[ The question brings him up short, like a bucket of cold water. A reminder that while he'd been dazzled by this kid's knack for symmetry with his specific style, underneath it all is a little boy who... is clearly expecting something here that Dick can't begin to guess at. That he can't provide. It's a staggering thought.
He's thought about Damian, of course. Ruminated over him daily, almost hourly. Dealt with him again and again as a concept, as an abstract. Bruce's son or Tim's replacement. Not my brother. Not... whatever Dick Grayson had been or will be to this boy.
Dick takes a breath. The kid is direct. He owes him that in return. ]
...How much of the orientation spiel did you catch, this morning?
Where they explained the whole... alternate reality thing?
no subject
He's thought about Damian, of course. Ruminated over him daily, almost hourly. Dealt with him again and again as a concept, as an abstract. Bruce's son or Tim's replacement. Not my brother. Not... whatever Dick Grayson had been or will be to this boy.
Dick takes a breath. The kid is direct. He owes him that in return. ]
...How much of the orientation spiel did you catch, this morning?
Where they explained the whole... alternate reality thing?