Disclaimer- I most definitely do not own Batman/The New 52. Things would be so different.

Chapter 3

Damian was tough. He was a grade "A" badass complete with the leather jacket and snark. He also had the extra credit of ten years in the League of Assassins.

On the playground he would scoff at the kids and their silly attempts to play a ridiculous game named "Capture the Flag." They couldn't even immobilized each other! He thought they were going to be in trouble if they spent their whole life in the offense, as he told Colin. Plus, their attempts at running were disgusting.

He was confused when Colin laughed at him. He ran over the facts in his head, and he knew he had spoken truly. The boys were off center (That was going to hurt their ankles and knees!) and their arms were way too high. Collin baffled him... I am flawless in my articulation! He protested. Colin just laughed and punched him in the arm.

He punched him in the arm! Never mind the fact that in no way could that punch has made Damian incapable, it was still strange. Damian wasn't used to this human contact.

Damian pondered this in class. Was this normal human activity? He had never gotten this sort of physical contact. HIs mother always told him everybody was liars. Cheats. Backstabbers. Don't trust anybody, she had said contemptuously.

Perhaps the punch was meant to be aggressive? Had Collin not approve of him making fun of classmates? But that didn't seem right. These were the same "athletic" boys that Damian sneakily attacked after they were making fun of Collin. Surely he wouldn't side with the enemy? Damian looked up at the classroom. His teacher was babbling about long division, and despite how dangerously lame the topic was Damian did not find the man himself to be dangerous or aggressive.

Maybe... just maybe... these humans weren't dangerous? Maybe that had been an act of affection? Damian was sceptical, but that seemed to be the only option. It was against all of his training. He specifically remembered the time that mother had brought in a bunch of guys to be his friends. It was, despite how much he wanted to deny it, quite a lot of fun (while it lasted). He had... he had thought that they were friends. But... then one night they tried to kill him. Mother had later told him that she had hired them to prove Damian a lesson. Damian had told her he had learnt, tied to a chair courtesy of his best friend. No, his hired acquaintance, he corrected.

So maybe this was a lesson from Burce? He would call him immediately to tell him that he had already taken it (For the sake of Bruce's money, of course). However, Damian's detective instinct was prodding on. Father wasn't like mother. There had been no pet killing or friend hiring so far.

Damian desperately hoped this was something that would continue. Bruce may sometimes ignore him, but he seemed really nice to other people, like Richard Grayson. He also fought criminals, like the Joker! Damian felt a swell of pride as he remembered watching his father, Batman swinging through the velvet night. And then there was Alfred, who baked unearthly good chocolate chip cookies. Damian had tried to hide his weakness to these demonically good cookies, but Alfred caught him up in his room with a handful of them. Luckily no punishment had been received. If anything, cookie production had drastically increased! (Damian accounted this for his devilishly good looks and amazing son qualities. Drake also probably set the bar low)

Damians train of thought about his new household was interrupted by the shrill schoolbell. He decided to talk to Colin to solve the punching dilemma once and for all, seeing as though that was the only lead he had. At his question, Colin had once again laughed. He said that was why he liked Damian, because he was so silly. Of course it was an "act of friendly affection!" He said.

Damian felt inexplicable better when he was riding back to Wayne manor, even allowing himself to hum along to the radio. Alfred seemed worried by this new development, but merely smiled and accepted it.

And this time when Damian got home, he took TWO cookies. And he even let Grayson hug him! In hindsight that may have been a bad idea as Dick refused to let go of him, but Damian didn't regret in. In fact, he may have... hugged him back.

A/N- Were you confused by my tenses? Honestly, I was too :). I've been trying to get out of my comfort zone and just publish things though, so we'll see how this goes. Advice is cherished, as are any reviews or even if you just read it.

Also, thoughts on Carrie Kelly? I know a couple things from the latest issue of "Batman and RED Robin" made me a titch sad/angry...

Navy