A/N: Sorry this took so long to get up.

In this chapter: Dick may have been the youngest on the team, but that didn't mean he wasn't an older brother.

Building A Family

When Richard "Dick" Grayson met Wallace "Wally" West for the first time, it was two years after he became Batman's partner, quickly it became apparent to the Boy Wonder that something was off about the young Speedster, it may have something to do with how the red-head would all but cling to his mentor once the battle was done. Or maybe it was his eyes, and how they looked much younger than they should but somehow much older, perhaps it was how he talked, how everything sounded like a question as though everything around him was a mystery.

Whatever the reason, Dick quickly found himself feeling protective of the other boy.

Every team up they had, Dick made sure he had the other's back, made sure every threat to the other was down for the count, every injure was fussed over (by him and Flash), and as time went by Robin quickly learned how to handle the other. In a way the adults (minus the Flash and surprisingly or not so surprisingly Batman), couldn't.

When Wally blabbered, the things out of his mouth, wasn't nonsense. At first Robin didn't pay it much attention like the others thinking it was just a Speedster thing, but quickly picked up on the fact that it was things he learned and wanted to excitedly to tell everyone about.

So Dick listened.

When Wally was being rude, it took the Boy Wonder a long time to realize that Wally wasn't in fact being rude but honest and literally didn't know the word tact (still doesn't).

So Dick learned not to take offensive.

Dick learned so much, but the main thing was, Wally West was different, and things had to handle a different way when with him.

"Something" Dick thought, "Superman had yet to figure out".

Some weeks ago, mysterious flu-like chemical bombs had been appearing in Metropolis, and normally Superman would have been left to deal with it, if said bombs hadn't started appearing in Gathom and Central City, forcing a Three Hero, plus sidekick team-up. Finding the bombs was easy, they didn't get there in time to stop it the count-down though, Dick didn't worry too much confidante in Batman's ability to stop it before everything went boom, well until the Bad-guy showed up and relieved that the bomb was chemical activated meaning the right kind of chemicals could stop it...or make everything worse.

Dick had to give the man points for creativity.

So while Batman and Flash worked to figure out how to stop the bomb, Superman, he and Kid Flash chased after the Bad Guy one part distraction so the others could work in hopefully relative peace (you never know when a henchman will pop out) and the other part to catch him.

What happened next Dick wasn't sure, one moment they in another part of the building, the Bad Guy was doing the evil laugh thing, a remote control was in his hand, there was the usually taunting. Dick saw an opening he could take but a look from Superman said to stay put (and why wasn't the one who was faster than a speeding bullet not doing anything?) apparently Wally didn't get that message.

There was a red and yellow blur, Wally was able to get the remote unfortunately not fast enough (must be hungry and didn't he tell the other to eat before they left?), the Bad Guy was able to grab hold of Wally, and that was enough for Dick.

Some minutes later the Bad Guy was down and no bombs had gone off, from both ends the Boy Wonder discovered when Batman had radioed him.

That's when the yelling had started.

Well, not really yelling, Superman never yelled, but his voice was loud as he scolded Wally for pulling a move like he did, his body at full height, looming over the young Speedster who was becoming obviously distressed, hands trembling.

And while Dick consciously knew that the Man of Steel wouldn't hurt his friend, it didn't stop his protective instincts from rearing up and suddenly he was in between the two, glaring at the adult.

Superman stopped and stared in surprise.

"Batman and Flash were able to stop the bomb" Dick said, his voice holding just a hint of danger, "maybe we should head back there"

It wasn't a suggestion and vaguely was he aware of his cape being gripped tightly, and Wally shuffling closer to him. Superman must have seen something or smelt it, because suddenly his body practically deflated and his expression was one of guilt as they flickered over the Boy Wonder to the Speedster.

"Right" the Man of Steel finally said voice uncertain, before going over and lifting the Bad Guy up and over his shoulder.

It was only after the Clark started walking, that the other two followed, and Dick saying nothing at the tight grip on his cape.

When they got back to the others, Barry eyes instantly locked onto Wally, his eyes narrowed before turning to a guilty looking Superman.

Robin grinned at the thought of the wrath Barry would descend upon the Man of Steel, as well as the realization as to why Barry never let the other adults scold Wally when he did something that he earned him said scolding.

Speaking of which.

Dick looked back at his friend, who was no longer trembling or vibrating with nerves, but wasn't letting go of his cape.

"Does he even know why he's got scolded?" Robin thought, not he thought his friend stupid, he wasn't. Wally was smart, scaring smart when it came to science, but Wally was different.

Later that evening, after the Cities and their people were saved, Dick found himself in his room watching a movie, Wally cuddled close to him (another thing Wally didn't know about, personally space), the Speedster having refused to leave the other when it was time to go. Luckily it was the weekend making it easier to convince a sleep over was required.

Barry had not liked the idea, and fretted over his nephew, until Bruce kicked him out the Manor.

"Wally"

The red-head looked at him.

"Do you know why, Clark yelled at you?"

Wally blinked, before his brow furrow, "I think I wasn't supposed to stop the Bad Guy?" he said before looking at Dick as though he would confirm it.

"That's a no then"

"Not exactly," Dick said, "you didn't follow orders"

Wally tilted his head, eyes curious and confused; Barry made this look so easy.

"I was supposed to catch the Bad Guy and I did" Wally then said, "that's what Uncle Barry told me to do"

"And you did, but Superman also gave you an order to wait"

"He did?"

"I'm guessing you and Barry never discuss silent codes"

"We have" Wally said, and Dick wondered if he should be worried that he found his friend's pouting adorable.

"Really?"

"Yes, we have code words and everything like you and Bats"

"You've noticed that huh"

Robin shouldn't have been surprised; if Wally wasn't talking he was watching.

Wally nodded eyes big and fearful as though the fact that he noticed something no one else knew or probably suspected was a bad thing.

It also explained everything.

"Wally" Dick began, "Superman doesn't have a partner like Batman and your Uncle, so he doesn't really have what we have, and I guess because me and Bruce work with him more we've developed codes of our own and I knew not to move just yet."

Wally continued to stare, eyes still confused.

"Look" Dick continued to say, a bit of frustration leaking into his voice, "what I'm trying to say is that you didn't do anything wrong, and it was all a bit of a misunderstanding"

"Oh"

"…You still don't understand do you?"

"No"

Dick groaned.

Yep, Barry really made this look easy.

Later that night, Dick was awoken by a whimper, instincts had him gripping the Batarang underneath his pillow, another whimper had him looking over at the sleeping bag next to him.

"Wally?"

The figure underneath the sleeping bag was trembling, breathing harsh.

"Wally?" Dick said again, shaking the older boy, startled when Wally's body shot up, "hey, you okay?"

Wally looked at him, body still trembling "D-Daddy, h-he l-left, h-he l-left—".

Green eyes were beginning to water, and the Boy Wonder began to shift uncomfortably, not use to dealing with such emotions. He was moments away from calling Bruce or Alfred when suddenly he was clung to, the red-head's face buried in his shirt.

Dick froze, arms still by his side, but only for a moment, for as soon as Wally let out a muffled sob his arms was around the other body.

"It's okay" he said softly, "it's okay"

Wally sniffled, but didn't let go, relaxing when hesitant fingers tangled themselves in his hair.

Yeah, Barry made this look easy, but Dick thought when Wally shuffled closer, he was getting the hang of it.

Years later

"Noooo!"

Dick snickered as he watched his friend once again get defeated in Mortal Combat; next to the Speedster was a smug looking Roy.

"Cheater!" Wally grumbled, shoulders slumped in defeat.

"No, just more skilled then you" Roy said.

"We'll see about that, let's go again"

"You wanna get your ass whooped for a sixth time?"

"Yes!...wait"

Dick chuckled, his smile growing when Wally turn to pout at him.

"Diiiicckkkk, Roy's being mean to me" Wally whined.

"Aw, poor thing" Dick coo'ed, "you want me to beat-up the grumpy Robin Hood for you?"

"Yes!"

"You two are sick"

"You're just jealous that Bird-boy likes me more"

"I'm pretty sure the real reason is because he can't get rid of you"

"Dick! Roy's being mean again"

Chuckling the Nightwing decided it was probably best to distract the Speedster, before he got on Roy's nerves.

"Come on" he then said, "let's go harass Alfred for some ice-cream"

Wally grinned before there was a blur racing out the room, some moments latter there was an Alfred like yelp coming from down the hall.

"That's your friend" Roy said as he got up to go rescue the butler.

"No, that's my little brother" the Boy Wonder thought as he followed the other.

Sure it hadn't been easy, caring for Wally, and boy did Barry make it look easy! But, Dick thought as he watched his friend harass a bemused Alfred for ice-cream, memories of that night, of that scared little boy retreating to the back of his mind and being replaced by the Wally he knew now, he was glad he got the hang of it.

Review Please!

Next chapter: There is a reason why Wally doesn't tell his anyone about his dates, reason number one: The Founders of the Justice League.