Friend or Foe?

Chapter 10

Damian had ended up skipping dinner after the argument with his father, though nobody could blame him. He just needs some time to cool down, right? Alfred decided to pick up some noodles from Damian's favorite restaurant, an Asian one that seems to remind him of what was once his home. Alfred had told Bruce that he simply had a quick errand to run, which wasn't really a lie. Bruce brushed it off before heading off to who knows where.

Not that Alfred was trying to keep anything from him, he would have told Bruce if he had asked for specifics. Alfred just figured it'd be better to not bring the boy up right now, since Bruce and the kid weren't on the best terms. It doesn't help that they're both extremely stubborn. If Alfred had brought it up, he can imagine that Bruce might have said something offhand about the kid not deserving the food if he's not willing to eat the food Alfred had worked hard on for dinner. Alfred knows that Bruce means well, but sometimes he just can't care for the kid the way he needs to and Alfred feels the need to step in.

Alfred walks up the stairs with the small restaurant bag in his hand. He reaches the door to Damian's room and gives a polite nod. He waits a minute, but it's not long before the door opens to reveal the small teen on the other side. The kid's sour expression softens at the sight of the old butler. "Hello Pennyworth. Did you need something?" Damian questions in a tired and slightly annoyed manner, though there's a hint of respect in it.

Alfred nods with a small smile and brings his hand out, offering the food to the young Robin. Damian looks at the food for a minute and then back to Alfred. "What is this?" He inquires. Alfred holds the bag out for the boy. "Some noodles from that Asian place you seem to be fond of. I did not wish for you to be left hungry." Alfred replies politely, the small smile still present in his expression.

Damian looks at the food for a second before reaching out to grab it. As he takes the small bag from Alfred, the butler notices the boy's beaten knuckles. Damian catches the Butler staring at his right hand. They are both silent for a second, "It would probably be best to get that wrapped up a bit." Alfred states. Damian sighs before walking over and putting the noodles down on his nightstand. He heads into the bathroom. When he returns with a first aid kit, Alfred is still waiting patiently at the door.

Damian doesn't really like people to be in his room, but he realizes that it would be rude to just leave Alfred standing there while he patches his own hand up. If it were anyone else, Damian might close the door in their face, but he doesn't like disrespecting Alfred. He may joke around and fight back in a disrespectful manner, but when it comes down to it, Damian truly respects the butler and his wishes.

Damian sits down on the bed and sets the first-aid kit next to him. "You don't have to stand there like that." he states, rolling his eyes a bit. The butler steps into the room politely. He walks over to the young boy and gently takes the first-aid from him. The butler kneels down and opens the first-aid kit before taking out some bandages, a gauze, and some rubbing alcohol. He pours some rubbing alcohol onto the gauze. He gently presses the gauze onto Damians knuckle, looking up to see the boy's face. The dull look in the boy's eyes makes the butler feel a bit uncomfortable, especially since he makes no reaction to the pain from the rubbing alcohol.

After dabbing away at the boy's knuckles, he takes the bandages and goes to wrap it around the boy. Alfred grabs the boy's arm a bit, to turn it for better wrapping access. Damian makes a slight wince at this by tensing his arm up a bit and biting down slightly. Alfred looks at the boy with an eyebrow raised but says nothing. Damian avoids his gaze. Alfred goes back to wrapping, trying to ignore the part of himself that tells him to confront the boy on the hidden injury that must have invoked the small wince. Damian would tell him about it if it was really serious, and if Alfred pushes on the subject, he fears he might push the boy away instead.