Here's some brotherly banter for y'all.

Dick woke with two pairs of arms wrapped around him. Tensing, his Robin instincts were instantly telling him how to get out of the situation. He relaxed when his mother's perfume wafted into his nose. The light, airy smell eased him quickly back into sleep, a smile gracing his lips.

The second time he awoke was very different. He was wrapped up in his comforter and fighting to release himself from his confines. His mask was off and sitting on the nightstand, he was drenched in sweat, and he was breathing hard.

Nightmare.

He didn't remember it, but he could guess what it was about. He was spared any tears, but waking up frightened and not knowing why was awful enough. He applied the calming techniques Batman had taught him and found he wasn't alone in his room.

Jason was leaned up against his closet door, arms crossed and analyzing him carefully, but not giving any hint as to what he was there for.

"What?" Dick asked.

"You were thrashing so hard I could hear it in my room." Jason frowned. "It's eleven and I know a few people who really want to see this Batcave of yours. Alfred is being swarmed by the brats and Dad is trying to wrangle out the location from Grams and Gramps."

"You thought you'd come to the source." Dick smirked and shook his head. "It's in a secret location, you know."

"Backyard under the Robin grave." Jason answered. "Saw Alfred come out of it once."

"Getting in is different than coming out." Dick smirked. "The Batcave was the first thing I ever saw in regards to Batman. Of course, it was only after I found it that Bruce had to sit me down and tell me everything. Well, not everything. Alfred filled in some bits."

"I've found your cave, now spill."

"Do you ever lighten up?" Dick quirked an eyebrow. "Seriously, you are so not whelmed."

"You've been here for three weeks and I've hardly seen you. When you aren't out doing your thing, you're in that cave or asleep." Jason puffed up his chest a bit in an attempt to show authority. "It's hard to be chill with some kid you don't know."

"Fair enough." Dick smiled and reached over, slipping on his mask. "So, what? You don't want to see the cave? What then?"

"The demon child is constantly harassing you about taking him with you out on patrol."

"You want me to take him?"

"No, I want you to take me. The others may buy into this superhero thing, but I don't. Sure, you've got a belt from hell that shocks people on command, but that's just a toy."

Ah, what an interesting development. Dick couldn't help but to grin. "I was starting to wonder when Bruce's kids would adopt his natural need for knowledge and evidence. I get it; I'll take you all out. No problem, as long as you stay on the roof and watch."

"Why just watch?" Jason pulled out his blade. "I'm good at this, really good."

"A knife? Dude, that doesn't stand a chance against guns. I know what you're thinking, then what do I use?" Dick put up his fists. "These guys. I'm faster than your average thug, I've got a million weapons stored in my utility belt, and I can fly."

"You can fly?" Jason deadpanned. "As in the superpower? Because all I saw was that grappling hook of yours and it didn't work out so great for you the last time."

"It's because I had to lug two extra people. I was weighed down." Dick answered defensively. "But no, I'm not talking about that. I can fly without any nets, wires, or powers."

"I'll believe it when I see it."

"Tonight, then. I'll show you the cave after breakfast."

"Too late for breakfast." Jason smirked. "Alfred's already starting lunch."

Dick shook his head, and pulled on his boots, and cape. He didn't bother with his gloves since he'd be eating soon. The closed door to his room was shoved open and an enraged Damian burst in.

"I knew it! Only you would go against Father's orders and wake up Grayson!"

"He didn't wake me up, Damian," Dick sighed, "I woke up by myself."

"Quit defending him, Grayson! He's not playing on an even battleground. No, Todd is insufferable and always resorts to cheating."

"Back off, brat," Jason snarled, "before I throw you through that door."

"As if I'm scared of you." Damian spat back, disregarding Dick's frustrated sigh, "Father will have your head if you ruin another door."

"Damian, I'm taking you out on patrol tonight."

"What?" Instantly the boy's attitude changed to one of triumph. "So! You finally see reason, Grayson!"

"But," Dick added with a mischievous smirk, "only if you can stay out of any fights, verbal or physical, until patrol."

Damian's eyes narrowed. "You're putting a muzzle on me?"

"You can talk all you want, you just can't fight." Dick walked past him and out into the hall. "It shouldn't be that hard; especially since if I take you on patrol, you can't say a single word. It'll give away your position and if you compromise my patrol at all, I'll take you straight home."

Damian growled and folded his arms across his chest with a huff. "Fine. You play as dirty as Todd."

"Asterous." Dick replied, making his way down the stairs. "Is Bruce here or at a meeting?"

"Charity event." Jason answered.

"Figures. Where's Tim?"

"Chatting with his boyfriend."

"He has a boyfriend?"

"Trying to hide it, but failing miserably."

"We're just friends!" Tim called from the living room. "I don't make fun of you and Roy!"

"Roy and I don't hug." Jason shot back easily. "We're men, not hormonal little boys who can't admit to being in a relationship."

Damian opened his mouth to retort something just as bruising before he was given a snarky look from Dick. He closed his mouth and muttered under his breath.

"No comment from the angry Chihuahua?" Tim quirked an eyebrow. "It's a Christmas miracle."

"Golden Boy made a deal with him." Jason leaned over Damian and ruffled his hair.

"A deal? What kind of deal?"

"The same one I'm about to offer to you. Do you want to go on patrol with me tonight?"

Tim's eyes lit up. "Yes. I mean, is Dad okay with that?"

"What he doesn't know won't kill him, Drake." Damian smirked.

Tim stewed on the thought for a minute. "If we're caught, we're dead, you know that right? Dick will be slaughtered for even taking us out and we'll never see the sky again."

"I'll handle Bruce." Dick volunteered. "Besides, this Bruce is so much softer than the one I'm used to."

"Dad is just the first half of the problem. The other half is Grams, Gramps, and Alfie." Jason frowned. "Nothing gets past Alfred."

"Pennyworth does seem to have eyes on the back of his head."

"Ears, too, young master Damian." Alfred entered from behind them, a tray of hot chocolate steaming and awaiting the children to drink. "Young master Richard, a word please."

The foster kids of Bruce Wayne all instantly took a cup of the hot chocolate and looked elsewhere as Dick guiltily followed Alfred into the kitchen.

"While I understand young master Damian has been pestering you about your nightly duties, I'm afraid bringing him along, even dragging all of them along, is extremely inadvisable."

"I know Alfred, but I'll place them on the roof and they'll just watch."

"I'm afraid you don't realize just how dangerous it is."

"Even if someone does notice them—"

"That is precisely what I'm talking about. Someone will most definitely notice them. Those three have never gone a day without some sort of shouting match. Each has their own unruly attitude, and Master Bruce, Master Thomas, Lady Martha, and I have a hard enough time stopping potential murders."

"I've got Damian under control for tonight. I made him promise not to fight with anyone all day and stay completely silent during patrol." Dick smiled. "Tim will agree, he's sensible, and Jason—what is his problem? I don't think he likes me much."

"You did shock him." Alfred turned to start cleaning some dishes. "I believe he also holds a grudge for something you've done long ago in the past."

"You're talking about saving Bruce."

"Indeed. Master Jason has been comparing himself to you, despite knowing you were dead, and has never found himself good enough. I believe the term he's adopted is Golden Boy, because from everything Bruce has told him, you can do no wrong. Do not take it personally, Master Richard, the boy grew up on the streets. All of those boys have their own problems they have been trying to work through."

"Never do wrong, huh?" Dick looked down at the floor. "He couldn't be more wrong. Alfred, let me show them what I can do. Let me show them a piece of the Bruce I know. I just want to connect with them."

"Even though you are leaving?"

"Yeah, even though I'm leaving. I've never had brothers, and I just want a chance to feel like I do."

"Very well, I will keep this a secret. However, if those boys reveal this secret by accident or not, the consequences are yours to face."

"Thanks, Alfred."

"One more thing," Alfred put down the bowl he'd been cleaning and picked up a knife, "if one of those boys is hurt at all…"

"I know, Alfred," Dick laughed. "You said the same thing to Bruce about me!"

Dick all but skipped out of the kitchen, enjoying the bewildered expression on the butler's face.