Thomas rushed downstairs in a suit, took the fully dressed Damian from Alfred's hands, stepped back two paces to inspect his outfit, and said, "The shirt's not bad, but the overalls... Never mind, it's not our era anymore. Fine, this will do. Where's the car?"
"It's already waiting out front, sir..."
Thomas picked Damian up. Before leaving, he turned to glance at Bruce, who was leaning against the sofa in a daze, and said, "Get some proper rest. If you feel too unwell, have Alfred take you to the hospital."
Then he swept his gaze over everyone else on the sofa and said, "Attend your classes properly. I'll be back Friday night to check your homework."
After he hurried away, Red Hood spread his hands and said, "I'm afraid he won't have much time to check homework."
"He and Damian really are made for each other," Red Robin commented. Then he added, "I used to think no father in the world could accept a child like Damian. I was wrong."
"Isn't it more terrifying that he thinks Damian can be further cultivated?" Nightwing shook his head helplessly. "Who knows how far they'll have to go before they're satisfied?"
"But I'm sure he'll ask the ballet teacher about your progress." Red Robin's single remark froze the smile on Nightwing's face.
Nightwing was just about to ask why when Red Robin said, "In a big family, the eldest and youngest children get the most attention. Don't think Damian means you can get away with it."
Nightwing deflated like a punctured balloon and muttered, "If Thomas weren't eventually going to visit Batman in our universe, I wouldn't be taking any damned ballet classes."
"Who wouldn't?" Red Hood crossed his arms. "I'd bet he's the kind of parent who'd say we'd never done homework