Storge part II

Dick woke up when Bruce tried to pick him up from the chair with the intention of putting the boy in his bed.

And to Bruce's surprise, sweet good mannered Dick was not happy. His face was puffy and Bruce noticed that he had cried himself to sleep. Soon he was crying again, angry hot tears tearing down over his red cheeks, he was screaming so many things at the same time that Bruce couldn't understand him. He ended up choosing to be silent until the boy, finally spent, exhausted, fell heavily on the chair again.

'You are Batman. You were there. And you did nothing!'

'I didn't know that would happen, Dick.'

'Did you catch him? The guy who did that to my parents? To me?'

'No. Not yet.'

'What is the point of you, then?'

Bruce approached the boy, he fell on his knees, touching Dick's fisted hand with his gloved one tenderly.

'I can't change the past. I can't stop crime from happening. But I'll do everything in my power to bring to justice those who need to be punished.'

'Have you at least found out who did it?'

'Yes.'

'Who? Why?'

'Before I tell you, I must to warn you. Knowing who and why won't bring you peace. The person who killed your parents was not a monster-'

'How dare you!' He snapped his hand away.

'Listen to me. It was not a monster who killed you parents. It was a person like you and I. The reason was petty, as all reasons for murder are, because no reason is worthy of taking a life. Knowing who, finding out why won't change what happened.'

Dick seemed to consider the words, trying to calm himself.

'But did you really find out?' The boy asked in a tiny voice.

'Yes.'

'Tell me!'

'Not tonight. You are tired, and went through too much distress.'

'No! I want to know!'

Bruce sighed and rose from the floor wincing in pain.

Dick's expression softened a little.

'Are you hurt?'

'It's nothing. Dick, please. Go to bed. I promise to tell you everything later.'

'I'm calling Al.' His expression changing from anger and hurt to terror, he ran in the direction of the stairs.

A week later after Dick tried to follow him twice during patrol, he decided to do something about it. Alfred absolutely hated the idea, but helped him nonetheless, and Robin was born.

ooo

Helena stormed inside Bruce's office – that was not the study, he learnt that he needed a room to work by himself on Dick's first week at the mansion – she was in obvious distress.

'But if he gets to be Robin what will I be?'

'Helena Kyle, my daughter.' He still hadn't discussed last names with Selina, but he was planning to do it.

'That isn't fair!'

'Life hardly is, sweetheart.'

'But daaaad.'

'Helena, your mother would never say yes to that, and neither will I.' He said in a tired tone, his wound was letting him uncomfortable and short tempered.

'But why if Dick can…'

'Dick is older, he has training from the circus, he will get more training from me, and he has a reason for doing this, you, my dear, have not.'

'That is sexist! You are just letting him because he is a boy.'

And she stormed off dramatically.

'Helena! Don't go. Helena!' He stood up ready to follow her.

'Kitten, what is it?' Said Selina entering the room, she tried to block Helena's path but the girl was faster. 'Did you have a fight? What happened, Bruce?'

Bruce fell on his chair once again.

'Helena is mad, because Dick is getting training to become Robin.'

She eyes him suspiciously.

'Robin?'

'That's how his mother called him.'

Selina crossed her arms over her chest.

'Do I have to pretend that you said something that makes sense or will you elaborate?'

Bruce sighed tiredly, he massaged his temples, his headache getting worse.

'It means that he found out about Batman, and that he wants to help.'

She crossed the room reaching to his table and leaning into him, her hands flat over the wood, an angry expression on her face.

'How can a little boy help Batman, Bruce?'

He involuntarily leaned into her, but his expression remained calm.

'Selina, remember how we were at that age, if I don't let him he will do it anyway, it is better if I prepare him to what he is going to face.'

She was so close, he could see each of her freckles, smell her fruity lipgloss.

'He is a child! He doesn't have to face anything harder than a math test. Man, you are really a nutcase, you know that? Bruce, you are his parent you don't just let him do whatever dangerous shit he wants to do, you ground him or something. Take away his videogame.'

'Yeah, because that worked wonders for us.' Bruce snapped back annoyed and tired of that discussion and breaking eye contact with her, falling back on his chair. 'He is decided, Selina.'

'He is twelve. Ok, whatever, just don't put Helena in the middle of this too.'

'We couldn't agree more.' They held each other's gaze for a long moment, until Bruce's furred brow relaxed. He stood up, walked towards Selina, his hands in his pockets, maybe to help restrain himself. He towered over her. 'Selina… About the other night-'

'We were drunk' she blurted. 'Won't happen again.'

'Right…' He sighed.

'I have to go now.' She said nervously. 'Work to do.'

He wanted to reach out for her and beg her to stay, but defeated, he let her go.

ooo

Selina observed the children run and play during recess, recognizing a familiar dark curly and fiery ginger duo, she called attention to herself until the girls came running.

'Mommy! What are you doing here? It' too early!'

'Hi kitten. Hi, Babs.'

'Hi auntie Sel.'

'I didn't come to pick you up, I came to talk to Dick.'

Helena frowned.

'Talk to Dick? About what?'

Selina smiled.

'What have I told you about curious kittens?'

'They are brilliant and more fun than regular ones?'

Selina booped her nose making the little girl giggle.

'Go get him for me, will you?'

She playfully rolled her eyes.

'Riiiight.' And they ran away.

Moments after the trio appeared. Dick had his cheeks very red and his curly hair was wet, sticking to his forehead.

'Hello, Miss Kyle. They said you wanted to talk to me…' He looked confused a bit afraid.

'Girls, can you give us a moment?'

They exchanged confused looks.

'But mommy…'

'Please?'

'Okay…' The trio exchanged a look before the girls left.

Selina didn't say a word for a while, she didn't know exactly what she came to talk to him if she was being honest. But she could see that every second of second was leaving him more anxious and that was not what she wanted.

'Bruce told me what you're planning… About Robin.'

She expected the full Dick Grayson reaction, excitement, boisterous smiles, shinning eyes, but she never before saw him so serious and sombre.

'You don't approve.'

'No, I don't.'

He looked devastated.

'Can I ask why?' His voice was tight, Selina felt the urge to hug him, but he was not her kid, and she didn't know how he would react to that.

'You are far too young… I know you want revenge.'

'Justice.'

'No. Revenge. And I understand it. I don't judge you. But you are a child, Dick. You will end up killed or worse. And no revenge is worth that. I know you think you have everything figured out. When I was your age I thought that too and horrible things happened to me. And Bruce… He's dangerous. He means well, I know he does, but he has a habit of putting people in harm's way. I almost died so many times because of that, and even thought I don't regret it, you might, one day when will be too late go back.'

She made a pause, waited for him to speak, but Dick said nothing, she had never seen him being so quiet before.

'I know kids think he is some kind of superhero now, but he isn't. He's just human as you and I, he makes mistakes, so many of them. Look at Helena, she is ten years old and he just met her, and everyday I wonder if I did the right thing by letting him in, because if he has to go out every night to risk his life, one day he might not come back, and that would break her heart.'

'I'm sorry.' He finally said after a while.

'For what?'

'I understand now. You are afraid for his safety, for mine too. But you ended giving me a better reason to do this. Maybe I want revenge as you say, even though Bruce calls it justice. And you are right. He is only human. You know, I never thought of my parents dying. Never crossed my mind. Not even as an impossible thought, I just didn't even think about it. Then they did. And now I have Bruce. I can't let him die too.'

The sentiment was so familiar, it made Selina's chest feel tight, she crouched to his level, facing his naïve blue eyes and reaching to his soft face, still so plump, so young.

'Dick, no, that's not your responsibility!'

'I know.' He gave her the huge smile he was famous for. 'But I want to do it anyway. He is fighting alone, it isn't fair. I want to help.'

'Oh god…' Selina took a hand to her temple.

'We'll be fine. It's a promise. Thank you for your concern. Now I have to go, recess is over. My soccer team must be hating me, I left in the middle of the game. Bye, Miss!'

'You can just call me Selina.'

'Okay!' And the sombre kid disappeared completely, the Dick she knew was back, smiley and bubbly. He gave her a tight hug that caught her completely by surprise and then run away.

The birth of Robin! And Selina is definitely a better parent than Bruce XD I love the guy, I do, but this Robin business is crazy. Not that Selina never did that too, she had a few Catgirls, and I looove Catlad fics, so cute.

I have to tell you that aren't following my writing blog (pandoraimperatrix dot tumblr dot com) that I finished writing this story and I'm super melancholic over it. It was such a nice experience to me. I had a lot of fun and you guys have been amazing to me too. Thank you!