For Triscribe

Warning: OOC Bruce

Chapter 7: Sisters and Sweethearts

Dick didn't think he'd ever felt quite like this before. His heart would start to flutter before dropping down into his stomach. His cheeks would heat up and whatever he tried to say would come out in an awkward stutter. Yep, Dick was pretty sure he was in love. Or, at least, in very evolved puppy-love. But unfortunately, no matter how many feelings assaulted him, Dick still couldn't figure out the perfect Valentine's gift for his sweetheart.

He had started out by stating chocolates as to unoriginal and stuffed animals as too cheesy. After an hours speculation, nothing else had popped into his head. Hundreds of crumpled up papers covered the floor, each containing the start of an idea that had been quickly dismissed. Dick had even texted Waly for help, but it yielded no response.

Dick looked at the clock before letting his head fall to his desk with a soft 'thunk'. He'd been at this for hours, and Alfred would be coming up soon to collect him for dinner. Sure, 4:30pm was a little early for dinner, even from a rich sophisticated person's (like Dick's) point of view. But today was the exception; Cassie and Steph, Dick's 20 and 22 year old sisters (respectively) were coming to visit and had specifically requested a long period of "catching-up' time after dinner.

Right on cue, there was a knock at the door.

"Master Richard," came Alfred's voice, "Master Cassandra and Master Stephanie have arrived. Wash up and come to the dining room."

"Sure thing, Alfred."

While Dick was still feeling discouraged from his Valentine brainstorming session, he was still excited to see his older sisters again. They didn't stop by very often and Dick missed them.

After washing his hands in the bathroom. Dick bounded down the stairs. The ebony followed the sounds of chatter and, surprisingly, laughing to the dining room. Everyone looked up as he entered. A squealing could be heard before Dick found himself smothered in what he could only guess was a hug.

"Dickie!" That was Steph. "Oh my gosh, I missed you so much!"

"Okay, okay, let me have a turn!" Cass pulled Dick from Steph's grasp and gave the boy a quick hug. Her eyes began to sweep his body as she pulled away. "You've grown." She sounded as if it was physically hurting her to say it.

Steph nodded from behind her. "I almost didn't recognize you. You're going to be all grown up soon."

All of the boys at the table frowned, not keen on thinking about the baby of the family not being a baby anymore.

Dick sat down between his sisters and waited for Alfred to bring out dinner. The family ate in silence, with Cass or Steph asking questions of Bruce or the brothers every once and awhile.

"So," said Steph. "Any of you have a date for Valentine's day?"

Jason's mouth warped into a sly grin. "Please, with a handsome face like this, how could I not?"

Damian rolled his eyes. "A few ideas come to mind," he muttered.

Jason glared. "Whatever, birdbrain, at least I actually have a date."

Damian raised one eyebrow smugly. "I never said I didn't." Jason opened his mouth to reply, but, with one look from Bruce, he snapped it shut.

Steph spoke again. "So, what I'm hearing is you have some sort of secret affair going on? Care to share?" Damian glared at her.

"Right," Stephanie said. She turned to Tim. "What about you?"

"Double date. Valencia would only agree to go out with Danny if her friend had a date."

Jason snorted. "How romantic."

"Jason," Bruce warned.

From across the table, Terry cleared his throat. "Doesn't anyone want to hear about my very romantic dinner plans with Alex?"

"No," said Jason. Bruce rolled his eyes. What was the use?

"Yes!" said Steph. "Of course we do! And don't skip out on any details! I have been romance-deprived for far too long, and you seem to be the only one with a proper Valentine's date."

"Um, actually…" Everyone's head snapped to Dick.

"You have a date? Aren't you like, eight?" Damian asked incredulously.

"I'm thirteen you idiot, and yes, I do have a date. But it's not exactly very whelming yet." Dick said. "I wanted to ask for Steph and Cassie's help in making it more, or, romantic."

Stephanie squealed and jumped out of her seat. "Of course we'll help. Oh, this is priceless! Your first date, and I get to help plan it out!"

"Thanks, Steph, I really appreciate⎯"

"No," Bruce interrupted firmly. The room went silent.

"No? Bruce, we already agreed to a time and everything," Dick stammered with wide eyes.

"Well then cancel," said Bruce. Seeing Dick's stunned expression his voice softened slightly. "It's not anything personal, I just don't trust whovere it is with you."

Dick's eyes narrowed. "You do realise that that was a contradictory sentence, right? And also that you haven't even met them yet?"

"You're too young to date, Dick," said Bruce.

"No I'm not! Jason dated when he was thirteen. Heck, so did Terry. And Tim...and Steph!," argued Dick.

"They're different," Brue said.

Dick threw up his hands. "What? How the heck are they⎯" The boy was cut off by Alfred.

"Master Richard, there is someone at the door for you."

Dick stood up and, with a last glare at Bruce, exited the room. A familiar red-headed, sixteen year old boy awaited him in the foyer.

"Wally?" Dick asked. "What are you doing here? Not that I don't appreciate your timing. Bruce can be so overbearing sometimes!"

"Dude! I called you, like, a hundred times. You texted me about some urgent situation that you needed help on, and then you totally left me hanging. I thought you were in serious trouble! said Wally.

Dick ran a hand through his hair. "Oh, I'm sorry, Walls. I totally forgot, and then Steph and Cassie came over…"

"It's fine," said Wally. "But now that I'm here, what was it that you needed my help with?"

Dick sighed. "Oh, that." Dick looked around the foyer for somewhere private to speak with Wally. His eyes fell on the closed door of the coat closet. Dick grabbed Wally's wrist and pulled the boy into the small, dark space.

"Woah, what are you doing?" Wally protested.

"No one can see or hear us in here," Dick said.

Wally's face was tinged pink, but he grinned. "If you wanted to make out you could've just asked."

Dick hit the redhead's shoulder. "No, you doofus! I didn't want Bruce to hear us talking. He was a bit touchy during dinner."

Wally's grin faltered a bit, but he motioned for Dick to continue.

"There's this person…" Dick started.

"Ooooh!"

"Shut up, Wally! But anyway, I asked them to go on a Valentine's day date with me, and they said yes. But now I don't have any ideas, and it needs to be totally whelming because I've liked them for a while and I really want it to work out!" Dick said.

"Hey, hey, calm down! It'll work out now that the Wall-man is here to help!" Wally said.

"Thanks man, your the best," said Dick.

Wally puffed out his chest. "That's the Wall-man to you."

Dick shoved him. "Shut up."

Wally shoved him back. "No, you shut up."

After Dick had shoved Wally again, the redhead retaliated by beginning to tickle Dick mercilessly.

"No, Wally, stop!" Dick giggled.

"Not until you say that 'the Wall-man is the best, most awesome, person to ever live'."

"Haha! Never!" said Dick.

Wally shrugged. "Then you leave me no choice." Wally kept on tickling Dick, forcing him up against the door so that he didn't have any wiggle room.

Suddenly, the closet door flew open, and both boys fell out into the open. Wally landed on top of Dick with a groan, his hands still in the same position they had been tickling from moments before on Dick's stomach. The boys looked up to find Jason looking down at them with raised eyebrows. All was silent for a moment.

"Wally?" Jason asked.

"Hey, Jason...w-what's up?"

Jason glared at him. "Bruce, I found them!" Jason shouted. "They were getting it on in the closet!"

"What!" Bruce shouted.

Bruce's face almost immediately joined Jason in looking down on the two boys on the floor.

After a few moments of taking in the scene, Bruce narrowed his eyes at Wally. "Get your filthy hands off my son before I have them removed."

Wally's hands shot up and he awkwardly climbed off of his friend. "I, um...It's not what it looks like!" said Wally. His eyes were wide and frightened.

"Wally's right," said Dick. "Don't be mad at him, we were just talking."

Jason, still glaring daggers at Wally, snorted. "'Just talking', sure."

"Jason, go back to the dining room," Bruce said, he eyes never leaving Wally. "ANd take Dick with you. I need to speak with Wallace...alone."

Wally whimpered in fear.

"No." Dick said. He took a step so that he was standing in front of Wally. "I'm sick of this. You treat me like I'm some little kid who can't protect themselves. Well guess what? I'm not a kid anymore, and I'm more than capable of taking care of myself!When are you going to understand that?"

Bruce finally tore his eyes off Wally to look at his youngest son. Taking in his angry stance he sighed. "Dick, this isn't the time."

That only made Dick more frustrated. "No, this is the time. No more excuses! Why don't you trust me?"

Bruce shook his head. "Dick, it's not you who I don't trust. It's everyone else. There are so many people out there who could hurt you, like this buffoon." He jerked his head towards Wally.

"Hey!"

Bruce continued. "The last thing I want is to see you getting hurt. And, you might not understand this, but with crime-fighting, there's only so much I can do to protect you. But with the little things, like love and friendship, you're still so innocent, and I don't want anyone to corrupt that."

Dick crossed his arms. "I'm not innocent."

Bruce laughed. "I know you might not believe it, but you don't need to. All of us, me, your brothers, sisters, and Alfred, all want the best for you."

"And not letting me out on a date is best for me?" Dick still wasn't convinced.

"About that..."

Dick sighed. "So, you still want me to cancel, then?"

"No. I realized that my decision was a little rash. There's no reason why you shouldn't go," said Bruce.

"Really?" said Dick. "Yes! I'm going to go call them!" He ran out of the room, Jason trailing behind him.

"Wait," Bruce pointed at Wally. "You're not Dick's secret boyfriend?"

"What? No, no, no, no, no!" Wally spluttered. "I'm just here on best friend duty."

"Hmm." Bruce jabbed his finger to Wally's chest. "Keep it that way."