Second Chance

Chapter 12

Yes, another day, another chapter. I'm not complaining though! Let's just do reviewer responses, then you will get some Batbros fluff! I wanted to do something different... this is another story where the Batfamily's ages are reversed. See Heroes of Gotham for ages and IDs, just add a year. Also, I'm not sure what Red Hood's authorisation thing would be, so I just gave him one.

lindz4567: Thanks! Not much really happening in this chapter either... maybe next chapter, idk. I don't plan ahead.

Queen Sound: Thank you!

Alright children, gather round- never mind the fact that at least some of you have to be older than me –it's story time!

Iownnothing.

Hunting

"Robin, you've been going nonstop since you woke up yesterday. Take a break; we can handle this for awhile."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not. You look... exhausted."

'Like shit' was what he wanted to say, but with Bats standing right beside him he figured that it probably wouldn't end well for him. Robin cackled softly.

"And I feel like shit too, thanks KF. But I can manage."

"Dude, you look like you're about to collapse. Let me take over for a while."

"As much as I hate to say it, Baywatch has a point."

"Artemis! Not you too!"

"They're right."

"Conner!"

The rest of the team agreed. The bird needed to rest, before something else went wrong. Robin sighed.

"Guys, I know. You've told me, some of the League's told me, my head's telling me. I know I should stop. But I can keep going, so I have to."

Wally didn't understand.

"Why?! Why are you doing this to yourself?! You need to rest, why won't you?!"

"This is bigger than me. We've got a girl with super-strength who can pretty much shoot lasers out of her eyes, a guy who's partially a robot, a guy who can turn into any animal, and a half demon, and they're all under Psimon's control. I dragged them into this; I've got to get them out before they hurt someone."

Zatanna spoke up now. They had all agreed she had the best chance of getting him to listen.

"Robin, you can barely stand, much less fight. To help the Titans, we're going to have to take out Psimon. If you don't rest, how can you do that?"

"..."

The magician pressed her advantage.

"You're still recovering. We don't want you to get hurt again."

"...I'm fine..."

He sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than them.

"Stubborn fool."

"Zee-"

"Robin, if you don't rest I'll make Conner sit on you!"

"Wow, Zee. Harsh much?"

"SLEEP."

"...Fine. Just so Conner won't sit on me."

He stood, leaning against the wall for support.

"Rob-"

"I'm fine!"

The bird made his way out of the room, still leaning against the wall. Zatanna could have sworn that Batman rolled his eyes as he followed his protégé. Wally sighed.

"Stubborn, isn't he?"

"He really didn't want to stop."

"Oh, he did. His sense of justice is stronger than his common sense in cases like this is all. He's willing to run himself into the ground to help someone, and there's only five people I've seen get him to quit. Well, six counting Tanna."

"Who're the other five?"

"The Batclan. Batman- duh -, Al- uh, Agent A, Nightwing, Cardinal, and Red Hood. Gotham's other heroes."

"Oh. Where are they?"

"Well... let me think... Agent A'll be cleaning the Batcave, Cardinal will be brooding somewhere, Hood'll probably be here in a few minutes to check on Rob, Bats is here, obviously, and Wing... is probably beating the shit out of some crooks. No shortage of them in Gotham, and according to Robin they make great punching bags."

"How'd you figure that?"

"It's what they usually do."

Robin

"Robin?"

Dick rolled over. Maybe, if he stayed quiet, Batman would think he was asleep. He didn't want to talk at the moment.

"I know you're awake."

"Go away."

"Robin."

He sighed, reaching out and deactivating the security system he had set up. His mentor quietly walked in, shutting the door behind him.

"What do you want?"

"I want to help you. But I can't if you won't tell me what's wrong."

Dick closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were bright with tears.

"Come on little bird. Talk to me."

"I-it's just... if I c-can't help them, innocent people will get hurt, and it'll be all m-my f-fault!"

He was crying now, giving in to the sobs that racked his slender frame. Bruce ulled his son close.

"Shh, Dickie, shh. It'll be alright. Everything will be fine."

When that didn't help, he switched to Romani.

"It's okay. None of this is your fault. It'll be okay. We'll be alright."

After a few minutes of this, Dick relaxed, his body finally allowing him to rest. Batman got up to leave, smiling once more at his son.

"Tati?"

"Yes Dickie?"

"Stay with me?"

"Always, little bird."

And Bruce did, sitting beside the boy until he fell asleep. After that he returned to the main room, waiting.

Recognised Red Hood A-04

The Team looked up, startled by the computer and not recognising the name.

"Where is he?"

"In his room."

The young man nodded and began to walk off. Batman stopped him.

"Asleep."

"Don't worry."

The Dark Knight allowed him through, nodding.

"Who was that?"

Wally turned to the others.

"That was Red Hood, Bat number five."

"Ah."

"I actually expected him to be here five minutes ago."

Robin

"Birdie?"

Jason slid into the room quietly, not wanting to disturb his little brother.

He's probably asleep. I should-

"Jay?"

"Hey Birdie. You okay?"

"M'fine. Just tired."

"Then why aren't you-"

"Couldn't sleep."

"Ah."

Another nightmare, huh?

He sat next to the boy, ignoring how inviting the mattress was. It had been a long night, and he really was tired...

Birdie first.

"It's okay."

Dick smiled, glad that his brother understood.

"Uh... Jay?"

"Yes Birdie?"

"Could you... um..."

Jason smirked, and sang to his brother.

"Home is behind,

The world ahead.

And there are many paths to tread.

Through shadow,

To the edge of night.

Until the stars are all alight.

Mist and shadow,

Cloud and shade.

All shall fade,

All shall

Fade."

And as the echoes faded, the two brothers fell asleep.

So, what'd you think? Am I any good at writing fluff, that's all I want to know. Cookies to anyone who recognises the song? Yeah, I've got a thing about this song, so I had to include it. The lyrics might not be exact, I wrote them by ear. Okay, until next time, and

REVIEW

-Bird