A.N: Hey peeps! How you all doing?! So, I know that I haven't exactly been regular. *Nervous chuckle* I had the story ready, but I was too lazy to actually come and update it. Sorry! I will be more regular from now. Also, I noticed that my stories got a couple of reviews. So, those who have reviewed and followed and favorited my stories, just wanted to say THANK YOU, because your support means a lot to me. Okay, okay, I have talked a lot. Without further ado, presenting you the second part of -
The Art Of Comforting A Dick Grayson - 2
Getting Tortured Sucks
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters. Not one.
It's been three weeks since Nightwing was missing and the whole BatFam was searching fervently for their beloved acrobat. After a lot of searching, hacking various devices, and beating the hell out of thugs, they finally found out Nightwing's location.
The Bat and the Birds wasted no time in devising a plan: Red Hood, who was working with the others since it was for Dick, was supposed to go in and extract Nightwing. Agent A was monitoring comms, Red Robin and Robin, who were cooperating with each other since - again- it was for Dick, were supposed to establish a perimeter, and the Bats himself would be clearing Red Hood's way for the extraction.
The plan was ready and the vigilantes wasted no time in putting it to motion.
They tracked Nightwing to an old, broken down building, which had that 'horror house' effect on it. But, of course, the BatFam was not fazed in the slightest. They immediately started doing their roles in the plan.
As soon as they were there, Red Robin and Robin established a perimeter, and Red Hood and Batman went inside the warehouse, Agent A guiding the both of them. The Bats and Hood worked in perfect rhythm, recreating their 'Robin and Batman' effect.
After taking down about 20 guys while moving forward at least 1 kilometre, they finally saw Nightwing: Hung up, his hands chained, head down and hair covering his face, Nightwing costume torn, blood pouring profusely from various wounds, fingers twitching occasionally which depicted electrocution, chest heaving painfully for each inhale, and over all, not at all like the untouchable Nightwing.
Red tinted Red Hood's vision. No one touched a member of BatFam and got away with it. Red Hood quickly made his way to his brother and gently lifted his brother's face.
"Nnn wha?" Nightwing groaned and opened his eyes. Once his eyes fell on Red Hood, he immediately recognised him and confusion masked his blue orbs.
"Hood? Wha're you doin' he'e?" He slurred. "Is 'his a dr'am?"
"Hey Big Bird," Red Hood said softly. "It's not a dream. We are here to get you the hell outta here."
"We?"
"Yup, the whole flock is here."
"Nnnn. 'M tired," Nightwing whispered.
"I know Big Bird," Red Hood said, working on picking the lock of his arm chains, not shooting it as it would attract unwanted attention. "I know. But don't worry, okay? We'll get away from here soon and you can rest all you want."
He finally picked both the locks and the chains opened, causing Nightwing to just fall forwards. But Red Hood anticipated this and was ready to catch his brother. As soon as he was in Hood's arms, cradled close to his chest, Nightwing groaned and whimpered since most of his wounds jostled.
"Hey, hey it's okay," Hood murmured softly. "Shhh… I gotcha."
He slowly scooped up Nightwing and Nightwing buried his head in Hood's neck. Red Hood kept on murmuring soft words as he carried him back to the Batmobile, which was sent to them by Agent A. Hood shook his head at Batman when he passed him, silently signalling that Nightwing was not ready for a hard and deep voice, or gruffly spoken words.
Batman gave a curt nod and didn't say anything as they went to the Batmobile, where the Robins were waiting. As they saw their elder brother's condition, their masks broke for a moment and all kinds of emotions passed through their face, but they caught it on time, getting the message that this wasn't the time.
Red Hood placed Nightwing on the backseat and got in there too, before removing his helmet and gently pulling his older brother onto his lap, so that Robin could get on the other side. Red Robin sat in the passenger seat while Bats got into the driver seat.
They paged Agent A and he confirmed that he would inform Leslie too. Jason removed Nightwing's cowl and smoothed out the black hair falling on his forehead while Damian slowly began patching up some of Dick's many wounds with the First Aid kit. Jason held him in place, whispering comforting words, while Dick arched in pain when the salve touched his wounds.
Tim kept on checking with them while simultaneously trying to find Nightwing's capturer. Bats was silent, which wasn't unusual.
"Damian and I were able to find that the capturer had an acquaintance with a drug dealer in Bludhaven," Tim began and the others listened carefully. "Since there are a hell lotta dealers there, I am unable to pinpoint who. For now. If we can confirm that Nightwing was drugged, then I can easily find out who the dealer was based on that."
"They did give me something," Dick said weakly and all heads snapped to look at him, except the Bats. But the corner of Batman's ears perked up a bit- a sign that he was paying close attention to each and every word uttered.
"When I closed my eyes for more than 15 seconds, I was electrocuted," Dick continued. "But in order to keep me awake, they-" he paused to cough a bit and catch his breath.
"Take it easy Dickie Bird," Jason said. "You can explain it to us after we get to the manor."
"As much as I don't want to agree with Todd, he is right, Grayson. You have to save your strength till Pennyworth and Doctor Thompkins fix your injuries," Damian added.
"Yeah Dick. It's okay. We can find the capturer anytime we want. But right now, you are only important. We have you here with us, safe, and that's what truly matters," Tim concluded.
"Amen," Jason muttered, making Tim and Dick laugh (and groan, in Dick's case) at the same time. Even Damian smiled, though he hid it quickly and put on his scowl. A comfortable silence fell in the Batmobile, and before they knew it, they were at the Batcave.
Once they were in the cave, Jason got down and was about to carry Dick inside, when Batman - no, Bruce - came and said, "I got him."
Jason nodded and stepped back, as Bruce took Dick into his arms and to the Batcave, talking quietly with his son, who had his face buried in Bruce's chest. The other two were lingering behind, not sure if they should come inside.
But Jason put his arms around their shoulders in a rare gesture of affection, and steered them inside. This time, even Damian did not swat his arm away.
When they went inside, they found out that Leslie was already there and was currently working with Alfred on patching up many of Dick's injuries. They also found out that Dick was out cold, which meant that he was sedated.
Bruce, without his cowl on, was standing near Dick's gurney. The other three silently took a seat near Dick's bed, waiting for the verdict. Even when under the sedatives, Dick groaned when his injuries were touched, and Jason, who was sitting near Dick's head, immediately took hold of Dick's hand, squeezing it lightly, while stroking Dick's hair, soothing him.
No one commented on this gesture of comfort and love from the big, mean Red Hood, as Dick was undoubtedly calmed down by it. Dick once again went limp, but Jason kept on stroking his hair, so that he remained that way.
After almost one hour, Dick was completely cleaned and patched up. In the meantime, Tim and Damian changed out of their suits and had something to eat, but Jason and Bruce never left Dick's side. Only difference in their position was Bruce was sitting on the other side of Dick, instead of standing.
Once everybody was settled once again, Leslie cleared her throat to get their attention. All eyes turned to her and she began telling about Dick's condition.
"Dick has three broken ribs, malnutrition, various stab wounds, whip lashes on his back, broken ankle and wrist, and severe sleep deprivation. Thankfully, no concussion. His face was also not touched at all. Apart from this, he suffered from electrocution and a specific drug which kept him awake. We tested his blood and found traces of a new drug called 'Maldición', which means-"
"Curse, in Spanish," Tim interrupted her. The others glared at him and he realised what he did and blushed deeply before muttering, "Sorry. Please continue."
Leslie cleared her throat and continued, "I know about this drug because we treated some of them affected by it in my clinic. So, luckily, I had a spare antidote with me and was able to administer it to Dick.
"But, he will have trouble sleeping for a few days, and would require someone to be there with him. I am also expecting the after effects of the torture to linger for at least two weeks. So, be patient and gentle with him.
"I have given Alfred a diet list to be followed. Since he wasn't given a lot to eat in these three weeks, we have to take it slow. Lastly, as for his night job, he won't be going into the field for at least two months. You cannot rush this treatment and healing, so don't be hard on him." When she said this, she was giving Bruce a pointed stare and Bruce nodded solemnly.
"Will that be all, Doctor Thompkins?" Alfred asked.
"Yes, Alfred. I think I will be leaving now. Oh, and if you want, you can transfer Dick to his bed."
"If I may, can I escort you to your car?"
"Yes Alfred, that would be much appreciated."
With that, Leslie and Alfred left the room, leaving Bruce and Jason to change Dick to a pair of his pajamas, and take him to his room. Jason carried Dick, while Bruce took care of his IV line. The younger birds went upstairs first, to get Dick's room ready.
After Dick was made comfortable on his bed, Bruce asked the three to go and rest and that he would take the first watch.
Like this, all of them took turns in watching over Dick, and helped him heal completely. They also found the drug dealer and the capturer and made them pay.
In the course of Dick's healing, there were mostly no incidents. But sometimes… let's just say that those weren't happy memories…
It happened about one week after Dick was rescued. He was still suffering from the after effects. Alfred stuck to the diet given by Leslie, and fed Dick small bits, since he was still unable to hold the spoon, courtesy of the electrocution.
Mostly, Dick was able to keep down whatever was given to him from the diet. Sometimes, he would say that he was nauseous and that he needed some air. At that time, Jason, or Bruce, if he was at the manor, would accompany him on a walk.
Only these two would take him, because they were the only ones who could support Dick's complete weight, if he were to fall.
Dick was also extra clingy as he was deprived of any gentle touches for three whole weeks. That, and he also wanted to make sure that it wasn't a dream, so he made sure that it was real by touching.
So, Damian and Tim made sure that he got enough hugs and touches. Occasionally, when Tim was away and Damian was moodier than usual, Jason would allow Dick to snuggle into him when watching a movie. Jason found out that Dick always fell asleep when cuddling him.
So, on that particular day, Bruce and Robin were away on a mission and Red Robin was assisting the Titans. That left Jason, Alfred and Dick at the manor. Utilising this time, Jason and Alfred bathed Dick.
Once Dick got into a pair of sweats and a T-shirt, Alfred fed him something and Jason went to the library to grab a book.
He got so engrossed in the book that he sat on the rocking chair in the library and began reading. He was getting to a good part when he heard a scream. Jason immediately jumped to his feet and sprinted out to check what happened.
On the way, he met with Alfred and they both rushed to Dick's room, from where the scream had emitted. Once they got in there, they saw Dick curled up in the dark corner of the room, crying silently.
Jason and Alfred immediately went to his side, but Dick flinched away from them and curled up even more into himself. Jason gestured to Alfred to wait and let him handle it.
"Dickie?" He called softly. "Hey, it's okay, you are completely safe. No one's gonna hurt you, okay?"
"Please, please, leave them alone! Take me instead! Please!" Dick sobbed and that's when Jason noticed that Dick's eyes were glazed over, and that he was seeing right through him.
"Dickie Bird, hey, snap out of it. It's okay, what you are seeing is not real. You are safe now, all of us are!" Jason said a bit more forcefully.
Dick's breath hitched slightly and for a moment, he actually looked at Jason. Jason took a hold of the chance and stepped forward towards Dick, and Dick flinched away from him.
"Whoa, whoa, hey Dickie, easy there," Jason murmured softly and he took another step forwards, until he was really close to Dick.
Then, he crouched in front of him and slowly extended his palm and cupped Dick's cheek. "Come on Dickie Bird," he said softly, but firmly. "Snap out of it. You are safe now."
Dick finally registered Jason and croaked out a broken, "Jay?"
"Yeah Dickie. Just me."
With that, Dick flung himself at Jason and he also caught him. He slowly sat down completely on the floor and Dick immediately got onto his lap, still crying. Jason just held him, gently stroking his back and running his fingers through his hair.
Alfred being Alfred understood that Jason had the situation handled, and left the room.
Jason held Dick until he cried himself to sleep, before slowly lifting him and carrying to his bed. There, he did the same thing he had done on the night, about two months ago, when Dick was triggered by a girl's fall from the burning building.
Once Dick was tucked in, Jason went out of the room and explained everything to the others when they came.
Like this, a few incidents happened. Once, Dick was looking on the same spot on the wall for a long time, before Tim came and broke him out of the trance. When asked, Dick explained that this was the trick he used to stay awake and numb out the pain. Tim wordlessly hugged Dick tightly.
Then once, Dick was fighting the effects of the sleeping pills, and Damian just got onto the bed beside Dick. Once Dick was curled around Damian, he fell asleep almost instantly.
And then once, he refused to eat anything and Bruce came and coaxed him into eating by feeding him himself. Unbeknownst to all, Dick winked at Alfred, as if he had gotten what he wanted.
Like this, a lot of things happened between the weeks he was healing. After three months, his wounds healed completely, though there were scars. He also started having a normal diet, and Leslie gave him the clear to go out as Nightwing.
But, for one whole week after he got out as Nightwing, one or the other Bats was always seen near him. As usual it was the BatFam being their overprotective and paranoid selves, but Dick would not have it any other way.
A.N: There you go! Nice, fluffy, #BatFam love. I have always had this view that no matter how hostile the Batfamily members are with each other, they always will be there when of them get hurt. You know, it's pretty common sibling behavior - I can pick on my sibling but not others. Just, in the Batfamily's case, if someone tries to kill their member except their own members, then they will get their ass kicked MAJOR time. If it's the Red Hood, then you get killed. Nice, right? ;)
Okay, so, leave your opinions! Constructive criticism is welcome! Also, let me know which story you want next - A Beyblade one, or the third part of The Art Of Comforting A Dick Grayson. Also, you can leave requests for a new fic. I can do one in Merlin, Arrow, Beyblade, and of course, Batfam. You can either PM me or ask me via your reviews.
TAKE CARE YOU ALL! CIAO!