Jump City: Sun, Sand… and Someone Unexpected
The tension of Gotham was still clinging to Damian's shoulders as he boarded the small private jet.
Talia had kissed the top of his head before he left.
Bruce had rested a hesitant, gentle hand on his shoulder—awkward, but real.
For the first time in his life,
Damian felt something unfamiliar.
Freedom.
No League missions.
No killings.
No training until his bones cried.
Just… life.
Arrival in Jump City
Jump City greeted him with sunlight so bright
it felt like it was trying to burn away the years of blood on his hands.
The beach stretched for miles—golden sand, clear water, and the smell of salt and sunscreen carried by the breeze.
Damian stepped onto the promenade in casual clothes he hadn't worn since childhood:
Black shorts
A loose, light hoodie
Sandals
No weapons… except the tiny blade strapped to his ankle (he wasn't reckless)
He inhaled deeply.
For once, the air didn't smell like smoke or danger.
"This," he whispered,
"might not be awful."
A Day of Doing Absolutely Nothing
Damian walked the boardwalk, watching surfers, beach vendors, laughing kids, and the steady heartbeat of a city that wasn't drowning in crime.
A girl wearing sunglasses and a bright orange bikini bumped into him as she passed.
"Oh! Sorry—didn't see you!" she said with a laugh.
Damian blinked.
He hadn't been talked to like a normal human in… maybe ever.
"It's fine," he replied stiffly.
She grinned, brushing hair from her eyes.
"You new here? You've got that 'I don't know what sunscreen is' look."
Damian felt his face heat.
"I am merely… taking time off," he managed.
"Ohhhh," she teased.
"So you're mysterious and dramatic. Interesting."
Before he could respond, she added:
"Well, mysterious boy, if you want the best spot on the beach, follow me."
Damian hesitated.
He wasn't trained for this.
He could fight a hundred assassins blindfolded,
but small talk with a pretty girl?
Impossible.
But he followed anyway.
On the Beach
She laid out a towel, gesturing for him to sit.
"So what brings you here—stress, school, existential crisis?"
Damian stared at the ocean.
"…tired of fighting."
Her smile softened.
Everyone needs a break. Even warriors."
Damian flinched. She had no idea how close she was to the truth.
"What's your name?" she asked, leaning closer.
"Damian."
"Well, Damian… welcome to Jump City."
A Strange, New Kind of Peace
They talked.
About nothing.
About stupid things.
About things that didn't matter.
She showed him where to get the best smoothies,
where the boardwalk fireworks were at night,
and the secret spots locals used to watch the sunset.
And for once…
Damian laughed.
Not a battle laugh.
Not a victory smirk.
A real laugh.
Small, quiet, but real.
He wasn't the Fire Shadow here.
He wasn't the League's prodigy.
He wasn't Batman's hidden son.
He was just Damian.
He was just Damian.
A boy sitting on the beach with a pretty girl,
watching waves crash against the shore