A/N: It has been way to long since I've updated, and this chapter isn't the compensation you deserve for such a long wait. Sorry in advance.
I got a few requests for a deaging story a while ago and I'm just now getting to it. Be warned, Dick is 6, not a baby really. I have a hard time writing really little kids so that's the best I felt I could do. I'll try to get a longer, better chapter out faster than it took me to get this one out.
Thank you to everyone who has read my story and favorited or followed it! And reviews have reached triple-digits! You guys and gals are super awesome! Okay, that's it.
To be honest, nobody was that surprised. With all the weird stuff that went down on a daily basis, this one was bound to make it on the list at some point. If only it hadn't happened on this particular day to this particular person. Because while it wasn't the worst thing that could've happened, no one wanted to be the one to tell Batman that his thirteen-year-old protégé was now a six-year-old one. This was why the team was currently sitting inside the bioship, waiting for an ingenious idea to rain down upon them and relieve them from the duty of showing any of the League the toddler sleeping contentedly in Wally's lap.
"Maybe he won't notice?" Wally said lamely.
Artemis rolled her eyes. "I say we drop the kid off and then get the hell out of here before Batman has time to get his wrath together," she said.
"Can you do that?" Meghan's eyes were wide. "Escape Batman's wrath?"
Aqualad sighed. "Even if it were possible, it would not be the right thing to do. As his teammates we must take responsibility."
Connor stood up. "Let's just get it over with."
Batman stood menacingly before the team, his eyes narrowed. It wasn't hard to piece everything together. He was the world's greatest detective after all.
The team shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. After a few moments of silence, Batman took a step towards Kidflash, who instinctively took a step back, and held out his arms. Wally quickly obliged to the unspoken request and handed the young boy in his arms, still sleeping, to the Dark Knight. As soon as Robin was in Batman's arms he buried his head into the crook of the man's neck and sighed.
Megan giggled at the adorable sight but covered her mouth with her hand at Batman's glare.
"Black Canary is waiting for you all in the training room," said Batman. Before the team left the room he added, "We will be talking over your unsatisfactory results when Robin is no longer… compromised." Batman adjusted his grip on his sleeping protégé and made his way to the zeta tubes.
As soon as he stepped into the cave, the man was greeted by Alfred.
"Shall I dig out a pair of your old clothes, sir?" Alfred asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Please," Bruce replied, managing to take off his cowl while not releasing his grip on Robin. Only when he went to change into his normal clothes did Bruce, reluctantly, set the boy down in a chair and cover him up with his cape.
Dick's eyes blinked open. He rubbed a fist over his eyes and yawned before looking around. He whimpered at the unfamiliar setting of the cave, and his eyes began to tear up.
Bruce hurried back as soon as he heard Dick start sobbing. "Hey, hey! It's okay," Bruce said as he picked the little boy up and gently bounced him on his hip. "You're okay."
"I want Mommy and Daddy!" Dick wailed. Bruce's heart clenched.
"Your mommy and daddy aren't here right now," said Bruce, holding the boy that much tighter. "But I'm here. So let's calm down, okay. You're safe with me."
"Wow. You're quite the natural," said Jason. He was leaning against one of the walls, looking on at the scene in front of him. "So, who's this little bugger?" Bruce spared a quick glance at Jason before sighing. Jason's eyes widened. "No."
"Unfortunately, yes," said Bruce.
Jason squealed. "Let me hold him!" He rushed toward the father and son pair, arms outstretched. Dick tensed in Bruce's arms and the man took a step away from Jason.
"Watch it," Bruce said. "He doesn't know who we are," he added more quietly.
Jason's face fell. He looked at Dick again, though, and smiled. "Hey, Dickie-bird." Dick peeked at Jason through teary eyes.
"Dickie-bird?" the little boy sniveled.
"Yeah," said Jason. "That's what I call my little brother. You remind me of him."
Dick blinked. "Really?"
"Really."
Dick bit his lip. "I always wanted a brother."
"Well, maybe until we find your…parents," Jason looked to Bruce for confirmation on the subject matter before continuing. "I can be your honorary big brother. You know, show you around the mansion, maybe even smuggle some cookies." Jason said the last part in a stage whisper and Dick giggled. "What do you say?" Dick seemed to contemplate the idea. After a few moments he nodded and twisted around in Bruce's arms, reaching for Jason.
Grinning, the teen rushed forward to collect the young boy. The pair exited the cave, Bruce looking on in bewilderment as Jason talked animatedly to a fascinated Dick. They really were brothers of the closest variety.