"If you are watching this video, it means I am dead."

The Bruce Wayne of the video gave a sad smile. "I know you won't want to believe it, but this video will be played only when I am actually dead. God, I can't believe I'm actually making this video." he mumbled the last sentence more to himself than to others.

He ran a hand through his hair, slightly nervous. He took a deep breath before he began speaking again, looking directly at the camera lens. "There are so many things I wanted to tell you in person and couldn't and for that I will forever regret. I will start by saying that this video is strictly related to the" a small smile appeared on his face. "Bat Family, as Dick always calls us."

The Wayne elder would have chuckled if he had not frozen on the spot because of those eleven cursed and initial words. At one point Dinah had squeezed his hand but he had not even noticed because of how petrified and distressed he was.

"You... all of you have been my heart, my blood and my soul. Starting from Alfred who has always taken care of me since the day my parents were killed, to Dick who filled the manor with life for the first time in years, to Jason, Cass, Steph, Tim, Damian, Dinah and Kate who have made my days better from time to time. All of you are my family. I lost my family more than 20 years ago but I gained another one and I wouldn't trade it even to have... my parents come back to life."

A collective gasp filled the cavern.

"I love you so much that I could never put it into words, no matter how hard I try. And it's not just because I have a hard time expressing my emotions." he chuckled slightly before sighing. "Honestly, I never thought I could ever love again after they died but here we are: a fantastic father figure, six wonderful children, a great cousin and an outstanding future daughter-in-law.

"I am just sad and sorry to not be able to see you anymore. I really wish I could have been there for Jason, Tim, Cass, Damian, and Steph's graduation, for your 18th birthdays, for Dick and Dinah's wedding, and for my first grandchildren." pause " I''ll bet my company that right now Dinah and Dick are blushing."

And indeed he was right: the couple were red in the face and had small, watery smiles, and his comment drew a little laughter from everyone.

"You are my family and my life essence. However, you must know one important thing. It is true that as Batman I am colder and more aloof than ever but remember this: if I ever had to choose between you and Gotham someday, I would choose you without batting an eye. You are my top priority, Gotham be damned as far as I am concerned.

"You may not realize it, but you really need to hear how much I love you, one by one.

"Let's start with you Alfred, my old friend. You should know this by now but I will say it again: you are not just a butler in the Wayne family, Alfred, you are so much more. You raised me, you educated me after they died. You are more than a butler or a friend: you are my father figure. I don't know what I would have done without you... dad. Thank you for everything you have done for me.

"Kate, you are still a very important woman to all of us, to me. You are a very good cousin, Kate, and for that I thank you very much for always being patient with me and never punching me in the face for my stupidity. Remember that, mind you.

"Dinah, you were one of my first and true friends since the Justice League was founded. You have truly made Dick happy and for that I cannot thank you enough. I am glad that you are my firstborn's girlfriend and I could never have wished a better girl for him than you. Every time I look into his eyes, I see that he is not only happy, but complete with you by his side. I expect that after my... death, you will take care of him, even though I know there was no need for me to tell you.

"Damian, you are my youngest son and... I'm sorry. Actually, I'm sorry with all my heart for not being the best father to you, for doubting you just because of your mother Talia. Which then, I know deep down she is a good woman since she was Dick's first mother figure before Diana was."

At that everyone except Damian, Dinah and Alfred turned to look at Dick but he was ignoring them and had a small smile on his face. Soon everyone went back to watching the video.

"I was just...afraid. Afraid that it was all a ruse concocted not by Talia but by Ra's. I'm so sorry, son. I hope someday you'll find the strength to forgive me, even though I don't deserve it. I wish we could have gotten along, but unfortunately that's how it turned out. I love you, Damian.

"Tim, my third son. You are a really good boy, Tim. I am proud of you and I know you are going to be a great man. You are the smartest in the family and now you will be the best detective in the world. I am sure you will honor this title perfectly. I know sometimes you might consider yourself neglected but remember, my son, that you are loved. I love you, Tim.

"Cass, my first daughter after three sons. You are a determined and strong girl for overcoming everything the League of Assassins put you through, especially your biological father. You have made excellent progress and that is why I am so proud of you, my daughter. I love you, Cass.

"Steph, my second daughter. Even before you became actually a Wayne, I already considered you my daughter. I am sorry that the adoption happened in the worst way but remember this: there are many people who care about you and love you. You are a resolute girl and never lose your determination. I love you, Steph.

"Jason, my second son. I have to admit that the way we met always makes me smile; I mean, stealing tires from the Batmobile?" he shook his head amused. "You are one of a kind, Jason. I know that behind your tough guy ways is one of the nicest people I've ever met. I'm sorry, though, that I couldn't find you in time before the Joker... killed you and for our disagreement after you came back to life. I am proud to call you my son. I love you, Jason.

"Dick, my first son. For you I have only two words: thank you. It is because of you that this family exists today. Thank you for being Batman's light and bringing him back on the straight and narrow. Thank you for allowing Bruce Wayne to love once again. It was you, son, who brought light and life to the Manor, and for that I cannot thank you enough. Remember these words, son: the world and the Justice League need Nightwing and not Batman. I am immensely proud of you and you are my greatest success. I love you, Dick."

Bruce takes a shuddering breath, ignoring the many tears streaming down his face.

"In addition to this video, there's another one for the Justice League to see. I-I don't know what to say anymore" he gives a shaky chuckle. "except that I love all of you."

He runs a hand over his face before sighing and looking at the screen with sad and broken blue eyes. "For the last time, save for a miracle, Batman and Bruce Thomas Wayne, out."

The screen went off and there was a deafening silence. No one dared move an inch.

None of them knew how long they had been silent and motionless until Tim fell to his knees with his gaze still focused on the now turned-off screen. "Nononono." he kept muttering, never looking away.

Dick ran a hand over his lined, tear-streaked face. "L-let's go to bed. T-Tomorrow will be a l-long day." his voice cracked but no one cared.

They had more important things to think about.


Dick threw himself on the bed and began to cry again. Immediately Dinah joined him, hugged him and gently rubbed small circles on his back, also with tears streaming down her face. The 20 year old clung firmly to his girlfriend and rested his head on her chest, wetting her pajamas but she ignored it.

His girlfriend rested her own chin on his head and continued to gently rub his back.

"P-please, D-Dinah, tell me this is all a n-nightmare!" he cried, his voice shaking noticeably though muffled by where he stood.

The girl's heart broke into a thousand pieces seeing him so broken. She had never seen him in this state and she hated him.

"I'm sorry Dick, I'm so sorry."

She closed her eyes when she heard him sobbing and shaking violently. She gave him a kiss on the top of his head and he clutched tighter to her.

God, she hated seeing him in that state, so fragile, so...

So…

Broken.

If she could Dinah would have taken all his pain in the blink of an eye but, alas, she could not.

The young woman silently cursed the whole universe for how it was making all her new family suffer but especially Dick.

Hadn't her fiancé suffered enough already?

She heard him sobbing once more and her heart broke for the second time.

It was as if Dick's pain poured over her in waves at just seeing him in that state.

It was as if they were one.

If she suffered, he would suffer with her and vice versa.

Dinah wanted to take all the pain away from him or, as mentioned before, take it herself.

It was not fair for her boyfriend to suffer like that.

The universe was not fair.

Life was not fair.

Nothing was fair.

The only thing she could do was to continue to love him for the rest of their lives, care for him and try to help him through the pain.

She would be damned if she didn't help him.


A little more than an hour had passed.

Dick and Dinah wearily opened their eyes as they heard the door open. The acrobat stood up and squeezed his eyes shut in the darkness before they softened. "You can't sleep, can you?" he asked the six figures softly.

Dinah turned her head and noticed that the figures were none other than Jason, Tim, Damian, Cass, Steph, and Kate.

None of them answered and they hesitated in the doorway.

Dick spread his arms wide in silent invitation.

Eventually a messy pile of people formed on the bed, all huddled together and in need of comfort.

They were a devastated, broken family united in shared pain.

Tears streamed down from all of them, no one excluded.

Dick pressed a trembling kiss to each of their foreheads. "It will be all right. We will get through this, one way or another." he promised, and in that moment they all believed him.

They needed comfort, and they knew the only one who could give it to them was the eldest Wayne.

Because with him by their side, no matter how or how long it took, they would get through it.

As a true family.


Dinah wearily opened her eyes when she heard a whimper. She rubbed her eyes and absentmindedly noticed that the other family members were gone. "What the hell-" she was interrupted by another mumbling.

She was fully alert and awake when she noticed that the source of those whimpers was Dick. She looked at him and her heart broke for the third time in a few hours.

Richard's brow was arched, he was drenched in sweat, and he was shivering as he curled in on himself.

This was the first time she had not woken up curled up with Dick and it was very strange.

A few words came out of his mouth in his native language, Romany, and she recognized some of them since she voluntarily studied his language a little bit also to get to know him better (needless to say, it was very much appreciated by Dick).

It was obvious that her fiancé was having a nightmare.

Cursing against the universe once again she shook him gently. "Dick, honey, wake up!"

After about ten seconds Dick jolted awake, almost slamming into Dinah in the process. His eyes traveled across the room and when they met Dinah's worried blue ones he relaxed slightly.

"I'm sorry if I woke you up," he said as he crinkled his eyes.

"Don't worry, my love." she said as she gently wiped the remaining tears from his eyes. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Dick was silent for a few moments before hugging his girlfriend and resting his chin on her shoulder. "I saw him die in front of me. I saw him get shot in the heart. His eyes were so glassy and lifeless that... that... even though it was a dream it was so... so damn realistic!"

Dinah pulled away slightly just enough for her to look into his eyes. "Dick, I know it's going to be hard to get through this, but if anyone can do it it's you."

Tears formed again as the acrobat spoke. "I don't know if I can get through it this time. Bruce has always been my rock, he's always been there when I needed him. I've already lost two parents, and now that he's gone... I don't know, Dinah. I'm not sure I can get over it."

The beautiful blonde gently squeezed his hands. "We will get through this together, Dick, and I will not let you sink because I love you more than my own existence."

He turned a watery smile on her. "God, I must have been an emotional wreck huh? I'm sorry-"

"If you say you're sorry for opening up about your feelings with me, your girlfriend, I'll kick your ass." he chuckled and leaned his forehead against hers. "Seriously Dick, in these two beautiful years of relationship you've always been there for me when I needed you, let me help you through this."

The 20 year old gave her a tiny smile and leaned in, kissing Dinah on the lips. Their lips moved in sync and Dick gently bit her lips, earning a moan of pleasure.

Dinah licked his lips several times before she greedily and gently collided with her boyfriend's. After a couple of minutes they reluctantly pulled apart.

"Thank you." he whispered softly to her. She smiled at him and nodded. Dick took a deep breath. "Let's get dressed. I need to check how the others are doing."

I already know he will neglect his own well-being for that of his brothers and sisters, but I will make sure he takes care of himself. Thought Dinah determined as she wiped away the tears left on his face.

Because I love him so much.