I don't need anyone to take care of me. [It's resigned rather than snapped. Damian has never needed someone to take care of him. Even if sometimes, it had been...acceptable when Grayson did anyway. But it was never a necessity.]
Grayson, I am content. [It's a half lie and he does his best to sell it.]
I have both allies and friends here. I don't need him. [His Batman was here, albeit in a different way. His father was...extraneous.]
Maybe not... [ The ache in his chest isn't jealousy, isn't anger. But it settles there and after a moment Dick gives up on pretending to have a destination in mind and settles on a low piece of crumbled wall instead. He's tired.
He's tired of proving himself again and again, tired of being alone. Damian may be surrounded by people, but he's still had to be Robin without Batman. It's a problem he doesn't know how to solve anymore than Bruce can solve it now. ]
But everybody needs someone. [ The words are barely meant for Damian. ]
...Thanks. [ The tug of emotion in his chest catches him a little by surprise. Damian - strange, rough around the edges little Damian. He's trying so hard. ]
Me too. I mean if, uh-
Don't feel like you can't come see me. If you want to, I mean. I've got a place of my own now. [ Where they could have more privacy, he doesn't say. ]
Back in the ruins. It's like having the cave again. [ His thumb jerks vaguely backwards, but hi smile steals away the lingering self-consciousness. He'd need to show him eventually. ]
Just without Alfie or central heating. But you can see it if you want.
Me? [ Unacceptable. His expression shifts for a moment, caught between touched and bewildered. The offer means something, even if he can't think of accepting it. ]
...I can't move in. What about my ID? [ His hand moves back to the back of his neck. It's embarrassing, and embarrassment is why he hasn’t breathed a word of it to anyone. That the issue hasn't occurred to Damian at all is proof he'd outdone Dick yet again, and found a way out in a way that he hasn't yet. ]
Change away from the room. My...[And he hesitates, uncharacteristically self-conscious.] My only roommate knows my identity. Still, Robin never enters or exits the apartment. Only Damian.
Rue? [ There's no real judgement in his face (he'd come closer to telling Midii already than he wants to admit, if only to end the exile), but the flicker of surprise is hard to disguise. ]
...I'm guessing that didn't go over too badly. [ If Damian's stayed all this time, his secret intact. ]
...it wasn't intentional. The first day I arrived, I met her as Robin first. It wasn't until later that I realized our rooming quarters were the same. [It had been easier to explain and at the time, he hadn't really believed he would be staying.]
But she understands the importance of keeping the secret and has kept it since that day.
...Yeah. I guess it would be. [ There's a smile working at the edges of his frown. Damian means it. It shouldn't mean as much as it does. ]
But I'd get it, if... I mean if it was too weird. [ The ghost of his older self there every minute. It's occurring to Dick for the first time how terrified of that he is. How terrified Bruce would be, if he only knew.
But it's better than being alone. It's his job to care for Damian. He meets his eyes again squarely. ]
[At the last comment, Damian levels him with a look.]
We are partners, aren't we Grayson? Partners do not abandon each other, no matter the circumstances. You will come stay with us. [It's as simple as that.]
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Grayson, I am content. [It's a half lie and he does his best to sell it.]
I have both allies and friends here. I don't need him. [His Batman was here, albeit in a different way. His father was...extraneous.]
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He's tired of proving himself again and again, tired of being alone. Damian may be surrounded by people, but he's still had to be Robin without Batman. It's a problem he doesn't know how to solve anymore than Bruce can solve it now. ]
But everybody needs someone. [ The words are barely meant for Damian. ]
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I don't. [Need someone.] Having someone is a luxury. A luxury I...appreciate, but I don't need it. [He doesn't think he's lying.]
But I am here for you, Grayson. In whatever way you need it. [Friend, brother, Robin.]
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Me too. I mean if, uh-
Don't feel like you can't come see me. If you want to, I mean. I've got a place of my own now. [ Where they could have more privacy, he doesn't say. ]
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I understand. [He can't say whether he'd ever take him up on it, but the offer is meaningful regardless.
He blinks, wondering at the last part.] Where are you staying?
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Just without Alfie or central heating. But you can see it if you want.
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Unacceptable. [Then after a beat.] There is an extra bunk free in my apartment. Move in with me and Rue.
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...I can't move in. What about my ID? [ His hand moves back to the back of his neck. It's embarrassing, and embarrassment is why he hasn’t breathed a word of it to anyone. That the issue hasn't occurred to Damian at all is proof he'd outdone Dick yet again, and found a way out in a way that he hasn't yet. ]
That's why I couldn't stay where they put me.
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...I'm guessing that didn't go over too badly. [ If Damian's stayed all this time, his secret intact. ]
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But she understands the importance of keeping the secret and has kept it since that day.
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...Yeah, I did the same thing. Only I talked to, uh-
Everybody first.
There's no way I could go back. Unless I had someone to work another angle.
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Now you don't have to. It will be easier if we're operating from the same location anyway. [And just maybe, it's something that sounds...nice.]
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But I'd get it, if... I mean if it was too weird. [ The ghost of his older self there every minute. It's occurring to Dick for the first time how terrified of that he is. How terrified Bruce would be, if he only knew.
But it's better than being alone. It's his job to care for Damian. He meets his eyes again squarely. ]
If you end up wanting me to leave I will.
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We are partners, aren't we Grayson? Partners do not abandon each other, no matter the circumstances. You will come stay with us. [It's as simple as that.]
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...Okay.
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Good, that's good. We can go and get your things and move you in now. Shall we change?