A/N: This is a really long chapter. I apologise for that. Exams are approaching but I was just aching to keep writing! I kind of...put a lot of stuff in this once chapter, in attempt to cover the domestic side of things and the ass-kicking side of things. Ended up with 3000+ words. Sorry guys. I know I went overboard.
Anyways, thank you to those who read/faved/followed/reviewed, I really appreciate it! Here's the next chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans. Teen Titans belong to DC (which totally stands for disappointing comics) and Warner Bros.
Dick was surprised that Raven wasn't already up. However, he was surprised to find an annoyed Cyborg unwillingly accompanying a speedster in rampaging through their fridge. He silently moved towards the mug holders and took his mug - the one Raven gifted him in return with the words 'the dick' and an arrow pointing upwards, and 'the legend' with an arrow pointing downwards - and patiently waited for the coffee to fill his mug.
Wally finally finished getting all he needed for breakfast after 6 minutes. Dick was already halfway through his coffee and his friend still hadn't had breakfast yet.
"Want anything, Dickiebird?" teased the speedster.
"No." was the immediate reply. Dick didn't even lift his head from the newspaper and he could feel his friend pouting. "Stop pouting or your bottom lip will fall out."
"Is he always like that?" whispered Wally to Victor, who was smirking at their more-motherly-than-brotherly relationship.
"He's gotten better after he showed us his beautiful shade of blue eyes." said Victor, taking a few eggs from Wally and preparing the ingredients for an omelet.
Wally gasped and nodded furiously, "I KNOW RIGHT? THE GUY HAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SHADE OF BLUE IN HIS EYES."
The pair fanboyed as their local alien royalty stepped into the room. "What is the commotion at such an early hour?" yawned Kori, behind her was a disgusted Raven practically gagging at Kori's bath robe.
"Kori, if you're gonna wear pink, choose something that's not a fluffy mixture of different types of pink," complained the empath, "it's not even an ombre bathrobe, there's just blots of pink everywhere."
"Rae, we could say the same with you and darker shades" said Dick, with his head titled to the side.
"I'd like to see you complain about different shades of black, boy blunder."
"Rae, you look like shit." commented said boy blunder, "trouble sleeping?"
Kori immediantly rose to defend her friend, "Friend Richard, you must not speak to a lady in such manner! It is most unkind to refer to someone's appearance as 'the shit'!"
That sent Wally howling, "oh my god, does this happen daily? I love this place!"
"Why. Is. Everyone. Up. So. Early." Beast Boy entered the room, growling at his friends in annoyance. "Since when did Kori and Vic start waking up at six in the morning?"
"BB, it's eight thirty. I'm surprised you don't wake up when the sun comes up and change into a rooster to get the rest of our asses out of bed." said Victor, with a deadpanned expression.
Everyone's eyes widened, but after about two seconds, laughter filled the common room.
"Well, this is certainly better to wake up to." said Roy stretching as he made himself known, "back at Steel, Bee and Aqualad just bicker about-"
The room turned scarlet, alarms were going off. On the main screen, videos and images of Plasmus destroying the city. Again.
"Ugh, seriously, can't they just put extra security? Or put him in a coma, and then ice him, and then ice the icing-pod-thing again?" Whined Garfield, who had to drop his delicious tofu for this guy. Do people ever learn? Now he has to reschedule his daily tofu appreciation hour(s).
"All right, Titans. Let's go."
Location: Batcave, Gotham.
Tim Drake watched the first Boy Wonder in awe as he took down one of their regular villains. He aspired to be just as skilful and accomplished as Dick Grayson was, not to mention as brave and dauntless as Jason Todd had been, given that he had died on the line of duty. Tim wasn't sure he'd be up for that. Sure, he was only a thirteen year old kid, but Jason was only about fifteen when he his life was cruelly taken away by the Joker.
Alfred had been training him for a few months now, and though Bruce and Alfred didn't want him patrolling and stopping crime with Batman, he insisted he could help. He did help solve a few crimes, and fight some bad guys, but Alfred firmly believed that Tim needed to go through some intensive training before taking to the streets in Gotham. Which was partially why Bruce wanted to call Dick Grayson back home.
He remembered the first time he saw Dick Grayson. He was elegant, strong and seemingly unbreakable for a 10 year old…Until he witnessed two of the Flying Graysons falling. His late mother had covered his eyes when it happened, but he could recall the screams from the Boy Wonder, and the wailing of the audience.
At the age of 9, Tim saw footage of Robin performing a quadruple somersault while apprehending the Penguin. A rare manoeuvre that only a Flying Grayson could do. He'd figured out everything else rather easily, and followed the dynamic duo closely after his findings. Of course, at the age of 11, he realised there was a new Robin before the rest of Gotham did. He tried to approach this new Robin, but had failed to do so. Before he got to try once more, the Second Boy Wonder was gone from this world. By the time he was 12, he had approached The Batman a couple of times, offering him his help as a Robin. But that stirred up trouble, and a year later, he paid the price. His brash actions cost his parents' lives. He lived but he paid the price.
Tim wiped away his tears and refocused on the screens. The Teen Titans successfully put Plasmus to sleep once again.
"Well, you're up early." said a voice, due to habit, Tim quickly turned off the screens and turned towards his mentor.
"I just…um…my alert-"
"Yeah, I heard." said the billionaire curtly. "I'm sure Dick's going to come home, if that's what's bothering you."
Damn, he's good.
"No, I'm just…I don't know if I'll be what he expects me to be." Tim said, trying to keep his composure. He couldn't show weakness over such a small thing when The Batman was speaking to him, how was he supposed to live up to the expectation if he broke down every thirty seconds?
"Don't worry, Tim. I'm sure Dick's going to like having a little brother around." Said Bruce, ruffling Tim's hair affectionally before giving him a small smile. "C'mon, I'm sure Alfred's done with breakfast" Tim smiled softly and nodded, the pair headed upstairs to the mansion, and Tim felt more at peace than he had earlier this morning.
Bruce was aware that Tim was insecure. Not to mention he needed to adjust to a new environment in a very short span of time right after his parents were taken away from him. But he loved him nonetheless. Tim Drake was adopted by Bruce Wayne for a year or so, but Tim Drake had been talking to the Batman for longer. Though that caused a devastating result, Bruce was not going to walk out of Tim's life like he had with Dick's.
He learnt his lesson, and he loves all of his sons. Even the one he can no longer see.
Location: Titans Tower, Jump City
Time: 15:24
"All right, Grayson. We'll keep our eyes peeled for the news, I'm sure channel 52 would report something about you." winked Victor, patting Dick on the back a little too hard. "After all, the paparazzi kill for a shot of those gorgeous blue eyes."
"Oh Richard John Grayson, marry me? I'll make your life so very eventful" mocked Wally using an extremely high pitched voice that made Raven worry about replacing the windows (again.) (Don't ask.)
"Richard would not fall to the charms of those women!" Kori said, almost immediantly after Wally had shut up.
Garfield fell off the couch, laughing, game consoler discarded. "Don't worry, Star. Dick's more noble than that. He won't cheat on you."
The look on Dick's face was priceless. Before Dick could snap at Garfield, a white flash went off. Dick looked to his side, Roy was holding his phone in triumph. "Got it." Wally and Roy fist pumped, smirking at the red-faced boy.
"Okay." Dick gritted through his teeth, "I'm going to go now. Goodbye."
Garfield leaped over to Dick and gave him a bone crushing hug, but of course, Kori topped that by wrapping both boys in her arms, lifting their feet off the ground, and spinning them midair. Wally and Roy almost tackled him to the ground and ruffled his hair. A chorus of "I'll miss you", "call when you get there" and such things caused Raven to make her way to the group.
"Stay safe, boy blunder." said Raven, one hand clutching a book and the other reaching for something on the table "Don't make me track you down and drag your sorry ass back to Jump." she said as she handed him his glasses.
"I'll miss you too."
The flight to Gotham wasn't too bad. There was this fight attendant that kept flirting with him though. Other than that, the flight was rather peaceful. Though his heart still hasn't stopped beating against his ribcage like a wild, untamed, uncontrollable beast, the thought of returning to a place he once called home somehow made him calmer.
Bruce had apologised, which was extremely out of character for him, so there's really no need to feel anxious.
Right?
Kori was the type who moped around when she misses someone. This was no exception. Victor watched as Kori walked towards the couch. Normally she'd float everywhere since flight can only be accomplished when feeling unbridled joy, walking meant that something was wrong.
She was obviously missing the boy wonder. Vic shook his head and joined Kori on the couch.
"He'll be back in no time, Star." he said, in attempt to cheer her up.
"Raven and Beast Boy have spoken to me about his family in the city known as Gotham. I fear that he would not come back." she sniffed, "After all, that is his home and family. Surely friend Richard would like to be with them."
Victor blinked. He had never seen Kori so down and insecure about something. Sure, there were times where she got sad like the time Val-Yor called her racist slurs, but seeing her depressed like this wasn't normal.
"Dick isn't going to forget about us, if that's what you're concerned about, Kori. He has a reason to stay in Jump."
Kori refused to look up, but Victor could tell that there were tears welling in her eyes. "Dick doesn't mention his family frequently, but I know that he thinks tall of them."
"Tall? Oh, right, highly."
Kori sighed.
"Look, Kori. He's going to come back. Not just because he's part of the Titans, it's because-"
The alarms blared, causing everyone in Titans Tower to put a pause to what they were doing.
Wally sped into the room, bumping the couch accidentally. "Shit!" he swore, before he got back on his feet. "All right, first mission without Robin, guys, lets suit up!"
Raven entered the room rolling her eyes. Cyborg stood up from the couch, "Just because you're his best friend, doesn't mean you get to make the calls around here" he said before heading towards the T-Car.
"Right, sorry."
Raven, Speedy and Kid Flash followed Cyborg down to the T-Car as Starfire and Beast Boy headed to the trouble.
The sight before the Titans shocked them. An old enemy, Cheshire, was holding a gang member by his throat atop of a building, threatening to either drop him or poison him with the venom on her nails.
"What the hell." muttered Cyborg, clearly annoyed with the increased crazies nowadays. The man let out a wail of pain that tugged the hearts of everyone present at the scene.
"TITANS, GO!"
Starfire and Beast Boy flew towards Cheshire, attacking offensively. Cheshire's eyes narrowed and dropped the man with a laugh, and vanished into thin air. Her eyes and wicked smile was the last to disappear, causing Beast Boy to shiver.
Raven caught the man before he could reach the ground and handed him to the police
She reappeared beside Cyborg, and clawed at his metallic body. Punches were delivered, and kicks to stomachs were taken. Kid Flash then tried to take her down with the element of surprise, but she vanished again.
Speedy was at a distance, bow and arrow at the ready, if he sees her, he'll shoot without hesitation.
"Well, if it isn't the Green Arrows baby sidekick."
Speedy's eyes widened, turned and released an arrow.
"Too slow, arrow boy" Cheshire winked, before she vanished once more. Speedy grumbled under his breath. "Don't get your panties in a twist, you'll get to take me out next time" she said as she reappeared on the same roof.
She dodged every arrow, even sliced a couple in half. Speedy replaced his normal arrow with his Net-Arrow and took his best shot. Cheshire was caught off guard, her limbs tangled with the net.
"If you wanted to make me yours, you could've just asked." she snarled. Unknown to Speedy, Kid Flash was already on the rooftop, accompanied by the rest of the Titans a few seconds later.
"Why are you here." questioned Raven, her dark magic tying Cheshire down incase she manages to escape again.
"Like I'd tell you." The assassin scoffed. The net started glowing neon blue, the crisp of electricity shocked the Titans, Speedy only raised an eyebrow and let go of the button.
"Talk." he stated, voice hard and merciless.
Cheshire swallowed, "I'm looking for the RedX. His time is up. The League is done waiting for his answer."
"What is this, an invite to some bad guys party?" smirked Kid Flash, in attempt to lighten up the mood.
"Of sorts." she shrugged, "now that I've delivered my message, I'm not going to cause any trouble. So, mind letting me go, babe?"
A chorus of "babe?"s was heard, Speedy groaned motioned Raven to lift the net. Cheshire gave Speedy one last wink before disappearing.
"You just let her go?" asked Cyborg, still processing what he had just witnessed. Speedy sighed and explained how capturing her, or at least, attempting to capture her could lead to more League of Assassins members showing up at Jump. He was sure that without calling in a lot of reinforcements, Jump city would be in ruins by the time Robin returned if they had to face the League of Assassins.
Back at the tower, the Titans rested, but Victor and Raven were up going through files about Cheshire. Roy and Wally were lounging in the common room, updating Garth on their findings about Roy's tech.
Kori gripped onto Silkie tightly, and hugged the baby moth close to her chest. She was physically aching from missing Dick. She probably should tell the team, or at least Raven, about her meeting with X…but then again, what would they think? After speaking with both Raven and the RedX, she felt that she could handle the criticism from citizens. But she couldn't lose her friends.
Perhaps, if she wasn't going to tell them about how X wasn't what they thought he was, she should tell them about the warehouse she blew up a couple days ago…
Location: Gotham
Time: 22:42
Robin couldn't say that he missed the disgusting smell of crime that Gotham was covered in. Only minutes after leaving the airport and some building blows up.
He was instantly reminded that in Gotham, vigilantes worked 24/7.
He knew he'd see his mentor at the scene, punching whoever started this mess into oblivion on such a fine evening. But he certainly wasn't prepared to see the iconic green and purple villain there.
It seemed that Batman had not arrived yet, for whatever reason. He swooped in without hesitation and kicked the Riddler in the face.
"I see our favourite Boy Wonder has returned home!" he cheered, earning snickers from his henchmen. Seconds later a figure covered the gleaming moon that hung above Gotham City. "Bless Gotham City," the Riddler shouted, "the Bat and Bird dynamic duo has finally returned" he added darkly.
After a series of flipping, kicking and bo staff twirling, a single gunshot went off.
Location: Batcave
Time: 23:03
"I had him on the ropes" Dick growled, removing his mask furiously.
"Sure you did" said Bruce. Alfred was tending to his care, delicately withdrawing the bullet from Bruce's torso. Bruce grunted and squirmed ever so slightly, earning a raised eyebrow from Alfred.
"Surprisingly well made replica of the RIP bullet" said Alfred, putting the bullet under their laser scanner. "Thank heavens your suit sustained most of the damage."
"The hell did they get that?" said Bruce, attempting to sit up, only to be pushed back down by Alfred.
The colour on Dick's face immediantly drained. "You didn't need to do that." he muttered.
"Of course I did," Bruce sighed, "Your suit's not strong enough, and you're always going to be my son-"
"-and yet you fired me, and pushed me away!"
"I was trying to protect you."
"It was one order that I didn't follow, and suddenly I wasn't good enough! When Jay died, I offered closure but you closed yourself off, fighting alone and more deadly than before. You could've died, Bruce. You used to claim that you loved me, that were happy you adopted me, but when I try to reach out to you, but you refuse to accept my every attempt. Sometimes I wonder whether you still feel anything."
Alfred finished up stitching Bruce's wound and excused himself. This was something the father and son needed to sort out themselves, without any interference. As he went up the stairs and through Bruce's grandfather clock, he saw Timothy shaking in fear.
"I prepared the free-range corn-fed chicken goujons, gently fried in extra virgin olive oil for the bats." said Tim meekly. Alfred didn't respond, "With chives, sir" he added. Alfred gave the boy a soft smile and took the food from him.
"Hopefully you didn't set my kitchen on fire, Master Timothy."
Tim smiled a little before peeking into the Batcave.
"Master Bruce and Master Dick are going to need a moment. I believe it is past your bed time anyway, Master Timothy. Don't let me catch you trying to solve more cases in the middle of the night." Tim nodded and quickly retreated back to his room.
Back in the Batcave, Bruce and Dick were still yelling at the top of their lungs.
"You only thought to contact me when Jay died! I could've been there, I could've saved him! You didn't trust me enough and you isolated yourself from the rest of us! Even Babs gave me a call because you pushed her away too!"
"I understand how you feel, now…But know that everything I do, I do because I don't want to see you become like me. I fired you because you were right, I can't make you hide behind my shadow and restrain you from achieving greatness. I pushed you away because I knew you had a stable living in Jump. I'm not selfish enough to take that away from you. I call upon you now because I refuse to relive my mistakes, Dick. Red Robin, Tim Drake, he looks up to you, and he deserves your acknowledgement."
Bruce was hurting. Not that he'd admit it. Seeing your kid blow up at you like this was bound to do something to your soul. The worst part was how absolutely right Dick was. He tried to give him independence, but in reality it wasn't independence - it was isolationism.
He never got the chance to say that he loved Dick before he grabbed his belongings and left during the dead of night. But Dick was back now, even if he wanted to shout at him, Bruce would let him.
He deserved it anyway.