POSSESSION ; INJUSTICE SUPERBAT

Chapter 12

"Damian, can we talk?"

The boy ignored the request. He stared down at his lap, refusing to look up at his father who stood by the doorway.

Bruce sighed. He walked into the room, took the chair next to the reading desk and placed it beside the bed. "Damian, look at me."

There was still no response. If anything, Bruce's stern tone only angered the child further. Damian clenched his fists as he furrowed his brow.

Bruce let out another sigh. "Look, son. I... I am sorry."

That managed to trigger a response from the younger Wayne. Damian's head snapped up. He stared at his father with wide eyes, surprised. "W-What...?"

"I'm sorry for yelling at you in the Batcave. I wasn't mad at you... I was mad at myself." Bruce explained sincerely. "I was mad at myself for being careless. I am angry at myself for letting you get hurt. Most of all, I am angry at myself... for not being strong enough to protect you. It is my responsibility as your parent. But I failed to do so."

Bruce extended his hand. He tousled Damian's unruly hair, his gaze directed at his son's bandaged arm.

"It... It isn't your fault, Father." Damian's voice is soft, mixed along with some sniffles as the boy refused to cry in front of his father. "You told me to get out of the way. But I... I couldn't just stand there." The boy looked down, clenching his fists once again. "I won't apologize for my actions. I admit I am wrong for disobeying your orders. But you are my father. And I am not only your son, I am your Robin, too. It is part of my responsibility to protect you just like you protect me."

Bruce sighed. He didn't know who the boy inherited his stubborn and prideful nature from. It was definitely not from him. "Damian, I will always be protective of you, no matter what happens." He cupped the boy's face, guiding the child to look into his eyes. "I understand you are growing up, and you are my Robin. I should start to let you go, but... I can't. Subconsciously, I am still treating you as I would have when you were ten, Damian."

"But, will you ever look at me as your Robin?"

Bruce blinked at the question.

"You said you would always be protective of me." Unconsciously, the boy bit his lips and furrowed his brow. "Does that mean you will never see me as your Robin?"

"Damian," Bruce leaned forward, pulling the boy into his embrace. "I am protective of everyone --- including Dick and Tim. Even if they are grown-ups and don't need my protection, I will still be protective of them. I already lost a son due to my carelessness. I can't tolerate losing any of you. I wasn't the only one who was protective of you, Damian. Everyone is. We are more concerned about you because you're the youngest, and we're afraid you might not be ready to face the unpredictable."

Damian frowned.

"There is something I would like to admit to you." Bruce pulled away. "When your mother brought you to me, I never decided to acknowledge you as the next Robin. I wanted you to live like a normal boy. Go to school, meet new friends and enjoy the childhood you never managed to have for the past ten years." Slowly, a smile split on Bruce's face. "Do you know why I have these thoughts? It isn't because I don't believe in your strength. I know you are a skilled fighter. You are my son. And as your father, I felt responsible to protect you from danger, even myself."

At the comment, Damian's eyes widened. Then, slowly, his eyes started to brim with tears. The boy lunged at his father, burying himself in his father's embrace and started to sob.