talk? After all this time of not even speaking in depth? Of conversations being even shorter than the ones you know he has with strangers at galas and people on the streets as Nightwing.

You've never 'just talked' before, the gall to ask that— you knew he was trying to make up for it, he never meant any harm but not meaning to do something doesn't mean you didn't do it.

Like littering on the streets and thinking to yourself 'it's just one piece of trash' but it's not, it's not just one thing, it's never been one thing, you just don't care enough to think about the bigger picture, the pattern, the build up.

Dick stood there, begging or something; you didn't care, you broke yourself out of the trance and grabbed your bag tightly before running inside the pharmacy, Isla quickly followed after you— screaming at him to fuck off.

You heard his rushed footsteps behind you, the ding of the automatic doors stung your ears, everything became louder, shouting, footsteps and then—

"OUGH…!" Dick's pained yelp drew you back, you turned around to see what happened, only to see Isla with her fist raised, and Dick bent halfway to the ground with his left hand cradling his cheeks, reddened and sure to bruise.

"Isla?!" You screamed, running to her and pulling her arm that was raised to drag her into the pharmacy, her chest huffed with breaths full of anger as she kept screaming at him to leave while her eyes widened.

Anyone else would've called her crazy, but you knew she was just scared, the way her fist trembled, no longer with anger but fear.

Dick looked up, his eyes widened with shock as the pain throbbed in his cheek, the taste of iron reached the side of his tongue, he watched you hurriedly pull her aside and speak to her, though from the distance he couldn't hear anything.

You held her shoulders and hooked her gently, "Isla— look at me, breathe okay?" You said as her hands shook, now unclenched with her palms facing upward.

"Why did I do that..?" Her hands grabbed your arms desperately, "I- my mom can't afford those stupid hospital bills, why did I do that!?"

"You did it for me— okay Isla? You did it because you're my friend and you care about me, he won't make you pay, he's not that kind of guy—"

"SO I JUST PUNCHED A KIND OF DECENT GUY..?!" She cried, tears began to roll down her face as her head slumped down to hide in your chest. "I hate him but I can't.." her shook, her words tremors as the slipped past her lips.

"Isla… shit, just go to Oli, I'll deal with it okay?" You said, helping her to stand straight before pushing her towards the staff room and looking back at Dick, he was standing on his feet, swaying with people around him crowding to see if he was okay.

You really didn't want he media to make Isla a bad guy for trying to defend you, even if she lost control and hit him, hardly did she ever mean to.. it was a lapse in judgment, but you know that won't be enough of a reason for certain people.

Taking out your phone, you hastily texted Alfred.

[ME]: Alfred, did you leave already.

ALFRED: Young Master? I did, is there something wrong?

[ME]: Isla punched Dick really hard, and now he's injured, im sure he's been through worse but Isla's worrying

ALFRED: Where are you located?

[ME]: the third entrance by the pharmacy

ALFRED: please stay there until I arrive.

You put your phone into your pocket and walked over to Dick, gently parting people to make your way through the crowd, when you saw him the sight almost made you mad if not overshadowed by relief.

He was smiling at the people surrounding him, his hand still rubbing his cheek, he hadn't seen you yet but you heard him through the chatter— "No, no! Just personal stuff, please no one worry, it's just a misunderstanding!"

Of course, a misunderstanding, it always is.

You pushed through the rest before looking at him, "Dick, come on" you spoke with no room for argument, grabbing his hand and pulling him away from the crowd to the mall entrance, you made him sit on one of the benches inside and slumped beside him.

"Hey- is your friend okay?" He asked suddenly.

Turning your head to him sharply, you glared before nodding, "she's gonna be fine, she's just scared you'll press charges or something."

That caught his attention, his body turned to the side with his hand helping him to stay supporting, "What- I'd never, I was just worried, I saw her and you-"

"Yeah, I told her you won't but I don't think she believes me.. seriously Dick, what were you thinking?" You scolded.

"I don't know, maybe I was trying to talk to my little sibling?"

"But I don't want to talk to you, and Isla doesn't know you that well, all she knows is that I don't like you, so she doesn't like you and yet you were following us, what else did you expect?"

He sighed and let his head his the back wall as you crossed your arms, he bit the inside of his cheek while thinking— about how scared your friend looked from where he stood, how sure you were when she wasn't, a side of you he didn't really know.

Actually, he didn't know a lot of sides to you.

"… I'm sorry okay.. I just-" you cut him off.

"You didn't mean to ignore me, but I fell into the background of all the things you did became of how busy you were yet when other people came you remembered to make them a priority like Damian, or Duke because not only were they involved with heroism and I wasn't, but also because you prioritized them first and foremost but didn't with me. You didn't mean to but I wasn't first up the list due to everything going on at the time which isn't your fault but the fact that you now have the time to make up for it and didn't is your fault." You said, only taking a few short breaths through the rant.

He huffed out in disbelief, "that was..?"

"Was the years of observation I made after being ignored? Yeah, it was, look I don't like you all that much Dick but I don't have you as much as you might think, I'm just tired of everyone acting like I'm the issue when I'm not."

"No one means to-" he tried to speak.

"I know, no one meant to be like that Dick, people don't mean to be a lot of things but that doesn't mean they aren't" you said, tapping your shoes on the ground with your eyes down. Not wanting to look him in the eye.

"I just don't understand.. we're trying right?"

"You're trying now, but I gave up awhile ago."

He sighed, and you just.. let yourself zone out, he could see that faraway look in your eye meaning whatever he said probably wouldn't get through the thought he you'd shield yourself with.

For the first time, he looked— really looked at the person you were, from the way your features changed with age to your style, the way you sat, the look in your eyes. There was so much he didn't recognize, even your voice shifted to a noticeable degree.

You slipped through the cracks and he didn't notice, that was his fault, he'll admit that, but he can't understand by you don't want to be with him and the family now, maybe because he couldn't be alone, he needed others to protect and be protected by because of who he is.

The way you were.

─── ´ˎ˗

The car bumped up the rocky roads of Gotham, you sat in the backseat while Dick took the front, already planning to go back to the mall after leaving his own car there.

You texted your friends, telling them that you'd sort things out, Alfred took his time scolding both of you for making a scene in public before driving you guys back home.

To the manor, yes you were going back, only praying that no one else was there, Alfred offered to take you to Isla's place but you didn't want Dick knowing where she lived because it was your refuge even though he couldn't probably find out regardless.

There was a turn, the kind that told you that you're back home as your body oscillated your body a tilt, the manor slid slowly into view, the fences, the well cared for garden, the manor itself which towered over both. Even if you couldn't see all of it yet, you felt it.

Dick consistently glanced back at you through the mirror above him, you didn't notice with your sight locked onto the manor. Your foot tapped nervously with the soles of it barely even reaching the ground before rising to bounce on its toes, the tip of your shoe pressed against the carpeted flooring and dug into it.

The car drove in through and parked, it jilted forward a smidge before the rumble of the engine dispersed. Robotically you forced open your door, pushing open the heaviness of it and stepping out before shoving it closed with your bag on your back and your phone in hand.

Alfred took out the cat carrier and Dick's groceries from where they sat beside you which you hardly noticed and looked at both you and Dick. "I must return Master Damian's feline companion, please do not cause another scene."

You nodded and clutched the strap of your bag tightly, pulling it to snug against your back as you walked inside, it was only Sunday, you could go back to Isla's on soon— hopefully.

─── ´ˎ˗

Dick rubbed his cheek as he followed you inside and almost immediately Damian stepped up thinking it was just him alone.

The grimace spoke dictionary amount of words as you stood there awkwardly, just taking in the hatred his eyes spewed at you without a word, Dick watched you tense up. He didn't want to give you another reason to leave so he laid his hand on your shoulder and pushed you forward, "go to your room, it's alright."

Given the out, you took it and basically ran to your room, avoiding Damian so you could find refuge elsewhere. Out of the corner of his eye, Damian watched you flee down the halls before snapping back at Dick.

"What are they doing here." He hissed, his arm pointed down the direction you went while Dick patted his shoulders and moved him to one of the lounging rooms.

"In a minute Little D, okay?" In response Damian grumbled, shoving off Dick and sitting in the armchair by the window, taking Alfred the cat off his perch on the armrest and bringing him onto his lap. Dick who had left the room, came back after a couple of minutes with a can of tea— which made Damian sneer because it was insulting.

Nevertheless, Dick placed the can close to Damian on the table and sat down opposite from him on the ottoman. He rubbed his face before looking at him, "Okay Little D, go on, what's up?"

"Excuse me? 'What's up?' You're ludicrous, I can't believe you let that.. anomaly into this manor again." He graded, now focusing the tips of his fingers into massaging Alfred the cat's coat as the feline purred.

"Take that back Damian, they're your sibling and mine too."

"Hardly! After their tantrum they don't deserve to live in somewhere like Wayne Manor."

"It wasn't like that Damian, I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding!" Dick retorted as his hand gripped at the seams of the ottoman.

Damian rolled his eyes to look outside the nearby window, most of his attention on his cat, "of course, it's always a misunderstanding to you Grayson. You're far too optimistic, it's ridiculous.." he scolded.

Dick strained his mouth as it pushed downward into a tight frown, he sighed and pushed his palms against where he sat, "Damian, don't by like that, I don't want you talking about it family like that."

He huffed in disbelief, "Huh.. them, family? That's a stupid notion, they're hardly a part of this family, they are no hero, they possess no physical ability like you or I, they're inherently useless."

The sound a loud bang sounded as he looked away from the window to Dick who had seemingly just slammed his fist into the table, making the canned tea on it jump an inch before settling.

"Damian." Dick said, taking in a shaky breath, "Just because they aren't a vigilante, doesn't mean they're any less than you or me, there's no part of you that'd say that wholeheartedly about the civilians we save, why are they different—"

"Those other civilians aren't fathers blood! He is a capable man who deserves better than- than that!" Damian screeched, Alfred the cat fleeing from the amounts of loud noise.

Dick fell quiet with his jaw clenched with unsaid words, he watched Damian become more infuriated by the second, tightening his fist around air, forcing his breath to stay steady. It made sense partially, except the part of him that ties to his heart because while the words made sense, the tug on his heartstrings at the idea of you not being family pulled harder.

".. Damian, you of all people know we don't choose who our parents are, they never asked to be Batman's kid."

"We don't get choices in this life! We do what we have to, and they decided to just sit back and watch while the rest of us sacrifice our lives—!"

"Is that really what you think of me ?"

His head snapped to the doorway, Dick craning his neck to look up as they both froze at the sight of you, hand resting on the door with a pinched expression, "fuck, I mean I know you don't like me but that's why?"

Damian expected another outburst from you, but instead, you just looked at Dick and threw something at him. Looking closer it was just his jacket you must've taken from the rack, you stared at him with no real thought and gestured to the front door, "Get up, you're gonna let Isla know you're not gonna press charges before she panics anymore."

You turned around and left, the sound of your steps fading in the direction of the front door before it opened and slammed shut.

Dick leaned back and groaned, "dammit.."

─── ´ˎ˗

Your room was cold, one of the downsides of staying at another persons place. It was unlived in, it was chilly and clean, a sign the only person who'd been in was Alfred, it was nice of him to clean your room but it didn't change how uncomfortable it was.

First thing you did was pack your bag again— not just your backpack but another small bag to keep more in since your books occupied most of the space, putting in a few clothes and knickknacks you missed into the new one.

After doing that you settled onto your bed with your feet up, rolling onto your side and looking at the group chat, beside you was one of your old stuffed animals that would hold your hand on lonely nights with storms and thunder.

ISLA: If he presses charges what am I gonna do??

[ME]: He's not gonna Isla it's okay

OLIVER: sorry, we're on the bus rn but she's still panicking

[ME]: Isla, would it make you feel better if Dick himself told you straight up he won't press charges

ISLA: kinda but I don't want him to know where I live, mom is gonna know I'm scared

[ME]: Isla it's okay I swear he isn't that kind of asshole, we stop by and I make sure he doesn't go back again

ISLA: okay,..

[ME]: then we'll do that, dinner tonight ok? Dw about making any extra for him, we can buy smth to eat

OLIVER: stopping by her home now, text you when I'm home

[ME]: okay, text me if you need anything

You were worried about Isla, looking out the window in your room, it lacked the clatter against the wind that hers had. Reaching into the pocket of your bag, you pulled out the envelope with cash that Alfred gave you, the allowance that Bruce never took away because he— in your mind— just didn't care at all to remember about your punishment.

There was more than enough to survive for a few weeks, one thing you'll thank Bruce for is his massive fortune, that meant you were set for next week when you'd go back to metropolis for more research, only hoping that your family didn't make a big deal again.

You grunted quietly into the room as you sat up and slid your phone in your pocket before getting up and walking out with your door shut behind you, ready to get Dick and go to Isla's. Smooth floors worth more than what you own echoed pleasantly, random thoughts about them popped into your head, did people make floors like this with sound in mind? Random things, but things that occupied your mind.

He wasn't in the front room so you rounded back and looked for any sign of where he went, carefully glancing around corners to avoid Damian before sneaking down the halls, passing Alfred the cat on the way. Soon you heard voices, familiar ones unfortunately because one was someone you wanted to see, and the other not, no time to waste anyways.

You step into the doorway when suddenly—

"— and they decided to just sit back and watch while the rest of us sacrifice our lives!" Damian shouted, there was probably more context but there wasn't anything to argue because this is what he really thought of you.

"Is that really what you think of me ?"

You watched both of look towards you, suddenly your fingertips felt colder on the mahogany, "fuck, I mean I know you don't like me but that's why?"

Dick bite his lip with eyes full of panic, not knowing how much you heard or didn't hear, while Damian narrowed his eyes at you.

There wasn't anytime to deal with him, "Get up, you're gonna let Isla know you're not gonna press charges before she panics anymore." You said directly at Dick before leaving quickly through the front door, calling a cab and setting the location to the mall so you could pick up his car and then go to Isla's.

After a handful of minutes, both the car and Dick arrived, him with his jacket on, hands in his pockets with his eye lids looking at you and the bags you had, "About Damian-"

"I don't care about Damian, I care about my friend, she's still scared you're gonna sue her so get your ass into the cab."

"We can drive-"

"We're picking up your car first, you don’t have it, remember?" You said before shrugging him off and walking to the cab, handing the driver some cash as you climbed into the backseat, Dick sighed to himself before following, taking a seat leaving the middle open for space between you and him.

Damian watched from the window facing out to the front of the manor as you and Dick disappeared into the cab, he grunted before slamming his fist into the table before standing and grabbing his own coat, ready to follow after you two.

He wasn’t blind, noticing the bruise that began to bloom on Dick’s cheek, he thought it was you— if it was, he was ready to handle the situation accordingly.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

another chapter, the break was nice, gave me time to relax and I appreciate people for voting on the polls I’ve made, helps wonders with seeing what people may or may not want to see in the future.

I hope the next chapter will be better, I won’t spoil much but Damian will be more in the proximity of Isla and Oliver which is not reassuring, and Bruce will hopefully make an appearance. 🩶

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

@maradcrs @pennyisangstyhelp-blog @eveeevelyn @yoruuuen @artsukin @mariana11zx2 @princesslang @princesscosmo @sarah-luz @izukusbiggestfan @itsangelic @pearlyribbons @sunnyboysignal @j-kianab @alephless @dxbriaskibdio @uivira @iamthegreatergood @red-hood132 @junevtv @kohaiyuki @ninininini08 @mewmew222 @rxi-pop @analogicthought @stormnightingale @yoyogirl67 @the-midnight-king-of-poets @roxanne-likes-randomly @anidiots @v10l3tst4tqc @losingmybrain @dreamndestiny @cookiepersona @batt-z @marzi-pan-dulce @kekeanna266 @rho-229 @corach4n @rad4bean @husbandofmihawk @herdarlin @notxxvidya @leahgokam @thypplover @oscarquokka @1chaerry @leilakeila @fire126 @applesodie

-> thank you for reading and supporting this series! 🩶

♫ NOTES: taglist is open