References to Wounds, old and new. And, if you don't know, Wounds, old and new is a one-shot I wrote.


Robin the... scroog?

Part 2: Unhappy X-mas


December 21st

The last thing Dick wanted was to be at the dang Christmas banquet. But Bruce said he'd owe him and Bruce may have been his dad but having him owe you is a helpful thing. Bruce was sat at the end of table, Selina to his right and Dick to his left. Dick was sitting in his chair, picking up small amounts of food with his fork. There were rumours going around that after Dick was shot, he had suffered brain damage (not true).

"So, have you and Selina set a date?" a socialite woman asked.

"Uh, no," said Selina "We've had to put our plans on hold for multiple reasons. Either work or personal things,"

"Personal reasons?" the woman asked.

"Oh, just some things," said Selina.

"Uh, huh," said the woman, eyeing Dick.

Dick sighed and ate a small piece of food. Some people still thought Bruce had adopted him for the publicity or out of pity, some even thought Bruce was going to be giving him back to social services any day now.

Derek Powers (a boy Dick disliked very much) was sat a few seats down from Selina and he was staring at Dick.

"So, Dick," said Derek "If you don't mind me asking, what was it like being shot 6 months ago?"

Everyone fell silent at the question and looked at Dick.

"It... was kinda... painless," he said "I mean, it hurt like heck but then I passed out and I didn't feel anything,"

"What was it like being in a coma?" Derek asked.

"I honestly don't remember," came Dick's reply "I sometimes get glimpses but nothing concrete,"

"Dude, you survived being shot!" said Derek, somewhat excited.

Dick put down his fork and looked at Bruce.

"I'm tired, can I be excused? Dad?" the Boy Wonder asked in a humble tone.

Bruce nodded and Dick stood up. People raised eyebrows and began murmuring.


Dick changed from the suit he was wearing and into jeans and a hoodie. He snuck out, onto the roof, and sat down and looked out at the snow covered front garden. It was aglow from the light from the house. After a while, the people from the banquet began leaving, little dots walking along the path. Dick heard people coming onto the roof and he felt something put around his shoulders.

"Bundle up, Dickie," said Selina.

"Thanks Mom,"

Dick put the sleeveless jacket with a fur interior on properly and stuck his hands in his pockets, leaving his jacket unzipped.

"Here," said Bruce, passing his son a cup of non-alcoholic eggnog.

"Thanks Dad,"said Dick, taking a sip.

Bruce and Selina leaned back and had a wordless conversation on how to entertain Dick and cheer him up for the holidays.

"Hey, Dick," said Selina "How 'bout we go do something?"

"Like what?" Dick asked, looking at her with a 'yeah-right-as-if' look.


Dick walked around the Hinnry Mall with his parents as they looked around. Selina had her arm hooked with Bruce's as they walked. Every time Dick tried to trail behind they would stop and wait for him to catch up.

"C'mon, son. What do you want to do?" Bruce asked.

"To bury my head in my pillow and sleep straight to January 7th," Dick said, looking down below his shades.

"What's so special about January 7th?" Selina whispered to Bruce.

"Romanians celebrate Christmas from November 30th to January 7th," Bruce answered.

"You know I can hear you, right?" said Dick "Doamne, e ca si cum ei cred că depresia provoacă surditate," (Translated from Romanian: "Jeez, it's like they think depression causes deafness,")

"Not at all, Dick," said Bruce, understanding every word the 15-year-old Boy Wonder had said in his native-tongue "It's just you're less aware when you're depressed,"

"Da, sigur, indiferent de," the Romanian boy said. (Translation: "Yeah, sure, whatever,")

"Dick," said Selina "We're really trying. We know what the holidays are like for you. We just want you to be happy,"

Dick sighed and looked at them both with a sad expression.

"I know you do and I'm sorry I'm not but I... X-mas just brings back memories for me," Dick looked at his sneakers "Every year, wherever we were, we'd go all out for the holidays and... wherever we were we'd pick up one of their traditions. I... I just miss them this time of year,"

"Oh, Dick," said Selina "You shouldn't apologize! What do you need, eh? Right now, what do you need to do other than hide away until January 7th?"

"Do... do you mind if I spend some time alone? I'll stay in the mall, promise," Dick said.

"Alright, Dickie-bird," said Selina "We'll meet you at the fountain in a half hour, 'kay?"

"Yeah, okay, Mom," said Dick and he turned and walked away.

"Was that the right thing to do?" Selina asked her fiancée.

"I think so. He needs space," said Bruce "Well, I think that's what he needs. He is our only son,"

As they spoke, they began to walk away.

"Well, let's do some Christmas shopping for him. You trained him too well, he's impossible to shop for," said Selina.


Dick walked around the mall in a somewhat sulk. All he wanted to do was get away from Christmas and his parents took him to a Christmas loving mall! Well... he would at least get the last of his Christmas shopping done. He'd gotten presents for Wally, Roy, Kaldur, Conner, Artemis, Raquel, M'gann, Bruce and Selina. He'd gotten everyone he shopped for a gift except for... Zatanna. The thought of Zatanna made him smile and he began looking for something to give her. But what to get?

Dick walked into a jewelry store and began looking at the things in the glass cases.

"Excuse me, young man," said the store assistant "But I highly doubt you can afford anything-" Dick lowered his shades "Oh! Mr. Grayson, I didn't know it was you,"

"That's kinda the point of the shades," said Dick.

"Looking for something particular?" the store assistant asked.

"I'm looking for something to give my girlfriend," said the Boy Wonder.

"Shopping for that special someone?" said the store assistant "Yes, that can be tricky. Hmm, is this your first Christmas as a couple?"

"Yeah,"

"What does she look like?" the store assistant asked.

Dick just showed him the wallpaper of his phone. And the store assistant went behind the counter. When he got back up, he put a tray with jewelry on it on the counter.

"Will any of these do?"

Dick looked at them but the one on the end caught his eye.


When Dick met up with his parents, he had a paper bag.

"Did some Christmas shopping, son?" Bruce asked as they walked out.

"Yeah. Just something for Zatanna," the Boy Wonder said "I'm just gonna wrap it and take it to the Cave, if ya don't mind,"

"Not at all, Dick," said Selina "But it's getting late so be back soon,"


Recognized: Robin, B-0-1

"Dickie!" Zatanna exclaimed, running up to him and hugging him "Merry Christmas!"

"Yeah, merry Christmas," said Dick, wrapping his free arm around her.

"Oops, sorry. I forgot what Christmas is like for you. I just love it so," said Zatanna.

"It's alright. Here, I got you something,"

"C'mon, I'll open it in the living room," said Zatanna, grabbing his wrist and pulling him along.


They sat on the sofa and Zatanna had a small box on her lap. She lifted the lid off and her eyes sparkled with joy.

In the box was a charm necklace! The chain was gold and the heart-shaped charm was red with darker red, swirly, patterns.

"Oh, Dick!" she gasped, lifting the necklace out of its box "It's beautiful,"

"You know you're looking at the back of it?" Dick said, turning the heart around.

The front of the heart had a gold charm the shape of...

"Mistletoe?" Zatanna said, looking at it "Oh, Dick. I love it,"

She held it up and looked at him. Dick smiled and kissed her.

"How about this," said Dick, taking the necklace from her and putting it around her neck "Every time I see you wearing this necklace, I'll kiss you,"

"That can be our tradition," Zatanna said, hugging him "So, are you going to kiss me now?"

Dick wrapped his arms around her waist and gently kissed her lips. Zatanna wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.