text | un: d.wayne

[bestrobin]

Has anyone seen a big creature with red fur, yellow eyes, a thick tail, and large dragon-like wings?

It would make loud, shrieking noises, respond to sonic waves and vibrations, and it would possibly hide in mountainous areas or caves.

Comments

[supersweet]

I'm pretty sure my dad and I would notice your giant man-bat if he was around.

Do you remember him coming with you?

[bestrobin]

This is your last warning, Jon: Don't call him a man-bat.

No. I was with you before I came here.

[supersweet]

Fine, whatever. What is he then?

[ Huh. ]

You were staying the night right? When your dad left.

[bestrobin]

He's a Dragon Bat of Bialya. The last one, to be exact.

Luthor just freed us, because you were, as usual, no help and getting us free from the Kid Amazo fool with your lack of any super powers.

[supersweet]

What happened to the others?

And you weren't either! You got caught just like me. We had to rely on Super-Lex.

[bestrobin]

( He makes a point to not answer that question. )

If it wasn't for me, he wouldn't have found us.

[supersweet]

If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have been caught. We should have called our dads. Like I said, remember?

[bestrobin]

Are you going to call daddy dearest every time you're in trouble?

If so, I'd abandon that symbol on your chest and hang up your cape now.

[supersweet]

[ Jon scowls. If Damian was nearby, he would have gotten a punch. ]

People's lives were at stake. I rather make sure they're okay than worry about my reputation.

Which you don't even have, btw. No one was freaked out over Robin.

[bestrobin]

​( Certainly wouldn't be the first or last time. )

This has nothing to do with reputation and everything to do with competence, Jon. How can you expect to save anyone when you can't even save yourself?

And I have a reputation. One you'll never understand.

( He has a history; a history some people will never left him forget. )

[supersweet]

Well, I would if you talked about it instead of showing off!

And I just started this stuff! It's only been a year since I got my powers!

[bestrobin]

You've never asked.

You have a lot to learn. Getting into situations for you to get yourself out of is the best way to do that.

[supersweet]

Like you ever listen to me.

You know my dad doesn't agree with that. It's different.

[bestrobin]

Ask a question, and I'll answer it.

Your father doesn't agree with a lot of things.

[supersweet]

[ There was one thing . . . ]

Did you really die?

Neither does yours. It's not that different, I'm sure.

[bestrobin]

( Of all the questions...

It takes Damien a moment to respond. It's still a sore spot, still something he's reminded of every now and again in his dreams or when he sees his mother. )

I did. When I was ten.

( He doesn't bother to comment on the remark about his father. It really isn't that different, but he doesn't want to agree with Jon. )

[supersweet]

[ Sometimes, Jon forgets that Damian isn't all that different from him. That there were only so many degrees where the differences really mattered. Jon didn't die but he disappeared — winked out of existence. That had been horrific and terrifying in its own right. ]

If you want to talk about it, I'll listen.

[bestrobin]

( Damian tried to play the part of an adult, act as if he'd never been scared, confused, or lost. If anyone could understand what those things felt like, he was sure it was Jon. After all, he was different from everyone else - half-human and half-kryptonian. And he was the same - the child of Batman and the League of Assassins. They both were growing, learning to overcome trials the people around them never had to endure themselves.

He doesn't say it, but he appreciates Jon's offer. Maybe one day, he'll take him up on it. But that time isn't now. )

I'm fine, Jon.

What else do you want to know?

[supersweet]

It's fine. Stop being nice though, it's freaking me out.


[ A weak joke. Jon isn't all that keen on prodding Damian for his backstory. Even if Damian knows Jon's completely, it's not a big deal. It never has been. ]

[bestrobin]

Don't be a baby.

You're the one complaining I never listen to you.

( Like his father, Damian made it his mission to know anything and everything about the people around him. It was strange to think he'd have to start that process over again to some extent here - learn how Jon had changed in the amount of time he'd been here. )

Ask next time you have a question.

[supersweet]

It's not completely untrue! Remember the Kid Amazo incident?

But fine, I'll ask next time.

[bestrobin]

Sometimes I have to drown out your whining.

And good.

[supersweet]

At least I don't go around telling everyone I'm the best superhero ever.

Is there anything you wanna ask me? Since you're new here, I assume you don't know everything yet.

[bestrobin]

You'd be lying, if you did.

( Damian spared himself some time to decide if there was anything he wanted to ask Jon. There was always something to ask if you paid attention. And when he thought about it, he did have a question. A lot of questions he wanted to ask Jon. )


I do, but not about this place.

[supersweet]

[ Jon rolls his eyes off-screen. ]

Like what?