A Hard Time (Batfamily x male oc)

Four

Jason wanted me to come back with him but I told him I was going to stay for the night.

I don't know. It's probably stupid but I didn't want to leave again. I missed Alfred and Tim, even Damian. I feel like I hardly even know them now.

"Yes, Liam will be coming home for a family matter. Thank you." Alfred had said when he called my boarding school and told them I won't be coming back.

He showed me to my old room and nostalgia hit heavily. It was exactly how I had left it. My stupid Spiderman posters on the wall and blue comforter folded up at the bottom of the bed.

My lava lamp, action figures, and skateboard were all still here.

Even my old clothes were still in the closet.

"Obviously those don't fit anymore." Damian's voice says behind me.

I turn and see him leaning against the doorframe.

"Obviously." I reply before grabbing my Spiderman hoodie and turning around to smile at him without breaking the stitches in my eyebrow. "But you know, you're about the right size!"

He scowled "Your sense in fashion was horrid than and it hasn't changed."

I shrug and put it back in the closet. "Oh well, you'll never enjoy true warmth without wearing one of those hoodies."

Something in the back of the closet catches my attention and I jump for it.

Damian seemed to get curious at my rummaging and walked further into the room.

He stood on his toes to look over my body but promptly looked away when I found it.

"Look at it!" I gasp as I hold up a red hoodie with dark blue sleeves. "Alfred ordered it a size too big but I kept it for when I got older and look at me now!"

I grin despite the pressure I feel on my face.

Damian rolled his eyes and looked around.

"I've never been in here." He says.

I raise my non stitched eyebrow. "Really? If it was you who'd been gone I would have snooper second day!"

He glared at me and I shrugged "Hey, I said second day, I'm not that disrespectful!"

Damian turned away from me and I frowned.

"Is something wrong? Damian, it was joke, I didn't mean I'd actually go snooping." I say.

"Shut up." Damian muttered.

I get the feeling he wants to say something but doesn't know how to.

"You know" I start "If you missed me that would be fine."

Damian scoffed "I didn't miss you" He muttered before turning, his arms crossed in front of him as he glared at me. "But your missing presence in the manor did seem to take a toll on Pennyworth and Drake." He cleared his throat and looked away "And Drake doesn't duel with as much power as you did so my training hasn't been as extreme."

I smile a little "Right. I haven't found a good dueling partner yet other than you either."

Damian seemed to lighten up as he looked at me again "You haven't?" He seemed to remember he has to be cold and cool and shrugged and turned to walk out again "I suppose I could duel with you again."

"Damian" I say. He turns to look at me and I lift my arms a little. "I can't lift them past my chest so..."

Damian realized what I was saying and turned and said briskly "We'll resume training when you are well again than."

I smiled but when he left and the door closed my smile dropped.

I look at my arms and grit my teeth.

I hate villains. I want to beat the daylights out of them for doing this to me. And what if it hadn't been me? Some poor other kid would be traumatized and most likely would have died.

I might not be physically able to fight right now but even if I was I wouldn't be allowed to. Batman wouldn't allow me to.

I sit on my bed and feel like I have all the pieces to a puzzle but they've all been jammed together the wrong way. And then there's that one piece that fell under the table and I can't find it.

I groan and lay back on my bed while glaring at the sky.

Screw this.

~~~~~~

"Any nightmares?" Alfred asks.

"No" I lie as I toss jeans into the cart.

Alfred wanted to get me new clothes because apparently wearing Jason's old ones wasn't tidy looking.

He took this opportunity to press me with questions. They were good questions, I just wish I didn't have to lie answering every one.

I don't want Alfred to think I'm some stupid little boy who has nightmares every night from something that happened days ago.

I could tell he wanted to ask me about Bruce but he was refraining from doing so which I highly appreciate.

I don't know where I stand with Bruce. Does he still hate me? Does he hate me more? I don't know. It's probable but also unlikely. I don't think he ever hated me even if it felt like that. If he hated me he would have sent me back to the orphanage. He probably wouldn't have saved me from so many villains when I was first learning to patrol with him.

"Master Liam are you listening?" Alfred asked.

I blink and look at him.

"Sorta" I say.

He sighs and says "Master Bruce wanted to have lunch with you today."

My eyes widen "Really?" I ask, complete surprise.

Alfred nodded "He has a half day in work so he wanted to know if you wished to have lunch with him and he could take you home after."

"Do I have a choice?" I ask.

Alfred frowned at me "I would not force you to do anything but I do believe Master Bruce is trying to make amends."

I nod and let out a breath "Okay, I guess I'll go see him."