Chapter Text
Dick knows he fucked up, okay? No need to remind him (his anxiety will do that for you, at the tender hours of night).
Jason will NEVER let him live this down, B will give him the stern talking to and both Tim and Damian will laugh him out of the manor. Lastly he will get this look from Alfred. He shivered at the meagre thought of.
”You two know each other.” Superman stated, it wasn’t a question. He was clearly VERY angry (more like pissed, which is NEVER a good sign).
“My question is how .” Barry said eating the fries, he got from Joker knows where.
”You heard him, answer” Diana said in her authoritarian voice, tightening her grip on the lasso. (Which was hot and yet terrifying)
At that moment Richard John Grayson-Wayne knew, he failed in life. He wants the earth to swallow him whole and for everybody to forget him, but NOOOOO. This was his legacy now. Complete and utter ruin.
Dying next to his (supposedly) terrorist of a brother, while tied up with the Lasso of Truth in the middle of the Justice League tower isn’t a way he ever thought he would go out.
B trained them for such situations for sure, but he might have possibly… forgotten. (Or not listened at all)
It’s not his fault OKAY? It’s boring as hell and this is such a bizarre scenario, he didn’t think it could really happen, because WHY WOULD HE? He should have listened to B’s stern talking to about how to defeat the league. It came to bite him in the ass (sooner than expected).
Hopefully Jason did listen.
He looked at his little brother, with eyes full of hope and he fluttered his eyelashes (which weren’t visible under the domino mask). To which this little shit looked at him unamused and batted his lashes back at him.
He didn’t study it either.
FRICK.
Okay Dick think, think, think!
He physically can’t LIE, but half-truths don’t count do they? Or like not full truths? What did B say about the lasso?…
He just won’t elaborate and PRAY they won’t ask more specific questions.
Sounds like a plan. Let’s roll with it.
Hopefully they won’t have to reveal any familiar connections.
But if push comes to shove… He will disclosure his connection to Red Hood, cause their reaction the last time was extremely funny.
”I don’t remember… sorry” Nightwing said. It was true, he was knocked out when B ‘surprise adopted’ Jason and brought him into the manor.
The adults were not amused.
“Okay… so what’s your connection?” Superman took a deep breath and asked.
“Ummmm… Ekh- well.. it’s… complicated?” Jason said unsure, if it was the correct answer.
Clarks eye twitched. Wonder Woman blinked twice shocked, yet not amused. Barry just gaped.
“ARE YOU EXES?!” Barry yelled out for the WHOLE EARTH to hear. “Oh my god. This is like, the BEST romance EVER. We need a movie about it. Imagine this. Nightwing raised in a high end family. Rich and successful, but unhappy. Red Hood is from a poor neighbourhood maybe his father was an alcoholic or a drug addict, still undecided. So he runs away and ends up in Night’s garden and gets caught. You two become close through the years, but due to an unfortunate event Hood goes down the dark path. Night can’t let that happened, so he creates a costume with an opposite colours, to represent their contrasting characters.
Or maybe we need two films? But the second will be a really bad sequel with either your protégés or you trying to work out again. That’s how all great movies should be.
Damn! I need to sell the movie rights to Steven Spillberg! or maybe Wayne, he seems like the type to like superhero movies.”
Dick blinked once, then twice.
”Excuse me?-”
”That was so fucking far fetched, even Krypto wouldn't be able to get it back. What the fuck went thru your head Barry. Honestly it’s INSULTING that you even THOUGHT about comparing me to that circus clown” Jason yelled.
Dick nearly fell out of his seat. THEY WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO KNOW THE IDENTITIES OF THE JUSTICE LEAGUE. This is where, his brother got him killed by a two gods and speedster. Please write on his grave stone: ‘Beloved by all, he was taken too early, because JASON couldn’t keep his trap shut.’ Which sounds about right.
”I was a gymnast and you KNOW IT!” He gritted thru his teeth.
”Wait- How do you know the name… of my dog?” Superman asked looking at them confused to the bone.
At that moment, his nerves and stress kinda boiled over…
“Wha- THATS WHAT YOU ARE ASKING ABOUT? REALLY?!” Dick yelled out in surprise. “NO FUCKING WONDER B COMES HOME AND SAYS HE WORKS WITH IDIOTS! FOR HARLEYS SAKE! AND YOU WONDER ABOUT YOUR DOG? RED HOOD JUST SAID BARRY’S NAME AND YOU ARE MORE FOCOUSED ON THE DOG? THE FUCKING DOG?!”
It must have taken the heroes by surprise, because Flash looked offended and put a hand to his chest.
”No, Spooky doesn’t say stuff like that. You are just trying to trick us. He is bluffing“ Barry says.
“Nope. Sometimes you got him questioning the universe… physics… his existence… or is hot dog a sandwich or a taco.” Jason added with a grin.
Dick’s eye twitched, the whole Wayne manor debated about it for weeks! (Which resulted in 2 broken doors and a Batmobile crash) Hot dogs aren’t allowed in the house anymore.
“How would you know that, Red Hood?” Wonder Woman questioned, getting them back on topic. Which might not be a good thing exactly.
“Well it was a good source of entertainment, when i came back from-“ Dick had to kick him under the table to remind him to keep his mouth shut if he can.
“Came back from exactly” Superman asked suspicious.
“…Dead.” Jason replied trying to sound as innocent as possible, giving them puppy dog eyes. Dick couldn’t hold back a nervous chuckle.
“We are so screwed” Nightwing added.
“B is SO going to kill us for” His brother said. They shared a look and started laughing like they were on Joker gas. (Maybe they were, you never can’t be too sure in Gotham.)
”How do you know batman?” Barry asked, question directed to Red Hood.
But who cares. Dick kept their previous conversation going.
“He will break his no killing rule you. AGAIN.” Dick chuckled, but Red Hood looked at him, mostly confused.
“What ?”
“Oh yeah, he never told you that. But he DID kind of… kill.. Joker, because of you” Dick said as if it was a matter of fact thing.
You could see all the stages of realisation hit Jason like a truck. First came the confusion, then the denial with his head shaking. After that realisations, his eyes were widening with each second. “No- no he didn’t. I saw joker like…” Jason started to think again. He couldn’t remember the last time he has seen the killer clown. “Did he really?” Jason looked at him almost misty eyed, with something like genuine hope in them.
” J don’t know if you forgot, but I literally cannot lie right now if you forgot. I promise you, hell yeah he did! I helped… I thought you knew…” Dick said now not 100% sure of his decision.
”Wait batman KILLED someone?” Barry asked looking between them.
He remembered the night as if it was last week. The getting into the warehouse, B grabbing Joker by the collar, the screams and the maniacal laughter, SO much laughter.
“Oh…” Jason took a deep breath and stayed quiet. For a bit too long for his liking.
“ You feeling okay?” he asked concerned, trying to get a look at his face.
”For all those years… I thought he… didn’t care… I thought he just… left me… forgot… Or I wasn’t enough… to be saved… I resented him for that… My god… I was so spiteful… and so rude… I acted out and revolted so much… He must hate me now…” Jason said as his eyes teary, voice shaky and the whole body trembling.
Welp… Dick was not prepared for THIS. He is NOT equipped enough for WHATEVER breakdown is happening to his brother right now.
He looks at the league members for help and he realises they are as wary as he, if not even more. Clark is worried and tries to calm him down, Diana is confused and Barry well he is just Barry. Great just great.
Then the familiar sound hits his ears. The Zeta tubes were activated. Someone was getting into the Tower. Nightwing looked at Superman, and yeesh he had this awkward look on his face. Not good.
BUT THAT’S NOT THE MAIN FOCUS. Back to Jason and his break down.
“Jason, that is not true he does not hate you, or even resent you for that matter. You should already know that-“ Dick tried to comfort him as best as he could.
”J, honey… I don’t hate you, never did. Get that out of your head. You are and always will matter to me, more than anything. So please get that thru that thick skull of yours.”
It was B. OF FUCKING COURSE IT WAS DAD. CAUSE UNIVERSE HATES DICK. (Is god homophobic or something?)
B sent Wonder Woman the batman glare number 3, which basically says: don’t make me say it twice, even if I didn’t even say it once. (Dick prided himself in reading B like an open book). Then magically the lasso of truth untied itself from around them.
Wow… who would have thought.
Jason shot up as if burned with this shock and surprise even maybe a bit of shame. His eyes darting all around the room, to which B walked closer and AWKWARDLY hugged Jason (which was quickly reciprocated).
He giggled uncontrollably, which earned him a few side eyes. (But I won’t ever stop being hilarious, the two most emotionally constipated Waynes trying to be affectionate).
A not so loud “Ehem” was let out by Diana, breaking the silence. Dick stood up stretched his arms and slowly turned towards the rest. And there were exactly three words (or 16 for that matter) written on their faces:
WHAT
THE
F*CK.
(how is he hugging batman without getting thrown out of the space stadion?)
Oh yeah, forgot about that for a second. “Ummm… So you see-” He started trying to come up with something believable, for WHY was BATMAN (of all people) HUGGING RED HOOD (AKA THE BIGEST VIGILANTE IN GOTHAM)
”Justice League, this is my little boy, Red Hood. He was working under my orders and sometimes helps me in Gotham.” He said pointedly at Clark (as if to justify, why he caught Jason stealing T0AD).
Barry’s jaw hit the floor, but this time Dick resisted the urge to snort (great succes), because B calling this 6 foot, 220 pounds mountain of pure muscle, (180cm, 100kg), my little boy, was absurd AT LEAST and ludicrous at most.
B started turning away, towards the Zeta tubes with Jason still close to him (as if that explained everything going thru their minds. Spoiler: it didn’t).
“HEY! Wait!” Flash yelled, which made B turn and send a batman glare number 14 his way. (Which is basically: what now? Or are you stupid? Depending on the situation.)
“You can’t just leave like THAT. We have questions! What the hell dude” Flash yelled, while the others looked like they agree with what the ginger has said.
“Red Hood is my second of five children, he works under my order in the criminal underground, it’s a part of a project we started 3 years ago called project crimson. Since then the drug sales have decreased in Gotham and surrounding areas by 46% and the underage usage has decreased by almost 69%. This project has been put into motion after an unexpected… disappearance of the head of Gothams biggest drug factory, also know as Joker, to prezent a new drug distribution ring from forming”
Dick gritted his teeth and scratched the back of his neck, because by disappearance B had in mind murder.
Jason rolled his eyes a bit annoyed that B said ‘under my order’ but hey! that was the truth.
As he finished he looked at them as if he was already bored of the questions that haven’t been said yet.
”You have a minute for questions”
“Wait- Five?… You have FIVE kids?!” Clark yelled.
“Yes, there is Dick, Jason, one girl and 2 younger boys” Batman said as if was an obvious, since the very begging. The group looked on confused.
"you mean Dick, Jason, one girl, one boy and a demon you summoned and hell doesn’t want back" Jason said snorting.
Barry looked at Batman to confirm that, yes in fact he had a demon in his house, because at this point it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility.
”No Jason, he is a real human child. He is 11 and has the self-preservation mindset of a sheet of paper and acts like he met god and wasn’t impressed.” Dick quickly summarised.
“I mean…” Jason added, shrugging trying to make it sound like an everyday thing.
”Jason, don’t.” B said sternly stopping the joke before it even happened.
Jason threw his hands up in the air and mumbled “Okay okay jeez, just trying to be funny here” and started heading towards the tubes.
”Are they all adopted? “ Flash asked.
”Yes.”
”Do you have a favourite?” Aquaman asked.
“… No.”
Dick rolled his eyes, B chose the correct option, but it was no fun.
”Are any of them like you? Looks and personality wise?”
“Yes to both. Nightwing looks the most like me, but acts the least. Red Hood has gotten more of my personality”
”Is anybody else from the family involved in crime fighting?”
The million dollar question. How will B get out of this one?
”Time is up” The rest groaned irritated.
Booooo! B is no fun. (He know he has to be the favourite, since the position is called Robin, like his childhood nickname)
”I’m leaving to attend to personal matters” B said surprisingly… sternly. He caught up to Jason and put his whole hand on J’s neck. Okay that was really weird (even by Batman standards).
But Dick shrugged it off, sometimes B is just weird.
On their way out B and Jason passed the Greens aka Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow and Green Lantern.
“What did we miss?” Hal asked a bit confused (possibly why was Red Hood in the JL tower, but hey that’s just a theory)
Barry almost squealed with excitement. “YOU AIN’T GONNA BELIVE WHAT. JUST. HAPPEND” He started like a gossipy middle school girl. He ran towards his friend and grabbed him by the shoulders. “Listen to this Red Hood is Batman’s…son!” Barry tried to add a suspension effect, which he apparently succeeded in, since both Hal AND Oliver gasped.
“No! Shut up. You’re playing with me” Hal said eyes wide. Barry did a funny expression that both of them were able to understand (From what he could decode his expression said: Do I look like I’m lying, or something amongst those lines. Dick wasn’t fluent in Flash expressions)
“ OH my GOD!” Oliver gasped.
Aquaman let out a little cough, as if to indicate for them to move out of the door way, because they were blocking the whole hallway.
Nightwing took a deep breath and let out a sigh. It was a long night and even longer day, he should go home and sleep, BUT he has to work on quite a few cases from Blüdhaven, Gotham and Titans. Additionally he has homework and a final in two days.
Welp… coffee it is.
He should get coffee here, since the one in his apartament broke 3 days ago and he didn’t have time to fix it or buy a new one. The one at the manor is occupied by Tim, since it’s his senior finals week, but he needs just a bit of studying. He is also on a verge of cracking a big case involving Riddler and a mass amount of kryptonite. So nobody even bothers to try and convince him to sleep, you know Tim.
(Why all the Waynes have a fucked up sleep schedule is be beyond him, it’s not like they go on town every. Single. Night,)
He slowly walks into the kitchen and stalks towards the already occupied machine. A sigh deeper than the Mariana Trench left his ribcage.
It was Superman.
(DOES HE EVEN NEED COFFE?! CAN’T HE JUST PHOTOSYNTHESIZE OR SOMETHING! WHY OCCUPY SUCH A PRECIOUS PIECE OF MACHINERY?)
This is awkward.
He leans on the kitchen island. He glances at the other man and you can FEEL the other man sweating BUCKETS (even if Cryptonians usually don’t).
“Hey… I’m sorry…” Superman starts. Which caught his attention. “For earlier… and even earlier and even before that. I was so indescribably rude towards you, even if you were new and just looking for guidance. Just because of my… personal feelings. For which I am incredibly sorry for.” He said taking out his mug from the machine.
If this was his rude he doesn’t know how positive and optimistic can Clark be. (The nicest thing that Tim ever said to him was ‘You don’t look hideous today’ and he carries it with pride)
“Oh- don’t worry about that. Jealousy is what makes us human, right?” (OH SHIT. Is it wrong to say that? frick.) “I was never offended by what you said and how you acted” (offended - no, affected - yes, because how would you feel if your biggest idol just ignored you?) A beat of silence passed, so he continued. “If I were to be honest I was delighted to know that you liked B… romantically.”
Superman visibly collapsed inside from the embarrassment of the situation. He covered his face with his hands.
”Could we please forget about that?” He asked sheepishly, but what’s been done can’t be undone. It’s like squeezing out toothpaste and trying to put it back in, doesn’t really work that way, now does it?
Dick just chuckled and walked towards the coffee machine to start it up.
" …maybe I will… but you won’t be able to convince Red Hood as easily"
Which made Superman physically deflate and hide his face in his hand.
” You have a… strange family.”
Dick just snorted, Superman didn’t even know half of it. Like the part where Jason is technically a zombie, Damian is the grandson of Ra al Ghul and that they have a cow in their home.
“Don’t I know it” he said taking a sip of the coffee. Looking at Clark to start asking questions about B, or Jason, or demon child. Or like how does Jason know Barry’s identity even though he was on the Leauge’s most wanted list not even 30 minutes prior. Or maybe about B’s romantic life. He was ready either way this conversation might go.
What he didn’t expect was a complete lack of questions.
“I am glad I nominated you”
The alien just floated out of the kitchen towards the exit.
Huh
You know what here goes nothing. There won’t be a better chance.
“ Do you like B?”
Superman stopped and went quiet. Dick was a bit worried, because that might have possibly scared away the Cryptonian. Let’s be honest, for a person who risks his life on a daily because of villains, aliens and CEO’s, he shouldn’t be so afraid of talking about his feelings.
”Of course I do. I don’t know what you mean.” He brushes off the comment and turns his back on Dick.
”What I mean is do you love him. With ALL the flaws, ALL emotional baggage, ALL the secrets. Do you still want to stay by his side? Be with him.”
There was silence. It was almost defining. Just keep your heartbeat steady not to stress out Clark and just wait.
“That’s not possible”
Wow what a great non-answer. Seriously just like dad.
”I’m not asking if it’s possible. I am asking do you want it”
”It’s not possible, then what does it matter?!”
”IT MATTERS! A lot.”
Clark laughed. Bitterly. (Like surprising amount for a man who lives off of sunshine and acts like a puppy)
”Yes… I want to stand by his side in life and death, till all the stars burn out. I don’t think there is a force or power in this universe that could take me away from his side. I want to be with him …. as long as my heart is beating”
Okay that turned out weirdly poetic, but I mean a confession on par with what you’d expect of a journalist.
Dick was moved.
Superman left the room.
”…Thank you” Dick whispered, but he knew the other man heard it.
So they got a confirmation, at least that’s nice.
Now it’s time to drink his long awaited coffee, which he so desperately needed.
He left the kitchen with the mug, just to see Oliver Queen, Barry Allan and Hal Jordan pretending not be a bunch of gossips (and failing miserably). They were definitely trying to eavesdrop. From the looks of it they didn’t succeed.
”Oh Nightwing! I didn’t see you there.” Green Arrow lied. Dick wasn’t buying it.
”Hey wasn’t Superman there with you a second ago? What could you two’ve been talking about in there?” Flash said looking at him expecting to answer and give them their desired gossip.
You know, Dick can play along. Why not. He is very bored.
He could give them this information for free, since they would love to help with setting up B and Superman. But the other option is: he can do it AND profit off of it.
That was clearly the better option.
”I mean I could tell you… but what do I get in return?” He said taking a sip from his mug.
They clearly didn’t expect negotiations.
”How much do you want? “ Oliver said taking out his wallet.
“What no. I mean a different sort of payment. A trade. Information for information.”
“Ohhh. You sneaky little bastard. I like you. What do you wanna know.” Green Lantern said with a smug grin,
”I don’t know what you got” Dick said confidently. He felt like he was back in primary school trading game cards with friends. But let’s be honest the trio in front of him are acting like kindergarteners, so what’s the difference.
” How about this… You know Harley Quinn, the woman who was crazy in love with Joker? Supposedly she is dating Poison Ivy now!” Hal said as it was supposed to be a secret.
” They are engaged already.” He responded not impressed. He already knew it, so it didn’t meet the price.
”How about Cyborg had a crush on-“
”Wonder woman. I know. “
“Damn”
”What about Katana stealing her name from Zatana?”
Dick just looked at Oliver not impressed.
The group sighed, they really wanted to know. Their frustration fueled him, it was better than the coffee (okay not really, but you get the point).
“Okay, I didn’t want to tell this, but… I have a nephew… He is also a superhero.” Flash said dramatically. Dick just raised an eyebrow. Are they kidding him? Like it wasn’t oblivious that Kid flash was related to him.
”Sorry, but Wally ain’t fooling anyone.” He said and took another long sip of his coffee.
”Wait! How- How- How do you know?!” Flash asked surprised, scared and angry. Dick just went quiet for a second. How do you nicely explain that your brother is on a junior hero team with this guy.
…You know what, there is no nice way of saying that.
”I have my sources” Nightwing said, which was honestly the best way of warding.
”You are from Gotham, right?” Green arrow asked, to which he just nodded hesitantly.
” I didn’t want it, to come to this, but I am too curious. Part of my dignity will be sacrificed for this, so you better appreciate this.” Oliver said pointing his finger at Nightwing. He was clearly hesitant about what he was about to say. Okay, Dick can admit this got his attention. But come on a guy who puffs up like a peacock every chance he gets, being embarrassed about something, means it has to be juicy.
Green Arrow was looking for words.
” I used to have a… relationship with… Bruce Wayne”
…
Silence over came the room.
Nightwing had to kneel down and grab his jaw off of the floor.
Holy shit.
HOLY FUCKING SHIT.
HOLY MOLY FUCKING SHIT WHAT?
”WHAT! OLIVER WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!” Flash yelled and started to shake the other mans shoulders at super speed.
”Oh my god… this is the best day of the year.” Hal said in pure and utter disbelieve. “I am going to celebrate this day every year for the rest of time. This will become a national holiday.”
"How the hell does something like this even happen"
Green Arrow covered his face in his hands.
"It was a long while ago. We were collage roommates. And sometimes, you know…" his voice drifted off implying some unholy actions.
Barry let out a gasp. Hal’s eyes were bulging out.
Dick just stayed quiet, but that’s from shock, since it’s not everyday you find out your dad has been fuck-buddying with a dumbass with an ego bigger than empire state. Throw him into Arkham or Azkaban, because he is going to murder something.
" okay I need the details, as many as possible. Like are the rumors exaggerated about him? Did you top or did he? What’s his favourite possision? Is he into bondage or did that model lie? " Barry asked rapid fire questions.
"It’s important, Oliver. I need to know if i want to get into his life of luxury." Hal demanded.
Dick lost ALL interesy in his coffee, he wanted to throw up. Like more than when he accidently swallowed water from the Gotham sewers while chasing Killer Croc.
He can’t blow his cover, he needs to keep a poker face not to reveal his ties to the billionaire in question.
Just grit his teeth and get through it. He looked at Oliver to begin with this torture.
He was clearly ashamed of talking about it. Fuck.
"I mean… yes he is that good. Great even. Good God. I don’t think I ever had better sex. Like none previously and none after. None and no one can compare to what it was. Sometimes I still think about it."
Dick is leaving. Nah uh. Now way IN HELL HE IS LISTENING TO A SINGLE SECOND MORE OF THAT. Being tortured is way better than hearing people talk out their sexual fantasies involving your father.
This has to be some sort of cosmic payback for wanting to get something out of talking to them. He bargained for juicy gossip, but got life long trauma instead. Just great. He’d rather loose Russian roulette next time if the cosmos would be oh so gracious.
Dick headed for the exit after pouring the rest of his coffee into the nearest trash can.
"hey! Where are you going?"
"yeah! You haven’t fulfilled your part of the deal yet!"
"yeah I didn’t reveal this shit for nothing!"
"Me and my siblings are trying to set up B and Superman" he says in a deadpan voice before bee-lining it for the tubes. Let’s just pretend nothing happened and leave. It’s better for his psyche.
They must’ve shouted after him, but he tuned them out. He needs to go to sleep, because coffee ain’t cutting it.
-{…}-
Dick was sound asleep in his own apartament, very unfortunately he was woken up by the sound of his phone ringing. He let out a groan only a Wayne could, because the world better be ending if someone is calling his privat cellphone
He picked up the phone without checking the caller ID, his mistake. Which he won’t make again (okay maybe he will, but not soon at least).
He was ready to tear this persons legs out of their ass.
“Hello…”
“…I’m in front of your door…Let me in…”
Dick jumped out of bed and walked towards the door. The anger just evaporated from his body (almost like the snacks he left in the bat-kitchen).
It was Tim, but he sounded so… pitiful. As soon as he opened the door he realized his brother looked worse than he sounded. His Red Robin costume wet and dripping onto the hallway tiles.
He looked… bad. Something must have happend, but it’s evidently not the right time to ask questions. Tim needs an older brother and not a cop interrogating him
”Come in” He said shutting the door behind them.
Tim started taking off his shoes and mask. He looked even more pathetic and emotionally wrecked than Dick expected.
”You want something to drink? Tea or coffee?” It was always coffee with Tim, but he’d figured he’d ask.
”… Tea please” Huh that’s unusual.
Because A) Since when does Tim drink tea? B) - Since when does he say please? Things must be really bad.
The silence stretched while Dick was preparing the teas in the kitchen
He put the two warm mugs in frond of Tim on the coffee table. Tim picked it up and took a sip out of his raspberry tea. It was time to talk. But he needed to be delicate, even if he had more than a million and one questions (Why are you here? Does B know you are here? Are you hurt? Was it villain? Was it Kon? Do you need anything?).
They’d have to wait, it’s time to put his minor in psychology to good use.
” How are you? “
“Been better…”
”You wanna tell me what happend?”
“ I dislocated Artemis’s shoulder…” His brother didn’t take his eyes off of the table.
Ah so it was a Young Justice type of problem. Dick nodded, he completely understood what it felt like having ups and downs in a hero team.
He can’t blame his brother.
”How is she?”
”Black Canarie said she should be okay in a few days”
” Why did that happen? “
”She tried to take off my mask, while I was asleep .”
That’s a shitty thing to do. Teammates should have trust in each other. This was a clear violation of the aforementioned trust and respect for Red Robin as a hero.
He is on his brother’s side in this (he would have done more than dislocate a shoulder, if he was in Tim’s place). Unfortunately he has to play devil’s advocate. He has to make Tim reflect on the action more deeply, because approving everything your child does, makes them more selfish and egocentric. It convinces them they are never wrong and hinder their development of emotional intelligence and communication skills. (At least that’s what he read in a parenting book).
“ I am by no means justifying her actions, because what she has done was a breach of your trust and breaking of your boundaries. But do you think she had a reason to do that?”
”She said that I don’t trust them and don’t consider them important… she and the team I mean”
”Why is that? From what I know from you and Black Canary, you’ve been working well together. Is there a reason they think you don’t value them?”
”They found out Conner knows my identity and they don’t. We started arguing, because I told them it was not up to me, who knows my identity” Tim’s voice was shaky. Dick knew exactly what he meant. It was a feeling only a Robin knew. The feeling of being so powerful and yet so liable. It is a weird mix, that most people won’t be able to understand.
Tim looked even more shaky, he was on the verge of crying.
”I didn’t mean to. I swear it just… happend.”
”Shhh… I know I know. But remember you don’t own them anything. They aren’t entitled to anything.”
Tim just nodded with a small smile.
”You want to watch something, while we talk and fall asleep on the couch? Cause I know you are beat, at least I am.”
”Law and Order?”
”Yeah, for sure the floor is yours. I will go get the blankets and you grab a change of clothes from my wardrobe”
”… Thank you Dick…”
“ No problem, glad you came here” Dick said messing up Tim’s hair. Who gave him an annoyed smile.
”You have a braid in your hair!”
”Oh yeah Cass must’ve made it” That makes sense.
”Hey by the way, does anybody know you are here?”
”…”
”You just runaway didn’t you?”
”…”
”Did you at least tell Kon?”
”oh yeah of course”
He felt like rolling his eyes. Informing your parent or mentor that you are all and well = pshh never. Telling your boyfriend = the most obvious course of action.
Tim put on the TV, while Dick covered him in a plush blanket.
”So.. How is the league doing?”
”Oh you wouldn’t believe what i heard. B wasn’t kidding all the times he said they are like a bunch of middle schoolers. I have good news, bad news, horrible news and funny news. Which do you want first?”
”Good?”
”Superman absolutely wants to date B, he was weirdly poetic about it”
”Well that makes steps 9 to 17 of my plan much easier”
Dick is too tired to ask questions about what plan and what does it do.
“The funny one?”
”Jason got arrested by Superman and got to be an emotional support animal in the tower”
”Wait really?” Tim burst out cackling, he even teared up. “He is never going to forget about it, I’ll make sure of it”
”Yeah, which brings me to the bad news. They discovered we know each other and we both got strapped in for interrogation. We had to confess we are family… AND then dad showed up and had to get it through their thick heads that Jason isn’t a terrorist… anymore. He might have also mentioned he had other kids…”
Tim looked up at him shocked for a second, then got back to laughing maniacally.
”WHAT DO YOU MEAN BAD NEWS? THIS IS GREAT NEWS! Please, tell me they used the lasso”
”…”
Tim just started laughing harder and it took him a good minute to calm down.
“oh man I wish I could see their reactions. Please tell me there was CCTV there”
”…” Dick was getting less amused.
”Oh Oracle is going to love this” yeah Barbra is going to love this one.
“… So what’s the horrible news?”
” Wait how old are you again, cause this information isn’t kid friendly. And I am warning you, as a person knowing this information, I want to unlearn it.”
”18 and now I’m curious. It can’t be that bad”
”Yes it can, I am mentally scarred. I will need you to hold on to your chair”
”You said you are ‘mentally scarred’ from a burnt toast two weeks ago.”
”Okay rude. But I learnt from green Arrow, that him and Bruce Wayne used to …be… in a relationship. A sexual relationship one may say…”
The information crossed Tim’s face. It was visible by his whole being when he understood it.
”What! Eww… GROSS” He made a gagging noise.
”My thoughts exactly”
”B’s standards used to be VERY low apparently, because who in the name of Doomsday would ever go for that ugly-ass goatie?” Tim made another gagging noise.
Dick bursted out laughing, because come on the goatie is so last century. Get on with the times Mister Queen.
It was good to gossip with his brother from time to time.
Wait- but wouldn’t that make him a… middle school girl?! JUST LIKE HAL, BARRY AND OLIVER! NOOOOOOOOO! He stooped to their level! His honor is gone now!
”So… you mentioned getting B on the news so he would be forced to confront Clark as Bruce and not the dark knight” He said the last part in a batman broody voice(TM)
”yeah… It’s been on my mid and I talked to Alfred about it, but we both think it’s time the world was introduced to his children or at least the adults…” he said not meeting Dick’s eyes.
”So excluding Damien”
”Actually, since me and Cass are going for further studies, Pennyworth thought it best we were also excluded. He doesn’t want to ruin the normal collage life expirience for us.”
Which left him and Jason.
That’s a tough pill to swallow. He was more shocked, than anything else.
“Did Alfred say more?” Is the only thing that came to his mind at the moment.
“That you’ve been hiding long enough and you should be officially introduced to the high-life scene. Also he said that B’s 50-year-old-play-boy persona isn’t doing him any good and hasn’t in a long while “
Yeah, he’d have to agree on that.
”I’m not trying to force you here. It’s your and Jason’s life and anonymity on the line here. If you don’t want to for the plan I will just use another secret charity for distraction, but I think you should consider it.”
”What did Jason say?”
”He debated it, but he is onboard. He doesn’t want his face out for the public to see, that’s all”
”Well…That’s a tough decision I will have to think about it for some time. Wait- last family dinner was it you who leaked it to the press about the Wayne charity?”
”duh who else? We needed time without B to talk about the whole situation.”
Huh
“Wait! so was it you who leaked it to the press and caused the April incident?”
“… I plead the fifth?”
“IT TOOK ME 15 DAYS TO SORT THAT FUCKING MESS! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT SHIT?!”
”… I was grounded… and bored… and wanted to visit Conner?”
“YOU LITTLE SHIT-“
-{…}-
“ Richard. John. Grayson. What did you this time?” B said walking into the batcave.
Oh shit.
“Uhhhh somebody got full-named” Damien said petting the cat.
”I swear it wasn’t me this time!”
“yeah like it wasn’t you who took down the chandelier” Jason muttered from beneath his bike.
“Hey! That was an accident!”
“What is it about master Bruce?” Alfred asked while wiping down the dust off of the bat-computer.
” Gotham Gazette is planning to expose my heir to the world, because they have ‘undeniable evidence’ that I have an heir. I would usually dismiss that, but for some reason Every. Single. Newspaper and station on the east coast also has the ‘undeniable evidence’ and are planning to expose me” B said walking closer. “Would you like to explain that?” B said standing infront of them still in a very official looking suit.
The silence was THICK. You’d need a knife to cut it (or a laser).
The plan was put into motion. Dick agreed to do it on the same conditions as Jason and additionally without leaking his name (since he was kinda famous before the whole Wayne thing).
B scanned the room. Everyone was quiet, which is very suspicious, con-fucking-gratulations team. Bruce being a great detective, quickly concluded - everybody was in on it.
”Would somebody be so kind and explain what the hell happend?”
…
”Dick?”
”I don’t know?” He avoided the question (and the blame)
”Jason?”
”Didn’t care to check.”
”TIM?”
”Can’t. Working on the meat creatures case”
”What?” Jason asked confused and disgusted.
” I am working. Sometimes, when you are considered responsible, you get assigned a job to do.” Tim explained it to Jason, as if he was a toddler just bothering a parent. This earned a small smile from Cass who was practicing her ballet routine.
”YES DUMBASS I KNOW! I am asking about the meat creatures.”
”Oh. Black Canary assigned it for investigation. There have been these weird creatures or entities slushing their way out of the sewers of Star-city.”
”Star-city? Isn’t that territory of Green Arrow and that girl from your team, Artemis?” B asked
Welp that’s kind of awakward. Dick glanced over a Tim, who just grimaced.
”yeah Oliver is busy and Artemis is… out of commission for a while.” His younger brother answered and dad nodded.
”I must have misheard you Drake, did you say slushing as a description of the movement?” Damien asked looking up at Tim with a raised eyebrow.
”Yeah… They don’t have bones or some sort of core. They look like kind of like ground beef and move like a bug? Or an earthworm?”
”ewww.” Jason said finally sitting up, his sister nodded in agreement.
“Can we please get back to who and why leaked the information. I know for a fact the press didn’t just have a collective hallucination.”
B was mad, which is statistically never good for anybody in the vicinity.
Somebody will have to fess up. Dick takes a quick look around and notices his siblings are thinking the same thing. Cowards.
Dick is the oldest, so by default he is supposed to take the blame. He is almost about to do it.
”It was me master Bruce”
Dick could suspect he was a part of the Flash family with how fast his head snapped in the direction of the elderly butler.
“What? Alfred. What were you thinking?”
”As I have told you many times prior, the image you’ve curated for yourself over twenty years ago isn’t doing you any good. It has for a few years now. It’s bloody inappropriate for a man of your age to do all that. The parties and scandals are starting to ruin the good name of the Wayne family, which I cannot allow in good faith.
What would Misses Martha and Master Thomas think of their son, their own flesh and blood? I think they would say that he is childish, that he is a dankish cockwomble and a coward too afraid to show himself to the world, hiding under facades. With all due respect master Bruce, I did not raise a bloody coward or a cockwomble for that matter.”
So I’ve decided to take the measures into my own hands. I talked to the press.”
Bloody holy crap.
Pennyworth didn’t not hold back. He pulled out all the stops.
Dick had to physically tear his eyes away from Alfred. This is shocking for multiple reasons. Number 1 - Alfred insulted Bruce (not in a sarcastic manner). Number 2 - Pennyworth brought up B’s parent, which he only does in privat or on the anniversary of their death. Number 3 - ALFRED TOOK THE BLAME FOR THEM! This never happens, he used to rat them out for watching the TV a minute after their bedtime.
All this evidence combined suggests to him that Pennyworth has a lot of personal interest in B’s talking to the press. Which would mean two things. 1) He is on board 2) Bruce will feel pressured to do it and will talk to the press.
But does that mean Alfred wants B to be with Superman? He will have to investigate further.
Dick looked around the room. His siblings look as flabbergasted as he felt. (Especially Tim, who was in fact the one who leaked it to the press. Good old Alfred took the fall for him).
Then he looked at his dad, who looked like the definition of the word shock for the most part, but also some sort of betrayed and pained. (Which just didn’t sit right with Dick)
”… Do you think so too?” B said quickly regaining his composure and looking in the direction of all his children. Bloody hell! He is really considering it.
Everybody slowly (and a bit hesitantly) nodded.
”… the reporters are getting more persistent, they think you are hiding something” Cass said quietly (which still surprised 1/3 of the room).
”To be fair you are. Two big things actually. I say give them that something they want. Tell them about us. I don’t fucking care. Create some fake backstories for me and Dick and tell the media about you adult children.” Jason said as sincerely as he could muster. (Jason never was a good actor)
”I agree with Jason. The secrets are weighing you down B. You should tell them about us. Introduce us. Maybe not by face, just a name should suffice them. After that dies down, then I think they will let you off for good. I say go for it.” Dick said innocently as if he just came up with the idea. And not 2 days prior for a ploy to get Bruce with Clark.
B took a deep breath and let out a very audible sigh full of unsaid thoughts.
”… Okay… let’s say I agreed. What do I do now?”
“You my dear sir are going to talk to the media tomorrow and tell them the truth. A lot of it might I add, not everything of course. You will tell them that you aren’t a play-boy and that the wild years are behind you. That you settled down, but were afraid for the safety of your children and that’s why you kept pretending. You should also mention a few of the charities and funds to begin to repair the oh-so beaten down Wayne surname. Rest is up to you master Bruce.” He said it with a much happier tone. By happier Dick ment normal.
”…Fine… If you both are fine with it and want it… then yes I agree.”
Everybody shared a smile, some more smug than others (ehem Tim ehem).
Dad looked like was very confused and debating his life choices, which is very unusual and a peculiar look on the famous Bruce Wayne. He truly felt bad for B.
He came up to him and just wordlessly hugged him, to which B quickly reciprocated. Then he felt a smaller arm around his shoulder, he saw that Cass was hugging them both. Soon Tim joined and surprisingly Jason with Damien thrown over his shoulder. Usually the youngest gremlin would protest (and even bite) when he didn’t wasn’t to be touched (or man-handled for that matter), but this time he didn’t even squeak.
Awwwww a family group hug. (Also known as one in an eternity moment).
“so… more important question, which newspaper gets the priority?” Tim said with that hint of mischief only he could muster.
“What are you talking about?” Damian asked, very much confused.
”I mean which newspaper is going to get the interview rights? I mean we could let them bid for it, but then they’d expect you will answer their every question. I personally think, we give it to the Gotham Times, since it’s closest and we have a good connection with them OR we give it to the Daily Planet, since it’s your company.” Tim continued and the longer he spoke the more suspicious Dick has gotten.
“Well.. I guess you are right” Bruce said nodding.
Tim sent a pointed look at Dick, who did not catch onto the plan.
”If only we could know for certain a reporter won’t pry into the other matters… “ Tim sent another look at Dick, who was still as confused as ever. Tim visibly deflated at the confusion. HEY! It’s not his fault that his younger brother is confusing.
“If only we knew a good reporter… ACHOO!” Tim sneezed and pressed the hill of his foot onto Jason’s shoe. His eyes lit up (either from the unprovoked attack or a new murder plan he just conceived)
” How about Clark Kent!” Jason shouted.
OOOOOHHHHHH! That’s what Tim meant. That makes sense.