... I only got like 5 reviews for the last chapter... *cries* well like I said before this chapter used to be part of the previous one so please read that one first if this doesn't make much sense. if anyone was hating dami after that last one, hopefully this will make up for his actions. =]

Fixing Damian

Ch. 10 – Hate or Jealousy?

"Okay, what was that back there?!" Dick spent a good ten minutes tracking down and cornering the third ninja in the building to get his answers. Like why did he say those things to Timmy when he was clearly hurting, or why he hated the kid at all! For pity's sake! The kid was six! He'd be, what, seventeen in Lil D's time? And maybe know each other for a year? What could happen between the two that'd make him hate the kid so much?

Lil D didn't answer, clenching his jaw shut stubbornly. The two ninjas were currently in a rarely used hallway, one leading towards an armor display they aired out whenever the manor held a charity function. It gave explorers something to look for. Funny that's where Dick would corner him.

The two of them had a glaring match, one other people who hadn't any experience with Batman would run for their life from. Eventually the kid looked away, not wanting to meet his eyes. "Drake was pouting for no viable reason."

"He misses his parents," Dick pressed, demanding understanding.

"They're still alive," the baby bird insisted. "And they care about him, really care about him. That's more than what the rest of us."

That took the teen back for a moment. Okay, so he and Bruce were orphans, and technically so was Alfred, and Lil D's mother must have disowned him (Dick did not want to think of what could have happened to Bruce in ten years' time), but that was no reason to brush off Timmy's loneliness like that. So he reaffixed his glare on the kid. "Regardless of circumstances, no one, especially a kid his age, wants to be separated from their parents."

"Tt." Lil D still looked away, clenching and unclenching his jaw with every thought going through his head. Dick could almost imagine some guilt in the boy's eye. Almost.

The teen sighed heavily. "Look, he's six years old. He's a really good kid when you get to know him too. I don't know what kind of history the two of you may have in your time, but whatever he's guilty of in your time, it hasn't happen yet." A thought struck him after saying these words. "Please tell me he's not a psychotic killer, megalomaniac, or criminal in your time."

The kid gave him an are-you-an-idiot look before shaking his head. "No. Just a freeloading, popular, imbecilic, imposing, self-righteous—"

Dick raised a hand to silence him. "Okay, so your thing's personal. No details needed. Just know, he's not the same person right now. So keep an open mind about him, got it? He's six, not ten or thirteen or seventeen like in your time. So be nice to him. I really don't want to deal with a first grader's meltdown. They're really emotional."

"Why is he here?" Lil D demanded hotly.

"Well I didn't know you were coming," the teen declared quickly. "If I knew, I'd have let them call up a nanny service instead!" This took the visitor back a step, blinking in surprise. He continued. "But he's here because Bruce needs a break from his sixteen hour puzzle before he goes insane. I was planning on having him around Bruce enough to make him seal off the cave and make him have to think about other things. But now you're here and plans have changed."

"How could they have changed?" Bitterness entered the future bird's voice. He looked at the ground a bit. "He's the one everyone likes. Even Father would—"

"For pete's sakes, listen for a moment!" This didn't bring the kid's eyes around so the acrobat just continued. "Things have changed. I'm in charge of Timmy, and Bruce is going to be in charge of you!"

That startled him to look at the original Robin, his eyes widening in response. "What?"

Dick took a deep breath. "It's simple, really. Since I dragged Timmy here, I'm responsible for him. Unless it's a life or death situation then Bruce gets dragged in. Otherwise, his primary concern is you. No one's going into isolation, and the cave's still sealed off. So it's still a win for me, and probably a huge win for you. So do me a favor and be nice to Timmy! He can't take Bruce's attention away from you anymore than I can."

This stunned Lil D into silence, he just blinked at him. "He's really… Father's really…"

"Well duh! Of course he's thinking about you!" The acrobat counted off fingers as he explained. "One, you're part of the answer to a question that's been bugging him for the past month. Two, you're a huge mystery on your own. Three, being from the future you could be a problem he hasn't planned. And most importantly four, you're his literal son! If for a moment you think that means nothing to him, then you're dead wrong. I bet my life that even when you go home, he'll be thinking about you more than anyone he's known since his parents.

"Why on Earth would Timmy being here change that?! I know I can't! Well, not unless I die suddenly. That would get his undivided attention." Dick looked away, trying to fight back his jealousy once again. He really shouldn't be jealous of Bruce's literal son, despite wanting at times to be in that same position.

So why was he jealous of a family friend?

'Spoilers!' the teen chided himself, still trying to bury his own feelings. He did not want to think of what that could mean for the little boy he occasionally babysat's future. And judging by the tightening of Lil D's jaw and lips, he wasn't about to talk about it. That or he didn't want to think about Dick dying.

So the kid turned away again, trying to shield away his emotions. He was so much like Bruce it was kind of scary. Easier to read though. Alfred would have fun comparing the two later no doubt. But none of that alleviated the questions Dick had asked. Why did he hate Timmy?

Well maybe he didn't hate hate him. There was some doubt in his eye now. Maybe a bit of embarrassment. He pushed away from Dick, less violently than he had previously when he tried to get away before. He then gave the teen a chiding glare. "You're not allowed to die to have Father's attention. Ever."

"Glad you care about my wellbeing." He rolled his eyes as he shook his head. "Really feeling the aster now."

"Drake's right about one thing," Lil D stated as he pushed past him towards a hallway closer to the grand staircase but dodging the bedrooms. "You need to stop butchering the English language."

"Hey!" The acrobat propped his fists on his hips, slightly offended. "Timmy likes my awesome words of whoa! And what do you have against him anyway?! What does it have to do with Bruce?"

"It's personal." The kid looked at the ceiling, almost glaring at it like Bruce would when frustrated. "So he was once a foolish child too. At least he grows out of it."

"HEY!"

"You know," the young man explained as he grabbed a towel to help the old man, "I don't think he really hates him. I think he's just jealous because he's everything he wanted to be."

"Possibly." The man raised an eyebrow at the gesture. He tried for years to get the boy to stop out of decorum but did appreciate the help. "But why does he not treat you the same? I often wondered why you, who came first, would not be subject to his hatred as well."

The young man shrugged. "'Cause I'm too likeable? Maybe it's in the Wayne genes."

"One wonders…"

A/N: so now dick's convinced dami to be civil with Tim, mostly because the kid can't get between him and his dad. At least that's what Dick thinks. Personally I think Damian's hatred for Tim comes from jealously, while Tim's is more reactionary. And now we're gonna see how things work out now. Like I said before, suggestions for scenarios would be great. So would be review in general. I don't even have half the next chapter written.