Chapter Text
As Damian entered through the large wooden doors of Wayne Manor after another excruciating school day there are two things that he makes note of. The first is that despite his best efforts to pay attention in class he cannot find himself able to recall anything he learned today. Scratch that, he does not even remember arriving to and from classes nor does he remember anything that was said to him either. The second thing he takes note of is that he is trembling ever so slightly which is odd because it did not start until the moment he opened the front door. Furthermore, he seems incapable of moving from his spot at the entry of the house and cannot seem to make himself go any further. Suddenly he feels a hand rest gently on his shoulder and is taken out of his trance as he hears the familiar English accent, “Are you alright Master Damian?” It is uncommon for him to get startled easily but he would be lying if he said the butler's sudden appearance behind him didn’t cause his heart to jump. “I’m fine Pennyworth, just a long day is all,” and with that he finds the courage to move his feet forward, “I think I will rest for a bit, please inform me when dinner is ready.” As he says this he looks back and sees the butler give a nod before hurriedly making his way up to his room.
It’s not until he closes his door and locks it that he feels how tense his muscles are and that he was unknowingly holding his breath until he felt safe enough to breathe. It’s then that he finds himself unable to even breathe as he suddenly has to lean back on his door which is thankfully there to support his weight. He finds himself having to sit down as his body begins to shake uncontrollably as he is unable to get a full breath of air. He knows this is very signs of a severe panic attack but his mind and heart won’t allow him to calm down. For the first time in a long time he realizes amongst the panic that he’s scared. Not of the situation, but rather what is causing the reaction to begin with. Not knowing what else he can do he shakily grabs his phone from his pocket and messages the first name he sees and types ‘SOS’ before his world goes dark.
When he wakes up he takes note that someone must have gotten his message because he is no longer on the floor but rather in his bed with the covers tucked tightly around his frame. It admittedly takes him longer than it should have to realize that there was also someone in the room with him who happens to be one of his least favorite people, Timothy Jackson Drake. He groans mentally at the thought of having to deal with Drake but he supposes it could be worse. Seeing no other way to get his attention Damian does his best to speak but it comes out a little scratchy, “Drake,” is all he is able to get out before he fully notices how dry his mouth is. At the sound of his name being called, Tim looks over in shock and concern as he gets up from where he was working at Damian’s desk and walks swiftly to Damian’s bed. “You’re awake. How are you feeling?” Damian shrugs as an answer not really feeling like answering in full. He sees Tim furrow his eyes a bit trying to analyze the situation. “You gave me quite the scare….. Especially when you didn’t respond to my texts asking if you were okay, but considering I found you on the floor I think it can be excused. That’s beside the point though.” Damian tenses slightly not sure where the conversation is going as he sees Tim get closer and sit on the edge of his bed. “Damian, I know we don’t have the best relationship as brothers, but you sent an SOS. Something must have set you off to send that because the fear I felt when I read that message…” Tim trails off as a lump comes to his throat as he starts to remember the possibilities that had raced through his mind. Damian huffs slightly in annoyance at the sudden affection he’s getting from Tim and tries to speak again. “If you could get some water I’d be happy to explain the situation.” He sees Tim nod and leaves the room momentarily before returning with a water bottle in hand which Damian gladly accepts as Tim sits back down next to him and asks, “So, what’s got you so worked up?”
Damian suddenly feels himself tense up at the question which Tim must have noticed too because suddenly the water bottle is being taken out of Damian’s now shaky hand and put gently on the nightstand. It all becomes too much and suddenly Damian can’t breathe and realizes he is back on the verge of another panic attack, but thankfully this time he isn’t alone. Damian strains to hear Tim’s commands to help him calm down but once again his head is too full of fear. Suddenly, Damian feels himself being maneuvered to where he is suddenly pressed up against Tim’s chest right where his heart is beating. For some reason that Damian can’t explain, it helps sooth his nerves as he listens to Tim’s calming heartbeat and it's only then that he realizes that not only is he practically laying into Tim but he’s also being held as well which gives him an odd sense of comfort in the moment. Eventually after a few moments of this Tim helps Damian sit back up to which after neither of the boys speak for a moment as they both are unsure of how to address the situation. It is only after another few moments of silence that Damian speaks softly as he recalls the events of last night and how suddenly everything he trusted had been flipped upside down, “this wasn’t supposed to happen.”
Tim likes to think he’s pretty smart, but the small, quiet, and simple statement from his brother completely throws him for a loop. He gently wraps an arm around Damian’s small frame and asks for clarification. “What wasn’t supposed to happen Damian?” He asks as gently as he can and looks down at where Damian has slightly leaned into his touch but he can see now the tears that have begun to form in the eyes of his brother. Damian takes a steadying breath, “When Mother sent me here she said it was because I’d be safe here. She said…Father would always protect me and that he’d always do what was best for me.” As Damian trailed off Tim got a sense of dread in his stomach that this conversation was going to take a very different and serious turn. He gives Damian a small squeeze but doesn’t say anything in fear of interrupting Damian’s story. Damian looks up at Tim as tears begin to fall down his face, “Dr…..Tim, what am I supposed to do when the person who is supposed to protect me from the evils of the world becomes the very thing I need protection from?”
Tim is speechless at what Damian just admitted and for a brief moment he thinks that maybe Damian is overreacting except for all the other evident factors that say otherwise. This is the closest he’s ever felt to Damian and yet he wishes it were not so. Tim knows abuse, hell he lived with it for years with his own parents except now he’s no longer the rescued but the rescuer. Tim doesn’t even process the action but before he knows it Damian is wrapped tightly against him in a hug that would give Dick a run for his money. He feels Damian’s shaking frame against him and that’s when the severity of the situation hits Tim in full force. This isn’t Damian hurt and reluctantly seeking help. No, this is Damian hurting and willingly seeking out help which tells Tim not only the seriousness of the matter but also the urgency as well. It’s only once that thought processes that he realizes he’s not equipped well enough to deal with this alone. Especially if Damian is being abused by Batman himself.