Chapter 7
Dick woke up to something smelling delicious next to him. When he opened his eyes he saw a tray with eggs, bacon, hash browns and a glass of milk. Dick was in shock; he had never in his life been treated like this. While he was with Deathstroke the best he got was a piece of toast and he was lucky if he got anything on it.
He sat up slowly and looked around. No one was in the infirmary but the door was open, he figured Batman or Robin had come down and unlocked the door. Dick pulled the tray over to him and picked up the fork. When he put some food in his mouth he thought it was sent from heaven, he couldn't remember having anything that tasted even remotely as good as this.
The fifteen-year-old finished the meal and for the first time in a very long time, he felt satisfied instead of still hungry. Deathstroke had said if you feel content you're lazy and not working hard enough. Deathstroke had fed him just enough to keep him alive and keep his muscles strong enough to go on jobs, but not enough to fight back.
Dick got out of bed and placed the tray on the table he found it on and walked out of the infirmary to see what if he could look around the famous 'Batcave'. When he walked out he saw Robin beating up a punching bag.
"Nice moves you got there," he said after watching the younger for a few minutes.
Robin jumped slightly. He looked over and saw Red X stepping out of the shadows and smiled.
"Thanks, you want to show me some of yours?" Robin asked with a grin.
"Sure if you think you can handle it," X smirked back.
Robin showed Red X to the mats where he and Batman spar for training.
"Are you sure you want to do this? You are still hurt you know," Robin asked still smirking but with a bit of worry.
"I'm fine, are you scared?" the older smiled a cheeky grin.
They both got into fighting stances. Robin sprinted forward towards X and threw a punch to his chest. Dick simply dodged and tripped the younger boy who flipped to avoid landing on his face.
Batman walked down to the cave to check on their new guest. He stopped in his tracks when he heard fighting and laughing echoing through the cave. He quickened his pace until he came to the training area. He saw Red X and Robin sparing together. Both were laughing and talking as they talked about their past to each other.
Batman's lips slightly quirked up in a small smile that was almost invisible.
As Robin was thrown on to the mats for the tenth time Batman walked forward. He watched as Red X held out a hand for Robin to help him up, "you need to keep your eyes on your opponent, you lose sight of them and it only takes a second for them to either knock you out or kill you or whatever," X advised.
"I know, you just move to fast," Robin pouted.
"It just takes practice. You'll get it," X encouraged as he helped pull Robin off the mats.
Batman chose that moment to materialize out of the shadows, "Robin and Red X come with me," he commanded in his usual stoic voice.
Robin and Red X looked at each other for a second before following behind the bat.
They stopped near the computer and Batman began, "Red X, you will be staying at Mt. Justice until further notice. Robin will keep an eye on you while you are there. There will be other partners of other heroes there as well, so don't cause any trouble."