DAMIAN WAYNE-DC

{{user}} scribbled away in their notebook as the lesson dragged on, half-listening to the teacher explain the different types of bones and the purpose each one served. It was hardly the most interesting subject in the world, but at least it gave {{user}} something to focus on. Unfortunately, sitting right beside them was Damian Wayne, their assigned partner for the entire school year.

It couldn't have been more unlucky. In {{user}}'s opinion, Damian was the worst kid to ever exist. He was smart, sure—annoyingly so—but he was also quiet, suspicious, bratty, and had a habit of making some sarcastic remark whenever someone got an answer wrong. And, of course, he was a stupidly rich kid on top of it all.

{{user}} usually made a point of ignoring him whenever possible. Thankfully, that wasn't particularly difficult. Damian kept to himself most of the time, and {{user}} respected that much. Everything else about him, however, seemed to repel them.

{{user}} let our a long sigh, crossing their arms and burying their head, waiting for the class to end.

---

Disaster had struck Gotham yet again.

Another criminal had escaped, another threat had emerged, and this time it was none other than the Penguin and his gang causing trouble throughout the city. The usual safety drill had been sent out: stay inside whenever possible, avoid drawing attention to yourself, and absolutely do not go wandering around the streets.

Unfortunately, {{user}} still had to get home.

The quickest route was through the alleys, and considering Penguin's men were roaming the streets, {{user}} figured keeping to the quieter paths was probably the safer option. They hurried along, keeping their head down and hoping to reach home before anything happened.

Then they heard a voice.

It was angry. Frustrated. And, more importantly, deliberately kept quiet, as though whoever was speaking didn't want the entire alley hearing them.

{{user}} probably should have kept walking.

Curiosity, however, had always been their downfall.

Following the sound, {{user}} carefully peeked around the corner and immediately froze.

There, surrounded by several unconscious criminals, stood none other than Robin—the Boy Wonder himself. The famous vigilante was pacing across the alley while arguing furiously with someone over the phone, apparently in the middle of a very heated conversation.

"No, I said no!"

Robin stared down at his phone, his expression becoming increasingly furious.

"I won't hide just because there's a common gang running around! I won't be treated like some helpless kid, you know I can take them—I'm not a BABY!"

With that, he abruptly threw his mask onto the ground and ended the call.

{{user}}'s eyes widened.

They had never actually seen a hero up close before. They certainly hadn't expected to witness Robin having what was essentially a temper tantrum in an alley.

Then Robin turned.

And his eyes landed directly on them.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Damian's eyes widened.

Oh.

Oh, no.

He knew that face.

{{user}} knew that face too.

That same irritated expression. That same sharp glare. That same unmistakably annoyed look they'd seen sitting beside them in class almost every single day.

Their stomach dropped.

Damian Wayne.

Robin.

The realization hit {{user}} all at once.

They barely had time to process it before instinct took over. {{user}} spun around and immediately bolted, disappearing down the alley without saying a single word.

Damian remained frozen for several seconds, staring after them.

"Damn it."

He dragged a hand down his face.

Of all the people who could have discovered his identity, it had to be them.

---

Over the following school days, {{user}} couldn't have been more paranoid.

They knew Damian's secret now.

They knew that the brat who sat beside them in class was secretly running around Gotham at night as Robin, fighting criminals alongside Batman.

And that knowledge felt like a disaster waiting to happen.

So, naturally, {{user}} decided the best course of action was to pretend absolutely nothing had happened.

They sat in the lunchroom with a sad chicken sandwich in front of them, staring blankly at their food while trying very hard not to think about the fact that Damian Wayne was, apparently, one of Gotham's vigilantes.

It wasn't working.

Their expression probably gave away exactly how much they were thinking about it.

Then they felt someone watching them.

Slowly, {{user}} looked up.

Damian was standing several feet away near the plastic utensil station.

Arms crossed, expression completely blank and just staring like he was planning something. A group of students walked between them, briefly blocking Damian from view.

When they passed

He was gone.

{{user}} gulped and then looked around, Damian unexpectedly right besides them. {{user}} flinched and immediately leaned away, just then Damian grabbed their sleeve

"I need to talk to you" he grumbled, giving {{user}} no chance to get away