Whether it comes about from something so senseless as a few stray bullets or from something as tragic as a world exploding...
Well, the results are still the same.
And then there's Tim who has had the advantage and the disadvantage of waiting for his turn. In living with the appreciation of who was not lost, never daring to imagine that security ever being taken away. The blame on that one is still uncertain.
And Bruce blames the criminals.
Funny, how it had just been geophysics that had doomed Kal's home.
And in all the community--their community--there is the comfort of knowing that each is not alone save for in the uniqueness of their plight. They are family, in a way.
Or...
Robin, with his colours silhouetted against afternoon sun. It's likely that they've met by chance but sometimes the line between boy and mentor blurs. No alien ability on Kal's part will help him differentiate. All of this could have been intentional.
"Superman."
He nods, because he can't yet grasp the nature of that tone. Traffic is traffic, far far below. Some things are constant between cities, and Robin's polite enough to not ask why Superman is here.
Day. He had hoped to avoid Bruce but...
"He's not in town," Robin chirps, distant. Almost as if it is him with the superhearing, straining to catch the sounds of something far off. There is no crime, yet. Personal best for Gotham. "You looking for someone, because I can help if you don't otherwise have a partner."
Damn. The tone stays consistent. The breathing regulated and practiced, recited in quiet moments just for this very occasion. A passive inspection shows that Tim's mastered good dominance of unchecked emotion. He recently also broke his arm.
"Just passing through, Robin," Superman says. He's wise enough not to touch it. The topic, the injuries. There's still the chance that the boy will understand.
We all need families. The child has no parents and...
"Did you give him a name?"
"Tim..."
Robin straightens, taking the plea as a warning. "Forget it. I have to go."
"Nn--," Kal sighs, palm open. "No, this...we named him Christopher."
"Chris," murmurs Robin, nodding slightly as he stands. "Yeah, that's...okay."
Were you expecting a different name, Tim? No. No, don't touch it.
"Lois and I might adopt him. By the way, congratulations on your...um, new arrangements."
Upon this, Robin shifts and gives an odd little smirk. "Damien," he says.
"Pardon?"
"Bruce's son is named Damien."
Bitterness. Now there's finally an application to the tone. A suitable description. Clues?
"I wasn't aware," Kal says, stabbing for something more concrete to offer.
"Join the club," states the Boy Wonder. "It seems every one is in the market for father figures."
"You know that's hardly fair, Tim."
Robin snorts quietly and shakes his head, pulling for his belt. "No, Superman. I just know that someone got along well enough without one. That is, until he stopped. Take care of Christopher. I'm sure you'll treat him just like a son."
The extended line. No looking back. An intention of keeping the final word.
Kal is stuck on repeating how unfair the accusation is.
Then again, maybe that's just the point.