Batman - Father, Teach Me.. (A Flashpoint Fanfic)

Chapter 5

"The mother?" Bruce repeated the question.

"Yes, Bruce, the mother. The woman. How old were you when you got married? Or did Alfred forgot to give you 'the talk'?"

"No, he didn't forget. It.. It's a long story. I didn't even knew he existed. I missed ten years of his life!"

"I see. But you still haven't answered my question here."

"I told you, it's a long story."

"Then make it short."

".... Fine. There is a league, a cult, operating in various places in the world. There called the league of assassins. I trained there for quite a time before, you know, Batman. The league was led by a man named Ra's Al Ghul. His daughter-"

"And here we go." Thomas cut him off with a smirk.

"... His daughter is also part of the league. Trained literally since birth. Turned into an evil, vile killing machine.  But, as bad as her roots were, I thought I saw something different in her. Something good, deep down inside her heart. But I guess I was wrong. Ra's needed and heir. A male heir. Someone to continue leading the league, should his life ever come to an end. I was the top candidate. But I turned it down. So I guess they reverted to plan-B; instead of finding an heir, they decided to produce one. And I, unfortunately, was also the top candidate for that. I was tricked to cooperate. Ten years later I found out I had a son. He wasn't really a pleasant child. Can't blame him though. I've trained with the league. It's something no child or anybody in fact should endure."

"Hmm.. And I thought I was the crazy one in the family. From the way you explain it, you seem to know exactly what you're supposed to do. But you just don't know how to do it."

"I... Suppose."

Alfred came in to clean the table. Picked up the tea cups and put them on stacks. "Master Bruce, I hope you remember about your board meeting this afternoon."

"Oh, right. Sorry Dad, I.. I got work to do."

"Sure."

Bruce grabbed his keys and left. Alfred stayed at the table and continued cleaning.

"How are you Alf? Lost a lot of hair have you."

"In my defense, your son isn't really an easy child to handle. Especially in his teenage days. I lost 3 grams of hair because of him."

"And yet you never left him."

"And yet.." Alfred sighed and repeated in agreement "I never left him."

"Thank you, Alfred, for everything you've done for my family."

Alfred smiled.

"I think I'll talk to that little ball of hate. Where's his room?"

"Four rooms after yours use to be."

"Thanks Alf."

"Careful Master Thomas. He bites."

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Damian sat on the ground, back againt his locked door. Titus came and curled up on his lap. Damian stared at his dog and patted his head. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Out of habit(after having an argument with his father), he answered "Go away!" But then he realised the voice on the other side of the door was not his father's.

"Is that how you always speak to your dad?"

After a few moments of silence, Damian answered. "He lets me."

"Well he shouldn't."

"Even if he did, I wouldn't listen."

"Well, you seem like the type who doesn't listen."

"....."

"You wanna open the door?"

"No."

"Fine," Thomas sat against other side of the door. "Then I'll sit here."

"Well- What do you want?"

"I just want to talk. We didn't really had a nice introduction just know."

"You tried to break my fingers."

"You tried to strike me with a katana. A really blunt one at that. I could have easily caught it with my bare hands and hit you with it. But you're just a kid. So I didn't."

".... You're crazy."

"Well, I guess the craziness runs in the family." A pause. "I heard your other family isn't that fun either."

"Father told you didn't he?

"Technically I made him."

Neither of them talked for a while.

"You were wearing a Batman suite when I first saw you. So I take it that you created the mantle in your, alternate universe?"

"I am."

"How many Robins do you already have?"

"Why would I keep pet birds?"

"Not the literal bird, you idiot- Wait, you have no sidekicks?"

"I always prefer working alone. What are these Robins you speak of?"

"Robin is a mantle. Maybe not as grand as Batman but it has its own purposes. I use it to redeem myself."

"You're a kid. You got nothing to redeem of."

"Wrong. I have more than you'll ever know." he paused for a while " Has father ever mention his habits of adopting orphans?"

"He, what?"

"Never mind."

"....."

"....."

"Hey," Thomas said, hesitant. "You think you're up for a spar?"

Damian didn't answer. Thomas almost took it as a no until he heard him unlocking the door. Damian poked his head out. "A very tempting idea. However, the question is; are you up for it?"