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The blaring sirens and bright flashing lights overwhelm the building.
It was supposed to be a basic routine patrol, if they had known the circumstances he would have been assigned backup.
Of course Damian didn't need such things, the building was guarded well for criminals. But Damian was Robin, he was the League, Ra's Al Ghul's successor.
This was childs play.
His blade tears through the leg of a guard, not lethal but he doubts the leg will ever function the same. He's taking his time clearing the building, he doesn't want his brothers complaining about him 'stealing the action'.
It's been awhile since he informed them of his status, he clicks his com on "Did you get lost on your way, Hood?" He grins and the idea, Todd getting lost in the streets he grew up in.
A grunt "Yeah, so funny shithead. Give me a sec some assholes tried to break into my shit" Todd's agitated voice comes out, he doesn't seem in a rush, not that he should be. "If you're desperate for backup contact B and the rest of his brats." Damian rolls his eyes at the suggestion, he doesn't need backup, it's just protocol to alert someone.
He turns a corner, most of the guards have either evaluated or gathered somewhere in the building, he isn't naive enough to think Todd's break in was a coincidence. Clearly the person running this operation is skilled, but he guards were easy enough to take down so Damian's not worried "Join me when you can" he clicks his com off, between the speakers blasting the alarm and the flashing lights he needs to focus.
The rooms are relatively empty, a few science kits and assembly desks, it's possible they were trying to build bombs. He's about to step out when he catches it, the wall catches shadows it shouldn't. He pushes on it, the hidden door creaking open. A surveillance room.
Monitor's cover most of the room, blueprints on the desks, most are empty hallways, some show places Damian's already cleared. One stands out. It shows a larger room, with guards. After a glance at the blueprints Damian's sure he can make his way there.
He pauses before leaving the room, perhaps he should alert father of his predicament.
No. It's a simple task.
-----
Shrapnel digs into his ribs, he should have expected bombs. He reaches to turn his com on, the motion causing his skin the split more. The adrenaline makes it hard for him to pinpoint where he's been hit, the blood doesn't help.
"--ey there's just some rubble here, did you send the wrong location brat?" There was a tinge of something in his voice Damian wasn't used to.
Swallowing down some blood, he speaks, his voice much more raspy then he expected "They had bombs I was unaware of, I believe I was on the east side of the building." He turns his com off to let out a annoyingly wet cough.
Bleeding out had to be up there with annoying ways to die, it's unnecessarily long and painful. His vision fades for a moment blood lodged in his throat "Shit- why the fuck didn't you call the Bat--" the coughs wrack his body, which just moves the shrapnel more. Just his luck.
Once the coughing subsides he takes a few breaths "I had it handled, retrive my body and--" "Hell no demon brat your not leaving your death on my hands don't you dare fucking die!" Damian rolls his eyes, Todd's as dramatic as ever, but he's not surprised, his family loves their competitive games.
He grits his teeth as his body goes static, parts of him feeling numb. He gives a sharp exhale, just a minute or two now, forcing himself to relax, it's less painful when he's not fighting it.
He's not afraid of death, not anymore. He used to be, the first few times he died, when he didn't know if he would come back.
He closes his eyes and waits.
-----
Damian opens his eyes, dried blood caked on his face, reaching to wipe his face he's stopped by a bag? He grimaces and blinks, he thought it was the blood in his eyes but he's definitely in a bodybag.
He huffs is this his familys way of teasing him for dying? He's also embarrassingly stripped of his armor, in hospital rags. At least they didn't rub salt in the wound with an autopsy.
There's no sound around him, they most likeyly got bored of waiting to see the efforts of their taunts. He adjusts himself and slowly but surely gets the zipper to slip down.
Once he's pulled it down enough to crawl out, his feet hitting the cold floor of the batcave. His body is stiff, nothing a few stretches couldn't help, giving himself a once over he notices the light scarring from the shrapnel.
He wonders what time it is.
A clatter behind him snaps him out of his thoughts, he turns around quickly, relaxing when he sees who it is "Growing clumsy Drake?" The silence stretches long enough for it to feel awkward. Then Drake slowly goes back up to the manor.
Damians huffs, he's always been a weird one. Smart, yet weird. He sighs and turns to look for his suit, he doubts it survived.
He doesn't even get to start looking before he hears it. A sharp inhale "..Damian?" He holds back the urge to roll his eyes, this whole act is unoriginal.
He turns to his Father "Yes?" He tries to keep any annoyance out of his tone, it's difficult up until he sees his fathers face. The man looks a mixed of terrified and desperate. Damian shifts uncomfortably "Father?"
He's pulled into a tight hug, it's only slightly uncomfortable with his stiffness "Oh baby I thought we lost you" he says emotionally into Damian's hair, his body trembling.
Damian stares into his fathers chest, is this a game? "You did." His father pulls back, hands still gripping him tight. His eyes teary and his face furrowed "What?" Is unsettling how crushed his father sounds.
"What the fuck." He glances past fathers shoulder, Todd stares, looking a mix of pissed and shock. This is a unnecessary reaction "You little shit! I thought you died! What the fuck!" Todd storms over grabbing at Damian the same way father had been, like testing if Damian's real. It's annoying "Would you stop that! I'm fine!" He swats Todds hands away.
Grayson and Drake watch, Grayson is crying, it makes Damian's stomach twist "What's wrong Grayson?" The show of emotion on his part feels embarrassing.
Todd grabs him roughly "You died!" He yanks Damian in to a hug, this is all so embarrassing "I know that Todd." He pushes the older back, it's like their being intentionally dense "Why is everyone making such a big deal?"
It's quiet save for Grayson's quiet hiccups, and sniffling. Father looks confused, Drake just stares, and Todd looks like he's going to pop a blood vessel "What is wrong with you? I know the league fucked you up but do you seriously not grasp the concept of death?!" He's pulled back by father "Jason" His father pleads.
This is so frustrating "I'm sure mother has told you of my inability to stay dead, unless your brains too small to comprehend it, Todd." He's not some stupid child, he understands full well his ability, it's not his fault they've forgotten.
Todd turn to father "Did you know about this? Because if Talia told you and you just didn't--" father shakes his head and-
Damian can feel his brows start to furrow, father didn't know. Mother didn't tell him.
He glances at Grayson who's slowed in his sobs, sitting down on the floor. It's pity and nothing else that Damian moves over to sit with him, at least thats what he tells himself.
He allows Grayson to hug him, relaxing into the hold. Exhaustion falls over him, and inconvenient part of revival.
He shuts his eyes, it'll just be a moment. He'll allow himself a moment of rest.