( open ) it started with a spark

[brat]

WHO: Bats, birds, and friends.
WHEN: Late April into May
WHERE: Wayne Tower
WHAT: A Bat-Mingle.
NOTES\WARNINGS:

In the Northern section of Nova City, Wayne Tower stands tall above the multiple empty buildings that make up the cityscape. The top two floors consist of the Wayne Penthouse in gothic architecture while the lower floor and main entrance are largely abandoned and home to a number of fruit bats. A basement serves as a work in progress Batcave, complete with hidden elevator to the penthouse.

And within the Tower itself? Who knows how many bats and birds may be found wandering about. After all, it has WAYNE written in big bold letters right across the front of it. That means it's free real estate, right?

Comments

[brat]

I want to know.

( does he need another reason than that? damian thinks not. )

[batsymbol]

Six shots.

( As he answers, he pulls them into a more secluded spot of the woods where he'd scouted earlier and decided to get a tent for them. )

[brat]

Do you intend to synthesize more?

( it doesn't matter what he intends to do when it gets down to it, damian knows that well enough. but asking doesn't hurt regardless. )

[batsymbol]

If it comes down to it. But I told you I don't use them often. That's the first time I'd used one being here.

( In the year he's spent in Etraya.

The car is put in park then, engine rumbling, and he sits there. Quiet. )

[brat]

It's also the first time I went down in front of you.

( he's been - careful, as much as he can be, but who knows if similar situations will crop up going forward. so damian offers - )

Do not compromise yourself for me. Please. If I fall, I will get back up. We don't need both of us suffering from long-term damage when we can keep it to one.

[batsymbol]

Until you can't.

( You're only human, Damian. So is he.

Huff on his lips, he pops the driver's side door open and gets himself out — grabbing at his bag before he's shutting the door behind him and hoisting the bag over his shoulder, waiting for Damian to exit the car with Titus. )

[brat]

( damian shoves at titus' rear after bruce removes himself from the vehicle, to get the dog to exit first before he climbs out after. and once he's on his feet, he - looks to bruce for a moment, lips pursed. )

I was trained by Batman. If need be, I know how to play dead. I promise I will respect my limitations, as long as you do the same.

[batsymbol]

You don't need to worry about me.

( With Damian out of the car now, he makes his way for the spot he'd picked out earlier for them, bag slung over his shoulder. )

I'm not careless with everything I do.

( Well.. )

[brat]

( titus digs his nose into the ground immediately after setting food on the ground, and damian - keeps his eyes on bruce. pulls his pack back over his shoulder. )

I do need to worry about you, because you aren't careless with everything. If you were, it would be significantly easier to justify preventing you from being reckless.

( and easier to pull in everyone else to help keep tabs on him. instead, he just follows a few steps behind bruce, with titus following after. )

[batsymbol]

( He rolls his eyes even though his back is facing Damian. After that, he looks back over his shoulder to his son, holding the strap of his bag as he does. )

I made a choice. One that allowed me the upper hand in the situation. Or would you rather I have let you or Selina be killed?

( It's his first namedrop of Selina in the year he's been here, but. Since his going back to his Gotham recently, things have happened — things that are still fresh on his mind. )

[brat]

»Tt«.

( it's not a dismissal, or even ignoring bruce's question. it's annoyance at it even being posed. )

I would have been fine. Selina Kyle would have been. Do you know how difficult it is to keep that woman down?

[batsymbol]

( He glances back again, only because Damian acknowledges he know Selina— a Selina back in his own Gotham and he... just keeps that note to himself as he looks back ahead — as he leads them to the camping area he had set up earlier for them. Yes, if Damian hadn't agreed to come, he would have taken it down, but. He's here and so it hasn't gone to waste. At least the tent is up and secure. )

I have an idea.

( It's more mumbled than anything else and he drops his bag down from his shoulder as he makes it there to the tent, unzipping it for Damian to take a look inside. As expected for a tent to be and with room inside for the... three of them, a lantern and some bedding already there. )

[brat]

( he'd planned this.

not only planned it, but his father had set up their camp spot for them in advance. he'd expected damian to say yes, and had intended to get him out here. it's thoughtful, even if damian doesn't know how to express that well.

it's titus who waltzes inside the tent to make himself comfortable, while damian stays outside but looks into it. for a moment, anyway.

before he turns his attention back to bruce. )

I can't afford to lose you.

[batsymbol]

( At that, he turns — takes a moment to really look at Damian there before he approaches him and, reaching out, he places a hand on the other’s shoulder, squeezing it gently while looking to him with an earnest expression there on his face. )

You’re not going to lose me.

( It’s said with conviction in his voice — another squeeze of those fingers on his shoulder. )

[brat]

You can't guarantee that.

( bruce sounds certain, but so does damian. )

Grayson would have never left us behind if he had a choice. He wouldn't have - disappeared. Not like this.

[batsymbol]

( He knows there's no guarantees for remaining here — not as though any of them have a choice in whether or not they stay or go, but. Still. He has to believe he has the means — the sheer willpower in staying here by Damian's side as long as he needs him. Maybe his being stubborn enough might work in his favor here. He can hope anyways. )

I know. I can't. Just as you can't for me. But so long as I'm here with you, you won't lose me.

( So don't worry, kiddo. )

[brat]

Swear you won't use Venom again.

( it's not an ask, it's a demand. yes, he understands the benefits. just like he understands that the costs outweigh those seven fold. )

[batsymbol]

( He wonders if Damian knows the weight of what he's asking. The adrenaline shots— what Damian calls venom isn't a tool he uses every time he puts on the cape and cowl. It's a backup plan — a last resort. For as much as he's trained both his mind and body to be resilient to the point where he can still force himself to go even when he's breaking apart both physically and mentally, he's still just flesh and blood. Still just a man. Still just human with the weaknesses of one. The shots are there to assist him — to give him a temporary boost when his body refuses to.

Silent, he licks over his lips — drags his teeth over his bottom lip before he's closing his eyes and letting go of a heavy sigh. )

I can't lose you.

( Therefore, if it comes down to it, he'll use it to save Damian. )

[brat]

Death isn't permanent here regardless.

( it's not the point he should be making here. not even close. damian knows that with venom, the best way to handle this would be to go into why it's a terrible idea. bruce should already know the dangers of a substance that makes him feel stronger, more powerful, able to handle more. )

Even if I was injured badly enough to warrant concern, it wouldn't matter. I won't stay down until I'm ready to, and I have much more to accomplish still.

[batsymbol]

No, it's not. Doesn't make it hurt any less in the moment. ( A beat. ) You should know that.

( When he had lost Dick right in front of him on that one mission and Bruce had to be the one to console and carry him throughout the maze. )

[brat]

( there's multiple ways that can be taken, but only one that makes sense in this context. damian's nose wrinkles, and he - looks inside the tent, just to have something to do to space out the time between bruce's response and his own. )

Grayson died to save me. I didn't want that.

[batsymbol]

Would you die to save me?

( Again, there's a beat. )

If Jon were here, would you die to save him?

[brat]

I wouldn't need to, if you would both be careful.

( there's reckless, then there's reckless without a cause. damian would jump in front of either of them in a heartbeat if it seemed necessary to save them, but he knows bruce is already aware of that. )

[batsymbol]

Then I'll be careful and so will you.

( And that's that because he's gesturing for Damian to get inside the tent. )

[brat]

( fine.

damian whistles for titus to follow after him, and walks into the tent to sit himself down within it. he'll drop it, but only after - )

If I catch you using Venom again, I will remove it.