( closed ) bred, born, and raised to kick your ass

[brat]

WHO: damian wayne (brat) & associates
WHEN: april - may
WHERE: places
WHAT: a catch all for closed starters
NOTES\WARNINGS:

Comments

blood ties.

[batsymbol]

( still in the suit — not that he hasn't managed to acquire regular clothing for himself — he stands there outside the manor this place has put together on... his? their behalf? quiet. hidden. looking over the gold R he holds there in a gloved hand. he knows what this means now. has an idea of who it belongs to and the many extremely complicated ways in which it's tied to him. in which the bearer of this crest is tied to him. or... some version of him, at least.

it's been a few days since they'd come across one another here. since blood had been exchanged and startling similarities had been discovered through dna testing. maybe not as startling to damian, given the things he's said, but for him... startled was certainly a word for what he felt upon seeing the results. among other things.

so he stands there. contemplative. gaze settled there on the R he holds and recalling the way damian had looked to him— the gentle wait he'd nearly asked of him in his parents room. or what this place has put together for it in the manor. that feeling inside him that had prevented him from walking out despite the almost quiet plea...

a glance up to the manor, he slips away from his spot there in the shadows. makes his way inside as he'd done before. wondering if damian might be likely to return here as much as he is. i am my father's son he'd said. and where is it that he'll always return to?

home.

steps slow yet relatively heavy in the way he walks — with purpose as batman — he makes his way down the steps into the cave. pauses on them when he catches sight of damian... and something rather large there with him. he reaches for the compact baton strapped there to his back. is about to pull it down at his side, when he takes a moment to assess the situation. doesn't see damian in any real danger with the... thing there behind him, and slowly loosens his grip there on the baton. but doesn't exactly pull his hand away either. )

[brat]

( he had been hoping the results would be negative for matching strands of dna, almost as much as he was hoping for a match. the batman here is not his father, isn't even close, but he is bruce wayne. not that this would be the first bruce wayne damian would come across who isn't his; but it would be a first for one that he isn't immediately swinging at.

the manor is his home, but it's one he has been spending time avoiding visiting as of late. because it isn't his here, not exactly, and with an alternate bruce wayne flouncing around, damian would prefer to avoid the man until he approaches him. their initial meeting could have gone. . . better, and damian also recognizes how complicated his very existence makes things for this bruce.

because he is indeed his blood son, his heir, but father hadn't exactly planned for him. his mother had; raised him with the league of assassins, trained him to be the best. his father was a different story. but goliath's arrival also meant needing a proper place for dragon bat to sleep, and while he is plenty friendly, he sincerely doubts the rest of the populace here would appreciate goliath licking their faces and devouring every morsel of food left out in the kitchen. nor would damian appreciate the stomach ache he would get for that.

which is why he's hunched down to the ground with goliath at his back, idly working on a small device on the floor in front of him with a few tools. damian doesn't react to the intrusion, but goliath twists around, a low growl building in his throat as his shoulders tense, readying himself to pounce. )

Hush, Goliath. It's only Father, albeit smaller. He has yet to prove himself to be an evil duplicate, but if he does, you may eat him.

( with damian's words, goliath's shoulders loosen while the beast refocuses on the lobster he's been chewing on. )

[batsymbol]

( father. it feels different to hear— sounds different with knowing now, for himself, just how similar they are to each other. he still can't entirely wrap his head around all this. there's so much going on and has been in the past two years he's decided to start the gotham project... that he's decided to don the cape and cowl throughout the shadows within gotham. the thought of being anything or anyone other than what and who he is now... he can't see it. all he sees is corruption. lies. deceit. the worst in so many.

it takes him a moment before he pulls his hand away from the baton and slowly makes his way down the stairs further. not without eyeing the creature there that damian has with him. that's... hm. not something you typically see in gotham, that's for sure.

still slow with his steps, he takes in the cave a little closer as he approaches. notices damian tinkering with something. then stops there a little ways from him. again, another glance to goliath before he's looking back to damian. )

I take it this belongs to you.

( at that, he holds out the R. )

[brat]

( he's still not turning back towards batman as he approaches. instead, damian's sealing up the small disc he had been working on with the screwdriver in hand, making sure it's tightened well then twisting around. his domino mask is absent, leaving green eyes as well as the rest of his face visible.

the robin uniform is still on, as is the R on the right-hand side of his chest - very similar to the one in bruce's hands. he looks down to it for a moment, as if confirming it's presence still on his chest before he pulls himself up to his feet and taking the few steps necessary to get closer to bruce. extends a hand out to take it. )

You would be correct. ( it isn't difficult for damian to find the catch along the emblem, causing the top to flip up and leaving the screen under it visible. the security footage that automatically populates is one of a dark-haired girl wearing a white dress and sitting at a small table on the rooftop of a building. she's smiling, but damian doesn't let the feed play much longer before he's shutting it. )

Goliath. ( his hand raises, tossing the R back towards the massive red dragon bat, who catches it easily between teeth and gnaws on it, even if it's not enough to cause much damage. ) Thank you for returning it to me.

[batsymbol]

( he remembers his face. has it recorded on the lenses he wears — that he wears even now. things to look back on if needed, when everything seems to bleed together in a night, but. even then. he wouldn't need them for this. for damian.

a glance down to the emblem — to the way damian just tosses it back to goliath to chew on as if it were a toy, he stands there in silence for a moment. )

Guess it's a good thing I did.

( sarcasm. though that they should be relatively easy to pick up on. )

( bruce ) cat scratch.

[brat]

( damian had told bruce that he would stay where he wanted to regardless of what bruce had to say about it, and he'd meant it. which is why, while he would not say he is staying at the manor full time, he does stop by when he feels the need to take a few moments off from being robin. he takes off the tunic and the rest of his uniform, dons more comfortable clothing that he has left in his room, and wanders through empty hallways that aren't quite right even if they aren't wrong either.

when bruce finds his way back, damian has made himself comfortable just inside the foyer, sitting on the staircase leading to the second floor with a book in hand, a hoodie thrown over his head, and back leaning against the railing. his eyes are closed in what many may look at as sleeping, but damian is considering a micro-nap. he'll wake up the moment he hears a sound, acting as if he had never dozed off to begin with. )

[batsymbol]

( much like damian, he hasn't yet figured out where it is he wants to stay while he's here in this world. the apartments are more or less a no for him, so. that really just leaves what goes for wayne manor around here and, while he still doesn't entirely trust the place to not be bugged or watched by the ones in control here, it's the closest thing to familiar— closest thing to home that he has here.

that's why he's coming back here after his ordeal while being out. not in the batsuit for a change and, rather, dressed down in black slacks and a long sleeved black shirt over a black t-shirt. it's almost as if he truly is embracing the whole i am the night thing in every aspect he can. he's not in the batsuit, is the point, and when he slowly makes his way inside, he ends up shutting the door a little louder than he meant to. catches the sight of damian there on the stairs and slowly blinks.

at first glance, he seems tired. more than he typically is and his movements seem to be more slow and heavy. in hand, a bag. perhaps with snacks and energy drinks. )

What're you doing?

[brat]

( the door opening is enough to get him to awaken. eyes open easily, leaving no evidence he had ever been asleep at all. damian stays in the same slouched position he had been, eyes on the page he had his book open onto before they slide up to look over to bruce himself.

there's the slightest evidence of a scowl on his face, turning down the corners of his lips and scrunching up the skin on the bridge of his nose. it's habitual more than anything else, and the expression stays in place as he looks over bruce. looks for signs of what may be causing that exhaustion and slowing him down. )

Reading.

( in case that wasn't clear. he lifts the book, high enough bruce can catch the title the boston stranglers before he lowers it back down and sets it on the step. climbs up to his feet. )

Where's your suit?

[batsymbol]

Where's yours?

( it's said with a raised albeit lazy look about him as he slowly makes his way from the door. a brief pause, he pinches the bridge of his nose. holds the bag out towards damian. )

Here.

( a beat. )

I thought... you might be hungry. Or thirsty.

( because he very much did grab some energy drinks and snacks from the convenience store this place has. there might even be a couple pre-packed sandwiches in there as well. you know. things alfred would click his tongue at for bruce passing off as an actual meal. )

wayne tower.

[batsymbol]

( the moment he caught sight of the tower off in the distance, he'd made his way there, by whatever means necessary. it's far from the apartments — from where the bulk of everyone more or less is. but, like the manor, he simply couldn't leave it. he had to go. had to see for himself what it could be — if he'd even recognize it, or if it would merely be another somewhat familiar piece of his life here in this place.

to his surprise, it's more than just familiar. more than even similar. it's the wayne tower from a gotham that belongs to him. the architecture, the sheer size and presence he seems to have the closer one gets... he knows this tower. has memories of it and they nearly drown him in the way they rush at him the moment he steps inside. foolishly a little hopeful to... maybe...

but the entrance is abandoned. dark. desolate.

he stands there. dressed in the batsuit. taking a moment. it's the clicking that draws him out of his thoughts — draws his gaze upwards where he spots the bats hanging about in the ceiling and exposed rafters. that's... not right, he thinks. even with the explosion, the bottom floors hadn't been damaged and that's when the thought touches him. when he slowly tilts his head back some. wondering. the upper floors. the penthouse. alfred.

so that's when he slowly begins to move. makes his through the darkness of the tower. )

[brat]

( regardless of if bruce had been expecting a shadow to follow him, he has one. damian generally keeps an eye on him, especially here, where he's so young. he had said he needs a robin whether or not he knows what robin is meant to be to him, and he'd meant it.

and when bruce stumbles onto wayne tower, damian is only a few steps behind him. it's not the same as the wayne tower he's used to, but he can recognize bits and pieces of it, enough to know what bruce is looking for. and when batman steps through the entrance, robin is dropping down just behind him. tips his head up when he hears the bats, eyes squinting under his lenses as he eyes them. )

Is the infestation normal for you?

[batsymbol]

( maybe he should have expected a shadow to follow him around, but. with being so fixated on getting himself here and trying his best to bite back the foolish hope that gently sits there deep within him, he hadn't exactly.

damian's sudden presence doesn't necessarily catch him off guard, but it does have him give a slight turn. just barely a glance over his shoulder. stopping his slow steps. )

No. ( a beat. ) At least not above ground.

( because wayne terminus — his work in progress batcave — is the part filled with them. )

What are you doing here?

[brat]

Following you.

( obviously. at the very least, he's not denying it any. instead, damian's moving through the lobby, ignoring the bats hanging up above them. they were here first, it would be a shame to disturb their rest. he's not looking for anything in particular, just mapping out the area. noting anything familiar, pressing his hand against the walls in a few places (planting small bugs, just in case others try to see what's happening in this new facility) and readjusting his lenses for how dark it is down here.

he prefers the darkness. but it does make it a little more difficult to see. )

What's below the ground floor?

( a batcave? )

newest addition.

[batsymbol]

( he's been at it for about an hour or so now.

beneath the tower is the "basement" that was once wayne terminus and within that "basement" is bruce... and the batmobile.

he has the cape, cowl, and gloves off, the suit still on, checking over the engine of the vehicle as well as everything else. at first glance, he knew it to his batmobile, but. he needs to sure. still doesn't entirely trust anything or anyone here and so, he's been going over inch of the vehicle from top to bottom, inside and out. he knows the car he'd built — knows where everything should and shouldn't be and while they've done a rather good job at replicating the tower itself, some things were left out. same with the manor, seems like.

that's also what he's trying to determine. if this is actually the batmobile he'd built. or if this is simply a replica of it that the bots or whoever here had put together for... whatever reason. again, he doesn't trust them. even if, for the moment, their intentions seem to be good.

he's covered in grease, more so than usual with the paint across his eyes, and he's putting together a piece of the engine there before he flicks his gaze up. not at anything or anyone in particular. supposedly, anyways.

attention dropped back down to the piece he's putting back on, he speaks then. loud enough for it to be heard. )

I know you're there.

( because why wouldn't he be? )

[brat]

( he's been tailing bruce ever since damian first noticed his existence on etraya. it's not that damian needs to, or that bruce needs the follower - but he knows his father. knows him, even if he's too young, too new at all of this. he's young, alone, and while he may be perfectly capable of handling himself in most scenarios, having a robin has always helped more than it's hurt batman.

bruce calls out to him, and damian rolls his eyes before he drops from his hiding place in the shadows of the rafters. lands on his boots on top of the batmobile, knees bent and a palm pressing flat against the roof of the vehicle. )

Good. I would have been disappointed if you hadn't.

[batsymbol]

( a fleeting glance tossed over to damian, bruce goes back to inspecting the vehicle. the fact that there's only one seat for anyone to sit in — the passenger seat used as a means to house the fuel for his nitro engine — should be obvious enough that this particular incarnation of the batmobile is, as bruce is with the cowl, young and in the early stages. )

I'm assuming you know what this is.

( now maybe he'll be the one disappointed if damian doesn't. )

[brat]

An early rendition of the Batmobile.

( getting back up to his feet, damian walks his way down the back of the batmobile, jumps off the edge so he can walk back around it and opens the driver's door. he doesn't get in, not yet, he's just. looking. )

Very early. I'm assuming one of your firsts.

it's a bird, it's a plane.

[brat]

( a network post goes live, and it doesn't take long for the few clues left behind for damian to catch onto who he suspects it is. someone he knows bruce isn't aware of, but someone who may be aware of bruce. damian has an alias on the network, robin, but he avoids using it whenever possible. so he opts to instead take a different approach:

bruce is resting on his chosen bed in the manor, and damian's kneeling on the headboard above him. quietly. there's a massive great dane lingering just outside the bedroom doorway, waiting for damian to come back out. but he'll handle titus in a minute. first things first - he leans down, forward, and presses the pad of his index finger against bruce's forehead.

he's already in uniform, mask on and ready to go. )

Father.

[batsymbol]

( regardless of how accustomed he's come to pushing himself more than anyone needs to be pushed, even bruce wayne the batman needs rest every now and then.

he's been out for maybe a couple hours at best, nightmares just barely there on the surface of the nothingness he has for dreams, until he's stirred by a touch outside of the nothingness, and he blinks awake. one. two. three seconds of recollection to where he is before he's swiftly grabbing tight to damian's wrist, about to toss him, when he realizes.

confused, he lets go, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. eyes shut. taking a couple seconds to come off edge. )

What is it? What's wrong?

[brat]

( fingers catch hold of his wrist, and damian lets his arm go slack. waits for bruce to wake up, because he knows better than to pull back when bruce is still on edge. even once bruce has released his wrist, damian doesn't move. he stays significantly too still, even, enough one might assume he was a statue himself. )

Among the newest set of arrivals is someone we need to check in on.

( it's the easiest, simplest way of putting it. he doesn't want to stress bruce out too much with the finer details, not now. he wants him up and ready first. )

[batsymbol]

( he gives it a second or two for those words to sink in and, hand falling away from his face, he sits himself up in bed. slowly. blinking his eyes a few times before he's reaching for his black shirt there on the bed he'd removed; he'd been too hot. )

Who? Why?

( pulling the shirt on over his head, he twists enough to look over to damian... now wondering why he's perched on the headboard like he is. )

returning son.

[brat]

( it's been over a month, and damian has been attached to bruce's side more here than he has been any other time. when damian had been new to the wayne manor, he had been. . . haughty. defiant, used to living a specific way which was not how bruce intended on keeping him. then he'd died, damian had stayed, and it had been grayson had been the one to - stick by him.

bruce's return had been equally rough, they had a significant time to adjust to each other, learn to be batman and robin together, but there hadn't been a need to watch over one another as closely as he has been watching bruce here. trackers and bugs had been used in place of physically being near one another, but they're less reliable, here. here, damian had wandered off on brief excursions but often returned to bruce's shadow to ensure the very young, very new bruce hadn't bitten off more than he could chew on his own.

leaving bruce's side to catch grayson up is a necessary step. he can't fill them in while bruce is near enough to listen, it's too much of a risk. which is why he waits until bruce has gone down for the morning before he tracks grayson across etraya. the robin uniform is missing, replaced with an oversized hoodie and shorts as he climbs up and through the window of the room dick has settled into. there's a notebook tucked into the large pocket of his hoodie, which - is a good place for it, because it leaves a hand free as he holds onto the window. one he can raise to press his index finger to his mouth.

shhh. )

[riskfalling]

[ Shhh, Damian warns, like he hasn't been running his mouth all over the network for everyone to see. Dick sets down the plate he'd been washing — one of two plates, just like there are two glasses in the dishrack and two sets of silverware — and gives his youngest brother a silent, exasperated glance.

Nice to see Damian's out of the Robin suit, at least. Dick had been worried the thing was going to merge with his skin.

He waves Damian in, eyebrows raised. Well? ]

[brat]

( eyes look back out the window, then - over to grayson with his raised brow. squints for a moment, before he does climb his way the rest of the way on through. the notebook gets set down on the counter close to the sink, before damian starts towards the door. )

I can't carry Titus in through the window. He's too big.

( but he's down there so guess who's walking the long way around now. )

[riskfalling]

Titus is here— ?

[ And Babs had already mentioned Goliath... had Damian arrived with his whole menagerie?

But Dick's just as quickly lifting his hands, shaking his head: this is not important. ]

Never mind, he'll figure it out. Damian, what the hell are you doing, getting into fights on the network?