After Bruce came home from the time stream, it was still awkward around Damian. They didn’t know how to interact with each other, and now that they actually had the time to do so, it became ever more apparent
They’re making steady progress, slowly getting to know each other, learning how to live with each other
It’s fine, slow, but fine. They’re doing well
Bruce has taken care of sick children. Damian had never been sick or taken care of. He’s wary, unsure, and doesn’t know what to do when his body is failing him. Bruce can help, he insists
Sickness is a sign of weakness. He’s been told Batman would expect perfection from him at every turn and there would be no room for mistakes. Realizing that Batman wasn’t the one he should watch out for, but Bruce, was jarring, especially because it was the complete opposite of what he expected
“And… he’s always like this?” Damian questioned softly, swaddled under a pound of blankets in his bed, phone pressed to his heated cheek
“Yeah, I promise. He’s done it with all of us a million times over.” Dick chuckled from the phone. “He’s not underestimating you, or whatever is going on in that head of yours. He just wants to take care of you.”
Damian pressed his lips together and gave a decisive nod. “Thank you, Grayson.”
Dick gave an affirmative hum over the phone. “I’ll come see you next week, when you’re hopefully better. Can’t be getting little kid germs. See ya, little D.”
Just as he hangs up, Bruce walks through his bedroom door, with an awkward air around him. “Okay… It’s time for your medicine again.” He glanced over at the half-empty bowl of soup. “Good, you’ve eaten something.”
The air is still awkward around both of them as Bruce sits on the edge of his bed, holding one of those little plastic cups full of the dreadful grape-flavored medication.
“Father,” Damian starts after downing the entire thing in one gulp. “This is truly disgusting.”
That gets a smile out of Bruce. He chuckles softly and reaches over to press the back of his hand against Damian’s cheek. “I’ve heard that before. While it may taste disgusting, your fever has gone down; I think it’ll break tonight at the latest.”
Damian lets out a little yawn, and Bruce's face softens even more than the young boy could think possible
“Your body has been working hard to fight this sickness… why don’t you take a small nap?” Bruce murmured, gently unwrapping Damian from his blanket burrito so his son didn’t overheat
“Will you…” Damian let out a small cough, his cheeks flooding with warmth that had nothing to do with his current ailment. “Will you stay until I fall asleep… Baba?”
Bruce’s breath audibly hitched, and the older man froze. Damian, for a second, thought he went too far. Then, Bruce’s hand, large and warm despite the scars, landed on his back and started moving in gentle, comforting circles
“Of course, Habibi, I’m not going anywhere.”
Feeling his father's soothing hand rubbing his back, Damian felt all stress and tension leave his body as his eyes slowly closed.
Now, whenever Damian is sick, he demands that his Baba rub his back every night, and whenever his body demands that he needs a nap. It eventually evolves to the point where Damian asks Bruce to rub his back even when he's not asleep
The others are jealous and want Dad back rubs since Damian freely praises them, but Damian's the only one who actually asks. They can stew in their jealousy while Damian takes full advantage of his Baba
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