A few days had passed and things were gradually coming back to normal. Damian was much better than before and though he and Tim got into petty arguments occasionally, it was nothing to really get worried about since the two made it up with each other sooner or later.

All the vigilantes were back on patrol and Batman had assigned them their own specific areas. Barbara was to remain as Oracle, Jason as Red Hood was given the areas circulating the Bowery and Crime Alley, Richard and Damian had taken over Central Gotham while Stephanie and Tim were placed in the East End. Batman himself was supposed to be looking after the whole city as well as his children patrolling in it.

"So how does it feel to be on patrol with me instead of the Big Bat?" Richard asked when the two were taking a break since no upheaval had been spotted just yet.

"Good. At least you let me drive," Damian remarked, eyes squinting through the binoculars, "father refuses each time I ask him to let me drive the Batmobile."

He chuckled, "now that's a privilege Batman doesn't allow me often either."

"Really?"

He shrugged, "yeah, you could say he's kinda overprotective of his car."

"I thought the only reason he didn't let me drive was because I don't yet have a license. Though I can assure you that I could have passed the test blindfolded even. Sometimes I hate these adult standards you people follow."

Richard considered for a while before replying, "but you're exceptional. Normally people your age can't drive that well."

Damian huffed, "is that your way of implying that I'm still a kid?"

"Aw come on Robin..."

"No because I understand. I look like one. So of course I should get used to being referred to as one too."

He turned to look at him, "are you sure you're okay, Babybro?"

"If you use that term once more, I'll throw you down this building."

Richard knew the threat was serious so he spoke up, "how about we talk about something else instead? You can choose the topic."

He thought for a while before replying, "think again if you're really sure about this. Because then I won't let you back off."

"Hundred percent sure. No secrets between brothers, right?"

"You'll regret ever saying that."

"Not at all, try me."

A slow smile flickered on his face but he disguised it immediately, "so is Yuri really your girlfriend?"

Richard almost toppled off the roof he was perched on but Damian had grabbed him by the escrima stick holder fixed on his back, preventing him from falling down.

"See, that's why I warned you to be perfectly sure. But since there are no secrets between brothers and I already said I won't let you back off..."

It was one of those times when Richard had to remind himself that Damian was a lot different from his other brothers. "Fine, you got me. Ask away."

"I already did."

"You know I haven't asked her out yet. Oracle and Hood make a lot of fuss about it each time they get the chance."

Damian nodded, though he was making sure not to get distracted by their conversation entirely as his green eyes still scanned the vicinity, "and I wouldn't blame them. All of us are surprised why you haven't yet asked her out. She's a great person and I'm sure you two would be okay with each other. And judging by how comfortable she is around you, I can bet she'll say yes when you ask her."

He paused as if pondering on his words before admitting honestly, "I hate to say this but I never thought I would be getting dating advice from you."

"And there you go subtly implying that I'm still a kid... Next time I'll ask father not to pair me up with you."

He turned towards him startled, "hey don't say that. I was enjoying our brotherly bonding time."

"You seriously don't have any idea of what you say most of the times," Damian remarked though the small smile was back in his face, "but at least it's a relief to have a partner who talks."

"I know right," Richard exclaimed, glad at getting the opportunity to change the topic, "patrol with Batman is always so serious like following a dark scary yet silent shadow. And when he does speak, the words are either orders or warnings. Sometimes threats, if you take Hood's experience into account as well."

Damian nodded, "that I agree with. Father and I are not the type to hold a light humorous conversation while patrolling Gotham."

"I would like to rephrase that," he added with a playful smile dancing on his lips, "that's not just the case with patrolling Gotham. It's the same in daily life as well."

"Touche."

***

Batgirl and Red Robin were on their watch, patrolling the intricate alleys of East End. So far they had stopped a mugging and helped the woman and her children reach home safely. The two were vigilantly monitoring the area, making sure that no other criminal activity took place.

Tim and Stephanie were often paired together for patrol and by then the two had gotten accustomed to each other's company, cleverly using their strengths together to overpower the opponent. The two complemented each other so well that when together, they could easily overcome whatever weakness they would have faced had they been out there alone.

Perhaps it was an attribute gained through mutual training for they had joined Batman at roughly the same time so both had received training lessons together.

"We do make a pretty great team," Tim remarked as he slapped the handcuffs onto the thug they had subdued while Steph had made sure he couldn't speak up due to the gag in his mouth. The GCPD had been called and the two were waiting for the police to arrive and pick up their delivery.

"An awesome team, to be honest," she replied with a smile on her face, "I'm glad I didn't get paired up with Robin. Though I do feel a bit sorry for Nightwing."

Alarms sounded and the police had finally arrived. The thug was bounded into the car and both the vigilantes waved at him sweetly as he left, grumbling in annoyance.

"Nightwing will be fine," Tim added, "he loves to babysit Robin around."

"Now that sure is fun to watch."

The beep in Tim's watch indicated that their shift had ended and it was time to return to the Bat Cave, "and it's time to go home. At last."

Stephanie happily skipped beside him as the two used their grapple guns to make their way back to the Bat Cave. Both had school the next day so Barbara had made sure to let them off earlier as compared to the others.

"Hey, I just remembered... I haven't finished my Calculus assignment," Stephanie's good mood seemed to have evaporated with that realization.

"But you'll be tired right now so let's leave it for tomorrow morning," he suggested as he took off the cowl and placed his boots in the rack. 

Steph too released her blonde hair from the cowl's protective head covering, shaking her head a little to cool herself off, "of course I can't do it right now. But I suck at Calculus and I hardly doubt I will get enough time to finish it at breakfast."

Tim reconsidered, "no worries. As far as I know, you have a free period before lunch break, right? I have a language class at that time and I can ditch it because the syllabus is going way behind for my preference. We could meet up in the cafeteria and solve it together."

Her eyes lit up at the offer, "really, you would help me with my assignment?"

"Yup," he remarked, lips curving into a smile, "though if you keep saving coffee for me at breakfast then I can consider on extending the offer."

"You cheeky little..."

"Hey, you want me to help, don't you?" he interrupted her but the amusement was quite evident on his features.

"Yeah."

"Then no insults, please."

Her green eyes did the signature 360 degree roll before landing on him again, "fine, no insults."

***