Silence Speaks Volumes

A Young Assassin and Choices

Damian was drawing on the roof when he heard Jason call his name. He quickly scurried down and went into the living room. "How do you do that," Tim asked, in awe.

"I'm just that good. Right?" Jason looked at Damian.

I guess so . The boy signed. What do you want?

"Bruce wants you. He's in his study." Jason began to 'oooh, you're in trouble' as Damian waled there. Damian didn't think it was a punishment. Ra's always made sure they were public.

"Hi, Damian," Bruce said as Damian walked in. Damian nodded and stood in soldier's position in front of the desk. "I've been thinking. Do you want to become a vigilante?" Damian thought for a minute, then shook his head. "Why?"

I will be Ra's. Being Ra's is better.

"You can be both." Damian thought for a minute more. Then took out his notepad. He knew his father wouldn't know the vocabulary to have this conversation.

Why would I want to be a vigilante?

"You could help people."

Ra's helps people. That was debatable.

"You could join the league one day." Damian looked confused for a minute.

I'll own the League.

"The Justice League."

I already have a league.

"Dick needs a partner. You wouldn't want him to get hurt on patrol for lack of a skilled fighter." Damian knew Dick was an idiot. He didn't wish harm on the young man.

What about Todd? Jason was more of an idiot than Dick even.

"Flamebird," Bruce said. Trying to change the subject. Damian wanted to patrol with Jason.

I'll consider it. Damian bowed and walked out.

Damian walked out to Jason, Dick, and Tim standing there. Damian knew they would be. They were horrible at stealth. "He doesn't want to be your partner, Dickie. I'll call you Mini Hood. You can pick a color when you're older." Damian smirked. He kind of liked the name.

"What about Flamebird," Dick whined. "Timmy, will you be Flamebird?" Tim looked at Dick.

"I'm Robin."

"Robin was my name first, so I can take it away. Timmy, you are stripped of Robin." Tim thought Dick could actually do that.

"What? That's not fair."

"Is so."

"I only became Robin because you wouldn't!"

"Too bad. Timmy, you are fired." Tim ran away. "Wait, did he think I was serious?"

"Dick, you idiot," Jason chuckled. "Let's go plan your suit, Mini Hood." Jason took Damian's hand and Dick ran after Tim.

...

Dick found Tim in a random room in the manor. Tim's back was to Dick and he had his knees to his chest. "Timmy," Dick whispered.

"What?" Tim sounded mad, but Dick could hear that he'd been crying.

"I was joking." Dick came around and pulled Tim into a hug. He could see the tear streaks. "I'm sorry." Tim leaned into Dick's hug and nodded.

"Bruce isn't going to let Damian patrol with Jason. Will he make Damian Robin if he doesn't want to go with you?"

"I don't know, Timmy, but you'll always have a place here."

"I don't want to be replaced." Dick understood. He was mad when Jason became Robin. Jason meant that the man that raised Dick thought that Dick wasnt good enough, and that hurt. Eventually, Dick came to love Jason, but he died shortly after that. He always regretted not being nicer to Jason when he was Robin. Jason had his own resentments towards Tim. He didn't quit like Dick did. He was forced out. Jason was okay to Tim, but it was sometimes painfully obvious that he didn't like the teenager. He didn't want Tim hating Damian.

"You won't. You're unique, Bruce could never replace you. If he tries, you can come with me." Dick smiled. "Nightwing and Flamebird take to the skies." Tim gave a bitter laugh. Dick hugged him tighter. "It'll be okay, Baby Bird." Tim nodded, wishing that he could believe Dick.

...

Damian decided against being a vigilante. Well, more like Ra's did. His mother liked the idea, but Ra's didn't want his training being diluted or for the boy to indoctrinated with whatever Batman believed.