Damian sat on his bed. Furious that his father would send him home early without an explanation. They'd been chasing group of drug dealers through east Gotham when his father had suddenly sent him home, no argument. This didn't mean Damian didn't complain because he did.

"You can't take him Talia."

"I'm his mother Beloved, you can't stop me."

"I won't let you take him."

"You sound so protective."

"Don't you dare go near him."

Back at the manor Bruce stood in the door way to his son's room, watching him sleep quietly. Well watching him pretend to sleep. Damian had woken the moment him father opened his door.

"She wants to take him back, Alfred."

"You ran into Talia? Is that why you sent him home?"

"I don't want her to have him."

"With you around I'm sure she'll never take him."

"But…"

"But what, Master Bruce?"

"What if he chooses her?"

"Pardon?"

"What if she asks him and he chooses to leave? What if he wants to go with his mother?"

"You're scared he'll choose to leave you?"

"What will I do is he does? He's my son and she hurt him, she'll keep hurting him."

"Then we must trust that he'll see he's better off here."

"I hope so Alfred, I couldn't bear to lose him."

With that he closed to door and walked away, leaving his son to sleep. Damian however was now too wake to sleep. Fathers scared I'll leave him? Never had I occur to Damian that his father really wanted him, he'd assumed most of the time his father didn't send him away simply because he felt he had to keep him. He was wrong, it was a nice feeling.

"Father?"

"Yes Damian."

"Why did you send me home last night?"

"I knew we were about to run into an opponent I didn't want you to face."

"Who?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yes, I don't like secrets."

"It doesn't matter who it was Damian."

"It was Mother."

"What?"

"I'm a light sleeper father, I hear you talking to Alfred."

"Oh…"

"Why don't you want me to leave?"

"You're my son Damian and this is your home." Damian turned to leave satisfied that his father had answered him. Looking over his shoulder he made one last comment.

"Father, I wouldn't leave here, I like it better here. Your nicer than mother." With that he made a quick exit before his father could say anything.

"I love you too, Damian." His father said quietly to the form of his quickly retreating son.

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AtarinaMAK