Friendship
"So we're gonna start this meeting"
Several minutes passed and Dick didn't say anything else, he didn't know how to start, most of important he was thinking how much he was going to miss his team, he was sure he was getting kicked out, no matter how much Bruce had tried to convince him that they wouldn't.
"Dick, we're all waiting for you." Donna called his attention. Her left was next to Garth, Wally was next to him, and Roy was next to Wally and Dick, next to him Garfield and Cyborg, and at last the girls Raven and Starfire were next to each other to complete the round.
"Yeah, sorry, I guess I just dunno how to start or say anything of this."
Dick chuckled. "It's always good to know that you're in good mood to insult my mentor…..and these letters are about, well one of the main of points I made this meeting, it is cause I have to apologize to each one of you for…..smoking for almost a year, and keeping a secret, and putting this team in more risk only for harming my health."
"You did what?!" Almost all of them shouted, except for Wally and Roy.
"I'm sorry." Dick said fixing his gaze in the table not daring to look at his friends.
"You two knew about this, don't you?" Donna asked furiously looking to Roy and Wally; she had seen they had not reacted to the news.
"Yeah, Rob told us, but he only told me recently that's why I didn't say anything, and he promised me that he was gonna tell you guys soon, when he was ready so. "
"Ok, I'm willing to give a free pass to Wally cause I believe him, but what about you, Roy? I know you, so don't you dare try to trick me, you know about this since a long time ago, probably from the beginning, and you didn't say a damn word. He can die from that shit, but you know this already?"
"Donna, please don't be mad with Roy, he wanted to tell you guys, I asked him not to, the only reason Roy didn't say a thing was cause he was being a good friend and trying to give me time until I was ready to tell you myself."
"Don't you dare to try to talk to me! You have no idea how much pissed I'm , Richard Grayson, you think that you're walking out this easily, you have other thing coming. I'm so angry with you, why didn't tell early?we would still be pretty mad, but we would have helped you"
"I….this isn't easy to explain, I'll answer every question of any of you might have about this. I smoke mostly cause I was beyond angry with Batman, and myself, I…..we've some arguments lately, I wasn't happy with him, though it wasn't exactly his fault, and he wasn't aware how much angry I was. The main reason I was angry with him was cause, I didn't wanna go to college, and I knew that I didn't have other choice in that house, so I was mad, and I know that ain't a good excuse…..but I dunno if anything that I might say you're gonna to actually like, so I must as well tell you the truth. I didn't handle my anger how I should, I should've tried to talk to Batman, even if it didn't change a damn thing, I should've done other things instead of looking for payback. "
"I know how much irresponsible and immature I was, and I have nothing to say to you that could defend my actions, I'm sorry but I know that isn't good enough this time. I know I broke your trust, and I understand if anyone of can trust in me again. – Dick took a deep breath. – And I would understand if any of you want to kick me out of team, I'll go willingly, and of course you can take leadership away from me, I haven't done anything to deserve it."
"Take leadership away from you?" Raven asked.
"kick you out, no, that's little harsh for me Dick, ." Garfield winced.
"And, I second that, I'm totally in agreement with Gar here, you're our leader." Cyborg said in agreement with his friend.
"Then, I guess I'm too in agreement with them, Dick, you made a mistake but you're apologizing and taking charge, so yes I still I want you like our leader and friend please, I wouldn't want the responsibility." Garth was that one.
"Ok, thanks. – Dick was surprised that they were willing to forgive him so quickly, he decided to confront the girls now.- Raven, Star?"
"Dick, I'm also not very happy with you right now, but you still have my complete trust as leader, and I don't wish to kick you out of your team, but please don't make anything like that again." Raven answered.
Dick nodded. "Kory?"
Kory stood up, she was so sad, she didn't understand, and a tear stricken down her face. "Smoking is something bad, right? It makes human get sick, like real sick?"
"Yes, Star, smoking is something is really bad, but please don't cry. I'm fine, it takes a lot time to make someone sick, and I didn't smoke so much so I'm gonna be fine."
"Then is smoking is such bad thing why would you do something so stupid?! You, from all people! How could you? How dare you to hurt and treat us like that?"
Kory's questions were hard to answer, and they were harsh words, but she was right to be mad. "I'm sorry, I dunno how to fix all this, I wish I…..look, Kory, the truth is that I don't have how to defend my actions, and all I can say how sorry I'm, though I dunno is that is any good now."
"It isn't any good, but you did confess, and I appreciate that. - She sighed, but she was still glaring his boyfriend. - Look, it's still gonna take some time for me to forgive you, but I wouldn't kick out of your team never, and you can have your leadership, I don't wanna it, and please promise you will never do something like that again!"
"I promise, thank you again, and I'm deeply sorry. – Dick took a moment to reflect.- Mmm, how about you Donna?"
"Dickie, you're my best friend, and you're gonna always have a special place in my heart, but doesn't mean I'm not angry with you. But kicking you out? no way in dreams. You deserve our help"
"Thanks, but I get it over. I believe there are matters more pressing to hand to pass like me explaining why I spent a few weeks living in Barry's house." Dick then dedicate to tell the true to his friends about all that happened.
They were a little in shock, Donna was the first to speak "I'm not sure to understand, so this was abuse."
"I'm not sure about that either, no but meaning, but the Flash, Barry, he sure seem to view it like that way, that's why he dragged me away from home."
"And I second that, kinda, look Dick I'm not gonna say that you didn't make mistakes. But Bruce, he handled things the bad way." Wally stated.
"Does that mean that there's no chance for redemption?"
"Well, I for once I think that's pretty much up to you, Dick, we can be as much as angry with Batman as we want but in the end of the day , he's your mentor. We have no say if you decide to forgive your old man or not, we only get to show our support for your decision. So, I guess the question is do you really forgive him for all that he put you through?" Roy asked.
"It's strange, but I believe I do. I…I don't know exactly how but he's my family, he has been there for me more time than I can count and as misguided Bruce might have been he would always be someone important in my life. But I wanted to make another important question, Kory, what do you think? You don't seem me like any lees of man because of this, do you?"
"Lees of man? How could I? you were so brave telling all of us the truth. Dick, honey, I love you, and there's nothing that could ever change that. I just wish you would have said all this to us sooner, we might have able to make something. I can't still believe the brute would hit you, he was really harsh, wasn't him?"
"Yeah, man, you should have said something. I cannot imagine that you really thought that we would make fun out of you" Garfield protested a bit offended.
"I'm sorry, but you don't know how embarrassing sounds. I mean I can take Slade any day of the week, and I can't take a stupid child punishment."
"Hey, we all have our weakness, and I for once don't believe that was the pain that bother you but the fact that Batman treated like a little kid, you're a seventeen man you deserve to be treated as such. And I don't think nobody deserves to be mistreated for people that you consider your family" Victor answered.
The rest of the meeting went smoothly from then, they talked a few minutes more and they decided to call a day.
When Dick was leaving Garth took advantage they were alone and dared to ask him something.
"Hey Dick before you go, I understand kinda why you didn't say nothing to the others, but y'knew what used to happen with me and Aquaman. I wonder why you never mention anything to me. "
"Garth, I'm sorry, I don't have excuse is just that when you told me we were still forming a team and I guess we didn't know each other so well, and then as time pass it got harder to tell. I mean I have gained your respect as leader and I was so afraid to lose it for such silly thing."
"Dick, you deserve it, you have really show integration from inside, and I think you don't realize how much we estimate you. We're a team and more than that we're family, you're like a brother for me, please promise if you ever got a problem such as these, you would try to remember my words?"
"Thanks, Garth, I see you guys like my family too, so I promise I would act differently if I ever get in any kind of mess."