"don't you dare lose your self-value. You're important to us"

…..

Luthor gasped when Dick opened his eyes and looked around looking confused. He walked to him holding his left hand "are you ok? Talk to me"

Dick smiled softly at him "I knew you care… don't let go of me again"

"I never let go of you. Never have and never will"

Dick let out a tired chuckle "silly. But it's ok. I forgave you. Because I love you" he closed his eyes tightly "hurt"

"don't stress yourself. Just sleep"

"ok… " Dick returned back to sleep and Luthor's eyes softened

"you'll be ok Richard. I'll take care of you?" but Dick was already asleep. He sighed.

He had planned for Dick to fight with Batman and tell him if he was indeed the real Batman or if it was Superman in disguise. But a security guard had interrupted his meeting with Bruce Wayne telling him that there's an urgent matter making him dismiss Bruce and get the doctor to Dick as soon as possible.

He watched the younger man sleep. Right hand in a cast and left leg in one too. He blamed whomever was fighting him for his injuries and wanted nothing more than kill them. They hurt his Richard. They hurt what belonged to him and they will pay for it

"it's alright to smile every now and then Bruce. It makes us happy that you're happy" he had said and Bruce allowed the smile into his face "now that's a handsome smile" he kissed the older man's cheek "wanna play chess?"

"I always beat you into it."

"not this time. I'll get Tim to team up with me and we'll beat you" he said smirking and Tim laughed

"It isn't fair. Two on one"

"I can beat you both Timothy. Bring it on"

….

"I told you to be ready" Bruce said angrily entering the room. Clark looked very fine now. A lot better than how he had expected "I told you they will be expecting you. I told you there will be a kryptonite and there will be danger"

Clark was walking back and forth in the room. How to break this into Bruce? How to end what he just started with Bruce?

"are you listening to me?"

"I am" Clark said then stopped walking looking at him "I am listening to you Bruce"

"Then what on earth happened?" he asked holding Clark's shoulder's roughly "what happened that made you lose your focus? You almost blew my disguise up. Luthor already suspected that you'd be there wearing my mask"

"let's break up what we were going to start Bruce. It can't work"

"what? Clark what are you talking about. I'm talking about Luthor here"

"and I'm talking about you" Clark snapped looking at his eyes "you think I just lost my focus there? You think I just got weak because of kryptonite? No Bruce. I can't do this to you. I can't be with you when Dick is alive"

Bruce's eyes widened "you-?"

"Dick was the one holding the kryptonite Bruce. He was the one trying to get me. I only lost my fight because Dick was the one who was there to shatter me" he looked away "and I can't stand in the way knowing your feelings for him. Knowing that you two love each others"

Bruce stared at Clark and he sighed "sit down" he said helping Clark sit on the bed then sat beside him "what exactly happened? What did he say when he saw you?"

"he called me a terrorist. Said he's not coming back"

Bruce shook his head "Clark. Are you sure it's Dick? It could be Luthor playing with your head"

"I'm sure. I'm very sure Bruce. It was the same face. Same voice. Same moves" he looked down "but he was different"

"Illogical. But I believe you" Bruce said then frowned "I'm going to ask you to stay out of this"

"what?"

"you will go back to Gotham. Inform Tim and Damian that Dick is alive and stay with them until I come back with him"

"no Bruce. You ca-"

"don't argue with me. You've done your part. Now it's mine"

Clark stood angrily "stop being selfish Bruce. I understand your feelings, but I care about him too. And I know I can do something to get him out of there"

"no Clark. I'm not allowing you to help because you will always see me when you're trying to save him. You will think of what would have happen if he had been actually dead. How our relationship would have been if he had not appeared on the roof"

"you think that lowly of me Bruce?"

"you are an emotional creature Clark. It's not that I think highly or lowly of you. I only think logic"

Clark sighed and stared at Bruce not knowing how to deal with him "would it make you happier if I went away?"

"…."

Bruce honestly didn't know the answer to that.

"you came here behind his back?" he asked holding the pizza box.

"I had to, you know him. after I defied his order he got upset and told me not to leave my room for a whole week. Sucks we're in a summer vacation" the boy answered taking a slice "vegetarian pizza? What are you? A nerd?"

"I dislike peperoni" he answered and smiled when the boy stuffed his mouth yet still spoke

"shtill der aa oder kinds ov pissa"

"don't talk with your mouth full" he took a peace "want me to talk to him?"

"why don't you marry him? Then I won't need to come over here and talk to you about him"

He laughed "oh Jayson. He didn't ask my hand. But I promise, if he did. You'll be my best man"

"fuck you"

…..

"Richard?"

Dick looked at Luthor blinking then looked back at the window staring at the city

"Richard" Luthor walked to him and held his shoulders but he flinched "did I just hurt you?"

"no" it was a whisper

"what is it then?" he asked looking at him, but the other was still staring at the window. Gently, he held his chin making him look at his eyes "what is making you sad?"

"weird dreams" he answered looking at Luthor "people… talking to me… Jason? One of them was called Jason"

Luthor sighed then smiled "forget the dreams. Are you ok?" he watched Dick observe his hand and leg but then he nodded "nothing hurts at all?" Dick shrugged. It wasn't really an answer. But it'll do for now. He guided Dick to the bed and let him sit and brought a chair to sit on it facing him "Richard. I want to know something. The man who pushed you… the one who hurt you… was it Superman? Was it him who threw you over the roof?"

He frowned when silence was all he got

"focus Richard" he said not so kindly, holding his shoulders "the one who hurt you. Did he use any super powers?" Richard shook his head negative and he cleared his throat "it wasn't Superman? Or was it him but he refused to use his powers?"

"I…" Dick inhaled deeply "I was holding both Escrima sticks. Wasn't I?" he said calmly and Luthor sighed

"yes" he smiled softly at him "so it was Batman himself" he kissed Dick's forehead "good boy" he looked at him "see? See what a terrorist he is? Even though you two worked together he intended to hurt you" he kissed his lips and stood "I'll let you rest."

Dick didn't know why he hid the truth from the man that loves him. And as horrible as it felt, it also felt very right.

"but Jason? Who's Jason?" he wondered lying on the bed then groaned in pain. The headache was horrible it felt as if his head was splitting in halves, but once he closed his eyes to try to rest, he saw that man again

"don't you dare lose your self value. You're important to us"

He opened his eyes again with a gasp "who's that? Who's that man?" he shook his head and got up grabbing his cellphone and checking the names of contacts. Anything. A name. a picture. Anything to help him remember that man. He growled in frustration when he found none in his cellphone "Lex" he called leaning on his crutch and walking outside "Lex? Can I talk to you?"

"Richard. Would you like me to bring you a-"

"Lex… where did he go Luke? He was just here"

The young man stared at him with worry "you ok? Tell me… maybe I can help"

"NO! I just want Le-" his voice was muffled when Luke's hand pressed to his lips

"shhh… let's get in your room. He's working." He helped him inside and sat beside him "believe me. I can help"

"Luke. I want to get out of here, he promised to get me out"

Luke had a grim look "don't you think you should rest?"

"I need to find that man?" he argued and Luke bit his lower lip as if he's thinking about something before he gently held Dick's hand "tell me about that man"

"I don't know.. I see him suddenly. It's all blur. He has black hair and… he's certainly white"

"blue eyes?"

"couldn't see. Too blurry"

Luke nodded "try to remember. Bear the pain and try" Dick closed his eyes trying, but the horrible pain returned. He shook his head but Luke held his head with both hands "listen to me Richard. Listen to me. You remember, ok? The key to be free is to remember" Dick looked at him, pain clear in his eyes but he refused to submit to the pain "and once you remember. I'll be where I always am. And I'll set you free" his hold on Dick's head was firmer for a moment "remember" he said before he let go of Dick and left the room. Once he opened the door, he gasped when he saw green eyes glaring at him "Mr. president?"

"what are you doing here?"

"I- uh… I just wanted to wish Richard a steady and fast recovery"

"Your place is in the kitchen. Go back there. You're not allowed in my room without my permission. Understood?"

"yes sir" he hurried away and Luthor went inside

"you look paler. " Luthor said but Dick didn't pay him any attention

"Dick. stay out of it" but Dick wanted to save Tim's ass from the bat, he was still going to try

"come on Brucy-" the other frowned at the nick name "I and Jay had done lots of worse things"

"shut up" the older growled. Upset at something. "it's because of that. I am not going to lose another Ro-"

"you won't Bruce" he got up and hugged him "I'm sure you won't. I'd rather die than see another Robin d-" he shook his head and looked at him and smiled softly "I'll talk to Tim."

he opened his eyes staring at Luthor with a frown. The president opened the drawer and pulled some pain killer out "don't exhaust yourself. Don't listen to what others say. Just rest"

"I want to get out of here"

"what?"

"you promised to take me out. I can't take the sight of these walls"

"yes but Dick… look at yourself"

"please" he gave Luthor the best begging look he could "I need air. Please"

Luthor nodded "alright. I'll ask the servants to prepare the car then I'll come and assist you wear decent clothes"

Dick watched Luthor press a button on the phone on the bedside table and ordering the driver to prepare the car then went to the wardrobe "I'll get you something comfortable"

"ok" Dick answered allowing Luthor to take off his shirt "I see a boy. His name is Jason"

"where do you see him?" Luthor asked helping him take off his shorts

"in my dreams, also Bruce" Luthor's movement stopped suddenly "Lex?"

"these are just dreams"

"I want to remember"

"you are forbidden that" Luthor growled and Dick shook his head

"who's Bruce Luthor? Is it Bruce Wayne?"

"where did that come from?" Luthor asked him "where will you meet Bruce Wayne Richard? Be realistic? Now stop talking about this and get in your pants. The more you anger me the more I want to get back on my promise of taking you out" Dick just stared at him silently "we will take one servant with us to take care of you outside"

"can it be Luke?"

"why him?" Luthor said frowning. He didn't trust the young servant.

"we have… similar interests"

"interests?"

"you know" he shrugged "movies and… stuff… silly things young men do"

"whatever." Luthor replied uninterested "let's go then"

Luthor helped Dick out gently and Dick couldn't help but smile as the car moved in the streets. "it looks like the streets on TV" he frowned "but less clean"

"well… people are irresponsible and messy. Then they will blame the government and the president for that" Dick frowned at Luthor then returned to watch the street

"where are we going?"

"you'll see" Luthor smiled at him and he smiled back "I'll take you somewhere you will love"

"will there be many people?"

"no. I we're going somewhere private. I own it"

Dick sighed and kept staring at the window. The view started to have less buildings and more plants and rocks "we're going up?" he asked but Luthor didn't answer and he kept silent. Not realizing that he slept, he opened his eyes and rubbed them and looked at Luthor who was shaking him awake "we're here"

Dick got up and his mouth opened, they were on a mountain, the house in front of them seemed small but very beautiful. He opened the door and smiled when the fresh air hit him "I'll show you our room" Luthor said and looked at Luke "but first. There's something I must clear" he said getting out of the car followed by the guard and Luke "Richard. You know I love you" Dick stared at him uncomfortably and he continued "but I love my country more than anything. It's why I lead"

"Lex?"

"making sure that you don't remember is very important to me. It's to protect myself. The country and even you" he looked at Luke and any intrusions must be rid of" he raised his hand giving the sign and time stopped.

All Dick could see was Luke's pained and shocked eyes as he took a couple of steps back. Hand reaching for him as he weakly called his name "Dick" his body disappeared as it fell down the cliff

"LUKE"

"you won't remember. If it meant that I have to scar you for life. You won't remember" Dick ignored him and kept staring at the cliff in shock. He didn't struggle as Luthor dragged him inside the house. He didn't react to all the words that Luthor whispered to him trying to calm him down. To tell him that he'll be alright with Luke away.

He saw her fall… he saw them fall… the both of them. The woman's eyes were wide in shock, hands trying to reach for him, weakly calling for him "Dick"

That's right… his parents died… "Tony Zucco" he whispered "he killed my parents"

I had a very hard time writing this chapter then erasing it then writing it again then erasing it. I was never satisfied with how it came.