Angst Damian Wayne One Shots

In the Shadows of the Heart

Damian Wayne crouched on the ledge of a rooftop, his eyes scanning the dimly lit streets of Gotham below. The city felt alive beneath him, a dark pulse throbbing with crime and chaos, and yet, it felt emptier than ever. He was supposed to feel empowered, to revel in the thrill of being Robin, but all he felt was the weight of solitude pressing down on his shoulders.

The cold wind whipped through his hair, a stark contrast to the warmth that used to fill him when he patrolled the city with his family. Once, he had relished the camaraderie, the laughter shared between him and his brothers during missions, the pride shining in Bruce's eyes. But lately, it all felt hollow, like echoes of a memory he could barely grasp.

The nights had grown long, the shadows deeper, and Damian found himself battling more than just criminals on these streets. He fought against the creeping sense of isolation that gnawed at him, a loneliness so profound it felt like a chasm opening in his chest. He hadn't wanted to admit it, but the feeling had taken root long ago, growing stronger each day, suffocating him in silence.

As he leapt from rooftop to rooftop, he recalled the last time he'd spent with his family. It had been a team mission, one that should have brought them together. Instead, he felt invisible, like a ghost lingering at the edges of their conversations. Bruce had praised Tim for his tech skills, Dick had laughed with Jason over some inside joke, and he had stood there—silent and unseen, a specter in their midst.

No one had meant to ignore him, he rationalized. They were just busy, preoccupied with their lives. But each passing moment only deepened his feeling of worthlessness. If they didn't see me, then who was I?

His thoughts spiraled as he watched a group of children laughing on the street below, their carefree joy a stark contrast to the emptiness he felt. For a moment, he was overwhelmed by a surge of envy. They had each other, a bond that he could only yearn for.

Damian's fists clenched as he looked away. He couldn't afford to let emotions distract him. He had a mission. He had to focus.

Hours later, after taking down a small-time gang, he found himself walking through the darkened streets, the thrill of victory fading into the background. The adrenaline that had fueled him began to drain away, leaving behind an aching emptiness.

He pulled out his phone, hesitating. He thought of reaching out to one of his brothers, to Bruce, to Alfred—someone. But the fear of rejection gripped him, squeezing his heart with a vice-like grip. What if they were busy? What if they didn't want to hear from him? The thought was unbearable, and he pocketed the phone, feeling more alone than ever.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the alleyway to his left, shattering the quiet of the night. Instinct kicked in, and he rushed toward the sound, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and anticipation.

As he turned the corner, he was met with a horrifying sight: a woman being assaulted by two men. Without thinking, he sprang into action, using his training to incapacitate the attackers with swift, practiced moves. But even as he fought, he couldn't shake the feeling of detachment, like he was moving through a dream.

The men fled, leaving the woman trembling on the ground. Damian approached, ready to reassure her, but the moment their eyes met, he felt a sharp pang of recognition—she was terrified of him.

"Please, just go," she stammered, backing away. "I don't want any trouble!"

Her fear pierced through him like a knife. He stepped back, his heart sinking. Even when he tried to help, he still frightened people.