Aww, you guys! I've missed your beautiful reviews! First, I would just like to thank everyone for sticking with me. I had such an inspiration from your reviews that I managed to get this part in. But, alas, I have been caught. That's right; I have extended this a few chapters. There are some scenes that just need to be written, and if I'm going to get this out on a fairly regular basis, the chapters are going to be about this length. I'm sorry it's short, but I'm really just trying to complete this. If I leave this too long I'll lose interest and it will just sit there, like all of the rest of my writing projects.
Damian was in a foul mood. He didn't appreciate being watched over by Dick's has-been friends. They didn't look overly intelligent, and Damian wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he was very threatened by their presence. There was a little voice in the back of his head mocking him, telling him Dick was going to leave with these guys instead of staying here and continuing the training and the patrols.
These people were stealing his brother away and Damian did not like that at all. Jason felt the same way, apparently, and was equally as distressed. The two were helped up to Dick's room for a short visit despite Bruce's concerns. Mary and John had agreed to their visit, finding no harm in it. The boys had been close to Dick and they were sure it would only help to comfort him in his continuing state of unconsciousness.
Mary had managed to pry John from the room for a couple of hours of much needed rest. Dick wasn't going anywhere, and the security was tight enough. In his place, Jason sat, crutches leaning against the wall and arms folded across his chest. Damian, due to his hip injury, was laid out on the bed beside Dick. He was small enough to give Dick the room he needed for a comfortable rest.
"What should we do about them?"
"You mean the Wonder Kids?" Jason snorted. "Nothing we can do right now."
"They're planning to steal him away."
"He was never ours to begin with." Jason muttered, furrowing his brow.
"He's our brother." Damian persisted. "We can't just let him be taken. His family is here; his brothers are here."
"He's not a pet. Let him decide for himself."
Damian growled, turning onto his side. His hip protested, but the ten year old ignored it to stare his eldest brother in the eyes.
"I thought you were on my side."
"I'm on his side, you little punk." Jason hissed. "I don't like it any more than you do, but how would you feel if you were in his position?"
"You mean finally finding my family?" Damian rolled back over. "I've already been there."
Jason had forgotten; Damian had run from his own mother to seek out Bruce. They had lied when they said Bruce adopted all three of them. Damian was Bruce's true blood. Of course, because of the press and Damian's reverence towards Bruce as a kind person, he opted to keep it a secret. Should anyone know Bruce had a son out of wedlock it would ruin him. Bruce didn't care much for his image, but it would become harder to maintain his company, to be allowed as much freedom as he's had with the lack of invading paparazzi.
Damian was played off as just another unfortunate street rat taken in. Bruce still felt guilty for hiding the truth, and Jason and Tim felt a bit of resentment towards the child. He was Bruce's heir and yet he was trying to become one of them, one of those who had gotten lucky and been in the right place at the right time to attract Bruce's compassionate heart.
Bruce made sure the three of them knew he had never taken them in because he felt it would boost his image. He had made sure each of them knew he loved and cherished them. It didn't stop the hurt when all of a sudden the Golden Boy was back to life and running around, ruining the family Jason had just gotten used to.
Dick had been a surprise. Jason never expected to find himself actually caring for the boy he'd grown to hate with all of his soul. Dick was the enemy, the only one who was good enough for Bruce. How had this boy wormed his way into his heart? How was it turned around; instead of wishing the boy would go back to being buried the in backyard, he was praying Dick would stay with them?
There was a dark presence at the door, and Jason turned to see Batman, his cowl up and his eyes trained on Dick. Instinct overruled logic and Jason grabbed his crutches, ready to use them to fend off Batman. Once he realized what he was doing, his lowered the crutches.
"Damian, time's up. Let's go." Jason shakily got to his feet, crutching over to Damian. "He needs help being moved."
Batman nodded, striding past Jason and collecting the unwilling, sour boy into his arms and depositing him into Jason's room. Jason followed after, glancing back at Dick. He knew of the nightmares, of the frantic apologies whispered to this Batman. Whatever the man had done, it had seriously affected his brother. If Dick was in any way hurt by Batman, Jason was going to hunt him down. It didn't matter if this was Bruce. This wasn't the Bruce he knew, and it certainly wasn't the Bruce he wanted to know if he'd hurt Dick as much as he had.
Batman crossed the hallway, sparing a glance at Wally from down the hall before entering Dick's room. Wally's eyes had told him everything. He was cutting the Dark Knight into pieces mentally, burning him with a fire of rage and accusation. He wasn't worried about Wally West. No, he was far more occupied with his little Robin.
After a small, agonizing talk with Mary and John, Batman had gotten his answer. He had regained his confidence and courage to apologize to this boy who had suffered so much by his hand. He was ready to ask forgiveness, and more than ready to hold that small, frail body in his arms once more.
Shutting the door quietly and taking a seat by Dick's bedside, Batman pulled down his cowl and clutched at his partner's ungloved hand. The only sound in the room was the boy's soft breathing, much better than the day before and a comforting lullaby. Bruce had been aching to hear the sweet sounds of air being pushed in and out of the lungs. All of those nights this past year imagining this boy dead, and here he was; alive and resting peacefully.
Gently, Batman placed a hand on Dick's brow, sweeping away the raven locks resting there. The body was warm, fresh blood pumping through and no longer being expelled from his lungs. Robin was safe, and Batman broke down.
BanannaSlapz517, yes, that last chapter was a bit hard to write. When writing an emotional scene—at least I hope it was emotional for you guys—I tend to have to be in the correct mood. When I'm sad, it fits perfectly. Put on some sad tunes and BAM! You get the first part of this fic. Lately I've been in school and happy to joke around with my friends, so it's been hard to get back into the sort of depressing mood. I really put myself in the character's shoes, and when I can't, it's almost a waste of time to write something out like that. Lucky for me, I happened upon a bit of negative energy from the exhaustion of waking up early again, and put it to good use.
Plushiepaw, aww, you make me blush! I'm glad you read the whole thing in one go. In fact, when I finish this, I suggest you do it again to get the feel for the whole story. I, myself, go back and reread this whole thing and am amazed at myself for some of the emotions that this strikes up in me. I freaking wrote it and I'm impressed, how sad is that?
Bluejay, Can I just—can I just hug you right now? Faithfully reading this? I feel worshipped. Seriously, you don't understand the sort of power trip that gives me. It's unhealthy, dangerous, and very motivational for someone writing such a long and risky fic. Thanks so much!
tydeerose, I would love to write a cute little Dick, but he's a bit too old for that and he's a bit too attached to everyone else at this point. There really isn't room for him to be shy. I love your idea, but I'm afraid I can't include it in THIS fic. I've got a couple more fic ideas running around my little head, and I'm sure I'll find one to add in that splendid idea. Thank you for sharing it.
KikkioyshiUchiha, Thanks for worrying about me! I wouldn't die on purpose. Although I'll tell you a little fun fact. A few weeks ago I was seriously hoping a car would hit me so I could sue and get money for comics. How sad is that? Messed up, right? I'm a terrible person. Luckily, no car has hit me and I do not mean to offend or disregard any who have been in a car accident or been hit by a car. Whether you've been safe, hurt, or know someone who's died in an accident, I'm very sympathetic and know how serious it is. I'm very sorry. Wow, that turned a bit morbid, didn't it?
Amararae, I'm so sorry about the PM thing. Guys, seriously, my PM turns off at random times. I log on everyday and have to reenable it. So if you were going to message me but couldn't, I'm sorry. In the future, should this happen, wait a couple of hours and try again. Like I said, everyday I have to freaking reset the dumb thing. Sorry again.
Skylark, don't even worry! I do that all the time! It's never the actual people I think about first, it's always "What if this doesn't get finished? Oh no, I need to know what happens! Update, you stupid author, update!" while I shake my screen. I'm so glad you love this fic. Seriously, I am. I would love to talk about the other part of your comment, but that's coming up in a bit and I really don't want to spoil it!
Guys, I have very exciting news! That comic a certain somebody awesome offered to make, has kick started with some amazing artwork! I have yet to get permission to post a link. I think it'll be okay, but I want to make sure, then you guys can see it! Only page one is done, but seriously, guys, it's awesome. It's of Chapter 40, not the beginning in case you were all thinking it was going to be the whole dang fic comicified. That would be seriously amazing, but pretty sure it'd take years. Anywho, thanks a bunch to blueshirtmedic for the lovely art. I love it.
P.S. guys, I got 17 reviews for this chapter. 17! That's more than I've ever gotten before! You guys seriously wowed me.
P.S.S This author's comment is as long as the freaking chapter.