"He needs us" Four sets of eyes watched the figure move across the dark streets of Gotham, nearly invisible except when he jumped from one roof to another.
"No he needs a robin."
"The kid will just die." It was an old argument, one held for as long as they could remember. Yet the words still held a hint of anger.
"Don't be so pessimistic Jason."
Why not Babybird? It always ends bad, the villain wins, a thug gets a lucky shot, he's not there in time." The one named Jason let out a bitter laugh. "Robins come with a short expiration date. "
"Don't say that. It isn't true." His voice was thick with emotion as he stared at his brother. Even dead, he still defended the man. Still seen him as a saint.
"Isn't it dick? "
"Jay."
"What? Tell me I'm wrong Timmy."
"..." Silence. How could he argue when the evidence was right there.
"Tim. You agree?" Dick's voice was shaky as he stared at the younger man.
"I know he did what he thought was right. " The words were spoken softly, direct and thought through like nearly everything else he did.
"TIM!"
"I'm not saying Bruce didn't care " The rest of his words were cut off as the youngest leant forward, intent on something he saw. The others moved closer, crowding beside him as they watched the figure.
He had found a prey, some helpless mugger, who thought he wouldn't get caught. As Batman swooped down, trapping him in an alley, the thief, started quaking in his spot, spluttering obscenities. As Batman moved closer, the man pulled out a small blade, brandishing it in front of him.
The bat slapped it away like a toy, slamming him into the nearest wall. Twisting the man's arm until it made a loud pop. Dropping him to the floor, he yanked the other behind his back, cuffing him tightly. Ignoring the sobbing pleas, he dragged him to the front of the alley, leaving him on the sidewalk before disappearing once more.
"Told you. Needs a Robin." Dick turned away first, pain in his eyes. Jason followed, reigniting the argument again.
"Damian are you coming?" Tim glanced at the youngest of their group, who had yet to move.
"Tt." It was the only sign he heard Tim, his body still hunched over.