I’ve really been wanting to read stories about Damian have Borderline personality disorder. (Borderline personality disorder is a mental health disorder that impacts the way you think and feel about yourself and others) I’ve did a lot of research on different disorders and felt like this would really fit into his character. I do like the idea of going into Damian being part middle eastern and not looking white. So with the hc that Damian has bpd it would go into past traumas first and how the disorder is affecting him especially how he views things and then Therpy and definitely siblings bonding. I like the idea of Tim picking up on the depression signs but also being confused to the other bouts of emotion and investigating. Brotherly Tim and fatherly dick!
(This is really long so if you do end up doing this hc you can just copy and paste the writing about this ^^^ everything under au just to better understand it)
Wanted to make note that a lot of people frown  upon this disorder or people associate with someone who is “crazy” or “cruel.” That’s not true, can bad people have it. Yes. But it’s a disorder people can’t control having and have to live with everyday so it’s unfair to look at it negatively everytime. Looking at it from a understanding view is key. Someone you know could have it and not know, the kindest people can have this disorder. Anyone can. Just like bipolar or ADHD or depression.
Trigger warning ⚠️ (about bpd)
Behavioral: antisocial behavior, compulsive behavior, hostility, impulsivity, irritability, risk taking behaviors, self-destructive behavior, self-harm, social isolation, or lack of restraint
Mood: anger, anxiety, general discontent, guilt, loneliness, mood swings, or sadness
Psychological: depression, distorted self-image, grandiosity, or narcissism
Also common: thoughts of suicide
Environmental factors  being a victim of emotional, physical or sexual abuse. being exposed to long-term fear or distress as a child. being neglected by 1 or both parents. growing up with another family member who had a serious mental health condition, such as bipolar disorder or a drink or drug misuse problem.
What it can look like - A pattern of intense and unstable relationships with family, friends, and loved ones, often swinging from extreme closeness and love (idealization) to extreme dislike or anger (devaluation) Distorted and unstable self-image or sense of self.
https://youtu.be/iraGmA7-9FA
https://youtu.be/yk2V5I78aHg
https://youtu.be/acGcQQ1X74M
Hey lovely! Thank you so much for the request I apologize for a late reply but I just really wanted to do this head canon justice and write it perfectly lol. Thank you so so so much for the amount of information you gave me I appreciate it so much and you really helped me understand it and while researching more i literally head canon Damian as someone who has bpd! Anyways I hope you enjoy it! As well as any other readers <3
Take your time. You’re more than worth it to us
*Head canon one-shot* TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️ •talks about BPD( borderline personality disorder) •talks about depressive thoughts •self esteem and self worth issues • impulsive and irrational behavior •And more things that are related to bpd *again some of these topics may be upsetting to some so please click off if uncomfortable or unable to read! Take care yourself lovely!🤍 (JUST WANT TO PREFERENCE THIS STORY BY SAYING I DONT HAVE ANY EXPERIENCES WITH PEOPLE WITH DIAGNOSED BPD SO IF ANY OF THIS STORY HAS OFFENDED ANYONE OR IS INACCURATE PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! I WILL EITHER TAKE DOWN SAID POST OR EDIT IT‼️‼️please DM me is anything <3
Damian wayne never had a good child hood
He vividly remembers the word Ra’s Al Ghul who deliver to him on a daily
“Hold your tongue Damian”
“You’re simply not trying enough”
“Get up Damian!”, “You’re and Al Ghul. Act like one”
“You are such a disappointment.”
“You could’ve done better.”
Damian would never admit but he was always scared. Always on edge, always ready for an attack. He never truly breathed early on in his life
His mother Talia Al Ghul was supposed to be his saving grace, she wasn’t.
As long as he could remember his mother has always been there. In the shadows overlooking his progress in become a member of the League of Assassins. In the background when he was getting another scolding from Ra’s. She’s always been there, but instead of looking at him with warmth and love, he instead was looked at with cold judging eyes.
Maybe she did love him, just not how he really wanted
But he wanted to be better for them. His grandfather and mother deserved the best so he was going to be the best.
His irrational, rage full behavior started at age 6
He remembers being so angry and hateful towards his enemies
Him being angry over a lost match he had with another member causing him to explode.
His behavior only started to progress after that and has gotten more snarky and venomous with his words and actions instead of exploding with his outburst when he was younger.
He was 10 when his mother told him she was leaving him
10 when his mother was leaving him with a man who he was supposed to call “father”
But he was also sad but he couldn’t let her know that. Couldn’t show her his vulnerability.
He felt confused. He didn’t know what he did that caused his mother to abandon him.
But he was also scared. Scared of leaving “home”
Scared of leaving the League and living with his father
His mother was leaving him.
The first time he met Bruce Wayne he was very angry so why not disguise that anger with his passive aggressive attitude
He was hostile, narcissistic and more
He’s have moments though where he absolutely felt wanted and.. loved. But then Bruce would express his dislike for something he had done and not was like a switch was flicked
He was angry and he took it out on the person who hurt him.
Then he would stay up at night obsessing over the conversation in his head
Replaying the disappointment in his fathers tone
Replaying the words he said and wondering why he couldn’t be a different person
Wondering why he couldn’t be a “good kid”
Wanting to be better. Wanting to enough. He knows he isn’t but wanting to be
Dick was helpful. His constant checking up on him was appreciated, but he would never let him know that
He would push away with his insults and anger.
It would hurt when Dick would give him “space” made him feel he wasnt worth the effort.
Tim Drake was the bane of his exsistense
He would never admit that he idealized his older brother, that he admired his intelligence and his strength
He masked his admiration for Tim with anger.
He went out with his brothers and Father this patrol.
Jason, Tim, and Dick we’re all there. They were helping take down a warehouse where Two-Face and his goons were setting up for something big.
They were gonna stop it before it happened.
Damian was gonna stop it before it happened
He was partnered up with Jason and Tim, they’re job was to distract the Two-Faces thugs while Dick and Bruce took down Dent and destroyed their plans.
Daminan was ready. He was gonna prove to Bruce he didn’t need the old robins to come save the day he was gonna do it all by himself.
He didn’t wait for Jason’s signal. He didn’t have Tim’s back and he went in head first
He took down the thugs with no regard for himself.
After the mission was done he was pulled aside by Bruce
“What do you think you were doing!”
“Completing the mission” he did his job
“Yes, Damian while having no regard for yourself or your team”
“I don’t work with a team”
“We’ll you better learn.” “Or you won’t be Robin anymore”
He stayed in his room that night. Skipped dinner and left in rage when Dick tried to comfort him. Yelled at Tim for taking forever in the shower. Insulted Todd for his snide comment. He stayed in his room
His father was right. He didn’t deserve the title of Robin.
Dick was worthy of it because he’s Dick.
Jason was worthy because he had the motivation the morals and the admiration
Tim was worthy because he was intelligent and skillful in the field. A vital piece in any mission
Damian was nothing. An angry, vengeful, and hateful little boy who was a murder.
Someone who killed. He was never worthy of that title because he’s himself.
No one would care any way he thought
Dick always knew. How? Damian doesn’t know but he guess it’s a superpower that come with being an older brother
He came into his room one evening.
He sat down on his bed and they sat in silence for a while before he spoke
“I know you don’t particularly like when I smother you with questions, but I need you to know that.. I love you. And that you’re my little brother which means what’s going on with you is always gonna be important to me.”
Damian feels like a burden
“You are not a burden or a nuisance you’ve become an important piece of this family and i want you to know sometimes things are not going to be okay, and maybe they won’t be okay for a while. And it’s okay to not be alright. It’s okay to have off days and feel angry. Feel angry, feel sad, feel everything if you have to. Because we’re always gonna be here. We’re not leaving you Damian. We won’t abandon you.”
Damian turns his head and accepts the comfort from his older brother
“I’m not really the advice type, that’s more dickheads thing, but I’m not that much of an asshole to not know what’s wrong with you.”
“Your concerns aren’t wanted Todd!”
Jason just smiles and takes him into the theater room.
Him and Jason watched movies that entire night.
It was a little more hesitant and it wasn’t as reassuring than the others but that was their relationship.
Their bickering and insults were their thing. Damian and Tim had their moments
“I don’t mean to sound rude or anything but you look tired”
“What I mean is I was planning on taking a nap. Wanna join?”
Damian and Tim found a new thing.
Bruce was difficult for Damian, he knew he would never live up to his expectations
The issues Damian had of not being enough for his father were huge.
He didn’t want to disappoint his Father, he didn’t want to give him a reason to leave him behind. To give up on him
Bruce and Damian were going to a gala when he went to speak.
“I know I did not say it enough to you or any of your brothers, but I am proud of you. Especially you Damian. You’ve come so far as the boy you once were and I admire your effort to be a better person. I’m proud of you”
Damian rested his head on his fathers shoulder the whole ride go the Gala
Bruce didn’t move or push him off and he greatly appreciated it. The closed distance between him and Bruce felt warm
He felt warm. It was an unknown feeling and weird
He liked the feeling he hoped he kept experiencing it
Alfred has been helpful in his own ways. The taking and late night stories about his adoptive grandfathers life were interesting to listen too.
“Come Master Damian, you look tired, I’ll start the tea.”
It was nice to have people care, he wishes they never stop, that even if he pushes them away with his insults and outbursts, that they know he loves them
They do know. And they love him.
Damian Wayne was worth loving to his family.
They will spend their days making sure he feels appreciated and loved.
Hope you enjoyed! -yella <33
