No. 30 NOW WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?
Wound Reveal│Ignoring An Injury│Internal Organ Injury

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Damian Al Ghul Wayne had been taught many things, however what he considers the most essential skill is to never show weakness, no matter how much pain one is in.

Ever since he was a child, time and time again if he showed any semblance of vulnerability he was punished, as he should. If not he would never inherit the al Ghul throne, his birthright. So he never did, he sharpened every blade he owned to make others scream and when it would be used on him it wouldn't make him bat an eye, he honed every skill, took every lesson more seriously than the last. He was a weapon, he needed to be perfect, weapons were not flawed therefore he shan't be flawed, a true al Ghul.

That was until Richard Grayson wriggled his way into his life.

He was supposed to be trained by father, learn the ways of the Batman however he didn't see what he could learn from somebody who hasn't dared shed blood. Then his father 'died' and he was stuck with sloppy seconds. He was promised The Bruce Wayne, Batman and one of the most powerful men on Earth -besides grandfather- and he got manchild Richard John Grayson, Nightwing and not one of the most powerful men on Earth.

He thought all of his progress was lost and he would be returned to the league until Grayson offered to teach him in father's place. He didn't think him a worthy mentor nor did Damian think he thought him a worthy student until he pushed Drake -his enemy- out of the Robin mantle for him to donn the uniform. Finally, he was getting closer to earning the black cowl.

Surprisingly, Grayson didn't end up being an incompetent teacher and he soaked up all of the knowledge the man offered. The affection and no killing however, he was more resistant to adapting, slowly but surely the hugs -cursed things- became something he secretly looked forward to. The ruffling of hair was something he often sought after and the adoration, the honey coating his words and the praise, he preened at it and he could tell Grayson was content with his progress.

That was until one training session.

"Okay, let's set the rules. We train here, if you are in pain you tap the ground twice which signifies that I will back away and disengage from the fight and vice versa." Grayson offered, the man was clad in black sweatpants, shirtless and lightly sheeting with sweat from performing some version of acrobatics his biological parents had taught him. Damian nodded, inwardly excited to kick the first Robin to the ground with his skills.

"Three."

"Two."

"One."

Damian attempted to sweep his opponents legs underneath him whom backed away from the limb, they circled each other, the smaller of the two tried to punch him in the stomach but he blocked. The al Ghul leapt at Grayson who caught him and threw him over his shoulder, he landed on his shoulder which throbbed but he ignored it, rolling and latching onto the first Robin's legs, aiming to lock his legs and bring him to the floor. The elder danced out of the move, instead moving away and waiting for him to get up.

The ten year old got to his feet and narrowed his eyes, seeing Grayson was favoring one leg to another, he aimed for the weaker one but Richard evaded the attack, instead striking the shoulder that had been pulsing in pain. He hissed lightly and made an effort to retaliate only for his wrist to be grabbed and be pinned to the floor. "Good match." Grayson congratulated, getting off of him and smiling at him. "Wanna go another round?"

Damian was about to nod but clenched his jaw when the muscles that met his neck stretched and made his shoulder feel like it was on fire. Grayson immediately became concerned. "You okay? Did I hurt your shoulder?" He asked, Damian, for fear of being punished shook his head. "Lil' D, don't lie to me, let's go get it fixed up."

"I apologize, Grayson."

"Why would you be sorry? You got hurt because of me. Hell, I'm sorry Dames."

"No,  it's sufficient punishment for my weakness." Damian explained, knowing that it is out of place, he goes to set it back only for Grayson to catch his hand in a gentle grip. "Here, let me." He insisted, nodding and then setting it quickly, drawing a sharp breath from the younger.

"Are you okay? I'll get Alfie to get some ice." The new Batman asserted, Damian shook his head, he didn't need to nurse such a pathetic wound. Grayson seemed to sigh at his command but relented. "Now, what do you mean about punishment?"

"In the league if you were to present vulnerability you were to be punished." Damian explained. "It must be a perpetual rule here, correct?" Grayson seemed to be horrified at the thought. "No, we don't punish people for getting hurt or showing that they're hurt. Even if you were to do anything to warrant a punishment it would be something like cleaning the cave or help Alfred with the laundry or something."

Damian hummed, why such diverse ways of teaching? It is effective to punish with pain to be reassured it shan't happen again. It isn't this way in the league. "Damian, don't you ever hide any injuries just to put up a front." Grayson ordered, the biological Wayne was conflicted.

"Isn't that what I am supposed to do?"

"No, I can't be out there without knowing if you're hurt because then I don't know what would be good to do, I can't do the equation without all the variables Dames."

The child contemplated this, is he willing to refute his childhood training just to be Robin? He looks up at Richard Grayson's azure eyes that shone with concern, concern for him. He nods, not to please Grayson or remove the sad glint in his gaze but to get to the cowl. Yes, it's only to get to the cowl.