They move from the dining room to the cave after breakfast was finished, with a shoo from Alfred. Dick led the way, cartwheeling down the hall with a practiced ease. He talked the entire time, a running commentary about the minor changes. A different painting, a new vase, he asked the occasional question. They made it to the clock, then down the elevator, Dick falling silent. The smile on his face melted into a line, his causal, loose stance straightened.
Like the night before, Tim was watched Dick shift between relaxed to serious. He cast his attention into his coffee cup when his brother's gaze moved to him. He glanced back up in time to see the shine in Dick's eyes. The kid was laughing at him, Tim realized. Though he couldn't see it from his body language. If Dick had a mask in place, Tim would probably never know.
Tim startled, when he caught Damian's glare.
"Find anything?" Dick asked, sliding out of the elevator after the others. First in, last out, and all that.
"Nothing specific, when comparing to your blood history. Narrowed down your age though," Tim explained, walking over to the computer typing a few things into the keyboard pulling up a holographic version of the young Dick Grayson in the center of the briefing table.
"Timothy," Bruce warned, "You were supposed to go to bed."
Tim avoided eye contact choosing not to answer, instead giving a one shoulder shrug. Honestly, you would think Bruce would stop being surprised.
Dick wondered closer, flicking a hand through the holograph, to the written results.
Bruce sighed, running a hand down his face.
"Pot meet kettle." Dick called, before the man would speak. "Kettle this is pot." He waved a hand between the two without lifting his gaze.
Jason snorted, taking the same chair as the night before and stretching to rest his feet on the seat across of him. Damian followed close to Dick, taking the seat on his left.
"Nothing in the blood, have you been able to find a magical contact?"
"I wouldn't say nothing," Tim interrupted with a frown, he tapped a few keys, pulling up a specific section of the blood work. "There was a mix of older Joker Venom and Fear Toxin in your system."
Bruce nodded, "I've already determined those are unlikely to be appliable to the situation based on his age and history around that time."
"What?" Jason interrupted, Damian and Tim equally confused.
"It was there before," Bruce was studying Dick, who's face had fallen blank again.
Jason glanced between the two, "Again, what?"
"Two days ago, my time the Joker and Scarecrow teamed up." Dick explained, he started messing with the holo-screen. He flicked through cases to bring up a specific one. It was the typical story; An Arkham brake out and re-capture. "Should be out of my system at this point, but as you might be aware, it sometimes lingers in the system."
"Ah," Tim nodded, "Then nothing in the blood." He agreed.
"I've sent it through a secondary scan, it will take longer to see if there is anything else." Bruce advised "But no hits-"
"According to this, you have two broken ribs!" Damian interrupted, still reading through the case report Dick had pulled up earlier.
Jason crashed back on all four legs of the chair, leaning to read where Damian was pointing. "Injuries:" he read, "cracked ribs (4,6). Sprained wrist – right. Gash left side – 16 stitches. Re-tore stitches right thy – 9 stitches. Concussion – grade two."
"I'm fine," Dick said as if on instinct. "Like half of that isn't even from that case." He waved them off, "Alfred checked over the stitches yesterday. Bruising is down significantly on the ribs. Concussion was cleared. I'm totally feeling the aster."
"Aster?" Tim mimicked.
"I've called in Zatanna," Bruce cut in, "I want her to take a look. Do a scan and see if anything magical sticks out. I'll have her review the footage we gathered."
A blush crept up Dick's neck, luckily no one commented.
"She doesn't know specifics yet," Bruce continued, "We are keeping this quiet for now. I don't want the information falling into the wrong hands."
Dick opened his mouth to argue, but Bruce pressed on. "Between anyone interested in the younger version of Dick Grayson and the proof of de-aging, you would be a prime target for kidnapping. Plus, we don't know what the Joker is planning, he put a lot of effort for this."
"If they can fix the memory loss, it's basically immortality," Tim mused.
Dick nodded, though still looking reluctant.
"Uh," Jason stuck a hand in the air, lowering it when all eyes turned to him, "I told Roy."
A wide smirk grew across Dick's face, and Bruce sighed. "Tell him to keep it to himself." The man pointed to Jason. "And Dick," He waited for Dick to make eye contact. "Whatever you're planning, stop."
Dick held up his hands in surrender, "When's Zee supposed to get here?"
"She's expected around two this afternoon."
Dick nodded along, "What're we doing until then?"
"I have a few more tests that-"
Dick cut him off with a dramatic grown. He went boneless, melting into a half slump in the chair. "boring"
Bruce sighed, "Dick-"
"So bored!" He yelled over the older man.
Damian was wide-eyed, caught somewhere between an overwhelmed panic and confusion.
"Can I go to the gym?" Dick asked.
"Aren't you," Tim began, pointing to the still open case file and injury list.
Dick brushed him off, "I'll just do the bars or something."
"You'll play nice when Zatanna gets here." Bruce said, knowing to pick his battles. "No pranks. You will do what she asks without complaint."
"I would never do that to Zee." Dick argued, raising one hand in oath and making a crossing motion over his heart with the other.
"Pulling pigtails is a thing, "Bruce sent Dick a knowing look.
A blush crept up the boy's neck, "I'm going to the gym." He said standing with a rough shove to his chair. "Are the codes the same? You know what, I'll figure it out." He fled down a side passage.
"No sparing," Bruce yelled after his retreating back, then turned to his current oldest. "Jason, can you go unlock the door before he breaks in?"
Jason gave a sloppy solute, "Come on, Demon Brat."
Damian waited long enough for Bruce to nod in approval before following the older man down the hallway after Dick.
"Were his crushes always so oblivious?" Time asked with an amused smile. Seeing his usually impressively infallible brother so flustered was doing wonders for his own self-esteem.
"He got better at hiding it." The unspoken, 'from me at least' echoed through the silence. The man's shoulders sagged slightly.
"He'll probably freak when he finds out they dated," Tim tried to lighten the mood.
Damian trailed after Jason, lost in his own thoughts. He still had enough special awareness to sidestep the older hero when he came to abrupt halt. He caught the snide repark on the tip of his tongue, realizing they were at the gym entrance with no Grayson in sight.
Jason swore under his breath. He went to the keypad, swearing again when it came up locked and seemed undamaged.
Damian shoved him aside, both hero's aware Jason only moved because he allowed it. "There are other way's in," he said in ways of explanation, typing in the code. The door opened with a small hiss.
Dick was inside hanging from a single ring by his left leg. He pouted at them. "That was faster than I expected." He dropped from the perch, flipping three times and landing in a crouch.
"Older you showed me." Damian's eyes flickered around the room too fast for Jason to follow.
Dick seemed to understand, a smirk growing. "We get along?" He asked.
"As good as the Demon Brat can get along with anyone." Jason cut in. Ignoring Damian bristling demeanor.
"Maybe," Dick shot back, his voice edging towards cold, "it's because you keep calling him Demon Brat and not his name." He cocked an eyebrow.
Jason snorted, crossing his arms over his chest, "God, even shrunk you stands up for the kid."
"Or, I just don't like bullies?"
"Excuse me?" Jason snarled, "Look Kid, it's just a nickname. His grandfather is the Demon Head."
"And Talia is his mother," Glancing to Damian for verification.
Damian nodded, but couldn't do more than watch. He doesn't need anyone to stick up for him, especially when given the situation, it is his duty to watch over his Batman while in this impaired state. But, even the at this age, Richard saw him a little too well.
"Maybe he doesn't want to be compared or remember that part of his family." There is something in Dick's expression that was gone before the other two could get a full read. "You ended up with Bruce for a reason," He continued, "For good or for bad, maybe you don't want to be reminded of before."
The silence echoed, Dick was avoiding eye contact, gaze lost. Jason looked complaintive.
Damian was flushed. "Richard," he cleared his throat, flinching under both their gazes. "Thank you. I have grown accustom to the nick name, and it no longer holds the same implication it once did. But I appreciate your consideration." Damian liked to believe that Adult Dick would be proud of him, years ago he would have attacked at the insinuation of weakness, but now he knows better. Richard taught him to be better.
Dick rubbed a hand on the back of his neck, "Yeah, no problem." The awkward silence was back, his gaze drifting from Damian up over his shoulder. "No way," he breathed, both once again loose as he bounced towards a dent in the wall. "This is still here?" He traced a finger along the edge of the crater
"You know where that came from?" Jason asked.
The dent was a mystery to the younger three Robin's. Bruce claimed he had no idea where it came from. It was a tradition to gently punch the indent before training for good luck, especially if they were sparring.
Dick tossed him a smile. Jason found himself relieved that Tiny Dick didn't seem to hold a grudge. "Dude, I made that. I was-" he paused, "I was angry about something and messed up a dismount and…" he mimicked punching the wall. "I though B would have filled it or covered It or something." He mused.
"You did that?" Jason repeated.
Dick shrugged, like he didn't just solve a decade old mystery and blew Jason's mind in one. "Better than the time I blew up those warehouses. The explosion was intentional but even I can admit it didn't need to be so big."
When no one said anything, Dick turned back to the rings, "I'm going to train for a bit," he powered on. He didn't wait for an answer, taking off in a sprint and jumping to swing with his momentum.
"Hey Dea- Damian," Jason cleared his throat, "Does it-"
"Todd. Jason," Damian corrected, noting the relieved look on the older man's face when he didn't have to finish his own thought. "We have all grown and changed. I like to believe for all our issues in the past, we have moved forward. I know for the most part when you and Timothy refer to me as Demon Brat, it is meant as a more in jest then to be crule. It is the same when you refer to him as Replacement or when you call Richard Goldie."
Jason looked ready to flee under Damian's intense gaze. "Shit kid," he said after a long breath, "stare into my soul why don't you."
"I do not think that is something I want to see," Damian tried to joke.
Jason took it with a laugh, "Fair."
Bruce was the only one in the cave when Zatanna's request for entry came through the computer. He approved clearance, standing to greet her at the Zeta.
"Bruce," she called, to which he nodded in return. "What's going on?" She asked, openly concerned. Usually, Dick would be here to at least say hi if she had to come to the cave.
"We need your help," Bruce opened, "It probably goes without saying, but everything discussed today needs to be kept quiet, at least for the time being."
She frowned, "Of course." Her concern jumped to a low panic.
"The Joker de-aged Nightwing."
Her mind blanked for a moment, "How?" she asked.
"We're hoping you could tell us." Bruce turned to the computers, indicating for the magic user to follow. He pulled up the various test results and the evidence they were able to gather so far. He ran through the night's events, pointing out specific's pieces of evidence.
"How old is he now?" she asked.
"Thirteen."
"That's fifteen years," she muttered, mostly to herself. Bruce nodded anyways. "Can I see him?" she continued. "Run a few tests of my own."
Bruce continued nodding, tapping out something on his phone. Not even a minute later Tim came sprinting down the stairs with Dick riding on his back. Jason was hot on his heels carrying Damian like a sack of potatoes.
Dick cackled as they came to a stop. The sound hitting Bruce and Zatanna close to the heart. "What's up B-" Dick jumped from Tim's Back. He stumbled slightly when he caught sight of Zatanna. A slight blush crept up his neck to his ears. "Hi Zee."
Behind him Jason dropped Damian to the ground, failing to hide his laughter behind his hand.
"Oh my goodness," Zatanna practically squealed. She pulled Dick into a hug, causing the blush to spread through his face. "I forgot how adorable you were."
"Hey," Dick made a halfhearted attempt to pull away. The woman squeezed harder. "I am not adorable." He said, just short of a whine.
Jason wasn't even hiding his laughter anymore. Tim was trying to hide his giggling behind his phone. No so subtly taking a picture. Bruce and Damian had similar looks of half hidden amusement.
"You totally are," She held him at arm length, "I want to just put you in my pocket."
Jason was almost collapsed. Tim's whole body shook with silent laughter. Damian was losing a battle with a smile. Bruce wasn't fighting it anymore.
"I hate you," Dick grumbled.
Zatanna beamed, "No you don't. The three years we dated and the fact that even after breaking up we still get coffee like twice a month says otherwise." Her voice was light and teasing.
"We dated?" Dick gasped. "B won't let me access anything," he explained before she asked.
"Like that has ever stopped you."
"I promised to wait 24 hours. If they can change me back before then, less drama for everyone." With a cheeky smile he added, "I pick my battles with him."
From across the room, Bruce looked affronted. The other boys snickered.
Zatanna let out a bright laugh "Well, spoilers to hold you over." She shrugged.
Zatanna stayed through the afternoon and into the night. Alfred corralled them all upstairs for a quick break and the pasta dish he knows she loves.
They made it back down to the cave for Zatanna to wrap up before patrol. Dick didn't argue when Bruce told him he wasn't going. "I figured," he said, "Just stay traught." He disappeared towards the elevator before Tim would question what traught meant.
"I forgot he used to do that." Zatanna said, voice fond.
"Do what?" Damian was the one to ask.
"Butcher the English language."
Damian nodded like it made sense, Tim and Jason were just more confused. "Distraught?" the youngest clarified.
Both Zatanna and Bruce nodded. "Go change," Bruce interrupted, already dressed for the night. Damian disappeared with a small, proud smile on his face. Jason and Tim were a little more hesitant but followed the youngest after bidding the magic user a goodnight.
"I have to do some research," Zatanna started before Bruce could ask. She looked down at the notebook they had provide her. Tucked under it was a container of leftovers provided by Alfred. "Nothing jumped out, but I have a few leads to work with."
Bruce nodded in understanding.
"I know you want to keep this on the down low but consider talking to the Flashes. They have the most experience with time-based science." She continued.
Bruce looked hesitant. Zatanna was aware how much trust he was putting into her by letting her read him so easily.
"I know he and Wally might not be on the best terms," she continued in a soft voice. "But he'll still help. I think anyone would for Dick, especially in Robin form."
"I will keep it in mind," Bruce conceded, and Zatanna knew that was the best she would be getting for the moment.
"I'll let you know what I find," she said, making the short walk to the Zeta. "And Bruce," She punched in the code, the system lighting up behind her. "You need to hell him. You can't keep him from the truth. We both know he is too curious and stubborn for his own good."
The Zeta announced her departure and the light faded again.
"She is correct, Master Bruce." Alfred said, approaching from behind. "In less than ten hours, he will find out everything. It would be better if it came from you. He deserves at least that."
"I'll," Bruce swallowed past the lump in his throat. Red Hood, Red Robin and Robin emerged from the changing rooms. "After patrol." He bargained, pulling his cowl over his face.
Bruce wasn't proud when he fled, beckoning Robin to join him in the Batmobile. He could feel Alfred's disappointed gaze burning into his back.
No matter what look Alfred gave him, Bruce did not intentionally extend patrol later than normal. His kids may joke that he would rather deal with a mass Arkham breakout then talk about emotions, but he knows Zatanna and Alfred were right. He didn't do it right the first time. He owes Dick an explanation. It was mostly luck he doesn't know yet. He would tell him, he just needed to use patrol to put his thoughts together.
Then there was an Arkham break out. Reported by Oracle, who was off the night before. "Ivy and Harley are already gone; cameras show them driving into Gotham." She explained, "Scarecrow was last seen fifteen minutes ago, before the breakout even began. Two Face and Penguin are MIA from camera's, but I have chatter of sightings in the last few minutes."
Bruce pressed down harder on the gas. Tim and Jason sped past on their bikes.
"They lost Penguin and Two Face. I have reports of Clay Face vanishing," She sounded slightly frantic, "I don't understand."
"Is there anyone who isn't escaping?" Jason growled.
"Zsasz and Freeze are accounted for." Barbara offered, "Killer Crock-"
"Yes, Red. Thank you." Jason didn't roll his eyes, because he knew better to do so when driving at this kind of speed, but it was a near thing.
"I can't get ahold of Nightwing." She continued. "I tried coms and his personal phone."
They forgot to tell Babs…
"Nightwing is out of commission for the time being." Bruce advised after a pause that was just long enough to be suspicious.
"What happened?" she demanded.
"Oracle, focus on-"
"Oh shit," Jason broke in, skidding to a stop at the front gate. One of the doors was missing, the other was spray painted with a Joker face. A dead guard was laid out on the ground, two envelopes stapled to his forehead. The top addressed to Robin #2, #3, #4. The second to Batman.
Jason tore the first letter open before anyone could stop him pulling out two pieces of paper. Clearing his throat, he read. "You're formerly not invited to the welcome home party for our little bird, Robin the first." Jason read, voice running through the com line as the Batmobile pulled up in front of him. Bruce and Damian joined Tim as his mini audience. "Wishing you love and well, Joker."
"Pleasant," Tim commented, taking it the paper from Jason. He snorted at the 'It's A Boy' printed across the top with blue balloons.
Jason started on the second page, "We are pleased to inform you, effective immediately, you are being evicted from Gotham. The role of Robin has once again been cast by the correct player. Your attempts at service have been noted" Jason glanced up at the others. A red dot danced across both Robin's foreheads.
The letters fell from his hand. He dove forward, a loud crack echoed, and his arm started to burn. Two more shots followed. The letters were forgotten, Bruce tracked the shots to a watch tower. He took off running, laying down smoke bombs as cover.
They returned that night only mildly injured given the circumstance. Jason took a bullet to the arm. It was only a graze surprisingly enough, given the guy was originally aiming for the back of his head. Damian and Tim were generally unscathed past the typical scrapes, bruising, and exhausting expected from long night of crime fighting. There were two bullets imbedded in the Batmobile. If Jason hadn't moved when he did, Bruce would be doing more than fixing two dents.
Of the breakout, only Harley, Ivy, Two Face, Penguin, and Scarecrow made it out. They were only able to collect Clayface before he left the premises. They found a spray-painted Joker face in the five cells. Clayface, they found out later, was a failed attempt of opportunity.
These five were chosen. An empty envelope similar to the one's left for them at the gate, was found in Penguin's cell. In "guest list" was found in Harley's cell, listing: Her, Two Face, Penguin, Scarecrow, Joker, Batman, and Robin 1st. Ivy was written in at the bottom in Harley's handwriting.
Barbara didn't bring up Nightwing again, instead letting them know the Birds of Prey will do a lap of the city and follow up if they are able to track anyone down.
Bruce ushered Jason through medical. The younger man muttering under his breath about being fine, but letting Bruce help him without much of an actual fight. He was put to bed upstairs. Jason passed out quickly, with a little help with some of Alfred's special tea and adrenaline crash.
Bruce stopped to check in on Damian, finding him already showered and curled up in bed with Titus. They had a brief talk, Damian agreeing to go to sleep after he finished his chapter and bid Bruce a soft, "Goodnight, father."
Bruce ruffled Damian's hair and gave Titus a small pat on the head as he past, "Night, Kiddo."
Damian hid his pleased smile behind the pages of his book.
Bruce went check in on Tim next. Finding him – unsurprisingly- with a computer balanced on his knees, and face lit up in the bitch black. The man confiscated all the technology, with a firm, "Sleep Tim." He we so far as to take Tim's back-up computer, last year mottle of the Wayne Pad, and the holo-gloves he knows Tim keeps in his room.
Bruce stopped at Dick's door. Alfred trailing behind him. Bruce took a calming breath. This was it. His heart was pounding. He opened the door, calling a soft, "Chum?" into the darkness. He crept closer, stopping at his son's side. Dick had a hand tossed over his face, mouth slightly a jar. The blanket was half on the floor, the other end wrapped around one of his legs.
Bruce's heart climbed into his throat. He brushed a few stray hairs from Dick's forehead. He untangled the blanket with slow careful movements before tucking Dick in again. Bruce moved to Dick's desk, pulling open a left side drawer, second from the bottom. He grabbed the hidden nightlight, plugging the elephant back into its old home for the first time in years. Bruce knew, even as a teen Dick didn't like sleeping in pitch dark.
"We live in the dark," he used to say, "I don't want to dream in it too."
Bruce straightened, pausing once more to smooth over the blankets. He moved back to the hall, Alfred waiting at the doorway. The elderly man closed the door with a small click. He turned to Bruce, face full of understanding.
Bruce opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
"Go to bed, Bruce." Alfred advised, placing a warm hand on his charge's shoulder. He lifted his free hand to brush a few stray hairs behind Bruce's ear, just as the man had done moments ago for Dick.
"Thank you," Bruce choked, the words coming out surprisingly wet sounding. He didn't know specifically for what, but Bruce felt it burn through him.
Alfred gave his shoulder another squeeze. "It's my absolute pleaser." As always, Alfred understood. "Goodnight Master Bruce."
Author's note: Please let me know if you find any errors. Or if you have any ideas about the story. Or just want to send some love! (Please love me!)
In the context of this story, would you rather see Slade (in some form or fashion) or the Court of Owls? Heavy emphasis on no guarantees for either, I'm just seeing where interest sits. (I will 100% be willing to write about them in general, remember I'm asking for THIS story specifically.)