When one lives enclosed in a space for so long, one tends to notice things that others ignore. The manor may have amazing security, but there were so many blind spots and weak spots to get through that it wasn't even funny.

While Damian showed one of them to Grayson, he had many more to use. So it was only a matter of minutes for him to escape. Once he was far enough from the manor, he went to the familiar bushes beside the road.

Long ago, on one of his patrols, he came across a thrown-away bicycle. It was obviously broken and not fit for use, but Damian slowly began to salvage it. It took him a while, but it was finally in working condition, so he hid it here near the manor for when he needed to sneak out. He couldn't use a car or motorbike since he would be noticeable due to his age, but as a kid with a bicycle, no one would bat an eye.

He got to the meeting point a little early, but he could tell his contact was already there. He was in an old warehouse. It was relatively small and mostly cleaned out. Potentially to be sold or rented to a new person.

He could smell the new paint job clearly in the air and all the equipment and boxes around, probably to do some repairs. He started walking slowly, carefully. He knew his contract wouldn't be discovered if he didn't want to. But the whole point of their meeting was to talk. So he wanted Damian to find him.

He didn't have his night vision goggles. An oversight on his part. So he had to rely on the dim light coming from the streets through the windows and his other senses. He didn't have superhuman senses, but they were sharpened with training to be better than most.

He was listening for any sign or indication of another presence. The sounds of the street and Gotham night made his job harder, but he needed a sign. If he kept going around the room soon enough, he would be forced to move, and that would give him away.

So he walked around the boxes with the utmost silence he could muster. He was turning around a corner when he got a sign. An intentionally loud step. He was getting lured to the other side. He decided to take the bait.

He took out his dagger despite knowing he wasn't in any real danger. It was a test. He didn't plan to fail. He stepped closer and closer to where he heard the sound. Hyper aware of his surroundings to find a sign.

There were some boxes, and as he stepped to see behind them, he felt a presence behind him. he tried to turn and stab, but the man was faster and caught him easily. He didn't struggle, and after a few moments, he was let go.

He lifted his head to stare at the man. "Hey, kiddo. You've grown." He smirked.

'Hi. Do you have the information?' Damian signed. He knew the man was proficient in sign language. He was the one who taught him sign language in his free time back in the league, telling him that his son was mute.

Damian appreciated the man and all the time he spent with him. he was the closest thing he had to a father.

The man who taught him with care and fixed his mistakes gently instead of punishing him for them.

The man who taught him how to shoot a gun and take care of weapons.

His mother's on-and-off lover. Slade Wilson.

Their talk went smoothly. Slade gave him the information he needed. Grandfather has been gone for a while. He wasn't missing. He was still in contact with them, but he hadn't gone back to Nanda Parbat.

He was giving them orders to follow but no information about his location. Only that he was working on a project. Mother was currently in charge, and with Slade by her side, she wouldn't be challenged.

He also told him that they were finally official. They were now married. Damian was happy for them. he then had the audacity to ask Damian to call him stepdad. Damian refused.

He barked out a laugh and ruffled his hair. Damian didn't step away. Damian also told him about his recent adventures and plans. Slade listened to him thoughtfully and gave him some advice.

It was time to go. Before going, he put a hand on Damian's shoulder and squeezed gently while getting on a knee so they could be on eye level.

"Kid, listen to me. If you ever want out, you just give me a call. No questions asked. Alright?" He gave him a small shake.

Damian could feel the protectiveness rolling off him in waves. It warmed him in a way he wasn't warm before. To know someone would be there for him. He nodded. Fighting the urge to hug the man in front of him.

Slade wasn't a man of physical affection. He wasn't cruel. Never with him. he never raised his voice or hurt him. Of course, he was serious in his training, and Damian got more than a few bruises and scraps. But he always had the control to not push too hard.

Even Mother was harsher in her training. Damian was lucky to get a few broken bones or deep wounds from her.

Slade didn't believe in that. He also never got disappointed in Damian when he failed. He did his best to find the reason for the mistake and fix the problem.

Damian realized how much he appreciated him. he would have had a much more merciless childhood filled with pain if it wasn't for him. He wouldn't have any idea of what a family is without him.

It took him all these years to realize it. But he could see it now. He knew about the experiments done on him right after his birth to mix his DNA with Slade's. He was his father. Even if Bruce was his original biological father.

He let his brain drive him to an alternate world. Where Bruce wasn't his father. But only Slade was. Would he be happier?

He could imagine it. But he could feel it hurt. Because as much as Bruce and Talia sucked at being parents, he still craved their love. He appreciated Slade and his role. He knew he could always trust him. But he wanted his other parents to love him as well.

He wanted his brothers and sisters, his whole family, to love him. he wanted Slade to be part of his family.

He was abruptly pulled into a hard chest. Arms wrapping around him. It reminded him of when he was younger. When he was in his private room. Away from all eyes. When Slade would give him the occasional hugs after the harshest days.

He let himself melt into the hug.

"Hey. Don't cry." Slade said, pulling him closer, whispering into his ear, soothing him by rubbing gentle circles on his back

Damian became aware that he was crying. Why was he crying?

He vowed to himself that he wouldn't hide anymore. That he would not obey the stupid rules given to him by the league. That he would be open with his emotions, the way he always wanted to.

He was tired of hiding. Of being someone who he is not. He would be himself, no matter the consequences.