A Weapon

A Hug A Bruise

Damian picked out a hand me down AC DC hoodie and black ripped jeans with a random pair of converse. He took his time going downstairs. He had just been beaten before his bath so he was still a little sore. And didn't feel like making it worse.

But as always luck wasn't on his side as he was jumped within moments of his feet landing on the first-floor carpet. Dick pulled him into a tight hug, lifting his small self off the ground. Damian bit his cheek as not to yelp at his stinging body. He's used to pain and the denial of it. Damian learned to suppress his whining and howling over the years with his father.

"I missed you so much little D !" His death grip tightened on Damian, who let out a groan in annoyance. "It's been so long since we've seen each other !" Dick finally let go and returned Damian's feet to the ground.

"We saw each other two weeks ago ." Damian deadpanned.

"Yeah but that was as Nightwing and Robin. We've barely talked outside our night work. Even when we're just sitting on a rooftop. We haven't hung out as ourselves since our Batman and Robin days ."

Don't act as if you care. You haven't been back in three years and you're only here now on account of Drake's birthday. You're not here to visit me so don't act like you are. Damian bit back his truth.

"Hey, you've gotten taller! Been drinking milk as I told ya to huh !" Dick rustled the raven's hair over his hood. "You might even surpass Tim at this rate. He's already hit his last growth spurt ."

Damian clicked his tongue. He was about to come back with a snarky remark when Dick decided to be nosey.

"Damian where'd this mark come from ?" Dick's thumb ghosted over his brother's cheek. A big red mark, beginning to bruise. "What happened ?"

"Bank robber took me by surprise. Nothing but a failure of sight ." The bird let loose another lie. Second nature by now.

A failure of sight with one who can fight blind? Only an idiot would believe such but an unsteady lie bares no weight if those being fed them hold no care for the speaker.

Dick might not be the greatest detective in the family but he could see such a blatant lie. However, he chose not to push the subject. He knew Damian would just shut down like all the other times a mark appeared.

"Dick ." Called a deep voice . Bruce had joined the three. Dick was the only one to give their attention. He smiled like usual and went to hug his mentor. "It's good to see you," Bruce said after his first released him.

"What were you talking about ?" The bat said sending his blood son a quick glance. Damian took it as a sign of future punishment. And he wouldn't be wrong too.

"I was just telling Dami about the new game I brought. The second Brain Blasters finally came out. Remember we were going to play it together ?" Dick's eyes fell back on Damian.

"I remember you talking non-stop about it ." Damian met his gaze. We talked about it over a year ago and it's been out for several months. You promised to play it with me as soon as it was released, it gave me a smile, not one of happiness. I knew you wouldn't fulfill it. Only give me false hope like every other promise you make. He chewed his bottom lip in order not to spill. "I already played it with Kent ."

Dick's smile faded. "Oh ." Damian dismissed the disappointment in Dick's tone.

"I don't believe Master Damian has played his newest video games yet. He got them just yesterday ." Dick's eyes sparkled back to life. "And since Master Dick shall be staying for a week I'm sure you two will have plenty of time to play ."

Damian's eyes found his father's. A thousand words laying behind his blue orbs. Words unspoken but loudly inferred. Threatening and malice filled.

You feed a hungry wolf endlessly playing with his meal.  He sent Pennyworth a look. Treachery among high.

"Excellent idea Alfie !" The circus boy smiled.

"Master Bruce," Pennyworth directed. "As I recall you have a lunch meeting within the hour ."

"Yes. I was in fact on my way out before now, thank you for reminding me. I'll be leaving."

"I have prepared lunch if you'd follow me to the dining area ." Alfred invited, walking away with two birds in tow.

The dining table was already set with silverware, drinks, and plates. Three places were set and not two. Damian knew another abandoned puppy would be coming. Which if he were to guess be Tim.

And would you believe it Damian was correct? A slinky pale skin boy joins the table shortly after, laptop in hand. His eye bags seemed lighter by a few pounds, showing he at least had a couple of hours of sleep but was still pumping caffeine into his veins.

"Hug your brother, birthday boy !" Dick cheered already having his arms wrapped around the smaller man. Tim, already knowing there was no point in fighting the man's iron-clad bear hug returned Dick's affection.

It wasn't surprising to Damian when the brothers immediately fell into a discussion after seating themselves.

End

HEY THERE LOVELIES THANKS FOR READING 😸