[ There's something ironic about Damian throwing Harvey in his face when Damian wasn't there. He wasn't alive yet. He read the history which is why he can talk about it but the person who lived it, who suffered because of Harvey, who still bleeds for him to this day -- it's Bruce.
So, yeah, Bruce knew Damian was about to say something especially cruel, and he takes a moment to just close his eyes and let a breath pass as the pain flares up again before he lets it go. He opens his eyes again and he looks very tired as he looks back to Damian. ]
I'm not going to say either way about Harvey, he made his choices. The same as the people here will -- their own choices, good and bad. Damian, I'm not saying that I expect this place to be a den of virtue but I don't think it'll devolve into chaos. I'm going to hope it won't and if it does... if you're right and something tips the scales the other direction...
[ A shoulder is lifted in a shrug and Bruce has made his peace with this. ]
[Honestly, Damian expects some kind of scolding about using Dent, having known that Dent was such a slam to Bruce. He's more surprised when there's nothing but his father being silently agitated. Maybe that's worse.
Then again, Bruce had asked him.] We didn't come here voluntarily much less to hold everyone's hand when they decide to do something stupid.
It seems foolish to put up the stoplight after the kid gets hit by the car, Father. [He frowns, knowing good and well already that no one has done anything which warrants this level of suspicion. Actually...] What about the person that tried to kill Higashitaka?
He said someone named Kamui wanted to kill him for no reason. I feel like you're underestimating the chaos sitting beneath the surface of this place.
[Damian, almost everyone literally turns into werewolves and people don't start a witch hunt about it. It's fine? Chill.]
[ Oh, it hurts. It hurts deeply and later, alone, he'll take some time to think about Harvey again, about how he failed him. That doesn't help right now though, does it? That doesn't add to the conversation other than letting Damian's streak of vindictiveness win. That's something he's trying to get Damian to let go of in the first place. ]
You could use the same logic against people in Gotham. They don't choose to live in Gotham, they're born there, why bother helping them when they know how bad Gotham is? They should've just left, if they get hurt it's their fault.
[ A raise of an eyebrow and -- ]
See how that sounds? No one else came here voluntarily but we have the means to help, as we do back home, and so we help. To do less would make you look like the selfish little boy I've warned you against being, Damian.
[ And if he knew Damian was talking about Josuke, he'd probably laugh because Josuke is a dramatic teenager who just complains a lot. Come on, Damian! ]
I know neither of those people. How am I supposed to assess that threat? Just by your word, when you're clearly trying to convince me the people here are bad? I will look into it though.
[ A soft shake of his head here and he's going to level a very flat look in Damian's direction. He's absolutely about to wreck Damian's shit right now. ]
What I don't understand is why you're debating me on the simple idea of helping people. Your duties as Robin aren't bound to the city limits of Gotham or even the boundaries of our universe. You know that. I know you do because I know about you, Jon, and Yggardis, boy.
[He's not sure why he continuously tries to debate with his dad when Bruce just ends up slam dunking him every time. His mouth opens, and then it snaps shut again after a moment.
It's annoying how easy he can be wrangled simply by mentioning the Robin mantle. Not that he wouldn't help people anyway! Of course he's Robin! Of course he gets the Bat standards! He's just running at the mouth. Clearly, thirteen year old prodigies know everything.] Kent. [It sounds very accusatory, and with the pinch to his brows it's obvious he realizes how Bruce came about this information.
Dammit. Why do dads have to freaking share everything? Don't they understand secret son trips across other dimensions?] Tt.
Spare me the lecture, old man. I know what I'm supposed to do. I know what it means to be Robin. I'm the best one. [There's a little of a smirk. Maybe he's teasing. Maybe.] Besides, I don't trust the rest of the "heroes" here to know what they're doing.
They're school children trying to get a hero degree.
[ Bruce leans back, an elbow on the desk and leaning his cheek on the hand as he watches Damian go through the emotions, his understanding of Bruce's implication. Yes, of course he learned it from Clark. Jon tells Clark everything and Clark tells Bruce when it has to deal with Damian. This wouldn't happen if Damian ever told him anything but then again, Bruce doesn't tell Damian anything either.
But maybe, maybe the corner of Bruce's mouth does turn upward a little in amusement at Damian's declaration that he's the best. Maybe.
He'll listen to Damian berate the others again and it takes a lot of effort not to roll his eyes again. He considers it, Damian's insistence but it does mean he's spending time with kids his own age who do the same thing he does. The Teen Titans are a good team but Damian's always struggling with them, and Jon is great for Damian but he's not here.
So... ]
Alright. But if they're willing, maybe you can help them know better. They clearly want to help and they haven't seen the same things you and I have experienced, so... teach them.
[ Go talk to kids your own age and learn how to be a person, Damian. ]
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So, yeah, Bruce knew Damian was about to say something especially cruel, and he takes a moment to just close his eyes and let a breath pass as the pain flares up again before he lets it go. He opens his eyes again and he looks very tired as he looks back to Damian. ]
I'm not going to say either way about Harvey, he made his choices. The same as the people here will -- their own choices, good and bad. Damian, I'm not saying that I expect this place to be a den of virtue but I don't think it'll devolve into chaos. I'm going to hope it won't and if it does... if you're right and something tips the scales the other direction...
[ A shoulder is lifted in a shrug and Bruce has made his peace with this. ]
That's why we're here.
no subject
Then again, Bruce had asked him.] We didn't come here voluntarily much less to hold everyone's hand when they decide to do something stupid.
It seems foolish to put up the stoplight after the kid gets hit by the car, Father. [He frowns, knowing good and well already that no one has done anything which warrants this level of suspicion. Actually...] What about the person that tried to kill Higashitaka?
He said someone named Kamui wanted to kill him for no reason. I feel like you're underestimating the chaos sitting beneath the surface of this place.
[Damian, almost everyone literally turns into werewolves and people don't start a witch hunt about it. It's fine? Chill.]
no subject
You could use the same logic against people in Gotham. They don't choose to live in Gotham, they're born there, why bother helping them when they know how bad Gotham is? They should've just left, if they get hurt it's their fault.
[ A raise of an eyebrow and -- ]
See how that sounds? No one else came here voluntarily but we have the means to help, as we do back home, and so we help. To do less would make you look like the selfish little boy I've warned you against being, Damian.
[ And if he knew Damian was talking about Josuke, he'd probably laugh because Josuke is a dramatic teenager who just complains a lot. Come on, Damian! ]
I know neither of those people. How am I supposed to assess that threat? Just by your word, when you're clearly trying to convince me the people here are bad? I will look into it though.
[ A soft shake of his head here and he's going to level a very flat look in Damian's direction. He's absolutely about to wreck Damian's shit right now. ]
What I don't understand is why you're debating me on the simple idea of helping people. Your duties as Robin aren't bound to the city limits of Gotham or even the boundaries of our universe. You know that. I know you do because I know about you, Jon, and Yggardis, boy.
no subject
It's annoying how easy he can be wrangled simply by mentioning the Robin mantle. Not that he wouldn't help people anyway! Of course he's Robin! Of course he gets the Bat standards! He's just running at the mouth. Clearly, thirteen year old prodigies know everything.] Kent. [It sounds very accusatory, and with the pinch to his brows it's obvious he realizes how Bruce came about this information.
Dammit. Why do dads have to freaking share everything? Don't they understand secret son trips across other dimensions?] Tt.
Spare me the lecture, old man. I know what I'm supposed to do. I know what it means to be Robin. I'm the best one. [There's a little of a smirk. Maybe he's teasing. Maybe.] Besides, I don't trust the rest of the "heroes" here to know what they're doing.
They're school children trying to get a hero degree.
[DON'T DRAG HIM TOO HARD BRUCE]
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But maybe, maybe the corner of Bruce's mouth does turn upward a little in amusement at Damian's declaration that he's the best. Maybe.
He'll listen to Damian berate the others again and it takes a lot of effort not to roll his eyes again. He considers it, Damian's insistence but it does mean he's spending time with kids his own age who do the same thing he does. The Teen Titans are a good team but Damian's always struggling with them, and Jon is great for Damian but he's not here.
So... ]
Alright. But if they're willing, maybe you can help them know better. They clearly want to help and they haven't seen the same things you and I have experienced, so... teach them.
[ Go talk to kids your own age and learn how to be a person, Damian. ]