Chapter Text
Something strange was happening with Damian, and there was no doubt about it.
The boy who once rarely opened his phone now sat at the dinner table, typing away. Most surprising of all– was the hint of a smile on his face. If that didn’t send a shiver down the family’s spine, then the slight snort that escaped his nose certainly did. He quickly composed himself, masking his expression before anyone could notice.
Still, the question lingered. Who the hell was texting Damian?
Another weird change in behavior was Damian’s particular… attachment to the beloved Fawcett hero, Captain Marvel.
Generally cold and hard to impress—no surprise given that his father was Batman, and only a few could earn his respect, but the cheery hero managed to make an impression.
While not habitually visiting the Justice League Watchtower, Damian’s appearance had been more frequent. Especially after a mission involving the Justice League, an all-hands-on-deck invasion had surprisingly brought the unlikely pair together.
Damian’s eyes would scan the room, his face just slightly lighting up when catching sight of the Captain. An untrained observer wouldn't have noticed it, but to Bruce, it was all too obvious. He could see how his son's body relaxed, a feeling he could only compare to when he observed Damian with Jon . A strange comparison because not even they got so close so fast— and they had been practically glued to the hip!
It felt more like a mystery, and if there was anything a family full of detectives loved, it was solving mysteries.
Damian looked over his shoulder to ensure everything was in place before jumping out of his bedroom window. Once he reached the ground, he dusted himself off and walked at a steady yet quick pace toward the nearest abandoned building. Impatiently, he checked his watch, his scowl deepening.
It wasn’t until he felt the breeze and saw Captain Marvel's shadow that he sighed.
“Sorry, sorry! I had this whole incident with Mr.Mind, and intergalactic police messed up a whole list of things, which makes me wonder what their protocols on property damage are—“ Captain Marvel rambled, trailing off as he scratched the back of his neck, a nervous habit.
Damian interrupts him. “Marvel,” he says, his tone stopping the other from rambling on, “make sure to wrap things up more quickly. I don’t have all day.” Damian rolls his eyes before breaking into what could barely register as a smile.. “I’d assume space is more of a lawless land, much like the sea.”
At this, the captain beams. “You see— you would think that because there’s just so much… space to cover, but it gets strict out there! I’ve had my fair share of avoiding officers. It’s funny how it’s the same in Fawcett,” he chuckles.
“I don’t think committing crimes in space or on Earth is something you should be laughing about.” Damian’s tone lacks conviction, especially since he is now smiling .
The other rolls his eyes, “I literally have a pure heart. I don’t think a thousands-year-old wizard would choose me if I didn’t have good intentions.” the superhero retorts.
“Of course. He was on death’s door, but go on.” Damian responds, shrugging his shoulders.
The captain grumbles, not having much of a comeback, so he switches topics instead. “So, next stop to Fawcett? I got a big bag of Cheeto puffs and Sprite waiting on us.”
Damian exhales, “Glad you have a form that is just in peak condition that you can afford to eat all that nonsense,” it wasn’t jealousy, Damian swears, “Giddy up, minion.”
Climbing on the other’s back, Captain Marvel lets out a huff. “Why am I your personal Uber? I should start charging you. I’m literally homeless.” No, he's definitely not pouting.
Damian pats his back, “Selfless is in the job description. Now, let's move on before anyone thinks of checking in on me, Billy .”
At this, Billy inhaled, hoping to gain more patience. “Be good, and good will follow, they said.”
Now, Timothy is aware that he doesn’t have the closest relationship with the youngest in their family. It’s inevitable for there to be bad blood between them. Their whole introduction was a shit show, but he likes to think they’ve improved significantly. Take Jason as an example! They also had a murder attempt meeting and can stand to be in the same room with each other now! They can even— shockingly— communicate like one would with their siblings.
Damian is still a tough nut to crack, but there’s been…progress. Timothy doesn’t take it to heart much. He’s come to accept that, given Damian’s eventful upbringing, it wouldn’t exactly give him the best bonding skills. It’s part of who Damian is- someone hard to get along with.
This is why Timothy is in complete bewilderment when he sees Captain Marvel and his brother interacting amicably .
Timothy tries his best not to strain his neck to look at his brother, especially during an important mission briefing, but he can’t help it.
Bruce had taken him and Damian to a meeting that a few Justice League members were planning on tagging along, unsurprisingly, something about other world aliens wanting to invade Earth. No doubt hitting Metropolis first.
Timothy had expected that Damian would stay close. It’d been a while since they’d been in the Watchtower at the same time, but from past experiences, Damian would stick to Bruce, choosing not to have any sort of conversation.
Interestingly, the young Robin all but skipped towards the seat next to Captain Marvel.
“Do you have something you might want to add, Robin and Captain Marvel?” Batman’s cold voice calls out, the pair’s whispering getting louder as the conversation continues.
Damian’s expression immediately changes, morphing into one of indifference, while Captain Marvel tries and fails to hold in his laughter.
“No, nothing to add,” Damian replies, hitting Captain Marvel’s chest to get him to stop laughing.
Batman keeps his gaze on them for a second before continuing to explain his plan, the rest of the Justice League looking… accustomed to this behavior.
After that whole incident, Timothy turns to the person who could best answer his questions.
“Flash,” Timothy steps next to him, spooking the other who was snacking on some oatmeal cookies. “When have they been a thing?” He points his eyes at the pair, who are watching something on a computer screen.
Wally gulped down the oatmeal cookie that was stuck in his throat. “Oh, the captain and birdie there? Yeah, they’re suuuper close for some reason. Ever since, uhh— that one alien thing, it gets tricky to remember them after a while – They’ve just been a thing.” He shrugs.
Timothy raises an eyebrow, which goes unseen due to his mask. “…And how old is Captain Marvel?”
Wally, again, shrugs his shoulders. “Thousands of years? I dunno, the cap’s full of mysteries. None of us can get a straight answer outta him. Kinda respect it, thought he’d crack by at least year two, but nothing.” He bites down on another cookie, his eyes glancing over to Timothy, who is failing not to make his staring obvious.
“Cap’s a good guy, maybe he’s mentoring him. Taking a little bird under his wing.” There isn’t much of a worry in his mind— Captain Marvel is the epitome of a guy you’d want around.
Timothy doesn’t buy it. Everywhere he goes, there are almost always good things said about the hero, and even a guy like Superman— who’s also the symbol of good gets shit on. Though he supposes that's more of a problem with Lex Luthor and his not-so-hidden distaste for Kyptonians.
“He has a mentor,” Timothy mumbles under his breath, and something is swiveling in his chest, which he distantly realizes is jealousy.
There is not a chance their youngest would get swept up with Captain Marvel, of all people! Damian is fiercely loyal to Batman and, most importantly, Nightwing . Damian doesn’t need another person taking him under their wing. He already has plenty of others to choose from. Thank you very much!
“Robin,” Timothy approaches, eyeing how the captain also glanced up to look at him. “Batman is asking for you,” A lie, but Bruce would know what he meant by prying the two away. Timothy’s also sure that it’s driving Bruce mad.
Damian tuts in annoyance, leaving the comfortable seat to speak with Bruce. Captain Marvel is left in the seat, and it’s unusual to see him look so small for such a big man. Child-like almost.
Timothy glances at the screen and blinks when he catches a glimpse of Animal Planet on the screen—specifically, a clip of a hoard of meerkats turning over rocks and digging.
“Captain,” Timothy says, noting the way the other’s shoulders tense.
Captain Marvel straightens out, smiling at him— though a bit nervous. They’d never really had the chance to talk one on one. “Red Robin, how’s it going?”
Timothy smiles tensely at him. “Peachy. How are you, Captain? Any thoughts on this mission?”
Either Captain fails to read the obvious tension, or he’s just so pure-hearted that he sees Timothy’s question as an invite to friendship because he smiles so brightly that it almost blinds him.
“I mean, it’s the same thing as always,” The captain shrugs, “I’m not really for all the planning. Kicking some alien ass and coming back in one piece is all there is to it, right?”
Timothy stares. He…shouldn’t be that surprised in retrospect. While he is a formidable man, describing him as the mastermind behind their plans isn’t quite accurate. Although he can occasionally share words of wisdom and possesses knowledge beyond their understanding, most of their battles boil down to one simple directive: hey, go fuck that guy up.
“Red Robin,” Damian's voice calls from behind him, and Timothy turns to look at him. He has a frustrated expression on his face, indicating that his conversation with Bruce didn't go well. “You’re blocking the way,” he says.
It takes Timothy a moment to process the words. Before he can get the chance to move, Damian shoves him and takes a seat where he once was.
“If you’re gonna stand there like a moron,” Ah, how sweet of his younger brother, “you might as well grab one of those oatmeal cookies that Mother Kent made. I don’t want to miss out."
What on earth has gotten into his brother?