Part 1-
When his father first hit him, he was confused and scared. What did he do the be punished?
When his father hit him the fifth time, he was more scared and accepting of the punishment. After all, it was his fault for angering his father by asking a stupid question.
When his father hit him the twentieth time, he took it with barely a flinch. This time his father yelled that he needed to not talk back.
When his father hit him the thirtieth time, he found out that a bottle hurts worse than a fist.
When his father hit him the hundredth time, he heard a hissing voice tell him that the easiest way to kill an attacker was stabbing them.
When his father used the knife on him for the first time, he was terrified and begged. That was when he found out that he should have gone for the head instead of the heart.
When his father used the knife on him for the twelfth time, he lost feeling in his left wing for months.
When his father covered his face with a plastic bag for the twenty-fifth time, he found that he couldn't hold his breath without feeling dizzy.
When his father threw him down the stairs, he broke an arm and sprained his leg. That was when he learned not to get below an A-plus.
When his father held him down and pressed his hands against him throat until he blacked out, he learned that his father was going easy on him.
When his father told him that he wasn't to eat for the whole day, he was sad and understanding. Bad children did not get praise after all.
When his father pushed him into a burning stove top and held him there until he passed out, he learned the difference between bad and good cooking.
When his father tore into his skin with his belt for the seventieth time, he learned to lock the door before taking out the knife.
When his father locked him in that small and dark room for over an hour, he learned not to back talk to anyone.
When his father broke his wings in three different places, he learned to not keep it in the open.
When his father forced bleach down his throat, he learned how it felt to be in a coma and wake up to an even worse world than before.
When his father tore into his stomach with the army knife, he learned to never get to 100 Lbs. again.
When his father held his head under the water, he learned that talking about what he did in class was a losing battle.
When his father tore his feathers off, one by one, he learned that even the smallest deeds hurt.
When his father threatened to do the same to his sister, he learned to keep secrets.
When his father pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot him in the head, he didn't even bat an eye as he stared down the barrel.
When his father insulted him over and over, he learned that he would never get his love.
Part 2-
"What happens now?" Jaime asked softly, feeling insecure and worried.
This was the first time he has ever told someone; Larah and Sparrow both found out on their own. Sita found out by reading his mind the first time they met and Larah found out by seeing his wounds and putting two and two together.
Nightwing spoke in a soft voice, "may I see?"
Jaime stiffened and Nightwing quickly changed tactics.
"I mean, so I can make sure nothing is infected or broken" Nightwing wanted to hit his head very hard against something very metal right now but made sure not to lose his composure.
The Hispanic gave a small nod and shifted his shoulders slightly, the Scarab's metal slowly receded and Richard kept a gasp from leaving his mouth at the sight of two large, light blue-grey wings.
Jaime grabbed the hems of his hoodie and lifted it. The Bludhaven hero felt rage boil inside of him when she saw the scars, bruises and reddened skin underneath.
"How long has this been happening?" his voice came out hard and angered, but he didn't care. Someone who was supposed to protect Jaime, harmed him in such a vile way, on purpose!
Jaime shied back before giving a small shrug, "uh..." the boy swallowed, unsure, "since I was six... I think..."
Nightwing narrowed his eyes even more, the boy didn't sound so sure, but abuse happening for only a day is very bad. And this has been happening to the fifteen-year-old for nine years, if not more!
"Nightwing?"
The twenty-one-year-old snapped out of his thoughts and looked to the fifteen-year-old. He was rubbing his shoulder, a nervous habit he had since before becoming Blue Beetle; or was it because of the scar there?
"C-can you keep this a secret?"
"Jaime-"
"Please Nightwing... I-I can't..." Jaime looked down before looking back at the older male, "please, please keep this a secret"
Nightwings sighed, "Jaime, you could get hurt much worse if-"
The Hispanic cut him off by grabbing his wrist and stares at him with fear in his eyes, "don't tell anyone, please"
Nightwing closed his eyes and his shoulders slouched before he gave a nod, "okay Jaime, I won't tell anyone"
Jaime relaxed and let go, a soft 'thank you' being uttered.
"Jaime, is there somewhere else you can stay for the night?"
Jaime was quick to shake his head, "no, I can't! I angered him already! I have to go back before he hurts Mila'!"
The twenty-one-year-old felt another question brewing, but cut it down for now, for he could see that the fifteen-year-old was on a verge of a panic attack.
"Okay, okay" Nightwing agreed softly, "but I want you to call me as soon as Alberto hurts you again"
Jaime went to shake his head, but Nightwing cut him off, "that is my side of the deal"
The older knew that he would never force Jaime away from his home if he wished not to go, but wanted to keep tabs on the situation in case if things got worse, and someone having to step in.
Jaime looked ready to argue, but held his tongue before any words came out. Nightwing recognized the look, and had a sick feeling when he remembered how much times the child had that look before stopping himself; another thing that Alberto Reyes had ingrained it in his own son that arguing is met with punishment.
The Bat had half-a-mind to head over to the Reyes residence and beat the living shit out of the Kloapw.
"Alright Nightwing" Jaime whispered, sounding both exhausted and defeated.
Nightwing felt his chest constrict.
"I-" Jaime let out a deep breath and stood, flexing his legs slightly to regain feeling in them, "I need to get back. I'm sorry for the- uh- the... yeah"
The Scarab spread armour over the boy, coving his wings in a thin layer.
"Goodnight Nightwing" Jaime whispered before taking off.
Richard Grayson watched him fly away, "goodnight Jaime."