Damian was quickly packing his bags. It was finally time for the Titans to go to Gotham to have thanksgiving dinner at the Wayne manor. And Damian was finally going to see Nathan. Though he was a bit disappointed that Nathan wasn't going to stay at the manor. But Damian didn't dwell on it as he planned to go see Nathan at his penthouse and give Nathan his gift.
"Damian, are you ready?" Dick asked as he came into Damians room. "Almost. I have a few things to pack and then I'll be finished." Damian replied as he placed a black turtleneck in his bag.
"Well, don't forget the gift." Dick said pointing at the gift on the night stand. The gift was a small rectangle box wrapped up in blue and green striped paper. Damian rolled his eyes.
"I am not going to forget. I don't need you reminding me every 5 minutes." Annoyance in his voice.
Dick held his hands up. "Alright, just saying. And we're leaving in an hour so hurry up and finish packing." said Dick as he left the room.
Damian rolled his eyes. Sometimes he wondered why his father took those imbecile's in. But then he remembered what Nathan once said. About not being alone. Damian had wondered if Nathan had friends or if he went to school.
'Perhaps he does online school. But he doesn't have a father, does Selina take him to her job? Why doesn't she just put him in school? Maybe he doesn't want to.' Damian mentally shook his head. He decided to ask Selina when he sees her.
But Damian wasn't just happy to go back to Gotham just to see Nathan. He knew Catboy was in Gotham, and he's been waiting to fight him. Due to getting his leg shot he couldn't go after Catboy when him and Catwoman had robbed banks and jewelry stores. And when his leg was healed Catboy hadn't shown up at all.
Damian stopped what he was doing when a thought came to his head. 'Didn't Catboy returned to Gotham around the same time Nathan left. Could Nathan probably be-, No! He can't be Catboy. It's probably a coincidence. Many people left the same day.' Damian snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Kori shout. "Damian it's time to go!"
He quickly packed the rest of his clothes and put the gift in his bag.
"Nathan, are you almost done?" Selina asked as she looked at Nathan, who was sitting on the table with a huge piece of paper and color pencils, while she was doing the dishes. Nathan had drew a picture for Damian for his birthday. But since his mother had convinced him to tell Damian the truth, he decided to change the picture.
The picture was of both him and Damian from there waist up. Nathan was on the left side with a black cat with green eyes in his hand and the other hand was scratching behind the cat's ears. Nathan had originally made were he was wearing his cap. But he drew his face without it. And Damian was on the right with a robin on his shoulder. One of his hands was stroking its head. Both wearing a black turtleneck. And the back ground looked like a garden with the sun setting.
Daisy had helped him before she had to go back home. Though when Nathan was working on the background, he went to their place and asked Daisy for help with drawing the flowers and tree since she was great at drawing them.
Right now he was finishing drawing the sun. The picture was as big as an office computer. "Just finished mother." Nathan said as he put the yellow colored pencil down and moved his hand around. It had been hurting the past few weeks.
Nathan stopped when he heard a knock on the door. He looked at his mother with a confused look. But then started to worry when he saw her smirk.
"Go get your cap and answer the door. I'll put the stuff away." She replied, pointing at the picture and color pencils.
Nathan gave her a suspicious look but didn't say anything and went to his room to get his cap.
'I wonder what mother did this time.' Nathan thought as he put his cap on and walked to the door.
When he opened the door he expected a few things. But seeing Damian in front of him with a present was not one of them.
He turned to his mother and pointed at Damian.
Selina raised a brow. "Did you forget that today was when he was coming here from Jump City with his other friends?"
Nathan felt himself blush from embarrassment. He was busy with Damians gift that he forgot.
"It's fine Nate, you've been busy with Damians gift that I figured you'd forget so I texted Damian to come as soon as he could."
Nathan turned to Damian and motioned him to come in.
Damian looked around and was pleased with there living space. "Interesting place. Perhaps I should visit your penthouse often. And if you wish, you could visit the manor when ever you wish."
Nathan smiled and then stared at the present in Damians hands. He pointed at it and mouthed. "What's that? Gonna confess to Rachel that you like her?" Nathan smirked. Remembering when they first met at the carnival he saw how Damian and Rachel looked at each other. And has been teasing Damian whenever he got the chance.
Damian glared at Nathan. He hated it when Nathan did that. Usually when someone teases him he'll threaten them. But with Nathan, he just rolls his eyes or glares at him.
"No Nathan, this is actually for you Nathan. Your birthday gift." Damian blushed in embarrassment. It felt weird for him to give someone a gift. But with Nathan, it felt almost normal.
Damian couldn't see Nathan's eyes but he could tell that his eyes widened with shock. Nathan knew Damian wasn't one to give gifts. So it was a shock.
Nathan then took the present and stared at it for a moment.
He ripped the wrapping paper and saw a white box. He placed the wrapper on the table and opened the box. Inside was a phone in a dark blue phone case.
Nathan looked at Damian and tilted his head a bit.
"I figured it was time that you had your own phone. That way you are not using your mothers phone. I realize it's not much but-" Damian was cut off when Nathan hugged him, startling Damian. Though Damian, still slowly, hugged him back.
Nathan, still hugging Damian, lifted his head and gave Selina a sad glance.
Selina knew that Nathan was afraid to tell Damian who he really is. But they both knew this the day was going to come.
They broke the hug and Damian spoke. "I have already set your phone up. And put mine and your mothers number." Selina raised a brow. "How do you know my number?"
"I remember it when I put my number on your phone. I have a photographic memory." Damian lied when he said he got it from when they first met. He actually got it from the computers in the Batcave.
"And what of my gift. I remember you saying that you were going to get me something." Nathan was about to reply but Selina spoke. "He actually just finished your gift Damian. But he wants to wait until Thanksgiving dinner to show you. If that's alright with you?"
Damian replied. "That is fine with me if you wish to show me Thanksgiving dinner then so be it."
Nathan smiled, something that still makes Damian feel like he's know him his whole life.
"So would you like to stay for lunch or are you leaving?" Selina asked. Damian replied. "Actually my other brothers wish to meet Nathan. If it is alright with you both they are waiting out side the building."
Selina nodded. "That's alright with me as long as you're not out for too long and if Nathan's alright with it." She and Damian looked at Nathan for an answer.
He smiled and nodded and quickly went to his room to change.
Once the door to Nathan's room was closed Damian turned to Selina. "Does Nathan go to school?"
Selina turned to Damian with a confused and shocked look. "Why do you ask?"
"When I told him about my brothers he told me at least I wasn't alone. So I was wondering if he goes to school." Damian replied as he glanced at Nathan's door and looked back at Selina.
"Nathan doesn't go to school he does homeschool." Selina replied, a bit nervous. Something Selina had learned about Nathan is that he seems to know all the things people learn from kindergarten to high school.
"If he does homeschool, who teaches him? Surely you can't cause of your job."
Before Selina could think of a lie Nathan came out of his room. He had a white shirt with a dark blue jacket, jeans, and black converse. With his new phone in his pocket, he took Damian's hand and took them both outside.
Selina sighed in relief. Hoping Damian would forget their conversation.
"So this is the demon spawns friend?" Jason asked staring at Nathan. Nathan felt nervous but gave a smile and waved. Nathan felt happy to both see and spend time with all of his brothers. But he was also sad that they might hate him when he reveals himself.
Damian rolled his eyes. "Yes Todd, this is Nathan. Nathan this is Jason Todd and Tim Drake. My other brothers that my father adopted." Tim raised a brow. "What's with the hat? We can't even see you face."
Nathan felt nervous, but thankfully Damian replied. "He has scars that he doesn't like people to see Drake." Tim held his hands up. "Alright, Alright, I was just asking."
"Alright guys let's go. And Dami have you told Nathan what we're doing?" Dick asked. "I have not since we can't agree on what to do." Damian replied.
"I say we go to the park." Damian replied. Knowing Nathan likes going to the park. "That's boring, I say we go to the movies." Jason replied. Tim looked at Jason. "And watch what? There's nothing out, I say we go to the arcade." Dick stood in between Jason and Tim. "Come on guys we there's no need to fight. How about we all get ice cream?"
While the four were arguing Nathan had his phone out and was looking up movies to watch. Nathan didn't like seeing his brothers fight, so he figured they could do all of their suggestions. He found a movie. It was the new Spider-Man movie. He smiled. He figured they could go to the park first, then go to the arcade, after that they can watch the movie, and finally they can get ice cream.
Then he put his phone away and started clapping his hands.
It took a few seconds for the Bat boys to hear Nathan clapping and stopped arguing. He started to move his lips.
Damian was the only one who could read lips so he spoke while Nathan continued. "Why don't we do all of those options? We can go to the park first, then go to arcade, and then we can watch the new Spider-Man movie, and after that we can get some ice cream."
The others stared at Damian. "I can read lips." Damian replied as he turned to Nathan. "I guess we can do all, if you wish Nathan."
Dick smiled. "I agree, it'll give us all a chance to get to know you better."
Jason scoffed. "Fine, but only because you picked a cool movie."
Tim shrugged. "Why not. It might be fun."
Nathan smiled and headed towards the park.
"Have you guys noticed Damian has changed a bit since he met Nathan?"Dick asked Jason and Tim. They were at the park, they were sitting on a bench while Damian and Nathan were petting someone's dog.
"Yeah, I noticed the demon spawn had changed a bit. Like earlier he actually agreed with Nathan's suggestion. Usually when we suggest things to do he always has a snarky comment." Jason said.
"Nathan must of rubbed off on Damian. He seems like a nice kid. It's a surprise that him and Nathan are friends." Tim replied looking at Damian and Nathan.
Dick looked at them and smiled. He was happy that Damian had a friend outside the hero life. Though he did have a feeling that something bad was going to happen soon.
But he shook that thought out and didn't think to much about it. He figured he was just being paranoid.
Dick snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Jason shout. "Oi, demon spawn, Nathan! Lets go!"
Damian glared at him. " Shut up Jason! The whole city could hear you with how loud you yell!"
Dick, Jason, and Tim stared at Damian with wide eyes and mouths hanging. It wasn't till Damian and Nathan got to them did Damian asked. "What?"
"Nothing!" Dick, Jason, and Tim shouted at the same time.
Nathan was very happy. It felt like one of those moments where he feels normal. This is one of the best day of his life. He wishes that this day could last forever. But he knew that it can't. Right now him and his brothers were at the arcade. Though it was more of a war between Jason and Damian to see who could get the most tickets.
While they were busy trying to beat each other and Dick making sure they don't try to kill each other, Tim taped Nathan's shoulder and motion him to follow him. Tim lead Nathan to where the air hockey table was. Nathan looked at Tim with a confused look.
"Well since those two were hogging all the games I figured that I take you to play some other games. If you want." Tim replied looking at Nathan.
Nathan smiled and nodded.
Tim taught Nathan how to play, he was still shock that Nathan never played arcade games, and both were having fun.
"Hey Nate, do you know sign language?" Tim asked. Nathan signed. "L. E. T. T. E. R. S"
Nathan knew sign language, but only the letters. But since Damian could read lips, he never did.
"Cool. Maybe if you want, I could teach you how to make words." Tim suggested. He figured Nathan might need it one day. Nathan smiled and nodded.
He then hit the puck and won the game.
They played a few more rounds and then went to other games. Both had fun, though their time together was interrupted when they heard Damian.
"There you two are! We're been looking everywhere!"
Tim rolled his eyes. "Well since you and Jason were hogging all the games I thought why not give Nathan a chance to actually play the games instead of watching the two of you."
Damian rolled his eyes and took Nathan's hand and went to another game.
"I don't know why Nathan has to go with you to get popcorn and drinks Todd." Damian spoke. Jason replied. "Well it'll give me a chance to get to know the kid better. You act like if I'm going to hurt him." Damian glared at Jason but didn't say anything.
As Damian, Dick, and Tim went to get their seats, Jason and Nathan went to get popcorn and drinks.
Once they got the stuff, and some candies, they headed to the theater room. When they were almost there Jason pulled Nathan aside and made sure no one was around.
Nathan looked at Jason with a confused look.
Jason lifted his shirt a bit, while holding the drinks in a holder with his other hand, and that's when Nathan saw the scars. Jason couldn't see Nathans eyes but he knew Nathan had a concerned look. "It doesn't hurt anymore if that's what you're worried about. A few years ago I was attacked by the Joker. I was saved but have scars to remember that day."
Jason lets go of his shirt and looked away. "There's a saying "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" so don't be shame of your scars."
Nathan smiled and hugged Jason, while holding his popcorn, Jason was shocked but put a hand on Nathans back.
When they got to the theater room and took their seats, Damian on Nathans right and Jason on his left, Jason whispered to Nathan. "Don't tell the others about our talk. They'll never let me hear the end of it."
Nathan glanced at Jason and nodded with a small smile.
"This was a fun day." Jason spoke while licking his ice cream. After the movies they went to a near by ice cream shop. Nathan and Jason both had chocolate, Damian had vanilla, Dick had strawberry, and Tim had cookies and cream. Right now they were sitting at one of the tables that were outside while talking.
"It was and I'm happy that we got to get to know you Nathan. You seem like a good kid." Dick replied while smiling and looking at Nathan.
Nathan smiled and moved his lips as Damian spoke for him. "Thanks, I'm happy I got to know you guys better. I hope we can to things together often."
Everything seems to be going well. That is until Nathans phone started to ring.
Nathan took his phone out of his pocket and saw his mother was calling him. Nathan was a bit confused, he hasn't been out that long and she would've texted since she knows he can't talk in public.
He he placed the phone to his ear excepting to his hear his mothers voice.
"How long has it been Nathan or should I call you Catboy?" Nathan's blood went cold.
He knew that voice, how could he forget? How could he forget the man that took him when he was a baby? How could he forget the voice of the man that took 6 years of his childhood? How could he forget the man who wanted to turn him into the ultimate weapon? How could he forget the man he feared the most, Deathstroke.
Nathan didn't know what to do, and as if he read his mind, Deathstroke spoke. "Tell your brothers that you need to leave, now. Unless you want your mother to know what it feels like to lose a limb."
Nathan turned to Damian and moved his lips as Damian spoke for him. "I'm sorry, but I have to go home now. There's a package that was supposed to come tomorrow but came today, and she needs help unpacking it."
Nathan got up and started walking in the direction of his home, but was stopped when Damian put a hand on his shoulder.
"Do you want us to give you a ride home?" Nathan shook his head and continued walking.
The batboys looked at each other and nodded.
When Nathan was sure he was far enough and alone, he spoke. "I'm alone. How?" Deathstroke chuckled. "The better question is where. After all, I don't think you want your mother to lose a limb. Head back to the penthouse. I'll be waiting."
The call ended.
Nathan was running up the stairs. It didn't take long for him to get there. Mainly because he ran. He was mentally praying that his mother was okay. He would never forgive himself if she got hurt. Once he got there he saw that the door was slightly opened.
He opened the door.
It was completely dark, the lights were off and the blinds were closed. But he didn't need to see to know he wasn't alone.
He went inside, closed the door, and locked it. And as if on cue, the lights turned on. "Took you long enough." Nathan turned around.
Selina was tied to a chair with rope and had tape over her mouth. Next to her was Deathstroke with a hand on Selinas shoulder. "Let her go. She has nothing to do with this." Nathan said, in a demanding tone. Deathstroke chuckled. "She became a part of this from the moment you two met. I'm sure you're smart enough to know that we would met again. And take the hat off, I want to see your face."
Nathan glared at him but took the cap off and spoke. "I knew one day we would met again. I had hope it was in different circumstances."
"Let's make a deal. If I win you come with me back to the lab and never try to escape again. If you win, you'll never see me again." Deathstroke said as he got in fighting stance. "Deal?"
Nathan looked at his mother, her eyes pleading for him to not accept.
Nathan looked back at Deathstroke and got in a fighting stance.
"Deal."
"Run faster you idiots!" Robin shouted as he jumped to the other roof with his brothers behind him. When they got to the manor, Dick told Bruce that they were going on patrol. After they got in their suits they immediately left. They would've taken the Batmobile but when Damian was in his suit, he was the first to get in his suit, he left on foot.
They saw the penthouse and could see that the blinds were close. But as they got closer they could make out two figures fighting. One was smaller then the other. Which worried Robin.
But when he saw the taller figure kick the smaller one to the wall and didn't get back up, something snapped and when he got there he broke in by breaking the window.
But instantly there was a smoke bomb and Deathstroke left without being seen.
"Selina! Nathan! Where are you guys!?" Robin shouted as he tried to see through the smoke. Then they heard a muffled noise.
The boys immediately went to where the noise was and saw Selina tied up. "Selina where's Nathan!?" Robin asked while taking the tape off. The others getting the rope off.
"He was thrown near the tv!" Selina replied, motioning her head towards the tv.
Robin immediately ran to Nathan and saw him on the ground, back facing him, not moving. His cap was also off.
"Nathan." Robin spoke as he gently shook him. He didn't wake up. The others went up to them and Selina knew what had to be done.
"Turn him over Damian."
The boys looked at her, shocked that she knew Robins identity. But Robin looked at Nathan, placed a had on his shoulder, and turned him over.
Robin immediately stood up. The boys had wonder what Nathan looked like. But they didn't expect him to look exactly like Robin, except the bruises and cuts he had.
Nightwing cleared his throat. "Let's take them both back to the Batcave. And once Nathan is patched up you will tell us everything. Understand?"
Selina nodded.
