They weren’t exactly thrilled when Bruce paired them together.

In Batman’s opinion, this was the perfect opportunity for both of them. They were the same age, and teamwork was a necessary skill. Damian could grow as Robin, and she could be tested to prove how capable she was as a new vigilante in Gotham. Meanwhile, Batman could focus on a matter that, while irrelevant to them, was too important for him to ignore.

Damian thought she was reckless. Too quick with a blade. Too independent for her own good. And she thought he was arrogant, too sharp-tongued for someone still learning how to work with others.

But the League was back—or at least, a fractured faction of it—and Gotham didn’t have the luxury of letting egos get in the way.

They moved through the city like shadows, each mission bringing them closer to unraveling the thread. She was precise, brutally efficient. The kind of fighter who didn’t hesitate to kill, even if Gotham’s rules said otherwise. Damian saw it—the scars on her arms, the glassed-over expression in her eyes when things went quiet, the way she didn’t flinch at blood or pain. She reminded him of someone raised with death as a language. Like him.

But she was broken in a way he hadn’t yet learned how to fix.

The mission went south fast. Too many enemies, too little space. Damian had taken a hit, lost footing—and then she was there. Stepping in front of him, blade slicing down, catching the blow meant for him. A flash of steel. Then red.

She collapsed against him before he even realized what had happened.

He didn’t remember how the fight ended. The sight of her bleeding had sent adrenaline racing through his veins, leaving him with only flashes of the rush to get her out—grappling across rooftops, blood soaking his gloves, his jaw clenched tight.

The safe house wasn’t far. He kicked the door open and lowered her to the worn cot inside, grabbing the first aid kit with a silent fury. She winced but didn’t make a sound. Typical.

The wound wasn’t fatal. But it could’ve been.

“What the hell were you thinking?” he said, voice low.