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Chapter Text

Mount Justice Monday 9:00AM UTC

"Wally! Don't eat all the cookies!" M'gann scolded softly. "What can I say? They're delicious!"

"Team, you are to report to the de-briefing room, instantly." Batman's voice came over the speaker. "What got him angry?" Wally whispered. "I don't know. He was fine this morning."

Dick was the first to enter the room and Batman gave him worried eyes. Dick gave him the same ones back. He saw Bats take a deep breath before starting.

"Thank you all for joining me. I have some news for you."

"Is it a new mission?" M'gann asked excitedly. "Is it a promotion?" Wally asked grinning widely.

"No. R...Robin and I will be going away for a little while."

"What?!" They all asked except Dick.

"Do we have a mission in Gotham? Is it Joker? Harley Quinn? ClayFace?"

"No." He replied sadly. "Okay, Bats, you're freaking and stressing me out. What's going on? Dick asked worridly.

Batman looked at the ground. "I don't want to worry you, Di-, uh, Robin."

He almost slipped up. Dick thought it was bad, but not this bad.

"Bats. What's. Going. On." Batman gave a deep sigh once again. "This was sent to me this morning. Just after I got back to the BatCave."

"Heeeyy, Batman! It's Harley!! And Mistah J!!" "And ClayFace." ClayFace added in. "And poison Ivy." She chuckled sweetly. "Don't forget, Scarecrow."

Dick gasped softly. Wally who was next to him gave him a sympathetic look. He knew these villians took a toll on both him and Batman.

"We've been monitoring your little bird for a month and a half. We know where he goes during the day, and we know how much you love him, Batman." Poison Ivy spoke.

Dick gasped softly. "We want him...dead." Joker spoke sinisterly. Dick gasped again, starting to shake slightly.

Wally put a hand on his shoulder. Bruce made eye contact with him and nodded his thanks. He knew Wally was Dick's best friend in the group and has opened up to him a lot.

"Now, Batsie-Bats! We have two ways we can do this!" Harley laughed. "You hand the Robin over, we take only little enjoyment in killing him."

"Or...you wait until we forcefully find him...and we do it...ever so slowly, and ever so painfully." Scarecrow sinisterly told him.

Dick's shaking became worse, as all the tortures and bruises, and broken and sprained limbs came back, the cuts, the burns. Not to mention the gas Joker and Scarecrow had inflicted on him.

Tears welled up behind his mask, while Wally started to squeeze his shoulder. "You don't want your little Robin to suffer too much, do you, Batman?" Harley asked innocently.

"Imagine all the punches, the stabs, the gas, the broken bones, the injuries he would have to endure,....if you don't hand him over...peacefully." poison Ivy said.

Two lone tears rolled down his face as his shaking became more intense. He and Bruce knew very well what all those felt like. Conner looked at Robin before scowling and clenching his fists.

"We will not hold back. No mercy, if he isn't given over by 12:00 today."

Without even realizing it, Dick left a small whimper out. Wally pulled him into a hug as Dick's shaking became worse.

"His cries will be heard all over Gotham, Batman. You, and everyone will hear him cry out for you, begging you to save him." Dick grasped the back of Wally's suit, and Wally tightened his grip.

Dick left out a broken sob.

"He will beg for you, cry for you!"

"Turn it off!!" Superboy screamed. Batman turned it off, looking at his war- no, not his ward, his son, who had broken down in Wally's arms.

"Robin.." He said softly. Everyone besides Dick was surprised. That the Batman could use such a soft tone.

"A...am I gonna die?" He asked timidly looking at Batman. Batman approached and Wally let Dick go. He knelt down so he was at Dick's level.

"I promise you. I will do everything in my power to protect you. Everything." "I can't lose you, too." Dick whispered with a broken voice. "And I can't lose you." Batman said putting a hand on Dick's shoulder.

"Bats....if...if it comes to it....,the world needs Batman more than it needs Robin." "Don't say that Robin. Don't-don't say that.." He was stern at first, but the second time, the sadness and fear was evident in his voice. The team was completely shocked, as the man who never showed emotion, was showing emotion.

"What if you two went to the Watch Tower?" Wally asked. "Surely they can't find Di-, uh, Robin there!" Wally said with a bit of panic. "That....that could work. Captain Atom and Wonder Woman are scheduled to be there and can stay with Robin while I deal with those fools."

"You can't take them all on by yourself! If they can't find me, they'll kill you!" Robin told him. "I can't be alone again, I can't." Dick shook his head.

"You won't be alone, Robin. I'll get others to help me. I just need you out of harm's way. They won't reach you in the Watch Tower."

Suddenly a video popped up on the screen. "Well, Batman, it's been an hour since we messaged you. No sign of the little bird." Joker sinisterly spoke.

"It seems we have to launch our first attack" Poison Ivy sweetly spoke. "This is your first warning." Clayface growled.

"First attack?" Aqualad asked. They heard a tiny boom then a whistle. "Everyone, into the zeta-tube, now!" Batman commanded pointing towards it before gently pushing Dick in the direction of it. "Wolf!" Conner called and the animal ran towards the Zeta-Beams

Wally came up to Dick, putting an arm around his shoulders as Batman keyed in the location.

M'gann was the first to go, followed by Conner, Artemis, and Aqualad.

"He'll be okay." Wally whispered before pushing Dick in. "Threat incoming!" Wally heard the computer alert before he followed. He heard impact just before he transported.

He saw Dick staring at the Zeta-tube with tears in his eyes, waiting for his adoptive father to come through. Wolf nuzzled Dick.

"I heard the bomb land...." Wally sadly told them in a low voice. "No...no I..I can't...he can't!" "It will be okay, Robin." M'gann said gently. "You don't understand! If he's gone, I'm back to.....!"
Dick cut himself off.

"Robin?" M'gann asked. "No, just no." He replied.

Dick looked back at the Zeta-Tube. "He's gone...isn't he?" "Come on, dude! You know how Bats is! He'll come out of it! You've both come out of worse!" Wally told him. "That's because we were a good bit away when there was an explosion! Not right on the impact site!" Dick argued back, tears burning in his eyes.

They waited another minute. There was no sign of him. "He's dead..." Dick whispered, body shaking.

Suddenly the Zeta-Tube whirred. Dick and the team dared to face it, somehow hoping by a miracle Batman would walk through.

"Recognized, Batman...." Dick stopped listening at Batman, a laugh mixed with sobs and tears coming out.

He had blood dripping down his nose, ash and dust covered him, he had cuts and blood everywhere, he was coughing but he was alive. "How...how are you alive?" Wally asked. "Not-not-not that I'm not glad, I am, but how?"

Batman coughed as he moved in the direction of the couch. Dick ran to him, putting Bruce's arm around him, whispering to him to let his weight fall on him. Conner followed Dick's lead.

"The..." A cough. "Explosion..." A coughing fit. "Don't talk, don't talk." Dick said softly. "Just breathe.....please." Dick begged in a whisper.

"Kaldur, go to the medbay and get an oxygen tank! Wally, get some plasters and some wipes or something! Artemis, there should be some spare clothes in the drawer labeled 'Batman', bring them here." As soon as Dick had given orders they were gone.

"Thought you didn't want to be leader?" Bruce smirked between coughs. "Shut up." Dick smiled before his face turned serious. "Don't scare me like that again." He whispered, giving Bruce a gentle hug.

M'gann and Conner ran to the medbay, to see if they could find anything else to help. Seeing as no one was around, Bruce left his guard down, and pulled Dick that tiny bit closer, pressing a kiss to his dark hair to help comfort him.

"Surely you have broken ribs or something?" Dick asked between a sniffle. "Hopefully-" Coughing fit. "-cracked." He winced. "Definitely a concussion." He was cut off with a cough. "No doubt, bruised lungs." "We need to get those lungs checked. But...but after I've patched you up a bit."

Everyone came back with the things Dick asked of them. "Thanks, team." Bruce said weakly.

"Focus on breathing." Dick pleaded quietly before turning his attention to the team. "There's-there's the meeting area behind that door to the left. You guys can wait there while I do what I can."

"Want me to stay with you?" Wally whispered. "I know both your identities. I can help. Dick looked to Bruce who nodded, knowing Dick could use his best friend's support.

"Wally?" Artemis asked. "I know Bats and Robin's identity. I'm going to stay and help." "What?" Kaldur asked. "How long have you known?" Artemis asked. Wally sighed. "Since he was eight...and I was ten."

"And you told Wally who you are, but not the rest of us?" Artemis was hurt, they all were, but Dick didn't have time for that now.

"I have other things to worry about, Artemis, such as my adoptive father, not dying! So kindly, let me help him! I already almost lost him less then ten minutes ago, and I can not lose him now so GO!"

Dick was in no mood to care that he slipped up and the team now know that Batman is his father. He couldn't give two craps about it. He just needed Bruce to survive.

The rest of the team, including Wolf, walked off into the meeting room.

The team is pissed off at him, he knows that, but he doesn't care. Not when he could lose his dad. Dick removed his mask before removing Batman's cowl.

Bruce winced and gritted his teeth. "I know, B, I know, I'm sorry."

Chapter Text

The WatchTower 9:30AM UTC

"How can he tell Wally, and not us?!" "Artemis, try to understand-" Conner started. "Understand what?! He clearly has a favorite on this team!"

Kaldur did a very unlike Kaldur action. He slammed his hand down on the table as he stood up.

"Robin almost lost his adoptive father today! He still could! Give him a break!" Kaldur yelled but outside the room was sound-proof. Which Kaldur was grateful for.

He sighed before continuing.

"Thinking back to that conversation before Batman came in, he cut himself off. He said we didn't understand, and if Batman was gone, he cut himself off there. He was clearly going to say he was going to be an orphan again."

Artemis grumbled and clenched her fists. Conner scratched Wolf's ear.

"Wally and Robin are best friends. He clearly told him who he was, and who Batman was-"

"Because he trusts that fool more than us!"

"No. Because he needed someone. He knew me for years, he knew Red Arrow for years but he's not here, and he knew Wally the longest. Clearly he told Wally his past, and how he ended up being Robin."

"If Robin was an orphan before Batman adopted him, he could have gone through hell. He could have seen them die. Clearly Batman cares so much about him if he went on to adopt Robin. If you all have the audacity to think 'why didn't Robin tell me?' you have got some nerve."

Kaldur told them.

"We got a prime example of Batman caring for him after that training exercise gone wrong. Robin put on a brave face for us all. He hid everything, comforting us first. After we went to our rooms, he broke down in Batman's arms. Wally was passing when he saw it. Robin clinging to him for dear life, and did Batman push him away? No. He held him, hugged him, ran his hand through his hair, told him it was all over, Robin was safe, he was safe, we were safe. That he wasn't dead. That he wouldn't disappear, he promised Robin that he was there."

The team looked down. "Yes, we had to watch the League die. We knew our parents were dead but we never saw that. Robin had to see his father die right before his eyes! Robin was a mess. You know as well as I do, he went home with Batman that night and for at least a week and a half, terrified that he would lose him again. ........I'm willing to bet, half of his happy personality is there to hide his fears, anxieties, and trauma."

Artemis sat down as she took in all Kaldur was saying.

"Right now, that thirteen year old child, the youngest one here, is fighting to save Batman's life. For him, and for the world. The world needs him, and Robin needs him. You saw that before we came here. He cried saying he couldn't be alone again. And we wondered why."

"We are lucky, he is lucky that Batman is still alive. Batman by right should not be alive. It is a sheer miracle and luck that he is alive. But we all know it is barely. We shall not speak of Robin telling us Batman is his father. We shall not speak of Robin never telling us his identity. What we will do, is help him. I don't care if you're angry, I don't care if you hate him. You are on this team, and he is on this team. Therefor, you will help Robin anyway you can. Do I make myself clear?"

He got mumbles of agreement from the team. Suddenly there was a scream. It was Batman's. They all looked towards the door.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Dick repeated. "Not your fault. You have to check my ribs."

"I think they're broken." Dick murmured. "Yeah, me too." Bruce grunted.

"O2 levels are returning to normal." Wally told him. "Can you put your clothes on without help?" Dick asked, his voice incredibly small. "Yeah, yeah, I'll be fine." He whispered rustling Dick's hair. "Go.." He groaned sitting up. "Go tell the team." "Are you sure?" "I'll manage, Dick."

Dick gave a slight nod, mopping up the rest of his tears. "What happened?" Conner asked when they entered. "We heard a scream, is Batman alright?" He asked again. Wolf whined.

"He's alive. Weak, tired, and sore, but alive." He patted Wolf's head, to give them both some sort of comfort.

"Robin. I'm sorry for how I reacted while ago, I shouldn't have done that." "You're right. You shouldn't have. If Bat's was more in it he would have killed me for telling you guys he adopted me." Robin sighed.

"He was there to pick up the pieces after....after..." Dick gulped past the lump in his throat. "I saw my parents die. I was in the circus with them. Trapeze act, as you know. A guy had it out for the ringmaster. He weakened the rope, my parents went out on it..." Tears rolled down his cheeks recalling the memory. Wolf nudged Dick's arm around him.

"He was at the circus that night. He arranged the funeral. Asked if I had anyone. When the police told him I had no one, he took me in. Signed papers a month later. I can't.....I can't do that again. I was eight when I lost them. I didn't eat, I didn't sleep, I didn't care. If Br- If Bats wasn't there, I'm not sure I would be here today."

"Robin." Conner said. "You know that mission we went on at the circus?" They nodded. "It was...It was the same circus where my parents died. I couldn't let ol' Jack suffer. That place was my home. I wouldn't let some fool take it away." Dick's voice broke. "Robin.." M'gann started. "I have to check on Bats." He said wiping his tears and leaving the room.

"Hey, bud." Bruce coughed from the couch. "Dad." He whispered as he sat on a chair next to him with wide eyes.

It was rare that Dick called Bruce 'Dad', he says it when he's upset, sick and scared mainly.

Mindful of his injuries and bandages, Bruce lifted his hand to cup Dick's cheek. Dick nuzzled into it. Bruce wiped a tear that was coming down with his thumb.

"I thought I lost you." Dick whispered.
Bruce lifted his left arm so Dick could move to the couch and lean against him.

"I can't, your ribs." "Screw my ribs, my little Dickie-bird needs a hug."

"I thought I told you to stop calling me that?" Dick asked with a small smile." Eh." He got in response. Dick gently cuddled against Bruce's side.

"So...you let it slip to the team I adopted you?" Dick looked up at him with nervous eyes. "Am I in trouble?" "No. It was going to get out one day. You were very brave today. I'm proud of you." "Thanks, Bruce."

"What happened to 'Dad'?" Bruce smirked. "Shut up." Dick smiled, getting a bit embarrassed. "You can call me that. If you want. I'm not gonna stop you." "Are you sure?" Dick asked.

"I call you my son. I love you, kid." Dick smiled as he took hold of Bruce's other hand. "I love you too....,Dad."

"Wally, how is he?" Kaldur asked. "Bats or Robin?" He asked. Kaldur sighed. "Both." He opted.

"Batman has broken ribs, his right arm is broken, concussion, bruised lungs, broken nose, sprained ankle, severe smoke inhalation. He was so close to death...he almost couldn't breathe before we hooked up oxygen." Wally said looking to the ground. "We found a sling in the medbay, so he's using that now, but we need to get him to a doctor after this."

The team looked down. "And Robin?" Artemis asked.

"Traumatized, terrified. God, he was trying so hard to hold it together while we cleaned up Bats. I knew what Batman looked like underneath...but that....looked nothing like him. Robin saw it too. It...it was terrifying, for both of us."

Kaldur looked down.

Chapter Text

"Are you okay?" Bruce asked. "I'm not the one who almost died in an explosion, I'm fine." "Dick." "I'm fine. You're alive, I'm fine."

"Dick. It's okay to not be okay." "I'm okay, I promise." Dick said softly from the chair. Dick could see the painkillers were starting to work. Bruce looked exhausted.

"Don't fight the tablets. Let them to their thing. Go to sleep, I'll be okay, we'll all be okay." "Since when are the roles reversed?" Bruce asked and Dick snorted. "Go to sleep, Dark Knight."

"You sure you'll be alright?" "Promise." Dick said. Bruce gave him a small smile. "You don't have to stay with me. You can go talk to your friends." Bruce yawned.

"I'm staying with you." Dick replied in a low voice gently squeezing Bruce's hand. Dick pulled the blanket up over Bruce. Bruce held out his hand for Dick to take once he sat back down.

"You know they won't get you here kiddo." "I know. It's Gotham I'm worried about." "Don't worry. I have Clark, Diana, Manhunter, the invulnerable ten year old, and the three Green Lanterns on it. I told them before I showed you the....thing."

"You got Uncle Gardner on it?" Dick asked amused. "The lunatic would kick my ass if I didn't include him in this." Bruce coughed through the sentence. "Okay, I think you should rest. No more talk." "I'll be alright kiddo. Atâta timp cât eu sunt aici, nimeni nu vă va răni. Promit."

( As long as I'm with you, no one will hurt you. I promise." Bruce told him.)

Dick nodded. "Știu. Te iubesc."

(I know. I love you.)

"Și eu te iubesc, draga mea."

(I love you too, sweetheart.)

Bruce gently stroked his thumb over his son's knuckles until his hand went limp.

Dick waited a few more minutes before gently placing his adoptive father's hand on the couch. He quietly got up, put his mask back on and went to the meeting room.

"How is he?" M'gann asked. "Just fell asleep." Robin sighed sitting in one of the chairs. "How are you holding up?" Conner asked. "A...as well as I can be. I don't wanna leave him alone for too long. In case...."

He stops breathing were the unsaid words. "Do you want me to stay with him for a bit?" Wally asked. "Just so you can...chill out...or gather yourself for a bit?" "Yeah. Yeah...th-thanks Kid." "No worries." KF said going out into the med bay.

"Whatever you need, we're here." Kaldur'ahm told him. "Thanks." Dick said barely even audible. "If you need a good cry, you can do it. No judgement here." Artemis whispered to him. "No. No, I'm good." He replied.

Wolf licked Robin's hand and Dick scratched his nose gently and Wolf's leg starting thumping causing the whole team to smile.

"Do you like that, bud?" Dick asked and Wolf barked in response. He scratched Wolf's snout harder, causing his leg to thump more. "Who's a good boy?" Dick asked. Wolf barked. "Yes, it's you, yes!" Wolf nuzzled his hand.

Suddenly a call came up on Dick's watch. "Robin. How are you and Batman doing?" Wonder Woman asked. "I gave Bat's two strong painkillers, he fell asleep in the medbay about 5 minutes ago. We need a doctor to cast his arm, set his nose, and look at his ribs. We think their broken." He told her. Diana was silent for a moment, considering options. "Will Leslie do?"

"Yeah, appreciate it." Robin told her. "Have you. . .have you found them?" Unfortunately, Wonder Woman sighed. "No sign of them yet. Have they sent another video?" "I didn't look at his watch....I..-"

"That's alright. If there's a new one. I don't want you to look at it. Just send it to me, alright?" "Yes." He replied quietly. "I'm on my way to get Leslie, I'll Zeta-Tube with her soon." "Thanks Wonder Woman." "You're safe where you are. I promise."

"Did they launch another attack?" Dick asked timidly. "Yes. ......On the Hall of Justice." "Was anyone hurt?" Artemis spoke.

"Luckily, no. The Lanterns were there, de-briefing everyone, we thought we should all get on the case. They shielded all of us."

"Hey, kid!" Guy Gardner called, appearing on the screen. "Hall's completely-" He blew a raspberry and put his thumb down. "-but we're all fine!" "Gardner, get out of here! Sorry Robin. We're all fine, check if there's another so we can get on those.......I will not use that word. And stay with Bats."

"On it." "See you soon."

Without saying a word, Robin got up. "Robin." Conner called. "Just don't watch it, and it will be okay." Conner said softly. Dick gave a deep sigh before opening the door and stepping out."

"Close the door. Their identities are private, they will remain that way." Kaldur told Artemis. "But what if he does the idiotic thing and watch it? Or what if he freaks if there is a new video?" "Wally is there. Wally will take care of him."

"Dick?" Wally asked. "Wonder asked me to see if there was another video." "Oh, shit no. Dick you can't." "It's one of the chances they have of finding them. I won't look at it, just send it on."

Wally sighed. Dick looked at Bruce, there was a pained expression on his face. "What....what if I lose him?" Dick barely audible got out as he picked up Batman's watch.

"Hey. Hey, look at me." Wally told him. "He is so much more alive because of you. Because of your quick thinking, and your leadership. I know you don't want to be a leader, Dick, but you are one. A good one at that." "Thanks, Dumber." Robin said gratefully. "Anytime, Dumb."

Wally smiled. "We really are Dumb and Dumber aren't we?" Wally asked. Dick chuckled lightly entering the password on Batman's watch.

"Think we could change the roles?" "Are you the one who can hack into anything?" Dick asked. "Shut up." Wally replied as Dick made the watch screen come up as a hologram. "Shit." Dick mumbled. "What?"

He swallowed before replying. "They sent another one." "Shit." Wally mirrored. He copied the video and pasted it in a chat to Wonder Woman.

"I want to stay with him for a bit. You can go back if you want." "Do you want me to stay?" "Nah, nah, you're alright." Dick said pulling a chair up next to Bruce. "Wonder's on her way with a doctor now."

"Okay. But if you want any of us. . ." "Appreciate it." Dick softly spoke.

Wally went back into the room and Dick stared at his sleeping father. He let out a shaky sigh. He gently took Bruce's hand is his smaller ones.

A few minutes later he heard the Zeta-Tube whir. "Recognized, Wonder Woman...." "Hey, sweetheart, you alright?" Diana asked him as she walked into the medbay. "Yeah, just a little.....shaken up."

"I'll take good care of Bruce." Leslie told Dick. "How long has he been conked for?"

"About......half an hour?" "Do you want to go be with your friends, hon?"

"I don't wanna leave him." "I think Leslie needs some space to work." "I'm not five, Wonder. I know what his injuries are."

"Dick." She said softly. "I left him, and he almost died. I'm not leaving him again." "That wasn't your fault. We will look after him, I promise." Dick looked at her with wide eyes. "I promise" She repeated.

"Okay." He gave in quietly. He gently placed Bruce's hand down on the couch and walked towards the meeting room door. He glanced at Bruce once more before going in.

"Robin?" Artemis asked. "Wonder kicked me out. She didn't want me there for it. In case...in case it's bad."

Robin sat down in one of the many chairs.

"Are you ok?" Artemis asked. "Yeah sure he is! He is being hunted by five people who want him dead, we all almost died in an explosion in the cave, he almost lost his adoptive father, the world almost lost Batman, he's juuussstt perfect!" Superboy growled.

"Conner." M'gann said softly. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm just worried." "It's okay, we all are." Dick replied quietly.

They heard Batman scream from outside the room and Dick squeezed his eyes shut and part of his cape tightly in his hands.

Kaldur squeezed his shoulder.

And Conner squeezed his other.

Wolf rested his chin on the youngest member's leg.

"Thanks, guys." He whispered. They just squeezed harder in response.

Dick normally acted the tough guy in front of the team, but today he did not care.

"Oh, God, ow!" Bruce exclaimed then coughed. He looked so weak and tired. This concerned Leslie, Bruce was never like this. She needed to act fast, or he could die.

Bruce coughed as she finished setting his nose. "Now for your ribs." "You're gonna have to press on them, aren't you?" His weak voice got out. "Yep." "Fuck." He replied.

"Ow, Christ!" He bellowed, as Leslie went at his ribs.

Conner's and Kaldur's hand returned to Dick's shoulders. "Thank you, guys." Dick whispered. "We're a family, we look out for each other." Conner replied.

Dick moved his hand to Conner's that was still on his shoulder and squeezed it.

"Now for your arm. We gotta get you up and to the medbay for an X-ray." Bruce groaned like a child and Diana found it quite entertaining. He coughed again.

"Your dad's gonna be fine, Rob." Artemis softly spoke. Dick didn't say anything, he just stared across the room.

"Rob?" Wally asked. "Huh? What?" "You okay?" Wally asked. "Yeah, asterous." "Bats is gonna be okay." Wally told him softly.

The Watch Tower 10:40AM UTC

Leslie and Diana finished tending to what injuries they could. They kept Bruce on an oxygen mask to help with the smoke inhalation and the bruised lung.

"I'm gonna give you a sedative. It will give your lungs a chance to heal. They're bad, Bruce. You'll be completely knocked out." Leslie said about to put an IV in his arm. "Wait, Leslie." He hissed in pain. "I...I want to talk to Dick before you knock me out. How's he doing anyway?" He asked looking to Diana.

"He hates leaving you. He feels you'll die while he's gone. Sorry now, how the fuck, did you survive an explosion to Mount Justice?"

"It...it was on the outside, and on the other side. It was mainly the waves that came with the impact that made this happen."

"How in God's name did you survive?" Leslie asked.

"I had to." His weak voice got out. "I couldn't leave Dick alone. I know what it's like, he knows what it's like. I wasn't doing it to him again." Bruce coughed. "Fair play to you, Wayne. Fair play." "Thanks Diana."

"Get my son for me, will you?" "Course." She replied as she got up.

"Robin?" She asked as she opened the door. She was greeted with the sight of his team comforting him.

Wally and Artemis squeezing his hands, Conner and Kaldur his shoulders, and M'gann his arm. "Dad wants you." She said softly and with that, they instantly let him go so he could go out.

"Hey, kiddo." Bruce replied tiredly. Gently, Dick flung his arms around Bruce's neck. "It's okay, buddy, I'm alive." Bruce said raising his uninjured arm to rub Dick's back. As Dick let go Bruce softly said, "I'm just a bit sore is all. Hey, Dickie, don't be blaming yourself for this. It's not your fault."

"How did I not know they were spying on me?" He whispered with a cracked voice. "Hey, I didn't know either. I should have, but I didn't. At the end of the day, they did this to me. Not you." Bruce said cupping Dick's cheek, trying to stifle his cough.

Bruce winced as he moved. "Come on, Wayne, I need to set the IV up." Leslie said gently but eyeing him seriously as to say 'You're gonna get worse the longer you're awake'

"I don't wanna be knocked out." Bruce whined for Dick's sake, which made the boy smile.

"Tough." Leslie replied. "Ah Leslie." "Wayne." She said sternly before Bruce grumbled. "C'mere, chum." Bruce said lifting his left arm. "Your ribs, I-" "You can and you will." Bruce cut him off.

"Be gentle, child." Leslie told Dick softly.

"Bruce, stop moving." Leslie told him. She put the IV line in his hand after Dick crawled under it.

"Night, Bruce." Leslie told him once she finished setting up the IV. As Bruce gently rubbed Dick's back, he could already feel the drugs kicking in.

"Don't fight it." He heard Dick whisper. "I'm not." He smiled sleepily. "Bullshit." Diana said next to him. "Why are you still here?" Bruce asked. "Oh, someone's angry because he missed his nap." Diana retorted earning a snort from Dick.

"You little traitor." Bruce yawned. "Stop fighting it." Dick whispered. "Fight me." Bruce replied earning a giggle from Dick. Bruce's eyes were already feeling heavy, but now they felt ridiculously heavy.

He felt Dick nuzzle into his shoulder and he gave a small smile. "As long as I am here, no one will hurt you." Bruce whispered quietly, just loud enough for Dick to hear. "Te iubesc." Dick whispered.

(I love you.)

"Și eu te iubesc, păsărică" Bruce murmured.

(I love you too, baby bird.

With what was left of his strength, he gave Dick a small squeeze, he tried not to frown or let tears sting his eyes as it could be his last, before finally letting his eyes slip shut.

"I'll go tell the team, Little Bird." She said gently. Dick removed his mask and before he knew it, he fell asleep as well.

Chapter Text

The Watch Tower 2:40PM UTC

Four hours had passed, father and son were still conked on the bed.

"How long has Robin been out for?" Artemis asked. "About four hours." Conner replied. "He needs it." Kaldur spoke as he rolled the dice on the board game Diana had brought them when she arrived.

Dick woke a few minutes later. He didn't know where he was for a minute, then remembered what had happened. He slowly sat up and looked at Bruce. The drugs were still going strong. He didn't look in pain, but he was fully knocked out.

He pulled up his hologram watch, and out of pure boredom, he hacked the meeting room. The first video to come up was Kaldur talking some sense into Artemis and the others.

He was very grateful to Kaldur for standing up for him. But what hurt, is he was right. He was right about some of his happy personality being there to hide things. Like his traumas as Kaldur had said, and his anxieties. He slowly untangled himself from Bruce picked up his mask. Doing his best to be quiet, he left the med bay.

He opened the door to find them playing Monopoly. He guessed Wonder brought that as the game takes hours.

"Hey, sleepy-head!" Wally greeted. "Hey guys." "Bats still conked?" Conner asked. "Yup." "How are you doing?" M'gann asked. "Better than this morning. Hey, Kaldur?"

He looked at him. "Thanks for what you said while ago." "I thought this room was sound proof?" Conner asked and then it clicked. "You hacked the room." Superboy said putting a hand to his forehead. "I hacked the room." Dick smiled.

Wally snorted. "Not surprised." "You were right, Kaldur." He said looking at the ground "About what?" Wally asked.

"I think I know." Kaldur answered. "Happy personality?" Robin nodded. "Oh, Rob." Conner said before giving him a hug.

"We're all here for you." Artemis said softly. "Any time you want to talk." "Thank you guys."

"I'm gonna get some water." Dick said in a low voice.

The water felt good, he hadn't eaten or drank anything since breakfast that morning.

He took some bottles for his team as well.

He checked on Bruce before noticing his IV line. It wasn't normal drugs. It...it was a sedative....

"No. No." He whispered.

He briskly made his way towards the meeting room.

"He's on a sedative. A str-.....strong one" He struggled to announce after walking in and putting the bottles on the large table.

There was silence for several seconds.

"He'll pull through, he always does." Conner told him.

"Yeah, come on, man! We both know Joker's and Scarecrow's gas is worse than a few broken bones!" Wally told him.

"But it's never gotten to the point where he's had to be sedated!" Dick's voice cracked. "That's just because he refuses to sleep." Artemis tried to comfort softly.

"I'm not stupid, Artemis. It's because his injuries are so bad. He'd be in so much pain if he was awake. He fucking hid his pain while I was there! He let me lie against him because he knew I couldn't hurt him if he was sedated!"

"I'm gonna lose him!" "He'll pull through." Superboy repeated. "You can't promise that!" Dick argued back with a broken voice, his eyes filled with tears.

Not knowing how to respond, he just squeezed Dick's shoulder. "I can't....I can't do it again. I...I can't lose another parent."

"I'm sure Wonder and Leslie are doing everything they can to make sure that doesn't happen." Kaldur spoke in a low voice.

"Robin?" A female voice called from outside. M'gann opened the door. "With us." She told Diana.

"Oh, sweetie." She said pitifully. "Bru- uh! Bats is gonna be okay." She muttered softly. "But he's sedated! That means it's bad!"

Diana was shocked he figured that out, but she also knew he wasn't stupid. She sighed knowing there was no use in lying to the thirteen year old.

"Yeah.... It is bad. His lungs are much worse than we thought. We have to keep him asleep to give them a chance."

"So...so if he was awake he'd...?" Dick half-sobbed. Diana looked down. "Possibly."

M'gann instantly hugged him.

"Do-don't lie. What are the possibilities of death?" "Robin." Diana started. "I need to know, Diana!" He growled with tears. Diana sighed. "There.....there's a fifty/fifty....death rate. His lungs are.....not looking good. I've talked to Leslie, we might have to get him on a ventilator."

Dick sobbed as M'gann held him. "What...what do I do if he...." Dick cut himself off. "He's not going to an orphanage right?!" Wally asked with tears of his own. "We'd never see him again!"

"Hey! Let's not panic." She told them. "Easy for you to say! You're not the one who could lose their father!" Conner hissed.

"Look, I know we're all worried and upset, but let's not shout at each other. But I'm afraid Robin's right. We need to start thinking ahead."

A loud sob came out of Dick. "He's not going to an orphanage! My-my mom and dad will take him! I know they will! And if they don't, Uncle Barry will! I know he will, we all know he will!" "Wally, I appreciate the offer, but he can't just up and live with you if Batman passes."

Dick held M'gann tight and she held him tight. "Da-Dad's not the-the only person I li-live with. I-I can stay with Alfred." "Is that guy still alive!?" Diana asked in shock. Dick gave a tearful nod. "Alright, that solves that problem."

"Who is Alfred?" Conner asked. "My unofficial Grandpa." Dick answered. "He's my legal guardian if...." Dick shut his eyes tight and clenched his fists until his knuckles were white. Kaldur squeezed his shoulder.

"Diana." Dick asked with a broken voice. "How long does Dad have?" "I....I don't know." It was Wally's turn to hug him. "I'm going to get Leslie. Let her check on him. I'll be back soon." She spoke quietly as Dick left out quiet sobs.

"I didn't call him 'Dad' enough." Dick cried into Wally's suit. "I only ever called him by his name. Why didn't I call him 'Dad'?" He sobbed. The team started shedding their own tears. Slowly rolling down their cheeks.

"He's gonna die!" Dick sobbed. Wally shushed him softly, holding him tight. "I got you brother." He whispered. "Come on. Let's go out to him." He spoke in a low voice still holding onto Dick. As he led Dick out, he gave one last glance to the team before grabbing Dick's water bottle.

He sat Dick on the chair. Dick stared at his medically-induced sleeping father. He watched the slow and faint rise and fall of his chest, and listened to the beep of the monitor they had set up. Wally gently took off  Dick's mask. "It's okay, Dick. It's okay."

"I know the odds are low. But you know as well as I do, Bruce Wayne does not go down without a fight. Especially when his Little Bird needs him."

"You eavesdrop too much." Dick sob-laughed. Wally gave him a small smile. "No matter what happens, we won't leave you. I promise. You're my best friend, Dick. We're Woody and Buzz Lightyear, we're dumb and dumber, we're Tom and Jerry. We're here for each other." Dick hugged Wally as he tried to stop his sobs.

"You're my brother, Dick." Wally's voice cracked. "And you're mine." Dick whispered in a broken voice. Dick pulled back swiping at his cheeks. "If we're sent home, do you want to come back to my place? Or I could ask my mom and dad to stay with you?"

"I appreciate that. But I....I don't know. I don't wanna leave him." Dick said looking back at Bruce "He'd want you to get a decent sleep. I will kidnap you if it comes to it."

Dick chuckled. "Recognized, Wonder Woman...." "Dick, Wally?" Diana asked obviously not wanting them there as Leslie checked on Bruce. "Yeah." KF answered. "Dickie, come here a second." Wonder said softly.

"We know of their last location. We've found where they were, but they seemed to have moved. Alfred's checked around the Manor, the Bat Cave, you're safe to go home. It's getting late. I think you should go home, try to sleep."

"I'm not leaving Dad!" Robin fought. "I will be staying with him. So will Leslie. We will keep an eye on him during the night. If anything comes up, you will be the first to know. Go home, try to eat, and try to get some rest."

"KF, go tell your team mates that they should go home." Wally nodded.

"Wally?" Artemis asked. "Diana's sending us all home." "How's Robin taking it?" Superboy asked. "He's trying to fight, I'll give him that, but he knows he has to go home. He's lost the battle. He knows Bats would have wanted him to go home try and eat something and try to sleep."

"I'm gonna ask my parents if I can go with Robin." "Sounds like a good idea. He'll need someone with him." Kaldur'ahm spoke. With that, Wally dialed his Mom's number.

Wally stood a good bit away from the team and spoke in a low voice.

"Hey, Mom? No, I'm not hurt. Just, Just let me explain. You know the way Dick Grayson is Robin and Bruce Wayne is Batman? Well.....there are villains out to kill Dick. They were spying on him for the last almost two months. They blew up Mount Justice."

"No, I'm not hurt, I'm in the Watch Tower. It's been.....nine hours. I didn't ring because Batman almost died! We thought he was dead, he made sure we were all gone into the Zeta-Tube!"

His voice was louder now.

"Look, Mom, shut up! Yeah, scold me later just listen to me! Batman is currently sedated, i.e. conked out, he has a broken arm, broken nose, severe smoke inhalation, severe broken ribs, sprained ankle and could die with his very severe bruised lungs! Wonder Woman told me, they are swollen beyond belief! Dick is having a full on break down, both mental and nervous and his Dad is on death's doorstep!"

"I need to stay with him tonight. Alfred won't be able to handle him on his own, please. Yeah, I know you're mad at me, but he already lost his parents! He can not be alone if he loses another, It's a HUGE if!" Wally begged.

"Please. He needs me to stay with him. God, I need to stay with him. For both of us. I'll text you when we get there. He can't be alone right now. Not in that big empty house knowing his father has a fifty/fifty chance of dying. I will. Promise. Love you too. Bye."

"We're no good here." Kaldur sighed. "We need to go home." "What about Robin?" M'gann asked. "Mom said I could stay with him. I'll update you guys, I promise. Artemis, make a group chat, do not put Rob in it." Artemis nodded in response.

When the team came out, they were greeted with the sight of silent tears rolling down Robin's face. He carefully held Bruce's unbroken hand in his small hands, carefully avoiding the IV line. Diana was blocking the view of Batman's face, they couldn't tell whether that was on purpose or by accident.

Kaldur was the first to look away after a minute, Robin hadn't even realized they were there, before ushering the rest of the team, besides Wally to the Zeta-Tube. "I will stay here, seeing as there is no where else for me to go." "Same here." Conner said looking to M'gann as well.

"Sleepover?" Wally suggested to them. "Maybe." "I'll see you guys tomorrow." Artemis said stepping towards the beam.

Dick looked up when he heard the machine whir. "Hey." Wally whispered as he approached. "Hey." "How are you both doing?" "Leslie won't let me see his lung scans. It's bad, Walls." "I know." He replied quietly.

"My mom said I can stay with you tonight. Should we head back to the Manor?" "Yeah, just...just give me a minute." Wally nodded before going to the Zeta-Tube.

Gently, Dick squeezed one of Bruce's fingers before whispering, "You can't hear me, but I love you. I love you, Dad. Please, please pull through. The..." Dick swallowed. "The odds aren't with us, I know. But since when do you care about odds, huh, old man?"

Of course there was nothing in response. "Fight. Please" He whispered before placing Bruce's hand down before getting up. "You boys ready?" Wally nodded and Diana keyed in the Bat Cave.

Chapter Text

The BatCave 7:15PM

Alfred came towards them. "Master Dick, Master Wallace." Alfred said in an unusual sad tone, which was understandable. "Just Wally, Alf." Wally murmured before stepping away. Alfred nodded before going towards Dick. "Master Dick." Alfred said softly. He embraced the boy and Dick buried his face in his shoulder.

"He's not looking good, Alfie." "I know." Alfred replied quietly. "His lungs are really bad." "I know." He repeated squeezing Dick that bit tighter.

After Alfred let him go he said, "Why don't you boys go upstairs and change into something more comfortable? And I can cook if you two would be up to eating?" "That would be great, Alf, thank you." Wally replied.

"Any requests?" "Do we have chicken nuggets?" Dick asked his voice barely above a whisper. "I believe we do, Master Dick. Go on upstairs, change into something comfortable." With that the three of them went to the lift.

Dick pulled out his new Batman fluffy jammies Bruce had recently gotten him for his birthday last month. He remembered the card that came with them.

To my little Robin. I love you, I always will. Hope these are better than Clark's stupid Superman ones.

Love, Bruce.

Tears stung his eyes as he remembered it. He shook his head before saying, "Hey. I-I got the whole league in here. You want Flash?" Wally smiled. "Normally yes. But I'm going with Bruce tonight. Dick gave a sad smile before pulling out another pair.

S-sorry if it's a bit small." "No worries." "Hey I'm gonna pee, be back soon, okay?" Wally asked. Dick nodded.

Dick got up and moved to Bruce's room. He picked up the blanket on Bruce's bed. It had Bruce's scent and it was a comfort he needed right now. He headed back to his room and sat on his bed.

Wally came back a few minutes later. "Hey. Do you wanna play FIFA or something?" Dick shook his head. "How about a movie? How to Train Your Dragon?" "Okay." Dick replied softly.

After setting up Dick's laptop and plugging the TV cord into it so Netflix would appear, (Chrome cast wasn't around in 2010 it was released in 2013) Wally put on HTTYD.

Dick wrapped the big blanket around himself. About forty minutes into the movie Alfred came up.

"Master Dick, Master Wally. The food is done, are you up to eating?" Wally looked at Dick for a second. "We'll try." He responded.

Alfred brought in small bowls each with six nuggets. "Thanks Alfred." Wally said gratefully. "Thanks, Alfie." Dick murmured. Alfred nodded before leaving the room.

"M'not hungry." Dick murmured. "Bruce would want you to try." Wally kindly replied in a low voice. "I can't." Dick whispered. "Come on Dickie, just try." Wally pleaded softly. Dick shook his head. "Just one bite." Wally tried and picked a nugget up.

Reluctantly, Dick took a small bite. "Great job." Wally whispered. He knew how hard this was for Dick.

"Do you wanna try another bite?" When Dick nodded, Wally wanted to cheer, but he held back and Dick slowly took the nugget from him. He took a bigger bite this time, finishing it. "Do you want another one?" Wally asked softly. Dick hesitated, and Wally tried not to hold his breath. Slowly, Dick nodded and picked up another one.

"You're doing so good, Dickie." Wally whispered. He knew what Dick used be like on the week before, and on the week of his parents' death. He went into shutdown mode. Barely eating, barely sleeping. Dick was entering that mode now, it would only be so long before he refused to eat entirely and would probably eat once a day.

He couldn't imagine what Dick would be like if Bruce died. It took him years to not break down whenever his parents were mentioned. But now that he could lose another......Wally didn't want to imagine it. Dick ate four of the six nuggets and Wally counted that as a very big achievement. Dick spent most of the movie wrapped in the blankie he stole from Bruce's room, Wally just sat there, being a silent comfort to his brother.

Alfred came in after the movie was over. "How are you two doing? Would you like anything else?" "I'm okay, thanks Alf. Dick?" Wally asked. "Do...do I have to go to school tomorrow?" He asked, his voice incredibly small and sounding far younger than he is.

"No, not at all, Master Dick. You could stay here, or go to the Watch Tower." "Thanks, Alfie." He replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

Alfred placed a hand on Dick's head, running through his black locks for a minute before taking the bowls downstairs.

"Do you wanna watch something else? Or do you wanna get some sleep?"

Dick shrugged. Wally was silent for a minute. "H...how about Toy Story? Remember we used watch it when we were younger?" That got a small smile out of Dick. "We....we used make Barry and....and Dad watch it with us."

"Yeah. We'd be up in the Watch Tower, they'd be in a meeting and we'd just barge in screaming 'To Infinity and Beyond'!" Wally recalled and Dick laughed. "We'd-we'd just be running around like lunatics with Woody and Buzz." Wally laughed.

"I remember....Bats said 'Dick, we're in a meeting.' And, and you just started singing at the top of your lungs."

"You've got a friend in me, Ba-dum-dum-dum, you've got a friend in me!" Wally started and Dick laughed. "Remember when Barry said, 'Dick, Wally, guys, we can Toy Story later.'" Wally asked.

"Yeah and I just started belting out, 'Clleeaarly I....will go saaailling, nooo moorre'!"

Wally wheezed laughing.

"Remember Black Canary?" Dick asked. Wally burst out laughing. " 'I'll kick you into 'Infinity and Beyond' if you don't find yourselves out of this room. Then you'll be asking if 'you've got a friend in me'."

Wally was crying laughing, almost falling off the bed. "She-she she-" Wally tried between laughs. "was not in a good mood that day.

"Remember I ran around the table and we both belted out 'Straaannge things are happenin' to me. Strraaannngee things'!" Wally asked.

Dick wheezed and tears ran down his face as he tried to stop laughing. "The-the whole League just-just looked at each other for help!" Dick laughed. "Remember Bruce just pinched his nose and sighed?"

"That day will forever be engraved in my head." Wally declared. "Ollie had too much fun. He was almost rolling on the ground laughing." Dick smiled. "Remember the other time we started re-creating the argument in Andy's car with Woody and Buzz?" Dick asked.

"Green Arrow, loved it." Wally laughed. "Batman just lost the will to live." Wally snorted.

"How did they get us out anyway?" Dick asked. "I think BC actually got up and came towards us and we ran....or maybe Bats did his DaddyBats Glare and we freaked." Wally answered.

"I think it was both." Dick replied. "Probably." Wally shrugged. Suddenly, Dick yawned. "You want to get some sleep?" Wally asked softly. "Maybe in a bit, I wanna put Toy Story on."

Wally grinned. "We should probably wait until tomorrow, because we will get hyper, and belt out the songs and poor Alfie will be traumatized."

Dick snorted. "Fair point." This time Wally yawned. "We should probably brush our teeth." Wally suggested.

"Yeah." Dick agreed.

"Here." Dick said handing him a spare toothbrush. "Thanks.

(I feel like Wally and Dick met when they were younger i.e when Dick was 8 and he was 10. So I head-canon, they had sleep overs and shared the same bed. They were kids. I do not see them as a couple, only brothers, so.... sorry to disappoint anyone who thinks otherwise. I also can see them curling up together like my sister and I used do when we shared a bed so yeah.)

Afterwards, Wally turned off the light and Dick left his phone screen on. It would turn off in ten minutes, he left it on to give the room some light while they adjusted. "Hey, Dumb-dumb?" Dick asked softly. "Yeah?" Wally answered as he got comfy. "Thanks for staying with me tonight." Wally responded by giving Dick a quick hug.

"Of course, Bird." Suddenly Dick rolled over. "Promise you won't laugh?" Wally was bewildered at the sudden question. "Promise."

Dick then reached under the bed and came back up revealing a stuffed elephant. Wally just lied there, his mouth slightly open. "You still have Zitka?" "Course I do. I..got to see her last year. She still remembers me. In a way....this is all I have left of her, and my mom and my dad.....and..-"

Dick tried to fight the tears that were trying to form. "...and possibly my other dad." "Hey. Hey." Wally said softly then a bit firmer, reaching his hand across to rest it on Dick's arm.

"I know I can't promise he'll make it through. But I can promise, because we both know it, he will put up one hell of a fight. The odds aren't with him, but does Bruce Wayne give a fuck? No. He will fight. So bloody hard. Trust me on that." Wally told him.

"Thanks, Wally." "Your little 'Zitka' secret is safe with me. Unless, I need it for blackmail." Dick hit him gently upside the head. "Then I'll just tell everyone you're turned on by yourself."

"Dude!" Wally gasped loudly. They heard footsteps outside, clearly Alfred was passing. "It's a two-way-street." "Bastard." Wally replied. Alfred opened the door. "Watch your language, Master Wallace!" He scolded and Dick sniggered. "Sorry, Alfred." Wally rubbed his head sheepishly. Alfred's face softened before he checked his watch.

"It's pretty late, I think you boys should get some sleep." "Aw, Alf it's only eleven!" Wally tried but he received a light dig in the ribs to get him to shut up.

"Yes, but you'll need sleep if you plan on going to the Watch Tower tomorrow. Go to sleep.... before I have to separate the two of you." Alfred was serious first, but a small smile made it's way into the last sentence. "Like you'd dare." Wally argued playfully.

"You'd be surprised what this man can achieve." Dick told him. "Quite true, Master Dick." Alfred smiled. "Sleep, both of you." He murmured before closing the door.

"What can he do?" "He can make Bruce apologise." "What?!" "Alfred tells him what to do and he does it." "What?!"

"No one messes with Alfred." Dick yawned, followed by Wally. "S'pose that guy's right." Wally whispered. "He's barely ever wrong." Dick replied. "Night, Wally." "Night Dick."

Suddenly Wally's phone buzzed.

"It's my mom." Wally lied. "Go to sleep, I'll be back soon." "Okay." Dick mumbled as Wally headed towards the Bathroom in Dick's room. Dick buried his face in Zitka's face. He forgot what the comfort felt like, and he smiled sleepily.

Artemis: Are you two dead?! You said you'd text!

Kaldur: Calm down A, give him a chance, he's most likely with Rob.

Conner: I really hope he's okay. He was so upset.

M'gann: The emotions just came off in waves. It was so...powerful.

Wally: Hey. Sorry I didn't text. We're fine, we were just about to go to bed. Alfred cooked chicken nuggets, he ate four out of six, so massive achievement.

Artemis: He ate something that's really good.

Wally: It took a bit of convincing, but yeah. We started talking about when we were younger. Crying and dying laughing.

Kaldur: That's good. You're doing a great job KF.

Wally: Not really a job, Kal. I'm just being there for my brother. I've known him since he was eight. We bonded instantly.

Artemis: Yeah, the fact that Robin is dumb and you are dumber shows it.

Wally: Love you, too, babe.

Wally smirked as he sent it off knowing it would make her angry.

Artemis: Wallace West!

Kaldur: Okay, enough you two.

Conner: Wally go back to Robin. Update us if you get any news.

Wally: Got it, see you later.

As he was there, he decided to update his mom.

Wally turned his phone off. He exited and went over to the bed. Dick looked up at him sleepily. "She just wanted to see if we were okay." He whispered. With that, Dick put his head back down, burying into his elephant.

Wally smiled as he climbed into the bed. It didn't take long for either of them to fall asleep.

Dick's body jumped and a small whimper came out.

"Everyone, into the Zeta-Tube!" Batman barked, pushing Dick towards it. Wally went before Dick this time. "Threat incoming!" The computer alerted. "Dad?" Dick asked worriedly. Batman threw him towards the Zeta-Tube.

"Recognized: Robin, B-0-1."

Next thing he knew, he landed on his bum in the Watch Tower. "No!" Robin screamed as he scrambled to his feet.

" Robin?" M'gann asked. Instantly, Wally knew. He pulled Dick into a hug.

"Batman's gone." Wally whispered with a broken voice, as he squeezed Dick against him.

"Tati! Tati!" Robin sobbed against Kid Flash.

The team didn't know what Dick was saying. "His Dad." Wally choked out.

"He was your Dad?" Artemis choked out. Dick suddenly whimpered at the use of past tense, Wally answered for him.

"Yes. Bruce Wayne was his adoptive father."

Conner put his hand on Dick's back. "I'm so sorry." "I'm alone again!" Dick cried. "Everyone I love dies! First my parents, and now my other Dad!"

"Dick wake up!"

Dick's eyes shot open and he bolted upright gasping. Wally quickly hugged him. "It's okay, it's okay."

"He-he-" Wally shushed him softly. "I know, I know. But it's okay. Leslie and Diana are with him." Wally looked behind Dick's shoulder to find Zitka on the ground. He broke off the hug and reached down.

He came back up making the elephant walk up Dick's leg, causing him to laugh. He then waved the elephant imitating it's trumpet quietly.

"I'm not five, Wally." "Shh!" Wally said trying to give him a glare. "You know the only glare that works is the BatDad-Glare, right?" "Shh!" He repeated. Dick smiled and held his hands out for the elephant.

"It's five in the morning, do you think you can go back to sleep." Dick shrugged, he wasn't sure. "Do you wanna try?" "I don't know. But don't let it stop you."

Wally smirked as an idea came into his head. "No, no, I know that look. Whatever you're thinking, stop thinking it." "You're gonna love it." "No, I'm concerned." "No you'll love it."

Dick sighed. "What is it?" "Food." "Oh for God's sake." Dick said putting a hand to his forehead.

"Chocolate, strawberries, everyone loves strawberries, you gotta love strawberries, unless you know, you're allergic to them, anyway, more chocolate, chocolate rice cakes, some left over chicken nuggets we could eat or heat up."

"Wally-"

"Tuc biscuits, rich tea buiscits, digestives, you gotta love digestives, bread, toast, coke, water, need I continue?"

"Alfred will have a fit, if you raid the kitchen." Dick told him honestly. "I'll be in and out in a flash." Wally said smirking at the word choice. "Wally, don't, he will kill you!"

Like that, Wally was gone. "On a scale of one to ten, my friend, you're fucked." Dick whispered to the room.

Wally came rushing back in ten seconds later with a bowl of strawberries, a packet of digestives and a coke for himself and a bottle of water for Dick. Dick immediately got off the bed.

"Dude, come on, he's not gonna know." Suddenly the door opened. "You're dead." Dick said. "Who raided the kitchen?" Dick instantly pointed at Wally.

"Dude!" "Alfred's terrifying if you raid his kitchen." "I presume this was your idea, Master Wallace?" "Come on, Alf, you know my metabolism!"

Alfred sighed. "Keep the strawberries and the water, everything else goes back." Dick blinked at Alfred in surprise. "Not even one digestive?" "Wally, shut up." Dick told him softly yet sharply.

"Wallace." "Yeah, yeah, going now." After Wally left the room, not at speed this time, he turned to Dick. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah. Just uh...just a nightmare." Alfred squeezed his shoulder. "Are you coming to the Watch Tower tomorrow?" "Someone has to tend to the house." "The house will be fine for one day, Alfie. He......Dad could die. You have to be there." Dick's voice cracked.

Alfred always felt his heart swell when Dick called Bruce his father. Though it wasn't said much, the three of them knew what they all meant to each other. Alfred being Bruce's father in ways, Alfred being a grandfather to Dick. Bruce being Alfred's son, Bruce being Dick's father. They were a messed up family, but they loved each other.

Even Wally wiggled his way into the family. Being a brother to Dick, a sort of nephew to Alfred and Bruce. 

"It would reveal his and your identity to the team." "They know how to keep a secret. You raised him, Alf. You have to come, please."

Alfred sighed before cupping Dick's cheek. "I'll come. For both of you." "Thank you." Alfred gave the boy a small smile before leaving the room.

Chapter Text

Wayne Manor 5:27AM EDT

"Hey, I'm back. I brought more strawberries this time. "Thanks, Walls." "Do you want some?" "Nah, you eat." Dick answered before picking up his phone and sighing. "Hey." Wally said chewing a strawberry. "No news is good news."

"I suppose." Wally swallowed his strawberry before replying. "I know it's hard being away from him....when he's like this." "Hard? Try terrifying. He could..........at any moment......and I'm not there."

"You heard the Princess...., the minute something goes wrong, ring, ring." Dick sucked in a breath, holding it and hesitating.

"Am nevoie să-l văd, Wally"

(I need to see him, Wally.)

"I know. Just give it a couple more hours. It's.....half five now. Maybe have some strawberries, have some water and go back to sleep for a bit?"

Dick gave a long sigh. "He would want that." Wally said before shoving another strawberry in his mouth. "What is your addiction to strawberries?" "Ser'ously?" "Wally, don't speak with your mouth full.

Wally scoffed. "S'rawb'rries ar awe'ome, 'an." Wally said before he swallowed. "Chewy, sweet, taste awesome."

"I guess." "Catch." Wally caught Dick's attention. Wally tossed him a strawberry and he caught it. "Eat." He simply said. Dick picked off the green bits.

"Picky." Wally snorted. "Weirdo." Dick retorted. "Loser." "Dumb-dumb." The two of them gave each other cheeky smiles.

Dick crawled back into the bed, eating a few strawberries that Wally had thrown at him. He unlocked his phone, no new messages. He then went through his phone gallery.

Pictures of Bruce and him. His first birthday with Bruce, his first Christmas as his son....oh God, he just needed Bruce to be okay. "Hey, Dick?" The boy in question looked at his friend with sad sapphire eyes. "I know it looks like he's gone, but he's still there."

Dick screwed his eyes shut. "He's still there, Dickie. And he's coming back for you."

By six o'clock, Dick had fallen asleep, holding Zitka tightly in his arms. Wally smiled before eating the last strawberry, and going back to bed himself. He wrapped his arms around Dick, giving a dopey, tired smile when the younger teen unconsciously snuggled into him. Dick let out a content sigh, and Wally pulled him closer.

The Watch Tower 7:10 UTC

"His heart stopped!" Leslie announced and started doing CPR.

"Come on, Wayne, don't give up. Don't give up on Dick.

A minute and a half passed.

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

"Bruce Wayne!" Diana growled

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Both breathed a sigh of relief.

Wayne Manor 9:10 EDT

Wally woke up to his phone vibrating. He looked at the time, 9:10. He looked over his shoulder to see Dick conked, and peaceful. He quietly got up and went to the bathroom, taking his phone with him.

Artemis: Any of you up?

Wally: I am now 🥱

Artemis: How's Rob?

Wally: Had a nightmare around 5, I raided the kitchen, big mistake, Alfred had a fit. Did get to eat strawberries so that's good. Uh, he fell asleep again at 6. He's still out.

Artemis: Any news on BatDad?

Conner: That's what we're calling him now?

M'gann: It makes sense.

Wally: I prefer DaddyBats.

Artemis: Nah, BatDad just has a way of rolling off the tounge.

Wally: Whatever. I'm not sure, but Alfred might be coming today. Rob might come in without his gear

Artemis: It's not like we can see BatDad anyway. He's in his civies.

Wally: I know, I just thought I'd let you know.

Kaldur: Thank you, Wally. Is Robin still asleep?

Wally popped his head out. The peaceful expression was no longer present on Dick's face, but he didn't seem to be in the nightmare stage.

Wally: Yeah, but looks like he'll wake up soon.

Kaldur: You better go back to him.

Wally: Are you guys comin to the Watch Tower later?

Artemis: What a stupid question. You heard Conner, we're a family, we'll be there. Will we meet at 10?

Conner: 10 sounds good. See you then.

Kaldur: Everyone agree?

M'gann: Yes! I'll bring cookies, I doubt he's up for eating, but you know.

Artemis: Sounds good, M'gann. I'll see you there.

Wally: See you guys then.

Wally updated his mom, told her the plan for the day. He turned off his phone and went back to Dick's bed. He saw Dick's face scrunching up in discomfort, unconsciously clutching Zitka closer.

"Crap. Hey, Dick. Dick, wake up." Dick gasped as he woke. "You all right?" "I'm fine." "Okay. Do you wanna get ready and then have breakfast?" "Yeah."

Dick sighed as he went over to his drawers. Dick pulled out a new hoodie that Bruce had recently got him. It was a Batman hoodie. He pulled a comfy tracksuit pants out, a comfy Robin t-shirt, and the hoodie.

He went for a quick shower and pulled on his clothes. He used the towel to dry his hair and gave it a quick brush. He pulled the hood up, as he always did with his hoodies, Bruce had given up on trying to get him to take it down inside the Manor.

Dick unplugged his phone and checked it.

Wally was in the shower currently, he was on his phone when something caught his attention.

Joker, Clayface, Harley Quinn, Scarecrow, and Poison Ivy, want both Batman and Robin dead.

With wide eyes, Dick turned off his phone. Not now. Not now.

Wally came back and put on a Flash t-shirt, hoodie and a soft tracksuit pants. Dick's clothes were a bit small, but not too small.

They made their way downstairs.

"Good morning, Master Wally, Master Dick." "Morning Alfie." He replied quietly. "What do you fancy this morning?" "Not much...how about a rice cake or two?" "You know how I feel about chocolate for breakfast."

"It can't do that much harm, Alf. It's not even chocolate really." Wally spoke. "Very well."

After the boys finished eating, Alfred asked "Are you two ready to go?" When he received two nods, they proceeded towards Bruce's study for the Bat Cave.

"Are you coming, Alfie?" Wally asked.

"I am. I just have a few things to do here first." He turned his head to Dick. "I promise, I'll be there, Master Dick."

When he received a nod from Dick, he typed in the location.

The Watch Tower 10:00AM UTC

"Recognized: Kid Flash, B-0-3, Robin, B-0-1."

Conner winced when he saw Robin enter, he could hear Dr. Thompkin's and Wonder Woman's conversation.

"Diana?" Dick asked worriedly once he saw her expression.

"Hey, Rob, are you okay?" She asked trying to act fine.

"What's going on?" Dick asked. "Nothing." Diana answered. "Cut the bullshit, Diana! What's wrong with my Dad?!"

Wally tried to put a hand on his shoulder but he shrugged it off.

"What's. Wrong. With. Dad." Dick repeated. Diana sighed. "His lungs aren't looking any better."

"It takes at least two or three days for swelling to go down!"

"Dick there's not even a slight change." Leslie spoke up. "We think it would be best.....if you and Bruce got to say....goodbye."

All the air was sucked out of the room for Dick. Hot tears instantly rolled down his cheeks. "No." Dick sobbed. Wally pulled Dick against him. "Fuck off!" Artemis growled.

Wolf whined loudly, ears back. Conner scratched his nose the way Dick did, causing his back leg to thump.

"He'll make it through!" She bared her teeth at Diana and Leslie.

Ignoring her, Leslie continued. "We would give him something through the IV that would....." "Hold the fuck up!" Artemis started. "Is there any chance he can make it through?"

"I don't know.....but it would be....slim if there is." Leslie replied. "Slim, but a chance! We're not killing Batman unless we have to!"

Dick was still bawling against Wally. "We have to think about Bruce. He's in misery like that." "Leslie, Diana, piss off!" Artemis growled.

"Robin, I promise you, on my watch, your father will not die." "Wa-wake him u-up." Dick sobbed.

"We shouldn't wake him up, Dick." Diana told him. "Please, wake him up. I want my Dad." Dick didn't care that he sounded like a child. The team would understand, right?

"Richard." Diana started. "I want him." He sobbed as Wally held him. "I want Dad." His voice was broken. Wally shushed him softly, stroking Dick's back and head. "Dick, honey-" Diana started. Dick whimpered and clung to Wally.

"We lost him during the night." Diana told him. Dick let out a loud cry as the team gasped. "His heart stopped." Dick's legs started to buckle and Wally held him upright. "We-we don't know why, he-he was fine, it-it-it just stopped. We-we were able to revive him, but...."

"Perhaps we should give Robin some time to process this?" Leslie told her, raising an eyebrow.

Diana nodded and they walked towards the meeting room.

"Come on, Dickie, sit down." Wally whispered.

"Wally....." "Shhh." Dick sobbed wrapping his arms around himself.

With tears in his eyes, Wally took out his phone and texted Alfred.

Wally: Get here now. It's about Bruce. Bring Dick's elephant. It's bad Alf.

Alfred: Understood, Master Wallace. I will be on my way shortly.

"Wally." Dick sobbed. "God, I'm so sorry, Dickie. I'm so sorry." Wally fought the tears that were trying to build up. He hugged Dick rubbing his back gently as the younger boy's body wracked with sobs and he shook violently.

"I got you, I got you." Wally repeated. "He died!" Dick cried. "He's alive now, lil bro." Wally whispered. "But for how long?!" Wally hugged him harder. "I'm so sorry."

Chapter Text

The Watch Tower 10:20 UTC

The rest of the team, Leslie, and Diana sat in silence in the meeting room. "The kid's gonna lose his Dad." Artemis broke the silence. "It was bad enough that he watched his parents murder, but now he has to watch another parent die."

Kaldur squeezed his eyes shut, Conner did the same with his fists. "How many hits does he have to take?!" She screamed. "He watched his parents die, he watched his adoptive father die in that STUPID training thing, he watched us die, he died! Now he really has to watch his dad die!"

M'gann tried to fight the tears. "He's gone through hell. And he'll have to go again. Bless Wally, he's doing all he can to hold it together for Dick. But that thirteen year old child's world is crashing down!"

Artemis' voice cracked on the last sentence. "He's never going to recover from this." Conner laid it out plain and simple. "He'll be too broken." "It will be our job to pick up the pieces. If Robin still wants in on our team." Kaldur spoke.

"I doubt it." Wonder Woman answered. "He'll most likely go back to civilian life."

Suddenly they heard,

"Recognised, Agent A." "Agent A?" Conner asked. "Alfred." Diana answered.

"Master Dick." Alfred said sadly at the sight of the distressed boy. He looked to Wally, who had silent tears rolling down his cheeks. "They lost him last night, Alf." Wally spoke.

"My word!" Alfred gasped before tears started to fill his eyes. "He-he's alive for now, but we don't know how long for. Thompkins wants to give him something through the IV that will...." Wally cut himself off.

Alfred put his hand on Dick's back and he let go of Wally, falling into Alfred's arms. "It'll be alright." Alfred tried to sooth, but his voice cracked. "I'll still be here, my boy."

Wally looked to the bag on the floor and Alfred nodded. Wally took out the stuffed elephant and placed it on Dick's knee which he instantly wrapped an arm around, while still clinging to Alfred.

"I'll leave you two alone for a bit." Wally whispered. It was either he whispered, or he would have started crying.

As he turned towards the meeting room, he let his shoulders shake as tears raced down his cheeks.

"Wally." Artemis gasped taking in his expression. She wrapped her arms around him, as did, M'gann. He stood there for a minute, completely numb and still and quiet.

"Fuck sake!" He screamed suddenly. "It isn't fair! Dick's suffered so much! It's not fucking fair!"

"Wallace." Diana tried. "Don't fuckin start. You lied! To Dick and to me! You said you would call him the minute something went wrong!" Wally growled, and Kaldur tried to put his hand on his shoulder to calm him down. But Wally wasn't having it.

"You didn't even fucking call to say 'Oh you might want to come here, I know it's late but your Dad almost died! Just so you can spend time with him in case he flatlines by morning and we can't get him back this time'!"

"Wally." Artemis tried. "No." He growled looking at her. "Bruce Wayne could have died fully last night, and Dick wouldn't have known about it! Alfred wouldn't have known about it!" "Bruce Wayne?" Artemis whispered.

She knew Robin looked familliar. A lot like a boy at Gotham Academy. It couldn't be, but-but-but it had to be, because Wally said Bruce Wayne!

Diana and Leslie looked down. "He's breaking down out there! So is Alfred, because he literally raised Bruce after his parents died!"

Conner stroked Wolf's head as he whined sadly, ears going down.

"Good boy, it's okay, Wolfie." He whispered.

"Wait, wait. Did you say Bruce Wayne?"

Suddenly the door opened. "Come immediately. There's something wrong with Bruce!" Alfred told them. They all legged it to the Med Bay.

The team froze at the sight of Dick. He was clutching a stuffed elephant in one hand while squeezing one of Bruce's hands as the alarms on the monitors went insane.

"Dad! Daddy! Daddy come back!" He sobbed. "Get him out of here." Leslie instructed. "Tati! Tati, te rog!"

(Dad! Dad, please!)

 Only Wally and Alfred understood what was being said.

Conner gently, but firmly pulled the crying boy back. Dick squeezed the elephant to his chest as he sobbed, burying his face in the back of the toy's head. Conner tried to pull him away but Dick fought.

Wolf circled around the back of Dick, stopping him from moving back towards the bed. "Good boy, Wolf." Artemis told him.

Wally approached, the team could tell he was exhausted so Artemis put a hand on his shoulder, nodding at him telling him she would comfort the boy.

"Come on. You don't want to be here for this bit. Let's wait outside, okay?" "Get me a crash cart!" Dick whimpered. "Come on, Dick, let's go." She urged softly.

Artemis hugged him as Dick hugged Zitka. "We got you." She whispered.

Suddenly the alarms stopped and they held their breath. Diana came out and Dick whimpered.

"Dickie?" Slowly he poked his head out from Zitka. "We got him back." The team sighed in relief. "But. We really think it's...........time."

"Not Dad! Please!" He heart-breakingly sobbed. "I'm sorry, sweetie, but he's in pain. Even on the meds, he's still in pain." Conner put his hand on Dick's back, not sure what to do.

"We'll give it until he crashes again. If there's no improvement......we'll have to let him go."

Dick couldn't stop crying. All the memories he had with Bruce came flooding back. When Bruce comforted him after a nightmare, when he let Dick stay in his bed for the rest of the night.

After Failsafe, Bruce cuddled him and they watched movies all night, he let Dick be clingy for as long as he wanted, which lasted about a month or two. He let Dick sleep with him until he felt Bruce wouldn't disappear. He stayed in contact with Dick throughout the day when he started going to Mount Justice again.

When Bruce brought him to Haley's Circus so he could watch all his old friends preform. Where he could see Zitka again, where she would wrap her trunk around him.

His first Christmas with Bruce, his first birthday with Bruce, when he was having a bad day while training at home and Bruce played Basketball with him.

It wasn't fair!

"I'm so sorry." Artemis whispered. "Wh-wh-what am I gonna do?" He asked in a frighteningly small voice. "We are going to stand by you. We will face these challenges together." Kaldur told him.

"We understand this is one of the hardest things you will have to experience. But we will stand by you." "We'll wait in the med bay with you and Alfred if you want." Conner suggested. Dick didn't say anything.

"He's......he's not gonna make it....is he?" There was silence for several seconds. "Odd's aren't with him. But he will fight. He's fought this long and this hard." Wally spoke in a low voice.

"He's giving up....his...his heart stopped twice." Dick hiccupped. "I've heard talking to them sometimes helps." Kaldur told him. "If you talk to him, it may increase his chances of living." "Yeah, right." Dick mumbled.

"We could still try." Conner murmured. Dick wiped his tears and picked up his elephant. "You guys don't think it's weird that I have this?" "Not at all." Artemis told Dick.

"The animal is so cute!" M'gann squealed. "Did Bats get it for you?"

"No. My mom got it. I called it Zitka after the elephant in the circus. I get to see her whenever the circus comes to Gotham. She was pretty battered when I started to live with Bruce and he patched her up for me. In a way...all my family is tied in with her." Conner put a hand on his shoulder.

"If he dies.....this is all I'll have left..." Artemis squeezed his shoulder. Wally got up. "I'm going to see if we can sit with him."

"You know the way you said you were in the circus?" Dick nodded. "Are you.....are you Dick Grayson?" "You got me." He whispered. "Told you we'd laugh about it someday."

"Oh my God." Artemis whispered. "Oh my God! For fuck sake, I shoulda known! You little shit!" Dick snorted as he wiped away the tear tracks. M'gann giggled, while Conner and Kaldur smirked. "I'm actually done. I'm leaving, I can't. I'm leaving the planet." M'gann was trying not to laugh.

"Um, you-you've left the planet, we're-we're in space." Conner spoke. "Oh you know what I mean! I really shoulda known, but you just....wouldn't expect it, you know what I mean? But-but it-it makes sense. Your Dad donates to the Justice League, Arkham Asylum, God, everything possible to do with the good guys, and containing the bad guys."

Dick gave a small laugh. "No, no, seriously. Would people not wonder where Batman gets all his money from? Or-or how he builds everything? Would-would they not take into account that Bruce Wayne donates to every possible thing ever?"

The boys and M'gann continued smirking and laughing. "I'm actually traumatized. I'm sorry now, but I am." Dick gave a laugh, tears coming out while he laughed.

"You're a bully, you realise that?" Artemis spoke with a smile. "He's aware." Conner spoke. "Get used to it, you should see him and Wally bully me together." 

"That-that's my job as the baby of the family." "You bully Bruce too?" Artemis asked with a smirk.

 "All the time. We bully each other, Alfred bullies him all the time. He normally mocks us, or mutters under his breath when he can't think of a comeback and me and Alfred just high five and he goes, 'bullies, everyone'. "

They smiled.

"Wally?" Diana asked. "We want to sit with him. All of us." "Wally." "Don't test me. You lied to to Dick, to Alfred, to us. We are going to be there for our brother and it just so happens he wants us in here with him and his Dad."

Diana looked at Leslie who nodded. "Fine. Dick, you, and the team may enter." "Thank you." He went back to the team.

"They're just finishing up, then we can all go in." A minute later, Leslie came out. "You can all go in, but just be careful." They all nodded.

Dick froze at the sight of Bruce. Tears stung his eyes again as he took in all the machines attached to him. Conner put a hand on his back. "We'll move at your pace, okay?" Dick nodded before taking a hollow shaky breath.

The team let him make the first move. He went to the other side of the room so Dick could hold Bruce's uninjured hand. He sat down on the chair by Bruce's middle.

Wally sat next to him. Artemis facing Wally from the other side of the bed, with Kaldur next to her. M'gann and Conner at the foot of the bed.

Dick took Bruce's hand.

"Come on. Fight. Please. You don't want Joker celebrating because you're dead. Or him being more pissed off than usual because he wasn't the one to kill you. I mean....he...kinda would've killed you if you die, but please don't. I can't lose anyone else, Dad please. Please come back." Dick ducked his head and Wally squeezed his shoulder, giving him sad eyes.

"Yeah, come on. Dick needs his DaddyBats, Bruce." Wally told him sadly and softly. "I think you mean BatDad." Artemis corrected.

"DaddyBats." Wally replied.

"BatDad."

"DaddyBats."

"BatDad."

"Enough." Kaldur spoke.

"Come back to me, please." Dick whispered holding his hand.

"If your heart stops again they won't bring you back. Please. God, now I know what this feels like. Come back to me and I promise I'll be more careful. You promised." Dick's voice cracked.

"And I know you made it after they died....and I know you can't keep that promise, but Daddy you promised. You promised you wouldn't leave." Dick got out in the middle of a cry. Wally's hand moved from his shoulder to around his shoulders in a side-hug.

"There's more fight left in you. I don't care if you're tired of fighting, you will fight and you will survive. I don't care how hard the recovery will be. Because you got us and the League by your side. So don't you dare give up. Batman does not give in." Artemis growled.

"Artemis is right." Kaldur spoke. "You will give every ounce of energy you have to fight, you have a son who needs you. You've never left him. Please, Batman, don't start now. Keep that promise to him. Please....keep it."

Chapter Text

The Watch Tower 5:30 UTC

Dick continued to hold Bruce's hand, the team comforting him in any way that they could. Suddenly Diana walked in. "We got 'em." "Come again?" Wally asked. "We found them. Joker, Harley, so on and so forth."

"Where did you find them?" "In Mount Justice." "Did they steal any tech?" Artemis asked. "What they did we returned, but they more or less trashed what was left of it."

"Where do we go now?" Wally asked. "I suppose the Watch Tower will be your main hideout. Each member of the League has a room, I'm sure they won't mind their protégés staying with them. How's DaddyBats?"

"Ha! See? Told you! The League calls him 'DaddyBats'! Pay up, Artemis!" "Ugh fine, Wall-fool, here's your ten quid." "Thaaaaank you."

"Can we please act mature for a second?" Wonder Woman asked. "Yeah, no bother." Wally replied and Artemis scoffed.

Suddenly they heard-

"Recognized: Superman 0-1, Green Gardner Lantern 2-4, Flash 0-4, Green Arrow 0-8, Black Canary 1-3."

"Where is he?" Guy Gardner and Superman asked in sync. "In here, Gardner and Supes, and everyone else. Barry came running. "Holy shit, Bruce......" Flash gasped. "C'mere, kiddo." Gardner opened his arms. Dick got up and went to Guy Gardner.

"I thought Bats hated him?" Artemis asked. "To a degree. But he knows I love Uncle Gardner." Dick replied as Guy Gardner held him tight.

"Uncle Barry?" Wally asked seeing the worry on his face. "He's gonna be okay." "I hope so, kid." He responded pulling Wally off the chair into his arms.

"Where's everyone else?" Diana asked. "Aquaman has some things to take care of in Atlantis. Manhunter decided to patrol Gotham. Tornado's with him." Dinah answered.

"Hawkman, Hawkgirl, down on Earth, trying to make sure things are running smoothly. J'onn will be here soon." "What about Hal?"

Hal's been called back to Oa, that's why I'm here." Gardner said, his arms still around Dick.

Clark and Diana were speaking, Conner didn't bother to listen, all his focus was on his little brother.

Black Canary came over putting a hand on Dick's head. "How are you doing?"

"I'm okay. Not the best, but not the worst." "Are you sure?" Barry asked. "I mean, I'm better than I was this morning. So....I guess that's an improvement."

Gardner gave Dick one more squeeze before letting the kid go.

Superman approached Superboy. "Hey." Clark started. "Hey." Conner responded. "I heard you took a name." "Uh, Yeah, Conner Kent." "My secret identity is Clark Kent." Conner's eyes widened. "I didn't know! I wasn't trying to-"

"No, the thing is.....I'm glad. Conner Kent." Clark put a hand on Conner's shoulder. Conner was taken aback for a moment, but them smiled. Before he could say anything, Clark spoke again.

"Wonder's been telling me you've been taking care of Dick all day."

"Uh, yeah, I guess, Wally for the most part, but-"

"Good on you. Also....., I'm sorry. I was angry at you. For something you had no control over. I apologise for that. You've been helping that kid out, I'm proud of you." "You.....you are?" "Yes." "You're his protective uncle aren't you?"

Clark gave a small laugh. "Bruce hates me, but he also loves me really. But Dick, he's loved me since he met me when he was nine. So, yeah, I guess you could say I'm the protective uncle."

"He's lucky. To-to-to have the whole League looking out for him." "He is. But I think it's time there was someone to look out for you."

Conner looked up in shock. "How about you become my protégé huh?" "You...you mean it?" "Well someone has to teach the Superboy. Why not let it be Superman?" Wolf wagged his tail.

"I.....thank you." Conner breathed as tears stung his eyes. "I....I always thought that you would hate me."

"I'm.....not happy with what Luthor did. But it's not your fault. You had no say in this, and there is good in you. You're like a big brother to Dick and we both appreciate that."

Conner grinned. "We're a family. we look out for each other. That started when he saved me from Cadmus." Clark smiled. "You're a good kid." "Th-thank you." Clark nodded before going towards Dick.

"Uncle Clark." He whispered. "Hey, Little guy." Clark pulled him hug. He petted the teen's hair gently. "Clark? Would you mind doing a scan of Bruce?" Dr. Thompkins asked.

He nodded before pulling Dick back into his chest.

"Swelling has.....gone down. Much better than the scans from last night." Dick sighed in relief.

"Oh, good. And his other injuries?" "Healing. Slowly, but surely." Dick hugged Clark in relief. "Thank God."

"Now, all that's left, is for you to wake up and get better, Bat-Guy!" Guy Gardner said.

Leslie picked up Bruce's hand checking his pulse. "His pulse is stronger. Much stronger in fact." "Keep fighting, bud." Flash whispered. "Dick." Leslie called. He looked at her.

"I think it will be at least a month before we can wake him up." "What?" Dick gasped. "If he's still under, he's not using his lungs more than he needs to. He's just....breathing when he is sedated."

Clark put an arm around his shoulders. Dick craved to be held by Bruce again. He knew that made him sound really childish....but he really did crave it.

"I want to be sure his lungs are well enough before we wake him." "Ah, come on." Guy Gardner scoffed. "His lungs will most likely be fine in two weeks!"

"Need I remind you, he almost died in an explosion?" Dick flinched as she said that. "Leslie, not in front of the kids." Clark warned. "The kid was there, he knows." Ollie stated and Dinah smacked him upside the head. "Ow!"

"Okay, kiddos, how about we go put on a DVD in my room?" Barry asked suddenly and Artemis scoffed. "What are we, five?" "I'm not going anywhere." Dick had no emotion in his voice. "I'll put on Toy Story." He convinced, his voice going a bit higher. Wally and Dick perked up a bit at that and made eye contact.

"Toy Story!" They cheered at the same time before running out towards Barry's room. "Barry, what did you do?" Dinah asked putting a hand to her forehead. "It'll keep them entertained for a bit. And give Dick a chance to escape all this." "True, but they might as well be on drugs, they'll go insane."

"It'll give Dick a chance to get away from this. He shouldn't have to deal with this. It's bad enough he already has." "You're taking care of them when they're too hyper tonight." "Fine."

The rest of the team started making their way out. "Barry." Gardner called. "Yeah?" "Catch." He said tossing him Zitka. "No way! Dick still has this?" "His whole family is tied in with it, dipshit." Dinah responded. "Alright! No need to get all cranky." "You know she gets cranky when she's worried." Ollie told him. "Fair point." Barry responded before running out.

He came in the room hearing Wally and Dick belting out 'You've got a friend in me' and he sniggered. He could hear various laughs from the other team members as well.

"BC was right. They're high." Artemis whispered to M'gann. "Wait, wait, wait!!" Wally excitedly said as he got off from where he stood on Barry's bed and went under it. He knew this would provide some happiness for Dick, and hopefully take his mind off Bruce for a bit.

"Ha!" He said as he pulled out a box. "Oh my God! You kept everyone?!" Dick asked excitedly. "Yup! We got Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Bullseye, Potato Heads, Wheezy, Bo, Rex, Hamm, Slinky."

"Dude, you're awesome!" Dick exclaimed as he clambered off the bed and sat down pulling out all the toys that Barry and Bruce had gotten them.

Barry snorted from the door. "I remember when you used barge in during meetings re-enacting scenes and singing at the top of your lungs." "No way you actually did that." Artemis laughed. "Ohh we did." Dick said looking at Wally who burst out laughing.

"Remember Dinah?" Dick laughed and Wally wheezed. "Please tell me you have footage." Artemis looked at Barry who snorted. "Course we do." "Please can we see it, for old times sake?" Dick asked while Wally was crying laughing.

"I'll see what I can do. Tell them in the meantime. Wally was too busy laughing so Dick started.

"I came in with Woody, dumb-dumb here came in with Buzz. And we-" Dick started laughing. "We-we-we just started belting out that song you heard there." Wally told them before wheezing.

"And we used say their phrases like 'To infinity and Beyond' and ' There's a Snake in my Boot' and 'You've got a friend in me' and Black Canary was not in a good mood that day." Dick finished before laughing.

"She-she-she just goes-" Wally was cut off by a video that popped up. "It's much better when you see it." Barry announced.

"I'll kick you into 'Infinity and Beyond' if you don't find yourselves out of this room! Then you'll be asking if 'You've got a friend in me!"

Wally and Dick were currently in tears. "Play the whole thing, play the whole thing, please, Uncle Barry?" Wally laughed.

Barry shook his head as he snorted and re-winded the recording.

They watched a young Dick and Wally barge in.

"To Infinity and Beyond!" Cried an eight year old Dick. "Dick, we're in a meeting." Came Batman's voice.

"You've got a friend in me! Ba-dum-dum-dum! You've got a friend in me! When the road looks, rough ahead and you're miles and miles from your nice warm bed!" A ten year old Wally belted out, Dick joined in halfway through.

The whole team laughed.

"Dick, Wally, guys, we can 'Toy Story' later." Came Barry's voice.

The team looked over at Dick and Wally who were crying laughing.

"Why do it later when we can do it now?" Dick asked innocently holding a Woody doll to his chest.

Wally wheezed.

"Because, child, we are in a meeting!" Dinah snapped. "Broose? Why is Auntie Dinah mad at me?"

"She's not mad at you, chum, she's just a bit annoyed about something else."

"Did I seriously ask that?!" Dick looked to Barry. "Course you did. You were eight." "You had such a baby voice!" M'gann squealed.

"Aww little baby." Artemis said. "You, Wally, you were just the annoying ten year old." "Hey!"

"Why's she annoyed?" Wally asked. "Because you're here!" Dinah snapped. "Dinah!" Barry scolded sadly as Dick ran to Bruce.

"Aww, Dick, you were the cutest thing ever!" Artemis smiled. Dick felt his cheeks heat up as they went red.

Batman pulled Dick onto his lap, as the small eight year old buried his head in Batman's chest. His arms wrapped around the boy, Bat-Daddy glaring Dinah. The whole room erupted into shudders.

Even now, the team, Barry, and Dick shuddered. "Aww, look at Protective BatDad!" Conner smiled.

"I don't like her anymore, Uncle Barry! She made  Dickie sad. She's mean!"

Artemis burst out laughing. "What was your voice five years ago?!" Wally groaned covering his face and it was Dick's turn to laugh this time.

"She's just a little miss Cranky Pants." Batman told the eight year old on his lap.

Everyone in the room erupted into laughter. "I am so using that next time she gets angry!" Conner laughed.

There were a few sniggers "Batman!" She slammed her fist on the table. "I don't like her, Daddy."

"Oh no." Dick whispered hiding his face as the girls awed. "Why were you so cute?!" M'gann asked.

Batman audibly gasped. "Bruce! You got your first 'Daddy'!" Barry cheered.

"That is you to a 'T'." Wally laughed looking at Barry.

"Yeah, I know, sweetheart. Dinah's a Cranky Pants. We don't like her anymore, do we?" "No."

"Oh my God! Did Batman actually.....? Is that Batman having a heart?! Are we sure that's Batman?!" "Yes, we're sure." Dick answered.

"Yeah, Dinah's a loser." "Wally." Barry said. "Oh toughen up." She growled. "Or maybe you, cool down. They're kids." Clark reasoned. "Uncle Clark." Dick reached for him.

"Ooooh!" The whole room said turning to Dick.

"Dick!" Batman said shocked. "I want Uncle Clark." "Wow. Woooowww. I'm hurt." "I still love you, Broose." The eight year old wrapped his arms around Batman's neck.

"Awww!" The team bar Dick said and he just wanted to hide, but he also smiled sadly.

"Come here to me, champ." Clark opened his arm reaching over and taking the boy into his arms.

"Need I remind you all, we have more important things to do?" "Shush, the meeting can wait for a few minutes. These champs aren't gonna be kids forever, got to make the most of it." Superman told her as he held Dick.

"Hey, Broose? You and Uncle Clark and Barry should come watch Toy Story with us." Batman's lip twitched trying not to smile at his kid's cuteness. "Have you finished the first one?" "Yes." Wally replied.

"Okay, how about you two go back upstairs and play with the toys and we'll be up as soon as we're done?" "Okay, thank you,  Broose .."

Clark put the small boy down. Barry ruffled his nephew's already crazy hair before gently nudging him away towards the door.

"Are you not gonna DaddyBats glare them for barging in?" "Not this time. Anyway-" There was a knock this time before the door opened.

"Um. We.....we forgot Woody and Buzz." Dick said from the door. Batman laughed through his nose, before picking Woody up, while Barry picked up Buzz.

Gingerly, the young boys walked forward. Bruce ruffled Dick's hair as he took Woody. "Go on." Dick nodded before he and Wally left the room.

"Okay, but why were you the cutest thing ever?"

"What was BC's problem?" Conner asked. "She got angry about what was said in the meeting." Barry replied.

"The two of you are chaotic, and I love it." Conner smiled.

Flash switched the movie back on while Wally got the spare pillows in the wardrobe. "I'm going to go if you're all right here." Wally's stomach growled.

Flash smirked. "Pizza anyone?" "Mr. Potato Head reference!" Wally called as he came over with the pillows. Artemis sighed. "They used do this all the time, didn't they?"

"Pretty much." Dick murmured. Wally sat at the foot of the bed next to Dick and stuffed a pillow behind his back. "What do you guys like on your pizza?"

"Pepperoni's fine." Artemis shrugged. "Everyone else?" "Yeah, pepperoni's good." "All right. Hey, Dick?" Dick looked at him. Flash pulled Zitka out from behind his back and Dick smiled like a little kid.

He threw the elephant to Dick and he put it in his lap.

"We can't keep him sedated for a month! You know that would do more harm than good!" Clark argued. "Clark-" "No, he has a point." Dinah cut in. "Keeping Bruce sedated without breaks for that long.....would do a lot of harm. He's currently been out for what? Over twenty four hours?"

"Yes." Diana answered. "We cannot keep him sedated for another four to five weeks, that's insane. We will wake him up, and we will let Dick see him awake. Talk to him even."

"Master Bruce won't like it, but he will rest. His lungs are looking better, swelling is going down." Alfred piped in.

"Comas can be induced for that long. It's surprising, but they can." Leslie told the League."

"But it's not fair on either of them. Bruce doesn't need to be in a coma for that long."

"It's for safety." "Safety? I've seen Bruce walk around with much worse." Dinah scoffed.

"Dick is a child. You two telling him while ago you wanted to kill him through the Iv, was unacceptable. He is a child who needs his father." Black Canary growled.

"We thought it was the solution at the time. He wasn't looking good." Diana replied to which, Dinah scoffed.

"Bullshit, Diana! You know Bruce fights every time!" "Dick wasn't wrong with what he said." Diana said sadly.

"What? What did he say?" "He said Bruce was giving up. And that was true."

"But he's fighting now! So, shut up! No one is killing Bruce! No one is taking another parent from that child!" BC growled.

"Take a breather everyone, take a breather." Flash announced joining the conversation.

"How are the children?" "Wally's high, Dick isn't which has me worried, but, their all watching Toy Story. I'm going to get a few pizzas, you want any?"

"Chicken and ham please." Dinah asked. "Throw in a mushroom one." Gardner said.

"All right. I'll see you guys in a bit."

"Hey, you okay?" Wally whispered. "I'm not trying to be clingy but-" Wally cut Dick off

"You want him. I know. And it's okay to be clingy right now. You deserve to be."

"I know. But I feel bad about it. I was trained by Batman. Yet here I am just....wanting him."

"Trained by Batman or not, you're a kid, Dick. A kid who just wants his Dad. That's okay."

"I feel so small right now....." "That's okay, that's okay I promise. We're all here for you. You...you may be the youngest one here. But...you're also the oldest one here."

Dick looked at him in confusion. "You've been....exposed...to a lot. Things that we haven't. Things that makes you the oldest and bravest one here. It's okay to not be brave. It's okay to be that scared kid every now and then."

"Thanks, Wally. For-for being here. Non-stop." "Of course. Gotta take care of my little brother. Here, cuddle Zitka." "I'm not eight anymore." "You secretly love it, don't deny it." Dick laughed through his nose. "Whatever makes you happy." "Shush, tryna watch Toy Story."

"When can we wake him up?" Clark asked getting anxious. "Not now." Diana murmured. "Maybe by the end of the week, but, we don't want to rush things." "Kid's gonna be bawling when he sees Bruce awake." Ollie said. "But with relief this time rather than fear and sadness." BC murmured.

"God, I wish we could wake him up now." Ollie said putting his arm around Dinah's shoulders. "We all do." Guy Gardner mumbled.

"Hey, back with the pizzas! Ran home and got some plates as well and some bottles to re-stock the fridge!"

"Sound, Barry." Clark told him. "He's gonna be fine, lads, don't worry." "Yeah." They mumbled. "I'll bring these ones up to the kids.

The team was halfway through the movie when Barry came up. "Hey, kiddos, got some pizza." "Thanks, Uncle Barry!" "Thank you, Flash." "Thanks, Flash!" "Thanks, Barry."

The Watch Tower 8:30 UTC

"Clark, scan him again." Dinah instructed, to which he nodded. "Swelling's where it was while ago. I think it'll go down a bit by tomorrow.

Suddenly, they heard footsteps. "Dickie-Bird, is that you?" Guy Gardner asked. A small 'yeah' came out of the boy. He was now wearing some Batman fluffy jammies. "What're you doin' down here, bud?" Superman asked. "I....I wanted to be with him."

"Oh, don't worry, Master Dick, he's all right." "I wanna be with him." Dick repeated. "All right, come here, champ." Superman said picking Dick up as if he weighed nothing. "Be careful of the wires." He murmured placing Dick on the bed next to Bruce. Dick wrapped his small arms around Bruce's muscly uninjured one. Clark stroked his head gently.

He nodded to Dinah, who silently left and went upstairs.

"Dick's been gone for a while, think he's okay?" M'gann asked. The door opened. "In response to that, he's downstairs with us." "He wanted to see Batman?" Kaldur asked. "Yeah. You all do whatever you want, I'm sure Barry has some games or a playstation up here or something. Wally will help you out."

"You got it, BC." "This is bullshit." Conner spoke. "I agree. Poor child shouldn't have to deal with this. If I could, the five of them would be dead within the hour. I'll keep you posted."

"I want him back." Dick mumbled quietly. Clark looked at the others and they made their exit. "I know you do, champ. We want him back too." "I...I know he's fighting...but...am I gonna lose him, Uncle Clark?"

Superman sighed. "I'm not sure, champ. He's looking better...." "But he could turn, I know. Why.....why do they all die?" He mumbled. Clark tried not to let tears sting his eyes. "I....I don't know, Little Bird. I don't know."

"I miss him." "I promise, Dickie, he's giving it all he has to come back to you. His lungs just need a bit more time." "He looks dead, Uncle Clark." Dick sobbed.

"Shhhh." Clark tried to get the child's grip off Bruce, but he whimpered, so Superman settled for running his fingers through the boy's hair and murmuring comforting words.

"He's not dead, champ, he's coming back. I promise. Batman's comin' back for his Robin, I promise." Clark would have hugged the boy, but right now, he knew Dick was craving Bruce, so he just ran his fingers through the child's hair.

They stayed there for a while, Clark doesn't know how long, but long enough for Dick to fall asleep. He gently scooped the little Robin up, and headed out the door towards Bruce's room.

The League caught a glimpse of Dick. Tear tracks were still present, he looked peaceful enough, not as peaceful as he should be, but enough. Alfred tutted sadly. "Poor thing." He murmured, gently wiping them away.

"Where's Barry?" "In with the children. Probably trying to entertain them or something." "Ah." Clark nodded his head. "I'm taking him to bed."

Clark repositioned Dick from a bridal lift to one you would an infant so he could rest his head on Clark's shoulder.

Clark walked in the direction of Bruce's room. It was seldom that Bruce used the room himself.

Mainly Dick used it if there were late League meetings and the poor boy just couldn't stay awake any longer.

That happened when he first became Robin, and before that.

Clark gently pulled back the covers and laid Dick down. He stroked the youngest teen's head, and pulled the covers up over him.

"I'm sorry, champ." He whispered before leaving to inform the team.

Chapter Text

The Watch Tower 10:30PM UTC

"Superman? Where's Dick?" "He fell asleep." He replied sadly. "Why are we sad about this? Surely that's good, right?" Conner asked.

"He didn't just fall asleep. He's emotionally worn out, we know that, but, he...cried himself to sleep." The team looked down before Wally continued. Wolf rested his chin on Conner's leg.

"Seeing Bruce like that, guys you saw it, he looks..." Wally mouthed 'dead'.

"He may be on a sedative, but...he still looks....gone. We know Dick's not Robin at the moment. Right now.......he's just a scared kid. A scared kid....who misses his Dad. He may be the youngest of us, but in a way he's the oldest."

Clark lent against the doorframe, and M'gann and Conner gave confused looks to Wally.

"He's been...exposed to a lot. He's watched his parents murder, he's watched his siblings, being us die. God, I remember those final moments.....he.....he was so scared. He kept apologising to me about how because of him I would die. How you all died because of him. All we could do was hold each other until the last second."

By now, M'gann had tears built up in her eyes.

"He watched his Dad die, he watched the League die who is his family." Wally looked to Clark saying that.

"He watched Bruce and us die in so many nightmares after that. He lived it with Scarecrow's gas. He's watched innocent people die no matter how hard he tried to save them." Wally's voice wobbled.

"It's not fair how much he went through. It's not fair what he's going through now, either. He's the youngest, but he knows so much more than us."

"He will probably try to convince his father to stop being Batman. If...if he recovers." Aqualad spoke.

"Bruce will continue. I know he will. He might stop for a few months after recovery for Dick's sake, but he will eventually go out as Batman again."

"This isn't fair, Superman." Conner fought his tears. "I know, Superboy. I know."

"Hey, is his elephant here?" "Yeah." Wally replied before picking Zitka up and throwing her at Clark. "Thanks, Wally. I'll keep you all informed. There's some DVDs in my room, feel free to take some."

"Thanks, Superman." They mumbled.

Clark made his way towards Bruce's room. He gently stuffed the elephant under Dick's arm and the kid's face relaxed a little.

The Watch Tower 11:40PM UTC

"Leslie, how is he?" Diana asked. "Looking better. Breathing isn't as ragged but its still there." "That's good." Diana sighed in relief.

"Does that mean we can wake him up soon? Oh, the kid is gonna be so happy!" Guy Gardner exclaimed.

"No, Gardner, not yet. But when we do, it may be brief.

"Dick'll be happy, even if it's briefly. It will really let him see his father is not dead." Barry spoke from the doorframe he was leaning against.

"It makes you realise how actually young he is. You forget with how mature he is." Barry sighed.

"Trained by the Big Scary Bat or not, he's still a child. A child, who has suffered far too many losses. Far too many things. He always gets back up after them. But this one.....I doubt he will."
Black Canary told them from the wall she was leaning against.

Suddenly a scream ran through the Watch Tower. Barry hesitated before running. As he sped towards Bruce's room, he saw his bedroom door open. The team were standing at it with worried faces. He didn't see Wally, so he guessed he had ran to his younger brother.

Barry came to a halt once he reached Bruce's room. He saw Wally firmly holding the shaking younger teen in his arms.

Clark came in behind him. Barry put a hand on Wally's shoulder causing him to jump.

"I got him, Walls." "I can't leave him." Wally whispered. "I'll stay with Dickie, promise. Go with Boy Scout." Slowly, Wally untangled himself from the trembling teen. Clark put an arm around Wally's shoulders, guiding him out.

"You're a good and brave kid, Wally." Clark murmured.

"Hey, hey, kiddo. Little Bird?" He asked taking the boy's trembling hands. "Squeeze my hands if you can hear me, Little Bird." Tears flew down the kid's cheeks as he slowly started to squeeze the Flash's hands.

"Good job, kiddo. Let's sort the breathing, yeah? Deep breath." Dick shook his head. "You can do it, come on."

Dick took a shaky deep-ish breath. "That's it. Give me another." Dick did again. "There we go, kiddo."

Slowly, Dick calmed down.

"That must have been some nightmare, huh, squirt?" Dick nodded swiping at the tear tracks on his face. "How's Wally? Did I freak him out?" "Ah, he'll be fine. Bit shaken up like you, but he'll be back to eating in no time." Dick chuckled softly at that. "And how is-"

"Bat-Daddy is the same as when you came down an hour ago. Lookin' better though." Dick nodded. "You wanna go see him?" Dick nodded. Flash got up and made his way towards the door.

"Wait, where's Zitka?" Dick asked as he searched the bed. Barry looked under the bed. "Here, squirt." "Thanks, Barry." Dick said quietly squeezing the elephant to his chest.

"When can we wake him up?" Guy Gardner asked. "I told you, dumbass, not now!" "I know! I just want him awake for the kid!" "We all do, now shut up, Barry's coming with him."

"Hey, squirt!" Guy Gardner said happily. "Hey." He replied quietly. "Rough night?" Black Canary asked even though she knew the answer. She had a soft spot for Dick and Wally, that came with knowing them since they were younger.

Dick nodded. "Can I stay a while?" He asked sounding incredibly small and vulnerable. Alfred put his hand on Dick's shoulder, trying to comfort the small boy. Diana nodded. "Stay as long as you want." She spoke softly.

Dick sat in the chair by the bed holding Bruce's big hand in his small ones. Alfred sat next to him, putting a hand on the boy's back.

"Are you alright, Team?" Clark asked. "We're fine. It's Dick we're worried about." Artemis answered and Clark sighed. "We all are." "When can Batman be woken up?" Kaldur asked. "Thompkins is thinking by the end of the week. But he could turn."

"But it won't be for long either." Clark continued. "They're doing it to see if his body is stable enough to handle being awake." "If it is, he'll stay awake right?" M'gann asked. "That's what I'm hoping." Superman told them honestly.

The team deflated a bit. "But, on a positive note, it will give Dick a chance to see he's not dead. Rather than....sitting with him while he's unresponsive.

"I know it's not that likely anymore, but what happens to him if Bruce dies?" Conner asked. Supes sighed. "He'd stay at the home he's currently in. Alfred'll stay with him."

Clark's lip twitched slightly. "He raised the Big Scary Bat, you know." "Yeah, Wally told us." M'gann smiled slightly. "Did he now?" He shifted his gaze to Wally.

"Hey, Diana lied to Dick, I snapped, how could I not?" "Re-rewind what happened?" Clark asked. "She told Dick if something went wrong she would ring him. And Bruce died last night-" Clark visibly flinched. "-and there was no call, no text, nothing."

Clark frowned. "How's Bat-Family?" Wally changed the topic.

"Bruce's breathing is no longer ragged, which is a fantastic sign. The swelling's gone down a bit. . But it would probably be another two or three weeks before he's awake."

The team deflated a bit more if that was even possible. "For now, I think you all should get some sleep. Go home to your parents."

"But-" "Myself and the others will be here. Unlike Diana, I will update you if anything changes."

"I'm staying." Kaldur spoke. "Very well." Clark sighed. "I presume you're staying, Wally?" The redhead nodded.

"Artemis?" "My mom needs me." She replied before stepping out of the room.

"Conner?" He asked. "We have nowhere else to go than here." He said looking briefly at M'gann.

"You stay in your Uncle's room, M'gann, and you stay in mine."

Dick slowly started to nod off in the chair. The poor child was exhausted, up some of the night before, all the panic and tears today, now he was just trying to stay awake. "You can go to sleep, kiddo." Gardner whispered. "Not tired." "Bullshit." He replied.

"Come on, we'll go to bed." "No, I stay with Bruce." He mumbled sleepily. Gardner sighed. "How about we move you to the couch?" Ollie asked coming in. "Not tired."

Ollie snorted. "You're falling asleep there, kiddo. "M'not." Dick looked at Ollie with half-lidded eyes. "See? M'awake." "Dick-" "Don't make me leave." He whispered sadly. "We won't Little Bird. Just lie on the couch. It's just over there." Ollie said softly. Dick looked at him with tired eyes.

"You're exhausted, bud. When Bruce wakes up, he won't Bat Glare us, he'll Bat-Daddy-Glare us if he finds out you didn't sleep." Ollie whispered.

"I've run on little sleep before. M'fine." Dick yawned. "Let him be, I'll move him to the couch once he conks out." Gardner whispered to Ollie. Ollie nodded.

About forty minutes later, Dick started to fall asleep. Gardner watched as slowly Dick's breathing deepened and evened. His hand that was on top of Bruce's, slowly loosing it's grip, until it became limp as he slept. Gardner gently moved his arms around Dick.

Dick stirred. "Shhh." Guy Gardner whispered, holding the boy securely. He gently placed Dick on the couch, pulling the blanket from the back of it over the small boy.

Gardner sighed as he resumed his seat on the chair opposite Dick's. Leslie walked in.

"Les?" "I need to give him a new sedative, it's going to wear off." She fumbled to get it ready. "Les? It hasn't started to wear off." Gardner spoke. "It should have! It's been hours!"

"Les! Pulse and O2 levels are going down!" Dick woke to the alarms beeping. Dick choked right there and then, frozen in place, tears stinging his eyes.

"Fuck!" Gardner cursed as he realised what was happening.

"Leslie! Don't just stand there! We have to get a vent!" "Gardner." She tried. He growled. "Fuck you!" He ran getting the ventilator himself. "I'm not going to stand by, and let that kid's father die! Clark!" He roared.

Dick watched as Gardner tried to put a ventilator down his father's throat.

Superman came running and Gardner pointed to Dick.

Clark made his way to Dick, scooping the teen into his arms as Gardner tried to get Bruce on the ventilator. Dick wrapped his arms around his Uncle's neck. He turned around so Dick was facing the wall, rather than watching the scene unfold. Dick tried to poke his head out, but Clark put a hand to the back of the boy's head, keeping it on his shoulder and stroking his hair gently.

"Come on, buddy." He whispered, walking briskly out of the med bay with the terrified child in his arms. Clark brought Dick to the big window. "Wanna look at the stars, Dickie?" "I want Tati." He whispered. "I want Tati to be okay." He half-sobbed.

"I know, bud, I know." Dick just buried his head in Superman's chest, as silent tears rolled down. He was so tired that he couldn't even sob anymore, but he couldn't sleep. He wouldn't sleep.

"I got you, buddy, I got you." Dick didn't respond, he just let the silent tears roll down.

A few minutes later, Guy and Leslie came out of the room. "He slipped into a coma. And not a medically-induced one...." Dick hugged Clark slightly harder, to which the man stroked the small teen's back. "He's turned...." Guy Gardner whispered sadly. Silent tears continued to role down the child's face. Gardner inwardly sighed. "He's stable if you would like to see him." Leslie murmured sadly. "Yeah, no thanks to you! You just sat back and let Bruce fucking die!"

Dick flinched, an almost inaudible cry finding it's way out. "You did what?" Clark asked, holding Dick a bit tighter. "You did nothing?!" "Try to understand-"

"No, you understand!!" Gardner snapped. "You don't get to decide if Bruce lives or dies! As his doctor, you do everything to keep him alive! Do you really want to take another parent from that child?!"

Clark was stroking Dick's back as he held him close, murmuring comforting words. "Bruce is-" "Yes, we are aware, that he is weak, hurt, you name it! But doctors help! They don't let their patients die! You wouldn't do that if it was your parent! So, don't do it to that kid!"

Clark got a glimpse of Dick's face. Dick was completely and utterly exhausted. The three of them knew it, but they also knew it would be hard to convince him to sleep tonight.

"I'm taking Dick to Bruce's room." He announced walking away, with a petrified child in his arms.

"Get outta here." Gardner growled to Leslie before going towards the Med Bay.

"Come on B-Man. I know we've had our differences...., but we both love the kid. Keep fighting." He begged quietly picking up Bruce's hand squeezing it.

"Keep fighting for Dickie-bird. Keep fighting for you, Bruce. Come on. If....if it's too hard, you can let go. We'll take care of Dickie. But....if....if you can find the strength to keep fighting, that would be great too." Gardner whispered.

The Watch Tower Wednesday 1:10AM

"Come on, Walls. They're both okay. Dick's asleep downstairs. Gardner's with him, and Supes just went down. He'll be fine, kiddo." "Are you sure?" Wally asked trying to hold back a yawn. "Positive. You don't want to be fallin' asleep tomorrow, do ya?"

Barry gently stroked Wally's hair, knowing it soothed the teen. "Get some sleep, kiddo. You need it. You were so brave taking care of Dick like you did. Now, just get some sleep, yeah?" Wally nodded before hugging his uncle.

Barry was a bit shocked by the sudden hug, but accepted it nonetheless. "I love you, Uncle Barry." Wally barely whispered. "I love you too, kiddo." Barry murmured stroking his nephew's head, while holding him close.

"This is nice." Wally murmured. "Is it now?" Barry asked with a smirk and Wally hummed. "How about you lie down and I'll stay till you fall asleep?" "M'not five." He grumbled. "Shhh, just lie down." Barry told him lying the teen down.

He ran his hand through Wally's wild hair comfortingly and the boy's eyes started to droop.

Clark sat on Bruce's bed in his room, with Dick in his lap. He held the teen close, stroking his head like he'd seen Bruce do before. He let Toy Story play in the background. "I'm here champ." He whispered.

Chapter Text

The Watch Tower Wednesday 9:00AM UTC

Conner was the first awake, he decided to let the others sleep, and made his way to the medbay.

He gasped upon seeing Leslie over with Bruce on a ventilator. She looked at him with sad eyes.

"What the fuck happened while we were asleep?!" "Conner, please keep your voice down. Dick just fell asleep." "What? What do you mean he just fell asleep?! And what happened while we slept?!"

"Last night, it was time to give Bruce a new sedative. I went to get it ready when Gardner alerted me that his pulse and oxygen levels were dropping fast."

Conner's pupils widened.

"He was due to wake up by then, but he didn't so I realised that he fell into a coma. Superman took Dick out of the room, while I assisted Gardner with the vent. That was half twelve last night. He kept waking up during the night. He slept for about two hours. He wouldn't go back to sleep. He tried to stay awake but the poor thing is exhausted."

Conner shook his head sadly. He may be relatively new to this world, but he knew how dangerous Comas could be.

"Will he wake up?" Conner asked sadly. "I don't know. Leslie replied. "This isn't fair on him. " "I know." She replied squeezing his shoulder.

"Where is he now?" Conner asked looking at Bruce. It terrified him seeing one of the scariest people he knew on a ventilator unable to breathe on his own. He could only imagine the fear and other feelings Dick was feeling.

"Poor thing fell asleep in the chair. Clark moved him to the couch a few minutes ago, he's with them both now." "Did he get any sleep himself? If not I can stay with them." "That's very kind of you. But Clark said he would like some time with them."

Superboy nodded. "Are we allowed go in?" "I think you should all stay away for a few hours, see if he'll get some sleep." "Okay. If he wants us, we're here." Leslie nodded. "I'll let you know if anything changes." Conner nodded again.

He walked with a shaky exhale to Aquaman's room. "Hey, hey Kal, wake up." "Conner? What's wrong?" "Bats is in a coma." "Wait, what?" "He fell into one last night, he's on a ventilator." Kaldur sighed. "How's Robin?" "According to Thompkins, we was up all night. He slept a tiny bit, but he's bate."

(Bate is an irish slang word that means exhausted, tired, knackered, so on.)

Kaldur sighed. "He fell asleep before I came down, Clark's with 'em." "we will tell the others later once they wake up. Go down and see if they need you." "Leslie said he wants to stay with Bruce and Dick for a while." Kaldur nodded.

"Then go back to Superman's room, see if you can relax or something." Conner nodded.

Once back in Superman's room, Conner pulled out his phone. An article popped up on his notification bar.

Wonder  Woman  explains the  absence  of Batman and Robin in the arrest of Joker,  Harley  Quinn, Clayface Poison Ivy and Scarecrow.

He decided to click on it. A video from the local news popped up.

"Wonder  Woman ! Wonder  Woman ! Where is Batman and Robin?!"

"The reason that Batman and Robin are absent is because these five launched an attack on the Young Justice's Hideout. And  as  you know, they also blew up the  Hall  of Justice. In protecting all members of Young Justice, including Robin, Batman got badly injured. We are now doing all that we can to save him."

"Is Batman going to die?!" Some reporters asked shocked.

"We do not know. But as I said, we are doing all we can."

"What about Robin, and the  rest  of the Young Justice members?"

"Physically,  they  are unharmed. Emotionally and mentally is a different story. Those children almost lost their lives. Robin as you can imagine, is taking  this  harder than the others, but,  they're  like a  family . They will always look out for each other."

"Where is Batman and the Young Justice team?" "Somewhere safe. Now if  you'll  excuse me, we have to get these guys  to   Arkham ."

Conner let out an exhale.

The Watch Tower 12:00PM UTC

Dick slowly opened his eyes and saw Clark and Gardner in chairs next to Bruce. "Uncle Clark? Uncle Gardner?" He asked sleepily. "Hey squirt." He soothed, hoping in some way he'd get the kid to fall asleep again. Dick yawned. "You can go back to sleep, buddy."

"How is he?" Dick asked rubbing his eye. "No change, kiddo." Gardner replied, to which, Dick deflated. "Where's the team?" He asked around a yawn. "In Barry's room. Do you want to go to them, or them to come to you?" "I'll go to them, I just wanna stay here for a bit." "That's alright, that's alright." Clark whispered.

"M'tired." Dick whispered to him as he came up beside them. Gardner placed his hand on the kid's head. "I know. C'mere, kiddo, I'll give you cuddles." Clark soothed. Dick climbed onto Clark's lap, resting his head on his chest.

"What do you mean BatDad's in a coma?!" Artemis growled. "It happened last night." Conner said "He didn't sleep." "Who can blame him?" Wally's voice was small. "Wally?" M'gann asked.

"If it was Uncle Barry, I'd do the same. Bruce is on a ventilator, there....there is a very high chance that he won't wake up. My little brother, our little brother, is terrified. Dick always bounced back after horrible things. His parents death, the stupid, stupid training sim. And this...... This'll be what breaks him. The hacker with the laugh will be no more. Just a broken kid. And that terrifies me."

Wally swallowed. "Dick's petrified to sleep in case his Dad dies. On top of that, if he does, he'll have nightmares that Bruce is dead. Right now, all he wants is Bruce. All he wants is a hug from him. And Bruce may never wake up......Bruce could very well.....be on his deathbed."

Wally's voice cracked. "If I could swap places with Bruce, I'd do it in a heartbeat." "We all would." Artemis spoke, tears in her eyes.

Dick was asleep on Clark's chest and the man didn't dare move. He kept rubbing soothing swirls on the child's back, in hopes of keeping the boy asleep. Gardner had his eyes trained on the small boy. Wally quietly walked into the med bay, and let out a small sigh of relief upon seeing Dick asleep. The only problem was, the sleeping boy didn't look very happy or peaceful.

"Hey." Gardner whispered. "How are they?" Wally whispered back. "No change with Brucey, kid's been asleep for about ten minutes. I'm hoping it'll stay that way." Dick suddenly shifted in Clark's lap, he and Wally held their breath. Luckily, it was just him turning in his sleep. Both exhaled. "How are the others?" Guy asked.

"Worried sick. Is he......" Wally stopped and Gardner sighed in response. "We don't know." "What happens if he crashes again?" Wally asked and both men just looked at him. Wally almost screamed, but stopped himself for Dick's sake, and whisper-yelled. "What is that supposed to mean?! We just let him-!" Wally put his finger to his throat and pulled it across.

"He's already died twice." "That's no reason to-!" "Wally. Bruce is a fighter. If his heart has stopped twice already, technically three times, it means it's getting too hard for him to keep fighting. If he crashes again, it would be cruel to bring him back. It would take Dick a while, but he'd understand it." Clark told him.

Tears burned in Wally's eyes. "Do you really want to see him cuddling Bruce's dead body, or flung over his side, crying and begging for you to bring him back?" Wally barely whispered. Gardner and Clark looked down at the boy curled up like a puppy.

"No." "I get where you're coming from. I really do, and maybe you're right. It wouldn't be fair to Bruce. But Dick, I don't know if all of us can take that. I don't know if I'll be able to watch him beg us to bring his dad back."

"Us either, kid." Gardner told him.

Four Weeks later

"Hey, Walls, happy birthday....." Artemis murmured. "What? Oh....yeah thanks...." "You didn't even know it was, did you?" Conner asked. "No..." Wally whispered. "No, I didn't...." Artemis squeezed his shoulder. "Sixteen, now, huh?" "Look, guys, I get we're all tryna get our minds off what's happening. I know you're all tryna help, but just leave it. Honestly, just leave it." Wally started out as neutral, but he grew frustrated.

"Wally...." Artemis murmured. "I know! Okay! I know.....I...I'm sorry.....it's just.....they're like family y'know.....we-we met each other a few months after he became Robin. And-and that was because Bruce thought he needed a friend. And look what it turned into. Me and him....being like brothers....countless sleepovers......I just.....-" His voice started to break as tears filled his eyes. -he's my best friend.....he's my little brother....I need him back, I need him back." 

His shoulders started to shake and everyone tried to offer comfort. Conner, being the biggest and strongest one there, he was probably the best one to offer comfort, and pulled Wally close, wrapping his giant strong arms around Wally's shaking shoulders. Artemis started stroking Wally's wild hair, shushing him softly.

Bruce hadn't improved much, and neither did Dick's sleeping. While he did eat, that was only when one of the League members or Alfred made him. The teen had dark circles under his eyes. His dark circles, had circles to say the least. Dick only slept when his body begged for it, and when one of his aunts or uncles held him close. They all figured the teen just needed to feel safe, and that they were going to stay with him.

Tears burned in their eyes every time he asked them to stay. It hurt them to see the usually out-going, goofy, and crazy child they loved become so......depressed, and terrified to even be on his own.

It broke Wally. It took everything in him to not cry whenever he went to see Dick.

M'gann just kept getting emotion overloads while sitting near him.

Conner just provided hugs, as the rest of them did, or putting an arm around his shoulders.

Kaldur was a silent comfort. Often sitting next to him while Dick stared at his dad.

Artemis did too.

Alfred mainly stroked Dick's head or back, or gave soothing murmurs, which Dick didn't really think was right, because Alfred had known him longer, but if he protested, Alfred wouldn't have taken it. He already tried, and Alfred wouldn't have it.

Wally, hugged Dick most of the time he was there. He would ramble on about a game that he was playing and the levels and the progress and the characters, just in hopes of distracting Dick.

Dick appreciated their efforts, but they just didn't work. He did watch Netflix on his phone every now and then, or listened to music, but that could only help him for so long.

He leant forward in the chair, grasping Bruce's hand. "Te rog, Tati, te rog." He whispered.

(Please, Dad, please)

"Te rog." Tears burned in his eyes, and his voice cracked. "Te rog, Tata, te rog. Întoarce-te, întoarce-te." Tears rolled down his cheeks.

(Please, Dad, please. Come back, come back)

Wally made his way to the med bay to check on both Dick and Bruce.

"Vă rog să nu renunțați. Dacă o faci, nu te vor aduce înapoi." Tears fell onto Dick's leg, soaking his jeans.

(Please don't give up. If you do, they won't bring you back)

Dick let out a choked sob. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm just scared. An' an' I know you-you'd say it's okay to be. An' an' that you're here, but you're not here. And...." Dick sobbed quietly.

Wally stood at the wall by the door, covering his mouth in case he let out a cry. Tears raced down the redhead's face and his shoulders shook. He chanced a glance in at Dick. The boy had one hand holding onto Bruce's and the other was wiping away some of the tears that didn't fall onto his jeans.

"I love you. I love you, please."

"Dick..." Wally's broken voice got out as he walked fast towards his brother. Wally hugged Dick from the side, it was an awkward angle, but neither of them cared. Dick leant against Wally, as his body shook with hiccups and sobs. Wally put one hand in Dick's hair, the other squeezing around him.

"It's o-.....I'm here, Dick. I'm here, I promise you. I'm here." Wally whispered with tears. Dick brought one of his arms up to tangle around Wally's as he sobbed. "I know all you can see is the machines and the damage. But Bruce is still there."

After Dick calmed down to a degree, he muttered, "Thanks, Wally." To which Wally replied with. "Course, Dick." Dick stayed in Wally's arms as they now both stared at Bruce.

One week later.

"Hey, Gardner, is Dick asleep?" Clark looked to the couch, where Dick's back was facing him, he had tried to convince the boy to sleep. "He's been lying there a while so I'd say so." Dick was in fact awake. "Good, I don't want him to hear this." Dick did his best to keep his breathing deep and even. Superman didn't seem to suspect a thing. Haha, he was getting good.

"Bruce isn't looking any better. We need to start making plans."

No fuck no.

"Whoa, whoa, hold up! People can live for years on vents!" "Gardner. It would be cruel given his state." "We have to come up with different ways Batman and Bruce Wayne died. Even in death, he wouldn't want the world to know. For Batman, we say what we have already told the public. The attack on Mount Justice was too much for him. But for Bruce, we need something different."

"What about the kid?" Gardner's voice cracked. Clark sighed. "CPS may not let him live with Alfred anymore." Panic rose in Dick's chest, but forced his breaths to stay the same.

"Given Alfred's age, they may make the boy a foster kid. They won't just let him up and live with any of us." Dick tried not to sob. "The press will hound him the first chance they get after this, the fuckers." Gardner spoke. "Bruce knew me in civilian form as well, so I can be there to protect him to a degree."

"Are you gonna take him in?" "If they let me, yes. He'll need someone he knows." "And if they don't let you?" "I'll do a Batman on it. I'll track him down, he'll get regular visits from Superman to see how he's getting on."

"Fuck this. Fuck it all." "I know, Gardner. I know. We're gonna have to tell him later."

Conner's phone pinged. "Shit! Guys, come here, now!" "Con? What's happening?" "Look!"

Wonder Woman reveals that Batman may die by the end of this week.

"FUCK OFF!" "Artemis, SHUSH." "Fuckin play the video." She snarled.

"Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining me outside the ruins of the Hall Of Justice. I thank you on behalf of Batman, Robin, the rest of the Justice League, and the Young Justice League." She took a deep breath before continuing.

"Over the last five weeks, a doctor, the League, and Batman have been fighting very hard. Unfortunately, four weeks ago, Batman slipped into a coma." Gasps filled the crowd.

"He has been on a ventilator for five weeks now. He can't breathe on his own. Before he was in a coma, we had him sedated, and his heart stopped twice." More gasps, the camera zoomed in on Diana, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Given Batman's current state, we feel it would be cruel to keep him on a ventilator. We may....have to let him go by the end of this week."

"Wonder Woman! Is Robin Batman's son? And if so, does he have any other family he can live with?" "I cannot say anything that could leak their secret identities."

"Is there going to be a big funeral for Batman?" "If we have to let him go, we will have a private funeral, but the day after, a memorial. One of the reasons we want it private is for Robin. " "Have you told Robin about this?"

Diana sighed. "Right now,  he's  asleep,  but when  he wakes up, yes, we will tell him."

"Who will protect Gotham now?" "What about Robin? Surely Batman is a single parent."

"Thank you all for joining me today. I will update you on all that  I  can. Goodbye for now."

"I'm gonna kill her." Artemis growled. "She's right." Wally spoke, his voice was sad. "Bruce is dying. He's probably already fuckin dead we just can't tell because he's on a ventilator."

"That-that-that machine is breathing for him, which also causes his heart to keep going." Wally was pulling at his hair now, and Conner tried to stop him but Wally shrugged him off.

"Bruce is dead. And Dick and Alfred don't know it!" Conner pulled Wally into his side.

"Shh." Conner said suddenly, and not comfortingly, firmly. 

"Conner, c'mon-" "No, shh, I'm tryna hear." 

Everyone fell silent.

"The boy isn't doing well." Came the voice of Leslie. "If he continues to neglect sleeping and eating, he will follow Bruce into a coma." 

"Fuck." Conner growled, but held up his finger, telling the team to remain silent, his other arm still around Wally's shoulders.

"What do we do?" Barry asked. "I'll try get him out of the room so he can eat."

"Shit. If Dick doesn't eat soon, he'll follow Bruce into a coma according to Leslie." "What?" M'gann asked. Suddenly they heard screeching from the med bay. 

"I'm not leaving him! I'm not! Don't take me away!" The screeches turned to sobs, fast. This time everyone heard it.

In the med bay.

"Dickie, you need to eat, kiddo." Barry tried. "C'mon, we'll come back in a few minutes, let's just get some food in you." 

"What if we sedated him to get him to sleep?" Clark whispered. "I don't think his body will be able to handle it well....." Leslie replied. "What about a feeding tube? He won't eat by himself, Christ, he won't even go for a wee, he holds it." Leslie shook her head. "I can try get him one."

"Please, Little Birdie. Daddy would want you to eat...." Barry spoke softly. "One rice cake, please. A few strawberries, anything, please. Look, you can have it here with him. Please kiddo, you don't know how serious this is getting."

Dick cuddled into Barry, it was evident the boy was feeling weak and exhausted. "Dickie, you're getting weak from lack of food and sleep.....if....if you don't eat soon, you're gonna end up like Dad, in a coma...." Barry rubbed the kid's back gently. "Please, kiddo, something small....you want strawberries, or rice cakes? Maybe a lollipop?" Barry joked at the end trying to make the kid laugh, or at least smile. But on one hand it would get his blood sugar up. For his efforts he received a little smile from the young teen. 

He then whispered. "I can even get you some chocolate....." "O-o-okay...." Barry sighed in relief. "Good boy.....so what are we looking at?" 

"S-strawberries...but-but I only like the dark ones...." "Okay, okay, some chocolate too? Bar of dairy milk?" Dick nodded. "Okay, kiddo, do you need any help with it?" Dick shook his head.

The Flash's room.

"Conner, you better tell me what the fuck is going on down there." Wally growled, but tears were mixed in with it. "Shut up and let me listen Kid Idiot!" Conner strained his ears then sighed in relief. "Thank God....Flash convinced him to eat stuff." Everyone in the room left out a sigh of relief, and Wally gave a small light sob. 

"I woulda kicked his ass if he didn't." Wally snarled, but it was filled with tears.

Artemis smiled. "Let's not forget he always beats you in training." 

"Shh." Conner said again. "G-guys...he....he's getting really weak. D-Dick is."

"Fuck." Artemis cursed. "I'm going down there." Wally announced, but Conner and Kaldur stopped him.

"Wally, I think you should reconsider." Kaldur said softly. "If you go down now, there's a chance Dick may get upset and abandon the thought of eating despite how serious the situation is. I know you are worried about him, we all are. But I really think you should stay away for a while."

"He...-" Artemis put a hand on his shoulder. "We know. You two are the closest...."

"I've known him since we were kids.....and-and he's wasting away...." Wally sobbed halfway through, and Artemis pulled him into her, running her hand through his hair, knowing it provided him with comfort.

"Shhh." Artemis whispered. "He-he's dying! They both are!" 

"Hey, hey, look at me!" Artemis broke off the hug, holding him by his shoulders. "Dick is awake. Yes, he's getting near that territory of following Batman. But Flash is getting some food in him. Calm down. He's okay for now. He's okay...."

Chapter Text

The Watch Tower 9:00PM UTC

Dick sat clutching Bruce's hand. He had his headphones in to try and somewhat distract him. 

(Author note. Okay, this song was released in 2019, BUT. IT FITS THIS SO WELL, SO I HAD TO PUT IN IT, PLEASE DON'T FIGHT ME CONSIDERING YJ TAKES PLACE IN 2010, PLEASE DON'T. Copy this link if you wanna hear it as well, just to get those sad feelings going, haha. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tct6KM2R4-M)

He looked at his phone screen, and it was a song titled "In Case You Don't Live Forever". The title alone was enough to make Dick's lip tremble, and he hated himself for being so weak right now, even though he knew he had a valid reason to. The song began.

"You, put all your faith in my dreams. Gave me the world that I wanted. What did I do to deserve you?"

That alone had tears running down the boy's face as he clutched Bruce's hand. Bruce had put all his faith in Dick and his dreams, gave him the world of being Robin, a member of Young Justice, and he did often question what did he do to deserve Bruce.

"I, follow your steps with my feet. I walk on the road that you started. I need you to know that I heard you, every word."

Dick did do that. He followed what Bruce would've done in the Failsafe simulator. He walked on the path that Bruce knew. He remembered most pieces of advice and comfort Bruce had given him since his parent's murder. He heard every word....

"I've waited way too long to say, everything you mean to me....."

Dick's lip wobbled and a small choked sob came out.

"In case you don't live forever let me tell you now.....I love you more than you'll ever wrap your head around.....in case you don't live forever, let me tell you the truth.....I'm everything that I am because of you...."

Dick's shoulder's shook. He did love Bruce more than words could describe. He is everything he is because of Bruce.....because of his Dad. He is Robin because of his adoptive Dad.

"I, I've carried this song in my mind, listen it's echoing in me, but I haven't helped you to hear it. We, we've only got so much time, and I'm pretty sure it would kill me, if you didn't know that pieces of me are pieces of you."

Dick sobbed. "Dad......Dad......" He whispered through sobs. "Daddy.....I......Tati....I need you back......I.....I have so much to tell you....."

"I've waited way too long to say, everything you mean to me, In case you don't live forever let me tell you now.....I love you more than you'll ever wrap your head around.....in case you don't live forever, let me tell you the truth.....I'm everything that I am because of you...."

"I have a hero whenever I need one, I just look up to you and I see one, I'm a man 'cause you taught me to be one...."

Dick continued to cry. It was true. He did have a hero when he needed one. Bruce laid down his life for him without a second thought.....and since he heard about Batman from his days at the circus, he always looked up to him. Bruce and Alfred taught him everything he knew. His parents too.

"In case you don't live forever let me tell you now.....I love you more than you'll ever wrap your head around.....in case you don't live forever, let me tell you the truth.....I'm everything that I am because of you...."

"Whooooaaah, ohhhh.  Whooooaaah, ohhhh. In case you don't live forever, let me tell you the truth........as long as I'm here as I am.....so are you....."

Dick felt a hand on his shoulder. "Hey....." Wally said softly. "You gotta listen to this...." Dick murmured wiping away a stream of tears. Wally put his hand to his mouth after the first few lines of the song. "Oh, bro....." He pulled Dick into him. "This isn't a very nice day for any of us, huh?" He started rubbing Dick's arm to attempt to provide some comfort.

"Uncle Clark wants to unplug him......" Dick sobbed. "No.....no.....he doesn't....." Wally lied to try and soothe him. "He does! I heard him the other night! He and Uncle Gardner thought I was asleep! I'm not ready to lose him!" "I know.....I know....." "Sometimes......bad things happen......and the only thing we can do is-" Dick pushed him away. "Stop with the bullshit, please!" Dick put his head in his hands, pulling at his hair. "Hey, now.....don't do that.....don't do that...." Wally murmured comfortingly. "Would-" "Don't you dare say would Dad want me to do that! Dad's dead! Dad has no opinions anymore! Dad can't tell me shit!" "Hey. Hey! Listen to me. He's not dead yet....not yet." 

Dick sobbed again, curling into Wally's chest. "Your emotions are all over the place....." "I dunno what to do with them! There's too many that wanna come out!" "I know...." Slowly, one by one, more team members came in to console the emotionally distressed Robin, until he eventually fell asleep, this time curled up against Conner's chest. 

"He sure left you once I came close." Conner smirked at Wally. "Aw, growing sick of you is he, Wall-Man?" Artemis teased. Wally sighed. "No.....Conner.....you're strong....like Bruce...." "So.....my figure gave him the most comfort?" Wally nodded. "Which....is why he fell asleep in the space of an hour compared to.....sleep-depriving himself. He.....he's still comfortable with me.....but....it's not me or us he wants....it's him...." Wally's teary eyes turned towards Bruce.

"But what about Supes? Surely he'd be closer to.....that." "It works with Clark too. But....considering he has to keep an eye on Gotham and Arkham a lot recently....he's not here much." Dick suddenly half woke, and Conner looked to the others unsure as the Robin started to become more awake, he was asleep for not even 10 minutes. 

"Get him back to sleep!" Artemis mouthed. Conner gave her a look as if to say 'and how the hell am I supposed to do that?!' Dick gave a small groan and rubbed at his tired eyes, and Conner, taking a chance, rubbed his back a little, as he had seen Superman do before. That seemed to be enough to get the teen sleepy again and he yawned and curled up like a puppy, falling asleep on Conner again.

"Well. Guess who'll be spending all his time down here?" Artemis whispered, crossing her arms in a joking manner. Conner shrugged. "To be fair, I've been trying to find anything I can do to help. If I have to become a teddy bear, so be it. I'm gonna move us to the couch before our backs break from these chairs.....I got him guys....go on." "Wait I meant it as a joke, you don't have to." Artemis spoke. "Wally said it himself......he....Dick felt safest with me.....so....yeah. I want to stay. If I can help him instead of sitting in a stupid room, watching movies to try take our minds off all this, than yeah."

Everyone sadly nodded. "One of us will come back later, kay?" Artemis whispered. Conner nodded.

Superman walked in with a concerned look, as he didn't see Dick on the chair from outside. Upon walking in, he saw Superboy sitting on the outside of the couch, with Dick's head resting on the clone's muscular chest, and Conner's arm around the boy's back and waist, a small drool patch on Conner's top. 

"He's asleep....." Clark said surprised. "He.....had a breakdown over a song....don't know if you heard it. It's called 'In Case You Don't Live Forever'." Clark winced. "I have.....damn, poor kid...." "Anyway.....we all just....kinda hugged him, and before long....he cuddled me the most instead of Wally, and.....fell asleep....Wally said it's because.....my....strong figure reminds him of....." "Bruce.....yeah.....thank you for staying with him." 

"I'm happy to do it....at least.....he's not in the danger zone anymore." "Danger zone?" Clark asked trying to cover it up. "Don't play dumb......he's soon on the verge of shutting down. He's weak, not eating, he's irritable, he pretty much is losing energy quickly, falling asleep a lot, but not for long......my guess.....this week or.....the next few weeks is when shutdown starts....." "You're.....not wrong. Leslie guesstimated next week is when it will start. But....if we can get him eating and sleeping....we could stop it."

"Think I've got the sleeping covered." "Yeah. Thank you." "He's the League's kid. And God forbid....." Conner couldn't finish the sentence. "None of us would be okay....." "Wally, don't even get me started, Dick.....you know.....it would kill him inside....M'gann, break her, Artemis and Kaldur, too...." "And you?" "It would kill me....."

Dick groaned softly again, starting to wake up, and Conner started rubbing the younger one's arm to try soothe him back into sleep. Dick rolled over, cuddling Conner's muscular arm as he slipped back into sleep.

The Watch Tower Thurday 8:00AM UTC

Clark looked to both teams. "Supes, please." Artemis begged, the entire Young Justice team either had tears in their eyes, or sad faces as did the Justice League.

"He only just started eating again....we know how serious this is!" "I know, Artemis. But we have to tell him."

Wally let out a big exhale, each member had a hand on each others shoulders.

"Hey, Dickie-bird, we need to talk." Clark said gently, walking over to him. Dick looked at him with sad eyes. 

"Uncle Clark. I already know......I was awake when you spoke with Uncle Gardner.....I don't wanna leave Alfred!" Dick told him as tears rolled down. Alfred sat looking at the ground, silently crying.

Wally knew Dick better than everyone else. Bruce, Alfred, and Dick had become another family for him. It was like being stabbed when he heard Dick's voice.

"I know, champ. But it may come to that. "I-I-I don't wanna be alone again, Uncle Clark!" "I promise you, I will do everything I can to get you to stay with me. But I can't promise anything."

Dick let out a heartbreaking sob which had both Leagues in tears. "I'm so sorry, kiddo." Clark whispered, pulling the teen into his chest. Dick's legs buckled and Clark picked him up, holding him close.

Barry held Wally as he sobbed into his Uncle's chest. Conner held M'gann who was sobbing, and he tried to fight the tears that were continuously rolling down. He had one hand on Wolf's head as the animal whined sadly.

Kaldur and Artemis both had a hand on each other's shoulder as tears rapidly fell.

"We-we were thinking of going with you two went on a trip and there was a hit and run." As Dick's body shook, he whined pushing away from Clark, to which the Man of Steel put him down in the chair and he curled into a ball.

"It would suit most his injuries. Bruised lung, broken bones-" Clark stopped as he heard paws on the ground. "No, Wolf, here, boy." Conner struggled to get out with tears.

The wolf ignored him and placed his paw on Dick's leg. The crying teen pushed himself away.

Wolf waited a few minutes before deciding to approach again.

This time, Dick wrapped his arms around Wolf's fluffy neck. Wolf stood there, allowing himself to become a source of comfort to the youngest member.

Wolf licked the boy's cheek before nuzzling himself into his chest. Alfred placed a hand on the shaking teen's back, and Clark had one in his hair.

Heart shattering sobs filled the Watch Tower, both teams were crying. Wally's shoulders shook and Barry shushed him gently. Conner and M'gann cried into each other's shoulders, Artemis and Kaldur sat on the ground pulling their legs to their chests. 

Suddenly, a cough and choke was heard and Dick gasped. "Daddy?" His voice was broken. Clark was frozen for a minute. "I'll get it out, Bruce, just stay calm." Gardner came into the room, Dick's arms were still around Wolf.

Dick cried with relief. His Dad is awake. His Dad is awake. Gardner smiled, and put a hand on Dick's shoulder. Dick heard Bruce cough, and Dick swore right there, it was the best sound he had heard in a long time.

Gardner's hand moved to Dick's hair as he cried with relief. "Calm down, little Dickie-Bird. Deep breaths for me." He murmured. Dick complied, swiping at his cheeks in the process. His breaths were somehow deep, and shallow at the same time. They were hiccupping breaths too.

Clark finished checking over Bruce, and gave him some water, before nodding to Dinah.

"Give them a few minutes." Dinah whispered to both teams. Clark gently nudged Dick forward and tapped Wolf's head, signaling for the animal to follow him before leaving the room.

"Dick?" He asked hoarsely before coughing. Tears raced down Dick's cheeks, but this time with relief.

"Tati." It came out as a sob. Bruce, who previously had assistance from Clark, was sitting up and extended his arm. Dick wrapped his arms around his father's neck. "Hey, baby." He murmured.

He didn't use that pet name often, but he knew it was one of Dick's favourites. "Dad's here, Dad's here, I promise."

Both teams stepped away into the chill out area of the Watch Tower.

Dick sobbed into Bruce's shoulder, his body shaking violently. Alfred swiped at his cheeks.

"I missed you. I love you...." Dick whispered nuzzling Bruce's shoulder. Bruce gave him a gentle squeeze before letting the teen go. He shifted his gaze to Alfred, who had tears in his eyes.

Leslie entered the room.

"Alfred." He gave a small smile and the elderly butler moved towards him, wrapping his arms around the man he raised. "You gave us quite a scare, sir." "Sorry, Alf." He whispered. "How are you feeling?" Dick asked as the two men broke off the hug. "Like crap. If I take a deep breath it hurts but I've had worse."

"Scale from one to ten." Leslie spoke. Eh....five." "Bruce, normal standards, not Batman standards." "Deadly serious. Five." "I can tell when Master Bruce is lying, now is not one of those times."

"Alfie can read us like books." Dick smirked and so did Bruce. Alfred gave a smile.

Leslie sighed, before making her way towards the door. "If you need anything, get me." Bruce nodded.

"How long was I conked out for?" Bruce asked suddenly. "Six weeks, sir." Alfred answered. "You died twice. Almost three times." Dick's voice was tear-filled. Bruce took in Dick's face. He looked utterly exhausted. The poor boy had large dark circles under his eyes. Bruce would have to see if he could get his son to sleep.

"I'm sorry, son." He cupped Dick's cheek, stroking it gently, and wiping away tears in the process.

There was a small knock on the door.

"Wally?" Dick asked. The older teen's eyes were red from crying. "Hey. We were just wondering how you're doing." Bruce gave a small smile. "Not too bad." "You had us worried for a bit, Bruce." "Sorry." Bruce responded. "Don't do it again...don't..." Wally said his voice cracking. Bruce frowned. "I'm sorry." Wally shook his head. "Just never do it again." He nodded to Dick who was holding Bruce's hand looking at him, as Bruce's fingers absentmindedly swept over the teen's knuckles. Bruce, still frowning gave a nod. Bruce wouldn't be surprised, in fact, he was almost certain Dick had formed separation anxiety. 

"I'll go tell the others how you're doing." Wally murmured as he sniffed.

Once Wally had left, Bruce moved over a bit in the bed, and looked at Dick. The boy was quick to accept the offer, and gingerly sat next to his adoptive father.

Bruce pulled Dick into him, so his head was resting on Bruce's shoulder.

Tears stung Dick's eyes as he felt Bruce's hand sweep over his back. Dick hated that his emotional side was coming out, but after the last six weeks of Bruce almost dying and unmoving on a ventilator, he felt it was okay for him to be a wreck.

Tears slowly spilled out of his eyes as Bruce's hand kept rubbing his back. "Now I know what it feels like." He whispered and Bruce's hand stopped. Bruce was confused for a moment. "I'll be more careful." Dick whispered. Bruce tutted sadly. "I'm sorry you had to deal with that, son." "I'm sorry I put you through it on an almost monthly basis." Dick replied.

Bruce kissed the top of Dick's head. "Did you get any sleep while I was out?" A little bit but.....,mostly nightmares." Bruce already knew what they were about, he decided to try and get Dick to talk later. Right now what his son needed was comfort. Comfort in knowing his father was alive. "You, Alfred?" "Not much, but I'm quite all right, Master Bruce."

"Lie on the couch." Bruce said softly. Alfred gave him a 'really?' look, while cocking his eyebrow. "We'll be fine." Bruce's arm tightened slightly around Dick. Alfred stared at him for another moment. "Alfred. I'll be good, I'm not going to move." Dick gave a small laugh.

"I wouldn't put it past you normally." "Shh." Bruce smiled before turning his gaze back to Alfred. "Get some sleep, Alf. We'll be fine, promise." Alfred raised his eyebrow once again. "Hey, I got this little kiddo glued to me. I won't be going anywhere. Will I, son?" "No, you're stuck." Dick nuzzled Bruce's shoulder.

Bruce gave him a 'see?' look. "Very well." The butler gave in and moved to the couch. Bruce smiled. "How are you holding up, kiddo?" He whispered. "Better now that you're up." His voice was tearful. "Talk to me, sweetheart, let it out."

Dick shook his head. "Come on, don't keep it in. It's okay, baby. It's okay."

Dick snuggled his face into Bruce's chest. "I was so scared." Dick barely whispered, and Bruce gave him a squeeze. When....when I fou-found out i-it w-was a sed-sedative...." Dick sobbed and Bruce kissed his forehead. "An' when Di-Diana to-told me that-that you died....!" Bruce rubbed Dick's back and kissed the top of his head a few times.

"Christ, I'm so sorry, sweetheart, I'm so sorry." "The-then they-they wanted to gi-give you somethin' in-in the IV." Dick hiccupped. Bruce could tell what they were planning on giving him.

"Because they s-said that you were hur-hurting and-and in misery!" Tears stung Bruce's eyes. He could only imagine the fear his son had experienced in the last six weeks.

"I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so sorry." Bruce's voice wavered. Dick hiccupped and gasped before getting the next part out. "I-I-I wa-watched you-you die!" He sobbed. Bruce, ignoring the pain on his ribs, squeezed Dick against him. He tried to fight the tears as he held his son close to him, he couldn't do much with one arm, but he would do his best.

"You-you we-were fi-fine an-an then all the alar-alarms went off! Then......"

Bruce kissed his boy's head again, and rubbed his back. Dick clung to Bruce sobbing. "I'm so sorry, baby." Bruce murmured.

"Then, then, when you.....coma." Was all the child could get out. "You almo-almost didn't wa-wa-wake up!" Bruce squeezed Dick, tears flowing freely down his cheeks. "I'm so sorry sweetheart. I'm so sorry, chum." He murmured then had a slight coughing fit. "Daddy?" He asked with a whimper. "I'm okay, sweetheart, I'm okay." "Don't leave me, Daddy." The child whined pitifully.

"Don't plan on it, sweetheart. I'm here." "Cuddles?" Dick asked quietly. Bruce gave him a gentle squeeze. "Cuddles." He whispered to the boy. Dick curled into Bruce and put his hand on Bruce's heart. Bruce stroked his back.

"How about I get Uncle Clark to put on Toy Story for us, yeah?" Bruce whispered. "Second one?" Dick asked and Bruce smiled. "Course. Whatever you want. Boy Scout I know you can hear me with those big elephant ears." Dick laughed. "Get in here, bring Toy Story 2."

"You're a bully." Dick smiled. "Someone has to bully Uncle Clark, no one else will."

Clark came in with the DVD. "I do not have 'big elephant ears' Bruce. You've insulted Zitka!" He told Bruce holding up the toy. "Look how sad she is!"

"Zitka doesn't mind, it's you who does." Bruce smirked. "Oh, what's that Zitka? You don't like Dick and Bruce anymore? Because Dick didn't stand up for you?" Clark gasped. "And you rather stay with me and we can have so-called 'big elephant ears' together?"

"Clark." He motioned discreetly to Dick. Clark frowned, as he noticed the lingering fear in the child's eyes. "Here, champ." He whispered. Dick slowly took his comfort stuffie, putting the elephant under his arm, and snuggling a bit further into Bruce. Clark gave them a sad smile before putting the DVD on and leaving them in peace.

Bruce rubbed his son's back. "Dad's here, kiddo." He whispered. Dick nodded.

"How's Bruce? How's Dick?" Artemis asked as Superman came back. He looked to both teams and sighed. "Bruce is as well as he can be, as for Dick, still in Shutdown." "Surely with Bruce awake he'd come out of it." Conner spoke. "We had hoped for that. But the kid's traumatized. He's on the bed with him now, his hand never left Bruce's heart."

The team looked down. Barry wrapped his arm around Wally's shoulders, turning the now sixteen year old into his side and rubbing the redhead's arm. Conner's arm went around M'gann. Ollie rested a hand on Artemis' shoulder.

"Someone has to talk Bruce out of still being Batman, please." Artemis spoke. "I can't watch this happen to Dick again, none of us can. It hurts enough for all of us to see Dick in the hospital bed, but seeing Batman in there, with his son breaking that much more everyday, we can't do that again. Dick can't do that again."

Clark nodded. "I agree. But Bruce is not easily convinced." "Um, hello? Traumatized child enough to convince him?" "For a good few months, yes. But not forever." "How do we stop him?" Artemis asked. "We don't." Barry shrugged. "But-!" "Artemis, leave it. Teams, there's nothing we can do for Bruce and Dick now. We should go home."

"I'm staying." Canary said instantly. "So will I." Clark spoke. "Let's go, Walls." Barry whispered. "I'm staying."

"Kid. There's nothing more that you can do for Dick. Let's go home, get some nice food in you." "No...No, I'm staying!" 

"Wally-" 

"No!" Wally's voice cracked, tears filling his eyes, and his breathing quickening. Barry sighed. "All right...all right...we'll stay. We'll stay." Barry said.

Conner was shocked, he'd never seen Wally like that. In fact, none of them have. "Wally?" M'gann asked slowly approaching to try calm him down. Wally just shook his head. "I'm not leaving, I'm not, I'm not." "You're not, you're not, kiddo. I promise." Barry murmured.

"Artemis." Ollie spoke and she looked at him. "Go." He spoke softly and she gave a reluctant nod.

Bruce looked down to see Dick's eyes drooping. "Go to sleep." He soothed. "No." Came out in a whisper. "It's all right." Bruce whispered. "How do I know you won't get bad again?" Dick looked at Bruce with tired sapphire eyes.

"I'd still be asleep if I was bad, chum." Dick wasn't convinced. Bruce smirked. "What?" He asked around a yawn. "Nothing." Bruce answered before looking back at the DVD playing. He waited a few minutes, before raising the arm that was wrapped around Dick, and stroking his nose.

He had learned when he first took Dick in that stroking his nose guaranteed putting the kid to sleep. He knew it would work now, he had no doubts about it.

Dick didn't protest, normally he would have, but the two of them knew the boy really loved it and would hate it if Bruce stopped. He watched as Dick's eyes got droopier, his breathing starting to deepen.

"Love you, Dad." Dick whispered as his eyes closed and his son gave in to sleep.

"It seems some things never change, sir." Alfred spoke with a smirk. Bruce smiled. "Same as when we brought him home."

Chapter Text

The Watch Tower 7:00AM UTC

Dick slept for ten hours without a break. Bruce joined him, but did wake after a couple hours every time.

He even had some food while his boy slept. Bruce was waiting for a nightmare to come, but it never came, damn the kid was exhausted.

Bruce fell asleep himself.

The Watch Tower 9:00AM.

Dick woke with a small groan. He rubbed his eyes then acknowledged the arm protectively around him. He gave a small smile.

There was a small knock and Dick looked up. "Hey, champ." "Hi, Uncle Clark." He mumbled. "How'd ya sleep?"

"Good." "That's good." Clark took note of how the dark circles have lessened. "Would you like something to eat?" "What's there?" "Um, there's some cereal?" "Bleh." "I could get you something from home if you want?" "Rice cakes?" "What is your recent addiction to them?" "They're good for when you're about to train and they taste nice, so I've just taken to them." Dick replied. "Makes sense."

"Is the team here?" "Kaldur, M'gann and Conner and Wally are. Your brother refused to leave. Artemis was sent home." Dick half smiled at Wally's dedication to stay. "Okay. Hey, Uncle Clark?" He asked as Superman was about to leave. "Yeah, champ?" "Can you stay with him for a bit? I wanna go see the others." "Sure, kiddo."

"Recognised, Artemis B-0-7"

Dick slowly slid out of Bruce's grip, before making his way out. Clark ruffled his hair as the teen passed.

"Hey, Dick, I was just coming to see you." Wally greeted with a smile. "Did you sleep?" Artemis asked. "Twelve hours straight." He told them. "Lie in! Su-weet! (That's how he used say it, let's be honest. I miss him so much.....)

"How's your Dad?" Artemis asked. "He's good. Uncle Clark's with him. I wanted to be with the team for a bit." "And how are you?" She asked again. "Not too bad. Let's go check on the others."

"Hi, everyone!" M'gann said excitedly. "Hey," Dick responded. "We were about to watch a movie, wanna join?" Conner asked. "Sure." Wally answered. Artemis gasped. "We should sooooooo watch a horror!" "Dick!" Black Canary called. "Back in a bit." He murmured.

"Hey, what's Child's Play?" Conner asked. "Oh! Is it a small doll with red hair?" Artemis asked. "Uh, yeah." "We should watch it! I've always wanted to see it!"

"No, I don't think we should." Wally spoke, rubbing his neck. "Why? Are you scared?" Artemis taunted. "No, I'm not. I just don't think we should watch it." "Aw. Is wittle Wally scared? I expected more from a horror-loving redhead."

"Just, just listen okay? I've kept that movie away from Dick for a reason. A bit into the start, one of the characters fall to their death." "Wow spoilers, you're no fun. And what's wrong with that?" Artemis was a bit annoyed.

"And what happened to Dick's parents?" Realisation spread across her face. "They fell." "Yeah. It wouldn't be fair to make him watch it after what's happened recently." "Con, what else is there?" Artemis asked.

"Uh, Bambi, Bambi II, Finding Nemo, Peter Pan, Toy Story 3." "What is it with the two of you and Disney?" "I dunno." Wally shrugged. "We just love it." The door opened. "Anyone want Rice Cakes?" Dick asked. "Su-weet!" Wally exclaimed rushing over.

"Arty?" "Nah, I'm good." "Con, Kal, M'gann?" "I am all right, my friend." Kaldur answered. "Same here." "Me too." "Suit yourselves. What are we watching?" "We haven't decided." Conner told him.

"How's Batman?" Kaldur asked. "Much better. I'm just glad have to look at that tube down his throat anymore." Dick shuddered. "How about you? Did you get any sleep?" M'gann asked. Wally snorted. "Dude slept for twelve hours straight." "Hardly." Conner spoke.

"I was up every day and night with worry." Dick responded. "I was bound to be knocked out for more than eight hours." "Are you okay?" Conner asked noticing how dull Robin was acting. "I'm fine." He shrugged. "Dick." Wally warned to which the younger teen sighed.

"Fine! Fine. I'm traumatized. I watched my Dad almost die, then he died, then he was brought back, then he briefly died again." Dick swallowed. "Then he couldn't breathe on his own and the League were making plans in case he-" Dick cut himself off as he fought tears.

He was then trapped in a group hug by his friends. "They were making plans." He whispered as he refused to let tears out. "He's alive." Artemis whispered. "He's alive and awake. He's okay."

"It still doesn't change the fact that they made plans! He was so close!" Dick refused to sob. "He's alive, my friend." Kaldur spoke. "I know, but.....it's terrifying....that he was that close." Kaldur squeezed his shoulder.

"What movie would you like to watch?" Dick shrugged. "Whatever you want." "Aw, come on, pick one." Conner tried to encourage him. "I don't care." He was using anger to mask his sadness.

"Put on the Dalmatian one." Wally said then grabbed Dick. "Just shut up and come with me for a sec." He whispered when Dick opened his mouth.

"Where are we going?" Dick asked once they exited the room. "You're emotions are all over the place, you're using anger to mask it, and we're going to Bruce's room so you can punch it out." Wally told him as he walked off with Dick.

"Wally, I-" "Ferp!" He cut Dick off as he marched the younger teen towards his mentor and father's room. "Go nuts." Wally said opening the door. "You realise punching it out in something Dad would do?"

"Yes, and you're in no mood to talk it out, and when you don't want to talk you work out." Dick looked at the ground, he knew it was true. "I'll be here. In-in case you wanna talk halfway through."

"Thanks." Dick muttered putting on the boxing gloves. Wally sat on the bed as Dick started punching the bag. It was a half hour before he decided to talk.

"I'm scared-" Dick grunted as he punched the bag. "- that he'll turn again." Dick grunted, throwing another punch at the bag. "I, I-" He swung at the bag again. "- don't want him to be-" Another punch. "- Batman anymore." He finally stopped punching the bag and sat on the bed.

"I don't want this to happen again. I don't want to see him deteriorate on a hospital bed like that again. And I don't want him to go through that again. I know Gotham needs Batman, but I need him too." "You need to talk to him." Wally murmured.

"I don't wanna put that on him now. He's just after waking up." "You'll walk into that room and he will instantly know something is wrong. You're both detectives Dick." The younger boy sighed. "Talk to him." Wally spoke in a low voice. Dick nodded. "Tell the others where I'm gone?" "Course." "I love you..." "Love you too little bro."

When Dick reached the Med Bay, Bruce was still conked. Panic rose in him before his brain copped on that in fact, Bruce was just sleeping. Not almost dead or dead. The boy left out a big exhale. He pulled out his phone and decided to watch people playing games on Youtube to distract himself. Alfred looked at him from the door, and for once, the elderly butler had no idea what to do. Should he talk to his unofficial grandson? Should he be a silent comfort with a hand on the boy's shoulder or head? Or should he just back off?

He decided to give the teen some space. Though he knew Dick was beyond relieved that Bruce wasn't in a coma anymore, he also knew the teen was terrified to leave him. The butler gave a small sigh before walking away.

Dick had the video on low volume. He laughed to himself as the gamer had a breakdown over loss of progress, he could relate to that himself, but it was also funny watching Youtubers lose their crap.

About an hour later, Bruce started to wake up. "Dick?" A sleepy Bruce got out. "Hey." The boy whispered holding Bruce's hand. "You all right birdy?"

"I'm fine." Dick lied, Bruce could easily see through it. He's a detective after all. "No, you're not." "Do I have to, as the team calls it, 'Bat-Daddy' glare you?"

Dick scoffed. "Didn't think you'd start to use it." "Well they're not wrong. I'm your Bat-Daddy." Bruce smiled. "In saying that. Bat-Daddy wants to know what's bothering his baby bird."

Dick sighed. "I'm f-" "Dick." He warned but didn't glare. The boy sighed again. "I...I don't want....." Dick took a breath. "I don't want.....you to be Batman anymore." Bruce froze, but then his face and eyes softened.

"Dickie. That's not going to-" "Happen again?" Dick cut in. "You can't promise that." The boy whispered, blinking back his tears. Bruce sighed, trying to figure out what to say next.

"Maybe not. But, we can upgrade the suits." "How? How are we gonna do that? How are we gonna upgrade them to survive explosions?"

"I'm sorry." Bruce murmured. He didn't know what else to say other than that.

"Please, no more Batman. No more Robin." Dick looked at him with tears in his eyes. "Baby." Bruce murmured. "I know it's who you are, but-" Dick cut himself off, looking down screwing his eyes shut. "Dickie-Bird...." He reached for Dick's hand.

"Gotham needs someone, kiddo." "Please. I'll stop being Robin, I'll stop with the team, we'll only be friends and not teammates please!" Tears streamed down his face. "Hey, hey." Bruce comforted stroking the boy's hair with his good hand. "Deep breath, chum. I know you're scared, but that's okay. That's okay, no one blames you, sweetheart. I'd be worried if you weren't. But Gotham does need someone, buddy."

Dick sniffled and held Bruce's hand, and his adoptive father stroked his thumb over the boy's small hand.

"Sure, Boy Scout can't travel back and forth all the time, can he?" Dick shook his head looking down at Bruce's hand in his own. The lanterns have their own planet, granted they can spare the three JL members every now and then, but not the point. Shazam's a ten year old, Ollie's in Star City, Barry's in Central."

Bruce moved his hand to cup Dick's cheek. "I made sure you were in first to protect you Dickie." The teen hiccupped. "You and the team. You wouldn't have made it." Bruce's voice wavered, he pulled the child towards his chest before continuing.

"I'm sorry about the last few weeks, I'm sorry about all the sleepless nights and nightmares. Dick turned his face into Bruce's chest, burying it in there. His back and shoulders started shaking with quiet sobs.

"But I'm here now." Bruce's voice cracked. "And I'm going to stay. I promise...I'm staying." He told the boy as tears came down his face before kissing the child's head.

Wally sighed. "You okay?" Artemis asked. "Yeah, yeah, Arty, I'm fine." No. No you're not, what's up?" Wally sighed through his nose. "Dick's gone to try and convince Bruce out of Batman." "And he's not gonna quit." Artemis finished. Wally sighed. "I thought if he had heard it from Dick, he would really consider it. But he's Bruce."

"What do we do?" Artemis asked. "Nothing." "There has to be-" "Arty. There's nothing we can do. For now, we just leave Dick alone. Let him stay with Bruce. If he wants us, he'll find us." Artemis gave a small huff. "How did you grow up in the space of five weeks?" "I be goofy when I can, but grow up when I need to."

"Thanks for taking care of Dick these last few weeks." Artemis told him. "We all took care of him." "You mostly." "Yeah, but-" "Thanks for doing it, Wally."

"Please. Just a few months?" Dick asked. Bruce sighed. "Two months off, excluding recovery time. That goes for both of us." "Deal." Dick agreed with no hesitation. "But. If Joker, or any of his sort get loose." "No." "I'll come straight home afterwards, I promise." Dick was silent as he thought about it. This was the best he would get.

He nodded. "Okay." Bruce brushed his fingers over Dick's cheek. "Can Wally still come over?" Bruce gave a small laugh, wincing slightly when it pained his ribs. "Course, he can."

Chapter Text

Diana stood outside the ruins of the Hall of Justice. Flash and Green arrow stood with her. "Is Batman dead?" Reporters shouted. "How is Robin?" "Quiet, everyone, please." Barry tried. "Quiet!" Ollie roared, but the questions kept coming.

The three of them looked to each other then screamed into the microphone, "QUIET!!" The crowd silenced. "Thank you." Ollie spoke, he looked to Flash and the speedster sighed before stepping up to mic.

"Every member of both Leagues want to thank you for joining us. We have been silent since our last announcement, we have good reason for that. Batman has come out of his coma." The crowd cheered, Flash raised his hand and they ceased. "As for the next few months, Batman will not be on League missions, or out in Gotham."

A reporter raised their hand and Flash pointed at them. "How long before he's back?" "Unknown." He answered simply. "Is Robin okay?" Another spoke out. Before Barry had the chance to respond, Green Arrow scoffed. "What a stupid fuckin' question." He was close enough to the microphone to be heard by the crowd.

"Green Arrow!" Diana scolded. "No, seriously!" He stepped up to the microphone and Barry stepped back.

"Of course the kid isn't okay! None of the kids are! They all witnessed the very near death of a Justice League member! The very near death of a child's father!" Tears broke through his voice.

"Robin had to watch his father's condition deteriorate! He had to watch his father's heart stop about three times! He's traumatized! The kids are traumatized! Fuck, we are traumatized! We had to start making plans for where the kid was going to go in case Batman died!" "Arrow." Diana said softly.

"We didn't know where he would have went, neither did the poor traumatized child! We literally sat him down while he was sitting with Br-Batman on the ventilator, telling him that plans would have to be made! D-Robin started bawling his eyes out, fuck we all were in tears!" "Ollie." Barry whispered, he couldn't be heard by the crowd.

"Fuck off, you two, this needs to be said. I can't take these stupid questions of 'oh, are they all right? they were in an explosion, but are they all right?' Use your heads people!"

"We tried to narrow down what we could do to help the kid. Where was he gonna go, how would we know if it was safe for him to go there? How would we know if, a huge, ninety-nine percent if at the time, if Robin, God forbid, had to go into foster care, how would we know he'd be safe and not abused? Not abused sexually, verbally, physically. And don't think that's favoritism because he's one of our own."

(Lego Batman reference here.)

"Why do you think we call into foster homes and orphanages every few months? Huh? Huh?! So we can make sure those poor kids aren't getting mistreated! Robin's a thirteen year old kid-"

"Green Arrow, enough." Diana said gently.

"-who has gone through the unimaginable before he became Robin!" "Arrow, enough!" Diana stepped in front of him. "Enough." She said gently, before turning to the mic. The camera zoomed in on Flash, who had his arms around his stomach and very clearly had tears on his cheeks and in his eyes.

"I apologise for Green Arrow's outburst, but in a way, it needed to be said. Take into account what was said today, that is all we have, if we have updates, we'll let you know."

"Thank you, Jenna, for filming that for us. There you have it folks, it seems the Dark Knight, the Big Bad Bat himself, is a father. Yes, we all suspected it, but some of the protégés are not related to their mentors in any way. Artemis is not related to Green Arrow, neither was Red Arrow, formerly called Speedy. Neither is Aqualad. He's in no way related to Aquaman. Anyway, you thought he had no heart, Mark."

"Well, John, if looks could kill. The guy has his Bat-Glare, that make bad guys pee themselves. Heck, he doesn't even smile!"

"Bet he smiles around Robin though, considering how the kid is." John smirked.

"I agree with you there, Mark. So, the Big Scary Bat has survived, which is a miracle, but he is still very weak. Our condolences go out to Batman, Robin, the Justice League and the Young Justice League."

"We wish for a full recovery, and hope that you, Batman and Robin, will get time together for years yet to come."

Dick still was at Bruce's side, he refused to leave, and Bruce couldn't blame him. Bruce knew to a degree what had happened over the five weeks he was out, what happened to him, but no one would talk to him about his son. He knew the boy was traumatised, but no one told him what went down. The TV played in the background, random shows coming on such as "The Simpsons". Suddenly the news came on, neither of them were paying much attention to it.

"I'm Mark." "And I'm John, thanks for tuning in." "In case you missed the live announcement, Batman is alive! The Dark Knight has come out of his coma, and is currently on the recovery." "Here is footage of Green Arrow opening up about the last few weeks, after a question about Robin was asked.

"Queen." Bruce groaned. They both watched the statement, Dick burrowed into Bruce halfway through. To say Bruce was taken aback would be an understatement. This was the first he had heard the whole story, and he couldn't believe all this happened. That the League had to go as far as making plans for his adopted son.

Bruce pulled him closer, kissing the boy's head. "I'm so sorry." Bruce whispered stroking Dick's back. Black Canary knocked on the Med Bay door. "Bruce, Dick, how are you doing?" "Lousy, but that's to be expected." Bruce answered. "Dick?" Dinah asked and the thirteen year old burrowed closer to Bruce in response.

Bruce just stroked his son's head, not knowing what else to do. BC sighed. "Do you need more pain meds?" She shifted her attention to Bruce. "I'm fine for another hour or two." "Call if you need anything. Anything Bruce." She half warned at the end. He nodded.

"Dinah?" Artemis asked. "Hey team." "How's Dick?" Wally asked. Dinah shook her head. "He wants to be left alone." "He's unresponsive." Wally deadpanned ."To us, yes, to Bruce, and you kids, no." "Why do you think that is?" Conner asked. BC sighed and shrugged. "I dunno."

Bruce fell asleep, both because he was weak, and on pain meds. His arm was still protectively around Dick, the TV played in the background. Wally knocked quietly, noticing Bruce asleep. "Hey, Walls." "Hey, Bird. How ya doin'?" "Okay." "Did you eat?" "Not since earlier." "Are you up to it?"

"No." "Do you want water?" "No, had some a few minutes ago." "You see what Ollie said?" "You saw it." Wally winced. "We both did." Dick said quietly. "Walls he-...I never would have seen you guys again."

"Yeah, you would've. Uncle Barry would've been first in line to adopt you. The minute the social workers saw our brotherly connection, they woulda let you come with us." "It doesn't work like that." "Tell that to Bruce. It worked for him." "That's because he's Bruce, one of, if not the richest guy in Gotham that no one says 'no' to."

"I mean, fair enough, but-" "I wouldn't see you, or M'gann, or Kaldur, or Conner, or Artemis, or Wolf."

"You would, we'd visit you all the time. Now c'mon, none of that's gonna happen. Bruce is okay, you're not going to an orphanage or foster home. You're staying with Bruce and Alfred." "I know.....it's just....scary." "I know." Wall replied sadly. "But it's okay now. You'll both be hurt for a while, but that hurt will go away."

Dick looked up at Wally with teary eyes. "It could be a month, four months, five months, a year, two years seven years, before that hurt goes away. It may never go away, but it will to the point where you don't have to be terrified of Bruce going out as Batman at night." Wally comforted squeezing Dick's hand and the raven haired teen squeezed back.

"You want anything? Chocolate, strawberries, anything." Dick gave a small laugh. "We should call you 'Kid Strawberry'." "Hey!" Wally tried to act offended, but all he could do was smile. Dick hadn't cracked a joke in a bit over five weeks. Wally was delighted.

"Wally?" M'gann asked with worried eyes. "I think I got through to him a bit, but still in shutdown." "That's good, but no one can blame him for being in shutdown." "He's going to come out of it, right?" M'gann asked. "Eventually. He's traumatized. Even more than he was during Failsafe. Remember when we all woke up?"

"Not much of it, all I remember was Green Arrow coming over and pulling me aside." "Same here, but with Aquaman." Kaldur answered. "Well... I remember everything. In high detail."

"How? We-we've all blocked it out." Artemis asked.

"I have photographic memory when it comes to traumatic experiences. Dick is the same. He has photographic memory anyway, but much higher detail when it's traumatic. Dick was white as a ghost, violently shaking. He looked to Bruce first, choking on air when he saw him. Then us, and he rushed over stumbling. You two were completely unresponsive." He pointed to Artemis and Kaldur. "You were cuddling Wolf-" He looked to Conner "-also unresponsive. And you were crying." H elooked to M'gann.

"Guys! Are you okay? I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!"

The memory played in Wally's head. "His eyes kept darting to every one of us as he rambled apologies for what happened. He repeatedly asked if we were okay. He kept looking back to make sure Bruce was there. He was trying so hard not to cry."

"Artemis, Kaldur, please, I'm so sorry. Conner, I'm so sorry. M'gann, I'm sorry. Wally. Wally I'm so sorry!" Wally squeezed Dick's shoulder, he wanted to get words out, but he just.....couldn't. He had hoped this would help Dick a tiny bit as  Wally stared off across the room.

"I looked over at Bruce, the regret...was plain as day on his face. Dick kept saying he was sorry, and begging us to forgive him." The team looked at the floor.

A sob came out of Dick's mouth. "Please forgive me. I'm so sorry.""

"I remember Bruce speaking with Dinah."

"He acted like I would've. He sacrificed everything. He led them to their demise. To his own. He regrets it. He regrets it all. And it's my fault, I trained him that way, and I never should have." 

"Bruce...." "It's my fault, Dinah....I showed my son how to sacrifice everything for the mission....that's what he did." "In that world....he saved thousands of lives." "No...no he didn't...because they all died. Every single one of them. I....I taught him to lie to his team...get them all killed..." 

"Bruce." Dinah grabbed him by the shoulders." "You didn't." "He acted. Like. I would have." Bruce practically growled. "This was supposed to be a learning experience, Bruce. But not in this way." "I traumatized the children." "I know. I know. But the best thing we can do for them now, is to help them get through it."

"He...he was saying how Dick acted as he would've. How Dick instantly regretted it." "He was trying to be like his Dad. He did, and still does look up to Batman." Artemis spoke.

"I remember Ollie coming up to you, pulling you away, BC going to you. Manhunter going to you, Uncle Barry coming to me, Aquaman going to you."

"Take the team to their rooms." Batman spoke. "Hey, it's all right, Artemis. It's all over." Ollie squeezed her shoulder before leading her out. "I'm here, M'gann, it's not your fault." J'onn hugged her before doing the same. "Come on, Conner." Dinah said leading him out. "Come with me, Kaldur'ahm." "What did you do to these kids, Bats...? C'mon, Walls, it's okay." Barry pulled Wally into his side as they walked towards the door. Dick's lip wobbled.

Wally looked back, silently begging his uncle to let him stay with Dick.

"No. No, kiddo. We have to give Dick space."

Wally, still unable to speak, tried to speak with his eyes.

"No, Walls. Come on."

Barry put his hand at Wally's lower back, gently pushing him out of the room.

"I didn't want Uncle Barry with me, so I asked him to leave my room. Then I decided to check on Dick."

Wally peered in the door. Dick was still shaking, his breathing was uneven and was still white as a ghost. He tried not to cry, but tear tracks were evident. Bruce pulled Dick into his chest. Dick sobbed loudly.

"I'm sorry, chum. I'm so sorry." " I-I-I ki-ki-killed them!"  Dick grasped Bruce's cape.

"You-you-you were-were  gone!"  "Shhh ."  Bruce  whispered.  "You  promised!"  Dick  cried.

"I know,  I  know.  I'm  here now.  I'm  not dead, no one is dead, sweetheart."

Dick was hyperventilating.

"Wally , M'gann,  Conner , Artemis, Kaldur!"

"They're   alive."

"I killed them!" Dick sobbed.  "Dick, Dick, look at me."

"I murdered them! I murdered them all! I killed them! Wally was so hurt when I didn't tell him! He hates me! They all hate me! Dick continued to sob against Batman's chest.

"Richard, they're not dead. No one's dead, I promise. I'm right here, the team's right here."

Dick hiccupped, before Batman rubbed his back. "Wha-wha-what ab-about-"  "You're alive too." Bruce murmured sadly. Robin gave a cry, and Batman stroked his back. "I'm here."

Tears gathered in Wally's eyes. "I remember he was so scared, so heartbroken. It was bad...really bad...."

Bruce tried to push Dick back so he could get a view of his face. But he gave a loud cry at being parted from Bruce. Batman knelt down. "Okay, okay." He spoke soothingly as he rubbed Dick's back. He rested his chin on Dick's shoulder. "Okay." He stretched the word out, using the most soothing voice he could muster. Dick gave a whine, one Bruce heard regularly, with having to save the boy from being tortured by Joker or Scarecrow.

(This is probably out of character, but I can't resist putting some fluff in.)

"I'm here, chum..... How about we go home, huh? Put on some fluffy jammies, get Zitka and watch movies, yeah?" He felt Dick nod against his chest. "We can have something small to eat if you're up to it." "C-c-cuddles?" Dick stuttered. "Of course. There's no way I'm leaving you alone after what happened." Bruce squeezed Dick a bit harder. 

"Come on. Let's go." Bruce should have seen this coming. He half expected it, Dick's arms moved from his middle to his neck. Batman let Robin go, and said Bird gave a whine, but it quickly stopped when The Bats' arms moved under his arms. 

"One, two, three." Batman murmured quickly, picking up Robin, placing him on his hip. Robin quickly buried his face into Batman's neck. Wally looked at his friend with pitiful eyes. "Wallace." Batman said in his deep voice, causing the redhead speedster outside the door to jump, as Bruce pulled his cape out a bit to put it over Dick. He slowly walked into the room, Dick was silently crying into Bruce's neck. 

"Tell the others that Robin and I will be going AWOL and MIA for a while." "How long?" Wally dared to ask. Bruce looked at his son on his hip as his small body shook with silent sobs. "For as long as he needs. All of this....is my fault. I apologise for that, tell the team that too." Wally blinked, shocked with the apology. 

"Go." Bruce murmured. Instead, Wally approached Dick, as the Bat watched. "Hey..." Wally whispered as he reached up to gently rub Dick's arm. "I don't hate you. I never could. I love you, dude, you're my brother." Bruce put Dick down for a minute so he could have a moment with Wally.

(Again, I don't see them as a couple, only brothers, sorry to disappoint people. They're only saying 'I love you' because sibling relationship)

"C'mere, man." Wally said wrapping his arms around him. "I love you, too, Wally." Dick sobbed softly. Wally squeezed his eyes shut trying not to cry as well, but his shoulders shook. Barry entered the room to see the sight and looked to Bruce. Bruce just stared back. 

The two teens buried their faces into each other's shoulder and Wally rubbed Dick's back as Dick held him tight. 

"I'll see you when you come back, okay?" "Can't you come?" Dick asked. Wally looked to Bruce who nodded, then to Barry. "No, Walls. Mom and Dad want you home after today." "But....." "If your parents allow it, you can come over during the week....if Dick's up to it." 

With that, Wally closed his eyes and gave Dick one last squeeze. "Love you, dude." He whispered. "Love you too." Dick whispered squeezing him just as hard, before Barry approached and they reluctantly let each other go. "I don't want you to go." Dick whispered. "I know, brother, me either." Wally said squeezing his shoulder. "But, hey, text me any time, okay?" Dick nodded. "Same for you....call whenever as well." Wally gave a slight nod. Barry wrapped an arm around his shoulders and Bruce picked Dick back up.

 Instantly the thirteen year old had himself buried in the Bat. "Bruce...." Wally called and he glanced at him. Wally sent his message with his eyes. 'Take care of my little brother', to which, the Batman nodded. He held Dick a bit closer before making his way to the Zeta-Tube, and Barry, with his arm still around his nephews shoulders, led him to his room in the mountain to get some things before going home.

"It was....really bad..but I think it's going to be worse now. This time it isn't a simulation...it's real." "He'll probably form separation anxiety...." Artemis said sadly. "He's already formed it." Conner spoke. "He's been clinging to him for the last....five weeks now? Remember first week he was relatively okay, but then he went downhill?" "No, he wasn't okay for the first week, he was okay for the first day. Then he went downhill." Artemis corrected.

"Kid's terrified." Conner spoke. "He said he didn't want him to be Batman anymore. That he would gladly give up Robin for his father to stop." Artemis murmured. "He didn't...." M'gann said in disbelief. "He did." Wally confirmed.

"Oh, God...." She said in disbelief. "I'm not even joking right now.....I wouldn't be surprised if it reaches the stage where Dick's separation anxiety is so high, that he'll even just freak while Bruce is in another room." "Could very well become a possibility." Wally spoke.

Kaldur sighed. "Screw this." Conner spoke. "There's nothing we can do now. Only be there if he wants us to be.