Trickery (A Damian Wayne Story)

Flying Solo

Flying solo, the text reads, popping up on Dick's screen right as he falls into his bed for the night. Another one comes through, Don't bother me. It's from Damian. Dick sighs and climbs out of bed. He opens Tim's door down the hall, finding the kid still up and scrolling down a list of emails on his computer. He looks over when Dick walks in.

"Any chance you still have that tracker on Damian?" Dick asks.

Tim clicks away from the Google tab and opens up a map. Blue lines tread all over the city. He types in a name, probably a code name, and one of the blue lines starts blinking red. "Right here," Tim says.

Dick leans in a little closer, looking at the street Damian's on, but the red line isn't moving. "Where is that?"

"Middle of the city," Tim responds. "Doesn't look like he's heading anywhere."

"Zoom in," Dick commands. Damian is in an alleyway, waiting for something, hiding, looking for trouble. Dick tosses a hand through his hair, "Why does he have to do that?"

Tim just shrugs, "Dunno. You know how he is with his alone time."

"I guess so." Dick turns to leave the room, "Let me know when he moves and where he goes."

"You got it, boss," Tim says, turning back to his emails.

"The demon's gone," comes Jason's voice from the doorway. Dick stops in his tracks. Jason's arms are crossed and he's leaning against the frame.

"We know," Dick says. "He said he's flying solo."

"For how long?" Jason asks.

Dick shrugs, "As long as he wants, I guess."

Jason uncrosses his arms and steps into the room, "Why do you let him do that? If it's such a chore for you, if it makes you so worried then put him in his place."

Tim raises an eyebrow, "You really think the kid'll listen?"

"It's worth a shot isn't it? His identity would implicate the whole Wayne business. People are already suspicious."

"You think I haven't tried talking to him? Him and Bruce have had countless fights." Dick points out. "Damian does what he wants, when he wants-"

"Yeah 'cause he's a brat," Jason spits. Dick moves on smoothly through the interruption, raising his voice,

"And I've taken precautionary measures to make sure he's not getting into too much trouble."

Jason takes a seat on Tim's bed, "Oh yeah a tracker is really gonna keep him in line."

"Off my bed," Tim snaps.

"Make me." Jason stands, as well as Tim, but Dick cuts them off.

"Guys stop. Let's just go to sleep. Damian is fine, you don't need to worry Jay."

"I'm not worried," Jason says, disgust in his voice. "I'm just wondering how the hell Bruce is going to be a good father to the kid if he still can't keep him on a normal sleep schedule."

"Just get out," Tim says. "Both of you. I have work to do. Take this somewhere else."

Jason glares at the back of Tim's head where he sits at his computer again, but pushes himself up and out the door. Dick watches him go, then follows, "Goodnight, Tim."

"Night, Dick."

Dick knocks on Bruce's door. "Damian's gone again."

Bruce's face appears on the other side in an instant. He's wearing a normal tank top and black sweatpants, an angry expression on his face. "Gone?"

"He's in the middle of Gotham. Said he's going solo." Dick holds up his phone for Bruce to see. "Jason went after him most likely. Tim's keeping an eye on his tracker."

"You have a tracker on him?"

Dick shrugs, "Yeah. Thought it was about time." Bruce rubs his eyes and Dick looks at him sympathetically. "I was just letting you know," he says. "He's gonna do what he wants, but we know where he is and he has backup if things get too nasty. Get some rest Bruce."