If Dick thought like an assassin, there was an entire world of things that would have been way, way more wrong. For all that Damian fought, and argued, and snarked in his direction...

He would not want Richard Grayson to be different from who he was.

">Tt.< " Damian's eyes were closed. He still did not feel safe in a hug... but this close to his Batman was as close to feeling safe as he ever, ever got.

Even if this Grayson wasn't quite who he had become, after wearing the cowl for a while. Even if he might disappear, too, even tonight. This was real, and it was now, and Damian could afford to close his eyes and. Think. (Feel.)

"Some days, it is more difficult now, rather than easier. Like... pressure, building behind a dam wall. But I will not break it." He wasn't going to give up."

And, quieter yet, he added, "thank you." It was the heaviest thing he's carried, that faith. And yet the one that he was truly the most grateful for.