So Dick's one shot turned into a double feature. Wally's will be up in about a day or 2. I'm not as familiar with the Flash boys as I am with the Bat crew so I'm going to take some time to figure out how he's going to react. Anyway I hope you enjoy because this took me a little longer than I expected but I'm happy with how it turned out.
He stared at himself in the mirror. The carved into his chest sickened him. "I suppose if it bothers me that much we could find a way to cover it." He knew he'd never do it. This way he never forgot how close he came to not only letting his best friend die but dying himself.
His skin was still deathly pale and dark rings circled his eyes, he was not sleeping well. Every time he closed his eyes he saw the life drain from Wally's eyes. He couldn't get the laughter out of his head and the J sneering at him in his reflection only served to patronize him.
Bruce was trying his hardest. He was keeping Dick under a strict training regime designed specifically to get him back into fighting shape without pushing him too far. Unfortunately he wasn't sure how to handle Dick's fragile emotional and mental state.
Every night, every single night since Dick was brought home he's woken up in the middle of the night screaming. He couldn't take it anymore. He wasn't sure how much to let Dick deal with on his own anymore. The screaming started; Bruce rushed into the room and grabbed him into a tight hug whispering soothing words into his ear. The struggling stopped and his eyes opened. "Dad?"
"Sh Dick everything's alright." Had he just called him dad? Thinking he was dreaming of his parents Bruce didn't push the subject. Dick settled back into his bed and his eyes started fluttering closed. Bruce tucked the covers around him and returned to his room.
What was he supposed to do with him? He wasn't sure how to help Dick. Maybe he should consider therapy? No, there's no one on the planet who would understand what Dick was going through.
His bedroom door creaked open. He could hear Dick's labored breathing from over exerting himself, he was walking without his crutches again. "Bruce?"
"Yeah Dick?" He turned and found something he wasn't expecting, Dick looked nervous.
"Are you mad at me for calling you dad?"
"Why would I be mad?" He crawled out of bed and scooped Dick up putting him gently on his bed. "I wasn't sure if you were talking to me or not."
Dick nodded. "Honestly Dick I was kind of happy."
"What?"
"I never want to replace your father Dick but I would be honored to be your dad. I just didn't want to push anything like that on you."
Tears started pricking at the corners of his eyes, "Does calling you dad mean they aren't my parents anymore?" He asked. It was different seeing Dick like this. Sometimes he forgot that he was only thirteen years old and still a child.
"No Dick, your parents will always be your parents." Bruce said putting his arm around Dick's shoulders sitting next to him on the bed.
"I'm tired!" Dick finally confessed. "Every time I close my eyes I see them all dying. I see you dying. I can't take it anymore!" Tears started trailing down his face. "When I look in the mirror I see what he can do, what he did do! When I sleep I go through it all over again! Bruce help me!"
He wasn't exactly sure how to help Dick but he pulled him further onto his bed and tucked him in then climbed in beside him, "If it helps I'm right here. Batman will always be there for you and so will I."
He nodded wiping the tears from his face. He shifted closer to Bruce and hugged his arm close to him. "G'night...dad."
Bruce smiled and whispered a goodnight in return. Dick did not wake up one more time that night screaming.
It was awkward between them for a few days but every night Dick would make his way to Bruce's room to seek comfort from his dad. After a few nights as long as Bruce was the one tucking him in and waiting till he was asleep he could sleep through the night and a few days after that Bruce was only tucking him in to spend time with his son.
It took longer for his scars to heal but Bruce and Batman were with him until he was ready. It took months before Dick was ready to become Robin again and even then he wouldn't stray far from Batman. His confidence was shot and he still wasn't entirely back to fighting shape.
Bruce was a patient man and he would do whatever was necessary to help his son. Together they would get through this.
