Why Is Damian So Strange?

Yes, as always, it's 43, a gravity-heavy Tim and an utterly clueless Damian.

Tim had always thought his little brother was strange.

Damian was five when he came to live in the manor, and he brought along a surprise bonus: Jason, the former Robin, back from the dead. He made a proud declaration, then accidentally stepped on his cape when he saw Tim and fell right into his arms.

...Kind of cute?

The awkward tension Tim had felt about having a new little brother vanished in an instant. Looking down at the small, red-faced child, furious with embarrassment in his arms, Tim felt a sudden surge of responsibility as an older brother.

Jason scowled, as if he were watching someone put on a melodramatic act.

Tim didn't notice.

He simply reached out and gently patted Damian on the head.

The little boy lowered his head, keeping anyone from seeing his expression.

Damian once thought happiness and joy could never change.

Little by little, he became part of the family. Little by little, he grew closer to Tim. Their relationship gradually improved, and their hearts drew closer, too.

Until Richard died. Until...

Tim died, too.

He had once broken with his father, but when his father was controlled in such a humiliating way, Damian raised the banner of resistance against Superman. He rescued his father, and paid for it with his life.

Death? It was no big deal.

But he had never imagined he would open his eyes again.

Timothy. Timothy.

Even in the League of Assassins, his heart drifted to Gotham with that name.

They would have a happy ending.

Damian swore it.

He would weave the safest net, strand by strand, until the most curious little bird willingly settled into his arms.

Tim knew Damian had a secret. It was never seriously hidden, but Tim had never managed to uncover it. Like a ball of yarn dangled in front of a cat, curiosity kept tugging at his heart.

One day, while Damian was away, Tim sneaked into his safehouse and opened the secret with his own hands.

Photographs.

Countless photographs.

Carefully clipped newspaper articles, all the little things Tim had lost, the crafts he'd made for Damian, the gifts he'd given him, and all the ticket stubs from the trips they'd taken together...

Everything connected to Tim had been gathered in this darkroom.

"It's still missing one last keepsake."

A voice sounded behind him.

Tim paused, then turned,

and fell into those deep, thick eyes, brimming with possessiveness.

"My love."

Theme: Cherish the present, cherish your family