Vow
Damian walks into his room, wiping the sweat from his brow after an intense training session. Closing the door, he pauses, frowning as he notices something unusual on his bed.
There's a small lump in the middle of her sheets. She approaches it cautiously, preparing for any mischief Jason might bring, but when she arrives, her eyes widen in surprise.
There, in the center of his bed, is a little black bunny wearing a perfectly fitted Robin cape and a tiny green mask over his curious little eyes. The little animal twitches his nose and looks at Damian with a mix of curiosity and innocence.
Damian blinks, completely stunned.
“What… what the hell…?”
Before he can process it, he hears hurried footsteps. Peter pokes his head around the door, his eyes shining with excitement.
“Dami! Do you like it?”
Damian turns around, pointing at the bunny.
“Is this… yours?”
Peter runs into the room, stopping next to the rabbit. He pets it gently before looking up at Damian with a big smile.
“It’s for you! I named him Rabbit-Robin! You have your own companion now!”
Damian opens his mouth to respond, but can’t find the words. He glances at the little rabbit, who looks perfectly comfortable in his bed, wearing an outfit that mimics his own Robin uniform. The mask is made of soft fabric, and the cape has the Robin symbol hand-drawn on it.
“Did you… make this?” he asks, his voice softer than he intended.
Peter nods proudly.
“Yes! I asked Alfred for help with the cape and mask. I wanted it to be just like you.”
Damian feels something warm on his chest. He walks over to the bunny and carefully takes it in his hands. The little animal is small and soft, with big, bright eyes. It snuggles into his hands, completely trusting.
“It’s...” Damian clears his throat, trying to sound nonchalant. “It’s ridiculous.”
Peter looks down, his shoulders slumping a little.
“You don’t like it…? I just… I thought you might like having a companion when you’re alone… like you’re my companion when I’m alone…”
Damian feels a lump in his throat. He clears his throat and sits up in bed, still holding Robin-Rabbit.
“I didn’t say I didn’t like it,” he whispers, gently stroking the bunny’s head. “I just… I’ve never had a gift like that.”
Peter’s eyes light up again.
“So you like it!”
Damian nods, unable to hide a small smile.
“Yeah… I like it. Thanks, Peter.”
Peter gives a little jump of joy before launching himself towards Damian in an awkward but sincere hug. Damian freezes for a moment before returning the hug with one hand, still holding the bunny in the other.
When Peter pulls away, his eyes sparkle with excitement.
“Oh! I made him a bed too! It’s in your closet! And I brought him carrots! It’s his favorite food!”
Damian can’t help but laugh softly.
“You planned all this, huh?”
Peter nods vigorously.
“I wanted you to have the best Robin-Rabbit in the world!”
Damian looks at the little rabbit now yawning in his hands, as if ready for a nap. He feels... warm, comforted.
“So... I think you did it.”
Peter smiles proudly.
“I knew you’d like it!”
That night, as Damian settles Robin-Rabbit into his new cot next to his own bed, he notices that his room feels a little less lonely. And when Peter says goodbye with a quick hug before going to sleep, Damian stares at the closed door, smiling softly.
Maybe... having a brother wasn't so bad after all.
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Damian watches the little Robin-Rabbit dozing in his makeshift cot next to his bed. The tiny red cape moves slightly with each soft breath the bunny takes, and the green eye mask has slipped down a bit, revealing his eyes closed in deep sleep.
She smiles unconsciously, feeling an inexplicable warmth in her chest. She would never have admitted out loud how much she appreciates the gift, but ever since Peter gave it to her, her room feels a little less empty... and so does her heart.
Suddenly, she hears a soft rustle at the door.
“Dami?”
Damian turns to find Peter peeking out shyly, hugging his original Robin-Rabbit to his chest.
“Can I come in?”
Damian nods, feigning indifference.
“Yes, come in.”
Peter closes the door behind him and walks to Damian’s bed, his steps light and silent. He stops beside Robin-Rabbit, watching him with a tender smile.
“He seems to like his little bed.”
Damian crosses his arms, leaning against the headboard of his bed.
“Yeah… it looks pretty comfortable. Where did you get the idea?”
Peter looks down, petting his own bunny.
“Well… I thought… you get lonely sometimes. And when I’m lonely, Robin Rabbit is always there for me. So… I wanted you to have someone too.”
Damian feels a lump in his throat, but manages to keep his voice steady.
“I don’t need company. I’m fine alone.”
Peter looks at him, his eyes wide and sincere.
“I know… you’re strong. But… even the strong need someone, don’t they?”
Damian doesn’t know how to respond to that, so he remains silent. Peter sits on the edge of the bed, looking at the Robin-Rabbit he made especially for him.
“This little bunny…” Peter smiles softly. “He’ll be your companion until I can be.”
Damian feels his heart skip a beat.
“What...?”
Peter looks at him with complete seriousness, his little hands gently squeezing his own bunny.
“When he gets older… I want to fight by your side, Dami. I want to be your real partner. But until I can do that, he’ll take care of you for me.”
Damian opens his mouth, but no words come out. The sincerity in Peter's voice takes his breath away. No one had ever said something like that before... No one had ever wanted to stay by his side like that.
Peter looks down, a little nervous.
“Is it okay…? That he’s your partner… until I can be your partner?”
Damian feels an indescribable warmth in his chest. He clears his throat, trying to sound nonchalant.
“I don’t know if you have what it takes to be my partner. You have to be fast, strong… and brave.”
Peter nods determinedly.
“I’ll be all of those things! I promise to train hard!”
Damian finally smiles, a soft, genuine smile.
“Then… okay. He’ll be my partner… until you’re ready.”
Peter’s eyes sparkle with excitement.
“Yes! I’ll be the best partner you’ve ever had! I promise, Dami!”
Damian nods, his eyes softening as he watches Peter pet the Robin-Rabbit.
“I know, Peter… I know.”
That night, as Peter goes to sleep, Damian stares at the little Robin Rabbit beside him. He smiles, adjusting the red cape more evenly over his soft fur.
“Guess we’re in this together, huh?” he whispers to the bunny.
Robin Rabbit stirs a little, as if responding in his sleep, and Damian lies down, feeling his room fuller than ever... full of promise, companionship, and a future that, for the first time, he looks forward to.
_________________________________
Peter can barely contain his excitement. He adjusts his mask, his fingers shaking with excitement as he looks at his reflection in the mirror. The suit is perfect: a mix of red and black with yellow accents, inspired by Robin’s uniform but with his own twist. The spider on the chest glows a golden color that pops against the dark red.
"Are you ready or are you just going to stand there admiring yourself all day?" Damian's voice comes from the door, his tone mocking but with a smile on his face.
Peter spins on his heel, his eyes shining with excitement.
“How do I look?”
Damian crosses his arms, sizing him up and down.
“Too excited. You need to relax. Stealth is key. But…” his expression softens. “You look good, little one. You did a good job with the design.”
Peter beams, his chest swelling with pride.
“Thanks, Dami!”
Damian steps closer, adjusting the red cloak around Peter’s shoulders.
“Don’t make me regret this, got it? You’re here to learn. No unnecessary heroics.”
Peter nods vigorously.
“Yes, sir!”
They both head down to the Batcave, where the Batmobile is waiting for them. Bruce is there, watching them with his arms crossed. His gaze lands on Peter, who grows nervous under his scrutiny.
“You ready for this, Peter?” Bruce asks in his deep voice.
Peter squares his shoulders, his gaze determined.
“Yes, Bruce! I’m ready.”
Bruce nods slowly.
“I trust Damian to look after you. But I also trust you to follow his orders without question.”
Peter nods again.
“I will.”
Damian puts a hand on Peter’s shoulder.
“Let’s go. We have a city to patrol.”
Gotham is quiet that night, at least as quiet as a city filled with chaos and criminals can be. From atop a building, Peter watches the flickering lights, his heart pounding. Excitement fills him completely.
“Wow… it’s… amazing,” he whispers, his eyes shining as he looks out over the city.
Damian smiles beneath his mask. He remembers his first patrol, how everything seemed so vast, so full of possibilities.
“Focus. We’re not here to sightsee.”
Peter nods, his enthusiasm softening as he tries to adopt a more serious stance.
“Yes! I’m focused. Totally focused.”
Damian lets out a soft laugh.
“Of course, little one.”
They both watch from the rooftop, keeping an eye out for any suspicious movement. It’s not long before they spot a group of thieves attempting to break into a jewelry store. Damian tenses, his stance changing to that of a lurking predator.
“That’s our target. Don’t intervene until I give you the signal.”
Peter nods, his muscles ready to spring at any moment. Adrenaline courses through his veins as he watches Damian move with the grace of a trained assassin.
Damian leaps first, landing without a sound behind one of the robbers. With a quick, precise move, he takes him down before he can even scream.
Peter watches, impressed by his brother's skill. He can't help but admire him, even after all these years of training together.
—Now! —Damian's voice cuts through his thoughts, and Peter reacts instantly.
He leaps off the building, his movements fluid and agile. He shoots out a web, swinging towards the second thief and kicking him hard in the chest. The thief falls to the ground, surprised by the sudden attack.
“What the...?” he stammers, but Peter is already wrapping him in cobwebs before he can get up.
Damian fights two robbers at once, his moves calculated and lethal. Peter watches, learning with every blow, every block. He faces the last robber, dodging a punch before countering with a spinning kick.
—Yes! Right on target! —he exclaims, unable to contain his enthusiasm.
Damian rolls his eyes, slamming the last enemy into a wall.
“Less celebration, more focus.”
Peter nods, trying to keep his composure, though his smile is impossible to hide.
“Understood!”
Once all the robbers are immobilized and waiting for the police, Damian and Peter return to the roof. They stand in silence, watching the lights of the patrol cars arrive.
“You did well,” Damian finally says, his tone genuine.
Peter turns bright red under his mask.
“Really?
” Damian nods.
“But you still need to work on your stealth. And you can’t just scream with excitement in the middle of a fight.”
Peter nods, his eyes shining.
“I’ll do better next time! Promise!”
Damian smiles, placing a hand on Peter’s shoulder.
“I’m sure you will… mate.”
Peter’s heart skips a beat.
“Are you serious? Am I your partner?”
Damian nods, his gaze soft.
“You’ve proven it tonight. You’ve earned the title.”
Peter feels his eyes burning, but he refuses to cry. Instead, he smiles widely.
“I won’t let you down, Dami!”
Damian nods, his own chest swelling with pride.
“I know, Peter. I know.”
They both stand there, looking at the city they swore to protect, knowing that no matter what happens, they will face it together.
__________________________________________________________________
The night in Gotham is cold and silent, save for the whisper of the wind that meanders through the skyscrapers. Damian moves with the same grace and precision as ever, his steps silent as he watches from the rooftop. The city has changed over the years, but his commitment to it remains unwavering.
A flash of red and black passes in front of him, too fast to be a bat. Damian tenses, his senses on alert. But before he can react, a figure lands softly beside him, crouching with feline elegance.
—Are you still as serious as ever, Dami?
Damian spins around quickly, his eyes narrowed beneath his hood. But as soon as he sees the familiar mask, he relaxes, though he doesn’t show it.
“You… You always make an unnecessary entrance, Peter.”
Spider-Man stands up, his posture relaxed as he looks out at the city beside him.
“Unnecessary? I thought you liked surprises.”
Damian snorts, crossing his arms.
“Not when you’re the surprise.”
Peter laughs, the sound warm and sincere.
“Come on, admit you missed me.”
Damian doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he watches him from the corner of his eye. Peter has changed. He’s no longer the little boy who used to follow him everywhere. He’s taller now, with a firmer, more confident presence. But his eyes still shine with the same warmth and enthusiasm as always, even behind the mask.
“What are you doing in Gotham?” Damian asks, although he already knows the answer.
Peter shrugs.
“I heard someone was having trouble with some third-rate thugs. I thought you needed a hand.”
Damian rolls his eyes.
“I don’t need your help.”
—Oh, right. Because the great Damian Wayne never needs help from anyone.
Damian can't help but smile slightly.
—Exactly.
They both stay silent for a moment, staring out at the city lights. It’s Peter who finally breaks the silence, his voice softer this time.
“I remember when you said I had to be faster. Stronger. Braver… if I wanted to be your mate.”
Damian feels a knot in his stomach. He hasn’t thought about that night in years, but now the words come back to him clearly.
“I remember,” he admits quietly.
Peter steps forward, his gaze fixed on the streets below.
“Well… I guess I’m all that now.”
Damian watches him closely. Peter’s movements are precise, calculated. He is no longer the inexperienced child he once was. He now moves with the confidence of a battle-tested hero, someone who has faced his own demons and emerged victorious.
—Yes... —Damian nods slowly—. You are.
Peter turns to him, his eyes shining behind the mask.
“So… do you remember the promise?”
Damian’s heart is pounding. He remembers it clearly. He’d said that Robin-Rabbit would be his mate until Peter was ready. Until Peter could take that place at his side.
“I remember.”
Peter smiles, a genuine, excited smile.
“So… what do you say? Ready to patrol with your partner?”
Damian can't help it. He smiles, a soft, genuine smile.
"You're always getting into trouble, aren't you?"
“Come on!” Peter laughs, rocking back on his heels. “Someone has to make this fun.”
Damian shakes his head, but his gaze is warm.
“Never change, Peter.”
Peter gets into position, preparing to jump into the void.
“I’ll never do that, Dami! Come on! Last one to arrive pays for the pizzas!”
And with that, she launches herself into the void, a web shooting towards the nearest building. She swings with grace and speed, her laughter echoing through the night.
Damian watches him for a moment, his chest swelling with pride and affection. Peter had truly done it. He had become the partner he always promised to be.
“Idiot...” Damian whispers, but his tone is affectionate.
She launches herself after him, her cape billowing in the air as she plummets. Together, they ride into the night, two protective shadows moving in unison over Gotham.
At last, the promise had been fulfilled. And Damian couldn't be more proud of his brother... and his partner.