THE WOES OF A SINGLE FATHER ; BATFAMILY && SUPERBAT

Chapter 02

I wasn't there the moment
You first learned to breathe
But I'm on my way, on my way
I wasn't there the moment
You got off your knees
But I'm on my way, on my way

by Boyce Avenue

★

Tim Drake stared at the infant who was staring back at him. The boy didn't know there was a crib around the house until this moment! Or Bruce probably just asked Alfred to buy one on his way home after sending Dick and him to school (which is true). But, main question beforehand; who is this black haired baby in his home?

"His name is Damian."

Tim jumped up in surprise at the sudden arrival of his adoptive father in the room. When he whirled around, the boy was even overwhelmed as he saw the adult holding a bottle of milk.

It is not every day you get to see the famous playboy Bruce Wayne in a loose baggy sports shirt, holding a bottle of milk ready to feed the baby in the crib.

"... Damian...? Bruce, you didn't tell us beforehand that you were going to adopt another child. I don't mind a new member in the house... but this is a huge surprise."

Bruce was silent as he walked towards the crib. He picked the infant up from the crib in a gentle hold. The man feared that he might crush the soft head under his touch with just a little more energy. It was the first time Tim saw Bruce in such a heart-warming state. The boy became more freaked out when Bruce called the child's name in a gentle tone while guiding the nipple of the bottle towards the baby's mouth.

"Tim, Damian isn't adopted. He is my son with Talia."

It didn't take long for the boy to remember Talia. There was a time when Bruce lived like a dead soul. The man didn't tell any of his boys about the reason for his sadness, but Tim could see that it was something complicated.

He heard the tales of Talia through Dick. Talia Al Ghul was one of the rare women with whom Bruce had taken a relationship seriously.

The reason for the breakup remained a mystery. Not even Dick, who had stayed by Bruce's side for the longest, knew the cause of their dying love. Thus, to hear Bruce announcing the sudden existence of a baby brother whose mother is Talia surprised Tim to no end.

"But how, Bruce? I thought you two--"

"We would talk about this once Alfred brings Dick and Jason back, okay?"

The frustration was apparent in his tone as the adult struggled to hold the baby in a more comfortable state. He might be a single father of three, but Dick, Tim, and Jason were older than the infant when he brought them in.

Once Damian finally felt comfortable enough to start drinking, Bruce sighed out in relief.

"Then... do you need any of my help?"

The man glanced down once he heard the soft voice of his son. The boy seemed to always lower down his tone when he knew Bruce was undergoing stress or frustration.

Bruce didn't want Tim to think that he was a problem for him, the child never was. He never threw truant in school like Jason did, nor did he ever worry Bruce like Dick did. The boy was often the top in his class and tried his best to be a good son. Of course, Bruce thought Tim was a good kid, but he didn't want the child to believe that speaking his mind would be bad behavior.

There was a mild silence before Bruce gave the nod. "Well, if you don't mind -- could you help me unpack some of the stuff Alfred brought? I don't have the time to do so, since Damian is keeping my hands busy."