Chapter 10: Breathe

Summary: Dick discovers that swimming is kind of hard to do when you're unconscious, and Sadie proves she's just as much a hero as her brother.

Ages

Dick: 10, Sadie & Ace: 1 ½ years

Hurt/Comfort/Family, K+

Richard G./Robin, Bruce W./Batman, Sadie

Me: I'm just gonna get right into this one. I'm running out of funny intros again.

Disclaimer: That's where I come in. What's green and has wheels?

Me: I don't know, a green truck?

Disclaimer: Nope. A dolphin. I lied about the wheels. And the green. I lied about the whole thing.

Me: …

Disclaimer: We own nothing.

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Bright Anarchy: YEAAAAH!

BirdFlashIsNotAThing: Here. *throws chapters*

Dick kicked a rock as he walked along the edge of the pool. He was bored. Bruce was busy doing paperwork inside, so he and Sadie had gone outside to play. Occasionally, he would wave up towards his window, but so far the man hadn't noticed.

He sighed.

Sadie was wagging her tail as she bounced around in the nearby grass.

Distracted, he didn't notice how close to the pool he'd gotten until he lost his footing and fell. His exclamation of surprise was cut off as he hit his head on the side of the pool and plunged into the cool water. Sadie's head snapped up. She waited for a moment for her friend's head to breach the surface, giggling as he always did when he dove into the pool, but it didn't. She whimpered and let out a booming bark.

Bruce looked up idly at the faint sound, but when he saw her leap into the water after something and Dick nowhere in sight, panic shot through him and he stood quickly, abandoning his pen and paper, which both clattered to the floor.

He practically jumped down the stairs and made his way to the courtyard, almost knocking Alfred over in the process. He burst through the back doors to the courtyard just as Sadie's head emerged from the depths of the pool, jaws clamped tightly on the lifeless child's collar. She dragged him from the water and Bruce felt for his pulse, fear only increasing as he felt the faint flutter beneath his fingers. His blue-tinged lips were a heart stopping sight.

He heard the footsteps of Alfred's dress shoes and a gasp. He turned to see the butler standing with white gloved hands over his mouth in shock, face having drained of color.

"Alfred, call 911. Tell them a boy has drowned and that we need an ambulance," he ordered.

"O-of course sir," he replied, hurrying off.

Bruce began chest compressions, tilting his mouth open.

"One. Two. Three," he began counting. Once he reached thirty, he pinched Dick's nose shut and gave two quick breaths. He began compressions again.

To his utter relief, Dick let out a tiny sputtering cough, spitting out the water he'd inhaled. Bruce turned his head to the side and rubbed his back.

"Breathe," he soothed.

The boy obeyed, taking deep shuddering breaths. Bruce smoothed his wet hair out of his face that had begun to stick to his forehead and cradled him while he shivered violently. He allowed himself to collapse into Bruce's arms and let the distant sirens and Bruce's quiet comforting voice lull him into unconsciousness.

When he woke up, he felt something over his nose and mouth. He reached up and tried to smack it away, but a strong hand caught his.

"Easy. Leave it," Bruce ordered.

"Wha' happ'n'd?" he murmured sleepily.

The billionaire smiled. "You fell in the pool. But Sadie jumped right in and pulled you out so I could help you," he explained.

"Sadie?" he beamed with pride for his best friend.

"Yep. She's a hero," he continued.

"Wow!" the ten-year-old marveled.

He absently reached up and touched the bandage on his temple.

"When can we go home?" he asked.

"The doctors want to keep you overnight for observation, but if you're still okay in the morning, you can go home then," he answered.

"Aw man," Dick pouted. "I hate hospitals."

Bruce smiled. "I know. Tell you what. When you get out, we can go get ice cream. Sound good kiddo?"

His eyes lit up. "For breakfast?"

Bruce nodded happily. "For breakfast."

"Yay!"

Sadie whined and was wagging her tail so hard her rear end was shaking.

"Take it easy Sadie and give me a moment," Alfred chuckled.

He opened the mansion doors and the massive dog nearly barreled the giggling boy over, making him squeal with delight. Sadie's tail swept a vase off the table by the door, and Bruce quickly caught it.

"Welcome home, Master Richard."

"Thanks Alfie," the child returned gleefully as he plopped down on the couch so Sadie could jump up and lick the remaining ice cream from his face.

As Dick laughed jovially and fell back on the cushions with Sadie on his chest, Alfred and Bruce stood nearby.

"That dog is a hero," Alfred told him softly.

"Her brother must be very proud," Bruce joked, looking around. "Where is he anyway?"

"I believe Ace is in the backyard, sir," the butler answered.

Bruce noticed it had gotten very quiet and looked over at the couch. Dick had fallen asleep, and it seemed Sadie thought he made an excellent pillow. Her massive front legs and head rested on his chest protectively.

The two men smiled.

"Come on mouse, let's let 'em sleep," Bruce teased.

Alfred held back a chuckle at the reference to the day they'd adopted the two dogs.

It was a good day.

A/N

Me: N'aww…

Disclaimer: Too much fluff.

Me: Don't worry the next one is pretty depressing.

Disclaimer: Oh boy.

-SWGJOC227