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Just imagine, little Damian met Jason in his days with the league.He is young, maybe 3-4, and there is a dumb, apathetic person in the league. He doesn't know why his mom tells him to pay attention to this young man. After all, HE is the heir.He is 5, and there is one person that keeps training him. Most of his teachers change, so he won't get attached, but this one older boy always comes back.He is 6, and finally, asks his mom who is this boy, and why is he allowed to keep learning from him.His mom says, "He is your father's son, Habibi. Your brother". And he never thought about it, but... Maybe it's not so bad?He is 7, almost 8, and the boy never came back from a mission. Mother's eyes are hard, and her words are sharp."He had one mission, and he didn't make it. You won't see him again". He knows. there is only one reason for an assassin of the league to fail in a mission.(He isn't attached. Feelings like grief and sorrow are below him. He is just angry that he was left as the only heir to two powerful positions. but-)Djinso taught him well. He will not disappoint their father (his brother's memory) with anything less than perfection.He is 9, and mother sends him to his father. His father, who has other 3 sons, and daughters, and it seems like every time he looks away there is a new one. (And none of them seem to talk about The Djin. Like he is forgotten. Like he was weak and unimportant. And he knows that, he knows what you do with weak and unimportant things). He hates them. There was only one other heir to the bat, and he is gone now. They ruin his name with their incapability. (they are not his brothers. he had one, and he never came back.)He is 10, and they are having a "movie night" (a foolish and weak tradition. Grayson keeps insisting he should watch "classic", childish, movies). Grayson seems even more... Disturbingly happy than usual. Apparently, "Jay" is coming tonight.Oh, joy. Father adopted another worthless bastard. Though apparently, it's the one calling himself "The Red Hood". He still thinks the name is fullish, but there is no arguing his methods are effective. So, better than the usual lot.**He is 10, and there is something off about this "Jay". It takes about half of the movie, something about pride-?, that he understands what bothers him. His eyes are blue, not green, and his hair is black - but there is a scar on his chick he remembers and a birthmark on his ear he KNOWS. In a second, he react."Limatha tartadi wajh rajul mayit, Shaiṭān?" *, He holds a knife to the creature's neck."What the-?" "Usqut!* You don't ask the questions here. You only answer. WHAT HAPPENED To the person you stole this face from?". It's only appropriate, using a technic his brother taught him to protect his honor."WHAT THE F-", There is a lot of noise in the background, "Damian, PUT THAT KNIFE DOWN!". but he is only focused on keeping his hand steady and his mind clear. He only has one chance to find out what happened to his brother the failed assassin, and he can't miss it.The throat doesn't move under the knife. The thief doesn't move (was he that quiet when he took the face of the body corpse? Did brother suffer?). "What are you talking about?", Says the red hood, unfazed by the light red line on his throat."I know your face. It belonged to an assassin called The Djin", his words come out in a rush. He hope they won't notice his slips. "Tell me what happened to him, how he died!", He demand. Steady hands. Your hands hold your life, he can hear his old teacher say, blood or sand in your eyes, broken limbs, it doesn't matter - just hold tight.
"So, he failed in his mission. And you still wish to know what happened to him? Why?". the pretender smirk, like he find it funny. Well, he was told about demons and kinds. How the shayāṭīns are the evilest. "Because he was my teacher and my servant and MINE. Because he was good and cruel and perfect. Because he was my brother by blood, and by law, and by life", says the deadly child. Three times three. Now for the feelings."Because his name was Djinso, and he was mine, and no one here seems to remember him! And as long as I live his revenge lay on me. Because he cared. Because he tried to protect me, the only one to disobey Al Ghul for me. Because he suffered every consequence without a sound, and I never told him I know. Because he stayed, and nothing could take him away. Nothing less than death.And let me assure you - if you were the one who took his life- if you hurt him - not even father and Grayson combine could spare you of my rage. You will die alone, and painfully, and I will laugh at your grave and write prayers on your tomb. You will suffer in hell". He hope the stories were true. That it would work. He didn't knew this would hurt so much, Pouring all his feelings, all the words he never got the chance to say. He would do it ten more if that means bringing peace to his soul.the shayāṭīn smile. Just another sign to his evil. And all of a sudden Damian is on his back with feet on his chest. **He is 10, and the shayāṭīn, the evil spirit, got him helpless. He is on his back, and the creature who killed his teacher [his brother. It's ok to call him brother. it doesn't matter anymore] will take his life as well. He pray his father would be saved (maybe they would kill the creature. Not to avenge his memory, but maybe to save themselves?).It doesn't matter anymore(the one who cared for him will be there. He'll finally see him again)**There is no pain. He open his eyes, and there are poison-green eyes staring right at him."Did you really mean that, Witwat? You would kill for me?"It can't be. It can't be. He's dead.Butbut-But this is how his teacher brother always disarmed this move. And no one else in the room look scared. and the weight on his chest isn't choking, but comforting. And his eyes are Lazarus-green with emotion. And-(And he wants this to be true)"Ahuy?"
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Think about it -Jason, beginning to be loved and cared for, but can't show it.(Consider)Jason, who died alone and painfully, who went through 9 circles of HELL to come back home, just to find out nothing has changed.Sure, there is another kid (blue eyes and black hair) running around.But his killer is out and hurts people. And the swiss-cheese "prison" still holds nothing. And kids still die, and hurt, and there is blood and drugs on the streets.And everything here, just telling him - did you really think that you matter?You are nothing more than Gotham trash. Unimportant and unloved.Why would the bat change anything? He doesn't even care.**Imagine Jason, making peace with this truth (They may say that they care, but if you die it's your fault. No one will come after you. No one will make sure it won't happen again.) And it's movie night, and Dick followed and bothered you for YEARS to come. You only said yes to make him STOP. You don't care. You are not part of this "family".You did veto the movie - Pride and Prejudice, of course. you vetoed everyone else's choices. Those uncultured heathens need to get some REAL movies. You'r on the couch, and... It's quiet. It's nearly peaceful. You close your eyes for a second, and it's almost like you never died.(Imagine)*"What the- "There is a knife at your throat and shouts and you are 5 years old under the table and Willis holds that broken bottle to you and you are 15, broken on a warehouse floor looking at your mother, 20 and another parent throws a sharp object at you and you. Can't. Move.It takes a second and Dick's scream and someone holdS you but you know that. It's a small being.(And Willis was as big as three of you, and in the warehouse you were tied, and HE didn't have a knife but a batarang and- you're not there, not there.) . There is a knife, held to your throat. You are sitting on a couch. you can feel your shirt and teeth on your tongue and the leather on your jacket. Ok. You can hear a scream- You smell the popcorn and unwashed socks and your brother's awful perfume.(You are here, you are present, and a knife to your throat shouldn't feel familiar and comfortable, but it does.Well, you already knew you are messed up. )"What are you talking about?" you ask the kid... Damian. His name is Damian. And he's your- brother Father's son robin. he's a robin. "I know your face. It belonged to an assassin called The Djin," says the kid. his words come out in a rush. Like he is scared, or excited. "Tell me what happened to him, how he died!" he demands. And - Oh. Of course. He is from the League. Of course, he heard about the failure. So now you are the warning story for the league, too? Real good job, you dumbass. Robins and assassins, what do they have in common?(No, stop. You starting to sound like the Riddler. Before you notice you'll hang around in a terrible suit.)No, wait. Focus. What did he want, again? Probably your head on a spike or something. No one leaves the LoA and lives. (No pun intended, Dick!). "So, he failed in his mission. And you still wish to know what happened to him? Why?" It IS concerning. If more people come after your (damn good) ass, you should know about it. (FOCUS. Kid's talking, and there's a knife to your throat. Focus.) "Because he was my teacher and my servant and MINE. Because he was good and cruel and perfect. Because he was my brother by blood, and by law, and by life," says the deadly child.And -That pathos brings back a memory. A toddler, practically a baby, calling you Teacher. A young child, child, ordering you around as a servant. (A boy, holding to your arms and saying, "You can't go, you're MINE!" as you wipe away his tears.)He is taller, and his eyes don't look at you with bright curiosity, and there are scars on his face you don't remember. And he keeps talking "Because his name was Djinso, and he was mine, and no one here seems to remember him! And as long as I live his revenge lay on me. Because he cared. Because he tried to protect me, the only one to disobey Al Ghul for me. Because he suffered every consequence without a sound, and I never told him I know. Because he stayed, and nothing could take him away. Nothing less than death." His eyes are suspiciously moist (and maybe so are your eyes). And you can beat yourself for not realizing it. It's not like Ra's got some warehouse full of kids somewhere. Hopefully.(He... can't be THAT committed to his name... right?)You're also kinda proud the kid got you with a move you taught him. "And let me assure you - if you were the one who took his life- if you hurt him - not even father and Grayson combine could spare you of my rage. You will die alone, and painfully, and I will laugh at your grave and write prayers on your tomb. You will suffer in Hell". Ok, so that - that's some serious Shit right there. But you can't help it if death threats make you all warm and fuzzy inside. Even if they are directed to you (especially when it's on your behalf).That little bitch.Did he plan it for a while? Or was it an instant decision?(You remember a stern kid with a knife, and you couldn't be more proud.) The "sticking prayers on your grave" was perfectly executed, though. Especially if it's an improv. Kid should really think about drama club or something. But he was always like that, he had that uptight thing he used to call himself. You remember now - a tiny ball of rage, always running knife-first if he caught you using that cute nickname. What-wait.. wat.. ah, that's it! Yeah, you let the kid get some fun but it's time to end this show. You disarm him easily, and as he lay on the floor you ask, "Did you really mean that, Witwat? You would kill for me?"You can't express what that means to you - that a kid would be willing to do what the big-bad-bat never would. That even though you are not blood, he sees himself as one of your Hamsin.(That he's alive, and safe, and here.) And there is a warm feeling in your chest when he says - "Ahuy?"