"No," Batman growled, glaring down at the child.

"Yes," Dick replied stubbornly, arms crossed across his chest and glaring right back.

They all came down to the Batcave to gear up, Dick trailing behind them. Nobody thought much of it until the kid started going through the old Robin suits, searching something that would fit him. Barbara was first to notice as she wasn't overly busy with getting ready.

"What are you doing, Dick?" she asked.

Everybody paused and looked at the child.

"Getting ready," Dick replied, not looking up from his task. "What does it look like?"

Oh hell, no. Just no. The thought of Dick, currently so tiny, out in the middle of the mess that was Gotham's night with most of the supervillains roaming free send chills down Jason's spine. He got the sudden urge to wrap Dick in a bubble and stash him somewhere safe and away from this all. He knew Dick wouldn't be happy about that, even if Jason somehow managed to accomplish that feat. Fortunately for him, he was surrounded by six idiots, who would do the job for him and let him remain in Dick's good graces. So he stood quietly on the side and watched the show.

"Dick, you're-" Tim quickly realized his mistake and didn't finish whatever he was going to say. Because how could you win an argument about not letting a child go out to fight crime, when you did it on a regular basics for years with each Robin? Granted, they were older than Dick's current body was, but Dick was still an adult with all his training and experience.

"Let him come," Damian declared stupidly, "I will remain with him at all times and watch over him."

Yeah, whatever points the Demon Brat gained for siding with mini Nightwing evaporated in an instant with the blatant babying.

"I'm not a child!" Dick gritted out. "And I'm coming, too."

"Absolutely not," Bruce cut in.

Now, that the Big Bad Bat spoke his law, everyone else figured the argument was ended and went back to gearing up. But the argument didn't end, because they were Bruce and Dick and they were stubborn and it was Dick's birthday and they were all going away to fight without him and Dick was worried and couldn't be Nightwing, who often saved them in a nick of time.

While the first dynamic duo was arguing, Jason thought about how he could appease the kid. There was no question about Dick staying in tonight. It was just too dangerous for him to go. If it was a normal patrol, it would be another matter. Huh, that was a thought.

So now they had a standoff, Batman and Dick glaring at each other and neither showing signs of giving up.

"Dick," Barbara said suddenly. "There's Two Face, Poison Ivy, Riddler, Joker, Scarecrow, Bane and a whole bunch of other patients out there right now. It will be hard to find all of them and coordinate several teams at the same time. Why don't you stay here and help me with that?"

Well, that was a good solution, Jason had to admit. It would keep Dick away, but he would still be in the thick of things. Everyone but Bats seemed to think so too, judging by the relief appearing on their faces. A very big mistake, letting it show.

Dick looked around at them and his expression darkened. He clenched his jaw hard and balled his fists. Oh shit. The last thing they needed was for Dick to throw a temper tantrum and then sneak out on his own.

Batman opened his mouth and Jason just knew he was going to make the situation much worse, so he scooped the kid into his arms and walked away before he could say anything.

"Jay!" Dick growled in protest, pushing away from him as much as the arms wrapped around him allowed.

"Easy," Red Hood soothed and lowered his voice, "I have a proposition for you."

Dick stopped struggling and frowned.

"What proposition?" he asked cautiously.

Jason looked back to check if someone was listening and satisfied they weren't he focused his attention back on the waiting child.

"I get, that you worry. I really do. We all do. But think about the situation from our perspective. We worry about you too. If one of us were in your position you wouldn't allow us to go too. Am I right?"

"I guess," Dick admitted slowly.

"And you know Barbara will really need the help," Jason pointed out.

Dick sighed in defeat.

"Yeah, I know," he muttered, hanging his head.

"Hey now," Jason bounced him up and down to get his attention back. "If you're good and if we're both up to it, I'll take you on patrol tomorrow. How about that?"

"You will?" Dick threw him a skeptical look.

"Uhuh," Red Hood nodded. "Just don't tell them. They will kill me for endangering their Golden Boy like that. Deal?"

Dick sighed. This was the best option he could get in the circumstances and they both knew it.

"Deal."