Damian could tell if something was wrong with Richard. It was always fairly obvious. The young male soon learned, though, that is was only fairly 'obvious' when Richard wanted it to be.
Sometimes, it was quite hard to tell what was going on with the current Batman. But recently, his displays of happiness seemed to be a bit... forced. Granted, you could never tell if he was upset or not because he always has that smile which he could always pull off as a 'real' one. And that laugh which no one suspects he is faking. Damian watches and learns. Watches the way the sides of his eyes never wrinkle up like they are supposed to when you smile. Or how there isn't that special glint of happiness in Richard's blue eyes as he laughs.
So, Damian does what he is best at, and investigates. He first talks with Timothy -it was a mistake on his part- as all he gets out of the teen is few sarcastic remarks and a "Mind your own business" because supposedly, opening the conversation with a "How is your freak of a super boyfriend doing?" isn't polite. Can't blame a guy for trying, can you? Damian then, being that smart little birdie he is, talks to Jason.
Now, Damian must admit, he doesn't hate Jason as much as he does Tim, but that doesn't mean they are on good terms at all. And what he gets out of Jason is all but useless.
"Dickie is probably on his man period. It's a real thing, y'know? I mean, you are always on yours-" Damian walked out before he could hear anymore. Though, the older man yells out, with a slight laugh, "If you really wanna know, go talk to Alfred."
The suggestion hit him like a train and he began to silently curse himself. He should have gone to the old man first. Then he wouldn't have had to deal with those impudent children they call heroes. Well, if Jason actually counted as a hero. Tim was too goody-goody for his own damn good. Quickly he walked to Alfred, finding him in the kitchen as he was about to start on their dinner.
"Pennyworth," Damian greeted, leaning against one of the spotless counter.
"Master Damian, is there something you want?" he answered back, British accent thick as ever.
"Because no one else can seem to want to explain, do you care to tell me what is wrong with Grayson?" he asked as politely as possible, holding back any irritation that had built up in his conversations with both Tim and Jason.
"There is something troubling him? Oh, I hadn't even noticed," the butler said, raising a eyebrow at the young male in front of him. "And why do you think there is something wrong?"
Damian's eye twitched. How come he was the only one to notice? "It's nothing, forget about it. If no one else cares, why should I?" He practically hissed, wondering if maybe he was looking too much into this. Alfred smiled softly before sighing.
"Now that I think about it, Bruce's birthday is coming up soon," the aged man said, eyes distant, before he turned around and continued to work on their dinner.
Damian's eyes widened slightly. Oh. "I see."
Within a matter of minutes, the current Robin was down in the Batcave, approaching Richard. The older man gave another one of those fake smiles and Damian grimaced.
"You don't have to do that weird thing with your lips," Damian says and crosses his arms. Richard blinked.
"Smile? But Damian, I smile all the time," he says and laughs, only for Damian to groan.
"Jeez, stop with that obnoxious noise too," the young male sneered and shook his head. Richard looked even more disheartened.
"Dami, what are you talking about? I-"
"I am talking about those /things/ you try to force with your mouth. Now, look, I am not saying you can spew out your whole sob of a back-story to me, but since you have comforted me in my times of weakness, I suppose it would be okay if I do the same for you. Father's birthday is coming up, you are upset, and it's okay." Damian sighed, his eyes softer than usual as he looked up at the man.
Richard blinks a couple of more times before laughing softly. A real and genuine laugh. Damian smiles a little at the sound before frowning, "I don't remember saying anything funny, Grayson," he muttered.
"You really are Bruce's son," Dick said with a sad smile.
Dick went on to talk about how much he still missed the man. The man he once thought of as his second father. Since they were nearing his birthday, Dick began to think about him more. He just getting too emotional over it all and decided to act as if everything was okay, because it really was. His voice becomes much more tearful and his eyes water. Dick admits that he is somewhat disappointed that Damian never got to know what a great man his father was, but the younger male just tells him that he knows enough and Dick was a sufficient substitute. At that, Dick begins to cry and Damian tells him to calm down. That night ends with mindless and playful banter, both somehow snuggled up on a couch in the Batcave. Damian makes Dick promise not to tell anyone about that night, and the older man agrees with a real smile and laugh. It seemed like all Dick needed was to talk to someone and not just hide it. Though, he was genuinely surprised Damian had picked up on it first.
The next morning, everything goes back to normal. Dick laughs and smiles, Damian broods and sneers. Everything is at peace within the Wayne manor.
Aha, I decided to update! It is short and not beta'd so, honestly, there are probably a load of mistakes. I will try and look back on it soon, but for now, I need sleep. Thank you for reading!