Chapter Text
"Batman!" Robin, AKA Damian Wayne, shouts out.
His father, Batman, AKA Bruce Wayne, reached out to him and was stopped by a metal door appearing. And the, the world had stopped. Damian, although being trained by Ra's Al Ghul to be his successor and to keep his cool when things go haywire, "a mind filled with worry can cloud your judgement", his father had said (and will say to him later after this whole incident).
But he was still panicking, his grandfather's body burnt to a crisp, that's all that went through his mind, and soon his father's body appeared would he end up like that?
BOOM!
Joker, Batman's archenemy made sure it was big. And Batman was right inside of it. He was trapped inside the bank. Robin could shield himself and get out of the way of the blast, but Batman was stuck in there.
It left a little ring in his ears, but after it cleared all he could hear was Joker's stupid, manic laugh. "Now that was a grand finale!" He continued his boisterous laughter. But Damian didn't care about Joker and his insufferable laughter. He cared about his father.
He quickly ran towards the big crater that used to be Gotham's bank. There was only rubble, ash and bits of money floating around. No Batman.
That could still be good, after all, he is Batman, he can't die that easily... right?
Why was he having a hard time believing his father would be alive after such an explosion? He isn't Superman, 'the man of steel', but Damian wanted to believe he was Superman. Just fly out of the rubble, and he'd be safe.
But nothing happened.
"What's wrong, Batsy? A little cooked?" Joker began to laugh again. "Wait, that's not as funny as I thought it would be." Joker stopped for a few minutes and broke out in laughter. "Remind you of something?" He slapped his knee this time.
The sound of police cars echoed down the street. Damian shook his head from his gaze and unsheathed his sword. He held on tightly to the handle, grinding his teeth.
He swiftly cut Joker legs, making him fall to his knees, still smiling. "Take me away boys" He giggled as he put his hands behind his head.
Damian could no longer stand there, he knew he would strike down Joker if he stayed too long and watch that smug smile. Immediately going back to the mansion. Devastated and scarred.
How would he explain this to Pennyworth?
How would he explain this to his brothers?
How would he explain this to anyone?
He can't even process it himself. Did the Joker plan all this? It's not so out of character if he did He always finds a way to mess with people's minds.
As he entered the Batcave, every step he took seemed to echo louder, and louder, and louder, and louder-
he swallowed a sob. tears just ran down his cheeks, which he quickly wiped away. He can't be crying. Why was he crying? He's barely really known him. But he was still his father, his baba.
He's finally gotten to spend time with him. The first few days were rough, and they clashed, but that was his father.
And he misses him.
-
"Ah, Young Master Damian, where is Master Bruce?" Alfred asked as Damian changed back into his civilian clothes, his face gloomy.
And that seemed to trigger something, as Damian immediately stopped and ran into Alfred's arms, holding him as if he would die if he let go.
"Father... I couldn't- I couldn't save him" Damian muffled in Alfred's clothes.
"Save him? What happened?" Alfred asked softly, slowly petting Damian's hair.
"He's dead! I couldn't find his body or anything!" Damian hugged him tighter
"Master Bruce... is dead?" Alfred's petting stuttered and went back to its constant movement. He took a few breaths and cleared his throat, slowly prying Damian off him to look at his face. "What-how.." he felt as if he could no longer speak. He slowly kneeled down to look Damian in eyes "I-I'll alert the others" he rustled Damian's hair "I'm so sorry Damian" Alfred embraced the mourning boy, who was now holding him tighter.