PROLOGUE

Perhaps I'd be in a better mood if I woke up to the sight of a snowless Gotham. Though, I don't have that kind of luck. It was snowing, little specks of white gently spiraling down onto the ground as if the world was a giant snow globe.

Despite that, there was really nothing special about today. As usual, I made my way down into the dining room, where Grayson was eating his food faster than he probably should- a thing he most likely picked up due to hanging around Wally West- and Drake was on his hologram, typing away for some reason. From a distance, he looked serious, but I could tell as I neared that he was actually texting his girlfriend, Cassandra Sandsmark.

Significant others. What a waste of time, I thought as I sat down.

"Good morning, Master Damian." Alfred's elegant and accented voice greeted me from behind, "We have English muffins and bacon on your right, as well as pancakes and eggs on your left."

"Thank you, Pennyworth." I murmured quietly. If there was one thing Father always made certain I do, it was to thank Alfred as much as possible. It got old after a while, and Father isn't around right now, so I didn't even attempt to make it loud and clear.

"What was that, Master Damian?" Alfred asked, obviously not hearing the first time.

Old people.

"Thank you." I muttered once again, this time more annoyed because he hadn't picked up upon it previously.

Alfred gave a small smile before walking off, and I filled my plate with food before Father entered. He looked surprisingly rested, though he was always in his usual grumpy manner. He sat down at the table in silence, holding a small conversation with Alfred for about a minute before beginning to eat.

"Welp," Dick's voice came seemingly out of nowhere, "I've gotta go. The Team needs me at the Watchtower. Bye, Bat-Squad."

"Why don't you bring me with?" I asked. My own voice surprised me. I hadn't intended on letting my inner thoughts out. You couldn't blame me, though. Sitting around Gotham got boring after a while.

"Because you're not on the Team, kiddo." Dick laughed, approaching me, wrapping me up in his arms affectionately and giving me a noogie. I didn't even attempt to escape his grasp; I've lived at the manor long enough to know that when Dick wanted to show affection, nothing would stop him, not even my biggest scowl. "Maybe one day, Dami." he added softly. Too softly. I didn't like it when Grayson softened up, because when he softened up, so did I.

"Why not now?" I asked, feeling as if though since I already started the conversation, I shouldn't end it so soon. I felt I knew what the answer would end up being, though.

"Because you're too young."

Yes, there it was. 'Too young' has always been seen as a bullshit thing to me. Even though I am only eleven years old, I most likely have more experience fighting crime than the majority of the Team.

I guess Grayson spotted the frown that had formed on my face, because he responded.

"Damian, our youngest member is Stargirl; she's barely fourteen, and she still has quite a couple years on you."

"I understand, Grayson." I acknowledged and nodded.

He smiled before leaving the room, Tim mumbling goodbye so quietly that I was barely able to pick up on it.

"I have to take off, too." he said, standing up, his hologram going back into his wrist band, "I've got a hot date." he grinned.

I rolled my eyes. Alfred quietly chuckled, and Bruce looked at him skeptically.

"Oh?" he asked, "What occasion comes up where bringing your girlfriend to a restaurant is more important than getting your ass out to the Watchtower and doing your duty?"

I laughed a bit too loudly, but I couldn't help it. Sometimes Father was as brutal as me.

Sometimes.

"Three-year anniversary." the answer came simply out of Tim's mouth, obviously unfazed by Bruce, "Six months early, but yeah."

Bruce rolled his eyes like I did.

"Get out." he said, slightly annoyed, not wanting to bother with him anymore.

"He's just getting cocky because he's nearing graduation." I guessed as Tim left the room. I heard it was common among seniors in high school.

"Don't behave like that when you are in the same scenario, Damian." Bruce warned before standing up, "Come on, we've gotta train."

I wondered what he meant by the same scenario. A senior in high school, with a girlfriend, perhaps? Skipping off my duties to take her out to dinner? Dropping the mantle of Robin just to add a "Red" in front of it?

I didn't know.

Whatever, it didn't matter. My time to graduate would be far from now.

I followed Bruce to the training room, and we did what'd you'd expect; martial arts, weight-training, running- I've grown so used to it I didn't even notice when it was over.

I returned to my room, intending to watch some television then head out to patrol the city in the evening. I looked back outside. Still, it snowed.

As some people would say, January is like the Monday of months, because that's when most people start their school or work week. For myself, it's easy to say I've never experienced an ordinary childhood, and everyday of the week is the same to me. But I do understand where everyone else is coming from. I hate January. It's too cold and snowy.

I watched T.V. for a few hours, which was mostly just flipping through channels. I heard a knock on my door, and I knew it was time to go. I turned the T.V. off, and eagerly made my way out of the door.

Though, I didn't show my eagerness. I kept a calm demeanor, following Bruce down into the Batcave, where I slipped on my form-fitting uniform, ready to head out.

It was just another day.

Plus a ton of snow.