Dick moved into the dimly lit warehouse. He was almost regretting wearing the Batman uniform instead of Nightwing, but he knew he had more armor in what he wore. They had changed the uniform over the years, lighter than Bruce's, allowing Dick to move a little more freely. He moved through the rafters of the warehouse, looking down at Talia and the members of the league she had brought with her.
Across the way, he saw Tim moving around, getting a look at the place, just as he was. He caught sight of Jason on the ground behind the large crates. "I have eyes on 7 league members." Tim said into his communicator as he hid in the shadows. "There are at least three smaller rooms. I do not have eyes on Alfred or Damian."
Jason scanned the rafters, trying to get a sight on Dick before he could move in. He knew that with the way Dick's temper was, that his brother would not hold back. He saw a glint from a batarang as it flew, barely missing Talia, and instead, hitting a ninja on the shoulder as she moved to the side. "I see the cavalry has arrived." She said, "You might as well show yourself."
There was no hesitation as Dick jumped down, the cape spread to slow his fall to the ground. Jason had always teased his older brother about not being as intimidating as Bruce in uniform. Batman has changed a lot when Dick put the cowl on. In that moment, though, it was as if Bruce were there. "Where are they?" he asked, his voice low, anger pushing through in his tone.
"You are nothing but an imposter."
"Where are they, Talia?" he asked again . As he did, the ninjas surrounded him, two moving in front of Talia for protection."
"The circus brat will not do a thing about it"
A gunshot rang out, and the attention went to Jason, who was now sitting on top of the crates. "Talia." He greeted her. "You know, usually I would be all for the demon leaving, but I got a bit attached. You also took Alfie. You should know better."
While Dick and Jason distracted them, Tim scaled down the wall, picking the locks to the room nearest him, only to find it empty. When he opened the second one, he jumped back as Damian dropped from above. "Who whoa. Hey, it's me. I will not hurt you."
"Tt' was the only response that Tim received from the youngest before he was allowed into the room to help Alfred up. "We are both unharmed."
"Your face says otherwise." Tim commented, knowing that if looks could kill, the one Damian was now giving him would have put him six feet under. "Let's go while Batman and Red Hood take care of Talia and the league goons."
As he led them out of the room, he noticed Red Hood moving with them, keeping himself between them and the ninjas. "Get going RR, I only have so much. Your estimate was off by a few."
"Yeah well, they're ninjas Hood, they only let us see what they want."
"Get Master Damian out." Alfred said, and moved to Jason. "Master Jason, if you will?" He said, holding his hand out. Jason looked at him, pausing his shot and slowly handed the butler one of his guns. "Thank you."
"I am not a child!" Damian said as he moved around Tim, who was quick to grab his arm. "Let me go Drake."
"If you go out there, Batman's focus goes to you, you have no armor. You have no weapons. You are the most vulnerable." Tim told him as he tried to pull him along. When a gunshot rang out and a ninja a few feet from them went down, the two stopped their struggle with each other and looked at Alfred, who then turned and shot another one, about to attack Dick.
Talia fell to the ground as Dick hit her. He grabbed her by the scruff of her top and pulled her up, but paused when he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Master Dick, I believe that is enough." Ms. Talia. If you have any custodial issues over Master Damian, I suggest you take it up with Master Bruce when he is available."
"None of you have a say over my son."
"My grandson," Alfred pushed. "Is in the care of Master Dick and myself when their father is away." he continued and watched as Damian moved to Dick's side, the older one kneeling down and wrapping his arms around the boy. "It will do you well to remember. I am not Master Bruce, and when it comes to this family. I will protect them in my own way." He paused. "Boys, it's time to go home."
And without a word, the four young men followed their grandfather toward the exit. When they stopped. At the door, Alfred passed the gun he held back to Jason, who took it and holstered it immediately.
—-
Dick made his way upstairs and found Damian sitting in his room, which had been straightened up as soon as they had returned. "Hey Dami."
"Richard." Damian greeted as he continued to draw in his sketchpad. "Are you feeling better?"
"I am. How are you?" He asked, sitting on the edge of the bed. "A lot happened tonight., do you want to talk about it?"
"Mother overstepped with you." Damian said. "She said things that made me doubt. Pennyworth assured me that it wasn't true, but then you showed up, and I really believed it." He paused and looked up at Dick. "Sometimes I still feel like an outsider, especially when you aren't here."
Dick moved and sat directly next to his brother, with their backs against the headboard of the bed. "I'll always come for you Dami." he said. "Why do you feel like an outsider, kiddo?"
"Drake and Todd both have their places, their roles. Pennyworth has his, of course, Father and you, but I don't know where I stand with them. I know where I am with you. I am at your side. You treat me as an equal."
"You know, I came in here tonight. I almost attacked Tim and Jason. They were here in your room, and you were already gone. They came to protect you." Dick said with a small smile. "This family doesn't communicate very well, but in the end, you will never be alone Dami, because I will always fight for you. Tim and Jason will too, and you can go to them. You just have to ask for help."
"Drake was trying to get me out tonight. Todd was clearing the way, but I just wanted to get to you." Damian admitted. Dick put his arm around him and pulled the boy closer, kissing the top of his head. "And then we came back here and its just…"
"You two coming?" Tim asked, sticking his head through the door, and confusion spread across Damian's face, seeing Tim still there. "We have a few movies you can pick."
"So, Timmy and Jay stuck around. We've all been kidnapped and know that the return can be rough." Dick explained. "So we thought we could have a movie night with you. Alfie has made some popcorn and some snacks."
"Despite being told not to." Tim remarked. "We might want to hurry. Jason's like a garbage disposal when it comes to popcorn."
Damian looked at Tim and then Dick, who gave him an encouraging nod before getting up and moving to the door. He paused and hugged Tim before disappearing from the room. Tim's eyes widened as his attention went to Dick, who was now in front of him. "That was a big step for him, Timmy."
"That." Tim started. "That is something he only does to you."
"He's still learning to trust," Dick said, putting his arm around Tim's shoulders and walking forward, pulling the teenager with him. As they walked in, Jason was ruffling Damians's hair, before both of them sat more straight seeing their siblings there now. "So, did we pick a movie"
"Sure Dickie, the demon picked Lilo and Stitch."
"One of my favorites." Dick said with a large smile, sitting next to Damian. "Dami and I watch it a lot."
"Only because it is always the better option." Damian said.
"Press play." Tim demanded, throwing popcorn at Jason, who was holding the remote in his hand.
The next morning, Alfred woke up to the four boys sprawled out on the couches, and took a photo, but let them sleep in. He took another on his phone and sent it to Bruce with a short message.
