[ Damian crushes in against him and it doesn't matter that it's uncomfortable on bruises and what's possibly a cracked rib, he wraps his arms around Damian's shoulders and squeezes him tight right back. Objectively it might seem like a minor problem in the grand scheme of things, that they've essentially only gone weeks without seeing each other, and that the gaps weren't because anyone died, but aside from that extreme they've always been there. If not in the same city then at the very least on the other end of a phone call, rarely so far that seeing each other would constitute any considerable obstacle. Never out of reach so far they couldn't close that distance.
But that's exactly what happened here. Damian couldn't see him, couldn't call, couldn't even know for certain where he was or if he was safe. It's all too easy for him to imagine what it must have felt like, to have that support abruptly yanked away, even if Damian is very capable of taking care of himself. He was never supposed to have to do that on his own. Dick was never supposed to be dimensions away from him.
He wishes he could promise that he'll never disappear. He would fight with everything he's got to stop anyone or anything from tearing them apart like that, but he can't make that promise and they both know it, if he could have stopped it before, he would have. Maybe that's why he squeezes just a little tighter this time.
Though he does follow it up with ruffling Damian's hair. ]
I'll do my best, Robin. But you know me, I always come back.
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But that's exactly what happened here. Damian couldn't see him, couldn't call, couldn't even know for certain where he was or if he was safe. It's all too easy for him to imagine what it must have felt like, to have that support abruptly yanked away, even if Damian is very capable of taking care of himself. He was never supposed to have to do that on his own. Dick was never supposed to be dimensions away from him.
He wishes he could promise that he'll never disappear. He would fight with everything he's got to stop anyone or anything from tearing them apart like that, but he can't make that promise and they both know it, if he could have stopped it before, he would have. Maybe that's why he squeezes just a little tighter this time.
Though he does follow it up with ruffling Damian's hair. ]
I'll do my best, Robin. But you know me, I always come back.
[ They can try to stop him. ]