( it's - quiet. not a rejection, just acknowledgement that he knows what alfred would and wouldn't blame him for, and alfred's death certainly isn't something he would place in damian's hand. especially given, )
Alfred sent the message to Father saying he was in the clear, and that it was safe for us to come back to Gotham. He knew he wasn't safe. That Father wouldn't go near Gotham if it would risk Pennyworth's life, but the only way to free Gotham from Bane's control was to have one of us lead the others in. It was... Pennyworth or Gotham. Pennyworth chose to sacrifice himself.
( and damian knows, reasonably, that there was nothing he could do. that he was unaware alfred was still in the manor, that bane had his hands on him. that damian was sent in on purpose, because they couldn't show their hand by sending in batman, but thomas wayne wouldn't have the same attachment to bruce's adopted children as he would to bruce's blood son. to an unruly child reflecting wayne features right back toward thomas. they had no one else they could send who would be brought back to wayne manor in one piece.
but he still hears it. alfred repeating, no, please, not in front of the boy moments before his body would cease all functions. the unpleasant crack. )
It was his decision. His actions. I was just - too slow to prevent it.
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( it's - quiet. not a rejection, just acknowledgement that he knows what alfred would and wouldn't blame him for, and alfred's death certainly isn't something he would place in damian's hand. especially given, )
Alfred sent the message to Father saying he was in the clear, and that it was safe for us to come back to Gotham. He knew he wasn't safe. That Father wouldn't go near Gotham if it would risk Pennyworth's life, but the only way to free Gotham from Bane's control was to have one of us lead the others in. It was... Pennyworth or Gotham. Pennyworth chose to sacrifice himself.
( and damian knows, reasonably, that there was nothing he could do. that he was unaware alfred was still in the manor, that bane had his hands on him. that damian was sent in on purpose, because they couldn't show their hand by sending in batman, but thomas wayne wouldn't have the same attachment to bruce's adopted children as he would to bruce's blood son. to an unruly child reflecting wayne features right back toward thomas. they had no one else they could send who would be brought back to wayne manor in one piece.
but he still hears it. alfred repeating, no, please, not in front of the boy moments before his body would cease all functions. the unpleasant crack. )
It was his decision. His actions. I was just - too slow to prevent it.