Notes: Sequel to "Brotherhood" simply because there were some things that needed to be explained...okay, okay! And because of public demand I went ahead and made this. Anyway, two things: a) I managed to avoid too-short chapters; the short ones will be around the same length as this one's and b) you will be happy to note that yes, this fic is finished and I'm already researching for the next sequel (I've got two more plotted out). Next chapter will come in a couple of weeks. Let this be a sort of teaser for all you folks who're waiting for this sequel ;)
To the final reviewers of "Brotherhood":
Bethlovesall: Much thanks! As for Talia's reasons for letting Damian go, that will be explained in the next sequel. So yes, I have two more fics in line for this series.
Dextra2, CosmicEssence and jayfeather63: What can I say, sweet family interactions always make me smile, especially the Dick and Damian dynamic.
Night Hawks and Reading Nut Cassirole: Thank you :) I'm glad you liked my fic.
mizamoomoo: Well then, I hope I will still be able to make your weeks with this sequel as well as the other two I'm working on after this ;)
Basically Run: Hahaha too bad I can't draw very well. Anyway, I guess I have a tendency to think 'visually' so expect a few more mental images scattered around.
Viet Devil: I can only think of two other fics with YJa!Dick and Damian bonding off the top of my head. So I hope you'll like what I've got in store in this fic.
nancydrewgirl, FuzzyBee013, WindStar, Unleash The Shadow, Jadeyuy and Queen of Happy: As I've said, I have two more sequels in progress after this. Expect more soon ;)
Reina Grayson and KaliAnn: Thanks, I was trying to expand more but the fic just refused to grow any longer.
Mirror's Mirage: I'm glad you think so. I don't really like reading fics wherein I can't recognize the characters anymore so I keep as close to the canon as I could.
BirdBoyB01: I don't mind your not reviewing the other chapters. As long as I get a note that says you liked what I wrote, I'm happy :) As for Dick being replaced, well, there's very little chance of that since I love Dick Grayson hehehe. Maybe if he grows out of the Robin role ;)
And that's it for the review responses. Now on with the fic!
"Come on, KF! Stop playing around and shoot him!" Dick complained from his sprawl over the couch, chin in one hand, legs in the air, and a controller loosely held in the other hand. He was a picture of acrobatic relaxation - anyone else would have suffered back pain if they stayed too long in his position but not him. Nope; to the Boy Wonder, gravity or having a backbone is a privilege and not a fact of life. And as if to taunt him, Dick lazily waved his legs back and forth as he watched Wally's progress through the North Wing.
And sitting right beside his best friend, Wally hunched forward over his own controller, eyes intent on the mostly dark screen in front of them. Once in a while, a malformed creature would jump out of the shadows and attack, making him twitch in reaction a split-second before the surround speakers exploded in gunfire.
"I'm going as fast as I can!" he whined as the screen began scrolling forward again. He shot a sideways glance at his best friend, sure that Dick was hacking into the game to make his progress slower because honestly! How can anyone get through this level in three minutes flat? "Dammit Robs, I can't shoot him if I can't find him! Where the heck is the green alien dude?"
"In the last place you look, obviously."
"Hardy har har. Y'know, it's only because you stop looki-whoa!" Wally jerked left as the green behemoth erupted into the screen from the right. A quick succession of buttons had him twisting around to open fire on the behemoth. "Eat laser, Vorstak!" he cried gleefully, the speakers again bursting with gunfire.
"Aim for the neck, Kid Idiot." Dick advised gamely. "The Szarak's weakness is the extra airways on their neck."
"Dude, you're the only one I know who'd research a game like it was your next case!" Wally retorted, keeping his eyes on the screen as he shot and evaded the behemoth's claws simultaneously.
"I just don't like spending hours figuring out what to do next unless it was one of those puzzle games." Wally didn't see him, but it was obvious from Dick's tone of voice that he'd just rolled his eyes. And Wally really should have known this was a standard tactic for his best friend - what with the very little free time allotted to the Boy without the Wonder, Dick had taken to taking a few shortcuts here and there. Game research is just one of them.
"Figuring it out is part of the fun, y'know." Wally pointed out, not at all offended that his best friend would give gaming advice. The two of them barely hung around with each other recently and he was determined that their present game time wouldn't go to waste. His attention was grabbed when the behemoth on the screen suddenly lurched forward and fell to the ground. "Yes! He's down!"
"That's great," Dick said blandly as the simulated monster roar faded from the speakers. Wally shot another sideways glance at his best friend who picked up the controller and shifted to a sitting position. "It's about time you finished."
"Hey, I don't play hide and seek in the dark, man. These eyes are good for processing light images in light-speed, not shadows." His eyes were riveted back as the screen began scrolling again. "So where are you hiding, dude?"
"In the elevator shaft to the next level." The screen suddenly froze when Dick pressed the 'pause button' on the controller. "Anyway, we'll have to take this up again another time."
Wally's head whipped around to stare at him in disbelief. "What? But dude! We're in the final level! If we quit now, we'll have to redo this mission all over again!"
"So finish it on your own or find someone else to play with you." With a stretch of his arms and a strong push from his legs, Dick flipped himself backwards over the couch like it was a giant gym-horse-thingie. "Sorry, but I have to get going. I promised Damian I'd get him some ice cream today."
"But-" Wally came surging to his feet, already reaching out to stop Dick but-
"Later, KF." His best friend waved over his shoulder and kept walking to the zeta tubes.
When the computer announced Robin's departure, Wally slumped back down onto the couch in defeat. Their game was still frozen on the screen but he couldn't bring himself to pick up the controller again. "Why is it always 'Damian this' and 'Damian that' with you lately..."