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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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?