When Dick heard someone moving through the Batcave he froze. Sort of. Since he was lying on the ground about ten feet from his bed, freezing probably wasn't going to help him escape notice but maybe if he was really lucky whoever it was would just go away if they didn't hear him moving.
And if they didn't, he was praying it was Damian.
The last thing Dick wanted was for Bruce or Tim or Alfred to find him bleeding on the floor, too dizzy and weak to stand up again. He didn't really want to explain it to Damian either, but since Damian already thought he was an idiot it was unlikely to damage their relationship.
For a minute he thought he was safe. He exhaled, moaned and tried to roll himself over. That just twisted the world around so much he wasn't sure which way was up or the direction he was facing. Defeated, at least temporarily he curled up and closed tried to focus on leg of his bed.
"Master Richard, what are you doing down there?" Alfred's shoes asked.
"Don't wanna talk about," he mumbled, trying to keep his mouth closed as much as possible.
"I see," Alfred's shoes said. A moment later Alfred's face appeared, looking at him intently. "Would you like to get back in bed now?"
"Yes please," he said miserably. Alfred pressed his lips together and then his hands were grabbing Dick under the arms and slowly dragging him up again. Bruce was much better at it, he could lift Dick up like he was still a child. Alfred not so much,. He couldn't help but moan a little more pathetically than he wanted too.
"Shall I fetch Master Bruce?" he asked. "He might find it easier to move you painlessly."
"Please no," Dick whimpered.
"Very well," Alfred said, with a sigh.
Dick spent a half hour later that day debating either he had passed out or not in Alfred's attempts to get him back in bed. He didn't remember most of it but either way Alfred got him under the sheet again. "Please don't tell Bruce," Dick panted after Alfred had him covered up and settled in his pillows.
"I suspect Master Bruce will notice, given that you seem to have a split lip and he is the world's greatest detective," Alfred said. "I'll get you some ice."
"Thanks," Dick said weakly. "Got any water?"
"I'll fetch you that as well," Alfred agreed.
"Are you going to tell Bruce?" Dick asked quietly, like he was still a ten year old boy who didn't want to get in trouble.
"Not at the moment," Alfred said. "Please try to stay in bed until I get back?"
"Yes Mom," he muttered.
If Dick was being completely honest with himself the chance of him getting up were pretty low, since every single muscle was aching like he'd set them on fire and that was nothing compared to the headache. He wasn't pissed off at himself for getting up to early, not really. It was bound to happen – he was raised by Bruce Wayne. Getting out of bed before he was physically able to was in his blood. He just wished it didn't have to hurt so much.
Alfred came back with a tray. First he handed Dick the glass of water. "Just hold it," Alfred said. "I don't like the idea of you drink your own blood." Alfred washed his lip and the rest of his face, where the blood was drying. "Now you may have a drink," Alfred informed him.
"Can I breath now too?" Dick asked sarcastically.
"You may," Alfred agreed. "You may also want to put that icepack on that hole in your lip."
"Sound first aid advice," Dick muttered.
He drank most of the cup of water although it didn't seem to sit very well in his stomach, grabbed the icepack, pressed it against his lip and settled back into his pillows. His headache which had been at an all time low about a half hour was definitely reaching a new high and his whole body was shaking a little. He hoped Alfred didn't notice, but then again he'd also always hopped for a dog with wings that he could name Pig and that had never happened either.
"Master Richard, are you all right?" Alfred asked, taking the glass away and putting his bare hand on Dick's forehead. "You're a little feverish."
"I'm freezing," Dick said through teeth that were almost chattering although he was trying not to let them.
"I'll get you another blanket," Alfred said kindly but Dick could tell that he was worried and getting into one of his mother-hen states.
"Please don't tell Bruce," he said again.
"Master Richard, you're running a fever and my expertise regarding brain surgery is somewhat limited. At the very least I believe we need to check with Dr Thompkins."
"She'll tell Bruce," Dick moaned.
"I suggest you rest and do your best to get the swelling in that lip down before Master Bruce sees you with it."
Dick sighed but nodded. He wasn't in much of a position to argue anyway. He closed his eyes. A minute later Alfred came back and he felt gentle hands pulling it up around his chest. "It's all right," Alfred said to him quietly. He didn't try to open his eyes or look around. He was comfortable with his eyes mostly closed and Alfred next to him.
He nodded off and woke up a while later because Alfred was sticking something in his ear. He groaned and moved his head away. Surprisingly it didn't hurt have as much as he thought it would. "He's temperature's coming back down Master Bruce," Alfred said very quietly.
"Good," Bruce said. "Is his taking fluids?"
"Yes," Alfred said. "He'll be all right. It was just a little fever. He probably picked up an infection in the last few days but we caught it quickly, he'll be just fine if he rests. Speaking of."
"I'm fine Alfred," Bruce said but Dick could hear how tired he was.
"Just stay with him for a little while," Alfred said. "He'll wake up soon and it would mean a lot to him if you were here when he does. If you keep working yourself as hard as you worked Master Timothy I'm going to find you passed out over your breakfast as well. Until he's back on his feet..."
"All right," Bruce said. He sounded like he was surrendering. Dick almost smiled.
"I'll be back in a few hours," Alfred said. "Is there anything in particular I should be doing while you wait?"
"Can you set up a meeting with Lucius for the next reasonable time? I want to go over a few more details about the budget."
"Of course sir," he agreed.
Dick listened to Alfred walk away. He was thinking about saying something but it wasn't coming. The best he could go was inch his hand towards Bruce without opening his eyes. He didn't know if Bruce noticed or not. He probably did because he was Bruce Wayne and noticed everything but he didn't say anything. That was okay with Dick.