It all started with the laugh. He used to do it all the time - before and after fights, ninja moments, normal conversations, pranks. Until it was just in his disappearing acts. Until there wasn't a laugh at all.
Next was his smile. It was the only proof of his mischief. Until there weren't any mischief left to prove and the smirk was replaced with a scowl.
Then it was his mind. While there is no doubt of the mental training he'd had, he still let good people, his friends in. It was a fence that those close to him can climb over until it became a brick wall that even his family can't break.
Lastly were his wings. He flew everywhere at every opportunity he can, with quadruple flips and complex routines. It was an irony that when the cape was off the table, so was his fuel, his energy. He was grounded, feathers barely in use and soles almost always nailed down.
Most would say he was an apple opposite of the tree, that hilariously annoying LED flashlight in the pitch black dark basement - until darkness mirrored darkness, brooding mirrored brooding and the smiles and the laughter were only a façade for everyone else's happiness.
Then a demon spawn came along in all its arrogant glory.
Opposites attract, they said. He began as the tether to humanity, keeping the grumpy bats sane. Now he's back at it again, seeing the world less bleak and less hopeless - the way it was years ago - raising the child of the demon as an angel.
Or as angelic as Damian can possibly could.
If you didn't get it already, "he" is the first Robin and Nightwing, Dick Grayson. I've always loved the Batman!Grayson and Robin!Damian dynamic so might as well mention.