Damian got up to a strange room. It took him a minute to remember the events of the previous night. His body felt sore and heavy. He forced himself to get out of bed. Judging from the light from the window, it was nearly noon.
Damian walked outside carefully. His legs were shaky. He needed to talk with Todd. He found Todd sitting at the table counter. He scrolls on his phone, watching videos.
When he heard Damian approaching, he got up to help him. "You shouldn't be out of bed, brat." He said, yet he still helped Damian to the counter.
"Hungry?" He asked.
'Tea?' Damian signed.
"Sure, but I will add some honey to it. You need the energy," he said as he turned on his electric kettle to boil some water. He set up the mug and tea bag to the side, ready to be used.
'Where is Drake?' Damian signed. He remembered Drake there last night even though he wasn't sure how he came to be there.
"He had to go for a WE meeting in the morning. He was here all night." Todd said as the water came to boil and he prepared the tea. He set the mug in front of Damian.
'You remember.' Damian decided a direct approach would be the best one.
Todd took a moment to consider his following words, then sat in the chair next to Damian. "I do," he finally said.
Damian could feel tears building in his eyes. His body slightly shaking from trying to control his emotions. 'Then why did you pretend like you didn't? Why did you leave?' Damian managed to sign.
"I had to. I needed to come to Gotham. To finish some business. I didn't know how to say goodbye, so I just left. Then, when you first came, you were so different. I thought since you were so young, you didn't remember. Also, my relationship with Bruce wasn't the best, and I wasn't about to affect your relationship with him by telling him everything."
"I thought it's better for you to stay with him. Also, when you didn't mention anything further, I just convinced myself to stay away. I was an outcast and didn't want you to be the same," Jason said. He looked guilty and ashamed.
Damian could understand where it came from and wasn't about to hold a grudge. 'I remembered. You were so cold, so I thought you forgot. I was so angry,' Damian signed. He was not angry anymore—just hurt. Wouldn't things have been better if he had actually talked about it?
How would things have turned out if he had taken the time and had an honest conversation? He felt something drop on the back of his hand. A tear. He brought his hand to his face to find it wet.
He was crying.
"I'm so sorry, Damian. It's my fault." Jason said. He was also crying.
Damian had never seen him cry. Never seen him so hurt. 'No,' Damian quickly signed.
'It's not your fault,' Damian signed and exited his seat. He motioned for Jason to do the same. Jason got up hesitantly. 'Don't leave me again, brother.' Damian signed and lunged at the boy, hugging him tightly.
Jason stood frozen for a second before hugging Damian back. Lifting him up so he was positioned comfortably at his hip. Damian felt small, like a baby. Jason was massive compared to him.
It was as if they hadn't changed at all during these years. "I won't," Jason whispered into his hair, rubbing circles in his back.
Jason walked to the couch and adjusted until they were both comfortable. They both cried and cried. Damian fell asleep again.
Damian returned to the manor the next day. They had spent the previous day talking. Their new-found relationship had much to clear up and enjoy. Jason promised to be more attentive and to schedule regular activities for them to do together.
Today, Damian felt a lot better, and he needed to get back to the manor to take care of Bastet and execute his plan to lure Grandfather out. He was not going to enjoy this.
Damian was done with his set-up and only needed to wait. It would probably take a few days. This morning, Grayson woke him up early and rushed him to get ready.
He refused to tell Damian where they were going. They just left without even eating breakfast. Grayson drove them to an old-looking restaurant.
"This is one of my favorite places to eat. They have the best pancakes," Grayson insisted before continuing to review the menu items. In the end, Grayson ordered pancakes with syrup and fruits, and Damian got waffles with honey and fruits.
Grayson did most of the talking, telling him about his memories of the place. It was nice to listen to him chatter. He was a fantastic storyteller. Jason was better. Damian remembered the stories he told him as a child, but that was his secret to keep.
When they finished, Grayson paid and turned to him. "Let's go; we still have so many things to do," he said with a cheery voice.
'Where are we going?' Damian signed.
"It's a surprise now, come on," Grayson said as he offered his hand for Damian to take. Damian hesitated for only a second before taking the hand. The look of warmth and happiness he received in return made him feel warm, too.